Search

Under the overall requirements of China’s implementation of the “Dual Carbon” strategy and green manufacturing, the iron and steel industry will face severe challenges from carbon emission reduction in addition to costs. Pellet’s substitution of sintering is an important measure to effectively reduce the waste gas pollution load of pre-ironmaking, reduce energy consumption and carbon emission reduction, and is an important way for iron and steel industry to move towards green manufacturing. The cost reduction proposed in this paper is not limited to considering the intermediate processes such as procurement, sintering and pelletizing, but the overall consideration of the whole process from raw material procurement to blast furnace production. With the maximum molten iron profit as the objective function, the key factors such as ore inventory, sinter, pellets, molten iron and slag are comprehensively considered, and the mechanism model is established according to the comprehensive consideration of material flow, energy flow and information flow. Through the support of the system, it not only improves the pig iron profit, improves the metallurgical performance of the burden structure and slag performance, and promotes the smooth running of the blast furnace, but also reduces the market risk caused by the concentrate and lump ore inventory in the current period.

This study addresses the challenge of selecting outstanding students at higher education institutions under multiple constraints. We propose a novel integer programming solution to manage this process, formulating it as a constrained assignment problem with a maximization objective function. This function prioritizes the fair selection of students while respecting criteria such as academic qualifications, required skills, and student preferences. The goal is to develop a decision support system that efficiently selects qualified students at higher education institutions within a reasonable time. The model was tested using real data from Moroccan preparatory classes, achieving important assignment rates across all student categories. Results demonstrate significance in execution time, fulfillment of student choices, and prioritization of outstanding students. This approach offers a flexible, efficient solution for managing academic merit-based selections, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing fairness in the selection process.

The rapid advancement of technology has resulted in significant changes in the field of education. In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Bayesian network technology have emerged as promising tools for enhancing operations research and teaching performance evaluation. IoT devices and sensors can provide real-time data on student performance, while Bayesian network technology can analyze and predict the complex relationships between various variables. This paper proposes a performance evaluation model based on IoT and Bayesian network technology for operations research teaching. Operations research is a broad discipline with a high level of practicality and applicability. It is widely used in business administration, production planning, traffic management, engineering construction, and financial economics. Using experiments, analysis, and quantification, operations research organizes and manages all types of resources in the system, such as human resources, funds, and goods, and formulates the best business plan. Operations research teaching must combine intuitive geometry and immaterial theorems to improve students' understanding. The methods used in the teaching stage are simple: the teaching content could be more exciting and unintended, and it is difficult to grasp the teaching focus, making accurate evaluation of teaching performance difficult. Therefore, in the Bayesian network, the incremental results and the performance evaluation model of operations research achieve an accuracy of 87.3%. By thoroughly examining the fundamentals of Bayesian network technology, one can offer technical assistance in building an operational research teaching performance evaluation model. To combine with real-world teaching scenarios to assess the likelihood of risky events occurring during instruction and make a teaching performance evaluation model grounded in operational research. The B5 teaching effect has the highest risk probability of teaching work (0.89), and teachers with high professional titles have higher average values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have become important public health threats that require multi-faceted control interventions. As late treatment and management of NTDs contribute significantly to the associated burdens, early diagnosis becomes an important component for surveillance and planning effective interventions. This review identifies common NTDs and highlights the progress in the development of diagnostics for these NTDs. Leveraging existing technologies to improve NTD diagnosis and improving current operational approaches for deployment of developed diagnostics are crucial to achieving the 2030 NTD elimination target. Point-of-care NTD (POC-NTD) diagnostic tools are recommended preferred diagnostic options in resource-constrained areas for mapping risk zones and monitoring treatment efficacy. However, few are currently available commercially. Technical training of remote health care workers on the use of POC-NTD diagnostics, and training of health workers on the psychosocial consequences of these diagnostics are critical in harnessing POC-NTD diagnostic potential. While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the possibility of achieving NTD elimination in 2030 due to the disruption of healthcare services and dwindling financial support for NTDs, the possible contribution of NTDs in exacerbating COVID-19 pandemic should motivate NTD health system strengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the sensitive field of unconventional technologies, modern technologies, with a still pronounced novelty character, the consolidation of the market segment of industrial organizations, which procures these new technologies, the resistance to competition and winning new markets, depend deeply on the manager's ability to adapt to the new realities, to operate innovatively and dynamically in the new competitive framework.Operational research is used in various organizations and systems, in their management. Operational research is the application of scientific methods by an interdisciplinary team to the study of problems related to the management of organized systems in order to obtain solutions that best serve the interests of the organization as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In 2021, there were 4 million tuberculosis (TB) cases that were not detected by health systems, globally. Many of those cases are among hard-to-reach populations or key population groups. An Optimized Case Finding (OCF) strategy was introduced in Ukraine to enhance case detection and identify those "missing" cases. OCF included screening of up to eight referred household and social network contacts of an index TB case. Following the OCF project implementation, TB detection and characteristics of index cases and contacts were assessed. Methodology: A cohort study using project data (July 2018 - April 2022) was conducted. Results: In total 7,976 close contacts were engaged in the project from 1,028 index TB cases. Among the contacts, 507 were diagnosed with TB. The TB case detection was 6,356/100,000 and the number needed to investigate was 16. Multiple factors were identified as associated with TB detection including smoking, HIV, poverty, etc. About 90% of cases were identified at the initial screening of the contacts. OCF was proven to be 5.8 times more effective than the standard active case finding using household surveys and 106 times more effective than passive case finding in the general public. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of OCF in detecting cases among key population groups and their social networks. We encourage adaptation and use of OCF by civil society organizations that already work with key vulnerable populations around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze how the study of mathematical modelling in the discipline of Operational Research (OP) has been applied in the Production Engineering courses in three higher educational institutions in the Northeast of Brazil. The study owns qualitative approach as from a case study. The theoretical reference is based principally on the authors Hillier and Lieberman (2013) who developed the concept and purpose of the discipline of OP and Saviani (1996) which contextualized the issue of problem-situation. Teachers need to be constantly improving so that they can formulate/reformulate better methodologies for the execution and development of the teaching and learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannibalisation is still a concern for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) when they outsource remanufacturing operations to the authorised remanufacturers (ARs). In dealing with the cannibalisation in remanufacturing outsourcing, many OEMs (such as Sun, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Bosch Tools, and Gateway) use core collecting or remanufactured product remarketing. Motivated by examples from industry, we develop two models in which an OEM produces new products but outsources remanufacturing operations to a AR. The two potential strategies for dealing with the cannibalisation from remanufacturing outsourcing are: (1) collecting used cores from consumers, or (2) remarketing all remanufactured products to consumers. Among other results, we find that minimising cannibalisation problems does not equate with maximising profits. In particular, if the collection cost coefficient is not pronounced, the aggressive response by the OEM can effectively minimise the cannibalisation problems, but will reduce the profitability for the OEM on the other hand. Further, as the collection cost coefficient is moderate, remarketing remanufactured products can secure Pareto improvements. As such, we suggest that, practising managers should combine the cannibalisation problems of remanufacturing with the costs of collecting used cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Implementation science scholars argue that knowing ‘what works’ in public health is insufficient to change practices, without understanding ‘how’, ‘where’ and ‘why’ something works. In the peer reviewed literature on conflict-affected settings, challenges to produce research, make decisions informed by evidence, or deliver services are documented, but what about the understanding of ‘how’, ‘where’ and ‘why’ changes occur? We explored these questions through a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature based on core dimensions of the Extended Normalization Process Theory. We selected papers that provided data on how something might work (who is involved and how?), where (in what organizational arrangements or contexts?) and why (what was done?). We searched the Global Health, Medline, Embase databases. We screened 2054 abstracts and 128 full texts. We included 22 papers (of which 15 related to mental health interventions) and analysed them thematically. We had the results revised critically by co-authors experienced in operational research in conflict-affected settings. Using an implementation science lens, we found that: (a) implementing actors are often engaged after research is produced to discuss feasibility; (b) new interventions or delivery modalities need to be flexible; (c) disruptions affect how research findings can lead to sustained practices; (d) strong leadership and stable resources are crucial for frontline actors; (e) creating a safe learning space to discuss challenges is difficult; (f) feasibility in such settings needs to be balanced. Lastly, communities and frontline actors need to be engaged as early as possible in the research process. We used our findings to adapt the Extended Normalization Process Theory for operational research in settings affected by conflicts. Other theories used by researchers to document the implementation processes need to be studied further.

About 800 million people, or about 12% of the world's population, go abroad annually, making tourism one of the greatest global enterprises. The Himalayan region's nature and adventure-based tourism has a significant economic influence on West Bengal, India. The Singalila Range is well-known among tourists and trekkers from all over the world for its distinctive features and dynamic environment. The modified AHP-SERVQUAL model covering service provision attributes was studied in the subject of a case study in the Sandakphu Trail, Darjeeling, India, to determine critical dimensions. The most significant subdimension is deemed to be promptness of services, while the responsiveness dimension needs the most improvement in terms of providing excellent service. The discrepancy between tourists' perceptions and satisfaction with the tourism and services offered in the Sandakphu Trail, which is nestled in the Himalayan region of India, is critically examined in this topic based on Overall Tourism Satisfaction Index (OTSI). In order to evaluate the gaps in terms of tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy which eventually leads us to the assessment of the tourism and hospitality services in the Sandakphu Trail of the Himalayan region of India, this study has combined the methodologies of the AHP-SERVQUAL model. The OTSI data for the halting points, i.e., Mane Bhanjang (33.38), Meghma (42.53), Tumbling (67.23), Gairibus (42.14), Kalpokhri (44.70), and Sandakphu (65.79), demonstrate inconsistencies in the gap in the tourism services in these locations. As part of an operational research on management, this approach used in the study provides us with a clear understanding of the quality of tourism services in a straightforward manner without the need for quantitative data, which will be useful in proper tourism and hospitality service planning and management.

Background: People living in settings affected by conflicts face insecurity and live in fragmented social systems. Conducting research in these settings is essential, however integrating results into practices is complex. Implementation science tools are not used often in such environments. In this paper we explore how a convenience sample of interviewees experienced implementation in these settings, through the lens of the adapted Extended Normalization Process Theory (a-ENPT). Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 26 participants (donors, academics, and humanitarian actors). We assessed what key issues interviewees met and how they negotiated them. We combined an inductive thematic analysis to identify implementation issues, and we applied the a-ENPT deductively to question power imbalances, engaging a group of humanitarian actors as co-authors along the way. Results: The main challenges met by interviewees related to a) engaging frontline actors to produce knowledge; b) discussing the results critically; c) integrating research results in constrained learning spaces; and d) managing contextual instabilities in settings affected by conflicts. Interviewees negotiated these constraints through an early involvement of frontline actors, an institutional support, a meaningful engagement of communities, and balanced partnerships. Based on these findings we propose a tool to anticipate the power imbalances embedded in the implementation of research results in settings affected by conflicts, rooted in the a-ENPT constructs. Conclusion: We identified mechanisms that allowed for the negotiation of important challenges and power imbalances, through an implementation science tool. Further research should focus on the perspectives of communities affected themselves.

Background India has been implementing active case-finding (ACF) for TB among marginalised and vulnerable (high-risk) populations since 2017. The effectiveness of ACF cycle(s) is dependent on the use of appropriate screening and diagnostic tools and meeting quality indicators. Objectives To determine the number of ACF cycles implemented in 2021 at national, state (n = 36) and district (n = 768) level and quality indicators for the first ACF cycle. Methods In this descriptive study, aggregate TB program data for each ACF activity that was extracted was further aggregated against each ACF cycle at the district level in 2021. One ACF cycle was the period identified to cover all the high-risk populations in the district. Three TB ACF quality indicators were calculated: percentage population screened (≥10%), percentage tested among screened (≥4.8%) and percentage diagnosed among tested (≥5%). We also calculated the number needed to screen (NNS) for diagnosing one person with TB (≤1538). Results Of 768 TB districts, ACF data for 111 were not available. Of the remaining 657 districts, 642 (98%) implemented one, and 15 implemented two to three ACF cycles. None of the districts or states met all three TB ACF quality indicators’ cut-offs. At the national level, for the first ACF cycle, 9.3% of the population were screened, 1% of the screened were tested and 3.7% of the tested were diagnosed. The NNS was 2824: acceptable (≤1538) in institutional facilities and poor for population-based groups. Data were not consistently available to calculate the percentage of i) high-risk population covered, ii) presumptive TB among screened and iii) tested among presumptive. Conclusion In 2021, India implemented one ACF cycle with sub-optimal ACF quality indicators. Reducing the losses between screening and testing, improving data quality and sensitising stakeholders regarding the importance of meeting all ACF quality indicators are recommended.

Due to the workload and lack of a critical mass of trained operational researchers within their ranks, health systems and programmes may not be able to dedicate sufficient time to conducting operational research (OR). Hence, they may need the technical support of operational researchers from research/academic organisations. Additionally, there is a knowledge gap regarding implementing differentiated tuberculosis (TB) care in programme settings. In this ‘how we did it’ paper, we share our experience of implementing a differentiated TB care model along with an inbuilt OR component in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. This was a health system initiative through a collaboration of the State TB cell with the Indian Council of Medical Research institutes and the World Health Organisation country office in India. The learnings are in the form of eleven tips: four broad principles (OR on priority areas and make it a health system initiative, implement simple and holistic ideas, embed OR within routine programme settings, aim for long-term engagement), four related to strategic planning (big team of investigators, joint leadership, decentralised decision-making, working in advance) and three about implementation planning (conducting pilots, smart use of e-tools and operational research publications at frequent intervals). These may act as a guide for other Indian states, high TB burden countries that want to implement differentiated care, and for operational researchers in providing technical assistance for strengthening implementation and conducting OR in health systems and programmes (TB or other health programmes). Following these tips may increase the chances of i) an enriching engagement, ii) policy/practice change, and iii) sustainable implementation.

There are concerns from immunization program planners about high delivery costs for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Most prior research evaluated costs of HPV vaccine delivery during demonstration projects or at introduction, showing relatively high costs, which may not reflect the costs beyond the pilot or introduction years. This study sought to understand the operational context and estimate delivery costs for HPV vaccine in six national programs, beyond their introduction years. Operational research and microcosting methods were used to retrospectively collect primary data on HPV vaccination program activities in Ethiopia, Guyana, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Data were collected from the national level and a sample of subnational administrative offices and health facilities. Operational data collected were tabulated as percentages and frequencies. Financial costs (monetary outlays) and economic costs (financial plus opportunity costs) were estimated, as was the cost per HPV vaccine dose delivered. Costing was done from the health system perspective and reported in 2019 United States dollars (US$). Across the study countries, between 53 % and 99 % of HPV vaccination sessions were conducted in schools. Differences were observed in intensity and frequency with which program activities were conducted and resources used. Mean annual economic costs at health facilities in each country ranged from $1,207 to $3,190, while at the national level these ranged from $7,657 to $304,278. Mean annual HPV vaccine doses delivered per health facility in each country ranged from 162 to 761. Mean financial costs per dose per study country ranged from $0.27 to $3.32, while the economic cost per dose ranged from $3.09 to $17.20. HPV vaccine delivery costs were lower than at introduction in some study countries. There were differences in the activities carried out for HPV vaccine delivery and the number of doses delivered, impacting the cost estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The journal "International Transactions in Operational Research" (ITOR) marks its 30th anniversary this year. This study undertakes the first bibliometrics analysis of ITOR covering the past 30 years (1994–2023). Utilizing metadata from 1835 articles published in the journal, this article evaluates ITOR's intellectual, conceptual, and social structures. The study highlights several exciting outcomes: First, the literature publication trend shows sustained growth and increased articles' publication and citation impacts. Second, the analysis of the intellectual structure using co‐citation analysis and text analytics identified a solid collaborative relationship with core sources in operations research and management science and applications. Third, the conceptual evaluation using the co‐occurrence of keywords as the unit of analysis identifies the thematic trends of publications in ITOR. Finally, the social structures, which focused on country collaborations and literature contributions dynamics and impacts, offer insights into future directions to maintaining or strategizing a global focus for the Journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes operational research (OR) contributions in forestry over the past 50 years, based on scientific pathways along which the authors have traveled. We draw on our personal experiences and recall how the use of OR in forestry has evolved from the early use of linear programming in the Canadian forest products industry in the 1950s and strategic forest management planning by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1960s. We describe the widespread use of OR in many aspects of forestry over a 50‐year timespan (1970–2020) and to the present day, where climate change and biodiversity challenges and increased data availability are important. The paper covers many areas of forestry, including forest management, natural disturbance processes, tactical and operational harvesting, transportation, and value chain management. Each section in the paper includes a historical description of OR‐based key applications as well as OR‐based model and method developments Additionally, we discuss our perceptions of OR in future use and its importance in forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Digital transformation has become a crucial phenomenon, impacting society and industries through the implementation of digital technologies. It involves organizations adapting to gain a competitive edge, sense disruptions, and reorganize their business models. Challenges include the need for new strategies and skills, while opportunities arise from increased organizational performance and value creation through data utilization and innovative solutions. Overcoming inertia and resistance are critical in achieving successful digital transformation. Operational research plays a significant role in understanding and addressing these challenges and opportunities in the digital age. This article introduces the Special Issue on ‘Operational Research and Business Intelligence as Drivers for Digital Transformation’ and briefly discuss its relevance and the works it includes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To understand how replacement of decision-makers (DMs) serving as principal investigators (PI) or co-PIs on research teams may affect the feasibility and value of embedded implementation research (EIR) used to improve health policies, programs, and services in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods. This was a descriptive qualitative study based on 39 semistructured interviews with 13 embedded research teams selected by financing agencies to explore team composition, interaction among members, and research results. Interviews were conducted at three points during the study period from September 2018 to November 2019; data were analyzed from 2020 to 2021. Results. Research teams were found to be operating in one of three situations: (i) permanent core team (no change) with either active DM or inactive DM participation; (ii) replacement of DM–PI or co-PI that did not affect EIR research; and (iii) replacement of DM–PI that affected EIR. Conclusions. To ensure EIR continuity and stability, research teams should include high-level DMs together with more technical staff performing essential implementation activities. This structure could improve collaboration among professional researchers and ensure greater embeddedness of EIR to strengthen the health system.

Objective. Colistin is an antibiotic of last resort for treating serious Gram-negative bacterial infections. However, the misuse of colistin, especially as an animal growth promoter, has contributed to increasing antimicrobial resistance, mediated mainly through plasmid transfer of the mcr-1 gene. This study assessed the prevalence of phenotypic and molecular colistin resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ecuador in healthy humans and their chickens and pigs. Methods. Fecal samples were collected from humans and their chickens and pigs in two rural coastal and Amazon regions between April and August 2020. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated and identified using conventional techniques. Phenotypic resistance was determined using the broth microdilution technique, and the mcr-1 gene was detected using conventional polymerase chain reaction. Results. A total of 438 fecal samples were obtained from 137 humans, 147 pigs and 154 chickens. The prevalence of E. coli isolates was 86.3% (378/438) and K. pneumoniae, 37.4% (164/438). Overall, the mcr-1 gene was found in 90% (340/378) of E. coli isolates, with higher prevalences found in isolates from coastal regions (96.5%, 191/198), humans (95.6%, 111/116) and chickens (91.8%, 123/134); for K. pneumoniae, the gene was found in 19.5% (32/164) of isolates, with equal distribution between regions and hosts. Only four isolates, two E. coli and two K. pneumoniae, showed phenotypic resistance: mcr-1 was present in both E. coli strains but absent in the K. pneumoniae strains. Conclusions. Despite a low prevalence of phenotypic resistance to colistin, the high prevalence of the mcr-1 gene in E. coli is of concern. Ecuador’s ban on using colistin in animal husbandry must be enforced, and continual monitoring of the situation should be implemented.

Introduction: Continuous procurement of various equipments in the hospitals is essential to keep up with global progress of healthcare services. In public sectors, procurement process largely depends on budget sanctions and also by a number of formal procedures and rules which leads to delayed procurement. With this prevalent scenario, the present study was carried out to evaluate the procurement of two major equipments in an apex tertiary care institute using Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Objective: This study was done to evaluate the procurement of two major equipments using PERT in a tertiary care institute. Method: This study was conducted using Operational Research technique in an apex tertiary care institute i.e., medical college and hospital, in one of the North Eastern states of India. All the procurements related to equipments in that teaching hospital initiated in the financial year 2021 were listed. Out of them, two procurement files were selected by simple random sampling; procurement of Operating Table and Bio Safety cabinet Level – III. Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) was applied to calculate the possible reduction in time in the whole procurement process. Results: The present study showed that procurement of Operating table took 185 days where minimum 8 days could have been saved and procurement of Bio-Safety cabinet Level-III was completed by 702 days where minimum 196 days could have been saved. Conclusion: Application of PERT in this procurement evaluation process can play significant role by calculating critical path and predicting the possible delay.