Exploring Combinatorial Problem Solving with Large Language Models: A Case Study on the Travelling Salesman Problem Using GPT-3.5 Turbo

Large Language Models (LLMs) are deep learning models designed to generate text based on textual input. Although researchers have been developing these models for more complex tasks such as code generation and general reasoning, few efforts have explored how LLMs can be applied to combinatorial problems. In this research, we investigate the potential of LLMs to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). Utilizing GPT-3.5 Turbo, we conducted experiments employing various approaches, including zero-shot in-context learning, few-shot in-context learning, and chain-of-thoughts (CoT). Consequently, we fine-tuned GPT-3.5 Turbo to solve a specific problem size and tested it using a set of various instance sizes. The fine-tuned models demonstrated promising performance on problems identical in size to the training instances and generalized well to larger problems. Furthermore, to improve the performance of the fine-tuned model without incurring additional training costs, we adopted a self-ensemble approach to improve the quality of the solutions

The Study Effect of Zinc and Calcium on Cardiovascular Diseases

This study conducted on too Iraqi patient with chronic atherosclerosis at age rang (29-70years) in Baquba teaching hospital in (center care unit ) during the period from 25 September 2020to may 2021 . The patients divided in (55 mans and 45 patients ) the total patient divided in tow groups according the treatment (30) of total patient under go to treatment for two to three days after atherosclerosis and 70 patient in same day of diagnosis of atherosclerosis . the study showed Decreasing in electrolytes Ca and Zn values

DeVega versus ring annuloplasty in severe functional tricuspid insufficiency and their impact on the right ventricle

Background: Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation secondary to left-sided valve disease is common. DeVega repair is simple, but residual regurgitation with subsequent impairment of the right ventricular function is a concern. This study aims to compare tricuspid valve repair using DeVega vs. ring annuloplasty and their impact on the right ventricle in the early postoperative period and after six months. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 51 patients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent tricuspid valve repair for secondary severe tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were divided into two groups: group A; DeVega repair (n=34) and group B; ring annuloplasty repair (n=17). Patients were assessed clinically and by echocardiography before discharge and after six months for the degree of tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular diameter and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Results: Preoperative echocardiographic assessment showed no difference in left ventricular end-systolic diameter, end-diastolic diameter, ejection fraction and right ventricular diameter, however; group A had significantly better preoperative right ventricular function measured by TAPSE (1.96 ± 0.27 vs1.75 ± 0.31 cm; p=0.02). Group B had significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (127.65 ± 13.56 vs. 111.74 ± 18.74 minutes; p= 0.003) and ischemic time (99.06 ± 11.80 vs. 87.15 ± 16.01 minutes; p= 0.009). Pre-discharge, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation, but the right ventricular diameter was significantly lower in group B (2.66 ± 0.41 and 2.40 ± 0.48 cm; p=0.049). After six months of follow up, the degree of tricuspid regurgitation (p= 0.029) and the right ventricular diameter were significantly lower in the ring annuloplasty group (2.56 ± 0.39 and 2.29 ± 0.44 cm; p=0.029). Although there was a statistically significant difference in preoperative TAPSE, this difference disappeared after six months. Conclusion: Both DeVega and ring annuloplasty techniques were effective in the early postoperative period, ring annuloplasty was associated with lesser residual regurgitation and better right ventricular remodeling in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation than DeVega procedure after 6-months of follow up

Actual evapotranspiration evaluation based on multi-sensed data

The importance of active and passive remote sensing data integration appears strongly on cloudy days. The lack of passive remote sensing data on cloudy days prevents the benefit of large-scale satellite data in cloudy areas, while the advantage of active remote sensing, it could penetrate the cloud and collect data underneath the cloud. The main objective of this paper is to determine the benefits of combining active and passive remote sensing data to detect actual evapotranspiration (ETa). Sentinel-1 radar data represents active data, while Landsat-8 represents passive data. Multi-date data for Landsat-8 and Sentinel-1 were used during the 2016 summer season. The characteristic soil texture in the study region is clay. The meteorological data were used to estimate ETo based on the FAO-Penman-Monteith (FPM) process, while the Lysimeter data were used to test the estimated ETa. Landsat-8 data are used to measure the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). Crop Coefficient (Kc) is calculated on the basis of NDVI. The CWSI, Kc, and ETo were then used to determine ETa. Backscattering (dB) C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data extracted from the Sentinel-1 satellite was correlated with Kc and used to estimate ETa. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) reported relevant results for active and passive satellite data separately and the combination process. For Sentinel-1, Landsat-8 and combination methods, the RMSE reported 0.89, 0.24, and 0.31 (mm/day) respectively

Comparison of HemoCue® hemoglobin-meter and automated hematology analyzer in measurement of hemoglobin levels in pregnant women at Khartoum hospital, Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Assessment of hemoglobin is one of the most reliable indicators for anemia, and is widely used to screen for anemia among pregnant women. The HemoCue^®has been widely used for as a point-of-care device for hemoglobin estimation in health facilities. Previous studies showed contradictory results regarding the accuracy of HemoCue^®.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a hospital-based cross sectional study carried- out among pregnant women at Khartoum hospital in Sudan to find out whether the measurement of hemoglobin concentration by HemoCue^®using venous or capillary samples was comparable to that of the automated hematology analyzer as standard. Bland and Altman method was used to compare the measurements with an acceptable difference of ± 1.0 g/dl.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 108 subjects in this study the mean (SD) level of hemoglobin level using HemoCue^®venous sample, HemoCue^®capillary sample and automated hematology analyzer were 12.70 (1.77), 12.87 (2.04) and 11.53 (1.63) g/dl, respectively. Although the correlations between the measurements were all significant there was no agreement between HemoCue^®and automated hematology analyzer. The bias + SD (limits of agreement) for HemoCue^®venous versus hematology analyzer was 1.17 ± 1.57 (-1.97, 4.31) g/dl, HemoCue^®capillary versus hematology analyzer was 1.34 ± 1.85 (-2.36, 5.04) g/dl, and HemoCue^®venous versus HemoCue^®capillary samples was 017 ± 1.90 and (3.97-3.63) g/dl.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hemoglobin concentration assessment by HemoCue^®using either venous or capillary blood samples has shown unacceptable agreement with automated hematology analyzer.</p> <p>Virtual slides</p> <p>The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: <url>http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8797022296725036</url></p

Investigating the Influence of Confinement Stress and Concrete Type on the Performance of Precast Segmental Dry shear-keyed Joints

This investigative research delves into the correlation between dry joint ultimate load and varied applied confinement stress levels – low at 2 MPa, moderate at 4 MPa, and high at 6 MPa – within structural joints. The focus is on diverse configurations of shear key quantities (single, dual, and triple shear keys) within these joints. Additionally, an examination was conducted on the influence of concrete types –Normal Strength Concrete (NSC) rated at 30 MPa, High Strength Concrete (HSC) at 60 MPa, and Ultra-High Strength Concrete (UHSC) at 120 MPa – alongside the aforementioned confinement stress levels on load capacity. The findings underscore a consistent enhancement in load capacity with escalating concrete strength, notably observed with UHSC exhibiting substantial advancements, particularly under conditions of mild to moderate confinement stresses. The study uncovers a nuanced association between confinement stress and load capacity, with results diverging for HSC and UHSC under scenarios of heightened confinement stresses. Furthermore, an in-depth exploration is conducted into the impact of shear-keyed joint configurations on joint performance, underscoring the pivotal role of shear-key design in ensuring structural resilience. These discoveries furnish invaluable insights for fine-tuning structural performance by judiciously selecting concrete strengths and shear key configurations tailored to specific confinement stress circumstances

Pars plana vitrectomy for tractional diabetic macular edema with or without internal limiting membrane peeling

Background: The effectiveness of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in the surgical treatment of tractional diabetic macular edema (DME), although widely examined, remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in the management of tractional DME and to highlight any benefits of additional ILM peeling. Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, comparative, and interventional study that enrolled 50 eyes with tractional DME that underwent PPV and allocated each to one of two groups: group A consisted of 25 eyes that had no ILM peeling and group B consisted of 25 eyes that underwent ILM peeling. Postoperative assessments of best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) in the logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) notation and central macular thickness (CMT) were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Results: At baseline, the two groups were comparable in terms of sex ratios, phakic status, insulin use, coexistence of hypertension, and mean (standard deviation [SD]) age, BCDVA, CMT, duration of diabetes mellitus, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. In group A, the mean (SD) BCDVA improved significantly from 0.89 (0.12) logMAR preoperatively to 0.64 (0.24) logMAR (P &lt; 0.001), and the mean (SD) CMT declined significantly from 471.28 (80.83) micrometer to 228.20 (26.45) micrometer (P &lt; 0.001), at the 6-month postoperative assessment. Likewise, in group B, the mean (SD) BCDVA improved significantly from 0.83 (0.10) logMAR preoperatively to 0.58 (0.24) logMAR (P &lt; 0.001), and the mean (SD) CMT decreased significantly from 496.84 (89.82) micrometer to 226.20 (18.04) micrometer (P &lt; 0.001), after 6 months. There were no significant differences between groups A and B in the changes in BCDVA (Delta BCDVA) or CMT (Delta CMT) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively with respect to the baseline values (all P &gt; 0.05). Postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. A significant negative correlation was detected between the preoperative HbA1c level and BCDVA improvement in all participants (r = - 0.82; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: PPV is an effective treatment for tractional DME. Additional ILM peeling was not significantly associated with functional and anatomical benefits over a short period. Long-term glycemic control plays a role in vision gain after vitrectomy in patients with diabetes. Further long-term studies are required to verify our findings

Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Success Rate of Ovulation Induction by Clomiphene Citrate

Background: Disorders of ovulation are common causes of infertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is by far the most frequent condition. Objetive: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of adding vaginal sildenafil citrate to clomophine citrate used as ovarian stimulant drug on both endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate in patient with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). Patients and Methods: This prospective Comparative study included a total of 58 patients with primary and secondary infertility aged between18 years to 35 years, attending at Outpatient Clinics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. Patients were divided into two equal groups; each were 29. 1st Group was given clomiphene, and 2nd group was given Clomophine citrate and Sildenafil. A transvaginal Scan for imaging the uterus and adnexa for any pathology and measuring the basic endometrial thickness was also done on Day 3. Results: This study shows that there was an increase in endometrial thickness in sildenafil group (13.4±1.814 mm) comparable with clomiphene citrate group only (8.52±2.081 mm) (P=0.01). The result was statistically significant with increase threshold regard for implantation with statistically significant in group B (P=0.018). Conclusions: It could be concluded that addition of sildenafil citrate to clomiphene citrate therapy for induction of ovulation in patients with PCOS resulted in significant increase of endometrial thickness and non-significant increase of pregnancy Rates

Dual Quaternions Robotics: A) The 3R Planar Manipulator

Kinematics analysis studies the relative motions, such as, first of all, the displacement in space of the end effector of a given robot, and thus its velocity and acceleration, associated with the links of the given robot that is usually designed so that it can position its end-effector with a three degree-of-freedom of translation and three degree-of-freedom of orientation within its workspace. This chapter presents mainly, on the light of both main concepts; the first being the screw motion or/ and dual quaternions kinematics while the second concerns the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ the direct kinematics of a planar manipulator. First of all, examples of basic solid movements such as rotations, translations, their combinations and general screw motions are studied using both (4x4) matrices rigid body transformations and dual quaternions so that the reader could compare and note the similarity of the results obtained using one or the other method. Both dual quaternions technique as well as its counterpart the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ are finally applied to a three degree of freedom (RRR) planar manipulator. Finally, we and the reader, can observe that the two methods confirm exactly one another by giving us the same results for each of the examples and applications considered, while noting that the fastest, simplest more straightforward and easiest to apply method, is undoubtedly the one using dual quaternions. As a result this work may as well act as a beginners guide to the practicality of using dual-quaternions to represent the rotations and translations ie: or any rigid motion in character-based hierarchies.We must emphasize the fact that the use of Matlab software and quaternions and / or dual quaternions in the processing of 3D rotations and/or screw movements is and will always be the most efficient, fast and accurate first choice. Dual quaternion direct kinematics method could be generalised, in the future, to more complicated spatial and/ or industrial robots as well as to articulated and multibody system

التخطيط الإقليمي مدخل لمواجهة المخاطر المرتبطة بالتغير المناخي لأقاليم الساحل الشمالي في مصر

تعد التغيرات المناخية من أهم المعضلات التي تواجة العالم خاصةً في ظل القضايا الشائكة من الاحتباس الحراري وتزايد ارتفاع درجة حرارة الأرض، وذوبان الصفائح الجليدية وارتفاع منسوب مياه البحار والمحيطات، مما دفع منظمة الأمم المتحدة لإبرام إتفاقية التغيرات المناخية وبروتوكول كيوتو، اللذان يهدفان لخفض هذه الانبعاثات، وأعلنت الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بتغير المناخ أن دلتا النيل في مصر من بين المناطق الثلاث الأولى على كوكب الأرض الأكثر عرضة لارتفاع مستوى سطح البحر، وأشار تقرير البنك الدولي انه يوجد فى مصر عدة مناطق أوشكت على الغرق تشمل هذه المناطق شديدة الخطورة أجزاء من محافظات الدلتاوالإسكندرية ومحافظات البحيرة وبورسعيد ومحافظات دمياط ومحافظة السويس. تهدف هذه الدراسة الى مواجهة اهم مخاطر التغيرات المناخية المتمثلة في ارتفاع منسوب البحر في ضوء صياغة التوجهات الاستراتيجية الاقليمية للمناطق الساحلية الشمالية المصرية ،وعلى هذا تم الوقوف في هذه الدراسة على المفاهيم المتعلقة بالتغيرات المناخية واهم تاثيرتها التي يتضح فيها ان التغير المناخي عالميًا يؤدي بشكل مباشرالى ارتفاع مناسيب سطح البحار والمحيطات بسبب ارتفاع درجات الحرارة مما يؤدي هذا الأمر الى محو مدن كبرى فى العالم، و تعتبر مصر من احد الدول التى ستتاثر بهذا الامر خاصة على المنطقة الساحلية الشمالية (الدلتا – اقليم الاسكندرية - اقليم القناة)، وخلال هذه الدراسة تم التركيز على الاقاليم الساحلية الشمالية التى ستتاثر بشكل مباشر حيث تم الوقوف على السيناريوهات المحتملة لارتفاع منسوب البحر على تلك المناطق والتي تراوحت من ( 0.5 -1.5 ) والنتائج المتوقعة لكل سيناريو على السكان والاراضي المعرضة للغرق وتم ترجيح السيناريو الثاني الذي يتوقع فيه ارتفاع منسوب البحر 100 سم واهم نتائجه غرق مساحة قدرها 4500كم2 وعدد السكان المتضررين حوالي 6 مليون • وتم اختيار السيناريو الثاني لانه اعلي من المقدار المتوقع 65 سم ، وعملية التخطيط لابد ان تتم في اطار اكثر حرصا لان المتغيرات المناخية لايمكن توقع سرعة وتيرتها . .كما تم الوقوف على الملامح الرئيسية للوضع الراهن لتلك الاقاليم ومن ثم استنباط المؤشرات التحليلية . في ضوء تلك المؤشرات تم اقتراح بدائل تخطيطية لتنمية الاقاليم الثلاثة في ضوء التغلب على احد اهم تهديدات و مخاطر التغيرات المناخية :البديل الاول ويتمثل في الابقاء على الوضع الحالي للاقاليم الثلاثة والاتجاه نحو التنمية للكيانات العمرانية في ضوء التكيف مع المعالجات التي تبناها الدولة في التصدي للمتغيرات المناخية . البديل الثاني ويتمثل في تكثيف اعمال التنمية في المناطق الماهولة بالاقليم خلال الفترة الزمنية الحالية حتى عام 2100 م، ثم يتم توجيه التنمية بعدها الى خارج نطاق المناطق الماهولة .أما البديل الثالث فيتمثل في سرعة التحرك لمواجهة التغيرات المناخية واثارها ،واستخدام اسلوب الاجلاء المخطط في هذا البديل ، وبحيث تكون البداية في اعمال التنمية من الان وتكون سنة الهدف2050 تمتد حتى سنة 2100م، وفي ضوء ترجيح البديل الثالث تم اقتراح الإستراتيجية المكانية للتنمية المقترحة لاقاليم الدراسة ، وتم وضع اليات تحديد مناطق التنمية الجديدة في اقاليم الدراسة ، ومقترحات التوزيع المكاني للتجمعات العمرانية المقترحة ، و تقدير والحجم السكاني المتوقع ،كما تم صياغة التوجهات الاستراتيجية المقترحة للتغلب على التغيرات المناخية من اهمها تشجيع العمل للحد من تعرض النظم البشرية والطبيعية لآثار تغير المناخ ،ودعم الجهات المعنية بالتعامل مع متغيرات المناخ والقدرة على إدارة التكيف مع تغير المناخ . كما تم تحديد دور الجهات المختلفة في تحقيق استراتيجية التغلب على المتغيرات المناخية . وفي الاخير تم استنباط النتائج التي تتمثل اهمها في وجود اساليب للتعامل مع مخاطر ارتفاع منسوب البحر مثل استخدام الحواجز والحماية الخطية والتنمية المرتفعة والتنمية العائمة والتنمية الفيضانية والاجلاء المخطط,كانت في اغلبها معيبة حيث انها قصيرة المدي وتكلفتها مرتفعة الا اسلوب الاجلاء المخطط الذي كان اقلهم كلفة ، ومن ثم كان اسلوب الاجلاء المخطط هو الاقرب في التعامل مع منطقة الدراسة حيث ان ارتفاع منسوب سطح البحر بالسواحل الشمالية لمصر سيؤدي إلى غرق الأراضي الساحلية حتى عمق 7 كيلومترات, وتوقع تهجير ما يقارب من 6 ملايين السكان من الدلتا، بحلول عام 2100 لذا كان من الضروري اعداد استيراتيجية تنموية تهدف الى اعادة توزيع استخدامات الاراضى فى منطقة الدراسة بما يتناسب مع تداعيات المتغيرات المناخية المتوقعة ، إقامة مجتمعات عمرانية جديدة للتنمية المتكاملة لرفع الأعباء عن المجتمعات القائمة.و اعادة تقسيم الاقاليم التخطيطية الساحلية بحيث يتم ضم اقليم الدلتا الى كل من اقليم الاسكندرية والقناة لايجاد بديل تنموي للتجمعات العمرانية الموجودة بالدلتا في الظهير الصحراوي المستجد