The Inmate Transportation Problem

The Inmate Transportation Problem (ITP) is a common complex problem in any correctional system. In this project we studied the present policies and practices used by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADoC) to transport inmates between 25 different state Correctional Institutions (CIs) across the state of Pennsylvania. As opposed to the current practice of manually deciding about transportation we propose a mathematical optimization approach.We develop a weighted multi-objective mixed integer linear optimization (MILO) model. The MILO model optimizes the transportation of the inmates within a correctional system. Particularly, the MILO model assigns inmates, who needs to be transported from a particular CI to another, to routes and vehicles while considering all legal restrictions and best business practices. By using real data instances, we tested the performance of the MILO model and show that the transportation need in a correctional system can be organized efficiently using classic vehicle routing and assignment optimization models. As a proof of concept, this master\u27s thesis proves that operations research is an effective tool to solve a complicated business problem in a correctional system, and save significant time and money along with ensuring safety of people involved in transportation

Study of drug utilization pattern in gynecology department of tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan, India

Background: With increasing awareness the flow of patients visiting gynecology outpatient department has increased. Drugs used in gynecology are one of the most selling drugs in India, however they are least studied with respect to drug utilization. Thus, present study was undertaken to analyse drug utilization pattern of Gynecology OPD in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A retrospective, cross sectional, observational study of prescriptions in Gynecology OPD of Jhalawar medical college, Jhalawar. Data was obtained from medical record database of patients that attended Gynecology OPD from October 2017 to March 2018 over period of six months. Prescription records of patients were screened as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and 300 prescriptions were randomly selected. Patient related, and drug related information was collected on a customized data collection sheet.Results: The mean age of patients was 20.5±8.65 years and common age of presentation was >18-30 years. In infective cases, PID (40.6%) was common, and in non-infective cases, menorrhagia (23.8%) was common. The average number of drugs per prescription was 5.2. In drug category, minerals (46.4%) were most commonly prescribed, followed by antimicrobials (27.6%), and NSAIDs (20.1%). Polypharmacy was observed in 100% of the prescriptions.Conclusions: In the present study all of the drugs prescribed were generic which were from the essential medical list of NLEM and WHO. This study revealed deviation from rational prescribing by the prescribers because average number of drugs per prescription was significantly higher than that recommended by WHO

Analysis of package inserts of commonly used drugs in obstetrics and gynecology in Jhalawar district: an observational study in Rajasthan, India

Background: Package Insert is the primary source of drug information for the patient. It is a printed leaflet that contains information based on regulatory guidelines for the safe and effective use of a drug. Studies on package inserts in India had shown that crucial information was often missing, and they lacked uniformity.Methods: 100 oral drugs used in Obstertrics and Gynecology from different brands were collected from big pharmacies located at Jhalawar and available package inserts were analysed according to Sections 6.2 and 6.3 of Schedule D of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.Results: Out of 100 oral drugs studied, package inserts were found in 72 drugs, most available information in therapeutic indicators was Posology and method of administration (100%) followed by contra-indications (94.4%), use in pregnancy and lactation (83%), interactions (77.8%) whereas less information about antidote and least about ability in driving and use of machine. In pharmaceutical indicators, it is instruction for use (86%), followed by special precautions for storage (76.4%), shelf life in the medical product as packaged for sale (52.8%).Conclusions: This study showed that many information relevant to the safe and effective use of medication was lacking in the analyzed package inserts. It is, therefore, recommended to update the existing package inserts based on criteria mentioned in the Schedule D of Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1945

Study of incidence, trends and determinants of caesarean section in tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan, India

Background: Lower Segment Caesarean section (LSCS) is recommended when vaginal delivery might pose a risk to the mother or baby. Worldwide rise in LSCS rate during the last three decades, has been the cause of alarm and needs an in-depth study.Methods: It was a retrospective, observational study conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Jhalawar medical college, Jhalawar. Data were obtained from medical record database of patients admitted for deliveries from October 2017 to March 2018 over period of six months. The total number of patients delivered and the number of LSCS done were counted to find the incidence of LSCS in our hospital. Age, parity and gestational age of the patients who underwent LSCS were tabulated.Results: In present study the incidence of LSCS was 31.1%. Of these cases 91% belonged to age group 20 -29 yrs. Emergency LSCS (72.1%) and primary LSCS (66.5%) were more common. The commonest indication of LSCS was previous LSCS in 35% followed by foetal distress, breech presentation, severe oligohydrominos and pre-eclampsia.Conclusions: In present study LSCS rate was high as compared to the WHO standard. The scheme like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) may have a great impact on accepting institutional deliveries by poor women which may be a reason of the increase of LSCS in India. Utilization of antenatal care, better doctor patient communication, doctor’s commitment to reduce the rate of LSCS, may help to reduce the increasing rate of caesarean delivery

Cost analysis and price variation of commonly used drugs in obstetrics and gynecology in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, India

Background: Drugs used in obstetrics and gynecology are strong selling drugs in pharmaceutical market but they are the least studied drugs in terms of cost analysis and price variation.Methods: Cost of most commonly used Obstetrics and Gynecology drugs in Jhalwar district manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies, in the same strength and dosage forms was obtained from Drug Today (January-March 2018). The difference in the maximum and minimum price of the same drug manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies and percentage variation in cost per 10 tablets/10 capsule/1 injection/1 protein packet/1 sachet were analysed.Results: In Obstetrics drugs, the highest cost ratio (1:9.5) and percentage price variation (848) was found for Ferrous Salt + Folic acid combination followed by Cefixime (1:4.3, 330), Nifedipine (1:3.7, 270), Folic acid (1:3.67, 266), Paracetamol. Amoxicillin was having least cost ratio (1:1.4) and percentage price variation (37). Maximum number of brand available for Ferrous Salt + Folic acid combination (41) followed by Paracetamol, Calcium Salt + Vitamin D3 combination. In Gynecological drugs, the highest cost ratio (1:35) and percentage price variation (3433) was found for Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgetral combination followed by Doxycycline (1:8.9, 793), Fluconazole. Metronidazole was having least cost ratio (1:1.3) and percentage price variation (27). Maximum number of brand available for Omeperazole (27) followed by Ethamsylate (22).Conclusions: This study shows that the average percentage price variation of different brands of the same drugs were very wide. Improved adherence to the drug treatment can be ensured by decreasing the cost of therapy, which can be done by changes in the government policies and regulations, integrating pharmacoeconomics as part of medical education curriculum, and creating awareness among treating physicians for switching to cost effective therapy

Developing Model for Fuel Consumption Optimization in Aviation Industry

The contribution of aviation to society and economy is undisputedly significant. The aviation industry drives economic and social progress by contributing prominently to tourism, commerce and improved quality of life. Identifying the amount of fuel consumed by an aircraft while moving in both airspace and ground networks is critical to air transport economics. Aviation fuel is a major operating cost parameter of the aviation industry and at the same time it is prone to various constraints. This article aims to develop a model for fuel consumption of aviation product. The paper tailors the information for the fuel consumption optimization in terms of information development, information evaluation and information refinement. The information is evaluated and refined using statistical package R and Factor Analysis which is further validated with neural networking. The study explores three primary dimensions which are finally summarized into 23 influencing variables in contrast to 96 variables available in literature. The 23 variables explored in this study should be considered as highly influencing variables for fuel consumption which will contribute significantly towards fuel optimization. Keywords: Fuel Consumption, Civil Aviation Industry, Neural Networking, Optimizatio

Environmental Disclosures and Size of Selected Indian Firms

Business responsibility is an easily said but hard to assume construct of sustainability literature. Out of the nine principles of Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR), the sixth principle envisages the environmental concerns of the businesses. The objective of this study is to explain the response of corporate entities towards Environmental Concerns (EC). The environmental concern of an organization has been gauged through environmental disclosures by these firms under the sixth principle of BRR. The general lack of emphasis on environmental disclosures still remains to be a key challenge to encourage Indian corporate houses to develop and adopt clean technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The role of clean technologies/environmental technologies is pivotal in ensuring adequate environmental disclosures. But the moot point is, do the firms of certain size would disclose more on EC. There is plenty of literature which suffices the relationship of size and environmental disclosure but by appearing green (disclosures) an organization cannot be green. An organization will be green through its clean technology and energy initiatives. There is a major shift in the sustainability literature by focusing on prevention rather than damaging and curing later. Clean energy initiatives are the first steps to towards preventing/minimizing the environmental damage. Therefore, the next important question arises what explains the variation in clean energy initiatives in an organization. Is it the size of the firm or regulation which leads to disclosing environmental concern (EC.?) The relationship between size of the firm and environmental disclosures related to EC has been found to be significant by applying‘t’ test in the selected sample of 40 companies, while the variation in clean technology initiatives in the same sample has been measured using binary logistic regression. Out of the two independent variables i.e. size and environmental concern it is established that instead of size it is the regulation which significantly pushes companies towards clean technologies and energy initiatives