Thecontinuous Constrained Optimization Problem (COP) often occurs in industrial applications. In this study, we compare three novel algorithms developed for solving the COP.The first approach consists of an Interval Partitioning Algorithm (IPA) that is exhaustive in covering the whole feasible space. IPA has the capability of discarding sub-spaces that are sub-optimal and/or infeasible, similar...

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is frequent and often fatal in immunosuppressed patients. Timely diagnosis of IPA improves survival but is difficult to make. We examined the analytical and clinical validity of galactomannan (GM) testing of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in diagnosing IPA in a mixed population by retrospectively reviewing records of 251 consecutive at-risk patients fo...

Isopropyl Alcohal (IPA) is flammable, clear, colorless liquid and is slightly odorous. IPA has wide applications in various industries such as paint, pharmaceutical, lithography, rubber manufacture, semiconductor, and printing industries. It is one of the components of many antiseptic and cosmetic products. The exposure of high concentrations of IPA can cause depression in central nervous syste...

A 12-year retrospective analysis was done to identify and evaluate in detail cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) caused by Aspergillus terreus. We identified 13 A. terreus infections among 133 total cases of confirmed invasive aspergillosis; 11 were IPA and 2 were primary peritoneal infections. Of the 11 patients with IPA, 7 developed neutropenia during hospitalization, and the rema...

High levels of physical activity seem to positively influence health and cognition across the lifespan. Several studies have found that aerobic exercise enhances cognition and likely prevents cognitive decline in the elderly. Nevertheless, the association of incidental physical activity (IPA) with health and cognition during aging has not been studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluat...

There is growing evidence that customer satisfaction is a driving force behind firm’s business competitiveness and performance (Parasuraman et al., 1985, 1988; Zeithaml et al., 1996). This is absolutely true in the case of tourism, where there is a wide application of concepts, models and tools aimed to evaluate customer satisfaction. It is recognized in fact that, in order to identify the stre...

Performance measurement is a key issue when a company is designing new strategies to improve resource allocation. This paper offers a new methodology inspired by classic importance–performance analysis (IPA) that provides a global index of importance versus performance for firms. This index compares two rankings of the same set of features regarding importance and performance, taking into accou...

This paper develops a new explanation for user satisfaction with IS. Combining insights from expectation (dis)confirmation theory (ECT) and importance-performance analysis (IPA), we focus on the gaps between the importance of particular IS attributes, and the performance of a system on those attributes, as an explanation for user satisfaction. We identify 12 relevant system attributes and theor...

This paper provides a methodology of Supplier Quality Performance Assessment (SQPA) for the industrial computer industry that introduces modified Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) which uses the multiple regression analysis and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques, and creates value for all members through optimizing order-winners and qualifiers to promote su...