System Dynamics Modeling-based Study of Contingent Sourcing under Supply Disruptions

AbstractIn this paper, using the methodology of system dynamics modeling, we separately build two models for a supply chain under two circumstances of supply disruptions, without backup supplier, and with a contingent supplier. The retailer's total profits are also compared under these two circumstances of supply disruptions to help the decision-makers better understanding the backup purchasing strategy. The supply chain studied only involves one retailer and two independent suppliers that are referred to as major supplier and backup supplier. The paper contributes to the literature by providing a better understanding of the impacts of supply disruptions on the system performance and by shedding insights into the value of a backup supply

Anisotropic Neutron Spin Resonance in Superconducting BaFe1.9_{1.9}Ni0.1_{0.1}As2_2

We use polarized inelastic neutron scattering to show that the neutron spin resonance below $T_c$ in superconducting BaFe$_{1.9}$Ni$_{0.1}$As$_2$ ($T_c=20$ K) is purely magnetic in origin. Our analysis further reveals that the resonance peak near 7~meV only occurs for the planar response. This challenges the common perception that the spin resonance in the pnictides is an isotropic triplet excited state of the singlet Cooper pairs, as our results imply that only the $S_{001}=\pm1$ components of the triplet are involved

EGFR deficiency leads to impaired self-renewal and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells

Background Self-renewal and pluripotency are considered as unwavering features of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). How ESCs regulate the self-renewal and differentiation is a central question in development and regenerative medicine research. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was identified as a critical regulator in embryonic development, but its role in the maintenance of ESCs is poorly understood. Methods Here, EGFR was disrupted by its specific inhibitor AG1478 in mouse ESCs (mESCs), and its self-renewal and pluripotency were characterized according to their proliferation, expression of pluripotency markers, embryoid body (EB) formation, and mRNA expression patterns. We also used another EGFR inhibitor (gefitinib) and RNA interference assay to rule out the possibility of non-specific effects of AG1478. Results EGFR inhibition by AG1478 treatment in mESCs markedly reduced cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, and altered protein expressions of the cell cycle regulatory genes (CDK2 (decreased 11.3%) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (decreased 25.2%)). The immunoreactivities and protein expression of pluripotency factors (OCT4 (decreased 26.9%)) also dramatically decreased, while the differentiation related genes (GATA4 (increased 1.6-fold)) were up-regulated in mESCs after EGFR inhibition. Meanwhile, EGFR inhibition in mESCs disrupted EB formation, indicating its impaired pluripotency. Additionally, the effects observed by EGFR inhibition with another inhibitor gefitinib and siRNA were consistent with those observed by AG1478 treatment in mESCs. These effects were manifested in the decreased expression of proliferative and pluripotency-related genes and the increased expression of genes involved in differentiation. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis displayed that transcript profiling was changed significantly after EGFR inhibition by AG1478. A large number of differentially expressed genes were involved in cell cycle, apoptotic process, epigenetic modification, and metabolic process, which were related to self-renewal and pluripotency, confirming that EGFR deficiency impaired self-renewal and pluripotency in mESCs. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrated the importance of EGFR in guarding the stemness of mESCs

Data from: Transcriptomic inspection revealed a possible pathway regulating the formation of the high-quality brush hair in Chinese Haimen goat (Capra hircus)

The high-quality brush hair, or Type III brush hair, is coarse hair but with a tip and little medulla, which uniquely grows in the cervical carina of Chinese Haimen goat (Capra hircus). To unveil the mechanism of the formation of Type III brush hair in Haimen goats, transcriptomic RNAseq technology was used for screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the skin samples of the Type III and the non-Type III hair goats, and these DEGs were analysed by KEGG pathway analysis. The results showed that a total of 295 DEGs were obtained, mainly from three main functional types: cellular component, molecular function and biological process. These DEGs were mainly enriched in three KEGG pathways, such as protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, MAPK, and complement and coagulation cascades. These DEGs gave hints to a possible mechanism, under which heat stress possibly initiated the formation. The study provided some useful biological information, which could give a new view about the roles of certain factors in hair growth and give hints on the mechanism of the formation of the Type III brush hair in Chinese Haimen goat

Characterization of the oral microbiome of children with type 1 diabetes in the acute and chronic phases

Background and Aim The relationship between the oral microbiota and type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the variations in the oral microbiome in T1D and identify potentially associated bacterial factors.Methods We performed high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 area of the 16S rRNA gene to profile the oral bacterial composition of 47 healthy children (CON group), 46 children with new-onset T1D in the acute phase (NT1D group), and 10 children with T1D in the chronic phase receiving insulin treatment (CT1D group). Multivariate statistical analysis of sequencing data was performed.Results Compared to the CON group, the NT1D group was characterized by decreased diversity and increased abundance of genera harboring opportunistic pathogens, while this trend was partially reversed in the CT1D group. Differential genera between groups could distinguish the NT1D group from the CON group (AUC = 0.933) and CT1D group (AUC = 0.846), respectively. Moreover, T1D-enriched genera were closely correlated with HbA1c, FBG and WBCs levels.Conclusion Our results showed that the acute phase of T1D was characterized by oral microbiota dysbiosis, which could be partially ameliorated via glycemic control. The possible role of oral microbiota dysbiosis on oral health and systemic metabolic status in T1D warrants further mechanistic investigation