A Path-Compression Approach for Improving Shortest-Path Algorithms

Given a weighted directed graph G=(V;E;w), where w is non-negative weight function, G’ is a graph obtained from G by an application of path compression. Path compression reduces the graph G to a critical set of vertices and edges that affect the generation of shortest trees. The main contribution of this paper is finding shortest path between two selected vertices by applying a new algorithm that reduces number of nodes that needs to be traversed in the graph while preserving all graph properties.  The main method of the algorithm is restructuring the graph in a way that only critical/relevant nodes are considered while all other neutral vertices and weights are preserved as sub paths' properties.  Our algorithm can compress the graph paths into considerable improved percentage especially when the graph is sparse and hence improves performance significantly

A framework to support multiple perspectives in eco-efficiency decisions

Increasingly, it is recognised that human activity is causing our environment to degrade, and that there is a very real danger of doing irreversible damage to natural systems of which we have only a partial understanding. Neither living in, nor doing business in a future world with a degraded environment is desirable, and individuals and businesses alike are increasingly seeking ways to operate on a more sustainable basis. Sustainability was defined by WCED [1] as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – but how can this aspiration be translated into specific decisions and actions? This paper describes some of the difficulties that must be overcome in the creation of a decision-support framework for eco-efficiency decisions, in order to ensure that we are targeting the right problems

A framework to support multiple perspectives in eco-efficiency decisions

Increasingly, it is recognised that human activity is causing our environment to degrade, and that there is a very real danger of doing irreversible damage to natural systems of which we have only a partial understanding. Neither living in, nor doing business in a future world with a degraded environment is desirable, and individuals and businesses alike are increasingly seeking ways to operate on a more sustainable basis. Sustainability was defined by WCED [1] as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – but how can this aspiration be translated into specific decisions and actions? This paper describes some of the difficulties that must be overcome in the creation of a decision-support framework for eco-efficiency decisions, in order to ensure that we are targeting the right problems

Nutri-case blueprint / Muhammad Nabil Jumain...[et al.]

Nutri-Case is a multifunctional food container with special features being developed to enhance the usage of a normal and basic food container. The idea behind this special food container is for workers and students who practice a healthy lifestyle to be able to enjoy their healthy and homemade meals while they are still warm during their breaks or lunch time. Nutri- Case enables the users to heat their food, without the use of microwave or gas stove, which could be a hassle and time consuming, by using the heat plate installed in the food container itself. This special food container also comes with an LCD interactive display cover which the users are able to receive the nutritional information regarding the meal that they have prepared. Nutri-Case is also developed to encourage workers and students who might be too busy to practice a healthy lifestyle by preparing their own meals

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Towards E-CASE Tools for Software Engineering

CASE tools are having an important role in all phases of software systems development and engineering. This is evident in the huge benefits obtained from using these tools including their cost-effectiveness, rapid software application development, and improving the possibility of software reuse to name just a few. In this paper, the idea of moving towards E-CASE tools, rather than traditional CASE tools, is advocated since these E-CASE tools have all the benefits and advantages of traditional CASE tools and add to that all the benefits of web technology. This is presented by focusing on the role of E-CASE tools in facilitating the trend of telecommuting and virtual workplaces among software engineering and information technology professionals. In addition, E-CASE tools integrates smoothly with the trend of E-learning in conducting software engineering courses. Finally, two surveys were conducted for a group of software engineering professional and students of software engineering courses. The surveys show that E-CASE tools are of great value to both communities of students and professionals of software engineering