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Mathematical modeling is a high-leverage topic; it is critical to students' participation in STEM education and supports civic engagement. Until recently, research on modeling at the elementary level has been underemphasized, particularly research on supports and challenges for teachers who engage in designing authentic modeling tasks. In this study, we employed qualitative case study methods to investigate how elementary teachers designed and implemented authentic mathematical modeling tasks, with an explicit focus on how their tasks evidenced different dimensions of authenticity. We analyzed three cases of teams of elementary teachers as they developed modeling tasks connected to school and community contexts. The three cases were: 1) a student-driven modeling task related to paper and plastic waste in a school cafeteria, 2) a modeling task based on authentic situations at a community-run resource center, and 3) a modeling task focused on designing and monitoring a school community-building art project. Our cases illustrate that elementary teachers can successfully design and implement modeling activities that utilize different entry points and evidence multiple dimensions of authenticity. Furthermore, we found that the specific dimensions of authenticity may vary depending on the design supports and curriculum challenges within each context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines a two-stage two-dimensional cutting stock problem encountered by a paper mill company. The problem includes various machine-related and operational constraints based on real-world situations. Paper products are manufactured using two major cutting processes. Each cutting machine has a specific minimum and maximum width for input and output rolls and is limited by the maximum number of rolls it can cut at the same time. A mathematical model is presented to formally address the problem and an efficient multiple-choice knapsack-based heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed heuristic algorithm, computational experiments are conducted on test data-set generated from real-world data provided by a large paper mill company in the Republic of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A large variety of acid-free Asian and Western papers offer objects conservators numerous applications in their work. Not only have objects conservators borrowed this extraordinary material - paper - from the field of paper conservation but they have also adopted many of the well-developed methods and techniques of handling and manipulating it in their 3-D treatments. Paper meets all material criteria in modern conservation practice, including reversibility, strength, inertness, long-term stability, minimal change in color over time, and compatibility with the original artwork. Additional attractive characteristics are that it is light weight, non-toxic, hydrophilic, it conforms well to surfaces, and is not affected by the solvents typically used. Also, the cost of paper varies but is not excessively high. Finally, having the option of using paper in sheet, fiber or powder form - either in a dry or wet state - allows for even wider applications. This article is a survey of the wide range of applications of paper in objects conservation. Its use can have two very different functions. It can serve as a restoration material, thereby remaining with the artwork after the treatment is complete, and as a tool during treatment, thereby not remaining with the artwork after the treatment is complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper sector is the fourth largest industrial sector in terms of energy use in the world. Of the numerous processes involved in paper-making by a paper machine, the dryer section is the process that consumes the largest amount of energy. A model-based method for estimating energy-saving potentials of the dryer section was put forward in the present study. It was done by four steps: establishing a mathematical model about energy consumption, determining the model parameters, benchmarking the drying performance to obtain the corresponding energy-saving measures, and estimating the energy-saving potentials by using the mathematical model. In a case study, a multi-cylinder dryer section was selected to illustrate the method. After a fundamental field test and observation, several operating problems that restricted the energy performance of paper drying were found. And then several reasonable energy-saving measures were suggested to the operators. Finally, applying the mathematic model, it was found that 0.32 ton of steam will be saved when producing 1 ton of paper in recommended operating conditions. With the designed capacity of 200,000 tons/year, the annual steam-savings will be 64,000 tons. Generally, the price of steam is 130–150 Chinese Yuan (about US$21–24) in China, and the annual economic benefits will be 8.32–9.60 million Chinese Yuan (about US$1.344–1.536 million). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Art Therapy is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Part of the dewatering in a paper machine takes place via vacuum suction boxes situated below the moving web. In addition to the removal of liquid water, considerable amounts of air are sucked through the paper. The air flow that accompanies dewatering is a crucial parameter for the electricity consumption of a vacuum system. The present study models this air flow, combining differential conservation equations with fiber characterization. Measured air flow rates for different vacuum levels, basis weights, and pulp types are compared to model predictions. More than 70% of the data agree within the range of experimental error. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

I question whether Wachtel’s assertion that there are gaps in the relational literature and residues of a one-person psychology is little more than a reflection of the relational tradition, which encompasses a multiplicity of perspectives. This notwithstanding, his paper helpfully addresses a neglected dimension of clinical practice and provides the opportunity to explore the evolution of Stephen Mitchell’s thinking about the baby as a psychoanalytic metaphor. In doing so, I briefly, if somewhat tangentially, discuss the structure of the inner world, the role of memory in psychoanalysis, the nature of transference, and the extent to which early experiences with caregivers influence adult intimate relationships. To further illuminate Wachtel’s theoretical and therapeutic model, I summarize Mitchell’s (2000) case study of Connie, focusing on his detailed inquiry into her everyday relationship with her husband. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper highlights the relationship between reflective practice and staff mindfulness, situation and movement awareness, and person-centredness during mobility care in nursing homes. An overview of relevant decision-making theory is followed by discussion of the place of reflective practice in optimizing mobility care. Two contrasting case scenarios, derived from observations of mobility care during a previous qualitative study, are used to illustrate and contrast how mindfulness, situation awareness and reflection-in-action may enable person-centredness. Implications for training designed to improve person-centredness during mobility care are considered. Training in situation and movement awareness, combined with observations and collaborative reflective practice, may provide a format for coaches and peer leaders to develop mindfulness and person-centredness of care staff during mobility care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) has been regularly documented as a demanding area of practice within the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this paper is to share a practice model developed in an under-resourced inner London borough. The HSB forum is formed of a multi-agency group of professionals and runs monthly providing a platform for practitioners to seek consultation for young people they are working with who are displaying HSB's. Initial feedback for the forum from practitioners has been consistently positive and they have valued specifically the opportunity to formulate, have clear directions, and the multi-disciplinary perspective. In addition, most reported feeling empowered to implement the recommendations suggested. Given the shared vulnerability factors between those displaying HSB's and other at-risk young people such as those who are being sexually exploited, this model provides an innovative way that practitioners can be supported by multiple agencies where there is a lack of specialist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Final dewatering in the production of dry creped tissue is performed by Yankee drying, which includes hot pressing followed by simultaneous contact and impingement drying. The present study models Yankee drying and compares simulation results to the data obtained from trials on a pilot tissue machine. It advances models published previously by the representations developed for the transport of heat in the pressing stage and for the heat transfer involved in the dehydration of the cylinder coating spray. The model predicts an average specific drying rate within 4% in the range of the experimental data used. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On the other hand, optimization techniques generally do not employ methods of inverse design, although they could potentially reduce the number of time-consuming analysis required by the typical evolutionary optimization algorithms. B ECCOMAS 2022: 8th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering b B June 5-9, 2022, Oslo, Norway b http://www.eccomas2022.org/frontal/default.asp B Track Number 4000 - Minisymposium 18 b B INVERSE PROBLEMS, DESIGN & OPTIMIZATION IN HEAT TRANSFER b B Organizers: Helcio R. B. Orlande, George S. Dulikravich, Marcelo J. Colaço and Zbigniew Bulinski b ABSTRACT Inverse problems, design theories and multi-objective constrained optimization strategies are three areas of advanced research of great interest for practicing engineers and designers. Similarly, design theory is commonly not used by the optimization community, where formulation of the appropriate multiple objectives and system-of-systems design formulations are often performed using intuition and personal experience. [Extracted from the article]

This review paper provides the operations management (OM) community with an exhaustive analysis of the mathematical models developed for the problem of low-carbon supply chain management (LCSCM). Our paper belongs to the green supply chain management (GSCM) reviews but is distinguished by its specific interest in analysing research works on supply chain (SC) management regarding the reduction of carbon emissions and its related constraints. To facilitate our benchmarking of the 83 selected papers, we adopt a literature classification based on the logistic decisions studied within the developed models. We distinguish three categories of logistic decisions: operational management, technology investment and SC design coordination. Companies are currently facing great external pressures from governments and their conscientious customers to reduce their overall emissions. We analyse how these environmental constraints, which we believe are key drivers for low-carbon emissions management, have been incorporated into mathematical models. Analysing these external pressures in terms of concern about carbon emissions constitutes our main contribution through this literature review. In addition, companies are facing a challenge to reduce their carbon emissions, which are mainly generated from production, transport and storage activities. Consequently, the modelling of carbon emissions remains a crucial task when addressing the LCSCM problem. We suggest analysing the techniques used thus far to approximate those carbon emissions. Furthermore, to illustrate our literature classification and the features of the LCSCM problem, we provide the framework on which we based our analysis of the selected literature. We discuss the modelling aspects of this problem to highlight the limits of the existing literature and consequently suggest recommendations for future research. We believe that this issue will continue to be one of the top concerns of the OM community within the GSCM field as it continues to gain importance among business leaders, and political and social actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve socio-economic and environmental sustainability, utilization of existing capacities and assets has become a key challenge for the transportation sector. This challenge has been recognised by many scholars, policy makers and practitioners leading to a substantial body of new concepts and models. The rather parallel evolution of the Physical Internet (PI) and synchromodal transport presents an opportunity to improve the current unsustainable freight transportation, by inducing a positive modal shift from roads to rails and inland waterways, and improving service levels by better connecting production research with freight movement. This paper thus examines the synchromodal and PI state-of-the-art models together with their designs, methodologies and findings proposed in the scientific literature. The main objective is to assess and explore the correlations between these two concepts in order to understand how they can reinforce each other. Despite the integrated vision of the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, the findings of this paper yield no well-established interconnections in the scientific literature between PI and synchromodality as they both merely coexist in parallel and address different dimensions, scales and levels of abstraction. This paper thus identifies potential synergies, future research directions and critical questions to be considered by modellers, developers and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate that the relation between two jobs defined by min{ai, bj} ≤ min{bi, aj}, used in Johnson’s theorem, is not transitive. However, both the theorem and Johnson’s algorithm are correct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to today's competitive environment and information boom, companies are concerned about production planning in uncertain conditions. This paper integrates decision-making method with production scheduling model by considering limited resources. In this paper, a new mathematical model is extended for production project scheduling with multiple execution modes. The main aim of the formulation is to plan and schedule real production projects in uncertain environments. A new mixed-integer linear formulation is presented by considering trade-off of cost, time, as well as quality. Cost–time-quality trade-off is extended with the interval information. In the presented model, activity quality could be enhanced by reworking. The interval forms of some parameters, including duration, quality of activities, cost, and total available resources, are obtained by determining weights of experts and aggregating them. The presented group decision-making method is based on a bi-directional projection measure to deal with interval information. Since the mathematical model is multi-objective and some data are interval, a new modified solution method is developed for solving the model. The presented method for both decision-making and mathematical models is investigated by a real-world production project and two datasets to ascertain the accuracy of the model. Finally, an appropriate sensitivity analysis is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an integrated approach to assess energy performance during hood retrofitting from a semi-closed hood to a closed hood. According to the principle of heat and mass transfer, a simulation program was established by a mathematical model and some necessary model parameters. It could be used to simulate the paper-drying process and calculate steam and power consumption during paper drying. The method was applied to a corrugated paper machine. After a fundamental field test and observation, the simulation program determined appropriate model parameters. Finally, we found a 13.2% steam consumption reduction and a 13.5% total energy consumption reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the article 'How long is my toilet roll-a simple exercise in mathematical modelling' several models of increasing complexity are introduced and solved to calculate indirectly the length of paper on a toilet-roll. All these results are presented without errors. The authors of this comment believe the error analysis of measurements made in a laboratory is an important part of the experiment. The calculation of the absolute errors in indirect measurements provides us with information about the confidence that we must have in our experimental results. For that reason, the error calculation for all approximations has been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective maintenance problem (SMP) arises in many mission-oriented multi-component systems that are operated for consecutive missions interspersed with finite breaks, during which only limited component repairs can be performed due to constrained resources. This NP-hard problem decides which components to maintain and to what levels of repair to guarantee a pre-specified performance level during the subsequent mission. Over the last two decades, a sizeable body of literature has been published on this topic. However, the contributions have stagnated in quality, and most articles deal with small to moderate problems. This paper provides a critical review of the SMP literature. A total of 136 research articles related to SMP are reviewed and a selection of key representative models is discussed in detail. This review is framed according to two feature categories: formulation characteristics, composed of three sub-groups of characteristics related to the system, maintenance and mathematical model characteristics; and solution approaches, grouped by exact methods and approximate algorithms. This critical review is aimed at identifying drawbacks, shortcomings, and blind spots of the SMP literature, and providing a roadmap for the challenges to be addressed and innovative future research topics to further advance the academic and industrial contributions of SMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum power point (MPP) tracking of the solar arrays is needed. Under partially shaded conditions (PSCs), the solar arrays power–current (P–I) characteristic has multiple MPP. This paper presents various methods and approaches of tracking the MPP from a PV generator operating under PSC. Some comparisons, advantages, drawbacks and critical analysis of each method are discussed. It was found that, indirect methods use empirical data or mathematical expressions of numerical approximations to estimate the MPP from the PV generator’s voltage, current and irradiance. Direct methods offer the advantage of obtaining the actual maximum power from the PV generator’s voltage and current. Artificial intelligence methods do not need exact mathematical models. They can perform under parameter variation, load and supply voltage disturbances. Finally, novel methods require less number of iterations to converge, independent to the initial conditions. All these algorithms can be included in some of the DC/DC converters and MPP trackers for stand-alone or grid-connected systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People born with disabilities (PWDs) face many problems because of their inability to accomplish simple daily tasks. However, the evolution of technological solutions has helped the PWDs to accomplish their tasks independently. Although a significant amount of the research work can be found on these technologies still, the authors believe that there is a lack of a rational method to quantitatively assess the solutions for their applicability to the respective impairment. In this paper, a quantitative and a qualitative assessment approach for the evaluation of the various technologies is proposed. It measures the applicability of the technological solutions for the different impairment groups. Based on the scoring model known as the multi-weighted scoring model (MWSM), the proposed evaluation approach carries out comparative judgment of clinical experts and input from PWD's using a well-defined criteria. The technique is applied to 16 research papers which are dealing with the application of technologies that assist PWDs suffering from various impairment conditions. The assessment technique has successfully identified the relevant criteria that can be used to assess technological research papers. It has also identified the research gaps which require further attention. The proposed quantitative approach can be a very useful tool to assess the applicability and the quality of the previous relevant works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that the Lotka–Volterra predator-prey model has a family of periodic orbits, but does not possess limit cycles and therefore the model is said to be structurally unstable. The Lotka–Volterra model is a special case of a much larger group namely the quadratic population models and it can be shown that none of them can produce limit cycles. The surprising finding is that by combining two quadratic models a quadratic population model with two limit cycles is uncovered. Although the model looks simple at first glance it provides a rich source of dynamics and deserves attention. In this paper, we revisit a model that has its origin in the work of Dubois and Closset. A set of two quadratic population models interact as piecewise defined differential equations. The model has been discussed by Ren Yongtai and Han Li, cryptically written and showing some linguistic and typographical errors, but providing an excellent vehicle for developing skills in mathematical modelling, differential equations and technology for the young researcher. We explore the model in clearer detail and supplement the theory with rich graphical illustration. The paper has the purpose of providing an example of how a young researcher, such as a postgraduate student in biomathematics, can expand on an existing model by making use of current technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused critical challenges for e-commerce warehouses that strive to fulfill surging customer demand while facing a high virus infection risk. Current literature on picking optimization overlooks warehouse safety under pandemic conditions. Meanwhile, scattered storage and zone-wave-batch picking have been used in parallel by many large e-commerce warehouses, these two operational policies have not been considered together in picking optimization studies. This paper fills these gaps by solving an order batching problem considering scattered storage, zone-wave-batch picking, and pickers' proximity simultaneously. We formulate and solve the mathematical model of the discussed problem and propose the Aisle-Based Constructive Batching Algorithm (ABCBA) to help warehouses pick more efficiently and safely. Experiments with extensive datasets from a major third-party logistics (3PL) company show that, compared to the current picking strategy, ABCBA can reduce the total picking time and the virus infection risk due to pickers' proximity by 46% and 72%, respectively. Compared to other heuristics like tabu + nLSA3 (Yang, Zhao, and Guo 2020), ABCBA gets better results using less computation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser welding has been widely employed for aluminum alloy body-in-white. However, owing to the low utilisation efficiency of energy and material, the carbon emission of laser welding is serious. In this paper, the mathematical modelling of carbon emissions and process parameters optimisation for laser welding cells are studied. The carbon emission characteristics of the laser welding system are analysed, and the carbon emission model of the laser welding cell considering both welding features and welding transfers is established. Besides, the process parameters optimisation model of laser welding cell is developed. To obtain optimal welding sequence, a combinatorial algorithm based on Culture Algorithm and Ant Colony Algorithm is proposed. Based on the optimal welding sequence, the optimal transfer speed is obtained through mathematical theory. Furthermore, a case study is performed to verify the feasibility and reliability of the process parameters optimisation model. Additionally, compared with the Ant Colony Algorithm, the proposed solution algorithm has better comprehensive performance in terms of convergence speed and optimisation accuracy. This study lays a theoretical foundation for carbon emission modelling of the laser welding cell, and can support the automobile enterprise to make processing parameters selection of the laser welding line in the design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groupwork is a core method of social work intervention, yet in our experience, social work students and early graduates rarely embrace the idea of facilitating groups, nor foresee that as a role they would like to fill. Through our years of experience in practising and teaching groupwork, we have learned that one of the reasons for this reluctance is the fear of conflict. This paper focuses on our journey of understanding the role of conflict in groups viewed through the lens of Tuckman's 5 stages of groupwork. Through a series of examples from practice, we provide readers with strategies we have used for managing conflict in a groupwork practice setting. The aim of this paper is to provide social work educators, students and graduates with an understanding of why conflict occurs in groups and to provide a toolbox of strategies to respond to conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes new algorithms for the assembly line balancing problem with hierarchical worker assignment (ALBHW). The ALBHW appears in real industrial contexts, where companies deal with a multi-skilled workforce. It considers task execution times that vary depending on the worker type to whom the task is assigned. Qualification levels among workers are ranked hierarchically, where a lower qualified worker costs less but requires larger execution times then a higher qualified one. The aim is to assign workers and tasks to the stations of an assembly line, in such a way that cycle time and precedence constraints are satisfied, and the total cost is minimised. In this paper, we first present a mathematical model and improve it with preprocessing techniques. Then, we propose a constructive heuristic and a variable neighbourhood descent that are useful to solve large instances. Extensive computational experiments on benchmark instances prove the effectiveness of the algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will briefly introduce the traditional disability studies project through the social model of disability and how its inherent theoretical limitations became the impetus to perpetuate a need to adopt critical disability theory (CDT) to expand the intellectual arsenal of the discipline. Being a reflexive inquiry that resists domination that oppresses people with disabilities, CDT's reach produced work in conversation with other areas of critical social thought and inspired this paper to explore how post-colonial work – particularly Homi Bhabha's hybridity theory – can be incorporated into CDT's paradigmatic views of power. This paper concludes by addressing some of the debates and cultural implications that stem from conceptually merging CDT and post-colonial hybridity theory to frame how it can reimagine the possibilities and trajectories of a global disability movement. Points of interest: This article addresses the two main ideas in disability studies, starting with the social model of disability, which helped put forth critical disability theory. Critical disability theory suggests that people with disabilities are controlled by others using the idea of 'impairment' to justify their power. The article suggests that critical disability theory can benefit from an approach called post-colonial hybridity, which combines global North and South ideas to help represent people with disabilities in the Southern part of the world. The article also concludes by exemplifying how mental health and traditional healing practices are combined to support well-being. The authors encourage people studying disability to listen to different voices worldwide to understand how the world is changing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the use of drying models in vacuum-infrared drying, an experiment was conducted to investigate the drying process of cherry pips at different temperatures of 60°C, 70°C and 80°C, drying characteristic curves were constructed and analysed using 6 types of thin layers, and effective diffusion coefficients, moisture content and activation energy were calculated. The results showed that the drying temperature has a greater influence on the drying rate of cherry pits, and the drying time decreases with increasing drying temperature. The main drying step occurs in the downward drying stage. Comparison of the fitting results of the six thin layer drying models presented in this paper showed that Wang and Singh's model fits better for cherry pips (${{\rm{R}}^2} \gt 0,9996$ R 2 > 0 , 9996) and the predicted values of the model agree well with the experimental values. These values are suitable for describing the drying characteristics of cherry pips under any conditions. T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road familiarity is an important factor affecting drivers' visual features. Analyzing the quantitative correlation between drivers' road familiarity and visual features in complex environment is of great help to improve driving safety. However, there are few relevant studies. This paper takes urban plane intersection as the environmental object to explore the correlation between drivers' glance behavior and road familiarity, and conducts research on the quantitative evaluation model of road familiarity based on this correlation. First, a real vehicle experiment was carried out to record the eye movement data of 24 drivers with different road familiarity. The driver's visual field plane was divided into 10 areas of interest (AOIs) based on the driver's perspective. Three measures, including average glance duration, number of glances, and fixation transition probabilities between AOIs at urban plane intersections, were extracted. Finally, based on the experimental results, the driver road familiarity evaluation model was constructed using the factor analysis method. There are significant differences between unfamiliar and familiar drivers regarding the average glance duration toward the forward (FW) area, the left window (LW) area, the left rearview mirror (LVM) area and the left forward (LF) area, the number of glances toward the other (OT) area, and the fixation transition probabilities of LW→RF (right forward), LF→LF, LF→FW, FW→LW, FW→FW, FW→RVM (right rearview mirror). The comprehensive evaluation results show that the accuracy rate of the driver road familiarity evaluation model reached 83%. This paper revealed that there is a strong correlation between drivers' road familiarity and drivers' glance behavior. Based on this correlation, we can include road familiarity as a part of drivers' working status and establish a high accuracy evaluation model of driver road familiarity. The conclusion of this paper can provide some reference for the humanized design and improvement of advanced driving assistance system, which is of great significance for reducing the driving workload of drivers and improving the driving safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to highlight the role that perceived cost, computer self-efficacy and the technology acceptance model (TAM) constructs have in e-training adoption in the Nigerian civil service. With the use of the SmartPLS 2.0 M3 software, a framework that included perceived cost, computer self-efficacy and TAM constructs (perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU)) was tested on 450 heads of departments. Scales on perceived cost, computer self-efficacy, PU and PEOU developed by previous studies were modified accordingly and used. This paper found perceived cost to have a significant effect on e-training adoption. Computer self-efficacy was statistically insignificant through PEOU. In addition, PEOU had an indirect effect through PU. Therefore, only PU of the TAM constructs indicated strong predictive strength in e-training adoption. This paper showed that with e-training adoption, facilities such as computers can be put in place, which can improve the outlook of the civil service. In addition, the cost that is usually associated with traditional training can be reduced, increasing the opportunity to invest in other aspects of the civil service which can help in adding to the overall performance. Relationships were examined in this paper, which were shown to be favourable to e-training adoption in the Nigerian civil service. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Modular assembly systems are a category of changeable manufacturing systems, which can handle the rapid change in customer demands, product design change and market fluctuations. On the operational level, jigs and fixtures are fundamental elements of assembly systems. They are used to hold parts and subassemblies in place, and directly affect assembly cost, quality and time. Therefore, modular fixtures that can adapt to different geometries are becoming a very important enabler for changeable manufacturing. In this paper, two mathematical models are presented to optimise the use of a passive modular assembly fixture plan in an automated assembly system by considering different production scenarios and constraints. These models optimise the changeability plan of the modular fixture by minimising the number of dowel replacements between different part geometries assuming that the candidate dowels locations for each part have been determined using existing methods in the literature by considering different assembly requirements. The first model, LRTE, considers all possible part rotations and translations on the fixture to minimise setup time. In addition, the second model, SLRTE, enables the system to simultaneously optimise job sequence. This paper presents various examples in different sizes, and the results show that the model can effectively reduce the fixture setup time up to %50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online ride-hailing services provide additional transportation capability by recruiting private vehicles to meet people's growing travel demand. To ensure the profitability of drivers and platforms, pick-up efficiency and frequency must be maintained at high levels. Therefore, consistency between the spatial distribution of drivers and that of travel demand becomes a key issue to address. This paper proposes a prediction-based iterative Kuhn-Munkres approach for service vehicle reallocation in the context of large-scale online ride-hailing. Firstly, preliminaries are formally defined and a novel mathematical model for the problem is proposed. Secondly, a deep spatio-temporal residual perception network is designed to accurately predict travel demand. Thirdly, an iterative Kuhn-Munkres approach combined with an improved A-Star algorithm is developed to reallocate service vehicles to spatial locations according to their distinct travel demand densities. Finally, extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate and verify the performance of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cloud manufacturing (CMfg) system is presented as a novel service- and customer-oriented manufacturing paradigm that integrates the distributed manufacturing enterprises to share their manufacturing capabilities or resources and collaborate as an interconnected system in a dynamic environment. Since the high performance of this system depends on the formation of a suitable group of manufacturing service providers, this paper develops an integrated c onfiguration design and capacity planning problem for the CMfg system by considering the dynamic environment of this system. In this regard, dynamic service providers and dynamic demand are considered as two aspects of the dynamic nature of this system. A multi-period multi-objective mathematical model is proposed by maximising the utilities of all three stakeholders of the system. Moreover, three extensions of a discrete multi-objective grey wolf optimiser (DMOGWO) algorithm are devised to solve the medium- and large-scale instances. A comprehensive computational experiment is conducted to assess the performance of the developed meta-heuristic algorithms. Furthermore, by carrying out a sensitivity analysis, some managerial insight is suggested for the managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disassembly line is an effective disassembly system to recover end-of-life products. In real life, as end-of-life products are subject to varying degrees of wear and tear, task failure may occur in the disassembly process. In this paper, the task failure risks are considered, and an expected profit-based stochastic disassembly line balancing problem is studied. First, a mathematical model is presented to maximise the expected recovering profit with task failures. Then, a hybrid metaheuristic approach is developed to efficiently solve the proposed model, which is integrated with a variable neighbourhood descent method and an artificial bee colony algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm are verified by three cases, and experiment results show that the solution performance of the proposed approach is superior to the other three existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-objective optimisation of high-speed rail profile with small radius curve is studied in the paper. A multi-objective mathematical model for rail profile optimisation of high-speed railway is established. The CN60 rail profile is parameterised into a series of generalised functions of design variables. In order to guarantee the smoothness of the rail profile and meet the maximum grinding depth of rail in China, the constraints are employed. The wheel-rail vertical clearance and equivalent conicity of wheelset are taken as objective functions, and a rail wear prediction programme is compiled. Contact line method is employed to complete the detection algorithm of wheel-rail contact points. Finally, NSGA-II Algorithm is adopted to solve the Pareto-optimal front of the optimisation model. A set of solutions are retrieved from the Pareto optimal front solution as the optimised profile. The optimised rail profile and the original rail profile are matched with the LMA wheel profile (a certain worn type of wheel profiles for EMU in China) respectively. It is testified that the rail profile could effectively reduce the rail wear and improve curving performance. The new method proposed in this paper can provide some reference for the optimisation design of high-speed rail profile with small radius curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Order picking (OP) is one of the most labour- and time-intensive processes in internal logistics. Over the last decades, researchers have developed various mathematical planning models that help to increase the efficiency of OP systems, for example, by optimising storage assignments or by specifying routes for the order pickers that minimise travel distance in the warehouse. Human characteristics that are often a major determinant of OP system performance have, however, widely been ignored in this stream of research. This paper systematically evaluates the literature on manual OP systems and conducts a content analysis to gain insights into how human factors (HF) have been considered and discussed in the scientific literature. The results of the analysis indicate that management-oriented efficiency criteria dominated prior research on OP, and that there is a clear lack of attention to HF in the design and management of OP systems. This poses an opportunity for research and design of manual OP systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource scheduling has been one of the most prominent problems due to its technical challenges and prevalence in real-life. In this paper, we focus on an extension of the parallel machine scheduling problem with additional resources, which can be classified as a static resource-constrained parallel machine scheduling problem with unspecified job-machine assignment. The novelty of the problem we tackle stems from the additional resource that consists of components with discrete levels. The allocation of this resource to machines induces general covering constraints. This distinct characteristic of the additional resource also arises in a real-life audit scheduling problem, in which local branches of a financial firm are to be audited by a set of auditors with different experience levels. The quantification of the auditor experience and the branch experience requirement enable us to model this problem as an extension of the aforementioned scheduling problem with extra constraints related to the auditing process. We propose mathematical models for these problems and two constructive heuristic algorithms. The upper bounds attained by these algorithms are improved by a tabu-search algorithm, and an efficient lower bounding technique is developed for comparative purposes. We conduct extensive computational experiments to assess the performance of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service composition is a core issue of cloud manufacturing (CMfg) to integrate distributed manufacturing services for customised manufacturing tasks. Existing studies focus on the quality of service (QoS) in composition by assuming that each service is independent with each other. However, the correlation between services determines whether a composition is feasible in practice and is a primary factor of its QoS. This paper considers two typical correlations, composability-oriented correlation and quality-oriented correlation. The composability-oriented correlation is modelled as a group of constraints to decide whether a solution is feasible. The influence of the quality-oriented correlation between two services on the overall QoS of a composition is quantified by a discount percentage based on their correlation degrees. A mathematical model of correlation-aware service composition is then established. To solve this problem, a many-objective memetic algorithm termed HypE-C (Hypervolume Estimation Algorithm for Multiobjective Optimisation involving Correlation) is designed. Three correlation-based local search strategies are established in the frame of HypE (Hypervolume Estimation Algorithm for Multiobjective Optimisation) to achieve better trade-off among multiple conflicting QoS criteria. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm HypE-C compared with five many-objective algorithms on eliminating infeasible search space and providing high QoS service composition solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel global scheduling approach for cycle time control strategy in large complex manufacturing systems with multiple workcentres, such as semiconductor manufacturing systems. The interaction between workcentres is taken into account by using global information such as release quantities, the Work-In-Process (WIP), cycle time targets and machine capacities. Local scheduling decisions in workcentres are steered by production targets, i.e. quantities of products to complete in each operation and each period on a scheduling horizon. These global production targets are determined by a mathematical model (global scheduling model), which optimises the satisfaction of cycle time targets. One of the major innovations of the proposed model is that it relies on the temporal trace of the WIP. The mathematical model is coupled with a generic multi-method simulation model for evaluation purpose. Computational experiments conducted on industrial data show that our global scheduling approach efficiently controls the cycle times of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a course design for a post-Calculus undergraduate course on mathematical modeling for the life sciences. The course includes differential equations, discrete, and cellular automata approaches (among others) to modeling questions in the life sciences, as well as a variety of biological topics. The course focuses on model set-up and revision for these different scenarios and approaches as well as contemporary science approaches. Changes in student ranking of biology and math as well as student feedback are included. This paper may be of interest to any faculty member designing or revising a similar course or inserting modules on these topics into any related course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the Cumulative Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CCVRP), which is used to model many real-world applications, especially in the area of supplying humanitarian aid after a natural disaster. Interestingly, in this study, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) so-called drones are used to assist the trucks in delivering parcels to customers. Each of them travels to different locations to perform specified tasks and meet periodically with the vehicle from which it takes off to swap its battery. In this paper, a mathematical model is formulated which is then tested with small-sized problems using CPLEX software. Due to the difficulty of solving large instances to optimality, we propose a heuristic algorithm based on a well-established type of cluster-first, route-second approach. Then, it is enhanced by some proposed properties. Hereafter, we develop a minimum spanning tree based-lower bound. Finally, extensive computational experiments are carried out by using instances from the literature. They show the good performance of the proposed heuristic algorithm to solve large instances in a very competitive running time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrain feature points, such as peaks, pits, and saddles, represent the macro-structure of the landform. Conventional techniques for extracting these points from digital elevation models (DEMs) often grapple with issues of inaccuracy, omission and redundancy, largely due to the problematic necessity of setting threshold values. This paper proposes an innovative approach for the automatic detection of terrain feature points based on the topological relationships of contours and the inherent constraints of terrain shape characteristics. The study provides a robust mathematical model of terrain feature points and an effective algorithm for their extraction. Comparing with manually reference data, the accuracy metrics including completeness, correctness, and quality of our extracted results demonstrate a high level, significantly surpassing those obtained through existing algorithms. This proposed approach not only avoids the spurious feature points produced by the local window method, but also prevents the omission of valid points and the creation of redundant ones. Moreover, by utilizing the contour interval as its only variable, our approach eliminates the need for various threshold settings, streamlining the extraction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. A clinical model for its cause is lacking. Defining a cause based clinical model and a framework of understanding back pain in terms of peripheral structural and central functional pain is essential for optimal management. We describe the results of the largest published audit of 41 chronic low back pain patients, receiving outpatient sublingual ketamine therapy for defined central functional pain along with conventional peripheral structural pain management. Our clinical model assigns Movement Dysfunction as the primary cause for low back pain symptoms and restores it with Movement Therapy focused rehabilitation which is also defined. Patients were derived from a tertiary single neurosurgical specialist practice in Brisbane Australia over a three year period. Severe pain and disability measurements more than halved and only 13% of patients ceased ketamine prematurely due to predominantly non-sinister side effects common to all pharmaceutical therapies. All other surveyed metrics of utility were highly favourable in this challenging cohort of chronic back pain patients biased to poor outcomes. Outpatient ketamine maintains high efficacy and safety used in conjunction with a unique clinical model that describes chronic low back pain. This paper builds on our previous publications that describe the disease of movement dysfunction as an integral factor to the development of a cause based clinical model for the condition of chronic low back pain symptoms. Our clinical application of this model, applying the necessary dual approach of controlling symptoms arising from peripheral structural pain and central functional pain in conjunction with elimination of root causation has shown favourable outcomes in patients with high levels of pain and disability based on their tertiary referral origin and high Oswestry Disability Scores. Removing chronic low back pain from its position as one of the world's leading causes of pain and disability is more likely if the rehabilitation industry can replicate and test treatment algorithms based around established clinical models of disease which is the important subject of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music therapy research has traditionally been somewhat fragmented into different research traditions. This paper argues that the burgeoning field of enactivism could provide important theoretical integration to music therapy research and practice. Stressing the interdependence of mind, brain, body, and environment, enactivism has provided theoretical integration in several fields, not least music cognition and psychiatry. This paper is the first focused theoretical contribution that applies relevant enactivist theory to music therapy. After a reflection on theoretical developments in music therapy, we provide a general introduction to enactivism and its multiple origins in human and biological sciences and present its existing contributions to understanding mental illness and musicking. We also make a specific contribution, through discussion of an example of free music improvisation. Providing an enactive analysis of the sense of agency in this practice, we argue that music improvisation, especially in therapy, might work particularly well for people with severe mental illness because improvisation strengthens and flexes the disturbed sense of agency that often characterizes such mental health challenges. Finally, we discuss strengths and weaknesses of the proposed framework and suggest future potential studies to better evaluate the potential contribution of enactivism to the research and practice of music therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1933, Ragnar Frisch introduced a distinction between microdynamics and macrodynamics. His claim that he proposed the first macrodynamic analysis and that microdynamic schemes were limited to single markets or individual behaviours influenced the subsequent development of economic models. But the division was above all between tools: maximisation at the individual level, and dynamic analysis at the aggregate level. What was at stake was the question of economic rationality and whether it could be extended to an aggregate system. This paper reconstructs the different research programs to give a new picture of the development of early mathematical models in economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industrial facilities involve splitting production systems of different complexities and arrangements. The accurate and efficient evaluation of the associated performance measures is, therefore, of great importance. This challenging task can be accomplished by applying mathematical models of production system engineering at different intricacies. This paper presents the development and application of the analytical approach to splitting production systems modelling. The same problem is also addressed using the finite state method as a semi-analytical model. Several theoretical examples were considered to validate the finite state method that proved to be quite efficient and accurate. Finally, the developed modelling approach was applied in the case of a wood-processing facility. The obtained results were validated successfully against the acquired factory-floor data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this paper is to present results of an experimental test focused on the validity and effectiveness of composed methodology aimed at increasing the student's attention in Virtual Learning Environment. Areas of presented methodology which were subject of our research is students behavior during learning. The behavioral part of methodology is focused on calculating estimated time for reading/learning specific learning material based on mathematical model. The model has been created as linear regression model trained and validated with student's access logs from Moodle instance used at the university. The methodology created by us, which is the subject of the experiment, uses the mentioned mathematical model in order to more optimally calculate the time-on-task and thus assume the time required for the correct understanding of the presented curriculum in the form of e-learning. In this paper, we will focus on confirming the didactic effectiveness of our proposed methodology for monitoring student attention. We describe an experiment with which we verified the proposed methodology. Methodology itself is focused on improving students learning experiences while using e-learning platforms like Moodle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates students' mathematical modeling activity in data-rich modeling tasks. It aims at gaining insight into how students develop meaning when modeling data-rich situations and the mathematical models produced. A tendency to model a particular dataset, rather than the phenomenon that the dataset is a particular instance of, has been observed previously. Students concentrate on fitting mathematical objects such as functions to data, rather than using domain knowledge about the situation being modeled, mapping this to the data so as to capture the phenomenon as a whole. In other instances, students find functions that simply linearly interpolate the data and do not consider key features of the phenomenon, particularly when they have access to technological tools. The extent to which students' reasoning indicated awareness of their taking either approach was investigated in a qualitative study with Year 10/11 students. How the approach taken affected the processes students engage in whilst modeling was also investigated. The paper contributes to our currently limited literature on research into this issue and how it affects the outcome of students learning to model in classrooms at this level of schooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work education is mandated to provide inclusivity and accessibility to all students. Critical disability theory (CDT) challenges the notion that disabilities should be eradicated; rather, it declares that different abilities should be acknowledged and embraced as contributions. Universal design (UD), originating as a framework for accessible architectural building designs, has become a pedagogical approach in education. UD supports CDT and takes it farther by suggesting how to develop an inclusive environment. Through the lens of CDT and UD, this conceptual paper provides the rationale for educators to increase classroom inclusivity and accessibility by adding closed captions to all learning materials, presentations and videos, Closed captions, the text of verbal language, is beneficial for many different types of students, including those with processing disorder or hearing loss, those who did not learn English as their primary language, and those who have difficulty with focus. Further, this paper seeks to provide a step-by-step instruction manual to assist instructors with immediately including captions in their learning materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]