Scalability in manufacturing systems design and operation: State-of-the-art and future developments roadmap

The paper covers the main design, management and operational aspects of scalability in manufacturing systems (MS). It promotes scalability as an area of research of MS theory and practice in order to enhance techniques and methodologies in existing MS paradigms using advanced and emerging design and management approaches and ICT, and meet challenges of emerging MS paradigms and support their promotion and effective and efficient deployment in practice. The paper presents an introduction to scalability, state-of-the art in manufacturing and computer science, and related applications including manufacturing and education and a roadmap for future research and developments.     

An Overview of Long Non-Coding (lnc)RNAs in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous developmental tumor occurring in childhood, which arises from the embryonic sympathoadrenal cells of the neural crest. Although the recent progress that has been done on this tumor, the mechanisms involved in NB are still partially unknown. Despite some genetic aberrations having been identified, the sporadic cases represent the majority. Due to its wide heterogeneity in clinical behavior and etiology, NB represents a challenge in terms of prevention and treatment. Since a definitive therapy is lacking so far, there is an urgent necessity to unveil the molecular mechanisms behind NB onset and progression to develop new therapeutic approaches. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides. Whether lncRNAs are destined to become a protein or not, they exert multiple biological functions such as regulating gene expression and functions. In recent decades, different research has highlighted the possible role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. Moreover, lncRNAs may represent potential markers or targets for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This mini-review aimed to briefly summarize the most recent findings on the involvement of some lncRNAs in NB disease by focusing on their mechanisms of action and possible role in unveiling NB onset and progression.     

A new Fuzzy AHP method for the Evaluation of Automated Manufacturing Systems

The decision on production system acquisition for the automotive industry is very critical, given the number of different aspects to be considered. Indeed different automated solutions are feasible and evaluation techniques that take into account all the critical issues are needed to make a selection. In this paper a complete, precise and value driven Decision Support System is presented to support the selection of the best Automated Manufacturing System. The evaluation problem is solved using a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method able to manage uncertainty and to consider productivity and flexibility issues. Economic and financial performance and the effects on human resources due to the investment decision are also investigated.     

Vascular distribution of paradoxical emboli by transcranial Doppler

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale is a contributory mechanism to stroke and may be diagnosed by contrast echocardiography. The intracranial distribution of these emboli has not been previously reported. METHODS: We used transcranial Doppler combined with agitated saline contrast injection to determine whether there was a preferential distribution of the contrast into the anterior or posterior intracranial circulation of patients with an acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were studied--27 men and 22 women, with a mean age of 62.7 +/- 13.3 years (range, 29 to 85 years). Microcavitations were detected in the proximal right middle cerebral artery in 12 of 49 patients (24%). A patent foramen ovale was confirmed in all cases by simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography. Of the 12 patients, microcavitations were also detected in the proximal basilar artery in nine (75%). CONCLUSIONS: While paradoxical embolism appears to occur more frequently in the anterior circulation, the high rate of detection of microcavitations in the basilar artery suggests that paradoxical embolism to the posterior intracranial circulation may be more frequent than generally believed.     

Calcium and potassium content in beef: Influences on tenderness and associations with molecular markers in Nellore cattle

Calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) are essential nutrients in animal nutrition. Furthermore, the Ca content can influence meat tenderness because it is needed by the proteolytic system of calpains and calpastatins, major factors in postmortem tenderization of skeletal muscles. K content, which is needed for muscle contraction, can also affect meat tenderness. This study showed that K positively affects the Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), measured at 14 days of meat aging, which means that higher levels of K are related to lower meat tenderness. Additionally, a significant effect (P ≤ 0.015) of a SNP in the calcium-activated neutral protease 1 (CAPN1) gene on Ca content was observed. Metal content in beef can affect not only nutritional values but also meat quality traits. Part of this effect may be related to variation in specific genes.     

Analysis of two-machine lines with multiple failure modes

This paper presents an analytical method for evaluating the performance of production lines with a finite buffer and two unreliable machines. Unlike in earlier papers, each machine can fail in more than one way. For each failure mode, geometrically distributed times to failure and times to repair are specified. The method evaluates the steady-state probabilities of the states of the system with a computational effort that depends only on the number of failure modes considered and not on the capacity of the buffer. A comparison of performance of the method with those obtained with existing techniques that consider only one failure mode is reported.     

Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy for localization of lesions in children with neuroblastoma: comparison with computed tomography and ultrasonography

Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) were used to localize tumour lesions in 28 children with histologically proven neuroblastoma. Overall, a total of 73 lesions were detected on imaging studies. MIBG scintigraphy, CT and US localized 63 (86%), 49 (67%) and 36 (49%) of these lesions, respectively. The findings of the three imaging techniques were concordant in respect of only 31 (42%) of the lesions. The best agreement among MIBG scintigraphy, CT and US was observed for abdominal lesions (the techniques were concordant for 22 of 23 lesions, i.e. 96%). MIBG scintigraphy detected nine out of ten (90%) liver metastases, but agreement with CT and US was observed in only six instances (60%). The imaging findings were concordant in respect of only two (33%) out of six lymph node metastases; the MIBG scan was normal in the other four cases. Imaging agreement was observed for a lesion located in the pelvis. MIBG and CT findings were concordant in four lesions located in the chest, but US was not performed. MIBG scintigraphy depicted the majority (96%) of the skeletal lesions (23/24); CT showed five of these, but, again, US was not performed. The imaging findings were not concordant as regards the remaining five lesions located in different anatomical sites. The results indicated that MIBG imaging is more sensitive that CT and US in localizing the majority of neuroblastoma lesions. Since the metastatic spread of neuroblastoma is unpredictable, we recommend MIBG scintigraphy as the initial imaging modality for staging of these patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Automation of the Pre-Analytical Phase: A Performance Evaluation of Alternative Scenarios

This paper is about the automation of the pre-analytical phase in a biochemical laboratory, which performs more than 3.7 million tests per year. The paper presents how an investment in the laboratory can be evaluated considering both economic criteria, future performance and service quality. The study comprises a workflow analysis of biological materials and information, the corresponding data collection and the use of simulation for performance evaluation. Alternative scenarios have been considered in terms of personnel, pre-analytical devices and management policies. The final scenario has been chosen according to economic criteria among a set of feasible scenarios, able to satisfy constraints.