A decomposition approach for commodity pickup and delivery with time-windows under uncertainty

We consider a special class of large-scale, network-based, resource allocation problems under uncertainty, namely that of multi-commodity flows with time-windows under uncertainty. In this class, we focus on problems involving commodity pickup and delivery with time-windows. Our work examines methods of proactive planning, that is, robust plan generation to protect against future uncertainty. By a priori modeling uncertainties in data corresponding to service times, resource availability, supplies and demands, we generate solutions that are more robust operationally, that is, more likely to be executed or easier to repair when disrupted. We propose a novel modeling and solution framework involving a decomposition scheme that separates problems into a routing master problem and Scheduling Sub-Problems; and iterates to find the optimal solution. Uncertainty is captured in part by the master problem and in part by the Scheduling Sub-Problem. We present proof-of-concept for our approach using real data involving routing and scheduling for a large shipment carrier’s ground network, and demonstrate the improved robustness of solutions from our approach

Oral mucosal lesions - A study of 369 cases

Background: Diagnosing and treating oral cavity lesions is a challenging task for most of the clinicians due to similar symptoms and clinical appearances. Frequently, histopathology and immunohistochemistry aid in making the diagnosis. Objectives: The objectives were to describe the clinical features, and histopathological features and systemic association in patients with oral mucosal lesions (OML). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken at a tertiary care centre in patients with OML. A total of 369 cases with OML were included in the study. Results: Males constituted 61.78% of the cases. History of habits such as tobacco, gutka chewing, smoking, and alcohol was given by 32.25%, 29.81%, 26.56%, and 11.38% of cases, respectively. Common symptoms were soreness, burning sensation, oral pain and ulcers. Both oral and cutaneous involvement was seen in 17.89% of cases. Oral lichen planus (oral LP) constituted largest group of patients (21.96%) wherein reticulate type was the most frequent type and buccal mucosa was the commonest site. Oral carcinomas constituted 20.33% of cases followed by infective etiology (11.92%), vesiculobullous group of diseases (10.30%), aphthous stomatitis (8.94%), premalignant lesions (7.05%) such as leukoplakia (3.80%) and submucous fibrosis (2.44%). Histopathology was done in 209 cases. Clinico-histopathological correlation was seen in oral LP (90.27%), oral pemphigus (82.35%), and malignancies (98.66%). Conclusion: Oral LP formed the largest group of cases followed by Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Several rare conditions, such as Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome and blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome were also a part of the study. Thorough clinical and histopathological examination in this diverse group of diseases clinches the diagnosis