closed-loop supply chain network design is a critical issue due to its impact on both economic and environmental performances of the supply chain. in this paper, we address the problem of designing a multi-echelon, multi-product and capacitated closed-loop supply chain network. first, a mixed-integer linear programming formulation is developed to maximize the total profit. the main contribution...

The aim of this paper is to present and compare alternative hierarchical formulations for the periodic vehicle routing problem applied to solid waste collection. The solution of this problem is a one-week plan of daily routes for the transportation of mixed solid waste from containers to disposal facilities, taking into consideration the frequency of collection of each container within the plan...

This paper seeks to describe the overall state of Rural Solid Waste Management (RSWM) in China in three main areas: waste collection services, waste transportation services and waste disposal services. Given China’s urbanization, industrialization, and the subsequent improvement of household living standards, the amount of solid waste generated in rural China has increased rapidly. Based on pri...

A reliable technique is needed to determine the effect of ionizing radiation on white blood cell (WBC) counts. Facilities that utilize automated methods can provide this service. However, utilizing external facilities can introduce additional variables, such as differences between time of sample collection and time of sample processing, which may affect the results. The purpose of the present s...

Background The engagement of private practitioners in the public-private mix of tuberculosis (TB) management started in 2007 in Lagos State Nigeria. This study compared the treatment outcomes of patients managed at private for profit (PFP) and private not for profit (PNFP) directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) facilities. Methods A retrospective review of treatment cards of TB patie...

BACKGROUND Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are clinically challenging, threaten patient safety, and represent an emerging public health issue. CRE reporting is not mandated in Michigan. METHODS The Michigan Department of Community Health-led CRE Surveillance and Prevention Initiative enrolled 21 facilities (17 acute care and 4 long-term acute care facilities) across the state. B...

Governments and customers are forcing the paper manufacturers to become more sustainable. Accordingly, there still exists a gap in the quantitative modeling of these issues. In this paper, this gap is covered through simultaneously considering economical, environmental and social impacts in the paper closed-loop supply chain network design. The proposed multi-objective, multi-echelon, multi-pro...

The ACR opened the Computed Tomography Dose Index Registry (DIR) for general participation by all facilities in May 2011. Just over 2 years after its launch, the registry has more than 750 registered facilities, 465 of which were actively contributing data at the end of August 2013. The registry has dose index information on 5.5 million CT examinations, which in turn include 9.4 million irradia...