The cross-sectional GRAS sample: A comprehensive phenotypical data collection of schizophrenic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Schizophrenia is the collective term for an exclusively clinically diagnosed, heterogeneous group of mental disorders with still obscure biological roots. Based on the assumption that valuable information about relevant genetic and environmental disease mechanisms can be obtained by association studies on patient cohorts of ≥ 1000 patients, if performed on detailed clinical datasets and quantifiable biological readouts, we generated a new schizophrenia data base, the GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia) data collection. GRAS is the necessary ground to study genetic causes of the schizophrenic phenotype in a 'phenotype-based genetic association study' (PGAS). This approach is different from and complementary to the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on schizophrenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For this purpose, 1085 patients were recruited between 2005 and 2010 by an invariable team of traveling investigators in a cross-sectional field study that comprised 23 German psychiatric hospitals. Additionally, chart records and discharge letters of all patients were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The corresponding dataset extracted and presented in form of an overview here, comprises biographic information, disease history, medication including side effects, and results of comprehensive cross-sectional psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurological examinations. With >3000 data points per schizophrenic subject, this data base of living patients, who are also accessible for follow-up studies, provides a wide-ranging and standardized phenotype characterization of as yet unprecedented detail.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The GRAS data base will serve as prerequisite for PGAS, a novel approach to better understanding 'the schizophrenias' through exploring the contribution of genetic variation to the schizophrenic phenotypes.</p

Production process design using Multi-Criteria Analysis

Intra- and inter-company production networks have gained increased importance in developed and industrialising countries. By reusing waste of industrial sites as a valuable input within the production network, material cycles can be closed and resource efficiency can be improved. In order to improve the performance of a production process, a detailed mapping of the mass and energy flows is the basis to understand which process characteristics are the main drivers for resource efficiency. The objective of this book is to develop an integrated multi-criteria decision support model for production process design

Production process design using Multi-Criteria Analysis

Intra- and inter-company production networks have gained increased importance in developed and industrialising countries. By reusing waste of industrial sites as a valuable input within the production network, material cycles can be closed and resource efficiency can be improved.In order to improve the performance of a production process, a detailed mapping of the mass and energy flows is the basis to understand which process characteristics are the main drivers for resource efficiency.The objective of this book is to develop an integrated multi-criteria decision support model for production process design

Integrated process design for the inter-company plant layout planning of dynamic mass flow networks. PepOn

Inter-company production networks can improve the resource efficiency of production processes. This book shows the results of the research project Integrated Process Design for the Inter-Company Plant Layout Planning of Dynamic Mass Flow Networks (PepOn). A systematic approach for process design for the best utilisation of process streams based on multiple pinch analyses is proposed for a holistic evaluation of process alternatives and for determining saving potentials for production networks

Integrated technique assessment based on the pinch analysis approach for the design

of production network

(19th ICPR) Production planning by pinch analysis for biomass use in dynamic and seasonal markets

International audienceThe planning of production capacity been extensively discussed in literature. Seasonal demand of products or seasonal availability of input materials can make the problem even more challenging, due to a constant need for capacity adjustments. For example, the energetic or industrial use of biomass has several distinct characteristics in contrast to conventional chemical processes, like a time dependent availability of raw materials. Therefore, suitable planning tools are required that take into account the dynamics of the production system (for example by following the seasons and the yearly changes). Thus a recently proposed heuristic approach for aggregate production planning when facing a seasonal demand is analyzed. This method is inspired by the graphical pinch analysis from chemical engineering; it is first illustrated with data from a bicycle company facing seasonal demand showing its plainness and some limitations. Then the transfer to situations with seasonal supplies of input materials is presented, as for biomass use in dynamic and seasonal markets. Using these applications, the uncomplex heuristic, its limits and its benefits are put up for discussion

Challenges for industrial production. Workshop of the PepOn Project: Integrated Process Design for Inter-Enterprise Plant Layout Planning of Dynamic Mass Flow Networks, Karlsruhe, Nov. 7. & 8., 2005

Integrated technique assessment aims at a holistic approach to process design and operations planning, since changes in materials and operating states influence the whole supply chain. The combination of methods of process integration, engineering and Operations Research (OR) allows the consideration of a variety of economic and environmental process attributes for an integrated technique assessment