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.     

Profiles of sleep changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Demographic,behavioural and psychological factors

This study aimed to evaluate changes in sleep during the COVID‐19 outbreak, and used data‐driven approaches to identify distinct profiles of changes in sleep‐related behaviours. Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors associated with sleep changes were also investigated. An online population survey assessing sleep and mental health was distributed between 3 April and 24 June 2020. Retrospective questions were used to estimate temporal changes from before to during the outbreak. In 5,525 Canadian respondents (67.1% females, 16–95 years old: Mean ± SD = 55.6 ± 16.3 years), wake‐up times were significantly delayed relative to pre‐outbreak estimates (p < .001,  = 0.04). Occurrences of clinically meaningful sleep difficulties significantly increased from 36.0% before the outbreak to 50.5% during the outbreak (all p < .001, g ≥ 0.27). Three subgroups with distinct profiles of changes in sleep behaviours were identified: “Reduced Time in Bed”, “Delayed Sleep” and “Extended Time in Bed”. The “Reduced Time in Bed” and “Delayed Sleep” subgroups had more adverse sleep outcomes and psychological changes during the outbreak. The emergence of new sleep difficulties was independently associated with female sex, chronic illnesses, being employed, family responsibilities, earlier wake‐up times, higher stress levels, as well as heavier alcohol use and television exposure. The heterogeneity of sleep changes in response to the pandemic highlights the need for tailored interventions to address sleep problems.     

A randomized trial of vonapanitase (PATENCY-1) to promote radiocephalic fistula patency and use for hemodialysis

Objective

Arteriovenous fistulas created in patients with chronic kidney disease often lose patency and fail to become usable. This prospective trial evaluated the efficacy of vonapanitase, a recombinant human elastase, in promoting radiocephalic fistula patency and use for hemodialysis.

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) antisense oligonucleotide protected against hyperlipidemia-associated atherosclerosis

Background and aims

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a representative EGF family member that interacts with EGFR under diverse stress environment. Previously, we reported that the HB-EGF-targeting using antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) effectively suppressed an aortic aneurysm in the vessel wall and circulatory lipid levels. In this study, we further examined the effects of the HB-EGF ASO administration on the development of hyperlipidemia-associated atherosclerosis using an atherogenic mouse model.

Health Care Utilization After Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

Background

Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) can reduce the burden of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) but its effect on health care utilization and costs after such therapy is poorly known. We sought to compare the rates of cardiovascular (CV)-related hospitalizations, survival, and health care costs in patients with recurrent VT treated either with VT ablation or with medical therapy.

Lung protective ventilation during pulmonary resection in children: a prospective,single-centre,randomised controlled trial

Background

Perioperative ventilatory strategies for lung protection in children are underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of lung protective ventilation (LPV) on postoperative clinical outcomes in children requiring one-lung ventilation (OLV) for pulmonary resection.

Psychosocial mechanisms of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence of prostate cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose: We examined underlying psychosocial processes of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) of prostate cancer survivors.

Design: Secondary analysis of data collected from a clinical trial.

Sample: Two hundred forty-four prostate cancer survivors who participated in a clinical trial of behavioral intervention to UI as intervention or control subjects.

Methods: The participants had a 3-month behavioral intervention or usual care and were followed up for an additional 3?months. They were assessed at baseline, 3, and 6?months. Latent growth curve models were performed to examine trajectories of each study variable and relationships among the variables.

Findings: Increasing self-efficacy and social support were significantly and independently associated with more reduction of urinary leakage frequency over time.

Implications for psychosocial oncology: Providing problem-solving skills and social support, including peer support, are essential for empowering patients to reduce UI.     

Can Liking,Commenting, and Sharing Enhance Persuasion? The Interaction Effect between Modality Interactivity and Agency Affordances on Smokers’ Quitting Intentions

ABSTRACT

This article examines whether the persuasive potential of modality interactivity on anti-smoking websites can be harnessed by adding agency affordances, such as the like, comment, and share features. Using a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with a current smoker sample (N = 154), we investigated the interaction effects between modality interactivity (low vs. high) and agency affordances (absence vs. presence) on persuasion outcomes. The results showed that the effects of modality interactivity on telepresence, systematic processing, and change in quitting intentions varied depending on the existence of agency affordances on the website. Agency affordances on the anti-smoking website led to a greater sense of agency and systematic processing on the website content. Only in the presence of agency affordances did modality interactivity enhance the feeling of telepresence, which led to greater quitting intentions than in the control condition. Without agency affordances, modality interactivity diminished systematic processing, leading to lower quitting intentions.     

Short or Long Sleep Duration and CKD: A Mendelian Randomization Study

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Social support and self-esteem on the association between stressful life events and mental health outcomes among college students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to determine whether social support (informal and formal) and self-esteem can moderate the associations between life stress and mental health among college students.