Collaboration intensity in the Brazilian supermarket retail chain

Purpose - This paper seeks to identify collaboration elements and evaluate their intensity in the Brazilian supermarket retail chain, especially the manufacturer-retailer channel. Design/methodology/approach - A structured questionnaire was elaborated and applied to 125 representatives from suppliers of large supermarket chains. Statistical methods including multivariate analysis were employed. Variables were grouped and composed into five indicators (joint actions, information sharing, interpersonal integration, gains and cost sharing, and strategic integration) to assess the degree of collaboration. Findings - The analyses showed that the interviewees considered interpersonal integration to be of greater importance to collaboration intensity than the other integration factors, such as gain or cost sharing or even strategic integration. Research limitations/implications - The research was conducted solely from the point of view of the industries that supply the large retail networks. The interviews were not conducted in pairs; that is, there was no application of one questionnaire to the retail network and another to the partner industry. Practical implications - Companies should invest in conducting periodic meetings with their partners to increase collaboration intensity, and should carry out technical visits to learn about their partners` logistic reality and thus make better operational decisions. Originality/value - The paper reveals which indicators produce greater collaboration intensity, and thus those that are more relevant to more efficient logistics management.

Modeling and Filtering Double-Frequency Jitter in One-Way Master-Slave Chain Networks

One-way master-slave (OWMS) chain networks are widely used in clock distribution systems due to their reliability and low cost. As the network nodes are phase-locked loops (PLLs), double-frequency jitter (DFJ) caused by their phase detectors appears as an impairment to the performance of the clock recovering process found in communication systems and instrumentation applications. A nonlinear model for OWMS chain networks with P + 1 order PLLs as slave nodes is presented, considering the DFJ. Since higher order filters are more effective in filtering DFJ, the synchronous state stability conditions for an OWMS chain network with third-order nodes are derived, relating the loop gain and the filter coefficients. By using these conditions, design examples are discussed.

On the Filtering Problem for Continuous-Time Markov Jump Linear Systems with no Observation of the Markov Chain

We consider in this paper the optimal stationary dynamic linear filtering problem for continuous-time linear systems subject to Markovian jumps in the parameters (LSMJP) and additive noise (Wiener process). It is assumed that only an output of the system is available and therefore the values of the jump parameter are not accessible. It is a well known fact that in this setting the optimal nonlinear filter is infinite dimensional, which makes the linear filtering a natural numerically, treatable choice. The goal is to design a dynamic linear filter such that the closed loop system is mean square stable and minimizes the stationary expected value of the mean square estimation error. It is shown that an explicit analytical solution to this optimal filtering problem is obtained from the stationary solution associated to a certain Riccati equation. It is also shown that the problem can be formulated using a linear matrix inequalities (LMI) approach, which can be extended to consider convex polytopic uncertainties on the parameters of the possible modes of operation of the system and on the transition rate matrix of the Markov process. As far as the authors are aware of this is the first time that this stationary filtering problem (exact and robust versions) for LSMJP with no knowledge of the Markov jump parameters is considered in the literature. Finally, we illustrate the results with an example.

Model for facilities or vendors location in a global scale considering several echelons in the Chain

The facilities location problem for companies with global operations is very complex and not well explored in the literature. This work proposes a MILP model that solves the problem through minimization of the total logistic cost. Main contributions of the model are the pioneer carrying cost calculation, the treatment given to the take-or-pay costs and to the international tax benefits such as drawback and added value taxes in Brazil. The model was successfully applied to a real case of a chemical industry with industrial plants and sales all over the world. The model application recommended a totally new sourcing model for the company.

Influence of egg pre-storage heating period and storage length on incubation results

This experiment aimed at evaluating the influence of different heating times of settable eggs of Cobb 500 (R) broiler breeders before submitting them to different storage periods on egg weight loss, embryo mortality, and hatchability. A total number of 1,980 eggs were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, comprising nine treatments with 22 replicates of 10 eggs each. The following factors were analyzed: pre-storage heating periods (0, 6, 12 hours at 36.92 degrees C) and storage periods (4, 9, 14 days at 12.06 degrees C). After storage, eggs were incubated under usual conditions, and were transferred to the hatcher at 442 hours of incubation. Eggs were weighed before heating, incubation, and transference to determine weight loss. Partial hatchability was determined at 480 hours, and total hatchability at 498 hours of incubation. Embryo mortality was determined in non-hatched eggs. It was concluded that heating eggs for six hour before storage improves incubation results as it decreases incubation length and late embryo mortality, therefore its use can be indicated in commercial operations. Storing eggs for 14 days and pre-heating for 14 days and pre-heating for 12 hours severely impair incubation results, and therefore are not recommended.

Influence of egg pre-storage heating period and storage length on the digestive tract of newly-hatched broiler chicks

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different heating times of settable eggs of Cobb 500 (R) broiler breeders before submitting them to different storage periods on body weight, digestive tract organ weights, and intestinal mucosa morphology of newly-hatched chicks. Settable eggs were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement: pre-storage heating periods (0, 6, 12 hours at 36.92 degrees C) and storage periods (4, 9, 14 days at 12.06 degrees C). Body weight and relative weights of the yolk sac, heart, liver, proventriculus+gizzard, and intestinal segments were measured in chicks hatching at 480 and 498 hours of incubation. Villi height, width and perimeter, and crypt depth < im) were measured in duodenal histological sections. It was concluded that pre-storage healing for six hours of eggs stored for four or nine days increases small intestine weight of newly-hatched chicks, but does not influence the morphology of the duodenal mucosa. Pre-storage heating for 12 hours negatively influences body weight and duodenal mucosa development, and therefore this practice is not recommended. Storage length does not have consistent effect on body weight and development of the gastrointestinal tract.

Genetic Diversity and a PCR-Based Method for Xanthomonas axonopodis Detection in Passion Fruit

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae causes bacterial spot in passion fruit. It attacks the purple and yellow passion fruit as well as the sweet passion fruit. The diversity of 87 isolates of pv. passiflorae collected from across 22 fruit orchards in Brazil was evaluated using molecular profiles and statistical procedures, including an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages-based dendrogram, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and an assigning test that provides information on genetic structure at the population level. Isolates from another eight pathovars were included in the molecular analyses and all were shown to have a distinct repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction profile. Amplified fragment length polymorphism technique revealed considerable diversity among isolates of pv. passiflorae, and AMOVA showed that most of the variance (49.4%) was due to differences between localities. Cluster analysis revealed that most genotypic clusters were homogeneous and that variance was associated primarily with geographic origin. The disease adversely affects fruit production and may kill infected plants. A method for rapid diagnosis of the pathogen, even before the disease symptoms become evident, has value for producers. Here, a set of primers (Xapas) was designed by exploiting a single-nucleotide polymorphism between the sequences of the intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer region of the pathovars. Xapas was shown to effectively detect all pv. passiflorae isolates and is recommended for disease diagnosis in passion fruit orchards.

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction Quantification of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia in Primary Endodontic Infections

Introduction: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia are anaerobic bacteria commonly involved in root canal infections. Although previous investigations have assessed these species by strictly qualitative approaches, accurate determination of their cell levels by a sensitive quantitative technique may contribute with additional information regarding relevance in pain of endodontic origin. Method: The root canal levels of P gingivalis, T forsythia, and total bacteria were investigated by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on unique copy molecular markers. A total of 32 symptomatic (n = 14) and asymptomatic (n = 18) cases of endodontic infections were analyzed. Root canal samples were collected; genomic DNA was extracted and submitted to SYBR Green I real-time PCR targeting the rgpB (P gingivalis), bspA (T forsythia), and rpoB (total bacteria) single copy genes. Results: Overall, R gingivalis, T forsythia, and the coexistence of both species were encountered in 28%, 66%, and 22% of the subjects, respectively. P gingivalis and T forsythia levels ranged from 5.65 x 10(-6) to 1.20 x 10(-2) and from 5.76 x 10(-6) to 1.35 x 10(-1). T forsythia was highly prevalent and numerous in the study groups, whereas P gingivalis was moderately frequent and less abundant, displaying 19-fold lower average levels than the former. Conclusions: The endodontic levels of P gingivalis and T forsythia, individually or in conjunction, did not display significant associations with the manifestation of pain of endodontic origin. (J Endod 2009,35:1518-1524)

Long-Chain Acyl-Homoserine Lactones from Methylobacterium mesophilicum: Synthesis and Absolute Configuration

The acyl-homoserine lactones (acyl-HSLs) produced by Methylobacterium mesophilicum isolated from orange trees infected with the citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) disease have been studied, revealing the occurrence of six long-chain acyl-HSLs, i.e., the saturated homologues (S)-N-dodecanoyl (1) and (S)-N-tetradecanoyl-HSL (5), the uncommon odd-chain N-tridecanoyl-HSL (3), the new natural product (S)-N-(2E)-dodecenoyl-HSL (2), and the rare unsaturated homologues (S)-N-(7Z)-tetradecenoyl (4) and (S)-N-(2E,7Z)-tetradecadienyl-HSL (6). The absolute configurations of all HSLs were determined as 3S. Compounds 2 and 6 were synthesized for the first time. Antimicrobial assays with synthetic acyl-HSLs against Gram-positive bacterial endophytes co-isolated with M. mesophilicum from CVC-infected trees revealed low or no antibacterial activity.

Iron deficiency and frequency of HFE C282Y gene mutation in Brazilian blood donors

Limited data are available about iron deficiency (ID) in Brazilian blood donors. This study evaluated the frequencies of ID and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) separately and according to frequency of blood donations. The protective effect of the heterozygous genotype for HFE C282Y mutation against ID and IDA in female blood donors was also determined. Five hundred and eight blood donors were recruited at the Blood Bank of Santa Casa in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Haemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were measured. The genotype for HFE C282Y mutation was determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The ID was found in 21 center dot 1% of the women and 2 center dot 6% of the men whereas the IDA was found in 6 center dot 8 and 0 center dot 3%, respectively. The ID was found in 11 center dot 9% of the women in group 1 (first-time blood donors) and the frequency increased to 38 center dot 9% in women of the group 3 (blood donors donating once or more times in the last 12 months). No ID was found in men from group 1; however the ID frequency increased to 0 center dot 9% in group 2 (who had donated blood before but not in the last 12 months) and 5 center dot 0% in group 3. In summary, the heterozygous genotype was not associated with reduction of ID or IDA frequencies in both genders, but in male blood donors it was associated with a trend to elevated ferritin levels (P = 0 center dot 060). ID is most frequent in Brazilian women but was also found in men of group 3.

Classical and alternative components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in pathogenic fungi as potential therapeutic targets

The frequency of opportunistic fungal infection has increased drastically, mainly in patients who are immunocompromised due to organ transplant, leukemia or HIV infection. In spite of this, only a few classes of drugs with a limited array of targets, are available for antifungal therapy. Therefore, more specific and less toxic drugs with new molecular targets is desirable for the treatment of fungal infections. In this context, searching for differences between mitochondrial mammalian hosts and fungi in the classical and alternative components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain may provide new potential therapeutic targets for this purpose.

Microemulsions Containing Medium-Chain Glycerides as Transdermal Delivery Systems for Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs

We evaluated the ability of microemulsions containing medium-chain glycerides as penetration enhancers to increase the transdermal delivery of lipophilic (progesterone) and hydrophilic (adenosine) model drugs as well as the effects of an increase in surfactant blend concentration on drug transdermal delivery. Microemulsions composed of polysorbate 80, medium-chain glycerides, and propylene glycol (1:1:1, w/w/w) as surfactant blend, myvacet oil as the oily phase, and water were developed. Two microemulsions containing different concentrations of surfactant blend but similar water/oil ratios were chosen; ME-lo contained a smaller concentration of surfactant than ME-hi (47:20:33 and 63:14:23 surfactant/oil/water, w/w/w). Although in vitro progesterone and adenosine release from ME-lo and ME-hi was similar, their transdermal delivery was differently affected. ME-lo significantly increased the flux of progesterone and adenosine delivered across porcine ear skin (4-fold or higher, p < 0.05) compared to progesterone solution in oil (0.05 +/- 0.01 mu g/cm(2)/h) or adenosine in water (no drug was detected in the receptor phase). The transdermal flux of adenosine, but not of progesterone, was further increased (2-fold) by ME-hi, suggesting that increases in surfactant concentration represent an interesting strategy to enhance transdermal delivery of hydrophilic, but not of lipophilic, compounds. The relative safety of the microemulsions was assessed in cultured fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity of ME-lo and ME-hi was significantly smaller than sodium lauryl sulfate (considered moderate-to-severe irritant) at same concentrations (up to 50 mu g/mL), but similar to propylene glycol (regarded as safe), suggesting the safety of these formulations.

Turbulent Time and Length Scale Measurements in High-Velocity Open Channel Flows

In high-velocity open channel flows, the measurements of air-water flow properties are complicated by the strong interactions between the flow turbulence and the entrained air. In the present study, an advanced signal processing of traditional single- and dual-tip conductivity probe signals is developed to provide further details on the air-water turbulent level, time and length scales. The technique is applied to turbulent open channel flows on a stepped chute conducted in a large-size facility with flow Reynolds numbers ranging from 3.8 E+5 to 7.1 E+5. The air water flow properties presented some basic characteristics that were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to previous skimming flow studies. Some self-similar relationships were observed systematically at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. These included the distributions of void fraction, bubble count rate, interfacial velocity and turbulence level at a macroscopic scale, and the auto- and cross-correlation functions at the microscopic level. New correlation analyses yielded a characterisation of the large eddies advecting the bubbles. Basic results included the integral turbulent length and time scales. The turbulent length scales characterised some measure of the size of large vortical structures advecting air bubbles in the skimming flows, and the data were closely related to the characteristic air-water depth Y90. In the spray region, present results highlighted the existence of an upper spray region for C > 0.95 to 0.97 in which the distributions of droplet chord sizes and integral advection scales presented some marked differences with the rest of the flow.

A rapid single-step multiplex method for discriminating between Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species in Australia

Inaccurate species identification confounds insect ecological studies. Examining aspects of Trichogramma ecology pertinent to the novel insect resistance management strategy for future transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., production in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) of Western Australia required accurate differentiation between morphologically similar Trichogramma species. Established molecular diagnostic methods for Trichogramma identification use species-specific sequence difference in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 chromosomal region; yet, difficulties arise discerning polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of similar base pair length by gel electrophoresis. This necessitates the restriction enzyme digestion of PCR-amplified ITS-2 fragments to readily differentiate Trichogramma australicum Girault and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley. To overcome the time and expense associated with a two-step diagnostic procedure, we developed a “one-step” multiplex PCR technique using species-specific primers designed to the ITS-2 region. This approach allowed for a high-throughput analysis of samples as part of ongoing ecological studies examining Trichogramma biological control potential in the ORIA where these two species occur in sympatry.