In classic covering location models, each demand point can be covered by only one facility.In cooperative covering PROBLEMs, each demand point can be covered by one or more facilities. As an application of cooperative models, each facility sends signals out so that signal intensity decreases by an increase in distance.In the hierarchical maximal covering location PROBLEM (HMCLP), a fixed number of facilities with different servicing levels is located in order to maximize covered demands.In this paper, the cooperative covering concept is developed by the HMCLP with referral (HMCLP (R)) in a discrete space. It is assumed that there are two level facilities and the model is nested, so, high-level facilities provide both types of service. Each demand point is covered if its high-level demands are provided by high-level facilities directly or with referral from low-level facilities. The proposed model is presented in two forms: CHMCLP (R) for physical signals and CHMCLAP (R) for non-physical signals, while the second one considers the allocation structure as well.The proposed models are analyzed using numerical examples.The analysis shows that the covering radii have important roles to play in the performance of the developed models. For instance, with very small referral covering radius, each low level facility is located around and near a high-level facility. So, low level facilities are covered in a non-cooperative manner by the high-level facilities, and, moreover, they cover less demand points.Therefore, covering radii should be determined carefully by considering the PROBLEM, facility specifications and other determinant factors. A simulated annealing (SA) algorithm was developed and tuned for solving the proposed models in larges caled instances. The developed algorithm was implemented using randomly generated PROBLEMs with different sizes. Comparisons between results of the solution algorithm and an exact solution approach show the efficiency of the proposed solution algorithm.

A new multi-objective intermodal hub-LOCATION-ALLOCATION PROBLEM is modeled in this paper in which both the origin and the destination hub facilities are modeled as an M/M/m queuing system. The PROBLEM is being formulated as a constrained bi-objective optimization model to minimize the total costs as well as minimizing the total system time. A small-size PROBLEM is solved on the GAMS software to validate the accuracy of the proposed model. As the PROBLEM becomes strictly NP-hard, an MOIWO algorithm with an efficient chromosome structure and a fuzzy dominance method is proposed to solve large-scale PROBLEMs. Since there is no benchmark available in the literature, an NSGA-II and an NRGA are developed to validate the results obtained. The parameters of all algorithms are tuned using the Taguchi method and their performances are statistically compared in terms of some multi-objective metrics. Finally, the entropy-TOPSIS method is applied to show that MOIWO is the best in terms of simultaneous use of all the metrics.

Healthcare constitutes one of the largest shares in economy. Ageing population, shortage of resources, and increasing costs of medical services cause many changes in healthcare systems. Healthcare facilities are one of the most important components of these systems. Due to these increasing changes, the facility network should be designed to use the resources optimally and serve the needs of population. In other words, managers try to design the network in the best way in order to signiFicantly reduce the costs and improve the patient satisfaction. In this paper, a multi-service hospital network is presented for designing and capacity planning of healthcare facilities PROBLEM. In this model, some strategies are considered such as: 1) establishing new facilities on favorable sites, 2) opening new services in facilities, 3) determining the optimal capacity for existing and new facilities, and 4) allocating of demand points to facilities. Facilities provide various services that are different in type, size, and quality. In some of them, it may not be allowable to open some services. In addition, it is possible to service each demand point by several hospitals and getting service from one hospital by several demand points. A bi-objective mixed integer linear mathematical programming model is presented. This bi-objective model minimizes the total network designing costs while maximizing equity throughout hospital network. Therefore, the equity is defined as the ratio of quality of providing services to distances from demand points to facilities, because the quality of services and access to care are two vital factors that directly affect the entire patient's satisfaction. We solve the model by a new version of "-constraint method (i. e., the augmented "-constraint). Also, real data from healthcare facility network in the Isfahan province of Iran is applied for validation purposes. The sensitivity analysis is done on the main parameters. Results show that the proposed model can be used to decide on designing and capacity planning of healthcare facilities.

The PROBLEM of personal identity among others may stem from the following question—what does be the person that you are, from one day to the next, necessarily consist of? The diachronic PROBLEM of personal identity raises question on the necessary and sufficient conditions for the identity of the person over time. The synchronic PROBLEM is grounded in the question of what features or traits characterize a given person at one time. To answer these questions, John Locke discarded the soul and the body as necessary and sufficient substances for personal identity over time. He accepted consciousness as the only criterion for personal identity; the only thing capable of remaining the same and preserving personal identity through change. Though Locke’s argument is somewhat clear and coherent but what remains vague and incoherent is embedded in the question—what exactly is consciousness? How and why should it be the basis or criterion for the determination of personal identity? Using the method of critical analysis, I argue that Locke’s choice of consciousness as the determinant of personal identity, though quite novel, is incoherent and vague. Secondly, Locke had already presumed and anticipated clearly though fallaciously the very thing he wishes to substantiate. I therefore conclude that Locke’s argument is just another way of trying to escape but inadvertently prolonging the difficulty of apparently articulating a distinction between the psychological approach and physiological approach to the PROBLEM of personal identity. However, in my submission, I propose the concept of the “other” as alternative approach— a sort of an extrinsic-intrinsic approach to the PROBLEM of personal identity.

In Kant and the PROBLEM of Metaphysics (KPM), Heidegger shows how the initial image-making power of the imagination is pictorial in the pure image of time. He further clarifies the recognized link between the syntheses and the time-visualizing power of images which is pictorial formative power, which can visualize time. The three syntheses of imagination are replaced with the modes of existence of Dasein. Three kinds of photographs resemble the images produced when the transcendental imagination functions as Dasein. We can address the ways to visualize time by considering Dasein with a photographic preoccupation through 1. A possible look in the form of presentation (a photograph shows an immediate look of a house or person as intuitable this-here); 2. An immediate look of the thing, house, or deceased person, as well as a copy or its reproduction as a death mask; and, 3. The manner of contemplation of a likeness is an immediate look of a being present in the form of representation.

Considering the importance of solidarity as a theoretical and political structure and its connection with social harmony, acceptability and political legitimacy, the present research has conceptualized and formulated the PROBLEM of solidarity in the context of Iran's multi-ethnic society through the mediation of existing studies. . In the current research, the hybrid method has been used. The sample and statistical population of the research includes selected qualitative studies that have investigated the issue of solidarity and its dimensions in Iran from different aspects and perspectives in the period from 1372 to 1398. After searching in different databases, 500 related articles, books and research reports were identified and finally 54 sources were selected to perform the meta-combination method. Based on the synthesis of studies, solidarity in the multi-ethnic society of Iran has found a PROBLEMatic situation. The results of the research confirm that the coordinates of solidarity in Iranian society are based on structural contexts and conditions. The main field in which the issue of solidarity in Iran should be established is the acceptance of a reality called "reliability and stability of cultural diversity". Based on the meta-combination of studies, the coordinates of solidarity in Iran's multi-ethnic society, due to "intercultural affinities", "disruption and non-inclusion in ethnic policies", "instability and imbalance of development", "inefficiency of ethnic political management" and "identification disorder". In the meantime, "cultural globalization", "taking role models from ethnic elites", "geopolitics of ethnic areas and transnational interventions" and "ethnic extension" are considered as intervening conditions. Despite the fact that ethnic and religious diversity is recognized as a central sign in the constitution, with this definition, political agents have sometimes resorted to strategies that social suffering and extroversion has formed in ethnic communities.

The influential physicist Richard Feynman became interested in the relationship between religion and science during a mid-career phase. He proposed that their interface was embroiled in unresolvable difficulties. He felt that science demanded an attitude of uncertainty for its claims, while religion contrarily required certain belief in its core doctrines. Though possessing several non-contradictory dimensions, Feynman felt that the nature of the truth claims of science and religion suffered from insurmountable elemental conflicts. This was by contrast to Karl Popper, the leading critical rationalist of the 20th century, who argued that there could be no tension between science and religion. This paper will argue that the ‘Feynman PROBLEM’ is not as insoluble as it appears. Rather, several solutions exist within critical rationalism. Two will be presented-the first revolves around the conjectural basis of knowledge and is already a well characterised critical rationalist notion. The second is a novel solution based on the separate categorisation of psychological, pragmatic, and epistemological attitudes to religion and science. Karl Popper’s view of religion-science dissimilarity was a minimalist point of departure for critical rationalists, who have developed increasingly sophisticated frameworks for investigating the relationship between faith and reason. Critical rationalism represents an equally inspirational methodology for the pursuit of scientific and religious truth. Though both Feynman and Popper’s views on religion were underdeveloped, they foreshadowed the religion-science frameworks advocated by many late 20th century scientists, especially in the form of New Atheism and Gould’s NOMA theory.

The aim of the current research was to identify the characteristics of the four elements in order to provide a PROBLEM-oriented curriculum model in the elementary school mathematics course. There were 19 participants and the sampling was done purposefully. The data collection tools are semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The PROBLEM-oriented curriculum template was designed using the characteristics of the elements and with the method of qualitative content analysis in the elementary school mathematics course. The identified features were validated by fuzzy Delphi method and Shannon's entropy method was used for data processing. Based on the results of the analysis, 7 main categories including the characteristics of goals at three levels of cognitive, attitudinal, skill, content, evaluation, teaching-learning strategy and 46 sub-categories were identified.                                                                                                                                                                In the fuzzy Delphi section, all features were confirmed by obtaining a de-fuzzified value greater than 0.7. The results of Shannon's entropy determined that the characteristics of starting teaching with a challenging question, creating a suitable educational environment, continuously monitoring the quality of learning strategies and communicating with students' talents have attracted the most attention and obtained the highest ranks and had a higher importance factor than other characteristics

Introduction: In recent decades integration of pedagogic and technologic approaches resulted in a change in main structure of universities. Appearance and utility of electronic education especially in assessment system and examinations of medical students, necessitates designing new assessment methods and tools. This study is to discuss and design EPMP software as an appropriate tool for measurement of the ability in students’ clinical reasoning and PROBLEM solving.Methods: Regarding the structure of PMP examination, this software was designed in form of a three layer object generated using program C language and visual studio.Net with software base of SQL server 2000 as well as Ajax software to promote user interface (UI) to be used as an internet explorer IEO6.Results: This soft ware represents patients’ PROBLEM in form of some text hints and fixed and animated pictures through simulation and then with some questions, lets the student or assistant follow up patients’ management and treatment.Conclusion: Because of the consistency of the designed software with international standards, this was welcomed by faculty members and assistants in university level and board of examinations.Assistants’ survey results showed their desire to hold these examinations with more frequencies within their education period and the potentiality to enable them to work with computer more skillfully.