in this paper an efficient three- stage algorithm is developed for software production cost and time estimation. first stage includes a hybrid model composed of cocomo and function points methods to increase estimation accuracy. second stage encompasses paired comparisons matrix of analytical hierarchy process to determine amount of any resources consumed in each step of software production by ...

a fundamental shift to a total system approach for crop management in greenhouses is urgently needed to resolve escalating economic and environmental consequences of long-lasting undesired effects of synthetic pesticides used in combating agricultural pests. the aim of this study was to examine a potential new approach i.e. microbial-based production system (mps) for greenhouse-grown peppers. f...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric approach for performance analysis of decision making units (DMUs) which uses a set of inputs to produce a set of outputs without the need to consider internal operations of each unit. In recent years, there have been various studies dealt with two-stage production systems, i.e. systems which consume some inputs in their first stage to produce ...

The nature of input materials is changed as long as the product reaches the consumer in many types of manufacturing processes. In designing and improving multi-stage systems, the study of the steps separately may not lead to the greatest possible improvement in the whole system, therefore the study of inputs and outputs of each stage can be effective in improving the output quality characterist...

In this paper, we present a Markovian modeling framework that can describe any serial production system with rework. Under this framework, each production stage is represented by a state in the Markov chain. Absorbing states indicate the events of scrapping a product at a production stage or the completion of the finished product. Generalizable formulae for the final absorption probabilities ar...

in the present work, deoxidation and refining of 316lvm steel (low carbon vacuum melted) during the vacuum induction melting process was studied. this grade of stainless steel is one of the most important materials in medical applications. vacuum deoxidation by carbon is the first stage of 316lvm stainless steel production process. in this stage, aluminum must be absent to avoid killing the c-o...