Search

Background. Computational intelligence (CI) based prediction models increase the efficient and effective utilization of resources for wind prediction. However, the traditional recurrent neural networks (RNN) are difficult to train on data having long- term temporal dependencies, thus susceptible to an inherent problem of vanishing gradient. This work proposed a method based on an advanced version of RNN known as long short-term memory (LSTM) architecture, which updates recurrent weights to overcome the vanishing gradient problem. This, in turn, improves training performance. Methods. The RNN model is developed based on stack LSTM and bidirectional LSTM. The parameters like mean absolute error (MAE), standard deviation error (SDE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) are utilized as performance measures for comparison with recent state-of-the-art techniques. Results. Results showed that the proposed technique outperformed the existing techniques in terms of RMSE and MAE against all the used wind farm datasets. Whereas, a reduction in SDE is observed for larger wind farm datasets. The proposed RNN approach performed better than the existing models despite fewer parameters. In addition, the approach requires minimum processing power to achieve compatible results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability has always been a concern of humankind in one form or the other. Still, it has come into sharper focus after the promulgation of the sustainable development goals in 2015 and the disruptive forces unleashed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Supply chain management is an aspect of business operations wherein the need for sustainability has been felt more keenly. The academic and business understanding of various nuances of incorporating sustainability, particularly environmental concerns in the supply chain, is still evolving. Our study seeks to enrich the growing literature in the area by proposing to uncover a novel, logical sequence of intangible supply chain resources that can amplify the impact of green supply chain management practices (GSCMPs) on business performance. We use the dual‐theoretical lens of a resource‐based view and stakeholder theories to conceptualize the sequential mediational role of supply chain visibility, resilience, and robustness between GSCMP and performance. Analyzing data collected from 318 individuals working in the manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom, we found a positive direct association of GSCMP with performance and the serial mediational role of visibility and robustness between the two. The findings of our study are pertinent for theorists as well as managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As sustainability draws increasing attention due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, interest in the green supply chain has likewise substantially increased. The present study contributes deeper insights into the logical integration of the resource‐based characteristics that can facilitate the effective transition from traditional to green supply chains while also increasing the effectiveness of existing green supply chains. The proposed model, rooted in the resource‐based view (RBV) theory, examines the associations of supply chain connectivity (SCC), supply chain information sharing (SCIS), top management commitment (TMC) and green procurement and logistics acceptance (GPLA) with green supply chain management (GSCM). Analysis of data from employees at 381 manufacturing firms in the United Kingdom confirmed the positive associations of SCC and SCIS with TMC and GPLA, of TMC with GPLA and GSCM and of GPLA with GSCM. The results also confirmed the serial mediation effect of TMC and GPLA on the associations of both SCC and SCIS with GSCM. The study offers several practical insights and theoretical contributions, including a novel GSCM scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation-based educational products are excellent set of illustrative tools that proffer features like visualization of the dynamic behavior of a real system, etc. Such products have great efficacy in education and are known to be one of the first-rate student centered learning methodologies. These products allow students to practice skills such as critical thinking and decision-making. In this paper, a case is presented where a scenario-based e-learning product namely "supply chain simulator" is developed at KFUPM for an introductory technology course. The product simulates a supply chain--a network of facilities and distribution systems that carries out the task of procurement and transformation of materials from manufacturer to customer. The product was put to test during four semesters and results of the survey conducted by the instructors and the students are presented. The results clearly suggest the benefits of using such a tool in enhancing student learning.

The Shales of Mianwali Formation in Surghar Range, Pakistan has been analyzed and studied geochemically to assess its hydrocarbon potential, types of organic matter and thermal maturity. Organic geochemical analyses were carried out on fifteen outcrop samples of the studied formation. Various screening techniques including TOC measurement, Rock Eval pyrolysis were used to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential, types of organic matter and thermal maturity of the studied formation. The average total organic carbon values and genetic potential (GP) are < 0.5 wt. % & < 2 kg/ton respectively, indicated that the sediments has poor source rock potential. The different cross plots including hydrogen & oxygen indices HI vs OI, HI vs Tmax and S2 vs TOC indicated that the formation is dominated by type IV kerogen. The Tmax values of analyzed samples ranges from 418 °C to 429 °C showing insufficient temperature to produce hydrocarbon at present condition. The overall high values of oxygen index (OI) and low values of hydrogen index (HI) represents the organic matter of the studied samples are poorly preserved and oxidized consisting type IV kerogen in the studied section. The source rocks geochemistry is a best tool to identify a petroleum system in an area, as multiple source rocks are present in Surghar Range and most wells are abandoned in the study area. So, this study was aimed to geochemically analyzed and study the outcrop samples of this formation, and correlate with the subsurface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the role of variable lead time, learning in production and screening errors in a vendor–buyer supply chain with defective items. The vendor–buyer supply chain is modelled for supplying a single item considering that the lots from vendor may contain some defective items. It is assumed that demand during lead time follows a normal distribution. Moreover, the production time at vendor’s facility is assumed to follow learning whereas buyer’s screening for defective items is prone to errors as well. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the impact of different variables in the model. The analysis shows that delay in transportation lead time forces the buyer to carry more inventories to avoid shortages. Further, Type I error has a major impact on this cost. It was found that learning in production keeps on reducing the total cost of the supply chain up to a threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thiazolidinediones may slow the progression of type 2 diabetes by preserving pancreatic [beta]-cells. The effects of pioglitazone (PIO) on structure and function of [beta]-cells in KKA(y), C57BL/6J ob/ob, and C57BL/KsJ db/db mice (genetic models of type 2 diabetes) were examined, ob/ob (n = 7) and db/db (n = 9) mice were randomly assigned to 50-125 mg * kg body [wt.sup.-1] * [day.sup.-1] of PIO in chow beginning at 6-10 wk of age, Control ob/ob (n = 7) and db/db mice (n = 9) were fed chow without PIO. KKA(y) mice (n = 15) were fed PIO daily at doses of 62-144 mg * kg body [wt.sup.-1] * [day.sup.-1]. Control KKA(y) mice (n = 10) received chow without PIO. Treatment continued until euthanasia at 14-26 wk of age. Blood was collected at baseline (before treatment) and just before euthanasia and was analyzed for glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and plasma insulin. Some of the splenic pancreas of each animal was resected and partially sectioned for light or electron microscopy. The remainder of the pancreas was assayed for insulin content. Compared with baseline and control groups, PIO treatment significantly reduced blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Plasma insulin levels decreased significantly in ob/ob mice treated with PIO. All groups treated with PIO exhibited significantly greater [beta]-cell granulation, evidence of reduced [beta]-cell stress, and 1.5-to 15-fold higher levels of pancreatic insulin. The data from these studies suggest that comparable effects would be expected to slow the progression of type 2 diabetes, either delaying or possibly preventing progression to an insulin-dependent state. [beta]-cells; animal models; thiazolidinediones

Introduction: Chronic groin pain is the most common and irritating post-operative complication after Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty for inguinal hernia surgery. The occurrence and handling of chronic groin pain has posed a significant challenge to surgeons around the globe. An effort to reduce chronic groin pain we designed this study to compare the possible influence of delayed absorbable suture used for mesh fixation in tension free inguinal hernia repair on the rate of chronic groin pain. Material and Methods: Prospective study conducted in Surgical Unit-Ill, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. It includes all the male patients ages 18 years and above admitted for elective inguinal hernia mesh repair. Half of the patients (Group A) mesh fixation was done with polypropyelene non-absorbable monofilament sutures and in other half (Group B) polygla-ctin delayed absorbable braided sutures are used. Post-operative chronic pain was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the time of discharge, post-operative day 07,1 month and 3 months follow up. Results: There were 156 patients admitted in the Surgical Unit-Ill for elective surgery of inguinal Lichtenstien hernioplasty from July 2018 to June 2021 which were included in this study. Majority of our patients were of old age, with mean age was 49.1 years (range 18-74 years). 93(60%) patients are between 40 and 60 years of age. 87(56%) patients had Right, 55(35%) of patients had Left and 14(9%) patients had bilateral inguinal hernia. 06(4%) patients had recurrent inguinal hernias. Chronic pain at 3-months follow up was present in 25 patients constituting 16% of all patients undergoing hernia repair. Patients were divided into groups of No (0), mild (1-3), moderate (4-6), and severe pain (>6) on basis of 10 point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. It was found that majority, 14-patients had mild pain, 7-patients had moderate pain, and 4-patients had severe pain 3-months after hernioplasty. Chronic groin pain was occurred in 20.51% and 11.53% in Group-A and Group-B respectively. Conclusion: In present study, we have found more incidence of post-operative pain in nonabsorbable suture group as compared to absorbable suture group at different time intervals. A 3-months follow-up provided evidence that the use of absorbable sutures for mesh fixation decreases groin pain in patients after inguinal hernia repair with similar recurrence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]