bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-objective design optimization of hybrid renewable systems using UGF
Authors: Delgado Carmen , Domínguez-Navarro José Antonio 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– Renewable generation is a main component of most hybrid generation systems. However, randomness on its generation is a characteristic to be considered due to its direct impact on reliability and performance of these systems. For this reason, renewable generation usually is accompanied with other generation elements to improve their general performance. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the power generation system, composed of solar, wind and diesel generation and power outsourcing option from the grid as means of reserve source. A multi-objective optimization for the design of hybrid generation system is proposed, particularly using the cost of energy, two different reliability indexes and the percentage of renewable energy as objectives. Further, the uncertainty of renewable sources and demand is modeled with a new technique that permits to evaluate the reliability quickly.

Design/methodology/approach
– The multi-state model of the generators and the load is modeled with the Universal Generating Function (UGF) to estimate the reliability indexes for the whole system. Then an evolutionary algorithm NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) is used to solve the multi-objective optimization model.

Findings
– The use of UGF methodology reduces the computation time, providing effective results. The validation of reliability assessment of hybrid generation systems using the UGF is carried out taking as a benchmark the results obtained with the Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed multi-objective algorithm gives as a result different generators combinations that outline hybrid systems, where some of them could be preferred over others depending on its results for each independent objective. Also it allows us to observe the changes produced on the resulting solutions due to the impact of the power fluctuation of the renewable generators.

Originality/value
– The main contributions of this paper are: an extended multi state model that includes different types of renewable energies, with emphasis on modeling of solar energy; demonstrate the performance improvement of UGF against SMC regarding the computational time required for this case; test the impact of different multi-states numbers for the representation of the elements; depict through multi-objective optimization, the impact of combining different energies on the cost and reliability of the resultant systems.
Systematic combination of fuzzy and grey numbers for supplier selection problem
Authors: Zakeri Shervin , Keramati Mohammad Ali 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– Supplier selection is a complex multiple criteria decision (MCDM) problem which directly depends on decision makers’ choice. Some decisions are getting involved with linguistic variables and they are not mathematically operable. To solve a typical decision problem through MCDM techniques, a number or a numerical interval should be defined. The purpose of this paper is to focus on that numerical interval and in a case of supplier selection, the aim is to close the decisions to the real number that the decision maker mentions and this number is in a numerical interval.

Design/methodology/approach
– The proposed method deals with grey relational analysis (GRA) and develops it by applying triangular fuzzy numbers. The grey numbers have two defined bounds; the proposed method defines two fuzzy bounds for each grey attribute. In the proposed method, the fuzzy membership function has been employed for each bounds of grey attribute to make them to fuzzy bounds with two undefined bounds. Also to make comparison, with employing of TOPSIS technique, both of the grey fuzzy combination decision matrix and the original grey decision matrix are obtained.

Findings
– The results indicate that, except to the ideal solutions, the grey relation coefficient for each alternative is too close to each other. Indeed, they are too close to zero. Applying the proposed method in problem of supplier selection shows the difference between two selected supplier in proposed method and the original grey method.

Originality/value
– As mentioned heretofore this paper aims to make decision makers’s decision more accurate and actually there is no other researches which used this combination method.
A grey based approach for assessment of risk associated with facility location in global supply chain
Authors: Prakash Surya , Soni Gunjan , Rathore Ajay Pal Singh 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– Facility location decisions are critical and should be taken after strategic evaluations. Globalization and integration of economies make such decisions further complex and risk prone. The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the risk factors to be considered while taking new facility location decision associated with global supply chain and device the methodology. A grey-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is used for this purpose, which also takes in to account the uncertainty in decision making. Such approach enables final decision to be more real and practical. The paper also highlighted and discussed the criteria on the basis of which the management can select the best suitable site.

Design/methodology/approach
– The risk factors related to facility location for a global firm are identified. To select the location of a global facility with least risk, grey-based MCDM approach is formulated. This grey-based MCDM is demonstrated using the hypothetical case of an industrial valve manufacturing global firm. The grey approach is used to analyse location alternatives based on various decision criteria for extracting comparative ranking.

Findings
– The paper presents a tool for strategic and planning level. It helps supply chain managers to identify the risks related to a candidate location. Then it guides the supply chain manager at strategic level to find the least risky location for a manufacturing facility.

Practical implications
– This paper demonstrates the grey-based MCDM approach for determining less risky location to locate a new manufacturing unit so that practitioners can use this approach for taking other strategic decisions. The supply chain configuration can be decided subsequently which will yield more practical results and the decision taken will be more fruitful for firm.

Originality/value
– The extensive literature review reveals that there are many models in the literature that addressed the issue of risk minimization in supply chain, but it was also noticed that there are limited number of models that minimize risk in locating a global facility considering the uncertainty of data in decision making. This is the first time that grey-based MCDM approach is formulated and used to find most suitable facility location under risk.
Forecasting in Austrian companies
Authors: Hofer Peter , Eisl Christoph , Mayr Albert 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is a comparison of forecasting behaviour of small and large Austrian firms, analysing their forecast practices in a volatile business environment.

Design/methodology/approach
– The empirical analysis of the paper, deductive by nature, was conducted by means of a quantitative online-survey (199 data sets). The relationship of perceived volatility and forecast predictability was evaluated by correlation analysis. t-Test and analysis of variances were used to examine significant differences in the forecast characteristics between small and large Austrian companies and different industries.

Findings
– The study provides evidence that the surveyed companies have been hit by volatility, showing that Austrian SMEs are significantly more severely affected than large companies. The increasing volatility correlates with a reduced forecast predictability of sales quantities and commodity prices. Large Austrian companies primarily use a broad spectrum of qualitative forecasting methods. In contrast, Austrian SMEs utilize simple quantitative and qualitative forecast techniques, like the forward projection of historical data.

Research limitations/implications
– Relevant for the forecasting of small and large companies.

Practical implications
– Although management requests a broad spectrum of forecast qualities, the current usage of less sophisticated methods reveals a gap between intention and reality. Companies that supplement their qualitative techniques by sophisticated quantitative ones should expect less forecast bias.

Originality/value
– This paper initially compares forecast methods in large and small Austrian firms and additionally provides the impact of volatility on the forecast predictability.
Is phenotypic canalization involved in the decline of the endemic Aquilegia thalictrifolia? Rethinking relationships between fluctuating asymmetry and species conservation status
Authors: Abeli Thomas , Zubani Lino , Bonomi Costantino , Parolo Gilberto , Gargano Domenico 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFluctuating asymmetry (FA), the deviation from the normal symmetrical condition of a morphological trait having specific morphological symmetry, increases in response to environmental and genetic stress, is related to phenotypic plasticity and is considered a tool for monitoring a species conservation status. However, FA–stress relations are dependent on measured traits or species‐specific characteristics such as mating system and habitat. This study investigates the relationships between FA, genetic diversity, population size, density and individual fitness traits (plant height, fruit and seed set), in the endemic Aquilegia thalictrifolia, a mixed breeder that is declining, but maintaining high levels of heterozygosity. Leaf and flower FA and other traits were investigated in 10 populations of A. thalictrifolia, the whole species range. As a result, we found similar patterns of FA in leaves and flowers between populations, indicating a homogenous level of stress between populations that differed for other traits. FA and the other traits were not related, including heterozygosity. Heterozygosity was not related to individual fitness traits with the exception of plant height. In accordance with other studies, we found that the role of FA as a tool for assessing the conservation status of a species or population should be reconsidered. However, we conclude that a low level of FA should not automatically be considered an indicator of good conservation status or low level of stress, because in species that evolved in highly stable environments it may indicate a scarce ability to plastically respond to environmental changes, as a consequence of environmental and genetic canalization. Further investigation of this point is needed.
Optical scatter patterns facilitate rapid differentiation of Enterobacteriaceae on CHROMagarTM Orientation medium
Authors: Singh Atul K. , Bhunia Arun K. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryEnterobacteriaceae family comprised pathogens and commensals and has a significant impact on food safety and public health. Enterobacteriaceae is often enumerated and presumptively identified on chromogenic media, such as CHROMagarTM Orientation medium based on colony profile; however, classification is highly arbitrary, and some could not be differentiated due to similar chromogen production. Here, we investigated the ability of the laser optical sensor, BARDOT (bacterial rapid detection using optical scattering technology) for rapid screening and differentiation of colonies of the major bacterial genera from Enterobacteriaceae on CHROMagarTM Orientation. A total of 36 strains representing 12 genera and 15 species were used to generate colony scatter image library that comprised 1683 scatter images. This library was used to differentiate mixed cultures of Enterobacteriaceae family – Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter freundii and Serratia marcescens (KECS group); Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii and Providencia rettgeri (PMP group); and non‐Enterobacteriaceae family: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and Staphylococcus aureus (PAS group) – and data show high accuracy (83–100%) for intra‐group classification of colonies in 10–22 h or even before visible production of chromogens. BARDOT successfully differentiated the major genera, including the ones that do not produce visually distinguishable chromogens on CHROMagarTM Orientation, providing a label‐free, real‐time on‐plate colony screening tool for Enterobacteriaceae.
The Major Two‐stage Shortening Deformation of the Northern Tibet and Tian Shan Area Since the Latest Oligocene
Authors: Haijian LU , Haibing LI , Dongliang LIU 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIt seems to be progressively recognized that the stress of the India‐Asia convergent front can be transferred rapidly through the southern and central Tibetan lithosphere to the northern Tibet, hence leading to the crustal thickening deformation there during or immediately after the onset of the India‐Asia collision (ca. 55 Ma). This study focuses on the late Cenozoic deformation and tectonic uplift of the northern Tibet and Tian Shan area. Detailed compilations of a variety of proxy data from sediments and bedrocks suggest that the northern Tibet and Tian Shan area underwent one stage of approximately synchronous widespread contractile deformation since 25–20 Ma, which seemed to decrease at circa 18 Ma as revealed by low‐temperature thermochronological data. The latest Oligocene‐early Miocene was also significant basin‐forming episodes when many intermontane subbasins began to receive syntectonic sedimentation in the northeastern Tibet. Subsequently, the other phase of compressional deformation began to encroach more widely into the northern Tibet and Tian Shan area in episodic steps or continuously from 16–12 Ma to present.
The Mid‐Miocene Pollen Record of the Xunhua Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau: Implications for Global Climate Change
Authors: Zenglian XU , Jianyu ZHANG , Junliang JI , Kexin ZHANG 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe northeastern Tibetan Plateau is located at the convergence of the Asian winter and summer monsoons and westerlies; thus, this area has witnessed historic climate changes. The Xunhua basin is an intermontane basin on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The basin contains more than 2000 m of Cenozoic fluvial–lacustrine sediments, recording a long history of climate and environmental changes. We collected the mid‐Miocene sediments from the Xunhua basin and used palynological methods to discuss the relationship between aridification in the interior of Asia, global cooling, and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Based on the palynological analysis of the Xigou section, Xunhua basin, the palynological diagram is subdivided into three pollen zones and past vegetation and climate are reconstructed. Zone I, Ephedripites–Nitraridites–Chenopodipollis–Quercoidites (14.0–12.5 Ma), represents mixed shrub–steppe vegetation with a dry and cold climate. In zone II, Pinaceae–Betulaepollenites–Ephedripites–Chenopodipollis–Graminidites (12.5–8.0 Ma), the vegetation and climate conditions improved, even though the vegetation was still dominated by shrub–steppe taxa. Zone III, Ephedripites–Nitrariadites–Chenopodipollis (8.0–5.0 Ma), represents desert steppe vegetation with drier and colder climate. The palynological records suggest that shrub–steppe dominated the whole Xigou section and the content gradually increased, implying a protracted aridification process, although there was an obvious climate improvement during 12.5–8.0 Ma. The aridification in the Xunhua basin and surrounding mountains during 14.0–12.5 Ma was probably related to global cooling induced by the rapid expansion of the East Antarctic ice‐sheets and the relatively higher evaporation rate. During the 12.5–8.0 Ma period, although topographic changes (uplift of Jishi Shan) decreased precipitation and strengthened aridification in the Xunhua basin on leeward slopes, the improved vegetation and climate conditions were probably controlled by the decrease in evaporation rates as a result of continuous cooling. From 8.0 to 5.0 Ma, the rapid development of the desert steppe can be attributed to global cooling and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.
Advances and Overview of the Study on Paleo‐earthquake Events: A Review of Seismites
Authors: Bizhu HE , Xiufu QIAO 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe distribution and formation mechanisms of typical identified seismites are analyzed based on various factors from plate tectonic positions, types of sedimentary basins and properties of seismogenic faults to focal mechanisms. Especially, structural styles, reserved positions, activity times, formation mechanisms and dynamics of soft‐sediment deformation structures triggered by seismic activity are systematically analyzed. According to the genetic types of seismites, we propose 5 categories, including liquefied deformation, thixotropic deformation, hydroplastic deformation, superimposed gravity driving deformation and brittle deformation. Further, based on the main genetic types, composition of sediments and deformation styles, we draw up 35 secondary classifications. To determine paleo‐seismic sequences in different times, activities of seismogenic faults, high‐resolution tectonic events in one main tectonic movement and paleo‐tectonic settings, and to understand the inducing mechanisms of paleo‐earthquakes and ecologic environment evolution, researching on seismites are of great significance. Combing multiple approaches to identify the paleoearthquake records, simulating experiments on various soft‐sediment deformation structures triggered by different magnitudes of shocking, dating precisely on paleo‐seismic events, impacting on paleogeography and biological environment and on energy and resources domain are the frontiers of paleoseismic research.
Review of the Metallogenic Regularity of Magnesite Deposits in China
Authors: Zheng ZHAO , Xiaolin CUI , Denghong WANG , Yuchuan CHEN , Ge BAI , Jiankang LI , Xinxing LIU 
Published: October 2015

AbstractChina has abundant reserves of magnesite, making it the world's leading source of this strategic mineral. Sparry magnesite is the main type of magnesite deposit, and is easy to exploit. It occurs mainly as the sedimentary‐metamorphic type. Production is centred on eastern Liaoning Province, where a world‐class large to super large magnesite ore processing and production facility has been developed. Hydrothermal metasomatic deposits, associated with ultramafic complexes and eluvial deposits produced by weathering, are two other important types found in China. The Western section of the Bangonghu‐Nujiang metallogenic belt is an important target region for prospecting lake‐sedimentary magnesite deposits. Based on a systematic analysis of material from 62 magnesite production areas, this study investigated the metallogeny of magnesite and delineated 13 magnesite metallogenic belts. Maps were produced showing metallogenic regularities in magnesite deposits, the metallogenic system of the magnesite deposits, and the distribution of the metallogenic belts of Chinese magnesite deposits. It provides a theoretical basis for forecasting the location of potential magnesite resources in China. Finally, it explores some key scientific issues, including the formation processes of ultra magnesite ore‐concentrated areas, and their sources of magnesium.
Temporal changes in alcohol‐related mortality and morbidity in Australia
Authors: Ogeil Rowan P. , Gao Caroline X. , Rehm Jürgen , Gmel Gerrit , Lloyd Belinda 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsAlcohol consumption is an avoidable risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Studies have examined relative risks and outcomes of alcohol‐related harms in Australia at discrete times, limiting the ability to examine changes across time. This paper examined alcohol consumption and its contribution to deaths, illness and injury at two time‐points, 2001 and 2010.DesignAlcohol consumption was modelled based on the 2001 and 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, upshifted to reflect alcohol sales data.SettingAll data reported are from Australian sources.MeasurementsBased on relative risk estimates obtained from meta‐analysis, alcohol‐attributable fractions were estimated for 42 disease and injury categories in 2001 and 2010 separately for conditions that were not 100% alcohol‐attributable. Deaths and hospital separations attributable to alcohol were calculated in 2001 and 2010.FindingsThere was a relatively stable per capita consumption of alcohol across time, with males reporting higher levels of consumption compared with females. While there were increases in the number of abstainers from alcohol across time, the proportion of heavy alcohol consumers also increased. This corresponded with an observed increase in alcohol‐attributable burden. For example, alcohol‐attributable deaths increased from 4957 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2867–8770] to 5610 (95% CI = 3398–9408) during the study period.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that there has been an increase in alcohol‐attributable harms between 2001 and 2010 in Australia without a corresponding increase in per capita consumption.
Serum WFA+‐M2BP is a non‐invasive liver fibrosis marker that can predict the efficacy of direct‐acting anti‐viral‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Ura K. , Furusyo N. , Ogawa E. , Hayashi T. , Mukae H. , Shimizu M. , Toyoda K. , Murata M. , Hayashi J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive human Mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) is a new liver fibrosis glycobiomarker with unique fibrosis‐related glyco‐alteration. WFA+‐M2BP is also a useful surrogate marker for the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and for the liver functional reserve.AimTo evaluate the diagnostic ability of WFA+‐M2BP for liver fibrosis in the clinical setting and the clinical utility of WFA+‐M2BP for predicting the efficacy of direct‐acting anti‐viral (DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients.MethodsThe study included 159 genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who received DAA‐based treatment (telaprevir or simeprevir) combined with pegylated‐interferon alpha plus ribavirin (108 telaprevir‐ and 51 simeprevir‐based triple treatment). The relation between baseline serum WFA+‐M2BP and treatment efficacy was evaluated.ResultsThe serum WFA+‐M2BP level significantly increased with the progress of liver fibrosis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 2.17 as the cut‐off index (COI) for WFA+‐M2BP for diagnosing advanced fibrosis. The sustained virological response (SVR) rate was significantly, negatively correlated with the serum WFA+‐M2BP level. Multiple logistic regression analysis found a low serum WFA+‐M2BP level (<2.17 COI) to be independently associated with SVR (odds ratio, 4.35, P = 0.027). Even for prior nonresponders and patients with the interleukin‐28B minor allele or histological advanced fibrosis, treatment outcome was favourable for patients with a low serum WFA+‐M2BP level.ConclusionSerum WFA+‐M2BP is a non‐invasive liver fibrosis marker useful for predicting the efficacy of DAA‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients.