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Determining the best discriminatory physical functioning outcome measurement instrument for psoriatic arthritis trials:A meta-epidemiological study
Get PDFOBJECTIVES: To empirically compare the discriminant capacities of three outcome measurement instruments for assessment of physical functioning for psoriatic arthritis (PsA): HAQ-DI, SF36-PF and SF36-PCS.METHODS: We applied a network meta-analysis technique in a sample of randomized trials (RCTs) for PsA. For randomized comparison, we calculated net effect size estimates for each outcome measurement instrument using standardized mean differences (SMDs); positive values indicated a beneficial effect of the intervention compared to the control groups. We analyzed the differences between outcome measurement instruments at the trial level by applying a multiple-treatment meta-analysis to compare the SMDs within and across randomized comparisons for each outcome measurement instrument.RESULTS: From 42 articles (31 RCTs), 57, 18, and 18 randomized comparisons enabled a direct comparison between HAQ-DI and SF36-PCS (difference in SMDs: 0.057, 95 % confidence interval, CI: 0.003 to 0.110), SF36-PF and SF36-PCS (difference in SMDs: 0.101, 95 % CI: 0.018 to 0.184); and HAQ-DI and SF36-PF (difference in SMDs:0.059, 95 % CI:0.142 to 0.024), respectively. The network meta-analysis technique confirmed that both HAQ-DI and SF36-PF were more responsive to change than SF36-PCS, with differences between SMDs of 0.057 (95 % CI: 0.003 to 0.110) and 0.109 (95 % CI: 0.032 to 0.185), respectively. No difference in discriminatory capacity between HAQ-DI and SF36-PF was noted.CONCLUSIONS: HAQ-DI and SF-36-PF were equally responsive to change and superior to SF36-PCS in PsA RCTs. We illustrated a new method for quantitative comparison of the performance of different outcome measurement instruments for a particular domain.</p
A comparison of cost-sharing models in horizontal cooperative routing
Get PDFWe develop and compare several cost-sharing models for cooperative vehicle routing problems formulated under various objectives and constraints. Our study is motivated by a real-world case involving smallholder farmers in the Province of Quebec. We examine the issues of fairness and stability in cooperative routing, and we show that coalitions served by single routes are sufficient to impose stability conditions. To evaluate equity, we use the Gini coefficient to measure the dispersion of individual savings. Hence we can analyze the trade-offs between fairness and stability. We demonstrate that widely used fairness proxies do not necessarily yield equitable outcomes. We test our methodology on randomly generated instances and on a Quebec-based case study
Procurement Scheduling for Assemble-to-Order Systems
Get PDFDue to the increasing complexity and diversity of customer demand, assemble-to-order (ATO) systems should account for more realistic factors in their procurement decisions. The classical literature offers analytical elegance but oversimplifies reality. This study bridges this gap by developing a multiperiod procurement problem for multi-product ATO systems under scenario-based demand uncertainty, considering realistic factors like varying product prices, bill of materials (BOM) structures, multiple suppliers with different lead times and costs, and contract options provided by suppliers with different discount prices. A multi-stage stochastic programming model is formulated to maximize the profit ofthe ATO system by optimally making decisions on (i) pre-stocked inventory, (ii) supplier selection, (iii) contract signing with options, and (iv) assembly planning. To solve the model efficiently, we propose an exact Benders decomposition algorithm with tailored subproblem (SP) relaxation, valid inequalities, and Pareto-optimal cuts. Experiments based on real data validate the exact algorithm’s effectiveness. For large-scale instances, the proposed algorithm improves the objective value by 13.7% over Gurobi’s best-found solution within a one-hour time limit. To further accelerate the algorithm, we introduce an efficient scenario reduction method based on forward-looking distance matrices. The proposedreduction method is proven to be more effective than traditional approaches, improving solution quality by up to 15.4% while accelerating computation by a factor of 3.5. This study also provides managerial insights for contract design, pre-stocking strategies, and supplier selection. For example, decisionmakers should negotiate with suppliers for more contract options in volatile markets, prioritize slow suppliers while maintaining a pool of fast suppliers as backups, and increase pre-stocked inventory for those with high and very high commonality
A Novel Stator Current Estimation Method Based on Embedded Linear Hall Sensors in FSCW-SPMSM
Get PDFEmbedded magnetic encoder (EME) has emerged as a cost-effective and compact solution for rotor position detection in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), integrating linear Hall sensors within the motor cavity to detect permanent magnet fields (PMF) and extract rotor position. While conventional EME system prioritize suppressing armature reaction field (ARF) disturbances for high-precision position estimation under load, this article innovatively exploits ARF as information carriers, proposing a linear Hall-based current estimation methodology that transforms interference into a sensing resource. Through decoupled analysis of d/q-axis current-induced amplitude-phase modulation effects on magnetic flux density (MFD) signals at both slot-opening types in fractional-slot concentrated winding permanent magnet synchronous machines (FSCW-PMSMs), this method establishes a relationship between orthogonal currents and electromagnetic signatures. Capitalizing on the inherent immunity of in-phase slot-openings to ARF, it achieves effective separation of PMF interference during loaded operation. Furthermore, it comprehensively accounts for nonideal factors such as Hall sensor misalignment and magnetic saturation, and the algorithm directly quantifies d/q-axis current variations, achieving online stator current monitoring and redundant backup capabilities. The proposed method is validated via simulations and experiments, demonstrating its effectiveness in current estimation.</p
People-Led Digitalisation (P-LD) Metrics in UK Manufacturing:An Analysis of Workforce Impact Assessment
No full textKey Points People and Culture are critical: The UK government‑backed Made Smarter Innovation programme notes that one of the major barriers to adopting digital technologies is “people and organisational culture.” People-Led Digitalisation Metrics are not widely used: Based on responses by 410 professionals within UK manufacturing, most companies either do not use or have not considered using people‑focused metrics for assessing the impact ofdigitalisation on their workforce. Unwillingness is not about data collection: Low use of people-led metrics is not related to data collection. Our survey revealed metrics where data was easy to collect were assessed as ‘modest’ in terms of Usefulness. The same results were found for difficult to collect metrics
Olympic Ice Sports:A Narrative Review and Perspectives Toward Milano-Cortina 2026
Get PDFAs the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, a consolidated understanding of performance determinants across the diverse spectrum of ice sports is crucial, yet the scientific literature remains unevenly distributed. This structured narrative review synthesizes available evidence on key performance-determining factors and contemporary training characteristics for Olympic ice sports, based on topic-driven literature searches and qualitative synthesis. Disciplines are grouped according to their primary performance demands. (1) High-volume gliding sports (long- and short-track speed skating): Performance balances biomechanical efficiency (e.g., aerodynamic posture) against physiological constraints. This necessitates high annual training volumes (900–1100 h·year−1), polarized, mixed-modal training, with short-track adding critical tactical and pack-dynamic elements. (2) Exposure-driven gravity sports (bobsleigh, skeleton, luge): Performance is overwhelmingly determined by start velocity, with the initial 15–65 m contributing disproportionately to overall race outcome. Bobsleigh and skeleton training mirrors sprint athletes, prioritizing lower-body power, while luge demands explosive upper-body strength. (3) Arena-based sports (ice hockey, figure skating, curling): These sports show varied demands. Ice hockey requires managing high-intensity intermittent efforts, with 40%–50% of on-ice distance performed at high skating speeds; figure skating hinges on the power and precision of high-value jumps (e.g., triple and quadruple rotations); and curling relies on delivery accuracy and sweeping strength-endurance. Sex-specific differences, often related to absolute power output (skating, sliding) and biomechanics, are evident, although evidence remains limited or uneven across several disciplines. Rather than providing prescriptive training models, this review identifies discipline-specific training priorities and key gaps in the current evidence base relevant to athlete preparation for Milano-Cortina 2026
Parental and Adolescent Positive Affect and Optimism as Predictors of Post-surgical Mood and Functioning in Adolescents Undergoing Spinal Fusion Surgery
Get PDFObjectives: – While most adolescents display a steady recovery trajectory following surgery, some develop chronic postsurgical pain (CPP), which can significantly impact their functioning. Psychosocial factors are known to play a role in the recovery from pain following surgery, but positive psychosocial factors have received little attention in the literature. This study aims to address this gap by investigating parental and adolescent positive affect and optimism as predictors of post-surgical pain recovery and positive outcomes in adolescents. Methods: – This study uses data collected as part of a larger longitudinal project that involved administering questionnaires to adolescents and their parents over multiple timepoints. Adolescent participants aged 12 – 18 years old with a diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, and scheduled for spinal fusion surgery, were recruited across four Belgian hospitals along with their parents. Structural Equation Modelling was used to investigate how parental and adolescent positive affect and optimism predicted post-surgical outcomes, including mood, quality of life and functional disability in adolescents. Results: – The study comprised 94 adolescent-parent dyads. Parental optimism before surgery predicted increased adolescent mood following surgery. Adolescent positive affect before surgery predicted increased mood and decreased pain intensity following surgery, while adolescent optimism predicted increased quality of life. None of the optimism or positive affect variables were significantly related to adolescent functional disability following surgery. Discussion: – Study findings identify parental and adolescent positive affect and optimism as potential predictors of post-surgical recovery and positive outcomes in adolescents. However, the multifaceted and complex nature of these relationships warrants further investigation.</p
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