Mathematical formulation and heuristic algorithms for optimisation of auto-part milk-run logistics network considering forward and reverse flow of pallets

The operational planning of distribution network for automotive industry is complex with many conditions to consider, including heterogeneous fleet, enforcing the feasibility of 3D-packing of pallets into vehicles to address the vehicle's capacity in terms of weight and volume, compatibility of orders in a vehicle, returning empty pallets from assembly-plants backwards to suppliers, and delivery time windows. A mathematical model (MILP) is proposed that takes account of these conditions to minimise total transportation costs. The network structure can be a combination of direct shipment and milk-run for both forward and reverse flow of pallets. The model is solved optimally for small-size problems. For solving larger problems, a heuristic algorithm (in two versions) is proposed that uses a similarity measure to generate a reasonable list of orders. Best/first-fit strategies are employed to generate a feasible solution with the aid of a relaxed version of the proposed MILP. Improvement heuristics are also designed. Unlike most of existing constructive heuristics, our aim for developing the heuristic approach is to force routing decision, with all of its considerations, being made optimal. We also use the proposed best-fit strategy in the body of grouping evolution strategy (GES) algorithm to attain an effective meta-heuristic approach. The effectiveness of heuristics is tested on generated instances which demonstrates they are optimal for small-size problems. They are also tested on the data of daily auto-parts shipments gathered from the largest Iranian automobile company. Results demonstrate there exists a significant potential for cost saving through milk-run strategy compared with the direct shipping strategy.     

Stochastic collocation-based nonlinear analysis of concrete bridges with uncertain parameters

This paper focuses on the stochastic response of concrete bridges considering uncertainty in bearing and abutment stiffness. A multi-span simply supported bridge with concrete girders is selected. A 3D-dimensional model is prepared, and nonlinear response history analyses are performed. For the numerical dynamic simulation, the non-sampling stochastic method based on generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) expansion is utilised. The uncertain parameters include the vertical and shear stiffness of bearings and the lateral stiffness of abutments are presented by the truncated gPC expansions. Furthermore, the system response such as base shear, acceleration, velocity and displacement in different columns is presented by gPC expansion with unknown deterministic coefficients. The stochastic Galerkin projection is employed to calculate a set of deterministic equations. A non-intrusive solution, as a set of collocation points, determines the unknown gPC coefficients of the system response and the results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The key advantage of spectral discretization is the combination of the mentioned method with the spatial discretization, e.g. finite element model. This study also emphasises the accuracy in results and time efficiency of the proposed non-sampling method for uncertainty quantification of stochastic systems comparing to sampling procedure (e.g. Monte Carlo simulation).     

Stochastic geometry of network of randomly distributed moving vehicles on a highway

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have become an extensively studied topic in contemporary research. One of the fundamental problems that has arisen in such research is understanding the network statistical properties, such as the cluster number distribution and the cluster size distribution. In this paper, we analyze these characteristics in the case in which vehicles are located on a straight road. Assuming the Rayleigh fading model and a probabilistic model of intervehicle distance, we derive probabilistic distributions of the aforementioned connectivity characteristics, as well as distributions of the biggest cluster and the number of disconnected vehicles. All of the results are confirmed by simulations carried out for the realistic values of parameters.     

Linking entrepreneurial orientation to project success

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is a strategic posture of an organization, and it is related to basic policies and practices for the development of entrepreneurial actions looking for creating competitive advantages. This study develops and tests a model of the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and project success in Brazilian context. As quantitative research, a survey was used to collect data. A sample of 100 valid answers from project practitioners was treated through the structural equation modeling method. As research implications, the main result points out the positive correlation between the entrepreneurial orientation and the project success, contributing to the development of this research subject and helping to minimize the gap in the literature that addresses the relationship between project success and EO. In practical terms, understanding that innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness, autonomy and competitive aggressiveness (the dimensions of the EO) can contribute to project success and can also indirectly impact on organizational performance, could help organizations get competitive advantage when developing correlate factors. Finally, the results suggest that practices of project management can be aligned to the firm's entrepreneurial orientation to enable firms to attain better results in their projects and generate a competitive advantage. On other hand, given the proportion of the impact of EO on project success (20.3%) identified in this study, it is critical that project management professionals expand their horizon to recognize other factors that affect project success.     

矿山深部开采岩体稳定性监测技术研究

针对矿山深部开采过程中易发生地压动力灾害的问题，基于微震监测技术，结合矿山实际特点建立岩体稳定性监测系统。优化台网设计，通过定点爆破的方法进行波速校正，最终建立了定位误差在10m,灵敏度在-2.2的监测台网。对监测数据进行波形拾取，分析微震事件时空演化特征，圈定潜在危险区域，并对潜在危险区域围岩变形损伤进行分析。最终总结出微震事件大幅度上升且处于较高水平、空间分布高度集聚、能量指数突然下降而累计视体积迅速上升的动力灾害预警前兆。研究结果可为深部开采岩体稳定性监测提供参考。     

Stochastic analysis of strongly non-linear elastic impact system with Coulomb friction excited by white noise

The stochastic response of frictionally damped strongly non-linear elastic impact oscillator subjected to white noise excitation and its stochastic bifurcation are considered. By the stochastic averaging method based on generalized harmonic function, one can obtain the stationary probability density function of this system. The effects of system parameters on the responses are investigated and the analytical results were verified by comparing with numerical results from Monte Carlo simulations. Stochastic bifurcations are discussed through a qualitative change of the stationary probability distribution, which indicates that the coefficient of friction, damping constant of the elastic impact force respectively, can be treated as bifurcation parameters.     

长江经济带城市生态效率演变及驱动因素分析

城市生态文明建设依托于生态效率的改善，基于2005—2016年长江经济带107座城市面板数据，采用超效率SBM（slacks-based measure)模型测算生态效率，并结合探索性空间分析与空间马尔科夫链等探讨生态效率时空演化格局的内在规律， 实证分析生态效率驱动因素的影响效果。研究表明：2005—2016年经济带生态效率总体呈平稳态势，上、中、下游呈现“阶梯型”分布，下游依次优于中游和上游地区，部分地区生态效率呈“两级型”分化趋势；城市间生态效率发展存在空间联动效应，与生态效率高的城市为邻，其正向溢出作用促进城市状态向高水平跃迁，而与生态效率低的城市为邻，其负向作用拉动城市状态向低水平发展；人口规模与产业升级对经济带不同流域具有异质性作用，其提升下游生态效率而抑制中游和上游生态效率，产业升级与生态效率存在“U”型关联，意味着产业升级在短期内并不能使生态效率状态改善，而经济发展有利于促进生态效率向高水平状态演变。     

The control of paracetamol particle size and surface morphology through crystallisation in a spray dryer

The parameters governing the crystallisation of paracetamol using various conventional techniques has been extensively studied, however the factors influencing the drug crystallisation using spray drying is not as well understood. The aim of this work was to investigate the crystallisation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient through evaporative crystallisation using a spray dryer to study the physicochemical properties of the drug and to use semi-empirical equations to gain insight into the morphology and particle size of the dried powder. Paracetamol solutions were spray dried at various inlet temperatures ranging from 60 °C to 120 °C and also from a series of inlet feed solvent compositions ranging from 50/50% v/v ethanol/water to 100% ethanol and solid-state characterisation was done. The size and morphology of the dried materials were altered with a change in spray drying parameters, with an increase in inlet temperature leading to an increase in particle Sauter mean diameter (from 3.0 to 4.4 µm) and a decrease in the particle size with an increase in ethanol concentration in the feed (from 4.6 to 4.4 µm) as a result of changes in particle density and atomised droplet size. The morphology of the dried particles consisted of agglomerates of individual crystallites bound together into larger semi-spherical agglomerates with a higher tendency for particles having crystalline ridges to form at higher ethanol concentrations of the feed.     

A Stochastic Petri Net-Based Model of the Involvement of Interleukin 18 in Atherosclerosis

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory and proatherogenic cytokine with pleiotropic properties, which is involved in T and NK cell maturation and the synthesis of other inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. It plays a significant role in orchestrating the cytokine cascade, accelerates atherosclerosis and influences plaque vulnerability. To investigate the influence of IL-18 cytokine on atherosclerosis development, a stochastic Petri net model was built and then analyzed. First, MCT-sets and t-clusters were generated, then knockout and simulation-based analysis was conducted. The application of systems approach that was used in this research enabled an in-depth analysis of the studied phenomenon. Our results gave us better insight into the studied phenomenon and allow revealing that activation of macrophages by the classical pathway and IL-18-MyD88 signaling axis is crucial for the modeled process.