Stochastic assembly line balancing using beam search

This paper presents a beam search-based method for the stochastic assembly line balancing problem in U-lines. The proposed method minimizes total expected cost comprised of total labour cost and total expected incompletion cost. A beam search is an approximate branch and bound method that operates on a search tree. Even though beam search has been used in various problem domains, this is the first application to the assembly line balancing problem. The performance of the proposed method is measured on various test problems. The results of the computational experiments indicate that the average performance of the proposed method is better than the best-known heuristic in the literature for the traditional straight-line problem. Since the proposed method is the first heuristic for the stochastic U-type problem with the total expected cost criterion, we only report its results on the benchmark problems. Future research directions and the related bibliography are also provided in the paper. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd

Thermal decomposition kinetics of the antiparkinson drug “entacapone” under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

© 2017 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary The thermal decomposition kinetics of entacapone (ENT) have been investigated via thermogravimetric analysis under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions which provide useful stability information for their processing in the pharmaceutical industry and also for predicting shelf life and suitable storage conditions. The determination of the kinetic parameters for the decomposition process under non-isothermal conditions in a nitrogen atmosphere at four heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min −1 ) was performed. Kinetic parameters of the decomposition process for ENT were calculated through Friedman, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, and Li–Tang methods. This work demonstrates that the activation energies calculated from the decomposition reactions by different methods are consistent with each other. Moreover, the thermodynamic functions of the decomposition reaction were also calculated

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula treated by combined transarterial and transvenous coil embolization and associated cavernous internal carotid artery dissection treated with stent placement - Case report

The authors report on a case in which a carotid-cavernous fistula and an associated cavernous-carotid dissection developed in a 48-year-old man following a motor vehicle accident. The fistula was treated with coil embolization via a combined transarterial-transvenous approach. The dissected carotid artery segment was treated with a balloon-expandable stent, which restored normal caliber and hemispheric flow. There was no recurrence of the fistula and the postoperative wide patency of the carotid artery indicates that stent placement is an effective method of treating traumatic intracranial artery dissections

Enrichment and determination of Ni2+ ions in water samples with a diamino-4-(4-nitro-phenylazo)-1H-pyrazole (PDANP) by using FAAS

WOS: 000277631000008Nickel, as a heavy metal, is toxic for many living species. Thus, the determination of trace amounts of nickel in environmental samples is of great importance. In the present study, new, sensitive, simple and validated solid phase extraction method is developed for the determination of nickel. In recent study nickel was preconcentrated as diamino-4-(4-nitro-phenylazo)- 1H-pyrazole (PDANP) chelates (Ni-PDANP) from sample solutions using a column containing Amberlite XAD-7 and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The optimum experimental parameters such as pH of the medium, sample flow rate, eluent and effect of matrix ions on the method efficiency were investigated. The optimum pH value for quantitative sorption of Ni-PDANP was found between 6.0 and 8.0. Elution process was performed by using 6 mL of 2 mol L-1 HCl. The sorption capacity of resin was determined to be 7.2 mg g(-1) for Ni. The preconcentration factor was 125. In optimized conditions. A relative standard deviation and detection limit were found to be 2.8% and 0.44 mu g L-1 respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine the trace amounts of nickel in tap water and mineral waters, and suitable recoveries were obtained (100.0-103.5%). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

1,3-Bis(2-chlorobenzoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2(1H)-thione

The title compound, C18H14Cl2N2O2S, was synthesized by the reaction of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2-thiol and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride. The dihedral angle between the two chlorobenzene rings is 76.2 (1)degrees. The ring carbon ( and attached H atoms) opposite the C S group are disordered over two sites. In the crystal structure, there is one intermolecular C - (HO)-O-... and one intramolecular C - (HN)-N-... hydrogen bond

Dimethyl N-(4-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-dithioimidocarbonate

The title compound, C12H12N2S3, was synthesized by the reaction of CS2 and CH3I with 2-amino-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazole in the presence of concentrated aqueous NaOH. The bond lengths and angles are normal. The crystal packing is stabilized by van der Waals forces

(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene]amine

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C17H15ClN4S, the benzothiazole, imidazolidine and benzene rings are twisted relative to each other

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of double teeth in primary dentition and associated anomalies in the permanent successors

Objective: Understanding potential problems associated with primary double teeth (PDT) are important to provide prophylactic measures, thereby preventing or minimizing possible complications. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of PDT in a group of Turkish children and to compare the distribution of the different types of double primary teeth and their relationship to permanent successors.Materials and Methods: A total of 17,268 children underwent a clinical examination to determine the presence of PDT. One hundred fifty‑two PDT of 128 children were included in this study. All the 128 children with PDT underwent a clinical examination and had photographs taken at the time of the examination. The children underwent a further periapical or panoramic radiographic examination to determine the status of the underlying permanent successors. The PDT was classified according to Aguilo’s classification.Results: The prevalence of PDT was 0.74%, with no significant statistical difference between the sexes. PDT was most frequently observed between the mandibular lateral incisors and canines. Of the 152 PDT, 10.7% were Type I, 15.3% were Type II, 26.1% were Type III, and 47.9% were Type IV. Dental anomalies on the succedaneous permanent teeth were diagnosed in 69.4% of the children with affected primary dentition. Aplasia of the permanent lateral incisor was observed most frequently in association with Type I (52.7%) PDT. Caries involvement was observed most frequently in Type III (56.2%) PDT.Conclusion: The findings of this study have clinical relevance for the diagnosis of children with PDT. Early clinical and radiographic identification of PDT can help the clinician to evaluate the number and condition of permanent successors and draw up a proper treatment plan.Keywords: Dental anomaly, double teeth, fusion, germination, primary dentitio

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Mn(II), Co(III), Ni(II) and Cd(II) Complexes from 4-(2-Ntrophenylazo)-1H-Pyrazole-3,5-Diamine

In this study, the diazotized o-nitroaniline was coupled with malononitrile. The ring closure reaction of the obtained product with hydrazine monohydrate yielded 4-(2-nitrophenylazo)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamine (L). The structure of L has been elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Then, novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) complexes of L have been synthesized, and the structures of these complexes determined by elemental analysis, spectrometric and TGA/DTA methods, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. All complexes were monomeric. Except Mn(II) complex, other complexes were diamagnetic. From the elemental analyses and mass spectra data, the complexes were proposed to the formulas [MnL 2(CH 3O)H 2O]·Cl ·CH 3OH, [CoL 2(CH 3O) 2] ·Cl·2.5CH 3OH, [NiL 2(CH 3OH) 2] ·6.5CH 3OH and [Cd 2L 2(Cl) 2(CH 3O) 2] ·CH 3OH·1.5H 2O. For Mn(II) and Co(III) complexes octahedral and for the Ni(II) complex square planar geometry were proposed, but the Cd(II) complex includes five coordinated structure. The Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes were found to be mononuclear and electrolytes. On the other hand Cd(II) complex was found to be dinuclear and non-electrolyte. © 2011 American Scientific Publishers

women of lower socioeconomic status?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether grand multiparity is a risk factor for osteoporosis among postmenopausal women of lower socioeconomic status