PERFORMANCE IMPACT OF DISPATCHING AND ROUTING IN AN AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE SYSTEM

Dispatching and routing are fundamental operational decisions in automated material-handling systems. Numerous studies have been conducted on these two operational decisions, with more focus being recently made on intelligent routing decisions. However, comparative studies between the effects of dispatching and routing methods have not been reported so far. In this study, we have investigated three dispatching and three routing algorithms and measured their impacts using a simulation model for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system designed for a real-world production line, in which a grid-type material flow layout is used, and the AGVs need to stop before changing their direction of movement. Two routing algorithms are developed in this study. Simulation experiments revealed that both dispatching and routing algorithms affect the performance of the AGV system, although dispatching methods showed a more significant impact. Good dispatching and routing algorithms are mandatory to improve the overall performance of AGV systems

Fermentation product with new equol-producing Lactobacillus paracasei as a probiotic-like product candidate for prevention of skin and intestinal disorder

BACKGROUND: Equol is a major isoflavone metabolite, and equol-producing bacteria have been isolated and characterized; however, fermentation has been performed with soybean-based products as substrates. Pueraria lobata has been reported as a plant with higher content of isoflavones. RESULTS: The genome of new equol-producing bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei JS1, was analyzed. Also, the effect of P.??lobata extract fermented with L.??paracasei JS1 (FPE) on the skin and intestinal immune response was examined. With gene expression analysis, it was proven that seven skin-related proteins, hyaluronan synthase-1, -2, -3, collagen, elastin, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor were differentially expressed upon FPE treatment. The messenger RNA expression increased with treatment with the FPE, and a skin moisturizing effect was confirmed by a hematoxylin???eosin staining experiment. In addition, such an experiment showed that proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-??, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1??, -4, and -6, were reduced in large intestine when treated with FPE. CONCLUSION: L.??paracasei JS1 has the ability to produce equol having beneficial effects on the skin. Moreover, FPE also has an inhibitory effect on inflammation cytokines in the large intestine. Thus, the novel and edible equol-producing L.??paracasei JS1 and FPE have thepotential to be developed as nutricosmetic resources