Design of a network of reusable logistic containers

In this paper, we consider the management of the return flows of empty logistic containers that accumulate at the customer’s sites. These containers must be brought back to the factories in order to sustain future expeditions. We consider a network composed of several factories and several customers in which the return flows are independent of the delivery flows. The models and their solutions aim at finding to which factory the contain- ers have to be brought back and at which frequency. These frequencies directly define the volume of logistic containers to hold in the network. We consider fixed transportation costs depending on the locations of the customers and of the factories and linear holding costs for the inventory of logistic containers. The analysis also provides insight on the benefit of pooling the containers among different customers and/or factories.supply chain management, returnable items, reverse logistic, economic order quantity, network design

Factors affecting use of technology by educators

Technology in some form has been found in schools beginning with the printing press in the 15th century. The late 19th century brought about motion pictures followed by radio, photography, television, and videotape (Simonson & Thompson, 1990). But recently, many dramatic technological devices have become available. Powerful computers are now priced low enough for purchase in both the home and schools, as well as telecommunication devices, videodiscs, CD ROM, hypermedia, and networking systems. The microcomputer and related technologies hold promise as the medium of the future. Technology has affected the way business is transacted, medical problems are analyzed, and products are produced. Its\u27 growing presence has been touted as the means to restructure schools and transform the educational process (Olson, 1992). However, we have not seen the expected impact of technology on our nation\u27s schools. The evidence seems to indicate that the majority of educators are not comfortable with the implementation of technology in their classrooms. Therefore, it is the intent of this research to examine factors that may contribute to this lack of usage

Theories of aging as basis for assessment

Based on biopsychosocial theories of aging, a tool was developed to assist nurses in conducting holistic adult admission assessments. The Adult Assessment Tool can facilitate comprehensive, best-practice decisions in caring for hospitalized middle-aged and older adults

Effect of high shear stress on microbial viability

Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspensions were submitted to controlled shear stress. Above a threshold value shear stress induced a decrease in micro-organism viability. The threshold of shear stress efficiency depended on the micro-organisms, being between 1292Pa and 2770 Pa for S cerevisiae, and about 1250 Pa for E coli. Above 1810 Pa, Ecoli cells were disrupted whereas the S cerevisiae cells remained intact. The higher the cellular concentration, the greater the rate of decrease in viability. Viability loss was influenced by the number of passages through the experimental shear stress device and by exposure time

A new method for the determination of Leuconostoc mesenteroides cell number

Dilution needed for plate counts (CFU/ml) is known to disrupt streptococci chains, and therefore the validity of this method is controversial. A novel apparatus was designed to disrupt Leuconostoc mesenteroides chains in pairs, by forcing them to pass through a narrow capillary tube. When Leuconostoc mesenteroides occurs in pairs it appears that the real cell concentration can be simply deduced by doubling the CFU/ml

Systematic error and comparison of four methods for assessing the viability ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae suspensions

Four methods for the determination of cell viability were compared: the plate count technique, the flow cytometer, and two microscopic numerations- one after methylene blue staining and the other one with epifluorescence. The experimental error of these techniques was for the first time estimated: 8% for both numerations under microscope and 13% for the plate count technique. The staining mechanisms were explained by comparing the numerations under microscope and the flow cytometer analysis

PPAR-Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diabetic Patients.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), ligand-activated transcription factors of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, have been identified as key metabolic regulators in the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue, among others. As a leading cause of liver disease worldwide, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cause a significant burden worldwide and therapeutic strategies are needed. This review provides an overview of the evidence on PPAR-targeted treatment of NAFLD and NASH in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We considered current evidence from clinical trials and observational studies as well as the impact of treatment on comorbid metabolic conditions such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Future areas of research, such as possible sexually dimorphic effects of PPAR-targeted therapies, are briefly reviewed