Quantization of Scalar Fields in Curved Background and Quantum Algebras

We show that a suitable deformation of the algebra $h_k(1)$ of the creation and annihilation operators for a complex scalar field, initially quantized in Minkowski space--time, induces the canonical quantization of the same field in a generic gravitational background. This discloses the physical meaning of the deformation parameter $q$ which turns out to be related to the gravitational field. The thermal properties are re-obtained in this formalism, and the application to Schwarzschild and Rindler space-times are carried out.Comment: 20 pages, Revte

Strategic Planning and Design of Supply Chains: a Literature Review

In this paper, a literature review of the mathematical models for supply chain design is proposed. The research is based on the study and analysis of publications of the last twelve years from the most widespread international journal about operations management and logistics. The aim of the work lies in identifying tendencies in the literature and related open issues about the strategic decisions, economic parameters, constraints and model features considered in the strategic planning and design of supply chains. After a description of the review methodology, comparison parameters and paper exhaustiveness, some guidelines are given in order to support future works in this field

A Multi-parameter Model for Effective Configuration of Supply Chains

In this paper, a mathematical model for the strategic planning and design of supply chains in the globalization context is proposed. A multi-objective function is used to address decisions about capacity sizing, sourcing, and facility location, with the scope of maximizing supply chain profits. The model is dynamic and is applied to a multiechelon, multi-facility and multi-product supply chain in hypotheses of delocalization. The model is characterized by the specific attention given to cost, revenue and financial factor modelling, which has been obtained by means of an activity-based approach and the inclusion of two drivers that are usually neglected in the literature: energy and labour. The model’s applicability and flexibility have been proved via a scenario analysis in which 12 different scenarios were implemented to reproduce the behaviour of major industries

The Sustainable Role of Human Factor in I4.0 scenarios

Abstract The ageing of working population is the byproduct of the global recognized trend of the general population ageing. The decline of elder human operators' capabilities is a main subject concerning industrial engineering and management in the ongoing 4th Industrial revolution and the introduced new technologies. In this paper, the concept of human factor sustainability inside manufacturing line is explored. It is discussing the theoretical fundamentals of a complexity based states loop to be tested inside 4.0 frame. This is pointing on advanced ICT technologies for ageing workforce management in manufacturing lines. The paper starts with a systematic literature review on the ageing workforce inside industries highlights the human capabilities deterioration, knowledge and experience management of ageing workers. The review is used as the key trace of the modified human factor sustainability concept including Physical, Behavioural, Mental and Psychosocial dimensions. Those are related with the age factor while discussing about traits and entropy based information probability. Furthermore, the proposed formula of Human Factor (HF) probability with a context based application is discussed. Finally, some conclusion remarks will be given, and the future agenda will be proposed based on the collaborative work scenarios

Production Management Fundamentals for Additive Manufacturing

The additive manufacturing (AM) is a new way to produce parts, which in the last years had a significant application in the traditional production environment, since it demonstrated its capability to produce parts without particular defects and with good mechanical properties. During the last two decades the AM was firstly used to produce polymers’ products and after metals’ products; this evolution made possible the breakthrough in the traditional industrial sectors such as the aerospace, the mechanical, and other related sectors. Nevertheless, the introduction of this technology in this context put on the table of the researchers and practitioners some questions about the management of this technology in a more complex context, characterized by the integration with other machines. Aim of this chapter is to present a literature review of the principal facets of the AM related to the field of operations management and trying to define a model to account the costs of production and to schedule the machine activity

The load of sustainability for Additive Manufacturing processes

n/

Modelling Hospital Materials Management Processes

Materials management is an important issue for healthcare systems because it influences clinical and financial outcomes. Before selecting, adapting and implementing leading or optimized practices, a good understanding of processes and activities has to be developed. In real applications, the information flows and business strategies involved are different from hospital to hospital, depending on context, culture and available resources; it is therefore difficult to find a comprehensive and exhaustive description of processes, even more so a clear formalization of them. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, it proposes an integrated and detailed analysis and description model for hospital materials management data and tasks, which is able to tackle information from patient requirements to usage, from replenishment requests to supplying and handling activities. The model takes account of medical risk reduction, traceability and streamlined processes perspectives. Second, the paper translates this information into a business process model and mathematical formalization. The study provides a useful guide to the various relevant technology-related, management and business issues, laying the foundations of an efficient reengineering of the supply chain to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of care

Honey Bees Inspired Optimization Method: The Bees Algorithm

Optimization algorithms are search methods where the goal is to find an optimal solution to a problem, in order to satisfy one or more objective functions, possibly subject to a set of constraints. Studies of social animals and social insects have resulted in a number of computational models of swarm intelligence. Within these swarms their collective behavior is usually very complex. The collective behavior of a swarm of social organisms emerges from the behaviors of the individuals of that swarm. Researchers have developed computational optimization methods based on biology such as Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Ant Colony. The aim of this paper is to describe an optimization algorithm called the Bees Algorithm, inspired from the natural foraging behavior of honey bees, to find the optimal solution. The algorithm performs both an exploitative neighborhood search combined with random explorative search. In this paper, after an explanation of the natural foraging behavior of honey bees, the basic Bees Algorithm and its improved versions are described and are implemented in order to optimize several benchmark functions, and the results are compared with those obtained with different optimization algorithms. The results show that the Bees Algorithm offering some advantage over other optimization methods according to the nature of the problem

The Hawking-Unruh phenomenon on graphene

We find that, for a very specific shape of a monolayer graphene sample, a general relativistic-like description of a back-ground spacetime for graphene's conductivity electrons is very natural. The corresponding electronic local density of states is of finite temperature. This is a Hawking-Unruh effect that we propose to detect through an experiment with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures; insignificant changes to fit the letter format; it matches published version; Physics Letters B (2012