Fluid-based Slotting Optimization for Automated Order Picking System with Multiple Dispenser Types

Slotting strategy heavily influences the throughput and operational cost of automated order picking system with multiple dispenser types, which is called the complex automated order picking system （CAOPS）. Existing research either focuses on one aspect of the slotting optimization problem or only considers one part of CAOPS, such as the Low-volume Dispensers, to develop corresponding slotting strategies. In order to provide a comprehensive and systemic approach, a fluid-based slotting strategy is proposed in this paper. The configuration of CAOPS is presented with specific reference to its fast-picking and restocking subsystems. Based on extended fluid model, a nonlinear mathematical programming model is developed to determine the optimal volume allotted to each stock keeping unit （SKU） in a certain mode by minimize the restocking cost of that mode. Conclusion from the allocation model is specified for the storage modules of high-volume dispensers and low-volume dispensers. Optimal allocation of storage resources in the fast-picking area of CAOPS is then discussed with the aim of identifying the optimal space of each picking mode. The SKU assignment problem referring to the total restocking cost of CAOPS is analyzed and a greedy heuristic with low time complexity is developed according to the characteristics of CAOPS. Real life application from the tobacco industry is presented in order to exemplify the proposed slotting strategy and assess the effectiveness of the developed methodology. Entry-item-quantity （EIQ） based experiential solutions and proposed-model-based near-optimal solutions are compared. The comparison results show that the proposed strategy generates a savings of over 18% referring to the total restocking cost over one-year period. The strategy proposed in this paper, which can handle the multiple dispenser types, provides a practical quantitative slotting method for CAOPS and can help picking-system-designers make slotting decisions efficiently and effectively.

ORDER-PICKING OPTIMIZATION FOR AUTOMATED PICKING SYSTEM WITH PARALLEL DISPENSERS

Based on the characteristics of parallel dispensers in automated picking system, an order-picking optimization problem is presented. Firstly, the working principle of parallel dispensers is introduced, which implies the time cost of picking each order is influenced by the order-picking sequence. So the order-picking optimization problem can be classified as a dynamic traveling salesman problem （TSP）. Then a mathematical model of the problem is established and an improved max-min ant system （MMAS） is adopted to solve the model. The improvement includes two aspects. One is that the initial assignment of ants depends on a probabilistic formula instead of a random deployment; the other is that the heuristic factor is expressed by the extra picking time of each order instead of the total. At last, an actual simulation is made on an automated picking system with parallel dispensers. The simulation results proved the optimization value and the validity of improvement on MMAS.

A NEW Ba-W DISPENSER CATHODE IMPREGNATED WITH BARIUM YTTERBATE

A new kind of Ba-W dispenser cathode impregnated with barium ytterbate has been deve-loped.It has good properties;high coefficient of secondary emission,strong ability of resisting oxygenpoisoning,high thermionic emission current density and more uniform emission on the cathode surface.The cathode is suitable for using as an electron emitter for microwave tubes,especially magnetrons.

H_2 Output Feedback Control for Airborne Dispenser Uncertain Generalized System

The problem of H2 output feedback control for generalized system with structural uncertainties is studied using linear matrix inequality approach. A sufficient condition Of linear matrix inequality is presented such that the closed-loop system is stable and satisfies H2 performance for all admissible uncertainties. Furthermore, the solution of the controller is given. An H2 output feedback controller is designed in the airborne dispenser pitch channel, and the simulation results show that the controller is effective.

RCS Reduction of Airborne Dispenser

The radar cross section (RCS) of dispenser and its components is computed by graphical electromagnetic computing (GRECO) method, which bases on physical optics (PO) method. A satisfied agreement is gotten between computed and measured results outdoor. The results show that the main scattering source of the dispenser is the mirror reflecting of the body; in the most crucial nose-on region, the nose mirror reflecting plays important role; the corner reflecting is important to the fins' RCS. The corresponding measures to reduce dispenser's RCS are proposed. It is indicated that to reduce RCS, shaping should be adopts first, while aerodynamic characteristics and stealth characteristics should be considered synthetically during the design of dispenser.

Impact of Training of Dispensers on Case Management of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections at Community Pharmacies in Pakistan

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of training of dispensers on the process of case management of ARI at community pharmacies in context to history taking and provision of advice working at community pharmacies in Islamabad, Pakistan. Method: A randomized, controlled, blinded intervention study was designed and implemented. Before the implementation of intervention, a baseline study was performed to assess the process of case management for ARI at community pharmacies. The study population included all community pharmacy outlets in Islamabad. After data collection, data was analyzed. The result of the study revealed that the overall process of disease management of ARI at community pharmacies in Pakistan is not satisfactory. Pharmacies of Islamabad which were visited in pre intervention phase (118) were divided into two geographical regions A (intervention) and B (control). From which thirty pharmacies were selected randomly from each region. The targeted group of the interventions was drug sellers. Keeping in view the results of the base line study an educational intervention was designed to improve the case management of ARI at community pharmacies in Pakistan. Results: No significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was seen in the process of history taking and advice provision in case of ARI management at community pharmacies between pre and post control groups. On the other hand significant difference in the process of history taking and provision of advice for ARI was observed in the intervention group before and after training. Conclusion: The study has highlighted that improvements in the current dispensing practices at community pharmacies are possible through appropriate educational interventions. The dispensers have the potential to provide fast and low cost healthcare to the masses in the country where the presence of doctors and qualified pharmacist is low;to date they are an untapped and underutilized source in the country.

Multi-pulsed intense electron beam emission from velvet,carbon fibers,carbon nano-tubes and dispenser cathodes

The experimental results of studies of four kinds of cathode emitting intense electron beams are demonstrated under multi-pulsed mode based on an experimental setup including two multi-pulse high voltage sources.The tested cathodes include velvet,carbon fibers,carbon nano-tubes （CNTs） and dispenser cathodes.The results indicate that all four are able to emit multi-pulsed beams.For velvet,carbon fiber and CNTs,the electron induced cathode plasma emission may be the main process and this means that there are differences in beam parameters from pulse to pulse.For dispenser cathodes tested in the experiment,although there is a little difference from pulse to pulse for some reason,thermal-electric field emission may be the main process.

Pediatric burns due to hot water from water dispenser： a neglected issue that should be highly concerned

Background More and more Chinese drink hot water from water dispensers while many children were scalded due to this change. The present study aimed to propose a feasible strategy for prevention. Methods A retrospective study was conducted for all water dispensers related pediatric burns admitted to Changhai Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009. Results The number of new cases and incidences of pediatric burns due to hot water from water dispensers was significantly increasing year after year. In the total 238 involved cases, 175 cases happened on males and 78.9% were at the age of 1-4 years. The burn areas were mainly located in upper extremities. All water dispensers in the surveyed families had no isolate protection devices and 85.2% of their locations were easy for children to reach. Nearly half of the children were in the same room with their guardians when injured. Total 196 burned children were playing the taps of water dispensers before injured, unfortunately, 80.6% of them have not been stopped until burned. Conclusion As the kind of burns is quite serious and with bad outcome, some recommendations should be followed, such as buying water dispensers with protection devices, keeping children from touching them and so on.

Microcapillary cell extrusion deposition with picolitre dispensing resolution

Extrusion-based cell deposition has become a prominent technique for expanding bioprinting applications.However,the associated print resolution in the order of nanolitre or above has been a limiting factor.The demand for improving print resolution towards the scale of a single cell has driven the development of precision nozzle extrusion,although the benefits gained remain ambiguous.Here,aided by in situ imaging,we investigated the dynamics of cell organisation through an extrusion-based microcapillary tip with picolitre precision through in-air or immersion deposition.The microcapillary extrusion setup,termed‘Picodis’,was demonstrated by generating droplets of colouring inks immersed in an immiscible medium.Next,using 3T3 fibroblast cells as an experimental model,we demonstrated the deposition of cell suspension,and pre-aggregated cell pellets.Then,the dynamic organisation of cells within the microcapillary tip was described,along with cell ejection and deposition upon exiting the tip opening.The vision-assisted approach revealed that when dispersed in a culture medium,the movements of cells were distinctive based on the flow profiles and were purely driven by laminar fluid flow within a narrow tip.The primary process limitations were cell sedimentation,aggregation and compaction,along with trapped air bubbles.The use of picolitre-level resolution microcapillary extrusion,although it provides some level of control for a small number of cells,does not necessarily offer a reliable method when a specified number of cells are required.Our study provides insights into the process limitations of high-resolution cell ink extrusion,which may be useful for optimising biofabrication processes of cell-laden constructs for biomedical research.

Knowledge,attitude,and practices related to medication errors among nursing professionals:a questionnaire-based study in a tertiary care hospital

Objective:To evaluate the level of understanding(knowledge),beliefs(attitude),and behavior(practice)of staff nurses toward medication errors(MEs).Methods:Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to nursing professionals who had at least 1 year of work experience.Each questionnaire contained 19 items assessing“knowledge,”“attitude,”and“practice”attributes toward MEs.Results:Responses from 47 nursing respondents were included for the final analysis.The mean knowledge score was 3.8±1.1(out of 6);66%and 79%of the respondents had awareness of medication repor ting systems and interventions in preventing MEs,respectively.Lack of adequate knowledge in recognizing MEs(P=0.003),or presuming MEs are not as important enough to be reported(P=0.002),was considered as the major reason for under-repor ting of MEs.Nurses with higher knowledge score were against administration of medication through a different route than that prescribed by the physician(P=0.023),and tried to rectify an ME(P=0.020)and stayed with the patient until an oral medication had been swallowed(P=0.037).Conclusions:The nursing professionals were aware of the ME repor ting system and methods to prevent the occurrence of MEs.They also exhibited a positive attitude and followed optimal practices in controlling MEs.

A Literature Review: Pharmaceutical Care an Evolving Role at Community Pharmacies in Pakistan

The aim of this paper is to highlight the role of pharmaceutical care at community pharmacies in Pakistan. The paper draws on the literature related to current dispensing practices at community pharmacies in developing countries as well as in Pakistan. There are approximately 63,000 community pharmacies in Pakistan, and according to an estimate, 80% of the medicines are being distributed through this channel to majority of the population. They often lack adequate facilities, staffing and equipments. Absence of pharmacists and their roles being performed by the non-qualified personnel working at community pharmacies are a common practice. There are 8102 pharmacists who are categorized as a category, 31,000 pharmacy technicians categorized in B & C category in the country. There is a shortage of pharmacists who could be engaged for ensuring good pharmacy practices. There are only ten percent of the total pharmacists who work at community pharmacies in the country according to the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan. All kind of medicines are freely available irrespective of their status as prescription or over the counter drugs. The paper highlights that the professional role of pharmacist in hospitals and community pharmacies is switching from dispensing and sale of drugs, to patient counselling. But, the concept of pharmaceutical care at community pharmacies has not been acknowledged yet in Pakistan. The process of prescription handling is poor and patients are often treated without a proper prescription. Prescription validation, drug labeling and patient counseling are the missing components in effective patient management at the community pharmacies. The paper concludes that although laws exist, but due to lack of accountability and weak regulatory framework their proper implementation is not witnessed. Moreover, due to lack of research and evidence related to problems in dispensing practices in healthcare system of Pakistan, the counteractive actions for resolving these problems are limited.

Development of non-shrinkable ceramic composites for use in high-power microwave tubes

Al_2O_3–CaO–SiC-based ceramic composites with four different compositions were sintered at 1700℃ for 3 h in an air furnace. The phase analysis, microstructural characterization, and elemental composition determination of the developed composites were performed by X-ray diffraction(XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray(EDAX) analysis, respectively. The shrinkage, thermal properties, and electrical resistivity of the composites were also studied. The experimental results showed the effects of adding silicon carbide and calcia to alumina on the thermal, electrical, and shrinkage properties of the resultant composites. Among the four investigated ceramic composites, the one composed of 99 wt% alumina, 0.5 wt% CaO, and 0.5 wt% SiC exhibited the best characteristics for use as a potting material in a dispenser cathode of a microwave tube. The material exhibited slight expansion instead of shrinkage during drying or firing. Other properties of the composite powder, such as its thermal properties and electrical resistivity, were comparable to those of a commercial alumina powder.

Reliability Design of Ice-Maker System Subjected to Repetitive Loading

Parametric Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) was used to improve the reliability of ice-maker system with a fractured helix upper dispenser in field. By using bond graphs and state equations, a variety of mechanical loads in the assembly were analyzed. The acceleration factor was derived from a generalized life-stress failure model with a new load concept. To reproduce the failure modes and mechanisms causing the fracture, new sample size equation was derived. The sample size equation with the acceleration factor also enabled the parametric accelerated life testing to quickly reproduce early failure in field. Consequently, the failure modes and mechanisms found were identical with those of the failed sample. The design of this testing should help an engineer uncover the design parameters affecting the reliability of fractured helix upper dispenser in field. By eliminating the design flaws, gaps and weldline, the B1 life of the redesign of helix upper dispenser is now guaranteed to be over 10 years with a yearly failure rate of 0.1% that is the reliability quantitative test specifications (RQ).

新品器械速递

诺瓦格（Nouvag）微动力系统MD20；诺瓦格（Nouvag）微动力系统SM12；诺瓦格（Nouvag）蠕动注液泵Dispenser DP20；美国简易电凝。

RUN TO RUN CONTROL OF TIME-PRESSURE DISPENSING SYSTEM

In electronics packaging the time-pressure dispensing system is widely usedto squeeze the adhesive fluid in a syringe onto boards or substrates with the pressurized air.However, complexity of the process, which includes the air-fluid coupling and the nonlinearuncertainties, makes it difficult to have a consistent process performance. An integrated dispensingprocess model is first introduced and then its input-output regression relationship is used todesign a run to run control methodology for this process. The controller takes EWMA scheme and itsstability region is given. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed run to runcontrol method for dispensing process.

Analysis of the application and practice of PDCA cycle in management of the naked medicine dispensing——the quality and safety of the drug

Objective:To explore the application of plan–do–check–action(PDCA)cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package and to analyze the practice improved in the quality of naked medicine dispensing medicine management.Methods:The PDCA theory was used to analyze the data,to find out the causes of the problem,and to formulate the corresponding countermeasures to intervene.The data of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of the inpatients in 18 inpatient departments given for the adoption of PDCA cycle in January 2017 were set as the observation group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before adoption of PDCA cycle in December 2016 was set as the control group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before and after adoption of PDCA cycle was observed and analyzed.Results:The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly lower than before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).The satisfaction degree of the inpatients after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly higher than that before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion:Application of PDCA cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package can help to reduce the adverse drug events,to improve the safety of drug treatment,and to increase the patients’satisfaction degree.

Modeling and Control of Time-pressure Dispensing for Semiconductor Manufacturing

To improve the consistency of the adhesive amount dispensed by the time-pressure dispenser for semiconductor manufacturing, a non-Newtonian fluid flow rate model is developed to represent and estimate the adhesive amount dispensed in each cycle. Taking account of gas compressibility, an intelligent model-based control strategy is proposed to compensate the deviation of adhesive amount dispensed from the desired one. Both simulations and experiments show that the dispensing consistency is greatly improved by using the model-based control strategy developed in this paper.

Run by Run Control of Time-pressure Dispensing for Electronics Encapsulation

To alleviate the influence of gas compressibility on the process performance of time-pressure dispensing for electronics encapsulation,a predictive model is developed based on power-law fluid to estimate the encapsulant amount dispensed.Based on the simple and effective model,a run by run (RbR) supervisory control scheme is delivered to compensate the variation resulting from gas volume change in the syringe.Both simulation and experiment have shown that the dispensing consistency has been greatly improved with the model-based RbR control strategy developed in this paper.

An automated dispensing system for improving medication timing in the emergency department

BACKGROUND:Numerous medical conditions require timely medication administration in the emergency department(ED).Automated dispensing systems(ADSs)store premixed common doses at the point-of-care to minimize time to administration,but the use of such automation to improved time to medication administration has not been studied.Since vancomycin is a commonly used empiric antimicrobial,we sought to quantify the effect of using an ADS on time to drug delivery in patients presenting to the ED.The study aimed to determine the efficacy of utilizing an ADS to improve time to administration of vancomycin and determine any negative effects on dosing appropriateness.METHODS:The institional review board approved the retrospective quality improvement study took place in a single,urban academic tertiary care ED with an annual census of 80 000.Study subjects were all patients receiving vancomycin for the management of sepsis between March 1 to September 30,2008 and the same time period in 2009.The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who received vancomycin within one hour of bed placement and the secondary outcome was dosing appropriateness.RESULTS:Sixty-three patients had weight and dosing information available(29 before and 34after intervention)and were included in the study.Before intervention,no patient received vancomycin in less than 60 minutes,while after intervention 14.7%of the patients received it in less than 60minutes(difference in proportions 14.7%,95%CI 0.39%-30.0%,P=0.04).A similar proportion of the patients received correct dosing before and after intervention(44.8%vs.41.2%,difference in proportions 3.7%,95%CI-20.0%-26.7%,P=0.770).CONCLUSION:The use of an ADS may improve the timing of medication administration in patients presenting to the ED without affecting dosing appropriateness.

SENSITIVITY OF THE CONCENTRATION CHANGE OF DYE DISPENSING USING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

This paper employs computer colour generation,and match prediction systems and aims tofind the most critical change of dye concentration corresponding to changes of Hue,or Chroma,orLightness of 1 unit just visible colour difference,thus investigating the required accuracy level fordyeing dispensing.This leads to the selection of one critical colour-difference dimension of threefrom CMC (1:c) measurement.The results reveal that the concentration change in dye dispensing ismost critical for change of Hue in a computer controlled system.The formula describing the rela-tionship Of △E and △H in CMC (2:1) measurement is selected for further investigation.