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This paper describes a simulation model that can be used to examine plans for marketing, manufacturing, and distributing the products of an assembly line. The manufacturing plants are flow-oriented and use assembly lines to integrate subassemblies and pur chased parts into products. The simulation permits an economic evaluation of alternative allocations of manufacturing, marketing, and financial resources to select a best response to changes in customer demands. As an illustration, we compare the effects of two production schedules on inventory levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To determine the incidence of maternal bacteraemia during pregnancy and for 6 weeks postpartum, describe the gestation/stage at which sepsis occurs, the causative microorganisms, antibiotic resistance and review maternal, fetal and neonatal outcome., Design: Prospective review., Setting: Two tertiary referral, maternity hospitals in Dublin, Ireland., Population: During 2005-2012 inclusive, 150 043 pregnant women attended and 24.4% of infants born in Ireland were delivered at the hospitals., Methods: Demographic, clinical, microbiological and outcome data was collected from women with sepsis and compared with controls., Main Outcome Measures: Incidence, bacterial aetiology, gestation/stage at delivery, mode of delivery, antibiotic resistance, admission to augmented care, maternal, fetal and neonatal outcome., Results: The sepsis rate was 1.81 per 1000 pregnant women. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen, followed by Group B Streptococcus. Sepsis was more frequent among nulliparous women (odds ratio [OR] 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.79) and multiple births (OR 2.04; 95% CI 0.98-4.08). Seventeen percent of sepsis episodes occurred antenatally, 36% intrapartum and 47% postpartum. The source of infection was the genital tract in 61% (95% CI 55.1-66.6) of patients and the urinary tract in 25% (95% CI 20.2-30.5). Sepsis was associated with preterm delivery (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.99-3.96) and a high perinatal mortality rate (OR =5.78; 95% CI 2.89-11.21). Almost 14% of women required admission to augmented care. The most virulent organisms were Group A Streptococcus linked to postpartum sepsis at term and preterm Escherichia coli sepsis., Conclusions: Maternal sepsis is associated with preterm birth, a high perinatal mortality rate and nulliparous women., (© 2014 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)