[en] Sorbus alnifolia (Rosaceae) is grown as an ornamental and as a fruit tree, but has low fruit set rate. Wood from S. alnifolia is used in making equipment, vehicles, and models. Knowledge of its pollination biology may prove useful in solving the problem of low fruit set, but is still lacking. The present study investigated the pollination biology of Sorbus alnifolia in temperate montane forests of eastern China, including aspects of morphology, floral biology, the reproductive system, flower-visitor observations, and an analysis of the pollen ovule ratio. The flowers are sequentially hermaphrodite and protogynous. Pollen and stigmas have a dynamic overlapping period of fertility of at least 3 d. Flowers of this species can set fruit via natural pollination (23.5%), artificial self-pollination (8.63%), and artificial cross-pollination (27.41%) and apomixis has not been observed (0%). The main pollinators were insects of the families Nymphalidae, Apidae and Tenthredinidae. Although S. alnifolia is adapted to insect pollination, it readily sets fruit via autogamy when no insect visits occur; this can be supported by artificial self-pollination as an adaptive strategy for reproduction under unfavorable environmental conditions. In rainy days, both pollen viability and insect activity decreased significantly. Hand pollination is recommended and could significantly increase fruit set thereby solving the problem of low fruit set in S. alnifolia. The information gained from this study should provide a useful reference for implementing long-term conservation and management strategies for this species. (author)

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] The incorporation of environmental objective into the conventional supplier selection practices is crucial for corporations seeking to promote green supply chain management (GSCM). Challenges and risks associated with green supplier selection have been broadly recognized by procurement and supplier management professionals. This paper aims to solve a Tetra “S” (SSSS) problem based on a fuzzy multi-objective optimization with genetic algorithm in a holistic supply chain environment. In this empirical study, a mathematical model with fuzzy coefficients is considered for sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) problem and a corresponding model is developed to tackle this problem. Design/methodology/approach: Sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) decisions are typically multi-objectives in nature and it is an important part of green production and supply chain management for many firms. The proposed uncertain model is transferred into deterministic model by applying the expected value mesurement (EVM) and genetic algorithm with weighted sum approach for solving the multi-objective problem. This research focus on a multi-objective optimization model for minimizing lean cost, maximizing sustainable service and greener product quality level. Finally, a mathematical case of textile sector is presented to exemplify the effectiveness of the proposed model with a sensitivity analysis. Findings: This study makes a certain contribution by introducing the Tetra ‘S’ concept in both the theoretical and practical research related to multi-objective optimization as well as in the study of sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) under uncertain environment. Our results suggest that decision makers tend to select strategic supplier first then enhance the sustainability. Research limitations/implications: Although the fuzzy expected value model (EVM) with fuzzy coefficients constructed in present research should be helpful for solving real world problems. A detailed comparative analysis by using other algorithms is necessary for solving similar problems of agriculture, pharmaceutical, chemicals and services sectors in future. Practical implications: It can help the decision makers for ordering to different supplier for managing supply chain performance in efficient and effective manner. From the procurement and engineering perspectives, minimizing cost, sustaining the quality level and meeting production time line is the main consideration for selecting the supplier. Empirically, this can facilitate engineers to reduce production costs and at the same time improve the product quality. Originality/value: In this paper, we developed a novel multi-objective programming model based on genetic algorithm to select sustainable strategic supplier (SSSS) under fuzzy environment. The algorithm was tested and applied to solve a real case of textile sector in Pakistan. The experimental results and comparative sensitivity analysis illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed model.

[en] Using He's semi-inverse method, a variational principle is established for the shallow water problem, revealing new insights into the discussed problem

[en] A new computational method is presented for a transient, thermal-hydraulic, multichannel analysis. The method is developed based on the concept of artificial compressibility to preserve the elliptic character of the reactor core flow in order to satisfy the realistic pressure boundary conditions, and to account for the discontinuities of the empirical correlations simulating the flow resistances. The computer code (RETSAC) developed by implementing the method presented in this paper can be categorized as a fourth generation multichannel computer code. This new computer code has been compared with the widely used marching techniques, such as COBRA IIIC (the third generation). The numerical results clearly indicate the situations in which the marching technique may or may not be appropriate. Furthermore, the RETSAC computer code can calculate various normal or off-normal reactor core flows which the third generation codes could not handle without a substantial increase of computer time. (Auth.)

[en] The liquid and vapor phase distributions in a scaled model of a static vane centrifugal separator were studied. A range of two-phase loading conditions were simulated in an air-water loop facility. The measurements of local velocities and voids were performed. High-speed flow visualization has been applied in order to provide feedback to the model and analytical tool development. The flow behavior sensitivity on the efficiency of separator is discussed

[en] In the upgrade of ATLAS experiment [1], the front-end electronics components are subjected to a large radiation background. Meanwhile high speed optical links are required for the data transmission between the on-detector and off-detector electronics. The GBT architecture and the Versatile Link (VL) project are designed by CERN to support the 4.8 Gbps line rate bidirectional high-speed data transmission which is called GBT link [2]. In the ATLAS upgrade, besides the link with on-detector, the GBT link is also used between different off-detector systems. The GBTX ASIC is designed for the on-detector front-end, correspondingly for the off-detector electronics, the GBT architecture is implemented in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA). CERN launches the GBT-FPGA project to provide examples in different types of FPGA [3]. In the ATLAS upgrade framework, the Front-End LInk eXchange (FELIX) system [4, 5] is used to interface the front-end electronics of several ATLAS subsystems. The GBT link is used between them, to transfer the detector data and the timing, trigger, control and monitoring information. The trigger signal distributed in the down-link from FELIX to the front-end requires a fixed and low latency. In this paper, several optimizations on the GBT-FPGA IP core are introduced, to achieve a lower fixed latency. For FELIX, a common firmware will be used to interface different front-ends with support of both GBT modes: the forward error correction mode and the wide mode. The modified GBT-FPGA core has the ability to switch between the GBT modes without FPGA reprogramming. The system clock distribution of the multi-channel FELIX firmware is also discussed in this paper.

[en] Objective: To explore the effect of multimodal analgesia based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy (LRG) for gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Clinical data of 128 patients undergoing LRG for GC, admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2021 to March 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 66 patients received a multimodal analgesic management based on ERAS (ERAS group), and 62 patients were treated with conventional mode of analgesia (control group). Pain levels, rehabilitation status, as well as inflammatory factors and stress response indicators before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative pain and recovery in the ERAS group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). After the surgery, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in both groups increased compared to before the surgery, but were significantly lower in the ERAS group compared to the control group (P<0.05). After the surgery, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels in both groups increased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels decreased compared to preoperative levels. The observed postoperative levels of serum MDA and XOD were significantly lower in the ERAS group, while the postoperative SOD levels were higher compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients undergoing LRG for GC can benefit from a multimodal pain management plan based on ERAS to reduce postoperative pain, alleviate inflammation, stress responses, and shorten the postoperative recovery process. (author)

[en] In this paper, the dynamical properties of the reaction between the Ba atom and m-C₆H₄ClCH₃ have been studied using the quasi-classical trajectory method, based on the extended London-Eyring-Polany-Sato potential energy surface. The vibrational distribution, reaction cross section and product rotational alignment of the reaction Ba + m-C₆H₄ClCH₃ have been calculated, and the reaction mechanism has also been discussed. When the collision energy equals 1.08 eV, the peak value of the vibrational distribution is located at v = 0 for the reaction Ba + m-C₆H₄ClCH₃. This result agrees with experimental vibrational distribution. The calculated result of the reaction cross section increases with an increase of the collision energy from 0.6 to 1.3 eV. The calculated rotational alignment of the product greatly deviates from -0.5, which firstly decreases and then increases with the increasing collision energy. (author)

[en] A patient with fibrosarcomatous dedifferentiation of chondrosarcoma of the tibia was studied, utilizing plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with both T1 and T2-weighting. Following amputation, the surgical specimen was transected in the sagittal plane and representative histological sections were obtained. The results were correlated with the plain film and MRI findings. Although the tumor appeared inhomogeneous on the T1 and T2-weighted MRI images, no correlation existed between the signal strength of a given region of interest and its histological cell type. Plain film findings, such as matrix calcification and cortical destruction, were more helpful in predicting malignant dedifferentiation of chondrosarcoma. MRI was clearly superior to plain radiographs in demonstrating the extent of the lesion within the medullary cavity and in the soft tissues. (orig.)