In this study,endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress inducer tunicamycin(TM)and inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)were used to treat postmortem chicken breast muscle to investigate changes in tenderness and effects on apo...In this study,endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress inducer tunicamycin(TM)and inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)were used to treat postmortem chicken breast muscle to investigate changes in tenderness and effects on apoptosis and autophagy during 5 days ageing.TM-induced ER stress reduced shear force,enhanced myofibril fragmentation index(MFI),disrupted myofibril structure,increased desmin degradation,and activatedμ-calpain and caspase-12.In addition,TM-induced ER stress increased the expression of Bax,Bim,and cytochrome c,and decreased the expression of Bcl-x L.Furthermore,TM-induced ER stress improved the conversion of LC3I to LC3II,raised the expression of Beclin-1,and decreased the expression of p62,PI3K,and m TOR.The opposite results were observed after 4-PBA treatment.These results suggested that ER stress could improve chicken tenderness,promote apoptosis and autophagy during chicken postmortem ageing.展开更多
Traveling is one major theme of Fitzgerald's novel Tender Is the Night. This fashionable activity for the 1920 s Americans is represented in the novel as ostensibly bearing different meanings to the main character...Traveling is one major theme of Fitzgerald's novel Tender Is the Night. This fashionable activity for the 1920 s Americans is represented in the novel as ostensibly bearing different meanings to the main characters, but a deeper look would reveal that it is unanimously resorted to as a weapon against the spiritual barrenness caused by the cult of business, and more importantly, as a way to the experience of rootedness.展开更多
In Bangladesh, both manual and e-GP system is used to perform public procurement. Before tender publication, tender documents have to be prepared by the Procurement Entities (PEs). The problem is that the manual tende...In Bangladesh, both manual and e-GP system is used to perform public procurement. Before tender publication, tender documents have to be prepared by the Procurement Entities (PEs). The problem is that the manual tendering system involves more cost and time in preparing tender documents. The study’s purpose is to compare now the efficiency of tender document preparation in the manual system with the e-GP system. This study tests the cost and time involved in tender document preparation, both manual and e-procurement tenders. Sample data was collected from the 11 RHD zones. Structured survey questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the PE officers of RHD. A hypothesis test was performed using the model of independent samples t-test. The test results indicated that e-Procurement tender document preparation costs and time were less than manual tendering. Academicians, researchers, PE officers, and policymakers will benefit from the study’s conclusions.展开更多
Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g...Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g of body weight) for 3 subsequent weeks.Systolic blootl pressure was measured every three days using the indirect tail cuff method.At the end of the experimental period,plasma glucose and insulin,serum triglycerides and free fatly acids, lipid peroxidation markers(MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in all the groups.Results:Treatment with TCW significandy lowered the systolic blood pressure and reduced serum triglycerides and free fatty acids.Plasma glucose and insulin levels and lipid peroxidation markers such as MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were significantly reduced in fructose fed rats treated with TCW.Activities of antioxidant enzymes are up regulated significantly in TCW treated rats.Hislopathological analysis of liver showed that TCW treatment reduced the lipid accumulation and inflammatory infiltration without any significant hepatocellular damage.Conclusions:The overall results suggest that, TCW treatment could prevent and reverse high blood pressure induced by high fructose diet probably by inhibition of lipid peroxidation,upregulation of antioxidant status and improved insulin sensitivity.展开更多
This study investigates the tenderizing effects of bromelain extract (BE) obtained from the top phase of an aqueous two-phase system comprising of 18% PEG 6000–17% MgSO4 in muscle foods. Uniform-sized chunks of beef,...This study investigates the tenderizing effects of bromelain extract (BE) obtained from the top phase of an aqueous two-phase system comprising of 18% PEG 6000–17% MgSO4 in muscle foods. Uniform-sized chunks of beef, chicken, and squid were marinated with different concentrations of BE (0, 3, 7%, and 20%, w/w) for 1 h at room temperature. The physico-chemical and quality characteristics of the marinated samples were determined. Decreases in pH and moisture content were observed in the samples BE treated, but the TCA-soluble peptides content significantly increased (p < 0.05). Water holding capacity and cooking yields were observed in all of the tested samples, especially when the concentration of BE increased. In addition, a reduction of meat firmness and toughness were also observed in all of the samples when compared to the control (p < 0.05). Electrophoretic patterns also revealed extensive proteolysis and a reduction in number and intensity of the protein bands in all of the treated samples. At the microstructural level, tissue fibers were broken, cell membranes were more strongly degraded, the connections between the sarcolemma and the myofibrils were disappeared, and the generation of numerous gaps could be clearly observed when 20% (w/w) BE was added. The results show that the bromelain extract derived from the two-phase extraction of a pineapple peel could be used as an effective meat tenderizer.展开更多
Aging is a popular method used by meat industry for improving the sensory attributes of meat.Despite the advent of many novel technologies,aging has not lost its charm and is still widely used commercially as a post-m...Aging is a popular method used by meat industry for improving the sensory attributes of meat.Despite the advent of many novel technologies,aging has not lost its charm and is still widely used commercially as a post-mortem intervention for tenderization.Aging improves the tenderness of meat through disruption of the muscle structure by intracellular proteolytic systems.Muscles undergo various molecular changes that cause proteolysis of key myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins,disrupting the overall integrity of muscle cells.Although several endogenous proteolytic systems are capable of post-mortem proteolysis,a great body of scientific evidence supports a major role for the calpain system.Calpains are intracellular calcium-dependent cysteine proteases found in most eukaryotes.At least three calpains(μ-and m-calpains and calpain 3)and calpastatin,their specific endogenous inhibitor,are found in muscle.They are known to be involved in the proteolysis of functionally relevant structural proteins such as the myofibrillar proteins and cytoskeletal anchorage complexes.These ubiquitous proteases are also present in mitochondria and play important roles in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including apoptotic and necrotic cell death phenomena.This review discusses the role and contribution of the calpain system and the factors that influence calpain activity during aging.展开更多
We present a rapid system for predicting beef tenderness by mimicking the human tactile sense. The detection system includes a FS pressure sensor, a power supply conversion circuit, a signal amplifier and a box in whi...We present a rapid system for predicting beef tenderness by mimicking the human tactile sense. The detection system includes a FS pressure sensor, a power supply conversion circuit, a signal amplifier and a box in which the sample is mounted. A sample of raw Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle is placed in the measuring box; then a rod connected to the pressure sensor is pressed into the beef sample to a given depth; the reaction force of the beef sample is measured and used to predict the tenderness. Sensory evaluation and Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) evaluation of samples from the same LD muscle are used for comparison. The new detection system agrees with established procedure 95% of the time, and the time to test a sample is less than 5 minutes.展开更多
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on chemical composition and tenderness of donkey meat. These characteristics were determined on Longissimus thoracis samples taken from 40 entire donkey males ...The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on chemical composition and tenderness of donkey meat. These characteristics were determined on Longissimus thoracis samples taken from 40 entire donkey males of Martina Franca breed slaughtered at 12 (Group 1, n = 20) and at 18 months (Group 2, n = 20) of age. Tenderness was evalu-ated at two and seven days post slaughter using a Warner-Bratzler shear force device. The chemical composition showed a significant increase in protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of donkeys slaughtered at 18 months of age (22.3 g/100 g) compared to the meat of younger animals (21.4 g/100 g). Intramuscular fat content was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group 1 (2.41 g/100 g) compared to Group 2 (3.71 g/100 g). Shear force values at seven days post slaughter were significantly (P < 0.01) lower (5.15 ± 0.31 kg/cm2) in Group 1 compared with the results obtained at two days post slaughter (6.25 ± 0.53 kg/cm2). In Group 2 shear force values obtained seven days post mortem were higher (5.88 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) compared with Group 1 after the same ageing period but significantly (P < 0.05) lower if compared with those (6.53 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) determined in the same animals two days post slaugher.展开更多
The possibility and rationality of introducing an bid-winning estimate based on a reasonable low price into construction bidding mode with bill of quantities were analyzed by setting up a model for bidding and tenderi...The possibility and rationality of introducing an bid-winning estimate based on a reasonable low price into construction bidding mode with bill of quantities were analyzed by setting up a model for bidding and tendering, and the functions of the estimate of reasonable low price in the bidding were revealed. On this basis, a new bidding mode of the project with bill of quantities was pro- posed. The application of the new mode will be advantageous to the promotion of the bill of quantities in China.展开更多
miRNAs are a class of small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional repression of target genes by binding to 3' untranslated regions. Research has found that miRNAs involved in the regulat...miRNAs are a class of small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional repression of target genes by binding to 3' untranslated regions. Research has found that miRNAs involved in the regulation of many metabolic processes. Here we uncovered that the beef quality of Angus cattle sharply diversified after acute stress. By performing miRNA microarray analysis, 13 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in stressed group compared to control group. Using a bioinformatics method, 135 protein-coding genes were predicted as the targets of significant differentially expressed miRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) term and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) mined that these target genes involved in some important pathways, which may have impact on meat quality and beef tenderness.展开更多
The marking scheme method removes the low scores of the contractor's attributes given by experts when the overall score is calculated, which may result in that a contractor with some latent risks will win the proj...The marking scheme method removes the low scores of the contractor's attributes given by experts when the overall score is calculated, which may result in that a contractor with some latent risks will win the project. In order to remedy the above defect of the marking scheme method, an outlier detection model, which is one mission of knowledge discovery in data, is established on the basis of the sum of similar coefficients. Then, the model is applied to the historical score data of tender evaluation for civil projects in Tianjin, China, according to which the outliers of the scores of the contractor's attributes can be detected and analyzed. Consequently, risk pre-warning can be carried out, and some advice to employers can be given to prevent some latent risks and help them improve the success rate of bidding projects.展开更多
Sciatica is frequently seen, especiallyamong young and middle-aged adults.Without proper treatment the disease maybecome protracted and refractory. Duringthe recent 4 years the anthors used injectionof novocain into t...Sciatica is frequently seen, especiallyamong young and middle-aged adults.Without proper treatment the disease maybecome protracted and refractory. Duringthe recent 4 years the anthors used injectionof novocain into tender points along thesciatic nerve for treatment of this disease展开更多
Epicondylitis or epicondylalgia,alsoknown as tennis elbow,results mainly fromrepetitive-stress.Some believe that tender-ness is caused by single or multiple smalltears within the common tendon of origin ofthe extensor...Epicondylitis or epicondylalgia,alsoknown as tennis elbow,results mainly fromrepetitive-stress.Some believe that tender-ness is caused by single or multiple smalltears within the common tendon of origin ofthe extensor muscles,but others believe it展开更多
Data on the mechanism of how pericarp components in fresh sweet corn affect pericarp tenderness are scarce.This study explored variation and correlation of pericarp tenderness and components over time in three inbred ...Data on the mechanism of how pericarp components in fresh sweet corn affect pericarp tenderness are scarce.This study explored variation and correlation of pericarp tenderness and components over time in three inbred lines of sweet corn that were selected for their differences in pericarp tenderness.The three lines presented a curvilinear increase in pericarp tenderness(puncture reading)from 12 to 24 d after pollination(DAP)across two environments,with the means at each time point always in the same order:S33205>T105>PE10.Pericarp tenderness difference at each same time point in two environments over time varied similarly in each of the three inbred lines:increasing first,then dropping after peak,and insignificant at the end.Of the main pericarp components,mean contents were in the order:hemicellulose>cellulose>lignin in both environments at each time point for the three inbred lines.As the pericarp developed,hemicellulose content increased gradually,lignin content varied along a single-peak curve,cellulose content fluctuated around 24%,and pectin and ash contents changed slightly and irregularly.The pericarp of PE10,with the most tender pericarp,accumulated hemicellulose faster than other two lines.Hemicellulose and lignin contents were significantly correlated with pericarp tenderness,and the main components affected pericarp tenderness.展开更多
Under a broad comprehension of Software Engineering, it is preferred the term software life cycle instead of just software production. The reason is that cycle starts at software conception and stops when the software...Under a broad comprehension of Software Engineering, it is preferred the term software life cycle instead of just software production. The reason is that cycle starts at software conception and stops when the software is relegated. Given contemporary companies’ market strategies of focusing on their competitive advantages, most of them have externalized their software production to outsourced services. Therefore, the call for software tenders has become a common step in the software life cycle. In this paper, we present a tool which aids non-experts to specify call for software tenders. The motivation was Chile situation of most of rural and semi-urban city halls which do not have engineering teams to build call for software tenders. We describe the problem in terms of lack of competitiveness and empty biddings generated by low quality calls for tenders. As a second step, we show the technical considerations to develop the proposed tool and its features. We include an initial tool perception from a first group of users.展开更多
Tender price indices (TPI) remain an optimum process for predicting tender prices. There have been several indices’ developments in the Ghanaian Building Industry (GBI) to help in cost management practices, for insta...Tender price indices (TPI) remain an optimum process for predicting tender prices. There have been several indices’ developments in the Ghanaian Building Industry (GBI) to help in cost management practices, for instance, building cost indices, and material indices among others. Notwithstanding, there are no indices for forecasting tender price at the design stage of building projects in the Ghanaian Building Industry. The motivation of this study is to develop tender price indices that would facilitate easy prediction of the initial cost of building projects. Through a thorough literature review and secondary data collection, the index was formulated using Laspeyres with Excel spreadsheet for the actual index. The variables considered include preliminaries and measured work sections which include the substructure, concrete work, reinforcement, masonry, lining/sheathing, window/door/stairs, metalwork, surface finishes, sanitary appliances/fitting and electrical supply/power light system of the Bills of Quantities. The finding of the study shows that on average there is a change in price of about 4.42 per cent within the eight-year period from 2008 to 2016. The study has developed tender price indices for the Ghanaian Building industry for the facilitation of the easy prediction of the tender prices at the initial design stage, however, the indices have an error margin of ±3. The development of these indices will serve as the basis for further development of other indices in GBI such as locational indices and value-based indices for effective cost management practices.展开更多
Since the reform and opening up, the Chinese government has attached growing importance to education, and has invested more resources and funds into higher education. In addition, the government has also invested larg...Since the reform and opening up, the Chinese government has attached growing importance to education, and has invested more resources and funds into higher education. In addition, the government has also invested large amounts of funds and technologies in the infrastructure construction of universities and colleges. The undertakings related to the infrastructure construction of universities and colleges in China are complicated in essence. Therefore, funds and technologies of the highest standards should be introduced. At the same time, external tendering is necessary for some undertakings. Currently, the tendering model adopted by universities and colleges in China is the traditional, which is ridden with some problems to be resolved in the shortest possible period. This paper focuses on the current problems of the tendering model adopted by universities and colleges and their solutions. Taking the tendering model in the undertakings of North China Electric Power University as an example, it notes setbacks of the traditional tendering model, and provides kind of theoretical support for establishing a new tendering model for universities and colleges and the related enterprises in China.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(G32072142,31972099)。
文摘In this study,endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress inducer tunicamycin(TM)and inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)were used to treat postmortem chicken breast muscle to investigate changes in tenderness and effects on apoptosis and autophagy during 5 days ageing.TM-induced ER stress reduced shear force,enhanced myofibril fragmentation index(MFI),disrupted myofibril structure,increased desmin degradation,and activatedμ-calpain and caspase-12.In addition,TM-induced ER stress increased the expression of Bax,Bim,and cytochrome c,and decreased the expression of Bcl-x L.Furthermore,TM-induced ER stress improved the conversion of LC3I to LC3II,raised the expression of Beclin-1,and decreased the expression of p62,PI3K,and m TOR.The opposite results were observed after 4-PBA treatment.These results suggested that ER stress could improve chicken tenderness,promote apoptosis and autophagy during chicken postmortem ageing.
文摘Traveling is one major theme of Fitzgerald's novel Tender Is the Night. This fashionable activity for the 1920 s Americans is represented in the novel as ostensibly bearing different meanings to the main characters, but a deeper look would reveal that it is unanimously resorted to as a weapon against the spiritual barrenness caused by the cult of business, and more importantly, as a way to the experience of rootedness.
文摘In Bangladesh, both manual and e-GP system is used to perform public procurement. Before tender publication, tender documents have to be prepared by the Procurement Entities (PEs). The problem is that the manual tendering system involves more cost and time in preparing tender documents. The study’s purpose is to compare now the efficiency of tender document preparation in the manual system with the e-GP system. This study tests the cost and time involved in tender document preparation, both manual and e-procurement tenders. Sample data was collected from the 11 RHD zones. Structured survey questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the PE officers of RHD. A hypothesis test was performed using the model of independent samples t-test. The test results indicated that e-Procurement tender document preparation costs and time were less than manual tendering. Academicians, researchers, PE officers, and policymakers will benefit from the study’s conclusions.
基金University of Kerala,Thiruvananthapuram,India for financial Support
文摘Objective:To investigate whether tender coconut water(TCW) mitigates oxidative stress in fructose fed hypertensive rats.Methods:Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with fructose rich diet and treated with TCW(4 mL/100 g of body weight) for 3 subsequent weeks.Systolic blootl pressure was measured every three days using the indirect tail cuff method.At the end of the experimental period,plasma glucose and insulin,serum triglycerides and free fatly acids, lipid peroxidation markers(MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in all the groups.Results:Treatment with TCW significandy lowered the systolic blood pressure and reduced serum triglycerides and free fatty acids.Plasma glucose and insulin levels and lipid peroxidation markers such as MDA,hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were significantly reduced in fructose fed rats treated with TCW.Activities of antioxidant enzymes are up regulated significantly in TCW treated rats.Hislopathological analysis of liver showed that TCW treatment reduced the lipid accumulation and inflammatory infiltration without any significant hepatocellular damage.Conclusions:The overall results suggest that, TCW treatment could prevent and reverse high blood pressure induced by high fructose diet probably by inhibition of lipid peroxidation,upregulation of antioxidant status and improved insulin sensitivity.
文摘This study investigates the tenderizing effects of bromelain extract (BE) obtained from the top phase of an aqueous two-phase system comprising of 18% PEG 6000–17% MgSO4 in muscle foods. Uniform-sized chunks of beef, chicken, and squid were marinated with different concentrations of BE (0, 3, 7%, and 20%, w/w) for 1 h at room temperature. The physico-chemical and quality characteristics of the marinated samples were determined. Decreases in pH and moisture content were observed in the samples BE treated, but the TCA-soluble peptides content significantly increased (p < 0.05). Water holding capacity and cooking yields were observed in all of the tested samples, especially when the concentration of BE increased. In addition, a reduction of meat firmness and toughness were also observed in all of the samples when compared to the control (p < 0.05). Electrophoretic patterns also revealed extensive proteolysis and a reduction in number and intensity of the protein bands in all of the treated samples. At the microstructural level, tissue fibers were broken, cell membranes were more strongly degraded, the connections between the sarcolemma and the myofibrils were disappeared, and the generation of numerous gaps could be clearly observed when 20% (w/w) BE was added. The results show that the bromelain extract derived from the two-phase extraction of a pineapple peel could be used as an effective meat tenderizer.
文摘Aging is a popular method used by meat industry for improving the sensory attributes of meat.Despite the advent of many novel technologies,aging has not lost its charm and is still widely used commercially as a post-mortem intervention for tenderization.Aging improves the tenderness of meat through disruption of the muscle structure by intracellular proteolytic systems.Muscles undergo various molecular changes that cause proteolysis of key myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins,disrupting the overall integrity of muscle cells.Although several endogenous proteolytic systems are capable of post-mortem proteolysis,a great body of scientific evidence supports a major role for the calpain system.Calpains are intracellular calcium-dependent cysteine proteases found in most eukaryotes.At least three calpains(μ-and m-calpains and calpain 3)and calpastatin,their specific endogenous inhibitor,are found in muscle.They are known to be involved in the proteolysis of functionally relevant structural proteins such as the myofibrillar proteins and cytoskeletal anchorage complexes.These ubiquitous proteases are also present in mitochondria and play important roles in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including apoptotic and necrotic cell death phenomena.This review discusses the role and contribution of the calpain system and the factors that influence calpain activity during aging.
基金supported by the Key Project of Science and Technology Foundations of Jilin Province of China (Grant No.20060217)the Research Foundation for the Talents by the People's Government of Jilin Province
文摘We present a rapid system for predicting beef tenderness by mimicking the human tactile sense. The detection system includes a FS pressure sensor, a power supply conversion circuit, a signal amplifier and a box in which the sample is mounted. A sample of raw Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle is placed in the measuring box; then a rod connected to the pressure sensor is pressed into the beef sample to a given depth; the reaction force of the beef sample is measured and used to predict the tenderness. Sensory evaluation and Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) evaluation of samples from the same LD muscle are used for comparison. The new detection system agrees with established procedure 95% of the time, and the time to test a sample is less than 5 minutes.
文摘The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on chemical composition and tenderness of donkey meat. These characteristics were determined on Longissimus thoracis samples taken from 40 entire donkey males of Martina Franca breed slaughtered at 12 (Group 1, n = 20) and at 18 months (Group 2, n = 20) of age. Tenderness was evalu-ated at two and seven days post slaughter using a Warner-Bratzler shear force device. The chemical composition showed a significant increase in protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of donkeys slaughtered at 18 months of age (22.3 g/100 g) compared to the meat of younger animals (21.4 g/100 g). Intramuscular fat content was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group 1 (2.41 g/100 g) compared to Group 2 (3.71 g/100 g). Shear force values at seven days post slaughter were significantly (P < 0.01) lower (5.15 ± 0.31 kg/cm2) in Group 1 compared with the results obtained at two days post slaughter (6.25 ± 0.53 kg/cm2). In Group 2 shear force values obtained seven days post mortem were higher (5.88 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) compared with Group 1 after the same ageing period but significantly (P < 0.05) lower if compared with those (6.53 ± 0.23 kg/cm2) determined in the same animals two days post slaugher.
文摘The possibility and rationality of introducing an bid-winning estimate based on a reasonable low price into construction bidding mode with bill of quantities were analyzed by setting up a model for bidding and tendering, and the functions of the estimate of reasonable low price in the bidding were revealed. On this basis, a new bidding mode of the project with bill of quantities was pro- posed. The application of the new mode will be advantageous to the promotion of the bill of quantities in China.
基金supported by Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station and Jorgensen Endowment Funds
文摘miRNAs are a class of small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional repression of target genes by binding to 3' untranslated regions. Research has found that miRNAs involved in the regulation of many metabolic processes. Here we uncovered that the beef quality of Angus cattle sharply diversified after acute stress. By performing miRNA microarray analysis, 13 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in stressed group compared to control group. Using a bioinformatics method, 135 protein-coding genes were predicted as the targets of significant differentially expressed miRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) term and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) mined that these target genes involved in some important pathways, which may have impact on meat quality and beef tenderness.
基金Project of Tianjin Water Resources Bureau(No.KY2007-09)
文摘The marking scheme method removes the low scores of the contractor's attributes given by experts when the overall score is calculated, which may result in that a contractor with some latent risks will win the project. In order to remedy the above defect of the marking scheme method, an outlier detection model, which is one mission of knowledge discovery in data, is established on the basis of the sum of similar coefficients. Then, the model is applied to the historical score data of tender evaluation for civil projects in Tianjin, China, according to which the outliers of the scores of the contractor's attributes can be detected and analyzed. Consequently, risk pre-warning can be carried out, and some advice to employers can be given to prevent some latent risks and help them improve the success rate of bidding projects.
文摘Sciatica is frequently seen, especiallyamong young and middle-aged adults.Without proper treatment the disease maybecome protracted and refractory. Duringthe recent 4 years the anthors used injectionof novocain into tender points along thesciatic nerve for treatment of this disease
文摘Epicondylitis or epicondylalgia,alsoknown as tennis elbow,results mainly fromrepetitive-stress.Some believe that tender-ness is caused by single or multiple smalltears within the common tendon of origin ofthe extensor muscles,but others believe it
基金The Open Project of the State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources(SKL-CUSAb-2013-03)。
文摘Data on the mechanism of how pericarp components in fresh sweet corn affect pericarp tenderness are scarce.This study explored variation and correlation of pericarp tenderness and components over time in three inbred lines of sweet corn that were selected for their differences in pericarp tenderness.The three lines presented a curvilinear increase in pericarp tenderness(puncture reading)from 12 to 24 d after pollination(DAP)across two environments,with the means at each time point always in the same order:S33205>T105>PE10.Pericarp tenderness difference at each same time point in two environments over time varied similarly in each of the three inbred lines:increasing first,then dropping after peak,and insignificant at the end.Of the main pericarp components,mean contents were in the order:hemicellulose>cellulose>lignin in both environments at each time point for the three inbred lines.As the pericarp developed,hemicellulose content increased gradually,lignin content varied along a single-peak curve,cellulose content fluctuated around 24%,and pectin and ash contents changed slightly and irregularly.The pericarp of PE10,with the most tender pericarp,accumulated hemicellulose faster than other two lines.Hemicellulose and lignin contents were significantly correlated with pericarp tenderness,and the main components affected pericarp tenderness.
文摘Under a broad comprehension of Software Engineering, it is preferred the term software life cycle instead of just software production. The reason is that cycle starts at software conception and stops when the software is relegated. Given contemporary companies’ market strategies of focusing on their competitive advantages, most of them have externalized their software production to outsourced services. Therefore, the call for software tenders has become a common step in the software life cycle. In this paper, we present a tool which aids non-experts to specify call for software tenders. The motivation was Chile situation of most of rural and semi-urban city halls which do not have engineering teams to build call for software tenders. We describe the problem in terms of lack of competitiveness and empty biddings generated by low quality calls for tenders. As a second step, we show the technical considerations to develop the proposed tool and its features. We include an initial tool perception from a first group of users.
文摘Tender price indices (TPI) remain an optimum process for predicting tender prices. There have been several indices’ developments in the Ghanaian Building Industry (GBI) to help in cost management practices, for instance, building cost indices, and material indices among others. Notwithstanding, there are no indices for forecasting tender price at the design stage of building projects in the Ghanaian Building Industry. The motivation of this study is to develop tender price indices that would facilitate easy prediction of the initial cost of building projects. Through a thorough literature review and secondary data collection, the index was formulated using Laspeyres with Excel spreadsheet for the actual index. The variables considered include preliminaries and measured work sections which include the substructure, concrete work, reinforcement, masonry, lining/sheathing, window/door/stairs, metalwork, surface finishes, sanitary appliances/fitting and electrical supply/power light system of the Bills of Quantities. The finding of the study shows that on average there is a change in price of about 4.42 per cent within the eight-year period from 2008 to 2016. The study has developed tender price indices for the Ghanaian Building industry for the facilitation of the easy prediction of the tender prices at the initial design stage, however, the indices have an error margin of ±3. The development of these indices will serve as the basis for further development of other indices in GBI such as locational indices and value-based indices for effective cost management practices.
文摘Since the reform and opening up, the Chinese government has attached growing importance to education, and has invested more resources and funds into higher education. In addition, the government has also invested large amounts of funds and technologies in the infrastructure construction of universities and colleges. The undertakings related to the infrastructure construction of universities and colleges in China are complicated in essence. Therefore, funds and technologies of the highest standards should be introduced. At the same time, external tendering is necessary for some undertakings. Currently, the tendering model adopted by universities and colleges in China is the traditional, which is ridden with some problems to be resolved in the shortest possible period. This paper focuses on the current problems of the tendering model adopted by universities and colleges and their solutions. Taking the tendering model in the undertakings of North China Electric Power University as an example, it notes setbacks of the traditional tendering model, and provides kind of theoretical support for establishing a new tendering model for universities and colleges and the related enterprises in China.