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1 – 10 of over 3000
Article
Publication date: 9 August 2019

Anand Amrit and Leifur Leifsson

The purpose of this work is to apply and compare surrogate-assisted and multi-fidelity, multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithms to simulation-based aerodynamic design…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to apply and compare surrogate-assisted and multi-fidelity, multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithms to simulation-based aerodynamic design exploration.

Design/methodology/approach

The three algorithms for multi-objective aerodynamic optimization compared in this work are the combination of evolutionary algorithms, design space reduction and surrogate models, the multi-fidelity point-by-point Pareto set identification and the multi-fidelity sequential domain patching (SDP) Pareto set identification. The algorithms are applied to three cases, namely, an analytical test case, the design of transonic airfoil shapes and the design of subsonic wing shapes, and are evaluated based on the resulting best possible trade-offs and the computational overhead.

Findings

The results show that all three algorithms yield comparable best possible trade-offs for all the test cases. For the aerodynamic test cases, the multi-fidelity Pareto set identification algorithms outperform the surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm by up to 50 per cent in terms of cost. Furthermore, the point-by-point algorithm is around 27 per cent more efficient than the SDP algorithm.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work includes the first applications of the SDP algorithm to multi-fidelity aerodynamic design exploration, the first comparison of these multi-fidelity MOO algorithms and new results of a complex simulation-based multi-objective aerodynamic design of subsonic wing shapes involving two conflicting criteria, several nonlinear constraints and over ten design variables.

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2003

E. Stewart Saunders

Examines 88 academic member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to determine their relative cost efficiency, using stochastic frontier regression and data…

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Abstract

Examines 88 academic member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to determine their relative cost efficiency, using stochastic frontier regression and data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods. Both methods give average ARL cost efficiencies of around 80 percent. This places academic ARL libraries in the same range of efficiency as other institutions, including for‐profit and non‐profit institutions. Many libraries are above 80 percent efficiency. For those below, some speculation is given for the lower efficiency. The lack of an output measure for the use of electronic sources may contribute to lower efficiency for a few libraries. Large staff size and a large number of serial subscriptions do predict lower efficiency, but this is not a necessary consequence. The DEA model allows us to determine increasing, constant, or declining returns to scale for research libraries. From this, it appears research libraries with expenditures between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000 are operating at the most efficient scale. Since the methods used are outside the repertoire of most LIS research, a conceptual explanation is provided.

Details

The Bottom Line, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0888-045X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

L.K. Tartibu, B. Sun and M.A.E. Kaunda

This paper aims to illustrate the use of the augmented epsilon-constraint method implemented in general algebraic modelling system (GAMS), aimed at optimizing the geometry of a…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the use of the augmented epsilon-constraint method implemented in general algebraic modelling system (GAMS), aimed at optimizing the geometry of a thermoacoustic regenerator. Thermoacoustic heat engines provide a practical solution to the problem of heat management where heat can be pumped or spot cooling can be produced. However, the most inhibiting characteristic of thermoacoustic cooling is their current lack of efficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Lexicographic optimization is presented as an alternative optimization technique to the common used weighting methods. This approach establishes a hierarchical order among all the optimization objectives instead of giving them a specific (and most of the time, arbitrary) weight.

Findings

A practical example is given, in a hypothetical scenario, showing how the proposed optimization technique may help thermoacoustic regenerator designers to identify Pareto optimal solutions when dealing with geometric parameters. This study highlights the fact that the geometrical parameters are interdependent, which support the use of a multi-objective approach for optimization in thermoacoustic.

Originality/value

The research output from this paper can be a valuable resource to support designers in building efficient thermoacoustic device. The research illustrates the use of a lexicographic optimization to provide more meaningful results describing the geometry of thermoacoustic regenerator. It applies the epsilon-constraint method (AUGMENCON) to solve a five-criteria mixed integer non-linear problem implemented in GAMS (GAM software).

Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2007

Olivier Bargain and Nicolas Moreau

The literature on household behavior contains hardly any empirical research on the within-household distributional effects of tax-benefit policies. We simulate this effect in the…

Abstract

The literature on household behavior contains hardly any empirical research on the within-household distributional effects of tax-benefit policies. We simulate this effect in the framework of a collective model of labor supply when shifting from a joint to an individual taxation system in France. We show that the net-of-tax relative earning potential of the wife is a significant determinant of intrahousehold negotiation but with very low elasticity. Consequently, the labor supply responses to the reform are essentially driven by the traditional substitution and income effects as in a unitary model. For some households only, the reform alters the intrahousehold distribution in a way that tends to change normative conclusions. A sensitivity analysis shows that the distributional effects captured by the collective model would be significant only for reforms both radical and of extended scope.

Details

Inequality and Poverty
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-7623-1374-7

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2020

Masoud Rabbani, Parisa Hashemi, Pegah Bineshpour and Hamed Farrokhi-Asl

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in increasing customer environmental awareness (CEA) to decrease the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in increasing customer environmental awareness (CEA) to decrease the municipal solid waste (MSW), and secondly, to examine the effect of government policies in the amount of air pollution caused by transfer stations (TSs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model. For solving this multi-objective problem, the authors use epsilon constraint method, which presented eight Pareto solutions. For selecting the best solution, the analytic hierarchy process approach is used. The presented model is applied on a real case study, and the results are discussed and sensitivity analysis is implemented on the parameters of the concern.

Findings

This study confirms the assumption that by allocating budget to NGOs for increasing CEA, the produced waste will be decreased.

Research limitations/implications

In the present study, the authors only investigate air pollution caused by TS. Future studies can investigate other types of pollution. Furthermore, uncertainty in the amount of produced waste can be variable making the problem closer to the real environment. In this case, robust optimization may have better results.

Practical implications

Based on the results of sensitivity analysis, some implications obtain that can highlight by managers in the decision-making process. The operational costs of TS have a critical aspect in founding TS, so using new technology and high-tech machines for operational processes of TSs, can result in decreasing the running cost of TSs. Also, the determination of TS capacity is a remarkable issue in optimization, which should be paid special attention to this for the design of TSs in the planning phase of the system. Moreover, collaborating with NGOs has a good effect on increasing CEA that results in a decrease of MSW.

Originality/value

The role of NGOs and government simultaneity has been considered in a green supply chain. Moreover, the authors considered TS between source and disposal that reduce the time of transferring waste. Therefore, this study can be beneficial for the MSW management system, which faces the problems in the lack of capacity and transportation problems and environmental issues by proposing solutions in three studies including economic, environmental and social aspects.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 December 2023

Tommaso Piseddu and Fedra Vanhuyse

With more cities aiming to achieve climate neutrality, identifying the funding to support these plans is essential. The purpose of this paper is to exploit the present of a…

Abstract

Purpose

With more cities aiming to achieve climate neutrality, identifying the funding to support these plans is essential. The purpose of this paper is to exploit the present of a structured green bonds framework in Sweden to investigate the typology of abatement projects Swedish municipalities invested in and understand their effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Marginal abatement cost curves of the green bond measures are constructed by using the financial and abatement data provided by municipalities on an annual basis.

Findings

The results highlight the economic competitiveness of clean energy production, measured in abatement potential per unit of currency, even when compared to other emerging technologies that have attracted the interest of policymakers. A comparison with previous studies on the cost efficiency of carbon capture storage reveals that clean energy projects, especially wind energy production, can contribute to the reduction of emissions in a more efficient way. The Swedish carbon tax is a good incentive tool for investments in clean energy projects.

Originality/value

The improvement concerning previous applications is twofold: the authors expand the financial considerations to include the whole life-cycle costs, and the authors consider all the greenhouse gases. This research constitutes a prime in using financial and environmental data produced by local governments to assess the effectiveness of their environmental measures.

Details

Studies in Economics and Finance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1086-7376

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2018

Marwa Khalfalli, Fouad Ben Abdelaziz and Hichem Kamoun

The purpose of this paper is to generate a daily operating theater schedule aiming to minimize completion time and maximum overtime while integrating real-life surgeon…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate a daily operating theater schedule aiming to minimize completion time and maximum overtime while integrating real-life surgeon constraints, such as their role, specialty, qualification and availability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deals with complete surgery process using multi-objective surgery scheduling approach. Furthermore, the combinatorial nature of the studied problem does not allow to solve it to optimality. Therefore, the authors developed two approaches embedded in a tabu search metaheuristic, namely, weighted sum and e-constraint, to minimize completion time and maximum overtime.

Findings

The integration of the upstream and downstream services of an intervention and the consideration of the specific constraints related to surgeons are very essential to obtaining more closed schedules to the realty.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of efficient schedules for a significant number of operations coming from different specialties throughout its complete surgery process under multi-resource constraints.

Social implications

The paper can help hospital managers and decision makers to well manage the budget by minimizing the overtime cost and by offering efficient daily operating theater schedule.

Originality/value

The results of the paper will help hospital managers and decision makers to well manage the budget by minimizing the overtime cost and offering efficient daily operating theater schedule.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 57 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2009

John E. Velentzas, Kyriaki K. Savvidou and Georgia K. Broni

The purpose of this paper is to present an economic analysis of environmental law.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an economic analysis of environmental law.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on pollution control and nuisance law.

Findings

Regarding the efficiency analysis of nuisance remedies, the paper summarizes the various situations which may be covered by environmental law and their consequences.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into pollution control and nuisance law.

Details

Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-0024

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 August 2022

Kadir Dönmez

This study aims to evaluate the performance of the most popular multi-objective programming scalarization methods in the literature for the aircraft sequencing and scheduling…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the performance of the most popular multi-objective programming scalarization methods in the literature for the aircraft sequencing and scheduling problem (ASSP). These methods are the weighted sum method, weighted goal programming, the ε-constraint method, the elastic constraint method, weighted Tchebycheff and augmented weighted Tchebycheff.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the ASSP for a single runway case was modeled using mixed-integer programming considering the safety and operational constraints and the objectives of the minimization of total delay and total flight time for a sample airport. The objectives were then combined by using the multi-objective programming scalarization methods and various expected times of arrival–departure samples were run for the mathematical models. Finally, the methods were evaluated in terms of the number of nondominated solutions, superior nondominated solution and the average solution time using the Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution method, which is a popular multi-criteria decision-making method.

Findings

Augmented Weighted Tchebycheff was found to be the most effective approach to ASSP in terms of the evaluation criteria followed by Weighted Tchebycheff and then weighted sum method.

Practical implications

The methodology presented in this study could provide more efficient air traffic management in terminal maneuvering areas when multiple objectives need to be optimized.

Originality/value

Although there are studies including the comparison of several scalarization methods for other problems, the comparison of the methods for ASSP has not yet been handled in the literature. As there are several stakeholders in the air traffic system, ASSP includes several objectives, and as a result, this problem can benefit from analyses using this comparison.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 April 2020

Sezer Kahyaoglu Bozkus, Hakan Kahyaoglu and Atahirou Mahamane Mahamane Lawali

The purpose of this study aims to analyze the dynamic behavior of the relationship between atmospheric carbon emissions and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study aims to analyze the dynamic behavior of the relationship between atmospheric carbon emissions and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) industrial production index (IPI) in the short and long term by applying multifractal techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Multifractal de-trended cross-correlation technique is used for this analysis based on the relevant literature. In addition, it is the most widely used approach to estimate multifractality because it generates robust empirical results against non-stationarities in the time series.

Findings

It is revealed that industrial production causes long and short term environmental costs. The OECD IPI and atmospheric carbon emissions were found to have a strong correlation between the time domain. However, this relationship does not mostly take into account the frequency-based correlations with the tail effects caused by shocks that are effective on the economy. In this study, the long-term dependence of the relationship between the OECD IPI and atmospheric carbon emissions differs from the correlation obtained by linear methods, as the analysis is based on the frequency. The major finding is that the Hurst coefficient is in the range 0.40-0.75 indicating.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the local singular behavior of the time-series is analyzed to test for the multifractality characteristics of the series. In this context, the scaling exponents and the singularity spectrum are obtained to determine the origins of this multifractality. The multifractal time series are defined as the set of points with a given singularity exponent a where this exponent a is illustrated as a fractal with fractal dimension f(α). Therefore, the multifractality term indicates the existence of fluctuations, which are non-uniform and more importantly, their relative frequencies are also scale-dependent.

Practical implications

The results provide information based on the fluctuation in IPI, which determines the main conjuncture of the economy. An optimal strategy for shaping the consequences of climate change resulting from industrial production activities will not only need to be quite comprehensive and global in scale but also policies will need to be applicable to the national and local conditions of the given nation and adaptable to the needs of the country.

Social implications

The results provide information for the analysis of the environmental cost of climate change depending on the magnitude of the impact on the total supply. In addition to environmental problems, climate change leads to economic problems, and hence, policy instruments are introduced to fight against the adverse effects of it.

Originality/value

This study may be of practical and technical importance in regional climate change forecasting, extreme carbon emission regulations and industrial production resource management in the world economy. Hence, the major contribution of this study is to introduce an approach to sustainability for the analysis of the environmental cost of growth in the supply side economy.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 3000