Optimal advertising campaign generation for multiple brands using MOGA

The paper proposes a new modified multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) for the problem of optimal television (TV) advertising campaign generation for multiple brands. This NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with numerous constraints is one of the key issues for an advertising agency when producing the optimal TV mediaplan. The classical approach to the solution of this problem is the greedy heuristic, which relies on the strength of the preceding commercial breaks when selecting the next break to add to the campaign. While the greedy heuristic is capable of generating only a group of solutions that are closely related in the objective space, the proposed modified MOGA produces a Pareto-optimal set of chromosomes that: 1) outperform the greedy heuristic and 2) let the mediaplanner choose from a variety of uniformly distributed tradeoff solutions. To achieve these results, the special problem-specific solution encoding, genetic operators, and original local optimization routine were developed for the algorithm. These techniques allow the algorithm to manipulate with only feasible individuals, thus, significantly improving its performance that is complicated by the problem constraints. The efficiency of the developed optimization method is verified using the real data sets from the Canadian advertising industry

Multiobjective scheduling for semiconductor manufacturing plants

Scheduling of semiconductor wafer manufacturing system is identified as a complex problem, involving multiple and conflicting objectives (minimization of facility average utilization, minimization of waiting time and storage, for instance) to simultaneously satisfy. In this study, we propose an efficient approach based on an artificial neural network technique embedded into a multiobjective genetic algorithm for multi-decision scheduling problems in a semiconductor wafer fabrication environment

Public Policy Platform on Flexible Work Arrangements

On May 13, 2009, Workplace Flexibility 2010 released a comprehensive set of policy solutions to expand Americans’ access to flexible work arrangements such as compressed workweeks, predictable schedules, and telecommuting. Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) alter the time and/or place that work is conducted on a regular basis - in a manner that is as manageable and predictable as possible for both employees and employers. FWAs provide: Flexibility in the scheduling of hours worked, such as alternative work schedules (e.g., non-traditional start and end times, flex time, or compressed workweeks) and arrangements regarding overtime, predictable scheduling, and shift and break schedules; Flexibility in the amount of hours worked, such as part time work, job shares, phased retirement or part year work; and Flexibility in the place of work, such as working at home, at a satellite location or at different locations

Investigation and modelling of large scale cratering events : Lessons learnt from experimental analysis

Initiated as part of the 2010 Spin Your Thesis campaign, a new ESA Education programme, a group from the University of Glasgow Space Advanced Research Team successfully conducted a series of impact cratering experiments under a highly accelerated reference frame. This aimed to: reproduce and define the physical conditions of large-scale cratering events onto highly porous asteroids; provide cratering response data for the validation and advancement of numerical models; and support the generation of a reliable scaling theory for cratering events. Impact cratering is a fundamental process that has shaped and continues to shape the formation and evolution of our solar system and other planetary systems. Although much is known on the impact dynamics of rocky, brittle bodies, such as asteroids, little is known on the physical response of highly porous bodies. Consequently the physical response of porous bodies can not be compared to conventional models. Therefore throughout the experiment campaign, variation into the target material’s porosity and projectile density was examined. All in-situ measurements were recorded relative to the crater’s morphological profile and ejecta distribution. This occurred under increasing levels of acceleration, thereby validating that the experiment occurred within the crater dominated gravity regime. This paper details the programmatics issues of the initiative, experiences and lessons learnt from the student perspective. From its initial proof-of-concept the Spin Your Thesis campaign provided a solid foundation from the development of an experimental idea, enabling high scientific return and personal development

Mutual benefits of two multicriteria analysis methodologies: A case study for batch plant design

This paper presents a MultiObjective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) optimization framework for batch plant design. For this purpose, two approaches are implemented and compared with respect to three criteria, i.e., investment cost, equipment number and a flexibility indicator based on work in process (the so-called WIP) computed by use of a discrete-event simulation model. The first approach involves a genetic algorithm in order to generate acceptable solutions, from which the best ones are chosen by using a Pareto Sort algorithm. The second approach combines the previous Genetic Algorithm with a multicriteria analysis methodology, i.e., the Electre method in order to find the best solutions. The performances of the two procedures are studied for a large-size problem and a comparison between the procedures is then made

The KCAL VERA 22 GHz calibrator survey

We observed at 22 GHz with the VLBI array VERA a sample of 1536 sources with correlated flux densities brighter than 200 mJy at 8 GHz. One half of target sources has been detected. The detection limit was around 200 mJy. We derived the correlated flux densities of 877 detected sources in three ranges of projected baseline lengths. The objective of these observations was to determine the suitability of given sources as phase calibrators for dual-beam and phase-referencing observations at high frequencies. Preliminary results indicate that the number of compact extragalactic sources at 22 GHz brighter than a given correlated flux density level is twice less than at 8 GHz.Comment: Accepted for publication by the Astronomical Journal. 6 pages, 3 figures, 3 table. The machine readable catalogue file, kcal_cat.txt can be extracted from the source of this submissio