Tactical Production Planning for Customer Individual Products in Changeable Production Networks

The requirements of future production are characterized by increasing demand volatility as well as very short delivery times and high timeliness in the order-based production environment. Furthermore, the trend to customer individual products leads to additional production planning challenges. Therefore, to react fast to these market trends, changeable production networks is a key to success. This technical contribution describes a method for tactical production planning for customer individual products in changeable production networks. The design of the method contains three main process modules (1) order-capability-comparison, (2) capacity planning, and (3) order-specific network structure. Underlying the former described modules, a data model is necessary and introduced. Furthermore, the simulation of the applied system on a prototypical implementation at BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, the largest home appliances manufacturer in Europe, is shown and explained. Finally, limitations are discussed and an outlook into future work for the research field in production planning of production networks is given

Modellhaftes Demonstrationsnetzwerk zur Ausweitung und Ver-besserung des Anbaus und der Verwertung von Leguminosen mit Schwerpunkt Erbsen und Ackerbohnen in Deutschland.

Ziel des Demonstrationsnetzwerkes Erbse/Bohne (DemoNetErBo) war es, Anbau und Verwertung von Erbsen und Ackerbohnen in Deutschland auszuweiten und zu verbessern. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen arbeiteten bundesweit Partner aus den Bereichen Landwirtschaft, Züchtung, Handel, Ver-arbeitung, Beratung, landwirtschaftlichen Institutionen und Verbänden zusammen. Parallel zum De-monstrationsnetzwerk fanden im Rahmen der Eiweißpflanzenstrategie Forschungsprojekte statt, an denen auch einige Netzwerkpartner beteiligt waren. Das Netzwerk führte einen intensiven Wissens-transfer durch, daran wirkten verschiedene Akteure entlang der Wertschöpfungskette mit. Aufgebaut war das Netzwerk aus mehreren überregionalen Koordinationseinheiten mit verschiede-nen Schwerpunkten: Projektkoordination, Wertschöpfungsmanagement konventionell und ökolo-gisch, Beratungskoordination sowie Koordination des Wissenstransfers. Auf Bundeslandebene wur-den über die Länderorganisationen Demonstrationsbetriebe in das Netzwerk eingebunden und von Projektberaterinnen und Projektberatern betreut. Im Netzwerk arbeiteten bis zu 75 landwirtschaftli-che Demonstrationsbetriebe mit. Diese brachten ihr langjähriges Know-How zu Anbau und Verwer-tung von Erbsen und Ackerbohnen in das Netzwerk ein. Zudem standen die Demonstrationsbetriebe beispielhaft für verschiedene Wertschöpfungsketten, wie interne hofeigene Fütterung, zwischenbe-trieblicher Handel, externe Vermarktung an den Landhandel oder an regionale und überregionale Verarbeiter für Futter- und Lebensmittel sowie Saatguterzeugung. Im Rahmen des Projektes fanden mehr als 370 Veranstaltungen statt: 114 Feldtage, 128 Feldbege-hungen sowie 130 Sonstige Veranstaltungen (Vortragsveranstaltungen, Workshops, Teilnahme an Messen). Durch das Netzwerk wurden über 340 Veröffentlichungen (z.B. Artikel für Fachzeitschrif-ten oder -portale) in den Medien platziert. Akteure entlang der Wertschöpfungskette wurden durch die Arbeit des Demonstrationsnetzwerkes Erbse/Bohne vernetzt. Kontinuierlich wurden Impulse zu Anbau und Verwertung wechselseitig in das Netzwerk und aus dem Netzwerk heraus an die verschiedenen Akteure vermittelt. Im Laufe des Projektes ist der Anbau von Erbsen und Ackerbohnen angestiegen. Auch die Nachfrage nach heimi-schen Hülsenfrüchten steigt kontinuierlich an, sowohl aus dem Futtermittelsektor als auch zuneh-mend aus dem Lebensmittelbereich. Das Demonstrationsnetzwerk Erbse/Bohne wurde gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Er-nährung und Landwirtschaft aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages im Rahmen der BMEL Eiweißpflanzenstrategie

Expensive Egos: Narcissistic Males Have Higher Cortisol

Background: Narcissism is characterized by grandiosity, low empathy, and entitlement. There has been limited research regarding the hormonal correlates of narcissism, despite the potential health implications. This study examined the role of participant narcissism and sex on basal cortisol concentrations in an undergraduate population. Methods and Findings: Participants were 106 undergraduate students (79 females, 27 males, mean age 20.1 years) from one Midwestern and one Southwestern American university. Narcissism was assessed using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and basal cortisol concentrations were collected from saliva samples in a laboratory setting. Regression analyses examined the effect of narcissism and sex on cortisol (log). There were no sex differences in basal cortisol, F(1,97) =.20, p =.65, and narcissism scores, F(1,97) =.00, p =.99. Stepwise linear regression models of sex and narcissism and their interaction predicting cortisol concentrations showed no main effects when including covariates, but a significant interaction, b =.27, p =.04. Narcissism was not related to cortisol in females, but significantly predicted cortisol in males. Examining the effect of unhealthy versus healthy narcissism on cortisol found that unhealthy narcissism was marginally related to cortisol in females, b =.27, p =.06, but significantly predicted higher basal cortisol in males, b =.72, p =.01, even when controlling for potential confounds. No relationship was found between sex, narcissism, or their interaction on selfreported stress

Fungal Invasion of Normally Non-Phagocytic Host Cells

Many fungi that cause invasive disease invade host epithelial cells during mucosal and respiratory infection, and subsequently invade endothelial cells during hematogenous infection. Most fungi invade these normally non-phagocytic host cells by inducing their own uptake. Candida albicans hyphae interact with endothelial cells in vitro by binding to N-cadherin on the endothelial cell surface. This binding induces rearrangement of endothelial cell microfilaments, which results in the endocytosis of the organism. The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is composed of glucuronoxylomannan, which binds specifically to brain endothelial cells, and appears to mediate both adherence and induction of endocytosis. The mechanisms by which other fungal pathogens induce their own uptake are largely unknown. Some angioinvasive fungi, such as Aspergillus species and the Zygomycetes, invade endothelial cells from the abluminal surface during the initiation of invasive disease, and subsequently invade the luminal surface of endothelial cells during hematogenous dissemination. Invasion of normally non-phagocytic host cells has different consequences, depending on the type of invading fungus. Aspergillus fumigatus blocks apoptosis of pulmonary epithelial cells, whereas Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induces apoptosis of epithelial cells. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which diverse fungal pathogens invade normally non-phagocytic host cells and discusses gaps in our knowledge that provide opportunities for future research

An RNA Transport System in Candida albicans Regulates Hyphal Morphology and Invasive Growth

Localization of specific mRNAs is an important mechanism through which cells achieve polarity and direct asymmetric growth. Based on a framework established in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we describe a She3-dependent RNA transport system in Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen of humans that grows as both budding (yeast) and filamentous (hyphal and pseudohyphal) forms. We identify a set of 40 mRNAs that are selectively transported to the buds of yeast-form cells and to the tips of hyphae, and we show that many of the genes encoded by these mRNAs contribute to hyphal development, as does the transport system itself. Although the basic system of mRNA transport is conserved between S. cerevisiae and C. albicans, we find that the cargo mRNAs have diverged considerably, implying that specific mRNAs can easily move in and out of transport control over evolutionary timescales. The differences in mRNA cargos likely reflect the distinct selective pressures acting on the two species

A Role for Behavior in the Relationships Between Depression and Hostility and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence, Mortality, and All-Cause Mortality: the Prime Study.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral factors are important in disease incidence and mortality and may explain associations between mortality and various psychological traits. PURPOSE: These analyses investigated the impact of behavioral factors on the associations between depression, hostility and cardiovascular disease(CVD) incidence, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality. METHODS: Data from the PRIME Study (N = 6953 men) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, following adjustment for demographic and biological CVD risk factors, and other psychological traits, including social support. RESULTS: Following initial adjustment, both depression and hostility were significantly associated with both mortality outcomes (smallest SHR = 1.24, p < 0.001). Following adjustment for behavioral factors, all relationships were attenuated both when accounting for and not accounting for other psychological variables. Associations with all-cause mortality remained significant (smallest SHR = 1.14, p = 0.04). Of the behaviors included, the most significant contribution to outcomes was found for smoking, but a role was also found for fruit and vegetable intakes and high alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate well-known associations between depression, hostility, and mortality and suggest the potential importance of behaviors in explaining these relationships

Cell cycle-independent phospho-regulation of Fkh2 during hyphal growth regulates Candida albicans pathogenesis.

The opportunistic human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, undergoes morphological and transcriptional adaptation in the switch from commensalism to pathogenicity. Although previous gene-knockout studies have identified many factors involved in this transformation, it remains unclear how these factors are regulated to coordinate the switch. Investigating morphogenetic control by post-translational phosphorylation has generated important regulatory insights into this process, especially focusing on coordinated control by the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28. Here we have identified the Fkh2 transcription factor as a regulatory target of both Cdc28 and the cell wall biosynthesis kinase Cbk1, in a role distinct from its conserved function in cell cycle progression. In stationary phase yeast cells 2D gel electrophoresis shows that there is a diverse pool of Fkh2 phospho-isoforms. For a short window on hyphal induction, far before START in the cell cycle, the phosphorylation profile is transformed before reverting to the yeast profile. This transformation does not occur when stationary phase cells are reinoculated into fresh medium supporting yeast growth. Mass spectrometry and mutational analyses identified residues phosphorylated by Cdc28 and Cbk1. Substitution of these residues with non-phosphorylatable alanine altered the yeast phosphorylation profile and abrogated the characteristic transformation to the hyphal profile. Transcript profiling of the phosphorylation site mutant revealed that the hyphal phosphorylation profile is required for the expression of genes involved in pathogenesis, host interaction and biofilm formation. We confirmed that these changes in gene expression resulted in corresponding defects in pathogenic processes. Furthermore, we identified that Fkh2 interacts with the chromatin modifier Pob3 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, thereby providing a possible mechanism by which the phosphorylation of Fkh2 regulates its specificity. Thus, we have discovered a novel cell cycle-independent phospho-regulatory event that subverts a key component of the cell cycle machinery to a role in the switch from commensalism to pathogenicity

Approaching Stress, Preventing Overwhelm, & Strengthening Resilience

Stress affects pretty much everyone, period. However, how we respond to stress, how it impacts us, and how we view it depends on things like our mindset, our beliefs, and our level of resilience. In this capstone project, I wanted to find a way to help people find a solution to dealing with life stressors while also building resilience. Often times, many people turn to unhealthy coping strategies or simply lack the know-how on ways to approach the various challenges in life. So, I set out to help people in my community by creating a public, hands-on workshop where participants learned about stress, how it affects them, tools to manage it, and ultimately a plan to build resilience and overcome life challenges. This workshop consisted of educating participants, learning various stress-reduction tools, journal activities, and then teaching them a simple, easy-to-use plan for dealing with stress while enhancing resilience. When designing this workshop, I pulled from various sources which include my own experience working in the health and wellness industry, books on the subject, research articles, my education at Boise State, and consultations with everyday people who had to overcome major challenges. An underlying theme from all the research was that people can indeed overcome anything when they believe, have hope, and employ various therapeutic tools like breathing exercises. The result was a workshop that went deeper than simply providing education; I aimed to motivate and excite participants while also creating momentum to get them moving forward with the means necessary to approach stress. After the workshop, participants were asked to do a survey and I also got feedback from people who helped me while putting together the workshop. Overall, the survey results were favorable, as well as the feedback. According the survey, the workshop was well organized, logical, and helpful. However, about 64% if the survey results selected agree when asked if they were motivated while approximately 27% selected strongly agree . To me, this shows that I was successful, but my motivational strategies can be improved upon. As far as verbal feedback, the workshop itself was put together well, helpful, and mostly effective