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Excessive lipid intake is linked to an elevated risk of health problems. However, reducing lipid contents may influence food structure and flavor. Some alternatives are needed to control the lipid absorption. Emulsions are common carriers for lipids, which can control the hydrolysis and absorption of lipids. Chitin (Ch) and chitosan (CS) are natural polysaccharides with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and unique cationic properties. They have been reported to be able to delay lipolysis, which can be regarded as one of the most promising agents that regulates lipid digestion (LiD). The application of Ch/CS and their derivatives in emulsions are summarized in this review with a focus on their performances and mechanisms for LiD regulation, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the development of novel Ch/CS emulsions, and the regulation of LiD. A reasonable design of emulsion interface can provide its resistance to the external environment and then control LiD. The properties of emulsion interface are the key factors affecting LiD. Therefore, systematic study on the relationship between Ch/CS-based emulsion structure and LiD can not only instruct the reasonable design of emulsion interface to accurately regulate LiD, but also provide scientific guidelines for applying Ch/CS in functional food, medicine and other fields. HIGHLIGHTS: Application of chitin/chitosan and their derivatives in emulsions Strategies to improve emulsifying properties of chitin/chitosan Digestion behaviors of chitin/chitosan emulsions during gastrointestinal digestion Rational design and potential mechanism of chitin/chitosan to regulate lipolysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics (PRO) have been recognized for their significant role in promoting human health, particularly in relation to colon-related diseases. The effective delivery of PRO to the colon is a fascinating area of research. Among various delivery materials, carbohydrates have shown great potential as colon-targeted delivery (CTD) carriers for PRO. This review explores the connection between probiotics and colonic diseases, delving into their underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it discusses current strategies for the targeted delivery of active substances to the colon. Unlike other reviews, this work specifically focuses on the utilization of carbohydrates, such as alginate, chitosan, pectin, and other carbohydrates, for probiotic colon-targeted delivery applications. Carbohydrates can undergo hydrolysis at the colonic site, allowing their oligosaccharides to function as prebiotics or as direct functional polysaccharides with beneficial effects. Furthermore, the development of multilayer self-assembled coatings using different carbohydrates enables the creation of enhanced delivery systems. Additionally, chemical modifications of carbohydrates, such as for adhesion and sensitivity, can be implemented to achieve more customized delivery of PRO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to reduce the loss of thermally unstable nutrients during the powder production process using closed-loop spray drying using an innovative carrier, coconut husk powder. β-carotene was selected as the subject of this study because it decomposes easily, but it is essential for the human body. The use of coconut husk powder as the carrier achieved an excellent powder recovery rate (RR) and β-carotene concentration compared with whey protein isolate, maltodextrin, cellulose, pectin, casein, and other commonly used carriers. The optimal outlet air temperature for spray drying was also found to be 50-55 °C. Coconut husk powder showed an excellent powder recovery rate (84%) and concentration (0.32 mg/g), which is high compared with the other carriers, because of its multi-layered spherical structure. The coconut powder also increased the stability of β-carotene. After being exposed to a temperature of 85 °C for 6 h, coconut husk powder was more resistant to high temperatures than maltodextrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the value of the flexibility created by the transportation options in mitigating supply chain transportation risks. We accomplish this aim by developing an innovative computational model which uses the Real Option Valuation method to model the inner flexibility mechanism of the transportation options to choose between the Safety Net carrier and the spot market carrier on the basis of the actual conditions of the spot market (price, service level, and required transportation capacity), which is the foundation of the mitigation capability of transportation options. Through the case of a real supply chain of a large Fortune 100 multinational leader in the Fast Mover Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, we also investigate the implications of a transportation options response in case of several sources of uncertainties, namely transportation capacity shortage, price volatility and service level reliability. Findings of the application support the understanding of which conditions increase the value of flexibility of the transportation options and how much flexibility is attractive given the initial sunk cost to acquire it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray drying of sugar-rich foods causes problems, related mainly to low glass transition temperature, which is manifested by high stickiness, lower drying efficiency, and yield. Thus, a number of research papers have been published recently on this topic. This study summarizes the obtained results and indicates possible future directions. The most popular method to overcome the stickiness problem is still the application of carriers. However, in addition to conventional carriers like maltodextrin and gum Arabic, novel carriers are also being tested. The carriers with additional health-promoting properties are the most interesting group. In the material-science approach the application of proteins as anti-stickiness agents can also be mentioned. Moreover, the raw materials can be modified by membrane techniques to reduce sugar content and increase glass transition temperature. In the process-based approach, the main efforts are mostly focused on decreasing of drying temperature. Currently, the use of dehumidified air has been successfully verified as a possible way to reduce drying temperature. The reduction of stickiness achieved by this method allows to minimize the amounts of carriers added into the feed before spray drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contributions of Papua New Guinean labourers in the brutal Kokoda Track campaign of 1942–3 have long been acknowledged, yet firsthand accounts are extremely rare. During fieldwork in Maisin villages of Collingwood Bay in Oro Province in 1982–3 and 1997, the author recorded 22 extended reminiscences from former labourers and women about their war experiences. This article draws on these narratives to reconstruct the course of the labourers' engagement in the war, to give voice to the dangers they faced and sacrifices they made, and to probe their perceptions and moral evaluations of their compelled alliance with Australian and American forces in the fight to defeat the Japanese. Focusing on the voices of Papuan veterans and their families, this article contributes to recent research contesting the stereotype of the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' and seeking a more complex and richer understanding of the Indigenous experience of the war and its legacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a current interest in healthy diets and supplements, indicating the relevance of novel delivery systems for plant extracts rich in bioactive compounds and probiotics. This simultaneous delivery system can be prospective for health. In this sense, investigating foods rich in bioactive compounds or supplemented by them for incorporating probiotics and some approaches to improve probiotic survivability, such as the choice of resistant probiotic strains or microencapsulation, is valuable. This review addresses a brief discussion about the role of phenolic compounds, chlorophyll and carotenoids from plants and probiotics in gut health, indicating the benefits of this association. Also, an overview of delivery systems used in recent studies is shown, considering their advantages for incorporation in food matrices. Delivery systems containing compounds recovered from plants can reduce probiotic oxidative stress, improving survivability. However, investigating the beneficial concentration of some bioactive compounds from plant extracts is relevant due to their antimicrobial potential. In addition, further clinical trials and toxicological studies of plant extracts are pertinent to ensure safety. Thus, the recovery of extracts from plants emerges as an alternative to providing multiple compounds with antioxidant potential, increasing the preservation of probiotics and allowing the fortification or enrichment of food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines are powerful tools for controlling microbial infections and preventing epidemics. To enhance the immune response to antigens, effective subunit vaccines or mRNA vaccines often require the combination of adjuvants or delivery carriers. In recent years, with the rapid development of immune mechanism research and nanotechnology, various studies based on the optimization of traditional adjuvants or various novel carriers have been intensified, and the construction of vaccine adjuvant delivery systems (VADS) with both adjuvant activity and antigen delivery has become more and more important in vaccine research. This paper reviews the common types of vaccine adjuvant delivery carriers, classifies the VADS according to their basic carrier types, introduces the current research status and future development trend, and emphasizes the important role of VADS in novel vaccine research. As the number of vaccine types increases, conventional aluminum adjuvants show limitations in effectively stimulating cellular immune responses, limiting their use in therapeutic vaccines for intracellular infections or tumors. In contrast, the use of conventional adjuvants as VADS to carry immunostimulatory molecules or deliver antigens can greatly enhance the immune boosting effect of classical adjuvants. A comprehensive understanding of the various delivery vehicles will further facilitate the development of vaccine adjuvant research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to propose analytical travel time models for aisle changing shuttle carriers, which are capable of travelling in the horizontal and in the cross-aisle directions. The expressions for the single and dual command travel times have been determined assuming uniform distributed storage locations and the probability theory. A simulation model has been applied for the performance analysis of the proposed analytical models. The proposed models enable the calculation of the expected travel times for single and dual command cycles of the aisle changing shuttle carriers, from which the performance can be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triplet–triplet fusion (TTF) has been an efficiency-enhancing mechanism in fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) caused by the collision of two triplet excitons. However, achieving a high TTF ratio in fluorescent OLEDs has been difficult despite device strategies to maximize the triplet exciton density within a narrow recombination zone near the electron blocking layer (EBL) due to charge imbalance and hole accumulation between the TTF type emitter and EBL. Based on a trap-detrap mechanism, we were able to realize an improved TTF ratio and reduce hole accumulation by adding a TTF-assisting material (TTF-AM) in the TTF emitter. The TTF-AM served as the hole transport channel, triggering hole trap and detrap while improving the hole transport character of the emitting layer. Through the process of hole detrapping, the improved hole transport properties balanced carriers and generated more triplet excitons in order to activate the TTF mechanism from low to high current density ranges. By adjusting the TTF-AM, the TTF ratio of the anthracene-based emitter was increased from 5.5/20.1% to 13.4/25.5% (low/high current density), thereby resulting in more than doubled external quantum efficiency at low current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High strength high modulus PVA fiber or PVA high-fiber has excellent performances, such as high strength, high modulus, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, UV resistance, excellent impact resistance and adhesion. With the expansion of the application range of PVA high-fiber and the demand for color, it is pressing to study on the dyeing of PVA high-fiber. In this paper, dyeing process on PVA high-fiber had been deeply researched. PVA high-fiber has compact structure and high crystallinity, so carrier dyeing was selected here. Meanwhile, the types of dyes (Direct dyes, Reactive dyes, Cationic dyes, Disperse dyes) and carriers (type: anion, amphoteric ion, non-ion), the carrier concentration, the dyeing temperature and dyeing holding time were all selected and optimized. In the end, the most suitable dye, the most suitable carrier and the most optimal dyeing process were all identified. It was found that Direct dyes were the most suitable for PVA high-fiber dyeing, and non-ionic carrier had the most obvious dyeing effect. Under Direct dye and carrier N-25 conditions, the dye uptake was higher up to 68.6%, and wash fastness could reach grade 4. In addition, the optimal pretreatment time and power of low temperature plasma was identified. However, it was found that the pretreatment was little effective to promote PVA fiber dyeing. Considering that the carrier may reduce PVA high-fiber performance, x-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), single fiber strength test were used. Finally it was concluded that the break strength of the dyed PVA high-fiber was slightly decreased and the crystal structure was barely changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a model to help carriers effectively and efficiently deal with flight rescheduling and passenger transport problems after a typhoon disruption event. A network flow technique is employed to construct an optimization model with the objective of minimizing the total operating costs. The model is formulated as an integer multiple network flow problem with certain side constraints, and is characterized as NP-hard. To efficiently solve realistically large problems, a heuristic algorithm is developed. Moreover, a dynamic application framework is proposed to assist decision makers in running the model and adjusting the flight schedule with the passage of time. To evaluate the model and the heuristic algorithm, a case study based on the operations of a major Taiwan airline is performed. The test results demonstrate that the model and the algorithm could be useful references in actual operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasensitive biosensors have become a necessity in the world of scientific research, and several signal enhancement strategies have been employed to attain exceptionally low detection limits. Nanotechnology turns out to be a strong contender for signal amplification, as they can be employed as platform modifiers, catalysts, carriers or labels. Here, we have described the most recent advancements in the utilization of nanomaterials as signal amplification components in aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors. We have briefly reviewed the methods that utilized nanomaterials, namely gold and carbon, as well as nanocomposites such as: graphene, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, and metal-organic frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To deal with hydrodynamics, numerical integration of pulsating source Green's function over a panel is very important. However, little research is focused on it. In the present paper, a semi-analytical integral expression of pulsating source over the panel is proposed. A coordinate transformation is performed and the panel is mapped into a unit rectangle. The space integral is carried out beforehand. Thus, the integral of Green's function can be expressed as a θ-type single integral expression. Numerical results show that the present expression provides a new robust approach to obtain the integral of Green's function over a panel in an accurate and stable manner. Based on the above method, radiation-diffraction problems of Wigley III and LNG carrier in waves are calculated, then ship motion responses versus various wave frequencies are computed. The calculated motions of ship acquired agree well with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For vessels moving at slower speeds, the frictional resistance contributes up to 80% of the total resistance, demanding a reduction in it. In the BDR/ALS technique, to reduce frictional resistance, the air is injected below the moving body, which is one of the active and interesting research topics. In this work, to reduce the total resistance and the energy required to run a ship, experimental investigations were performed on a 1:23 scaled model of 8000 Tonnes Deadweight Bulk Carrier for a Froude number range of 0.06 to 0.18. For each speed of operation, consequences of different air injection rates of 0.5 to 3.0 CFM, and different sizes of injection holes were thoroughly investigated. With the injection holes of 2mm and 1mm in diameter, the maximum savings in the energy of 29.2% and 25.1% were observed at the Froude numbers of 0.09 and 0.11, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study was undertaken in a theileriosis-endemic region of India during May 2018 to April 2019 among milch cows. Blood samples collected from apparently healthy (n = 65) and Theileria-suspect cows (n = 65) were screened against T. annulata and T. orientalis infection by SYBR Green‒based real time PCR using primers designed from the isolates of study area. Cows having single infection with T. annulata with/without clinical signs of inappetence, low milk yield, pale mucous membranes, fever, enlarged prescapular lymph node, soil licking, panting, coughing, salivation and lachrymation were subjected to further investigation where parasitaemia and piroplasms per 1000 erythrocytes ranged from 1.6 × 107 to 1.2 × 108 parasites/mL of blood and 3–24 piroplasms in moderate group (16/65), 4.4 × 108 to 6.9 × 109 parasites/mL of blood and >88 piroplasms in severe group (30/65) and 1.6 × 104 to 5.5 × 106 parasites/mL of blood and 0–1 piroplasms in asymptomatic or carriers (17/65), respectively. Study unfolded significant difference in T. annulata parasitaemia among apparently healthy and ill cows. Phylogenetic analysis of our T. annulata isolates (NCBI accession numbers MN098316, MN098317 and MN098318) exhibited maximum similarity with the isolates detected in other parts of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a discrete choice experiment with 306 individuals from Germany, we examine the impact of the emissions-per-Euro-spent indicator (g/€ indicator) on people's travel behavior. This indicator, which was motivated by Hagedorn and Sieg (2019), makes cheap, but emission-intensive travel alternatives appear particularly harmful for the environment. We find that the g/€ indicator induces people to be more likely to choose the travel alternative with the lower indicator value. This effect persists even if participants are informed about general carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We also find that the steering effect of the g/€ indicator is stronger than for other emission indicators, especially for the costs of offsetting emissions. Our results thereby indicate that the g/€ indicator could be used as an effective steering instrument for people to rethink traveling with cheap, but emission-intensive means of transport, especially with ultra-low cost carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish oil is one of the most important sources of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid which are the most important PUFAs with several health benefits. However, PUFAs are prone to oxidation and have a poor water solubility which limits the use of fish oils into food formulations. Encapsulation techniques can be applied to overcome these challenges. There is a large number of published micro/nanoencapsulation papers, where each of them contains a limited number of wall materials, feed formulation, encapsulation technique, and storage conditions. Therefore, without systematic evaluation of the data extracted from available studies, the design of functional foods containing fish oil would not be very successful. The objective of this systematic review is a meta-analysis of published researches on the nano/microencapsulation of fish oil. A comprehensive literature search was performed between 1 October and 31 December 2019 with encapsulation, fish oil, and oxidative stability keywords. Overall, 39 qualified articles were selected for the statistical analysis. Based on the technique used for encapsulation, the fish oil-loaded carriers were classified into four main groups: (a) spray-dried particles; (b) freeze-dried particles; (c) electrospun fibers and electrosprayed capsules; and (d) other carriers prepared by supercritical antisolvent, gelation, liposomes, spray–freeze drying, and transglutaminase catalyzed cross-linking. The three most frequent methods applied for fish oil encapsulation were spray drying (42.86%), freeze drying (21.43%), and electrohydrodynamic (19.04%) methods, respectively. Averagely, the best encapsulation efficiency was obtained for electrohydrodynamic processes. Also, the combination of polysaccharide–protein based wall materials provided the best performance in terms of fish oil encapsulation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the potential benefits of collaboration among less than truckload (LTL) carriers in fulfilling pickup and delivery jobs. It adopts the commonly used centralized collaborative planning scheme where a central authority pools all jobs and allocate them to the carriers with the objective of minimizing the total transportation cost. However, in this study, LTL carriers are allowed to retain some of the jobs. This extension to the centralized planning scheme is necessary to make collaboration practical. When the carriers are allowed to retain some of their jobs, the allocation of the pooled jobs by the central authority is more complex because it needs to consider the location of the retained jobs. To this end, a mathematical model and a solution method based on large neighborhood search (LNS) are proposed. The experimental results from hypothetical networks provide several important insights regarding cost savings for various collaboration scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for "public utility–style" regulation (and "common carriage," as the two terms are – erroneously – often used interchangeably) are increasingly expanding into policy debates concerning all layers of the Internet. These calls rely on various rationales, ranging from traditional economic concerns to more nebulous ones, such as reputational harm and privacy, "social utility," and "social commons". This increases the opacity of the debate. Despite the divergence in rationale, these calls all raise the same underlying question: whether digital platforms amount to "informational monopolies" and should be subject to corresponding regulatory frameworks, possibly imposing neutrality upon these players. This article explores the conflation between the notions of common carriage and public utility. It shows how, in the digital ecosystem, the quest for terminological clarity is a substantive issue and serves as a point of departure for investigating whether the notion of public utility accurately describes broadband access and digital platforms. Emphasizing the content removal episodes, this article also sets the stage for a taxonomic re–classification, exploring (i) the applicability of the "public forum" doctrine to privately–owned entities providing services where users gather to discuss online; and (ii) the applicability of common carrier/nondiscrimination/due process obligations to services offering support for speech and commerce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a number of marine vessels treating the liquefied natural gas either as cargo or fuel, this paper examined the regulatory gaps of two different international Codes – the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels – from the regulatory standpoint. Results of the gap analysis have identified and discussed the key areas encountered with regulatory discrepancies or ambiguities that might interrupt the proper design, construction and operation of LNG carrier and LNG fuelled ship. A systematic investigation and harmonisation process across the Codes was proposed to mitigate the potential issues that may arise from the discordant regulations. Also, the International Maritime Organization was suggested to take proactive action to improve such dissonances while a general insight into the importance of filling those gaps was provided for rule-makers and stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and control of effective sortation systems has become more complex as both the volume of parcels and also the number of time-definite service options offered by parcel carriers have grown. In this article, we describe approaches for planning two-stage parcel sort operations that explicitly consider time deadlines and sorting capacities. In two-stage sorting, parcels are sorted into groups by a primary sorter and then parcels from these groups are dispatched to secondary stations for final sort. We define a sort planning optimization problem in this setting using mixed-integer programming, where the primary objective is to minimize operational cost subject to machine capacity and parcel deadline constraints. Since a detailed optimization problem for sort planning based on flows in a time–space network is difficult to solve for realistically-sized instances, we develop an alternative formulation that is easier to solve and shares the same feasible region of first-stage sorting decisions with the detailed model; for many practical objective functions, this simpler model can be used to find cost-optimal solutions to the detailed model. We illustrate the proposed modeling approach and its effectiveness using real-world instances obtained from a large parcel express service provider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanogels have high tunability and stability while being able to sense and respond to external stimuli by showing changes in the gel volume, water content, colloidal stability, mechanical strength, and other physical/chemical properties. In this article, advances in the preparation of nanogels will be reviewed. The application potential of nanogels in drug delivery will also be highlighted. It is the objective of this article to present a snapshot of the recent knowledge of nanogel preparation and application for future research in drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in the spray drying of sugar-rich products such as fruit juices, pulp and honey with and without the application of carriers, e.g., carbohydrate carriers (maltodextrin, gum arabic), prebiotic dietary fibers, proteins and natural carriers have been presented in this paper. The effect of the carrier type, carrier concentration and the spray drying process parameters on the product yield and selected final product properties are analyzed and discussed. Recent studies have proved that prebiotic dietary fibers and proteins may substitute conventional carriers, i.e., refined carbohydrates, providing high product yield and additional nutritional value at lower carrier concentration in the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed a epidemiological model with varying populations of susceptible, carriers, infectious and recovered (SCIR) and a general non-linear incidence rate of the form f (S) [ g (C) + h (I) ]. We show that this model exhibits two positive equilibriums: the disease-free and disease equilibrium. We proved using the Lyapunov direct method that these two equilibriums are globally asymptotically stable under some sufficient conditions over the functions f, g, h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodology is proposed that solves the vehicle routing problem with a private fleet and a common carrier using an iterated local search algorithm, based on two concepts: intensification and diversification. The first concept is implemented by using random variable neighbourhood search, while the second concept applies perturbation schemes. To validate the proposed methodology, systems with up to 50 customers and two to eight vehicles are tested. The results are compared with those presented in the specialized literature, including the quality of response and computation time, reaching in all cases the best solution reported with low computing times. In the second stage and given the previous verification, cases of medium and high mathematical complexity are analysed. These cases consider instances with 50 to 513 customers and 8 to 29 vehicles, and high-quality solutions are reached within reasonable computation times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For several years now, medicine has been benefiting from the contribution of nanoparticles (NPs) technology for both diagnosis and therapy. They can be used as adjuvants, being capable per se of immune-modulating activity, or as carriers for molecules to be transported to a specific target, eventually loaded with specific ligands favoring specific uptake. The review focuses on experimental use of NPs as adjuvants/carriers for allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Human clinical trials conducted so far are discussed. Results of experimental studies and recent clinical trials support the use of NPs as carrier/adjuvant in AIT. Comparisons between NP-based and classical AIT are needed, to show the usefulness of the NP-based approach. However, there are still unsolved problems: the persistence of non-degradable NPs with possible toxicological consequences, and the formation of the protein corona around the NPs, which could alter their activity and fate. Virus-like particles seem the most promising NPs for allergy treatment, as for other vaccines. Over the next decade, NP-based AIT will be largely used to treat allergic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to IACS CSR for Bulk Carriers, a direct strength analysis based on a three-hold FEM model of the cargo area is mandatory for all vessels above 150 m in length. Structural design according to CSR requirements is a challenging task that demands utilisation of an integrated design system. To allow a designer to fully realise all benefits of a formal optimisation procedure, an in-house structural design support system OCTOPUS-CSR was developed for the concept and preliminary design phases. The developed design system was used for the structural design of the bulk carrier series to be built in shipyard 3.MAJ in Croatia and the main achievements in the preliminary design phase are presented in this paper. Developed tools and methodology enables the structural design team to optimise structural designs while satisfying the CSR requirements of structural safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coating of cargo holds of bulk carriers constitutes the primary source of protection of the vessel's structure against corrosion, while at the same time ensures the proper cleanliness in the holds and thus the protection of cargoes against contamination. Therefore, it plays a significant role in the vessel's commercial operation, trading and lifecycle, making the correct selection of the coating system very important for the shipowner. This covers the design, construction and operation of the vessel and especially the maintenance and recoating of the vessel's cargo holds. The paper herein presents a methodology for ranking and assessing coatings in a systematic, quantitative and qualitative way, in terms of the desired merits of the ideal coating system. It demonstrates the methodology's application using three entirely different coatings and evaluating their performance at both laboratory and full scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A block-structured transient Markov process is introduced to describe an epidemic spreading within two linked populations, of carriers and susceptibles. The epidemic terminates as soon as there are no more carriers or susceptibles present in the population. Our purpose is to determine the distribution of the final susceptible and carrier states, and of any integral path for the susceptible process. The transient epidemic state is also briefly discussed. Then, the model is extended to allow the recovery of infected individuals. Finally, several particular models, some known, are used for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the need and the means to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships. The LHDs provide a substantial force projection capability and must be deployable in order to function effectively. However, regional military modernisation programs; modest LHD self-defence capabilities and the area-defence limitations of the RAN surface fleet significantly raise the risk of losing one or both LHDs to enemy action. Due to the inherent value of the ships and their cargo, the loss of even one LHD would be untenable for Australia to bear. This article advocates that the projected threat environment demands that the LHDs are upgraded, preferably with a layered self-defence capability against air, surface and undersea threats. Areas not within the scope of this paper provide fertile ground for future research into the political and budgetary dimensions of any future LHD self-defence upgrade program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the feasibility of launching Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) interceptors from the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) flight decks. Repurposing the LHDs as a kind of ‘Missile Carrier’ would exploit the ships flexible space, and the road-mobile architecture of THAAD. Advantages include: enhanced protection for deployed Australian forces; unlimited magazine depth and a common tri-service theatre BMD capability. Challenges include: space and weight restrictions of the LHDs elevators; hazards caused by electromagnetic radiation and missile back-blast plus the potential instability of THAAD launchers in strong crosswinds or high sea states. This paper concludes that, with the right investments, it appears technically possible to use the LHDs as mobile THAAD launch platforms. Areas not within the scope of this paper provide fertile ground for future research into the political, diplomatic and budgetary dimensions of a THAAD missile carrier concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we critically assess magnetotransport in the MAX phases and their 2D derivatives, MXenes. For some MAX phases, a simple, 2D hexagonal metal model describes weak-field magnetotransport of their nearly free electrons reasonably well. For others, experimental and/or theoretical Fermi surfaces need to be mapped—a crucial task required for true understanding. Even less is known about MXenes. The density of apparent mobile carriers in Ti3C2Tx—assuming a single-band model—is ≈1 × 1014 cm−2(1028 cm−3), which justifies it being sometimes described as a 2D metal. Much work is needed before a clearer picture emerges. IMPACT STATEMENT Magnetotransport in the MAX phases and their 2D derivatives MXene are critically reviewed for the first time. For some, a 2D hexagonal metal can explain magnetotransport; in others not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the dehumanization of the African during and after the First World War, focussing on East Africa. During the campaign dehumanization was evident in attitudes towards African soldiers but was most starkly seen in the treatment of the carriers. These attitudes informed the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission, which largely excluded Africans from individual commemoration in British cemeteries and memorials. The German authorities were more inclusive in their commemoration of African casualties, at both Moshi and Tanga (Tanzania). The paper puts these attitudes in historical context, looking at dehumanizing approaches to Africans in a range of sources from the pre-war and wartime period. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based approach that has been scientifically proven to have a positive effect on mothers and infants. One of the barriers to performing KMC at home is the absence of a special KMC carrier. The most widely used KMC carriers in Indonesia are kangaroo pouch, thari, wrap and traditional wraps in the form of a long strip of fabric. This study’s aim was to compare the level of maternal comfort when performing KMC with three different KMC carriers. The study used crossover design involving 20 mothers with low birth weight (LBW) infants as responders, selected through a consecutive sampling method. Data were collected using a maternal comfort questionnaire, maternal anxiety questionnaire, and KMC observation sheet. The results of repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference in maternal comfort when performing KMC with any of three KMC carriers (maternal comfortp = .366,α = .05). Therefore, KMC can be implemented using any of the types of carriers including kangaroo pouch, thari wrap, and traditional wrap. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Indian brick industry is an unorganized sector in which large numbers of migrant women workers are employed. A survey was conducted on 62 women workers working in different brickfields of West Bengal to assess their physiological workload, nutritional profile, total energy expenditure and energy balance. Energy intake was calculated using physiological fuel values of carbohydrate, fat and protein. From the results it is seen that 13% of the sample population falls under severe (grade III) chronic energy deficiency. The average daily consumption of the workers was comparatively lower than their daily energy expenditure, considering the nature of the job which falls under heavy to extremely heavy categories. This negative energy balance is effectively observed in the nutritional anthropometry data. Thus, an immediate ergonomics intervention with better nutrition should be implemented to improve the health status of the workers so they can safely continue to work for a longer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A game theory model is developed to study the overcapacity in shipping from ocean carriers’ strategic behavior with regard to capacity expansion in a competitive market. Capacity expansion is found to be a rational decision in both peak and trough shipping markets. The benefit of expansion is greater when the competitor also expands, but this in turn leads to chronic oversupply and Prisoner’s Dilemma. A numerical simulation is then applied to confirm the analytical results. This research explains the persistent low freight rate in shipping, and points out possible strategies for stakeholders in the shipping industry to maintain a healthy global logistics system in maritime transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study is to communicate findings from a case study on a South African mother with three children diagnosed with full mutation fragile X syndrome (FXS). The participant is an unaffected carrier of FXS. Research has shown that mothers of children with FXS often experience high levels of parenting stress and low levels of psychological well-being. However, observations made have piqued curiosity about their positivity and determination to carry on each day raising children diagnosed with FXS. The aim is to develop a better understanding of the manner in which a mother of children with FXS make sense of her situation, to gain further insight into the specific resilience processes she acquired. A qualitative case study approach was followed, gathering data through semi-structured interviews based on open-ended questions. The findings offer new insights into a South African mother's life raising children with FXS. Even though there is very limited support and little awareness of FXS in South Africa, she still found ways to seek help, and find solutions to every day challenges. The study conclusions discourage blind stereotyping of mothers of children with FXS as vulnerable only. Future research should concentrate on promoting awareness, education, advocacy, and support for individuals with FXS in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal wound dressings should be capable of mechanical wound protection and also facilitate the healing process via maintenance of suitable environmental conditions and the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules. Hydrogels present suitable properties for wound-dressing applications such as good biocompatibility, together with a high water content, the latter of which is important for the maintenance of a moist environment and ready removal from the wound with a minimal level of associated pain. However, their properties as drug delivery systems can be improved by the use of cyclodextrins as cross-linking agents. Cyclodextrins have been extensively used as 'carriers' on food, textile, cosmetic and, most especially, in the pharmaceutical industry in view of their powerful complexation abilities and biocompatibilities, together with further desirable characteristics. The conjugation of cyclodextrins with hydrogels may allow the achievement of an optimal wound-dressing material, because the hydrogel component will maintain the moist environment required for the healing process, and the cyclodextrin moiety has the ability to protect and modulate the release of bioactive molecules. Therefore, this review aims to gather information regarding cyclodextrin-based hydrogels for possible wound-dressing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents empirical evidence about the contribution of family-controlled business groups as highly efficient alternatives to the large vertically integrated and professionally managed corporation in specific institutional and market environments. This hypothesis is tested with a single case study, SEUR, in the Spanish transport services sector. SEUR is one of the most prominent Spanish courier companies. It was founded during Franco's dictatorship, expanded in democratic times, and imaginatively adapted to the financial challenges of the late globalisation at the end of the twentieth century, while maintaining the traditional values based on personal trust and family ties. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of different carrier agents (maltodextrin, gum arabic, starch sodium octenyl succinate, whey protein concentrate, and egg albumin) on the powder recovery and physicochemical properties of persimmon powders produced by spray drying. Moisture content, water activity, hygroscopicity, solubility index, total phenol retention, color parameters, particle size, morphology, crystalline state, and sorption isotherms of persimmon powders were determined. No powder was recovered when the persimmon pulp was spray dried alone. The amount of maltodextrin, gum arabic, starch sodium octenyl succinate, whey protein concentrate, and egg albumin needed to obtain a powder recovery of 70% was 45, 30, 30, 25, and 10%, respectively. The use of maltodextrin, gum arabic, and starch sodium octenyl succinate resulted in higher total polyphenol retention and better reconstitution properties, but the powders were paler than those with whey protein concentrate and egg albumin. All carriers could aid the formation of persimmon irregular spherical microcapsules. However, powders produced with maltodextrin and gum arabic had a smoother surface and a more spherical shape than powders produced with other carriers. In addition, powders produced with starch sodium octenyl succinate, whey protein concentrate, and egg albumin were more agglomerated and shriveled compared to those produced with maltodextrin and gum arabic. All experimental data of water adsorption were well fitted to the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast cells were utilized as novel bio-carriers in the synthesis of yeast/ZnS (YC/ZnS) composite microspheres in this paper. The as-produced particles are characterized by SEM, TEM and XRD. Employing the as-obtained YC/ZnS hybrid as new photocatalysts, we studied the main influencing factors in the photocatalytic degradation of low concentration methylene blue wastewater. The results indicated that the ZnS hybrid particles were of core-shell structure with the 450–500 nm shell of ZnS covering yeast carriers. In the degradation experiments, pH, dosage of YC/ZnS and UV illumination distance had significant influence on the degradation of methylene blue wastewater. The degradation rate reached 95.2% under the optimal conditions when 10 mg/L methylene blue aqueous solution was photocatalyzed with 3g/L YC/ZnS at pH8, 20–30°C and illumination distance 50 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of different oil carriers (sunflower oil, seamum oil, neem oil, mineral oil), sugar solution and water formulation to be used in ultra low volume sprayer (ULV) along with rynaxypyr 18.5 SC (Coragen) for the management of pod borer at the Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India during the kharif season of 2011–2012. The results revealed that the sesamum oil carrier fits well with rynaxypyr 18.5 SC and recorded the lowest mean pod borer larval population after last spray (1.0 per five plants) the lowest pod damage (23.20%), grain damage (18.30%) and higher grain yield (9.43 q/ha) with a high B:C ratio of 3.64 in the plot sprayed with the sesamum oil carrier. The findings suggested that the sesamum oil carrier in ULV sprayer is suitable and practicable in pigeonpea ecosystem for effective management of pod borer with no risk of phytotoxicity, spray drift and operational difficulties. The foregoing studies indicated that the performance of sesamum oil carriers was superior to other carriers in terms of suppression of larval population, reduction in pod damage and harnessing higher yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To survive under the ever increasing competitive and global pressures to operate more efficiently, transportation companies are obliged to adopt a collaborative focus. Various types of cooperative supply chain relationships have been discussed in both professional and academic literature over the last decades. However, research on horizontal cooperation in logistics remains scarce and scattered across various research domains. Companies operating at the same level of the supply chain and performing comparable logistics functions may cooperate horizontally to increase their productivity, improve their service level and enhance their market position. In this paper, the focus is on the operational planning of horizontal cooperations between road transportation carriers. Following a scientific literature review, a distinction may be made between two operational approaches to horizontal logistics collaboration: order sharing and capacity sharing. For both research streams, a detailed overview of solution techniques proposed in literature is presented. Moreover, some interesting opportunities for future research are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments throughout the world have determined that next generation network (NGN) development serves the national interest. The strategies used to achieve progress vary greatly, as does the extent to which governments perceive the need to get actively involved through direct ownership or subsidization of carriers. No government has unlimited funds to invest in new networks, or to subsidize private ventures promising to improve access to essential services at affordable rates. Accordingly, nations must determine whether and how to use limited taxpayer funds to expedite the access to inexpensive and ubiquitous wired and wireless broadband networks. Baseline factors such as geography, income, demographics, and market penetration of existing networks have a significant impact on what works best. However, nations with similar physical and economic characteristics have pursued significantly different strategies. This article identifies best practices in NGN development using both case studies and a review of the current literature assessing government strategies. While it cannot confirm a theoretical basis for achieving success in NGN development, the article provides a toolkit of confirmed best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are several consensus-describing decision rules for patients in primary health care with a sore throat. The objective of this study was to estimate the number of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in primary health care given to patients with a sore throat, due to these different decision rules. A further aim was to suggest revised rules for decision-making in primary health care, when a sore throat caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GAS) is suspected. Methods: The design was a reanalysis of previously published articles describing the prevalence of GAS and physician behaviour when treating patients with a sore throat. The risk of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in different situations was estimated and applied to the Swedish population. Results: Introducing the rule of never prescribing antibiotics without first confirming the presence of GAS would result in an annual reduction in Sweden of 20,360-25,192 unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in children and 65,311-98,160 in adults. Conclusions: The single most important rule in primary health care to minimize the risk of unnecessary antibiotic prescription to patients with an uncomplicated sore throat, and where an infection with GAS is suspected, is to never prescribe antibiotics at the first visit without first confirming the presence of this bacterium. Adding more decision rules may to some extent further reduce the number of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the dispatch of consolidated shipments. Orders arrive to a depot at discrete time epochs following a discrete time batch Markov arrival process (BMAP). The weight of an order is measured in discrete units and may be correlated with the arrival time. As soon as the total weight of the accumulated orders reaches a threshold, which is a function of the time elapsed since the last dispatch, all orders are consolidated and a shipment is dispatched. A discrete time Markov chain for the accumulated weight of orders in the system is introduced and analyzed. The distributions of the accumulated weight at an arbitrary time, total accumulated weight in a consolidation cycle, and excess of weight per shipment are obtained. By introducing an absorption Markov chain and a terminating Markovian arrival process, we find the distributions of the consolidation cycle length, the waiting time of an arbitrary order, and the number of orders that occur in a cycle. An efficient computational procedure is developed for evaluating dispatch policies. The model with a quantity policy and a phase-type weight distribution is studied in detail. An extensive numerical analysis is conducted to test the efficiency of the algorithm and to gain insight into these shipment consolidation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived service quality (PSQ) has been shown to influence satisfaction, loyalty, and other important outcomes, specifically in a competitive environment and is also one of the foremost reasons for choosing an airline. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in PSQ between full service carriers (FSCs) and low cost carriers (LCCs) in the South Korean domestic airline market, which has become more competitive due to the emergence of multiple LCCs. The results showed that PSQ of LCCs is lower than FSCs in terms of the rank of dimension although the trend was surprisingly similar. Moreover, the relationships between service quality dimensions and demographic factors were significantly different between the two types of carriers. These results suggest that new entrants in South Korea should have their own distinguishable service strategy from the FSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to develop competitive benchmarking strategies for private fleet management to increase the cost efficiency of operating the fleet. Concepts and procedures of benchmarking developed in the literature are reviewed first. This is followed by the development of a benchmarking procedure specifically for private fleet cost control and management. An illustrative example using data from a local company is then given to demonstrate the use of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The joint replenishment problem (JRP) has been studied extensively, and many techniques have been applied to find the approximate solution of the minimum total costs and to determine the appropriate basic cycle time. In practice, joint replenishment is always limited by transport capacity. But few papers so far have incorporated the transport capacity constraint (TCC) with the optimal delivery schedule. In this article, the classical JRP model was extended to include TCC, and a model of JRP with TCC was developed. The model of JRP with TCC involves binary decision variables which need to be solved by binary integer programming (BIP). Since the available solution techniques of JRP cannot deal with the JRP with TCC, two algorithms have been proposed to solve this problem. One is the existing RAND method combined with the BIP algorithm (RAND + BIP) and the other is the modified RAND method for constraint problems combined with the BIP algorithm (MC_RAND + BIP). A numerical example solved by two algorithms demonstrates the approximate joint scheduling policy. Computational experiments with 1800 test problems were successfully performed by two algorithms and the results are compared. The MC_RAND + BIP method outperforms RAND + BIP on solution quality as well as running time for the large-size problems. The statistical estimating optimization technique was applied to evaluate the MC_RAND + BIP approximate solution quality, and the estimating optimal values of 18 groups of test problems all lie within the individual interval with 99% confidence. It indicates that the proposed algorithm can find the statistical optimal solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]