Importation and distribution of unregistered medicines in the public sector: similarities, differences and shared challenges among Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to assess the requirements for approval of the importation of unregistered medicines for use in the public sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.MethodsThe study reviewed the legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled when importing unregistered medicines for the public sector in SADC countries relative to two comparators drawn from countries with stringent regulatory systems through extant document analysis. The relative implementation index score was calculated and used to measure the level of implementing legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled. Analysis was performed using the STATA software package. ResultsApproximately 13 out of 16 SADC countries had a relative implementation index below 50%. The aggregated implementation index across all SADC countries was 44%, ranging from 4% to 54%, while the two comparators had a relative implementation index of 81% and 85%, respectively.ConclusionImplementing the minimum requirements for importing unregistered medicines for the public sector was deficient compared to the jurisdictions with stringent regulatory systems, and wide implementation gaps also existed within the SADC region.

Assessing Spatiotemporal Built-up Dynamics in Chiang Mai City, Thailand using Entropy approach

The rates of urban dynamics affecting by industrialization, urban agglomeration, and large-scale migration turn its behaviour from monocentric to polycentric metropolitan resulting in unprecedented urban growth. Therefore, the present study incorporated an entropy-based approach to measure the degree of compactness and dispersiveness of urban development in Chiang Mai City. The Object-based machine learning was deployed for the image classifications with an overall accuracy above the minimum requirements (i.e., 90%) and kappa statistic of agreement above 0.85. The study reveals that Chiang Mai city has undergone urban development outskirts from the urban centre (CBD) and north and south-west direction from the CBD. A considerable increase in urban demographic and physical urban patches was observed in last 1998 to 2018. The research emphasized the significant role of Shannon Entropy to analyze the built-up growth supplemented by Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) in respective zones and geographical directions.

Factors that Influence Purchase on Cinema Online Tickets Using Tix-Id Application, through Buying Interest

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that affect directly and indirectly such as promotion, convenience, and security on the decision to purchase online cinema tickets with the TIX ID application through consumer buying interest. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire that is distributed online via the google application form. Data analysis methods include validity, reliability, classical assumptions, and SEM tests. The number of samples in this study were 200 respondents who had met the minimum requirements for using SEM (structural equation models). Data processing using SPSS and AMOS. The results showed that promotion and convenience factors had a significant effect on purchase intention, while security did not have a significant effect on purchase intention. The results of statistical tests show that there is no influence of the promotion, convenience, and security variables on purchasing decisions. Furthermore, the results show that promotion and convenience factors indirectly influence purchasing decisions through purchase intention.

Dynamic properties on 99Mo adsorption and 99mTc elution with alumina columns

The Mo adsorption/99mTc elution properties of alumina used as Mo adsorbents are examined for the development of 99Mo/99mTc generators using 99Mo produced by the (n, γ) method. MoO3 is irradiated by the Kyoto University Research Reactor (KUR). The alumina columns are filled with three types of alumina made from different raw materials. In this paper, elongated tubes are used as columns and the properties under Mo dynamic adsorption conditions on alumina are compared with those under static adsorption conditions. The results obtained suggest that the 99Mo/99mTc ratio specified by the Minimum Requirements for Radiopharmaceuticals of Japan (MRRP) is greatly affected by the method of adsorbing Mo on alumina.

ANALYSIS OF THE SAFETY AND HEALTH STATUS AT THE WORK OF WORKERS OF THE FOREST INDUSTRY OF UKRAINE AND MEASURES FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT

Development of scientifically sound measures for the prevention of occupational injuries based on the analysis of data on occupational injuries, including fatal in the forestry sector of Ukraine, to identify the main causes of such injuries. Based on the analysis, it was established that the level of occupational injuries in the forest industry was in one of the first places among all sectors of the economy of Ukraine. A step-by-step decision-making process was used to develop an algorithm for making managerial decisions. It was found that the accidents occurred mainly due to violations of safety requirements by employees, lack of control by officials of forest enterprises over the organization of safe work and due to violations of the technological process. The study was based on actual statistics of the State Labor Service on occupational injuries in the forestry sector. It is stated that the situation around the enterprises of the forest industry cannot be radically corrected without the introduction of an effective labor protection management system with elements of assessment and management of industrial risks. The obtained theoretical conclusions, based on statistical data on occupational injuries, have been brought to the level of specific proposals suitable for practical use in the planning of preventive measures for labor protection in the field of forestry. The necessity of actualization and improvement of normative-legal acts in the field of forestry is substantiated. The adoption of the "Minimum requirements for the safety and health of workers in forestry and greenery" is justified, which will expand the scope, namely: legal relations will be regulated by the type of work, and not just apply to economic entities who carry out certain activities; it is proposed to introduce a "labor safety coordinator".

REFLECTIONS ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS IN THE LIGHT OF DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/1158 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

In this article the authors submit thorough analysis a new Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers as well as the repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU that entered into force on August 1, 2019, paying special attention to adjusting domestic regulations to it. The solutions adopted in this Directive lay down minimum requirements designed to achieve equality between men and women regarding labour market opportunities and treatment at work, by facilitating the reconciliation of work and family life for workers who are parents, or carers. To that end, this Directive 2019/1158 provides for individual rights related to the following: paternity leave, parental leave and carers’ leave, flexible working arrangements for workers who are parents, or carers.

La formación del profesor de Educación Física en las Necesidades Educativas Especiales, hacia la reflexión y la acción, desde acuerdos internacionales y Leyes en Chile (The training of the Physical Education teacher in Special Educational Needs, towards

El Informe Warnock y la Declaración de Salamanca, establecieron criterios estandarizados sobre conceptos y requerimientos mínimos para una enseñanza homogénea de los centros educativos para las personas con Necesidades Educativas Especiales (NEE). Las NEE dentro de la normativa en Chile, se clasifican en Necesidades Educativas Especiales Permanentes y Transitorias. Las cuales, mediante Decretos, Leyes y acuerdos internacionales, los niños, niñas y adolescentes tienen el derecho de una educación de calidad, tendiendo en consideración las características particulares que pueden presentar los estudiantes, este acompañamiento puede ser transitorio y/o permanente. De esta manera, se busca que, a través de la Educación Especial, el alumnado obtenga herramientas necesarias para su utilización en contextos sociales y laborales. Sin embargo, desde la Educación Física en contextos escolares, se evidencia poca preparación o conocimiento de las características de las NEE que presente un estudiante por parte del profesor de Educación Física, si bien, en distintas universidades se encuentra la asignatura que dote a los estudiantes de pedagogía de herramientas y competencias para el trabajo con escolares con NEE, se evidencia que existe una falta de componentes teóricos y prácticos para trabajar con NEE. Finalmente, se invita a la reflexión para la utilización de actividades físico – deportivas o motrices adaptadas, las cuales podrían permitir ser una herramienta complementaria e inclusiva en la clase de Educación Física escolar. Abstract. The Warnock Report and the Salamanca Declaration established standardized criteria on concepts and minimum requirements for a homogeneous teaching of educational centers for people with Special Educational Needs (SEN). SEN within the regulations in Chile are classified as Permanent and Transitory Special Educational Needs. Which, through Decrees, Laws and international agreements, children and adolescents have the right to a quality education, taking into consideration the characteristics that students may present, this accompaniment may be transitory and / or permanent. In this way, it is sought that, through Special Education, students obtain the necessary tools for their use in social and work contexts. However, from Physical Education in school contexts, little preparation, or knowledge of the characteristics of SEN presented by a student is evidenced by the Physical Education teacher, although, in different universities there is the subject that provides students pedagogy of tools and competencies for working with schoolchildren with SEN, it is evident that there is a lack of theoretical and practical components to work with SEN. Finally, reflection is invited for the use of adapted physical - sports or motor activities, which could allow them to be a complementary and inclusive tool in the school Physical Education class.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) stock control and geo-location data system from a moving vehicle

Purpose The purpose of the research has been the primary consideration and evaluation of a cost effective, reliable, robust and simple process of radio frequency identification (RFID)-based stock control, asset management and monitoring of concrete safety bollards used in the road environment. Likewise, the consideration of the use of the same system and technology to other items in and around the general road infrastructure. Design/methodology/approach The research approach undertaken has been an evaluation of the use of currently available RFID technology, with a key emphasis on low cost, ease of use, reliability and convenience. Practical field exercises completed in considering the relevant RFID tags and readers and associated software and apps and necessary software integration and development have been undertaken. At the same time, evaluating the specific limits created in the specific environment is being applied. Of particular interest has been the use of a moving scan in a vehicle drive-through or pass-bye, type reading system. This has been determined to be viable and completely practical, drastically reducing the key issue of time-taken. Practical application of the system from idea to real life application has been undertaken. The integration of the use of the RFID tag and reader system with necessary and related software to database upload and storage has been established. The creation of an online facility to allow the appropriate use of the data and to include the convenient output of an asset report has been undertaken. Findings The findings have provided the necessary insight confirming the use of RFID technology as a simple yet reliable, cost effective and adaptable stock control, asset management and geo-locating system in the road environment. The use of such systems in this particular environment is in its infancy, and is perhaps novel and original in the specific aspect of using the system to stock control, manage and monitor road safety concrete bollards and other roadside objects in the road environment. Originality/value To establish if in fact, stock control geo-locating can be reliably undertaken with the use of RFID tags and readers in the specific road and road construction environment, particularly with the use of moving RFID reading of passive tags. To establish the minimum requirements of a field usable RFID tag and reader, specifically applicable to the concrete safety bollards, however to other roadside furniture. To identify the minimum requirements of a function, simple app to minimise general requirements of the overall stock control and monitoring of the RFID-tagged objects. To establish the possibility of reading the tag data, global positioning system (GPS) location and video imaging footage as a single operation function. To determine the basic parameters or limits of the GPS geo-locating, on the proposed products selected and overall system. To determine the current best practice in respect of reasonable accuracy and detail in relation to price considerations to a fully function stock control and monitoring system. To identify the minimum requirements of an online database to receive, house and provide ongoing access to and report on the data. To identify the key differences and benefits between traditional stock control and monitoring systems, against that of proposed RFID tag, read and geo-locating system.

Homeopathy: a preventive approach to medicine?

By applying the principle of therapeutic similarity, homeopathy seeks to stimulate the organism to react against its own disturbs. For homeopathic medicines to awaken effective homeostasis responses they must be individualized, this means that they must be chosen according to their similarity to the set of characteristic symptoms in patients. In this way, by aiming at decreasing individual susceptibility predisposing to disease, homeopathic medicines have healing and preventive effects in many human illnesses. On the other hand, homeopathic medicines may have specific indications in the treatment and prevention of epidemic diseases provided they are also chosen according to the particular set of symptoms peculiar to a given epidemic, viz. the so-called “epidemic genius”, as historical examples show. This update paper discusses the epistemological foundations of Hahnemann’s homeopathy as a preventive medical approach, the scientific evidences supporting its clinical application and the minimum requirements to employ it both therapeutically and preventively in epidemics.

Acoustic quality assessment in a classroom through simulations and measurements

The acoustic quality in a classroom directly impacts the educational relationship between the student and the teacher, reducing speech intelligibility. In addition, inadequate acoustic comfort burdens the vocal health of teachers. This study evaluated a classroom at the Federal University of Paraná, Campus Centro Politécnico, to verify its acoustic quality. The measurements of the acoustics descriptors: Reverberation Time (RT), Definition (D50), Central Time (Ts), Early Decay Time (EDT) were performed according to the ISO 3382-2 standard, concerning Noise Curves (NC) and Background Noise (BGN) these were evaluated by the NBR 10152 and S12.2 standards. The Speech Transmission Index (STI) was measured according to IEC 60268-16 and evaluated according to ISO 9921. The useful-detrimental ratio (U50) and the other descriptors were simulated in the ODEON software version 11. Thus, the results showed that the evaluated room did not meet the minimum requirements in terms of acoustic quality, for the descriptors RT, STI, Ts, D50, RF, and NC. Simultaneously, the RT and STI were also outside the limits established by the German and Finnish standards. Therefore, it is concluded that the evaluated classroom did not reach the minimum acoustic quality requirements.