High-level Services Research Articles

Additive manufacturing and supply chain configuration: Modelling and performance evaluation

Purpose: the aim of the study is to compare the performance of different supply chain configurations adopting Additive Manufacturing. Five input factors have been varied with the aim of testing the response of the supply chain to different starting conditions. In order to evaluate the supply chain performance, a set of key performance indicators have been identified considering both manufacturing and logistic processes.Design/methodology/approach: A discrete event simulation model has been developed in order to reproduce the behavior of the players according to their role in the supply chain. Different supply chain configurations have been modelled to assess the performance of the solution combined with different input factors. Many scenarios have been tested with the aim of identifying suitable applications of the additive technology.Findings: in general, the decentralized configuration has better logistic performance than the centralized supply chain. In fact, it is more flexible, suitable for high service levels, and less affected by the variability of the demand. However, when the distances among players are very short and the average demand is low, the benefits in adopting a decentralized configuration are very limited.Concerning the performance of the production phase, the centralized structure allows providing a better capacity utilization, exploiting the potential of a High-cost machine with higher production camera volume and speed.Practical implications: the outcomes obtained allow deriving some useful guidelines, which could help practitioners to identify a suitable application of the additive technology.Originality/value: first, the model provides a quantitative evaluation. Moreover, the study analyzes the performance of the additive technology combined with different supply chain configurations. This is a strong point since it is well known that emerging manufacturing technologies can affect the structure and the performance of the whole supply chain.

Shared autonomous vehicle management considering competition with human-driven private vehicles

Shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) are expected to be an essential component in developing efficient and sustainable transportation systems. This paper focuses on optimizing the operational decisions of SAV systems when the mode choices between SAVs and human-driven private vehicles are considered. A time–space network flow model is formulated to optimize the vehicle assignment and relocation decisions, while a binary logit model is used to describe the nonlinear relationship between the elastic demand and its various important attributes, including the trip price and the level of service. An enhanced outer–inner approximation approach is proposed for solving the mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP). For reducing the approximation error, a dynamic programming algorithm is developed to select the optimal breakpoints. The proposed modeling and solution approaches are tested based on a case study in Singapore. Our computational experiments show that the proposed solution approaches can efficiently obtain the optimal solutions. Numerical results reveal that a SAV system can achieve higher performance by the active relocation activities under the elastic demand. And the SAV system with a high level of service could produce a higher operating profit if users are more sensitive to the level of service.

Resilience of agricultural systems: biodiversity-based systems are stable, while intensified ones are resistant and high-yielding

CONTEXTNew types of farming systems have emerged in response to societal demands to reduce environmental impacts and dependence on non-renewable resources. These agriculture models can be classified according to their relative use of anthropic inputs or biodiversity and associated ecosystem services as agricultural production factors. All these models are exposed to climate change, price volatility and other disturbances. However, little is known about their resilience levels and the factors that drive them. OBJECTIVEWe assessed the resilience of 30 highly contrasted cropping agroecosystems in north-eastern France which covered a broad gradient from simplified and intensified to complex and biodiversity-based agroecosystems. METHODSWe applied a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of three key performances over eight years: yield, gross margin and workload. An original combined set of adapted criteria − level, variability, trend and resistance − was used to assess their dynamics, i.e. their resilience. We use partial least squares regression, multiple regression trees and Pareto ranking to identify relationships among the characteristics and resilience performance of these systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that biodiversity-based agroecosystems, which provide a high level of ecosystem services to farmers or an increase in natural capital, tended to have stable performances. These systems also had a lower workload than intensified systems. Conversely, input-based systems, especially irrigated and tillage-intensive systems, had higher yields and gross margins, were resistant to major disturbances but were less stable. SIGNIFICANCEWhile our results show benefits of relying on biodiversity to stabilise system performances, we highlight a potential trade-off between performance level and stability, as well as possible solutions to overcome it. We also discuss the short-term strategy of anthropic input-based systems, which perform well, but consume large amounts of human and natural resources. We show potential advantages of systems that balance both ecosystem services and anthropic inputs to provide a strategy to fill the yield gap and attain resilience.

Analysis of Road Performance and the impact of Development in Pasar Minggu, Jakarta

The city of South Jakarta is a dense metropolitan city because it has a high population growth rate. Due to this population growth, the city of South Jakarta has experienced additions, expansion of social facilities and infrastructure as well as transportation to serve the needs of its residents, one of which is the Lenteng Agung-West Tanjung Flyover Development Project. The infrastructure built has an impact on traffic congestion on the performance of the Lenteng Agung-Tanjung Barat road and Pasar Minggu intersection. The purpose of this study is to determine road performance and to know strategies that can be used to overcome the impact of traffic congestion. The method used in this analysis and discussion is based on the Indonesian Road Capacity Manual (MKJI), 1997 and conducts a field survey for the performance of roads and intersections without signals. The results of the research obtained on the performance of the Unmarked Intersection road are the largest traffic volume of the Unmarked Intersection which is obtained from the survey results on Friday 18 December 2020 and the peak hours are at 06.30-07.30 WIB With the degree of saturation DS = 0.66, the delay at the intersection is 10.85 sec / pcu and the chances of queuing are 36.97% -17.96%. In the analysis of the Lenteng Agung road section, the highest level of service was obtained on Monday, November 16 2020 in the morning at 07: 30-08.30, with a degree of saturation of 0.98 having a service level of E, which means the flow is unstable. Meanwhile, in the afternoon, 16: 00-18: 30 with a saturation degree of 0.53 and has a service level of B.

Spatial Distribution of Urban Services from the Spatial Justice Perspective: Case Study of Tehran

The realisation of spatial justice, guaranteeing the quality of life for all citizens and the prohibition of citizens’ exclusion are the fundamental principles of optimal urban management. Social seclusion is associated with social policies such as education, health, housing, employment, crime, welfare, poverty alleviation, etc. The spatial problems in Tehran are due to the political organising and political management of space in Iran on a micro and macro scale during the last hundred years. Tehran as the major metropolis of Iran has a special significance in the Iranian urban system; but in terms of spatial justice, the distribution of urban services across its districts is considered heterogeneous. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the status of “Spatial Justice of Tehran” in terms of urban services and examine the level of difference between districts. Mixed method is used in this research. The results show that the distribution of urban services is not just in 22 districts of Tehran. According to the findings, district 1 has the highest level of services and districts 17 and 9 have the lowest levels of services.

On the development of a blockchain-implementable intermediation model for digital supply chains

For years, mass production built on the assumption that customer share preferences. Today, mass customization maximises customer satisfaction by product customization and quick, efficient service. According to recent advancements in Digital Supply Chains, information exchange between supply chain actors and levels is critical not only for proper Supply Chain Management, but also for achieving common objectives such as short time-to-market, high service level and high productivity. This work proposes a new intermediation model for digital supply chains allowing full exploitation of global market potentials by making use of the blockchain technology. The decentralised intermediation model allows all supply chain actors operating in the context of cloud manufacturing leveraging the benefits of blockchain. For this purpose, specific performance models for buyers and vendors are developed. Together with a privacy scheme for sensitive data they are integrated in a blockchain-based intermediation agent able to automatically seek for a suitable trade-off between profit and responsiveness. The paper concludes with some test scenarios to demonstrate the effectiveness of the logic behind proposed modelling as well as its capability to find optimum negotiation solutions.

MILP of multitask scheduling of geographically distributed maintenance tasks

Due to its proactive impact on the serviceability of components in a system, preventive maintenance plays an important role particularly in systems of geographically spread infrastructure such as utilities networks in commercial buildings. What makes such systems differ from the classical schemes is the routing and technicians' travel times. Besides, maintenance in commercial buildings is characterized by its short tasks’ durations and spatial distribution within and between different buildings, a class of problems that has not been suitably investigated. Although it is not trivial to assign particular duties solely to multi-skilled teams under limited time and capacity constraints, the problem becomes more challenging when travel routes, durations and service levels are considered during the execution of the daily maintenance tasks. To address this problem, we propose a Mixed Integer Linear Programming Model that considers the above settings. The model exact solution recommends collaborative choices that include the number of maintenance teams, the selected tasks, routes, tasks schedules, all detailed to days and teams. The model will reduce the cost of labor, replacement parts, penalties on service levels and travel time. The optimization model has been tested using different maintenance scenarios taken from a real maintenance provider in the UAE. Using CPLEX solver, the findings demonstrate an inspiring time utilization, schedules of minimal routing and high service levels using a minimum number of teams. Different travel speeds of diverse assortment of tasks, durations and cost settings have been tested for further sensitivity analysis.

Small rocky outcrops: Natural features to promote biodiversity in oak wood‐pastures

AbstractAimsThe Iberian oak wood‐pastures are unique agroforestry systems supporting high levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Small rocky outcrops are geological features commonly found in these systems and constitute biodiversity reservoirs, protecting sensitive species from grazing and farming activities. We aimed to assess the relevance of including rocky outcrop conservation within wood‐pastures to increase biodiversity. To achieve this goal, we studied the plant communities occurring within the outcrops and in the wood‐pasture matrix to evaluate the impact of rocky outcrops on the overall plant taxonomic and functional diversities of these systems.LocationMontemor‐o‐Novo (Alentejo, Portugal).MethodsWe sampled 102 plant communities occurring in outcrops and the adjacent wood‐pasture matrix, and analysed alpha, beta, gamma and functional diversities. We identified the main intrinsic factors affecting outcrop plant composition and their functional groups using Linear and Generalized Linear Mixed models, and characterized the effect of outcrop size through Generalized Additive Models.ResultsWe found plant richness to be similar in wood‐pasture matrix and outcrops. However, β‐diversity analysis revealed a high species turnover between both communities. Functional indices indicated higher plant functional diversity in outcrops and trait analyses identified three functional groups dissimilarly distributed in both communities: (a) perturbation‐ and stress‐sensitive plants, with outcrops constituting an important refuge for this group; and (b) grazing‐tolerant and (c) weedy herbs dominating the wood‐pastures. Finally, we also found increased plant richness in outcrops with a longer length for their minor axis, i.e. wider outcrops, and greater rock cover area.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the presence of small rocky outcrops in evergreen oak wood‐pastures greatly increases their gamma and functional diversities. Consequently, outcrop protection strongly impacts overall wood‐pasture biodiversity and underlines the suitability of including outcrop conservation as a cost‐effective solution capable of increasing biodiversity in these agroforestry systems.

Development of Transfusion Medicine in the Republic of North Macedonia

Transfusion medicine has been successfully practiced in North Macedonia for 76 years. Since its foundation, the Transfusion Medicine Unit is constantly growing and developing through the experiences of a large number of professional medical workers who left a lasting mark and paved the way toward modern transfusion activity. The Institute for transfusion medicine of North Macedonia constantly follows the latest world achievements in the field of transfusion medicine and they invest their energy in constant education, new technologies, and appropriate practices that ensure a high level of health services for donors and patients. This manuscript presents the journey of transfusion medicine in the Republic of North Macedonia covering various topics like the History, changes in legislation over time, blood donation activity, other services and the future directions for the field of transfusion medicine in the country.

Застосування статистичних методів наукових досліджень при обстеженні пасажиропотоків міського автомобільного транспорту

The purpose of the paper is to propose scientific and methodological approaches to the generalization of passenger flow survey methods, the formation of the route transport network of the city, the calculation of the required type and number of rolling stock of passenger road transport, the formation of a list of preferential routes. The paper examines applied aspects of the application of the theory of urban passenger transportation in relation to transportation by means of passenger road transport of the city (PRTC). The main concepts of the theory of urban passenger transport and the issue of interaction between urban passenger transport and the city being served are analyzed on the basis of system concepts. An analysis of the main factors that affect the quality of planning, control and regulation of passenger road transport in the transport systems of cities has been carried out. Aspects of the theory of urban transport systems and design calculations of passenger transport by road are also considered. The research was carried out by the formation of new scientific and methodological approaches and scientific argumentation proposed on the basis of numerous works of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of passenger transportation organization. Research method are mathematical statistics and modeling. The solution to the tasks of urban transport service is divided into two main complexes: the design of urban transport systems, and the organization of urban transport traffic. To form an optimal or rational route network, as well as to effectively use rolling stock and ensure a high level of passenger service, it is necessary to know the directions, sizes and degree of unevenness of passenger flows, the specific values of which are established during certain surveys. When surveying passenger flows, it is necessary to obtain reliable data in order to use them in solving problems of improving the quality of passenger service. But when choosing a survey method, it is necessary to take into account the complexity of the method and the costs of its implementation.

Визначення оптимальної кількості транспортних засобів для функціонування каршерінгу в місті Києв в рамках вдосконалення транспртної системи міста

The problem of ensuring the quality of transport services provided to the population by a car-sharing firm is studied. For a formalized description of functioning process car-sharing company, information, scientific and experimental bases were used, with the help of which it became possible to solve transport problems in the conditions of constant improvement of the city's transport system. The main purpose of this study using a mathematical apparatus is to obtain the resulting indicators, which will provide recommendations for improving the level of customer service by car-sharing companies, taking into account the possible effects of certain system parameters. A mathematical model was used to conduct the study, which takes into account the main indicators that affect the determination of the optimal number of vehicles of the company to ensure a high level of customer service of the car-sharing company. In the course of the work, the most important indicators influencing the quality of transport services were identified and a method for determining the optimal number of vehicles to qualitatively meet the needs of customers of a car-sharing company was proposed. Statistical data on car-sharing needs in Kyiv were obtained on the basis of the Getmancar application. The function of exponential distribution of travel time from their number during the study period of 13 days was obtained. Necessary calculations were performed and recommendations were received to increase the fleet of car-sharing vehicles from Getmancar to 293 units. This will increase the density of vehicles in the area, thus ensuring a 100% probability of finding a free vehicle at a distance of 0.6 to 1.2 km. It is proposed to apply the obtained results in the process of optimization of the transport network of Kyiv. The proposed method is recommended to be used during the reorganization of the city transport system, urban redevelopment, forecasting the results of the transport system during the intensive development of the transport network.

Analysis of willingness and influencing factors of nursing undergraduates to engage in elderly service management

Under the background of population aging, the development of pension industry urgently needs colleges and universities to cultivate highlevel elderly service management talents. In this paper, 513 nursing undergraduates were investigated with self-made questionnaire. The results showed that the overall willingness of nursing undergraduates to engage in elderly service management was not high, and there was a significant difference in the willingness of nursing undergraduates with different demographic characteristics (P < 0.05). On the basis of in-depth analysis of influencing factors, the article holds that we should actively promote the cultivation of senior service management personnel at undergraduate level by guiding students to establish a sense of honor, enhancing their professional cognition of pension service, and reasonably positioning the training objectives to adapt to the professional development of nursing undergraduates.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ РОЗВИТКУ НОВИХ ФОРМАТІВ ЗАКЛАДІВ РЕСТОРАННОГО ГОСПОДАРСТВА В УКРАЇНІ

The article considers the development of the latest formats of restaurants in Ukraine. It was determined that it is important for restaurant enterprises not only to maintain a high level of service, but also to respond to new trends of interest to consumers in order to be competitive in the services market. It was determined that in accordance with the trends there are new formats of restaurants, ie systems of organization of production and sale of products, methods of customer service. The article described in more detail the main types of the latest formats of restaurants in Ukraine: «Free Flow», «Fast Casual», «Fine Dining», «Casual Dining», «Quick and casual», «Fast food», «Quick and casual», «Food Court», «Street-food». It is determined that the current level of restaurant service in Ukraine is quite high compared to previous years, as the quarantine restrictions of 2020-2021 still made significant adjustments to its activities, but the restaurant industry continues to develop. It was analyzed that those institutions that managed to overcome the crisis, and today continue to surprise their visitors with new formats and areas. In accordance with the classification and analysis of the features of each of the new formats of restaurants, the main directions of development of the restaurant industry were developed. From this analysis it was determined that the national cuisine is in the process of revival. With the influence of the environment in the restaurant business, new concepts of institutions that care about the environment are emerging. It was also found that risk and victory are important for every restaurant, because every institution that chooses a policy of innovation is not always able to find its consumer segment in the market. A person's excellent well-being is more influenced by a healthy diet, which is always in trend. That is why the restaurant business in Ukraine is developing rapidly, new formats of restaurants are opening up, which not only displace the outdated ones, but also change the consumer's opinion about restaurant services in general. It was determined that along with the change of formats, new trends and technologies come, which also has a positive effect on the development of the industry as a whole and each individual institution.

REHABILITATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF DURRES-ALBANIA

The condition of the water supply and the actual functioning of the distribution network in Durres area are inadequate to sustain demand at an acceptable level of service for all the billing zones.The distribution network of Durres city is fed at one point (Xhafzotaj junction) for 300-350 l/s with an elevation of about 50 m asl. The planned new transmission line has a diameter of 700 mm and will bring extra 630 l/s.The water distribution systems are one of the vital urban infrastructures and their operationwith a high level of service are of high importance.Many phenomena in water supply systems such as leakage, breakage of pipes etc. are afunction of pressure. When pressure dependency of demand is considered in the hydraulicanalysis, the results thereof shall be consistent with reality.This article presents the new design methodology for a good optimization of the distribution network. The distribution network has been reconstructed as a ring network. It is planned to build 6 DMAas (District Metered Area) to control the flow, pressure and consumption in DMA to build the Water Balance.

Nursing homes’ social responsibility and competitive edge: a cross‐sectional study on elderly choices about care service and price levels in Zhejiang Province, China

BackgroundIn the context of China's aging population, meeting consumer demand is an essential way for nursing homes to fulfill social responsibilities and improve competitive advantages. However, since little is known about the elderly's service level and price choices for nursing home care, this study aims to explore the non-disabled elderly's nursing home admission intention, service level, and price choices. MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 402 non-disabled respondents was conducted in three different income level cities of Zhejiang Province, in July and August 2018. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to identify the determinants of admission intention, service level choice, and price choice. ResultsEducation, residence, and number of children were significantly associated with nursing home admission intention. Compared to those with no intention, the elderly with higher income and household wealth were less likely to have conditional intentions, and those living with the family were less likely to have unconditional intentions. Compared to medium-level services, the elderly with higher monthly income (relative risk ratio [RRR] 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.801 to 5.233), household wealth (RRR 5.451, 95% CI: 2.249 to 13.216), and age (RRR 1.528, 95% CI: 1.004 to 2.326) were more likely to prefer high-level services, while older adults with higher monthly income (RRR 0.516, 95% CI: 0.344 to 0.774), and those with pensions (RRR 0.267, 95% CI: 0.076 to 0.931) were less likely to prefer low-level services. The elderly's price preference increased by 398 CNY as monthly income increased by 1 000 CNY, and by 270 CNY as the housing number increased by one. Having pensions increased price preference (468 CNY), whereas having health insurance decreased price preference (–690 CNY). ConclusionThe elderly's intention of nursing home admission was primarily affected by sociodemographic factors, while price and service level choices were primarily affected by financial factors. Nursing homes should use the market segmentation method to provide precision nursing home care for different groups of non-disabled elderly.

COMBINATORY APPROACH TO FAILURE FINDING IN PASSENGER CAR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SYSTEM

Maintaining a high level of maintenance of electrical equipment in passenger cars requires research in the field of improving methods and means of technical diagnostics. Electronic devices for automatic control and protection, which are located in the switchboard of the car, are one of the most critical elements in the electrical equipment system, ensuring its reliable, efficient and safe operation. If the automatic adjustment and protection devices are out of regulation during operation, the voltage and current in the electrical equipment network may exceed the permissible level, which leads to the failure of electricity consumers, a battery and a generator. In addition, the semiconductor devices themselves are very sensitive to short-term overloads, in which, even with minor overloads, a breakdown or breakage of the conductive layer occurs. Modern trends in the development of passenger car fleet indicate a sharp increase in the complexity of the element base of cars. This mainly concerns the electrical systems of cars, where all the functions of control, monitoring and diagnostics are performed by electronics. Maintaining a high level of service for such systems requires research in the field of improving methods and means of technical diagnostics. For these purposes, the authors have developed a method for constructing optimal control and diagnostic tests, which is based on a combinatorial approach. The method is easily implemented on a computer.

Digital Repository of the Southern Federal University in the Scientific and Educational Space of the University

The article reveals the experience of creating a Digital Repository by the Zonal Scientific Library of the Southern Federal University. It is organized and technically supported as the central repository of the SFedU intellectual property objects. Having studied the experience of other universities, it was decided to develop its own software platform built in Python. As a result, a high level of service was provided for the use of the repository not only by librarians and users, but also by other structural divisions of the university. The repository contains the intellectual products of the university, provides access to the results of scientific research of the university, has the ability to exchange metadata through the API interface, has a customized search interface, ensures the safety of content, and minimizes the labor costs of users and service personnel.

CURRENT STATE OF THE SYSTEM OF CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE AND LEISURE INSTITUTIONS DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The paper substantiates the state of the system of children’s healthcare and leisure institutions development in Ukraine. We can state that today there is a fairly extensive system of institutions that have a certain time frame of functioning (during the calendar year, in the summer), different bases of existence (in general secondary educational institutions, in additional educational institutions, in medical and health centers, bases and complexes, tourist centers), and different profile (healthcare, leisure, education).
 The regulative base of the institutions functioning is characterized. The strategy of branch development, types and forms of activity, principles and directions of work are emphasized. Documents legally regulate their organizational, financial, educational, and cultural components.
 The aim, objectives, directions of public organizations work are covered. The main aim of the public organizations activities in the field of children’s healthcare and leisure institutions is the protection of rights and freedoms, the satisfaction of public, including children’s economic, social, cultural, environmental and other interests. Objectives of organizations include the following ones: defending the rights and freedoms of the process participants, the need to develop educational, methodological, information base, and training of qualified professionals capable of providing a high level of services in the sphere of children’s healthcare and leisure; the development and implementation of innovative technologies for internal and external use; and the development of a system for monitoring and evaluating the work of healthcare and leisure institutions.
 Approaches to the classification of types of institutions are revealed. Features of work of different types of institutions are defined.

A novel security framework for densely populated Internet of Things users in pervasive service access

User density in the Internet of Things (IoT) platform changes with different applications and user demands. Security requirements are adaptable based on the services and the authentication servers attached to the resources. However, the lack of unanimous security measures increases the complexity and authentication level in a user-centric scenario. This article introduces an Ascendable Authentication Framework (AAF) for balancing security and services in a dense IoT by considering this drawback. The proposed framework adopts a high level of authentication and user services through unanimous keying and allocations. This process is defined within the framework covering the service provider and end-users. In this authentication, hyper-elliptic curve cryptography is exploited for service authentication, whereas the key distribution follows a discrete allocation process. Here the discreteness and continuity in authentication are determined using regression learning. The change in distribution function determines the authentication level and redeeming security for further service disseminations. Therefore, the regression sequence is modified without augmenting additional keys in a pervasive manner. This reduces the computation complexity, service authentication time, response latency, and failures.

Perceived unmet substance use and mental health care needs of acute care patients who use drugs: A cross-sectional analysis using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations.

The perceived unmet service needs of acute care-seeking people who use illegal drugs (PWUD) have been poorly documented, despite evidence of frequent hospital utilisation. This study applies the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to investigate correlates of unmet service needs in this subpopulation. Survey data from 285 PWUD at three urban Canadian acute care centres were examined. The survey included the Perceived Need for Care Questionnaire, which measured service seeking and care satisfaction for mental health and substance use concerns across seven types of services, as well as barriers to having care needs met. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was applied in hierarchical setwise logistic regression to examine associations between high unmet service need and socio-structural predictors (i.e. predisposing, enabling and need factors). Almost half (46%) of participants reported a high level of unmet service need, despite seeking services during the past year. Participants reporting recent criminal activity, adverse childhood experiences, transitory sleeping, having no community support worker, and meeting screening criteria for depression were more likely to report a high level of unmet service needs. Structural barriers to care (57%) were more commonly reported than motivational barriers (43%). Acute care-seeking PWUD experience high rates of unmet service needs for their mental health and substance use problems. Strategies that can help overcome structural barriers to care are necessary to help address the service needs of this population.