Optimization for recipe-based, diet-planning inventory management

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Computation for Design and Optimization Program, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-41).This thesis presents a new modeling framework and research methodology for the study of recipe-based, diet-planning inventory management. The thesis begins with an exploration on the classic optimization problem - the diet problem based upon mixed-integer linear programming. Then, considering the fact that real diet-planning is sophisticated as it would be planning recipes rather than possible raw materials for the meals. Hence, the thesis develops the modeling framework under the assumption that given the recipes and the different purchasing options for raw materials listed in the recipes, examine the nutrition facts and calculate the purchasing decisions and the yearly optimal minimum cost for food consumption. This thesis further discusses the scenarios for different groups of raw materials in terms of shelf-timing difference. To model this inventory management, the modeling implementation includes preprocess part and the optimization part: the formal part involves with conversion of customized selection to quantitative relation with stored recipes and measurement on nutrition factors; the latter part solves the cost optimization problem.by Sheng Kang.S.M

How to do Research At the MIT AI Lab

This document presumptuously purports to explain how to do research. We give heuristics that may be useful in pickup up specific skills needed for research (reading, writing, programming) and for understanding and enjoying the process itself (methodology, topic and advisor selection, and emotional factors).MIT Artificial Intelligence Laborator

Development of a job rotation model for a noise hazard reduction

Job rotation is a significant approach of job design used in manufacturing, assembly or any service providing system, which requires the workers to move between different tasks, at fixed or irregular periods of time. Nowadays, an effective job rotation is increasingly employed in organizations because it helps to reduce and balance the hazard exposure among the workers. An effective job rotation requires optimum rotation parameter setting to ensure the final results will give benefits, for both occupational safety and health, and operational cost. Most of the job rotation studies by previous researchers have been performed for heavy engineering industry such as automotive assembly, forestry and construction site, but a lack of study is observed for the food and beverage manufacturing industries. In this thesis, a job rotation model of a food and beverage manufacturing company has been developed by using Mathematical Programming, and in particular, Integer Linear Programming to eliminate repetitive tasks (with high exposure of noise hazard) for each of the workers, while maintaining a constant level of production. This study was performed among 9 workers, and the proposed model was simulated under few scenarios based on machine availability and worker’s competency requirement. The proposed model was then transformed into MATLAB programming framework and the optimum solutions were then analysed to verify their effectiveness. Final results are given illustrating the validity and practicality of the proposed model for different operational scenarios

Addressing hypertext design and conversion issues

Hypertext is a network of information units connected by relational links. A hypertext system is a configuration of hardware and software that presents a hypertext to users and allows them to manage and access the information that it contains. Hypertext is also a user interface concept that closely supports the ways that people use printed information. Hypertext concepts encourage modularity and the elimination of redundancy in data bases because information can be stored only once but viewed in any appropriate context. Hypertext is such a hot idea because it is an enabling technology in that workstations and personal computers finally provide enough local processing power for hypertext user interfaces

When to fire bad managers: The role of collusion between management and board of directors

incentives;management;corporate governance

Sample-path solutions for simulation optimization problems and stochastic variational inequalities

inequality;simulation;optimization

Spartan Daily, November 30, 2004

Volume 123, Issue 61https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/10065/thumbnail.jp

Web Based Candidate Assessment System

Devplex Technologies Limited is a privately owned company based in Galway Ireland. They have been operating for over two years and currently undertake contract projects for the travel and financial industries. The projects are varied and a wide range of skills are necessary. Devplex Technologies are currently undergoing expansion and intend to hire a number of new employees with varying levels of experience. Devplex Technologies also employ a high number of contractors, with varying skills and contract periods range from one month to twenty four months. The current technical leaders are all very busy with project work. The human resource manager actively advertises positions on both the internet and local newspapers which results in a large number of responses. It is difficult to sort through all the applicants as a high level of technical knowledge is required to vet them. When the human resource (HR) manager selects a number of potential candidates from the vetted curriculum vitas, phone interviews are conducted. The HR manger pools questions which have been submitted from employees who have experience in the relevant technologies. The HR manager has to decide if the candidate\u27s answers are satisfactory for the questions. The most successful candidates are then requested to attend a formal interview. Once a candidate presents for interview they are requested to take a short 10 minute written exam where they are asked to answer five questions relevant to the position they are applying for. Regardless of the outcome of the exam the candidate then proceeds to a formal interview where two or more employees from Devplex Technology interview the candidate and take note of their findings. Once the candidate has left the interview, the HR manager and interviewers meet to discuss the exam and interview and decide if the candidate should be brought for a second interview. If the candidate\u27s second interview is successful the candidate is hired. Devplex Technology interviews a high number of unsuccessful candidates resulting in wasted time and effort. Sometimes employees who are not technically strong enough can be erroneously hired. Devplex Technology wishes to reduce this workload and hire more suitable people by implementing an enterprise based candidate assessment system. The system should allow the remote assessment of potential candidates. It should also allow the HR manager to easily retrieve questions and answers on a selected topic. The system should test the candidates only on subjects which apply to the role they are hired for, the questions should progressively get harder as the candidate gets more questions correct, this will allow for a truly strong candidate achieve the highest score. The overall aim of the system is to reduce workload and help find the best possible candidate for Devplex Technologies

Female labor supply and the demand for housing

female workers;labour supply;housing