Occupation Time Research Articles

Impact of tracheal extubation location after surgical procedures on peri-operative times: a prospective dual-centre observational study.

Extubation of the trachea in the operating theatre may increase the time spent there. Conversely, tracheal extubation in the post-anaesthesia care unit may prolong the duration of anaesthesia and increase the incidence of complications. Our primary objective was to quantify the additional occupancy time associated with tracheal extubation in the operating theatre compared with the post-anaesthesia care unit. Secondary objectives were to assess the incidence of complications after tracheal extubation, including the need for ventilatory support. This was a prospective dual-centre observational cohort study of patients whose tracheas were intubated for surgery in the operating theatre of two university hospitals. The primary endpoint was operating theatre occupancy time between the end of surgical procedure and discharge from the operating theatre. In total, 756 patients were included, and 494 (65.3%) tracheal extubations occurred in the operating theatre. Room occupancy time was increased by 7 min (95%CI 5-8 min, p = 0.001) when tracheal extubation was performed in the operating theatre compared with the post-anaesthesia care unit. After adjustment by matched or weighted propensity score, this time increased to 8 min (95%CI 6-10 min, p = 0.001) and 8 min (95%CI 6-9 min, p = 0.001), respectively. Desaturation after tracheal extubation (20.9% vs. 36.3%, p < 0.001) and arterial hypotension (0.6% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.019) were less frequent when tracheal extubation took place in the operating theatre. Tracheal extubation in the operating theatre is associated with an increase in theatre occupancy of < 8 min and a lower incidence of postoperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

Landscapes through Time: Geoarchaeological Perspectives on Late Holocene Changes at Pefkakia, Thessaly

ABSTRACT The Pefkakia archaeological site, located in Thessaly, is known have been inhabited since the Late Neolithic up to Hellenistic times, with a temporary harbor during the Late Bronze Age. The first palaeogeographical research in the area pointed to landscape transformation during the Holocene due to marine transgression. In this study, we applied multidisciplinary geoarchaeological research (coring and palaeoecological analyses) supported by AMS dating to reconstruct landscape changes during particular periods of prehistory. According to the results, the maximum marine transgression occurred around the beginning of the Late Holocene and cut off a part of the prehistoric site (Magoula) from the mainland. The water body changed from a marine to marshy environment owing to possible tectonic uplift or erosion. The time of this change was dated to the 2nd half of the 2nd mill.BC, at the time of the Late Bronze Age occupation of the site. The final change to the terrestrial environment, possibly by anthropogenic deposition, is dated to the 4th/3rd c.BC when the ancient city of Demetrias was functioning. Our study indicates significant changes in the environment surrounding the site of Pefkakia, thus enabling interpretation of functional aspects of human adaptation.

Impact of morbid obesity on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node staging.

Impact of morbid obesity on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node staging.

Functional limits for “tied down” occupation time processes of infinite ergodic transformations

Functional limits for “tied down” occupation time processes of infinite ergodic transformations

Molecular mapping and functional validation of GLP-1R cholesterol binding sites in pancreatic beta cells.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins which closely interact with their plasma membrane lipid microenvironment. Cholesterol is a lipid enriched at the plasma membrane with pivotal roles in the control of membrane fluidity and maintenance of membrane microarchitecture, directly impacting on GPCR stability, dynamics, and function. Cholesterol extraction from pancreatic beta cells has previously been shown to disrupt the internalisation, clustering, and cAMP responses of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B1 GPCR with key roles in the control of blood glucose levels via the potentiation of insulin secretion in beta cells and weight reduction via the modulation of brain appetite control centres. Here, we unveil the detrimental effect of a high cholesterol diet on GLP-1R-dependent glucoregulation in vivo, and the improvement in GLP-1R function that a reduction in cholesterol synthesis using simvastatin exerts in pancreatic islets. We next identify and map sites of cholesterol high occupancy and residence time on active vs inactive GLP-1Rs using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (cgMD) simulations, followed by a screen of key residues selected from these sites and detailed analyses of the effects of mutating one of these, Val229, to alanine on GLP-1R-cholesterol interactions, plasma membrane behaviours, clustering, trafficking and signalling in INS-1 832/3 rat pancreatic beta cells and primary mouse islets, unveiling an improved insulin secretion profile for the V229A mutant receptor. This study (1) highlights the role of cholesterol in regulating GLP-1R responses in vivo; (2) provides a detailed map of GLP-1R - cholesterol binding sites in model membranes; (3) validates their functional relevance in beta cells; and (4) highlights their potential as locations for the rational design of novel allosteric modulators with the capacity to fine-tune GLP-1R responses.

Effects of workplace interventions on sedentary behaviour and physical activity: an umbrella review with meta-analyses and narrative synthesis.

Effects of workplace interventions on sedentary behaviour and physical activity: an umbrella review with meta-analyses and narrative synthesis.

Robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy in endometrial cancer: An observational study in a French tertiary teaching hospital at the beginning of the learning curve.

Robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy in endometrial cancer: An observational study in a French tertiary teaching hospital at the beginning of the learning curve.

Awake stapedectomy under hypnoanalgesia: Efficacy and safety in the treatment of otosclerosis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of awake stapedectomy under hypnoanalgesia (HA) compared to general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA) in patients with otosclerosis. A single-center retrospective study included 131 adult patients (mean age: 49 years; 78% female) who underwent laser stapedectomy between 2020 and 2022: 58 GA, 23 LA, 50 HA. Primary outcome measures comprised operative room occupancy time, anesthetic consumption, and postoperative audiometric results. HA significantly reduced operative room occupancy time (73.5±18.6min vs 103.7±24.6min in GA, P<0.001; vs 81.8±20.5min in LA, P=0.092), stapedectomy duration (39.9±12.4min vs 48.9±21.5min in GA, P=0.0252; vs 38.9±13.2min in LA, P=0.4601), preoperative time (30.2±9.5min vs 45.7±9.5min in GA, P<0.001; vs 38.6±12.2min in LA, P=0.0022), and recovery room time (26±15.1min vs 67.5±20.7min in GA, P<0.001; vs 47.4±20.7min in LA, P<0.001). HA also significantly reduced remifentanil consumption (169.8±101.6μg vs 848.6±308.8μg in GA, P<0.001; vs 323.9±94.4μg in LA, P<0.001). Postoperative audiometric outcomes showed no significant differences between groups. Hypnoanalgesia for awake stapedectomy provided significantly greater efficacy compared to general anesthesia, reducing operative time and anesthetic consumption, with comparable audiometric outcomes.

Silver and Gold: Sino-Japanese Competition in Manchuria during the 1930s World Depression

The World Depression was crucial both for the histories of China and Japan and for the relationship between the two countries. This study of Manchuria examines how a side effect of the Depression—changes in the value of silver-based currencies in relation to gold-based ones—influenced the relationship through competition between Chinese and Japanese enterprises. To begin with, the decline in the value of silver increased the competitiveness of a series of new Chinese enterprises established with the support of the regional warlord regime. In political terms, the intensified competition exacerbated Sino-Japanese tensions and contributed to a perception of crisis among Japanese nationalists, providing a pretext for demanding a more assertive policy in Manchuria, thus influencing at least the timing of the Japanese occupation of the region. From 1932, the silver-based currencies began to rise against the yen, and the earlier mechanisms were reversed, though other more powerful factors were also at work.

Konrad Wagner and the conflict at the Department of Anatomy during the occupation.

During World War II, the Norwegian Nazi Party (Nasjonal Samling) tried to use the academic community to promote its ideology. In 1941, a conflict broke out between prosector Konrad Wagner and Professor Kristian Schreiner at the Department of Anatomy, University of Oslo, which escalated into an issue with political overtones. The primary sources for the article are the National Treason Archives, which contain Wagner's file in the form of 421 digitised pages, as well as the National Archives of Norway's digital archives and the National Library of Norway's online collection. Wagner resigned from his position at the department in January 1941 due to what he perceived as harassment from Schreiner. Despite the accusations being rather trivial, the matter became politicised, particularly due to Wagner's contact with the Norwegian Nazi Party and his attempts to have Schreiner removed. The conflict led to a deep division at the department and resulted in Wagner's resignation. He then became the Secretary-General of the Nazi-controlled Norwegian Medical Association for two years. In the final part of the war, he participated in the German medical service. In the post-war treason trials, Wagner was sentenced to five years of forced labour. The conflict illustrates the fragile balance between scientific autonomy and political pressure, and shows how personal and political disagreements escalated in a time of war and occupation.

Innovative Technologies for Smarter and Efficient Operating Room Scheduling.

An optimized scheduling system for surgical procedures is considered fundamental for maximizing hospital resource utilization and improving patient outcomes. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and New Technologies is paramount in this project to enable personalized patient care and optimize perioperative clinical pathways. We read with interest the manuscript by Parks et al., which developed a predictive model of surgical case durations. The model appears to adopt a pragmatic approach by analyzing tangible variables and undergoing validation across various types of surgical procedures, which suggests potential avenues for enhancing efficiency and sustainability in healthcare practices. However, we have some observations, particularly regarding the feasibility and practical implementation of the proposed model. A key limitation of the model is the precise definition of surgical duration, which requires further specification. To effectively translate the model into a practical scheduling approach, it is essential to consider total Operating Room (OR) occupancy time as a critical determinant of surgical planning and resource allocation. This includes not only the actual procedural time but also preoperative preparation, anesthesia induction and recovery, cleaning, and material restocking, all of which significantly impact overall scheduling efficiency. Another critical aspect concerns the quality and reliability of the input data, which is fundamental for ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the model. Furthermore, the adoption of new technologies should be regarded not merely as an innovation but as a means to develop high-performance, efficient tools that enhance current clinical practice. In this context, machine learning models should not only serve as analytical instruments but also as actionable tools, enabling the transition from predictive insights to strategic planning and optimized scheduling, ultimately improving decision-making and resource allocation. While making accurate predictions is a good starting point, maintaining an active AI model requires investment in resources, such as an increase in the number of surgical cases compared to the current organizational system. It may be beneficial to consider the creation of a multidisciplinary group that could promote the integration of AI with other emerging technologies.

A bi-objective optimization approach for scheduling electric ground-handling vehicles in an airport

To reduce airport operating costs and minimize environmental pollution, converting ground-handling vehicles from fuel-powered to electric ones is inevitable. However, this transformation introduces complexity in scheduling due to additional factors, such as battery capacities and charging requirements. This study models the electric ground-handling vehicle scheduling problem as a bi-objective integer programming model to address these challenges. The objectives of this model are to minimize the total travel distance of vehicles serving flights and the standard deviation of the total occupancy time for each vehicle. In order to solve this model and generate optimal scheduling solutions, this study combines the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm 2 (NSGA2) with the large neighborhood search (LNS) algorithm, proposing a novel NSGA2-LNS algorithm. A dynamic priority method is used by the NSGA2-LNS to construct the initial population, thereby speeding up the convergence. The NSGA2-LNS employs the LNS algorithm to overcome the problem that metaheuristic algorithms often lack clear directions in the process of finding solutions. In addition, this study designs the correlation-based destruction operator and the priority-based repair operator in the NSGA2-LNS algorithm, thereby significantly enhancing its ability to find optimal solutions for the electric ground-handling vehicle scheduling problem. The algorithm is verified using flight data from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and is compared with manual scheduling methods and traditional multi-objective optimization algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that the NSGA2-LNS can rapidly solve the scheduling problem of allocating electric ground-handling vehicles for hundreds of flights and produce high-quality scheduling solutions.

Memoirs from the time of military occupation: Romania’s Europeanisation and Germany’s civilising mission (1916-1918)

The occupation policies and the interaction of the Germans with the populations of Eastern Europe have become a topic of interest especially in post- World War II research interested in observing the continuity or discontinuity with the policies adopted by the German authorities in the context of the First World War. But what about Romania? With the attack in the summer of 1916, the Reich Germans' perceptions of Romanians changed fundamentally as it became necessary to inculcate a new image of Romania as an aggressor nation. The official propaganda presented the German combatants with the image of a treacherous Romania and a people dominated by pretense. The German military occupation of Romania ended in the fall of 1918, but the publication of the memoirs of the former combatants did not take the end of the war into account. The memoirs were enriched every year after 1916. In the inter-war years, however, there was also a new impetus in the publicity generated by the need to justify the reasons for the war. German memoirs portray the Romanians as dirty, fickle, cunning and treacherous. Germany’s war in Eastern Europe is thus transformed into a struggle that ultimately reveals the supremacy of German culture. Occupied Romania was not only to be exploited economically but also entrusted to a cultural mission. As is evident from many of the writings written during the war, the victorious Germany discovered a new colonial mission in the East: to transform the backward natives from a savage mob into a civilized people of Europe.

Association of occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviour with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study based on the Inpatient Clinico-Occupational Database of Rosai Hospital Group

ObjectivesWhile there is growing evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the impact of occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviour remains unclear. This study aimed to...

Laws of the iterated logarithm for occupation times of Markov processes

Laws of the iterated logarithm for occupation times of Markov processes

Dynamics of β-cardiac myosin between the super-relaxed and disordered-relaxed states.

The super-relaxed (SRX) state of myosin ATPase activity is critical for striated muscle function, and its dysregulation is linked to cardiomyopathies. It is unclear whether the SRX state exchanges readily with the disordered-relaxed (DRX) state and whether the SRX state directly corresponds to the folded back interacting-heads motif. Using recombinant β-cardiac heavy meromyosin and subfragment 1, which cannot form the interacting-heads motif, we show that the SRX and DRX populations transition at a rate substantially faster than the ATP turnover rate, dependent on myosin head-tail interactions. Some mutations which cause hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathies alter the SRX-DRX equilibrium, but not all mutations. The cardiac myosin inhibitor mavacamten slows nucleotide release by an equal factor for both heavy meromyosin and subfragment 1, thus only indirectly influencing the occupancy time of the SRX state. These findings suggest that purified myosins undergo rapid switching between SRX and DRX states, refining our understanding of cardiomyopathy mechanisms.

Dynamic Modeling of Passenger Car Units for Roundabouts: A Novel Genetic Algorithm Optimization-Based Approach

This paper introduces a novel genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimization model for estimating passenger car units (PCUs) at roundabouts using occupancy time, addressing limitations in the existing methods that overlook traffic heterogeneity. The GA-based model achieved dynamic PCU values with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3%–6% and a maximum error of 9%–10%, ensuring model simplicity and adaptability through the bias–variance trade-off technique. By estimating PCU values for different vehicle classes and analyzing roundabout geometry and traffic parameters, the model demonstrated high prediction accuracy with R-squared values between 0.995 and 0.998. Overfitting and underfitting were addressed by splitting data into training and testing sets and monitoring MAE changes. The model precision, reliability, and robustness were validated using multiple performance metrics. Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis and single-input single-output analysis assessed the relative importance of input parameters.

Use of mobile phone sensing data to estimate residence and occupation times in urban patches: human mobility restrictions and the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in Hermosillo, Mexico

Understanding the impact of population mobility on the spread of infectious diseases is crucial for designing effective interventions. Traditional models, such as origin-destination matrices, often lack the spatial and temporal resolution needed to accurately capture these dynamics. This study addresses this gap by introducing a novel methodology to estimate time-varying occupancy patterns across urban zones (patches) using geospatial data from mobile phones. By leveraging Brownian bridge models at an inhabitant-patch level, we construct a residence-occupation matrix (ROM) that represents the fraction of time individuals spend in each urban patch. We apply this approach to real-world data from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings show that even small shifts in local mobility patterns can significantly alter the epidemic’s trajectory, highlighting the importance of high-resolution mobility data in modeling infectious disease spread. These changes can be patch-specific, and their contribution to the overall evolution depends on the mobility dynamics and population sizes within each patch. The proposed ROM serves as a key input for multi-patch epidemiological models, that in turn, can provide more realistic epidemic forecasts, facilitating the evaluation of the effectiveness of patch-specific and global mobility restrictions, and improving the estimation of epidemiological parameters of such models in related research. Additionally, the ROM framework can be adapted to other patch-based models modeling various phenomena influenced by human mobility.

Career adaptability and graduates’ mental health: the mediating role of occupational future time perspective in higher education in China

This study examines the mediating role of Occupational Future Time Perspective (OFTP) in the relationship between Career Adaptability and Mental Health among college graduates. Using a three-month, three-time-point survey of Chinese graduates (N = 905, ages 25–30), we found that Career Adaptability has a significant direct effect on Mental Health. Among OFTP dimensions, Focus on Opportunities emerged as a key mediator, highlighting its role in linking Career Adaptability to positive mental health outcomes. However, Perceived Remaining Time and Focus on Limitations did not show significant mediation effects. These findings underscore the value of fostering opportunity-focused perspectives in career counseling and educational interventions to support graduates’ mental health.

Feeding Behaviour in Group-Housed Growing-Finishing Pigs and Its Relationship with Growth and Feed Efficiency.

Feed consumption and feeding patterns influence the individual feed efficiency in group-housed livestock species. Using the meal as the unit of feeding behaviour, the main objectives of this research were to identify feeding behaviour (FB) traits that may indicate an individual's rank within the social hierarchy or its level of dominance among pen mates and to assess the relationship between growth and feed efficiency with the identified traits, as well as those describing individual feed consumption patterns. Data from 5516 pigs during the fattening period were used. Pens were equipped with an automatic concentrate feeder that recorded individual feed intake, time spent at the feeder, and body weight at each visit. A meal criterion was established. Then, different FB traits were computed: number of meals, number of visits to complete a meal, occupation time to complete a meal, time between first and last visit within a meal, feeding rate, feeding rate to complete a meal, and interval between meals. Social ranking (SR) traits were also calculated: position/order in which each animal accessed the feeder, ratio of visits to the feeder during preferred times, distribution among the cage mates of the total daily feed, number of visits, number of meals, and occupation time. Pigs that eat more and faster tend to have a poorer feed efficiency and higher final weight. Animals that eat more, more times, and occupy the feeder longer, eat mainly in the preferred period. They could be considered dominant, while others have to adapt their feeding schedules to off-peak times.