Synchronization, cross-docking, and decoupling in supply chain networks

<p>At any distribution centre (DC), the decision of whether to synchronise inbound and outbound flows for cross-docking, or to decouple these flows by maintaining inventory, has a significant impact on supply chain performance. Key drivers of this decision, in turn, are the sizes of the discrete lots that comprise the flows. Thus, we formulate an original optimisation model that determines order lot-sizing decisions to minimise, for given constant arc flows, the sum of ordering cost and pipeline inventory cost on arcs and buffer inventory at DCs. The model employs an average throughput as a surrogate to estimate buffer inventory at facilities at which synchronisation is not economical and therefore serves to decouple inbound and outbound flows. Perfect lot-for-lot matching of shipments would impose very restrictive constraints on supply chain operations, but equality of average throughput indicates an innovative, relaxed mode of synchronisation. This mode is practicable for cross-docking by means of bulk-breaking or consolidation of shipments. A heuristic approach based on the Lagrangian relaxation and subgradient optimisation is developed for the non-linear mixed-general integer optimisation model, which is illustrated by numerical examples and tested using a benchmark data set.</p

Data_Sheet_1_From digital museuming to on-site visiting: The mediation of cultural identity and perceived value.docx

IntroductionMuseums use digital resources to provide online services to the public, and a “digital museuming” boom has started. The mechanism of online museum visiting and its impact on willingness to visit on site has become an important issue of widespread concern. Therefore, based on the theory of presence and cognitive-emotional-behavioral theory, this paper introduces perceived value and cultural identity as mediating variables to explore the influence of the digital museuming experience on the willingness to visit on site from the audience’s perspective.MethodQuestionnaires were distributed, using the snowball sampling method, and 429 valid questionnaires were returned.ResultsThe empirical test presents the following results: (1) virtual reality technology multi-dimensionally expands the digital museuming experience; (2) immersion, interaction and available experience promote willingness to visit on-site; (3) hedonic experience in the process of digital museuming cannot be ignored; and (4) perceived value and cultural identity play a mediating role.DiscussionUser experience of visiting virtual museums, perceived value and cultural identity influence user willingness to visit museums in the field, but perceived value does not enhance the user’s cultural identity, maybe due to the inability of the online experience to increase the depth of the experience.</p

Preparation and Characterization of PtRu Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon for Electrooxidation of Methanol

N-doped porous carbon nanospheres (PCNs) were prepared by chemical activation of nonporous carbon nanospheres (CNs), which were obtained via carbonization of polypyrrole nanospheres (PNs). The catalysts, PtRu and Pt nanoparticles supported on PCNs and Vulcan XC-72 carbon black, were prepared by ethylene glycol chemical reduction. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed to characterize samples. It was found that PCNs containing N function groups possess a large number of micropores. Uniform and well-dispersed Pt and PtRu particles with narrow particle size distribution were observed. The electrooxidation of liquid methanol on these catalysts was investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that alloy catalyst (Pt1Ru1/PCN) possessed the highest catalytic activity and better CO tolerance than the other PtRu and Pt-only catalysts; PtRu nanoparticles supported on PCN showed a higher catalytic activity and more stable sustained current than on carbon black XC-72. Compared to commercial Alfa Aesar PtRu catalyst, Pt1Ru1/PCN reveals an enhanced and durable catalytic activity in methanol oxidation because of the high dispersion of small PtRu nanoparticles and the presence of N species of support PCNs

Endophytic <i>Bacillus pumilus</i> G5 Interacting with Silicon to Improve Drought Stress Resilience in <i>Glycyrrhiza uralensis</i> Fisch. by Modulating Nitrogen Absorption, Assimilation, and Metabolism Pathways

Drought stress has become the primary severe threat to global agriculture production, including medicinal plants. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and environmentally friendly element silicon (Si) have emerged as effective methods in alleviating drought stress in various plants. Here, the effects of the plant endophytic G5 interaction with Si on regulating nitrogen absorption, assimilation, and metabolism pathways were investigated in the morphophysiological and gene attributes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis exposed to drought. Results showed that G5+Si application improved nitrogen absorption and assimilation by increasing the available nitrogen content in the soil, further improving the nitrogen utilization efficiency. Then, G5+Si triggered the accumulation of the major adjustment substances proline, γ-aminobutyric acid, putrescine, and chlorophyll, which played an important role in contributing to maintaining balance and energy supply in G. uralensis exposed to drought. These findings will provide new ideas for the combined application of PGPR and Si on both soil and plant systems in a drought habitat

Table3_Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).XLS

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.</p

Table4_Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).XLS

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.</p

Table1_Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).DOCX

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.</p

Table2_Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).XLS

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.</p

Image_1_Comprehensive physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses reveal the synergistic mechanism of Bacillus pumilus G5 combined with silicon alleviate oxidative stress in drought-stressed Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch..tif

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is often cultivated in arid, semi-arid, and salt-affected regions that suffer from drought stress, which leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus causing oxidative stress. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and silicon (Si) have been widely reported to be beneficial in improving the tolerance of plants to drought stress by maintaining plant ROS homeostasis. Herein, combining physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses, we investigated the response of the antioxidant system of G. uralensis seedlings under drought stress to Bacillus pumilus (G5) and/or Si treatment. The results showed that drought stress caused the overproduction of ROS, accompanied by the low efficiency of antioxidants [i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), the ascorbate (AsA)–glutathione (GSH) pool, total carotenoids, and total flavonoids]. Inversely, supplementation with G5 and/or Si enhanced the antioxidant defense system in drought-stressed G. uralensis seedlings, and the complex regulation of the combination of G5 and Si differed from that of G5 or Si alone. The combination of G5 and Si enhanced the antioxidant enzyme system, accelerated the AsA–GSH cycle, and triggered the carotenoid and flavonoid metabolism, which acted in combination via different pathways to eliminate the excess ROS induced by drought stress, thereby alleviating oxidative stress. These findings provide new insights into the comparative and synergistic roles of PGPB and Si in the antioxidant system of plants exposed to drought and a guide for the application of PGPB combined with Si to modulate the tolerance of plants to stress.</p

Table5_Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).XLS

Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.</p