Food industry supply chain planning with product quality indicators

Quantitative supply chain modelling has contributed substantially to a number of fields, such as the automotive industry, logistics and computer hardware. The inherent methods and optimisation techniques could also be explored in relation to the food industry in order to offer potential benefits. One of the major issues of the food industry is to overcome supply seasonality and on-shelf demand. On the shelf demand is the consumer’s in store demand which could also be seasonal. Objective of this work is to add flexibility to seasonal products (i.e. soup) in order to meet the on-shelf demand. In order to achieve this, a preparation process is introduced and integrated into the manufacturing system. This process increases the shelf-life of raw materials before starting the production process. This process, however, affects the quality of fresh raw materials and requires energy. Therefore, a supply chain model is developed, which is based on the link between the quality of the raw material and the processing conditions, which have an effect on the process’ energy consumption and on the overall product quality. It is challenging to quantify the quality by looking at the processing conditions (degrees of freedom) and by linking it with energy in order to control and optimise the quality and energy consumption for each product. The degrees of freedom are defined differently for each process and state. Therefore, the developed model could be applied to all states and processes in order to generate an optimum solution. Moreover, based on the developed model, we have determined key factors in the whole chain, which are most likely to affect the product quality and consequently overall demand. There are two main quality indicator classes to be optimised, which are both considered in the model: static and time dependent indicators. Also, this work considers three different preparation processes – the air-dry, freeze-dry and freezing process – in order to increase the shelf-life of fresh raw materials and to add flexibility to them. A model based on the interrelationship between the quality and the processing conditions has been developed. This new methodology simplifies and enables the model to find the optimum processing conditions in order to obtain optimum quality across all quality indicators, whilst ensuring minimum energy consumption. This model is later integrated into the supply chain system, where it generates optimum solutions, which are then fed into the supply chain model. The supply chain model optimises the quality in terms of customer satisfaction, energy consumption and wastage of the system linked to environmental issues, and cost, so that the final products are more economical. In this system, both the manufacturing and inventory systems are optimised. This model is later implemented with a real world industrial case study (provided by the industrial collaborator). Two case studies are considered (soya milk and soup) and interestingly enough only one of them (soup) corresponds with this model. The advantage of this model is that it compares the two systems and then establishes which system generates an optimum end product.Open Acces

Topic modeling for entity linking using keyphrase

This paper proposes an Entity Linking system that applies a topic modeling ranking. We apply a novel approach in order to provide new relevant elements to the model. These elements are keyphrases related to the queries and gathered from a huge Wikipedia-based knowledge resourcePeer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Magnetohydrodynamics, natural convection and entropy generation of CuO-water nanofluid in an I-shape enclosure - a numerical study

This paper presents a numerical study of the magnetohydrodynamics, natural convection, and thermodynamic irreversibilities in an I-shape enclosure, filled with CuO-water nanofluid and subject to a uniform magnetic field. The lateral walls of the enclosure are maintained at different but constant temperatures, while the top and bottom surfaces are adiabatic. The Brownian motion of the nanoparticles is taken into account and an extensive parametric study is conducted. This involves the variation of Rayleigh and Hartmann numbers, and the concentration of nanoparticles and also the geometrical specifications of the enclosure. Further, the behaviors of streamlines and isotherms under varying parameters are visualized. Unlike that in other configurations, the rate of heat transfer in the I-shaped enclosure appears to be highly location dependent and convection from particular surfaces dominates the heat transfer process. It is shown that interactions between the magnetic field and natural convection currents in the investigated enclosure can lead to some peculiarities in the thermal behavior of the system. The results also demonstrate that different parts of the enclosure may feature significantly different levels of heat transfer sensitivity to the applied magnetic field. Further, the analysis of entropy generation indicates that the irreversibility of the system is a strong function of the geometrical parameters and that the variations in these parameters can minimize the total generation of entropy. This study clearly shows that ignoring the exact shape of the enclosure may result in major errors in the prediction of heat transfer and second law performances of the system

Assessment of Combined Modality Therapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Simulation Study Concerning Concurrent Chemo-Brachytherapy

Although surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage non-small-cell lung carcinoma, almost two-thirds of patients do not have acceptable pulmonary function for extensive surgeries. The alternative approach for this large group of patients is sublobar resection along with low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy (BT). However, patients with resected lungs have a high risk of recurrence and are often treated with platinum-based (Pt-based) chemotherapy (CT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the absorbed doses of lung and other thoracic organs, considering concurrent chemo-BT with LDR sources in two modalities: conventional vs. unconventional Pt-based CT. We used the MCNPX code for simulations and to obtain the lung absorbed dose, dose enhancement factor (DEF), and Pt threshold concentration for the abovementioned modalities. Our results indicate that DEF correlates directly with Pt concentration at prescription point and is inversely correlated with depth. Dose enhancement for conventional CT concurrent with BT is \u3c 2%, while it is \u3e 2% in case of unconventional Pt-based CT wherein the Pt concentration exceeds 0.2 mg/g lung tissue. Also, the absorbed dose of healthy thoracic organs decreased by 2-11% in the latter approach. In conclusion, the concurrent chemo-BT in the lung environment could enhance the therapeutic doses merely by using unconventional CT methods, while lung Pt accumulation exceeds 0.2 mg/g

A Large Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cyst of the Maxilla: A Rare Case Report

Objectives Orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOCs) are relatively uncommon odontogenic cysts, lined by an orthokeratinized epithelium. These cysts show different clinical behaviors from the more common odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), and it is important to distinguish these two types of cysts. Commonly, OOCs manifest as well-defined, unilocular, radiolucent lesions, with a high frequency in the mandibular region. In this case report, we aimed to describe a large maxillary OOC with prominent tooth displacement. Case The patient was a 14-year-old boy with significant painless swelling in the upper jaw. The panoramic radiograph revealed a well-defined, unilocular radiolucent area from midline to the first right maxillary molar with prominent tooth displacement. The lesion was completely excised under local anesthesia. The histopathological sections demonstrated a cystic lesion lined by an orthokeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with a prominent granular cell layer. Conclusion Based on the present results, OOCs can be large in size and may be characterized by ballooning expansion and tooth displacement. Therefore, knowledge of the clinical and radiographic features of these uncommon odontogenic cysts can facilitate an accurate diagnosis

Cognitive dysfunction following desflurane versus sevoflurane general anesthesia in elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial.

UnlabelledAs life expectancy increases, more patients ≥65 years undergo general anesthesia. Anesthetic agents may contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and incidence may differ with anesthetic agents or intraoperative anesthesia depth. Responses to anesthetic adjuvants vary among elderly patients. Processed electroencephalography guidance of anesthetic may better ensure equivalent cerebral suppression. This study investigates postoperative cognitive dysfunction differences in elderly patients given desflurane or sevoflurane using processed electroencephalography guidance.IRB approved, randomized trial enrolled consenting patients ≥65 years scheduled for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia ≥120 minute duration. After written informed consent, patients were randomly assigned to sevoflurane or desflurane. No perioperative benzodiazepines were administered. Cognitive impairment was measured by an investigator blinded to group assignment using mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) at baseline; 1, 6, and 24 hours after the end of anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure was maintained within 20% of baseline. Anesthetic dose was adjusted to maintain moderate general anesthesia per processed electroencephalograpy (Patient State Index 25 to 50). The primary outcome measure was intergroup difference in MMSE change 1 hour after anesthesia (median; 95% confidence interval).110 patients consented; 26 were not included for analysis (no general anesthesia; withdrew consent; baseline MMSE abnormality; inability to perform postoperative MMSE; data capture failure); 47 sevoflurane and 37 desflurane were analyzed. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics; intraoperative mean blood pressure (desflurane 86.4; 81.3 to 89.6 versus sevoflurane 82.5; 80.2 to 86.1 mmHg; p = 0.42) or Patient State Index (desflurane 41.9; 39.0 to 44.0 versus sevoflurane 41.0; 37.5 to 44.0; p = 0.60) despite a lower MAC fraction in desflurane (0.82; 0.77 to 0.86) versus sevoflurane (0.96; 0.91 to 1.03; p < 0.001). MMSE decreased 1 hour after anesthesia (p < 0.001). The decrease at one hour was larger in sevoflurane (-2.5; -3.3 to -1.8) than desflurane (-1.3; -2.2 to -0.5; p = 0.03). MMSE returned to baseline by 6 hours after anesthesia.ConclusionsFor elderly patients in whom depth of anesthesia is maintained in the moderate range, both desflurane and sevoflurane are associated with transient decreases in cognitive function as measured by MMSE after anesthesia, with clinically insignificant differences between them in this setting.Trial registryClinicalTrials.gov NCT01199913

Levels of anxiety and depression as predictors of mortality following myocardial infarction: A 5-year follow-up

Background: Post-myocardial infarction (MI) depression is a highly prevalent disorder, affec­ting nearly 18% of all MI patients, and it is a major predictor of disability in the year post-MI. We sought to expand this analysis by: comparing case-level anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety and depression as predictors of long term mortality during a 5-year follow-up period after MI; and investigating the role of potential modifying and confounding factors. Methods: A total of 285 patients were screened on average 6 days after their MI and a 5-year survival rate was ascertained. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed by patients hospitalized for MI. In addition we tested the BDI × STAI interaction effect. Results: During the 5 years of follow-up, cardiac mortality was assessed in 274 of 285 eligible patients. Of the 274 patients whose survival data were available, 91 (33.2%) died. At entry, BDI score of 192 (67.4%) patients was ≥ 10 and 145 (50.9%) patients had STAI score ≥ 40. Anxiety was not associated with mortality, whereas depression significantly predicted death, but this association was attenuated to non-significance with full adjustment with disease severity and confounders. Conclusions: Depression following MI does not predict longer-term survival with full adjustment.

A positive and elementary stable nonstandard explicit scheme for a mathematical model of the influenza disease

[EN]In this paper, a nonstandard explicit discretization strategy is considered to construct a new nonstandard finite difference scheme for solving a mathematical model of the influenza disease. The new proposed scheme has some interesting properties such as high accuracy and ease of implementation, as well as some preserving properties of the exact theoretical solution of the SIRC system, like positivity and elementary stability. These characteristics make it suitable for solving efficiently the propose model. We provide some numerical comparisons to illustrate our results

Double-diffusive transport and thermodynamic analysis of a magnetic microreactor with non-Newtonian biofuel flow

Magnetic microfuel-reforming is a promising method of biofuel processing in diesel engines. However, the complex interactions amongst the non-Newtonian biofuel flow, magnetic field and reactor have hindered understanding of their influences upon the transport phenomena in the system. To resolve this issue, the transport of heat and mass in a porous microreactor containing a Casson rheological fluid and subject to a magnetic field is investigated analytically. The system is assumed to host a homogenous and uniformly distributed endothermic/exothermic chemical reaction. Two-dimensional analytical solutions are developed for the temperature and concentration fields as well as the Nusselt number and local entropy generations, and the results are rigorously validated. It is demonstrated that changes in the non-Newtonian characteristics of the fluid and altering the magnetic and thermal radiation properties can lead to bifurcation of temperature gradient on the surface of the porous medium. The general behaviour of such bifurcation is dominated by the exothermicity (or endothermicity) of the chemical reaction in the fluid phase. It is also shown that variations in the Casson fluid parameter and changes in the intensity and incident angle of the magnetic field can modify the Nusselt number considerably. The extent of these modifications is found to be heavily dependent upon the wall thickness and diminishes as the walls become thicker. Further, the total entropy generation is shown to be highly sensitive to the wall thickness and increases by intensifying the magnetic field, provided that the microreactor walls are thin