Cost-based abduction attempts to find the best explanation for a set of facts by finding a minimal cost proof for the facts. The costs are computed by summing the costs of the assumptions necessary for the proof plus the cost of the rules. We examine existing methods for constructing explanations (proofs), as a minimization problem on a DAG. We then define a probabilistic semantics for the cost...

An economic estimation of a network of distributed energy resources (DERs) forming a power delivery system in an Indian scenario has been made. The mathematical analysis is based on the application of real valued cultural algorithm (RVCA). The RVCA-evaluated total annual cost for power delivery networks has been obtained utilizing both solar and fuel cells as DERs along with a battery energy st...

Background: Metformin is the first-line oral hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) per international guidelines with proven efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, little information comparing it with acarbose exists. Objective: To study the costeffectiveness of metformin and acarbose—two extensively adopted agents—in treating T2DM. Methods: Cost-minimization analysi...

One of the key stages in designing a heat exchanger is optimization process. The enhancement in thermal performance results in a rise in pressure drop and total annual costs. So, finding optimal dimensions of heat exchanger is a key stage in designing process. In this paper, optimization has been done based on entropy generation minimization, where Cuckoo Algorithm aided to reach better results...

This paper presents a new methodology to simultaneously solve the optimal conductor selection and phase-balancing problems in unbalanced three-phase distribution systems. Both were represented by means of mathematical model known as Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model, objective function was minimization total annual operating costs. The latter included costs associated with energ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke is a leading cause of disability, cognitive impairment, and death in the United States and accounts for 1.7% of national health expenditures. Because the population is aging and the risk of stroke more than doubles for each successive decade after the age of 55 years, these costs are anticipated to rise dramatically. The objective of this report was to project futu...

INTRODUCTION Several orphan drugs have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over the past two decades. However, the drugs are expensive, and in some instances, the evidence for effectiveness is not convincing at the time of regulatory approval. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of orphan drugs that have been granted marketing licenses in Europe, determine ...

Predicting the maintenance and management costs and replacement age of tractors in agricultural mechanized units, is important from several points. So, doing a timely agricultural operations, more accurate measure of the amount of income  including the cost of these items , determining the useful life of old tractors , replacement age, cost of the process changes and the possibility of examinin...