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A persistent challenge in brewing is the efficient utilization of hop bitter acids, with about 50% of these compounds precipitating with trub during wort boiling. This study aims to uncover the correlation between the barley cultivar proteome and hop bitter acid utilization during wort boiling. Therefore, comparative experiments were conducted using two cultivars, Liga and Solist, with varying proteomes to identify specific proteins’ role in hop bitter acids precipitation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure hop bitter acid content, while liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify and identify proteins. The 107 protein groups, particularly enzymes linked to barley metabolic defense mechanisms, exhibited significant differences between the two cultivars. Results revealed significantly lower α- and iso-α-acid content in wort produced from the barley cultivar Liga. This study highlights the critical role of the barley proteome in optimizing process efficiency by enhancing hop utilization through barley cultivar selection.

In the article "General Makes Case for Army's Role in the Indo-Pacific," General James McConville, the Chief of Staff of the Army, emphasizes the importance of the Army's presence in the Indo-Pacific region for maintaining stability and deterring potential adversaries. He argues for a multi-domain approach, including land forces, to address the evolving security challenges in the region. The article provides insights into the Army's perspective on its role in the region and its efforts to adapt to the changing strategic environment. [Extracted from the article]

Background During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the critical view of safety is obtained through dissection of the gallbladder from the liver until there is anterior and posterior visualization of the cystic duct and cystic artery. This view is used to allow for proper identification of the cystic duct and artery that will be clipped and incised during the operation. Indocyanine green (ICG) can be used during the operation to directly visualize the biliary tract because of its excretion through the biliary system and elimination via the GI tract. Using a laparoscope capable of visualizing ICG allows for identification of bile duct anatomy to include: common hepatic bile duct, cystic duct, and aberrant, or accessory bile ducts. Additionally, visualization of the biliary structures using ICG prior to clipping and incision will allow for identification and prevention of missed biliary anatomy which could reduce incidence of bile leak, a known complication of cholecystectomies. We propose that visualization of the critical view of safety with ICG fluoroscopy be termed the critical view of safety plus.Purpose We hypothesized that using the critical view of safety plus method for laparoscopic cholecystectomy will yield better scores and increase the decision of the control surgeon to choose to cut and proceed with the operation when compared with the traditional critical view of safety.Research Design Comparision of operative photos of critical view of safety and critical view of safety plus which were randomized, double blinded, and graded by a single control surgeon.Study Sample Our study consisted of fifty patients of which 72% female (n = 36) and 28% male (n = 14). The ethnic background included 76% non-Hispanic (n = 38) and 24% Hispanic or of Latino/a origin (n = 12). The average age of our patient was 49 years old (range 20 to 93 years old). Inclusion criteria consisted of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy greater than or equal to 18 years old. Exclusion criteria included allergy to indocyanine dye or iodine and pregnancy.Analysis The scores were evaluated using Chi-squared and paired T-test analysis using MedCalc, MedCalc Sofware Ltd, Belgium.Results The decision to cut and proceed with the operation was chosen 29 times (58%) when viewing the critical view of safety plus vs 22 times (44%) with the critical view of safety (χ2= 65.822, p < 0.0001). The decision to proceed with further dissection to isolate the cystic duct viewing the critical view of safety plus was chosen 8 times (16%) vs 11 times (22%) with critical view of safety (χ2= 65.822, p < 0.0001) as shown in Fig. 2. The comparison of total scores with critical view of safety plus vs critical view of safety showed an average of 4.36 vs 4.04, p = 0.0733. The critical view of safety plus and critical view of safety individual criteria scores are: “two structures connected to the gallbladder” (average 1.54 vs 1.50, p = 0.598), “cystic plate clearance” (average 1.42 vs 1.28, p = 0.018), and “hepatocystic triangle clearance” (average 1.4 vs 1.26, p =0.0334).Conclusion We recommend routine use of ICG fluoroscopy to obtain the critical view of safety plus to allow for improved visualization of the biliary tree, identification of aberrant biliary anatomy, and the potential to reduce risk of bile duct injury.

In most professions, career success is a straight shot to the top of the ladder. For the supply chain professional, advancing in the field is more like climbing a mountain, [...]

Companies as diverse as Amazon, CVS, and Petco are rolling out subscription based programs to build customer loyalty. Doing this successfully calls for a supply chain that is up to [...]

The supply chain management themes we've heard for years--improve operations, get lean, and reduce costs to improve profits--mainly target for-profit companies. Less attention has been paid to the supply chain [...]

The supply chain management themes we've heard for years--improve operations, get lean, and reduce costs to improve profits--mainly target for-profit companies. Less attention has been paid to the supply chain [...]

Talent recruitment and retention has become one of the most pressing challenges for supply chain executives and the companies they work for. One effective way of meeting that challenge is [...]

This inductive research provides a deeper understanding of the digital transformation of retail supply chains and its underlying impact on supply chain strategy and operational structure. In this context, we develop a conceptual framework of digital retail supply chains to identify the key elements and their interactions. We offer a theoretically derived explanation of the ecosystem characterization of digital supply chains and show how retail supply chains fit this characterization. The supply chain ecosystem provides retail firms a way to strategize an organizational outlook that enables digitization of conventional supply chain processes. We find that emerging digital supply chains harness corporate digital awareness to operate within an ecosystem that iteratively guides the digital transformation process. The subsequent analysis highlights a digital transformation process that incorporates real‐time reporting, speed of discovery/action, visibility across the enterprise, and flexibility to react to environmental changes. Consequently, these contributing elements enable executional flexibility that is the hallmark of digital supply chains. We conclude by theorizing relevant research propositions that describe relational connections among the constituent elements of the digital supply chain framework and offer avenues for future research.

When C-level executives understand the value that supply chain management can deliver, it shows in their company's performance. Unfortunately, not every organization is blessed with such enlightened executives. But certain [...]

The unrelenting pressure of global competition in the marketplace has spurred many manufacturers to adopt a lean production philosophy--and a lean supply chain that supports that philosophy. A critical element [...]

There has been a steady growth of information systems use in inventory management, production, and logistics. This article presents the findings of the fifth iteration of a study that has gathered nearly 25 years of data in this area. The differences between manufacturers and other supply chain companies in their use of information systems are analyzed, and some key trends of the past 5 years are examined--electronic commerce, enterprise resources planning, and growth of the World Wide Web., PREVIOUS RESEARCH Production and logistics information systems have a long history of research [13, 14, 15, 22, 23]. A complete discussion of all studies performed would be too extensive for [...]

Beer inevitably changes over time: the colour will darken, haze may form, and stale flavours develop, while others fade. The challenge of maintaining the fresh flavour quality of beer (over a typical 9‐12 month storage period) is generally the determining factor of a beer's shelf‐life for brewers, as opposed to colloidal or microbiological stability. Fortunately, as early as the brewhouse, oxidative degradation can ‐ to a certain extent ‐ be controlled, enabling the shelf‐life to be increased. This review considers the general issues of oxidative stability, mechanisms of ageing, ways of quantifying staleness and staling potential, and current practical approaches to prevent oxidative beer ageing. Emphasis is placed on the catalytic role of iron, copper and manganese on oxidation during brewing and storage; and how the removal and/or inhibition of these prooxidative transition metal ions leads to prolonged beer (flavour) stability.

Use of non‐conventional yeasts are increasingly seen as a option for the production of low and alcohol‐free beers. In this study, the application of four non‐conventional yeasts ‐ Kazachstania servazzii, Kluyevoromyces marxianus, Pichia fermentansand Torulaspora delbrueckii, originally isolated from sourdough cultures, for cold contact fermentations was assessed by screening their ability to reduce wort aldehydes at a fermentation temperature of 1.0 ± 0.5°C. Of the evaluated yeasts, Torulaspora delbrueckiiwas found to be most promising, being capable of the removal of wort‐derived aldehyde off‐flavours, while being sufficiently sensitive to low temperatures to limit the formation of ethanol. Despite the different alcohol by volume (0.07% vs. 0.28%), the beers produced via cold contact fermentation at 10L scale with T. delbrueckiiand a reference lager yeast strain were similar, with no major differences found after sensory analysis. The results suggest that T. delbrueckiicould be used in cold contact fermentation to produce non‐alcoholic beers with alcohol content at, or close to, 0%. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of the Institute of Brewingpublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

In this study, the measurement properties of an interview-administered fish consumption frequency questionnaire, used with a pilot study of 20 Vietnamese immigrant women, were described. Reproducibility across two summer interviews and one winter interview for estimates of seasonal and yearly intake of Great Lakes fish was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficients: .51-.61). Detailed questioning, by species, resulted in higher estimates of mean overall consumption (44.6-57.8 meals/y) than did asking about any fresh-water fish consumed (33.5-46.1; differences 5.1-15.7). Estimates based on the fish consumption frequency questionnaire (i.e., 6.2 [+ or -] 2.0 meals per winter season) were comparable with those based on extrapolation from a 1-mo calendar (5.8 [+ or -] 5.6); however, both estimates of consumption were far less than a weighed record (29.1 [+ or -] 22.2). The results of this study suggest that measurement variation in fish consumption estimates should be detailed in research reports and should be discussed with respect to risk assessments., MUCH PUBLIC CONCERN among the inhabitants of the North American Great Lakes Basin has been focused on health risks of toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes. Consumption of fresh-water fish [...]

Shippers and carriers should build mutually beneficial alliances in order to succeed. A survey conducted on the purchasing practices of 2000 industrial shippers shows that shippers with strategic alliances are ahead in the use of relationship enhancing purchasing methods. Shippers pay more importance to service and costs for the selection of carriers and the carriers are rewarded for excellent performance. But the transition from traditional tactics is incomplete, and opportunity exists to establish better communication procedures.

South Riverdale in Toronto, Canada, underwent a lead-abatement program. in 1988, lead-contaminated soil was replaced at 970 properties, and in 1989, professional housecleaning for lead removal was conducted in 717 households. The effect of 'abatement' on blood lead levels in young children was investigated. Data were analyzed from 12 cross-sectional blood-screening surveys that were conducted during an 8-y period in South Riverdale and in two comparison areas. Responses regarding behavioral, household, lifestyle, neighborhood, and environmental factors, all of which were gleaned from associated questionnaires, were also analyzed. Response rates varied between 32% and 75%. During the years between 1984 and 1992, blood lead decreased in all study areas. There appeared to be a minimal blood lead level of 2-3 [mu]g/dl for urban Ontario children who were less than 6 y of age. The significant difference between South Riverdale and the control areas disappeared by 1992. Although abatement activity in South Riverdale was associated with an accelerated decline in blood lead levels, it was difficult to distinguish this from effects of decreased Toronto air lead levels or decreased smelter emissions. Within South Riverdale, abatement appeared to be associated with a slower decline in blood lead levels over time, likely the result of selection bias, soil mixing, or recontamination from the smelter. No difference was observed between the separate effects of housecleaning or soil replacement. The findings could neither strongly support nor refute beneficial effects of abatement.

The purchase of industrial transportation services has taken on a new level of strategic importance as organizations strive to improve quality, productivity, and customer service. In response, a number of transportation buyers have adopted the strategies and tools from other disciplines. One such tool is supplier certification. This study offers a descriptive analysis of the utilization of certification, the characteristics of organizations that certify carriers, and the benefits that have been garnered from this process. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.), I. Introduction The importance of transportation purchasing has changed drastically amidst organizational efforts to improve quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Twenty years ago, this purchase was viewed as a low [...]

The paper presents a model of shippers' strategy in purchasing transportation as a continuum from short-term and price sensitive to long-term and relationship based. The results of a pilot survey indicate that different selection criteria are used by shippers with a formal carrier selection program compared with shippers without such a program. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.), I. Introduction Although primarily of secondary consideration in the early years of deregulation, the issues of quality, customer service and total costs are major concerns for shippers today. This may [...]

The Finnish farmhouse ale sahti is unique in that it is fermented with baking, rather than brewing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The custom of maintaining farmhouse yeast cultures is however no longer practiced in Finland, and much yeast derived diversity in sahti beers has presumably been lost as a consequence. Here, the brewing potential of a number of sourdough derived strains was tested with respect to a number of different fermentation traits. Seven strains originally isolated from Finnish or Italian sourdough cultures were used to ferment high gravity sahti wort (20°P), and fermentation performance together with production of volatile compounds were assessed and compared with a reference baking yeast. Strains differed in terms of fermentation rate, yield, yeast viability and beer flavour profile. All were maltotriose positive, but utilisation varied so that alcohol yield could be greater or lower than that of the reference strain, with values ranging from 6.6 to 7.9% (v/v). Production of aroma compounds was also variable so that it was possible to identify strains producing high levels of esters and those with lower production, which could be used to emphasise flavours originating from raw materials. All strains generated 4‐vinyl guaiacol and so would be suitable for other beers where this is a part of the normal flavour profile. Results suggest that sourdough isolates of S. cerevisiaeare suitable for sahti production, but could also be applied to other beer styles as a way to differentiate products. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of the Institute of Brewing published byJohn Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

Retail firms have developed new product and service offerings to meet the changing needs of omnichannel customers. While, prior research has documented these offerings in detail, little is yet known about how retail firms can best adapt different aspects of their organizations to the new omnichannel environment. We specifically focus on the intra‐firm changes that affected the role of the firm's supply chain organization and its interactions with other business entities within the retail enterprise. This paper provides an in‐depth understanding of the new business processes, organizational structures, governance mechanisms and customer interactions; collectively described as the retail business model (BM). Drawing on the tenets of BM theory, we present findings from a qualitative study of 15 leading U.S. omnichannel retailers to identify key elements of the new retail BM, develop a conceptual framework of the BM innovation process, and highlight the pivotal role of the supply chain organization in helping firms adapt and implement the omnichannel strategy. We conclude by developing research propositions to articulate the connections among different elements of the BM innovation process and how firms can institutionalize this process to respond to the everchanging retail business environment.

In the context of surgical education reform, the integration of residency programs represents a significant milestone. Concerns about potential disruptions to patient care metrics amid these changes necessitate empirical investigation.

Background Approximately 10% of intraoperative cholangiograms identify choledocholithiasis (CDL), stones in the common bile duct. Choledocholithiasis management options include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) followed by ERCP (LC + ERCP), cholecystectomy with open common bile duct exploration, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LC + LCBDE). The goal of these interventions is to clear the obstruction from CDL.Methods Patients from a single-center community hospital undergoing LC with intraoperative cholangiogram (LC + IOC) progressing to LC + LCBDE from July 2020 to August 2022 were evaluated for hospital length of stay (LOS), operative times, and complications. These were compared to the prior standard practice of pre/post-operative ERCP.Results The results were evaluated using ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls, and chi square analysis. In comparison of LC + CBDE to ERCP + cholecystectomy, LOS was reduced (1.8 vs 4.6 days P< .0001). No difference in LOS between LC + IOC and LC + CBDE (1.4 vs 1.8 days, P> .05) was found. No difference in complication rates was found. Mean operative time differed between LC + IOC and LC + CBDE (63 vs 113 minutes, P< .0001). Fifty-five attempts of LC + CBDE were performed with only 10 requiring post-operative ERCP.Discussion Since implementation of LC + CBDE, there has been reduced LOS without increasing complication rates. Operative times are increased with LC + CBDE but offset by reduced LOS, additional anesthesia events, and procedures. Our institution will continue to pursue LC + CBDE when indicated with efforts to improve resource allocation.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is performed by using endoscopic suctioning to reduce the volume of the stomach by plicating the greater curvature with an endoscopic suturing device or stapler. This allows for the endoscopist to perform an elective outpatient weight loss procedure. We will describe a single case of post-procedure day zero complication involving ESG resulting in ischemia, perforation, and peritonitis; what was discovered intra-operatively; and our operative management.

Background Amyand hernias are rare as they represent 0.5% of all hernias. An Amyand hernia that is discovered due to acute appendicitis is even rarer, accounting for approximately 0.11% of cases. Furthermore, appendiceal neoplasms are infrequently encountered in only 0.7–1.7% of appendectomy specimens.Purpose This paper presents the case of an 85 year-old man presenting with acute appendicitis located within an amyand hernia as well as a serrated adenoma noted on final pathology.Conclusions An Amyand hernia is a rare diagnosis. We proceeded with laparoscopic appendectomy and interval inguinal hernia repair. Pathology should be reviewed for all patients and proper follow up ensured for all incidental findings.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated with significant morbidity (ventilator days, ICU days, and cost) and mortality increase in trauma patients. Multidrug-resistant strains of causative VAP pathogens are becoming increasingly common. Aerosolized antibiotics achieve high alveolar concentrations and provide valuable adjuncts in the treatment of VAP. This study examined the impact of aerosolized antibiotics in the treatment of VAP in trauma patients. Patients with either Acinetobacter baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa VAP over 10 years treated with aerosolized antibiotics (cases) were stratified by age, severity of shock, and injury severity. A frequency-matched (by causative pathogen) control group treated without aerosolized antibiotics was used for comparison. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors for the use of aerosolized antibiotics. One hundred twenty VAP episodes were identified in 100 patients. Microbiologic resolution was achieved in all patients treated with aerosolized antibiotics. There was no difference in mortality (14.5% vs 15.7%, P= 0.87) and no antibiotic-related complications in either group. Multivariable logistic regression identified VAP persistence and relapse as independent predictors for the use of aerosolized antibiotics. Combined with systemic therapy, aerosolized antibiotics broaden the spectrum of therapy. They are valuable adjuncts with minimal risk of antibiotic resistance and/or systemic complications.

Information systems for supply chain management abound today. But are they really addressing the information needs of the users they're designed to help? In all too many cases the answer [...]

VCSELs promise to provide a cost-effective source for 10-Gbit/sec applications, regardless of whether designers use serial, parallel, or WDM technology. Driven by increasing demand for low-cost, high-speed telecommunications and data [...]

As powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) becomes a more mature field, system configurations are gradually moving away from the classic single heat source, layer-by-layer system configurations towards unconventional system configurations that offer higher throughput. Higher throughput systems allow PBF systems to be considered for a larger variety of industrial applications. However, the inclusion of multiple heat sources, or beams, also increases the complexity of the control schemes needed. For multi-beam systems with overlapping fields of view, the distribution of workload, or load balancing, across these beams directly affects the total print time for a build. Additionally, the probability of any beam failing in a multi-beam system increases with the number of beams. While manual methods of load balancing and dealing with beam failures are reasonable for current generation multi-beam systems, as system configurations become more complex, manual methods will become prohibitively inefficient. This paper introduces two different ways to load balance multi-beam systems of various configuration types, regardless of their complexity, which are highly performant. A consequence of this performance is the enablement of on-the-fly load balancing in the event a beam fails, thus improving system robustness.

Hop bitter acids are used in the brewing industry to give beer bitterness. However, much of this bitterness is lost during processing, specifically during the wort boiling step. One of the major causes might be the interaction with protein–protein complexes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the role of hop bitter acids in protein aggregate formation using a proteomic approach. The effect of hop addition on protein composition was analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/MS (LC-MS/MS), and further analyses were performed to characterize the wort before and after boiling. Addition of hop bitter acids yielded a change in wort protein profiles, and hop bitter acids were found to bind primarily to less abundant proteins which are not related to beer quality traits, such as foam or haze. Wort protein aggregate profiles were revealed, and findings from this study suggested the precipitation of particular proteins in the aggregates during boiling when hops were added.

Two-sided friction stir riveting (FSR) by extrusion is an innovative process developed to rapidly, efficiently, and securely join dissimilar materials. This process extends a previously developed one sided friction stir extrusion process to create a strong and robust joint by producing a continuous, rivet-like structure through a preformed hole in one of the materials with a simultaneous, two-sided friction stir spot weld. The two-sided FSR by extrusion process securely joins the dissimilar materials together and effectively locks them in place without the use of any separate materials or fasteners. In this paper we demonstrate the process by joining aluminum to steel and illustrate its potential application to automotive and aerospace manufacturing processes.

I am writing in response to the article 'Eye of the Storm' [Feb. issue]. I've spent enough time on the water to know that, even with the best of preparation [...]

Interest in multi-axis additive manufacturing has grown significantly in recent years due to associated benefits that range from improved quality to support for greater geometric complexity. A method of 5-axis Laser Hot-Wire Directed Energy Deposition is developed and demonstrated in this study using an 8-axis industrial robot, comprised of a 6-axis serial link robot and a 2 degree‐of‐freedom positioner. Coordinated 5-axis motion is used to print Ti-6Al-4V objects predominantly through build plate rotation. Methods of slicing and toolpath generation are presented, including the use of an alternating toolpath direction philosophy and the manipulation of the CAD model surface normal vectors for determining the required build plate tilt angles for maintaining consistent deposition orientations relative to gravity. Another objective of the study was to determine the limits of conventional slicing and layer height control techniques for printing geometries with significant unsupported overhangs. A comparison is made between the behavior of normal and conformal bead alignment in this regard, and the performance of the layer height controller is reported as it relates to process stability and the limits of printing overhang geometries. Unsupported overhangs were successfully printed at 35° without build plate tilt and 45° with build plate tilt. Toolpath velocity and net-shape printing performance are reported as well, with 3D scans of the printed surfaces used for net-shape characterization. In all, the printing of three geometries is presented, including the overhang geometry, a 5-axis toolpath geometry, and a large-scale, multi-bead demonstrator part, which exceeded 500 mm in height and weighed 44 kg (97 lbs).

I enjoyed reading Michael Otey's Top 10: 'Google Applications' (October 2006, InstantDoc ID 92793). I had never heard of the Firefox extension Gmail Space, but I tried it out and […]

Diacetyl is normally considered to be an off-flavor in lager beer, and its removal prolongs the overall brewing process. Here, the effects of fermentation temperature (9, 12, and 15°C), initial wort pH (4.8, 5.1, and 5.3), and wort free amino nitrogen (FAN) content (222, 252, 287, and 366 ppm) on diacetyl formation and removal in lager beer fermentations were studied in order to develop an enhanced model for predicting fermentation progress (alcohol content, biomass, and pH) and diacetyl concentration. The relationships between model coefficients, temperature, pH, and FAN were calculated, and models predicted fermentation and diacetyl profiles with a good fit (overall relative mean square error less than 10.1%). The model was validated, and also applied to a larger-scale fermentation involving a different wort and yeast strain by adjusting model coefficients. The model can be used for predicting diacetyl concentrations and for brewing process parameter optimization in industrial fermentations.