Simulation-Based Decision Support System to Improve Material Flow of a Textile Company

To remain competitive, companies must continuously improve the processes at hand, be they administrative, production, or logistics. The objective of the study described in this paper was to develop a decision-making tool based on a simulation model to support the production of knits and damask fabrics. The tool was used to test different control strategies for material flow, from the raw material warehouse to the finished product warehouse, and thus can also be used to evaluate the impacts of these strategies on the productivity. The data upon which the decision support tool was built were collected from five sectors of the plant: the raw material warehouse, knit production, damask production, finishing work, and the finished product warehouse. The decision support tool met the objectives of the project, with all five strategies developed showing positive results. Knit and damask production rates increased by up to 8% and 44%, respectively, and a reduction of 75% was observed in the waiting time on the point of entry to the finishing work area, compared to the company’s existing system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Suppression of Tcf1 by Inflammatory Cytokines Facilitates Effector CD8 T Cell Differentiation.

The formation of central CD8 T cell memory in response to infection depends on the transcription factor Tcf1 (Tcf7). Tcf1 is expressed at high levels in naive CD8 T cells but downregulated in most CD8 T cells during effector differentiation. The relevance of Tcf1 downregulation for effector differentiation and the signals controlling Tcf1 expression have not been elucidated. Here, we show that systemic inflammatory signals downregulated Tcf1 in CD8 T cells during dendritic cell vaccination and bacterial infections. The suppressive effect was mediated by the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12), which acted via STAT4 in CD8 T cells. IL-12-induced Tcf1 downregulation required cell cycling, occurred at the transcriptional level, and was prevented in part by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases. Absence of Tcf1 during T cell priming circumvented the need of systemic inflammation for effector differentiation. We conclude that silencing of Tcf1 by systemic inflammation facilitates effector CD8 T cell differentiation

Ritmo de base no eletrencefalograma de pacientes aidéticos

We studied the EEG of 73 patients diagnosed with HIV infection, with or without secondary complications. Sixty-eight belonged to CDC (Center for Disease Control) group IV and 38 presented signs or symptoms of encephalic neurological impairment. Rhytms constituting base activity were alpha (65.75%), beta (13.70%), theta (12.33%), and delta (8.22%). The alpha rhythm presented two modes: slow (8 to 9 Hz) in 25/48 or 52.08% of the cases and not-slow (>9 to 13 Hz) in 23/48 or 47.92% of the cases. The alpha slow-mode has been observed in about 10 to 15% of the normal population, with the 8 Hz frequency being found in only 1% of the normal adult population, which suggests that in some manner HIV is implicated in the slowing-down of the EEG base rhythm in AIDS patients. The patients from CDC group IV with encephalic neurological involvement presented a base rhythm significantly lower than those with non-encephalic involvement or the absence of neurological impairment.Estudamos o EEG de 73 pacientes com diagnóstico de infecção pelo HIV, com ou sem complicações secundárias. Sessenta e oito deles pertenciam ao grupo IV do CDC (Center for Disease Control) e 38 apresentavam sinais ou sintomas de comprometimento encefálico. Os ritmos que constituiram a atividtade de base foram o alfa (65,75%), o beta (13,70%), teta (12,33%) e o delta (8,22%). O ritmo alfa apresentou duas modalidades: a lenta (8 a 9Hz) em 25/48 ou 52,08% dos casos e a não-lenta (>9 a 13Hz) em 23/48 ou 47,92% dos casos. A modalidade lenta do ritmo alfa é observada em cerca de 10 a 15% da população normal, sendo a frequência de 8Hz encontrada em apenas 1% da população adulta normal, o que sugere que o HIV de alguma maneira está implicado na lentificação do ritmo de base no EEG de pacientes aidéticos. Os pacientes do grupo IV do CDC com envolvimento neurológico encefálico apresentaram ritmo de base significantemente menor que aqueles com envolvimento neurológico não encefálico ou ausência de comprometimento neurológico.Escola Paulista de MedicinaEPM EEGEPMEPM EEGSciEL

POLCA control in two-stage production systems

POLCA (Paired-cell Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorization) is a decision support system for material flow control under Quick Response Manufacturing. It operates in the context of low-volume, high-mix, and cellular manufacturing. While there is an increasing literature on POLCA performance, current studies usually assume full availability of components (or parts) at assembly stations, neglecting parts manufacturing and feeding. Therefore, this study uses simulation to assess POLCA performance in a two-stage production system, where at the first stage parts are manufactured and at the second, they are assembled into end-products. The study demonstrates that using POLCA to control both production stages, manufacturing and assembly, significantly outperforms the use of POLCA at the assembly stage only, leading to important reductions of the total throughput time of orders and on the percentage of tardy orders. Statistical analysis of our results was conducted using ANOVA.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Designing And Validating The Methodology For The Internet Assessment Of Fish Consumption At A University Setting

Assessing fish consumption is complex and involves several factors; however, the use of questionnaires in surveys and the use of the Internet as tool to collect data have been considered promising approaches. Therefore, the objective of this research was to design a data collection technique using a questionnaire to assess fish consumption by making it available on a specific home page on the Internet. A bibliographical survey or review was carried out to identify the features of the instrument, and therefore pre-tests were conducted with previous instruments, followed by the Focus Group technique. Specialists then performed an analysis and conducted an online pre-test. Multivariate data analysis was applied using the SmartPLS software. The results indicate that 1.966 participants belonging to the University of São Paulo (USP) community participated in the test, and after the exclusion of some variables, a statistically significant results were obtained. The final constructs comprised consumption, quality, and general characteristics. The instrument consisted of behavioral statements in a 5-point Likert scale and multiple-choice questions. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.66 for general characteristics, 0.98 for quality, and 0.91 for consumption, which indicate good reliability of the instrument. In conclusion, the results proved that the Internet assessment is efficient. The instrument of analysis allowed us to better understand the process of buying and consuming fish in the country, and it can be used as base for further research.342315323Bargas-Avila, J.A., Lotscher, J., Orsini, S., Opwis, K., Intranet satisfaction questionnaire: Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure user satisfaction with the Intranet (2009) Computers In Human Behavior, 25 (6), pp. 1241-1250. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.05.014Batagelj, Z., Vehovar, V., Technical and methodological issues in surveys (1998) Proceedings of the 53° Annual Conference of the American Association For Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), , http://www.ris.org/ris98/stlouis, St. Louis. 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A. Marcoulides (Ed.), Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum AssociatesCronk, B.C., West, J.L., Personality research on the Internet: A comparison of web based and traditional instruments in take-home and in-class settings (2002) Behavior Research Methods Instruments and Computers, 34 (2), pp. 177-180. , http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/BF03195440Falk, R.F., Miller, N.B., (1992) A Primer For Soft Modeling, , New York: Akron Presshttp://www.brasilfoodtrends.com.br/Brasil_Food_Trends/index.html, Federação das Industrias do Estado de São Paulo-FIESP. (2010), Brasil food trends, São Paulo: FIESP. Retrieved fromFerri, P., Cavalli, N., Costa, E., Mangiatordi, A., Mizzella, S., Pozzali, A., Scenini, F., Italian university students and digital technologies: Some results from a field research (2009) Communications In Computer and Information Science, 49 (3), pp. 357-365. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04757-2_38(2009) The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-FAO, Rome: FAOGefen, D., Straub, D.W., Boudreau, M.C., Structural equation modeling and regression: Guidelines for research practice (2009) Communications of the Association For Information Systems, 4 (1), pp. 1-77Hair Jr., J.F., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J., Anderson, R.E., Tatham, R.L., (2009) Análise Multivariada De Dados, , 6. ed.). Porto Alegre: BookmanHanning, R.M.D., Royall, J.E., Toews, L., Blashill, L., Wegener, J., Driezen, P., Web-based food behaviour questionnaire: Validation with grades six to eight students (2009) Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 70, pp. 172-178. , http://dx.doi.org/10.3148/70.4.2009.172Hanscom, B., Lurie, J.D., Homa, K., Weinstein, J., Computerized questionnaires and the quality of survey data (2002) Spine, 27 (6), pp. 1797-1801. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200208150-00020Hershberger, S.L., Marcoulides, G.A., Parramore, M.M., Structural equation modeling: An introduction (2003) Structural Equation Modeling: Applications In Ecological and Evolutionary Biology, , http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511542138.002, In B. H. Pugesek, A. Tomer & A. V. Eye (Eds.), Cambridge: Cambridge University PressKlem, L., Structural equation modeling (2006) Reading and Understanding More Multivariate Statistics, pp. 227-260. , In L. G. Grimm & P. R. Yarnold (Eds.), Washington: American Psychological AssociationMalhotra, N., (2008) Pesquisa De Marketing: Uma Orientação Aplicada, , 5. ed.). Porto Alegre: BookmanMaruayama, G.M., (1998) Basic of Structural Equation Modeling, , Thousand Oaks: Sage PublicationsMatthys, C., Pynaert, I., de Keyzer, W., Henauw, S., Validity and reproducibility of an adolescent Web-based food frequency questionnaire (2007) Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107 (4), pp. 605-610. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2007.01.005Mina, K., Fritschi, L., Knuiman, M., A valid semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to measure fish consumption (2007) European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 61, pp. 1023-1031. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602617Morgan, D., (1997) Focus Group As Qualitative Research, pp. 80-88. , London: Sage Publications. Qualitative Research Methods Series 16Mueller, R.O., Structural equation modeling: Back to basics (1997) Structural Equation Modeling, 4 (4), pp. 353-369. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10705519709540081Oetterer, M., (2002) Industrialização Do Pescado Cultivado, , Guaíba: AgropecuáriaPasquali, L., (2003) Psicometria: Teoria Dos Testes Na Psicologia E Na Educação, , Petrópolis: VozesPerez, G., Zwicker, R., Fatores determinantes da adoção de sistemas de informação na área de saúde: Um estudo sobre o prontuário médico eletrônico (2010) Revista De Administração Mackenzie, 11 (1), pp. 174-200. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1678-69712010000100008Ribeiro, R.C.L., Panato, E., Silva, M.M.S., Rosado, L.E.F., Rosado, G.P., Validade relativa de um questionário de freqüência alimentar para utilização em adultos (2009) Revista De Nutrição, 22 (1), pp. 81-95. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-52732009000100008Rodrigues, D.S., Ramos, R.A.R., Mendes, J.F.G., A system to evaluate and monitor quality of life in a University Campus (2005) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference On Computers In Urban Planning and Urban Management (CUPUM), , http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/5064/1/Rodrigues_CI_1_2005.pdf, London. Retrieved fromSantos, F.V., (2001) A Importância Da Atividade Física Na Qualidade De Vida Disseminada Numa Página Da Internet (Dissertação De Mestrado), , Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianópolisSirot, V., Dumas, C., Leblanc, J.C., Margarit, I., Food and nutrient intakes of French frequent seafood consumers with regard to fish consumption recommendations: Results from the CALIPSO study (2011) British Journal of Nutrition, 105 (9), pp. 1369-1380. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510005027Sonoda, D.Y., (2006) Demanda Por Pescado No Brasil Entre 2002 E 2003, , Tese de doutorado). Universidade de São Paulo, PiracicabaSoriano, J.M., Molto, J.C., Manes, J., Dietary intake and food pattern among university students (2000) Nutrition Research, 20 (9), pp. 1249-1258. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(00)00217-7Stanton, J.M., Rogelberg, S.G., Using Internet/intranet web pages to collect organizational research data (2001) Organizational Research Methods, 4 (3), pp. 200-217. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/109442810143002Touvier, M., Kesse-Guyot, E., Méjean, C., Pollet, C., Malon, A., Castetbon, K., Hercberg, S., Comparison between an interactive web-based self-administered 24 h dietary record and an interview by a dietitian for large-scale epidemiological studies (2001) British Journal of Nutrition, 105 (7), pp. 1055-1064. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510004617Trondsen, T., Scholderer, J., Lund, E., Lund, E., Eggen, A., Perceived barriers to consumption of fish among Norwegian women (2003) Appetite, 41 (3), pp. 301-314. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6663(03)00108-9(2010) Anuário Estatístico, , http://sistemas3.usp.br/anuario, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Brasil: USP. Retrieved fromVanderslice, J., Laflamme, D.M., Wynkoop-Simmons, K., Comparing fish consumption information collected via a telephone survey and a food frequency questionnaire (2008) Epidemiology, 19 (6), pp. S315Veiga, L., Gondim, S.M.G., A utilização de métodos qualitativos na ciência política e no marketing político (2001) Opinião Pública, 2 (1), pp. 1-15Vinholis, M.M.B., Azevedo, P.F., Segurança do alimento e rastreabilidade: O caso BSE (2002) RAE Eletrônica, 1 (2), pp. 1-19. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1676-56482002000200008Zwicker, R., Souza, C.A., Bido, D.S., (2008) Uma Revisão Do Modelo Do Grau De Informatização De Empresas: Novas Propostas De Estimação E Modelagem Usando PLS (Partial Least Squares), , In Anais do 32° Encontro da ANPAD, Rio de Janeiro. CD-RO

Twin pregnancy in brazil: a profile analysis exploring population information from the national birth e-registry on live births

sem informaçãoBirth records as SINASC (Brazilian Live Birth Information System) are highlighted in uncommon conditions such as twin pregnancy whose prevalence rarely exceeds 2 to 3% of the total number of births. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence110sem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) spineless cactus as an option in crossbred dairy cattle diet

new genotype of spineless cactus is being used in the diets of dairy cattle that are raised in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about its nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) with Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) spineless cactus, on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, feeding behaviour, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, and ruminal and blood parameters of dairy cows. Ten Girolando cows, 500 ± 51.6 kg bodyweight, were distributed in a double Latin square design 5 x 5. The treatments consisted of replacement levels of Miúda (MIU) by Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) (14.38–12.95 kg d-1, 716.3–658.9 g d-1), organic matter (OM) (13.01–11.43 kg d-1, 747.8–704.8 g d-1), crude protein (CP) (2.02–1.61 kg d-1, 863.8–845.2 g d-1) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) (9.38–7.92 kg d-1) decreased linearly with the increase in replacement. Despite the decrease in intake and digestibility, the supply of nutrients was sufficient to maintain a milk yield of 12.5 kg d-1. The average daily weight gain decreased linearly with the increase in replacement, while protein microbial efficiency (g microbial CP kg-1 TDN intake; 91.24 to 127.44 g kg-1) increased linearly. Thus, OEM could replace 100% MIU in diets with 48% of spineless cactus, for crossbred lactating cows with 12.5 kg d-1 milk yield. Therefore, OEM is a viable new option for producing milk in smallholder livestock systems in semi-arid regions.Keywords: Alternative forage, milk yield, ruminal parameter, semi-arid, smallholder livestock syste

Chemical composition, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents of the essential oil of Peperomia serpens (Sw.) Loud

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevancePeperomia serpens (Piperaceae), popularly known as “carrapatinho”, is an epiphyte herbaceous liana grown wild on different host trees in the Amazon rainforest. Its leaves are largely used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammation, pain and asthma.Aim of the studyThis study investigated the effects of essential oil of Peperomia serpens (EOPs) in standard rodent models of pain and inflammation.Materials and methodsThe antinociceptive activity was evaluated using chemical (acetic acid and formalin) and thermal (hot plate) models of nociception in mice whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan- and dextran-induced paw edema tests in rats croton oil-induced ear edema, as well as cell migration, rolling and adhesion induced by carrageenan in mice. Additionally, phytochemical analysis of the EOPs has been also performed.ResultsChemical composition of the EOPs was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-four compounds, representing 89.6% of total oil, were identified. (E)-Nerolidol (38.0%), ledol (27.1%), α-humulene (11.5%), (E)-caryophyllene (4.0%) and α-eudesmol (2.7%) were found to be the major constituents of the oil. Oral pretreatment with EOPs (62.5–500mg/kg) significantly reduced the writhing number evoked by acetic acid injection, with an ED50 value of 188.8mg/kg that was used thereafter in all tests. EOPs had no significant effect on hot plate test but reduced the licking time in both phases of the formalin test, an effect that was not significantly altered by naloxone (0.4mg/kg, s.c.). EOPs inhibited the edema formation induced by carrageenan and dextran in rats. In mice, EOPs inhibited the edema formation by croton oil as well as the leukocyte and neutrophil migration, the rolling and the adhesion of leukocytes.ConclusionsThese data show for the first time that EOPs has a significant and peripheral antinociceptive effect that seems unrelated to interaction with the opioid system. EOPs also displays a significant anti-inflammatory effect in acute inflammation models. This effect seems to be related to components which inhibit the production of several inflammatory mediators. These results support the widespread use of Peperomia serpens in popular medicine to treat inflammation and pain

Uptake, accumulation and metabolization of the antidepressant fluoxetine by Mytilus galloprovincialis

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, is among the most prescribed pharmaceutical active substances worldwide. This study aimed to assess its accumulation and metabolization in the mussel Mytillus galloprovincialis, considered an excellent sentinel species for traditional and emerging pollutants. Mussels were collected from Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal, and exposed to a nominal concentration of fluoxetine (75 ng L-1) for 15 days. Approximately 1 g of whole mussel soft tissues was extracted with acetonitrile:formic acid, loaded into an Oasis MCX cartridge, and fluoxetine analysed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn). After 3 days of exposure, fluoxetine was accumulated in 70% of the samples, with a mean of 2.53 ng g(-1) dry weight (d.w.) and norfluoxetine was only detected in one sample (10%), at 3.06 ng g(-1) d.w. After 7 days of exposure, the accumulation of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine increased up to 80 and 50% respectively, and their mean accumulated levels in mussel tissues were up to 4.43 and 2.85 ng g(-1) d.w., respectively. By the end of the exposure period (15 days), both compounds were detected in 100% of the samples (mean of 9.31 and 11.65 ng g(-1) d.w., respectively). Statistical analysis revealed significant accumulation differences between the 3rd and 15th day of exposure for fluoxetine, and between the 3rd and 7th against the 15th day of exposure for norfluoxetine. These results suggest that the fluoxetine accumulated in mussel tissues is likely to be metabolised into norfluoxetine with the increase of the time of exposure, giving evidence that at these realistic environmental concentrations, toxic effects of fluoxetine in mussel tissues may occur. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved