An investigation into the vehicle routing problem with time windows and link capacity constraints

In this work, we investigate a new, yet practical, variant of the vehicle routing problem called the vehicle routing problem with time windows and link capacity constraints (VRPTWLC). The problem considers new constraints imposed on road links with regard to vehicle passing tonnage, which is motivated by a business project with a Hong Kong transportation company that transports hazardous materials (hazmats) across the city and between Hong Kong and mainland China. In order to solve this computationally challenging problem, we develop a tabu search heuristic with an adaptive penalty mechanism (TSAP) to help manage the company's vehicle fleet. A new data set and its generation scheme are also presented to help validate our solutions. Extensive computational experiments are conducted, showing the effectiveness of the proposed solution approach.     

通用绘图及数据管理箱

本文是利用Foxpro命令及与QBAsic、AntoCAD的联系编制一些通用性强的小程序，并将这些小程序组装成一个既能满足实际需要，功能又很强的实用软件。让那些非计算机专业人员完成专业计算机人员才能完成的工作，并能完成单一计算机语言无法完成的工作。     

Exponential progressive step-stress life-testing with link function based on Box–Cox transformation

In order to quickly extract information on the life of a product, accelerated life-tests are usually employed. In this article, we discuss a k-stage step-stress accelerated life-test with M-stress variables when the underlying data are progressively Type-I group censored. The life-testing model assumed is an exponential distribution with a link function that relates the failure rate and the stress variables in a linear way under the Box–Cox transformation, and a cumulative exposure model for modelling the effect of stress changes. The classical maximum likelihood method as well as a fully Bayesian method based on the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique is developed for inference on all the parameters of this model. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate all the methods of inference developed here, and a comparison of the ML and Bayesian methods is also carried out.     

A Study of Suicide Risk Using a Cox Cure Model via a Retrospective Sampling and Multiple Imputation

The incidence of suicide is an example of rare event. A Cox cure model is adopted to examine the suicide risk of a cohort study of a sample of 65,000 Personal Emergency Link users over a 10-year observation period. Our objective is to investigate the effect of personal covariates on the failure time to suicide as well as the long-term survival from suicide. Based on the Cox cure model, a new and efficient estimation approach using retrospective sampling and multiple imputation was used. Compared with the standard Cox proportional hazards model, the Cox cure model provides a new perspective on analyzing the suicide data.     

Identifying and Troubleshooting Link-Resolution Issues with ILL Data

Troubleshooting when a link resolver goes wrong can be difficult as it usually relies on the user to report the problem. Using data on interlibrary loan requests that have been cancelled because the materials are available online is one way that libraries can examine where link resolvers may be failing. For the 2012/2013 school year, the Samford University Library looked at this cancelled interlibrary loan request data to determine where their new link resolver and knowledgebase needed further customization to improve the user experience. This process not only identified a number of problems all along the link resolution chain, but it also put in place an ongoing process for identifying and troubleshooting link resolution issues in the future.     

浅析英语和拉丁语的联系

英语和拉丁语同属印欧语系,无论是从语法还是构词结构都有很多联系和共同点,如两种语言有共用词根,通过一些有规律的变化沿袭至今。本文对英语和拉丁语之间的内在联系进行了分析与阐述。     

链结读写 以写促学

受输入和输出假设理论启发,作者结合多年大学英语教学实践推出一个链接读写,输出为导、以读促学的三步教学策略,以实现英语学习链的全面连结,提高英语教与学的效果和效率,改善中国英语教学中普遍存在的有限英语能力现象(LEP)。该三步依次为:优化阅读输入、及时的高强度写作输出、样本分析评价与提高(教师、同伴、自己)。同时建议中国英语教学课堂及课程设置中对输出特别是书面输出予以足够的重视。     

Bridging the Theory–Practice Gap in Social Work Education: A Reflection on an Action Research in China

This article explores the background to, and issues associated with, the implementation of Personal Development Planning (PDP) within Higher Education (HE). Consideration of issues for social work educators follows as the authors seek to ground policy change in practice and debate issues so that reflection is not ‘little more than a mantra’ but rather a ‘model for practice’ (Kuit et al., 2001, Active Learning in Higher Education, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 128–142, at p. 129). Although educators have arguably always used a variety of strategies to encourage student reflection and evaluation of their learning experiences, implementation of PDPs codifies and institutionalises individual student reflection and the production of associated outputs. This is evidenced by the production of guidelines to promote what is billed as a core educational process by Universities UK, the Standing Conference on Principals, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the Learning and Teaching Subject Network (LTSN) Generic Centre. As social work academics consider and respond to the challenges associated with the re‐specification of programmes to meet new award requirements they might usefully reflect on the challenges PDP brings, and integrate responses into programme specifications. Avoiding fragmentation and duplication, for example around the personal tutor system and role of staff in PDP, is important for both social work students and staff within complex and, at times, contradictory organisational contexts such as Institutes of Higher Education (IHE).     

A Computer Program to Improve LR Tests for Generalized Linear Models

Generalized linear models enable the fitting of models to a wide range of data types. These models are based on exponential dispersion distributions. Improved likelihood ratio tests for these models were developed by Cordeiro (1983 Cordeiro , G. M. (1983). Improved likelihood ratio statistics for generalized linear models. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B: Methodological 45:404–413. [Google Scholar])Cordeiro (1987 Cordeiro , G. M. ( 1987 ). On the corrections to the likelihood ratio statistics . Biometrika 74 : 265 – 274 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). We present a simple R program source for calculating Bartlett corrections to improve likelihood ratio tests in these models. The program was tested on some special models, confirming all of the previously reported numerical results for the Bartlett corrections.     

Fitting ERGMs on big networks

The exponential random graph model (ERGM) has become a valuable tool for modeling social networks. In particular, ERGM provides great flexibility to account for both covariates effects on tie formations and endogenous network formation processes. However, there are both conceptual and computational issues for fitting ERGMs on big networks. This paper describes a framework and a series of methods (based on existent algorithms) to address these issues. It also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and the conditions to which they are most applicable. Selected methods are illustrated through examples.