A multi-objective model for a multi-period distribution management problem

The problems arising in commercial distribution are complex and involve several players and decision levels. One important decision is related with the design of the routes to distribute the products, in an efficient and inexpensive way. This article deals with a complex vehicle routing problem that can be seen as a new extension of the basic vehicle routing problem. The proposed model is a multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem that considers three objectives and multiple periods, which models in a closer way the real distribution problems. The first objective is cost minimization, the second is balancing work levels and the third is a marketing objective. An application of the model on a small example, with 5 clients and 3 days, is presented. The results of the model show the complexity of solving multi-objective combinatorial optimization problems and the contradiction between the several distribution management objective.Distribution problem, multi-objective models

Inventory-routing model, for a multi-period problem with stochastic and deterministic demand

The need for integration in the supply chain management leads us to consider the coordination of two logistic planning functions: transportation and inventory. The coordination of these activities can be an extremely important source of competitive advantage in the supply chain management. The battle for cost reduction can pass through the equilibrium of transportation versus inventory managing costs. In this work, we study the specific case of an inventory-routing problem for a week planning period with different types of demand. A heuristic methodology, based on the Iterated Local Search, is proposed to solve the Multi-Period Inventory Routing Problem with stochastic and deterministic demand.Inventory-Routing, iterated local search, logistics

Driver scheduling problem modelling

The Drivers Scheduling Problem (DSP) consists of selecting a set of duties for vehicle drivers, for example buses, trains, plane or boat drivers or pilots, for the transportation of passengers or goods. This is a complex problem because it involves several constraints related to labour and company rules and can also present different evaluation criteria and objectives. Being able to develop an adequate model for this problem that can represent the real problem as close as possible is an important research area.The main objective of this research work is to present new mathematical models to the DSP problem that represent all the complexity of the drivers scheduling problem, and also demonstrate that the solutions of these models can be easily implemented in real situations. This issue has been recognized by several authors and as important problem in Public Transportation. The most well-known and general formulation for the DSP is a Set Partition/Set Covering Model (SPP/SCP). However, to a large extend these models simplify some of the specific business aspects and issues of real problems. This makes it difficult to use these models as automatic planning systems because the schedules obtained must be modified manually to be implemented in real situations. Based on extensive passenger transportation experience in bus companies in Portugal, we propose new alternative models to formulate the DSP problem. These models are also based on Set Partitioning/Covering Models; however, they take into account the bus operator issues and the perspective opinions and environment of the user.We follow the steps of the Operations Research Methodology which consist of: Identify the Problem; Understand the System; Formulate a Mathematical Model; Verify the Model; Select the Best Alternative; Present the Results of the Analysis and Implement and Evaluate. All the processes are done with close participation and involvement of the final users from different transportation companies. The planner‘s opinion and main criticisms are used to improve the proposed model in a continuous enrichment process. The final objective is to have a model that can be incorporated into an information system to be used as an automatic tool to produce driver schedules. Therefore, the criteria for evaluating the models is the capacity to generate real and useful schedules that can be implemented without many manual adjustments or modifications. We have considered the following as measures of the quality of the model: simplicity, solution quality and applicability. We tested the alternative models with a set of real data obtained from several different transportation companies and analyzed the optimal schedules obtained with respect to the applicability of the solution to the real situation. To do this, the schedules were analyzed by the planners to determine their quality and applicability. The main result of this work is the proposition of new mathematical models for the DSP that better represent the realities of the passenger transportation operators and lead to better schedules that can be implemented directly in real situations.Drivers Scheduling Problem, Duties, Modelling

How to turn innovative startups into successful businesses: The case of Techperks

The Internet of Things, also known by the acronym IoT, comprises all devices and objects that are enabled to be permanently connected to the Internet, being able to identify on the network and communicate with each other. This technology is incorporated into a variety of products that are available today and designed to make life easier for consumers. The result was the emergence of smart cities, connected factories, connected cars, and an enormous amount of many other applications. All of this is evidence of how the world is adapting to the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is a hot topic in our days and many business models arise from this trend, in form of new technologies, products, and services. However, when it comes to business strategy and profitability, it is not only about having the best idea or the best product but how to market it in the best way and attract the right target. Techperks is a startup built with the objective of bringing new IoT products to Portugal. However, the concept was not innovative enough to succeed as predicted in the Portuguese market. This case aims to highlight the biggest reasons explaining the brand's low performance and serve as a guide of “mistakes to avoid when launching a new innovative business”. It can also be used to stimulate student’s creativity in developing strategies used by Techperks to exploit the brand's total potential. “How should I begin?”: this is the question which students will be able to answer.A Internet das Coisas, também conhecida pelo acrónimo IoT, compreende todos os dispositivos e objetos que se conectam permanentemente à Internet, e que comunicam entre si. Daí, surgiram cidades inteligentes, fábricas conectadas, carros conectados e um sem número de outras aplicações que nos trazem, todos os dias, novas funcionalidades. Este é um tópico muito relevante e muitos novos modelos de negócios surgem dessa nova tendência, sob forma de novas tecnologias, produtos e serviços. Espera-se que muitos provavelmente tenham sucesso, dado o crescimento desta nova era da tecnologia. No entanto, quando se trata de estratégia de negócios e lucro, não se trata apenas de ter a melhor ideia ou o melhor produto, mas também como comercializá-lo da melhor maneira e atrair o alvo mais atrativo. A startup Techperks foi criada com vista a trazer novos produtos de IoT para Portugal, através da sua revenda. No entanto, o conceito não foi inovador o suficiente para criar sucesso no mercado português e a startup não conseguiu instigar sua visão no mercado. Embora ainda em operação, a loja tem demonstrado resultados aquém das previsões. Este caso, tem como objetivo destacar os principais motivos que explicam o fraca performance da marca e servir como um guia para "os erros a serem evitados ao iniciar um novo negócio retalhista inovador". Além disso, pode ser utilizado para estimular a criatividade dos alunos no desenvolvimento de estratégias que poderiam ter sido usadas pela Techperks para evitar o insucesso e utilizar todo o potencial da marca

Challenges in the conservation of historical chemicals: Corrosion patterns in glass containers and development of preservation guidelines

Collections of chemicals are assemblies of substances associated to chemical operations. These collections often have a large historical significance and can be found in departments, research institutions, schools or other spaces. So far, seldom dedicated studies have been made, both to the materiality of these collections, as well as for their conservation. For this dissertation, the glass containers in the collection of historical chemicals from the National Museum of Natural History and Science from the University of Lisbon (MUHNAC) are studied, as they are the largest storage material found in the collection and present signs of active deterioration, in the form of corrosion patterns. This research followed a three-fold approach – a collection survey was performed to assess the collection’s dimension; followed by a full conservation assessment of the corrosion patterns, collection locations and environmental conditions and the establishment of the conservation condition for the collections’ glasses. Lastly, an analytical approach was taken. Glass surface measurements indicate the alkalinisation of the glasses, as a sign of active corrosion. Through the use of in situ p-XRF analyses, glass chemical composition groups are correspondent with soda-lime-silicate glasses. Samples of aqueous chemical solutions were also collected and analysed through ICP-AES and HPIC with the goal to determine if the chemicals matched the containers’ labels and if they may present glass dissolution products. One of the outcomes of this dissertation is the development of preservation guidelines, through the empirical and analytical data gathered from the study of the MUHNAC’s collection, as well as the results of a survey addressed to similar institutions holding historical collections of chemicals. The final result is the proposal of guidelines that outline selection criteria for chemicals, tools and measures for collections’ care to objects and actions for collections’ keepers. It is intended that these guidelines may aid small and large institutions in the preservation of their collections

~ 610 Ma: a critical age for the Iberian consolidation

AIMS OF THE MEETING: The scientific sessions will be focused on the Pan-African and Cadomian Orogenies recorded in North Africa and western Europe across the Ediacaran Cambrian transition and its bearing in the assembly and demise of Pannotia. Contributions dealing with structural, magmatic, provenance sources, palaeomagnetic, sedimentary, chronostratigraphic and radiometric constraints are particularly welcome. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: J. Javier Álvaro, Instituto de Geociencias (CSIC-UCM), Spain Martim Chichorro, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal Gabriel Gutiérrez-Alonso, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain.ABSTRACT: Both the Pan-African orogenic cycle and the peri-Gondwanan Cadomian Orogeny took part in the global tectonic event that led to the rearrangement of Gondwana's west-northern block. An approach to determine the nature of Cadomian - Pan-African events using detrital zircons population from Neoproterozoic-Lower Paleozoic (rift-to-drift cycle) stratigraphic record in Iberian Massif is here discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Portuguese regional differences in the wine grapes mycoflora

The recent discovery of mycotoxins in wine, in particular ochratoxin A, caused concern and motivated an extensive survey to the mycoflora of Portuguese grapes. It is known that the mycoflora of agricultural commodities can vary according to the geographical origin, and therefore, regional differences in the mycoflora of Portuguese were investigated. Four regions were selected for a 3- year study: Alentejo, Douro, Ribatejo and Vinhos Verdes. The mycoflora of grapes was evaluated by plating methods. A total of 32 grape samples were taken, of 50 berries each. The differences in the mycoflora of grapes between regions were analyzed using the non-parametric test Kruskal-Wallis H. Ostensibly, the classification of the grapes into their geographical origin based on its mycoflora was attempted using a decision tree algorithm (C4.5) based on the Shannon Information Theory. Of the 27 fungal genera identified, 3 varied its incidence significantly according to the region of origin of the samples: Aspergillus, Botrytis and Ulocladium. The only species that varied significantly its frequency between regions was A. niger aggregate. Six Penicillium species differed significantly between regions: P. brevicompactum, P. citrinum, P. glabrum/spinulosum, P. expansum, P. implicatum and P. thomii. Using decision trees it was possible to classify successfully 91% of the samples according to 3 sample classes: Vinhos Verdes, Douro and South samples (Alentejo and Ribatejo). The classification was based on the incidence of A. niger and P. thomii in the grape samples. The estimated predictive ability of the model in the 3 classes was 82%. The data presented here indicate that grapes are consistently exposed to a particular mycoflora that varies according its geographical origin, which may be of importance to establishing risk areas for mycotoxin contamination of grapes and wine.Economic Community (EC) - Quality of Life Program (QoL), Key Action 1 (KA1) on Food, Nutrition and Health - contract number QLK1-CT-2001-01761 - Wine-Ochra Risk

El trabajo colaborativo y el uso de recursos digitales y diversos en el aula en la construcción conjunta del conocimiento: Un estudio de caso en una clase de primer ciclo en Portugal

O trabalho colaborativo é cada vez com mais recorrente em diferentes áreas da nossa sociedade, quer no mercado de trabalho em que as equipas se reúnem em openspace para encontrarem em conjunto uma forma mais eficiente, respostas mais eficazes; quer na área educativa em que se procuram as respostas mais adequadas para que todos aprendam e ninguém fique para trás. O debate e a construção conjunta de opiniões apelam a uma maior mobilização de competências na construção de conhecimento. Foram objetivos deste estudo compreender como o trabalho colaborativo e as opções organizativas dos grupos pelos docentes, assim como verificar se os recursos diversificados podem contribuir para um ensino inclusivo e diferenciado, potenciando o sucesso de todos os alunos. Analisámos como foi gerido o trabalho colaborativo numa turma de 2º ciclo com 20 alunos em três disciplinas diferentes. Para a recolha de dados utilizámos a observação naturalista e a entrevista semi-estruturada. Verificou-se melhoria no desempenho das apresentações dos trabalhos por cada grupo, quando os grupos partilham interesses ou se empenham na ajuda a um elemento com mais dificuldades. Esta abordagem combinou recursos diversificados, desde o uso de tecnologias, como o Tablet, ao uso de materiais diversificados. Os docentes procuraram mobilizar áreas de interesse dos alunos, procurando motivar os alunos pelo acesso a diferentes abordagens que pudessem vir a revelar-se úteis na efetivação das aprendizagens e na mobilização de competências necessárias e emergentes do século XXI.Collaborative work is increasingly recurrent in different areas of our society, whether in the labor market, where teams meet in openspace to find together a more efficient way, more effective answers; or in the educational area, where the most appropriate answers are sought so that everyone learns and no one is left behind. The debate and the joint construction of opinions call for a greater mobilization of skills in the construction of knowledge. The objectives of this study were to understand how the collaborative work and the organizational options of the groups by the teachers, as well as to verify whether diversified resources can contribute to an inclusive and differentiated teaching, enhancing the success of all students. We analyzed how collaborative work was managed in a 2nd cycle class with 20 students in three different subjects. For data collection we used naturalistic observation and semi-structured interviews. There was an improvement in the performance of the work presentations by each group, when the groups shared interests or engaged in helping an element with more difficulties. This approach combined diversified resources, from the use of technologies, such as the Tablet, to the use of diversified materials. The teachers sought to mobilize areas of interest to the students, seeking to motivate students through access to different approaches that could prove useful in effecting learning and mobilizing the necessary and emerging skills of the 21st century.El trabajo colaborativo es cada vez más recurrente en diferentes ámbitos de nuestra sociedad, ya sea en el mercado laboral, donde los equipos se reúnen en un espacio abierto para encontrar juntos una forma más eficiente, respuestas más eficaces; o en el ámbito educativo, donde se buscan las respuestas más adecuadas para que todos aprendan y nadie se quede atrás. El debate y la construcción conjunta de opiniones exigen una mayor movilización de las competencias en la construcción del conocimiento. Los objetivos de este estudio eran conocer el trabajo colaborativo y las opciones de organización de los grupos por parte de los profesores, así como comprobar si los recursos diversificados pueden contribuir a una enseñanza inclusiva y diferenciada, potenciando el éxito de todos los alumnos. Analizamos cómo se gestiona el trabajo colaborativo en una clase de 2º ciclo con 20 alumnos de tres asignaturas diferentes. Para la recogida de datos se utilizó la observación naturalista y las entrevistas semiestructuradas. Hubo una mejora en el rendimiento de las presentaciones del trabajo de cada grupo, cuando los grupos compartieron intereses o se comprometieron a ayudar a un elemento con más dificultades. Este enfoque combinó recursos diversificados, desde el uso de tecnologías, como la Tablet, hasta el uso de materiales diversificados. Los profesores trataron de movilizar áreas de interés para los alumnos, intentando motivarlos accediendo a diferentes enfoques que pudieran resultar útiles en la eficacia del aprendizaje y en la movilización de las competencias necesarias y emergentes del siglo XXI

Acessibilidade à rede de serviços de urgência: o caso do Baixo Alentejo

O acesso aos cuidados de saúde é um conceito complexo, que compreende várias dimensões, uma das quais a acessibilidade. Na perspetiva que aqui se propõe analisar, a acessibilidade relaciona-se essencialmente com a localização e distribuição geográfica dos serviços e dos utilizadores. A presente dissertação pretende assim constituir uma reflexão sobre esta dimensão, aplicada à rede de serviços de urgência (SU) do Baixo Alentejo. O ponto de partida é o de que, envolvendo a nova estrutura do Sistema Integrado de Emergência Médica (SIEM) ao nível da responsabilidade hospitalar e pré-hospitalar, a que faz menção o Despacho n.º 10319/2014, de 11 de agosto, não se identificam novos trabalhos, nem relatórios de monitorização sobre a acessibilidade da população a estes serviços. Contudo, é uma temática que tem merecido destaque quer na opinião pública, quer no debate político. São várias as notícias que dão conta de serviços encerrados, falta de recursos humanos e equipamentos, necessidade de construção de novas unidades, entre outras. Por outro lado, as políticas definidas são sobretudo ao nível comunitário e nacional, não existindo um acompanhamento e concretização das mesmas ao nível regional e local. Nesta medida, recorreu-se a uma ferramenta de análise de redes, a network analyst (ESRI), para a elaboração de índices de acessibilidade através do algoritmo service areas. Optou-se ainda por incluir algumas informações estatísticas relativas à população residente, mas também referentes aos próprios serviços de urgência e meios de emergência do INEM, por exemplo, horários de funcionamento, existência ou não existência de meios complementares de diagnóstico e terapêutica, entre outros. Os resultados alcançados permitem verificar que a acessibilidade é, na generalidade, satisfatória quando incluídos os três serviços de urgência existentes na área de estudo, mas diminui consideravelmente se for admitido apenas o serviço de urgência médico-cirúrgico do Hospital de Beja, excluindo assim os dois serviços de urgência básico, destinados a resolver as situações mais simples e comuns. Foram também calculados outros índices que, como se verá, permitiram o cruzamento da distância-tempo entre os serviços e os meios de transporte existentes. Ainda assim, haverá que refletir sobre a população que é caraterizada com menores índices de acessibilidade, mais idosa e residente em zonas com baixa densidade populacional, e à qual se associam com mais frequência patologias incapacitantes como é o caso de AVC’s, diabetes, enfartes, entre outros, razão pela qual deverá existir uma rápida capacidade de resposta e ação dos meios de emergência/urgência.Access to health care is a complex concept, which comprises several dimensions, including accessibility. In the perspective that it is proposed here to analyze, accessibility is essentially related to the location and geographical distribution of services and users. The present dissertation intends to constitute a reflection on this dimension, applied to the network of urgency services of Baixo Alentejo. It starts out from the idea that, involving the new structure of the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM) at the level of hospital and prehospital responsibility, which refers to order no. 10319/2014, of august 11, there are no new work or monitoring reports on the accessibility of the population to these services. However, it is a theme that has been well-known in public opinion and political debate. There are several news that closed account services, lack of human resources and equipment, the need for construction of new units, among others. On the other hand, the policies defined are mainly at Community and national level, and there is no monitoring and implementation at regional and local level. In this sense, we used a network analysis tool, the network analyst (ESRI), for the elaboration of accessibility indexes through the algorithm service areas. It was also decided to include some statistical information on the resident population, but also on INEM's own emergency services and emergency facilities, such as hours of operation, existence or non-existence of complementary diagnostic and therapeutic means, among others. The results show that accessibility is generally satisfactory when analyzing the three existing emergency services in the area of study. However, there is a considerable decrease if we only consider the medical and surgical emergency service of the Hospital de Beja, excluding the two basic emergency services, designed to solve the most simple and common situations. Other indexes were calculated which, as will be seen, allowed the crossing of the distance-time between the services and the existing means of transport. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to reflect on the population that is characterized by lower levels of accessibility, older and residing in areas with low population density, which are associated more frequently with incapacitating pathologies such as stroke, diabetes, heart attacks, others, which is why there must be a rapid response and emergency/urgency response capability