Effect of interparticle forces on the fluidization of fine particles

Report studies elucidation and description of effect of interparticle forces on feasibility of gaseous fluidization of particles below 50 microns in diameter. Interparticle forces are determined by inclined-plane method. Study indicated that fluidizability is related to the interparticle adhesive force

Ingenious Method for Conducive Handoff Appliance in Cognitive Radio Networks

Wireless communications deployed in the current epoch claims ceaseless connection among its users thereby leading to the investigation of Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) which enables to make use of unallocated spectrum optimally and provides uninterrupted connection. Establishing interminable connectivity during the handoff process in spectrum mobility of CRN is a challenging task. This paper elucidates the optimization of handoff process carried out in CRN by incorporating an intelligent method. This includes fuzzy logic wherein the handoff parameters are processed thereby indicating the need of handoff. The proffered method also comprises of a part of genetic algorithm which yields fitness value for reducing the handoff occurrences and enhancing the overall performance of the system is promoted using cuckoo search which decides the mobile node from which the handoff process has to initiate based on the priority generated. This technique ensures that decision is taken ahead of link failure rather than range failure which are the key point in comparison to the existing system. Results obtained through the simulation are satisfactory in terms of delay, throughput, number of failed handoff and handoffs performed in comparison to the existing fuzzy based handoff process in CRN

Managerial Views of Supply Chain Collaboration: An Empirical Study

  This paper is carried out to empirically examine managerial perceptions on the relationship between supply chain collaboration practice and operational performance. The framework suggests that collaborative practice is characterised by three distinct factors: (1) decision synchronisation, (2) information sharing, and (3) incentive alignment, which enable the chain members to effectively match supply with customer demand. An important question is whether or not collaborative practice leads to better operational performance. A survey research was employed to assess the relationship between collaborative practice and operational performance of New Zealand companies. The survey results show significant positive impacts of key factors of collaborative practice on operational performance. The findings suggest that information sharing, decision synchronisation, and incentive alignment are important determinants of operational performance. This study demonstrates that the chain members need to understand the role of different key factors of collaborative practice that can be redesigned to leverage operational performance

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with lysosomal storage disorders and restoration of services: experience from a specialist centre

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lysosomal disorders unit (LSDU) at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL), a highly specialised national service for diagnosis and management of adults with lysosomal storage disorders (LSD). Review of home care enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and emergency care, and COVID-19 shielding categories as per UK government guidance. New clinical pathways were developed to manage patients safely during the pandemic; staff well-being initiatives are described. LSDU staff were redeployed and/or had additional roles to support increased needs of hospitalised COVID-19 patients. During the first lockdown in March 2020, 286 of 602 LSD patients were shielding; 72 of 221 had home care ERT infusions interrupted up to 12 weeks. During the pandemic, there was a 3% reduction in home care nursing support required, with patients learning to self-cannulate or require support for cannulation only. There were no increased adverse clinical events during this period. Twenty-one contracted COVID-19 infection, with one hospitalised and no COVID-19 related deaths. In 2020, virtual clinics were increased by 88% (video and/or telephone) compared to 2019. RFL well-being initiatives supported all staff. We provide an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff and patients attending a highly specialised rare disease service. As far as we are aware, this is the first detailed narrative on the challenges and subsequent rapid adaptations made, both as part of a large organisation and as a specialist centre. Lessons learnt could be translated to other rare disease services and ensure readiness for any future pandemic

Activity of eribulin mesylate in heavily pretreated breast cancer granted accessvia the Cancer Drugs Fund

Aim: Eribulin mesylate is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B and is licensed for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes. It was not deemed to be cost effective based on a cost analysis by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England and therefore it is not funded routinely by the National Health Service. The establishment of the Cancer Drugs Fund in England subsequently enabled access. As with any new chemotherapy drug that enters clinical practice for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) it is often used in heavily pretreated patients and the experience in a routine clinical setting can differ from that in a clinical study. We therefore present the experience of the first 25 cases treated at our institution via the Cancer Drugs Fund. Materials & methods: A total of 25 patients were treated and in the 22 assessable cases the objective response rate was 18% (four out of 22), with a clinical benefit rate of 41.0% (9 out of 22). Results: The median time-to-progression and overall survival were 4.08 months and 5.89 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in clinical benefit rate (odds ratio: 0.065; 95% CI: 0–0.529; p = 0.0055), as well as time-to-progression (hazard ratio: 9.18; 95% CI: 2.26–37.38; p = 0.002 adjusted for age at diagnosis and interval between initial MBC diagnosis and commencing eribulin) favoring those patients who had not been rechallenged. There was no significant difference in overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.44–3.05; p = 0.770 adjusted for age at diagnosis and interval between initial diagnosis of MBC and commencing eribulin). Conclusion: Eribulin mesylate shows clinical activity; however, there appears to be differences in terms of benefit in patients based on whether patients have been rechallenged with an anthracycline and/or a taxane. These data require confirmation in larger patient groups

Activity of eribulin mesylate in heavily pretreated breast cancer granted accessvia the Cancer Drugs Fund

Aim: Eribulin mesylate is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B and is licensed for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes. It was not deemed to be cost effective based on a cost analysis by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England and therefore it is not funded routinely by the National Health Service. The establishment of the Cancer Drugs Fund in England subsequently enabled access. As with any new chemotherapy drug that enters clinical practice for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) it is often used in heavily pretreated patients and the experience in a routine clinical setting can differ from that in a clinical study. We therefore present the experience of the first 25 cases treated at our institution via the Cancer Drugs Fund. Materials & methods: A total of 25 patients were treated and in the 22 assessable cases the objective response rate was 18% (four out of 22), with a clinical benefit rate of 41.0% (9 out of 22). Results: The median time-to-progression and overall survival were 4.08 months and 5.89 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in clinical benefit rate (odds ratio: 0.065; 95% CI: 0–0.529; p = 0.0055), as well as time-to-progression (hazard ratio: 9.18; 95% CI: 2.26–37.38; p = 0.002 adjusted for age at diagnosis and interval between initial MBC diagnosis and commencing eribulin) favoring those patients who had not been rechallenged. There was no significant difference in overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.44–3.05; p = 0.770 adjusted for age at diagnosis and interval between initial diagnosis of MBC and commencing eribulin). Conclusion: Eribulin mesylate shows clinical activity; however, there appears to be differences in terms of benefit in patients based on whether patients have been rechallenged with an anthracycline and/or a taxane. These data require confirmation in larger patient groups