Task scheduling for transport and pick robots in logistics: a comparative study on constructive heuristics

We study the Transport and Pick Robots Task Scheduling (TPS) problem, in which two teams of specialized robots, transport robots and pick robots, collaborate to execute multi-station order fulfillment tasks in logistic environments. The objective is to plan a collective time-extended task schedule with the minimization of makespan. However, for this recently formulated problem, it is still unclear how to obtain satisfying results efficiently. In this research, we design several constructive heuristics to solve this problem based on the introduced sequence models. Theoretically, we give time complexity analysis or feasibility guarantees of these heuristics; empirically, we evaluate the makespan performance criteria and computation time on designed dataset. Computational results demonstrate that coupled append heuristic works better for the most cases within reasonable computation time. Coupled heuristics work better than decoupled heuristics prominently on instances with relative few pick robot numbers and large work zones. The law of diminishing marginal utility is also observed concerning the overall system performance and different transport-pick robot numbers.

Post-annealing Effect on Optical and Electronic Properties of Thermally Evaporated MoOX Thin Films as Hole-Selective Contacts for p-Si Solar Cells

Owing to its large work function, MoOX has been widely used for hole-selective contact in both thin film and crystalline silicon solar cells. In this work, thermally evaporated MoOX films are employed on the rear sides of p-type crystalline silicon (p-Si) solar cells, where the optical and electronic properties of the MoOX films as well as the corresponding device performances are investigated as a function of post-annealing treatment. The MoOX film annealed at 100 °C shows the highest work function and proves the best hole selectivity based on the results of energy band simulation and contact resistivity measurements. The full rear p-Si/MoOX/Ag-contacted solar cells demonstrate the best performance with an efficiency of 19.19%, which is the result of the combined influence of MoOX’s hole selectivity and passivation ability.

Compensation And Discipline Of Trading Business Sector As A Performance Measurement In West Java During Covid 19

The purpose of this research is to measure how the state of compensation and work discipline in the trade business sector in West Java at the time of COVID 19 and its impact on their business performance. With the results of this research, it is hoped that it can serve as a barometer of the general economy and in particular the trade sector when COVID 19 is running, especially its contribution to the performance of this business institution. Data were collected using google form from 40 respondents who were obtained randomly from businesses that specialized in trade, both medium and large. The data obtained were tested with validity, reliability, classical assumption test, and data normality. Meanwhile, to determine the value of the contribution of compensation and work discipline on the performance of the business unit used descriptive analysis and verification assisted by SPSS version 25 software. The results of data processing show that all data after being tested are valid, reliable, multicollinear does not occur, heteroscedasticity and are normally distributed. The condition of the compensation owned by this business actor is only in good condition, the condition of work discipline shows very good and their performance illustrates the very high contribution of compensation to small performance and from large work discipline, as a whole of the two variables studied showed a large contribution. All contributions, both partial and simultaneous, are significant. The results of this research can be concluded that the conditions of compensation, work discipline and business performance during COVID 19 were not the same, both partially and simultaneously and all contributions had a fairly large and significant grade.

Chemically Fueled Block Copolymer Self-Assembly into Transient Nanoreactors

In chemically fueled supramolecular materials, molecular self-assembly is coupled to a fuel-driven chemical reaction cycle. The fuel-dependence makes the material dynamic and endows it with exciting properties like adaptivity and autonomy. In contrast to the large work on the self-assembly of small molecules, we herein designed a diblock copolymer, which self assembles into transient micelles when coupled to a fuel-driven chemical reaction cycle. Moreover, we used these transient block copolymer micelles to locally increase the concentration of hydrophobic reagents and thereby function as a transient nanoreactor.

Chemically Fueled Block Copolymer Self-Assembly into Transient Nanoreactors

In chemically fueled supramolecular materials, molecular self-assembly is coupled to a fuel-driven chemical reaction cycle. The fuel-dependence makes the material dynamic and endows it with exciting properties like adaptivity and autonomy. In contrast to the large work on the self-assembly of small molecules, we herein designed a diblock copolymer, which self assembles into transient micelles when coupled to a fuel-driven chemical reaction cycle. Moreover, we used these transient block copolymer micelles to locally increase the concentration of hydrophobic reagents and thereby function as a transient nanoreactor.

Post-Annealing Effect on Optical and Electronic Properties of Thermally Evaporated MoOX Thin Films as Hole-Selective Contacts for p-Si Solar Cells

Owing to its large work function, MoOX has been widely used for hole-selective contact in both thin film and crystalline silicon solar cells. In this work, thermally evaporated MoOX films are employed on the rear sides of p-type crystalline silicon (p-Si) solar cells, where the optical and electronic properties of the MoOX films as well as the corresponding device performances are investigated as a function of post-annealing treatment. The MoOX film annealed at 100oC shows the highest work function and proves the best hole selectivity based on the results of energy band simulation and contact resistivity measurements. The full rear p-Si/MoOX/Ag contacted solar cells demonstrate the best performance with an efficiency of 19.19%, which is the result of the combined influence of MoOX’s hole selectivity and passivation ability.

Features of the performance exposure in girls involved in cyclic and acyclic sports

According to the definition adopted by the international biological program, physical performance is characterized by maximum oxygen consumption (MOC). Profession, lifestyle, and sport affect the value of the MOC. For anatomy and physiology, oxygen delivery to muscle tissue depends on the state of the respiratory and cardiovascular system, the amount and composition of blood. In this case, the leading role belongs to the cardiac activity, namely to the magnitude of the shock and minute volumes of blood in working conditions. High values of MOC and, consequently, a large work capacity are characteristic of athletes specializing in cyclic sports with moderate and high power. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the adaptive response of the cardiovascular system of girls involved in cyclic and acyclic sports as well as those not involved in sports. The study was conducted in 2018. During the research, we used pulse oximetry and determination of blood pressure according to N.S. Korotkov, as well as an assessment of the adaptation of the cardiovascular system according to the Ruffier Index. Studies have shown differences in the level of performance of girls involved in cyclic sports (athletics) and acyclic sports (karate and taekwondo), as well as non-sports. During the experiments, heart rate and blood pressure indicators were recorded at rest and after exercise, and the Ruffier Index, which reflects the level of performance of the participants, was calculated.

Ultrasonic monitoring of metal burn

The problem of the metal quality estimation after heat treatment by which burn of the steel large work pieces is possible duе to the uneven heating of them in the furnaces is considered. The analysis of possibility to detect the burn zones during the ultrasonic testing by computer simulation of the passage of sound wave through the metal with many small defects is performed. Numerical solution of the wave equation showed that the strong scattering and the absorption of sound wave energy is observed when small volume of defects which is detected using receivers in the echo-method of ultrasonic testing. These receivers are installed on the work pieces surfaces perpendicular to the direction of the sound wave which allow to determine the location of the burned metal zone.