Search

Worldwide, most of the market sectors are experiencing rapid growth in online sales leading to incorporate various delivery options in the last-mile delivery. Last mile is the costliest segment in the supply chain and this stimulates delivery efficiency improvement. Emphasis is put on considering the vertical travel time taken by a delivery person to deliver the goods to the customers located in high rise buildings. Vertical travel time along with the time taken to travel in between the customer buildings and the service time are considered to estimate the exact time required in the entire delivery system. In this paper, a three dimensional vehicle routing problem is discussed and formulated to minimize the cost in last-mile networks. Hard time window constraints along with delivery options are considered in this paper to attain customer satisfaction. Finally, the computational experiments carried out show the superiority of our proposed fast-neighborhood based crowding differential evolution algorithm than with other algorithms. It was also found that comparatively fast niching helps in faster convergence even for large test instance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meckel's cartilage is essential for the normal development of the mandible. The fate of the intermediate portion of Meckel's cartilage is unique as most of it disappears soon after birth except for the part that forms the sphenomandibular ligament. The mechanism of the disappearance of Meckel's cartilage is unknown; therefore, this study was designed to investigate the process of Meckel's cartilage degradation, focusing on cartilage matrix calcification and the appearance of chondroclasts. Developing mouse mandibles at embryonic days 15, 16, 17, and 18, and postnatal day 2 were processed for whole-mount staining with alcian blue and alizarin red. The mandibles on embryonic days 15, 16, 17, and 18 were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Adjacent sections were processed for von Kossa and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Calcification and the element concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and carbon were examined with von Kossa histochemistry and SEM/EDS. The involvement of chondroclasts was investigated using TRAP histochemistry. The results demonstrated that the intermediate portion of Meckel's cartilage is resorbed by chondroclasts after chondrocyte hypertrophy and cartilage matrix calcification and that the mineral concentration of calcified Meckel's cartilage is comparable to that of the surrounding bone. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of Meckel's cartilage resorption and provides useful insights into the development of the mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fields of proton exchange membrane fuel cells as well as impedance recognition, molecular sieve, and biochemistry, the development of proton conductive materials is essential. The design and preparation of the next generation of proton conductive materials—crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF) materials with high proton conductivity and excellent water stability—are facing great challenges. Due to the large radius and high positive charge of lanthanides, they often interact with organic ligands to exhibit high coordination numbers and flexible coordination configurations, resulting in the higher stability of lanthanide-based MOFs (Ln-MOFs) than their transition metal analogues, especially regarding water stability. Therefore, Ln-MOFs have attracted considerable attention. This review offers a view of the latest progress of proton conductive Ln-MOFs, including synthesis strategy, structural characteristics, and advantages, proton conductivity, proton conductive mechanism, and applications. More importantly, by discussing structure–property relationships, we searched for and analyzed design techniques and directions of development of Ln-MOFs in the future. The latest progress of synthesis strategy, structural characteristics, proton conductive properties and mechanism and applications on Ln-MOFs. Ln-MOFS Lanthanide-based MOFs, MOF metal–organic framework, PEMFC proton exchange membrane fuel cells [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many IoT technologies have been applied in the logistics industry in recent years, and they have had a substantial impact on many sectors such as shipping, air freight, warehousing, inventory, etc. Exploring technology opportunities and carrying out technological trend analysis are essential for IoT's evolution, and there are many techniques or methods for doing so. In this paper, data analysis and text mining techniques, technology opportunity analysis (TOA) and technology-service evolution analysis (TSEA) have been applied to analyze and observe IoT technologies' and services' evolution. Academic journals, market reports, and patents have been collected and reviewed on the topic of IoT in the logistics field in this paper. Moreover, by using TOA, technology opportunities have been analyzed to explore IoT-related logistics services. The results of TOA, for example, show that cloud technology is essential to develop smart logistics services, and communication RFID technologies are key to developing information logistics services. Finally, TSEA enables the observation of IoT technology and logistics service evolution by combining unstructured and semi-structured data from text documents. Observing the results of TSEA, the evolution of IoT in logistics is identified, and the results of TSEA also confirm those of TOA using unstructured or semi-structured text data from documents only. The results of this paper are discussed and compared with those of some previous review studies. In summary, the results of this paper provide methodological guidelines on this topic for a comprehensive understanding of IoT-related logistics services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is crucial for plant responses to environmental challenges. The SNF1-regulated protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) are key components in ABA-receptor coupled core signaling, and are rapidly phosphorylated and activated by ABA. Recent studies have suggested that Raf-like protein kinases (RAFs) participate in ABA-triggered SnRK2 activation. In vitro kinase assays also suggest the existence of autophosphorylation of SnRK2s. Thus, how SnRK2 kinases are quickly activated during ABA signaling still needs to be clarified. Here, we show that both B2 and B3 RAFs directly phosphorylate SnRK2.6 in the kinase activation loop. This transphosphorylation by RAFs is essential for SnRK2 activation. The activated SnRK2s then intermolecularly trans-phosphorylate other SnRK2s that are not yet activated to amplify the response. High-order Arabidopsis mutants lacking multiple B2 and B3 RAFs show ABA hyposensitivity. Our findings reveal a unique initiation and amplification mechanism of SnRK2 activation in ABA signaling in higher plants. SnRK2 kinase activity is rapidly activated in response to ABA. Here the authors show that initial activation of SnRK2s is achieved by B2 and B3 RAF kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the activation loop and that transphosphorylation between SnRK2s then amplifies the response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standardized method for assisting joint diagnosis. To validate the reliability of different imaging-based grading systems, this study examined (1) the associations between grading systems for osseous change, joint effusion, and the Wilkes classification of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and (2) the correlation between cytokines in synovial fluid and imaging-based joint scores. Materials and methods: Twenty-seven patients, who routinely received numeric rating scale (NRS) and MRI assessment before TMJ arthrocentesis, were enrolled. Each joint was evaluated through the grading criteria for severity of osseous change and joint effusion by blinded observers using MRI. ImageJ was employed for classifying joint effusion. Joint synovial fluid, collected through arthrocentesis, was examined for cytokine expression by using a Luminex multiplex assay. All data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The Wilkes classification was strongly correlated with osseous change scores, but not with joint effusion scores. Joint effusion scores significantly correlated with NRS scores, but not with the Wilkes classification and osseous change scores. Compared with osseous change scores, joint effusion scores had a higher correlation with the levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-8 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R)) and with anti-inflammatory cytokines (soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II (sTNF-RI/II)). Conclusions: In patients with TMJ disorders, MRI grades are strongly correlated with NRS scores and levels of cytokines (IL-8, sIL-6R, and sTNF-RI/II) in the synovial fluid. Clinical relevance: Joint effusion scoring can be a reliable and valid indicator for pathological assessment of TMJ disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using emerging digital technology to improve supply chain management (SCM) and remain competitive is critical for a supply chain. This paper aims to present a guideline and priorities to promote blockchain adoption in a supply chain by understanding the relationships between various enablers for blockchain adoption. Utilizing a two-stage ISM-MICMAC analysis, this study presents a hierarchy-based model and the mutual relationships among the enablers of blockchain adoption to improve SCM. This study shows a group of enablers with a high driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and strategic importance. In contrast, another group comprises enablers with high dependence and is the resultant action. This classification of enablers provides a valuable tool for supply chain managers to differentiate between independent and dependent enablers and their mutual relationships, which would help them focus on the key enablers that should be prioritized for effective blockchain adoption in a supply chain to improve SCM. The presentation of enablers in a hierarchy and the classification into the driver and dependent categories under the dynamic supply chain capabilities is a unique effort in blockchain adoption in a supply chain. In this study, Risk Management Facilitation is identified and categorized as one of the major enable groups, and the results indicate that it is one of the critical major enable groups of blockchain adoption in a supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma has become one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors in childhood and adult. Numerous studies have demonstrated that aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is involved in human disease including cancer. To date, the potential miRNAs regulating osteosarcoma growth and progression are not fully identified yet. Herein, we showed that miR-375 was frequently downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue and cell lines compared to normal human colon tissues. Overexpression of miR-375 resulted in decreased expression of PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha) at both mRNA and protein levels. We found that miR-375 overexpression markedly suppressed cell proliferation in vitro. And inhibition of miR-375 promotes osteosarcoma growth. Mechanistic studies showed that PIK3CA was a potential target of miR-375 and it mediated reduction of PIK3CA resulted in suppression of PI3K/Akt pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that miR-375 functions as a growth-suppressive miRNA and plays an important role in inhibiting the tumorigenesis through targeting PIK3CA in osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peculiar nature of topological surface states, such as absence of backscattering, weak anti-localization, and quantum anomalous Hall effect, has been demonstrated mainly in bulk and film of topological insulator (TI), using surface sensitive probes and bulk transport probes. However, it is equally important and experimentally challenging to confine massless Dirac fermions with nano-steps on TI surfaces. This potential structure has similar ground with linearly-dispersed photons in Fabry-Pérot resonators, while reserving fundamental differences from well-studied Fabry-Pérot resonators and quantum corrals on noble metal surfaces. In this paper, we study the massless Dirac fermions confined within steps along the x (Γ–K) or y (Γ–M) direction on the TI surface, and the Fabry-Pérot-like resonances in the electronic local density of states (LDOS) between the steps are found. Due to the remarkable warping effect in the topological surface states, the LDOS confined in the step-well running along Γ-M direction exhibit anisotropic resonance patterns as compared to those in the step-well along Γ-K direction. The transmittance properties and spin orientation of Dirac fermion in both cases are also anisotropic in the presence of warping effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of long-distance travel time information has been a major factor facilitating the intelligent transportation system to become more successful. Previous studies have pointed out that non-recurrent congestion is the major cause of freeway delay. The long travel distance complicates the characteristics of traffic flow. Hence, how to improve the prediction capability of long-distance travel time in the case of non-recurrent congestion is an important issue that must be overcome in the field of travel time prediction. This study constructs the travel time prediction model for a segment of 36.1 kms (including eight interchanges) in the National Freeway No. 1, Taiwan, by using the multilayer perceptron. To improve the prediction capability of the model in the case of non-recurrent congestion, this study collects data of average spot speed and heavy vehicle volume gathered by dual-loop vehicle detectors, in addition to rainfall and temporal feature. Furthermore, the historical travel time inferred from the original data of electronic toll collection (ETC) system is also used as the input variable, and the actual travel time inferred from ETC is used as the training target to establish a robust prediction model. As suggested by the results of 168 experimental combinations, the most appropriate prediction model established in this study is a highly accurate forecasting model with MAPE of 6.47 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many previous studies have identified that flow is a constructive construct for explaining consumer behaviors in the context of computer-mediated environments. Success in websites is dependent on their ability to create opportunities for consumers to experience flow. However, relatively little research has been conducted to understand how that flow forms (i.e., antecedents of flow) and impacts subsequently (i.e., consequences of flow). Thus, this research contributes in integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM), flow theory, and regulatory fit theory to investigate the unique role of flow for understanding the antecedents and consequences of flow. The results showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and regulatory fit exhibited significant positive effects on flow, and additionally the results indicated that regulatory fit has the strongest effect on flow. The results also confirmed that flow, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness significantly affect e-satisfaction, which in turn affects e-loyalty, and additionally the results indicated that flow is the strongest determinant of e-loyalty. Important implications of these findings are discussed and directions for future research are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study are to examine whether perceived playfulness and perceived flow would mediate the relationships among website quality, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention, as well as to assess the degree of reciprocity between perceived playfulness and perceived flow in an online travel agency context. This study suggested a research framework for testing the relationships among the constructs based on the stimulus-organism-response framework. In addition, this study developed a non-recursive model. After validating the measurement scales, empirical analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling. The findings confirm that website quality affects customers' perceived playfulness and perceived flow, and in turn, would influence their satisfaction and purchase intention. Notably, this study finds that the service quality is more important than information and system quality in influencing customer satisfaction and purchase intention. Furthermore, the study reveals that the relationship between perceived playfulness and perceived flow is reciprocal. Based on the findings, the implications are discussed in the paper and directions for future research are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common aerobic gram-negative bacilli in a normal intestinal tract. They cause most of the intra-abdominal infections, wound infections associated with abdominal surgery, and septicemia. Most of these infections are of endogenous intestinal origin. Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk and various external secretions. This protein has been found to have a number of biological functions, including antimicrobial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Partial degradation of LF by pepsin can give rise to peptides termed lactoferricin (LFcin) with more potent antimicrobial activity. LF and LFcin have been shown to inhibit the growth of a number of pathogenic bacteria (including E. coli and antibiotic-resistant strains), fungi, and even viruses in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We previously demonstrated that both recombinant porcine LF (pLF) produced from yeast and a synthetic 20-residue porcine LFcin peptide exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro. In one of our recent studies, we performed pathogen challenges, including pathogenic E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, of the digestive tract of a transgenic milk-fed animal model. The results showed that LF has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in the digestive tract and protects the mucosa of the small intestine from injury. Our following study also revealed that pLF as a feedstuff additive enhances avian immunity, including antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity. All of these results suggest that LF could be a novel natural protein in the treatment and prevention of infections with E. coli or antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to produce a Trichoderma reesei xylanase (XYN2) in Pichia pastoris and to test its potential application for pulp bleaching. The recombinant xylanase was purified by a two-step process of ultrafiltration and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of the recombinant enzyme was 21 and 25 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis, due to different glycosylation of the native protein. The optimum pH and temperature of the recombinant XYN2 was 5.0 and 50 °C. Enzyme activity was stable at 50 °C and at pH 5.0-7.0. The bleaching ability of the recombinant xylanase was also studied at 50 °C and pH 6.0, using wheat straw pulp. Biobleaching of the xylanase produced chlorine dioxide savings of up to 60%, while retaining brightness at the control level and led to a lower kappa number and small enhancements in tensile, burst and tear strength of pulp fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, recombinant porcine lactoferrin (PLF) was used as feedstuff additive to investigate the effects of peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and serum antibody titers in chickens vaccinated against the infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus. Treatment groups were fed three doses of PLF powder in their diet (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% w/w), and the IBD vaccine was administrated at 1 and 3 weeks of age. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks after vaccination, serum IBD antibody titers were measured via the micro-method and T cell proliferation rates were evaluated. The results revealed that a high dose of PLF led to significant increases in serum IgA, IgG and IBD-specific antibody titers ( P < 0.05). PLF administration, at either low or high doses, enhanced the expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 in chicken T lymphocytes. These results suggest that PLF enhances cell-mediated immunity and augment the ability of IBD vaccination to strengthen subsequent anti-viral responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Lactobacillus casei was used to deliver and express human lactoferrin (hLF) to protect the host against bacterial infection. Full-length hLF cDNA was cloned into a Lactobacillus-specific plasmid to produce the L. casei transformants (rhLF/ L. casei). Antimicrobial activity of recombinant hLF was examined in inhibition of bacteria growth in vitro. A mouse model was established to test in vivo antibacterial activity and protective effect of orally-administered probiotic L. casei transformant in the gastrointestinal tract. Trials were conducted in which animals were challenged with E. coli ATCC25922. E. coli colony numbers in duodenal fluid from the group fed with rhLF/ L. casei were significantly lower than those of the group fed with wild-type L. casei or placebo ( P < 0.01). Histopathological analyses of the small intestine, showed both decreased intestinal injury and increased villi length were observed in the mice fed with rhLF/ L. casei as compared with the control groups ( P < 0.01). Our results demonstrate that L. casei expressing hLF exhibited antibacterial activity both in in vitro and in vivo. It also provides a potentially large-scale production of hLF as applications for treatment of infections caused by clinically relevant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A differential reproducing kernel (DRK) interpolation-based collocation method is developed for solving partial differential equations governing a certain physical problem. The novelty of this method is that we construct a set of differential reproducing conditions to determine the shape functions of derivatives of the DRK interpolation function, without directly differentiating the DRK interpolation function. In addition, the shape function of the DRK interpolation function at each sampling node is separated into a primitive function processing Kronecker delta properties and an enrichment function constituting reproducing conditions, so that the nodal interpolation properties are satisfied. A point collocation method based on the present DRK interpolation is developed for the analysis of one-dimensional bar problems, two-dimensional potential problems, and plane problems of elastic solids. It is shown that the present DRK interpolation-based collocation method is indeed a truly meshless approach, with excellent accuracy and fast convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the structure of multiple business entities, supply chain management (SCM) offers the external and internal integration of business processes in enterprises. The most important objective of SCM is to enhance the supply chain performance such as reinforcing the service level and increasing profit as well as reducing order cycle time and inventory. In recent years, due to the advancement of information technology, enterprises can manage the product flow and the information flow via economical and efficient mechanisms. The well-organized information sharing can enhance the supply chain performance and allow enterprises to refine their strategies of supply chain in order to maximize their profits. The previous studies pointed out the positive effect of information sharing on the efficiency of supply chain. However, relatively little literature focuses on the performance analysis for multi-echelon supply chain with various information sharing scenarios. By using the simulation technique, this paper models different scenarios of information sharing, and further analyzes the impacts of information quality on multi-echelon supply chain performance. In addition, this paper employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to integrate multiple performance measures to ensure the information sharing scenarios with enhanced performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to numerical methods for American barrier and lookback options, which are important examples of American exotic options. Since the singularity-separating method is adopted, accurate numerical results can be obtained very fast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviewed 66 intertrochanteric fractures in patients younger than 40 years old (average 33.0 years old; range 17–40 years old). In contrast to the usual population with intertrochanteric fractures, the factors male predominance (46/66), less pre-injury comorbidity (9/66), more outdoor high energy trauma (47/66), and more associated injuries (32/66) were evident. The distribution of associated injuries was wide. Some of them were life threatening. According to Boyd’s classification, 20 were type I, 24 were type II, 13 were type III, and 9 were type IV. Twenty-nine were stable, and 37 were unstable. Stratified by the mechanism of injury, the difference in distribution between the subgroups was significant (p = 0.027, two-tail Fisher’s exact test). Simple falls only caused Boyd type I and II fractures. Boyd type III or IV fractures were found more often after vehicular trauma or falls from a height. All the intertrochanteric fractures healed on average 70.5 days (range 31–213 days) after operation. The fractures resulting from vehicular trauma or fall from a height healed significantly more slowly (p = 0.02, univariant log-rank test). There were 6 intertrochanteric fracture-related complications. The mechanism of injury determines the character of intertrochanteric fractures in young adults. Given tougher bone stock, better healing ability, and less co-morbidity, proper management can lead to healing of all intertrochanteric fractures. The extent of functional recovery was also determined by the associated injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported on 7 cases of avascular necrosis ¶of the femoral head after treatment of an unstable intertrochanteric fracture with the Asian Pacific gamma-nail. The incidence was about 1.16% (7 of 604) in our series. Good reduction and good implant position were achieved in all 7 men. Avascular necrosis was found about 6 months to 3 years after the initial operation, and all the fractures were solidly united at the final diagnosis. The possible etiologies were initial high energy trauma and combining basal neck fracture and iatrogenic damage of the blood supply to the femoral head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fully bio-based polyamide 1010 (PA1010) was successfully melt-blended with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA03, PVA05, PVA08 and PVA14) to prepare PA1010xPVAzy blends. The PA1010xPVA03y, PA1010xPVA05y, PA1010xPVA08y and PA1010xPVA14y films demonstrated the lowest oxygen transmission rates (OTR), free volume fraction (Fv), mean volume of the free volume holes (Vf) and mean number of free volume holes per unit volume (I3) values, when the PVA concentration in each PA1010xPVAzy series reached a corresponding critical value of 22.5, 20, 17.5 and 12.5 wt%, respectively. OTR, Fv, Vf and I3 values obtained for the best PA101087.5PVA1412.5, PA101082.5PVA0817.5, PA101080PVA0520 and PA101077.5PVA032.25 films reduced gradually as the degree of polymerization of PVA reduced. The results of dynamical mechanical and other experimental characterizations demonstrated that PA1010 and PVA are compatible to some extent, when the PVA are ≤ the corresponding critical concentration. The significantly enhanced oxygen permeation resistance and free volume characteristics for optimal PA1010xPVAzy films is at least partly due to the improved hydrogen-bonded molecular interactions between PA1010 C=O groups and PVA O-H groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the treatment of 32 cases of bile reflux gastritis by embedding catgut in the acupoints of Danshu (BL 19), Weishu (BL 21), Liangmen (ST 21), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shangwan (CV 13), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), taken off one day later, embedded once every 15–20 days, the results showed cure in 20 cases and improvement in 12 cases after four treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is necessary to quantitatively study the relationship between climate and human factors on net primary productivity (NPP) inorder to understand the driving mechanism of NPP and prevent desertification. This study investigated the spatial and temporal differentiation features of actual net primary productivity (ANPP) in the Ili River Basin, a transboundary river between China and Kazakhstan, as well as the proportional contributions of climate and human causes to ANPP variation. Additionally, we analyzed the pixel-scale relationship between ANPP and significant climatic parameters. ANPP in the Ili River Basin increased from 2001 to 2020 and was lower in the northeast and higher in the southwest; furthermore, it was distributed in a ring around the Tianshan Mountains. In the vegetation improvement zone, human activities were the dominant driving force, whereas in the degraded zone, climate change was the primary major driving force. The correlation coefficients of ANPP with precipitation and temperature were 0.322 and 0.098, respectively. In most areas, there was a positive relationship between vegetation change, temperature and precipitation. During 2001 to 2020, the basin’s climatic change trend was warm and humid, which promoted vegetation growth. One of the driving factors in the vegetation improvement area was moderate grazing by livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]