A Multi-Objective Optimization for Supply Chain Network Using the Bees Algorithm

A supply chain is a complex network which involves the products, services and information flows between suppliers and customers. A typical supply chain is composed of different levels, hence, there is a need to optimize the supply chain by finding the optimum configuration of the network in order to get a good compromise between the multi-objectives such as cost minimization and lead-time minimization. There are several multi-objective optimization methods which have been applied to find the optimum solutions set based on the Pareto front line. In this study, a swarm-based optimization method, namely, the bees algorithm is proposed in dealing with the multi-objective supply chain model to find the optimum configuration of a given supply chain problem which minimizes the total cost and the total lead-time. The supply chain problem utilized in this study is taken from literature and several experiments have been conducted in order to show the performance of the proposed model; in addition, the results have been compared to those achieved by the ant colony optimization method. The results show that the proposed bees algorithm is able to achieve better Pareto solutions for the supply chain problem

GTP binding and intramolecular regulation by the ROC domain of Death Associated Protein Kinase 1

The ROCO proteins are a family of large, multidomain proteins characterised by the presence of a Ras of complex proteins (ROC) domain followed by a COR, or C-terminal of ROC, domain. It has previously been shown that the ROC domain of the human ROCO protein Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) controls its kinase activity. Here, the ability of the ROC domain of another human ROCO protein, Death Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1), to bind GTP and control its kinase activity has been evaluated. In contrast to LRRK2, loss of GTP binding by DAPK1 does not result in loss of kinase activity, instead acting to modulate this activity. These data highlight the ROC domain of DAPK1 as a target for modifiers of this proteins function, and casts light on the role of ROC domains as intramolecular regulators in complex proteins with implications for a broad range of human diseases

Migraine Prevention through Ketogenic Diet: More than Body Mass Composition Changes

The ketogenic diet (KD) is gaining attention as a preventive treatment for migraine, which is sustained by many pre-clinical and clinical data. KD is also used for weight loss, and there is a relation between migraine and weight excess, but it is speculated that KD efficacy on migraine may go beyond this effect. We conducted a retrospective observational study on 23 migraine patients who received a KD and were evaluated at the baseline and then after 3 months both from a neurological and a nutritional point of view, including body mass composition analysis. We observed a reduction in monthly headache days (12.5 ± 9.5 vs. 6.7 ± 8.6; p < 0.001) and in days of acute medication intake (11.06 ± 9.37 vs. 4.93 ± 7.99; p = 0.008). We also observed a reduction in patients’ weight (73.8 ± 15.2 vs. 68.4 ± 14.6; p < 0.001) and BMI (26.9 ± 6.2 vs. 23.7 ± 8.1; p < 0.001) with a decrement of the fat mass (28.6 ± 12.5 vs. 20.6 ± 9.8; p < 0.001). Patients who responded to KD and those who did not had no differences with respect to weight or fat mass loss. These data corroborate the utilization of KD as a preventive treatment for migraine and suggest that the efficacy of such an intervention is not only due to weight or fat mass loss but probably relies on other mechanisms specific to KD

The Present and Future of Optic Pathway Glioma Therapy

Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) encompass two distinct categories: benign pediatric gliomas, which are characterized by favorable prognosis, and malignant adult gliomas, which are aggressive cancers associated with a poor outcome. Our review aims to explore the established standards of care for both types of tumors, highlight the emerging therapeutic strategies for OPG treatment, and propose potential alternative therapies that, while originally studied in a broader glioma context, may hold promise for OPGs pending further investigation. These potential therapies encompass immunotherapy approaches, molecular-targeted therapy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, nanotechnologies, magnetic hyperthermia therapy, cyberKnife, cannabinoids, and the ketogenic diet. Restoring visual function is a significant challenge in cases where optic nerve damage has occurred due to the tumor or its therapeutic interventions. Numerous approaches, particularly those involving stem cells, are currently being investigated as potential facilitators of visual recovery in these patients

A portable RNA sequence whose recognition by a synthetic antibody facilitates structural determination

RNA crystallization and phasing represent major bottlenecks in RNA structure determination. Seeking to exploit antibody fragments as RNA crystallization chaperones, we have used an arginine-enriched synthetic Fab library displayed on phage to obtain Fabs against the class I ligase ribozyme. We solved the structure of a Fab–ligase complex at 3.1-Å resolution using molecular replacement with Fab coordinates, confirming the ribozyme architecture and revealing the chaperone's role in RNA recognition and crystal contacts. The epitope resides in the GAAACAC sequence that caps the P5 helix, and this sequence retains high-affinity Fab binding within the context of other structured RNAs. This portable epitope provides a new RNA crystallization chaperone system that easily can be screened in parallel to the U1A RNA-binding protein, with the advantages of a smaller loop and Fabs′ high molecular weight, large surface area and phasing power.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (GM61835

A retrospective long-term assessment of antibody response in melioidosis animals

Melioidosis is an extremely fatal infection disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. The causative agent of melioidosis is an environmental saprophyte and has significant adaptive potential allowing it to undergo rapid adaptation to a wide variety of ecological niches. The bacterium is a facultative intracellular pathogen that can infect many animal species as well as humans. B. pseudomallei has no pronounced tropism for certain tissues of the infected organism, which explains the diversity and non-specificity of clinical manifestations, the most common of which are pneumonia with or without bacteremia and sepsis. Тhis diagnosis is established on the basis of laboratory test data; cultured pathogen isolation is considered the gold standard. The indirect hemagglutination test remains a popular method for rapid melioidosis diagnostics, and increased paired serum antibody titer is an important criterion for making a diagnosis. The purpose of this work was to conduct a retrospective analysis of the long-term dynamic antibody response in Asiatic black bears that died from melioidosis and contact animals from the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center as well as molecular genetic analysis of isolated B. pseudomallei strains. Bacterial cultures were isolated from dead animals and identified by PCR as B. pseudomallei. Multilocus sequence typing showed that strains VP069 and VP044 had the same and hitherto undescribed sequence type (STnew), and strains VP161 and VP200 shared ST541. The pairwise strain identity with the same ST was confirmed by a core genome multilocus sequence typing. A retrospective analysis of 546 serum samples from 226 bears was carried out. All animals that died from melioidosis were seropositive for B. pseudomallei. Among the healthy bears studied, 24% were seropositive. It was found that in humans and bears there is a general trend in the dynamics of the antibody response. Similar to humans, bears with bacteriologically confirmed melioidosis were observed to have both higher and lower serum antibody titer, as well as a constant and fairly high titer, which shows the diagnostic ineffectiveness elevated paired serum antibody titer in melioidosis

Особенности обменных взаимодействий ионов B-подрешетки в системе La0,5Sr0,5Co1–x Nix O3–d

A comprehensive study of the crystal structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the La0.5Sr0.5Co1–x Nix O3–d  cobaltite system (x = 0.1–0.16) was carried out. The X-ray measurement results indicate that the unit cell of all solid solutions of the system is cubic and is described by the space group Pm3m. It is found that with an increase in the 540     Doklady of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2021, vol. 65, no. 5, рр. 539–545 Ni content, the Curie temperature (TC) decreases from 230 to 180 K, as well as magnetization values. The magnetic transition is blurred across the field. The iodometric studies show that the concentration of Co4+ ions in all samples does not exceed 35 %. The chemical substitution of Co ions by Ni ones does not result in significant modification of the unit cell parameters, which may indicate a spin crossover of Co ions. The temperature dependence of resistivity is metallic in character, which indicates the stability of the main conducting ferromagnetic phase. The nature of exchange interactions of different signs between B-sublattice ions completely determines the behavior of the system. An increase in the content of Ni ions leads both to decrease the component of ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Co3+ ions in the intermediate spin state and to increase the fraction of antiferromagnetic and weaker ferromagnetic interactions. In addition, presumably the Co4+ ion can stabilize the high spin state of the closestCo3+ ion and in the next two coordination spheres it can stabilize the Co3+ ion in the low spin state, i. e. the ferromagnetic complexes Co4+–Co3+ (HS) are shielded by the diamagnetic shell of low spin Co3+ ions, which results in decreasing the magnetization values.Проведено комплексное исследование кристаллической структуры, магнитных и магнитотранспортных свойств кобальтитов La0,5Sr0,5Co1–x Nix O3–d  (x = 0,1–0,16) со структурой типа перовскита. Исследовались поликристаллические образцы, полученные по обычной керамической технологии на воздухе в два этапа. Рентгенофазовый анализ выполнен на рентгеновском дифрактометре ДРОН-3М в CuKα -излучении при комнатной температуре. Согласно данным рентгеноструктурного анализа, элементарная ячейка всех твердых растворов системы является кубической и описывается пространственной группой Pm3m. Исследования магнитных и резистивных свойств проводились на установке измерения физических свойств (Cryogenic Ltd) в магнитных полях до 14 Tл в диапазоне температур 5–315 К. Установлено, что с ростом концентрации Ni температура Кюри (TC) уменьшается от 230 до 180 К, как и значения намагниченности. Переход в парамагнитное состояние несколько размыт по полю. Согласно данным иодометрического исследования, концентрация ионов Co4+ не превышает 35 %. При изменении концентрации ионов Ni объем элементарной ячейки практически не меняется, что обусловлено спиновым кроссовером ионов Co. Показано, что зависимость удельного сопротивления от температуры носит металлический характер, что указывает на стабильность основной проводящей ферромагнитной фазы. Характер обменных взаимодействий различных знаков между ионами B-подрешетки полностью обуславливает поведение системы. Увеличение концентрации ионов Ni сопровождается уменьшением доли ферромагнитных обменных взаимодействий между ионами Co3+ в промежуточном спиновом состоянии и увеличением доли антиферромагнитных и более слабых ферромагнитных взаимодействий. Полученные результаты можно объяснить тем, что ион Co4+ может стабилизировать высокоспиновое состояние ближайшего к себе иона Co3+, а в следующих двух координационных сферах стабилизировать ион Co3+ в низкоспиновом состоянии, т. е. ферромагнитные комплексы Co4+–Co3+ (HS) экранируются диамагнитной оболочкой низкоспиновых ионов Co3+, что влечет за собой уменьшение значений намагниченности.

Конденсация пиримидин-2,4,6(1Н,3Н,5Н )-триона с 6-аминохинолином и ароматическими альдегидами

New 12-aryl(heteryl)pyrimido[5,4-b]-4,7-phenanthroline-9,11 (7H,8H,10H,12H )-diones have been synthesized by the three-component condensation of pyrimidin-2,4,6(1Н,3Н,5Н )-trione, 6-quinolinamine and aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehydes. Intermediate 5-[(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)(quinolin-6-ylamino)methyl] pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H )-trione has been isolated.В результате трехкомпонентной конденсации пиримидин-2,4,6(1Н,3Н,5Н )-триона, 6-хинолиламина и замещенных бензальдегидов, 3-пиридинового, 3-метил-2-тиофенового альдегидов синтезированы новые12-арил(гетерил)пиримидо[5,4-b][4,7]-фенантролин-9,11(7H,8H,10H,12H )-дионы. Выделен промежуточный продукт реакции - 5-[(2,4-диметоксифенил)(хинолин-6-иламино)метил]пиримидин-2,4,6(1Н,3Н,5Н )-трион