Using Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) to Understand the Simulation Accessibility Problem

Simulation modelling is applied to a wide range of problems, including defense and healthcare. However, there is a concern within the simulation community that there is a limited use and implementation of simulation studies in practice. This suggests that despite its benefits, simulation may not be reaching its potential in making a real-world impact. The main reason for this could be that simulation tools are not widely accessible in industry. In this paper, we investigate the issues that affect simulation modelling accessibility through a workshop with simulation practitioners. We use Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), a problem-structuring approach that allows for the stakeholder views to be expressed and linked in a systematic way. The causal map derived represents the emerging concepts and their effects, with the view to identifying their impact on the accessibility problem. We present our analysis of the issues and options identified. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications and recommendations for the future uptake of simulation

THE MANTECA YELLOW BEAN: A GENETIC RESOURCE OF FAST COOKING AND HIGH IRON BIOAVAILABILITY PHENOTYPES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRY BEANS (\u3ci\u3ePhaseolus vulgaris\u3c/i\u3e L.)

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a nutrient dense food produced globally as a major pulse crop for direct human consumption. Despite being rich in protein and micronutrients, long cooking times limit the use of dry beans worldwide, especially in regions relying on wood and charcoal as the primary sources of fuel for cooking, such as Sub-Sahara Africa and the Caribbean. Coincidently, these same regions also have high densities of women and children at risk for micronutrient deficiencies [1]. There is need for a fast cooking bean, which can positively impact consumers by reducing fuel cost and preparation time, while simultaneously complementing the nutritional quality of house-hold based meals [2]. To help accelerate a reliable increase in dry bean production for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Andean Bean Diversity Panel (ADP; http://arsftfbean.uprm.edu/bean/) was assembled as a genetic resource in the development of fast cooking, nutritional improved, biotic/abiotic resistant varieties. A germplasm screening for atmospheric cooking time (100oC) of over 200 bean accessions from the ADP identified only five fast cooking entries [3]. Two entries were white beans from Burundi (Blanco Fanesquero) and Ecuador (PI527521). Native to Chile, two of the six fast cooking entries were collected from Angola, and had a pale lemon ‘Manteca’ yellow seed color (Cebo, Mantega Blanca). Traditional knowledge from Chile suggests Manteca yellow beans are low flatulence and easy to digest [4]. Yellow beans of various shades are important in Eastern and Southern Africa. Their popularity has increased in recent years and they often fetch the highest prices at the marketplace. There is evidence to suggest that Manteca yellow beans have a unique nutritional profile when compared to other yellow seed types; with more soluble dietary fiber, less indigestible protein and starch, and are also free of condensed tannins. The hypothesis was tested that this unique composition would also have a positive influence on the bioavailability of iron in an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture bioassay

An urgent need for HIV testing among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Bamako, Mali: Low awareness of HIV infection and viral suppression among those living with HIV

Despite the high HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), there are limited data on progress on their respective HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) cascades to identify progress and gaps in meeting UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. We conducted a respondent-driven sampling survey of MSM and TGW in Bamako, Mali from October 2014 to February 2015. We describe the HIV treatment cascade for MSM and TGW, identify correlates of being unaware of HIV-infected status and having unsuppressed viral load levels, and estimate proportion of recent infections. We enrolled 387 MSM and 165 TGW. HIV prevalence was 13.7%. Of those living with HIV, 10.4% were aware of their serostatus, 61.2% of them self-reported being on treatment, and of them, 100% were virally suppressed. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with being unaware of HIV infection included not using free condoms in the last six months (aOR: 5.7, 95% CI: 1.1–29.5) and not having comprehensive knowledge of HIV (aOR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.4–29.9). Having unsuppressed viral load was associated with identifying as a transgender woman (aOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.1–20.7) and not having comprehensive knowledge of HIV (aOR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.0–40.9). Of the 79 HIV-positive participants, 5.1% had recent infections. While the proportion aware of their HIV status was low despite adjusting for viral load biomarkers, all MSM and TGW on treatment were virally suppressed. Improved testing strategies are urgently needed to achieve the first 90 of the HIV cascade among MSM and TGW in Bamako

Branes in the plane wave background with gauge field condensates

Supersymmetric branes in the plane wave background with additional constant magnetic fields are studied from the world-sheet point of view. It is found that in contradistinction to flat space, boundary condensates on some maximally supersymmetric branes necessarily break at least some supersymmetries. The maximally supersymmetric cases with condensates are shown to be in one to one correspondence with the previously classified class II branes.Comment: LaTeX, 31 pages, no figures; v2: references added, some typos correcte

Integrability of the N=2 boundary sine-Gordon model

We construct a boundary Lagrangian for the N=2 supersymmetric sine-Gordon model which preserves (B-type) supersymmetry and integrability to all orders in the bulk coupling constant g. The supersymmetry constraint is expressed in terms of matrix factorisations.Comment: LaTeX, 19 pages, no figures; v2: title changed, minor improvements, refs added, to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Ge

Converting a breast cancer microarray signature into a high-throughput diagnostic test

BACKGROUND: A 70-gene tumor expression profile was established as a powerful predictor of disease outcome in young breast cancer patients. This profile, however, was generated on microarrays containing 25,000 60-mer oligonucleotides that are not designed for processing of many samples on a routine basis. RESULTS: To facilitate its use in a diagnostic setting, the 70-gene prognosis profile was translated into a customized microarray (MammaPrint) containing a reduced set of 1,900 probes suitable for high throughput processing. RNA of 162 patient samples from two previous studies was subjected to hybridization to this custom array to validate the prognostic value. Classification results obtained from the original analysis were then compared to those generated using the algorithms based on the custom microarray and showed an extremely high correlation of prognosis prediction between the original data and those generated using the custom mini-array (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In this report we demonstrate for the first time that microarray technology can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool. The data clearly demonstrate the reproducibility and robustness of the small custom-made microarray. The array is therefore an excellent tool to predict outcome of disease in breast cancer patients

Starch analysis using hydrodynamic chromatography with a mixed-bed particle column

Columns packed with commercial glass beads 5 and 19 lm average size and a mixture of both (0.7 volume fraction of large particles) were used to analyse starch composition by hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC), applying water as mobile phase. To obviate retrogradation, experiments were carried out at column temperatures of 15 and 3 °C and several types of starch were assayed. In what concerns amylopectin and amylose separation, a better resolution and a lower pressure drop were obtained for the mixed binary packing when compared with the packing containing uniform 5 lm glass beads. A more efficient cooling of the mobile phase was also obtained with the mixed packing, which was determinant for improving resolution. For the Hylon VII starch the relative retention times (RRT) were 0.777 and 0.964 for amylopectin and amylose, respectively, while for the Tapioca starch the obtained RRTs were 0.799 and 0.923. Application of unbound glass beads as column packing not only might reduce equipment and running costs in preparative scale separations, but also proved to be useful as a fast and reliable method to monitor the amylose and amylopectin content of starch samples of different sources.FEDERThe authors wish to thank FCT for the grant provided to Dr. Alexander Yelshin (Yelshyn). This work was developed under the framework of the project POCI-EQU-58337/2004, partially funded by FEDER

Proposing a Tool for Supply Chain Configuration: An Application to Customised Production

The full implementation of collaborative production networks is crucial for companies willing to respond to consumer demand strongly focused on product customisation. This chapter proposes an approach to evaluate the performance of different Supply Chain (SC) configurations in a customised production context. The model is based on discrete-event simulation and is applied to the case of supply chain in the fashion sector to support the comparison between mass and customised production. A prototype web-based interface is also developed and proposed to facilitate the use of the model not only for experts in simulation but for any user in the SC management field

Use of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health survey module for estimating the population prevalence of musculoskeletal pain: Findings from the Solomon Islands

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are common and the biggest global cause of physical disability. The objective of the current study was to estimate the population prevalence of MSK-related pain using a standardized global MSK survey module for the first time. Methods: A MSK survey module was constructed by the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health Surveillance Taskforce and the Global Burden of Disease MSK Expert Group. The MSK module was included in the 2015 Solomon Islands Demographic and Health Survey. The sampling design was a two-stage stratified, nationally representative sample of households. Results: A total of 9214 participants aged 15-49 years were included in the analysis. The age-standardized four-week prevalence of activity-limiting low back pain, neck pain, and hip and/or knee pain was 16.8, 8.9, and 10.8%, respectively. Prevalence tended to increase with age, and be higher in those with lower levels of education. Conclusions: Prevalence of activity-limited pain was high in all measured MSK sites. This indicates an important public health issue for the Solomon Islands that needs to be addressed. Efforts should be underpinned by integration with strategies for other non-communicable diseases, aging, disability, and rehabilitation, and with other sectors such as social services, education, industry, and agriculture. Primary prevention strategies and strategies aimed at self-management are likely to have the greatest and most cost-effective impact