An Analogy between Bin Packing Problem and Permutation Problem: A New Encoding Scheme

Part 2: Knowledge Discovery and SharingInternational audienceThe bin packing problem aims to pack a set of items in a minimum number of bins, with respect to the size of the items and capacity of the bins. This is an NP-hard problem. Several approach methods have been developed to solve this problem. In this paper, we propose a new encoding scheme which is used in a hybrid resolution: a metaheuristic is matched with a list algorithm (Next Fit, First Fit, Best Fit) to solve the bin packing problem. Any metaheuristic can be used but in this paper, our proposition is implemented on a single solution based metaheuristic (stochastic descent, simulated annealing, kangaroo algorithm). This hybrid method is tested on literature instances to ensure its good results

Medical Imaging : Exams Planning and Resource Assignment : Hybridization of a Metaheuristic and a List Algorithm

The presented work is about optimization of the hospital system. An existing solution is the pooling of resources within the same territory. This may involve different forms of cooperation between several hospitals. Problems of sizing, planning and scheduling may be considered. We define the problem of activities planning with resource assignment. To solve this problem, we propose a hybridization between a metaheuristic and a list algorithm. Single based metaheuristics are used. This proposition requires a new encoding inspired by permutation problems. This method is easy to apply: it combines already known methods. With the proposed hybridization, the constraints to be considered only need to be integrated into the list algorithm. For big instances, the solver used as a reference returns only lower and upper bounds. The results of our method are very promising. It is possible to adapt our method on more complex issues through integration into the list algorithm of the constraints. It would be particularly interesting to test these methods on real hospital authorities to assess their significance

Bin Packing Problem with priorities and incompatibilities using PSO: application in a health care community

The present work deals with the Hospital Group of Territory problem. The objective of the cooperation between these health institutions is to provide a better treatment other. To do so, these entities pool their means together. Our goal is to propose efficient methods to assign the different operations to the periods and resources, considering resources compatibilities and due dates. We consider this problem as an extension of the classical Bin Packing Problem. We propose a Particle Swarm Optimization to solve this problem using a hybridization proposed by Klement et al. (2017). The results show the interest of the proposed PSO for this kind of problem

Planning and Scheduling Optimization

Although planning and scheduling optimization have been explored in the literature for many years now, it still remains a hot topic in the current scientific research. The changing market trends, globalization, technical and technological progress, and sustainability considerations make it necessary to deal with new optimization challenges in modern manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare systems. This book provides an overview of the recent advances in different areas connected with operations research models and other applications of intelligent computing techniques used for planning and scheduling optimization. The wide range of theoretical and practical research findings reported in this book confirms that the planning and scheduling problem is a complex issue that is present in different industrial sectors and organizations and opens promising and dynamic perspectives of research and development

Operational Research: Methods and Applications

Throughout its history, Operational Research has evolved to include a variety of methods, models and algorithms that have been applied to a diverse and wide range of contexts. This encyclopedic article consists of two main sections: methods and applications. The first aims to summarise the up-to-date knowledge and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art methods and key developments in the various subdomains of the field. The second offers a wide-ranging list of areas where Operational Research has been applied. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners. The entries within the methods and applications sections are presented in alphabetical order. The authors dedicate this paper to the 2023 Turkey/Syria earthquake victims. We sincerely hope that advances in OR will play a role towards minimising the pain and suffering caused by this and future catastrophes

Developing a multi-methodological approach to hospital operating theatre scheduling

Operating theatres and surgeons are among the most expensive resources in any hospital, so it is vital that they are used efficiently. Due to the complexity of the challenges involved in theatre scheduling we split the problem into levels and address the tactical and day-to-day scheduling problems.Cognitive mapping is used to identify the important factors to consider in theatre scheduling and their interactions. This allows development and testing of our understanding with hospital staff, ensuring that the aspects of theatre scheduling they consider important are included in the quantitative modelling.At the tactical level, our model assists hospitals in creating new theatre timetables, which take account of reducing the maximum number of beds required, surgeons’ preferences, surgeons’ availability, variations in types of theatre and their suitability for different types of surgery, limited equipment availability and varying the length of the cycle over which the timetable is repeated. The weightings given to each of these factors can be varied allowing exploration of possible timetables.At the day-to-day scheduling level we focus on the advanced booking of individual patients for surgery. Using simulation a range of algorithms for booking patients are explored, with the algorithms derived from a mixture of scheduling literature and ideas from hospital staff. The most significant result is that more efficient schedules can be achieved by delaying scheduling as close to the time of surgery as possible, however, this must be balanced with the need to give patients adequate warning to make arrangements to attend hospital for their surgery.The different stages of this project present different challenges and constraints, therefore requiring different methodologies. As a whole this thesis demonstrates that a range of methodologies can be applied to different stages of a problem to develop better solutions

Operational Research: Methods and Applications

Throughout its history, Operational Research has evolved to include a variety of methods, models and algorithms that have been applied to a diverse and wide range of contexts. This encyclopedic article consists of two main sections: methods and applications. The first aims to summarise the up-to-date knowledge and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art methods and key developments in the various subdomains of the field. The second offers a wide-ranging list of areas where Operational Research has been applied. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners. The entries within the methods and applications sections are presented in alphabetical order

AIRO 2016. 46th Annual Conference of the Italian Operational Research Society. Emerging Advances in Logistics Systems Trieste, September 6-9, 2016 - Abstracts Book

The AIRO 2016 book of abstract collects the contributions from the conference participants. The AIRO 2016 Conference is a special occasion for the Italian Operations Research community, as AIRO annual conferences turn 46th edition in 2016. To reflect this special occasion, the Programme and Organizing Committee, chaired by Walter Ukovich, prepared a high quality Scientific Programme including the first initiative of AIRO Young, the new AIRO poster section that aims to promote the work of students, PhD students, and Postdocs with an interest in Operations Research. The Scientific Programme of the Conference offers a broad spectrum of contributions covering the variety of OR topics and research areas with an emphasis on “Emerging Advances in Logistics Systems”. The event aims at stimulating integration of existing methods and systems, fostering communication amongst different research groups, and laying the foundations for OR integrated research projects in the next decade. Distinct thematic sections follow the AIRO 2016 days starting by initial presentation of the objectives and features of the Conference. In addition three invited internationally known speakers will present Plenary Lectures, by Gianni Di Pillo, Frédéric Semet e Stefan Nickel, gathering AIRO 2016 participants together to offer key presentations on the latest advances and developments in OR’s research