A branch-and-price algorithm for a hierarchical crew scheduling problem.

We describe a real-life problem arising at a crane rental company. This problem is a generalization of the basic crew scheduling problem given in Mingozzi et al. and Beasley and Cao. We formulate the problem as an integer programming problem and establish ties with the integer multicommodity flow problem and the hierarchical interval scheduling problem. After establishing the complexity of the problem we propose a branch-and-price algorithm to solve it. We test this algorithm on a limited number of real-life instances.Scheduling;

The multidrug transporter ABCG2: still more questions than answers

ABCG2 is one of at least three human ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters which can facilitate the export from cells of a wide range of chemically unrelated drug molecules. This capacity for multidrug transport is not only a confounding factor in chemotherapy, but is also one of the more perplexing phenomena in transporter biochemistry. Since its discovery in the last decade of the 20th century much has been revealed about ABCG2's localization, physiological function and its broad substrate range. There have also been many investigations of its structure and molecular mechanism. In this mini review article we take a Rumsfeldian approach to ABCG2 and essentially ask what we do know about this transporter, and what we will need to know about this transporter if we wish to use modulation of ABCG2 activity as a therapeutic approach

Long-Term Survival in Octogenarians After Surgical Treatment for Colorectal Cancer:Prevention of Postoperative Complications is Key

BackgroundWhether to treat octogenarians with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the same manner as younger patients remains a challenging issue. The purpose of this study was to analyse postoperative complications and long-term survival in a consecutive cohort of octogenarians who were surgically treated for CRC.MethodsOctogenarians with primary CRC suitable for curative surgery between January 2008 and December 2011 were included. Data about comorbidities, tumour stage, and complications were retrospectively collected from patient files. Data about survival were retrieved with use of the Dutch database for persons and addresses. To identify factors associated with severe postoperative complications and postoperative survival, logistic regression analyses, and Cox regression analyses were performed. Odds ratios and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.ResultsIn a series of 108 octogenarians, median age was 83years (range 80-94years). Median follow-up was 47 (range 1-107) months. Major postoperative complications occurred in 25% of the patients. No risk factors for development of severe postoperative complications could be identified. The 30-day mortality was 7%; 1- and 5-year mortality was 19% and 56%, respectively. Overall median survival was 48months: 66months in patients without complications versus 13months in patients with postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were most predictive of decreased survival (HR 3.16; 95% CI 1.79-5.59), even including tumour characteristics, comorbidity, and emergency surgery.ConclusionsLong-term survival in octogenarians deemed fit for surgery is reasonably good. Prevention of major postoperative complications could further improve clinical outcome.</p

Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical outcomes among patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139969/1/jso24721.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139969/2/jso24721_am.pd

The Metabolic Health Index Identifies Patients That Will Benefit From Metabolic Surgery

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a modern world's major health hazard related to comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery is well known to lower this health risk in patients with obesity. There is a need for an objective measure to assess the intended reduction in health hazard and indirectly the eligibility for bariatric surgery. The Metabolic Health Index (MHI) quantitatively summarizes the cumulative impact of the metabolic syndrome on health status on a scale from 1 to 6. This study describes the use of the MHI as a supportive tool in the decision for and outcome assessment of bariatric surgery. Methods: The general usability of the MHI was tested by extending its application to patient data of five other bariatric centers in the Netherlands. Retrospective laboratory and national bariatric quality registry data of 11,501 patients were collected. Results: The quantification of (improvement in) metabolic health burden as measured by the MHI was independent of the dataset that was used to derive the MHI model. Patients with MHI &gt; 2.8 prior to surgery improved significantly more in MHI 12 mo after surgery compared to patients with MHI ≤ 2.8 (1.1 compared to 0.4 MHI points, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The MHI is robust between centers and is suitable for general use in clinical decision-making. As changes in MHI over time reflect metabolic health alterations, it is suitable as an outcome measure of surgery. An MHI cut-off value of 2.8 helps to predict the likelihood of significant improvement after surgery, independent of body mass index and known metabolic comorbidities.</p

The Metabolic Health Index Identifies Patients That Will Benefit From Metabolic Surgery

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a modern world's major health hazard related to comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery is well known to lower this health risk in patients with obesity. There is a need for an objective measure to assess the intended reduction in health hazard and indirectly the eligibility for bariatric surgery. The Metabolic Health Index (MHI) quantitatively summarizes the cumulative impact of the metabolic syndrome on health status on a scale from 1 to 6. This study describes the use of the MHI as a supportive tool in the decision for and outcome assessment of bariatric surgery. Methods: The general usability of the MHI was tested by extending its application to patient data of five other bariatric centers in the Netherlands. Retrospective laboratory and national bariatric quality registry data of 11,501 patients were collected. Results: The quantification of (improvement in) metabolic health burden as measured by the MHI was independent of the dataset that was used to derive the MHI model. Patients with MHI &gt; 2.8 prior to surgery improved significantly more in MHI 12 mo after surgery compared to patients with MHI ≤ 2.8 (1.1 compared to 0.4 MHI points, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The MHI is robust between centers and is suitable for general use in clinical decision-making. As changes in MHI over time reflect metabolic health alterations, it is suitable as an outcome measure of surgery. An MHI cut-off value of 2.8 helps to predict the likelihood of significant improvement after surgery, independent of body mass index and known metabolic comorbidities.</p

Cenários Colaborativos em Rede “ECORED”: Uma Troca Institucional de Boas Práticas em Ambientes Híbridos de Aprendizagem

This article, product of the implementation of the significant experience of collaborative network scenarios in seven public educational institutions in the city of Cartagena, to consolidate significant pedagogical practices in hybrid learning environments in the processes of Language, Mathematics and Early Education, presents a description of the dynamics and impact of this in the strengthening of learning and the flexible academic development of students, teachers and parents. The categories of collaborative scenarios, teaching and learning networks, collaborative work and hybrid learning environments are related. Regarding the methodological design, a participatory action research approach is used, highlighting the dynamics of the experience. Teachers who shared their good practice with their respective group of students were chosen as a sample. As for the information gathering instruments, they were given through interviews, participant observation and documentary sources, allowing to understand and interpret the experiences and processes of the social actors. As a result, it was possible to consolidate satisfactorily the teachers' practices in hybrid environments, allowing the strengthening of learning. The study concludes that this strategy has become a link that has connected teachers from various institutions so that they can share their experiences and good practices in a didactic and dynamic way for the benefit of students.Este artículo, producto de la implementación de la experiencia significativa de escenarios colaborativos en red en siete instituciones educativas públicas de la ciudad de Cartagena, para consolidar prácticas pedagógicas significativas en ambientes híbridos de aprendizaje en &nbsp;los procesos de Lenguaje, Matemáticas y Educación Inicial, presenta una descripción de la dinámica e impacto e de esta en el fortalecimiento del aprendizaje y el desarrollo académico flexible de estudiantes, docentes y padres de familia. Se relacionan las categorías de escenarios colaborativos, redes de enseñanza y aprendizaje, trabajo colaborativo y ambientes híbridos de aprendizaje. En cuanto al diseño metodológico, se aborda un enfoque de Investigación acción participación, destacando la dinámica de la experiencia. Se escogió como muestra a los docentes que compartieron su buena práctica con su respectivo grupo de estudiantes. En cuanto a los instrumentos de recolección de información se dieron a través de la entrevista, observación participante y de fuentes documentales, permitiendo comprender e interpretar las vivencias y procesos de los actores sociales. Como resultado, se logró consolidar satisfactoriamente las prácticas de los docentes en ambientes híbridos permitiendo el fortalecimiento del aprendizaje. El estudio concluye que esta estrategia se ha constituido en un enlace que ha conectado a docentes de varias instituciones para que compartan de forma didáctica y dinámica, sus experiencias y buenas prácticas para beneficio de los estudiantes.Este artigo, produto da implementação da experiência significativa de cenários de rede colaborativa em sete instituições educativas públicas da cidade de Cartagena, para consolidar práticas pedagógicas significativas em ambientes de aprendizagem híbridos nos processos de Linguagem, Matemática e Educação Precoce, apresenta uma descrição da dinâmica e impacto desta no reforço da aprendizagem e desenvolvimento académico flexível de estudantes, professores e pais. As categorias de cenários de colaboração, redes de ensino e aprendizagem, trabalho colaborativo e ambientes de aprendizagem híbridos estão relacionadas. Quanto ao desenho metodológico, é utilizada uma abordagem de investigação de acção participativa, realçando a dinâmica da experiência. Os professores que partilharam as suas boas práticas com os seus respectivos grupos de alunos foram escolhidos como amostra. Quanto aos instrumentos utilizados para recolher informação, foram entrevistas, observação participante e fontes documentais, permitindo a compreensão e interpretação das experiências e processos dos actores sociais. Como resultado, foi possível consolidar com sucesso as práticas dos professores em ambientes híbridos, permitindo o reforço da aprendizagem. O estudo conclui que esta estratégia se tornou um elo que ligou professores de várias instituições para que pudessem partilhar as suas experiências e boas práticas em benefício dos estudantes de uma forma didáctica e dinâmica