The stochastic knapsack problem is a natural generalization of classical knapsack problem. In this problem, we are given a set of items each associated with a probability distribution on sizes and a profit, and a knapsack of unit capacity. The size of an item is unknown before inserting it into the knapsack, and it is revealed as soon as the item inserted into the knapsack. The objective is to ...

The probabilistic orienteering problem (POP) is defined on a directed graph where a cost is associated with each arc and a prize is associated with each node. Moreover, each node will be available for visit only with a certain probability. A server starts from a fixed origin, has a given time limit to visit a subset of nodes, and ends at a fixed destination. In a first stage, a node subset has ...

In stochastic versions of combinatorial optimization problems, the goal is to optimize an objective function under constraints that specify the feasible solutions, when some parameters involve uncertainty. We focus on maximizing a linear objective ∑N i=1Wixi, where x1, . . . , xN are the decision variables, W1, . . . ,WN are mutually independent random coefficients, and the constraints are dete...

Purpose: Alliance between manufacturing and logistics industry is a new model of the joint development of the two industries. A reasonable profit allocation mechanism is the key to ensure the stable operation of the alliance, as well as to achieve the desired objectives. Based on uncertainty of alliance expected return as well as the inherent features of the alliance, this research establishes ...

high congestion of returned product at remanufacturing facility causes substantial delays and consequently remarketing value losses for time-sensitive and high-tech products with short life cycles, such as electronic equipments. at the remanufacturing site the returned product are inspected and classified according to their quality and processing time in one of the two classes: class 1 being ad...

to measure an unbiased farm-specific efficiency of individual dairy farmers, a shadow-price profit frontier adjusted for market distortion was applied to a sample of 860 iranian small intensive dairy farms surveyed in 2005-2006. this measure was then compared with that of unadjusted measure that assumes undistorted market. a multiple general linear model (glm) technique was applied to the data ...

During the operation, a tremendous amount of heat is generated in the coal based sponge iron plant and a significant part of this heat associated with the waste gas, remains unutilized. While utilizing this heat in the process the energy demand of the process may be reduced, which decreases the coal consumption, which is the only source of energy for this plant. To utilize the heat associated w...

This paper analyzes the effects of mergers around the world over the past 15 years. We utilize a large panel of data on mergers to test several hypotheses about mergers. The effects of the mergers are examined by comparing the performance of the merging firms with control groups of nonmerging firms. The comparisons are made on profitability and sales. The results show that mergers on average do...

AIM To perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of a clinical laboratory as an economic model that may be used to improve business performance of laboratories by removing weaknesses, minimizing threats, and using external opportunities and internal strengths. METHODS Impact of possible threats to and weaknesses of the Clinical Laboratory at Našice General Coun...