Sharif Digital Repository

The tourism and hospitality industry significantly impacts socio-economic development and cultural growth in developing countries. This study develops an integrated multicriteria decision-making and optimization model for partner selection in public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the hospitality industry. The proposed model uses a weighted influence non-linear gauge system to evaluate the partners. A multi-objective optimization model is then utilized to select a partner for each PPP project using a linear programming metric solution approach. A case study demonstrates the applicability of the proposed model in a PPP project in Iran to renovate and convert historic houses into hotels... 

As a country's financing arm, the capital market can play a crucial role in long-term projects and be responsible for large-scale financing. While the development of rail transport has exceptionally positive and significant effects on the country's macroeconomy, and investment in this sector leads to the prosperity of other economic sectors, the return on investment may be delayed or unclear. Consequently, this uncertainty diminishes the investment appeal in this field. Thus, predicting the price and future value of railway company stocks on the stock market is vital due to the need for the foresight to take safe investment measures and achieve sustainable financing. To this end, this paper... 

Typically, the lack of effective stakeholder participation in a project—especially in the initial planning and implementation stages—has a negative impact on the expected performance of the project. These negative consequences require attempts to encourage their effective participation. Nevertheless, there are some challenges ahead, such as conflict of interest among the stakeholders. For more accurate identification of the interests, objectives, and performance of the stakeholders, this paper proposes an accurate and organized model for the analysis of results from the stakeholder impact index. We implemented the proposed model to determine the existing barriers to renewable energy... 

This research investigates what consumers in democratized luxury markets value when purchasing luxury items. Nonetheless, these consumers have a limited budget and can not always buy luxury items, yet they are drawn back to these luxury brands. Thus, we use brand engagement in self-concept (BESC) to explain the relationship between these consumers and luxury brands within democratized luxury markets. A conceptualized model of three luxury value dimensions (experiential, symbolic, and functional) is proposed, and 488 cases were gathered through a phone survey. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that the most critical... 

Automatic cell segmentation has various applications in different parts of science. The development of automated methods for cell segmentation, remains challenging in situations where there are touching cells. In this paper we propose a new method for separating touching cells. As the first step, we use a combination of graph segmentation algorithm and thresholding for segmenting foreground objects and producing a binary image. Next, boundary points of separation zone are selected by using a corner detection algorithm. Finally, the marker controller watershed transform is applied to separate touching cells at selected points. © 2008 IEEE  

Many companies face challenges in reducing their supply chain costs while increasing sustainability and customer service levels. A comprehensive framework for a sustainable closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) network is a practical solution to these challenges. Hence, for the first time, this study considers an integrated multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MOMILP) model to design sustainable CLSC networks with cross-docking, location-inventory-routing, time window, supplier selection, order allocation, transportation modes with simultaneous pickup, and delivery under uncertainty. An intelligent simulation algorithm is proposed to produce CLSC network data with probabilistic... 

All Rapid Prototyping and CNC material removal processes use information which is extracted from a CAD system. There are several ways to convert CAD data into usable manufacturing information. In this paper, five methods of translating CAD data into a usable manufacturing format are explained. These five methods are data translation from CAD files in STL, DXF, STEP-NC, and IGES formats as well as a platform-dependent area method of manufacturing information in a desirable format. For each method, algorithms and details about the CAD data translation into usable manufacturing and prototyping processes formats are presented. Finally, applications of each approach and its pros and cons are... 

Much efforts have been made in the area of energy security in recent years, but due to its wide scope, it is necessary to review relevant knowledge activities and to analyze the state of knowledge of the field of energy security measurement. The purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive map of knowledge in the field of energy security. For this reason, many documents and articles have been collected during the period 2002–2019 using 7 large and reputable scientific databases as well as 53 different journals, 90% white Q1 quality. There is employed meta-synthesis, scientometrics and network analysis. In the initial survey stage where 1290 articles were found, after analyzing the... 

The reaction kinetics and chemical equilibrium of the reversible catalytic hydrolysis reaction of a methyl acetate to acetic acid and methanol using a strongly acidic ion exchange resin catalyst named Amberlyst 15 were studied. To investigate the different behavior of Amberlyst 15 in the adsorption of reactants and product species, the equilibrium behavior of binary non-reactive liquid mixtures, consisting of one reactant and one product were studied experimentally. The Langmuir model was used to describe the equilibrium condition, quantitatively. Then the employed model was compared with the more complicated thermodynamic models to describe the equilibrium between the catalytic polymer... 

Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) use social media to reach a global audience. Simultaneously, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important feature of MNEs’ communications with stakeholders via social media. It is, therefore, important to understand the country and industry level differences in how stakeholders engage with CSR communications of MNEs via social media. We examine this across four countries and three industries by focusing on stakeholders’ engagement with CSR (vs. non-CSR) posts on Twitter. We find significant differences across industries within countries for three separate aspects of behavioural engagement (likes, retweets and replies). In addition, CSR posts... 

Supply Chain (SC) networks benefit from the integration of Blockchain Technology (BT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in many ways, from data protection and transparency to fraud prevention, traceability, and cost reduction. As the technology is new, there is a lack of knowledge and experience in selecting suitable platforms for SC networks. Choosing the right platform is a difficult and complex task involving multiple and conflicting criteria. This study presents a novel practical approach for evaluating and selecting a BT-IoT platform in SC networks using multi-criteria decision-making. First, an extensive literature review is conducted to determine the most suitable criteria for BT-IoT... 

Cloud computing as a new technology can provide significant advantages in electronic banking services. Adoption of this technology in e-banking services requires consideration of several factors. The main objective of this study is to identify and rank the effective factors on adoption of cloud computing in e-banking. The factors were identified from literature review in four dimension based on TOE and HOT-fit models (technological, human, environmental and organisational factors). As a result of this study, 16 factors were identified in four dimensions. Using fuzzy group decision-making model and pairwise comparison between factors (by a survey of 63 experts, academics and practical persons... 

Municipal solid waste (MSW) directly impacts community health and environmental degradation; therefore, the management of MSW is crucial. Medical waste is a specific type of MSW which is generally divided into two categories: infectious and non-infectious. Wastes generated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are classified among infectious medical wastes; moreover, these wastes are hazardous because they threaten the environment and living organisms if they are not appropriately managed. This paper develops a bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model for medical waste management during the COVID-19 outbreak. The proposed model minimizes the total costs and risks, simultaneously,... 

Many cities are struggling to keep pace with limited budgets and rapid growth. Economic development models involving public-private partnerships (P3s) can help drive economic revitalization. The choice of partners plays a vital role in the success or failure of sustainable P3 initiatives. In this study, we propose a novel integrated sustainable private partner selection framework in P3s. The proposed model is composed of the best-worst method (BWM), the weighted influence non-linear gauge system (WINGS), and the technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). The BWM is used to identify the importance weights of the economic, environmental, social, and technological... 

In the real world, there are complex decision-making problems in which a variety of intertwined factors and hierarchical structures exist, and it is difficult or impossible to solve these problems using classical methods. The prioritization of circular economy (CE) adoption barriers is one such complex problem that cannot be solved using current classical methods. Hence, in this paper, for the first time, a new method, namely, FBWDS, is developed. FBWDS derives from the combination of fuzzy best–worst method (BWM), fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and Supermatrix structure. This proposed method establishes weights of the intertwined factors in hierarchical... 

Objective(s): Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered as a chronic type of an inflammatory disease characterized by loss of myelin of CNS. Recent evidence indicates that Interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing T helper cells (Th17 cells) population are increased and regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are decreased in MS. Despite extensive research in understanding the mechanism of Th17 and Treg differentiation, the role of microRNAs in MS is not completely understood. Thereby, as a step closer, we analyzed the expression profile of miR-9-5p and miR-106a-5p, and protein level of retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-related orphan receptor C (RORC; Th17 master transcription factor) as direct target of miR-106a-5p... 

The wellhead flow control valve bodies which are the focal point of this failure case study were installed in some of the upstream facilities of Khangiran's sour gas wells. These valve bodies have been operating satisfactorily for 3 years in wet H2S environment before some pits and cracks were detected in all of them during the periodical technical inspections. One failed valve body was investigated by chemical and microstructural analytical techniques to find out the failure cause and provide preventive measures. The valve body alloy was A216-WCC cast carbon steel. During investigation many cracks were observed on the inner surface of the valve body grown from the surface pits. The results... 

Purpose: Experiencing stigma after abortion may decelerate the accumulation of human capital. Despite the importance of studying the relationship between religiosity and abortion stigma, the topic is understudied, especially in Islamic contexts. Abortion was legalized in Iran in 2005. Under the new law, far more cases are allowed for abortion. This change provided an opportunity to explore the interplay of abortion stigma, legalization and religiosity in Iran. Design/methodology/approach: Using regression analysis based on 291 completed questionnaires from two cities in Iran, this study analyzes the relation between abortion stigma level and religiosity in Iran, controlling for contextual... 

In the traditional agri-fresh food supply chain (AFSC), geographically dispersed small farmers transport their products individually to the market for sale. This leads to a higher transportation cost, which is the primary cause of farmers’ low profitability. This paper formulates a traditional product movement problem in AFSC. First, the aggregate product movement model is combined with the vehicle routing model to redesign an existing AFSC (the ETKA Company; the most extensive domestic agri-fresh food supply chain in Iran) based on the available data. For the four-echelon, multi-period supply chain under investigation, a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed for the... 

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