Inventory control of spare parts using a Bayesian approach: a case study

This paper presents a case study of applying a Bayesian approach to forecast demand and subsequently determine the appropriate parameter S of an (S-1,S) inventory system for controlling spare parts of electronic equipment. First, the problem and the current policy are described. Then, the basic elements of the Bayesian approach are introduced and the procedure for calculating the appropriate parameter S is illustrated. Finally, we present the results of applying the Bayesian approach in an innovative way to determine the stock levels of three types of circuit packs at several locations. According to the proposed method, a lower base stock than the one currently used is sufficient to achieve the desired service level

Uptake of robot-assisted colon cancer surgery in the Netherlands

Background:The robot-assisted approach is now often used for rectal cancer surgery, but its use in colon cancer surgery is less well defined. This study aims to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted colon cancer surgery to conventional laparoscopy in the Netherlands. Methods: Data on all patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer from 2018 to 2020 were collected from the Dutch Colorectal Audit. All complications, readmissions, and deaths within 90 days after surgery were recorded along with conversion rate, margin and harvested nodes. Groups were stratified according to the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach. Results:In total, 18,886 patients were included in the analyses. The operative approach was open in 15.2%, laparoscopic in 78.9% and robot-assisted in 5.9%. The proportion of robot-assisted surgery increased from 4.7% in 2018 to 6.9% in 2020. There were no notable differences in outcomes between the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach for Elective cT1-3M0 right, left, and sigmoid colectomy. Only conversion rate was consistently lower in the robotic group. (4.6% versus 8.8%, 4.6% versus 11.6%, and 1.6 versus 5.9%, respectively).Conclusions: This nationwide study on surgery for colon cancer shows there is a gradual but slow adoption of robotic surgery for colon cancer up to 6.9% in 2020. When comparing the outcomes of right, left, and sigmoid colectomy, clinical outcomes were similar between the robotic and laparoscopic approach. However, conversion rate is consistently lower in the robotic procedures.</p

The Nature of LINERs

We present $J$-band ($1.15-1.35 \mu$m) spectroscopy of a sample of nine galaxies showing some degree of LINER activity (classical LINERs, weak-[O {\sc i}] LINERs and transition objects), together with $H$-band spectroscopy for some of them. A careful subtraction of the stellar continuum allows us to obtain reliable [Fe {\sc ii}]$1.2567 \mu$m/Pa$\beta$ line ratios. We conclude that different types of LINERs (i.e., photoionized by a stellar continuum or by an AGN) cannot be easily distinguished based solely on the [Fe {\sc ii}]$1.2567 \mu$m/Pa$\beta$ line ratio. The emission line properties of many LINERs can be explained in terms of an aging starburst. The optical line ratios of these LINERs are reproduced by a model with a metal-rich H {\sc ii} region component photoionized with a single stellar temperature $T_* = 38,000$K, plus a supernova remnant (SNR) component. The [Fe {\sc ii}] line is predominantly excited by shocks produced by SNRs in starbursts and starburst-dominated LINERs, while Pa$\beta$ tracks H {\sc ii} regions ionized by massive young stars. The contribution from SNRs to the overall emission line spectrum is constrained by the [Fe {\sc ii}]$1.2567 \mu$m/Pa$\beta$ line ratio. Although our models for aging starbursts are constrained only by these infrared lines, they consistently explain the optical spectra of the galaxies also. The LINER-starburst connection is tested by predicting the time dependence of the ratio of the ionizing luminosity ($L_{\rm ion}$) to the supernova rate (SNr), $L_{\rm ion}$/(SNr). We predict the relative number of starbursts to starburst-dominated LINERs (aging starbursts) and show that it is in approximate agreement with survey findings for nearby galaxies.Comment: Accepted in ApJ (19 pages, 8 figures, uses emulateapj.sty

A Knowledge graph representation of baseline characteristics for the Dutch proton therapy research registry

Cancer registries collect multisource data and provide valuable information that can lead to unique research opportunities. In the Netherlands, a registry and model-based approach (MBA) are used for the selection of patients that are eligible for proton therapy. We collected baseline characteristics including demographic, clinical, tumour and treatment information. These data were transformed into a machine readable format using the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles and resulted in a knowledge graph with baseline characteristics of proton therapy patients. With this approach, we enable the possibility of linking external data sources and optimal flexibility to easily adapt the data structure of the existing knowledge graph to the needs of the clinic

WHO guidelines for antimicrobial treatment in children admitted to hospital in an area of intense Plasmodium falciparum transmission: prospective study

Objectives To assess the performance of WHO’s “Guidelines for care at the first-referral level in developing countries” in an area of intense malaria transmission and identify bacterial infections in children with and without malaria

Evidence that the mitochondrial leucyl tRNA synthetase (LARS2) gene represents a novel type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene

Previously, we have shown that a mutation in the mitochondrial DNA-encoded tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene is associated with type 2 diabetes. One of the consequences of this mutation is a reduced aminoacylation of tRNA(Leu(UUR)). In this study, we have examined whether variants in the leucyl tRNA synthetase gene (LARS2), involved in aminoacylation of tRNA(Leu(UUR)), associate with type 2 diabetes. Direct sequencing of LARS2 cDNA from 25 type 2 diabetic subjects revealed eight single nucleotide polymorphisms. Two of the variants were examined in 7,836 subjects from four independent populations in the Netherlands and Denmark. A -109 g/a variant was not associated with type 2 diabetes. Allele frequencies for the other variant, H324Q, were 3.5% in type 2 diabetic and 2.7% in control subjects, respectively. The common odds ratio across all four studies was 1.40 (95% CI 1.12-1.76), P = 0.004. There were no significant differences in clinical variables between carriers and noncarriers. In this study, we provide evidence that the LARS2 gene may represent a novel type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene. The mechanism by which the H324Q variant enhances type 2 diabetes risk needs to be further established. This is the first report of association between an aminoacyl tRNA synthetase gene and disease. Our results further highlight the important role of mitochondria in glucose homeostasis

Different pieces of the same puzzle : a multifaceted perspective on the complex biological basis of Parkinson’s disease

The biological basis of the neurodegenerative movement disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD), is still unclear despite it being ‘discovered’ over 200 years ago in Western Medicine. Based on current PD knowledge, there are widely varying theories as to its pathobiology. The aim of this article was to explore some of these different theories by summarizing the viewpoints of laboratory and clinician scientists in the PD field, on the biological basis of the disease. To achieve this aim, we posed this question to thirteen “PD experts” from six continents (for global representation) and collated their personal opinions into this article. The views were varied, ranging from toxin exposure as a PD trigger, to LRRK2 as a potential root cause, to toxic alpha-synuclein being the most important etiological contributor. Notably, there was also growing recognition that the definition of PD as a single disease should be reconsidered, perhaps each with its own unique pathobiology and treatment regimen

Effects of Fe deficiency and Co substitution in polycrystalline and single crystals of Fe3GeTe2

Fe3GeTe2 is a two-dimensional van der Waals material with a ferromagnetic ground state and a maximum transition temperature Tc ∼ 225 K. However, when Fe3GeTe2 is synthesized, lower values of Tc are often reported. This is attributed to a deficiency in the Fe at the 2c site in the crystal structure. Here, we investigate the effect of Fe deficiency and the substitution of Co for Fe on the magnetic properties of this system. We have synthesized both polycrystalline material and single crystals by chemical vapor transport and the flux method, with the largest crystals obtained using the flux method. Cobalt substitution at the Fe site is found to significantly reduce the magnetic transition temperature. Crystals of Fe3GeTe2 grown by chemical vapor transport with ∼ 8% excess Fe in the starting materials display an optimum Fe content and magnetic transition temperature

Cutting cost in service systems: Are you running with scissors?

A rigorous link between the domains of cost estimation, systems theory and accident investigation reveals fundamental epistemological limitations of commonly employed cost models when dealing with the characteristics of systems, particularly service systems, which may hinder the ability to take appropriate action for cost reductions.Key points:1.The ability to take action, in particular related to cost reductions in service systems, is strongly influenced by the understanding (epistemological assumptions) underlying a decision-support tool, in this case a cost estimate.2.There is a conflict in the underlying epistemological assumptions about what is and can be known in such a socio-technical system as a service system.3.A managerial perspective of cost estimation which neglects the essential characteristics of service systems may drive behaviour which is locally optimised but creates tension or failure at the system level.4.Cost cutting decisions that are based on a flawed understanding of the situation can lead to counter-intuitive outcomes for organisations; hence practical guidance is needed to help managers consciously consider the underlying epistemological assumptions in a given situation