A meta‐heuristic approach for supporting adaptive disassembly sequencing using a multi‐objective concept

One of the key features of environmentally conscious manufacturing has been the efforts to promote product recycling and remanufacturing. Efficient material re‐utilisation through product disassembly to retrieve the desired parts and/or subassemblies is one rational approach. This is because it can promote the conservation of both material and energy resources whilst concurrently reducing environmental impact. However, because manufactured products may be made from many components, disassembly load becomes a critical factor that may obstruct the recovery of materials. Accordingly, it is essential to develop a practical method for deriving a disassembly plan to decrease such load, and to endow a certain value to the product at the end of its life cycle. With this understanding, the authors have developed a practical procedure to produce an adaptive disassembly strategy. The authors have applied a meta‐heuristic method known as genetic programming (GP) as a search engine to derive the adaptive disassembly sequence together with a multi‐objective optimisation method termed MOON^2R. The authors have also proposed a hierarchical sequencing method to cope with large/complex products and added several ideas to increase the applicability associated with the interests in disassembly of hazardous and/or valuable parts, and alternative disassembly actions. Through numerical experiments, the authors examined the effectiveness of the proposed approach by showing its support for relevant planning and design decisions for product recycling and remanufacturing from various viewpoints.     

A 'Principled' Approach to Complex Emergencies: Testing a New Aid Delivery Model in the Nuba Mountains

This paper provides an analysis of the Nuba Mountains Programme Advancing Conflict Trans-formation (NMPACT) as an example of an operational response in a complex emergency that innovatively addressed an incipient food security crisis. NMPACT is notable for having brought together an array of actors around a common principled agenda and for being the only operational programme in the Sudan to which both warring parties subscribed during the conflict. The key features of the programme are presented and the main innovative elements are reviewed, including the role of the principles of engagement and the 'political humanitarianism' of NMPACT. The paper looks at how NMPACT broke from traditional externally driven responses to food insecurity, and, drawing on lessons from Operation Lifeline Sudan, adopted an approach that focuses on capacity building, sustainable agriculture and market revitalisation, alongside conflict transformation and peace-building. The limitations of the model are also assessed, and preliminary lessons regarding its replication in other complex emergency contexts are presented.     

Children and fighting forces: 10 years on from Cape Town

It is 10 years since the adoption of the Cape Town Principles and Best Practices on the Prevention of Recruitment of Children into the Armed Forces and on Demobilization and Social Reintegration of Child Soldiers in Africa. The field of programming for the reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups has made significant strides in this period. However, important gaps in the knowledge base remain. This paper examines empirical evidence that supports lessons learned from work with children formerly connected with fighting forces. It evaluates what is known, where promising practice exists, and lacunae in five programming areas: psychosocial support and care; community acceptance; education, training and livelihoods; inclusive programming for all war-affected children; and follow-up and monitoring. While the 2007 Paris Commitments to Protect Children from Unlawful Recruitment or Use by Armed Forces or Groups mark an emerging consensus on many issues, there is still a critical need for more systematic studies to develop the evidence base supporting intervention in this area.     

西藏高原基础设施建设规划的生态风险评价——以西藏山南地区为例

西藏高原脆弱区内的基础设施建设对区域内的生态与环境产生了重大胁迫，因此在完成基建规划编制后，需要评估规划中潜在的生态风险。以西藏山南地区小康示范县为研究区域，对基建规划进行了生态风险评估，结果表明：（1）生态风险区和自然生态脆弱区呈带状分布，略呈对称形，但二者的强度分布相反；（2）基建对轻度脆弱区的干扰最为强烈，与雅江宽谷区的人口快速增长和社会经济最为活跃相对应，区内的灌丛草原和亚高山草原生态系将受到严重胁迫；（3）基建工程对土壤结构、植被、水土保持、高原景观和局部地质条件等构成很大威胁，道路、给排水和农牧水利工程的扰动面积较大；（4）生态与环境规划应当与基建规划衔接，要关注基建工程对区域景观格局及高原生态系统的长期影响，并提出相应预警措施。     

灾后企业选址问题的模型研究

建立了灾后企业选址的一种决策模型。对遭受自然或人为灾害打击中,不得不进行迁移的企业,如何实施有效的选址决策进行了研究,在给定假设的基础上,构造了一个非线性规划问题,提出了进行区位决策的迭代算法,并对如何解决已有多个企业及顾客有偏好的复杂情况进行了讨论,研究表明,在以市场竞争为导向的动态选址过程中,企业从最大程度地占有市场的目标出发,倾向于定位在一个特定的市场吸引点上。     

基于机会约束规划模型的应急物资库存与运输一体化问题研究

应急物资库存与运输问题是应急管理领域中2个重要研究方向,针对受灾点对应急物资需求的不确定性,将应急物资库存和运输2个环节相结合,采用机会约束规划模型的思想,建立应急物资库存与运输优化模型,采用遗传算法对模型进行求解,并通过具体算例说明模型的有效性,进而给出1个应急物资库存周期内,应急物资储备中心最佳订货量及应急物资运输车辆的最佳配送路径,从而保证整个系统运行费用最小。     

Counterpart Models in Facility Location Science and Reserve Selection Science

Five classes of zero–one programming models for discrete facility location problems are compared to counterpart models for the selection of conservation reserves. The basic problem of siting facilities to cover demand for services is analogous to the problem of selecting reserves to support species diversity. The classes of models include the set covering and maximal covering models, as well as models for backup and redundant coverage. Issues of reliability and uncertainty are addressed by chance constrained covering models and maximal expected covering models. Exact and heuristic solution approaches are discussed. Multi-objective and economic issues are considered.