The paradoxes of just-in-time system: an abductive analysis of a public food manufacturing and exporting company in Thailand

Purpose study aims to investigate the implementation and impact of a just-in-time (JIT) system in a food manufacturing and exporting company in Thailand. Design/methodology/approach At the company, the authors used an anomaly case study. The authors performed content analysis on the data collected through semi-structured interviews and direct observations to determine operational flows through customer order, production and delivery. The authors constructed a framework that helped in mapping current operations and subsequently assessing JIT’s impacts; the authors reported the best practices to the company’s owner. Based on the follow-up after a year, the authors used an abductive approach to refine the JIT theory using data from case organizations and relevant studies. Findings The company encountered errors and delays in international delivery owing to inadequate inputs resulting from uncertain agricultural production, delayed contact with freight forwarders, improper documentation and insufficient staffing. Besides the highly centralized system, the limitations of the JIT philosophy contributed to the issues, thereby increasing mental and physical health problems and turnover rate. Owing to these paradoxical effects, the authors extended the JIT theory. Of the study’s several recommendations, the company observed only the following: contacting the freight forwarder after the purchase order confirmation, not production completion. The authors observed increased customer satisfaction, despite the additional cost of booking containers early. Originality/value This research presents a balanced JIT that can minimize JIT’s impacts and resource shortage, owing to demand-supply uncertainties and sustain competitiveness.

The Physical Health Evaluation of Adolescent Students Based on Big Data

Globally, it is widely accepted that the physical health of the young generation is continuously declining which remained unnoticed in many countries including China. Therefore, it is very important to scientifically investigate the evaluation index system and effectively interrogate the current health position of the young generation especially students. The results regarding health issues will be further investigated in terms of finding the optimal solutions for improving the status quo. Considering adolescent physical health evaluation indicators of Chinese students, this paper introduces the new era of adolescent physical health evaluation which should focus on “health quality indicators” for analyzing the objectivity and applicability of the indicators through testing and research methods. The method of simulation experiment research is used to demonstrate the scientificity and validity of the index. The optimization of the physical health evaluation indicators of adolescent students helps in assessing the health quality of adolescents, scientifically and accurately. In addition, it can effectively improve the physical health problems faced by adolescents. The proposed model achieves the evaluation indicators of adolescent health quality, collects physical health information and exercise data of adolescent students in a certain area of the northwest through big data, and conducts research as the research object. Furthermore, through the collation and analysis of the correlation data of the aerobic capacity evaluation indicators, the results show that the mid-run test value currently used in China is negatively correlated with the relative value of the measured maximum oxygen uptake on the treadmill.

Vulnerability and Resilience Among Older Adults During the COVID Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is particularly challenging for many older adults. They are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing and sheltering in place to decrease morbidity and mortality risks. However, social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of mental and physical health problems. Nonetheless, there are indications that older adults may be more resilient than originally thought. Park et al. present longitudinal findings that younger adults fared worse than middle-aged or older ones, reporting greater distress and less social support, mindfulness, and emotion regulation skills. For older participants, acceptance of negative emotions and social support predicted lower distress. Choun et al. also present longitudinal data, showing that depressive symptoms decreased among older adults during the lockdown phase of the pandemic, but reflected changes in loneliness and physical health symptoms. Stellman et al. found that moderate levels of combat experience were helpful for some older Vietnam veterans coping with the pandemic, although a few found that it made coping more difficult. Turner et al. found that positive, non-familial intergenerational contacts were associated with a higher number of positive pandemic-related changes, such as finding new hobbies and meaning in work. Finally, Aldwin et al. present a social ecological approach to vulnerability and resilience. Using qualitative data, they found that stressors and resources were reported at personal, interpersonal and societal levels. Further, older adults both took comfort from and contributed to community resources during this pandemic. In summary, this symposium identified factors that contribute to older adults’ resilience during this pandemic.

Epidemiological Study on Overweight and Obesity among Adolescent Boys and Girls

Background and Aim: Overweight and obesity has a great impact on individual health and quality of life. Most of the psychosocial and physical health problems are considerably related with overweight and obesity in adolescents. The incidence of overweight and obesity accelerated in the developing world over the last decade. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Pakistani adolescents. Methodology: This epidemiological study was conducted on 1764 Pakistani adolescents attending multi medical centers of Pakistan with an age ranges from 12 years to 19 years. The socio-demographic questionnaire was completed by each individual with a consent form. Demographic and anthropometric parameters were included in the questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined based on body mass index calculation. Obesity and associated factors were analyzed through analysis of Univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Out of total adolescents, 885 (50.2%) were male and 879 (49.8%) were females. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 14.1% (male 18.5%; female 11.4%) and 5.4% (male 8.3%; female 4.4%) respectively. Boys were prevalent in overweight and obesity compared to girls (p<0.001). Using Multivariate logistic regression, male gender (OR=1.89, 95% CI 1.37-2.56), eating fruits 3 or more times per week (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.79), and fast eating (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.68) were considerably related to the overweight and obesity. Adolescents whose parents were overweight or obese (0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.93) were improbable to be overweight or obese. Conclusion: Our study found a higher risk and prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent boys compared to adolescent girls in the recent few years. Gender, parental weight, and diet were key parameters for adolescents' obesity. There is a need for further intervention and national program establishment to decrease the incidence of overweight and obesity. Keywords: Overweight; Obesity; Adolescents

Immune and Epigenetic Pathways Linking Childhood Adversity and Health Across the Lifespan

Childhood adversity is associated with a host of mental and physical health problems across the lifespan. Individuals who have experienced childhood adversity (e.g., child abuse and neglect, family conflict, poor parent/child relationships, low socioeconomic status or extreme poverty) are at a greater risk for morbidity and premature mortality than those not exposed to childhood adversity. Several mechanisms likely contribute to the relationship between childhood adversity and health across the lifespan (e.g., health behaviors, cardiovascular reactivity). In this paper, we review a large body of research within the field of psychoneuroimmunology, demonstrating the relationship between early life stress and alterations of the immune system. We first review the literature demonstrating that childhood adversity is associated with immune dysregulation across different indices, including proinflammatory cytokine production (and its impact on telomere length), illness and infection susceptibility, latent herpesvirus reactivation, and immune response to a tumor. We then summarize the growing literature on how childhood adversity may alter epigenetic processes. Finally, we propose future directions related to this work that have basic and applied implications.

The profundity of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mental health has always been stigmatised and overlooked. Since, anxiety and stress are natural responses while facing a threat of new diseases. Hence, this pandemic has shown us the importance of mental health. During this time there have been many triggers that have caused repercussions in people’s mental health. Mental health crisis is on the rise. So, it is important to be able to tackle mental health problems as effectively as physical health problems, not only now but in the future as well, once and for all.

Working together to address sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces

LAY SUMMARY In 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) implemented Operation HONOUR to eliminate sexual misconduct (SM) in the military. Sexual assault, inappropriate sexual behaviours, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination are all types of SM. Experiencing SM can result in depression, substance abuse, physical health problems, and even posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite Operation HONOUR, SM still happens in the CAF. At this time, many groups are working together to address SM and to support those who have experienced SM. Canadian-based researchers, policymakers, military members, Veterans, and clinicians are collaborating to identify new approaches to training, culture change, research, and treatment relating to SM in the CAF. The end goal of working together is to minimize SM in the CAF and ensure the health and safety of all CAF members and Veterans.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychiatric Symptoms among Swiss Elite Athletes during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated first lockdown measures may have had a relevant impact on the mental health of competitive athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of various mental health issues in a Swiss elite athletes’ cohort during the first lockdown of the pandemic, and to assess their association with different potential risk factors. Elite athletes from different disciplines were interviewed during the first lockdown in spring 2020 by means of an online questionnaire on symptoms of existing anxieties, depression and sleep disorders, as well as on training circumstances and physical performance before and during the lockdown. Additionally, the economic situation, secondary occupations and current physical health problems were surveyed. A total of 203 (92 female, 111 male) athletes met the inclusion criteria and participated in the survey. Training volume and intensity decreased significantly during lockdown from 3.1 to 2.7 h/day. Financial existential fears increased and were associated with higher training volumes and higher trait anxiety scores. Depressive symptoms and insomnia were present but not exceptionally frequent during the lockdown. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher anxiety scores, higher insomnia severity scores, lower training intensity and worse coping with the measures taken by the authorities against the pandemic. Changes in training and daily habits due to the first lockdown may have affected the mental health of elite athletes. Longitudinal studies should, however, further investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health.

Internet Use Impact on Physical Health during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Previous studies on internet use frequency were focused on mental health impact, with little known about the impact on physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study examined the impact of internet use frequency on self-reported physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. A web-based cross-sectional study on 3242 individuals was conducted from 2 August–1 October 2020. The survey covered demographics, internet use frequency and self-reported physical health questions. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of internet use frequency on physical health. 72.5%, 69.9%, 65.1% and 55.3% respondents reported headache, back pain, numbness of the fingers and neck pain, respectively. The analyses showed increased physical health impact among regular (coefficient β = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.85, p = 0.003), frequent (β = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.88–1.54, p < 0.001) and intense (β = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.91–2.57, p < 0.001) internet users. Other important predictors were gender, income, occupation, regions, and working status. Frequent and extensive uses of the internet were strong predictors of physical health problems, and our findings suggest the need for increased awareness about the physical health problems that can be triggered by excessive internet usage.

Health Impacts of Psychosocial Factors among Construction Workers: A Systematic Review

Psychosocial factors are one of the health determinants in construction activities that can damage physical and psychological conditions through the stress mechanism. This study is intended to investigate the dominant psychosocial factors that deteriorate the health of construction workers by conducting a systematic review. The systematic review was conducted on data collected from journal articles retrieved using 3 library search engines: ProQuest, Scopus, and EBSCO, to enable search through a dozen databases for articles published within the years of 2010 - 2019. The criteria used were articles on construction workers experiencing psychosocial exposure, with either physical or mental health outcomes. It resulted in an analysis of 10 out of 65.797 articles. There were six elements of psychosocial factors analyzed: psychological demand, job demand, job control, job dissatisfaction, work-family conflict, and bullying. The mental health problems identified were stress, psychological distress, presenteeism, and misuse of drugs while the physical health problems discovered were Musculoskeletal disorders, increased blood pressure, increased body mass index, increased fat mass percentage, fatigue, and heat diseases. This study can give insights on psychosocial hazards to organizations which will enable them to determine their focus to minimize deterioration of health among workers.