This paper investigates the development of an effective heuristic to solve the set covering problem (SCP) by applying the meta-heuristic Meta-RaPS (Meta-heuristic for Randomized Priority Search). In Meta-RaPS, a feasible solution is generated by introducing random factors into a construction method. Then the feasible solutions can be improved by an improvement heuristic. In addition to applying...

The goal of the Smart Choices Program (SCP) is to provide a simple front-of-the-package icon system to direct consumers to smarter food choices in the supermarket, which will eventually lead to more balanced diets and to more beneficial foods as food manufacturers renovate products to meet the nutrition criteria for carrying the icon. The SCP was developed by a coalition of scientists and nutri...

Forest management often results in changes in soil microbial communities. To understand how forest management can change microbial communities, we studied soil microbial abundance and community structure in a natural Chamaecyparis (NCP) forest, a disturbed Chamaecyparis (DCP) forest, a secondary (regenerated) Chamaecyparis (SCP) forest and a secondary (reforested) Cryptomeria (SCD) forest. We a...

We correct a numerical error which led to an overestimate of the baryon asymmetry from supersymmetric electroweak baryogenesis in our paper JHEP07(2000)018. Updated dependences of the baryon asymmetry on chargino mass parameters and the bubble wall velocity are shown. We also include LEP-II-constraints on the chargino mass parameters. Combined with our corrected results for the baryon asymmetry...

Stochastic Constraint Programming (SCP) is an extension of Constraint Programming (CP) used for modelling and solving problems involving constraints and uncertainty. SCP inherits excellent modelling abilities and filtering algorithms from CP, but so far it has not been applied to large problems. Reinforcement Learning (RL) extends Dynamic Programming to large stochastic problems, but is problem...

Although HDL-mediated cholesterol transport to the liver is well studied, cholesterol efflux from hepatocytes back to HDL is less well understood. Real-time imaging of efflux of 22-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-amino)-23,24-bisnor-5-cholen-3beta-ol (NBD-cholesterol), which is poorly esterified, and [(3)H]cholesterol, which is extensively esterified, from cultured primary hepatocytes of...

We appreciate the excellent questions raised by Koch [1] in response to our article [2] and the opportunity to elaborate on our ideas further here. Koch asked whether we propose that it is the existence of the SCP per se or the activity of associated pyramidal cells that is crucial for consciousness. We noted in the legend of Fig. 3a in the original paper: ‘We propose that long-lasting synaptic...

This study is the first to demonstrate outcomes of slow cortical potential (SCP) Neurofeedback training in chronic tinnitus. A 50-year old male patient with tinnitus participated in three SCP training blocks, separated with 1-month breaks. After the training the patient reported decreased tinnitus loudness and pitch, as well as improved quality of daily life. A quantitative electroencephalograp...

While agile represents a crucial element of digital transformation, there is limited empirical evidence on how actually implemented. This article presents longitudinal case study the implementation journey large product manufacturer over two years. It shows firm was able to achieve large-scale through mix top-down and bottom-up approaches. process entailed continuous adaptations firm’s circumst...

INTRODUCTION The ideal hematocrit (HCT) level during hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion (SCP)--to ensure adequate oxygen delivery without excessive perfusion--has not yet been determined. METHODS Twenty pigs (26.0+/-2.6 kg) were randomized to low or high HCT management. The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit was primed with crystalloid in the low HCT group (21+/-1%), and with donor bl...