Purchasing is one of the key managerial activities in every organisation, its significance having been identified during the 19th century. According to Kasilingham (2012, p.57), the period shortly before the Second World War marked the discovery of the fact that a firm’s success was not so much dependent upon what it was capable of selling but rather on how able organisations were to acquire necessary services together with materials from vendors. This discovery was triggered by a global shortage of virtually all fundamental materials for supporting operations, coupled with an abnormal rise in prices following the First World War. Since that time, purchasing has gained significance for the critical role it plays towards ensuring continuity of production (Hacioglu, 2019 p.265). Worth noting is that purchasing acts as “an interface between suppliers and functional areas within the buying organisation” (Crandall, Crandall & Chen, 2009 p.265). Among some of the functional areas that are influenced by purchasing are finance, marketing, production, and quality assurance (Magad & Amos, 2013 p.225). A vital deduction that can be made from this latter statement is that for the purchasing function to proceed smoothly and make the other functions- and the entire organisation- active, organisations must cultivate and maintain good relationships with suppliers and all other players in the supply chain. In addition, organisations operate in environments that are highly unpredictable; the techniques needed to perform the purchasing function become more refined almost every day due to constant changes in the market (Kasilingam, 2012 p.57). Subsequently, there is a need for managers in organisations to understand and embrace the idea of sustainable procurement.
The global endeavor to develop and deploy COVID-19 vaccines has underscored both significant scientific progress and enduring disparities in worldwide access. This analysis examines regional vaccine distribution patterns across World Health Organization (WHO) regions—Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, and Western Pacific—revealing substantial variations in vaccine types and manufacturer contributions. Data indicate that the Americas and Europe demonstrate a broad vaccine portfolio, with prominent contributions from major international pharmaceutical companies alongside regionally developed vaccines. Conversely, African, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific regions show considerable reliance on vaccines from Asian (notably China and India) and Russian manufacturers, in addition to Western products. This distribution highlights the influence of geographical proximity to manufacturing centers, regional alliances, and local production capabilities (e.g., CIGB and Finlay in the Americas, COVIran Barakat in the Eastern Mediterranean, and various Chinese products in the Western Pacific) on vaccine availability. Predominant vaccines by country count include Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty, AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria, Janssen's Ad26.COV2-S, Moderna's Spikevax, Beijing CNBG's BBIBP-CorV, and SII's Covishield. The observed regional variations in vaccine types and supply chains carry implications for comparative effectiveness research, the understanding of differential immune responses, and the evaluation of pandemic control strategies. Furthermore, inconsistencies in global data reporting and product nomenclature present challenges for comprehensive analysis. The findings emphasize the importance of diversified supply chains, the growing role of regional manufacturing in enhancing global health security, and the need for standardized global data for a more profound understanding of vaccine equity and efficacy to inform future pandemic responses.
Abstract Higher education in India is always a socio-political way and a powerful engine of social mobility. It adds to the benefits to society as more people earning Higher Education credentials. It is proven that college graduates earn more. They are less likely to be unemployed. They are more likely to vote, more likely to volunteer, and more likely to maintain good health. India as a Globalised and developing nation has been little systematically progressing on the educational front since its independence. The government is making progress in reaching out to all the classes of its society. The improvement in the country’s economic front has resulted in the upscaling of communication technology. The advent of the internet, have vastly leveraged the promotion of education across all verticals. But at the same time, the idea of Equity and Equality needs to be redefined in the present context of the newly established notion of ‘Inclusivity’. This paper deliberates on the various ideas and approaches of Higher Education in India on ‘Inclusivity’ in general and Equity and Equality in particular.
Chronic kidney disease is a public health problem affecting people worldwide. This study was aimed to examine the characteristics of patients with chronic kidney disease and to identify prevalence of drug-related problems among Libyan patients. This is a descriptive retrospective study carried out in Southern-west part of Libya, Sebha City. Information abstraction forms were used for collection of data. The investigators reviewed the medications, medical records and laboratory data to identify drug-related problems.1 000 patients' files during 2019-2020 were examined and only 120 files were selected for this study. The majority of the participants were male (73, 61.0%) and the mean age was 56.1 years. 576 comorbidities among the selected patients were identified (73.61%) and the average number per patients was 4.8 concurrent diseases. There were 1 350 medications prescribed and the average of prescribed drugs per patient was 11.25. The majority of patients use more than 10 drugs (64, 53.3%) and the average length of staying in the hospital was 5.58 days. 502 drug-related problems were identified with an average of 4.18 per patient. Untreated conditions such as Hyponatremia and anemia were the highest rate of drug-related problems identified (199, 39.6%) followed by improper drug selection (82, 16.3%) such as cefotaxime, vancomycin and aminoglycoside for chronic kidney disease and drug use without indications such as antibiotics (68, 13.5%) and over-therapeutic dose such as metoclopramide(63, 12.5%). In conclusion, all the patients have polypharmacy and the majority have comorbid conditions and chronic kidney disease with frequent drug-related problems, thus, to lower the incidence rate of drug-related problems, therapeutic interventions are needed. Subsequently, it is a crucial to involve clinical pharmacist in hospital to improve the care of patient with chronic kidney disease.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The use of performance feedback in the workplace has gained popularity over the years, yet school heads have been challenged in providing it to teachers. In the initial interview, they shared that evaluation results can impact teachers’ motivation, and that feedback should be done carefully. However, they failed to clearly articulate a specific mechanism that had been applied in this vital role. Also, no studies have provided clear detail on the feedback mechanism used by school heads in the past. For this reason, a study explored the feedback mechanisms employed by school heads in conveying the performance evaluation results to teachers. This study employed a narrative inquiry, and interviews were conducted with five school heads and five teachers who were chosen purposively for this research. Responses were recorded using a voice recorder. These responses were transcribed and analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Based on transcripts, the study identified six emergent themes, such as conversational (one-on-one), relational, reflective, technical, reinforcing, and properly situated mechanisms in conveying performance evaluation results to teachers. Thus, a new feedback mechanism framework was developed.
Library automation is just not a book inventory where hold, issue and receiving of books by using technological tools and services. Our applied research was found that most of the library administrative functionalities such as ‘Acquisition and Accessioning’, ‘auto Indexing & Classification’ and auto Cataloging (Books & Non books materials)’, inventory with real-time OPAC facilities and many more library science concepts are still missing constructs in Universities/College libraries across the country. In this modern era the concept of eLibrary is more popular because availability and accessibility of digitized content sharing through IT/ICT infrastructure is huge. During our research we found that cognizance of Library automation was completely ignored and focused on only talking and establishment of eLibrary. As we all know that “Physical Library” is not a substitute for “eLibrary”. In fact eLibrary is part of a Physical Library to share authenticated digitized content through IT/ICT infrastructure. After a decade of our applied research in the area of Library science, eventually we recorded a lot of findings based on our survey and discussion with senior researchers and Librarians. Our serious and consistent effort makes to succeeds in designing comprehensively effective and efficient operational strategies to build a “world class Library Automation and Paper less Library Management System” for Universities/College libraries. This paper emphasizes about the comprehensive real-time architecture and operational modules and their effectiveness to achieve the user’s satisfaction (flow of functionalities as per the exact need of the Library Management system). This dealt with how emerging technological tools and services are effectively integrated for designing new strategies in the area of library science includes various automation process and security concepts (using Barcode/RFID). Eventually, our dream comes true in building Use of Emerging Technological Tools and Services to building world class Paper less Library Information &Management System [LIMS]. presently deployed and use of this software product in more than 300 satisfied and client locations in INDIA, this product popularly named as “eLib” by AarGees Business Solution, Hubli, India. Though, our research is still on and continuing for further development to build “Global knowledge sharing Centre”.
The presented review was an attempt to share the contribution of Greco Arabic Muslim scientists in the field of medicine. In this regard, al-Andalusi, al-Antaki, al-Baghdadi, al-Jawhari, al-Kindi, al-Nafis, alRazi, al-Tabari, al-Zahrawi, Ibn Abdallah Ibn Idris al Qurtubi, Ibn al-Jazzar, Ibn al-Baitar, Ibn alHaitham, Ibn El-Quff, Ibn Haiyan, Ibn Sina, Ibn Wahshiyyah and Ibn Zuhr with their contribution has discussed.
The present study deals with the phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antibacterial activity of hydroalcohol, acetone, and hexane extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the agar well diffusion method. Gastric volume, pH, total and free acidity and the ulcerative index was also measured in hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava on gastric ulcer pyloric ligation in rat. Glycosides, terpenoids, and tannins are only present in the hydro alcohol extract. The extracts are tested against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains. The zone of inhibition against microorganisms is direct proportional to the concentration of extract. Maximum zone of inhibition (24mm) against Staphylococcus aureus except hexane extract was seen. Psidium guajava leaves show maximum phytochemicals compounds and inhibition of microorganisms in hydroalcoholic extract. So the hydroalcoholic extraction was used for anti-ulcer activity. The present study was performed in pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model in albino rats in which the ability of hydroalcoholic extracts of Psidium guajava was tested at a dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight orally and compared with Ranitidine (10 mg/kg) as standard. From the results it is concluded hydro alcohol leaf extracts of Psidium guajava 400 mg/kg dose level showed significant anti-ulcer activity when compared to that of standard drug.
Numerous initiatives to rely on new renewable energy sources, such solar electricity, have been sparked by the increased interest in global warming. With an increase in home photovoltaic (PV) panels that are available to the public, more precise calculations of energy generation are now possible. Segmenting satellite images offers a straightforward and inexpensive way to categorize solar panels..This work suggests a method for classifying and segmenting solar panels that combines the watershed algorithm with deep learning approaches. First, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture with the ResNet, EfficientNet, and Inception architectures is used for classification. Through the fine-tuning of pre-trained networks on a heterogeneous dataset of solar panels, transfer learning improves performance. The categorization model recognizes solar panels in a variety of settings with accuracy, making maintenance and monitoring easier. After classification, the watershed method uses intensity gradients to precisely delineate solar panels from the background. Tasks like defect detection and layout optimization are made easier when deep learning-based classification and watershed segmentation are combined. The outcomes of the experiments show how well the suggested method performs in terms of segmenting and classifying solar panels under various circumstances. A flexible automated solar panel management solution is provided by the combination of deep learning and the watershed algorithm, which promotes increased sustainability and efficiency in solar energy systems.
Vallecular cysts, although infrequent in adults, pose a challenge for anesthesiologists in view of the risk of airway obstruction at anesthesia induction or aspiration in case of cyst rupture. The present case is of a 35-year-old male patient who was scheduled for excision of a vallecular cyst. An awake technique was initially decided for nasotracheal intubation using a flexible videolaryngoscope, AmbuscopeTM, after complete topicalization of the airway with local anesthesia. However, anticipating the need for a tracheostomy, the surgical team was prepared, and this was timely chosen as the only viable option following failure to visualize the glottis despite negotiating every possible way around the cyst. This case highlights the successful management of a large vallecular cyst in an adult patient, where failed awake nasotracheal intubation despite optimal preparation necessitated an early, planned tracheostomy. This reiterates the fact that the surgical airway may not be always chosen as the last resort in crisis but also as a timely intervention to prevent an airway catastrophe.
Kidney transplant kidney transplant ( KTx) recipients have increased susceptibility to a spectrum of infections including; bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Many factors contribute to their infection potential risk, in terms of their immunosuppressive state, that result in suppression of their B‑and T‑lymphocyte repertoire, also to consider certain donor and recipient‑related factors, that make them at risk of specific type of infectious complications. In addition kidney transplant patients tolerate poorly infections, which may adversely affect their graft function, by inducing glomerular injury, hence early diagnosis, directed therapy, and careful dosing of antimicrobial agents is of paramount importance in reducing patient’s morbidity and mortality. We report a kidney transplant patient, who received her live related kidney graft 7 years earlier (in 2013), she has been with stable graft function in most of her follow up period, until she presented with pyrexia, dyspnea and fatigue associated with deterioration of her graft function.
The current study was conducted to determine the insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fiber content of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours, using AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric analysis. The results showed that M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris legume flours contained 155.91, 120.01, and 90.80 mg/g insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. At the same time, soluble dietary fiber was not found in any tested sample.
All the people who need loan may turn to their local banks, credit unions or peer to peer lenders. Every lending institution has its own advantages and drawbacks. In this scenario credit risk management becomes increasingly important element as the same is concerned with managing the financial debts and safeguarding the interest of the banks. The purpose of credits given by banks is to earn interest and make profits. The important function of credit management is to decide how much credit should be given to the borrower and ensuring compliances with the credit terms of repayment and avoid Non-Performing Assets (NPA) to the banks. Credit risk is the biggest risk the bank faces by the virtue of nature of business, inherits. The ability of commercial banks to formulate and adhere to policies and procedures that promote credit quality and curtail non-performing loans is the means to survive in the stiff competition. Inability to create and build up quality loans and credit worthy customers leads to default risk and bankruptcy as well as hamper the economic growth of the country
Object: The main purpose of the research is to develop modern tools for insurance management in the global economic crisis, to make an objective assessment based on a critical analysis of existing ones, to identify situations that could lead to international economic, social, and natural threats. It is made some recommendations for the development of insurance calculations for the republic of Uzbekistan. Methods: Methods for reforming modern calculation of insurance tariffication are recommended by means of theories of probabilities, statistical and mathematical analysis, and foreign advanced countries practical types of summarizing. Findings: While making an analysis, it has found that modern tools for the insurance management of Uzbekistan are needed. We proved this by the results of the modern calculation of insurance. For the development of the insurance market of Uzbekistan, it should be analyzed by means of penetration and density of insurance premiums, making the deepest calculation of risks of the economy of Uzbekistan, and using the main principles and formulas of the theory of probability. Conclusions: In the end, we can take some results, and give some recommendations such as using the tools of theories of probabilities can help us find the main risks of economy, it’s powers of influences of the market economy, statistical and mathematical analysis also add some practical, objective results for making under control of any types of insurance risks
The main focus of this study is the coverage of New Straits Times (NST) of the first Palestinian General Elections for two presidential candidates namely, Yasser Arafat and Samiha Khalil. This study aimed to explore if any of Entman’s 1993 framing functions was used in the coverage of this issue and to explore whether the tone of NST coverage was negative, positive, balanced or neutral. To achieve the aims of this study, qualitative content analysis of elections stories from NST has been adopted. The number of news stories was eight, and the time frame started from 19th January to 13th February 1996, where three of these stories were published on the same day of 22nd January, two days after holding the elections on 20th January. Defining problems and diagnosing causes were the most prominent of Entman’s four framing functions presented in all the articles. The moral judgment function was included in four news stories, and suggesting remedies was included in two news stories out of eight. The findings revealed that Yasser Arafat received 50% balanced coverage, followed by 37.5% positive coverage, and only 12.5% negative coverage, while Samiha Khalil received 67% balanced coverage, compared to 33% positive coverage.
As it is increasingly being reported from India, we carried out a prospective study of patients with culture-proven melioidosis from south India, examining clinical, laboratory features, epidemiological data, risk factors, treatments, outcomes at three and six months, and factors associated with mortality.Between 2014 and 2018, 31 cases were identified. Diabetes (83.9%) and alcohol abuse (58.1%) were common risk factors. Musculoskeletal, skin and soft tissue manifestations together constituted 48.4% of presentations, while 29% had pneumonia. During the intensive phase, 74.2% received one of three recommended antibiotic regimes, but 51.6% did not receive continuation treatment. Pneumonia and lack of continuation treatment were independently associated with a high mortality of 25.8%. Hot spots for melioidosis exist in India, and there is considerable diversity of presentation, including skin, soft tissue, musculoskeletal and neurological involvement. High rates of bacteraemia are shown.
This research was conducted at SD Darus Sholah, Jember which aims to answer the main problems related to the implementation of the Student Team Achievement Divisions learning strategy in integrated thematic learning. The problem studied in this research is the Implementation of the Student Team Achievement Divisions Strategy in integrated thematic learning at SD Darus Sholah, Jember. This research approach uses a qualitative approach with the type of phenomenological research. Methods of data collection using interviews, observation and documentation. Data analysis used the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, with the process of data collection, condensation, data display, and data verification. To test the validity of the data using triangulation. The results of this study indicate that: 1) At the presentation stage, the teacher starts with story material, reviews previous material, and learning activities in teams. 2) The teacher prepares a worksheet as a guide for group work and each member can contribute, the teacher makes observations, provides guidance, motivation, and assistance if needed. 3) Individual tests in groups. 4) Score development for individuals, the teacher combines the previous score with the final score. 5) Appreciation for the team is based on the assessment of individuals in the group so that the process of group assessment recapitulation is based on individual assessment of each group. Penelitian ini dilakukan di SD Darus Sholah Jember yang bertujuan untuk menjawab pokok permasalahan berkaitan dengan penerapan strategi belajar Student Team Achievement Divisions dalam pembelajaran tematik terpadu. Permasalahan yang dikaji dalam penelitian ini, Implementasi Strategi Student Team Achievement Divisions dalam pembelajaran tematik terpadu di SD Darus Sholah Jember. Pendekatan penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian fenomenologis. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Analisis data menggunakan model analisis interaktif Miles dan Huberman, dengan proses data collection, condensation, data display, and data verifiying. Untuk menguji keabsahan data menggunakan trianggulasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: 1) Pada tahap presentasi, guru memulai dengan materi cerita, mereview ulang materi sebelumnya, dan kegiatan belajar dalam tim. 2) Guru menyiapkan lembaran kerja sebagai pedoman kerja kelompok dan setiap anggota dapat berkontribusi, guru melakukan pengamatan, memberikan bimbingan, motivasi, dan bantuan jika diperlukan. 3) Tes individu dalam kelompok. 4) Skor pengembangan bagi individu, guru menggabungkan skor nilai sebelumnya dengan skor akhir. 5) Penghargaan bagi tim mendasarkan kepada penilaian terhadap individu dalam kelompok sehingga proses rekapitulasi penilaian kelompok, didasarkan kepada penilain individu masing-masing kelompok.
eveloping automated systems with a reasonable cost for long-term care for elders is a promising research direction. Such smart systems are based on realizing activities of daily living (ADLs) to enable aging in place while preserving the quality of life of all inhabitants in smart homes. One of the research directions is based on localizing items used by elders to monitor their activities with fine-grained details of the progress. In this paper, we shed the light on this issue by presenting an approach for localizing items in smart homes. The presented method is based on applying machine learning algorithms to Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags readings. Our approach achieves the required task through two stages. The first stage detects in which room the selected object is located. Then, the second one determines the exact position of the selected object inside the detected room. Additionally, we present an efficient approach based on gradient boosted decision trees for detecting the location of the selected object in a real-world smart home. Moreover, we employ some techniques of over- and under- sampling with data clustering for improving the performance of the presented techniques. Many experiments are conducted in this work to evaluate the performance of the presented approach for localizing objects in a real smart home. The results of the experiments have shown that our approach provides remarkable performance.
The aim of the study is to: assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on prevention of selected postoperative complications among 300 patients undergoing abdominal surgeries in selected hospitals. A pre-experimental research design and convenient sampling technique was adopted study. Data were collected by using structured interview schedule and structured questionnaire was used to assess the existing knowledge regarding prevention of selected post operative complications. Shows that majority (42.70%) subjects had inadequate knowledge and (18.30%) had moderate knowledge in pre test. In post test majority 44 (73.3%) had adequate knowledge and 16 (26.7) had moderate knowledge. The pre test mean score was 16.15 with the standard deviation of 4.65, whereas in post test the mean score was 30.7 with the standard deviation of 5.387 which indicates that structured teaching programme is statistically significant at P<0.01 level. There was significant difference between the pre test and post test knowledge scores t=20.56, P<0.01 level. There was a significant association between pre test knowledge scores with their education and no association between age, gender, religion, occupation, marital status, type of family, place of domicile, dietary pattern, personal habits and source of health information at P<0.01 level. Author concluded that that post test knowledge scores was improved after structured teaching programme. So structured teaching programme was effective in increasing the knowledge level regarding prevention on selected post operative complications among patients undergoing abdominal surgeries.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a critical threat to global health, exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic usage. This study evaluates antibiotic consumption at Hospital 199, a public security hospital in Vietnam, using the defined daily dose per 100 bed-days and the World Health Organization AWaRe classification framework. Data were collected retrospectively from inpatient departments over 2022, analyzing prescribing trends to assess stewardship effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The findings reveal a total antibiotic usage rate of 60.8 defined daily dose per 100 bed-days, predominantly driven by watch antibiotics (63.8%), followed by access antibiotics (36.2%), and minimal use of reserve antibiotics (0.0003%). Critical care departments, such as anesthesiology and intensive care, reported the highest consumption (190.54 DDD/100 bed-days), which may reflect the complexity of care provided and potential empirical prescribing practices, or an elevated infectious burden. β-lactam antibiotics accounted for 59.4% of total use, with third-generation cephalosporins representing the largest subgroup at 40.2% of defined daily doses. While adherence to stewardship principles was evident in the limited use of reserve antibiotics, the reliance on broad-spectrum agents highlighted systemic challenges, including empirical prescribing practices and limited diagnostic capacity. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote access to antibiotics, reduce over-reliance on watch agents, and enhance diagnostic support. By aligning local practices with World Health Organization guidelines, Hospital 199 demonstrates its potential to combat antimicrobial resistance effectively. These findings offer insights for similar low- and middle-income settings, contributing to global efforts to mitigate resistance and optimize antibiotic stewardship.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences