The goal of the less is more approach (LIMA) for solving optimization problems that has recently been proposed in Mladenović et al. (2016) is to find the minimum number of search ingredients that make a heuristic more efficient than the currently best. In this paper, LIMA is successfully applied to solve the obnoxious p‐median problem (OpMP). More precisely, we developed a basic variable neighborhood search for solving the OpMP, where the single search ingredient, the interchange neighborhood structure, is used. We also propose a new simple local search strategy for solving facility location problems, within the interchange neighborhood structure, which is in between the usual ones: first improvement and best improvement strategies. We call it facility best improvement local search. On the basis of experiments, it appeared to be more efficient and effective than both first and best improvement. According to the results obtained on the benchmark instances, our heuristic turns out to be highly competitive with the existing ones, establishing new state‐of‐the‐art results. For example, four new best‐known solutions and 133 ties are claimed in testing the set with 144 instances.
Melasma, a commonly acquired hyperpigmentation skin condition, is usually treated with topical agents as the first line of management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of azelaic acid versus hydroquinone in treating melasma patients. We conducted a comprehensive search across four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) from the time of their creation until May 28, 2023. We considered randomized controlled studies comparing hydroquinone with azelaic acid for the treatment of melasma patients. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2 to evaluate the risk of bias. The mean difference (MD) for continuous variables and the risk ratio (RR) for categorical variables, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled. Six studies were included, with a total of 673 patients with melasma. The azelaic acid had a lower mean change in melasma area severity index (MASI) than the hydroquinone group [MD= -1.23, 95% CI (-2.05, -0.40), P=0.004]. No difference was observed regarding the improvement via the objective response scale, the reduction in pigmentation, or the adverse events reported. However, despite not being statistically significantly different, there was a trend towards having more good responses in the azelaic acid group. Azelaic acid may be better than hydroquinone in reducing melasma severity (measured by MASI). However, larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to validate these findings.
Kuwait is a democratic country that has used paper ballots for its parliament elections for many years. Although many people are content with the paper ballot, a survey shows that it has drawbacks, which have made some people lose confidence in the system and would prefer a replacement electronic system. However, the survey also shows that voters are cautious about electronic voting and are not ready for a full internet-enabled system. The aim of this paper is to propose a step-by-step approach for introducing electronic voting system and to define a set of requirements that an e-voting system, which is planned to be used instead of paper-based voting system in Kuwait, should satisfy.
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