Commercial Distribution Research Articles

Regionálne nerovnosti v zdravotnej a sociálnej starostlivosti o seniorov na Slovensku

Slovakia's regional health and social care inequities in old age. This study aims to find and analyse inequity between regions in access to health and social care. Focusing on two age groups above 65 and 80, we investigate a possibility that in some regions health and social care deteriorates towards substandard level. We use a static regression test in spatial Durbin specification for the relationships between distribution of demand for health and social care in senior population, and distribution of service providers' network: general practitioners and medical specialists in the first domain, residential social care facilities in the second domain. Significant regression parameters reveal that health and social care correlate in a complex pattern, including indices of population density, settlement hierarchy and competition. Difference between public and private subjects suggests existence of cost effectiveness driving capacities into suburban area. Current intensity of population aging and related growth in cohort size in senior age encourage a novel attitude and reassessment of wellbeing, housing, security, formal and informal support. Increasing longevity creates a simultaneous participation of three or four generations in the family networks at the same time. Social and economic problems arise on basis of inter-generational responsibility. Social care for senior population is one of the most important components of state's institutional sphere. Despite long history and adaptive capacity of public social sector, on background of different socioeconomic contexts, their scope, structure, and spatial accessibility signal inequities. Regional qualities seem structurally linked with healthcare facilities, part of which evolves in a commercial regime. Supply side may avoid the burden of healthcare in old age when health and mobility decline. We pay attention to relationships between healthcare and social care capacities and suggest practical identification of regions and their parts at the municipality scale, in which inaccessibility aggregates. These regions need future spatially well-focused interventions correcting increasing commercial motive shaping distribution of service providers.

Authorial Choice and Modes of Circulation

Authorial Choice and Modes of Circulation Emily C. Friedman, Pam Perkins, and Peter Sabor all three of these essays explore authorial choice—particularly, the choice to withhold part or all of a text from print. Peter Sabor and Pam Perkins examine this issue through specific case studies. Sabor discusses Frances Burney d'Arblay's neglected labor as editor of her own correspondence and that of her father during the final decades of her life. Perkins focuses on Eliza Dawson Fletcher's production of works that circulated among Edinburgh's literary elite but either did not pass into print or were not originally intended for commercial sale and distribution. Emily C. Friedman's essay pulls back from the individual case study to consider the production of manuscript fiction more generally. It is clear that there is more to be studied about the world of writing and editing beyond print. In these essays, we start to see ways of reframing the world of print as not necessarily intimidating to women writers but instead antithetical to certain forms of creative work. The nature of commercial print means strictures on scale and content; the length of some of the manuscripts Friedman has identified suggests that authors could indulge in a degree of creative and compositional exuberance outside the constraints of publishers' demands and expectations. As Sabor demonstrates in his account of Henry Colburn's attempts to wrestle d'Arblay's (and Charlotte Barrett's) editorial work down to a manageable number of volumes, once a writer chose to seek commercial publication, financial considerations inevitably inflected her editorial and creative decisions. Yet a decision to forgo commercial circulation did not necessarily imply a willing or resigned acceptance of literary obscurity as a trade-off for creative freedom. Perkins reminds us that writers in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries could build a reputation outside this world of mass print, which, [End Page 85] as scholars like Leah Orr have shown us, was not entirely "mass" to begin with, in the case of many literary forms.1 In a world of still-modest print runs, valorizing print (and, indeed, only certain forms of print, as other essay clusters in this special issue show) does a disservice to the realities of literary circulation. These three essays suggest that paying attention to manuscript and noncommercial print culture can open up our understanding of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century modes of literary labor. The obscure or unidentified writers that Friedman discusses might have been writing for tiny, private audiences of family members and close friends, but theirs were compositions that they, or the recipients, took seriously enough to preserve. Fletcher's literary reputation was, at least for a time, much higher than that of many now-forgotten authors of printed minor Gothic novels or overlooked volumes of poems. D'Arblay's move into editorial work might be read as a retreat, or an advance, from more conventional ideas of literary creativity; despite the great length of three of her four novels (all but Evelina were first published in five volumes), her journals and letters eclipse them in extent, with the standard modern edition extending to twenty-five volumes. Yet, for better or worse, she left this huge mass of material, as well as her eight plays, in manuscript form during her lifetime. Recognizing the seriousness with which d'Arblay herself took her roles as editor, biographer, and life writer opens the way to recovering her own more inclusive understanding of literary work. Although these essays tend to focus on women writers, the question of whether to circulate one's work in manuscript or in print is not an issue limited to women, as Friedman points out. Here, attending to the cases of women writers illuminates use cases by unknown or unnamed writers whose individuality is lost to us, through the vagaries of how their work survives (or does not) in modern archives and collections. [End Page 86] Footnotes This response forms part of a special issue: "Women in Book History, 1660–1830," ed. Betty A. Schellenberg and Michelle Levy, Huntington Library Quarterly 84, no. 1 (2021). To read the essays in the issue, follow this link: https://muse...

Structural Determinants of Chimeric Antigen Receptor Design.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy consists of the gene transfer of a cassette encoding a receptor capable of redirecting the transduced T cell toward a specific cytotoxic response against tumor cells. The therapy has been providing a new perspective on some hematologic malignancies, such as CD19+ lymphomas and acute lympho-blastic leukemia. CAR-T cell-based therapies are now approved for commercial distribution in different countries. Over the years, several modifications were necessary in the CAR structure to get it to its current results. CAR-T strategies still have plenty of room for improvement in order to improve clinical benefits and to overcome some of the limitations that still impair broader application. One main issue is the dysfunctional acquired phenotype, provoked by tumor inhibitory molecules or even exacerbated signaling by the CAR molecule itself. In this regard, Many research groups focus on discrete incremental modifications in each of the CAR molecule domains of the conventional structure looking for better response. Among these redesign strategies are the modulation of the binding affinity, use of costimulatory molecule ligands, and control of intracellular signaling. This review focuses on the newest reports covering structure changes in the CAR molecule capable of eliciting improved responses by transduced cells.

Emerald mining in Sikait: organization and distribution of emerald production in Roman Egypt

This paper focus on the study of the Smaragdus region, currently in the Wadi Gemal National Park (Eastern Desert, Egypt). This area was well known in ancient times, thanks to the presence of emerald, a semiprecious stone considered as highly valuable in ancient times. The exploitation of the emerald mines, especially in Roman times, led to the creation of an important network of settlements linked to their obtaining and commercial distribution. We will present an overview of these elements, focusing our interest in the most important and best known of these settlements: Sikait.

Practical Challenges of Inverse and Definite-Time Overcurrent Protection Coordination in Modern Industrial and Commercial Power Distribution System

The characteristics of an overcurrent relay (OCR) in protection coordination are determined by adjusting the current and time delay function. This characteristic is adjusted once, fixed, and expected to overcome any disturbances in the system, which raises the risk of incorrect operation of the protection system, such as an overlapping trip or the incapability to limit the current exposure in the protected equipment. This article summarizes different efforts to overcome the modern challenges of overcurrent protection coordination (OCPC) in low or medium voltage industrial and commercial distribution systems. A brief background is introduced from a general perspective and then specifically describes in detail the problem of equipment coordination with a thorough link among mathematical concepts and fundamentals in practice. The operation challenges and ideas to avoid incorrect performance, under normal operation, are discussed. Finally, the article proposes a new optimization method based on the combination of the firefly algorithm and target remedy to overcome such challenges. The optimization considers the combination of inverse-time (ANSI 51) and definite-time (ANSI 50) function in OCR. The method is described and validated in the IEEE 242.2001 to meet the existing regulation of protection coordination. By assessing the critical cases, this article is expected to enhance the OCPC under different fault scenarios with complex coordination of time-current curves.

Secure Power Distribution Against Reactive Power Control Malfunction in DER Units

Penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as wind, solar and battery units are rapidly increasing in distribution power system (DPS). In view of power grid reliability and efficiency, cyber and physical secure of these units are highly important since it can directly impact power system operations. This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of power distribution during cyber, physical and natural strikes on reactive power control in DER units. Various fault scenarios including modifications in voltage-reactive power (Volt-Var) curve pattern such as slope of the curve, dead band; and changes in capacitive or/and inductive reactive power delivery to the power grid are presented. Further, fault scenarios are investigated with the presence of dynamic VAR (volt-ampere reactive) compensation (DVC) units in the system. A southern California 140-bus commercial distribution power system is selected as a test system and faults are analyzed in both Matlab/Simulink and ETAP simulation platforms. The results evidence that the modifications in reactive power control values at DER units significantly affects the voltage quality/security of the system and affect the number of switching actions of voltage regulators (VRs). In contrast, DPS connected with DVCs improves voltage quality and reduces the number of switching actions of VRs, also voltage quality/security is maintained during the faults.

Strategi Manajemen Distribusi Islam Dalam Mengatasi Krisis Ekonomi Akibat Pandemi Covid-19

Abstract - Besides having an impact on health, Covid-19 also has an impact on the Indonesian economy. This happened because restrictions on human movement directly resulted in the impact of the economic crisis. Islamic economic theory can be used as a strategy in recovering the economic crisis. This study aims to formulate Islamic economic theories and models in overcoming economic crises.. This research method is desctiptive with literature study analysis. The results of this study are that the islamic distribution system has the principle of equitable distribution of wealth. The islamic distribution system is divided into two, namely a commercial distribution system and a distribution system that is based on social aspect. Commercial distribution can be in the form of a cooperation contract with a non-usury contract, while the distribution in the social aspect is in the form of zakat, infaq, shadaqah, waqf, and inheritance.

Harmonic mitigation technique using active three‐phase converters utilised in commercial or industrial distribution networks

Current harmonics generated by adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) are one of the main power quality concerns in commercial and industrial distribution networks due to a high number of ASDs. These harmonics affect the grid power quality, instability, resonances, and power losses. Therefore, different harmonic mitigation strategies using active front end have been proposed to tackle this issue. However, due to the cost-effectiveness, conventional front end such as diode rectifier is still recommended in industries for a broad range of three-phase power electronics systems. Thus, in this study, a new DC modulation method is proposed using three-phase diode rectifier with controlled DC-link current (boost converter) for grid harmonic elimination approach. Simulations and experiments have been carried out to validate the proposed concept that a selective harmonic can be eliminated from the grid using the developed strategy.

Influence of modified atmospheric packaging and storage temperature on the physico-chemical, microbial and organoleptic properties of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) fruit

Cantaloupe is an economically important fruit with pleasant flavour but nutritional component is highly perishable due to high moisture content. To reduce rot away in the farmland it is urgent to have suitable strategy to extend its shelf life for commercial distribution. This study was conducted during 2020 at Soc Trang Nanotech Laboratory, Soc Trang Province, Vietnam with an attempt to demonstrate the effect of modified atmospheric packaging with different formulations (control, 95% N2: 5% O2: 0% CO2 , 90% N2: 5% O2: 5% CO2, 85% N2: 10% O2: 5% CO2, 80% N2: 10% O2: 10% CO2, 75% N2: 15% O2: 10% CO2 and 70% N2: 15% O2: 15% CO2) and storage temperature (28, 24, 20, 16, 12, 8 and 4°C) on the physicochemical, microbial and organoleptic properties of cantaloupe for 14 days. Results revealed that cantaloupe fruits stored in modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) of 80% N2: 10% O2: 10% CO2 under 12°C temperature had stable shelf life up to 14 days. Air composition and temperature significantly affected the physico-chemical (weight loss, firmness, total soluble solid, ascorbic acid, carotenoid, total phenolic, flavonoid, DPPH, FRAP), microbial (total plate count) and sensory attributes (overall acceptance) of cantaloupe fruit.

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution under strong channel polarization disturbance

In a commercial fiber-based quantum key distribution (QKD) system, the state of polarization (SOP) of the optical fields is inevitably disturbed by random birefringence of the standard single-mode fiber due to an external complex environment. We analyze theoretically the effect of SOP fluctuations on the continuous-variable (CV) QKD system and experimentally verify its validity. To overcome the influence of the polarization variations, a self-adaptive gradient algorithm is proposed to achieve high-speed polarization controlling under pulsed light with field programmable gate array hardware. For single random polarization scrambling, the polarization extinction ratio achieved is over 30 dB and the average time of polarization control is 827 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$. In order to eliminate further the effect of the occasional failures of polarization control, we properly filter the raw keys in terms of the relative phase fluctuations between the signal and the local oscillator. By combining this approach with the high-speed polarization control, we demonstrate a CV QKD under a continuous polarization scrambling of 314 rad/s. Our results provide useful references for practical application of fiber-based CV QKD in a field environment.

Real-Time Optical Fiber-Based Distributed Temperature Monitoring of Insulation Oil-Immersed Commercial Distribution Power Transformer

Timely detection of the incipient fault of a power transformer is of utmost importance to prevent potential malfunctioning. Monitoring the condition of the transformer insulation oil is the essential step as it contains most of the transformer's health diagnostic information. Thus, the temperature of the oil is considered the most crucial parameter that has to be monitored continuously in real-time. Distributed optical fiber sensors for temperature monitoring has various advantages over traditional methods. In this study, an optical fiber-based distributed temperature measurement of insulation oil of a fully energized 100 kVA commercial distribution transformer is demonstrated. Two types of techniques were deployed to monitor the temperature of the transformer inside and outside of the tank using a distributed Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) and a quasi-distributed Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor array respectively. The insulation oil temperature was monitored with different load conditions in a distributed fashion and compared with the conventional method of single point thermocouple and infrared thermal imaging. The test results show very good agreement between the conventional methods and proposed distributed fiber temperature sensors.

The value of commercial fish size distribution recorded at haul by haul compared to trip by trip

Abstract Data from commercial fishing vessels may enhance the range of observations available for monitoring the marine environment. However, effort and catch data provide information on fish distribution with a bias due to spatial targeting and selectivity. Here, we measured the shortcomings of standard fishery-dependent data and advocate for the utilization of more precise datasets indirectly collected by the commercial fishery. Data from a Danish traceability system, which records size of commercial fish at the haul level, are held against the set-up of current eLog and sales slips’ data collected for the Danish fisheries. We showed that the most accurate mapping of the spatial distribution of catches per size group is not only possible through size records collected at the haul level but also by high resolution on fishing effort data. In Europe, the regulation to land all catches with a quota or minimum size limit, including unwanted, has increased the focus on avoidance and discards; we show the potential of such data sources to inform on fish abundance and distribution, especially of importance where fishery-dependent data are the only source of information.

An Experimental Investigation on the Fluid Distribution in a Two-Phase Cooled Rack Under Steady and Transient Information Technology Loads

Abstract Increasing power densities in data centers due to the rise of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and machine learning compel engineers to develop new cooling strategies and designs for high-performance information technology (IT) equipment. Two-phase cooling is a promising technology that exploits the latent heat of the coolant which is significantly more effective in removing high heat fluxes than when using the sensible heat of the fluid. Also, utilizing the latent heat allows operating at lower coolant flow rates and implies more uniformity in the temperature of heated surfaces. Despite the benefits of two-phase cooling, the phase change adds complexities to a system when multiple evaporators (exposed to different heat fluxes potentially) are connected to a single coolant distribution unit. In this article, a commercial coolant distribution unit is used to investigate pumped two-phase cooling in rack scale. Seventeen two-rack unit servers from two distinct models are retrofitted with 34 impinging jet evaporators and deployed in a rack. Four case studies are presented to provide insights into the complex behavior of a pumped two-phase cooling system with several evaporators. The flow rates and pressure distribution across the rack are studied in various filling ratios. Also, investigated is the transient behavior of the cooling system due to a step change in the IT workload. Finally, a control system is designed to regulate the temperature of the supplied coolant in response to the step change in the IT workload and is tested.

Do Your Kids Get What You Paid for? Evaluation of Commercially Available Probiotic Products Intended for Children in the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

A wide range of probiotic products is available on the market and can be easily purchased over the counter and unlike pharmaceutical drugs, their commercial distribution is not strictly regulated. In this study, ten probiotic preparations commercially available for children’s consumption in the Republic of the Philippines (PH) and the Republic of Korea (SK) have been investigated. The analyses included determination of viable counts and taxonomic identification of the bacterial species present in each formulation. The status of each product was assessed by comparing the results with information and claims provided on the label. In addition to their molecular identification, safety assessment of the isolated strains was conducted by testing for hemolysis, biogenic amine production and antibiotic resistance. One out of the ten products contained lower viable numbers of recovered microorganisms than claimed on the label. Enterococcus strains, although not mentioned on the label, were isolated from four products. Some of these isolates produced biogenic amines and were resistant to one or several antibiotics. Metagenomic analyses of two products revealed that one product did not contain most of the microorganisms declared in its specification. The study demonstrated that some commercial probiotic products for children did not match their label claims. Infants and young children belong to the most vulnerable members of society, and food supplements including probiotics destined for this consumer group require careful checking and strict regulation before commercial distribution.

Development of insect-proof starch adhesive containing encapsulated cinnamon oil for paper box adhesion to inhibit Plodia interpunctella larvae infestation.

The objectives of this study were to develop insect-resistant adhesives and apply them to a cardboard packaging system for preventing Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae infestation. Cinnamon essential oil (CO), an insecticide, was encapsulated with maltodextrin (CS/MD/CO), β-cyclodextrin (CS/β-CD/CO), and polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA/CO) in corn starch (CS) paste. This resulted in a sustained and gradual release of CO from the starch-based insect-proof adhesives. Penetration pathways of insects into corrugated cardboard boxes were investigated through the use of a screening test for infestation profiling. Microscopic images of encapsulated CO in an oil in water (O/W) emulsion were observed to confirm the morphology of the adhesives. Adhesion forces of CS, CS/CO, CS/MD/CO, CS/β-CD/CO, and CS/PVA/CO were determined to be 6.2 N, 4.0 N, 3.1 N, 6.0 N, and 5.8 N, respectively. Consequently, significant decreases of adhesion force in the CS/CO and CS/MD/CO were found to be due to the presence of the surfactant (Span® 80) and the low adhesive properties of MD. The duration of the insecticidal activities of the developed adhesives was evaluated by measuring their release rates for 14 days and repellent profiles up to 24 hr and 40 days. As a result, CS/β-CD/CO and CS/PVA/CO were found to have an inhibited rapid release and sustained repellent profiles. In conclusion, CS/β-CD/CO and CS/PVA/CO were determined to be suitable for encapsulation models and could be applied to industrial cardboard containers to prevent cases of insect invasion. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Corn starch-based natural adhesives with an insect-proof property were applied to food containers consisted of corrugated cardboard boxes. Cornflake cereal packaging using insect-proof corrugated cardboard successfully prohibited pest invasion in commercial food distribution simulation model. Developed insecticidal adhesives are able to control insect penetration in distribution and storage steps.

Introduction to a Special Issue of the Financial Planning Review on financial technology

Introduction to a <i>Special Issue</i> of the <i>Financial Planning Review</i> on financial technology

Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce in Canada from 2008 to 2018: An Analysis of Food Safety Context

Foodborne diseases are a major cause of illness in Canada. One of the main pathogens causing cases and outbreaks of foodborne illness in Canada is Escherichia coli O157:H7. From 2008 to 2018, 11 outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Canada were linked to leafy greens, including 7 (63.6%) linked to romaine lettuce, 2 (18.2%) linked to iceberg lettuce, and 2 (18.2%) linked to other or unspecified types of leafy greens. The consumption of lettuce in Canada, the behavior of E. coli O157:H7 on lettuce leaves, and the production practices used for romaine and iceberg lettuce do not seem to explain why a higher number of outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infection were linked to romaine than to iceberg lettuce. However, the difference in the shape of iceberg and romaine lettuce heads could be an important factor. Among the seven outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce in Canada between 2008 and 2018, an eastern distribution of cases was observed. Cases from western provinces were reported only twice. The consumption of romaine and iceberg lettuce by the Canadian population does not seem to explain the eastern distribution of cases observed, but the commercial distribution, travel distances, and the storage practices used for lettuce may be important factors. In the past 10 years, the majority of the outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infection linked to romaine lettuce occurred during the spring (March to June) and fall (September to December). The timing of these outbreaks may be explained by the availability of lettuce in Canada, the growing region transition periods in the United States, and the seasonality in the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7. The consumption of romaine lettuce by the Canadian population does not explain the timing of the outbreaks observed.

Infrastructuralization of Tik Tok: transformation, power relationships, and platformization of video entertainment in China

The article contributes to complicate the issue of ‘infrastructuralization of platform’ through an empirical study on China’s video streaming platform, Tik Tok. It aims at exploring how video streaming platform will transform in its infrastructural process and changing powering relationships between different actors in the platform ecosystem. After scrutinizing its technique features, business model, platform discourse, and power relationships with government, it argues that the infrastructural process of Tik Tok is not only embodied in its transformation from an entertainment community to an integrated platform, including services in e-commerce, online education, propaganda, and tourism, but more in its growing power of indispensability entrenched in our society. The main argument will be elaborated in two layers: first, Tik Tok attains its power on commercial monetization, content distribution, and acquisition of data sources through its infrastructural ambition of building a ‘video encyclopedia’ that can be salable, ranked, and archived. Second, Tik Tok has started to engage in fields of propaganda and tourism for city branding in alignment with central and local government. Tik Tok thereby wins its legitimacy in content management and government in turn plays as a role of stakeholder sharing the dividend from its contribution for state’s development goals. Therefore, the article not only fills in the gap of a case study on infrastructural video streaming platform but also intends to highlight changing power relationships between government and platform in the process of infrastructuralization.

Strategy for Scalable Comb Block Polyolefin Synthesis. Efficient Graft of Isotactic Polypropylene to a Commercial Broad Molecular Weight Distribution, Hyperbranched, Ethylene Methylacrylate Copolymer

Judicious selection and use of a readily available, reactive polyolefin backbone can facilitate scalable comb block construction. This can be further assisted by appropriate grafting chemistry. In ...

Preface for CEEPE 2020 Proceedings

The 3rd International Conference on Energy, Electrical, and Power Engineering (CEEPE) was planned to be held in April 24-26, 2020, in Chongqing, China, and was co-sponsored by the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China; Wuhan University, China; Shandong University, China; South Asia Institute of Science and Engineering (SAISE) and IEEE PES Chongqing Chapter.Due to the unexpected COVID 19 pandemic, that closed the world to national and international travel, the organization decided to hold the CEEPE 2020 totally online. It was a challenge, not only to the organizers, but also to the participants who were delivering their speeches using videoconference tools, under different time zones.This conference brought together researchers and engineers in academia and industry from China, Iraq, Japan and Portugal to discuss the latest developments and implementation, in these countries, of electrical power in applications ranging from commercial generation and distribution, to electric vehicles, with a particular focus on renewable energy integration in power systems, automation and control systems.Although there was not the opportunity to meet face-to-face under a live social environment, attendees from different areas of the world could interact under the videoconference tool, clarify their doubts and establish business and technical connections. The proceedings of these presentations are listed here in peer reviewed, written form.Nídia CaetanoCoordinator Professor of Chemical EngineeringSchool of Engineering (ISEP)Polytechnic of Porto (P.Porto)