Dynamische Bestellmengenplanung für verderbliche Luxusgüter

In dieser Fallstudie wird ein bekanntes Grundproblem der Beschaffungslogistik, nämlich das dynamische Bestellmengenproblem nach Wagner und Whitin (WWP), um praxisrelevante Aspekte wie dynamische Einstandspreise, Lagerkapazitäts- und Haltbarkeitsbeschränkungen sowie Schwund bzw. Verderblichkeit von Waren erweitert. Ein praxisnaher Fall aus der Lebensmittelindustrie dient zur anschaulichen Erläuterung der beschriebenen Problemvariante. Anschließend wird einerseits das mathematische Modell für das WWP um die zusätzlichen Aspekte erweitert, andererseits werden bestehende Lösungsverfahren für das WWP (Kürzeste- Wege-Ansatz und Silver-Meal-Heuristik) im Hinblick auf ihre Anwendbarkeit für das modifizierte Problem untersucht. Insbesondere werden Bedingungen formuliert, unter denen die sogenannte Regenerationseigenschaft (Bestellung nur bei leerem Lager) gilt, so dass die Verfahren in leicht modifizierter Form anwendbar bleiben. Mit Hilfe dieser Verfahren wird eine Lösung für die Daten des zugrundeliegenden praxisnahen Falls ermittelt.Bestellmengenplanung, Fallstudie, dynamisches Entscheidungsproblem , mathematische Modellierung, Lösungsverfahren

Wavelet-Based Harmonic Magnitude Measurement in the Presence of Interharmonics

The increasing proliferation of power electronic converters, nonlinear loads, and distributed generation are leading to increased levels of harmonic and interharmonics in power networks. As a consequence, power quality (PQ) has become a critical performance indicator for power utilities and end-users. This study proposes a novel harmonic estimation method based on the real-time stationary discrete wavelet packet transform (RT-SDWPT). The proposed technique decomposes an input signal into frequency bands with harmonic information at cutoff frequencies and uses a compensation strategy to estimate root mean square (RMS) values of harmonics at every sampling period. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed method are assessed using real measurement data from field cases and experimental setup. The real measurements include challenging scenarios with harmonics, subharmonics, interharmonics, frequency deviation, and non-stationary PQ events. The proposed method outperforms the harmonic estimation provided by the discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based approach and existing wavelet packet-based methods in terms of accuracy and speed

The small chain fatty acid butyrate antagonizes the TCR-stimulation-induced metabolic shift in murine epidermal γδ T cells

The metabolic requirements change during cell proliferation and differentiation. Upon antigen-stimulation, effector T cells switch from adenosine-triphospate (ATP)-production by oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria to glycolysis. In the gut it was shown that short chain fatty acids (SCFA), fermentation products of the microbiota in colon, ameliorate inflammatory reactions by supporting the differentiation of regulatory T cells. SCFA are a major energy source, but they are also anabolic metabolites, histone-deacetylase-inhibitors and activators of G protein receptors. Recently, it was reported that a topical application of the SCFA butyrate promotes regulatory T cells in the skin. Here we ask if the SCFA butyrate, propionate and acetate affect the energy metabolism and inflammatory potential of dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC), the innate resident skin γδ T cell population. Using the Seahorse™ technology, we measured glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in a murine DETC cell line, 7-17, upon TCR-stimulation by CD3/CD28 crosslinking, with or without SCFA addition. TCR engagement resulted in a change of the ratio glycolysis/OXPHOS. A similar metabolic shift has been described for activated CD4 T cells. Addition of 5 mM SCFA, in particular butyrate, antagonized the effect. Stimulated DETC secrete cytokines, e.g. the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNγ), and thereby regulate skin homeostasis. Addition of butyrate and propionate to the cultures at non-toxic concentrations decreased secretion of IFNγ by DETC and increased the expression of the immunoregulatory surface receptor CD69. We hypothesize that SCFA can dampen the inflammatory activity of DETC

Diverse tick-borne microorganisms identified in free-living ungulates in Slovakia

Background: Free-living ungulates are hosts of ixodid ticks and reservoirs of tick-borne microorganisms in central Europe and many regions around the world. Tissue samples and engorged ticks were obtained from roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, mouflon, and wild boar hunted in deciduous forests of south-western Slovakia. DNA isolated from these samples was screened for the presence of tick-borne microorganisms by PCR-based methods. Results: Ticks were found to infest all examined ungulate species. The principal infesting tick was Ixodes ricinus, identified on 90.4% of wildlife, and included all developmental stages. Larvae and nymphs of Haemaphysalis concinna were feeding on 9.6% of wildlife. Two specimens of Dermacentor reticulatus were also identified. Ungulates were positive for A. phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found to infect 96.1% of cervids, 88.9% of mouflon, and 28.2% of wild boar, whereas Theileria spp. was detected only in cervids (94.6%). Importantly, a high rate of cervids (89%) showed mixed infections with both these microorganisms. In addition to A. phagocytophilum and Theileria spp., Rickettsia helvetica, R. monacensis, unidentified Rickettsia sp., Coxiella burnetii, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis", Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) and Babesia venatorum were identified in engorged I. ricinus. Furthermore, A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were detected in engorged H. concinna. Analysis of 16S rRNA and groEL gene sequences revealed the presence of five and two A. phagocytophilum variants, respectively, among which sequences identified in wild boar showed identity to the sequence of the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Phylogenetic analysis of Theileria 18S rRNA gene sequences amplified from cervids and engorged I. ricinus ticks segregated jointly with sequences of T. capreoli isolates into a moderately supported monophyletic clade. Conclusions: The findings indicate that free-living ungulates are reservoirs for A. phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. and engorged ixodid ticks attached to ungulates are good sentinels for the presence of agents of public and veterinary concern. Further analyses of the A. phagocytophilum genetic variants and Theileria species and their associations with vector ticks and free-living ungulates are required.Fil: Kazimírová, Mária. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Zoology; EslovaquiaFil: Hamšíková, Zuzana. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Zoology; EslovaquiaFil: Spitalská, Eva. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Virology. Biomedical Research Center,; EslovaquiaFil: Minichová, Lenka. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Virology. Biomedical Research Center,; EslovaquiaFil: Mahríková, Lenka. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Zoology; EslovaquiaFil: Caban, Radoslav. Široká ; EslovaquiaFil: Sprong, Hein. National Institute for Public Health and Environment.Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Países BajosFil: Fonville, Manoj. National Institute for Public Health and Environment.Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Países BajosFil: Schnittger, Leonhard. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kocianová, Elena. Slovak Academy of Sciences. Institute of Virology. Biomedical Research Center,; Eslovaqui

Heterogeneity of emergency treatment practices in wheezing preschool children

Aim Our aim was to survey treatment practices used for preschool children with wheezing in emergency rooms (ER) focussing on inhalation device choice and handling, face mask use, salbutamol dosing and written instructions. We sought to assess whether current protocols are in line with published evidence and guidelines. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey done in paediatric ER units located in Finnish municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants. Results Of the 100 units contacted, 50% responded. More than 50% of the units used nebulisers. Only 13% of the units administered salbutamol in single puffs. More than 30% of the units lacked criteria on face mask use. Poor co-operation had no effect on the dose of salbutamol in 62% of the units. Ensuring tight mask-to-face seal was included in the training in 20% of the units. A written action plan was provided to the caregivers in 28% of the units. Conclusion ER treatment guidelines for preschool children with wheezing are poorly endorsed. Research is needed to identify approaches to guideline implementation that are specific for primary care. Clinical research should focus on strengthening recommendations that are currently not embraced. ER treatment protocols need to be updated and adherence to guidelines should be re-evaluated.Peer reviewe

Transport of Babesia venatorum-infected Ixodes ricinus to Norway by northward migrating passerine birds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine babesiosis is regarded as a limited health problem for Norwegian cows, and the incidence has decreased markedly since the 1930s. Rare cases of babesiosis in splenectomised humans from infection with <it>Babesia divergens </it>and <it>B.venatorum </it>have been described. The objective of this study was to determine whether birds can introduce <it>Babesia</it>-infected ticks. There are between 30 and 85 million passerine birds that migrate to Norway every spring.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Passerine birds were examined for ticks at four bird observatories along the southern Norwegian coast during the spring migrations of 2003, 2004 and 2005. The presence of <it>Babesia </it>was detected in the nymphs of <it>Ixodes ricinus </it>by real-time PCR. Positive samples were confirmed using PCR, cloning and phylogenetic analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 512 ticks examined, real-time PCR revealed five to be positive (1.0%). Of these, four generated products that indicated the presence of <it>Babesia </it>spp.; each of these were confirmed to be from <it>Babesia venatorum </it>(EU1). Two of the four <it>B. venatorum</it>-positive ticks were caught from birds having an eastern migratory route (<it>P</it>< 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Birds transport millions of ticks across the North Sea, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat every year. Thus, even with the low prevalence of <it>Babesia</it>-infected ticks, a substantial number of infected ticks will be transported into Norway each year. Therefore, there is a continuous risk for introduction of new <it>Babesia </it>spp. into areas where <it>I. ricinus </it>can survive.</p