A modified priority-based encoding for design of a closed-loop supply chain network using a discrete league championship algorithm

In a closed-loop supply chain network, the aim is to ensure a smooth fow of materials and attaining the maximum value from returning and end-of-life goods. Tis paper presents a single-objective deterministic mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model for the closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) network design problem consisting of plants, collection centers, disposal centers, and customer zones. Our model minimizes the total costs comprising fxed opening cost of plants, collection, disposal centers, and transportation costs of products among the nodes. As supply chain network design problems belong to the class of NP-hard problems, a novel league championship algorithm (LCA) with a modifed priority-based encoding is applied to fnd a near-optimal solution. New operators are defned for the LCA to search the discrete space. Numerical comparison of our proposed encoding with the existing approaches in the literature is indicative of the high quality performance of the proposed encoding

Simultaneous flexural and punching strengthening of RC slabs according to a new hybrid technique using U-shape CFRP laminates

One of the main concerns related to flat reinforced-concrete (RC) slabs is the slab’s punching capacity. Punching can occur not only due to a deficient transverse reinforcement, but also when the flexural capacity of the slab needs to be increased. To increase the flexural capacity, carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) composites have been applied according to near-surface-mounted (NSM) or external-bonded-reinforcement (EBR) techniques, while for the punching strengthening CFRP reinforcements have been applied according to embedded-through-section (ETS) technique. To take advantage of strengthening benefits of the NSM and ETS techniques, in the present paper a new type of CFRP laminate of U-shape is used by adopting a novel hybrid technique for the simultaneous flexural and punching strengthening of existing RC slabs. Besides, this hybrid technique aims to provide a better bond performance for the ETS and NSM CFRPs by improving the anchorage conditions. Moreover, a higher resistance to the susceptibility of occurrence of other premature failure modes, like concrete cover delamination, is offered by using this hybrid technique. A 3D nonlinear finite-element (FE) model is developed to simulate the experimental tests by considering the nonlinear behavior of the constituent materials. The experimental program and numerical model are described, and the relevant results are analyzed.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by QREN (through the Operational Program COMPETE) in the scope of the CutInov Project (n. 38780) involving the Clever Reinforcement Company and the Structural Composites Research group of ISISE-Minho University.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of economies-of-scale on the performance of lot-sizing heuristics in rolling horizon basis

In this article, we consider the production planning problem in the presence of (dis)economies-of-scale in production costs on a rolling horizon basis with a fixed forecast horizon. We propose variants of three well-known and commonly used heuristics (Wagner–Whitin, Silver–Meal and Least Unit Cost) adapted for this particular setting. In an extensive numerical study with demands exhibiting stationary, increasing and decreasing trends and seasonality, we demonstrate that having longer forecast horizon is less effective in obtaining more cost effective production plans when the production cost function is convex and also when fixed setup cost is lower, which both are proxy to lack of economies-of-scale

Level Crossing Analysis of Burgers Equation in 1+1 Dimensions

We investigate the average frequency of positive slope $\nu_{\alpha}^{+}$, crossing the velocity field $u(x)- \bar u = \alpha$ in the Burgers equation. The level crossing analysis in the inviscid limit and total number of positive crossing of velocity field before creation of singularities are given. The main goal of this paper is to show that this quantity, $\nu_{\alpha}^{+}$, is a good measure for the fluctuations of velocity fields in the Burgers turbulence.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Experimental evaluation of vibrotactile training mappings for dual-joystick directional guidance

Two joystick-based teleoperation is a common method for controlling a remote machine or a robot. Their use could be counter-intuitive and could require a heavy mental workload. The goal of this paper is to investigate whether vibrotactile prompts could be used to trigger dual-joystick responses quickly and intuitively, so to possibly employ them for training. In particular, we investigate the effects of: (1) stimuli delivered either on the palm or on the back of the hand, (2) with attractive and repulsive mappings, (3) with single and sequential stimuli. We find that 38 participants responded quicker and more accurately when stimuli were delivered on the back of the hand, preferred to move towards the vibration. Sequential stimuli led to intermediate responses in terms of speed and accuracy

Homozygous Missense Variants in NTNG2, Encoding a Presynaptic Netrin-G2 Adhesion Protein, Lead to a Distinct Neurodevelopmental Disorder.

NTNG2 encodes netrin-G2, a membrane-anchored protein implicated in the molecular organization of neuronal circuitry and synaptic organization and diversification in vertebrates. In this study, through a combination of exome sequencing and autozygosity mapping, we have identified 16 individuals (from seven unrelated families) with ultra-rare homozygous missense variants in NTNG2; these individuals present with shared features of a neurodevelopmental disorder consisting of global developmental delay, severe to profound intellectual disability, muscle weakness and abnormal tone, autistic features, behavioral abnormalities, and variable dysmorphisms. The variants disrupt highly conserved residues across the protein. Functional experiments, including in silico analysis of the protein structure, in vitro assessment of cell surface expression, and in vitro knockdown, revealed potential mechanisms of pathogenicity of the variants, including loss of protein function and decreased neurite outgrowth. Our data indicate that appropriate expression of NTNG2 plays an important role in neurotypical development

Some aspects of the Liouville equation in mathematical physics and statistical mechanics

This paper presents some mathematical aspects of Classical Liouville theorem and we have noted some mathematical theorems about its initial value problem. Furthermore, we have implied on the formal frame work of Stochastic Liouville equation (SLE)