An alternative model for integrated vendor–buyer inventory under controllable lead time and its heuristic solution

Researchers have given a lot of attention to the integrated vendor–buyer problem. Both deterministic and stochastic models on the subject are available in the literature. Most of the models have appeared with the need and requirement of a Just-in-Time (JIT) system environment. The close tie between a vendor and a buyer helps to deliver products in a shorter lead time with reduced inventory cost. Based on this idea, recently, some researchers have presented such a stochastic model with equal sized batch (part of a lot) transfer under controllable lead time. They have shown that their model provides a lower total cost for a numerical problem. To enrich the JIT system literature, considering transportation cost of a batch, this article develops an alternative model of the problem with equal or unequal sized batches transfer under controllable lead time. Then it develops a heuristic solution technique of the model and applying it solves the same numerical example to show a reasonable cost reduction.     

Current patterns and future trends in the population of the United States: implications for dentistry and the dental profession in the twenty-first century

Changes in the size, distribution and composition of the population of the United States will have significant effects on health care professionals in the coming years. For dentists and other professionals involved in health care provision, it is likely that among the effects of demographic change will be change in the characteristics of their patient base, change in the characteristics of health professionals, and potential change in the socioeconomic resources of their patients. In this article, we describe current and expected future patterns of change in the population of the United States and discuss their significance for dentistry in the twenty-first century.     

Fatty acids of boal fish oil by urea fractionation and gas-liquid chromatography.

The fatty acid composition of body and liver fats of boal, Wallago attu (Schn.), a cat fish, belonging to the family Siluridae and commonly known as fresh-water shark has been determined by urea fractionation and gas–liquid chromatography (g.l.c.). The percentages of major component acids were found to be, 16:0, 10.5; 16:1 ω9, 7.6; 18:0, 7.2; 18:1 ω9, 17.4; 18:2ω9, 8.4; 18:3ω3, 6.1; 20:4ω3, 3.7 and 22:6ω3, 4.4. In addition, a number of minor component acids have been detected and estimated. The liver oil fatty acids have also been determined without fractionation and the percentages of major component acids found were 16:0, 23.5; 18:0, 12.7; 18:1ω9, 7.0; 20:4ω3, 13.7; 22:6ω3, 11.2. The oil has been studied for the first time for its fatty acid composition.     

Nanotribological characterization of perfluoroalkylphosphonate self-assembled monolayers deposited on aluminum-coated silicon substrates

Aluminum-coated silicon substrates are commonly used for various micro/nanooptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS/NOEMS) including Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD^®). For efficient and failure proof operation of these devices, ultra-thin lubricant films of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are increasingly being employed. Fluorinated molecules are known to exhibit low surface energy, adhesion, and friction, desirable for tribological applications. In this study, we investigate contact angle, surface energy, friction, adhesion, and wear properties of a perfluoroalkylphosphonate SAM and compare them with those of alkylphosphonate SAMs. The influence of relative humidity, temperature, and sliding velocity on the friction and adhesion behavior is studied. Failure mechanisms of SAMs are investigated by wear tests. These studies are expected to aid in the design and selection of proper lubricants for MOEMS/NOEMS.     

Inference of Zn in Enormity of the Public Health

Zinc （Zn） deficiencies are currently thought to cause chronic metabolic derangement leading to or exacerbating immune deficiencY, gastrointestinal problems, endocrine disorders, neurologic dysfunction, cancer, accelerated aging, degenerative disease, and more. Zn deficiency caused by malnutrition and foods with low bioavailability, aging, certain diseases, or deregulated homeostasis is a far more common risk to human health than intoxication. Higher dose of Zn should be limited to short-term use because of an increased risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects, copper deficiency, anemia, and genitourinary complications. This review has detonated the literature on the spectrum of health effects of Zn status, ranging from symptoms of Zn deficiency to excess exposure.     

A three-axis vibration isolation system using modified zero-power controller with parallel mechanism technique

This paper proposes a module-type three-degree-of-freedom vibration isolation system using modified zero-power control. Three vibration isolation modules are connected together using parallel mechanism to control 3-DOF motions. Each module consists of a common base, an individual middle mass and a common isolation table. The base to the middle mass is suspended by positive springs generated by active and passive system, and the middle mass and the isolation table is connected by negative spring realized by active-type modified zero-power control. The developed system could realize zero-compliance to direct disturbances as well as good ground vibration isolation. Furthermore, the isolation table is supported by a weight support mechanism for supporting heavy payloads. In the previous research, a concentrated middle mass with redundant actuators, in the vertical and horizontal directions, were used. Therefore, a vibration isolation system is proposed in this work using modular concept to overcome those drawbacks. Each module is controlled separately by decentralized control technique, and three modules can be used for three-degree-of-freedom of motion control. Therefore, no redundancy of actuator is occurred. Moreover, an improved zero-power controller is presented that can adjust negative stiffness instead of conventional zero-power controller. The results obtained from analytical and experimental studies show that the modular technique is reliable and efficient approach to vibration control, and represents a suitable alternative to the conventional active vibration isolation systems.     

Finite Element Analysis of TV Panel Glass during Cooling

A finite element software has been used to determine the temperature history in forming a TV glass panel during hot pressing in a metal mold and the controlled cooling cycle. The temperature history is then used to calculate the stress and strain history in the glass panel. The goal of the simulation model is to predict the resulting stresses and strains due to forming and cooling that takes place during the manufacturing of the TV panel. DEFORM 3D software has been used to carry out the numeric simulation.     

Relationship between adenovirus-mediated aquaporin 1 expression and fluid movement across epithelial cells

AdhAQP1, a recombinant adenovirus encoding the human water channel aquaporin 1 (AQP1), has been shown to be useful for gene therapy of salivary glands rendered hypofunctional following irradiation. Here we utilized AdhAQP1 to examine the relationship between AQP1 expression and fluid movement across a polarized salivary epithelial cell monolayer. In response to a 440 to 340 mosm gradient, net fluid movement across cells infected with AdhAQP1 was approximately 10-fold that seen in uninfected cells or cells infected with a control virus. At a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5, fluid movement was linear for 15-30 min. Increasing the osmotic gradient resulted in a proportional increase in fluid movement. At low virus MOIs (0.1-1.0), fluid movement was markedly enhanced relative to that seen at higher MOIs (approximately 5.10), where the level of AQP1 expression and number of cells transduced were considerably greater. We conclude that significant, osmotically-obliged fluid movement in a salivary cell monolayer with low basal water permeability does not require high levels of AQP1 expression.