Modelling of capillary end effects in systems of variable wettability

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Designing a new mathematical model based on ABC analysis for inventory control problem: A real case study

In modern business today, organizations that hold large numbers of inventory items, do not find it economical to make policies for the management of individual inventory items. Managers, thus, need to classify these items according to their importance and fit each item to a certain asset class. The method of grouping and inventory control available in traditional ABC has several disadvantages. These shortcomings have led to the development of an optimization model in the present study to improve the grouping and inventory control decisions in ABC. Moreover, it simultaneously optimizes the existing business relationships among revenue, investment in inventory and customer satisfaction (through service levels) as well as a company's budget for inventory costs. In this paper, a mathematical model is presented to classify inventory items, taking into account significant profit and cost reduction indices. The model has an objective function to maximize the net profit of items in stock. Limitations such as budget even inventory shortages are taken into account too. The mathematical model is solved by the Benders decomposition and the Lagrange relaxation algorithms. Then, the results of the two solutions are compared. The TOPSIS technique and statistical tests are used to evaluate and compare the proposed solutions with one another and to choose the best one. Subsequently, several sensitivity analyses are performed on the model, which helps inventory control managers determine the effect of inventory management costs on optimal decision making and item grouping. Finally, according to the results of evaluating the efficiency of the proposed model and the solution method, a real-world case study is conducted on the ceramic tile industry. Based on the proposed approach, several managerial perspectives are gained on optimal inventory grouping and item control strategies

The Effect of Accelerated Aging on Germination Characteristics, Seed Reserve Utilization and Malondialdehyde Content of Two Wheat Cultivars

In this study experiment was conducted to evaluated the effect of accelerated aging on germination characteristics, seed reserve utilization and malondialdehyde of two wheat cultivars. The experiment was conducted in factorial with a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results of variance analysis showed that, seed aging had significant effects on germination percentage, germination index, normal seedling percentage, mean time to germination, malondialdehyde content, seedling dry weight, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve and electrical conductivity. The highest germination percentage, germination index, normal seedling percentage, seedling dry weight and weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve and the minimum mean time to germination, electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde content were attained from Verinak cultivar under control conditions (0 day aging). Results indicates that germination percentage, germination index, normal seedling percentage, seedling dry weight, and weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve decreased significantly as seed aging progressed. But, mean time to germination, electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde content increased significantly as seed aging progressed. Also, the decrease in seed reserve mobilization rate was the cause of decreased other traits

Different physiological and biochemical responses in maize hybrids subjected to drought stress at vegetative and reproductive stages

The growth and development of all plants are seriously limited by a variety of environmental stresses. In this study, responses in crop yield, physiological and biochemical traits were investigated in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids such as SC704, SC700 (FAO 700), SC647 (FAO 600), SC500 (FAO 500), SC370 (FAO 300) and SC260 (FAO 200) subjected to drought stress induced by stopping irrigation at vegetative stage (4-5 leaves) and reproductive stage (anthesis). The results showed that drought stress had a significant effect on these characteristics. The yield and its components decreased considerably under water stress: the main factors that caused reduction of yield were the decrease in the number of grain per ear and 1000-grain weight. Reduction of yield in short maturity hybrids was higher than in other ones. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as permeability of plasma membrane increased significantly, but ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity decreased under water stress. Maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and performance index (PI) revealed a significant reduction in leaves in comparison with control plants. The content of soluble proteins in leaves reduced with increasing drought stress. These results suggested that water stress lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which caused an increased membrane permeability and oxidative stress in the maize plants. Furthermore, maize hybrids with higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activities showed higher resistance to drought stress and produced higher yield under stress. So that SC704 and SC700 were the most tolerant, however, SC647 and SC500 were drought semi-tolerant to water stress, and SC370 and SC260 were the most sensitive

Nephroprotective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract Allium jesdianum Boiss against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Nephrotoxicity via Stress Oxidative in Mice

Background: Nephrotoxicity is one of the most common renal problems that especially occur when the body is exposed to drugs or chemical reagents. Allium jesdianum Boiss is the largest and most important plants genus of onion family that possesses many pharmacological effects. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect Allium jesdianum Boiss in the treatment of nephrotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Methods: Forty two male mice were randomly divided into six groups; control, sham, CCl4 (1 ml/Kg, i.p) single dose, Allium (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg) + CCl4. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) evaluated in serum. Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed in kidney tissue homogenate and done the microscopic studies of renal tissue. Results: The results indicated a significant increase of serum BUN and Cr as well as MDA and ROS levels and decrease of GSH and CAT in CCl4 treated mice when compared with the control group (p < 0.001), whereas all studied endpoints were significantly altered in pretreatment with Allium extract when compared with CCl4 treated mice (p < 0.001). Renal histopathology indicated normal appearances reduced in CCl4 treated mice and Allium extract administration improved changes in renal tissue. Conclusion: Administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of Allium jesdianum Boiss could prevent nephrotoxicity induced by CCl4. The protective potential may involve the powerful antioxidant of this plant by eliminating free radicals induced by CCl4

Lorlatinib with or without chemotherapy in ALK-driven refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma: phase 1 trial results.

Neuroblastomas harbor ALK aberrations clinically resistant to crizotinib yet sensitive pre-clinically to the third-generation ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. We conducted a first-in-child study evaluating lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children and adults with relapsed or refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma. The trial is ongoing, and we report here on three cohorts that have met pre-specified primary endpoints: lorlatinib as a single agent in children (12 months to <18 years); lorlatinib as a single agent in adults (≥18 years); and lorlatinib in combination with topotecan/cyclophosphamide in children (<18 years). Primary endpoints were safety, pharmacokinetics and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints were response rate and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) response. Lorlatinib was evaluated at 45-115 mg/m2/dose in children and 100-150 mg in adults. Common adverse events (AEs) were hypertriglyceridemia (90%), hypercholesterolemia (79%) and weight gain (87%). Neurobehavioral AEs occurred mainly in adults and resolved with dose hold/reduction. The RP2D of lorlatinib with and without chemotherapy in children was 115 mg/m2. The single-agent adult RP2D was 150 mg. The single-agent response rate (complete/partial/minor) for <18 years was 30%; for ≥18 years, 67%; and for chemotherapy combination in <18 years, 63%; and 13 of 27 (48%) responders achieved MIBG complete responses, supporting lorlatinib's rapid translation into active phase 3 trials for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk, ALK-driven neuroblastoma. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03107988

Sustainable supply chain management towards disruption and organizational ambidexterity:A data driven analysis

Balancing sustainability and disruption of supply chains requires organizational ambidexterity. Sustainable supply chains prioritize efficiency and economies of scale and may not have sufficient redundancy to withstand disruptive events. There is a developing body of literature that attempts to reconcile these two aspects. This study gives a data-driven literature review of sustainable supply chain management trends toward ambidexterity and disruption. The critical review reveals temporal trends and geographic distribution of literature. A hybrid of data-driven analysis approach based on content and bibliometric analyses, fuzzy Delphi method, entropy weight method, and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory is used on 273 keywords and 22 indicators obtained based on the experts’ evaluation. The most important indicators are identified as supply chain agility, supply chain coordination, supply chain finance, supply chain flexibility, supply chain resilience, and sustainability. The regions show different tendencies compared with others. Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa are the regions needs improvement, while Europe and North America show distinct apprehensions on supply chain network design. The main contribution of this review is the identification of the knowledge frontier, which then leads to a discussion of prospects for future studies and practical industry implementation