Development of a mechanism to facilitate the safety stock planning configuration in ERP

Safety stock planning in ERP in general is dependent upon the planner having the experience to simulate planning scenarios. This paper focuses on the development of a mechanism to calculate adequate safety stocks in accordance with required service levels while enabling efficient configuration of the ERP safety stock parameters. The proposed mechanism could be of great benefit to industrial firms as it offers the ability to classify demand patterns, proposes replenishment strategies that are consistent with the demand profile, calculates key parameters and identifies the changes required to the ERP master data. The associated real world application is able to identify potential to save approximately £1.2 M in stock reductions and, more importantly, allows targeted actions to be implemented at material level. These results demonstrated that the proposed mechanism can be considered as a valuable new development for manufacturing industry to gain the competitive advantage

Effects of storage on the properties of rapeseed oil and alcohol blends

Received: February 1st, 2021 ; Accepted: May 2nd, 2021 ; Published: May 4th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] viscosity and density are important fuel properties because they influence fuel atomisation during injection into the engine cylinder. The viscosity and density of neat vegetable oils usually are too high to allow optimal use of these oils in compression ignition engines. Blending vegetable oils with alcohols can improve these properties, but it is not known whether the blend properties remain stable during storage. This study measured kinematic viscosity (at 40 °C), density (at 15 °C) and surface tension of rapeseed oil-alcohol blends that had been stored in closed borosilicate glass bottles at room temperature in the dark for 49 weeks. The values were compared with those of the fresh blends. Further measurements of oxidation stability for the rapeseed oil and the blends were taken after 72 weeks of storage. The blends consisted of rapeseed oil with ethanol at 5 vol–%, and rapeseed oil with 1–butanol at 5 vol–%, 10 vol–%, 20 vol–% and 30 vol–%. All in all, the observed changes during storage were small. Density values deviated by less than 1%, surface tension by no more than 3% and kinematic viscosity differed from the fresh blends’ values by 1% to 8%. Surface tension had increased in some blends and decreased in others. Kinematic viscosity rose in all blends, with the smallest increase measured for the rapeseed oil–butanol 30 vol–% blend. This blend also showed the best oxidation stability, which was close to six hours

Effects of storage on the properties of rapeseed oil and alcohol blends

Received: February 1st, 2021 ; Accepted: May 2nd, 2021 ; Published: May 4th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] viscosity and density are important fuel properties because they influence fuel atomisation during injection into the engine cylinder. The viscosity and density of neat vegetable oils usually are too high to allow optimal use of these oils in compression ignition engines. Blending vegetable oils with alcohols can improve these properties, but it is not known whether the blend properties remain stable during storage. This study measured kinematic viscosity (at 40 °C), density (at 15 °C) and surface tension of rapeseed oil-alcohol blends that had been stored in closed borosilicate glass bottles at room temperature in the dark for 49 weeks. The values were compared with those of the fresh blends. Further measurements of oxidation stability for the rapeseed oil and the blends were taken after 72 weeks of storage. The blends consisted of rapeseed oil with ethanol at 5 vol–%, and rapeseed oil with 1–butanol at 5 vol–%, 10 vol–%, 20 vol–% and 30 vol–%. All in all, the observed changes during storage were small. Density values deviated by less than 1%, surface tension by no more than 3% and kinematic viscosity differed from the fresh blends’ values by 1% to 8%. Surface tension had increased in some blends and decreased in others. Kinematic viscosity rose in all blends, with the smallest increase measured for the rapeseed oil–butanol 30 vol–% blend. This blend also showed the best oxidation stability, which was close to six hours

Sequencing strategies for the traceability of GMOs - methods and related quality aspects

DNA sequencing in GMO analysis has undergone a rapid repositioning from a technology that may be used as an additional confirmatory step to a technique that deserves consideration as a routine methodology. The methodology may be applied in different ways, from initial screening for authorised as well as unauthorised GMOs in complex samples to, for specific cases, a strategy to establish the identity of possible new GMOs, as well as a range of options in between these two alternative applications. As the overall costs of DNA sequencing are reducing, broader applications are becoming feasible for routine testing in GMO laboratories. The actual application, however, requires further harmonisation and standardisation to maintain current quality standards when applying innovative GMO analytical strategies that include DNA sequencing steps. In the present report, a summary is provided of the results of the dedicated Working Group of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) on good practice/quality of DNA sequencing data. The Working Group has addressed both Sanger sequencing as well as massive parallel DNA sequencing within the framework of GMO analysis, with emphasis on the latter. General information is provided in relation to quality aspects of massive parallel DNA sequencing, from sample DNA extraction and preparation, through template amplification and DNA sequencing, to quality assessment of the sequencing results and quality criteria for the use of sequencing data analysis pipelines. In addition, specific GMO-related aspects of DNA sequencing methodologies are discussed considering current GMO detection and identification strategies in different sample types (i.e. simple versus complex food/feed matrices, known versus unknown GMOs), and the intended purpose (i.e. characterisation of the full genome of a genetically modified microorganism (GMM), the full identification of an inserted genetic element and its flanking regions, or the screening for multiple genetically modified (GM) elements in a single genome or in a mixture). The Working Group identified four scenarios covering current real-life situations in GMO analysis strategies that include massive parallel DNA sequencing steps: two targeted sequencing approaches focusing on multiple known or partially known sequences, respectively, and two non-targeted sequencing approaches focusing on either whole genome sequencing of a single organism or, alternatively, applying metagenomics in complex samples. Quality considerations and criteria common to all scenarios have been tentatively established, as well as specific ones relevant for individual scenarios. On a global level, one harmonised definition of a GMO is no longer applicable, especially for genome-edited organisms that contain minor modifications, such as single nucleotide mutations. For these organisms, there is no international consensus on whether or not they should fall within the scope of the GMO regional legislations. In this context, global discussions on the safety aspects and the traceability of these organisms are affected and the exchange of information on the (potential) presence of GMO in food/feed samples and related raw materials has become hampered.JRC.F.5 - Food and Feed Complianc

Plant vascular development: from early specification to differentiation.

Vascular tissues in plants are crucial to provide physical support and to transport water, sugars and hormones and other small signalling molecules throughout the plant. Recent genetic and molecular studies have identified interconnections among some of the major signalling networks that regulate plant vascular development. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, these studies enable the description of vascular development from the earliest tissue specification events during embryogenesis to the differentiation of phloem and xylem tissues. Moreover, we propose a model for how oriented cell divisions give rise to a three-dimensional vascular bundle within the root meristem

A core curriculum for the continuing professional development of nurses: Developed by the Education Committee on behalf of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions of the ESC

Background: The European Society of Cardiology and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions share a vision; to decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe. Nurses represent the largest sector of the health professional workforce and have a significant contribution to make, which has not yet been fully realised. Recent evidence highlights an association between the level of nurse education and inpatient mortality making this an important topic, particularly as the provision of nurse education in Europe is variable. Aim: To develop a core curriculum to inform the education of nurses following initial qualification for work in cardiovascular settings. Method: A syllabus was developed using published literature, policy documents and existing curricula with expert input from service users, specialist nurses, cardiologists, educationalists and academics. The syllabus formed the framework for the development of the core curriculum. Results: Eight key themes characterise the core curriculum which are presented together with an account of the development process. While the curriculum is not intended to cover all aspects of the highly complex role of the cardiovascular nurse, the themes do exemplify the science and art of nursing and are transferable across different levels of clinical practice and settings. The curriculum functions both as a ‘map’, which identifies key themes to include in nurse education, and as a ‘tool’ to inform educational provision that bridges’ the gap between initial nurse education and advanced specialist practice. Content can be adapted for use to fit the national context and reflects the specific needs, health priorities, legislative and regulatory standards that govern safe nursing practice across different countries. Conclusion: The core curriculum can be used as a learning framework to guide nurse education, in particular the continuing professional education of post-qualifying nurses working in cardiovascular settings. This represents a significant step towards streamlining cardiovascular nurse education in Europ