In sufficiently large schools, lessons are given to classes in sections of various sizes, depending on the subject taught. Consequently, classes have to be split into various given numbers of sections. We focus on how to subdivide a class in subgroups, so as to be able to reproduce all required sections by merging subgroups together, while minimizing the number of edges in the resulting course conflict graph. As a main result, we show that subdividing the students set in a regular way is optimal. We then discuss our solution uniqueness and feasibility, as well as practical issues concerning teacher assignments to sections.
This paper investigates theoretically how the structure of means-tested public long-term care (LTC) support influences the relationship between LTC insurance and informal care. Three types of public support encountered in various means-tested LTC schemes are examined. First, the level to be considered for means-testing only takes into account the level of wealth of the recipient without considering the cost of LTC or the possible insurance benefits. Second, the public support considers the LTC needs of the recipient. Third, the means-test structure includes insurance benefits. Our results show that the optimal levels of insurance and informal care as well as their relationship are strongly influenced by the ways means-tested public support for LTC is structured, which have important implications in terms of public policy for the financing of LTC needs.
The literature reveals the complexity of identifying the attributes, the factors and the mechanisms that would influence trust between supply chain partners. Moreover, the way trust influences the performance of a supply chain is still a subject that remains to be thoroughly researched since trust is a subjective issue that has several dimensions. This paper focuses on the influence of forecast sharing on trust and the way the latter itself influences the supply chain performances. An experimental approach is developed to simulate the supply chain environment and the related decisions. The objective is to control the environment, so that, the trust level can be assessed by manipulating the information sharing attributes of forecasts. Moreover, we assess the relationship between trust and performance. Results show strong correlations not only between trust and supply chain performance, but also between trust and the attributes of the information shared on forecast.
This paper aims to develop a decision support system for bulk material handling ports in relation to ship scheduling and discrete berth allocation. Ship scheduling according to available discrete berths and to customer priority is a complex problem. A multiobjective formulation is then proposed to model the problem in minimizing ship waiting times and deviation of customer priority. An modified Non-sorting Genetic Algorithm (Mod-NSGA II) is proposed to solve the problem in large-scale realistic environments. Utility of the developed decision support system in achieving good utilization of the available berths and resources is demonstrated using illustrative scenarios inspired from a real port management case.
Marketing educators often use case studies as it is a form of experiential learning. However, successful case-study teaching requires students to be prepared. Yet, research shows that students are becoming more and more reluctant to reading assigned class material and their motivation is lower when teaching is done with traditional media. Students have become the virtual generation who plays games every day and games can keep them motivated several hours at a time. But the development of teaching games is costly and instructors are reluctant to use games that have been developed by others as they rarely completely match their expectations and teaching styles. This paper describes two case studies showing that a marketing professor with no previous experience in Second Life and not particularly technology-savvy can gamify a case study into a sandbox virtual world.
This paper proposes a modelling approach based on TIMES/VEDA systems, designed to optimize energy system model and connected aspects, like economic development and consumer behaviour, in order to decrease energy consumption in households. The economic and technological factors have been used to set-up the energy model. A case study of Romania’s residential energy consumption model is included.
