THE EFFECT OF A CHANGING MARKET MIX IN SEED CORN ON INVENTORY COSTS

Changing product characteristics are causing U.S. seed corn companies to reevaluate their inventory strategies. A simulation model based upon the Economic Order Quantity model is built in @Risk to reflect a shortened product life cycle and product proliferation. Inventory costs levels increase because of increased uncertainty of demand. Empirical results find that shortening the product life cycle and expanding the product line increases total inventory costs by 120.8%, increases the average inventory level (primarily due to added safety stock) by 56.2%, and increases the cost of carryover, stockout cost, and safety stock cost by 143, 165, and 119 %, respectively. To maintain higher levels of customer service with products displaying shorter life cycles, more safety stock must be held to guard against stockouts.Crop Production/Industries,

The microbiome of the nasopharynx

The nasopharyngeal microbiome is a dynamic microbial interface of the aerodigestive tract, and a diagnostic window in the fight against respiratory infections and antimicrobial resistance. As its constituent bacteria, viruses and mycobacteria become better understood and sampling accuracy improves, diagnostics of the nasopharynx could guide more personalized care of infections of surrounding areas including the lungs, ears and sinuses. This review will summarize the current literature from a clinical perspective and highlight its growing importance in diagnostics and infectious disease management

A dynamic simulation of low-carbon policy influences on endogenous electricity demand in an isolated island system

This paper considers the dynamics of electricity demand in response to changes arising from low-carbon policies and socio-economic developments. As part of an investigation into the evolution of such systems on small economically-developed islands, endogenous electricity demand and associated policies are studied for the Azorean island of São Miguel. A comprehensive System Dynamics (SD) model covering the period 2005 − 2050 is presented which captures both historical behaviours and real-world influences on the endogenous demand dynamics of an island-based electricity system. The impact of tourism, energy efficiency and electric vehicles (EV) expansion allied with associated policy options, are critically evaluated by the SD model using a series of scenarios. The model shows that energy efficiency measures exhibit the most significant long-term impact on electricity demand, while in contrast, policies to increase tourism have a much less direct impact and EV expansion has thought-provoking impacts on the long-term demand, although this is not as influential as energy efficiency measures

ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF ECR ON FINANCIAL AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE

A debate has emerged in the literature and trade press whether the adoption of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), the supply chain management initiatives for the food industry, leads to improved inventory and financial performance. Using regression analysis, the financial performance for adopters of ECR is about 3 to 4% higher than for non-adopters. However, the growth in profit does not appear to come from improved performance for traditional inventory measures (such as inventory turnover, inventory-to-sales, or inventory-to-assets). The driving force behind these improved financial measures can be attributed to changes leading to a shorter cash conversion cycle. In addition, size matters; ECR is more effective due to economies of scale, information technology, and buying power.Industrial Organization,

THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF ECR

Agribusiness,

The responses of Tribolium castaneum to wheat germ oil and fungal produced volatiles: Presentation

The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest affecting a wide variety of different stored products around the Globe. Despite its economic impact, there is evidence that the lures currently used in traps to monitor for this species are largely ineffective. Based on the evolutionary history of T. castaneum, and the ecological niche it occupies, the volatiles of wheat germ oil and volatiles produced by grain-associated fungi have the potential to act as attractants for this species. We used electroantennography (EAG) to measure the electrophysiological response elicited by sixty-eight volatile compounds found in wheat germ oil and/or grain-associated fungi in two T. castaneum strains; an established lab population (CTC12 strain) and a recently caught wild population. Many volatile compounds from both sources elicited strong antennal depolarisations, and the responses of both strains were highly correlated. We then tested whether the compounds that triggered the strongest antennal depolarisations also elicited behavioural responses by using Y-tube olfactometer bioassays and identified several compounds attractive to both strains. The discovery of novel compounds that elicit strong EAG signals and behavioural responses could prove useful in the design of improved lures for T. castaneum and other stored product pests. Our future research will identify how effective these attractive volatiles might be when used in combination, and when used under conditions that more closely replicate a stored product environment.The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest affecting a wide variety of different stored products around the Globe. Despite its economic impact, there is evidence that the lures currently used in traps to monitor for this species are largely ineffective. Based on the evolutionary history of T. castaneum, and the ecological niche it occupies, the volatiles of wheat germ oil and volatiles produced by grain-associated fungi have the potential to act as attractants for this species. We used electroantennography (EAG) to measure the electrophysiological response elicited by sixty-eight volatile compounds found in wheat germ oil and/or grain-associated fungi in two T. castaneum strains; an established lab population (CTC12 strain) and a recently caught wild population. Many volatile compounds from both sources elicited strong antennal depolarisations, and the responses of both strains were highly correlated. We then tested whether the compounds that triggered the strongest antennal depolarisations also elicited behavioural responses by using Y-tube olfactometer bioassays and identified several compounds attractive to both strains. The discovery of novel compounds that elicit strong EAG signals and behavioural responses could prove useful in the design of improved lures for T. castaneum and other stored product pests. Our future research will identify how effective these attractive volatiles might be when used in combination, and when used under conditions that more closely replicate a stored product environment

Low Carbon Futures: confronting electricity challenges on island systems

This paper considers the range of possible long-term futures for an electrically isolated island power system. Emphasis is given to generation investment decisions supportive of low-carbon renewable generation. Ranges of policy interventions are considered for the electrically isolated case study island of São Miguel in the Azores islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The whole systems methodological approach of System Dynamics is used to bring together key sub-systems relating to, for example, generation adequacy, renewable generation investments and demand-side aspects. In this way, a comprehensive understanding is established with high levels of endogeneity. The model is used to investigate a range of policy scenarios associated with renewable energy growth, electric-vehicle uptake and electricity storage. It is found that policy is most effective when all aspects are addressed simultaneously and in a co-ordinated manner and that policy favouring renewable generation alone is not sufficient to achieve the highest possible penetration of renewables. Finally, the robustness of the observations is addressed via Monte-Carlo based sensitivity testing

Recurrent Rhabdomyolysis and Extreme Exercise- A Case Study

Objective: To present the case of recurrent rhabdomyolysis in an active female Background: A healthy 21 year old female developed severe fatigue and peripheral edema in the upper extremities after an extreme exercise workout session. 4 ½ months later she participated in a similar exercise session with a personal trainer and experienced the same symptoms. Differential Diagnosis: In the initial case, upon physical examination and review of blood work a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was made. After the second exercise session athlete was diagnosed with recurrent rhabdomyolysis and was advised to seek treatment at the local emergency room. Treatment: In the initial case the athlete was told by medical personnel to increase fluid intake and rest. In the second case athlete was treated at the emergency room with IV fluids. Uniqueness: The athlete was female, and most cases of rhabdomyolysis occur in males. Athlete was treated for rhabdomyolysis and recurrent rhabdomyolysis, however these diagnosis were made 4 ½ months apart. Also, both cases appear to be the result of the same type of exercise session. Conclusion: There does not appear to be a definitive protocol for an accurate diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis. Guidelines for return to activity should be evaluated on a case by case basis, and a conservative increase in intensity of exercise is warranted to prevent a case of recurrent rhabdomyolysis