Robust Two-Stage Location Allocation for Emergency Temporary Blood Supply in Postdisaster

Disaster medical rescue in China mainly adopts the “on-site rescue” model. Whether the location of emergency temporary blood supply sites is reasonable or not directly affects the rescue efficiency. The paper studies the robust location-allocation for emergency temporary blood supply after disaster. First, the factors of several candidate sites were quantified by the entropy-based TOPSIS method, and 12 candidate blood supply sites with higher priority were selected according to the evaluation indicators. At the same time, the uncertainty of blood demand at each disaster site increased the difficulty of decision-making, and then, a robust location model (MIRP) was constructed with minimum cost with time window constraints. It is also constrained by the uncertain demand for blood in three scenarios. Second, the survival probability function was introduced, and the time window limit was given at the minimum cost to maximize the survival probability of the suffered people. Finally, the numerical example experiments demonstrate that the increase in demand uncertainty and survival probability cause the MIRP model to generate more costs. Compared with the three MIRP models, the MIRP-ellipsoid set model gained better robustness. Also, given the necessary restrictions on the time window, the cost can be reduced by about 13% with the highest survival probability. Decision-makers can select different combinations of uncertainty levels and demand disturbance ratios and necessary time constraints to obtain the optimal location-allocation solution according to risk preference and actual conditions.

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A Compressed Annealing Approach with Pre-Process for the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows

International Journal of Automation Technology ◽

10.20965/ijat.2011.p0669 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 669-678

Author(s):

Tadanobu Mizogaki ◽

◽

Masao Sugi ◽

Masashi Yamamoto ◽

Hidetoshi Nagai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traveling Salesman Problem ◽

Feasible Solution ◽

Time Window ◽

Time Windows ◽

Computing Time ◽

Traveling Salesman ◽

Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem ◽

Insertion Method ◽

Time Window Constraints ◽

The Cost

This paper proposes a method of rapidly finding a feasible solution to the asymmetric traveling salesman problem with time windows (ATSP-TW). ATSP-TW is a problem that involves determining the route with the minimum travel cost for visiting n cities one time each with time window constraints (the period of time in which the city must be visited is constrained). “Asymmetrical” denotes a difference between the cost of outbound and return trips. For such a combinatorial optimization problem with constraints, we propose a method that combines a pre-process based on the insertion method with metaheuristics called “the compressed annealing approach.” In an experiment using a 3-GHz computer, our method derives a feasible solution that satisfies the time window constraints for all of up to about 300 cities at an average of about 1/7 the computing time of existing methods, an average computing time of 0.57 seconds, and a maximum computing time of 9.40 seconds.

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A generalized fuzzy cost efficiency model

RAIRO - Operations Research ◽

10.1051/ro/2019102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 1775-1791

Author(s):

Nazila Aghayi ◽

Samira Salehpour

Keyword(s):

Cost Efficiency ◽

Minimum Cost ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Data Envelopment ◽

Fuzzy Environment ◽

Decision Making Unit ◽

Production Possibility Set ◽

Fuzzy Cost ◽

The Cost ◽

Generalized Cost

The concept of cost efficiency has become tremendously popular in data envelopment analysis (DEA) as it serves to assess a decision-making unit (DMU) in terms of producing minimum-cost outputs. A large variety of precise and imprecise models have been put forward to measure cost efficiency for the DMUs which have a role in constructing the production possibility set; yet, there’s not an extensive literature on the cost efficiency (CE) measurement for sample DMUs (SDMUs). In an effort to remedy the shortcomings of current models, herein is introduced a generalized cost efficiency model that is capable of operating in a fuzzy environment-involving different types of fuzzy numbers-while preserving the Farrell’s decomposition of cost efficiency. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, the present paper is the first to measure cost efficiency by using vectors. Ultimately, a useful example is provided to confirm the applicability of the proposed methods.

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Fuzzy multi-objective location and routing problem

Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems ◽

10.3233/jifs-191654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 3259-3273

Author(s):

Nasser Shahsavari-Pour ◽

Najmeh Bahram-Pour ◽

Mojde Kazemi

Keyword(s):

Firefly Algorithm ◽

High Reliability ◽

Research Area ◽

Nsga Ii ◽

Location Routing Problem ◽

Routing Problem ◽

Location Allocation ◽

Multi Objective ◽

Location Routing ◽

The Cost

The location-routing problem is a research area that simultaneously solves location-allocation and vehicle routing issues. It is critical to delivering emergency goods to customers with high reliability. In this paper, reliability in location and routing problems was considered as the probability of failure in depots, vehicles, and routs. The problem has two objectives, minimizing the cost and maximizing the reliability, the latter expressed by minimizing the expected cost of failure. First, a mathematical model of the problem was presented and due to its NP-hard nature, it was solved by a meta-heuristic approach using a NSGA-II algorithm and a discrete multi-objective firefly algorithm. The efficiency of these algorithms was studied through a complete set of examples and it was found that the multi-objective discrete firefly algorithm has a better Diversification Metric (DM) index; the Mean Ideal Distance (MID) and Spacing Metric (SM) indexes are only suitable for small to medium problems, losing their effectiveness for big problems.

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Main approaches to estimating the cost of shareholder equity of oil and gas producers

Finance and Credit ◽

10.24891/fc.26.3.685 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 685-697

Author(s):

O.V. Shimko

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Oil Prices ◽

Minimum Cost ◽

Free Cash Flow ◽

Annual Reports ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Economic Activities ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Oil And Gas Producers ◽

The Cost

Subject. The study analyzes generally accepted approaches to assessing the value of companies on the basis of financial statement data of ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum, Devon Energy, Anadarko Petroleum, EOG Resources, Apache, Marathon Oil, Imperial Oil, Suncor Energy, Husky Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Royal Dutch Shell, Gazprom, Rosneft, LUKOIL, and others, for 1999—2018. Objectives. The aim is to determine the specifics of using the methods of cost, DFC, and comparative approaches to assessing the value of share capital of oil and gas companies. Methods. The study employs methods of statistical analysis and generalization of materials of scientific articles and official annual reports on the results of financial and economic activities of the largest public oil and gas corporations. Results. Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, I identified advantages and disadvantages of standard approaches to assessing the value of oil and gas producers. Conclusions. The paper describes pros and cons of the said approaches. For instance, the cost approach is acceptable for assessing the minimum cost of small companies in the industry. The DFC-based approach complicates the reliability of medium-term forecasts for oil prices due to fluctuations in oil prices inherent in the industry, on which the net profit and free cash flow of companies depend to a large extent. The comparative approach enables to quickly determine the range of possible value of the corporation based on transactions data and current market situation.

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Healthcare Expenditures Associated with Heart Failure in Saudi Arabia: A Cost of Illness Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9080988 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 988

Author(s):

Ahmed Alghamdi ◽

Eman Algarni ◽

Bander Balkhi ◽

Abdulaziz Altowaijri ◽

Abdulaziz Alhossan

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Cost Of Illness ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Indirect Costs ◽

Health Care Expenditures ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Hospitalization Costs ◽

Illness Study ◽

The Cost

Heart failure (HF) is considered to be a global health problem that generates a significant economic burden. Despite the growing prevalence in Saudi Arabia, the economic burden of HF is not well studied. The aim of this study was to estimate the health care expenditures associated with HF in Saudi Arabia from a social perspective. We conducted a multicenter cost of illness (COI) study in two large governmental centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using 369 HF patients. A COI model was developed in order to estimate the direct medical costs associated with HF. The indirect costs of HF were estimated based on a human capital approach. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed. The direct medical cost per HF patient was $9563. Hospitalization costs were the major driver in total spending, followed by medication and diagnostics costs. The cost significantly increased in line with the disease progression, ranging from $3671 in class I to $16,447 in class IV. The indirect costs per working HF patient were $4628 due to absenteeism, and $6388 due to presenteeism. The economic burden of HF is significantly high in Saudi Arabia. Decision makers need to focus on allocating resources towards strategies that prevent frequent hospitalizations and improve HF management and patient outcomes in order to lower the growing economic burden.

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A claims problem approach to the cost allocation of a minimum cost spanning tree

Operational Research ◽

10.1007/s12351-021-00632-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

José-Manuel Giménez-Gómez ◽

Josep E. Peris ◽

Begoña Subiza

Keyword(s):

Spanning Tree ◽

Cost Allocation ◽

Minimum Cost ◽

Claims Problem ◽

The Cost

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Randomized and Generated Instances Fitting with the Home Health Care Problem Subjected to Certain Constraints

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3346

Author(s):

Colin Huvent ◽

Caroline Gagné ◽

Aymen Sioud

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Home Health Care ◽

Hospital Cost ◽

Time Window ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Home Health ◽

Precedence Constraints ◽

Social Organizations ◽

Health Support ◽

Time Window Constraints

Home Health Care (HHC) is a worldwide issue. It focuses on how medical and social organizations of different countries handle providing patients with health support at home. In most developed countries, reducing hospital cost constitutes a main objective. It is important to research the improvement of HHC logistics. This paper addressed the generation and development of a benchmark properly fitting different constraints of the HCC problem. Consequently, a generator was proposed dealing with all kinds of constraints such as time window constraints, workload constraints, synchronization, and precedence constraints. This generator allows researchers to validate and compare solving methods on a common dataset regardless of confidentiality issues. We validated our generator by firstly creating a common benchmark available for researchers and secondly by proposing a set of instances and a solving method based on an HHC problem found in the literature.

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Analysis of Overweight Truck Permit Policy in New Jersey

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/03611981211026654 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036119812110266

Author(s):

Sami Demiroluk ◽

Hani Nassif ◽

Kaan Ozbay ◽

Chaekuk Na

Keyword(s):

New Jersey ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Actual Cost ◽

Department Of Transportation ◽

Heavy Weight ◽

Vehicle Route ◽

Heavy Trucks ◽

Maintenance And Rehabilitation ◽

The Cost

The roadway infrastructure constantly deteriorates because of environmental conditions, but other factors such as exposure to heavy trucks exacerbates the rate of deterioration. Therefore, decision-makers are constantly searching for ways to optimize allocation of the limited funds for repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation of New Jersey’s infrastructure. New Jersey legislation requires operators of overweight (OW) trucks to obtain a permit to use the infrastructure. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issues a variety of permits based on the types of goods carried. These permits allow OW trucks to use the infrastructure either for a single trip or for multiple trips. Therefore, one major concern is whether the permit revenue of the agency can recoup the actual cost of damage to the infrastructure caused by these OW trucks. This study investigates whether NJDOT’s current permit fee program can collect enough revenue to meet the actual cost of damage to the infrastructure caused by these heavy-weight permit trucks. The infrastructure damage is estimated by using pavement and bridge deterioration models and New Jersey permit data from 2013 to 2018 containing vehicle configuration and vehicle route. The analysis indicates that although the cost of infrastructure damage can be recovered for certain permit types, there is room for improvement in the permit program. Moreover, based on permit rules in other states, the overall rank of the New Jersey permit program is evaluated and possible revisions are recommended for future permit policies.

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