Specific Requests Research Articles

Decision-Making at National Level for the Support of Research Infrastructures

The presentation will elaborate on the Dutch decision-making process concerning large-scale research infrastructures at national and European levels. The process involves several stakeholders, from scientists, to funders to Ministries. The Permanent Committee for Scientific Infrastructures (http://www.onderzoeksfaciliteiten.nl/permanente-commissie) plays a high-level decision-making and vision role in this effort. The committee is independent and part of NWO, the Netherland's Research Organisation for Scientific Research, on special request of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. This level of decision making is necessary to participate at the next level within the vision of the European Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. This Roadmap is set up by the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastrcutures (ESFRI, https://www.esfri.eu) and is a portfolio of Research Infrastructures regarded as crucial to shape the European Landscape of scientific Research Infrastrcutures. DiSCCo (Distributed System of Scientific Collections), led by Naturalis (Leiden) is a recent and good example of such an infrastructure that gained a place in the European research infrastructure environment connecting 115 Museums, Botanical Gardens and collection-holding Universities in 21 European countries.

Application of “Element”-Method in Sustainability Assessment

The application of sustainability assessment in the design of buildings for the analysis, assessment and improvement of design variants is still a long way from becoming an everyday activity. Often, it is only carried out to respond to a special request from investors/building owners or in connection with funding programs. To date, sustainability assessment is often considered as an additional task detached from the rest of the design process and primarily serving sustainability certification. This raises the question of how the task of sustainability assessment can be integrated into the design process even better than before and combined with traditional design tasks. One approach is to use the “Element”-method. Relevant parts of the structure are described in terms of their physical composition and construction work to be performed for their production. It is an approach used in the determination of construction costs. The task of checking compliance with a given cost frame/budget already set in client’s brief or at an early design stage comes with a continuous determination and assessment of construction costs along the different design stages. A similar approach can be followed for environmental impacts. The “Element”-method initially supports a combination of LCC and LCA – an approach that is being followed already more frequently. The consideration of elements additionally supports the assessment of the ease of deconstruction and recycling friendliness as well as effects on and risks to health and the local environment. Experiences from Germany will be presented along with a discussion of current applications.

Multi-Location-Aware Joint Optimization of Content Caching and Delivery for Backhaul-Constrained UDN.

Mobile edge caching is regarded as a promising way to reduce the backhaul load of the base stations (BSs). However, the capacity of BSs’ cache tends to be small, while mobile users’ content preferences are diverse. Furthermore, both the locations of users and user-BS association are uncertain in wireless networks. All of these pose great challenges on the content caching and content delivery. This paper studies the joint optimization of the content placement and content delivery schemes in the cache-enabled ultra-dense small-cell network (UDN) with constrained-backhaul link. Considering the differences in decision time-scales, the content placement and content delivery are investigated separately, but their interplay is taken into consideration. Firstly, a content placement problem is formulated, where the uncertainty of user-BS association is considered. Specifically, different from the existing works, the specific multi-location request pattern is considered that users tend to send content requests from more than one but limited locations during one day. Secondly, a user-BS association and wireless resources allocation problem is formulated, with the objective of maximizing users’ data rates under the backhaul bandwidth constraint. Due to the non-convex nature of these two problems, the problem transformation and variables relaxation are adopted, which convert the original problems into more tractable forms. Then, based on the convex optimization methods, a content placement algorithm, and a cache-aware user association and resources allocation algorithm are proposed, respectively. Finally, simulation results are given, which validate that the proposed algorithms have obvious performance advantages in terms of the network utility, the hit ratio of the cache, and the quality of service guarantee, and are suitable for the cache-enabled UDN with constrained-backhaul link.

Valuing the effect of the change of zoning on underdeveloped land using fuzzy real option approach

Underdeveloped land may be subjected to changes in the land regulation system. In this case, the valuation process becomes difficult because of the uncertainty of inputs used in the valuation process. Land may be subject to changes in zoning and a property valuer may face the problem of determining the value of underdeveloped land affected by possible changes in land regulation. According to International Valuation Standards 2017, when appraising underdeveloped land, the valuer must take into account prospective changes in the planning system when defining highest and best use. Although this is a specific request of International Valuation Standards, a methodological problem remains and is particularly relevant in ‘thin’ markets. European Valuation Standards define thin markets as characterised by the fact that “…the number of possible comparables may be limited and few…” (European Valuation Standards, 2016, EVIP 2 Valuation Certainty and Market Risk, para 4.8) The paper proposes a methodology for dealing with such kind of real estate markets for property valuation purposes. To elaborate, empirical application in the urban area of Sassa near the city of L’Aquila in the southeast of Italy shows how this method may also be applied in real estate markets characterized by few observations and changing urban regulations. The proposed model uses binomial real option modelling (Cox et al., 1979). Among others, the model proposes a modification of the original Titman model for the valuation of underdeveloped land (Titman, 1985) This model is combined with possibility theory and fuzzy numbers in order to manage the uncertainty of sources of information. The valuation allows for defining a component of the value of the land that may be helpful in gaining a complete understanding of highest and best use determination.

Reshaping the Multilateral Trade Policy for Korea

This brief discusses the implications of the recent WTO reform efforts led by leading economies and provides a guideline for Korea's multilateral trade policy under fast-changing global economic environment. In particular, the following three areas are of interest in this brief. First, the achievements and limitations of the current multilateral trading system, represented by the WTO are reviewed. Even though the WTO, the legitimate heir and successor of the GATT regime, began with great ambition for greater trade liberalization, its first negotiation round, the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), has failed to deliver as many outcomes as it was expected to. Reasons for such hardship and challenges the WTO faces are examined. Second, this brief asks the implications of the recent WTO reform efforts led by advanced economies such as the U.S, EU, Canada, and Japan. The current WTO reform efforts are different from previous reform discussions in that they are based on more specific demands and requests. Facing such difference in reform efforts, the strategies and policy options of Korean government to respond to such movement are mulled over. Third, an extensive guideline for Korea's multilateral trade policy are suggested. In addition to the aforementioned WTO reform discussion, economies around the world including Korea face fast-evolving global trading environment since the range of trade issues are greatly extending to digital economy, inclusive trade and furthermore. Such trends of global trading environment are identified and summarized, and possible policy suggestions surmounting challenges from those new economic changes are provided.

THE CHANGES IN EATING HABIT AFTER NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION ON ANEMIA MATERNAL

According to WHO (2008), globally the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women worldwide is 41.8%. Anemic pregnant women are wrong factors due to poor diet. Nutrition education is one of the preventive activities in improving the diet of pregnant women. A good diet during pregnancy can help the body overcome special requests for pregnancy, and have a positive influence on the health of the baby. This study aims to determine changes in consumption of eating patterns in anemic pregnant women after being given nutritional education in the city of Palembang. This type of research uses quantitative methods with an experimental desain. The population in this study were pregnant women in Palembang City. The study sample consisted of 41 respondents (18 anemia, 23 normal). The collection technique used random sampling technique. Statistical test results show that there is a significant influence between nutritional education and rice consumption patterns (p-value 0.013), animal protein consumption (p-value 0.015), vegetables (p-value 0.03) in pregnant women. Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2019.51.119125 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.

Method of determination and optimization of the control parameters for an LPCE process

The hydrogen isotopes separation plants have special requests related to safety operation and avoidance of radiological fluid leakage and explosion conditions. For the LPCE, part of the ICSI Rm.Valcea “Experimental Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation”, the process transformation from a laboratory setup into a semi-industrial plant, as well as migration from a local control to an automatically controlled process involves complex activities.The objective of these activities is to identify the functions and sub-functions that must be performed by the equipment configuration in order to satisfy the requirements for operating in safety conditions. That involves monitoring and acquisition of the process parameters, complex parameter control, as well as specific calculation for each control loop from the plant, according to the process requirements (temperatures, flows, pressures).The system developed and described in the present paper is based on a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platform which contains: network communication, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) and HMI (Human Machine Interface). The control of process parameters has been done using the functions from the embedded programmable code of the PLC’s which allows having independent or combinations of PID components: proportional/integrator/derivative. Choosing the right control scheme and tuning PID loops corrects behavior of the system, improves the performance and leads to a safe operation of the LPCE process.

“I Don’t Get It. I Need Help”: Emergent Bilinguals Seeking and Receiving Help From Peers in Language Arts

ABSTRACTThis study examines how emergent bilinguals seek help in language arts and how peers respond to their requests for help. Using 6 months of naturally occurring student talk in a U.S. fourth grade classroom, this article shows that (a) emergent bilinguals more frequently use general requests than specific requests to obtain help, (b) only 41% of emergent bilingual requests for help succeeded in eliciting helpful peer responses, and (c) there is no significant difference between specific and general requests for help and help received. Findings suggest the need for policies and practices that foster the educational environments necessary for peer collaboration that promotes academic understanding.

A Privacy-Preserving and Verifiable Querying Scheme in Vehicular Fog Data Dissemination

Vehicular fog has attracted considerable attention recently, as the densely deployed fog devices are in proximity to vehicular end-users, and they are particularly suitable for the latency-sensitive and location-aware vehicular services. In this paper, we propose a secure querying scheme in vehicular fog data dissemination, in which the roadside units (RSUs) act as fog storage devices to cache data at network edge and disseminate data upon querying. To disrupt the association between a specific data request and its origin vehicle, the proposed scheme exploits an invertible matrix to structure multiple data requests from different vehicles, and aggregates the ciphertexts of data requests at the RSU side with the homomorphic Paillier cryptosystem. Meanwhile, given the invertible matrix and decryption result, the RSU can recover each individual data request without identifying its origin vehicle. In addition, the RSU can verify the correctness of the recovered data requests with an identity-based batch verification scheme. Through security analysis, we demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve the security goals of unlinkability, confidentiality, and verifiability. Performance evaluations are also conducted, in which the obtained results show that the proposed scheme can be adaptive to the fluctuating number of the data querying vehicles, and significantly reduce the computation complexity and communication overhead.

Практика проведения судебной психолого-педагогической экспертизы в ситуации развода родителей

The article presents the data of the study in the framework of forensic psychological and pedagogical examination. It is focused on providing experience in the practice of execution of a court request to a psychologist-expert. The article presents the questions posed by the court, the description of the situation, the main legislative acts. The methods and forms of work of the psychologist on this specific request are also described. Due to the age of the child play techniques were selected for the study that were received very well by the child. A description of the interaction with the child and the interpretation of the results are described. Particularly interesting data obtained from discussions with parents, they are very clearly seen the difference of the positions of father and mother towards child, highly visible features of the relationship of child to parents, parents to the child. They allow you to answer the questions of the court, these answers are also given in the article. The article is accompanied by drawings and research data of the child, which enrich the perception of the results of the study. The listener has his own picture of the tragedy of the family, the experiences of the child. The listener, together with the expert answers questions of court. Undoubtedly, the article will help to draw attention to the psychological assistance to children in the situation of divorce of parents and family in the situation of divorce.

A priority-based queuing system for P2P-SIP call communications control

Regarding the shortcoming of fundamental existing solutions for VoIP communications (e.g., SIP) based on centralisation, both academia and industry have initiated research projects that focus on the integration of peer-to-peer (P2P) paradigms into session initiation protocol (SIP) communication systems (e.g., P2P-SIP). P2P-SIP builds an overlay network to provide efficient, interoperable and flexible SIP-based services. In this paper, we propose a new model for critical calls, that takes into consideration the priority aspect of some specific requests (e.g., emergency calls). The proposed model is generic regarding the P2P underlying and physical architectures. For illustration purposes, we consider Gnutella, as a representative of unstructured P2P networks, and Chord, as a representative of structured P2P networks. In order to validate the proposed solution, a M/M/1 queuing model is considered. Performance evaluations show that the preliminary results are globally satisfactory and that our proposed model under certain conditions is relevant.

Pain: the impulse in the search for health by means of integrative and complementary practices

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relations between the playful component and the process of rehabilitation, treatment, and promotion of health in the context of a group that treats the pain, located in Florianopolis (Brazil). METHODS: The research followed a qualitative approach, a descriptive-exploratory field research. A matrix-guided systematic observation was conducted for two months by the group leader, two volunteers and about 15 participants. A field diary was used to register complementary information. Besides two semi-structured interview guides were used, applied to four members and the person responsible for the group after the two-month observational period. The data were organized and analyzed in three topics: “Characterization of the investigated group and dynamics of the meetings,” “The group as healing potential” and “Lian Gong/Qi Gong as a possibility to look at the pain.” RESULTS: The participants pointed out that working on Lian Gong/Qi Gong, meditation and auriculotherapy contemplating the playful component the group becomes a place of recognition of each one’s pain subjectivity, by the individual that suffers and by the collective, which has fostered the recovery of specific pain and good sensations to those involved, such as happiness, enthusiasm and pleasure. CONCLUSION: The creation of the group and people’s engagement has decreased the number of specific requests for physiotherapy sessions and provided greater autonomy to the participants to handle their own pain.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Pseudoaneurysm after Interrupted Aortic Arch Repair.

Here we describe the case of a 33-year-old woman who was diagnosed with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) type A and who underwent radical surgery in her infancy. She developed a 42-mm anastomotic pseudoaneurysm in the distal aortic arch. We decided to perform thoracic endovascular aortic repair because of the patient’s special request to avoid open surgery. We selected a reversed taper-type leg stent graft for the iliac artery and successfully implanted it without problems. However, the long-term outcomes of the stent graft in young people remain unclear, and careful regular follow-up for a long period is mandatory.

Online cost-rejection rate scheduling for resource requests in hybrid clouds

Abstract The hybrid cloud computing model has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Due to security and controllability of private cloud, some resource requests are required to be scheduled in private parts of hybrid cloud. However, these requests could be rejected because of the resource limitation of private parts of hybrid cloud. In this paper, all resource requests are classified into two categories, i.e., the special requests required to process in private cloud, and the normal requests insensitive in private or public clouds. By considering the normal requests undivided to dispatch a cloud and divided to dispatch different clouds, we propose the online cost-rejection rate scheduling strategy (OCS) for the normal requests undivided, and the online scheduling strategy for some normal requests divided (OCS-divided), which could make suitable requests placement decisions in real-time and minimize the cost of renting public cloud resources with a low rate of rejected requests. Then, we transform both online models into two one-shot optimization problems by taking advantage of Lyapunov optimization techniques, and employ the optimal decay algorithm to solve the one-shot problems. The simulation results demonstrate that our scheduling strategies can achieve the trade-off between cost and rejection rate, and process the real-time resource requests in hybrid clouds. OCS-divided can achieve an average cost saving of about 25% compared with OCS and maximize the resource utilization.

34 MYRE: An e-learning system for radiotherapy

Introduction The size of Radiotherapy (RT) departments makes difficult to organize a complete in-house training for the therapists. In a French center there are often 40 to 50 therapists and treatment time slots are large so it is difficult to achieve a classic training. Moreover the training is mainly achieved by people who are poorly available (physicists, physicians, therapists …). Nevertheless the needs of training are very important. Indeed, RT therapists have a central role in the patient security chain and technologies evolve very quickly. New skills and knowledge are continuously asked (new devices, new treatment techniques or a simple software or hardware update). We present in this work the MYRE (MY Recordable E-Learning) database developed in our cancer center that is a full solution of e-learning of RT therapists. Methods A Microsoft ACCESS database (BDD) was implemented. It contains all the information concerning the therapists and a link to approximately 200 micro-modules. It allows recording and requesting every training act (request can be done for a given therapist, a given module, a year…). These 200 micro-modules are separated in three types: 1. Simple written procedures from the institutional document database that the user must read. 2. Some particular techniques that the user must see. 3. SPOC (Small Private Online Classes): these videos that we made last generally 10 min and are associated to an online multiple-choice test (MCT). This MCT are auto-corrected: the user obtains a score and explanations are given to understand the correct answers. The therapists can access to MYRE in complete autonomy (training, evaluation, and recording of the acquired micro-modules). Results Between January and March 2018, approximately 600 training acts were recorded in MYRE. Special requests were implemented to allow the manager to edit some specific lists like “list of therapists with all the mandatory skills for a given medical device”. Some therapists are involved in the database maintenance and the making of videos and MCT. Conclusion A database with a link to 200 documents (videos or written procedures) was developed and deployed in the department. It allows the therapists to train in full autonomy. In this study we made a lot of videos and observed that they are an effective tool to introduce technical concepts while written procedures are better for the description of tasks. MYRE is well accepted by therapists (results of an internal audit).

31. Impact of DVH sharing and experience level in a multicenter SBRT prostate planning study

Purpose To preliminary evaluate the role of a re-planning phase and Experience Level (EL) in a multi-institutional study for achieving similar plan quality results and for further benchmarking. Methods Each center was provided with 5 anonymized CTs with pre-delineated volumes and was asked to create SBRT plans according to pre-set dose constraints. Dose prescription to PTV was 7 Gy × 5 fr. Dosimetric parameters, modulation index (MItotal) and dynamic parameters for 45 SBRT IMRT/VMAT plans from 9 centers were analyzed. EL was ranked as 1 for “not-experienced SBRT planner” (never planned prostate SBRT) and 2 for “experienced SBRT planner”. After DVH sharing, planners were asked to re-plan the 5th patient, based on the median DVHs from all participants, for improving target homogeneity and further OAR sparing. Results Each center was provided with 5 anonymized CTs with pre-delineated volumes and was asked to create SBRT plans according to pre-set dose constraints. Dose prescription to PTV was 7Gy × 5fr. Dosimetric parameters, modulation index (MItotal) and dynamic parameters for 45 SBRT IMRT/VMAT plans from 9 centers were analyzed. EL was ranked as 1 for “not-experienced SBRT planner” (never planned prostate SBRT) and 2 for “experienced SBRT planner”. After DVH sharing, planners were asked to re-plan the 5th patient, based on the median DVHs from all participants, for improving target homogeneity and further OAR sparing. Conclusions Both OAR dosimetric parameters and the MItotal correlated with planner’s experience. Plan complexity metrics and dose distributions depended on specific dosimetric planning requests and replanning improved results in terms of homogeneity between centers whilst keeping the same level of plan complexity. This indicates that SBRT planning skills could benefit from a replanning phase after DVH sharing among participant, improving plan quality and homogeneity among centers. These results highlight the importance of training as well as the usefulness of feedback strategies from multi-institutional comparisons.

Building Laboratory-Based Arbovirus Sentinel Surveillance Capacity During an Ongoing Dengue Outbreak, Burkina Faso, 2017.

In West Africa, identification of nonmalarial acute febrile illness (AFI) etiologic pathogens is challenging, given limited epidemiologic surveillance and laboratory testing, including for AFI caused by arboviruses. Consequently, public health action to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks is constrained, as experienced during dengue outbreaks in several African countries. We describe the successful implementation of laboratory-based arbovirus sentinel surveillance during a dengue outbreak in Burkina Faso during fall 2017. We describe implementation, surveillance methods, and associated costs of enhanced surveillance during an outbreak response as an effort to build capacity to better understand the burden of disease caused by arboviruses in Burkina Faso. The system improved on existing routine surveillance through an improved case report form, systematic testing of specimens, and linking patient information with laboratory results through a data management system. Lessons learned will improve arbovirus surveillance in Burkina Faso and will contribute to enhancing global health security in the region. Elements critical to the success of this intervention include responding to a specific and urgent request by the government of Burkina Faso and building on existing systems and infrastructure already supported by CDC's global health security program.

Effectiveness of Standard-Dose Thromboprophylaxis with Enoxaparin in Preventing Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism in Pregnancy

Introduction. Pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (PA-VTE) is recognised as a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. There is no international consensus on the optimal thromboprophylaxis strategy in pregnancy. A previous study reported recurrent VTE rates of up to 5.5% in high-risk women despite daily thromboprophylaxis. (Roeters van Lennep et al, J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9:473-80). This study prompted development of a randomised control trial that compares rates of thrombosis using standard-dose LMWH thromboprophylaxis to weight-adjusted intermediate dose LMWH in women at risk of PA-VTE.Method. A retrospective cohort study of women who received thromboprophylaxis for prevention of PA-VTE at National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital between 1998 and 2014. Women were identified using the records of special authority requests for enoxaparin and hospital pharmacy dispensing records. Ethics approval was obtained. Data was collected on patient demographics, VTE risk factors, dose and duration of enoxaparin therapy, PA-VTE rates, haemorrhagic complications, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Exclusions included women given therapeutic or intermediate-dose enoxaparin, those on lifelong anticoagulation, those who received enoxaparin solely for obstetric indications, or those who received it for a limited duration for a transient risk factor. Women received thromboprophylaxis either for six-weeks postpartum only or both antenatally and for six-weeks postpartum, according to local clinical practice.Results Of 157 women who received enoxaparin during pregnancy or in the postpartum, we identified a cohort of 124 women who had 173 pregnancies after exclusions (Figure 1). Of these, 65.5% (n=82) of women had personal history of VTE, the majority (n=57; 69.5%) provoked by either pregnancy or hormonal therapy, 20.7% (n=17) by other factors and 6.4% (n=8) were unprovoked. Eighteen (22.0%) women with previous VTE had an inherited thrombophilia. Of 43 women with no personal history of VTE, 28 (34.4%) women had a family history of VTE, 25 (89.3%) with an inherited thrombophilia. Of 87 pregnancies to women with a history of unprovoked VTE or VTE provoked by pregnancy or hormonal therapy, both antenatal and postpartum thromboprophylaxis was given (79.3%). Standard doses of enoxaparin (40mg) were given in 95.4% of pregnancies, a smaller number given higher (1.2%) and lower (3.5%) doses. One deep vein thrombosis (0.6%) was recorded in a woman of normal weight taking 40mg enoxaparin.Discussion. Higher rates of recurrent VTE (5.5%) are reported in a retrospective cohort of 126 pregnancies in 91 women considered to be at risk of PA-VTE who received thromboprophylaxis predominantly with nadroparin 2850U. An important difference in approach to thromboprophylaxis between our groups was that women with previous VTE in association with pregnancy and hormonal contraception did not routinely receive antenatal thromboprophylaxis but only postpartum. Women in 18 pregnancies in our cohort would not appear to have been recommended thromboprophylaxis in pregnancy following their approach.Conclusions. In this retrospective cohort study of pregnant women at risk of recurrent VTE, we found much lower breakthrough rate of VTE than has previously been reported, at only 0.6%. The majority of women (95.4%) received standard low dose enoxaparin which was not adjusted for perceived VTE risk or weight. These findings call into question the rationale for administering intermediate-dose LMWH to women at high risk of PA-VTE. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

214. Antimicrobial Usage and Outcomes following Laboratory Suppression of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Results for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sputum Cultures

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from sputum cultures do not always require treatment, often representing chronic airways colonization. By releasing sputum P. aeruginosa antimicrobial susceptibility results, only after specific phone request by treating doctors, we aimed to reduce the use of ciprofloxacin without compromising clinical outcomes.MethodsFrom February 26, 2015, antimicrobial susceptibility results for P. aeruginosa in sputum were routinely suppressed except for immunosuppressed, Intensive Care Unit, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis patients. A database search of the Wollongong Hospital Microbiology laboratory information system identified 108 patients with susceptibility results suppressed (February 26, 2015–February 25, 2017), compared with 108 patients where antimicrobial susceptibility results were routinely reported (February 26, 2013–February 25, 2015). Data collected included age, sex, residency, admission date and diagnosis, comorbidities, allergy, empirical and definitive antibiotic treatment, date of sputum culture, resistance patterns of P. aeruginosa, ciprofloxacin usage, antimicrobial stewardship interventions, length of stay, inpatient mortality, and readmission within 30 days.ResultsThe prevalence of P. aeruginosa in sputum cultures was 11% (1,252/11,388). Patient characteristics were comparable in the two groups. Ciprofloxacin use was significantly reduced postintervention [26.9% (29/108) vs. 39.8% (43/108); P = 0.043] as well as Guidance MS approvals [9.03% (87/963) vs. 17.72% (188/1,061); P = 0.000001]. Interrupted time series analysis of this intervention was not associated with a significant change in the rates of ciprofloxacin use. Rates of ciprofloxacin resistance were lower postintervention [2.8% (3/108) vs. 16.7% (18/108); P = 0.0006], reaffirmed by SQL database search of the OMNI-Client [9.30% (32/343) vs. 15.00% (60/399); P = 0.0187]. Ciprofloxacin usage against resistance over time There was no difference in length of stay, 30-day readmission, and mortality.ConclusionThis study offers a successful model of collaboration between the microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial stewardship activity. It showed a reduction in the use of ciprofloxacin with possible influence on P. aeruginosa resistance rates, without affecting patient outcomes.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Exam timetabling with allowable conflicts within a time window

The exam timetabling problem is considered an NP-complete problem and its complexity depends on the different constraints and policies set by an institution’s administration. The goal of this work is to facilitate exam timetabling for Masdar Institute (MI), which is a graduate level institution. Besides the renowned constraint on conflicts for students, MI’s timetabling case includes the incorporation of venues’ limited capacities, special instructor requests, and the number of exams scheduled for one student within a preset window of days. To the best knowledge of the authors, the latter constraint is new to the literature. Moreover, it increases the problem’s complexity since it requires cross-validation on both student and course levels. This contrasts with conventional exam timetabling which only deals with checks on a course level. We introduce an integer programming (IP) formulation that captures all the studied constraints. The proposed formulation can solve small problems using commercial software; however, this formulation’s performance deteriorates as the problem size increases. Therefore, the paper proposes heuristics to solve medium and large sized problems in a timely manner. This study employs graph coloring algorithms that include a new approach, within the steps of the proposed exam timetabling heuristics. Four real-case studies from MI are solved to illustrate the feasibility and competitiveness of the proposed heuristic. Finally, a computational study is presented to benchmark the proposed heuristics against the IP formulation. The results show that the proposed heuristics are capable of obtaining optimal and near-optimal solutions in smaller computational time.