People-Oriented Optimization Model Of Warehouse Staff Scheduling Problem

Author(s):  
Guoyou Yue ◽  
Yuexia Huang ◽  
Linluan Huang

With the development of e-commerce, China is actively promoting the construction of logistics informatization and intelligence, and simultaneously promoting the standardized and efficient development of warehousing industry, one of the important links of logistics. It is clearly pointed out in the "Medium and Long Term Plan for the Development of the Logistics Industry" issued by the State Council that "The warehousing industry is not only the main body of the traditional logistics industry, but also an important part of the modern logistics industry. In the process of material flow, the level of storage cost has a greater impact on the development of the logistics industry." This paper chooses Sinotrans Logistics Company as the research object. Sinotrans Logistics Company is the largest integrated logistics provider in China and a national 5A comprehensive logistics enterprise. The main problems in Sinotrans warehousing management include: increased operation difficulty of cross-warehouse inventory, large order volume and delayed processing, unreasonable scheduling of warehouse staff, more idle time for warehouse staff and large difference in human efficiency per hour, etc. The key elements of these problems are the work efficiency of employees. Therefore, warehouse management needs to carry out fine scheduling of warehouse staff to improve the completion rate of orders and reduce the waste of labor costs. Keywords: Warehouse staff scheduling problem, integer programming, linear regression model, people-oriented

Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahmed ◽  
Asma Ghafoor Khan ◽  
Vikas Rao Naidu

Changing times require industries to adopt ever-changing technologies in order to stay afloat and compete at the global stage. The logistics industry is experiencing a global boom due to progress in the e-commerce sector and ever-increasing consumer needs of the modern world. Oman’s long-term vision includes logistic sector as one the main contributors to the country’s GDP. Sea Ports such as Sohar and Al Duqm are another indication of the Sultanate’s ambitions to diversify the economy for the post-oil era. The logistics sector in Oman needs to adopt technology that not only helps it with improving its operations but helps reshape the industry standards in Oman. Robot adoption is the latest trend in the global logistics industry and Oman’s leading logistics companies need to adopt it too. The combination of logistic robots and right artificial intelligent programming can do wonders for a company. Artificial intelligence complements robotics to achieve their tasks more efficiently and helps with better robot maintenance. Oman’s logistics sector can benefit greatly from the introduction of logistic robots on both practical fronts as well as the marketing front. A research was conducted based on one of Oman’s leading and most prominent logistics company to identify the level of robotics and artificial intelligence in use. The descriptive approach of research was applied to attain the required data through both quantitative and qualitative means. Interviews and surveys were conducted in order to justify the requirement of the proposed research. The aim of the study was to build a case for implementation of robotics in conjunction with artificial intelligence in Oman’s logistics sector in order for Oman’s logistics sector to fulfil its potential and compete at global stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh E. Mutha ◽  
Anilkumar U. Tatiya ◽  
Sanjay J. Surana

Abstract Background Natural plants and plant-derived formulations have been used by mankind from the ancient period of time. For the past few years, many investigations elaborated the therapeutic potential of various secondary chemicals present in the plants. Literature revealed that the various secondary metabolites, viz. phenolics and flavonoids, are responsible for a variety of therapeutic action in humans. Main body In the present review, an attempt has been made to compile the exploration of natural phenolic compounds with major emphasis on flavonoids and their therapeutic potential too. Interestingly, long-term intake of many dietary foods (rich in phenolics) proved to be protective against the development and management of diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Conclusion This review presents an overview of flavonoid compounds to use them as a potential therapeutic alternative in various diseases and disorders. In addition, the present understanding of phenolics and flavonoids will serve as the basis for the next scientific studies.


Author(s):  
Oliver M. Shannon ◽  
Chris Easton ◽  
Anthony I. Shepherd ◽  
Mario Siervo ◽  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3−) is a polyatomic ion, which is present in large quantities in green leafy vegetables and beetroot, and has attracted considerable attention in recent years as a potential health-promoting dietary compound. Numerous small, well-controlled laboratory studies have reported beneficial health effects of inorganic NO3− consumption on blood pressure, endothelial function, cerebrovascular blood flow, cognitive function, and exercise performance. Translating the findings from small laboratory studies into ‘real-world’ applications requires careful consideration. Main body This article provides a brief overview of the existing empirical evidence basis for the purported health-promoting effects of dietary NO3− consumption. Key areas for future research are then proposed to evaluate whether promising findings observed in small animal and human laboratory studies can effectively translate into clinically relevant improvements in population health. These proposals include: 1) conducting large-scale, longer duration trials with hard clinical endpoints (e.g. cardiovascular disease incidence); 2) exploring the feasibility and acceptability of different strategies to facilitate a prolonged increase in dietary NO3− intake; 3) exploitation of existing cohort studies to explore associations between NO3− intake and health outcomes, a research approach allowing larger samples sizes and longer duration follow up than is feasible in randomised controlled trials; 4) identifying factors which might account for individual differences in the response to inorganic NO3− (e.g. sex, genetics, habitual diet) and could assist with targeted/personalised nutritional interventions; 5) exploring the influence of oral health and medication on the therapeutic potential of NO3− supplementation; and 6) examining potential risk of adverse events with long term high- NO3− diets. Conclusion The salutary effects of dietary NO3− are well established in small, well-controlled laboratory studies. Much less is known about the feasibility and efficacy of long-term dietary NO3− enrichment for promoting health, and the factors which might explain the variable responsiveness to dietary NO3− supplementation between individuals. Future research focussing on the translation of laboratory data will provide valuable insight into the potential applications of dietary NO3− supplementation to improve population health.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Bojana Petrović ◽  
Xingxing Zhang ◽  
Ola Eriksson ◽  
Marita Wallhagen

The objective of this paper was to explore long-term costs for a single-family house in Sweden during its entire lifetime. In order to estimate the total costs, considering construction, replacement, operation, and end-of-life costs over the long term, the life cycle cost (LCC) method was applied. Different cost solutions were analysed including various economic parameters in a sensitivity analysis. Economic parameters used in the analysis include various nominal discount rates (7%, 5%, and 3%), an inflation rate of 2%, and energy escalation rates (2–6%). The study includes two lifespans (100 and 50 years). The discounting scheme was used in the calculations. Additionally, carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions were considered and systematically analysed with costs. Findings show that when the discount rate is decreased from 7% to 3%, the total costs are increased significantly, by 44% for a 100-year lifespan, while for a 50 years lifespan the total costs show a minor increase by 18%. The construction costs represent a major part of total LCC, with labor costs making up half of them. Considering costs and emissions together, a full correlation was not found, while a partial relationship was investigated. Results can be useful for decision-makers in the building sector.


2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 56-74
Author(s):  
Paweł Wieczorek

The article is a contribution to the discussion on the necessity to change the current model of economic growth of Poland for model of economy based on knowledge and innovation. In this way, our country will be able to overcome the threats that might push the economy into the trap of the average income, expressed in long-term slowdown in GDP growth. The endogenous growth theory, formed after 1989 and characterized by duplication of Western technology, enabled relatively rapid growth by over 20 years. Currently, Poland to ensure an economic growth is facing the need for innovative technologies and innovation. Risks associated with middle income trap are very real because of the disappearance of comparative advantage, which results from relatively low labor costs. The creation in Poland conditions to accelerate economic growth requires action to increase the propensity of entrepreneurs to reach for new technologies and innovation and attractive market offer from the national centers for research and development.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2465
Author(s):  
Laura Brad ◽  
Gabriel Popescu ◽  
Alina Zaharia ◽  
Maria Claudia Diaconeasa ◽  
Daniela Mihai

The importance of agricultural financing in ensuring food security and safety, jobs, poverty reduction, economic growth and more recently, climate change mitigation, natural resource conservation and sustainable development imposes periodic analysis of the factors which might influence the farmers’ financial situation, in order to improve it. One way of assessing this is to analyze the agricultural debt. In this context, based on previous models, the paper aims to assess the impact of specific factors on the agricultural debt level in the European Union during 2008–2015, as these should be considered in future common agriculture policies as well as in achieving sustainable agriculture. The research was conducted based on econometric techniques, by applying panel models in the Eviews 7.0 software-64 bit version. More than 20 variables were considered in the analysis. Some of the findings suggest that an increase in subsidies as well as the share of cash flow in the total existing capital would determine considerable reductions of the total debt. Decoupled subsidies seem to have a higher impact than coupled subsidies on short term debt, while its value is between the one found for coupled subsidies in the case of long term debt. Large farms/companies, to which decoupled payments are granted, have higher debts on long run and on total debt. The same units, to which coupled subsidies were granted, have smaller short-term debt. In contrast, the increases of labor costs, fixed costs, and crop/livestock costs lead to an increase in the total debt, since the farms require additional financial resources to cover the expanded costs. Also, the results suggest that short-term debts are mainly formed of long-term loans that reached maturity. In this case, the authors support the idea of differentiated financing programs for the agricultural activities because of their peculiarities and reinforced by the need to turn the intensive agriculture into a sustainable and plentiful one.


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