Optimal parameter selection problem with application to the synchronization of delivery cycles in a supply chain with Wiener process

In this paper, we use optimal parameter selection technique to develop two models involving single‐vendor–multiple‐buyer supply chain, which are called the dynamic independent optimization (DIO) model and the dynamic synchronized cycles (DSC) model, respectively. These models are, respectively, similar to the traditional static independent policy model and the traditional static synchronized cycle model, except that the deterministic demands of the buyers in the above two static models are now being replaced by the stochastic demands satisfying a Wiener process, which have more real‐life applications. Similar to the above static synchronized cycles model, the synchronization of the supply chain in our DSC model is also achieved by scheduling the delivery days of the buyers and coordinating them with the vendor's production cycle. Finding the optimal expected system costs of the DIO model and the DSC model involves solving optimal parameter selection problems governed by ordinary differential equations, whose final times are continuous decision variables and discrete decision variables, respectively. Computational methods have been developed for solving these problems. Numerical results show that the coordinated policy is better than the independent optimization policy, in terms of minimizing the expected system cost of the entire supply chain. Sensitivity analysis is performed to test the effect of changing the cost coefficients and the value on the performances of these models, where is the ratio of the total mean demand rate of all the buyers over the vendor's production rate.     

A Type 1 diabetes technology pathway: consensus statement for the use of technology in Type 1 diabetes

In both adults and children with diabetes, technologies such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring can help improve diabetes control, reduce hypoglycaemia and improve quality of life. Access to these technologies in the UK is very variable. Some technologies are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, while others have not been appraised, and new technologies are emerging all the time. Additionally, different guidelines for adults and children further complicate access to diabetes technology in the transition from paediatric to adult care. Against this background, Diabetes UK and NHS England have brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts, including clinicians and people with diabetes, to develop this consensus guideline, combining the different technologies into a common pathway to aid clinical and policy decision‐making. We created a pathway that supports the incremental addition of technology as monotherapy and then dual therapy in the same way that we incrementally add in therapeutic agents to support people with Type 2 diabetes to achieve their personalized glycaemic targets. The pathway emphasizes the importance of structured education, specialist support and appropriate access to psychological therapies, as essential pillars for optimized use of diabetes‐related technology, and recommends the re‐evaluation of its use when the individual is unable either to use the technology appropriately or to achieve the intended outcomes. This pathway is endorsed by UK‐wide clinical and patient associations and we recommend that providers and commissioners use it to ensure the right individual with diabetes has access to the right technology in a timely way to help achieve better outcomes.     

Systematic review of alternative access for cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention: Dorsal distal radial and ulnar artery catheterization

The femoral and radial arteries are the standard access routes for cardiac catheterization. In cases where the right radial artery has been previously utilized or is not suitable for repeat procedures, the left dorsal distal radial artery (anatomical snuff box) or the ulnar artery may be an alternative access site. In this systematic review, alternative access sites are described along with the techniques of cannulation, technical considerations, ultrasound imaging, clinical studies, and their complications. As we routinely perform more radial procedures, increased complications will arise, so it becomes important to gain expertise in alternative access for future coronary interventions. Such a systematic review has not been previously published so it will enhance the reader's knowledge of alternative access.     

Digital care technologies in people with dementia living in long-term care facilities to prevent falls and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a systematic review

European Journal of Ageing - Fall prevention and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in long-term care (LTC) facility is a major challenge. The objective of this...     

Possible Controlling Measures of Panic Buying During COVID-19

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction -