Relationship Management and Lean Analysis in Maintaining Horticulture Supply Chains with Micro-businesses in Wales

The horticulture sector is characterised by variability in production volumes and quality, fluctuating prices and goods of short shelf life. ‘Lean’ analysis is used to identify strengths and weaknesses in relationships between micro-businesses in horticulture. Three case studies of small horticultural enterprises, a scale prevalent in the sector in Wales, describe relationships and supply structures. A model for the generic application of relationship management to smaller enterprises is proposed in which the effects of continued adherence in inter-company relationships, and supply system configuration, are examined in relation to the effectiveness of collaborations. Relationship management needs to be a priority in these small enterprises. Buyer dominance over suppliers may decrease the effectiveness of relationships in small and micro-enterprises in Welsh horticulture

Quercetin-supplemented diets lower blood pressure and attenuate cardiac hypertrophy in rats with aortic constriction

Journal ArticleQuercetin (Q), a flavonoid found in berries and onions, can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive animals and inhibit signal transduction pathways in vitro that regulate cardiac hypertrophy. We hypothesized that quercetin could prevent cardiovascular complications in rats with abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). RM field: (c)Lippincott, Williams & Wilkin

Ceramide-induced disruption of endothelial nitric oxide synthase dimerization in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) is not secondary to peroxynitrite formation

Journal ArticleAn estimated 23.6 million individuals in the United States have diabetes and of those 90-95% have type II diabetes. Cardiovascular complications (e.g., hypertension and vascular dysfunction) are four-fold more prevalent in patients with type II diabetes.1 The mechanism(s) responsible for increased susceptibility of type II diabetics to cardiovascular complications is unclear. In a previous study, mice that consumed high-fat (HF) vs. standard (CON) chow for 10-14 weeks exhibited: systemic disturbances characteristic of the metabolic syndrome; vascular dysfunction; and hypertension.2 Because free fatty acids (FFAs) were elevated three-fold in those HF mice, we investigated whether the fat derived metabolite ceramide might contribute to cardiovascular complications. To do so, mice consumed HF chow and were treated concurrently with the ceramide biosynthesis inhibitor myriocin or vehicle. Cardiovascular (e.g., hypertension and vascular dysfunction) and metabolic (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia) complications did not develop in myriocin vs. vehicle-treated HF mice.3 Importantly, subsequent in vitro experiments using pharmacological and genetic approaches to inhibit ceramide biosynthesis showed this sphingolipid impairs endothelium-dependent function in a tissue autonomous manner.4 To gain insight into mechanisms responsible for ceramide-induced endothelial dysfunction, BAECs were incubated with palmitate to precipitate endogenous ceramide biosynthesis. Results are shown in Fig. 1 - Panels A-C

Influence of folate on arterial permeability and stiffness in the absence or presence of hyperhomocysteinemia

Journal ArticleElevation of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood.1 Worldwide, the most common cause of mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is deficiency of folate.2,3 Some4-8 but not all9,10 studies suggest that folate deficiency contributes to cardiovascular disease in a manner that is independent of its ability to elevate plasma tHcy.11 We have reported that HHcy evoked by folate depletion increases arterial permeability and stiffness in rats.1

Na-H exchange inhibition with Cariporide limits functional impairment caused by repetitive ischemia

Journal ArticleIntracellular calcium ([Ca]i) overload on reperfusion may be one of the mechanisms responsible for ischemia-induced regional myocardial dysfunction. Because inhibiting the Na-H exchanger (NHE) limits intracellular sodium ([Na]i) and subsequent [Ca]i accumulation, we hypothesized that NHE inhibition would attenuate regional dysfunction in response to 25 cycles of ischemia (I, 2-min) and reperfusion (R, 8-min) of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) in conscious swine. Six animals were instrumented to measure arterial pressure, regional myocardial blood flow (colored microspheres), systolic wall thickening (WTh) in the normally perfused (left anterior descending, LAD) and LCx regions (sonomicrometry), LCx blood flow velocity (Doppler), and to reversibly occlude the LCx (hydraulic occluder)

Hyperhomocysteinemia evoked by folate depletion: effects on coronary and carotid arterial function

Journal ArticleHigh circulating concentrations of homocysteine (ie, hyperhomocysteinemia [Hhcy]) impair the vascular function of peripheral conduit arteries and arterioles perfusing splanchnic and skeletal muscle regions. The effects of HHcy on coronary resistance vessel function and other indexes of vascular function, ie, arterial permeability and stiffening, are unclear. We tested the hypotheses that HHcy impairs coronary resistance vessel reactivity; increases carotid arterial permeability; and initiates arterial stiffening

Quercetin: a treatment for hypertension? - a review of efficacy and mechanisms

Journal ArticleQuercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid. Common sources in the diet are apples, onions, berries, and red wine. Epidemiological studies have found an inverse relationship between dietary quercetin intake and cardiovascular disease. This has led to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research to determine the mechanism by which quercetin exerts cardioprotective effects. Recent studies have found a reduction in blood pressure when hypertensive (>140 mm Hg systolic and >90 mm Hg diastolic) animals and humans are supplemented with quercetin. Proposed mechanisms for the antihypertensive effect of quercetin include decreased oxidative stress, inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme activity, improved endothelial function, direct action on the vascular smooth muscle, and/or modulation in cell signaling and gene expression. Although in vitro and in vivo evidence exists to support and refute each possibility, it is likely that quercetin influences multiple targets via a combination of known and as yet undiscovered mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to examine the mechanisms whereby quercetin might reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals

Modelling the Interaction Between Racehorse Limb and Race Surface

AbstractMusculoskeletal injuries are the leading cause of racehorse fatalities and attrition. Race surface mechanics affect racehorse limb biomechanics, and therefore can affect musculoskeletal injuries. Installation of experimental race surfaces to determine their effect on racehorse limb kinematics is not financially feasible. Furthermore, field data collection is time consuming, labor intensive, and requires the use of live animals. Computational modelling provides an economical option to survey a wide range of surface mechanics and resulting effects on racehorse limb motions. This research aimed to develop and evaluate an integrated racehorse limb and race surface computational model. The interaction of a virtual galloping racehorse impacting virtual race surfaces was modelled in SIMM using combined forward/inverse dynamics. In vivo kinematic data were averaged to determine proximal forelimb, trunk, and hindlimb kinematic model profiles throughout gallop stance, as well as distal forelimb initial conditions. All distal forelimb joints and hoof translations were free to respond to external forces applied by the race surface model during stance. Race surface model coefficients were determined from previously measured race surface mechanics and forward dynamic simulations of a track-testing device. Simulation results were compared to distal forelimb motions of actual galloping racehorses on mechanically measured race surfaces. Model predicted kinematic profiles (metacarpophalangeal angle and hoof translations) had qualitative shapes and peak magnitudes within ranges of experimental data. Simulated peak metacarpophalangeal angle and hoof translations were within 11 degrees and 4cm respectively. Future model applications include estimation of the effects of variation in race surface parameters on racehorse limb biomechanics

Homeostatic action selection for simultaneous multi-tasking

Mobile robots are rapidly developing and gaining in competence, but the potential of available hardware still far outstrips our ability to harness. Domain-specific applications are most successful due to customised programming tailored to a narrow area of application. Resulting systems lack extensibility and autonomy, leading to increased cost of development. This thesis investigates the possibility of designing and implementing a general framework capable of simultaneously coordinating multiple tasks that can be added or removed in a plug and play manner. A homeostatic mechanism is proposed for resolving the contentions inevitably arising between tasks competing for the use of the same robot actuators. In order to evaluate the developed system, demonstrator tasks are constructed to reach a goal location, prevent collision, follow a contour around obstacles and balance a ball within a spherical bowl atop the robot. Experiments show preliminary success with the homeostatic coordination mechanism but a restriction to local search causes issues that preclude conclusive evaluation. Future work identifies avenues for further research and suggests switching to a planner with the sufficient foresight to continue evaluation."This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/K503162/1]." -- Acknowledgement