GENETIC ALGORITHM WITH GREEDY CROSSOVER AND ELITISM FOR CAPACITY PLANNING

We propose a modification to the genetic algorithm with greedy agglomerative crossover operator for the problem of scheduling product types at the facilities of the metal or plastic production factory where the goal is to minimize the number of switchings of the product type of the production lines. Similar algorithms with greedy agglomerative crossover for location problems do not use any elitism in the population. For the considered problem which may also be classified as a location problem, elitism in the population implemened in the form of tournament selection plays a positive role.  The article also discusses the dependence of the efficiency of the evolutionary algorithm on the size of the population.   As our experiments show, the introduction of elitism into such an algorithm enables us to increase both the rate of convergence of the algorithm and the accuracy of the solution. A special aspect chooses an individual with the best value of the objective function

Bones and genes: resolution problems in three Vietnamese species of Crocidura (Mammalia, Soricomorpha, Soricidae) and the description of an additional new species

Times Cited: 0 0 Import from WoS only - CL not assigned grouping, NHM authors etc.Recent investigations of Southeast Asian white toothed shrews belonging to the genus Crocidura have revealed discrepancies between the results of morphological and molecular studies. The following study concerns three species of Crocidura occurring in Vietnam, namely Crocidura attenuata, Crocidura tanakae and Crocidura wuchihensis, and an undescribed fourth species revealed by molecular analysis. For many years Crocidura attenuata has been known to occur in Vietnam but, until very recently, the morphologically similar and comparably sized Crocidura tanakae was believed to be restricted to Taiwan. Following several molecular studies over the last few years, this species is now believed to be considerably more widespread and recognised as occuring also in Vietnam. The results of one of these recent molecular studies also revealed the presence of an undescribed species of Crocidura, similar in size and morphology to Crocidura wuchihensis, which is herein described. Data are provided on geographical variation in Vietnam and the problems of defining morphologically similar yet molecularly disparate species are discussed.Copyright Paulina D. Jenkins et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 (CC-BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The attached file is the published version of the article

VNS-BASED ALGORITHMS FOR THE CENTROID-BASED CLUSTERING PROBLEM

The k-means algorithm with the corresponding problem formulation is one of the first methods that researchers use when solving a new automatic grouping (clus-tering) problem. Its improvement, modification and combination with other algorithms are described in the works of many researchers. In this research, we propose new al-gorithms of the Greedy Heuristic Method, which use an idea of the search in variable neighborhoods for solving the classical cluster analysis problem, and allows us to obtain a more accurate and stable result of solving in comparison with the known algorithms. Our computational experiments show that the new algorithms allow us to obtain re-sults with better values of the objective function value (sum of squared distances) in comparison with classical algorithms such as k-means, j-means and genetic algorithms on various practically important datasets. In addition, we present the first results for the GPU realization of the Greedy Heuristic Method

Хранение электронных книг в библиотеках: сравнительный анализ различных графических форматов

The author begins with discussing the key provisions of document digitization. He characterizes the unified requirements of the National Electronic Library. Further, he analyzes the graphic formats for digitized copies (TIFF, JPEG, PNG). The advantages and drawbacks of each of the formats are discussed. Due to the rapid technologies advance and emergence of reader devices, the libraries that purchase now affordable HD-scanners can increase digitization efficiency with heavy graphic formats and to increase the rate of filling the servers’ storage. The modern text recognition technologies and programs enable to initiate collections digitization. Having analyzed the formats, the author expectedly asks the following question: how to use less resources for digitization and further storage without losing the documents cultural and historical value? To solve this problem, the author suggests to modify document classification and use text recognition technologies with further storing in files which would enable to use the text directly (TXT, DOC, PDF). The author concludes that there is the need for a new consistent technology deprived of the existing drawbacks.В статье приведены основные положения, связанные с оцифровкой документов. Дана краткая характеристика единых требований к оцифровке изданий для Национальной электронной библиотеки. Проанализированы графические форматы файлов, с помощью которых можно сохранять оцифрованные копии (TIFF, JPEG, PNG). Отмечены достоинства и недостатки каждого формата. Подчёркнуто, что в связи с быстрым развитием технологий и появлением устройств «автоматизированный читатель» библиотеки приобретают ставшее доступным сканирующее оборудование высокого разрешения и увеличивают скорость оцифровки с использованием тяжёлых графических форматов в своих фондах. Это позволяет наращивать темпы заполнения хранилищ серверов. Современные компьютерные технологии и программы распознавания текста позволяют начать оцифровку фонда. Автор задаёт закономерный вопрос: как затратить меньше ресурсов на оцифровку и дальнейшее хранение без потери культурной и исторической ценности документов? Предложено модифицировать классификацию документов и использовать технологию распознавания текста с последующим сохранением в файл, позволяющую работать с текстом напрямую (TXT, DOC, PDF). Автор приходит к выводу: существует объективная необходимость разработать новую технологию, лишенную недостатков уже существующих технологий, но сохраняющую их преемственность

New data on the distribution and diversity of the Tonkin limestone rat (Tonkinomys daovantieni, Rodentia, Muridae)

The paper presented novel findings of little-known species of rodents the Tonkin limestone rat Tonkinomys daovantieni in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam with its morphological and genetic characterisation. The study summarises data on the distribution of this data-deficient species, available museum collections, genetic samples, information on its taxonomy and ecology, important to establish the proper conservation status of the species. An exhaustive map of the findings is provided. It is shown that, based on the data currently available, the species does not require taxonomic revision and also, apparently, does not need a special conservation measure; its status may be established to date as Near Threatened B1a+2a and the current population trend – Stable, IUCN

Financial support for the development of the northern territories of the country

This article studies the issues related to the economic development of the Lower Angara region located in Krasnoyarsk Territory, analyzes the state programs for the development of the Soviet and post-Soviet era territory, and makes an attempt to determine the reasons for the unsuccessful implementation of it. Based on the conclusions made, a new approach to the socio-economic development of the area has been proposed. It consists in the application of a number of specialized industrial clusters on the territory. It is proposed to use bond financing for the financial basis of its formation. To substantiate it, the analysis of the current state of the national bond market in terms of volumes of issuance, maturity has been made and segments of the corporate bond market in the country have been considered. It is suggested that the use of an appropriate financial infrastructure would make the bond financing mechanism operation more effective

Role of badger setts in life of other carnivores

A study of interspecific interactions of European (Meles meles) and Asian (M. leucurus) badgers with other carnivores at badger setts was carried out in Darwin Reserve (European part  of Russia) and in Ussuriisk Reserve (Russian Far East) in 2006-2011. We used camera traps for the registration of visits of carnivore mammals to the badger setts. Overall, 11 species were recorded. In both reserves, badger setts attract carnivore species during the whole year. Some predators visit badger setts regularly. The visitors can be divided into two groups: species searching shelter, or searching prey. The first group includes raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides and red fox Vulpes vulpes. Raccoon dog was the most frequent visitor in both study areas (34 visits in Darwin reserve and 73 in Ussuriisk reserve). The second group includes lynx Lynx lynx and wolf Canis lupus in Darwin reserve and Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus, brown bear U. arctos, yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula aterrima and lynx Lynx lynx in Ussuriisk reserve. Smaller predators are also included into the second group because they can find prey at badger setts too: leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura, sable Martes zibellina and Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica in Ussuriisk reserve and European pine marten Martes martes in Darwin reserve. No cases of  aggressive interactions between the badgers and the visitors were recorded. But we noted two cases of change of sett owners and one case when raccoon dog removed dead badger cubs from the sett

Переход на российское программное обеспечение в библиотеках

Due to and as a result of the Russian policy of import substitution, which is also true for the IT-sphere, several problems have to be solved in the nearest future. The authors describe them, namely: developing Russian OS and related software, and user training due to changing procedures, developing software for Russian OS or the crossplatform software suitable for every OS. Further, they highlight the key software groups used in Russian libraries: system software, office software, library software, peripheral device drivers, security and financial accounting software, and examine the possibilities for transitioning from foreign to Russian software listed in the Unified Register of the Russian programs. The authors emphasize the existing Russian software in every group comply with standards and can perfectly replace foreign products. However, they warn of the problems with peripheral equipment due to some lacking drivers, though many suppliers have been now being remedy of the situation. They conclude that the switching to Russian software by the libraries is quite realistic and doable.В связи с развёрнутой в России политикой импортозамещения, коснувшейся и сферы информационных технологий, авторы обозначили ряд проблем, которые необходимо решить в ближайшем будущем. Подчёркнуты основные проблемы: создание российской операционной системы (ОС), что возможно на базе ОС GNU/Linux или другой свободной ОС; обучение пользователей и системных администраторов работе в новой ОС, поскольку некоторые привычные операции в этой ОС будут производиться по-другому; создание программ (специально под новую ОС или кроссплатформенных, работающих в любой ОС). Выделены основные группы программного обеспечения, так называемого обязательного минимума программного обеспечения для библиотек (системное, офисное, библиотечное ПО, драйверы для периферийного оборудования, ПО для обеспечения безопасности и для бухгалтерского учёта), используемого в библиотеках России. Рассмотрена возможность замещения программ иностранного производства российскими, зарегистрированными в Едином реестре российских программ. Подчёркнуто, что в каждой из рассмотренных групп присутствуют программы российского производства или достойные альтернативы иностранному ПО. Отмечено, что небольшие проблемы могут возникнуть с периферийным оборудованием из-за отсутствия необходимых драйверов, однако многие поставщики постепенно исправляют эту ситуацию. В заключение сделан вывод, что переход библиотек на российское программное обеспечение вполне реален

The movement patterns and foraging resources of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in Franz Josef Land archipelago and connectivity with the Kara-Barents Sea population

The Franz Josef Land population of the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) remains one of the least studied. Here, 26 walruses were tagged with satellite-linked radio transmitters in Franz Josef Land archipelago and Victoria Island in summer-autumn 2020 and 2021 to assess movements patterns and area utilization. In addition, 65 grab samples were taken to evaluate macrobenthic foraging resources. The mean duration of data records was 53 ± 27 days. The walruses traveled on average 29 ± 13.5 km/day with a mean speed of 1.2 ± 0.6 km/hr. The travel speed and distance were statistically different for male, female, and immature walruses. The individuals tagged on Victoria Island remained in the vicinity of the island, while walruses tagged within the Franz Josef Land archipelago moved between the islands, utilizing the entire area for foraging trips. One walrus migrated from Franz Josef Land to Novaya Zemlya in late November, providing evidence of connectivity with the Kara-Barents Sea population. The area was characterized by high average biomass of macrobenthos. Bivalve mollusks, Hiatella arctica, were dominating macrobenthic biomass, likely being the main foraging resource for the walruses. Further observations are needed to better understand winter behaviors of Franz Josef Land walruses and possible impacts of climate change on movement patterns

Assessment of physiological status of felids as indicator of their welfare in the wild

One of the main approaches to monitoring the welfare of wild mammal populations in the wild is animal health estimation based on an analysis of their physiological parameters. To assess that for the natural felid populations, we analyzed adrenal activity level, white blood cells (WBC) counts and occurrence of seropositive reactions to different diseases. The first study was conducted in the Southwest Primorye, in natural habitats of Far Eastern leopard. Unevenly cold and snowy winters in 2010 and 2011 provided extreme natural conditions for overwintering mammals across the Russian Far East. Adrenocortical activity of leopards was significantly higher in 2011 (fecal cortisol level was 712.7 ± 92.4  ng g-1) than in 2010 (361.4 ± 80.5 ng g-1). We suggest that abundance and availability of weakened deer and carcasses could facilitate hunting for leopards and help them to avoid starvation. In the second study we used WBC counts as a health index for three felid species: Pallas cat (Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve, 2010), Far Eastern leopard (Southwestern Prymorie, 2011), Siberian tiger (Ussuriskii Reserve, 2010-2011). The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (N:L) was used as an indicator of stress and/or disease state. Occurrence of seropositive reactions to 12 different pathogens was analyzed in all the animals after the hematological analysis. Pallas cats had the lowest N:L ratio (1.0 ± 0.1), significantly differing from leopards (42.8 ± 16.0) and tigers (24.5 ± 9.2). The N:L ratio correlated with the occurrence of seropositive reactions but not with the pathogen diversity. Pallas cats had the lowest occurrence of positive reactions to 4 pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii (12.5%), Mycoplasma sp. (12.5%), influenza A (7.1%), and feline leukemia virus (8.3%). Leopards had the highest N:L and occurrence of seropositive reactions only to 2 infections: T. gondii (16.6%) and Candida sp. (100%). On the contrary, tigers had positive responses to 6 pathogens, including canine distemper (7.7%), feline immunodeficiency virus (8.3%) and Aujeszky’s disease (31%), which were not found in other cats. Values of N:L depended also on the time spent to get blood samples. In the big felid species effects of glucocorticoids on the WBC ratio (neutrophilia) were obtained in blood samples from anesthetized animals, taken more than 2 hours after capture. In Pallas cats blood samples were collected within 13 ± 2 min without anesthesia. Thus the high N:L ratio in big felids can be explained by several reasons: stress of capture, immunosuppression and a high diversity of detected infections. The present findings may have important implications for creation of effective conservation strategies of rare felid species in the wild