A Redesigned Benders Decomposition Approach for Large-Scale In-Transit Freight Consolidation Operations

The growth in online shopping and third party logistics has caused a revival of interest in finding optimal solutions to the large scale in-transit freight consolidation problem. Given the shipment date, size, origin, destination, and due dates of multiple shipments distributed over space and time, the problem requires determining when to consolidate some of these shipments into one shipment at an intermediate consolidation point so as to minimize shipping costs while satisfying the due date constraints. In this paper, we develop a mixed-integer programming formulation for a multi-period freight consolidation problem that involves multiple products, suppliers, and potential consolidation points. Benders decomposition is then used to replace a large number of integer freight-consolidation variables by a small number of continuous variables that reduces the size of the problem without impacting optimality. Our results show that Benders decomposition provides a significant scale-up in the performance of the solver. We demonstrate our approach using a large-scale case with more than 27.5 million variables and 9.2 million constraints

Perancangan Sistem Pakar Untuk Diagnosa Penyakit Mulut Dan Gigi Menggunakan Bahasa Pemrograman Clips

Sistem pakar sebagai sistem yang mengadopsi kepakaran manusia ke dalam komputer memilikikedudukan strategis sebagai sistem yang dapat membantu menyelesaikan permasalahan di bidangkedokteran. Sulitnya menentukan jenis penyakit karena rumitnya berbagai gejala yang mengiringinya,dapat dibantu dengan merepresentasikan gejala suatu penyakit ke dalam suatu bahasa pemrogramankomputer. Pada penelitian ini, dikembangkan suatu metode untuk mendignosa 18 jenis penyakit mulut dangigi berdasarkan 40 jenis gejala yang mengiringinya. Lingkungan pengembangan sistem pakar padapenelitian ini menggunakan bahasa pemrograman CLIPS

Tectonosedimentologic Significance of the Upper Cretaceous Foreland Basin Siliciclastics: Western Interior, USA

The Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation exposed along the western margin of the western interior foreland basin is composed of clastic sediments that were deposited during the initial late Cretaceous transgressive-regressive phases of the Western Interior Seaway across Wyoming (Figure 1). Current study is aimed at providing attendees with the best practices associated with tectonic, lithofacies and sedimentologic interpretation of foreland basin sequences and emphasizing the need for utilizing field, structural, geochemical, and compositional data for reconstructing a viable scenario connected with foreland basin sedimentary packages. An attempt will be made to compare documented sedimentological findings with foreland basins located in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The lithofacies belonging to the Frontier Formation are subdivided into three distinct units which are, in ascending order: the lower Frontier unit, characterized by bioturbated sandstone, mudstone, bentonitic mudstone, and chert-pebble conglomerate; the middle Frontier unit, a thick sequence of sandstone, carbonaceous mudstone, bentonites, and chert-andesite-granite-quartzite pebble conglomerate; and the upper Frontier unit which incorporates thick beds of sandstone, siltstone, and bioturbated mudstone. Lateral as well as vertical variation in lithofacies is pronounced and sediment-fill is asymmetric. The basal sandstone (Peay sandstone) is composed of relatively thin layers of very fine to fine grained, bioturbated sandstone interbedded with irregularly laminated dark gray and poorly bioturbated mudstone. Small-scale troughcross-stratification and minute intraformational rip-up clasts are also present within this sandy facies. The middle Frontier sandstones are generally less well-sorted than those of the basal sandstones; although the grain size coarsens up section within this middle unit. In addition, the middle Frontier sandstones consist of low-angle, trough cross-stratification, plant debris, and thin beds of lignite. The upper Frontier unit is composed of thick beds of fine to medium-grained sandstone. Ripple bedding is common in this unit. Carbonaceous shale, sideritized mudstone, root traces, and plant remains are frequently observed within this unit. Small horizontal to inclined burrows (Ophiomorpha) are encountered in the outcrop

Photo-assisted Enhancement of Formic Acid Oxidation over Platinized TiO2 Nanotube Composite

1D TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) prepared by anodization deposited with 0D Pt nanoparticles (TNT-Pt) prepared by a solvothermal method is used as a photoelectrocatalyst for formic acid (FA) oxidation. SEM, XRD, absorbance, EDX analysis indicates the polycrystalline TiO2 nanotubes of approximately 100±10 nm in diameter with 5-25 nm dimensions of Pt aggregates are formed. The composite was tested as a working electrode in the photoelectrooxidation of FA for applications such as fuel cells. Electrochemical characterization of the synthesized electrode was studied under the effect of light in order to determine the current generation of the photoactive electrode. The results show that Pt coupled with TiO2 leads to a synergistic, i.e. boosting effect, in the increase of current density. In the presence of light, there is about a 5-fold increase in current density (75.1 mA/cm2 ) as compared to the absence of light (16.0 mA/cm2 ). At a bias of 0.45 V the increase is about 20-fold in the presence of light (62.5 mA/cm2 ) compared to (3.04 mA/cm2 ) in the absence of light. In addition, the effect of light in the current generation as a result of voltage bias effect is shown, thus leading to the observation that the longer the working electrode encounters light, the greater number of electrons that are generated to yield a higher current density. The study of this effect indicates a progressive current generation from light off to light on, traversing the whole range of the current generation. Thus, a combination of Helmholtz electrical double layer based limitation and mass transport limitations determine the extent of this boosting phenomenon

Geoengineering Constraints on Foundation: Case Study from Queens, New York City, USA

This paper deals with regional geologic information coupled with geoengineering and soil characterization aspects of a facility site to be developed by New York City Agency in Maspeth (40° 43\u27 28 North, 73° 55\u27 10 West), Queens. Soil and sediment samples, collected from depths close to the surface to over 60 m into the bedrock near the Maspeth site in Queens, consist of a zone of non-compact fill materials (3–8 m thick), underlain by a compressible peat and a partially decomposed highly plastic organic layer (liquid limit around 85) associated with calcareous clay and shell fragments (1–3 m thick). The presence of the shell-bearing unit close to the surface may be indicative of a buried estuarine complex in this area. In planning construction projects near waterways in older coastal cities, it is important to consider this possibility. The organic clay and peat layer were underlain by loose-to-firm glacial sand with gravels often intercalated with thin silty clay lenses. The current upper soil horizons are not sufficiently strong to withstand the required loading, which is estimated at near 1200 kips in some locations. The foundation support system will therefore have to be established in the glacial sand, possessing N (blow count) around 50 and liquid limit close to 30 (low plasticity)

WATER FLOW NET CHARACTERIZATION BY USING A TANK MODEL: PRELIMINARY OUTCOME

A model study was conducted to observe and characterize the flow of water through sandy soil. One of the most relevant tools used for characterizing groundwater flow is the flow net. Assuming that water is incompressible and there is zero volume change in the soil mass, it is known that the total rate of inflow is to equal the total rate of outflow. Thus, following the principle of flow continuity, we use the Laplace equation of continuity, to observe the concept of the flow net. Computing the flow through a miniature channel, we observed the total head difference from the first equipotential line to the last equipotential line divided by the number of equipotential lines between the first and last head drop qchannel=(k)(∆H)Nf/Nd. This resulted in multiplication of the permeability by the head difference 1.9 inches by the number of flow channels 4 divided by the number of equipotential line drops 6. Being that this is the scenario, Darcy’s Law is then substituted. This was done by multiplying the hydraulic conductivity by hydraulic gradient to find the velocity. The tank model has been designed to display the flow of groundwater around an obstruction. This model clearly illustrates the flow path and velocity of the groundwater. Constructed with sheets of glass glued together to seal and prevent leakage. A submersible pump was connected to a clear vinyl tube, which is attached to the apparatus with silicone sealing glue, allowing for a constant difference of pressure while the water flows from one side to the other. The apparatus was leak tested prior to the soil being added. The pumps on each side are attached to a bucket of water below to prevent water from over flowing or drying out the soil. As the groundwater flows, traces of the dye which represent the flow lines, or stream function, provides evidence of the water’s flow nets. Overall, it provides a simple approach to understand the practical aspects of groundwater flow

Breastfeeding practices among slum mothers: a multivariate statistical analysis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the differential patterns of mean duration of breastfeeding among mothers from slum areas in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh by using the multiple classification analysis (MCA). Materials and Methods: The data for this study was collected from mothers from slum areas of 8 different slums of Rajshahi City Corporation who had had at least one child at the time of interview. Results: We showed that the overall mean duration of breastfeeding was 24.66 months for all women, which may show considerable impact on fertility around slum areas in near future. Conclusion: Of all the selected variables in MCA, it was seen that the current age of the children and the body mass index of the respondents appear as the strongest important determinants of duration of breastfeeding and other variables play relatively less important role on the duration of breastfeeding