scholarly journals Additive Merge-and-Shrink Heuristics for Diverse Action Costs

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaojian Fan ◽  
Martin Müller ◽  
Robert Holte
Keyword(s):  
Unit Cost ◽  
Search Algorithms ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Planning Problems ◽  
Domain Independent

In many planning applications, actions can have highly diverse costs. Recent studies focus on the effects of diverse action costs on search algorithms, but not on their effects on domain-independent heuristics. In this paper, we demonstrate there are negative impacts of action cost diversity on merge-and-shrink (M&S), a successful abstraction method for producing high-quality heuristics for planning problems. We propose a new cost partitioning method for M&S to address the negative effects of diverse action costs. We investigate non-unit cost IPC domains, especially those for which diverse action costs have severe negative effects on the quality of the M&S heuristic. Our experiments demonstrate that in these domains, an additive set of M&S heuristics using the new cost partitioning method produces much more informative and effective heuristics than creating a single M&S heuristic which directly encodes diverse costs.

scholarly journals Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8235
Author(s):  
Alfredo J. Escribano ◽  
Maria Belen Peña ◽  
Carlos Díaz-Caro ◽  
Ahmed Elghannam ◽  
Eva Crespo-Cebada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Experiment Study ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Cultured Meat ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Negative Impacts

Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper carries out a choice experiment to analyze the preferences of 444 Spanish consumers and their willingness to pay for plant-based and cultured meats, as compared to conventional meat. Spain was considered of interest for this study due to its significant gastronomic culture, with high-quality meat products that make a great contribution to the economy, meaning that this could be a suitable and also challenging market in which to test alternative sources of protein. The findings show that consumers’ motivations and their interactions with these products are complex. Additionally, a cluster analysis allowed us to identify three types of consumers in terms of preference for these products: price-sensitive millennials, conscious/concerned consumers, and indifferent consumers. Only one group showed some level of acceptance of these alternative products meats.

scholarly journals Updated meta-review of evidence on support for carers

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Dalton ◽  
Sian Thomas ◽  
Melissa Harden ◽  
Alison Eastwood ◽  
Gillian Parker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Meta Review

Objective To update a 2010 meta-review of systematic reviews of effective interventions to support carers of ill, disabled, or older adults. In this article, we report the most promising interventions based on the best available evidence. Methods Rapid meta-review of systematic reviews published from January 2009 to 2016. Results Sixty-one systematic reviews were included (27 high quality, 25 medium quality, and nine low quality). The quality of reviews has improved since the original review, but primary studies remain limited in quality and quantity. Fourteen high quality reviews focused on carers of people with dementia, four on carers of those with cancer, four on carers of people with stroke, three on carers of those at the end of life with various conditions, and two on carers of people with mental health problems. Multicomponent interventions featured prominently, emphasizing psychosocial or psychoeducational content, education and training. Improved outcomes for carers were reported for mental health, burden and stress, and wellbeing or quality of life. Negative effects were reported in reviews of respite care. As with earlier work, we found little robust evidence on the cost-effectiveness of reviewed interventions. Conclusions There is no ‘one size fits all’ intervention to support carers. There is potential for effective support in specific groups of carers, such as shared learning, cognitive reframing, meditation, and computer-delivered psychosocial support for carers of people with dementia. For carers of people with cancer, effective support may include psychosocial interventions, art therapy, and counselling. Carers of people with stroke may also benefit from counselling. More good quality, theory-based, primary research is needed.

scholarly journals Examining Teacher–Child Relationships and Achievement as Part of an Ecological Model of Development

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin O’Connor ◽  
Kathleen McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Model ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Teacher Behaviors ◽  
Third Grade ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Children's Achievement ◽  
A Prospective Study

The purpose of the present study is to examine associations between quality of teacher–child relationships from preschool through third grade and children’s third-grade achievement using Phases I, II, and III data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Care and Education, a prospective study of 1,364 children from birth through sixth grade. There are three main findings. First, positive associations were found between quality of teacher–child relationships and achievement. Second, high quality teacher–child relationships buffered children from the negative effects of insecure or other maternal attachment on achievement. Third, the effect of quality of teacher–child relationships on achievement was mediated through child and teacher behaviors in the classroom. In sum, high quality teacher–child relationships fostered children’s achievement. Implications for educational practice are discussed.

The changing landscape of friendship in the pandemic: Males, younger people, and less educated people experience more negative effects of the pandemic on their friendships

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Daphne Ayers ◽  
Diego Guevara Beltran ◽  
Andrew Van Horn ◽  
Lee Cronk ◽  
Peter M. Todd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Subjective Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
Stress Isolation ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Subjective Ses

Friendships are important for social support and mental health, yet social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic have limited people’s ability to interact with their friends during this difficult time. In August of 2020, we asked participants about changes in their friendships as a result of the pandemic - including changes in the quality of friendships and people’s feelings about their friends - as part of a larger longitudinal study. We found that people who are younger, male, and less educated reported more negative effects on their friendships as a result of the pandemic, including feeling lonelier and less satisfied with their friends, while people with higher subjective socioeconomic status (SES) wanted to make more and shallower friends than those with lower subjective SES. We also found that feelings of stress, isolation and guilt around friendship are associated with greater COVID-related social risk taking, such as being motivated to make new friends and visit friends in person. Males, who reported more negative effects of the pandemic on their friendship than females, also reported a greater likelihood than females that they would attend large parties. These results show that the pandemic is affecting friendships differently across demographic groups and suggest that the negative impacts of COVID-19 on friendships might motivate some COVID-related social risk taking in order to try to maintain friendships or build new ones.

Analysis of Quality of Welded Joints of Iron-Concrete Products

2019 ◽  
Vol 942 ◽  
pp. 121-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludmila Redko ◽  
Inna Plotnikova ◽  
Nataliya Chicherina ◽  
Olga Tchaikovskaja ◽  
Josefa Bastida
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Welding Process ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Welded Structures

The search for effective methods of management is one of the strategic directions of economic development. To obtain high-quality products, organizations should manage nonconformities and causes of product defects. The paper focuses on the analysis of groups of defects of welded joints using statistical methods. Welding process was considered as one of the processes of management. The possible causes of nonconformities were indicated. The method of failure modes and effects analysis was used to quantify the level of risk. A matrix of consequences and probabilities was presented, and critical risks and risk situations were selected. The proposed measures to eliminate or minimize negative effects enable identification of problem areas of the life cycle of welded structures.

The UNTOLD story

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 492-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Ioan Moisescu ◽  
Oana Adriana Gică ◽  
Monica Maria Coroș ◽  
Anca C. Yallop
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Music Festival ◽  
Negative Impacts

Purpose This paper aims to examine the negative effects of events on residents’ quality of life. Particularly, the paper analyses the specific negative effects generated via “overtourism” for the duration of large-scale music festivals. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a case study method approach to examine the negative effects that UNTOLD, the largest music festival in Romania, has on residents’ quality of life. The case is analysed via a comprehensive desk research of secondary data from industry and academic sources. Findings Despite its success and the positive economic impact UNTOLD festival had on the host city, several issues have a negative impact on residents’ quality of life and well-being. The negative impacts are noise pollution, vandalism and crime, traffic and parking issues, waste and damages to the natural environment, pressure on and over usage of local services and infrastructure and the increased cost of living. Social implications Whilst organisers, local businesses and local authorities are the main parties benefiting from events, residents mainly feel the negative impact. Organisers, local authorities and businesses need to minimise the negative effects residents’ experience during the event by building sustainable partnerships and taking a more hands-on approach to sustainable and socially responsible practices. Current and potential initiatives are discussed in the paper. Originality/value This paper examines the negative impacts events may have on residents’ quality of life and discusses the case of a large-scale music festival, an under-researched context. The analysis and discussion may assist scholars and industry experts alike in generating new debates in sustainable event management practices, as well as festival organisers and public authorities in developing strategies for avoiding, containing or minimising the negative effects of events.

scholarly journals Efek Washback Ujian Nasional Subyek Bahasa Inggris Pada Tingkat Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
M. Arif Rahman Hakim ◽  
Andri Saputra
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Teaching ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
National Examination ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Review Study ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
English Subject

A National Examination is commonly known as a standardised test held by a country, such as Indonesia, to gauge the students’ competence and the quality of their schools. Many people argue that the national examination implementation is likely to have positive and negative effects, not only on students but also on schools. This study aims to investigate the positive and negative effects of the National Examination of English subject in Indonesian junior high schools concerning English teachers’ classroom teaching and students’ learning. This study used a narrative literature review study, which reviews critiques and summarizes the literature body and draws conclusions regarding the topic question. By examining literature available and the authors’ experiences in doing the national examination as the participant and preparing students to face the examination, this paper showed that the National Examination of English emerges to have more negative impacts than positive ones. The result of this paper presents the authors’ recommendation to be used by key stakeholders in Indonesia that they should re-design the national examination to measure the students’ border competence effectively and objectively in English subject.

scholarly journals PENAWARAN EKSPOR PANILI INDONESIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
NYAK ILHAM ◽  
SRI HASTUTI SUHARTINI ◽  
BONAR M. M. SINAGA
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Export Prices ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Econometric Analyses ◽  
The U.S

<p>Panili Indonesia sudah dikenal di pasar intenasional dengan nama Java Vanilla Beans dengan kualitas yang cukup baik. Masalahnya mampukah Indonesia mempertahankan kontinuitas penawarannya sesuai dengan kualitas yang diinginkan pasar. Penelitian ini betujuan mcnganalisis: (1) kinerja penawaran atau produksi melalui peilaku luas areal dan produktivitas tanaman panili; (2) peilaku penawaran ekspor komoditas panili ke Jcrman dan Amerika Seikat (AS); dan (3) peilaku harga domestik dan harga ekspor komoditas panili. Data yang digunakan merupakan data sckundcr rentang waktu (lime series) tahunan: 1975 - 2000 pada tingkat nasional dan intenasional. Analisis data menggunakan pendekatan ckonometik dengan metode 2SLS. Hasil analisis menyimpul- kan: (1) luas tanam menghasilkan dipengaruhi oleh upah tenaga kerja secara ncgatif dalam jangka pendek luas tanaman menghasilkan belum rcsponsif terhadap perubahan tingkat upah, akan tetapi dalam jangka panjang menjadi responsif, (2) produktivitas panili dipengaruhi secara positif oleh harga panili domestik, namun produktivitas tidak rcsponsif terhadap perubahan harga; (3) ekspor panili Indonesia ke Jcrman dan AS dipengaruhi oleh ekspor tahun sebelumnya. Hal ini menginformasikan bahwa kegiatan ekspor tersebut terkait dengan kepcrcayaan antara ekspotir Indonesia dengan importir Jerman dan AS; (4) transmisi harga ekspor ke harga yang diteima petani sangat lemah, sementara transmisi harga dunia ke harga ekspor cukup erat Hal ini dapat dilihat dai tidak adanya pengaruh harga ekspor terhadap harga domestik, sedangkan harga ekspor sangat dipengaruhi oleh harga dunia; (5) upaya pengembangan panili di Indonesia lebih diarahkan pada peningkatan kualitas hasil, perluasan tanaman yang berlcbihan hendaknya memperhatikan kecenderungan permintaan ekspor; (6) untuk menjaga pangsa pasar panili Indonesia di pasar intenasional hendaknya tetap meningkatkan daya saing, baik dai segi kualitas maupun harga.</p><p>Kata kunci: Panili, ekspor, Java vanilla, Indonesia, penawaran<br /><br /></p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong><br /><br /><strong>Indonesian Vanilla Expots</strong><br /><br />Indonesian vanilla, Java Vanilla Beans, is widely known in intenational market. It is also regarded as high quality vanilla. The main concen for Indonesian expoters is to fulill the continuity of the supply for the quality as demanded. This study aims to analyze: (1) the effects of acreage and yields on supply and production of Indonesian vanilla; (2) the exports of Indonesian vanilla to Germany and the U.S.; (3) the domestic pices and export prices of Indonesian vanilla. This study used secondary data, time series rom 1975 to 2000 both national and intenational data. Econometric analyses using 2SLS was used in this study. The results are as follow: (1) the wages have negative effects on the acreage, in the shot run the acreage does not respond to wage changes; however, in the long run it does respond to wage changes; (2) the domestic prices positively affect on the yields, however, yields do not respond to price changes; (3) the previous expots affect on the current exports to Germany and the U.S., it shows that there is a cetain relationship between Indonesian expoters and German and the U.S. importers; (4) the expot pices weakly transmit to farmer level prices, moreover, intenational prices strongly transmit to the expot prices. It is shown by the absence of the effects of the expot pices on the domestic prices. Meanwhile intenational prices highly affects on the export prices; (5) the efforts to develop vanilla industry in Indonesia are concentrated on increasing quality of Indonesian vanilla, the addition of the acreage should consider the expot demand; (6) <br /><br />competitiveness of Indonesian vanilla should be maintained and improved to sustain and gain the market share.<br /><br />Key words : Vanilla, Java vanilla, Indonesia, expot, supply</p>

Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Serial Agitated Dilutions in Experimental Toxicology

1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Linde ◽  
Wayne B. Jonas ◽  
Dieter Melchart ◽  
Felege Worku ◽  
Hildebert Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Positive Effects

1 We conducted an overview and quantitative meta-analysis of all experimental literature on the protective effects of serial agitated dilutions (SADs) of toxin preparations. 2 Articles were systematically collected and evaluated for scientific quality using pre-defined methodological criteria and then independently analysed for validity. 3 We found 105 publications exploring the effects of SAD preparations in toxicological systems. 4 The quality of evidence in these studies was low with only 43% achieving one half of the maximum possible quality score and only 31 % reported in a fashion that permitted reevaluation of the data. 5 Very few studies were independently replicated using comparable models. 6 Among the high quality studies, positive effects were reported 50% more often than negative effects. 7 Four of 5 outcomes meeting quality and comparability criteria for meta-analysis showed positive effects from SAD preparations. 8 Average percent protection over controls in these preparations was 19.7 (95%Cl 6.2-33.2). 9 Further research with special attention to methodological detail and independent replicafion should be done.

scholarly journals Effects of Fermented Wheat Bran on Flour, Dough, and Steamed Bread Characteristics

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Li Li ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Li-Min Li ◽  
Xue-Ling Zheng ◽  
Sen Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Bran ◽  
Specific Volume ◽  
Textural Properties ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Nutritional Content ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Steamed Bread ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Dough Rheological Properties

Wheat bran is rich in dietary fiber, which improves the flour nutritional content and also endows the flour with a richer flavor. However, a high content of insoluble dietary bran fiber can easily and significantly reduce the processing and edible quality of flour products. This study was conducted to explore ways to decrease the negative effects of adding bran to dough. Basidiomycete strain BS-01 was used to ferment the wheat bran. The surface structure of the bran was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and the fermented bran was incorporated into the wheat flour at various concentrations. The mixed flour farinographic and extensographic characteristics, dough rheological properties, and the specific volume, color, and textural properties of the steamed bread were determined and analyzed. The results suggested that adding an appropriate quantity of fermented bran improves the characteristics of the dough and the quality of the steamed bread compared to those with unfermented bran. The fermented bran effectively decreased the negative impacts exerted on the farinographic and extensographic characteristics of the mixed flour and exerted a positive influence on the dough viscoelasticity and bread specific volume.

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