A simulated annealing approach to optimal storing in a multi-level warehouse

We propose a simulated annealing algorithm specifically tailored to optimise total retrieval times in a multi-level warehouse under complex pre-batched picking constraints. Experiments on real data from a picker-to-parts order picking process in the warehouse of a European manufacturer show that optimal storage assignments do not necessarily display features presumed in heuristics, such as clustering of positively correlated items or ordering of items by picking frequency. In an experiment run on more than 4000 batched orders with 1 to 150 items per batch, the storage assignment suggested by the algorithm produces a 21\% reduction in the total retrieval time with respect to a frequency-based storage assignment

Concept of dealing with uncertainty in radar-based data for hydrological purpose

International audiencePrecipitation radar-based data constitute essential input to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and rainfall-runoff models, however the data introduce a number of errors. Thus their uncertainty should be determined to provide end-users with more reliable information about forecasts. The common idea is to use Quality Index (QI) scheme for some number of quality parameters on the assumption that: (1) relationship between the parameters and relevant quality indexes is linear; (2) averaged QI is a weighted average of all particular indexes. The uncertainty parameters can be topography-dependent, resulting from spatial and temporal distribution of data, etc. Uncertainty in radar-based data is described by gamma PDF of precipitation, and it is proposed to determine the probability density function (PDF) parameters basing on QI values. Practically, precipitation is presented as ensemble of quantiles of the PDF and such an ensemble can constitute input to rainfall-runoff modelling. Since the ensemble is a precipitation input, the hydrological model needs to be activated according to a number of input members

Long-term multi-source precipitation estimation with high resolution (RainGRS Clim)

This paper explores the possibility of using multi-source precipitation estimates for climatological applications. A data-processing algorithm (RainGRS Clim) has been developed to work on precipitation accumulations such as daily or monthly totals, which are significantly longer than operational accumulations (generally between 5 min and 1 h). The algorithm makes the most of additional opportunities, such as the possibility of complementing data with delayed data, access to high-quality data that are not operationally available, and the greater efficiency of the algorithms for data quality control and merging with longer accumulations. Verification of the developed algorithms was carried out using monthly accumulations through comparison with precipitation from manual rain gauges. As a result, monthly accumulations estimated by RainGRS Clim were found to be significantly more reliable than accumulations generated operationally. This improvement is particularly noticeable for the winter months, when precipitation estimation is much more difficult due to less reliable radar estimates.</p

Coordination and organometallic precursors of group 10 and 11 Focused electron beam induced deposition of metals and insight gained from chemical vapour deposition, atomic layer deposition, and fundamental surface and gas phase studies

Nanostructured materials made from group 10 Ni, Pd, Pt and group 11 Cu, Ag, Au elements have outstanding technological relevance in microelectronics, nano optics, catalysis, and energy conversion. Processes that allow for the easy and reliable fabrication of such nanostructures are heavily sought after. Focused electron beam induced deposition FEBID is the only direct write technique that can fabricate nanostructures with arbitrary shape and dimensions down to the sub 10 nm regime. However, the complex chemistry of FEBID involving electron induced dissociation processes of metalorganic precursors molecules, surface kinetics, and thermal effects is poorly understood and far from being optimized. Here, we review in a comparative manner the performance and the underlying chemical reactions of surface deposition processes, namely, chemical vapour deposition CVD , atomic layer deposition ALD , and FEBID itself. The knowledge gained in CVD and ALD as related surface deposition techniques will help us to understand the spatially selective chemistry occurring in FEBID. Fundamental surface and gas phase studies provide insight to electron induced chemistry and desorption of precursor fragments. Specific emphasis is put on the type of the ligands and their different behaviour under thermal, surface related, and electron induced processes. The comprehensive overview of the current state of FEBID for group 10 and 11 metals includes reactive environments and purification approaches as these may provide valuable information on the design of novel precursors. The evaluation of the precursor and process performance is extended to include W, Co, Fe, Ru, Rh, and Ir to represent a general guide towards future developments in FEBID. These may not only rely on the design of novel compounds but also on optimized deposition strategies inspired by ALD and CV

Semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes for ventral abdominal hernia repair in potentially contaminated settings: lower risk of recurrence

In case of potential contamination, implantation of synthetic meshes in hernia and abdominal wall surgery is problematic due to a higher risk of mesh infection. As an alternative, a variety of different biologic meshes have been used. However, relevant data comparing outcome after implantation of these meshes are lacking. Between January 2012 and October 2021, biologic meshes were used for reconstruction of the abdominal wall in 71 patients with preoperative or intraoperative abdominal contamination. In this retrospective study, semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes (BHM) and completely resorbable meshes (CRM) were compared and analyzed using a Castor EDC database. In 28 patients, semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes were used; in 43 patients, completely resorbable meshes were used. Both groups showed no difference in age, gender, BMI, operation duration, hernia size and Charlson comorbidity index. The risk degree of surgical-site occurrences was graded according to the Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) classification, and the median value was 3 (range 2–4) in the BHM group and 3 (range 2–4) in the CRM group. Hernia recurrence within 24 months after hernia repair was significantly lower in the BHM group (3.6% vs. 28.9%; p = 0.03), while postoperative complication rate, with respect to seromas in need of therapy (61.4% vs. 55.5%, p = 0.43) and operative revision (28.6% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.22) was not different in either group. Biologic hybrid meshes can be used safely in case of possible contamination. BHM seems to reduce the risk of hernia recurrence compared to completely resorbable biologic meshes, but this has to be investigated further

Component-level residential building material stock characterization using computer vision techniques

Residential building material stock constitutes a significant part of the built environment, providing crucial shelter and habitat services. The hypothesis concerning stock mass and composition has garnered considerable attention over the past decade. While previous research has mainly focused on the spatial analysis of building masses, it often neglected the component-level stock analysis or where heavy labor cost for onsite survey is required. This paper presents a novel approach for efficient component-level residential building stock accounting in the United Kingdom, utilizing drive-by street view images and building footprint data. We assessed four major construction materials: brick, stone, mortar, and glass. Compared to traditional approaches that utilize surveyed material intensity data, the developed method employs automatically extracted physical dimensions of building components incorporating predicted material types to calculate material mass. This not only improves efficiency but also enhances accuracy in managing the heterogeneity of building structures. The results revealed error rates of 5 and 22% for mortar and glass mass estimations and 8 and 7% for brick and stone mass estimations, with known wall types. These findings represent significant advancements in building material stock characterization and suggest that our approach has considerable potential for further research and practical applications. Especially, our method establishes a basis for evaluating the potential of component-level material reuse, serving the objectives of a circular economy

Gas assisted silver deposition with a focused electron beam

Focused electron beam induced deposition FEBID is a flexible direct write method to obtain defined structures with a high lateral resolution. In order to use this technique in application fields like plasmonics, suitable precursors which allow the deposition of desired materials have to be identified. Well known for its plasmonic properties, silver represents an interesting candidate for FEBID. For this purpose the carboxylate complex silver I pentafluoropropionate AgO2CC2F5 was used for the first time in FEBID and resulted in deposits with high silver contents up to 76 at. . As verified by TEM investigations, the deposited material is composed of pure silver crystallites in a carbon matrix. It showed good electrical properties and a strong Raman signal enhancement. Interestingly, silver crystal growth presents a strong dependency on electron dose and precursor refreshment

Protein Kinase Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 (MAP4K4) Promotes Obesity-induced Hyperinsulinemia

Previous studies revealed a paradox whereby mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4) acted as a negative regulator of insulin sensitivity in chronically obese mice, yet systemic deletion of Map4k4 did not improve glucose tolerance. Here, we report markedly reduced glucose-responsive plasma insulin and C-peptide levels in whole body Map4k4-depleted mice (M4K4 iKO) as well as an impaired first phase of insulin secretion from islets derived from M4K4 iKO mice ex vivo After long-term high fat diet (HFD), M4K4 iKO mice pancreata also displayed reduced beta cell mass, fewer proliferating beta cells and reduced islet-specific gene mRNA expression compared with controls, although insulin content was normal. Interestingly, the reduced plasma insulin in M4K4 iKO mice exposed to chronic (16 weeks) HFD was not observed in response to acute HFD challenge or short term treatment with the insulin receptor antagonist S961. Furthermore, the improved insulin sensitivity in obese M4K4 iKO mice was abrogated by high exogenous insulin over the course of a euglycemic clamp study, indicating that hypoinsulinemia promotes insulin sensitivity in chronically obese M4K4 iKO mice. These results demonstrate that protein kinase Map4k4 drives obesity-induced hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in part by promoting insulin secretion from beta cells in mice