bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of martial arts training on the personality formation of higher education students
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Dongdong Chen , Bondar Anastasiia ,   Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Shaoying Liu ,   Haikou University of Economics
Published: June 2024

Purpose: to determine the role of martial arts in the process of forming a harmonious personality of higher education students in the People's Republic of China and Ukraine. Material and Methods. Theoretical and empirical research methods were used in the study: analysis of scientific and methodological literature and Internet sources, analysis of regulatory documents; comparative analysis; method of value orientations by M. Rokic; sociological survey (questionnaire); methods of mathematical statistics. Results: the study examines the peculiarities of the use of martial arts in higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China and Ukraine, conducts a sociological survey of higher education students of both countries regarding their attitude to practicing various types of martial arts, and compares the value orientations of students formed under the influence of martial arts. It turned out that in higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China, martial arts are included as a compulsory subject in the State Physical Education Program, while in Ukrainian higher education institutions, certain types of martial arts are introduced into the educational process by the decision of the management. The survey showed that higher education students in both countries consider martial arts to be popular sports and engage in these sports for harmonious development and health. Some terminal and instrumental values of higher education students in China and Ukraine are somewhat different, while the general value orientations and life principles of martial arts students are similar. Conclusions. Martial arts training has a positive effect on the harmonious development of higher education students. Under the influence of training, the level of physical development increases, a system of values aimed at personal growth and life wisdom is formed. Higher education students who are engaged in martial arts take care of their own health and personal development. They prioritize education, responsibility, strong will, and friendship, which indicate a desire for physical, intellectual, and moral and ethical growth. The results of the study make it possible to recommend martial arts training in higher education institutions in order to improve physical condition or achieve high sports results.
Comparative Assessment of Stress Levels in Residential and Nonresidential Sports Men and Women: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: W Vinu , Kumar G. Vinod , Kabeer Dilshith Azeezul , Eldos Ayona , Ketheeswaran K.
Published: June 2024

Back ground: Sports have witnessed remarkable development over the past few decades, primarily attributed to the pivotal role played by mental prowess. Sports individuals' intellectual quotient (IQ) and mental stability have become integral factors in their performance. This study focuses on the psychological aspect of stress in sports, analyzing the stress levels among residential and nonresidential male and female college and university players in Tamil Nadu.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the stress levels exhibited by sportsmen and women during training and competition, emphasizing the need for psychological comprehension and counseling.

Material and methodology: The survey involved 1600 subjects, including 400 residential men players, 400 residential women players, 400 nonresidential men players, and 400 nonresidential women players from various universities and colleges. A psychological stress coping questionnaire was administered to assess stress levels, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Reena Kaul and Bedi's stress scale (2001).

Results: Significant differences in stress levels were observed among residential and nonresidential men players, with residential men players demonstrating higher stress levels (Mean = 50.14, SD = 0.09) compared to nonresidential men players (Mean = 46.41, SD = 0.15; t-value = 408.04, p < 0.05). A similar pattern was found among residential and nonresidential women players, with residential women players experiencing lower stress levels (Mean = 46.06, SD = 0.77) compared to nonresidential women players (Mean = 48.51, SD = 0.81; t-value = 41.64, p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant difference in stress levels was observed between residential men and women players (t-value = 40.58, p < 0.05) and nonresidential men and women players (t-value = 8.74, p < 0.05). The analysis of stress variables revealed a substantial mean difference among all four groups, comprising men and women, residential and nonresidential university and college players (F-value = 4486.25, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study concludes significant variations in stress levels among residential and nonresidential male and female college and university players in Tamil Nadu. The findings are supported by statistically significant differences in stress experiences within these player groups, emphasizing the need for psychological support and interventions in sports.
The effect of radiofrequency treatment on insulin resistance in obese post-menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abdo Shymaa Mohammed , El-Badry Salwa M , Al-kholy Wessam Ali , Kamel Dalia M , Salem Hossam H , Abdulmohsen Mona Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Obese post-menopausal women commonly develop insulin resistance due to a lack of estrogen hormone during menopause. Central abdominal fat and its related cardiovascular diseases are the consequences of insulin resistance. So, it represents a significant medical and socioeconomic issue impacting women’s health and quality of life. To determine the effect of radiofrequency in the treatment of insulin resistance in obese post-menopausal women.

Material and Methods: Fifty-two post-menopausal women who were diagnosed with insulin resistance and abdominal obesity, whose age ranged from 48 to 60 years old, participated in this study. They were recruited from El- Khalil Ebrahem Hospital in Hadaek El Maadi, Cairo. The patients were assigned randomly into two groups equal in number (A & B). Group (A), 26 patients who were treated with radiofrequency (twice/week/4 months), regular diet habits, and medical standard care for insulin resistance, while Group (B), 26 patients treated with regular diet habits and medical standard care for insulin resistance. Outcome measures, HOMA-IR and abdominal fat thickness were assessed prior to and after a four-month treatment duration for both groups.

Results: There was a statistical improvement in HOMA-IR (insulin resistance) and abdominal fat thickness within both groups (A & B) (p < 0.05). Post-treatment comparison revealed better improvement in favor of group A than group B (p < 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion: Adding radiofrequency to selected physical therapy program has improved insulin resistance and decreased abdominal fat in obese post-menopausal women.
Adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancers: systematic review and perspectives
Authors: Youbi Zakaria Ahmed
Published: June 2024

The various adjuvant treatments to be proposed for endometrial cancers, alone or in combination are external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), vaginal brachytherapy (VBT), chemotherapy, targeted therapies and/or immunotherapy. In our systematic review, we will attempt to detail the various therapeutic indications, taking into account the latest technical advances and the inclusion of molecular factors in the new classification. Endometrial cancer is very common gynecological tumor in developed countries, due to increasing life expectancy. Generally discovered at the localized stage (70%), the standard treatment remains surgery, including total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and lymph node dissection or sentinel biopsy of pelvic +/- para-aortic nodes. The choice of adjuvant treatment depends essentially on clinico-pathological risk factors. Recently, a new molecular classification has identified 4 subgroups with different prognoses to be taken into account when choosing adjuvant treatments.
Primary hydatid cyst of cerebellar vermis: a pediatric case report with updated surgical management
Authors: Hammoud M , Alaoui NK , Benzagmout M , Chakour K , Chaoui MF
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Hydatid cyst is a rare parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ, followed by the lungs and spleen. Brain involvement, is uncommon, representing approximately 1-2% of reported hydatid cyst cases worldwide. Mostly located in the supratentorial region. Cerebellar location is even rarer. Case description: A 3-year-old boy was referred to our department exhibiting signs of increased intracranial pressure, ataxia, and diplopia. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-defined intra-axial unilocular cystic lesion in the cerebellar vermis without contrast enhancement, indicative of a hydatid cyst. Surgical management, utilizing Dowling’s technique, resulted in a very favorable outcome with the patient achieving full recovery. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of meticulous surgical treatment to prevent cyst rupture, as this complication can significantly worsen the overall outcome.
PRES syndrome in the practice of a neurologist: a clinical case
Authors: Karzhaubayeva Manchuk
Published: June 2024

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic condition that occurs secondarily in response to the inability of the posterior circulation system to respond to acute changes in blood pressure. Hyperperfusion leads to a violation of the blood-brain barrier, resulting in the development of vasogenic edema, more often in the parietal-occipital region.1 This article presents a clinical case of a young patient with the PRES syndrome, after taking large amounts of narcotic and alcoholic substances, and clinically manifested by convulsions and spastic hypertension in all extremities, which led to restriction of the patient's movement. The peculiarity is the persistence of clinical manifestations and the lack of visible effects from treatment. Therefore, given the importance of changes in brain matter and the versatility of clinical manifestations, a clinical case of PRES syndrome in a patient is presented below to improve the awareness of practicing neurologists. The peculiarity of this case is the severity of clinical manifestations and an unfavorable outcome, which is relatively rare in this syndrome.
Spontaneous abscess of the cervical posterior simple meningocele of child: A rare case and literature review
Authors: Hamma Ousmane Issoufou , Dossou Mèhomè Wilfried , Agada Kpègnon Nicaise , Lawson Laté Dzidoula , Chaïbou Sodé Haboubacar
Published: June 2024

An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood in the epidural space and can occur after even minor head trauma. It is defined as the excellence of neurosurgical emergencies. In children, it is the most common posttraumatic intracranial hematoma, and is generally caused by falls from height or domestic accidents. However, in children, the increase in intracranial pressure is compensated for longer, due to the high compliance of the skull vault and brain parenchyma, but can suddenly lead to encephalic involvement and, in rare cases, even hemispheric infarction. Here, we report the case of a 23-month-old boy who presented with a subacute posttraumatic epidural hematoma complicated by cerebral infarction following a fall from a height. He was referred to us with an admission delay of 50 hours and was then rapidly taken to the operating room for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, the postoperative course was marked by complications. This case highlights that infarction during subacute epidural hematoma is a sign of a very poor prognosis.
How similar-to-me is too similar-to-me? Do young women really want to be like the influencer in that luxury fashion advertisement?
Authors: McNeill Lisa S , McDonald-Mair Zoe
Published: June 2024

This study asks whether social media influencers or celebrities are more effective in endorsing luxury fashion goods. Using a New Zealand sample of women aged 18-25, this study employed a between-subjects experimental design with participants responding to either a celebrity or influencer advertising condition, using a luxury handbag as a stimulus. Using match-up hypotheses and self-congruity theory, the current study finds that celebrities encourage greater feelings of wishful identification among the sample group of young women, that participants express an actual self-concept that is more similar to celebrity images and that celebrities promote stronger positive attitudes towards luxury products and advertisements amongst these young women. The study provides a novel contribution to endorsement and promotion literature, as it contradicts prior studies of low involvement goods (such as cosmetics or diet products) which find that young female consumers prefer endorsers who are socially closer to themselves. The study is one of the few to directly compare responses to celebrity and social media endorsement of luxury products, thus extending our knowledge of the likely return on investment in social media endorsement by social influencers.
Meningitis in Children: Still a Can’t-Miss Diagnosis
Authors: Skar Gwenn , Flannigan Lillian , Latch Rebecca , Snowden Jessica
Published: June 2024

Although vaccination and antimicrobial treatment have significantly impacted the frequency and outcomes of meningitis in children, meningitis remains a critical can’t-miss diagnosis for children, where early recognition and appropriate treatment can improve survival and neurologic outcomes. Signs and symptoms may be nonspecific, particularly in infants, and require a high index of suspicion to recognize potential meningitis and obtain the cerebrospinal fluid studies necessary for diagnosis. Understanding the pathogens associated with each age group and specific risk factors informs optimal empirical antimicrobial therapy. Early treatment and developmental support can significantly improve the survival rates and lifelong neurodevelopment of children with central nervous system infections.
HS-SPME GC/MS Volatile profile of the Onion Allium fistulosum L. variety Pereirana, cultivated in Colombia
Authors: Arrubla Vélez Juan Pablo , Uribe Tabares Santiago , Durán Norma Patricia
Published: June 2024

The study presents a characterization of the volatile organic compounds found in both raw and the essential oil of the “Pereirana Onion,” an endemic Colombian Welsh onion variety for which the composition has not been previously reported. The analysis was conducted using four distinct fibers through the HS-SPME/GC-MS method. The results revealed that chopped Pereirana onions release as many as 29 different compounds, with concentrations up to 20 times higher than those observed in other evaluated onion species (Biónica, Veleña, and Veleña Sonsón). Most of these compounds are sulfur-based, including dipropyl disulfide, (E)-1-(Prop-1-en-1-yl)-2-propyldisulfane, disulfide, methyl 1-(methylthio) propyl, dipropyl trisulphide, and (E)-1-(Prop-1-en-1-yl)-3-propyltrisulfane. Furthermore, steam extraction of essential oils from Pereirana onions led to the identification of up to 70 different compounds. Simple correspondence analysis (SCA) revealed that Veleña and Veleña Sonsón onion species share common compounds but significantly differ from Biónica and Pereirana varieties cultivated in Risaralda, Colombia. These findings suggest potential applications in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries, paving the way for future research and industrial utilization.
Evaluation of the inclusion of three oils on productive parameters and carcass characteristics in broiler
Authors: González Sepúlveda Carlo Augusto , Giraldo Mejía Ángel M , Oviedo Álvarez Edgar A
Published: June 2024

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of three oil sources with the inclusion of three levels on some performance variables, carcass quality, and broiler organs. The sources used were palm oil (Elaeis guineensis), chicken oil, and Sacha inchi oil (Plukentia volubilis). A total of 324 female Ross 308 line were assigned in a completely random design to nine treatments with six repetitions of six birds per repetition, which were fed with a diet based on corn and soybean meal containing 3, 6, and 9% inclusion of each one of the oil sources for the periods between 8 to 21 days of age and 22 to 42 days of age. Live weight and feed consumption data were recorded weekly to calculate the feed conversion ratio, considering mortality. On day 42, one female broiler from each repetition was randomly selected, weighed, and sacrificed, to obtain upgraded data characteristics from the carcass. The results suggest that there was no significant difference in animal response variables or channel quality. Regarding the carcass variables and some poultry organs, the only one affected by the source was the deposition of abdominal fat. Sacha inchi oil produced carcasses with a lower average of abdominal fat in relation to weight and slaughter, with no differences between palm and chicken oils.
Poultry meat preservation with citric acid obtained from the fermentation of wheat straw by Aspergillus niger
Authors: Osazuwa Christopher , Olaniyi Oladipo Oladiti , Akinyele Bamidele Juliet , Akinyosoye Felix Akinsola
Published: June 2024

Wheat straw is a highly abundant waste material that can be utilized as a carbon source in various fermentation processes. This study aimed to generate citric acid using Aspergillus niger from wheat straw and to evaluate its preservative potential in fresh poultry meat samples. Wheat straw samples were dried, pulverized, and chemically pretreated. The obtained wheat straw slurry (100 g L-1) was saccharified at 50 °C using cellulases obtained from Trichoderma viride. The hydrolyzed substrate was then subjected to fermentation by Aspergillus niger at 35 °C, 180 rpm, and pH=5 for 7 days. The citric acid generated was determined via the HPLC technique. Poultry meat was obtained and treated by soaking in different concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) of citric acid (n=4). The treated samples were then stored in sterile plastic bags for 14 days at 4 °C. Total Bacterial Count (TBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), TVB-N, and TBARS were determined as storage progressed, and pH, TTA, and sensory evaluation were carried out. The highest citric acid obtained was 14.15 g L-1 which resulted in a percent yield of 26.18%. Treatment of meat with 3% citric acid had the lowest TBC and TCC of 2.55 and 0.34 Log10 CFU g-1 after 7 days of storage respectively. There were significant differences in the TBC and TCC observed within the treatments (P<0.05) as observed. T-VBN and TBARS reduction during storage was most evident in meat samples treated with 3% citric acid, retaining acceptability of 31.22 mg 100 g-1 and 0.74 mg kg-1, respectively at day 10. The 2% citric acid treatment had the best sensory attributes (16) on day 7. Findings from this study show that treatment with 2% citric acid and above showed promising results in extending the shelf-life of fresh poultry meat samples.
Effect of warm temperature and water shortages on early growth of Lepidium meyenii Walpers
Authors: Valqui-Peña David , Yon Torres Felipe , Clark Leza Daniel , Gonzáles Wilfredo L.
Published: June 2024

Increasing water deficits and warming temperatures due to climate change threaten agricultural systems in the Peruvian Andes, where environmental conditions are themselves challenging. Lepidium meyenii Walpers also known as "maca" is an endemic root crop that can tolerate adverse conditions such as low temperatures and high UV radiation, but little is known about its response to drought. This study aimed to test the effect on maca germination and early seedling growth of water restriction under two maximum temperatures: 15 °C (current scenario) and 20 °C (warming scenario). Water restriction had either a direct or a temperature-dependent effect on germination and above ground seedling growth, which was greater at 15 °C. By contrast, its effects on seedlings growing at 20 °C were completely overcome by faster germination, initial growth, and biomass acquisition. The results are consistent with those from other crops and contribute to the understanding of how climate change is affecting high-mountain agriculture.
Project Spotlight: Innovative use of precast for a university facility
Authors: Atkinson William
Published: June 2024

A new building at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the Conway School of Nursing and Campus Gateway project, made innovative use of precast con¬crete. High Concrete Group, based in Denver, Pa., was the precast concrete producer selected for the project.
Project Spotlight: Scheduling key to major East Coast bridge
Authors: Atkinson William
Published: June 2024

The new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge over the Potomac River uses precast concrete to replace the steel bridge that opened across the river in 1940. Coastal Precast Systems of Chesapeake, Va., was brought on to design and build all precast concrete elements on the new bridge.
Project Spotlight: Tollway uses largest prestressed concrete bridge girders produced in Midwest
Authors: Atkinson William
Published: June 2024

County Prestress & Precast LLC of Janesville, Wis., (formerly operating as County Materials Corp. at the time of this project) manufactured and delivered 523 prestressed concrete girders for the Mile-Long Bridge in Chicago, Ill.
Trojan Horses Facing the Mirror
Authors: Dos Santos Renan William , Kearns Laurel D.
Published: June 2024

We examine the appropriations of stewardship ethics by religious anti-environmental movement organizations (RAEMOs). Based on a qualitative analysis of promotional materials, we highlight similar framing alignment processes carried out by two RAEMOs in different contexts: the US Cornwall Alliance and the Brazilian Institute Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira (IPCO). We found that, despite their different theological inspirations and target audiences, the RAEMOs use the same general master counter-framing to stimulate a sense of battle in which ‘genuine stewards’ must resist anti-Christian ideologies camouflaged as environmentalism, restricting themselves to a pasteurized care for creation, symbolized by the concept of gardening. As for the framing variations, we suggest that they are driven not so much by distinct religious beliefs as by political and economic coalitions, mainly linked to the fossil fuels sector in the North American case, and agribusiness, in the Brazilian case.
Treatment of Retrograde Peri-Implantitis Originating From Apical Periodontitis of an Adjacent Tooth: A Clinical Case Letter
Authors: Oh Se-Lim , Tordik Patricia A.
Published: June 2024

This report aims to present a treatment of retrograde peri-implantitis originating from apical periodontitis of an adjacent tooth in an 84-year-old male. Apical periodontitis of the maxillary left central incisor (#9) extended to the apex of the maxillary left lateral incisor implant (#10), which had been functioning for 16 years. Root canal treatment for #9 was performed, followed by root end surgery to treat the apical periodontitis, which showed a periapical radiolucency measured 1 cm in its greatest dimension. After the root end filling was placed, neither bone substitute materials nor barrier membranes were used to fill and cover the bony defect area. A 2-year postoperative radiograph confirmed the osseous healing around the apices of #9 and #10.
İşitme Engelliler Ortaokullarında Görev Yapan Din Kültürü ve Ahlak Bilgisi Öğretmenlerinin Mesleki Yeterlilikleri
Authors: Özkan Arkın , Çuhadar Cengiz
Published: June 2024

İşitme kaybı sebebiyle işitme engeli olan çocukların dil gelişimleri gecikmekte ve buna bağlı olarak da bilişsel ve sosyal gelişimlerinde gecikme yaşanmaktadır. Bu sebeple işitme engelli çocuklara işitme engelliler için açılan ilkokullar, ortaokullar ve liselerde özel eğitim verilmektedir. İşitme engelliler ortaokullarının ve bu okullarda öğrenim gören öğrencilerin birçok sorunu bulunmaktadır. Bu sorunlardan biri de öğretmen eğitimi konusudur. Çünkü işitme engelliler eğitimi özel bir alandır ve eğitim verecek kişilerin de bu özel eğitimi verebilecek yeterlilikte olması gerekmektedir. Ancak özel eğitime ihtiyacı olan işitme engelli öğrencilere eğitim veren işitme engelliler ortaokullarında görev yapmaya başlayan Din Kültürü ve Ahlak Bilgisi (DKAB) öğretmenleri, bu okullarda görev yapan diğer branş öğretmenleri gibi işitme engelli öğrencilerin eğitimi konusunda özel eğitim almadan, işitme engelli öğrencileri tanımadan bu okullarda görev yapmaya başlamaktadır. Bu da birçok sorunu beraberinde getirmektedir. Bu araştırmada Türkiye’de işitme engelliler ortaokullarında görev yapan DKAB öğretmenlerinin DKAB derslerinin öğretimi konusundaki yeterliliklerini, yine DKAB öğretmenlerinin görüşlerine bağlı kalarak çeşitli boyutlarıyla ortaya çıkarmak amaçlanmıştır. Öğretmenlerin karşılaştıkları sorunları ayrıntılı olarak ifade edebilecekleri düşüncesiyle araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemi belirlenmiştir. Farklı illerde bulunan öğretmenlere yönelik hazırlanan görüşme formu, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği ve standartlaştırılmış açık uçlu görüşme yapılarak 28 katılımcıya uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada ortaya çıkan bulgular değerlendirilmiş ve araştırmanın son bölümünde sonuç ve öneriler ifade edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda işitme engelliler ortaokullarında göreve başlayan DKAB öğretmenlerinin bu alanda yeterli düzeyde eğitim almadan göreve başladıkları, bu sebeple okula uyum sağlayana kadar ciddi bir zaman kaybı yaşadıkları, öğrencilerle iletişim kurmada zorlandıkları, öğretmen ve öğrencilerin yeterli seviyede Türk işaret dili bilmemesinin de bu sorunu artırdığı görülmüştür. Öğretmenlerin derslerde farklı anlatım yöntemleri kullanmaya çalışmalarına rağmen bu konuda da zorluklar olduğu, bireyselleştirilmiş eğitim planı hazırlanması ve uygulanmasında da sorunlar yaşandığı ortaya çıkmıştır.
Modeling Assistance for Hierarchical Planning: An Approach for Correcting Hierarchical Domains with Missing Actions
Authors: Lin Songtuan , Höller Daniel , Bercher Pascal
Published: June 2024

The complexity of modeling planning domains is a major obstacle for making automated planning techniques more accessible, raising the demand of tools for providing modeling assistance. In particular, tools that can automatically correct errors in a planning domain are of great importance. Previous works have devoted efforts to developing such approaches for correcting classical (non-hierarchical) domains. However, no approaches exist for hierarchical planning, which is what we offer here. More specifically, our approach takes as input a flawed hierarchical domain together with a plan known to be a solution but actually contradicting the domain (due to errors in the domain) and outputs corrections to the domain that add missing actions to the domain which turn the plan into a solution. The approach achieves this by compiling the problem of finding corrections to another hierarchical planning problem.
Curriculum Generation for Learning Guiding Functions in State-Space Search Algorithms
Authors: Pendurkar Sumedh , Lelis Levi H. S. , Sturtevant Nathan R. , Sharon Guni
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates methods for training parameterized functions for guiding state-space search algorithms. Existing work commonly generates data for training such guiding functions by solving problem instances while leveraging the current version of the guiding function. As a result, as training progresses, the guided search algorithm can solve more difficult instances that are, in turn, used to further train the guiding function. These methods assume that a set of problem instances of varied difficulty is provided. Since previous work was not designed to distinguish the instances that the search algorithm can solve from those that cannot be solved with the current guiding function, the algorithm commonly wastes time attempting and failing to solve many of these instances. In this paper, we improve upon these training methods by generating a curriculum for learning the guiding function that directly addresses this issue. Namely, we propose and evaluate a Teacher-Student Curriculum (TSC) approach where the teacher is an evolutionary strategy that attempts to generate problem instances of ``correct difficulty'' and the student is a guided search algorithm utilizing the current guiding function. The student attempts to solve the problem instances generated by the teacher. We conclude with experiments demonstrating that TSC outperforms the current state-of-the-art Bootstrap Learning method in three representative benchmark domains and three guided search algorithms, with respect to the time required to solve all instances of the test set.
On the Properties of All-Pair Heuristics
Authors: Shperberg Shahaf , Felner Ariel , Siag Lior , Sturtevant Nathan R.
Published: June 2024

While most work in heuristic search concentrates on goal-specific heuristics, which estimate the shortest path cost from any state to the goal, we explore all-pair heuristics that estimate distances between all pairs of states. We examine the relationship between these heuristic functions and the shortest distance function they estimate, revealing that all-pair consistent heuristics may violate the triangle inequality. Thus, we introduce a new property for heuristics called Δ-consistency, requiring adherence to the triangle inequality. Additionally, we present a method for transforming standard consistent heuristics to be Δ-consistent, showcasing its benefits through a synthetic example. We then show that common heuristic families inherently exhibit Δ-consistency. This positive finding encourages the use of all-pair consistent heuristics, and prompts further investigation into the optimality of A*, when given an all-pair heuristic instead of a goal-specific heuristic.
The Bench Transition System and Stochastic Exploration
Authors: Tomasz Dawson , Valenzano Richard
Published: June 2024

Stochastic exploration has been shown to be an effective way to mitigate the negative impact that heuristic local minima and plateaus can have on Greedy Best First Search (GBFS). Previous work has induced exploration using type systems, which typically partition the state-space using simple features like heuristic value and depth. In this work, we introduce new type systems motivated by the Bench Transition System (BTS). The BTS is a structure used to characterize the behaviour of GBFS, that is based on high water-mark benches, which are sets of states that have made the same amount of progress towards the goal. Since the BTS cannot be constructed during search, our type systems approximate the BTS using the notions of Heuristic Improvement and Low Water-Mark. We first identify that these approximations are exact in state-spaces with plateaus but no local minima, and also show that the resulting type systems are probabilistically complete. Our empirical evaluation shows the effectiveness of this approach on a variety of planning domains.
Optimal Unlabeled Pebble Motion on Trees
Authors: Le Bodic Pierre , Lam Edward
Published: June 2024

Given a tree, a set of pebbles initially stationed at some nodes of the tree and a set of target nodes, the Unlabeled Pebble Motion on Trees problem (UPMT) asks to find a plan to move the pebbles one-at-a-time from the starting nodes to the target nodes along the edges of the tree while minimizing the number of moves. This paper proposes the first optimal algorithm for UPMT that is asymptotically as fast as possible, as it runs in a time linear in the size of the input (the tree) and the size of the output (the optimal plan).
Speeding Up Dominance Checks in Multi-Objective Search: New Techniques and Data Structures
Authors: Zhang Han , Salzman Oren , Felner Ariel , Kumar T. K. Satish , Hernández Ulloa Carlos , Koenig Sven
Published: June 2024

In multi-objective search, given a directed graph where each edge is annotated with multiple cost metrics, a start state, and a goal state. We are interested in computing the Pareto frontier, i.e., the set of all undominated paths from the start state to the goal state. Almost all multi-objective search algorithms use dominance checks to determine if a search node can be pruned. Since dominance checks are performed in the inner loop of the multi-objective search, they are the most time-consuming part of it. In this paper, we propose (1) two novel techniques to reduce duplicate dominance checks and (2) a simple data structure that enables more efficient dominance checks. Our experimental results show that combining our proposed techniques and data structure speeds up LTMOA*, a state-of-the-art multi-objective search algorithm, by up to an order of magnitude on road network instances.
Taming Discretised PDDL+ through Multiple Discretisations (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Cardellini Matteo , Maratea Marco , Percassi Francesco , Scala Enrico , Vallati Mauro
Published: June 2024

The PDDL+ formalism allows the use of planning techniques in applications that require the ability to perform hybrid discrete-continuous reasoning. PDDL+ problems are notoriously challenging to tackle, and to reason upon them a well-established approach is discretisation. Existing systems rely on a single discretisation delta or, at most, two: a simulation delta to model the dynamics of the environment, and a planning delta, that is used to specify when decisions can be taken. However, there exist cases where this rigid schema is not ideal, for instance when agents with very different speeds need to cooperate or interact in a shared environment, and a more flexible approach that can accommodate more deltas is necessary. To address the needs of this class of hybrid planning problems, in this paper we introduce a reformulation approach that allows the encapsulation of different levels of discretisation in PDDL+ models, hence allowing any domain-independent planning engine to reap the benefits. Further, we provide the community with a new set of benchmarks that highlights the limits of fixed discretisation.
A New Upper Bound for the Makespan of Cost-Optimal Solutions for Multi-Agent Path Finding (Extended Abstract)
Authors: López Rodrigo , Asín-Achá Roberto , Baier Jorge A.
Published: June 2024

A well-known approach to solving Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) optimally is compilation to Boolean Satisfiability or Answer Set Programming (ASP). Such compilation-based approaches are superior to other approaches on dense, relatively small instances and may invoke the solver multiple times, each with an encoding of the same instance for a different makespan. Critical to their performance is the runtime of the last solver invocation, whose input is the instance encoded with a theoretical upper bound of the makespan of the optimal solution. In this paper, we propose a new theoretical upper bound for such a last invocation. Unlike the previously known bound, when given a MAPF instance P, our bound requires a solution to P_1, a version of P where one of its agents is removed.
We prove that our bound is correct and experimentally significantly tighter than the previously known bound. We propose a recursive parallel approach that allows us to exploit our new bound effectively. Our evaluation of warehouses and random MAPF benchmarks of varied sizes shows that our bound is, on average, 21.2% smaller than the previous bound. This allows for generating grounded ASP formulas around 33.45% smaller and solving 4.9% more instances.
Spectral Clustering in Rule-based Algorithms for Multi-agent Path Finding (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Saccani Irene , Janovská Kristýna , Surynek Pavel
Published: June 2024

We address rule-based algorithms for multi-agent path finding (MAPF). MAPF is a task of finding non-conflicting paths connecting agents' initial and goal positions in a shared environment specified via an undirected graph. Rule-based algorithms use a fixed set of predefined primitive operations to move agents to their goal positions in a complete manner. We propose to apply spectral clustering on the underlying graph to decompose the graph into highly connected components and move agents to their goal cluster first before the rule-based algorithm is applied. The benefit of this approach is twofold: (1) the rule-based algorithms are often more efficient on highly connected clusters and (2) we can potentially run the algorithms in parallel on individual clusters.
On Parallel External-Memory Bidirectional Search (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Siag Lior , Shperberg Shahaf , Felner Ariel , Sturtevant Nathan R.
Published: June 2024

Parallelization and External Memory (PEM) techniques significantly enhance the capabilities of search algorithms for solving large-scale problems. While previous research on PEM has primarily centered on unidirectional algorithms, this work presents a versatile PEM framework that integrates both uni- and bi-directional best-first search algorithms.
Optimal and Bounded Suboptimal Any-Angle Multi-agent Pathfinding (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Yakovlev Konstantin , Andreychuk Anton , Stern Roni
Published: June 2024

Multi-agent pathfinding (MAPF) is the problem of finding a set of conflict-free paths for a set of agents. We explore how to solve MAPF problems when each agent can move between any pair of possible locations as long as traversing the line segment connecting them does not lead to a collision with the obstacles. This is known as any-angle pathfinding. We present the first optimal any-angle multi-agent pathfinding algorithm. Our planner is based on the Continuous Conflict-based Search (CCBS) algorithm and an optimal any-angle variant of the Safe Interval Path Planning (TO-AA-SIPP). The straightforward combination of those, however, scales poorly. To mitigate this, we adapt two techniques from classical MAPF to the any-angle setting, namely Disjoint Splitting and Multi-Constraints. Experimental results on different combinations of these techniques show they enable solving over 30% more problems than the vanilla combination of CCBS and TO-AA-SIPP. In addition, we present a bounded-suboptimal variant of our algorithm, that enables trading runtime for solution cost in a controlled manner.
Multi-Agent Motion Planning with Bézier Curve Optimization under Kinodynamic Constraints (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Yan Jingtian , Li Jiaoyang
Published: June 2024

Multi-Agent Motion Planning (MAMP) is a problem that seeks collision-free dynamically-feasible trajectories for multiple moving agents in a known environment while minimizing their travel time. In this paper, we introduce a three-level planner called PSB that combines search-based and optimization-based techniques to address the challenges posed by MAMP. PSB fully considers the kinodynamic capability of the agents and produces solutions with smooth speed profiles. Empirically, we evaluate PSB within the domain of obstacle-rich grid map navigation for mobile robots. PSB shows up to 49.79% improvements in solution cost compared to existing methods while achieving significant improvement in scalability.
A Short Summary of Multi-Agent Combinatorial Path Finding with Heterogeneous Task Duration (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Zhang Yuanhang , Wang Hesheng , Ren Zhongqiang
Published: June 2024

Multi-Agent Combinatorial Path Finding (MCPF) seeks collision-free paths for multiple agents from their initial locations to destinations, visiting a set of intermediate target locations in the middle of the paths, while minimizing the sum of arrival times. While a few approaches have been developed to handle MCPF, most of them simply direct the agent to visit the targets without considering the task duration, i.e., the amount of time needed for an agent to execute the task (such as picking an item) at a target location. MCPF is NP-hard to solve to optimality, and the inclusion of task duration further complicates the problem. To handle task duration, we develop two methods, where the first method post-processes the paths planned by any MCPF planner to include the task duration and has no solution optimality guarantee; and the second method considers task duration during planning and is able to ensure solution optimality. The numerical and simulation results show that our methods can handle up to 20 agents and 50 targets in the presence of task duration, and can execute the paths subject to robot motion disturbance.
Clinical Experience with Transdermal Combination Drug Therapy: Treatment of Various Pain Conditions with Transdermally Applied Combination of Gabapentin and Naproxen
Authors: HD Crowley Jr , Z Zhu , W Beckman , G Varadi
Published: June 2024

Background: The authors challenged the current pain treatment paradigm and its focus on the systemic treatment of pain by the oral administration of opioids, high dose non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and psychotropic drugs and studied and retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of a transdermal emulsion on various chronic pain conditions. Case Reports: The clinician has an active chronic and acute pain practice and favors transdermal drug treatment for various pain conditions. The therapy consisted of a transdermal emulsion containing gabapentin and naproxen sodium in a 10% to 5% ratio. The treatment included 2-3/day application of emulsion to the target area. Substantial pain relief was obtained in the treatment of chronic and acute myofascial, musculoskeletal, and neuropathic pain. Conclusion: The authors offer transdermal combination drug therapy as an appropriate peripheral pain treatment alternative to systemic drug therapy and avoid the human and societal costs of opioids, high dose NSAIDs and psychoactive drugs.
Sedimentology and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Late Permian Wargal Limestone: Implication for Reservoir Potential in the Salt Range, Pakistan
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Ghazi Shahid , Waqas Muhammad
Published: June 2024

The present work comprehensively highlights the Late Permian Wargal limestone exposed in the western Salt Range, Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to determine its hydrocarbon with the help of sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. The outcrop data classified the studied formation into nine lithological units in the Nammal Gorge, Gundi, and Lakrakki Nala sections. Our sequence stratigraphic interpretation reveals that the Wargal Limestone consists of four depositional sequences. These sequences consist of regressive system tract and tansgressive system tract that developed during relative sea-level fall and rise, respectively. Based on contents of fossils, quratz grains and matrix, the studied formation can be classified into six microfacies that suggests the deposition of the carbonate facies thrived in inner to middle shelf environment. Moreover, microfacies comprises of numerous diagenetic features that support the potential of hydrocarbon content. In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) data suggests that the main composition of the Wargal Limestone is calcite. Consequently, the integrated results of the sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and geochemical analysis provide the credible evidences of its significance in exploration industry.
Differentiation between different soft hammers stigmats, quantitative and traceological approach v2
Authors: Vie Jean-Thomas
Published: June 2024

Many studies in archaeology focus on the traces associated with stone knapping during prehistory, debating their correlation with the techniques used (Clément, 2021; Pelegrin, 2000). However, it is important to note that these traces are intimately linked to the physical qualities of the rock, as well as its response to the gesture, force, and experience of the knapper. These criteria can lead to a diversity of marks but can also introduce biases into the analysis, especially as the sensitivity of some rocks varies when struck. Thus, the complexity of interpreting knapping traces intensifies when adopting a qualitative approach, highlighting the multitude of factors to consider for precise analysis. Furthermore, the historical approach to the analysis of soft percussion use has primarily focused on specific regions such as Europe (Roussel et al., 2009), North Africa (Sari, 2016), the Middle East (Pelegrin and Inizan, 2013), and the United States. These analyses have largely relied on locally available materials, such as limestone, deer antler, or boxwood. Consequently, they offer a limited perspective and may not necessarily generalize results to other geographical or ecological contexts. Additionally, while the use of different soft percussors and their identity have been established in areas where deer are found, many questions remain regarding the identity of the soft percussor in historically deer-free ecological zones. Acquiring soft percussors from animal wood is not possible, but the use of other materials such as hard vegetal wood may have played a similar role. Through experimental flake production and the traceological study of marks on the platforms of these productions resulting from soft percussion, it would be possible to determine specific traces associated with vegetal soft percussion. Therefore, we try to compare knapping by different percussors (three soft hammers and one hard hammer) on different raw materials, and observe their dimensional data and technical characteristics.
MORE DIFFERENT THAN NOT:DIVERGENCE OF VALUES IN UKRAINE's AND RUSSIA's SOCIETIES AMIDSTTHE FULL-SCALE INVASIONine’s and Russia’s Societies amidst the Full-Scale Invasion
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, DOBRZHANSKA Olena , PAVLIUK Oleh ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: June 2024

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started on February 2022 and had been preceded by years of more limited warfare, has again brought to the fore the question of a civilisational split between the two countries. While Ukrainians have clearly opted for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Russians have repeatedly sought to assert their influence over the former Soviet countries—Ukraine included—denying their right to freely choose their alliances and creating their own version of ‘civilisation’ rooted in Orthodox Christianity and the Russian language. While, by all appearances, the difference between the two could not be any starker, various myths and analyses have persisted portraying Russia and Ukraine as ‘one people’ or culturally approximate societies. The paper seeks to elucidate one aspect of such thinking, by exploring values—a vague concept which is at the same time instrumental in self-identities and orientations of political actors—as they are manifested in Ukrainian and Russian societies. It looks at different approaches to defining values, particularly in the (geo)political context of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and explores their dynamics in both countries following the events of February 2022. While there is little relevant sociological data, discourses, official statement, and context analysis is employed to show that the divergence of values between Ukrainian and Russian societies seems to be growing unalterably, with Ukraine manifesting European values and portraying its fight against Russian aggression as an existential conflict for the entire European project and Russia propounding its constructed myths of the ‘Russian world’, a loosely defined community of Russian-speaking people, and ‘traditional values’ as juxtaposed to Western and European ones in an attempt to court non-Western countries. This bears implications for the entire international system as it splits into two blocs regarding on whose side is taken in the global confrontation between democracy and autocracy.