Using Information from Mid Term Evaluations of RDP for the Multicriteria Analysis of Agri-environmental Schemes

This paper discusses how environmental indicators and multicriteria methodologies can support the ex post evaluation of Agri-Environmental Schemes. The paper is based on information from the Mid term evaluation of the Rural Development Programmes and develops around an example that compares Ireland and Emilia-Romagna. The results show that the application of Agri-Environmental Schemes only partially achieves to local objectives, and the way in which the Agri-Environmental Schemes are implemented can be reasonably improved. However, the tentative analysis emphasizes the scarcity of quantitative data that can be related to effectiveness, the lack of predetermined quantitatively defined target levels of objectives and the difficulty to assess the relative importance of different evaluation criteria. Clearly, the ability to properly evaluate the results depends not only on the amount of information gathered, but also on the formalisation of a clear evaluation framework at the design stage of schemes.agri-environmental schemes, mid term evaluation, multifunctional agriculture, indicators, multicriteria analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q1, Q18, Q2,

Vector chiral order in frustrated spin chains

By means of a numerical analysis using a non-Abelian symmetry realization of the density matrix renormalization group, we study the behavior of vector chirality correlations in isotropic frustrated chains of spin S=1 and S=1/2, subject to a strong external magnetic field. It is shown that the field induces a phase with spontaneously broken chiral symmetry, in line with earlier theoretical predictions. We present results on the field dependence of the order parameter and the critical exponents.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Mixed-model Sequencing with Reinsertion of Failed Vehicles: A Case Study for Automobile Industry

In the automotive industry, some vehicles, failed vehicles, cannot be produced according to the planned schedule due to some reasons such as material shortage, paint failure, etc. These vehicles are pulled out of the sequence, potentially resulting in an increased work overload. On the other hand, the reinsertion of failed vehicles is executed dynamically as suitable positions occur. In case such positions do not occur enough, either the vehicles waiting for reinsertion accumulate or reinsertions are made to worse positions by sacrificing production efficiency. This study proposes a bi-objective two-stage stochastic program and formulation improvements for a mixed-model sequencing problem with stochastic product failures and integrated reinsertion process. Moreover, an evolutionary optimization algorithm, a two-stage local search algorithm, and a hybrid approach are developed. Numerical experiments over a case study show that while the hybrid algorithm better explores the Pareto front representation, the local search algorithm provides more reliable solutions regarding work overload objective. Finally, the results of the dynamic reinsertion simulations show that we can decrease the work overload by ~20\% while significantly decreasing the waiting time of the failed vehicles by considering vehicle failures and integrating the reinsertion process into the mixed-model sequencing problem.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, 5 table

Microstructural characterization of AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel laser-deposited coatings

High cooling rates during laser cladding of stainless steels may alter the microstructure and phase constitution of the claddings and consequently change their functional properties. In this research, solidification structures and solid state phase transformation products in single and multi layer AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel coatings deposited by laser cladding at different processing speeds are investigated by optical microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), orientation imaging microscopy (OIM), ternary phase diagram, Schaeffler and TTT diagrams. The results of this study show how partitionless solidification and higher solidification rates alter the microstructure and phase constitution of martensitic stainless steel laser deposited coatings. In addition, it is shown that while different cladding speeds have no effect on austenite–martensite orientation relationship in the coatings, increasing the cladding speed has resulted in a reduction of hardness in deposited coatings which is in contrast to the common idea about obtaining higher hardness values at higher cladding speeds.

Mixed-model Sequencing with Stochastic Failures: A Case Study for Automobile Industry

In the automotive industry, the sequence of vehicles to be produced is determined ahead of the production day. However, there are some vehicles, failed vehicles, that cannot be produced due to some reasons such as material shortage or paint failure. These vehicles are pulled out of the sequence, and the vehicles in the succeeding positions are moved forward, potentially resulting in challenges for logistics or other scheduling concerns. This paper proposes a two-stage stochastic program for the mixed-model sequencing (MMS) problem with stochastic product failures, and provides improvements to the second-stage problem. To tackle the exponential number of scenarios, we employ the sample average approximation approach and two solution methodologies. On one hand, we develop an L-shaped decomposition-based algorithm, where the computational experiments show its superiority over solving the deterministic equivalent formulation with an off-the-shelf solver. Moreover, we provide a tabu search algorithm in addition to a greedy heuristic to tackle case study instances inspired by our car manufacturer partner. Numerical experiments show that the proposed solution methodologies generate high quality solutions by utilizing a sample of scenarios. Particularly, a robust sequence that is generated by considering car failures can decrease the expected work overload by more than 20\% for both small- and large-sized instances.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figure

Social identification, identity integration and wellbeing in people who hear voices

Objectives Hearing voices is associated with public stigma and this can influence readiness to identify as a voice hearer (VH) and psychological wellbeing. In this study, we investigated the relationships between a VH social identity, the integration of that identity with other important social identities and wellbeing. Design Cross-sectional study, with a subset of longitudinal data across three time points. Methods People who self-identified as voice hearers completed questionnaires (VH social identity, identity integration, wellbeing and perceptions of in-group and out-group empathy) at three time points, spaced at 3-monthly intervals. The final sample comprised 182 participants at T1, 91 at T2 and 75 at T3. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses were used to test all hypotheses. Results The integration of a VH social identity was strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing at T1. Identity integration was also associated with static wellbeing scores at 6 months. Effects on wellbeing were not accounted for by either severity of voice-hearing or paranoia. Whilst perceptions of in-group empathy were associated with VH social identification, perceptions of outgroup empathy were important for identity integration. Conclusions Integrating a VH social identity with other important identities into a coherent sense of self is important for wellbeing in voice hearers; perceived in-group and outgroup empathy are important in this process

Effect of Intraoperative Goal-directed Balanced Crystalloid versus Colloid Administration on Major Postoperative Morbidity

BACKGROUND: Crystalloid solutions leave the circulation quickly, whereas colloids remain for hours, thus promoting hemodynamic stability. However, colloids are expensive and promote renal toxicity in critical care patients. This study tested the hypothesis that goal-directed colloid administration during elective abdominal surgery decreases 30-day major complications more than goal-directed crystalloid administration. METHODS: In this parallel-arm double-blinded multicenter randomized trial, adults having moderate- to high-risk open and laparoscopically assisted abdominal surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to Doppler-guided intraoperative volume replacement with 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (n = 523) or lactated Ringer's solution (n = 534). The primary outcome was a composite of serious postoperative cardiac, pulmonary, infectious, gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation complications that were assessed with a generalized estimating equation multivariate model. The primary safety outcome was a change in serum creatinine concentration up to 6 months postoperatively, compared to baseline concentrations. RESULTS: A total of 1,057 patients were included in the analysis. Patients assigned to crystalloid received a median [quartile 1, quartile 3] amount of 3.2 l [2.3, 4.4] of crystalloid, and patients assigned to colloid received 1.0 l [0.5, 1.5] of colloid and 1.8 l [1.2, 2.4] of crystalloid. The estimated intention-to-treat common effect relative risk for the primary composite was 0.90 for colloids versus crystalloids (95% CI: 0.65 to 1.23, P = 0.51), and 18% (91 of 523) of colloid patients and 20% (103 of 534) of crystalloid patients incurred at least one component of the primary outcome composite. There was no evidence of renal toxicity at any time. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler-guided intraoperative hydroxyethyl starch administration did not significantly reduce a composite of serious complications. However, there was also no indication of renal or other toxicity

A theoretical model to elucidate the elusive concept ‘voice' for interpreters

This paper is an attempt to elucidate the concept of voice for interpreters in relation to the equally elusive concept pleasant voice for interpreters. The point of departure is that the concept voice for interpreting has to do with the physical properties of a speaker’s voice, which may lead to the effect that a speaker’s voice is heard as pleasant or unpleasant by a listener, depending on how a speaker uses or deploys these physical properties. The paper employs an interdisciplinary approach to reviewing relevant literature and shows that for better interpreter education and interpreting assessment, there is a need to unravel, and unify existing understandings of the concept voice. A new definition is therefore proposed. The new definition consists of a cluster of suprasegmental features resulted from supralaryngeal and laryngeal activities and incorporates in what are traditionally known as fluency features in interpreting. The paper goes on to discuss the potential benefits and implications of the newly proposed definition for both interpreter training and interpreting studies

Estimation of energy efficiency of residential buildings

Increasing energy performance of the residential buildings by means of reducing heat consumption on the heating and ventilation is the last segment in the system of energy resources saving. The first segments in the energy saving process are heat producing and transportation over the main lines and outside distribution networks. In the period from 2006 to 2013. by means of the heat-supply schemes optimization and modernization of the heating systems. using expensive (200-30