scholarly journals A MODEL FOR PUBLIC POSTAL NETWORK REORGANIZATION BASED ON DEA AND FUZZY APPROACH

Transport ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-418
Author(s):  
Jelena Milutinović ◽  
Dejan Marković ◽  
Bojan Stanivuković ◽  
Libor Švadlenka ◽  
Momčilo Dobrodolac
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Postal Network ◽  
Postal Sector

One of the most important segments in management of Universal Service Providers (USPs) is reaching the decisions concerning changes in the postal network infrastructure. USPs decide on such matters based on an analysis of financial indicators and defined qualitative parameters in accordance with the international regulations and obligations imposed by a competent regulatory agency. In this paper, the previously known method to analyse the existing postal network and define the minimal number of Postal Network Units (PNU) is implemented and upgraded by a new approach based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and fuzzy logic. The final aim of the proposed new approach is to determine which of the considered PNU should be closed or reorganized having in mind the minimization of negative effects, both financial and social. The proposed model gives the indices for all considered postal branches, which allows the decision-maker to rank the importance of each unit. The proposed model is a business intelligence tool, which replaces a multidisciplinary team composed from managers of the company and policymakers from both the postal sector as well as a sustainable rural development sector in reaching an important decision on changing the postal network. This decision may be considered as extremely complex since it should sublimate the opposed criteria that relate to the business success of the company, state regulations and sustainability of the local community. The indices obtained in the proposed method exactly include the mentioned three categories. The authors demonstrate the applicability of the suggested methodology based on the real data acquired in a district of the Serbia, i.e. in a regional organizational entity of the USP and provide the analysis of the results reached for the rural delivery post offices.

Community-based island tourism: the case of Boa Vista in Cape Verde

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra M. Sánchez-Cañizares ◽  
Ana María Castillo-Canalejo
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cape Verde ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects

Purpose – This paper tries to explore the possibilities of developing sustainable, community-based tourism (CBT) in Boa Vista in Cape Verde, Africa. Island territories are generally considered preferential tourist destinations. However, the negative effects of tourism in these destinations should not be overlooked, among them environmental concerns and impacts on the culture of the island’s inhabitants. The development of CBT takes on special relevance, as it based on planning schemes in conjunction with the local community who share the positive effects derived from tourism. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used consisted in designing two surveys: one focusing on the supply side and another on the demand side of tourism to define and analyse the current status of this sector in Boa Vista. The survey on tourism supply was distributed among a panel of experts formed by tourism service providers located in Boa Vista. The statistical results of the responses and the discussion carried out by the panel of experts permitted the development of a SWOT matrix. The survey on demand was administered to foreign tourists in different parts of the island. A total of 202 valid surveys were obtained. Findings – The main results of the fieldwork are twofold. On the supply side of tourism, the community is making an enormous effort to actively participate in the development of sustainable tourism, efforts which are often constrained by the geographical barriers of Boa Vista (sandy soil, poor accessibility to other islands) and the institutional and political situation of the island. As regards the demand side of tourism, the vast majority of tourists stay at the island’s all-inclusive resorts, whereas few tourists require the services provided by the community, mainly because they are unaware that such services exist. Originality/value – Certain island destinations are more appropriate for tourists wishing to flee mass tourism enclaves due to their natural environment, relative isolation and the traditional culture of their inhabitants. For this reason, it is important to develop a CBT model for these destinations in which initiatives are planned in conjunction with members of the local community who participate in decision-making processes and benefit equally from the positive effects of tourism. Although several case studies have been reported in the research on CBT initiatives, few studies have been carried out on CBT in island territories. This is the main contribution in this paper.

Regression trees with splitting based on changes of dependencies among covariates

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 687-710
Author(s):  
Mostafa Boskabadi ◽  
Mahdi Doostparast
Keyword(s):  
Regression Trees ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Study ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Mathematical Properties ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Regression Problems ◽  
Dependency Structures

Regression trees are powerful tools in data mining for analyzing data sets. Observations are usually divided into homogeneous groups, and then statistical models for responses are derived in the terminal nodes. This paper proposes a new approach for regression trees that considers the dependency structures among covariates for splitting the observations. The mathematical properties of the proposed method are discussed in detail. To assess the accuracy of the proposed model, various criteria are defined. The performance of the new approach is assessed by conducting a Monte-Carlo simulation study. Two real data sets on classification and regression problems are analyzed by using the obtained results.

scholarly journals Application of Set Covering Location Problem for Organizing the Public Postal Network

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragana Šarac ◽  
Miloš Kopić ◽  
Katarina Mostarac ◽  
Momčilo Kujačić ◽  
Bojan Jovanović
Keyword(s):  
Location Problem ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Universal Service ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Postal Service ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Post Offices ◽  
Postal Network ◽  
Minimum Number

Most countries of the European Union ensure certain obligations (criteria) which universal service providers must meet to ensure the realization of the universal service. These criteria vary from country to country, giving their own choice of an optimal model for the density of the postal network. Such postal network of the operator providing universal postal service must be organized so that post offices are accessible at the optimal distance from the user. This paper presents two different approaches. The first one is based on the population criteria determined in the previous study. The second one is new, a general method created to determine the minimum number of postal unit applications of Set Covering Location Problem. The authors apply both methods on real data collected from the Serbian municipalities and finally, compare the obtained results.

scholarly journals Postboxes Quantitative Optimization Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1945
Author(s):  
Milica Šelmić ◽  
Miloš Nikolić ◽  
Aleksandar Čupić
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Support System ◽  
Transportation Networks ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Traditional Model ◽  
Access Points ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Postal Network ◽  
Technological Developments

Technological developments are having a significant impact on purchasing habits and consumer behavior, and threaten the traditional model of the delivery of goods by post. The replacement of traditional letter-post items with electronic forms of communication has led to declines in the volume of postal items. Therefore, the collection of postal items has become very inefficient. This paper proposes that the postal network segment needs to be reorganized by reducing the current number of installed postboxes. To this end, a mathematical model has been defined. Considering that postboxes are one of the most basic access points to the postal network, territorial accessibility must be taken into account. The proposed model, with minor modifications, can easily be applied to optimize other access points in transportation networks. For testing purposes, this paper presents the results of computational experiments based on real data. The final result consists of scenarios that present a decision support system for the redesign of postal networks.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF PREDICTING THE INDICATORS OF ACCREDITATION OF TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

2017 ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Olga Mikhaylovna Tikhonova ◽  
Alexander Fedorovich Rezchikov ◽  
Vladimir Andreevich Ivashchenko ◽  
Vadim Alekseevich Kushnikov
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Oriented Graph ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Linear Differential ◽  
The University ◽  
The Mathematical Model

The paper presents the system of predicting the indicators of accreditation of technical universities based on J. Forrester mechanism of system dynamics. According to analysis of cause-and-effect relationships between selected variables of the system (indicators of accreditation of the university) there was built the oriented graph. The complex of mathematical models developed to control the quality of training engineers in Russian higher educational institutions is based on this graph. The article presents an algorithm for constructing a model using one of the simulated variables as an example. The model is a system of non-linear differential equations, the modelling characteristics of the educational process being determined according to the solution of this system. The proposed algorithm for calculating these indicators is based on the system dynamics model and the regression model. The mathematical model is constructed on the basis of the model of system dynamics, which is further tested for compliance with real data using the regression model. The regression model is built on the available statistical data accumulated during the period of the university's work. The proposed approach is aimed at solving complex problems of managing the educational process in universities. The structure of the proposed model repeats the structure of cause-effect relationships in the system, and also provides the person responsible for managing quality control with the ability to quickly and adequately assess the performance of the system.

A Circular Business Model for Cloud Computing Services Providers

10.31355/33 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 105-120
Author(s):  
Hamed Motaghi ◽  
Saeed Nosratabadi ◽  
Thabit Qasem Atobishi
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Computing Services ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Cloud Computing Service

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose................................................................................................................................................................................................. The main objective of the current study is to develop a business model for service providers of cloud computing which is designed based on circular economy principles and can ensure the sustainable consumption. Background Even though the demand for cloud computing technology is increasing day by day in all over the world, the current the linear economy principles are incapable to ensure society development needs. To consider the benefit of the society and the vendors at the same time, the principles of circular economy can address this issue. Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................. An extensive literature review on consumption, sustainable consumption, circular economic, business model, and cloud computing were conducted. the proposed model of Osterwalder, Pigneur and Tucci (2005) is admitted designing the circular business model. Contribution................................................................................................................................................................................................. The proposed model of the study is the contribution of this study where provides the guidelines for the cloud computing service providers to achieve both their economic profits and the society’ needs. Findings Finding reveals that if the cloud computing service providers design their business model based on the “access” principle of circular economy, they can meet their economic profits and the society’ needs at a same time. Recommendations for Practitioners.............................................................................................................................................................. It is recommended to the startup and the existing businesses to utilize the proposed model of this study to reach a sustainable development. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................ It proposes a new circular business model and its linkages with community building. Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................ The proposed model of the study provides guidelines to the cloud computing service providers to design a business model which is able not only to meet their economic profit, but also to meet the society’s and customers’ benefits. Future Research............................................................................................................................................................................................... Future researches can build on this research model which proposed in this study to examine the limitations of this model by using empirical researches.

EXPONENTIATED HALF-LOGISTIC LOMAX DISTRIBUTION WITH PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION

2019 ◽  
Vol XVI (2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Farrukh Jamal ◽  
Hesham Mohammed Reyad ◽  
Soha Othman Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Akbar Ali Shah ◽  
Emrah Altun
Keyword(s):  
Real Data ◽  
Continuous Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Lomax Distribution ◽  
Mathematical Properties ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Probability Weighted Moment ◽  
Record Statistics ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Criterion

A new three-parameter continuous model called the exponentiated half-logistic Lomax distribution is introduced in this paper. Basic mathematical properties for the proposed model were investigated which include raw and incomplete moments, skewness, kurtosis, generating functions, Rényi entropy, Lorenz, Bonferroni and Zenga curves, probability weighted moment, stress strength model, order statistics, and record statistics. The model parameters were estimated by using the maximum likelihood criterion and the behaviours of these estimates were examined by conducting a simulation study. The applicability of the new model is illustrated by applying it on a real data set.

Intelligent recognition of semantic relationships based on antonymy

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-290
Author(s):  
Hui Guan ◽  
Chengzhen Jia ◽  
Hongji Yang
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Similarity ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Word Similarity ◽  
Semantic Relationships ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Path Distance ◽  
The Hierarchical Structure ◽  
Thinking Process ◽  
Similarity Measuring ◽  
Intelligent Recognition

Since computing semantic similarity tends to simulate the thinking process of humans, semantic dissimilarity must play a part in this process. In this paper, we present a new approach for semantic similarity measuring by taking consideration of dissimilarity into the process of computation. Specifically, the proposed measures explore the potential antonymy in the hierarchical structure of WordNet to represent the dissimilarity between concepts and then combine the dissimilarity with the results of existing methods to achieve semantic similarity results. The relation between parameters and the correlation value is discussed in detail. The proposed model is then applied to different text granularity levels to validate the correctness on similarity measurement. Experimental results show that the proposed approach not only achieves high correlation value against human ratings but also has effective improvement to existing path-distance based methods on the word similarity level, in the meanwhile effectively correct existing sentence similarity method in some cases in Microsoft Research Paraphrase Corpus and SemEval-2014 date set.

scholarly journals New Method for Generating New Families of Distributions

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Lamya A. Baharith ◽  
Wedad H. Aljuhani
Keyword(s):  
Exponential Distribution ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Rate Function ◽  
New Method ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Unknown Parameters ◽  
Failure Rate Function ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Numerical Studies

This article presents a new method for generating distributions. This method combines two techniques—the transformed—transformer and alpha power transformation approaches—allowing for tremendous flexibility in the resulting distributions. The new approach is applied to introduce the alpha power Weibull—exponential distribution. The density of this distribution can take asymmetric and near-symmetric shapes. Various asymmetric shapes, such as decreasing, increasing, L-shaped, near-symmetrical, and right-skewed shapes, are observed for the related failure rate function, making it more tractable for many modeling applications. Some significant mathematical features of the suggested distribution are determined. Estimates of the unknown parameters of the proposed distribution are obtained using the maximum likelihood method. Furthermore, some numerical studies were carried out, in order to evaluate the estimation performance. Three practical datasets are considered to analyze the usefulness and flexibility of the introduced distribution. The proposed alpha power Weibull–exponential distribution can outperform other well-known distributions, showing its great adaptability in the context of real data analysis.

scholarly journals An adaptive social distancing SIR model for COVID-19 disease spreading and forecasting

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (s1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Gounane ◽  
Yassir Barkouch ◽  
Abdelghafour Atlas ◽  
Mostafa Bendahmane ◽  
Fahd Karami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Theory ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Sir Model ◽  
Epidemic Threshold ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Sir Epidemic ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Disease Spreading ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Recently, various mathematical models have been proposed to model COVID-19 outbreak. These models are an effective tool to study the mechanisms of coronavirus spreading and to predict the future course of COVID-19 disease. They are also used to evaluate strategies to control this pandemic. Generally, SIR compartmental models are appropriate for understanding and predicting the dynamics of infectious diseases like COVID-19. The classical SIR model is initially introduced by Kermack and McKendrick (cf. (Anderson, R. M. 1991. “Discussion: the Kermack–McKendrick Epidemic Threshold Theorem.” Bulletin of Mathematical Biology 53 (1): 3–32; Kermack, W. O., and A. G. McKendrick. 1927. “A Contribution to the Mathematical Theory of Epidemics.” Proceedings of the Royal Society 115 (772): 700–21)) to describe the evolution of the susceptible, infected and recovered compartment. Focused on the impact of public policies designed to contain this pandemic, we develop a new nonlinear SIR epidemic problem modeling the spreading of coronavirus under the effect of a social distancing induced by the government measures to stop coronavirus spreading. To find the parameters adopted for each country (for e.g. Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Algeria and Morocco) we fit the proposed model with respect to the actual real data. We also evaluate the government measures in each country with respect to the evolution of the pandemic. Our numerical simulations can be used to provide an effective tool for predicting the spread of the disease.

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