Delivery Issues Research Articles

Undergraduate Curriculum Designed to Facilitate a Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation Program.

In 2030, more than 22.1 million cancer survivors are expected to reside in the USA. A workforce knowledgeable in the unique issues of oncologic exercise design and delivery will help to fulfill the need for services that improve survivor health, prognosis, and quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this project was to describe the application of a cancer exercise rehabilitation training program on student performance benchmarks and patient outcomes. Thirty-seven kinesiology students were taught how to design an exercise program for cancer patients through face-to-face instruction (10h) and online material. Students created and delivered exercise prescriptions to cancer patients (n = 111) over 12weeks. Surveys evaluating student performance, patient fitness, and patient psychosocial outcomes were used to assess students' skill proficiency, ability to apply newly acquired knowledge, and academic/professional growth. A 2-way ANOVA evaluating student performance scores revealed a significant main effect of time (F(1, 165) = 22.92, p < 0.001), indicating that student performance was improved. Post hoc tests showed the "skill proficiency, knowledge and exercise leadership" dimension was significantly improved (p < 0.0001). Cancer patients had significant improvements in body composition, muscular function, flexibility, and balance (p < 0.05). Students succeeded in tasks directly related to content learned in prerequisite kinesiology courses, while 3weeks was required for students to become proficient in clinic-related duties. Ninety percent of the students reported that the internship was an excellent learning experience. The curriculum was successful in teaching students how to design and implement exercise programs that improve cancer patient fitness and QOL.

SP-0731: Physics treatment planning and delivery issues for FLASH Radiotherapy

SP-0731: Physics treatment planning and delivery issues for FLASH Radiotherapy

Freeze-Dried Therapeutic Microbubbles: Stability and Gas Exchange.

Microbubbles (MBs) are widely used as contrast enhancement agents for ultrasound imaging and have the potential to enhance therapeutic delivery to diseases such as cancer. Yet, they are only stable in solution for a few hours to days after production, which limits their potential application. Freeze-drying provides long-term storage, ease of transport, and consistency in structure and composition, thereby facilitating their use in clinical settings. Therapeutic microbubbles (thMBs) consisting of MBs with attached therapeutic payload potentially face even greater issues for production, stability, and well-defined drug delivery. The ability to freeze-dry thMBs represents an important step for their translation to the clinic. Here, we show that it is possible to freeze-dry and reconstitute thMBs that consist of lipid-coated MBs with an attached liposomal payload. The thMBs were produced microfluidically, and the liposomes contained either calcein, as a model drug, or gemcitabine. The results show that drug-loaded thMBs can be freeze-dried and stored for at least 6 months. Upon reconstitution, they maintain their structural integrity and drug loading. Furthermore, we show that their in vivo echogenicity is maintained post-freeze-drying. Depending on the gas used in the original bubbles, we also demonstrate that the approach provides a method to exchange the gas core to allow the formulation of thMBs with different gases for combination therapies or improved drug efficacy. Importantly, this work provides an important route for the facile off-site production of thMBs that can be reformulated at the point of care.

The Effect of Caching on CP and ISP Policies in Information-Centric Networks

Internet traffic volume is increasing, and this causes scalability issues in content delivery. Information-centric network has been introduced to support this increase in Internet traffic through caching. While collaborative caching in information-centric network is a crucial feature to improve network performance and reduce delivery costs in content distribution, the current pricing strategies on the Internet are not incentive compatible with information-centric network interconnection. In this paper, we focus on the economic incentive interactions in caching deployment between several types of information-centric network providers (content provider and Internet service provider). In particular, we develop game-theoretic models to study the interaction between providers in an information-centric network model where the providers are motivated to cache and share content. We use a generalized Zipf distribution to model content popularity. We formulate the interactions between the Internet service providers and between the content providers as a noncooperative game. We use a Stackelberg game model to capture the interactions between the content provider and Internet service providers. Through mathematical analysis, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium under some conditions. An iterative and distributed algorithm based on best response dynamics is proposed to achieve the equilibrium point. The numerical simulations illustrate that our proposed game models result in a win-win solution.

Therapeutic applications of trans-splicing.

RNA trans-splicing joins exons from different pre-mRNA transcripts to generate a chimeric product. Trans-splicing can also occur at the protein level, with split inteins mediating the ligation of separate gene products to generate a mature protein. Comprehensive literature search of published research papers and reviews using Pubmed. Trans-splicing techniques have been used to target a wide range of diseases in both in vitro and in vivo models, resulting in RNA, protein and functional correction. Off-target effects can lead to therapeutically undesirable consequences. In vivo efficacy is typically low, and delivery issues remain a challenge. Trans-splicing provides a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic approaches. However, much more research needs to be done before developing towards preclinical studies. Increasing trans-splicing efficacy and specificity by rational design, screening and competitive inhibition of endogenous cis-splicing.

Assessment of Customers’ Perception towards Service Delivery among Public Service Organizations in Dire Dawa Administration

The issue of service delivery is becoming a global concern that demands continuous reform to fit the turbulent environment and changing customer needs. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess customer satisfaction on service delivery of selected public service organizations in Dire Dawa city Administration. The study employed the cross-sectional field survey method since relevant data were collected via at one point in time at public service organizations by distributing questionnaires to customers. A sample of 870 customers and 206 employees were randomly selected as study respondents in which In combination of a mixed research design was employed to quench the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, mean values, frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze the responses of respondents. The results of the study indicated that the five service delivery dimensions and customer satisfaction were positively correlated; the general level of customer satisfaction and the service delivery dimensions were moderate. The major challenges in service delivery such as lack of service mentality and deterioration of employees’ motivation, prevalence of corruption and rent seeking activities and behavior, absence of regular consultation with customers and stakeholders, lack of cooperation and integration among stakeholders, insufficient skilled man power, shortages of equipment and machineries, inefficient and inappropriate grievance handling systems, lack of revision of existing rules and regulations on timely basis, inability/under capacity of the middle managers to monitor and manage employees, and discrepancy between supply and demand were thoroughly identified. Finally, based on the analysis and conclusions, possible recommendations were suggested for alleviating the major challenges of service delivery processes in the study area. Key Terms: Customer Satisfaction, Dire Dawa Administration, Public Service Organizations, Service Delivery DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/10-10-05 Publication date: October 31 st 2020

Food Purchase Using Food Delivery App and Gender Influence

Evolution of various apps on smartphones attracts tech-savvy customers to explore the online market. Developments and social changes are one of the factors contributing to food delivery apps. The sample population consists of undergraduate and postgraduate college students from Coimbatore city. The study aims to explore the gender influence in online food purchase using food delivery apps. Non-probability convenience sampling technique is adapted to select the sample and structured questionnaire was administered to collect the data. The study identifies that there is a difference in gender and frequency in placing orders, choosing food delivery app and issues faced, preferring different food delivery apps, factors influencing the selection of service providers. The respondents are having more than one app to place orders. There is equality among both the gender regarding reasons to prefer the same app and expecting service quality of the food delivery apps. The change in the culture has taken place slowly by e-retailing in the city where family values and tradition is respected more.

End Users' Initial Perceptions of mHealth in Nigeria

Mobile health (mHealth) is perceived as a “silver bullet” solution to many of the existing healthcare delivery issues in developing regions. However, the design, development, piloting, implementation, and maintenance activities associated with mHealth are significant. Fundamental to the success of mHealth is stakeholder support within the healthcare system. A qualitative exploratory approach using interviews, presentations, and focus groups was pursued to investigate primary healthcare (PHC) workers' initial perceptions of the proposed IMPACT app to support the assessment of sick young children in the community in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. PHC workers welcomed the prospect of using the IMPACT app. However, they were keen to highlight local infrastructural challenges and lack of access to training as barriers to the wider rollout of the IMPACT app. Through investigating PHC workers' initial perceptions, mHealth projects may be better designed to positively influence end users' commitment and motivation to use mHealth as part of their roles in the future.

COMMENTARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE WOJEWÓDZKI SĄD ADMINISTRACYJNY IN ŁÓDŹ OF 9 MAY 2019, REF. ACT: III SA/ŁD 1089/18 (ELECTRONIC DELIVERY – ART. 391 OF THE CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE)

This gloss concerns primarily the issue of delivery of letters by electronic means of communication. The author indicates the requirements resulting from the currently applicable provisions of law necessary to apply this form, the effects of its application and the mutual relationship of this procedural institution and the traditional form. The study also takes into account the broadly understood context of these regulations, ranging from the institution of appeal in general, through the importance of service and determination of the legal consequences it entails, to the obligations of a public administration authority in this respect and the impact on the situation of a party to proceedings. The author shares the view of the WSA in Łódź, according to which «an attempt to deliver a decision in a traditional way, i.e. by post, when the addressee requests electronic delivery, results in the fact that the authority cannot rely on the fiction of delivery due to failure to collect the parcel (twice advised parcel) resulting from art. 44 § 4 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.» and presents arguments in support of this thesis.

COVID-19 and haematology services in a cancer centre from a middle-income country: adapting service delivery, balancing the known and unknown during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in multiple spheres of healthcare delivery in the world. Developing nations have had to tackle this unanticipated crisis in the midst of various other healthcare delivery issues and resource constraints. As a tertiary level cancer care provider located in an eastern Indian city, a COVID-19 hotspot, we share our experience from the perspective of haematology and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) services. The primary challenges related to infection control included infection screening and decreasing exposure among patients and healthcare workers. Logistic challenges include maintaining essential patient care services, personnel redeployment, blood bank inventory constraints and maintaining the supply chain for a continuum of care. Clinical management challenges were dealt with by rationalising treatment delivery by modification of treatment regimens, risk-based deferral of HSCT, management of COVID-19 in patients, and staggering the follow-up schedules in survivors and those on maintenance therapies, among other strategies. These challenges were compounded by the restrictions imposed by a countrywide lockdown in the initial period of the pandemic, which also affected the socio-economic aspects of treatment delivery. As a training institution, this period also impacted academics and research activities. This overview details our response to these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has many unknowns.

'It's kinda bad, honestly': Australian students' experiences of relationships and sexuality education.

Relationships and sexuality education for young people in Australia and elsewhere is a controversial topic. Numerous studies in Australia have focused on curriculum, policy, teachers, schools, sexting and other behaviours, and knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infection (STI)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pregnancy prevention. Few large-scale national studies have engaged with young people about what they want out of their sex education, and what they suggest would be most valuable for future programs in Australia. Data for the study included qualitative comments about experiences of sex education (n = 2316) provided in a national survey of adolescent sexual health. An initial thematic inductive analysis identified comments falling into two dominant themes: positive and negative experiences of their sex education. Results indicate that young people in Australia are articulate and understanding of the gaps in their sex education. A majority of comments highlighted negative experiences. These comments primarily discussed issues of delivery (timing, environment, person) and content quality (comprehensiveness). A minority highlighted positive commentary also around delivery (environment, person) and content quality (comprehensiveness). The findings of this study illuminate contemporary adolescent concerns regarding their experiences of education. Understanding these experiences can inform future curriculum development, teacher training and the design and implementation of policy.

Cathepsin B-Responsive Liposomes for Controlled Anticancer Drug Delivery in Hep G2 Cells.

In recent decades, several types of anticancer drugs that inhibit cancer cell growth and cause cell death have been developed for chemotherapeutic application. However, these agents are usually associated with side effects resulting from nonspecific delivery, which may induce cytotoxicity in healthy cells. To reduce the nonspecific delivery issue, nanoparticles have been successfully used for the delivery of anticancer drugs to specific target sites. In this study, a functional polymeric lipid, PEG-GLFG-K(C16)2 (PEG-GLFG, polyethylene glycol-Gly-Leu-Phe-Gly-Lys(C16)2), was synthesized to enable controlled anticancer drug delivery using cathepsin B enzyme-responsive liposomes. The liposomes composed of PEG-GLFG/DOTAP (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (chloride salt))/DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine)/cholesterol were prepared and characterized at various ratios. The GLFG liposomes formed were stable liposomes and were degraded when acted upon by cathepsin B enzyme. Doxorubicin (Dox) loaded GLFG liposomes (GLFG/Dox) were observed to exert an effective anticancer effect on Hep G2 cells in vitro and inhibit cancer cell proliferation in a zebrafish model.

Towards nanoformulations for skin delivery of poorly soluble API: What does indeed matter?

Loading sparingly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and overcoming biological barriers are two challenging issues in the drug delivery and technology fields. In this work, we assessed the influence of composition on the ability of nanosized ethosomes to increase the apparent solubility and drug incorporation, as well as the skin penetration of two hydrophobic drugs, celecoxib and paclitaxel. Ethosomes were produced through the bottom-up method using ethanol injection, and APIs were added in supersaturated ethanolic solution. Variations in the composition of the aqueous phase (containing or not Tween 80 micelles) and phospholipid content (2 or 4%, w/v) were included to assess their effect on ethosomes characteristics and drug apparent solubility. Dynamic light scattering enabled monitoring the non-soluble API precipitation and indicated an increase in size (up to 500–1000 nm) and polydispersity (above 0.3). Soft and fast centrifugation at 5000g for 5 min enabled removal of non-soluble APIs, decreasing size and PDI to ~300–400 nm and 0.2–0.3, respectively. The nanoformulation incorporated ~60–90% of the API added, but short-term stability assays suggested precipitation of paclitaxel at 24–72 h. These results were evaluated by two factorial designs 22, and a significant effect of lecithin concentration on celecoxib solubilization was observed. A tendency of interaction between Tween 80 micelles presence and increased solubilization was observed for celecoxib but not paclitaxel. Higher amounts of celecoxib (~5-fold) were quantified in the stratum corneum and epidermis (minus stratum corneum) + dermis after treatment with ethosomes containing Tween 80 compared to those without the surfactant, but not in the receptor phase. For paclitaxel, presence of Tween 80 micelles did not affect delivery. This work evidenced the feasibility of the ethosomes developed to load poorly water soluble APIs and to deliver them to skin but suggest that this effect vary with composition and the API physicochemical characteristics. Nanocarrier composition and level of molecular complexity and characteristics of APIs are factors that can interact and generate distinctive effects on both API solubilization and delivery to/across the skin.

Adapting to disruption of research during the COVID-19 pandemic while testing nonpharmacological approaches to pain management.

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed research progress, with particularly disruptive effects on investigations of addressing urgent public health challenges, such as chronic pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Department of Defense (DoD) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pain Management Collaboratory (PMC) supports 11 large-scale, multisite, embedded pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) in military and veteran health systems. The PMC rapidly developed and enacted a plan to address key issues in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PMC tracked and collaborated in developing plans for addressing COVID-19 impacts across multiple domains and characterized the impact of COVID-19 on PCT operations, including delays in recruitment and revisions of study protocols. A harmonized participant questionnaire will facilitate later meta-analyses and cross-study comparisons of the impact of COVID-19 across all 11 PCTs. The pandemic has affected intervention delivery, outcomes, regulatory and ethics issues, participant recruitment, and study design. The PMC took concrete steps to ensure scientific rigor while encouraging flexibility in the PCTs, while paying close attention to minimizing the burden on research participants, investigators, and clinical care teams. Sudden changes in the delivery of pain management interventions will probably alter treatment effects measured via PMC PCTs. Through the use of harmonized instruments and surveys, we are capturing these changes and plan to monitor the impact on research practices, as well as on health outcomes. Analyses of patient-reported measures over time will inform potential relationships between chronic pain, mental health, and various socioeconomic stressors common among Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research on Consumers’ Preferences for the Self-Service Mode of Express Cabinets in Stations Based on the Subway Distribution to Promote Sustainability

With the explosive growth in the express delivery business, last-mile delivery issues have come to the forefront in China. Subway-based distribution has been demonstrated and practiced. The self-service mode of express cabinets in stations based on the subway distribution can effectively reduce the last-mile delivery costs, increase the utilization rate of public transportation resources, and reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. This paper designed self–service mode of express cabinets in stations and discussed the feasibility by investigating consumers’ preferences. The consumers’ preferences and influencing factors were examined by using the multicategorical logit model. The results show that consumers’ gender, education level and number of online purchases per month have an impact on consumers’ preferences. The majority of consumers are willing to actively engage in green consumer behavior. Meanwhile, consumers are more concerned about whether the express mode is convenient to conduct and the queuing of an express cabinet. Some suggestions and recommendations on promoting this self-service mode were put forward, such as pushing different advertisements for different groups of consumers, designing efficient and multi-function express cabinets, and adopting a reward system. This research provides guidance for decision making regarding the promotion of a new self–service mode based on the subway distribution, which can promote sustainable consumption and improve the efficient operation of urban last-mile delivery and the low-carbon development of urban transportation.

COVID-19 as a barrier to attending for gastrointestinal endoscopy: weighing up the risks

COVID-19 as a barrier to attending for gastrointestinal endoscopy: weighing up the risks

ALL-166: Novel RNAi Prodrugs Targeting Plk1 Induce Specific mRNA Cleavage in Pediatric Acute B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Context Acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL) is a predominant malignancy among children of different ages. Despite the efficiency of the existing drugs, up to 20% of children are primarily resistant to approved therapies or relapse after the standard treatment. Moreover, patients struggle from acute toxicities and long-term side effects, such as infertility, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular morbidities. Objective Therefore, there is a necessity in novel efficient treatments with minimal side effects. Design Pololike kinases (Plk) belong to the serine-threonine family and are key players in the cell cycle. One of them, Plk1, is expressed at a low level in healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but on a comparatively higher level in malignant lymphoblasts. Therefore, Plk1 is seen as a promising target in hematological malignancies. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has a high potential in cancer treatment due to its specificity. However, the delivery of short interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs), which induce RNAi, is a major issue. Setting In this project, we used siRNAs modified into self-delivering short interfering ribonucleic neutrals (siRNNs) in order to overcome the issue of the intracellular siRNA delivery. Once inside the cytoplasm, siRNNs are processed into siRNAs and induce RNAi with a consequent mRNA cleavage of a target protein. Patients or other participants Therefore, Plk1 siRNNs were used to target Plk1 mRNA in the primary B-cells from pediatric B-ALL patients diagnosed and treated at Astrid Lindgren's Children Hospital (Karolinska University Hospital). Results The results showed that the treatment of primary peripheral blood and bone marrow samples from patients cultured ex vivo with Plk1 siRNNs for 24 and 48 h resulted in a significant (p Conclusions We demonstrate for the first time that siRNNs targeting Plk1 can enter pediatric B-cell ALL patient cells without a transfection reagent and induce significant Plk1 knockdown, resulting in G2/M-arrest, apoptosis, and double-strand DNA breaks. Therefore, Plk1 siRNNs have the potential to be used as selective therapeutic drugs in pediatric B-cell ALL. Grant acknowledgements Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (C.P.A), the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation (C.P.A), Ake Olsson Foundation (C.P.A), Ake Wiberg Foundation (C.P.A), Magnus Bergvall Foundation (C.P.A), Karolinska Institutets Forskningsstiftelser (C.P.A).

Hyaluronic Acid/Parecoxib-Loaded PLGA Microspheres for Therapy of Temporomandibular Disorders.

This study aimed to fabricate Hyaluronic Acid (HA)/parecoxib-loaded PLGA microspheres for the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and investigate the in vitro and in vivo effect of the microsphere system to solve the issues of poor drug delivery and short duration on drug concentration in conventional TMD therapy. The microspheres were prepared by the double emulsion (w/o/w) method. Various formulations were compared in terms of particle size, drug loading rate and encapsulation rate. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR spectroscopy were performed to evaluate physicochemical properties. The drug release behavior of microspheres and toxicity assay on synovial cells were investigated. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effect on inflammatory markers, such as IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2, was assessed by real-time PCR. Then, the in vivo therapeutic effect of microspheres was investigated using mechanically-induced rat synovitis model. Protein levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2) from TMJ periarticular tissues were quantified by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed that microspheres were morphologically regular, smooth and non-cohesive. The average particle size of the microspheres was (25.32 ± 1.01) μm. The drug loading rate of parecoxib was 17.12%-20.95% with encapsulation efficiency reaching 51.9%-54.7%. In vitro drug release tests showed a successful sustained release over 28 days with a burst of 19.98% of the total drug substance. Treatment with HA/parecoxib-loaded PLGA microspheres declined the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 induced by LPS in articular synovial cells. Moreover, in vivo results demonstrated that the intra-articular microspheres significantly reduced protein levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2) for more than two weeks and stopped the mechanically-induced synovitis in its tracks in rat models. The study presented new and potential insights into treatments of TMD using PLGA microspheres loaded with HA and parecoxib as a successful drug delivery system.

Abstract 6237: Bone-targeted nanoparticle containing protein therapeutics as an effective delivery system for bone metastasis

Abstract Background: Protein drugs are one of the most promising new areas in drug research and development, however, great challenges are still faced in the drug delivery in vivo. Previously, we constructed bone targeted micelles for bone metastases. In order to address the issues of protein delivery in vivo and enhanced cancer bone metastasis treatment, we engineered and evaluated a bone-targeting nanoparticles by using metal organic framework nanoparticles (MOFs), bone-targeting agents (Alendronate) and hyaluronic acid (HA) as materials and a protein toxin as therapeutic. Methods: Alendronate (ALN) were conjugated to HA through PEG as linker and ALN-PEG-HA were obtained. Cytochrome C, as modle proteins, were caged in the MOFs (ZIF-8) by selfassembly of Zn2+ and organic ligands (2-methylimidazole) to form protein-encapsulated nanoparticles (ZIF8-CC). And ALN-PEG-HA were further decorated on the surface of ZIF8-CC nanoparticles via the coordination effect between its carboxyls and metal ions in ZIF-8 to result in active-targeting ALN-HA@ZIF8-CC nanopartilces. The materials and nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, TEM, DLS, XRD, TGA and N2 adsorption−desorption isotherms analysis. The in vitro release profiles, stability and cytocompatibility were also studied. Results: The synthesis of ALN-PEG-HA was confirmed by 1H-NMR and FT-IR. TEM, XRD and DLS showed that ALN-HA@ZIF8-CC nanopartilces had been prepared, and the experiment of washing nanoparticles with SDS confirmed that protein was encapsulated in ZIF-8 instead of adsorbed on its surface. TGA and N2 absorption-degradation isotherms analysis also confirmed the formation of the crystal structure and porous structure, respectively. HA coated nanoparticles have good stability while ZIF8-CC were easy to aggregate. The results of in vitro release showed that the nanoparticles have acid sensitive release properties and excellent cell compatibility. In addition, In vitro bone fragment targeting experiment confirmed that nanoparticles have strong bone affinity. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that bone-targeted protein drug-encapsulated MOFs were constructed. Citation Format: Yimin Niu, Cuicui Gao, Hongbin Yang, Qiang Huo, Andrew Wang, Ming Xu, Yang Liu. Bone-targeted nanoparticle containing protein therapeutics as an effective delivery system for bone metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6237.

Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery

This paper focuses on the Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery (VRPSPD) issue. VRPSPD is one of the extended problems related to the usual Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). VRPSPD consists of both linehaul customers and backhaul customers with a known demand. In VPRSPD, only a single depot can receive and supply the loads. The vehicles can only visit each customer once and can serve all customers simultaneously by delivering or picking up the loads within a limited capacity. VPRSPD is a NP-hard problem. The huge data size has increased the difficulty for it to be solved by using mathematical programming or combinatorial optimisation. A heuristic approach based on the Variable Neighbourhood Search (VNS) is proposed. Heuristic based solutions offer feasible solutions that are approximately accurate to the exact solution. It is one of the most popular solutions to solve a complex problem. In this research, the algorithm solution consists of two main phases. A simple heuristic is used to generate the initial solution in the first phase. Then, the feasible solution obtained in the first phase will become the initial input for the improvement phase which applied the VNS algorithm. The proposed algorithm is tested using a list of benchmark dataset. The result obtained is compared with the best solution that can be found from the literature research. The comparison result shows that the heuristic algorithm is favourable to be used for this kind of vehicle routing problem.