Supply chain network design using an integrated neuro-fuzzy and MILP approach: A comparative design study

In this study, an integrated supply chain (SC) design model is developed and a SC network design case is examined for a reputable multinational company in alcohol free beverage sector. Here, a three echelon SC network is considered under demand uncertainty and the proposed integrated neuro-fuzzy and mixed integer linear programming (MILP) approach is applied to this network to realize the design effectively. Matlab 7.0 is used for neuro-fuzzy demand forecasting and, the MILP model is solved using Lingo 10.0. Then Matlab 7.0 is used for artificial neural network (ANN) simulation to supply a comparative study and to show the applicability and efficiency of ANN simulation for this type of problem. By evaluating the output data, the SC network for this case is designed, and the optimal product flow between the factories, warehouses and distributors are calculated. Also it is proved that the ANN simulation can be used instead of analytical computations because of ensuring a simplified representation for this method and time saving.     

An integrated interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS methodology to determine the safest route for cash in transit operations: a real case in Istanbul

Neural Computing and Applications - The Cash in Transit (CIT) deals with the money distribution and picking up between depot(s), central bank, bank branches, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs),...     

An integrated fuzzy-lp approach for a supplier selection problem in supply chain management

In supply chain management process, the firm select best supplier takes the competitive advantage to other companies. Thus, supplier selection is an important issue and with the multiple criteria decision-making approach, the supplier selection problem includes both tangible and intangible factors. This paper is aimed to present an integrated fuzzy and linear programming approach to the problem. Firstly, linguistic values expressed in trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are applied to assess weights and ratings of supplier selection criteria. Then a hierarchy multiple model based on fuzzy set theory is expressed and fuzzy positive and negative ideal solutions are used to find each supplier’s closeness coefficient. Finally, a linear programming model based on the coefficients of suppliers, buyer’s budgeting, suppliers’ quality and capacity constraints is developed and order quantities assigned to each supplier according to the linear programming model. The integrated model is illustrated by an example in a textile firm.     

A team building model for software engineering courses term projects

This paper proposes a new model for team building, which enables teachers to build coherent teams rapidly and fairly for the term projects of software engineering courses. Moreover, the model can also be used to build teams for any type of project, if the team member candidates are students, or if they are inexperienced on a certain subject. The proposed model takes students’ preferences and the teacher’s considerations into account when a team building process is required for any type of course. In addition, this paper investigates how team building models (RandomM: teams are built with randomly selected students; TeacherM: teacher selects the members for each team; StudentsM: students build their own teams and the proposed model) affect team performance and how gender differences affect project activities and team performance. A three-year (five semesters) teaching experiment was performed with the participation of 248 male and 79 female university students and a total of 67 software project teams. Two different One-way ANOVA tests were applied on the experimental data, and the results indicated that the proposed model was better than RandomM, TeacherM and StudentsM models in terms of project grades, and the effect of gender differences on the teams’ performance and project activities was negligible.     

Plasma,polymerization of ethane and some properties of PP ethane as a protective coat

The structure of plasma polymers of ethane prepared by use of 13.56 MHz radiofrequency discharge in a tubular reactor are examined. The dependency of rate of deposition on power and on tube pressure at a fixed flow rate are presented. The plasma polymer prepared is tested for its performance as a protective coat on NaCl optical components for use in CO₂ laser windows. Absorbance, at and around 10.6 μm, water-vapor transmission, and scratch-resistance tests are done.     

Flexible kanbans to enhance volume flexibility in a JIT environment: a simulation based comparison via ANNs

Kanbans play an important role in the information and material flows in a JIT production system. The traditional kanban system with a fixed number of cards does not work satisfactorily in an unstable environment. In the flexible kanban-type pull control mechanism the number of kanbans is allowed to change with respect to the inventory and backorder level. Based on the need for the flexible kanban, a method was proposed by (Husseini, S.M.M., O’Brien, C., and Hosseini, S.T., 2006. A method to enhance volume flexibility in JIT production control. International Journal of Production Economics, 104 (2), 653–665), using an integer linear programming technique, to flexibly determine the number of kanbans for each stage of a JIT production system, minimising total inventory cost for a given planning horizon. Here, the effectiveness of the method proposed by Husseini et al. is examined by a case study and compared with the results for the conventional method of fixed kanban determination. This is also confirmed by a simulation study using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The main aim of this paper is to show the cost advantage for Husseini et al.'s method over the conventional method in fluctuating demand situations, and especially to prove that simulation via ANNs ensures a simplified representation for this method and is time saving.     

Studies with gradient polymers of polystyrene and poly(methyl acrylate)

A series of [net-polystyrene]-ipn-[net-poly(methyl acrylate)] systems with gradients of poly(methyl acrylate) in a polystyrene matrix are prepared and tested mechanically. The results showed no distinct differences from that of corresponding interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) samples with similar compositions, in contrast to the substantially improved fracture strains obtained for [net-poly(methyl methacrylate)]-ipn-[-net poly(methyl acrylate)] gradient systems and their nongradient IPN's in our previous work. Hence, it is concluded that the toughening effect of gradient structure observed is not universally applicable for all gradient systems but it is unique for the acrylic system studied. Moduli-temperature responses and dynamic mechanical spectra of gradients and IPN's prepared in the current study are also presented. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1721–1725, 1999