Abstract
Scheduling assumes a crucial importance in manufacturing systems, optimizing the allocation of operations to the right resources at the most appropriate time. Particularly in the Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) topology, where the combination of possibilities for this association exponential increases, the scheduling task is even more critical. This paper presents a heuristic scheduling method based on genetic algorithm for a robotic-centric FMS. Real experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, ensuring a reliable and optimized scheduling process. © 2018 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract
In this paper we define a framework to address different kinds of problems related to type inhabitation, such as type checking, the emptiness problem, generation of inhabitants and counting, in a uniform way. Our framework uses an alternative representation for types, called the pre-grammar of the type, on which different methods for these problems are based. Furthermore, we define a scheme for a decision algorithm that, for particular instantiations of the parameters, can be used to show different inhabitation related problems to be in PSPACE.

Abstract

Abstract
METIS is one of the first three scientific instruments on the ELT, expected to see first light in 2025. METIS will provide diffraction limited imaging, coronagraphy, and low resolution slit spectroscopy over the 3 - 19 mu m range. Furthermore, METIS will provide a unique combination of high resolution (R similar to 100,000) integral field spectroscopy and coronagraphy from 2.9 - 5.3 mu m. The latter can be reconfigured to obtain a wider instantaneous wavelength coverage in exchange for integral field coverage. While METIS is a multi-purpose instrument for a wide range of infrared astronomy, its greatest strengths will be in the studies of exoplanets and proto-planetary disks. After two years into the preliminary design phase, the design of METIS has reached an advanced stage. This paper provides an update on the areas which have most advanced in the recent past: the main science drivers, the optical and opto-mechanical design, adaptive optics and the coronagraphy concept. We also describe the calibration of the instrument, give an overview of its observation modes, and present the schedule toward first light.

Abstract
In this work, a relative humidity (RH) sensor based on a structure with multimode interference is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The multimode sensor is fabricated by fusion splicing a coreless fiber section to a single mode fiber. A hydrophilic agarose gel is coated on the coreless fiber, using the dip coating technique. By changing the surrounding RH, the refractive index of the coated agarose gel will change, causing a wavelength shift of the peak in the reflection spectra. For RH variations in the range between 60.0%RH and 98.5%RH, the sensor presents a maximum sensitivity of 44.2 pm/%RH, and taking in consideration the interrogation system, a resolution of 0.5%RH is acquired. This sensor has a great potential in real time RH monitoring and can be of interest for applications where a control of high levels of relative humidity is required.