Genetic algorithm with iterated local search for solving a location-routing problem

This paper deals with a location routing problem with multiple capacitated depots and one uncapacitated vehicle per depot. We seek for new methods to make location and routing decisions simultaneously and efficiently. For that purpose, we describe a genetic algorithm (GA) combined with an iterative local search (ILS). The main idea behind our hybridization is to improve the solutions generated by the GA using a ILS to intensify the search space. Numerical experiments show that our hybrid algorithm improves, for all instances, the best known solutions previously obtained by the tabu search heuristic.     

A new sliding function for discrete predictive sliding mode control of time delay systems

The control of time delay systems is still an open area for research. This paper proposes an enhanced model predictive discrete-time sliding mode control with a new sliding function for a linear system with state delay. Firstly, a new sliding function including a present value and a past value of the state, called dynamic surface, is designed by means of linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）. Then, using this dynamic function and the rolling optimization method in the predictive control strategy, a discrete predictive sliding mode controller is synthesized. This new strategy is proposed to eliminate the undesirable effect of the delay term in the closed loop system. Also, the designed control strategy is more robust, and has a chattering reduction property and a faster convergence of the system s state. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.     

Analytical study of intradomain handover in multiple-mobile-routers-based multihomed NEMO networks

The need to stay connected to the Internet “anytime” and “anywhere” is becoming more and more required in the recent years with the development of wireless networks. The NEMO basic support protocol was developed to grant the Internet connection for an entire mobile network, like vehicle or aircraft network. In NEMO a Mobile Router manages the mobility of the entire network on behalf of the other nodes in order to reduce the overhead of signaling messages. The critical part of mobility support is to reduce the handover latency, particularly when a Mobile Router is not reachable. This handover period degrades the performance of most delay sensitive applications. Referring to our proposition for NEMO handover improvement which is conceived for multiple-mobile-routers-based multihomed NEMO network, we find out a mathematical model to study the intradomain handover performance. We derive the mathematical model to analyze interruption interval (the time interval during which none of mobile routers can transport packets) during the intradomain handover. We study the impact of varying critical parameters, like vehicle speed, overlapping coverage distance, distance between mobile routers, and scanning frequency. The obtained results reveal that the seamless handover can be achieved if network configuration parameters are correctly chosen.     

Set-membership fault detection under noisy environment with application to the detection of abnormal aircraft control surface positions

The paper develops a set membership detection methodology which is applied to the detection of abnormal positions of aircraft control surfaces. Robust and early detection of such abnormal positions is an important issue for early system reconfiguration and overall optimisation of aircraft design. In order to improve fault sensitivity while ensuring a high level of robustness, the method combines a data-driven characterisation of noise and a model-driven approach based on interval prediction. The efficiency of the proposed methodology is illustrated through simulation results obtained based on data recorded in several flight scenarios of a highly representative aircraft benchmark.     

Direct adaptive fuzzy control for a class of MIMO nonlinear systems

This article presents a direct adaptive fuzzy control scheme for a class of uncertain continuous-time multi-input multi-output nonlinear (MIMO) dynamic systems. Within this scheme, fuzzy systems are employed to approximate an unknown ideal controller that can achieve control objectives. The adjustable parameters of the used fuzzy systems are updated using a gradient descent algorithm that is designed to minimize the error between the unknown ideal controller and the fuzzy controller. The stability analysis of the closed-loop system is performed using a Lyapunov approach. In particular, it is shown that the tracking errors are bounded and converge to a neighborhood of the origin. Simulations performed on a two-link robot manipulator illustrate the approach and exhibit its performance.     

Variable neighborhood search for location routing

In this paper we propose various neighborhood search heuristics (VNS) for solving the location routing problem with multiple capacitated depots and one uncapacitated vehicle per depot. The objective is to find depot locations and to design least cost routes for vehicles. We integrate a variable neighborhood descent as the local search in the general variable neighborhood heuristic framework to solve this problem. We propose five neighborhood structures which are either of routing or location type and use them in both shaking and local search steps. The proposed three VNS methods are tested on benchmark instances and successfully compared with other two state-of-the-art heuristics.     

Analysis of trichothecenes in laboratory rat feed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of seven trichothecenes, neosolaniol (NEO), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon-X (FUS-X), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), in laboratory rat feed by GC-MS/MS was developed. Sample extraction and purification was performed by an acidified mixture of acetonitrile/water (80–20% v/v). Limits of quantitation (LOQs) were between 1 and 10 μg kg^–1 for all studied trichothecenes. Eight concentration levels between the LOQ and 100 × LOQ were used for the calibration curves. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantitation purposes to compensate the detector signal enhancement obtained for all the analytes. The method accuracy was evaluated by recovery assays at three concentration levels, 25, 50 and 100 μg kg^–1 (n = 9). Recoveries ranged from 62% to 97% and precision, expressed as intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations, was evaluated for all compounds. The validated method was successfully applied to the analysis of 35 laboratory rat feed samples showing mycotoxin contamination in 66% of the samples. DON was the most prevalent trichothecene followed by 15-ADON, NIV and 3-ADON. The maximum DON concentration reached in real samples was 2156 ± 4.3 μg kg^–1, while NEO, DAS and FUS-X were not detected in any sample. Multi-contamination by at least two mycotoxins was observed in 17% of the analysed feed samples.     

Hypolipemic activity of polyphenol-rich extracts from Ocimum basilicum in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice

The hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of the aqueous and organic extracts of Ocimum basilicum were studied using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipemic mice as an experimental model. Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight “BW”). The animals were divided into eight groups of eight mice each: normolipidemic control group (NCG), hyperlipidemic control group (HCG), hyperlipidemic plus DMSO control (HDCG), crude aqueous basil extract-treated group (CETG), dichloromethane extract-treated group (DETG), ethyl acetate extract-treated group (EETG), methanol extract-treated group (METG), and aqueous fraction-treated group (AFTG). After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered but not in DETG. Similar results were observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Although no significant change of HDL-cholesterol was noticed after 7 h of treatments, a significant increase of this cholesterol fraction was observed in EETG and AFTG after 24 h. Furthermore, crude aqueous basil extract and all polar solvent (methanol, ethyl acetate, water)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the dichloromethane-soluble extract. This finding indicates that O. basilicum may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.     

Analysis of Raw Milk Quality at Reception and During Cold Storage: Combined Effects of Somatic Cell Counts and Psychrotrophic Bacteria on Lipolysis

The objective of the article was to analyze the influence of psychrotrophic bacteria counts (PBCs) and somatic cell counts (SCCs) on the extent of lipolysis in bulk samples of cow's milk at reception and during cold storage. Samples of milk were analyzed on the day of sampling and subsequently during cold storage. The acidity, fat, density, chloride content, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk milk SCCs (BMSCC), and PBC values were analyzed on the day of sampling and the levels of acidity, EC, SCC, and PBC were analyzed during cold storage at 4 °C for 72 h. The SCC value 869 × 10³ mL^?1 was higher than the recommended threshold. Lipolysis level at sampling day was related more closely with SCC than with PBC. There was no significant correlation between milk acidity and PBC among others parameters, while the milk mean density was only significant (P < 0.01) correlated with the fat content. The EC and chloride content were consistently correlated (P < 0.001) with BMSCC that allowed them to be used as indicators of mammary gland infection. The milk acidity, EC, PBC, and lipolysis levels increased in relation to the storage time at 4 °C. The lipolysis level during storage was in closer relation to the SCC, but not relation to the PBC. Effects of SCC and PBC on lipolysis decreased throughout the chilling period. It was concluded that initial lipolysis level and intrinsic milk lipoprotein lipase appear more effective than SCC and PBC on the development of lipolysis during storage.     

H<Subscript>∞</Subscript> control of multiple model subject to actuator saturation: application to quarter-car suspension system

This paper deals with the H_∞ control of nonlinear systems in multiple model representation subject to actuator saturation. An application to Quarter-Car suspension system under actuator saturation is then given using the multiple model approach. The concept of so-called parallel distributed compensation (PDC) is employed for designing control system. The idea of this controller consists in designing a linear feedback control for each local linear model. To address the input saturation problem in this paper, both constrained and saturated controls input cases are proposed. In the two cases, H_∞ stabilization conditions in the sense of Lyapunov method are derived. Moreover, a controller design with larger attraction domain is formulated and solved as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem. Our simulation results show that both the saturated and constrained controls can stabilize the resulting closed-loop suspension system and eliminate the effect of external disturbances. Indeed, the main roles of car suspension systems, which consist on improving ride comfort of passengers and the road holding capacity of the vehicle, are achieved.