Multi-objective Vehicle Routing Problem with Cost and Emission Functions

AbstractAmong the logistics activities, transportation, is presented as a major source of air pollution in Europe, generating harmful levels of air pollutants and is responsible for up to 24% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in the European Union. The growing environmental concern related to the economic activity has been transferred to the field of transport and logistics in recent decades. Therefore, environmental targets are to be added to economic targets in the decision-making, to find the right balance between these two dimensions. In real life, there are many situations and problems that are recognized as multi-objective problems. This type of problems containing multiple criteria to be met or must be taken into account. Often these criteria are in conflict with each other and there is no single solution that simultaneously satisfies everyone. Vehicle routing problems (VRP) are frequently used to model real cases, which are often established with the sole objective of minimizing the internal costs. However, in real life other factors could be taken into account, such as environmental issues. Moreover, in industry, a fleet of vehicles is rarely homogeneous. The need to be present in different segments of the market, forcing many companies to have vehicles that suit the type of goods transported. Similarly, to have vehicles of different load capacities enables a better adaptation to the customer demand. This paper proposes a multi-objective model based on Tchebycheff methods for VRP with a heterogeneous fleet, in which vehicles are characterized by different capacities, costs and emissions factors. Three objective functions are used to minimize the total internal costs, while minimizing the CO2 emissions and the emission of air pollutants such as NOx. Moreover, this study develops an algorithm based on C&W savings heuristic to solve the model when time windows are not considered. Finally, a real case application is analyzed to confirm the practicality of the model and the algorithm

El turismo pesquero como instrumento de apoyo al desarrollo sostenible en zonas litorales: la experiencia del proyecto sagital

La actividad pesquera ha sido históricamente un elemento clave en el desarrollo de las poblaciones litorales, aportando importantes valores culturales, económicos, medioambientales y sociales. En las últimas décadas, el cambio de modelo económico ha provocado que actividades tradicionales como la pesca artesanal (o de bajura) hayan disminuido considerablemente, con las consecuentes repercusiones negativas. En este contexto, las actividades turísticas vinculadas directamente con la actividad pesquera, se plantean, tanto en España como en la Unión Europea, como interesantes alternativas de diversificación para las zonas litorales tradicionalmente dependientes de la pesca. En esta comunicación se expone la experiencia llevada a cabo en el Proyecto SAGITAL (2005-07), que, coordinado por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y financiado por el Fondo Social Europeo, ha integrado a veinte socios vinculados directamente con el sector pesquero y ha servido para promover, tanto técnica como jurídicamente, el desarrollo de las actividades de turismo pesquero, de forma específica la Pesca turismo. La metodología de gestión y fomento de la participación aplicada en el Proyecto, ha permitido obtener un consenso entre los profesionales del sector pesquero y las administraciones responsables, a fin de adecuar la actual normativa pesquera para permitir y regular el desarrollo de estas actividade

Pb(II) binding to humic substances: an equilibrium and spectroscopic study

The binding of Pb(II) to humic acids is studied through an approach combining equilibrium and spectroscopic measurements. The methods employed are potentiometric and fluorometric titrations, fluorescence excitation−emission matrices (EEM) and IR spectroscopy. Potentiometric titration curves are analyzed using the NICA equations and an electrostatic model treating the humic particles as an elastic polyelectrolyte network. EEMs are analyzed using parallel factor analysis, decomposing the signal in its independent components and finding their dependence on Pb(II) activity. Potentiometric results are consistent with bimodal affinity distributions for Pb(II) binding, whereas fluorometric titrations are explained by monomodal distributions. EEM analysis is consistent with three independent components in the humic fluorescence response, which are assigned to moieties with different degree of aromaticity. All three components show a similar quenching behavior upon Pb(II) binding, saturating at relatively low Pb(II) concentrations. This is attributed to metal ion induced aggregation of humic molecules, resulting in the interaction between the aromatic groups responsible for fluorescence; this is also consistent with IR spectroscopy results. The observed behavior is interpreted considering that initial metal binding (observed as strongly binding sites), correspond to bi- or multidentate complexation to carboxylate groups, including binding between groups of different humic molecules, promoting aggregation; further metal ions (observed as weakly binding sites) bind to single ligand groups.Fil: Orsetti, Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de Los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marco Brown, Jose Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de Los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Andrade, Estela M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de Los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Fernando Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de Los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anti-tumor necrosis factor or tocilizumab therapy as first biologic in a global comparative observational study

Objective To compare clinical effectiveness between tocilizumab and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs initiating biologic therapy. Methods Patients prescribed tocilizumab (intravenous) or TNFi were prospectively observed in routine clinical practice for 52 weeks across 158 sites in 26 countries. The primary observation was the change from baseline in Disease Activity Score based on 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) at week 24 using analysis of covariance for between-groups comparison. Secondary end points included Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and patient-reported outcomes at weeks 24 and 52. Results Of 1,216 patients, 35% initiated tocilizumab and 65% initiated TNFi. RA duration was shorter, and disease activity and corticosteroid use were higher in tocilizumab patients. Tocilizumab-treated patients had greater improvement in DAS28-ESR at weeks 24 and 52 (week 24 difference [95% confidence interval] in adjusted means: −0.831 [−1.086, −0.576]; P < 0.001). Change from baseline in CDAI was also greater with tocilizumab (adjusted means difference: week 24, −3.48; week 52, −4.60; both P < 0.001). Tocilizumab-treated patients had more improvement in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index than TNFi-treated patients (P < 0.05). The cumulative probability of drug discontinuation at week 52 was lower with tocilizumab (15%) than TNFi (27%; P < 0.001, unadjusted analysis). Unadjusted frequencies (events per 100 patient-years) for tocilizumab and TNFi were 6.44 and 11.99 for serious adverse events, 1.98 and 5.03 for serious infections, and 0.74 and 0.77 for deaths, respectively. Conclusion Patients initiating tocilizumab experienced greater effectiveness and drug survival than those initiating TNFi in an observational setting

Informational Literacy And Information And Communication Technologies Use By Secondary Education Students In Spain: A Descriptive Study

Informational literacy and the use of technologies by Secondary Education students in Spain: A descriptive study. The development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), together with their application to research carried out on educational areas, are factors which contribute to the promotion of a new educative model constructed on literacy-based competences and skills, and which sets technologies as essential tools for a life-long learning process (Unesco, 2005). This is the framework where we can insert the research that we are currently carrying out, funded by the research Program I+D+I of the Spanish Ministry of Education, and in the frame of which we are developing a diagnostic assessment of informational literacy competence in students between 14 and 16 years (Secondary Education), based on the fact that one of the main aspects in knowledge generation and acquisition is the capacity to use information extracted from documents and electronic resources, available in informational networks in a correct way. In this paper we present the results obtained from evidences on the contrast existing between the level of use of technologies (videogames, social networks...) and the level of informational literacy shown by students. The data were gathered from a sample of more than 1000 Secondary Education students who are around 15 years old

Effectiveness and Safety of a Single-Dose Ivermectin Treatment for Uncomplicated Strongyloidiasis in Immunosuppressed Patients (ImmunoStrong Study): The Study Protocol

Strongyloidiasis affects an estimated 600 million people worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Single-dose ivermectin treatment has shown to be effective among immunocompetent patients with uncomplicated strongyloidiasis. Here, we present the protocol of the ImmunoStrong study, a prospective observational study aiming to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a single-dose ivermectin for treatment of uncomplicated strongyloidiasis in immunosuppressed patients. The secondary objectives are to assess accuracy of molecular techniques for the follow-up of these patients and to determine the population pharmacokinetics of ivermectin. The information retrieved by this study will cover relevant information gaps in the strongyloidiasis management among immunosuppressed patients.The present work was supported by the 2020 Research Grant from the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC).S

Diseño de una metaheurística para la programación de la producción de máquinas en paralelo no relacionadas para minimizar la tardanza ponderada total, considerando la exposición de los operarios a sustancias químicas peligrosas

Las industrias afrontan diariamente diferentes retos para incrementar su desempeño y la rentabilidad de sus operaciones, buscando un impacto mínimo en sus grupos de interés en los niveles social, económico y ambiental. La industria de químicos aromáticos no es ajena a esta realidad ya que se enfrenta a requerimientos mundiales de nuevos productos, cada vez con mejor desempeño y nivel de innovación, incrementando el riesgo tanto para los colaboradores, que entran en contacto con las sustancias químicas involucradas, como para el medio ambiente en todos los aspectos de emisiones y vertimientos. Este trabajo estudia el problema de programación de la producción en una empresa productora de fragancias considerando el control de los tiempos de exposición de los operarios a sustancias peligrosas, buscando prevenir las enfermedades crónicas a largo plazo causadas por esta exposición. El entorno productivo de la empresa consiste en máquinas en paralelo no relacionadas, donde hay producción por lotes multiproducto para minimizar la tardanza ponderada total. Para la solución del problema se determinaron en primera instancia los tiempos adecuados de mezcla para un lote de cada tipo de producto y los de alistamiento de equipos dependiendo de la secuencia de producción. Posteriormente, se desarrolló el modelo matemático y se propuso la metaheurística GRASP como método de solución para las instancias reales. Obteniendo un procedimiento que condujo a mejorar la tardanza ponderada total en 15 instancias reales, en comparación con la estrategia actual de programación, garantizando que la exposición a las sustancias químicas peligrosas evaluadas no se supera en ninguno de los casos. Para obtener dichos resultados se realizó una validación de parámetros del algoritmo determinando el parámetro α del GRASP como 0,6 y seleccionando realizar 500 iteraciones para la obtención de los resultados.Magíster en Ingeniería IndustrialMaestrí

Pattern recognition in sar images using f ractional r andom f ields and its possible application to the problem of the detection of oil spills in open sea

In this article we present a short proof of a duality principle concerning frame and Riesz sequences due to Ulanovskii and Olevskii. Our proof is derived from a result on compression on orthogonal projections. As a consequence, we get a better lower frame (Riesz) bound for the sequences than the one deduced from the original proof.Fil: Mailing, Agustin Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Argentino de Matemática Alberto Calderón; ArgentinaFil: Molina,Segundo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Hamkalo, Jose Luis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Dobarro, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Juan Miguel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Argentino de Matemática Alberto Calderón; ArgentinaFil: Cernuschi Frias, Bruno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Argentino de Matemática Alberto Calderón; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Daniel Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schlaps, Erica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaVII Congreso de Matemática Aplicada, Computacional e IndustrialRio CuartoArgentinaAsociación Argentina de Matemática Aplicada, Computacional e IndustrialUniversidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Química y Naturale

Stress compensation by gap monolayers for stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dots solar cells

In this work we report the stacking of 10 and 50 InAs quantum dots layers using 2 monolayers of GaP for stress compensation and a stack period of 18 nm on GaAs (001) substrates. Very good structural and optical quality is found in both samples. Vertical alignment of the dots is observed by transmission electron microscopy suggesting the existence of residual stress around them. Photocurrent measurements show light absorption up to 1.2 μm in the nanostructures together with a reduction in the blue response of the device. As a result of the phosphorus incorporation in the barriers, a very high thermal activation energy (431 meV) has also been obtained for the quantum dot emission

Energyplus simulation model of a zoning regulation system intgegrated with an unitary ducted air-to-air heat pump

En los edificios se pueden distinguir una variedad de zonas con diferentes patrones de utilización y perfiles de cargas térmicas. Los sistemas de climatización zonificados permiten adaptarse a las diferentes demandas térmicas de cada espacio y no climatizar aquellos que no estén siendo utilizados. Recientemente, con el aumento de la disponibilidad de velocidades de ventilador de los principales fabricantes de unidades de expansión directa de pequeña y mediana potencia para conductos, se han desarrollado sistemas que se basan en lo que se denomina una “pasarela de comunicación”, que permite una mayor integración del sistema de zonas con el equipo de climatización, controlando aspectos tales como el encendido y apagado, modo de funcionamiento, velocidad del ventilador, temperatura de consigna del equipo, etc. Este trabajo presenta el desarrollo de un nuevo modelo computacional que integra estos sistemas en el programa de simulación energética EnergyPlusUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec