Single Vendor Research Articles

Inter-dependent lead-time and ordering cost reduction strategy: a supply chain model with quality control, lead-time dependent backorder and price-sensitive stochastic demand

This research work addresses an inter-dependent reduction strategy of lead time and ordering cost in a two-stage single vendor and single buyer supply chain model with price-sensitive stochastic demand. Buyer’s backorder rate is a variable, as it depends on the variable lead time. Quality improvement is another aspect of this study. The objective of this study is three folds. Firstly, reducing the lead time and ordering cost simultaneously. Secondly, improving the quality of products and third, optimizing order lot size, lead time, process quality parameter, safety factor, ordering cost, lead time crashing cost, backorder rate, and the number of deliveries so that the joint expected total profit becomes maximum. Stackelberg game and Joint decision, both approaches are discussed. Numerical result shows that the Joint decision approach gives better result than the Stackelberg game approach. Sensitivity analysis for Case-III with respect to some key parameters has been carried out.

WITHDRAWN: Optimization of unconstrained multi-item (EPQ) model using fuzzy geometric programming with varying fuzzification and defuzzification methods by applying python

In this paper, an unconstrained multi item inventory model for a single vendor and single buyer with constant demand is considered. Fuzzification was done by using five different types of fuzzy numbers, which are triangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. To minimize the total cost of the (EOQ) Economic order quantity, is solved by using geometric programming, it gives maximize the optimal Shipment order quantity and optimal Shipment and The optimal policy for the developed model is determined using the geometric programming after the defuzzification of the cost function with the Robust ranking and singed distance method. We acquainted a substitute arrangement with the manual figuring’s, supplanted by python program which lessens the endeavours and blunders. Mathematical models and an affectability investigation study are given to feature the contrasts among crisp and the fuzzy cases.

Impact of Multi-Vendor Transponders Performance on Design Margin in Optical Networks

For reliable and efficient network planning and operation, accurate estimation of Quality of Transmission (QoT) is necessary. In optical networks, a physical layer model (PLM) is typically used as a QoT estimation tool (Qtool) including a design margin to account for modeling and parameter inaccuracies, to ensure acceptable performance. Such margin also covers the performance variations of the transponders (TPs) which are relatively low in a single vendor environment. However, for disaggregated networks that utilize TPs from multiple vendors, such as partial disaggregated networks with open line system (OLS), this traditional approach limits the Qtool estimation accuracy. Although higher TP performance variations can be covered with an additional margin, this approach would reduce the efficiency and consume the benefits of disaggregation. Therefore, we propose PLM extensions that capture the performance variations of multi- vendor TPs. In particular, we propose four TP vendor dependent performance factors and we also devise a Machine Learning (ML) scheme to learn these performance factors in offline and online network planning scenarios. The proposed extended PLM and ML training scheme are evaluated through realistic simulations. Results show a design margin reduction of greater than 1 dB for new connection requests in a disaggregated network with TPs from four vendors. On top of this, the results also show a ~0.5 dB additional Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) saving for new connection requests by proper selection of the TPs.

Left ventricular strain values using 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography in healthy adults aged 20 to 72\xa0years

Three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) is a novel modality for the assessment of left ventricular strain (LVS). The aim of our study is to provide single vendor normative strain values measured with 3D-STE in healthy adult caucasians. One hundred fifty-five healthy subjects aged 20 to 72 years (≥ 28 subjects per decile) were prospectively included and examined with 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography. In 105 both 3D and 2D-STE were feasible (71%, mean age 44 ± 14 years, 51% female). Mean 3D tangential strain (3D-TS) was − 32 ± 2.9%. 3D global longitudinal strain (3D-GLS) demonstrated a significant but not very strong correlation with 2D-GLS values (− 19.7 ± 1.8% vs − 20.4 ± 2.2%, r = 0.462, p < 0.001). No gender difference was observed in 3D strain parameters. 3D-GLS decreased with increasing age stratum (p = 0.024). LVEF was associated with 3D-TS and 3D-GLS (r = − 0.819, p ≤ 0.001 for 3D-TS, p = − 0.477, r < 0.001, p = 0.001 for 3D-GLS). In this single vendor study age and gender-specific normative LV 3D-TS values were reported for healthy adult caucasians. In a significant proportion of the subjects 3D-STE was not feasible, but when feasible, 3D-STE shows excellent association with LVEF, and is therefore a promising novel modality for the assessment of the myocardial function, provided that issues of limited feasibility and temporal resolution are addressed.

An Agricultural Products Supply Chain Management to Optimize Resources and Carbon Emission Considering Variable Production Rate: Case of Nonperishable Corps

The management of the man–machine interaction is essential to achieve a competitive advantage among production firms and is more highlighted in the processing of agricultural products. The agricultural industry is underdeveloped and requires a transformation in technology. Advances in processing agricultural products (agri-product) are essential to achieve a smart production rate with good quality and to control waste. This research deals with modelling of a controllable production rate by a combination of the workforce and machines to minimize the total cost of production. The optimization of the carbon emission variable and management of the imperfection in processing makes the model eco-efficient. The perishability factor in the model is ignored due to the selection of a single sugar processing firm in the supply chain with a single vendor for the pragmatic application of the proposed research. A non-linear production model is developed to provide an economic benefit to the firms in terms of the minimum total cost with variable cycle time, workforce, machines, and plant production rate. A numerical experiment is performed by utilizing the data set of the agri-processing firm. A derivative free approach, i.e., algebraic approach, is utilized to find the best solution. The sensitivity analysis is performed to support the managers for the development of agricultural product supply chain management (Agri-SCM).

Three dimensional MRF obtains highly repeatable and reproducible multi-parametric estimations in the healthy human brain at 1.5T and 3T

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is highly promising as a quantitative MRI technique due to its accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. Previous studies have found high repeatability and reproducibility of 2D MRF acquisitions in the brain. Here, we have extended our investigations to 3D MRF acquisitions covering the whole brain using spiral projection k-space trajectories.Our travelling head study acquired test/retest data from the brains of 12 healthy volunteers and 8 MRI systems (3 systems at 3 T and 5 at 1.5 T, all from a single vendor), using a study design not requiring all subjects to be scanned at all sites. The pulse sequence and reconstruction algorithm were the same for all acquisitions.After registration of the MRF-derived PD T1 and T2 maps to an anatomical atlas, coefficients of variation (CVs) were computed to assess test/retest repeatability and inter-site reproducibility in each voxel, while a General Linear Model (GLM) was used to determine the voxel-wise variability between all confounders, which included test/retest, subject, field strength and site.Our analysis demonstrated a high repeatability (CVs 0.7–1.3% for T1, 2.0–7.8% for T2, 1.4–2.5% for normalized PD) and reproducibility (CVs of 2.0–5.8% for T1, 7.4–10.2% for T2, 5.2–9.2% for normalized PD) in gray and white matter.Both repeatability and reproducibility improved when compared to similar experiments using 2D acquisitions. Three-dimensional MRF obtains highly repeatable and reproducible estimations of T1 and T2, supporting the translation of MRF-based fast quantitative imaging into clinical applications.

Littermate-Controlled Experiments Reveal Eosinophils Are Not Essential for Maintaining Steady-State IgA and Demonstrate the Influence of Rearing Conditions on Antibody Phenotypes in Eosinophil-Deficient Mice.

Conflicting data has emerged regarding a role for eosinophils in IgA production, with some reports that eosinophils support both secretory and circulating IgA levels during homeostasis. Previous studies have compared antibody levels between wildtype and eosinophil-deficient mice, but these mice were obtained from different commercial vendors and/or were not littermates. Thus, the possibility remains that extrinsic environmental factors, rather than an intrinsic lack of eosinophils, are responsible for the reports of reduced IgA in eosinophil-deficient mice. Here we used wild-type and eosinophil-deficient (ΔdblGATA) mice that were purchased from a single vendor, subsequently bred in-house and either co-housed as adults, co-reared from birth or raised as littermates. We found no differences in the levels of secretory IgA or in the numbers of small intestinal IgA-producing plasma cells between wild-type and ΔdblGATA mice, demonstrating that under controlled steady-state conditions eosinophils are not essential for the maintenance of secretory IgA in the intestinal tract. While we found that levels of IgM and IgE were significantly elevated in the serum of ΔdblGATA mice compared to co-reared or co-housed wild-type mice, no significant differences in these or other circulating antibody isotypes were identified between genotypes in littermate-controlled experiments. Our results demonstrate that eosinophils are not required to maintain secretory or circulating IgA production and the absence of eosinophils does not impact circulating IgG1, IgG2b, IgM, or IgE levels during homeostasis. These findings emphasize the importance of optimally controlling rearing and housing conditions throughout life between mice of different genotypes.

Optimizing an Imperfect Production Model with Varying Setup Cost, Price Discount, and Lead Time Under Fuzzy Demand

This article considers the two-tier supply chain based on the single setup multiple delivery (SSMD) policy between a single vendor and a single buyer. The entire production process is performed in a single setup and the logarithmic reduction function is employed to reduce the expense of this setup. As the machine switches from the in-control stage to the out-of-control stage, the output of the manufactured item is found to be defective. Continuous investment has been made to reduce this imperfect production by improving the quality of the item. Furthermore, this model takes into account incomplete product restructuring. In some cases, due to certain issues, such as lead time, the order quantity may not be received on time. The buyer’s lead time duration is controlled by adding the crashing cost. The purpose of this research is to achieve optimum setup cost and defective item percentage with minimum total supply chain cost under a triangular fuzzy demand. Two numerical examples have been considered to evaluate this model. Moreover, sensitivity analysis, graphical representation, and managerial insights are given. Finally, the model obtains the minimum supply chain cost with decision variables as demonstrated by the numerical study.

Integrated Supply Chain for a Single Vendor and Multiple Buyers and Products with Crashing Lead Time

Integrated Supply Chain for a Single Vendor and Multiple Buyers and Products with Crashing Lead Time

Comparison of Clinical Performance Between Two Generations of Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Systems in Treatments of Uterine Leiomyomas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of technology improvements on the outcomes of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatments of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas (uterine fibroids). The study compared ablation volumes and incidence of adverse events in patient groups treated with two generations of MRgFUS systems from a single vendor. The present study describes the results of a retrospective comparative study of two groups of women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas who were clinically treated with MRgFUS at a single institution. Group 1 (n = 130) was treated using the first-generation system between March 2005 and December 2009. Group 2 (n = 71) was treated using the second-generation between December 2013 and September 2019. The second-generation MRgFUS system resulted in significantly improved nonperfused volume ratios in both dark and bright T2 fibroid categories compared with the first-generation system (dark - 80% versus46 %, p = 0.00002 and bright - 46% versus 32%, p = 0.001). There have been no recorded hospital admissions, no skins burns, and no reported major adverse events since the introduction of this second-generation ExAblate 2100 system with advanced safety and treatment planning features. This study has demonstrated that improvements to current MRgFUS technology resulted in significantly increased efficacy and patient safety of clinical treatments of patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.

Characterization of the ablation zones produced by three commercially available systems from a single vendor for radiofrequency thermoablation in an ex vivo swine liver model.

BackgroundRadiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is rarely performed in veterinary medicine. A rationale exists for its use in selected cases of canine liver tumours. RFA induces ablation zones of variable size and geometry depending on the technique used and on the impedance of the targeted organ.Objectives(a) to describe the geometry and reproducibility of the ablation zones produced by three commercially available systems from a single company, using isolated swine liver parenchyma as a model for future veterinary applications in vivo; (b) to study the effects of local saline perfusion into the ablated parenchyma through the electrode tip and of single versus double passage of the electrode on size, geometry and reproducibility of the ablation zones produced.MethodsSize, and geometry of ablation zones reproduced in six livers with one cooled and perfused (saline) and two cooled and non‐perfused systems, after single or double passage (n = 6/condition), were assessed macroscopically on digitalized images by a blinded operator. Longitudinal and transverse diameters, equivalent diameter, estimated volume and roundness index were measured. Reproducibility was assessed as coefficient of variation.Results and ConclusionsAblation zone reproducibility was higher when expressed in terms of ablation zone diameters than estimated volume. Local saline perfusion of the parenchyma through the electrode tip during RFA increased the ablation zone longitudinal diameter. Ablation zone estimated volume increased with saline perfusion only when double passage was performed. These data may provide useful information for those clinicians who intend to include RFA as an additive tool in veterinary interventional radiology.

A Study and Comparison of Shipment Policies with Repair Options in a Two-Tier Supply Chain Model

Vendors often sell their products to buyers far away. Frequently, a few products in the lot are found to be imperfect, but because of the distance to the vendor, it is not cost-effective for the buyer to place another order to replace the imperfect products with good ones. These imperfect products are still valuable and can be repaired, so the buyer has them repaired at a nearby shop and restores them to the inventory. The buyer pays a repair charge plus a markup margin. A two-tier supply chain problem will be studied in this paper under the EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) model, considering the issues of a single buyer and a single vendor and aiming to minimize the total costs for both entities. Based on three supply-chain structures, this paper presents three models, providing engineering managers with guidelines for the selection of a cost-effective supply chain inventory system through analysis of different shipment policies. The shipment policies used for these models were, first, equal-sized, then geometric, and finally, geometric-then-equal-sized. The total expected cost per unit time under each policy is calculated and a proposal is developed for the solution procedure. The paper then proceeds to make a comparative analysis of the three shipment policies in the context of the two-tier supply chain problem. A discussion of the results is illustrated by a numerical example.

Improving reproducibility of left ventricular ejection fraction in pediatric oncology patients: less is more.

Reproducible measurement of left ventricular (LV) systolic function by echocardiography is important to detect cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). We hypothesized that limiting the number of imaging operators and use of a single vendor would improve reproducibility of these measures. A standard operating procedure (SOP) whereby LV measurements were standardized and a cardio-oncology imaging team (5 sonographers, 6 cardiologists) was established. All pediatric oncology patient echocardiograms were acquired on a single vendor platform. In total, 100 consecutive pre-SOP and 100 post-SOP studies were reviewed. LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), posterior wall thickness (PW), shortening fraction (SF), and ejection fraction by Simpson's biplane (EF) were re-measured by 2 blinded readers, and compared to what was originally reported. Image quality was scored by number of LV segments imaged (grades 1-4). Inter-observer reproducibility pre/post-SOP was assessed with intra-class coefficient (α). Reducing the number of imaging operators improved image quality (Grade ≥ 3: 13% vs. 46%, p < 0.001). Reproducibility of PW and LVEDD marginally improved (PW: 0.78 to 0.82; LVEDD: 0.96 to 0.97), and SF improved significantly (α = 0.65 vs. 0.79, p < 0.001). Pre-SOP reproducibility of LV EF was poor (α = 0.65), but improved significantly post-SOP (α = 0.83, p < 0.001). Reproducibility of LV EF improved with higher image quality score. Limiting imaging operators and vendor platform for pediatric oncology echocardiograms improves image quality and reproducibility of LV EF. Establishing an SOP and a cardio-oncology echocardiography team may improve precision of measurements used to detect CTRCD.

Radiomics in Cardiac MRI: Sisyphean Struggle or Close to the Summit of Olympus?

Radiomics in Cardiac MRI: Sisyphean Struggle or Close to the Summit of Olympus?

Unravelling the integrated information systems and management control paradox: enhancing dynamic capability through business intelligence

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine whether the interactive effects of integrated information systems (IIS) and business intelligence (BI)‐enabled management control system (MCS) lead to the assimilation of integrated management control information into business processes and whether this assimilation enhances organisational performance. Data were gathered through a large survey and included 419 senior and middle managers representing 347 Australian organisations. The respondents were from organisations that use a single international vendor’s BI software designed to provide integrated MCS capability. As hypothesised, the results confirm the positive influence of the interaction between IIS and BI‐enabled MCS on assimilation of integrated management control information at the business process level, the positive relationship between business process level assimilation and business process performance, and finally the positive relationship between business process performance and overall organisational performance. The results also show that the interaction term has a significant indirect relationship with business process improvement and organisational performance.

Blockchain-Enabled Reliable Osmotic Computing for Cloud of Things: Applications and Challenges

Cloud of Things (CoT) refers to an IoT solution consuming the cloud services of a single cloud vendor. In this article, we have introduced the concept of a MultiCoT (http://www.MultiCoT.com) solution which refers to the collaborative execution of an IoT solution by multiple cloud vendors. Cloudlets and ad-hoc clouds are the extensions of centralized cloud services, closer to the user, in the form of fog and edge computing layers respectively and the Osmotic Computing (OC) serves as a glue by accomplishing the seamless compute sharing across these layers. The OC can also be integrated within a MultiCoT solution for extending it across three computational layers of cloud, fog and edge. However, this can only be achieved after establishing enough trust among all the vendors that are working in collaboration to simultaneously serve a particular MultiCoT solution. Blockchain has been already proven for establishing trust and supporting reliable interactions among independently operating entities. Hence, it can be used for establishing trust among the multiple cloud vendors serving a single MultiCoT solution. In this article, we have presented the importance of using the proactive Blockchain-enabled Osmotic Manager (B-OM) for improving the reliability of OC. We have also highlighted the blockchain features that can improve the reliability of OC by establishing trust among the independently operating vendors of a MultiCoT solution, followed by the challenges associated with the integration of blockchain and OC along with the future research directions for achieving the proposed integration.

Development of a robust functional cell-based assay for replacing the rabbit blood sugar bioidentity test of insulin glargine drug substance

A rabbit blood sugar bioidentity assay is required by the FDA to evaluate biological activity for all insulin and its analogs per USP<121> guideline. Not only are a large number of live animals used, but the rabbit blood sugar method is also highly variable and expensive. Our goal is to develop a functional cell-based assay to replace rabbit blood sugar method. An H4IIE G6P-Luc reporter assay was developed by utilizing insulin’s role in regulating hepatic gluconeogenesis pathway. It is known that Glucose 6-phosphatase is a rate-limiting enzyme in the gluconeogenesis pathway, and the mRNA expression of its catalytic subunit, G6PC, is highly regulated by insulin. A G6P-Luc stable cell line in H4IIE hepatocytes was first generated by stably expressing luciferase reporter gene driven by human G6PC promoter via lentivirus technology. The cell-based assay was developed and optimized to demonstrate good dose-dependent responsiveness to insulin. We further qualified the assay with two analysts through multiple runs, and demonstrated excellent performance characteristics of linearity, accuracy, and precision. A robustness study was then conducted to define critical factors for assay performance. We compared this newly developed assay with a previously established cell-based pIR MSD assay, which measures insulin receptor phosphorylation (pIR) in HepG2 cell line using Meso-Scale Discovery (MSD) technology. The comparability study was conducted to compare the two assays using samples generated from forced degradation. This study showed high correlation between assays, and both are stability indicating. Compared with the pIR MSD assay, the G6P-Luc assay not only has a significantly lower variability in qualification studies, but also offers many other advantages, including ease of use in a quality control laboratory with fewer steps, lower cost, and does not depend on a single vendor. In conclusion, we have developed a physiologically relevant and robust functional cell-based assay that is suitable to replace rabbit blood sugar method.

An inter-vendor study of scan-rescan and left-right knee asymmetry variability of cartilage T2 transverse relaxation time and morphometry assessed simultaneously using a single rapid 4-minute MRI scan

Purpose: Quantitative MRI techniques that assess changes in cartilage structure (morphometry) and composition (T2 relaxometry) have been widely applied in OA research, particularly in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). However, in the OAI, the double-echo steady-state (DESS) and the multi-echo spin-echo MRI sequences to study morphometry and T2 transverse relaxation times respectively, required 21 minutes of scan time per knee, and all scanning was performed on MRI scanners from only a single vendor.

Achieving Congruence among Reference Laboratories for Absolute Abundance Measurement of Analytes for Rare Diseases: Psychosine for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Krabbe Disease.

Measurement of the absolute concentration of the biomarker psychosine in dried blood spots (DBS) is useful for diagnosis and prognosis of Krabbe disease and to support newborn screening of this leukodystrophy. As for assays for more common diseases, it is important to achieve congruence when multiple clinical laboratories provide testing. Four clinical laboratories, one research laboratory, and a commercial vendor collaborated with the goal to achieve congruence in quantitative psychosine measurement in DBS. A set of DBS calibrators was prepared by a single vendor and used in each reference laboratory to make a standard curve of measured psychosine in DBS versus the stated calibrator psychosine level. Congruence between the participating five laboratories was achieved using the psychosine DBS calibrators. This allowed application of disease-specific reference ranges obtained by the reference laboratory with the most extensive data by the other reference laboratories. Congruence between multiple reference laboratories in the measurement of the absolute concentration of biomarkers in DBS (and by extension other samples) is possible by the use of a common set of DBS calibrators.

A vendor managed inventory policy with emergency orders

ABSTRACTDue to the large amount of money engaged with inventory along supply chains, especially with inventory holding costs, it is extremely important to employ a good inventory policy in order to meet the customer demand without delays. This paper presents a vendor-managed inventory policy with emergency orders, for a supply chain which consists of a single vendor and a single retailer where the retailer faces Poisson customer demand. Two mathematical models were developed using two approaches. Approach 1 used the concept of demand rate while approach 2 is based on total demand received during the cycle. The formulated models are used to determine the optimal base stock level, delivery quantity to the retailer and cycle length such that the total expected inventory cost is minimized. Numerical experiments and sensitivity analysis were conducted to examine the behavior of the optimal solution and provide general guidelines and implications.