Design and Analysis of Efficient Freight Transportation Networks in a Collaborative Logistics Environment

The increase in total freight volumes, reducing volume per freight unit, and delivery deadlines have increased the burden on freight transportation systems of today. With the evolution of freight demand trends, there also needs to be an evolution in the freight distribution processes. Today\u27s freight transportation processes have a lot of inefficiencies that could be streamlined, thus preventing concerns like increased operational costs, road congestion, and environmental degradation. Collaborative logistics is one of the approaches where supply chain partners collaborate horizontally or/and vertically to create a centralized network that is more efficient and serves towards a common goal or objective. In this dissertation, we study intermodal transportation, and cross-docking, two major pillars of efficient, cheap, and faster freight transportation in a collaborative environment. We design an intermodal network from a centralized network perspective where all the participants intermodal operators, shippers, carriers, and customers strive towards a synchronized and cost-efficient freight network. Also, a cross-dock scheduling problem is presented for competitive shippers using a centralized cross-dock facility. The problem develops a fast heuristic and meta-heuristic approach to solve large-scale real-world problems and draws key insights from a cross-dock operator and inbound carrier\u27s perspectives

Development of The English Language in Parallel with the Changing Socio-Cultural Trends in India

This paper explores several political and historical events intersected with concepts from sociology to examine the growth and development of the English language in India during the pre-Independence and after independence eras. This development is viewed in parallel with the changing societal setup by utilising concepts like westernisation and modernisation that helped facilitate education and promote social equality among the people by shrinking the persisting barrier of caste system to a profound extent and diminishing the role of indigenous concepts of social upliftment like Sanskritisation. After foreseeing the number of speakers of English that gives rise to the standard variety of English in India, i.e., Indian English, its potential in a socio-cultural context, and the interest among subsequent learners of the language, the paper concludes that the growth prospects for English appear to be vital, and it will continue to emerge as an essential language in the coming generations in India

The use of organotellurium heterocycles as precursors for novel organometallic compounds

The reactions of group 16 heterocycles with organometallic reagents are described. Thiophenes have been used as models for organic sulfur in coal and their reactivity towards triiron dodecacarbonyl has been investigated. Reaction of unsubstituted thiophene with Fe3(CO)12 results in desulfurisation of the heterocycle, with the organic fragment being recovered in the form of the ferrole, C4H4.Fe2(CO)6. In addition a novel organometallic compound of iron is isolated, the formula of which is shown to be C4H4.Fe3(CO)8. Bezothiophene reacts with Fe3(CO)12 to yield benzothiaferrole, C8H6S.Fe2(CO)6, in which the sulfur is retained in the heterocycle. Dibenzothiophene, a more accurate model for organic sulfur in coal, displays no reactivity towards the iron carbonyl, suggesting that the more condensed systems will desulfurise less readily. Microwave methodology has been successful in accelerating the reactions of thiophenes with Fe3(CO)12. However, reaction of benzothiophene does not proceed to the desulfurisation stage while dibenzothiophene is unreactive even under microwave conditions. Tellurophenes (Te analogues of thiophenes) are shown to mimic the behaviour of thiophenes towards certain organometallic reagents with the advantage that their greater reactivity enables recovery of products in higher yields. Hence, reaction of tellurophene with Fe3(CO)12 again affords the ferrole but with an almost ten-fold increase in yield over thiophene. More significantly, dibenzotellurophene is also detellurated by the iron carbonyl affording the previously inaccessible dibenzoferrole, C12H8.Fe2(CO)6, thereby demonstrating the mechanistic feasibility of dechalcogenation of the more condensed aromatic molecules. The potential of tellurium heterocycles to act as precursors for novel organometallics is also recognised owing to the relatively facile elimination of the heteroatom from these systems. Thus, 2-telluraindane reacts with Fe3(CO)12 to yield a novel organometallic compound of formula C16H16.Fe(CO)3, arising from the unsymmetric dimerisation of two organic fragments

Prevalence of type two diabetes mellitus in Jammu rural

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) represents one of the biggest challenges in our century, affecting hundreds of millions people worldwide, both in developed countries and in developing ones, as well; the main cause being an unhealthy life style: unhealthy food, lack of physical exercise, which most of the times, lead to obesity.Methods: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of DM in various age groups and gender by analyzing the hospital record based data from August 2017- December 2017 at Sub-District Hospital, Hiranagar, Kathua, J and K. Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg% and random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg% were taken as the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of DM.Results: Out of the 3600 patients screened for DM, majority were in the age group of 41-50 (37.06 %). Net prevalence was found to be 4.7% (170) of the total. Prevalence among females and males was found to be 49.41% and 50.59% respectively. The trend showed prevalence of approximately 6% in the age group of 41-50 and 51-60, but >60 years showed comparatively less prevalence i.e. <5%.Conclusions: Various studies from time to time have also discussed the most disturbing trend being the shift in age of onset of diabetes to a younger age in the recent years, which could be attributed to changing life-style, even in the rural areas, with a high percentage not knowing that they were suffering from diabetes; therefore, active screening programs are recommended in order to diagnose this condition earlier

Association between vitamin B12 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study in Katra Jammu

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries and obesity contributing maximum to the disease load. A reduction in the energy content of diet, alone, may not prevent NAFLD, nor could alleviate it. Recent studies are bringing to light the association, importance and role of dietary vitamins and liver fat accumulation. Vitamin B12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis and in both fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Still, the influence of vitamin B12 deficiency on NAFLD has not been studied much.Methods: A case control observational study was conducted in the department of medicine, community health center, Katra during the period of August 2018 to July 2019. The study was conducted on 150 NAFLD patients and 50 aged and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients showing ethanol consumption, liver cirrhosis, DM, pancreatitis, renal failure or cancer were excluded.Results: Patients and controls almost matched in all clinical examinations like fever, jaundice, nausea, but vitamin B12 levels were significantly low among cases and stood at 377.60±181.43 pg/ml as against 548.28±285.70 for controls, but still remained within the reference range. Vitamin D levels were also found to be lower among cases. B12 deficiency is extremely common in India with an estimated prevalence of 47% and more males tend to have NAFLD than females.Conclusions: For better management of the disease, vitamin B12 levels should be assessed in all NAFLD patients

Prevalence of neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients at sub-district hospital Akhnoor

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive disease and hampers the quality of life of the patients due to micro and macro-vascular complications associated with it, like: neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy leads to numbness, loss of sensation, and sometimes pain in the feet, legs, or hands.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 randomly selected T2DM patients of either gender presenting to the medicine outpatient department (OPD) of sub district hospital Akhnoor from August 2020 to February 2021.Results: Almost half of the participants having duration of DM for more than 10 years and a mean age of 56.8±12.2 years. Based on the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI) assessment, 41% of study participants had a score of ≥6 in the history questionnaire. The most frequently reported symptoms among patients were numbness and pain while walking, which was present in 80.5% and 70.5% of study participants, respectively. Around 32-40.5% of T2DM patients were found to suffer from peripheral neuropathy in our study. A significantly higher prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) was found among males (43.7%) than females (37.1%).Conclusions: Early detection of DM and appropriate intervention and effective control is important for effective management among patients, especially with higher body mass index (BMI), obesity or with advancing age.

Anemia among women of reproductive age: a cross sectional study in Sub district hospital, Akhnoor

Background: Anemia in pregnancy can increase the risk of having a pre-term delivery/babies, which may further lead to low birth weight and sometimes death. Anemia is more prevalent in Asia, with half of the all-anemic women living in Indian subcontinent itself. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among women in the reproductive age group (15-49) in a rural population set up of Akhnoor.Methods: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted in Sub district hospital, Akhnoor, Jammu, J and K, India, over a period of 6 months from September 2020 to February 2021, on a total of 320 women in the reproductive age group of 15 to 49 years.Results: A total prevalence of 59.06% was found with highest among pregnant females. Out of this total anemic patient 59.78% (113/189) were mild anemic, and 40.22% (76/189) were either moderately anemic or severe. High prevalence of anemia was seen among illiterate women (68.89%). Prevalence was also significantly associated to excessive/ scanty menstruation. Besides, menstrual cycle more than 35 days and less than 21 days were found to be at higher risk of anemia (60.53% and 83.33%). Underweight women were also found at higher risk of anemia (69.52%). Only 88 out of 320 women studied had completed the course of IFA tablets.Conclusions: Several socio-demographic, menstrual, dietary, environmental, and behavioral factors were associated with anemia. Women of reproductive age should be motivated to include food fortification or iron supplementations in their diet

Reference range of glycated hemoglobin in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is now affecting many in the workforce; it has major and deleterious impact on both individual and national productivity. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) can be used as diagnostic test for diabetes subject to stringent quality assurance tests, while assays are standardized to a criteria aligned to the international reference values. HbA1C has now been recommended by American Diabetic Association (ADA) as a tool to diagnose diabetes. The main objective of the present research is to establish the reference range for glycated hemoglobin in healthy non-diabetic subjects in our hospital laboratory and compare it with the values reported by standard laboratories.Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Super Specialty Hospital, Government Medical College, Jammu. Total number of subjects was 50 (25 males, 25 females), aged between 30-70 years. 2ml of venous blood was collected from antecubital vein under aseptic conditions from each individual and put in EDTA vials and the samples were estimated in fully auto-analyzer.Results: This study has delivered different results for males and females. In males, the normal levels were 6.12± 0.76% while in females; the levels were 6.30 ± 0.62%. The overall range in males was 4.3- 7.18% while in females it was 4.7 - 7.30%.Conclusions: The values were comparable (p>0.05) with those reported by standard laboratories, e.g. Dr. Lal Path Labs (<6%) and SRL Lab (≤5.7%). Hence, our values are suitable to be used as cut-off while interpreting the results of patients with diabetes mellitus.