Solving closed-loop supply chain problems using game theoretic particle swarm optimisation

© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. In this paper, we propose a closed-loop supply chain network configuration model and a solution methodology that aim to address several research gaps in the literature. The proposed solution methodology employs a novel metaheuristic algorithm, along with the popular gradient descent search method, to aid location-allocation and pricing-inventory decisions in a two-stage process. In the first stage, we use an improved version of the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm, which we call improved PSO (IPSO), to solve the location-allocation problem (LAP). The IPSO algorithm is developed by introducing mutation to avoid premature convergence and embedding an evolutionary game-based procedure known as replicator dynamics to increase the rate of convergence. The results obtained through the application of IPSO are used as input in the second stage to solve the inventory-pricing problem. In this stage, we use the gradient descent search method to determine the selling price of new products and the buy-back price of returned products, as well as inventory cycle times for both product types. Numerical evaluations undertaken using problem instances of different scales confirm that the proposed IPSO algorithm performs better than the comparable traditional PSO, simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods

Breeding Cultivars for Heat Stress Tolerance in Staple Food Crops

Food and nutritional security will be worsened by climate change-induced high temperatures, droughts and reduced water availability in most agricultural food crops environments, particularly in developing countries. Recent evidences indicate that countries in the southern hemisphere are more vulnerable to food production due to greater frequency of extreme weather events. These challenges can be addressed by: (i) adoption of climate mitigation tools in agricultural and urban activities; (ii) development of heat and drought tolerant cultivars in major food crops; (iii) bringing back forgotten native minor food crops such as millets and root crops; and (iv) continued investment in agricultural research and development with the strong government policy support on native crops grown by small holder farmers. The native crops have inherent potential and traits to cope with adverse climate during the course of its evolution process. Therefore, diversifying the crops should be a prime framework of the climate-smart agriculture to meet the global food and nutritional security for which policy-driven production changes are highly required in developing countries. The adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production need to be addressed by multidisciplinary team and approaches through strong network of research consortium including private sectors and multinational governments for global impact

Genetic trends in CIMMYT’s tropical maize breeding pipelines

Fostering a culture of continuous improvement through regular monitoring of genetic trends in breeding pipelines is essential to improve efficiency and increase accountability. This is the first global study to estimate genetic trends across the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) tropical maize breeding pipelines in eastern and southern Africa (ESA), South Asia, and Latin America over the past decade. Data from a total of 4152 advanced breeding trials and 34,813 entries, conducted at 1331 locations in 28 countries globally, were used for this study. Genetic trends for grain yield reached up to 138 kg ha−1 yr−1 in ESA, 118 kg ha−1 yr−1 South Asia and 143 kg ha−1 yr−1 in Latin America. Genetic trend was, in part, related to the extent of deployment of new breeding tools in each pipeline, strength of an extensive phenotyping network, and funding stability. Over the past decade, CIMMYT’s breeding pipelines have significantly evolved, incorporating new tools/technologies to increase selection accuracy and intensity, while reducing cycle time. The first pipeline, Eastern Africa Product Profile 1a (EA-PP1a), to implement marker-assisted forward-breeding for resistance to key diseases, coupled with rapid-cycle genomic selection for drought, recorded a genetic trend of 2.46% per year highlighting the potential for deploying new tools/technologies to increase genetic gain

Stochastic estimation of voltage sag due to faults in the power system by using PSCAD/EMTDC software as a tool for simulation

Faults in the power system are major cause of voltage sag. Voltage sag in the power system due to fault can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical. For sensitive loads it is necessary to estimate how many times in year the voltage at their terminal will experience sag to avoid tripping of operation. Several stochastic methods for estimation of number of sags are developed in recent years. In different methods of sag prediction there is need to do lengthy programming or calculations. Here PSCAD/EMTDC software package is used to estimate number of sag with uniform distribution of faults along the lines

Dorsal inlay inner preputial graft for primary hypospadias repair

Background: The most commonly performed operation to repair distal hypospadias is the Tubularised incised plate (TIP) repair. The key step is midline incision of the urethral plate, which widens a narrow plate and converts a flat into a deep plate groove, ensuring a vertical, slit neomeatus and a normal-calibre neourethra. At times in cases of proximal hypospadias, the urethral plate is very narrow and needs to be augmented or substituted for further tubularisation. We report our experience with primary single stage dorsal inlay urethroplasty using preputial skin grafts. Patients and Methods: Children with proximal hypospadias with a narrow urethral plate formed the study group. Children needing transection of the urethral plate, having undergone circumcision/hypospadias repair previously or having an inadequate prepuce was excluded. Results: Twelve children with a mean age of 48.83 months underwent primary dorsal inlay preputial graft urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias with a very narrow urethral plate. At an average follow-up of 42.16 months, 2 (16.66%) children had a breakdown of ventral shaft skin. None of the children had meatal stenosis, and none of these 12 children developed urethrocutaneous fistula. Conclusion: Primary dorsal inlay inner preputial graft urethroplasty successfully fulfills all traditional hypospadias repair criteria. It offers a viable, safe, rapid and easy option in the management of proximal hypospadias with a narrow urethral plate

A cross-sectional study to find out the prevalence of different types of domestic violence in Gwalior city and to identify the various risk and protective factors for domestic violence

Background: Violence against women is a universal phenomenon that persists in all communities and in all countries of the world and the perpetrator of that violence is often well-known to the victim. Domestic violence in particular continues to be frighteningly common and well-accepted as "normal" within too many societies. Objectives: (1) The primary aim of this study is to find out the extent of different type of domestic violence and to identify various risk factors for domestic violence against married women. (2) The secondary aim is to identify the various protective factors of domestic violence against married women. Materials and Methods: The present study was a population based cross-sectional study carried out in the urban area of Gwalior city for a period of one year. Stratified random sampling technique was used for the selection of the samples. The study participants were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Proportion, Pearson′s, chi-square test and odds ratio were calculated for the analysis of the study. Result: Of the 144 study participants, 68 participants reported some form of domestic violence, which was either physical, sexual or emotional. The most common type of violence reported was physical violence. The most important risk factor for domestic violence was alcoholism followed by literacy status. Majority of the abused women were dependent on their husbands for money, material assets and expenditure. Conclusion: The study hereby recommends that to prevent domestic violence government has to take stringent action for making women more self-reliant especially by making the women more literate and more financially independent

Clinicoimmunological Study of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Auto immune hepatitis is associated with characteristic autoantibodies and hypergammaglobulinemia. The aim of study is to see prevalence of various types of AIH. Material: Study included 66 cases of AIH, 16 cases of chronic viral hepatitis [8 hepatitis B, 8 hepatitis C] and 18 healthy control between a period of 1.5 years. Antinuclear antibody [ANA], anti-mitochondrial antibody [AMA], anti smooth muscle antibody [ASMA], anti F-actin antibody, anti parietal cell antibody were done by indirect fluorescent method [IIF] on frozen section of rat liver, stomach, and kidney. It was also done by immunodot method. ANA was repeated by ELISA technique.Result:AIH-1 formed maximum cases [89.39%] followed by AIH-2 [9.09%] and AIH-3 [1.51%]. In AIH-1 23.7% and in AIH-2 66.66% were children. Male predominance was in AIH-1 [59.3%].Weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice were common in more than 86% patients in all types of AIH. Ascitis was more common in AIH-1 [61%] than in AIH-2 [33.3%]. ASMA antibody was positive in all cases of AIH-1 while anti LKM was positive in AIH-2. ANA was positive in 16.9% cases of AIH by IFT method and 30.54% by ELISA. APCA was positive in 27% cases. Two cases each of AIH-1 were positive for AMA, endomysium, anticentromere, anti Smith, anti RNP and anti-laminin antibody. All AIH-1 and AIH-2 cases had significantly elevated transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and serum IgG.Thus, our study concludes that AIH1 is more common than AIH2 and ASMA is more common antibody

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder in a child

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the bladder are rare in children. We report here the case of an 11-year-old child who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. Ultrasonography and computed tomography imaging of abdomen showed an intravesical mass/thickening arising from the right lateral wall. Biopsy of the lesion revealed a lesion that showed uniform elongated spindle cells within a background of myxoid stroma. The cells were loosely packed from a smooth muscle lesion, which had a densely packed cellular stroma. The child improved with a course of antibiotics and a repeat imaging showed disappearance of the lesion