Extended Time Interval Research Articles

Closed loop supply chain networks: Designs for energy and time value efficiency

Product recovery has become a viable option for many industries to realize economic gains while protecting the environment. However, insufficient investment and inefficient supply chains have hampered the viability of reuse and/or recycling because of the extended time intervals between the recycling process of recovery and reuse. Manufacturers and distributors face the challenge and necessity to reduce these process delays in order to recover the maximum value of the returned products through an effective, responsive closed loop supply chain (CLSC). This paper quantitatively measures the effective responsiveness of the CLSC model in terms of time and energy efficiency. The proposed multi-objective mixed integer linear programming (MOMILP) model evaluates delay parameters with decision variables that maximize profit, optimize customer surplus and minimize energy use. The model suggests decision makers may achieve an optimal tradeoff among differing objectives in a multiple-objective CLSC scenario. We employed a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) approach to solve the proposed MOMILP model and compared our approach with the Non-Dominated Sorted Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) for optimal solution. Results of the comparative evolutionary approaches shows that MOPSO outperforms NSGA-II in almost all cases in achieving the best trade-off solutions. Sensitivity analysis carried out to test the robustness of the model confirms that substantially less cost is feasible through the reduction of return process delays. This paper aims to formulate a multi-objective CLSC problem based on a network-flow model measuring the time value to recover maximum assets lost due to delay at different stages of the recycle process. We also developed a particle swarm approach for a multi-objective CLSC. Our study also offers valuable insights for designers wishing to create a product flow network with an optimal capacity level in case of prioritized objectives scenarios.

Delay Between Onset of Symptoms and Surgery in Acute Appendicitis Increases Perioperative Morbidity: A Prospective Study.

Despite significant progress in surgery, controversy persists about timing of appendectomy. Objective of this prospective observational study was to determine associations between time interval from onset of symptoms in appendicitis to appendectomy and postoperative complications. After institutional review board approval, all adult consecutive patients subjected to emergency appendectomy between 1/9/2013 and 1/12/2014 were prospectively enrolled. Data collection included demographics, open vs. laparoscopic appendectomy, comprehensive complication index (CCI), and 30-day follow-up. To determine time-dependent associations between delay of surgery and complications all patients were stratified into subgroups based on 12-h time intervals from onset of abdominal pain to surgery. Primary outcome was complications per CCI in correlation to delay from symptoms to appendectomy. Secondary outcomes included duration of surgery, hospital length of stay (HLOS), and incidence of complication within 30-day follow-up. A total of 266 patients with a mean age of 35.4±14.8years met inclusion criteria. Overall, 83.1% of patients were subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy. Delay to surgery in 12-h increments showed stepwise-adjusted increase in complications per CCI (adj. P=0.037). Also, delay to appendectomy increased significantly duration of surgery and HLOS, respectively (adj. P<0.001 and adj. P<0.001). Overall, 5.7% of patients developed a surgical site infection after hospital discharge. Extended time interval from the onset of initial symptoms to appendectomy is associated with increased complications per CCI, duration of surgery, and HLOS in acute appendicitis. Prompt appendectomy in acute appendicitis is warranted.

Hair Analysis for the Retrospective and Prospective Consume-Monitoring: Substance Abuse, Abstinence- and Compliance Control

The possibilities and applications of modern hair analytics have rapidly developed in recent years. The compounds that can be detected in hair comprise, next to a multitude of drugs, also medications, alcohol markers, and endogenous compound like the stress hormone cortisol. Hair analysis is suitable for both forensic and clinical applications because it enables a retrospective overview of the consumption behavior during an extended time interval.

Impact of Genetic Predispositions, Diet, and Environment on Storage of Red Blood Cells

It remains controversial whether or not transfusions of human red blood cells (RBCs), which have been refrigerator-stored for extended time intervals, induce or exacerbate clinically-relevant adverse effects in recipients. The described effects include infection, inflammation, renal dysfunction, thrombosis, and even death. It is also controversial whether such effects are seen in particular patient populations predisposed to these types of complications, or whether they are universal. To this end, multiple bench research studies, clinical/translational studies, and prospective randomized controlled trials are currently investigating these issues. What is not controversial is that refrigerated storage produces the "RBC storage lesion" and that this worsens in proportion to increasing storage time, such that, at the FDA-mandated 42-day outdate, on average, only 75% of transfused donor RBCs are still circulating in the recipient at 24-hours post-transfusion. It is also not controversial that RBCs obtained from some healthy volunteer donors do not store well and, at outdate, have a 24-hour post-transfusion recovery (PTR) of significantly less than 75% (i.e., "poor storers"). Analogously, RBCs from some donors store extremely well and may exhibit virtually 100% 24-hour PTR at outdate (i.e., "super storers"). Understanding the underlying mechanisms for these phenomena would allow implementation of various approaches to improve the blood supply, with an ultimate goal of virtually 100% 24-hour PTR and normal long-term circulatory lifespan of transfused RBCs. This goal is especially relevant in the chronic transfusion setting (e.g., patients with sickle cell anemia or beta-thalassemia). Similar observations have been made about hemolysis ex vivo (i.e., "in the bag") during refrigerated storage, which influences the amount of free hemoglobin infused during the transfusion procedure. There is also evidence that these RBC storage characteristics are stable in "poor" and "super" donors, suggesting that genetic, dietary, and/or environmental factors are involved. Indeed, using inbred strains of mice, there is clear evidence that genetic and dietary factors can significantly influence donor RBC storage quality, when measured as 24-hour PTR and/or ex vivo hemolysis. In addition, human genetic polymorphisms, particularly in racial/ethnic groups enriched for malaria-induced traits, result in abnormal expression or abnormal function of various RBC proteins, including hemoglobin and cytosolic enzymes, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. There is increasing evidence that these polymorphisms can influence the ability of human RBCs to tolerate standard conditions of refrigerated storage. Harnessing this information will result in new methods for improving the quality of the blood supply and, consequently, improving patient responses to transfusion therapy. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Applications and limitations of thermobarometry in migmatites and granulites using as an example rocks of the Araçuaí Orogen in southern Bahia, including a discussion on the tectonic meaning of the current results

In southern Bahia, there are outcrops of migmatites and granulites in the Jequitinhonha Complex, which is part of the northern portion of the Araçuaí Orogen. Migmatites (garnet-cordierite diatexite) dominate the metamorphic rocks and host lenses and layers of felsic garnet granulite. The conditions of temperature and pressure of metamorphism were calculated using conventional thermobarometry and the software THERMOCALC. Values around 850 °C and 7 kbar were obtained with THERMOCALC. The calculations for the garnet-cordierite diatexite were made considering aH2O equal to 1, but the best results of calculations for the granulites are obtained with aH2O values of 0.3. Pressure values obtained with GAPES resulted in consistent values with THERMOCALC, but the pair garnet-orthopyroxene always produces low values for temperature and high ones for pressure. The results are consistent with the presence of the pair garnet and cordierite in diatexite and orthopyroxene in felsic granulite. From the tectonic point of view, the setting in which metamorphism of these rocks occurred requires high heat flow with a thermal anomaly in mid continental crust, as indicated by values of 7 kbar. Recent studies have favored the closure of a back-arc basin for this tectonic setting, but it does not solve the problem that the time span between metamorphic peak and the end of granite intrusions, involving large bodies of charnockite, is more than 80 million years. The model of tectonic switching is suggested here as it can explain the maintenance of high temperatures for a more extended interval of time.

Design of smart HPMA copolymer-based nanomedicines

The state-of-the art in water-soluble macromolecular therapeutics has been reviewed. First the design principles for polymer-drug conjugates are discussed followed by two recent developments in the field: a) The design, synthesis and properties of backbone degradable N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-drug conjugates. The enhanced intravascular half-life of such conjugates creates a concentration gradient (blood vs. tumor) for an extended time interval resulting in increased solid tumor accumulation by enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect with concomitant increase in efficacy. b) Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics is a new paradigm in macromolecular therapeutics. Apoptosis in malignant cell is induced by crosslinking of cell surface non-internalizing receptors. Crosslinking of receptors is mediated by the biorecognition of two nanoconjugates containing high-fidelity complementary motifs (peptides or oligonucleotides). Results for the treatment of B cell lymphomas in animal models and patient cells demonstrate the high translational potential of this approach.

Information transfer through a signaling module with feedback: A perturbative approach

Signal transduction in biological cells is effected by signaling pathways that typically include multiple feedback loops. Here we analyze information transfer through a prototypical signaling module with biochemical feedback. The module switches stochastically between an inactive and active state; the input to the module governs the activation rate while the output (i.e., the product concentration) perturbs the inactivation rate. Using a novel perturbative approach, we compute the rate with which information about the input is gained from observation of the output. We obtain an explicit analytical result valid to first order in feedback strength and to second order in the strength of input. The total information gained during an extended time interval is found to depend on the feedback strength only through the total number of activation/inactivation events.

Analysis of Temperature Profiles and Cycle Time in a Large-Scale Medical Waste Incinerator

Temperature profiles and cycle times in a large-scale medical waste incinerator installed in a referral hospital were used to assess the performance and functionality of incinerator. The study was conducted using data collected from 8 cycles per days for 67 days. For proper combustion and destruction of toxic components in the primary chamber and destruction of pollutants and toxic components in the flue gas, it is desired to reach the maximum temperature in the chambers faster and maintain this maximum temperature for an extended time interval. The primary and secondary temperatures T1 and T2, respectively, were recorded at an interval of one minute for different cycles. Different amounts of wastes with varying proportions of sharps and other wastes were loaded into the incinerator and temperature profiles recorded. The analysis shows that the incinerator works at primary temperature less than the required recommended by manufacturer while the secondary chamber operates between 600 and above 950℃, although higher temperatures up to 1020℃ were observed. The average load preparation time was observed to be 14.6 minutes, while the chamber preheating time before daily initial loading was 25.45 minutes. Both temperature profiles were observed to have similar shapes for all combustion cycles studied, except when incinerator malfunctioning occurred. The average cycle time was established to be 32.7 minutes and 28.97 minutes based on time to drop to 550℃ after the maximum temperature and loading time intervals, respectively, although longer cycle times were observed. Temperature drop in both combustion chambers as a result of waste charging was observed in the interval of 5 minutes. The chamber heating rate was observed to decrease exponentially with time during both preheating and incineration operation.

93. Combined treatment of rectal cancer–A novel approach

Background: The aim of this study is to estimate efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of rectal cancer with short course radiotherapy (SCRT) combined with different fluoropyrimidines and extended time interval to radical surgery.

Visible-light organic photocatalysis for latent radical-initiated polymerization via 2e⁻/1H⁺ transfers: initiation with parallels to photosynthesis.

We report the latent production of free radicals from energy stored in a redox potential through a 2e–/1H+ transfer process, analogous to energy harvesting in photosynthesis, using visible-light organic photoredox catalysis (photocatalysis) of methylene blue chromophore with a sacrificial sterically hindered amine reductant and an onium salt oxidant. This enables light-initiated free-radical polymerization to continue over extended time intervals (hours) in the dark after brief (seconds) low-intensity illumination and beyond the spatial reach of light by diffusion of the metastable leuco-methylene blue photoproduct. The present organic photoredox catalysis system functions via a 2e–/1H+ shuttle mechanism, as opposed to the 1e– transfer process typical of organometallic-based and conventional organic multicomponent photoinitiator formulations. This prevents immediate formation of open-shell (radical) intermediates from the amine upon light absorption and enables the “storage” of light-energy without spontaneous initiation of the polymerization. Latent energy release and radical production are then controlled by the subsequent light-independent reaction (analogous to the Calvin cycle) between leuco-methylene blue and the onium salt oxidant that is responsible for regeneration of the organic methylene blue photocatalyst. This robust approach for photocatalysis-based energy harvesting and extended release in the dark enables temporally controlled redox initiation of polymer syntheses under low-intensity short exposure conditions and permits visible-light-mediated synthesis of polymers at least 1 order of magnitude thicker than achievable with conventional photoinitiated formulations and irradiation regimes.

The incidence and temporal patterning of insomnia: a second study

Whether subjects with insomnia exhibit good sleep on some interval basis is unclear. Prior research suggests that patients with insomnia are highly variable with respect to night-to-night sleep continuity, that more than 40% of patients exhibit temporal patterning of good sleep, and that nearly 90% of patients exhibit better than average sleep following 1 to 3 nights of relatively poor sleep. The aim of the present study was to replicate and extend the above-noted findings utilizing: (i) a large sample studied over an extended time interval (ii) absolute standards for 'good' and 'poor' sleep; and (iii) a formal statistical methodology to assess temporal patterning and the association of time in bed with bout duration of poor or average sleep. Thirty-three subjects with insomnia and 33 good sleepers completed sleep diaries over the course of 110 days. It was found that subjects with insomnia (compared to good sleepers) had more poor nights (e.g. about 39 versus 7% of the assessed nights), a higher probability of a having a poor night on any given occasion (60% greater probability than good sleepers) and more consecutive nights of poor sleep between good sleep nights (median bout duration of approximately three versus one night). Lastly, it was found that (as would be predicted by both the Spielman model and the two-process model) time in bed moderated bout duration in the insomnia group. That is, longer times in bed were associated with longer bouts of poor sleep.

Nasal Cycle Pattern Can Transform Into Another Form Over Time

The nasal cycle is a physiologic phenomenon which is affected by some internal and external agents. This study aimed to determine the changes of nasal cycle in healthy subjects over time. The measurements of nasal cycle were made by using a rhinomanometer during 6 h with 30 min intervals in a total of 18 healthy volunteers. The measurements were repeated after 3 months to detect the alteration of nasal resistance over time. The results for the left and right nostril plotted graphically and then patterns of fluctuation in nasal patency were divided into the four categories as mentioned before in literature. We detected a classic pattern of nasal cycle in 6 of 18 healthy volunteers, noncyclic nose in two individuals and irregular pattern in 10 of them in first rhinomanometry measurements. In second measurements after 3 months, seven subjects exhibited different pattern from that in first examination. One participant who had noncyclic nose 3 months ago transformed to irregular pattern and two subjects present noncyclic nose which showed irregular pattern in first measurements. We strikingly detected the changes in the types and presence of nasal cycles over time and suggested that nasal cycle measurements should be made in extended time intervals.

Delay of gratification by orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in the accumulation task.

There is considerable evidence indicating that chimpanzees can delay gratification for extended time intervals, particularly in the accumulation task in which food items accumulate within a participant's reach until the participant begins to consume them. However, there is limited evidence that other ape species might also exhibit this capacity, despite there being a number of similar studies indicating that nonape species (e.g., monkeys and birds) can delay gratification, but not for nearly as long as chimpanzees. To help define the taxonomic distribution of delay of gratification behavior in the order Primates, we tested 6 orangutans in the current experiments and compared their performance with comparable data from a previous study with capuchin monkeys. We varied delay length and visibility of the items that were still available for accumulation to determine the impact of these factors on performance. Species differences on the accumulation task emerged when comparing the current data to data from a previous study. Orangutans outperformed capuchin monkeys, suggesting that ape species may generally show better delay of gratification and delay maintenance abilities than monkeys. However, more studies are necessary to rule out alternative hypotheses on the distribution of delay maintenance abilities across primate species.

AMIA board of directors response to Simborg perspective

AMIA board of directors response to Simborg perspective

Inter-individual differences in successful perspective taking during pain perception mediates emotional responsiveness in self and others: An fMRI study

Human empathy is an important component of social cognition that involves complex processes of emotional perspective taking and the issue of self/other distinction. Empathic perception enables us to experience negative emotions when someone else undergoes painful events. We investigated the influence of an extended time interval (10s) and subjective performance evaluation (following each trial) of perspective taking on the cortical and subcortical correlates of pain empathy in eighteen healthy subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Subjects were presented pictures of hands and feet in painful and non-painful situations. They were instructed to simply view the picture (View) or adopt either their own perspective (Self) or the perspective of a third-person (Other). Prolonged time intervals of stimulus presentation enabled the analysis of different perspective taking processes (Self versus Other). Enhanced activation in the left supramarginal gyrus was detected for adopting the Self compared to the Other perspective. Time course analysis showed an early peak in the trials, suggesting that taking the first-person perspective is an intuitive more automatic process. The comparison between the Other and Self condition evoked stronger activity in dorso- and ventrolateral prefrontal areas and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). For these areas, a peak in the later phase of the trials was found, suggesting that taking the third-person perspective requires more effort and is an ongoing process. This was also supported by the fact that the participants were subjectively more successful in adopting the Self perspective compared to the Other. Our findings support that especially during the Other condition, prolonged time periods seem to facilitate empathic responses. Individual ratings of performance enabled the comparison between subjects that were successful and unsuccessful at taking the Self or Other perspective. For Self, differential activations were found in the left insula and postcentral gyrus. For Other, differential activations were mainly observed in the left pallidum, bilateral VLPFC, the right middle orbitofrontal cortex OFC and the middle cingulate cortex (MCC). These results suggest that trial-specific success ratings allow us to disentangle differences between effort-related and successful engagement in perspective taking. These two adjustments to the well-known paradigm showed new insight into the aspects of perspective taking during pain perception.

Optimizing insurance and reinsurance in the dynamic Cramér-Lundberg model

We find optimal (from the insurer's point of view) strategies for insurance and reinsurance in a controllable Cramer-Lundberg risk process that describes the capital dynamics of an insurance company over an extended time interval. As the optimality criterion being minimized, we use the stationary variation coefficient, taking into account additional constraints on residual risks for both insurers and reinsurer. We establish that it is best to use stop-loss reinsurance with an upper limit and insurance which is a combination of a stop-loss strategy and franchise. We derive equations that define optimal strategy parameters.

On the feasibility of characterizing jovian auroral electrons via [formula omitted] infrared line-emission analysis

Here we investigate the feasibility of characterizing the jovian auroral electron energy and flux via H3+ infrared (IR) emission line analysis. Ground based telescopes can monitor jovian infrared auroral activities continuously for an extended time interval compared to the more restricted temporal coverage of ultraviolet (UV) observations. Since the departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) varies with vibrational levels and altitude, measurements of the relative emission line intensities reveal the altitude of emission and hence the electron energy. The combination of three H3+ line-intensity ratios is required to determine the electron energy and the background temperature. The feasibility issue is evaluated by studying how the observational error propagates into the error of the estimated electron energy. We have found several best sets of H3+ lines from which the intensity-ratios can be utilized for the present purpose. Using these lines in the observed 2- and 4- micron wavelength ranges, we can estimate the electron energy and the background temperature within errors of a factor of ∼3.5% and 3%, respectively, if the observation error is 1%. Since saturnian H3+ emissions vary far more substantially according to temperature variations, the method described here is not applicable to observations of Saturn.

Palynostratigraphy and age correlation of subsurface strata within the sub-basins in Singrauli Gondwana Basin, India

In the study area, changes in the facies of sediments and spores-pollen content appear to be all causally linked with the depositional set-up. Here, the qualitative and quantitative changes observed in the spores-pollen assemblages have led to recognize 10 Assemblage-zones representing from that earliest Permian in the Talchir Formation to that latest Late Triassic in the Parsora Formation. These spores-pollen assemblages are obtained from the wider parts in the Singrauli Gondwana Basin that includes (i) Moher sub-basin (boreholes SSM-1 and 2), and (ii) Singrauli main sub-basin (boreholes SMJS-2, 3 and SMBS-1). The progressively changing spores-pollen content infer the hiatuses of varied magnitude in the sedimentary sequences during the extended time interval of Permian and Triassic.

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma arising in a smallpox scar

BackgroundCutaneous leiomyosarcoma (CLM) is a very rare smooth muscle tumour that accounts for about 2–3% of all superficial soft tissue sarcomas. Although the development of various malignancies in scar tissue is well known, we report the first case of a CLM developing in a small pox scar.Case presentationA 66-year-old man presented with a painless, slow-growing lump in a small pox scar on his left shoulder. Histological biopsies showed the lesion to be a primary, well-differentiated cutaneous leiomyosarcoma. A CT scan of the thorax was conducted, which showed no signs of metastases. The complete lesion was then surgically excised, and histopathological examination revealed a radically excised cutaneous type leiomyosarcoma After 13 months’ review the patient was doing well with no evidence of tumour recurrence.ConclusionsThis is the first report of a CLM arising in a small pox scar. Although the extended time interval between scarring and malignant changes makes it difficult to advise strict follow-up for patients with small pox scars, one should be aware that atypical changes and/or symptoms occurring in a small pox scar could potentially mean malignant transformation.

AGILE detection of Cygnus X-3γ-ray active states during the period mid-2009/mid-2010

Cygnus X-3 (Cyg X-3) is a well-known microquasar producing variable emission at all wavelengths. Cyg X-3 is a prominent X-ray binary producing relativistic jets, and studying its high energy emission is crucial for the understanding of the fundamental acceleration processes in accreting compact objects. Aims. Our goal is to study extreme particle acceleration and {\gamma}-ray production above 100 MeV during special spectral states of Cyg X- 3 usually characterized by a low hard X-ray flux and enhanced soft X-ray states. We observed Cyg X-3 with the AGILE satellite in extended time intervals from 2009 Jun.-Jul., and 2009 Nov.-2010 Jul. We report here the results of the AGILE {\gamma}-ray monitoring of Cyg X-3 as well as the results from extensive multiwavelength campaigns involving radio (RATAN-600, AMI-LA and Mets\"{a}hovi Radio Observatories) and X-ray monitoring data (XTE and Swift). We detect a series of repeated {\gamma}-ray flaring activity from Cyg X-3 that correlate with the soft X-ray states and episodes of decreasing or non-detectable hard X-ray emission. Furthermore, we detect {\gamma}-ray enhanced emission that tends to be associated with radio flares greater than 1 Jy at 15 GHz, confirming a trend already detected in previous observations. The source remained active above 100 MeV for an extended period of time (almost 1.5 months in 2009 Jun.-Jul. and 1 month in 2010 May). We study in detail the short timescale {\gamma}-ray flares that occurred before or near the radio peaks. Our results confirm the transient nature of the extreme particle acceleration from the microquasar Cyg X-3. A series of repeated {\gamma}-ray flares shows correlations with radio and X-ray emission confirming a well established trend of emission. We compare our results with Fermi-LAT and MAGIC TeV observations of Cyg X-3.