Virtual Cellular Multi-period Formation under the Dynamic Environment

AbstractVirtual cellular manufacturing is an innovative way of production organization which both in the production of flexibility and efficient to meet today's rapid development of science and technology and replacement of products. The key process of the design of virtual cellular manufacturing system—cell formation is the focus of research. In order to meet the characteristics of small batch and dynamically changing market demand, this paper studies the problems of virtual cellular multi-period dynamic reconfiguration. A reconfigurable system programming model is developed. The model incorporates parameters of the problems of product dynamic demand, machine capacity, operation sequence, balanced workload, alternative routings and batch setting. The objective of mixed integer programming model is to minimize the total costs of operation, moving raw materials, inventory holding and process routes setup. Though a case study, demonstrates the feasibility and validity of the model in reality

Coordinating Supply Chain Distribution in the Presence of Production Disruption Risks

With the impacts of unexpected events, production processes of supply chain system may be forced to interrupt in a certain period, which may decrease the supply capacity of manufacturer to its retailers. This paper discusses methods to distribute the limited stock in case the production disruptions occur. To ascertain a reasonable replenish sequence and quantity after the production disruption, a production disruption-oriented supply chain distribution model is offered, which can be used to minimize the negative impact of production disruption to supply chain system. And then a constraint satisfaction optimization method is established to resolve the model. Finally, validity of the model is verified with an actual application in an air-conditioner factory in China

External α-carbonic anhydrase and solute carrier 4 are required for bicarbonate uptake in a freshwater angiosperm

The freshwater monocot Ottelia alismoides is the only known species to operate three CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs): constitutive bicarbonate (HCO3–) use, C4 photosynthesis, and facultative Crassulacean acid metabolism, but the mechanism of HCO3– use is unknown. We found that the inhibitor of an anion exchange protein, 4,4'-diisothio-cyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS), prevented HCO3– use but also had a small effect on CO2 uptake. An inhibitor of external carbonic anhydrase (CA), acetazolamide (AZ), reduced the affinity for CO2 uptake but also prevented HCO3– use via an effect on the anion exchange protein. Analysis of mRNA transcripts identified a homologue of solute carrier 4 (SLC4) responsible for HCO3– transport, likely to be the target of DIDS, and a periplasmic α-carbonic anhydrase 1 (α-CA1). A model to quantify the contribution of the three different pathways involved in inorganic carbon uptake showed that passive CO2 diffusion dominates inorganic carbon uptake at high CO2 concentrations. However, as CO2 concentrations fall, two other pathways become predominant: conversion of HCO3– to CO2 at the plasmalemma by α-CA1 and transport of HCO3– across the plasmalemma by SLC4. These mechanisms allow access to a much larger proportion of the inorganic carbon pool and continued photosynthesis during periods of strong carbon depletion in productive ecosystems

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Energy Consumption, Pollutant Emissions and Cost of Electric Vehicles and Fuel Vehicles

With the depletion of the earth’s energy and the deterioration of the environment, since the United Nations issued the Sustainable Development Goals, all countries have begun research and policies aimed at energy conservation and emission reduction. In the fields of transportation and automobiles, electric vehicles have great potential as an envisioned alternative to conventional fuel vehicles. This article first describes the relevant knowledge about the GREET model and the WTW evaluation system and then discusses and evaluates the differences in energy consumption, pollution emissions and personal use costs between electric vehicles and conventional fuel vehicles. The research results show that the energy consumption of electric vehicles is 11 % lower than that of conventional fuel vehicles. Pollutant emissions of electric vehicles are significantly lower than that of fuel vehicles and their emissions are mainly concentrated in the power generation stage and the overall price of electric vehicles is lower, and the proportion of fuel consumption is smaller than that of conventional fuel vehicles. This article provides a data basis for judging of electric vehicles advantages and development prospects and contribute to reducing social energy consumption and improving environmental degradation

Responses of Leaf Anatomy and CO(2)Concentrating Mechanisms of the Aquatic PlantOttelia cordatato Variable CO2

Acclimation to variable CO(2)was studied in floating leaves of the freshwater monocotOttelia cordatagrown in either low or high CO2. The most striking anatomical variations responding to high CO(2)included the enlarged upper epidermal cells and the decreased area of epidermal chloroplasts. Stomata that distributed on the upper surface, and the stomatic chamber area, showed no significant response to high CO2. pH-drift experiments indicated that floating leaves ofO. cordatawere able to use bicarbonate regardless of CO(2)concentrations. Photosynthetic enzyme activities and patterns of organic acids fluctuation confirmed that floating leaves ofO. cordatacan operate CAM only at low CO2, and perform C-4-like metabolism at both high and low CO2. Overall, the present results imply that the floating leaves ofO. cordatadoes not just rely on the atmospheric CO(2)for its inorganic carbon, but is also dependent on CO(2)and bicarbonate in the water. By showing these effects of CO(2)variation, we highlight the need for further experimental studies on the regulatory mechanisms inO. cordatafloating leaves, that prevent futile cycling among the three CO(2)concentrating mechanisms (bicarbonate use, C-4, and CAM metabolism) and the strategy for exploiting atmospheric CO2, as well as studies on the detailed biochemical pathway for C(4)and CAM metabolism in this species

Response of anatomy and CO2-concentrating mechanisms to variable CO2 in linear juvenile leaves of heterophyllous Ottelia alismoides: Comparisons with other leaf types

Ottelia alismoides (Hydrocharitaceae) is a heterophyllous freshwater macrophyte which shows heteroblastic heterophylly during plant development, and differs in carbon dioxide-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) at different stage. This study investigated the anatomy and CCMs in the first stage of leaf during O. alismoides development, linear juvenile leaves. It comprised three layers of cell and enriched air spaces, but not significantly affected by CO2 concentration ([CO2]), while leaf thickness and chloroplast ultrastructure were significantly affected by [CO2]. The linear juvenile leaves could perform C-4 photosynthesis at low [CO2]; the two types of chloroplasts distributed in epidermal and mesophyll cells respectively, with different shape and starch content, might provide the structural basis for C-4 operation. The pH-drift data showed that the linear juvenile leaves could use HCO3- regardless of [CO2]. Whereas, CAM and C-4 operation could only be induced at low [CO2]. When compared the CCMs among all the heteromorphic leaves in O. alismoides, it is shown that CCMs in the O. alismoides heteromorphic leaves become more diversified during the plants development: HCO3- use was present in all leaf-types regardless of the [CO2]; CAM and C-4 were only induced at low [CO2] and became more efficient in mature leaves. The anatomy was also regulated to adapt to the functions of CCMs, and ultimately, the ovate mature leaves can operate C-4 constitutively