A decision system using fuzzy cognitive map and multi-group data envelopment analysis to estimate hospitals’ outputs level

Due to its vital role in healthcare system, performance evaluation of hospitals is indispensable. In addition, hospitals try to achieve desired and efficient conditions by careful planning based on their present facilities. Several studies have been conducted on hospital evaluation, but nearly none of them has taken into consideration the difference in the nature of performance in respect of hospitals’ managerial construction, funding, and type of services provided by them. Furthermore, hospitals’ outputs have not been estimated in respect of cause and effect relationships between inputs and outputs for achieving efficient conditions. In the present study, first, a new approach for hospital evaluation is presented according to the differences in the nature of their performances while categorized in groups. Then, optimal outputs for each hospital in its own group are dealt with using results obtained from multi-group data envelopment analysis and the method of fuzzy cognitive map. The activation Hebbian learning (AHL) algorithm is adapted to the concept of efficiency and is conducted to estimate the outputs of inefficient hospitals. In the present study, 27 hospitals located in the provincial capitals in northwest of Iran are categorized in four groups including general governmental hospitals, specialty governmental hospitals, private hospitals, and social security hospitals. Afterward, optimal outputs are estimated for the inefficient hospitals by using the proposed modified AHL algorithm. The results indicate that when the hospitals have been evaluated in groups, efficiency scores of hospitals have changed. Also, given the cause and effect relationships between inputs and outputs in each group can help to decision and policy makers to estimate the optimal outputs that have caused inefficient hospitals become efficient.

     

Green esterification: A new approach to improve thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNCs)‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared using twin screw extrusion followed by injection molding. Masterbatch approach was used to achieve more efficient dispersion of CNCs in PLA matrix. Modified CNCs (b‐CNCs) were prepared using benzoic acid as a nontoxic material through a green esterification method in a solvent‐free technique. Transmission electron microscopy images did not exhibit significant differences in the structure of b‐CNCs as compared with unmodified CNCs. However, a reduction of 6.6–15.5% in the aspect ratio of b‐CNCs was observed. The fracture surface of PLA‐b‐CNCs nanocomposites exhibited rough and irregular pattern which confirmed the need of more energy for fracture. Pristine CNCs showed a decrease in the thermal stability of nanocomposites, however, b‐CNCs nanocomposites exhibited higher thermal stability than pure PLA. The average storage modulus was improved by 38 and 48% by addition of CNCs and b‐CNCs in PLA, respectively. The incorporation of b‐CNCs increased Young's modulus, ultimate tensile stress, elongation at break, and impact strength by 27.02, 10.90, 4.20, and 32.77%, respectively, however, CNCs nanocomposites exhibited a slight decrease in ultimate strength and elongation at break. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46468.     

Mesoporous Silica SBA-15 Supported Co3O4 Nanorods as Efficient Liquid Phase Oxidative Catalysts

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 supported cobalt oxide composites prepared via the ??double-solvent??, impregnation and adsorption techniques were characterized by diffuse reflectance UV?CVis (DR UV?CVis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The potential of these cobalt modified composites to oxidize norbornene, benzyl alcohol and 1-phenylethanol was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SEM images indicated that, irrespective of cobalt content (Co-content), the integrity of the mesoporous channels remained intact for all methods. DR UV?CVis exhibited a red-shift which increased with Co-content for catalysts prepared by the double-solvent technique and is attributed to more extensive crystal growth. The morphology of the cobalt oxide species had a direct impact on the pore volume (Pv) and surface area (SA) of the composites and this, in turn affected the catalytic activity. For catalysts prepared by the double-solvent technique, the activity was in reverse proportion to the Co-content. This is attributed to reduced Pv which limits the active SA available.     

Taguchi design of experiments approach to the manufacture of one-step alumina microfilter/membrane supports by the centrifugal casting technique

The Taguchi design of experiments method was implemented for the optimization of the manufacture of sintered one-step alumina microfilter/membrane supports by the centrifugal casting technique for the first time. A 10 wt.% alumina aqueous slip containing Tiron (0.001 g/g alumina) as dispersant and PVA as binder were used. Acceleration (3 levels), slip volume (3 levels), binder content (3 levels) and pH (2 levels) were selected as controlling parameters (saturated L-9 array). The use of three different target functions has been discussed: (1) the product of top-layer surface porosity times the reciprocal of top-layer surface pore diameter; (2) the product of permeability times thickness; and (3) membrane curvature. It is deduced that the first target function is the most appropriate as far as the membrane characteristics of the sintered compact are concerned. Using this target function a distinct optimum configuration for the controlling parameter levels could be obtained.     

Bulk Single Crystal‐Like Structural and Magnetic Characteristics of Epitaxial Spinel Ferrite Thin Films with Elimination of Antiphase Boundaries

Spinel ferrite NiFe₂O₄ thin films have been grown on three isostructural substrates, MgAl₂O₄, MgGa₂O₄, and CoGa₂O₄ using pulsed laser deposition. These substrates have lattice mismatches of 3.1%, 0.8%, and 0.2%, respectively, with NiFe₂O₄. As expected, the films grown on MgAl₂O₄ substrate show the presence of the antiphase boundary defects. However, no antiphase boundaries (APBs) are observed for films grown on near‐lattice‐matched substrates MgGa₂O₄ and CoGa₂O₄. This demonstrates that by using isostructural and lattice‐matched substrates, the formation of APBs can be avoided in NiFe₂O₄ thin films. Consequently, static and dynamic magnetic properties comparable with the bulk can be realized. Initial results indicate similar improvements in film quality and magnetic properties due to the elimination of APBs in other members of the spinel ferrite family, such as Fe₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄, which have similar crystallographic structure and lattice constants as NiFe₂O₄.     

Effect of cooking procedures on tylosin residues in chicken meatball

Most information about drug residues is related to their concentrations in raw products. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of various microwave and boiling treatments on the stability of different concentrations of tylosin in chicken meatballs. The chicken meatball samples (75 g) were prepared and fortified by 3 concentrations of tylosin (100, 200 and 300 μg kg^?1) and were cooked by boiling (100 °C for 10, 20, 30 min) and microwave procedure (power 450 W for 1, 1.5 and 2 min). The tylosin content was measured in raw and cooked samples through the use of high performance liquid chromatography. The microwave and the boiling process significantly reduced the tylosin. In both procedures, there were negative correlations between the length of cooking time and the reduction percentage of tylosin. In addition, tylosin reduction percentage in chicken meatball cooked by boiling depended on its concentration in uncooked samples. There was a relationship between tylosin reduction percentage and the increase in the internal temperature and weight loss during the cooking process. The results of this study indicate that tylosin residues in the food are decreased during the cooking process. Thus, given that a food product is cooked to be consumed, the surveillance of data obtained from tylosin measurement in the raw tissues samples could not be considered as consumers’ exposure to tylosin via dietary intake.     

Advancements in traditional and nanosized flame retardants for polymers—A review

Synthetic polymers are ubiquitous materials widely used in construction, automotive, electronics, and countless commercial products. With the growing trend of polymer applications in everyday life, upholding the rigorous fire safety regulations has become a matter of concern. In this regard, numerous studies have been conducted for improving the fire retardancy of polymers, mainly through incorporating a diverse group of fire-retardant compounds into polymer-based composites. This review article aims to present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the fire-retardant categories for polymeric materials especially emphasizing the nanosized fire retardants. Along with an attempt to focus attention on the consumption of conventional and possibly harmful fire retardants, potential eco-friendly alternatives are represented. A detailed discussion on the flame retardation mechanisms and conventional fire characterization techniques are also discussed.     

Dielectrophoretic segregation of different human cell types on microscope slides

A new method for preparing cells for microscopic examination is presented in which cell mixtures are fractionated by dielectrophoretic forces and simultaneously collected into characteristic zones on slides. The method traps cells directly from the suspending medium onto the slide, reducing cell loss. Furthermore, it exploits differences in the dielectric properties of the cells, which sensitively reflect their morphology. Because different cell types are trapped in characteristic zones on the slide, the technique represents an advance over existing methods for slide preparation, such as centrifugation and smears where cells are randomly distributed. In particular, the new method should aid in the detection of rare and anomalous cell subpopulations that might otherwise go unnoticed against a high background of normal cells. As well as being suitable for traditional microscopic examination and automated slide scanning approaches, it is compatible with histochemical and immunochemical techniques, as well as emerging molecular and proteomic methods. This paper describes the rationale and design of this so-called electrosmear instrumentation and shows experimental results that verify the theory and applicability of the method with model cell lines and normal peripheral blood subpopulations.     

Insight on the influence of nano zinc oxide on the thermal,dynamic mechanical,and flow characteristics of Poly(lactic acid)– zinc oxide composites

Composites of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and spherical zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared using melt processing followed by injection molding. The effect of nanosized ZnO on the molecular structure, thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and flow characteristics of PLA composites were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy images illustrated the formation of ZnO aggregates through PLA matrix. The molecular weight of PLA‐ZnO experienced a substantial decline by 55%, suggesting the presence of ZnO provoked degradation of PLA during composite preparation. Glass transition temperature of PLA‐ZnO decreased by 18% as compared with pure PLA, confirming the deleterious role of ZnO in PLA. The ZnO nanoparticles acted as a reactant and increased the thermal degradation rate. However, the incorporation of ZnO into PLA increased the crystallinity up to 20% and the storage modulus of composites in glassy state by 10%. The higher peak value of tan δ in composites suggested the more viscous behavior, which was further supported by lower number average molecular weight. The complex viscosity of composites exhibited a large Newtonian region over low shear rate, followed by shear thinning phenomenon. A significant decrease (96%) in complex viscosity was observed with the addition of ZnO into PLA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1242–1249 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrastructural changes in feline dental pulp with periodontal disease

A light and transmission electron microscopic study was conducted on dental pulp on cats suffering periodontal disease. After extraction, pulp tissues were fixed and embedded in Epon-Araldite. Thick layers of predentin (50 microm) and odontoblasts (30 microm) were observed. In thin sections, odontoblasts showed many mitochondria and secretary vesicles. Some capillaries with several fenestrations were located within the odontoblastic layer. All the sections of pulp examined displayed a generalized infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells. Fibroblasts displayed lytic changes in some areas. These findings imply that the pulp is significantly affected by periodontal disease and furcation-involved teeth should be a carefully considered factor when dental treatment is planned.