Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating genetic algorithms for solving the multiple vehicle pickup and delivery problem with time window

One important problem in transportation and logistics systems is the Multiple Vehicle Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows (MV-PDPTW). The problem deals with a number of pickup and delivery (P&D) requests that should be served by a fleet of vehicles. A delivery location must be served after its corresponding pickup location. The vehicle’s journey should start and end at a central depot, while the load carried by the vehicle should not exceed its capacity. In addition, each request must be served within a certain pre-determined time window (TW) interval. If the vehicle arrives at a location before its due service time, it must wait until the beginning of the specified period. A solution to the problem should assign requests to vehicles and generate a feasible route for each vehicle, such that the total service cost is minimized, and all problem constraints are adhered with. A formal problem definition can be found in [6]. Among the practical applications of the MVPDPTW are the e-commerce activities, the transport of raw materials from suppliers to factories, and the important dial-a-ride services, in which people instead of goods are transported. Similar to the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) 1 , the MV-PDPTW is NP-hard [11]. However, the presence of many constraints adds to the complexity of the problem, and makes even finding a feasible solution a difficult task for many solution algorithms. Since exact algorithms are too slow for large size problems, approximation algorithms are often used to find a reasonable solution. The solution process usually starts by constructing one or more initial solutions to the problem, and then these solutions are improved using heuristics or meta-heuristics. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been successfully used for solving routing and scheduling problems. However, research using GAs for solving the MV-PDPTW is generally scarce, and the results reported by most GA techniques attempted are often disappointing one way or another. The MVPDPTW consists of two related problems. The grouping or the clustering problem tries to find the best allocation of requests to vehicles, while the routing problem is concerned with finding the best feasible route for each vehicle, given the requests assigned to it. When trying to solve this problem using a GA, it is often hard to tackle these two problems simultaneously. Moreover, a major issue is finding a suitable genetic encoding and designing intelligent genetic operators that 1 In the VRPTW it is assumed that either pickup or delivery is performed for all requests, but not both.
Multi-sited governance of large-scale land acquisitions: mapping and evaluating the terrain.

Recent spikes in commodity prices, the growing appetite for primary commodities among emerging economies, growing interest in biofuels and speculations over future returns to land and its products have led to a renewed interest in farmland in the global South. With highly publicized risks and polarized “win-lose” narratives, so-called “land grabbing” has become an important focus of transnational governance activity. In juxtaposition to those seeing large-scale land acquisitions as inherently risky or undesirable, some argue for the potential opportunities they engender—provided risks can be mitigated through improved governance. This paper explores this argument through a systematic analysis of the formal features of the multi-sited governance mechanisms in place to guide agricultural investment and govern its social and environmental effects. The intent is not to discount the importance of informal norms and practices or the so-called “lived experience of governance,” nor the argument that such land acquisitions are inherently flawed irrespective of the “discipline imposed on them. ” Rather, the paper aims to explore the merits of the arguments advanced by the pro-investment camp, and to explore the extent to which the emerging global governance architecture is set up to deliver on the purported benefits of large-scale agricultural investment. Results suggest that serious weaknesses in the substantive scope, reach and/or implementation mechanisms in all of the reviewed governance mechanisms pose a serious risk to the likely effectiveness of the emerging governance architecture in minimizing risks and leveraging benefits. Addressing these weaknesses is an obvious first step for bolstering the credibility of those advocating that governance is the solution.
Evaluation of adjunctive systemic doxycycline with non-surgical periodontal therapy within type 2 diabetic patients

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of systemic doxycycline on clinical and microbiological parameters of diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis. Methods: This 9-month multi-center, randomized, parallel, single-blinded study was conducted from different hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 2010 and December 2010. A total of 76 diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis were randomized into 2 groups: control group (CG) received only scaling and root planing (SRP), and the treatment group (TG) receiving systemic doxycycline during the reevaluation visit 45 days after the completion of SRP. Probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index, plaque index, and bleeding on probing were collected at baseline, 45 days after SRP, and one, 3, and 6 months after the use of systemic doxycycline. Microbiological analysis comprised the detection of Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) by polymerase chain reaction method. Results: Sixty-eight (33 CG and 35 TG) subjects completed the study. Greater reduction in the population of Tf, Pg, and Pi were observed in TG compared with CG in the first month after the administration of systemic doxycycline. The TG showed a significant improvement in gingival index scores compared with the CG (p<0.05) by the end of the first and 6 months after the administration of doxycycline. Conclusion: Adjunct systemic doxycycline can be associated with a reduction of Tf, Pg, and Pi in the first month after the administration of doxycycline with an improvement in the GI.
Uncovering effects of programming paradigms: Errors in two spreadsheet systems

Empirical studies of spreadsheet programming have commonly shown high over all error rates but much less attention has been paid to reasons for these errors. One often mentioned cause for errors is the low conceptual level of spreadsheet systems. By changing the conceptual level of spreadsheet system, we wanted to study whether this will produce different type of errors compared to traditional spreadsheet systems. In this paper we present an empirical study comparing the traditional spreadsheet calculation paradigm with the structured spreadsheet calculation paradigm that utilizes goals, plans and spreadsheet data structures in computation. The results show that the error behavior of novice spreadsheet users is systematically different between paradigms.
Differential Evolution algorithm for model reduction of SISO discrete systems

Reduction of Single Input Single Output (SISO) discrete systems into Reduced Order Model (ROM), using a conventional and a bio-inspired evolutionary technique is presented in this paper. In the conventional technique, mixed advantages of Modified Cauer Form (MCF) and differentiation are used. In this method, the original discrete system is first converted into equivalent continuous system by applying bilinear transformation. The denominator of the equivalent continuous system and its reciprocal are differentiated successively and the reduced denominator of the desired order is obtained by combining the differentiated polynomials. The numerator is obtained by matching the quotients of MCF. Finally, the reduced continuous system is converted back into discrete system using inverse bilinear transformation. In the evolutionary technique method, Differential Evolution (DE) optimization technique is employed to reduce the higher order model. DE method is based on the minimization of the Integral Squared Error (ISE) between the transient responses of original higher order model and the reduced order model pertaining to a unit step input. Both the methods are illustrated through numerical example.
Remarks on k-Level Algorithms in the Plane

In light of recent developments, this paper reexamines the fundamental geometric problem of how to construct the k-level in an arrangement of n lines in the plane. The author's recent dynamic data structure for planar convex hulls improves a decade-old sweep-line algorithm by Edelsbrunner and Welzl, which now runs in O(n logm+m log 1+" n) deterministic time and O(n) space, where m is the output size and " is any positive constant. We discuss simpliication of the data structure in this particular application, by viewing the problem kinetically. Har-Peled recently announced a randomized algorithm with an expected running time of O((n + m)(n) log n). We observe that a version of an earlier randomized incremental algorithm by Agarwal, de Berg, Matou sek, and Schwarzkopf yields almost the same result. The current combinatorial bound by Dey shows that m = O(nk 1=3) in the worst case. We give an algorithm that guarantees O(n logn + nk 1=3) expected time.
Software piracy and producers developers' strategies

A method of manufacturing a shoe including cutting a columnar raw material to a given length to provide a disc-shaped raw material, forming on one end face of the disc-shaped raw material a spherical sliding surface which is to be disposed in sliding contact with a spherical surface on a piston, and forming a thermal sprayed layer on the other end face of the disc-shaped raw material. The thermal sprayed layer serves as a flat plate-shaped sliding surface which is to be disposed in sliding contact with a swash plate. A shoe which is provided with the thermal sprayed layer exhibits an increased seizure resistance in comparison to a conventional shoe which is formed with a sintered layer, and can be manufactured inexpensively.
Oxygen uptake kinetics and energy system’s contribution around maximal lactate steady state swimming intensity

The purpose of this study was to examine the oxygen uptake (V˙O2) kinetics and the energy systems’ contribution at 97.5, 100 and 102.5% of the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) swimming intensity. Ten elite female swimmers performed three-to-five 30 min submaximal constant swimming bouts at imposed paces for the determination of the swimming velocity (v) at 100%MLSS based on a 7 x 200 m intermittent incremental protocol until voluntary exhaustion to find the v associated at the individual anaerobic threshold. V˙O2 kinetics (cardiodynamic, primary and slow component phases) and the aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions were assessed during the continuous exercises, which the former was studied for the beginning and second phase of exercise. Subjects showed similar time delay (TD) (mean = 11.5–14.3 s) and time constant (τp) (mean = 13.8–16.3 s) as a function of v, but reduced amplitude of the primary component for 97.5% (35.7 ± 7.3 mL.kg.min-1) compared to 100 and 102.5%MLSS (41.0 ± 7.0 and 41.3 ± 5.4 mL.kg.min-1, respectively), and τp decreased (mean = 9.6–10.8 s) during the second phase of exercise. Despite the slow component did not occur for all swimmers at all swim intensities, when observed it tended to increase as a function of v. Moreover, the total energy contribution was almost exclusively aerobic (98–99%) at 97.5, 100 and 102.5%MLSS. We suggest that well-trained endurance swimmers with a fast TD and τp values may be able to adjust faster the physiological requirements to minimize the amplitude of the slow component appearance, parameter associated with the fatigue delay and increase in exhaustion time during performance, however, these fast adjustments were not able to control the progressive fatigue occurred slightly above MLSS, and most of swimmers reached exhaustion before 30min swam.
Increased plasma methylmalonic acid level does not predict clinical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of vitamin B(12) deficiency, defined as an elevated concentration of plasma methylmalonic acid (P-MMA), has been estimated to be 15% to 44% in the elderly. However, we do not know whether an increased P-MMA level actually indicates or predicts a clinical condition in need of treatment. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS In a follow-up study, 432 individuals not treated with vitamin B(12) were examined 1.0 to 3.9 years after initial observation of an increased P-MMA concentration (>0.28 micromol/L). The examination included laboratory tests, a structured interview to disclose symptoms, a food frequency questionnaire, and a clinical examination including a Neurological Disability Score. RESULTS Variation in P-MMA levels over time was high (coefficient of variation, 34%). In only 16% of participants, P-MMA levels increased substantially, whereas 44% showed a decrease. Level of P-MMA was significantly but not strongly associated with levels of plasma cobalamins (r = -0.22, P<.001) and plasma total homocysteine (r = 0.37, P<.001). After adjustment for age and sex, we found no associations between P-MMA concentration and the total symptom score (P =.61), the total Neurological Disability Score (P =.64), or other clinical manifestations related to vitamin B(12) deficiency. CONCLUSIONS An increased level of P-MMA did not predict a further increase with time and clinical manifestations related to vitamin B(12) deficiency. We therefore challenge the use of an increased P-MMA concentration as the only marker for diagnosis of vitamin B(12) deficiency.
Modified Bayesian Optimization Algorithm for Sparse Linear Antenna Design

In this paper, a modifled Bayesian Optimization Algo- rithm (BOA), named M-BOA, is proposed to introduce a suitable mu- tation scheme for the traditional procedure in order to speed up the convergence of the algorithm and to avoid it to be trapped in local minima or to stagnate in suboptimal solutions. The proposed algo- rithm has been applied both to a speciflc mathematical test function and to sparse linear antenna arrays design, showing outperforming ca- pabilities not only with respect to the standard BOA, but also with respect to other assessed global optimization methods.
ODDLS: A new unstructured mesh finite element method for the analysis of free surface flow problems

This paper introduces a new stabilized finite element method based on the finite calculus (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 1998; 151:233–267) and arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian techniques (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 1998; 155:235–249) for the solution to free surface problems. The main innovation of this method is the application of an overlapping domain decomposition concept in the statement of the problem. The aim is to increase the accuracy in the capture of the free surface as well as in the resolution of the governing equations in the interface between the two fluids. Free surface capturing is based on the solution to a level set equation. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved using an iterative monolithic predictor–corrector algorithm (Encyclopedia of Computational Mechanics. Wiley: New York, 2004), where the correction step is based on imposing the divergence‐free condition in the velocity field by means of the solution to a scalar equation for the pressure. Examples of application of the ODDLS formulation (for overlapping domain decomposition level set) to the analysis of different free surface flow problems are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel Position-Based Visual Servoing approach for robust global stability with feature points kept within the Field-of-View

In this paper, we shed new light on PBVS (Position-Based Visual Servoing) by introducing the concept of a 3D (Dimension) visible set for PBVS, which can serve to play exactly the role of the 2D visible set, image plane, for IBVS. Our 3D visible set is convex even in the presence of uncertainties in intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the camera, just as the image plane is a convex set. Then, we can ensure the FOV (Field of View) constraint simply by controlling the camera pose to follow a smooth straight-line trajectory in our 3D visible set for PBVS, which connects two points determined by the initial and desired poses of the camera. To demonstrate further the validity and practicality of our VS scheme, we also present various experimental results using a 6 degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator.
Pricing and hedging exotic options in stochastic volatility models

This thesis studies pricing and hedging barrier and other exotic options in continuous stochastic volatility models. Classical put-call symmetry relates the price of puts and calls under a suitable dual market transform. One well-known application is the semi-static hedging of path-dependent barrier options with European options. This, however, in its classical form requires the price process to observe rather stringent and unrealistic symmetry properties. In this thesis, we provide a general self-duality theorem to develop pricing and hedging schemes for barrier options in stochastic volatility models with correlation. A decomposition formula for pricing barrier options is then derived by Ito calculus which provides an alternative approach rather than solving a partial differential equation problem. Simulation on the performance is provided. In the last part of the thesis, via a version of the reflection principle by Desire Andre, originally proved for Brownian motion, we study its application to the pricing of exotic options in a stochastic volatility context.
Benefits and Limitations of Feeding Corn DDGS to Grower-Finisher Pigs

Corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) has become the most popular, economical, and widely available alternative feed ingredient in U.S. swine diets. Its high energy (3,674 to 4,336 kcal ME/kg DM), moderate protein (27 to 33%, DM basis) and lysine (0.60 to 1.1%, DM) content, along with its relatively high concentration of phosphorus (0.57 to 0.85%, DM basis) and digestibility (50 to 68%), make it an excellent partial replacement for corn, soybean meal, and inorganic phosphate in swine diets. Due to extremely favorable prices of DDGS relative to corn and soybean meal during the past two years in the U.S., there has been a tremendous economic incentive for pork producers to increase dietary DDGS inclusion rates to 30 to 40% in grower-finisher diets. In fact, U.S. pork producers have saved $3 to $7 in feed costs per pig by adding DDGS to grower-finisher the diets during the past few years. However, feeding high levels of DDGS to grower-finisher pigs has created some challenges including:
Global Convergence of Radial Basis Function Trust-Region Algorithms for Derivative-Free Optimization

We analyze globally convergent, derivative-free trust-region algorithms relying on radial basis function interpolation models. Our results extend the recent work of Conn, Scheinberg, and Vicente [SIAM J. Optim. , 20 (2009), pp. 387--415] to fully linear models that have a nonlinear term. We characterize the types of radial basis functions that fit in our analysis and thus show global convergence to first-order critical points for the ORBIT algorithm of Wild, Regis, and Shoemaker [SIAM J. Sci. Comput. , 30 (2008), pp. 3197--3219]. Using ORBIT, we present numerical results for different types of radial basis functions on a series of test problems. We also demonstrate the use of ORBIT in finding local minima on a computationally expensive environmental engineering problem involving remediation of contaminated groundwater.
Mercados formal e informal de crédito en Mexico: Un estudio de caso

The coexistence of formal and informal suppliers of credit in a market generates the need of analyzing how those suppliers interact to satisfy the households’ demand of financial services. The objective of such analysis is the identification of an institutional design that allows the deepening of the financial sector. In this paper, we analyze the Mexican households’ participation in the formal and informal sectors of the credit market, with emphasis in the amount borrowed and income level. We use data from the 2004 Survey of savings, popular credit and micro-finances prepared by Banco del Ahorro Nacional y Servicios Financieros (BANSEFI). Our results indicate that the participation in the informal market is more frequent in households that borrow short amounts, while the participation in the formal market increases when households borrow large amounts. On the other hand, the participation in the formal market increases with the household’s income. Moreover, we find evidence that the formal and informal markets of credit are not perfect substitutes because there are households in the extremes of the income distribution that participate in both markets. There is also evidence of discriminatory behavior from the households in the sense that the probability of asking credit to the informal (formal) market is higher when the amount requested is lower (higher).
Simulation of a Bandwidth Threshold-Based Packet Discarding Algorithm for Internet Routers

During network congestion, Internet routers discard or accept packets without any regard to the impact the discarded packets might have on the applications or the level of usefulness accepted packets might bring to the applications. Such indiscriminate packet discarding leads to less than desirable performance for the network and the network applications, especially when both multimedia and data communication applications share the same networking resources. The authors have previously proposed a bandwidth threshold based packet discarding algorithm which, instead of accepting packets at any rate during congestion, discards packets based on a minimum bandwidth threshold. If the router is unable to meet the minimum bandwidth requirement of an application, all packets from the application are dropped until more bandwidth is available. This paper presents simulation results of the bandwidth threshold based packet discarding algorithm. The results confirm the earlier claims that the proposed algorithm can eliminate "useless" packet forwarding for multimedia applications during congestion and improve the performance of data communication applications.
Secure Video Transmission Against Black Hole Attack in MANETs

Mobile Adhoc Networks MANETs are open to a wide range of attacks due to their unique characteristics like dynamic topology, shared medium, absence of infrastructure, and resource constraints. Data packets sent by a source node may reach destination through a number of intermediate nodes. In the absence of security mechanism, it is easy for an intermediate node to intercept or modify the messages, thus attacking the normal operation of MANET. One such attack is Black hole attack, in which, a malicious node called Black hole node attracts all the traffic of the network towards itself, and discards all the packets without forwarding them to the intended recipients. This paper evaluates the performance of Adhoc on-demand Distance Vector AODV and its multi-path variant Adhoc On-demand Multi-path Distance Vector AOMDV routing protocols under black hole attack. Non-cryptographic solutions Secure Blackhole AODV SBAODV and Secure Blackhole AOMDV SBAOMDV have been proposed to mitigate the effect of black hole attack. Through NS-2 simulations, the performance of the proposed protocols with video streaming is analyzed. The results show that the proposed solutions provide better performance than the conventional AODV and AOMDV.