Considering pricing and uncertainty in designing a reverse logistics network

Companies try to maximize their profits by recovering returned products of highly uncertain quality and quantity. In this paper, a reverse logistics network for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is presented. Returned products are selected for remanufacturing or scrapping, based on their quality and proportional prices are offered to customers. A Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) model is proposed to determine the location of collection centers, the optimum price of returned products and the sorting policy. The risk in the objective function is measured using the Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) metric. CVaR measures the risk of an investment in a conservative way by considering the maximum lost. The results are analyzed for various values of the risk parameters ({\alpha}, and {\lambda}). These parameters indicate that considering risk affects prices, the classification of returned products, the location of collection centers and, consequently, the objective function. The model performs more conservatively when the weight of the CVaR part ({\lambda}) and the value of the confidence level {\alpha} are increased. The results show that better profits are obtained when we take CVaR into account

Antihyperglycemic Activity Of Tinospora Crispa Extracts And Fractions In Rat

Tinospora crispa (Menispermaceae) yang nama tempatanya dikenali sebagai "akar patawali", telah lama digunakan dalam perubatan tradisional Malaysia untuk rawatan kencing manis. Tinospora crispa (Menispermaceae), locally known as “akar patawali”, has long been used in Malaysian traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes. The aim of this study was to verify the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of different Tinospora crispa extracts in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats

The effects of customer relationship management dimensions on organizational performance (Case study: shipping organization of Iran)

Abstract: Nowadays organizations, for the lack of comprehensive knowledge about the effects of customer's relationship management on the performance, have been failed to expand consistent strategies and the raise of their assets through these relationships. It is obvious about trade expansion in the country and entering into the world market, the relationship management is among the vital needs. Considering the importance of the issue, the present study investigated the effects of customer relationship management on the organizational performance of shipping organization. This was an applicable research in terms of its purpose, and a correlational-survey research in terms of its methodology. The required data were gathered through a questionnaire designed by the re searcher. It contained 40 questions, the validity of which was confirmed with the consideration of experts and supervisor of the study. The reliability, based on Cronbach index, was equal to 0.81. The questionnaire contained questions of personal profile, major and technical questions for studying the stated hypothesis. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and at two levels of qualitative (frequency, average, standard deviation) and at inferential level (regre ssion and Freeman nonparametric test). According to the obtained results from regression test, all of the hypotheses of the study were confirmed except the fifteenth hypothesis (the customer relationship management base technology has significant effects on the internal processes performance). The results of the studyshowed that except the mentioned hypothesis, the other dimension of customer relationship management (the organization of customer relationship management, knowledge management, customer orientation, customer relationship management) had significant effects on the organizational performances (financial, customer, internal processes, training and growth). The re sults of Freeman test showed that the studied variables had significant levels of under 0.05. So the ranking of their averages were not equal and the variable of training and expansion had the highest average level. The variable of customer relationship management base on technology had the lowest average in comparison with other variables

Evaluation of Yield and Growth Indices of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars in Different Nitrogen Fertililization Levels

In order to evaluation of effects of different nitrogen fertilization levels on yield and growth indices of canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars, an split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted in Research Farm Islamic Azad University, Ardabil branch in 2007. Factors were: nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (0 as control, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) in the main plots and canola cultivars at three levels (Clover, Opera  and Okape) in the sub plots. The results showed that various levels of nitrogen fertilizer affected yield and growth indices of Brassica napus. Means comparisons in compound of treatment cultivar x levels of nitrogen showed that maximum grain yield was obtained by the plots which was applied 150 kg nitrogen/ha with opera cultivar. Investigation of variances trend of total dry matter indicated that in all of treatment compounds, it increased slowly until 215 days after sowing with increasing of nitrogen fertilizer and then increased rapidly till 299 days after sowing. From 299 days after sowing till harvest time, it decreased due to increasing aging of leaves and decreasing of leaf area index. Increase in N levels also significantly increased the crop growth rate and the maximum of it was observed by the plots that received 150 kg N/ha with opera cultivar. In addition, in all of treatment compounds, CGR increased slowly until 243 days after sowing and then decreased slowly till 257 days after sowing. From 257 days after sowing till harvest time, it decreased due to increasing aging of leaves and decreasing of leaf area index. Thus, it can be suggested that in order to increasing of grain yield, total dry matter crop growth rate and the other of physiological indices should be applied opera cultivar with 150  kg N ha-1 in conditions of Ardabil Plain

Effects of High-Power Diode Laser Irradiation Combined with Electrical Stimulation on Wrist Pain and Function Following Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Introduction: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common and most well-known compression neuropathy which may manifest as mild, moderate, or severe and lead to various degrees of disability in people. The present study aimed to compare the effect of high-power diode laser beam and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) separately and in combination on improvement of wrist pain and function in patients with CTS. Method and Materials: The study was designed as a randomized trial. A total of 45 patients (7 men and 38 women) were randomly divided into three groups of high-power laser (n=15), TENS (n=15), and high-power laser with TENS (n=15). The TENS group received conventional TENS on pain site for two weeks as 5 sessions per week and 30 minutes per session. The high-power laser group received 6.5 J/cm2 laser for two weeks, 5 sessions per week. The group of high-power laser with TENS received conventional TENS and then 6.5 J/cm2 laser for two weeks as 5 sessions per week and 30 minutes per session. The Persian McGill Pain Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the 5-point scale of pain severity of McGill Pain Questionnaire (pain severity) were used to assess pain and the Persian version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was administered to evaluate hand function before and after treatment. All the patients filled a demographic questionnaire including age, height, and weight prior to the intervention. Results: The mean scores of McGill, VAS, pain severity, and DASH questionnaires reduced significantly in high-power laser and high-power laser with TENS groups; however, these variables had no significant difference in the TENS group. Conclusions: High-power laser diode (808 nm, 6.5 j/cm2) can reduce pain and improve hand function in patients with mild to moderate CTS. Laser-induced anti-inflammatory effects and blood flow improvement are possible causes of decreased pain and sensory signs followed by improvement in hand function.Key words: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, High-Power Laser, Hand, Pain, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulatio

Investigation of Correlation between Traits and Path Analysis of Corn (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield at the Climate of Ardabil Region (Northwest Iran)

In order to study correlation between some traits and yield components of corn and to determine the most effective factors on its yield, an experiment was conducted at the agricultural research farm of university of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2007. The experiment was conducted as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plots were allocated at three levels to different planting dates (10, 20 May and 30 June) and subplots were allocated at the different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 Kg N ha-1). The utilized corn seed was SC 404 hybrid. Sequential path analysis was used for evaluation of relationships between yield and yield attributes and to eliminate less important variables by using SPSS. Results showed that kernel per ear has the most correlation (r = 0.53) with grain yield. The grain yield and kernel per ear indicated negative and significant correlation with grain thickness (r = -0.33 and r = -0.52 respectively). The correlation between grain protein and thickness was negative and significant, too (r = -0.52). Results obtained from path analysis revealed that kernel per ear has more importance for selecting corn cultivars with high yield among different traits. Kernel per row and grain length had an effect on grain yield. Thus, these two traits can be attend in breeding programs and also be effective as a potential traits in improving desired corn cultivars

Critical Analysis and Exegesis of the Verses on Hijab from the Viewpoint of Companions of the Prophet

The necessity of Hijab or covering based on the Qur’anic verses and narrations is definitely unquestionable; however, it is immensely important to recognize the boundaries of Hijab as one of the divine commands effective in social health or corruption. In recent centuries, due to some western views relying on the emerging schools on Hijab and its boundaries, there has been some doubt and confusion over this issue. For instance, it is said that the current state of Hijab is not what has been intended by God in the Qur’an and what has been common during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) but it is under the influence of cultural viewpoints of the great companions of the Prophet interpreting the verses on Hijab. Considering the fact that there is disagreement on the exegesis of the verses on Hijab and its boundaries, this study seeks to survey the views of the companions as a bridge between the Prophet (PBUH) and later time periods in order to shed light on the limits and boundaries of Hijab from their perspective and then explain its impact and cause. As for Hijab, the companions of the Prophet do not have common views and often act according to their independent reasoning, if it is not attributed to deviation in narrations, it might be under the influence of common culture and political and cultural changes to keep the society safe from corruption. Received: 5/5/2018   |   Accepted: 2/2/201

A promising approach to low electrical percolation threshold in PMMA nanocomposites by using MWCNT-PEO predispersions

Electrical conductive poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites with low percolation threshold are very challenging to be prepared. Here, we show that the miscibility between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as matrix for predispersions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and PMMA represents an efficient approach to achieve very low electrical percolation threshold. PMMA/PEO-MWCNTs nanocomposites were prepared by a two-step solution casting method involving pre-mixing of MWCNTs with PEO and then mixing of PEO-MWCNTs with PMMA, resulting in a PMMA/PEO ratio of 80/20 wt%. The electrical percolation threshold (EPT) value was determined to be ~ 0.07 wt% which is significantly lower than most of the reported EPT values in the literature for PMMA/CNT composites. The very low electrical percolation threshold was attributed to the effectual role of PEO in self-assembly of secondary structures of nanotubes into an electrically conductive network. This was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by comparing the obtained EPT value with the prediction of the excluded volume model in which statistical percolation threshold is defined based on uniform distribution of high-aspect ratio sticks in a matrix. Moreover, based on UV–Vis measurements and linear viscoelastic rheological measurements, optical and rheological percolation thresholds were obtained at nearly 0.01 wt% and 0.5 wt%, respectively

Investigating the Effect of kind of aggregate on strength and permeability of concrete

Permeability is one of the most important factors affecting in the durability of concrete. So in this article, the effect of concrete strength, water absorption, density and strength of rock on the permeability of concrete studied. In the Studied concrete used separately from eight type’s rock with different characteristics namely silica stone, marble, andesite, limestone, travertine, tuff, dense tuff, granite. To determine the permeability of concrete used “cylindrical chamber” method. Also, to study the strength of concrete and rock used the “Twist-off” and uniaxial compressive strength methods. The results shown that the relationship between concrete strength and permeability of concrete with correlation between 0.67 to 0.77 is over than the correlation of other factors such as water absorption, density and strength of rock. Also, the concrete made with the travertine aggregates had highest and the concrete made with the granite aggregates concrete had lowest amount of water permeability. The Concrete made with dense tuff and marble aggregates had the relatively similar conditions in the amount of water permeability. Also, studies show that the permeability of concrete resulted from andesite and tuff aggregates is similar. Permeability of The concrete made with limestone aggregates was 11.8 times of permeability of concrete made with granite aggregates