The Future of Retail Operations

Retailing consists of all the activities associated with the selling of goods to the final consumer. In this article, we review the research on retail operations published in Manufacturing & Service Operations Research (M&SOM) since 1999. We then discuss the current retail landscape and the new research directions it offers, in which M&SOM can play a prominent role

Nature-Inspired Interconnects for Self-Assembled Large-Scale Network-on-Chip Designs

Future nano-scale electronics built up from an Avogadro number of components needs efficient, highly scalable, and robust means of communication in order to be competitive with traditional silicon approaches. In recent years, the Networks-on-Chip (NoC) paradigm emerged as a promising solution to interconnect challenges in silicon-based electronics. Current NoC architectures are either highly regular or fully customized, both of which represent implausible assumptions for emerging bottom-up self-assembled molecular electronics that are generally assumed to have a high degree of irregularity and imperfection. Here, we pragmatically and experimentally investigate important design trade-offs and properties of an irregular, abstract, yet physically plausible 3D small-world interconnect fabric that is inspired by modern network-on-chip paradigms. We vary the framework's key parameters, such as the connectivity, the number of switch nodes, the distribution of long- versus short-range connections, and measure the network's relevant communication characteristics. We further explore the robustness against link failures and the ability and efficiency to solve a simple toy problem, the synchronization task. The results confirm that (1) computation in irregular assemblies is a promising and disruptive computing paradigm for self-assembled nano-scale electronics and (2) that 3D small-world interconnect fabrics with a power-law decaying distribution of shortcut lengths are physically plausible and have major advantages over local 2D and 3D regular topologies

Short-range order and precipitation in Fe-rich Fe-Cr alloys: Atomistic off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations

Short-range order (SRO) in Fe-rich Fe-Cr alloys is investigated by means of atomistic off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations in the semi-grand canonical ensemble using classical interatomic potentials. The SRO parameter defined by Cowley [Phys. Rev. B 77, 669 (1950)] is used to quantify the degree of ordering. In agreement with experiments a strong ordering tendency in the Cr distribution at low Cr concentrations (~< 5%) is observed, as manifested in negative values of the SRO parameters. For intermediate Cr concentrations (5% ~< c_Cr ~< 15%) the SRO parameter for the alpha-phase goes through a minimum, but at the solubility limit the alpha-phase still displays a rather strong SRO. In thermodynamic equilibrium for concentrations within the two-phase region the SRO parameter measured over the entire sample therefore comprises the contributions from both the alpha and alpha-prime phases. If both of these contributions are taken into account, it is possible to quantitatively reproduce the experimental results and interpret their physical implications. It is thereby shown that the inversion of the SRO observed experimentally is due to the formation of stable (supercritical) alpha-prime precipitates. It is not related to the loss of SRO in the alpha-phase or to the presence of unstable (subcritical) Cr precipitates in the alpha-phase.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Towards durable multistakeholder-generated solutions: The pilot application of a problem-oriented policy learning protocol to legality verification and community rights in Peru

This paper reports and reflects on the pilot application of an 11-step policy learning protocol that was developed by Cashore and Lupberger (2015) based on several years of Cashore’s multi-author collaborations. The protocol was applied for the first time in Peru in 2015 and 2016 by the IUFRO Working Party on Forest Policy Learning Architectures (hereinafter referred to as the project team). The protocol integrates insights from policy learning scholarship (Hall 1993, Sabatier 1999) with Bernstein and Cashore’s (2000, 2012) four pathways of influence framework. The pilot implementation in Peru focused on how global timber legality verification interventions might be harnessed to promote local land rights. Legality verification focuses attention on the checking and auditing of forest management units in order to verify that timber is harvested and traded in compliance with the law. We specifically asked: How can community legal ownership of, and access to, forestland and forest resources be enhanced? The protocol was designed as a dynamic tool, the implementation of which fosters iterative rather than linear processes. It directly integrated two objectives: 1) identifying the causal processes through which global governance initiatives might be harnessed to produce durable results ‘on the ground’; 2) generating insights and strategies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. This paper reviews and critically evaluates our work in designing and piloting the protocol. We assess what seemed to work well and suggest modifications, including an original diagnostic framework for nurturing durable change. We also assess the implications of the pilot application of the protocol for policy implementation that works to enhance the influence of existing international policy instruments, rather than contributing to fragmentation and incoherence by creating new ones

Development and characterization of an amorphous solid dispersion of furosemide in the form of a sublingual bioadhesive film to enhance bioavailability

Administered by an oral route, Furosemide (FUR), a diuretic used in several edematous states and hypertension, presents bioavailability problems, reported as a consequence of an erratic gastrointestinal absorption due to various existing polymorphic forms and low and pH-dependent solubility. A mucoadhesive sublingual fast-dissolving FUR based film has been developed and evaluated in order to optimize the bioavailability of FUR by increasing solubility and guaranteeing a good dissolution reproducibility. The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed that the film prepared using the solvent casting method entrapped FUR in the amorphous state. As a solid dispersion, FUR increases its solubility up to 28.36 mg/mL. Drug content, thickness, and weight uniformity of film were also evaluated. The measured Young\ue2\u80\u99s Modulus, yield strength, and relative elongation of break percentage (EB%) allowed for the classification of the drug-loaded film as an elastomer. Mucoadhesive strength tests showed that the force to detach film from mucosa grew exponentially with increasing contact time up to 7667 N/m2. FUR was quickly discharged from the film following a trend well fitted with the Weibull kinetic model. When applied on sublingual mucosa, the new formulation produced a massive drug flux in the systemic compartment. Overall, the proposed sublingual film enhances drug solubility and absorption, allowing for the prediction of a rapid onset of action and reproducible bioavailability in its clinical application

A multianalytical approach to investigate stone biodeterioration at a UNESCO world heritage site: the volcanic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Northern Ethiopia.

A multianalytical approach combining Optical Microscopy (OM), Backscattered Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy + Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (VP-BSEM + EDS), Powder X-ray Diffractometry (PXRD), Raman Spectroscopy, and Microbiological techniques has been applied to characterize decay products and processes occurring at the surface of two rockhewn churches (Bete Gyorgis and Bete Amanuel) at the UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Lalibela, Northern Ethiopia. The two churches were carved into volcanic scoria deposits of basaltic composition. In their geological history, the Lalibela volcanic rocks underwent late to post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration together with partial laterization and are therefore characterized by a decay-prone highly vesicular microtexture with late stage to post-magmatic precipitation of secondary mineral phases (calcite–zeolite–smectite). The main objective of the study was to gain a better insight into the weathering products and mechanisms affecting the surface of the stone monuments and to assess the relative contribution of natural “geological” weathering processes versus biological/salt attack in stone decay at this unique heritage site. Results indicate that while the main cause of bulk rock deterioration and structural failure could be related to the stone inherited “geological” features, biological attack by micro- (bacteria) and/or macro- (lichens) organisms is currently responsible for severe stone surface physical and chemical weathering leading to significant weakening of the stone texture and to material loss at the surface of the churches walls. A prompt and careful removal of the biological patinas with the correct biocidal treatment is therefore recommended

Theory of Room Temperature Ferromagnet V(TCNE)_x (1.5 < x < 2): Role of Hidden Flat Bands

Theoretical studies on the possible origin of room temperature ferromagnetism (ferromagnetic once crystallized) in the molecular transition metal complex, V(TCNE)_x (1.5<x<2) have been carried out. For this family, there have been no definite understanding of crystal structure so far because of sample quality, though the effective valence of V is known to be close to +2. Proposing a new crystal structure for the stoichiometric case of x=2, where the valence of each TCNE molecule is -1 and resistivity shows insulating behavior, exchange interaction among d-electrons on adjacent V atoms has been estimated based on the cluster with 3 vanadium atoms and one TCNE molecule. It turns out that Hund's coupling among d orbitals within the same V atoms and antiferromagnetic coupling between d oribitals and LUMO of TCNE (bridging V atoms) due to hybridization result in overall ferromagnetism (to be precise, ferrimagnetism). This view based on localized electrons is supplemented by the band picture, which indicates the existence of a flat band expected to lead to ferromagnetism as well consistent with the localized view. The off-stoichiometric cases (x<2), which still show ferromagnetism but semiconducting transport properties, have been analyzed as due to Anderson localization.Comment: Accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Vol.79 (2010), No. 3 (March issue), in press; 6 pages, 8 figure

Application of a behavioral objective evidence of evaluation of the influence of others in the performance in soccer

Se presenta el desarrollo de una prueba objetiva basada en el uso de un dinamómetro manual para analizar la influencia que ejerce la presencia de otras personas significativas, como el entrenador o los compañeros, en jugadores de fútbol infantil, cadete y juvenil de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Su aplicación permite superar las limitaciones presentadas por las pruebas de autoinforme tradicionales, analizando la validez convergente que tienen los resultados obtenidos con los encontrados en la escala de “Influencia de la evaluación del rendimiento” del cuestionario de características psicológicas relacionadas con el rendimiento deportivo factorizado CPRD-f (Olmedilla, García y Martínez, 2006). Los resultados obtenidos muestran la utilidad del empleo de una técnica objetiva como la planteada en el análisis de la influencia que tienen los otros en el rendimiento individualAn objective test, by using a hand dynamometer is presented in order to analyze the influence of significant people as the coach or the team mates in grip strength performance of young soccer players. Through this objective test was possible to overcome the methodological limitations presented by the traditional self-reported measures. The convergent validity between the dynamometer test results and the values obtained from the “Influence of performance evaluation scale” of the Psychological Characteristics related to Sport Performance factored Questionnaire CPRD-f (Olmedilla, García y Martínez, 2006) was also analyzed. The results showed the usefulness of an objective test as the hand dynamometer to analyze the influential role of significant people on individual performanceApresentamos o desenvolvimento de uma prova objetiva baseada no uso de um dinamômetro manual para analisar a influencia que exerce a presença de outras pessoas significativas, como o treinador ou os companheiros nos jogadores de futebol infantis, cadetes e juniores da Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. Sua aplicação permite superar as limitações apresentadas pelas provas auto-informes tradicionais, analisando a validez convergente que tem os resultados obtidos com os encontrados na escala de “influencia da avaliação do rendimento” do questionário de características psicológicas relacionadas com o rendimento esportivo fatorizado CPRD-f (Olmedilla, García y Martínez, 2006). Os resultados obtido mostram a utilidade da aplicação técnica objetiva como a proposta na analises da influencia que tem os outros no rendimento individualEsta investigación ha sido parcialmente financiada gracias al proyecto de I+D+I MICINN PSI2011-2700

Neural Connections between the Nervus Intermedius and the Facial and Vestibulocochlear Nerves in the Cerebellopontine Angle: An Anatomic Study

Purpose Unexpected clinical outcomes following transection of single nerves of the internal acoustic meatus have been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate interneural connections between the nervus intermedius and the adjacent nerves in the cerebellopontine angle. Methods On 100 cadaveric sides, dissections were made of the facial/vestibulocochlear complex in the cerebellopontine angle with special attention to the nervus intermedius and potential connections between this nerve and the adjacent facial or vestibulocochlear nerves. Results A nervus intermedius was identified on all but ten sides. Histologically confirmed neural connections were found between the nervus intermedius and either the facial or vestibulocochlear nerves on 34 % of sides. The mean diameter of these small interconnecting nerves was 0.1 mm. The fiber orientation of these nerves was usually oblique (anteromedial or posterolateral) in nature, but 13 connections traveled anteroposteriorly. Connecting fibers were single on 81 % of sides, doubled on 16 %, and tripled on 3 %, six sides had connections both with the facial nerve anteriorly and the vestibular nerves posteriorly. On 6.5 % of sides, a connection was between the nervus intermedius and cochlear nerve. For vestibular nerve connections with the nervus intermedius, 76 % were with the superior vestibular nerve and 24 % with the inferior vestibular nerve. Conclusions Knowledge of the possible neural interconnections found between the nervus intermedius and surrounding nerves may prove useful to surgeons who operate in these regions so that inadvertent traction or transection is avoided. Additionally, unanticipated clinical presentations and exams following surgery may be due to such neural interconnections

Phaseolus vulgaris L. Extract: Alpha-amylase inhibition against metabolic syndrome in mice

To examine the effects of the alpha-amylase inhibitor isoform 1 called phaseolamin, a standardized extract from white kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) was tested against the hallmarks of metabolic syndrome. The efficacy of a per os repeated treatment with P. vulgaris extract (500 mg/kg) was compared with metformin (100 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) in a model of metabolic syndrome evoked by prolonged high fat diet (HFD; week 1 to week 19) in C57BL/6 mice. Bean extract and compounds administration started after metabolic syndrome establishment (week 11). P. vulgaris extract reduced the body weight overtime, as well as effectively lowered glycaemia, triglycerides, and cholesterol. On week 19, bean extract normalized the HFD-evoked tolerance to glucose and insulin. According to the phytochemical characterization, it inhibited the alpha-amylase activity. Animals treated with the extract were rescued from motor impairments and nociceptive threshold alterations induced by HFD. Specific organs analysis revealed that P. vulgaris extract decreased hepatic steatosis and lipid peroxidation in liver. It protected the heart from HFD oxidative alterations increasing the expression of the detoxifying enzymes catalase and glutathione reductase, and normalizing NADH dehydrogenase level. The histological analysis of aorta showed a protection about the development of fatty streaks in the muscular layers. In conclusion, a prolonged treatment with the standardized extract of P. vulgaris significantly reduced several pathological features related to a metabolic syndrome-like condition; a multifactorial approach that candidates this vegetal product as a possible therapeutic option against metabolic syndrome