The inventory routing problem (IRP) addressed in this study is a many-to-one distribution network consisting of an assembly plant and many distinct suppliers where each supplies a distinct product. ...We consider a finite horizon, multi-periods, multi-suppliers and multi-products where a fleet of capacitated homogeneous vehicles, housed at a depot, transport products from the suppliers to meet the demand specified by the assembly plant in each period. The demand for each product is deterministic and time varying. A mathematical formulation of the problem is given and CPLEX 9.1 is run for a finite amount of time to obtain lower and upper bounds. A hybrid genetic algorithm, which is based on the allocation first route second strategy and which considers both the inventory and the transportation costs, is proposed. In addition to a new set of crossover and mutation operators, we also introduce two new chromosome representations. Several medium and small sized problems are also constructed and added to the existing data sets to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
High vaccination rates are integral to reducing infection and severity rates of COVID-19 infections within a community. We examine the role of social expectations in COVID-19 vaccination take-ups and ...its interaction with potential government actions in Malaysia. We find that individuals' expectations of others in their social groups towards vaccination predicts those individuals' vaccination registrations. Using a vignette experiment, we examine the extent of normative expectations in normalizing pro-vaccination behavior beyond an individual's reference group. We find that unless moderated by a high level of public trust, individuals prefer punitive policies as a way to increase vaccination rates in their communities.
Spirooxindoles occupy an important place in heterocyclic chemistry. Many natural spirooxindole-containing compounds have been identified as bio-promising agents. Synthetic analogs have also been ...synthesized utilizing different pathways. The present article summarizes the recent development of both natural and synthetic spirooxindole-containing compounds prepared from isatin or its derivatives reported in the last five years. The spirooxindoles are categorized based on their mentioned biological properties.
To estimate the seroprevalence and temporal course of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, we embedded a multi-tiered seroprevalence survey within an ongoing community-based cohort study in Bonn, ...Germany. We first assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G levels with an immunoassay, followed by confirmatory testing of borderline and positive test results with a recombinant spike-based immunofluorescence assay and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Those with a borderline or positive immunoassay result were retested after 4 to 5 months. At baseline, 4771 persons participated (88% response rate). Between April 24
and June 30
, 2020, seroprevalence was 0.97% (95% CI: 0.72-1.30) by immunoassay and 0.36% (95% CI: 0.21-0.61) when considering only those with two additional positive confirmatory tests. Importantly, about 20% of PRNT+ individuals lost their neutralizing antibodies within five months. Here, we show that neutralizing antibodies are detectable in only one third of those with a positive immunoassay result, and wane relatively quickly.
Removal of acid green 25 (AG25) dye onto activated palm ash from aqueous solutions was investigated. Experiments were carried out as function of contact time, initial concentration (50–600
mg/L), pH ...(2–12) and temperature (30–50
°C). The equilibrium adsorption data of AG25 dye on activated palm ash were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results indicate that the Freundlich model provides the best correlation of the experimental data. The adsorption capacities of the activated palm ash for removal of AG25 dye was determined with the Langmuir equation and found to be 123.4, 156.3 and 181.8
mg/g at 30, 40, and 50
°C, respectively. Adsorption data were modeled using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion kinetics equations. It was shown that pseudo-second-order kinetic equation could best describe the adsorption kinetics. Isotherms have also been used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy of adsorption. The positive value of the enthalpy change (26.64
kJ/mol) indicates that the adsorption is endothermic process. The results indicate that activated palm ash is suitable as adsorbent material for adsorption of AG25 dye from aqueous solutions.
This paper analyzes the effect of refugee inflows on the shadow, or underground, economy of host nations using panel data for 120 countries over the 1991-2017 period. The results show that refugee ...inflows increase the size of the shadow economy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
•We presented performance evaluation approach for industrial inclined bed paddy dryer.•Specific electrical energy consumption was 1.44–1.95MJ/kg water evaporated.•Specific thermal energy consumption ...was 2.77–3.47MJ/kg water evaporated.•Dryer yielded 1–4% higher head rice at drying temperature of 38–39°C than 41–42°C.•Dryers should be operated at 38–39°C for 1–4% higher head rice at reasonable energy.
The performance evaluation of any industrial dryer regarding energy consumption and product quality should be assessed to check its present status and to suggest for further efficient operation. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of drying temperature and air flow on energy consumption and quality of rice during paddy drying with industrial inclined bed dryer (IBD) with average holding capacity of 15 ton in the selected complexes of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS)-the national paddy custodian of Malaysia. In reducing paddy moisture content (mc) from 22% to 23% wet basis (wb) down to around 12.5% wb, the final mc, the specific electrical (in terms of primary energy) and the specific thermal energy consumption were found to be varied between 1.44 to 1.95MJ/kg water evaporated and 2.77 to 3.47MJ/kg water evaporated, respectively. Analysis revealed that the specific electrical energy consumption was around 20% lesser and the specific thermal energy consumption of IBDs was around 10% higher during drying with air temperature of 41–42°C than drying with 38–39°C in reducing paddy mc from 22% to 23% (wb) down to around 12.5% (wb). However, paddy being with almost same initial mc dried using drying temperature of 38–39°C, IBDs yielded 1–4% higher head rice yield while milling recovery and whiteness were comparable at acceptable milling degree and transparency. The bed air flows between 0.27 and 0.29m3m−2s−1 resulted in higher head rice yield slightly while its effect on drying time was not prominent so much. For paddy with initial moisture content below 23% wb, it is recommended that drying air temperature should not be higher than 39°C in order to maintain rice quality at reasonable energy consumption.
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