Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A shoreline erosion-reversing system and method provides seawards and landwards "quiet" zones which cooperate to promote landwards soil deposition and to mitigate seawards soil scouring. In accord therewith, a series of one or more upstanding, vertically-movable and negatively-buoyant apertured sections are arrayed on a shoreline to be protected. Each section is comprised by a hydrodynamic fence subassembly having a lattice of slats fastened in spaced-apart relation to top and bottom horizontal support members and by a pile subassembly having at least one pile member, which subassemblies cooperate to allow the hydrodynamic fence subassembly to move in a binding-free manner relative to the pile subassembly. The top and bottom horizontal members may be singly and/or doubly arranged and may be implemented with either flexible or rigid members. The slats of the lattice of slats may be singly, doubly and/or triply arranged. End assemblies are disclosed for terminating flexible horizontal support members.