Abstract
This paper presents a hybrid tabu search strategy for lot sizing problems. This strategy allows the exploitation of the quality of the well-known relax-and-fix heuristic, inside a tabu search framework which enforces diversity. The computational results show an advantage of this strategy when compared to a version of the relax-and-fix heuristic and to time constrained branch-and-bound.

Abstract
This paper introduces tabu search for the solution of general linear integer problems. Search is done on integer variables; if there are continuous variables, their corresponding value is determined through the solution of a linear program, which is also used to evaluate the integer solution.The complete tabu search procedure includes an intensification and diversification procedure, whose effects are analysed on a set of benchmark problems.© 2005 by Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Abstract
Genetic interventions that accelerate or retard aging in mice are crucial in advancing our knowledge over mammalian aging. Yet determining if a given intervention affects the aging process is not straightforward since, for instance, many disease-causing mutations may decrease life span without affecting aging. In this work, we employed the Gompertz model to determine whether several published interventions previously claimed to affect aging in mice do indeed alter the aging process. First, we constructed age-specific mortality tables for a number of mouse cohorts used in longevity experiments and calculated the rate at which mortality increases with age. Estimates of age-independent mortality were also calculated. We found no statistical evidence that GHRHR, IGF1R, INSR, PROP1, or TRX delay or that ATM + TERC, BubR1, klotho, LMNA, PRDX1, p53, WRN + TERC, or TOP3B accelerate mouse aging. Often, changes in the expression of these genes affected age-independent mortality and so they may prove useful to other aspects of medicine. We found statistical evidence that C/EBP, MSRA, SHC1, growth hormone, GHR, PIT1, and PolgA may influence aging in mice. These results were interpreted together with age-related physiological and pathological changes and provide novel insights regarding the role of several genes in the mammalian aging process.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper develops a framework for performance appraisal in the context of a bank branch network. A data envelopment analysis model is advocated that can identify both input and output inefficiencies from a cost minimization perspective. The model is then applied to the analysis of a bank branch network and the production and value-added approaches are deployed jointly to give a comprehensive assessment of bank branch efficiency. The sources of underperformance are identified and their managerial implications are explored.

Abstract
This paper enhances cost efficiency measurement methods to account for different scenarios relating to input price information. These consist of situations where prices are known exactly at each decision making unit (DMU) and situations with incomplete price information. The main contribution of this paper consists of the development of a method for the estimation of upper and lower bounds for the cost efficiency (CE) measure in situations of price uncertainty, where only the maximal and minimal bounds of input prices can be estimated for each DMU. The bounds of the CE measure are obtained from assessments in the light of the most favourable price scenario (optimistic perspective) and the least favourable price scenario (pessimistic perspective). The assessments under price uncertainty are based on extensions to the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model that incorporate weight restrictions of the form of input cone assurance regions. The applicability of the models developed is illustrated in the context of the analysis of bank branch performance. The results obtained in the case study showed that the DEA models can provide robust estimates of cost efficiency even in situations of price uncertainty.