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The aim of this paper is to present a new method for generating random pairwise comparison matrices with a given inconsistency ratio (CR) interval using inconsistency reduction algorithms. Pairwise comparison (PC) is a popular technique for multi-criteria decision-making, its purpose is to assign weights to the compared entities, thus ranking them from best to worst. The presented method combines the traditional random generation of comparison matrices supported by inconsistency reduction algorithms: the "Xu and Wei" algorithm and the "Szybowski" algorithm. This paper presents research that shows an increase in performance when generating such matrices relative to the standard random comparison matrix generation procedure using the "Szybowski" algorithm. The other algorithms also improve the process, but to a lesser extent, making the “Szybowski" supporting algorithm the preferred solution for the new process. As a result of the research, a free online tool "PC MATRICES GENERATOR" has also been made available to efficiently generate a large number of comparison matrices with a given CR factor range, any matrix size, and any number of matrices, enabling much more efficient and less time-consuming research in many fields that use comparison matrices, as the analytic hierarchy/network process (AHP/ANP), ELECTREE, PAPRIKA, PROMETHE, VIKOR or the Best-Worst method (BWM).

The aim of this paper is to present a new method for generating random pairwise comparison matrices with a given inconsistency ratio (CR) interval using inconsistency reduction algorithms. Pairwise comparison (PC) is a popular technique for multi-criteria decision-making, its purpose is to assign weights to the compared entities, thus ranking them from best to worst. The presented method combines the traditional random generation of comparison matrices supported by inconsistency reduction algorithms: the "Xu and Wei" algorithm and the "Szybowski" algorithm. This paper presents research that shows an increase in performance when generating such matrices relative to the standard random comparison matrix generation procedure using the "Szybowski" algorithm. The other algorithms also improve the process, but to a lesser extent, making the "Szybowski" supporting algorithm the preferred solution for the new process. As a result of the research, a free online tool "PC MATRICES GENERATOR" has also been made available to efficiently generate a large number of comparison matrices with a given CR factor range, any matrix size, and any number of matrices, enabling much more efficient and less time-consuming research in many fields that use comparison matrices, as the analytic hierarchy/network process (AHP/ANP), ELECTREE, PAPRIKA, PROMETHE, VIKOR or the Best-Worst method (BWM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of image generation, especially for auto-encoder models, how to extract better features and obtain better quality reconstruction samples by modifying network structure and training algorithms has always been the focus of attention. For example, Variational Auto-Encoder (VAE), which is a very popular auto-encoder model, is a theoretically rigorously derived image generation model. For commonly used auto-encoders, such as VAE, Regularized Auto-Encoder (RAE), and Wasserstein Auto-Encoder (WAE), the mean square error (MSE) is all used as the loss function of the reconstructed process, which makes the blur problem of the reconstruction samples unavoidable. Especially for larger-sized images, the blur phenomenon is more obvious. To solve this problem, Perceptual Loss Function is used in some cases. Although it can improve the image quality to a certain extent, the amount of calculation is large and the image quality improvement in auto-encoder is also relatively limited. For this reason, we try to propose a new loss function, Wavelet loss function, to better generate and reconstruct images. Wavelet transform is applied to the reconstructed image loss function of the auto-encoder, and the frequency characteristics of the decomposed image are used to constrain it. We conducted comparative experiments on two larger-size image datasets (FaceSrub, COIL20) and a small-size image dataset (Fashion_MNIST), and proved the effectiveness of the wavelet loss function. At the same time, we propose a new image quality index: wavelet high-frequency signal-to-noise ratio (WHF-SNR), which can better measure the quality of the reconstructed image of the auto-encoder.

Myth represents artistic and poetic origin of Vazha Pshavela's epic poems - its preform, its main structural and perceptional principle. The object of our article is not an analysis of mythological forms in Vazha Pshavelas's literature that are older than literature itself, but on the contrary - we are observing literature motifs, fabula or action that construct foundation of myth, that define, introduce and strengthens mythic structure. The correlation between mythic and poetic origins is evident in Vazha Pshavela's literature. What are poetic devices used by author for attributing mythic features to his message, what is the content of these messages that are disclosed in "Aluda Qetelauri" and ,,Host and Guest". In "Aluda Qetelauri" as well as in "Host and Guest" the message function is attributed to the meeting as to exeptional occurrence. In "Host and Geuest" this iterational (repetitive) sign is represented as a realized micromodel (the rite of meeting of the three) in the final scene of the poem. Meeting is nothing else then a cronotopos of "intrusion" of metaphysical into the real world. The morphology of mankind existence is defined by meeting of dissimilar as well as by transformation dynamics caused by these meetings. It's exactly the topos of meeting that gives birth to constant intention of human soul- free will against the established social norms also visible in Aluda's character. As an additional structure for myth creation Vazha Pshavela uses picture of nature e.g. in the final of "Host and Guest" we can see unexpectedly appeared invincible darkness. Snow and snowstorm, valance and ice that block Aludas's road are not only the stylistic tools representing internal picture of protagonist, but also mental structure that strengthens mythic element in the poem. Vazha Pshavela's stylistic tool of converting literature story into popular story could be considered as a product of mythic imagination. Author takes his ,,story'' from individual consciousness and places it in the space of collective consciousness. The comment to final scene in "Host and Guest" "They tell about heroes…" is the reference to mythic words. It is the myth derived from collective memory reminded by literature and once again involved in eternal cycle where mythic and poetic are still represented as undivided creative origin. It is directly related not only to the story told in the poem but to all the stories that had ever taken place and will happen in future in order to defend personal free will in the name of courage and relenting. In one of the phrases of "Host and Guest" "At nights they see the picture…" the word "see" is nothing else then "they say" transformed into visual image. Vazha Pshavela alludes to collective memory. Such expression as "they would say" "they say" are semantically loaded and aim at unfolding mythic layer. These words are brought to create myth out of literature theme or fabula. They prepare reader to hear something universal and important. Narrator is a medium whose words are strengthened by words of similar mediums. However, poetic tool of constant repetition grants the story with undoubtful legitimation The myth is created by personal revision of collective experience. As far as it is an exceptional case that never stays on the level of individual experience, it finds its way to collective memory and is converted into common human experience. Once again Aluda's and Jokhola's images reveal invariational structure of archetypal image of every rebelled and punished hero. This aspect is carefully proposed by Vazha Pshavela's while depicting his main characters in apparently realistic narrative. Myth is the way to return to origin, to situate the word in enternal space. Author creates significances that will survive the test of time. Vazha Pshavela depicts tragedy that is followed by conflict with community and is constantly repeated. This aspect gives mythic features to his protagonists. The part of everyday life is now spread in eternal time. Author assigns ritual-symbolic meaning to farewell scene in "ALuda Qetelauri" and marks it with "eternal" sign ("once he wished to turn his head…"). This very movement represents an archetype of all the movements that eternally take place and that denote an essence of every change including radical changes such as death. The turn, returning is the action marked by eternity. It is a sign of accomplishing one cycle. This is ever repeating action even though it happens "once". The future myth structure created about Aluda Qetelauri is weaved exactly around this "once" quite similar to archetype of storytelling that is structured in the word "they say". That is "said" - the picture that Vazha Pshavela depicts in the final scene - is repeated every night and represents the rite of friendship and solidarity. Aluda's gesture of turning head is also the rite as it happenes once but forever. However, both are the rites of memorizing exceptional and essential human experience. In "Host and Guest" reader can witness creation of myth of main heroes and inclusion of their actions in fundamental mythic layers ("every night they see the picture…"). However, we can observe the final stage of myth creation, when author is preparing main character and his environment to generate a myth. Exactly this mythic stracture is used to introduce the projection of future in Vazha Pshavela's both poems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A k -ary de Bruijn sequence of order n is a cyclic sequence of length k n in which each k -ary string of length n appears exactly once as a substring. A shift rule for a de Bruijn sequence of order n is a function that maps each length n substring to the next length n substring in the sequence. We present the first known shift rule for k -ary de Bruijn sequences that runs in O ( 1 ) -amortized time per symbol using O ( n ) space. Our rule generalizes the authors’ recent shift rule for the binary case (A surprisingly simple de Bruijn sequence construction, Discrete Math. 339, 127–131). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysing qualitative data using a single and/or multiple data gathering strategies, is a painstaking exercise, and can often be a challenging for beginning researchers. The qualitative data can be analysed using many techniques to unveil the reality. An iterative process is one of the techniques employed by researchers in analysing qualitative data. This paper presents a case of how qualitative data, which have been gathered using multiple data gathering strategies (interview, observation and document analysis), were analysed iteratively using five major techniques. This paper illustrates how researchers may grow their own understanding when employing an iterative process to generate meanings from qualitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pick any length n binary string b 1 b 2 ⋯ b n and remove the first bit b 1 . If b 2 b 3 ⋯ b n 1 is a necklace, then append the complement of b 1 to the end of the remaining string; otherwise append b 1 . By repeating this process, eventually all 2 n binary strings will be visited cyclically. This shift rule leads to a new de Bruijn sequence construction that can be generated in O ( 1 ) -amortized time per bit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-abs) at high serum levels are associated with diverse autoimmune neurological syndromes (AINS), including cerebellar ataxia, epilepsy, limbic encephalitis and stiff-person syndrome. The impact of low serum GAD-ab levels in patients with suspected AINS remains controversial. Specific intrathecal GAD-ab synthesis may serve as a marker for GAD-ab-associated nervous system autoimmunity. We present characteristics of a multicentric patient cohort with suspected AINS associated with GAD antibodies (SAINS-GAD+) and explore the relevance of serum GAD-ab levels and intrathecal GAD-ab synthesis., Methods: All patients with SAINS-GAD+ included in the registry of the German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE) from 2011 to 2019 were analyzed. High serum GAD-ab levels were defined as RIA>2000 U/mL, ELISA>1000 U/mL, or as a positive staining pattern on cell-based assays., Results: One-hundred-one patients were analyzed. In descending order they presented with epilepsy/limbic encephalitis (39%), cerebellar ataxia (28%), stiff person syndrome (22%), and overlap syndrome (12%). Immunotherapy was administered in 89% of cases with improvements in 46%. 35% of SAINS-GAD+ patients had low GAD-ab serum levels. Notably, unmatched oligoclonal bands in CSF but not in serum were more frequent in patients with low GAD-ab serum levels. GAD-ab-levels (high/low) and intrathecal GAD-ab synthesis (present or not) did not impact clinical characteristics and outcome., Conclusions: Overall, immunotherapy in SAINS-GAD+ was moderately effective. Serum GAD-ab levels and the absence or presence of intrathecal GAD-ab synthesis did not predict clinical characteristics or outcomes in SAINS-GAD+. The detection of unmatched oligoclonal bands might outweigh low GAD-ab serum levels., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Madlener, Doppler, Finke, Gerner, Lewerenz, Linsa, Mues, Paliantonis, Priller, Prüß, Rössling, Schirotzek, Senel, Sommer, Strippel, Süße, Tauber, Wandinger, Wickel: Nothing to report. Fink: Bayer, Desitin, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer: lectures. Kellingshaus: UCB Pharma, Eisai GmbH, LivaNova Europe: lectures, consultancies. Kraft: Böhringer-Ingelheim, Daichii-Sankyo, Pfitzer/BMS, Bayer: travel expenses, lectures. Kümpfel: Bayer Healthcare, Merck, Novartis Pharma, Roche Pharma: lectures, consultancies. Leypoldt: Alexion, Roche and Biogen AdvisoryBoard, Novartis, Bayer, Roche: lectures. Malter: UCB Pharma, EISAI GmbH: lectures, consultancies. Melzer: Biogen Idec, GlaxoSmith Kline, Teva, Novartis Pharma, Bayer Healthcare, Genzyme, Alexion Pharamceuticals, Fresenius Medical Care, Diamed, and BIAL: lectures, Euroimmun, Fresenius Medical Care, Diamed, Alexion Pharamceuticals, and Novartis Pharma: funding. Menge: Biogen, Novartis, Teva: lectures, Biogen: consultancies, travel expenses. Ringelstein: Novartis, Bayer, Roche, Alexion, Ipsen: lectures, Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, Merz, Genzyme, Teva, Grifols, Roche and Merck: travel expenses. Urbanek: Böhringer-Ingelheim: lectures, Daichii-Sankyo: lectures, travel expenses, sPfitzer/BMS: travel expenses. Senel: Bayer, Biogen, Merck, Roche, and Sanofi Genzyme: lectures and/or consultancies; Celgene, TEVA: travel expenses. Sühs: Merck: lectures, travel expenses. Tauber: Teva, Biogen, Merck Serono und Roche: lectures, travel expenses. Thaler: Novartis: funding. Then Bergh: Actelion, Novartis: funding; Actelion, Bayer, Merck, Roche: lectures; Merck, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme: Advisory Board; Actelion, Merck: travel expenses., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this review, we present for the first time an integrated version of the G ene[rate] computer tools which have been developed during the last 5 years to analyse human leukocyte antigen ( HLA) data in human populations, as well as the results of their application to a large dataset of 145 HLA-typed population samples from Europe and its two neighbouring areas, North Africa and West Asia, now forming part of the G ene[va] database. All these computer tools and genetic data are, from now, publicly available through a newly designed bioinformatics platform, HLA-net, here presented as a main achievement of the HLA-NET scientific programme. The G ene[rate] pipeline offers user-friendly computer tools to estimate allele and haplotype frequencies, to test Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ( HWE), selective neutrality and linkage disequilibrium, to recode HLA data, to convert file formats, to display population frequencies of chosen alleles and haplotypes in selected geographic regions, and to perform genetic comparisons among chosen sets of population samples, including new data provided by the user. Both numerical and graphical outputs are generated, the latter being highly explicit and of publication quality. All these analyses can be performed on the pipeline after scrupulous validation of the population sample's characterisation and HLA typing reporting according to HLA-NET recommendations. The G ene[va] database offers direct access to the HLA-A, -B, -C, - DQA1, - DQB1, - DRB1 and - DPB1 frequencies and summary statistics of 145 population samples having successfully passed these HLA-NET 'filters', and representing three European subregions (South-East, North-East and Central-West Europe) and two neighbouring areas (North Africa, as far as Sudan, and West Asia, as far as South India). The analysis of these data, summarized in this review, shows a substantial genetic variation at the regional level in this continental area. These results have main implications for population genetics, transplantation and epidemiological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functions are important in designing. However, several issues hinder progress with the understanding and usage of functions: lack of a clear and overarching definition of function, lack of overall justifications for the inevitability of the multiple views of function, and scarcity of systematic attempts to relate these views with one another. To help resolve these, the objectives of this research are to propose a common definition of function that underlies the multiple views in literature and to identify and validate the views of function that are logically justified to be present in designing. Function is defined as a change intended by designers between two scenarios: before and after the introduction of the design. A framework is proposed that comprises the above definition of function and an empirically validated model of designing, extended generate, evaluate, modify, and select of state-change, and an action, part, phenomenon, input, organ, and effect model of causality (Known as GEMS of SAPPhIRE), comprising the views of activity, outcome, requirement–solution–information, and system–environment. The framework is used to identify the logically possible views of function in the context of designing and is validated by comparing these with the views of function in the literature. Describing the different views of function using the proposed framework should enable comparisons and determine relationships among the various views, leading to better understanding and usage of functions in designing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is well known that the Lyndon words of length n can be used to construct a basis for the nth homogeneous component of the free Lie algebra. We develop an algorithm that uses a dynamic programming table to efficiently generate the standard bracketing for all Lyndon words of length n, thus constructing a basis for the nth homogeneous component of the free Lie algebra. The algorithm runs in linear amortized time; i.e., O(n) time per basis element. For a single Lyndon word, the table (and thus the standard bracketing) can be computed in time O(n2). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]