Design of agile supply chains including analysing the trade-off between number of partners and reliability

The reliability of supply partners is particularly vital in agile supply chains as it is vulnerable to the inability of a supply partner to meet its high responsiveness and flexibility requirements resulting in the disruption of the whole network. Disruption can have expensive and extensive results for the entire agile supply chain. To mitigate the risk of disruption and improve the reliability of the whole agile supply chain, decision-makers need to pay more attention to supply chain design and construction, whilst simultaneously taking into account the sourcing strategy decisions. This paper proposes a series of models for the design of agile supply chains using dynamic programming modelling. These provide decision-makers with a systematic way of analysing one of the key decisions of sourcing strategy, namely the trade-off between the number of supply partners and reliability. The efficacy of the models is demonstrated through their application to a Chinese bus and coach manufacturer by way of an empirical illustration. The results show that this approach is effective for this application and it can be applied in other related decision-making scenarios. The methods offered in this paper provide managers with a practical tool to design their agile supply chains while considering the trade-offs between the number of partners and the reliability of the entire agile supply chain

Not Available

Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted for two years on management of aphid (Hydaphis coriandri Das) on fennel through application of biorational products based on entomopathogenic fungi, release of predators, plant products alone and in combination of entomopathogenic fungi and insecticidal check. The maximum protection against aphis on crop and seed yield was recorded in insecticidal check Deltamethrin 0.003%. However, alone application of Verticillium lacanii, applied as aqueous suspension along with Tween 80, 0.02% + 0.2% vegetable oil (108 spores/ml), neem oil-2% and sulphur extract of karanj-1% gave good control of aphids and yield of seed fennel at harvest. The application of entomopathogen in combination with neem oil showed reduced impact on aphid control and yield than alone application of either product as treatments. Among the biorational approaches applied, maximum increase in yield (46.5%) over control was recorded in treatment containing 2% neem oil followed by sulphur extract of karanj.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailablePlant beneficial rhizobacteria (PBR) is a group of naturally occurring rhizospheric microbes that enhance nutrient availability and induce biotic and abiotic stress tolerance through a wide array of mechanisms to enhance agricultural sustainability. Application of PBR has the potential to reduce worldwide requirement of agricultural chemicals and improve agro-ecological sustainability. The PBR exert their beneficial effects in three major ways; (1) fix atmospheric nitrogen and synthesize specific compounds to promote plant growth, (2) solubilize essential mineral nutrients in soils for plant uptake, and (3) produce antimicrobial substances and induce systemic resistance in host plants to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Application of PBR as suitable inoculants appears to be a viable alternative technology to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, PBR enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, influence dynamics of mineral recycling, and tolerance of plants to other environmental stresses by improving health of soils. This report provides comprehensive reviews and discusses beneficial effects of PBR on plant and soil health. Considering their multitude of functions to improve plant and soil health, we propose to call the plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) as PBR.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Eye-controlled, power wheelchair performs well for ALS patients.

BACKGROUND: Our pilot study tested the feasibility and performance of an eye-controlled power wheelchair for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: In this prospective pilot study, participants drove the wheelchair three times around an indoor course. We assessed the time to complete the course; starting and stopping on command; turning 90, 135, and 180 degrees; time to backup; and obstacle negotiation. Following their use of the wheelchair, subjects were given a questionnaire to assess user experience. RESULTS: Twelve patients participated, and all were able to complete three trials without difficulty. Eight participants completed all of the individual tasks (eg, turning, stopping, etc.) without any errors. Overall performance ratings were high across all participants (4.6/5-excellent). CONCLUSIONS: Our eye-controlled power wheelchair prototype is feasible and has a very favorable user experience. This system has the potential to improve the mobility and independence of ALS patients, and other groups with motor impairments