Modifiable risk of breast cancer in Northeast Iran: Hope for the future. a case-control study

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Its prevalence is increasing annually by 2. The determination of modifiable risk factors has been the subject of various studies. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors of breast cancer in women in Golestan Province. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted among women with breast cancer recorded in the cancer registry system between 2004 and 2006 (n = 134), and their agematched healthy neighbors (n = 133). Data were statistically analyzed. Results: Age at marriage, menarche and pregnancy, breast feeding, positive family history, marital status, and educational level were not significantly correlated with risk of breast cancer, but age at menopause (< 46.6 years) was significantly correlated (95 confidence interval 1.15-7.37; p = 0.021). Live births, still births, and infant deaths were not significantly different between the 2 groups. For other variables, such as smoking history, no odds ratio was calculated. Conclusion: Results show that there is no significant correlation between variables and risk of breast cancer in our population, except for age at menopause. A large cohort study is recommended. © 2011 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

Understanding the Impact of User Behaviours and Scheduling Parameters on the Effectiveness of a Terminal Appointment System Using Discrete Event Simulation

Part 1: Smart Supply NetworksInternational audienceThis research improves understanding of the impact of specific types of truck driver behaviour and temporal scheduling on the effectiveness of a terminal appointment system. A discrete event simulation model of a bulk cargo marine terminal is developed to analyse parameters related to driver behaviour (punctuality and proportion of planned appointments) and temporal scheduling (appointments per time window and time window spacing) on truck flows and turnaround times at the terminal. The model is based on an Australian wood chip export marine terminal currently experiencing significant truck congestion. The terminal operator and stakeholders have expressed interest in the implementation of an appointment system to address this issue. The modelling presented in this research was used to inform their investigation into developing an appointment system solution.Simulation results indicate that the proportion of planned appointments, used as a proxy for the appointment system use, has a significant impact on truck turnaround times. Greater truck arrival punctuality only marginally improves truck turnaround times. Interestingly most optimization approaches continue to focus on improving punctuality through service rules or financial penalties in order to achieve optimal turnaround times. However, the additional cost in terms of complexity or assumptions for optimal solutions against non-optimal approaches are rarely weighed in terms of dividends of the marginal improvements generated. By involving terminal users (drivers and transporters) in the design of an appointment system and its scheduling parameters, terminal operators can significantly improve appointment system use and effectiveness by increasing the probability of positive users’ behaviours