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Application of heuristics, genetic algorithms & integer programming at a public enterprise water pump scheduling system
Get PDFhttp://pci2007.upatras.gr/proceedings/PCI2007_volA/A_579-589_Gogos.pdfIn this paper the problem of minimizing the electricity cost required by a water storage and
disposal system is analyzed. Three solution approaches are presented focused in the way that
various pumps will be scheduled to operate and satisfy prospected water demand while at the
same time respect availability of water and reservoirs capacity. The first solution uses a
heuristic approach closely related to the way a human operator might have used to solve the
problem. The second solution uses mathematical programming, formulates the problem as an
Integer Programming problem and solve it by using a Branch and Bound commercial solver.
Finally the third solution uses Genetic Algorithms and defines a fitness function describing the
attractiveness of each solution for a set of solutions and through a number of evolution steps
creates a population with desirable characteristics. A comparative study of the three
approaches is presented. The actual formulas that compute the electricity cost is used for the
comparisons. Those formulas state the fact that demand peaks especially during high demand
periods result in high electricity cost. Data used in our experiments were provided by the
municipal enterprise of water supplies and sewage of Chania (Crete)
The evidence-based practice ideologies
No full textThis paper puts forward the argument that there are various, competing,
and antithetical evidence-based practice (EBP) definitions and acknowledges
that the different EBP definitions are based on different epistemological
perspectives. However, this is not enough to understand the
way in which nurse professionals choose between the various EBP formations
and consequently facilitate them in choosing the most appropriate
for their needs. Therefore, the current article goes beyond and
behind the various EBP epistemologies to identify how individuals
choose an epistemology, which consequently will assist our understanding
as to how an individual chooses a specific EBP formation. Individuals
choose an epistemology on the mere belief that the specific epistemology
offers the ideals or ideas of best explaining or interpreting daily
reality.These ideals or ideas are termed by science, history, and politics as
ideology. Similarly, individual practitioners choose or should choose
between the different EBP formations based on their own personal
ideology. Consequently, this article proceeds to analyse the various ideologies
behind different EBP definitions as to conclude that there are
two broad ideologies that inform the various EBP formations, namely
the ideology of truth and the ideology of individual emancipation.These
two ideologies are analysed and their connections to the various EBP
formations are depicted. Eventually, the article concludes that the
in-depth, critical, and intentional analysis by individual nurses of their
own ideology will allow them to choose the EBP formation that is most
appropriate and fitting for them, and their specific situation. Hence, the
conscious analysis of individual ideology becomes the criterion for
choosing between competing EBP formations and allows for best evidence
to be implemented in practice. Therefore, the best way to teach
EBP courses is by facilitating students to analyse their own ideology
The impact of maritime tourism on the greek economy via the Tourism Satellite Account
No full textMaritime tourism is a special interest tourism, showing significant demand increase worldwide. The activities of cruising,
yachting and coastal tourism shipping constitute the Greek market of maritime tourism.
The aim of this paper is to estimate the economic impact of the maritime tourism industry on the major macroeconomic factors of the Greek
economy.
The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) has been applied by several countries to estimate the economic impacts of the traditionally designated tourism
related industries, as well as all industries participating in the tourist economy (Strathclyde University,2004), but not for the economic effects of special
interest tourism, as maritime tourism. Up until today there has not been any application of the method in Greece neither for the total tourism industry,
nor for a specific tourism "sector". The investigation of the theoretical and empirical frames of maritime tourism in Greece as well as the adaptation of
Tourism Satellite Account tables, are a preconditioned fulfilment of the research. Since the TSA tables require information with economic value, which
is not found in the recorded data by many public services, primary research has been conducted in order to collect necessary data. The data obstacle
became higher since maritime tourism is not an immiscible activity but a combination of other sectors that's why the overall estimation and evaluation
of the sector demands data from different but related sources.
The paper concludes by presenting the final results of the economic impacts of maritime tourism on the major macroeconomic values of the Greek
economy
Review of advanced nursing practice: The international literature and developing the generic features
No full textAim. The aim of this article is to review the nursing literature on the notion of
advanced nursing practice (ANP) and consequently provide clarifications on the
concept of advanced nurse practitioner by developing its’ generic features.
Background. This paper commences by critically reviewing the concept of advanced
nursing practice as it is portrayed within the literature. From this review, a series of
contradictions emerged in terms of definitions and roles. On further analysis of the
literature the core aims and goals of the ANP are revealed.
Methods. An informative and narrative systematic literature review was undertaken,
using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mass of retrieved material
was carefully screened and methods of data saturation were used. Consequently, the
material was read, re-read and indexed as to develop seven thematic units that
formed the generic features of the ANP.
Findings. The generic features that emerged are: (i) the use of knowledge in practice,
(ii) critical thinking and analytical skills, (iii) clinical judgement and decisionmaking
skills, (iv) professional leadership and clinical inquiry, (v) coaching and
mentoring skills, (vi) research skills and (vii) changing practice.
Conclusion. Reviewing the literature on the concept of ANP, a great variety of
definitions, conceptualizations and roles emerged. Nonetheless, on a closer reading,
a common goal was identified, which was the attainment of practice and professional
autonomy via ANP roles for enhanced practice provision. Eventually, from
the reviewed literature, seven generic features of the ANP were developed, thus
providing clarification to the role and the characteristics of the ANP.
Relevance to clinical practice. Clarifying the confusion surrounding advanced nursing
practice and gaining an in-depth understanding of its’ generic features would
facilitate practitioners, practice educators and clinical managers to develop those skills
that would allow them or their staff or students to practise at an advanced level
Επί της επιρροής του ηλιακού κύκλου των 11 ετών στις τιμές των χρηματιστηρίων
No full textIn this paper we prove and analyze the effect of the 11 years sunspot, and global climate cycle, on the volatility of the prices of Stock Exchanges. We predict an increase of the prices from the present time (2007) till 2011, a next major maximum of the prices during 2010-2011 and a fall of the prices for the period 2011-2017. We discuss sequences of causal explanations based on the balance of demand and supply and comment on the general value of such an omniscience wisdom that involves at least five different sciences
Personnel training and firm performance: Τhe case of the greek management conculting industry
No full textΣτην επιχείρηση του 21ου αιώνα, ο ανθρώπινος παράγοντας είναι το σημαντικότερο
περιουσιακό στοιχείο. Την διαπίστωση αυτή επιβεβαιώνουν και οι δύο νέες θεωρίες της
«Διαχείρισης της Εταιρικής Γνώσης» και του «Διανοητικού Κεφαλαίου» (Κnowledge
Management / Intellectual Capital). Η γνώση αφορά τόσο τις οργανωτικές ικανότητες
όσο και τις βασικές δεξιότητες (τεχνογνωσία) του προσωπικού.
Σκοπός της έρευνας είναι η διερεύνηση, με την χρήση ερωτηματολογίου, των λόγων
που οδηγούν τις εταιρείες συμβούλων επιχειρήσεων στην Ελλάδα στην εκπαίδευση του
προσωπικού τους, των τρόπων της εκπαίδευσης, και, τέλος, των μεθόδων αξιολόγησης της
παρεχόμενης εκπαίδευσης στο προσωπικό τους.
Το εξεταζόμενο δείγμα αφορά όλες τις εταιρείες του ΣΕΣΜΑ. Απάντησαν 13 από
57. Σε αυτές που απάντησαν όμως περιλαμβάνονται και οι λεγόμενες Big 4 οι οποίες
έχουν τη σημαντικότερη βαρύτητα λόγω της παγκόσμιας κλίμακας τους. Στο σύνολο των
13 οι 9 ήταν Ελληνικές και 4 ξένες, ενώ 4 (30,8%) είχαν έως 25 εργαζόμενους 4 (30,8%)
από 25 έως 50 και 5 (38,6%) από 50 και πάνω.
Παρατηρούμε ότι τα αποτελέσματα της εξέτασης των εταιρειών έδωσε τα αναμενόμενα
αποτελέσματα . Εκτιμάται ότι υπάρχει ακόμη πολύς δρόμος στο να γίνει σύνδεση
μεταξύ της επιχειρησιακής αποδοτικότητας και της αποτελεσματικής εκπαίδευσης. Ο
ορίζοντας είναι ''Ανοικτός" για την εύρεση και καθιέρωση ποιοτικών και ποσοτικών
δεικτών μέτρησης της αποδοτικότητας του ανθρώπινου κεφαλαίου.In the 21st century enterprise the human factor is the most important asset. This is
confirmed by the new two theories of "Κnowledge Management" and "Intellectual
Capital". Κnowledge concerns the organizing capabilities and personnel basic skills.
The scope of this research is exploratory with the use of questionnaire, the causes
that lead the Greek consulting companies to train their personnel, the kind of training
and finally the eνaluation methods of this training.
The sample includes: Management consultanting companies in Greece. Out of the
total of 57 there were 13 responses. However there is a significant weight because of the
Big Four since they are big multinationals. Out of 13, 9 were nationals and 4 were
multinationals. The statistical software used is S-Plus and SPSS.
We note that the research results were as expected and in correlation with the
theoretical part. It is concluded that there is still a big gap between company
performance and successful training. There is potential future for new indicators
qualitative and quantitive for measuring the human capital
Using the method of multiple factor aproach in greek firms
No full textΤο αντικείμενο της παρούσης εργασίας είναι η μέτρηση της παραγωγικότητας
σε επίπεδο επιχείρησης. Για τον σκοπό αυτό επιλέχθηκε η μέθοδος των
Πολλαπλών Συντελεστών (Multiple Factor Approach) ή AQPC η οποία είναι
προϊόν του Κέντρου Ποιότητας του Χιούστον ( Η . Π .Α).
Η μέθοδος αυτή, έχει ως βασικό κριτήριο την μέτρηση της μερικής παραγωγικότητας
όλων των συντελεστών παραγωγής του προϊόντος καθώς και της
συνολικής παραγωγικότητας. Επίσης έχει ως βασικό σκοπό τη σύνδεση των
μεταβολών στην παραγωγικότητα με τις μεταβολές στο οικονομικό αποτέλεσμα
της επιχείρησης. Η εφαρμογή της μεθόδου αυτής, για λόγους εύκολης
χρήσης, βασίζεται στην εφαρμογή ενός μοντέλου σε περιβάλλον excel.
Το προτεινόμενο μοντέλο θα μπορούσε να υποστηρίξει την διοίκηση της
επιχείρησης στην διαδικασία λήψης στρατηγικών αποφάσεων (στη διατύπωση
και αξιολόγηση των προτεινόμενων μελλοντικών στρατηγικών) , αλλά και
στην αξιολόγηση των υπαρχουσών στρατηγικών (διαδικασία μέτρησης και
βελτίωσης της απόδοσης).The subject of the current work is the measurement of productiνity in a
firm 's level. For this purpose the method of Multiple Factor Approach or
AQPC has been chosen. This method is the product of Huston Quality Center
in Texas, USA.
The basic tool of this method is the measurement of partial productiνity
factors and total productivity as a whole and is aiming to correlate the changes
in productivity with the changes in financial - economic results of the
particular firm.
The proposed model could support the company's management team and
contribute towards strategic decision taking ( and in the evaluation and
formulation of future strategies), also in the evaluation of current strategies
(procedure and performance measurement and improvement) and it could
contribute to narrow the gap between strategy deνelopment and
implementation