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This paper is concerned with the optimal production planning and inventory control. The first problem is a multiperiod production scheduling problem in which the objective is to minimize the operating cost for a planning period. This cost is composed principally of the sum of the production cost and inventory carrying cost. The second problem considers an inventory system with two decision variables in each planning period. These are the production schedule and work force which are to be determined so as to minimize the operating cost which includes the costs of changing the production rate, of changing the work force and of carrying the inventory. The maximum principle in the discrete form is used to reduce both t he first problem which has N decision variables and the second problem which has 2N decision variables respectively to a series of two decision variables problems. The so-called sequential simplex pattern search technique is used to determine the optimal values of these two decision variables. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: What is known and Objective: A variety of medication classes are available for diabetes; however, treatment options become limited due to adverse effect profiles and cost. Current diabetes guidelines include agents not originally developed for diabetes treatment, bromocriptine and colesevelam. Comment: Other non‐diabetes medications demonstrating haemoglobin A1c lowering, including agents for weight loss, depression, anaemia and coronary artery disease, are described in this review article. What is new and Conclusion: More research looking into the impact of non‐diabetes medications on blood glucose may offer additional diabetes treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates a screening program for diabetic retinopathy in a community health center serving low-income patients in northern Colorado using single-field nonmydratic retinal photography and primary care clinicians trained to read photographic images. It assesses primary care clinicians' accuracy in reading the single-image retinal photographs and in correctly determining which patients need referral.

The article presents a study conducted to evaluate the suitability of four sorbents— an organoclay, an organoclay/anthracite blend, a zeolite, and hydroxyapatite— for the removal of heavy metals from water. Four sorbents were evaluated in this study: an organoclay, an organoclay/anthracite blend, clinoptilolite and hydroxy-apatite. All sorbents were obtained from Biomin Inc. in Ferndale, Michigan. The organoclay was exchanged with ditallowdihydrogenated-ainmonium chloride at 40% of the cation-exchange capacity of the base bentonite. The tallow functional group represents a 16-18 carbon heterogeneous chain. The organoclay/anthracite blend is a mixture of 70% anthracite and 30% organoclay.