The separation at the source of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is an initiative that facilitates the subsequent recycling work and contributes to palliate the negative impacts of the traditional unsorted collection system. This paper presents a multi-objective integer linear programming model of the determination of the optimal location of assorted waste bins in an urban area. We consider, jointly, the objectives of minimizing the investment cost and the average distance from the dwellings to the bins. The model was applied in simulated instances of an Argentinian medium-size city, contributing to the transition from the current door-to-door based system to a community bins system. To solve this problem, we apply both the weighting method, which has been used to solve similar problems in the literature, and a novel version of the augmented ε-constraint method (AUGMECON2). The results over simulated scenarios show that, in general, AUGMECON2 has a better performance, yielding a larger number of efficient solutions at lower computation times.

This study deals with the performance modeling and reliability analysis of a redundant machining system composed of several functional machines. To analyze the more realistic scenarios, the concepts of switching failure and geometric reneging are included. The time-to-breakdown and repair time of operating and standby machines are assumed to follow the exponential distribution. For the quantitative assessment of the machine interference problem, various performance measures such as mean-time-to-failure, reliability, reneging rate, etc. have been formulated. To show the practicability of the developed model, a numerical illustration has been presented. For the practical justification and validity of the results established, the sensitivity analysis of reliability indices has been presented by varying different system descriptors.

The present paper emphasizes on the development of a hierarchical model using Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making (FMADM) method for the selection of E-learning websites. The working of the model developed in this research mainly consists of three steps: (i) Summarization and identification of selection indexes, (ii) Selection indexes weights calculations using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and (iii) Ranking of alternatives by implementing three MADM analytical methods as Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS), Visekriterijumsko Kompromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) and Weighted Distance Based Approximation (WDBA). In order to demonstrate the applicability and utility of the proposed methods, an empirical example related to the selection of E-learning websites that are widely used to learn the ‘C’ Programming Language for the software development is carried out. In addition, the results of these three methods are also compared to analyze the critical aspects of the selection indexes. It strongly shows that the developed FMADM model of this paper could be an efficient and effective assessment tool.

In this paper, we propose an exponential-related function (ER) and develop an intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS model based on the function (IF-TOPSISEF) to solve multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problems in which the performance ratings are expressed in intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). The main advantage of this new approach is that the exponential-related function is able to represent the aggregated effect of the positive and negative evaluations in the performance ratings of alternatives based on the intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) data. It also serves as a mean for the computations of the separation measures of each alternative from the intuitionistic fuzzy positive and negative ideal solutions to determine the relative closeness coefficients. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the proposed IF-TOPSISEF is applied for the evaluation of the concept designs of a part in an HDD machine (The drill pipe slider), and for some hypothetical examples.

Tower cranes, on today’s typical building construction sites, are the centerpiece of production, hoisting and transporting of a variety of loads. Due to a simple crane limited capacity; there is an urgent need to use high capacity cranes such as tower cranes. However, we have to select an appropriate type of cranes to be utilized to reduce the associated coste as much as possible. In this research, we propose a method to select the suitable type of crane and locate the best place for crane erection based on a minimum radius for requested crane and minimum cost. To fulfill the target, a computer program is designed to numerate these problems, demonstrating an example explaining how to apply the program and the results are discussed.

Powder mixed electro discharge machining (PMEDM) is a hybrid machining process where the electrically conductive powder is mixed into the dielectric fluid to enhance the machining efficiency. In this investigation, PMEDM is performed for the machining of AISI 304 stainless steel when silicon carbide powder is mixed into the kerosene dielectric. Peak current, pulse on time, gap voltage, duty cycle and powder concentration are considered as process parameter while material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (Ra) are considered as response. A face centered central composite design (FCCCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) is applied to design the experiment. A hybrid optimization technique like desirability coupled with fuzzy-logic method is performed to get the optimum level of the multiple performance characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed for the statistical analysis. The result shows that peak current is the most significant parameter for MRR, TWR and Ra. The optimal setting for maximum MRR, minimum TWR and Ra have been obtained by desirability coupled with fuzzy-logic method.

It is very important to manage and control projects with the consideration of the triple constraints; namely time, cost and scope. It is also extremely important to manage the scope and all the procurements needed to complete any project. During the project’s lifecycle many changes take place, either positively or negatively, which should be controlled. If the changes are not controlled we may have scope creep that has negative effect on the project. It is commonly considered a negative incident, and thus, should be kept away from the project. By considering this concept, in this paper, we discuss scope change and managing scope and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is used in selecting the best strategy to manage scope change in projects.

Online social networks (OSNs) provide services targeting multifarious types of users in order to attract and retain them. For this purpose, developing new services according to user preferences has recently been under focused by various researchers. Most of present studies focus only on extracting the behavioral patterns of users, and neglect users’ interactions, which is the main part of the social activities in OSNs. To cope with this issue, this paper proposes a new methodology to bring both dimensions of data, the extracted behavioral patterns of users and their social interactions, in order to reach a better analysis. Moreover, the idea provides a basis for considering other dimensions efficiently. In order to evaluate the performance of the methodology, this paper performs a case study, and conducts a set of experiments on the computer-generated datasets. The results indicates the great performance of the methodology.

This paper considers a portfolio selection problem with normally distributed returns and different rates for borrowing and lending. The primary concern is to determine the amount of investment in different planning horizons when the rate of borrowing is greater than the rate of lending. Chance constrained programming as an appropriate tool for addressing intrinsic uncertainty in portfolio selection problem is used. To solve this nonlinear programming, Genetic Algorithm is utilized. Numerical experiments are performed and the results are analyzed to present the performance of the proposed methodology.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), and Entrepreneurial businesses (EB) play an important role in tourism since tourism has increasingly become the largest economic sector. Entrepreneurships known as a mean of economic development and policymakers are looking for creating a competitive and dynamic entrepreneurial economy. The aim of this study is to present a model for entrepreneurship tourism policy by using entrepreneurship development framework, which interacts with economic development. To this purpose, entrepreneurship policy dimensions are weighted and prioritized by tourism entrepreneurs, tourism policymakers and experts using decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique and Analytical Network Process (ANP) technique. First, DEMATEL technique is used to identify complex relationships, and to form a network relationship map. Then, ANP technique is used to calculate the influential weights of policy criteria. Results show that policymakers for entrepreneurship development in tourism need to consider basic requirements factors. In addition, they should improve efficiency enhancer criteria as well as innovation driver criteria. Also, the relationship among dimensions and their influences on each other are illustrated. Using the capabilities of this method, we can determine the casual relationships between dimensions and criteria and identify priorities for policy.