Optimization of ATM filling-in with cash

This report presents an approach for modeling daily cash demand for all ATMs in the Credit Agricole Bank network in Serbia. The approach is based on time series and regression methods for forecasting an optimal amount of money that should be placed daily in the ATMs in order to meet customers’ demands and mimimize costs of the bank. Three different types of costs were considered: cash freezing costs, transportation costs and insurance costs. The performance of the resulting forecasts were compared with results of the application that bank uses for prediciton of the time and the amount of filling-in for each ATM based on historical data

Optimizing Bus Routes in Nicosia

In this report the conclusions by the team of experts that took the ”Trans- portation Organization of the Nicosia District (OSEL)” challenge are provided. The challenge was to identify ways to improve efficiency of the bus network and increase the utilization of the network by the public. A thorough analysis of the various factors that affect bus route planning is provided. Moreover, a demonstration of a simplified route planning problem is described in order to motivate further work on this topic. Recommendations are provided to the company on the way to move forward towards solving the problem of creating a bus network with increased efficiency and grater appeal to the public. Specific recommendations include the collection of a larger amounts of data that can be used to generate models used in simulation analysis. Data include demographic data on bus usage and bus usage preferences by the public. In addition, data is required on bus travel times, walking distance to the nearest bus stop by the commuter, and traffic data

Stability and Release Kinetics of an Advanced Gliclazide-Cholic Acid Formulation: The Use of Artificial-Cell Microencapsulation in Slow Release Targeted Oral Delivery of Antidiabetics

Introduction: In previous studies carried out in our laboratory, a bile acid (BA) formulation exerted a hypoglycaemic effect in a rat model of type-1 diabetes (T1D). When the antidiabetic drug gliclazide (G) was added to the bile acid, it augmented the hypoglycaemic effect. In a recent study, we designed a new formulation of gliclazide-cholic acid (G-CA), with good structural properties, excipient compatibility and exhibits pseudoplastic-thixotropic characteristics. The aim of this study is to test the slow release and pH-controlled properties of this new formulation. The aim is also to examine the effect of CA on G release kinetics at various pH values and different temperatures. Method: Microencapsulation was carried out using our Buchi-based microencapsulating system developed in our laboratory. Using sodium alginate (SA) polymer, both formulations were prepared: G-SA (control) and G-CA-SA (test) at a constant ratio (1:3:30), respectively. Microcapsules were examined for efficiency, size, release kinetics, stability and swelling studies at pH 1.5, pH 3, pH 7.4 and pH 7.8 and temperatures of 20 and 30 °C. Results: The new formulation is further optimised by the addition of CA. CA reduced microcapsule swelling of the microcapsules at pH 7.8 and pH 3 at 30 °C and pH 3 at 20 °C, and, even though microcapsule size remains similar after CA addition, percent G release was enhanced at high pH values (pH 7.4 and pH 7.8, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The new formulation exhibits colon-targeted delivery and the addition of CA prolonged G release suggesting its suitability for the sustained and targeted delivery of G and CA to the lower intestine

Application of bile acids in drug formulation and delivery

Bile acids are naturally produced in humans and are known to provide human health benefits through their endocrinological, microfloral, metabolic and other åffects that are still to be elucidated. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using bile acids as absorption enhancers for drug delivery. Bile acids are amphiphilic molecules with a unique ability to facilitate and promote drug permeation through biological membranes. The role of bile acids in promoting drug permeation has been experimentally illustrated in various pharmaceutical formulations including oral, nasal, ocular, buccal, pulmonary and rectal delivery as well as through the blood–brain barrier. Recently, bile acids have drawn attention in the field of drug delivery due to their ability to act as a drug carrier system in the form of mixed micelles, bilosomes and chemical conjugates with drug molecules. Bile acids have demonstrated a unique ability to enhance the epithelial transport of hydrophilic drugs through the paracellular route and that of hydrophobic compounds through both paracellular and transcellular routes. The aim of this review is to discuss various chemical and pharmaceutical aspects of BAs and their potential applications in drug formulation and delivery

Potential Applications of Gliclazide in Treating Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Formulation with Bile Acids and Probiotics

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG A major advancement in therapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the discovery of new treatment which avoids and even replaces the absolute requirement for injected insulin. The need for multiple drug therapy of comorbidities associated with T1DM increases demand for developing novel therapeutic alternatives with new mechanisms of actions. Compared to other sulphonylurea drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, gliclazide exhibits a pleiotropic action outside pancreatic ß cells, the so-called extrapancreatic effects, such as antiinflammatory and cellular protective effects, which might be beneficial in the treatment of T1DM. Results from in vivo experiments confirmed the positive effects of gliclazide in T1DM that are even more pronounced when combined with other hypoglycaemic agents such as probiotics and bile acids. Even though the exact mechanism of interaction at the molecular level is still unknown, there is a clear synergistic effect between gliclazide, bile acids and probiotics illustrated by the reduction of blood glucose levels and improvement of diabetic complications. Therefore, the manipulation of bile acid pool and intestinal microbiota composition in combination with old drug gliclazide could be a novel therapeutic approach for patients with T1DM