Automated zebrafish chorion removal and single embryo placement: optimizing throughput of zebrafish developmental toxicity screens

The potential of the developing zebrafish model for toxicology and drug discovery is limited by inefficient approaches to manipulating and chemically exposing zebrafish embryos-namely, manual placement of embryos into 96- or 384-well plates and exposure of embryos while still in the chorion, a barrier of poorly characterized permeability enclosing the developing embryo. We report the automated dechorionation of 1600 embryos at once at 4 h postfertilization (hpf) and placement of the dechorionated embryos into 96-well plates for exposure by 6 hpf. The process removed ≥95% of the embryos from their chorions with 2% embryo mortality by 24 hpf, and 2% of the embryos malformed at 120 hpf. The robotic embryo placement allocated 6-hpf embryos to 94.7% ± 4.2% of the wells in multiple 96-well trials. The rate of embryo mortality was 2.8% (43 of 1536) from robotic handling, the rate of missed wells was 1.2% (18 of 1536), and the frequency of multipicks was <0.1%. Embryo malformations observed at 24 hpf occurred nearly twice as frequently from robotic handling (16 of 864; 1.9%) as from manual pipetting (9 of 864; 1%). There was no statistical difference between the success of performing the embryo placement robotically or manually.     

On an evolutionary approach for constrained optimization problem solving

Over the last few decades, many different evolutionary algorithms have been introduced for solving constrained optimization problems. However, due to the variability of problem characteristics, no single algorithm performs consistently over a range of problems. In this paper, instead of introducing another such algorithm, we propose an evolutionary framework that utilizes existing knowledge to make logical changes for better performance. The algorithmic aspects considered here are: the way of using search operators, dealing with feasibility, setting parameters, and refining solutions. The combined impact of such modifications is significant as has been shown by solving two sets of test problems: (i) a set of 24 test problems that were used for the CEC2006 constrained optimization competition and (ii) a second set of 36 test instances introduced for the CEC2010 constrained optimization competition. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm shows better performance in comparison to the state-of-the-art algorithms.     

A multi-agent system model of a diesel engine using rule induction

The proliferation of a multi-agent system (MAS) and ideas from Artificial Intelligence (AI)/distributed AI have changed the way systems, in general are controlled, and operation of a system (diesel engine) in particular is automated. In this paper a distributed multi-agent architecture for a diesel engine and the knowledge sources that handle electricity generation is developed. Electronic devices and components used for data handling are described. The sensed data are presented in fuzzy logic and calculated in entropy values and depicted in a decision hierarchy. A comparative performance assessment of the proposed multi-agent based system with an existing system is presented and discussed.     

Unpacking the effect of IT capability on the performance of export-focused SMEs: a report from China

Abstract.  Export-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China face a number of barriers to success, two primary ones being the liability of foreignness and resource scarcity. In order to transcend these challenges and be able to survive/prosper in the hypercompetitive international market, where players include large resourceful multinational organizations with experience in varied national contexts, these firms need to develop different organizational capabilities. In this paper, we specifically examine the role of a key organizational capability – information technology (IT) capability – and its different dimensions, in determining performance of export-focused SMEs in China. Our study reveals that IT capability has a positive impact on such firms' performance. This finding indicates the need for their owners/managers to invest in IT capability. Further, the study also highlights specific sub-dimensions of IT capability that export-focused Chinese SMEs should (or should not) develop, so as to derive maximum performance-related gains for the minimum amount spent on IT.     

A similarity coefficient measure and machine-parts grouping in cellular manufacturing systems

For more than three decades, similarity coefficient measures one of the important tools for solving group technology problems have gained the attention of the research community in cellular manufacturing systems. A new similarity coefficient measure that uses a set of important characteristic properties for grouping is developed here for use as an intermediate tool to form cohesive cells. A mathematical model that uses this similarity coefficient for optimally solving the cell-formation problems in cellular manufacturing is developed. A heuristic procedure that improves the optimal methodology in term of solution capability of the large instances is devised for an efficient solution. Both the optimal methodology and the heuristic are applied to some well-known problems from literature to compare the grouping efficiencies. The similarity coefficient and the solution methodologies developed are able to solve the cell formation problems efficiently.     

Biocompatible electrospun tactic poly(methyl methacrylate) blend fibers

Uniform and beads free fibers of pristine syndiotactic PMMA (s-PMMA), isotactic PMMA (i-PMMA), and their blends in the ratio of s:i = 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 were successfully prepared using the electrospinning technique. The tactic PMMA blend fibers showed unique thermal stability and glass transition temperatures compared to their pristine counterparts. An interesting endotherm peak was observed for the s:i = 1:3 electrospun fibers, which might indicate a complex formation between the two tactic PMMAs. Systematic surface functionalities study by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) revealed the interactions between these two tactic PMMAs. Biocompatibility of tactic PMMA and their blend fibers was first time comparably investigated using HeLa as the model mammalian cell line; an intriguing observance was first revealed that the blend fibers showed better biocompatibility than both pristine ones, though the behind mechanism is not well understood yet.     

A comparative study of integral parameters for TRX and BAPL benchmark lattices of thermal reactors using the cross-section library generated from JENDL and JEF evaluated data files

The objective of this paper is to present the results of comparative study of integral parameters for TRX and BAPL benchmark lattices of thermal reactors. The nuclear data processing code NJOY'99 was deployed for the generation of the 69-group cross-section library from the basic evaluated nuclear data files JENDL-3.2 and JEF-2.2. TRX and BAPL benchmark lattices were modeled with optimized inputs, which were suggested in the final report of the WIMS Library Update Project Stage-I. The inputs were the results of a detailed parametric study of the WIMS input options and also optimized for accuracy. The integral parameters (such as k_eff, ρ²⁸, δ²⁵, δ²⁸, C¹) of five uranium-fuel thermal assemblies: TRX-1 and TRX-2 and BAPL-1, BAPL-2, and BAPL-3 were calculated with the help of WIMSD-5B code based on the generated 69-group cross-section library. The calculated results are compared with those of experiments and it is found that the obtained results between the two libraries are in good agreement with each other. Besides, the calculated integral parameters are also well consistent with the measured values, which reflect the validation of the generated 69-group cross-section library and this library thus obtained is necessary to meet up the nuclear data for neutronics calculation of TRIGA Mark-II research reactor at AERE, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.     

A decision support tool for strategic planning of sustainable biorefineries

In this paper we formulate, implement, and test a model for technology and product portfolio design for a multi-product multi-platform biorefining enterprise. The model considered is an MILP financial planning model with the objective of maximizing the stakeholder value. Integer variables are used to select appropriate feedstocks, technologies, and products, material and capacity balances are used to design capacity and set production targets, while cash balances are used to describe investment and operations financing. Stakeholder value is described as the shareholder value with monetized environmental implications in terms of emissions mitigation costs and credits. Process integration schemes utilizing emissions are considered to reduce the emissions load and add to the bottom-line. A preliminary process design and product portfolio is provided as a result. Advantages of process integration are quantified using a central utilities facility and effluent recycles. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine important parameters that shape the objective function.     

Multicast Network Security with Asymmetric Cooperative Relaying

International Journal of Wireless Information Networks - This paper exhibits the confidentiality performance study of a cooperative multicast network consisting of $${\mathcal {K}}$$ asymmetric...