Search

Lot-sizing is pivotal to manufacturing, especially in stochastic multi-item batch production. Although its criticality has been generally acknowledged in operation management, most optimisation approaches advanced in recent years are often rendered impractical and sometimes misleading. This is because little attention has been paid to the real corporate capital structure and the overall business goal of maximising the shareholder wealth. In this paper, we attempt to optimise stochastic multi-item lot-sizing for make-to-order manufacturing in a complex yet realistic capital structure, with an aim to realize the overall business objective of maximising the shareholder wealth. Our study takes account of a series of interconnected economical parameters pertinent to maximisation of the shareholder wealth, and also examines the impacts of corporate capital structures on shareholder wealth advancement. Computational studies are presented to numerically and analytically demonstrate the important implications of our proposed manufacturing model on gaining corporate wealth in a practical capital structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gintonin is a unique lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand found in Panax ginseng. Gintonin induces transient [Ca2+]i through G protein-coupled LPA receptors. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels are expressed in blood vessels and neurons and play important roles in blood vessel relaxation and attenuation of neuronal excitability. BKCa channels are activated by transient [Ca2+]i and are regulated by various Ca2+-dependent kinases. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of BKCa channel activation by gintonin. BKCa channels are heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Gintonin treatment induced BKCa channel activation in oocytes expressing the BKCa channel α subunit in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 0.71 ± 0.08Μg/mL). Gintonin-mediated BKCa channel activation was blocked by a PKC inhibitor, calphostin, and by the calmodulin inhibitor, calmidazolium. Site-directed mutations in BKCa channels targeting CaM kinase II or PKC phosphorylation sites but not PKA phosphorylation sites attenuated gintonin action. Mutations in the Ca2+ bowl and the regulator of K+ conductance (RCK) site also blocked gintonin action. These results indicate that gintonin-mediated BKCa channel activations are achieved through LPA1 receptor-phospholipase C-IP3-Ca2+-PKC-calmodulin-CaM kinase II pathways and calcium binding to the Ca2+ bowl and RCK domain. Gintonin could be a novel contributor against blood vessel constriction and over-excitation of neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and electrical resistivity of inkjet-printed silver (Ag) films annealed under ambient air were characterized. Analyses of the impurity amounts in the films using secondary-ion mass spectrometry showed that the decomposition temperature of the capping molecules was just below 170°C. Both the characteristics of the microstructure and electrical resistivity when annealed at low temperatures (lower than the decomposition temperature) were significantly different from those when annealed at high temperatures. The results show that neither microstructural features, such as grain size, nor the amounts of impurities can explain both the magnitude and characteristic decrease in electrical resistivity. The changes in electrical resistivity can be described using exponential decay kinetics. The corresponding activation energy of 0.44 eV when annealed at the high temperatures is explained by the migration of point defects such as vacancy-oxygen pairs. On the other hand, negligible dependence on temperature was identified when annealed at low temperatures, which was attributed to decomposition of the capping molecules. The results indicate the importance of controlling the defects of nanoparticles and the properties of capping molecules from the viewpoint of electrical optimization of metallization fabricated using inkjet printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carrier signal lock-in experiment using a 300-GHz integrated heterodyne circuit is presented. The circuit contains a single voltage-controlled oscillator with a single set of quadrature mixers that are fabricated using 250-nm InP double hetero-junction bipolar transistor technology. An external feedback loop containing packaged baseband components such as amplifiers, a phase discriminator, and a filter is connected to the integrated circuit to form a complete receiver system. For a -25 dBm of input RF signal with 3.5-GHz single-tone carrier-suppressed modulation, the receiver system responds with successful lock-in range of 110 MHz centred around 311 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of different ovary transport temperatures on in vitro development and post-thaw survivability of bovine embryos. Bovine ovaries were collected at a local slaughterhouse and transported at 4 different temperature categories to the laboratory: 7–10C (T1), 11–17C (T2), 18–25C (T3), and above 26C (control group). The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from 2–8 mm antral follicles using a syringe with an 18 gauge needle. Selected COCs were washed in HEPES-buffered tissue culture medium (TCM-199) supplemented with 5% FBS. Sets of 50 COCs were matured for 22 h in 4-well dishes of TCM-199 supplemented with 5% FBS, 10 g mL-1 LH, and 10 g mL-1 FSH, that had been previously covered with mineral oil and equilibrated in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 39C. Mature COCs were fertilized with frozen–thawed semen treated with BO medium. To evaluate nuclear maturation to the metaphase II stage, the matured COCs were fixed in 1 : 3 acetic acid–ethanol for 30 s and stained with 3% basic Fuchsin. For embryo freezing, Day 7 and 8 blastocysts were equilibrated for 15 min in 1.8 M ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant. Embryos were loaded into 0.25-mL straws at room temperature, plunged directly into a cooling chamber, kept at -7C for 10 min, including time for seeding, and further cooled to -35C at -0.3C min-1; after 2 min at this temperature, they were plunged into liquid nitrogen. Thawing was performed by keeping straws at room temperature for 10 s, followed by immersion in a water bath at 37C. The appearance of the embryos was evaluated immediately after warming and again at 24-h intervals for at least 3 days. The development rate was assessed by the re-expansion of the blastocoel and the hatching of blastocysts. Results were compared by ANOVA. The rates of maturation (to metaphase II), cleavage, and development to blastocysts were compared among treatment groups. Furthermore, frozen–thawed blastocysts were in vitro cultured to compare the survivability among groups. The maturation rates in the T1, T2, and T3 groups (24/40, 60.0%; 25/41, 61.0%; and 30/44, 68.2%, respectively) were significantly lower than that in the control group (36/44, 81.8%; P < 0.05). The cleavage rates in the T1 and T2 groups (61/116, 52.6% and 66/121, 54.5%) were significantly lower than that in the control group (112/134, 83.6%; P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the development rate to blastocysts among all groups (27.9–33.0%; P > 0.05). The survivability of frozen–thawed embryos was significantly lower in the T1 group (6/13, 46.2%) than in the T2 (11/16, 68.8), T3 (13/18, 72.2%), and control groups (19/26, 73.1%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that ovary transport at 26C may be optimal for better in vitro development and survival of frozen–thawed embryos produced in vitro. Furthermore, exposure of ovaries to temperatures below 10C during transport may significantly decrease both in vitro development and survivability of frozen-thawed blastocysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superovulation in bovine is usually achieved after several FSH injection in a time-consuming protocol, and the half-life of FSH is very short. This study was carried out to assess the efficiency of embryo production after induction of superovulation with a single injection of FSH (Folltropin-V, Vetrepharm, Canada) dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG, 8000 MW, Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, MO, USA) in Korean Native cows. Eighty-eight cows were randomly assigned to one of four groups. In Group 1 (control), cows were intramuscularly treated with twice-daily administration of 50 mg FSH for 4 days. In Group 2 and 3, cows received a single subcutaneous injection of 400 mg and 200 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG, respectively. In Group 4, cows received a single subcutaneous injection of 200 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG given seven days after CIDR insertion. On days 10 to 12 after observed estrus, superovulation was started. Luteolysis was induced by administration of 25 mg of PGF2α (Pharmacia, Puurs, Belgium) IM 2 days after the start of the FSH injection. Donors were timed-inseminated with frozen–thawed semen at 48 and 60 h after the administration of PGF2α. Embryos were collected by non-surgical methods on 7 days after the second AI. The numbers of corpus lutea (CL), total ova, transferable embryos, and progesterone concentration were analyzed by General Linear Models Procedure with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and means were compared with the Duncan''s multiple range test. Data on the pregnancy rate was analyzed by chi-square test. Pvalues <0.05 were considered to be significantly different. The number of CL in Group 2 was significantly (P< 0.05) higher compared to Groups 1, 3 and 4 (18.5 ± 7.5 v. 11.2 ± 5.1, 13.1 ± 5.1 and 13.9 ± 6.4, respectively). However, the number of total ova (7.9 ± 6.0 to 10.4 ± 7.2) and transferable embryos (3.7 ± 3.3 to 4.7 ± 3.9) did not differ among treatment groups. In addition, blood progesterone concentrations at embryo recovery did not differ among all groups (10.0 ± 3.5 ng mL-1to 15.7 ± 3.2 ng mL-1). No difference was observed among groups in pregnancy rate after transferring the recovered embryos (36.0 to 50.0%). In conclusion, our results show that a single injection of FSH dissolved in polyethylene glycol is an efficient and simple procedure for inducing superovulation in Korean native cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apo-transferrin (apo-Tf) is found in mammalian sera and plays a role as an anti-oxidant in media. The objective was to investigate the effects of apo-Tf on in vitro maturation and development and to examine the characteristics of blastocysts derived from IVF production in the presence of apo-Tf in Korean native cows (Hanwoo). Ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were taken from 2–6-mm antral follicles. The collected COCs were washed 3 times with 0.1 M PVA-TCM-199 and matured in 10 g mL-1 apo-Tf with TCM-199 at 39C, 5% CO2, 95% air for 24 h. Matured COCs were fertilized with frozen–thawed Korean native cattle semen treated with BO medium containing 5 mM caffeine and 1 g mL-1 heparin for 8 h, and developed to the blastocyst stage in 5% FBS, 0.3% BSA in TCM-199, and IVMD (IFP, Japan). To detect the lipid granules, blastocysts were fixed with 10% formalin-PBS for 2 h and then 50% ethanol for 2 min. Staining of blastocysts was performed with 1% Sudan Black B in 70% ethanol for 2 min. IVM and IVF were replicated 3 times. The results of blastocyst formation were analyzed by chi-squared test. The maturation rate was 92.6% at Met II in 10 g mL-1 apo-Tf. The blastocyst formation was 22.5%, 38.4%, and 34.8% in 5% FBS (control), 0.3% BSA in TCM-199 (P < 0.05), and IVMD (P < 0.05), respectively. The lipid granules in blastocysts from the 5% FBS-TCM-199 group were larger than those in the 0.3% BSA-TCM-199 and IVMD groups. The results suggest that apo-Tf is an important factor for in vitro maturation and that FBS in culture medium affects lipid granule formation on bovine blastocysts derived from in vitro fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cells cultured in vitro are exposed to the risk of injury by free oxygen radicals (FOR). However, some of FOR-induced injury could be reduced by the antioxidants and culture medium used for in vitro embryos. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of the antioxidant and culture medium on the development of porcine in vitro-matured–in vitro-fertilized embryos. In Experiment 1, we treated the porcine oocytes in NCSU23 medium with various concentrations of ?-mercaptoethanol (?-ME) to determine the effective concentration of antioxidants during IVM of porcine oocytes. In Experiment 2, we tested different culture media to find the proper culture conditions for in vitro porcine embryos. The porcine oocytes that were matured in NCSU23 medium and then fertilized in mTBM medium were cultured in NCSU23 or porcine zygote medium-5. All steps (maturation, fertilization, and development) were carried out in vitro. Differences were analyzed among treatments using the general linear model (GLM) procedure in the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results were summarized as follows. Various concentrations of ?-ME showed different developmental rates in porcine embryos. The rates of blastocyst formation at Day 7 after IVF were 9.2 1.8 (n = 65), 10.0 4.2 (n = 80), 17.5 1.1 (n = 63), 20.7 1.7 (n = 82), and 14.6 1.4 (n = 82) in oocytes treated with ?-ME at 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 M during IVM, respectively. Of the concentrations of ?-ME tested, 50 M ?-ME markedly increased the rates of blastocyst formation at Day 7 (P < 0.05). The rates of blastocyst formation at Day 7 in the NCSU23 and PZM-5 culture media of porcine IVF-derived embryos were 18.8 2.6 (n = 96) and 15.6 7.1 (n = 77), respectively. The developmental rates were slightly increased in NCSU23, compared with those in PZM-5, but there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between the NCSU23 and PZM-5 media. In conclusion, these results suggest that the addition of 50 M ?-ME in the IVM medium can improve developmental the rates of porcine embryos in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the selection effects of in vitro matured porcine follicular oocytes with polar body extrusion and early cleavage as a non-invasive marker to know the developmental competence in advance. Porcine oocytes matured for 48 h and then examined for polar body extrusion. The examined oocytes were matured for an additional 16–18 h, activated with 7% ethanol, and cultured in 5 µg mL–1 cytochalasin B for 5 h for diploid formation. The treated oocytes were examined for cleavage after 48 h and continued culturing for 5 days. Each treatment was replicated by 3–4 times. Oocytes of 21.9% (70/320) were discarded in morphological selection, and 32.1% (167/520) oocytes were discarded by failure of first polar body extrusion. The selected oocytes were matured and activated, and after 48 h, the cleavage rate was examined. In morphologically selected oocytes, 15.8% (30/190) were not cleaved, 52.6% (100/190) were normally cleaved (consisted of 2–7 cells), and 31.6% (60/190) were hyper-cleaved (consisted of 8 cells or more) at 48 h after activation. However, in the first polar body extruded oocytes, 7.1% (18/253) were not cleaved, 73.1% (185/253) were normally cleaved, and 19.8% (50/253) were hyper-cleaved. From the morphologically selected oocytes, 16.7% (10/60) were developed up to blastocyst stage from those in which cleavage selection was not performed and 31.7% (19/60) from those in which cleavage selection was performed. From the polar body extruded oocytes, 39.0% (39/100) were developed up to blastocyst stage from those in which cleavage selection was not performed and 49.0% (49/100) from those in which cleavage selection was performed. Cleavage was examined within 12 h interval after activation (0 = time of activation) up to 48 h. At 0–12, 12–24, 24–36, and 36–48 h intervals, 4.1% (9/220), 68.6% (151/220), 19.1% (42/220), and 2.3% (5/220) oocytes were cleaved, respectively, and 5.9% (13/220) oocytes were not cleaved at 48 h after activation. The cleaved embryos in each interval were cultured and developed up to blastocyst with 0 (0/9), 39.1 (59/151), 9.5 (4/42), and 0% (0/5), respectively. This result suggests that the polar body extruded and cleaved at 12–36 h embryo has higher developmental potential than the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the total dose and numbers of treatments with FSH for superstimulation without decreasing embryo yield may be less stressful and more economical for bovine embryo transfer. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dose and the number of days of FSH treatment on superovulatory responses in CIDR-treated Korean native cows. Forty-two cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR device (CIDRTM; InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand), 1 mg estradiol benzoate (SY Esrone; Samyang, Seoul, Korea) and 50 mg progesterone (SY Ovaron; Samyang); gonadotropin treatment began 4 days later. Cows were divided into 2 groups based on the dose and numbers of days of treatment with porcine FSH (pFSH): T1 group (n = 20): a total of 28 mg pFSH (recommended dose of Antorin; Kawasaki Pharmaceutical, Tokyo, Japan) was given in twice daily IM injections in decreasing doses over 4 days (5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, and 2 mg); and T2 group (n = 22): a total of 24 mg pFSH given in twice daily decreasing doses over 3 days (5, 5, 4, 4, 3, and 3 mg). Otherwise, all cows received the same treatments. Twenty-five and 15 mg dinoprost (PGF2?; Lutalyse; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Puurs, Belgium) were given with the 5th and 6th injections of pFSH, respectively. CIDR devices were withdrawn with the 6th pFSH injection, and the cows received 100 g Gonadorelin (GnRH; Fertagyl; Intervet, Boxmeer, The Netherlands) 36 h after CIDR device removal. Cows were artificially inseminated using commercial semen from 4 Korean native bulls twice, at 48 and 60 h after CIDR device removal, and embryos were recovered 6 or 7 days after the 2nd insemination. The number of CL was counted on the day of embryo recovery by transrectal ultrasonography (Sonovet 600 with 5.0 MHz linear-array transducer; Medison Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea). The recovered embryos were evaluated according to the IETS Manual for stage of development and quality. All data between groups were compared using Student''s t-test. The numbers of CL (9.7 1.1 vs. 9.4 1.3), total ova/embryos (7.2 1.1 vs. 6.3 1.4), transferable embryos (4.4 1.0 vs. 3.6 0.9), degenerate embryos (0.9 0.3 vs. 1.3 0.4), and unfertilized ova (2.0 0.6 vs. 1.5 0.5) did not differ between groups (T1 vs. T2), respectively (P > 0.05). Data indicate that the reduced dose (24 vs. 28 mg) and numbers of treatments (6 vs. 8) of pFSH for superstimulation of Korean native cows does not affect the embryo yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present experiment was to examine hatching rate as a testing tool of porcine embryo viability before early-stage embryo transfer, such as zygotes or 2-cell stage embryos. We evaluated the optimal concentrations and exposure durations of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on porcine parthenotes. Ovaries were obtained from prepubertal gilts at a local abattoir and brought to the laboratory in physiological saline with antibiotics at 30?33C. The ovaries were washed and wiped, and then cumulus?oocytes complexes (COCs) in the follicular fluid were aspirated from surface-visible follicles (2?6 mm in diameter) with a 10-mL syringe fitted with an 18-gauge needle. After being washed 3 times with modified phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS; GIBCO, Grand Island, NY, USA) containing 0.3? BSA, the COCs were suspended in maturation medium, NCSU-23 containing 10? (v/v) porcine follicular fluid, 10 ng mL-1 epidermal growth factor (EFG; Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St Louis, MO, USA), 10 g mL-1 follicular stimulating hormone (FSH; Sigma), 35 g mL-1 luteinizing hormone (LH; Sigma), 1 mg mL-1 cysteine (Sigma, USA), 100 IU mL-1 penicillin G, and 100 g mL-1 streptomycin sulfate (GIBCO). After 24 h, the COCs were transferred to the same medium without hormones. The oocytes matured for 48 h were denuded. The oocytes with a visible polar body were selected and returned to the maturation medium without hormones. After 65 h of maturation, oocytes were exposed to PBS with 7? ethanol (v/v) for 7 min, and then the oocytes were washed and treated in TCM-199 containing 5 g mL-1 cytochalasin B (Sigma) for 5 h at 38.5C in an atmosphere of 5? CO2 and 95? air with high humidity. After cytochalasin B treatment, the presumptive parthenotes were cultured in PZM-5 medium (IFP, Japan) and cleavage of the parthenotes was assessed at 72 h of activation. Normally cleaved parthenotes were cultured for 8 days to evaluate their ability to develop to the blastocyst and hatching stages. The FBS was added at Day 4 or 5 with concentrations of 2.5, 5, or 10?. The blastocyst rates ranged from 39.1 to 70? in each treatment. However, the hatching rate was dramatically decreased in the non-addition group. In this experiment, the developmental potential may be estimated before embryo transfer by an in vitro culture system up to the hatching stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) to detect second primary cancers and distant metastases in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Patients and methods: Patients with previous untreated HNC, between 2004 and 2005, underwent head and neck CT and whole-body FDG-PET/CT, before and at fixed intervals after therapy, for staging and detection of second primary cancers and distant metastases. Patients with malignant or equivocal findings on FDG-PET/CT underwent further imaging, endoscopy and/or biopsy. Results: Of the 349 eligible patients (267 men and 82 women), 14 (4.0%) had second primary cancers and 26 (7.4%) had distant metastases at initial staging or during mean follow-up of 15 months after treatment. FDG-PET/CT correctly identified second cancers or distant metastases in 39 of these 40 patients; there was one false negative and 23 false positive FDG-PET/CT results. Therefore, FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 97.5%, a specificity of 92.6%, a positive predictive value of 62.9% and a negative predictive value of 99.7% in detecting second primary cancers and distant metastases. Conclusion: Combined FDG-PET/CT is useful as a primary method for detecting second cancers and distant metastases in patients with HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]