A simple, fast, and effective heuristic for the single-machine total weighted tardiness problem

We consider the single-machine total weighted tardiness problem (TWT) where a set of n jobs with general weights w_1,…, w_n, integer processing times p_1,…, p_n, and integer due dates d_1,…, d_n has to be scheduled non-preemptively. If C_j is the completion time of job j then T_j = max(0, C_j - d_j) denotes the tardiness of this job. The objective is to find a schedule S^{*}_{WT} that minimizes the weighted sum of the tardiness costs of all jobs computed as \sum_{j=1}^{n} w_j T_j. This problem is known to be unary NP-hard. Our goal is to design a constructive heuristic for this problem that yields excellent feasible solutions in short computational times by exploiting the structural properties of a preemptive relaxation

A strong preemptive relaxation for weighted tardiness and earliness/tardiness problems on unrelated parallel machines

Research on due date oriented objectives in the parallel machine environment is at best scarce compared to objectives such as minimizing the makespan or the completion time related performance measures. Moreover, almost all existing work in this area is focused on the identical parallel machine environment. In this study, we leverage on our previous work on the single machine total weighted tardiness (TWT) and total weighted earliness/tardiness (TWET) problems and develop a new preemptive relaxation for the TWT and TWET problems on a bank of unrelated parallel machines. The key contribution of this paper is devising a computationally effective Benders decomposition algorithm for solving the preemptive relaxation formulated as a mixed integer linear program. The optimal solution of the preemptive relaxation provides a tight lower bound. Moreover, it offers a near-optimal partition of the jobs to the machines, and then we exploit recent advances in solving the non-preemptive single machine TWT and TWET problems for constructing non-preemptive solutions of high quality to the original problem. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with instances up to 5 machines and 200 jobs

A simple, fast, and effective heuristic for the single-machine total weighted tardiness problem

We consider the non-preemptive single-machine total weighted tardiness (TWT) problem with general weights, processing times, and due dates. We first develop a family of preemptive lower bounds for this problem and explore their structural properties. Then, we show that the solution corresponding to the least tight lower-bound among those investigated features some desirable properties that can be exploited to build excellent feasible solutions to the original non-preemptive problem in short computational times. We present results on standard benchmark instances from the literature

A preliminary study on the effects of salinity on egg development of European squid (Loligo vulgaris Lamarck, 1798).

Abstract The effects of salinity on the development and incubation of European squid (Loligo vulgaris, Lamarck, 1798) eggs were investigated from December 2001 to March 2002. The egg capsules were incubated in 37‰, 34‰, 31‰, 28‰, and 0‰ salinity without any acclimation process. Mean temperature was 12±2.0°C. Illumination was maintained at 1.5 lux at the water surface. Full embryonic development and hatching were observed after 64-76 and 66-76 days at 37‰ and 34‰ salinity, respectively. Hatching rates were estimated as 88.5% at 37‰ and 60% at 34‰. In salinity below 34‰, the eggs died at very early stages. Average dorsal mantle lengths of the new hatchlings were 2.53±0.08 mm at 37‰ and 2.48±0.11 mm at 34‰

Quantum Computational Investigation of (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-N?-(3-phenoxybenzylidene)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazide

The title compound was synthesized and structurally characterized. Theoretical IR, NMR (with the GIAO technique), UV, and nonlinear optical properties (NLO) in four different solvents were calculated for the compound. The calculated HOMO–LUMO energies using time-dependent (TD) DFT revealed that charge transfer occurs within the molecule, and probable transitions in the four solvents were identified. The in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analysis was performed in order to determine some physicochemical, lipophilicity, water solubility, pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and medicinal properties of the molecule. Finally, molecular docking calculation was performed, and the results were evaluated in detai

Bamberger Federführer. Die besten Texte aus drei Jahren Literaturwettbewerb an der Universität Bamberg (2009-2011)

Im Kreise des Redaktions-Teams der studentischen Hochschulgruppe Feki.de entstand im November 2008 die Idee, einen Literaturwettbewerb an der Universität Bamberg zu etablieren. Das Projekt sollte es Studierenden aller Fachrichtungen ermöglichen, literarisch tätig zu werden und sich mit ihren Texten dem Urteil einer Jury bzw. der Leser zu stellen. Insgesamt drei Mal wurde der Wettbewerb durchgeführt: 2009 wurde die beste Kurzgeschichte zum Thema „Um 20 Uhr am Gabelmoo“ gesucht, im Jahr darauf lautete das Thema schlicht „fertig. Der letzte Wettbewerb stand schließlich unter dem Motto „Heimat“. Die Auswahl der Siegertexte übernahm eine Jury, bestehend aus Vertretern verschiedener Hochschulgruppen – Feki.de, Rezensöhnchen und Ottfried –, Prof. Dr. Andrea Bartl, Inhaberin der Professur für Neuere deutsche Literaturwissenschaft, dem Autor und Kritiker Rolf Bernhard Essig sowie wechselnd den Autoren Nora Gomringer, Kurt Kreiler und Nefvel Cumart. Daneben konnten die Feki.de-Leser über den jeweiligen Publikumspreisträger abstimmen. Neben den Studierenden der Universität Bamberg waren ab dem zweiten Jahr auch Teilnehmer der Schreibwerkstatt der JVA Ebrach eingeladen, ihre Texte einzu­senden. Im Vergleich mit den studentischen Texten boten die Beiträge der Gefangenen einen interessanten Perspektivwechsel für alle Teil­nehmer und Leser. Insgesamt 24 Kurzgeschichten aus den Jahren 2009 bis 2011 haben wir in diesem Band zusammengestellt. Neben den jeweiligen Siegertexten finden sich in der Anthologie auch die Beiträge der JVA-Bewohner zum Thema „fertig“, sowie ausgewählte Texte Studierender, die die Podestplätze nur knapp verfehlten

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI