Official Reports Research Articles

Business Strategy Analysis of Coffee Industry: Taking Starbucks as an Example

In the 20th century, the competition among many coffee brands in the world was gradually fierce. Under the background of improvement of people's living standards and changes in consumption habits, more and more people choose coffee as their daily drink. This paper focuses on status of the coffee industry, taking Starbucks as an example, analyzing its brand and financial situation based on its official annual report for the fiscal year 2021, 2022 and 2023. By comparing the different financial ratios in the past few years, this study gives an analysis of Starbucks brand value in terms of SWOT model and finds some proposals for the brands in coffee industry. The paper demonstrates the development trend of coffee industry and one of the typical management modes, give out an instructor no matter whether for the academic field a direction to have deeper research in this industry or for other brands in their way of developing, both shows a great of significance in further study. This study uses comparative analysis of text analysis and case analysis, combined with actual data, to conduct in-depth research on the financial situation and development of Starbucks and coffee industry. The research carries out a strong correlation between coffee consumption and peoples living habit, operation mode as well. The fruitful work also gives useful improvements on how to develop for coffee industry, it has contributed to the people present understanding of the different financial performance with different factors in production.

Twenty-five years of Nipah outbreaks in Southeast Asia: A persistent threat to global health

ObjectivesNipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen, poses persistent threats to global public health due to severe clinical manifestation and high case fatality rate (CFR). A critical examination of NiV outbreaks is essential for refining strategies and mitigating the impact of future infections. In this study, we provide a concise update on global NiV outbreaks that occurred during the past 25 years. MethodsIn this geospatial study, we conducted an in-depth examination of the epidemiological characteristics of human NiV cases and deaths from 1998 to 2024 through multiple analyses of public data and official reports. ResultsNiV emerged in 1998 in Malaysia during an outbreak among pig farmers. Since then, NiV outbreaks have been documented in five countries of South and Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore). As of May 2024, there have been 754 confirmed human NiV cases with 435 deaths (CFR: 58%) reported in these five countries. Bangladesh records the highest incidence (341 cases and 241 deaths; CFR: 71%) followed by Malaysia (283 cases and 109 deaths; CFR: 39%), India (102 cases and 74 deaths; CFR: 73%), the Philippines (17 cases and nine deaths; CFR: 53%), and Singapore (11 cases and one death; CFR: 9%). ConclusionsThe clinical outcomes of NiV have been underscoring constant global public health threats as no effective therapies and vaccines are available. Strong global understandings, with an eye on developing vaccines and therapeutics, are required to minimize clinical outcomes and future threats of NiV.

A Comprehensive Accounting of Construction Materials in Belt and Road Initiative Projects.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) stands as the most ambitious infrastructure project in history, marked by its scale of investment, extensive geographical reach across continents and countries, and a diverse array of projects from roads to digital networks. While the BRI's environmental sustainability has raised concerns, the impacts of construction materials used in these projects have been overlooked, especially in developing countries. Here, we map and account for the materials embodied in the BRI by integrating, for the first time, official governmental project reports, geographical information, and material flow analysis. We pinpoint and analyze the BRI material stocks in each individual project by material types, countries, regions, and sectors. Between 2008 and 2023, 328 million tons of construction materials have accumulated in 540 BRI projects around the world, mostly in Asia and Africa. Aggregates (sand and gravel) constitute the largest share (82%), followed by cement, steel, and other materials. Most of the materials are used in transportation infrastructure. Our work further highlights some limitations in terms of data quality for such sustainability assessments. By shedding light on the significant impact of BRI projects on raw material usage across the globe, this study sets the stage for further investigations into environmental impacts of BRI and material stock-flow-nexus from perspective of an initiative.

The Red Sea Crisis: Implications of The Houthi Attack on Maritime Trade and Global Security

The study explores the impact of the Houthi group's missile and drone attacks on Israeli commercial ships in the Red Sea, focusing on the broader implications for regional stability, maritime and global trade security. The strategic position of the Red Sea as an important trade route connecting the Middle East with Asia and Europe has made it an important area of international attention, especially after the Houthi attacks in November 2023. The research uses a qualitative approach, analysing data from a variety of sources including academic literature, official reports, and news articles. The findings highlight that the Houthi attacks have caused significant disruptions in maritime trade, with the capacity of container ships in the Red Sea decreasing by 80 percent as ships moved around Africa, resulting in higher costs and longer travel times. In addition, the attacks have exacerbated regional tensions and required increased military patrols by international forces. The study concludes that the ongoing Houthi aggression poses a serious threat not only to regional stability but also to global trade and security, and calls for coordinated international efforts to mitigate this impact.

Spanish cardiac catheterization in congenital heart diseases registry. Third official report from the ACI-SEC and the GTH-SECPCC (2022)

Spanish cardiac catheterization in congenital heart diseases registry. Third official report from the ACI-SEC and the GTH-SECPCC (2022)

Depopulation and Residential Dynamics in Teruel (Spain): Sustainable Housing in Rural Areas

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of depopulation and residential dynamics in Teruel, a province emblematic of the aging and depopulation issues prevalent in many inland regions of Spain and Europe. Through an in-depth examination utilizing official statistics, academic studies, and reports, this study highlights the demographic structure, historical evolution, and current trends in Teruel. Key patterns of population change and their implications for urban and rural planning are identified. The analysis covers population density, vital balances, and household distribution, with a special focus on the significant role of the foreign population. Additionally, the challenges associated with vacant housing and the management of unused land are discussed, proposing revitalization strategies for the built environment in rural settings through sustainable housing initiatives. This study aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable development of small cities and rural areas, offering integrated solutions that not only enhance living conditions but also encourage balanced and sustainable growth.

Naming the abyss: The symbolic politics of the oceanic toponymic frontier

AbstractWith the recent, constantly growing interest in the critical geography of the oceans and critical toponymy, there is still plenty of space for theoretical, methodological and practical interconnections between these emerging subfields. Despite some sporadic examples of critical analysis of the names of the islands and seas, the ocean floor and the open ocean remain unexplored spaces in critical toponymic investigations. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing the concept of the toponymic frontier, focusing on the spatial‐political dimension of the names of the natural submarine features (bathyonyms). Drawing on critical toponymy and critical geography of the oceans' theoretical literature and using the empirical database of more than 5000 bathyonyms and the secondary resources represented by the international media, official reports and governmental websites, this paper develops a base for a conceptual framework for analysing the marine place names as (geo)politically and political‐economically motivated symbolic elements of the oceanic voluminous realm. Finally, the paper paves the way for future debates related to the politics of place naming in the contested spaces of the hydrosphere and the generation of reinvigorated productive insights in critical toponymic studies.

What are the challenges to quality in modern, hybrid general practice? A multi-site longitudinal study.

Background Since 2022, general practice has shifted from responding to the acute challenges of COVID-19 to restoring full services, using remote and digital modalities as well as traditional in-person care. Aim To examine how quality domains are addressed in contemporary UK general practice. Design and setting Multi-site, mostly qualitative longitudinal case study, placed in national policy context. Method Data were collected from longitudinal ethnographic case studies of 12 general practices (2021-2023); multi-stakeholder workshops; stakeholder interviews; patient surveys; official reports; and publicly-accessible patient experience data. Data were coded thematically and analysed using Institute of Medicine domains, Starfield's core features of primary care and sociological and socio-technical theories. Results Quality efforts in UK general practice occur within cumulative impacts of financial austerity, loss of resilience, increasingly complex patterns of illness and need, a diverse and fragmented workforce, infrastructure unfit for purpose, and distanciated ways of working. Providing the human elements of traditional general practice is difficult and sometimes impossible. Triage systems designed to increase efficiency have introduced new forms of inefficiency and compromised other quality domains. Long-term condition management varies in quality; amidst some convenience gains, some practices rely on remote, asynchronous data entry by patients and fragmented care by underqualified staff. Measures to mitigate digital exclusion do not compensate for extremes of structural disadvantage. Many staff are stressed and demoralised. Conclusion Contemporary hybrid general practice features changes with the unintended effect of dehumanising, compromising and fragmenting care. Risks to patients and the core values of general practice should be urgently addressed.

Effects of Digital Technologies on Africa’s Electoral Democracy

This paper uses a South African case study to closely examine how the recent explosion of digital technologies has impacted electoral democracy in Africa. It seeks to answer a key research question about the risks and benefits of using technology in elections on the continent. Although South Africa has not adopted e-voting, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) piloted the use of thousands of new voter management devices in the 2021 local government election. At the time, the IEC also said it had delivered its ‘most technologically advanced election’ yet. Despite embracing some of the technological changes, the IEC argues that it is not yet cost-effective to introduce new voting technology in South Africa. There is strong evidence from other African countries too suggesting that the constitutionality and feasibility of electronic voting devices is questionable. The integrity of elections can also be doubtful if the process is not inclusive of the population. Aside from a thorough literature review, this paper analysed a combination of official IEC statements and reports on technology and e-voting in South Africa, including public pronouncements on the use of digital technologies on the African continent. Insights from this work will benefit election officials, policymakers, scholars, and others interested in the advancement of research in this growing field of study.

The epizootic situation of bovine paratuberculosis in Ukraine for the period 2019–2023

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) is a contagious infectious disease, the etiological agent of which affects various species of mammals, mainly ruminants. The causative agent is the acid-resistant bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), which belongs to the family Mycobacteriaceae. The most sensitive to it are domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats etc.), which are the main reservoirs of infection for the various species of animals and humans (the zoonotic potential of the pathogen requires further study). In Ukraine, the main methods for diagnosing paratuberculosis are serological and bacteriological techniques. The authors analyzed the epizootic situation of paratuberculosis among cattle in Ukraine during 2019–2023 by systematizing the data of their own research and official reports of state veterinary laboratories in regions. The results of the investigation are presented without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as part of the territory where military operations were conducted. In total, over the five-year period, 41 679 samples were examined serologically in the complement fixation test and 13 405 – bacteriologically, by microscopy and cultivation of biological materials on the nutrient media. During the investigation, specific antibodies to the pathogen were detected in 36 samples (prevalence, about 0.1%; BCI, 0.06–0.12%) from the ten regions. The analysis of the serological studies shows that the disease is sporadic and has a significant downward trend in the number of positive cases (17 positive samples were detected in 2019 and 2020, and only two in 2023). As for bacteriological examination, no positive cases have been registered during the 5-year period. In addition to the scrupulous work of the veterinary medicine service, both the persistent decrease in the cattle population and the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine have a considerable impact on improving the epizootic situation., as the number of serological tests conducted after 2022 has almost halved (especially in the eastern and southern regions), and bacteriological tests have decreased fivefold. The visualization of the data shows that antibodies were mostly detected in animals from the central, eastern, northern, and northwestern regions of the country.

Assessing Malaysian Health Care Reform

This study assesses the healthcare reform in Malaysia since its independence. Previous studies and official reports on healthcare reform were analyzed through content analysis. The discussion starts with geographical and socioeconomic factors, then moves to the inception of the Malaysian Health Care System, focusing on the development of primary health system reform initiatives in the country. This paper illustrates the rigorous journey of system reform, emphasizing that political commitment and backing from stakeholders and citizens are vital for its success

Impact of COVID-19 on human immunodeficiency virus tests, new diagnoses, and healthcare visits in the Republic of Korea: a retrospective study from 2016 to 2021.

Public health workers have been at the forefront of treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and managing the pandemic. The redeployment of this workforce has limited or interrupted other public health services, including testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing and diagnosis in the Republic of Korea from 2016 to 2021, comparing data before and after the onset of COVID-19. Annual HIV testing data were collected from each institution through direct communication or from open-source databases. The annual number of new HIV cases was obtained from the official report of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Data on healthcare visits for HIV diagnosis or treatment were extracted from the open-source database of the National Insurance Health Service of Korea. Interrupted time series regression was conducted, stratified by institution type. In 2020, HIV tests, diagnoses, and visits decreased. Notably, public health centers experienced a substantial reduction in 2020-2021 compared to previous years. The annual percentage change in HIV tests was -53.0%, while for HIV diagnoses, it was -31.6%. The decrease in visits for HIV was also most pronounced for public facilities: -33.3% in 2020 and -45.6% in 2021 relative to 2019. The numbers of tests, diagnoses, and healthcare visits for HIV at public health centers in the Republic of Korea substantially decreased in 2020 and 2021. The impacts of these changes on the early diagnosis and treatment of HIV necessitate further monitoring.

Systematic review of bovine and zoonotic tuberculosis in the Western Pacific and the Southeast Asia regions of the World Health Organization.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. We conducted this systematic review to understand the distribution of bovine and zoonotic tuberculosis in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) and Western Pacific Region (WPR) to inform our understanding of the risk posed by this disease. A two-pronged strategy was used by evaluating data from peer-reviewed literature and official reports. A systematic search was conducted using a structured query in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and PubMed) to identify any reports of the occurrence of zoonotic TB. No language and time constraints were used during the search, but non-English language articles were later excluded. The official data were sourced from the World Organization for Animal Health's (WOAH) World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and WHO's global TB database. The retrieved records from SEAR and WPR (n = 113) were screened for eligibility, and data about disease occurrence were extracted and tabulated. In SEAR, all of the five studies that conducted Mycobacterium speciation (5/6) in humans were from India, and the reported Mycobacterium species included M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. scrofulacium, M. kansasii, M. phlei, M. smegmatis and M. orygis. In WPR, Mycobacterium speciation investigations in humans were conducted in Australia (8), China (2), Japan (2), NewZealand (2) and Malaysia (1), and the reported Mycobacterium species included M. bovis, M. africanum and M. tuberculosis. Seven countries in WHO's SEAR have officially reported the occurrence of Mycobacterium bovis in their animals: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In WPR, the WAHIS information system includes reports of the identification of M. bovis from 11 countries - China, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Tonga and Viet Nam. In contrast, human zoonotic TB cases in the WHO database were only listed from Australia, Brunei Darussalam and Palau countries. The available data suggests under-reporting of zoonotic TB in the regions. Efforts are required to strengthen zoonotic TB surveillance systems from both animal and human health sides to better understand the impact of zoonotic TB in order to take appropriate action to achieve the goal of ending the TB epidemic.

SPECIAL BORDER ECONOMIC ZONES BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THAILAND

The evolving landscape of global trade and economic cooperation has spurred the establishment of Special Border Economic Zones (SBEZs) as a comprehensive strategy to catalyse economic growth and enhance collaboration between neighbouring countries. These zones have developed as a distinctive economic strategy to harness the potential of cross-border collaboration, while addressing the particular socio- economic difficulties of border regions as globalisation continues to change the dynamics of global commerce and investment. However, the main challenge to such an effort is understanding how to fully tap the potential of the SBEZs to facilitate cross-border trade, drive economic development, and advance regional integration while simultaneously minimising potential hazards and unfavourable effects. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand and the relevance of a SBEZ between the two neighbors. It aims to pursue these objectives: (1) To delve into the historical trajectory of economic progress in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand, (2) To critically examine the importance of the SBEZs in the Malaysia-Thailand context from various aspects, and (3) To critically evaluate the SBEZs by comparing the economic development of Malaysia and Thailand and by analysing the factors that led to the Thailand-Malaysian SBEZ. Content analysis was used to analyse the secondary data obtained from journals, publications, and official reports. The findings are as follows: 1) There have historically been several economic periods in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand; 2) In the Malaysia-Thailand region, Special Border Economic Zones are significant in terms of their role in trade facilitation, economic growth, investment, industrialisation, and regional economic balance; and 3)Three factors had an effect on the development of the SBEZs.

Navigating the Nile: Ethiopia's Development Plans and the Future of Water Sharing

This article explores the dynamics of the relationship between Egypt and the countries in the Nile River Basin, with a specific focus on the natural challenges Ethiopia faces in developing water projects. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with the aim of identifying Ethiopia's natural conditions and their impact on water infrastructure development. Data sources include secondary literature from official reports, case studies, and statistical data related to Ethiopia's water resources and climate. Data were collected through literature reviews and document analysis. The research findings indicate that Ethiopia faces various challenges such as uneven rainfall distribution, high evaporation rates, difficult topography, and rock types that do not support water storage. Data analysis was conducted using qualitative methods to evaluate the impact of natural conditions on Ethiopia's capacity to develop water projects. In conclusion, Ethiopia, despite being a major contributor to the Nile River's water, faces significant natural barriers that limit its ability to build large and stable water infrastructure.

Forest Encroachment and Agriculture Land Abandonment in the Context of Land Cover Change in Kailali

Land use land cover (LULC) area has been changing for many decades in the Kailali district but has little been researched. The study aims to examine the spatial and temporal changes of LULC from 1978 to 2021, carrying out major driving factors of forest cover change regarding forest encroachment and abandonment. The researcher employed a mixed-method approach to accomplish this study. Field observation, household survey with 45 participants, Key Informant Interviews (KII) with three participants, and five Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were used as research tools to collect the data. Moreover, the researcher used books, journal articles, official reports, and related previous empirical studies as secondary data [Land Resource Mapping Project (LRMP) data were used to screen LULC status of 1978 and 1990, and digitization on Google Earth Pro to prepare LULC data for 2000 and 2021]. The findings of the study revealed that the forest cover area of the Kailali district was in a decreasing trend [ for instance in 1978 the area of forest cover was 75.38%, in 1990 it was 66.51% in 2000, and was 65% in 2021]. In contrast to forest cover, the agricultural [settlements and infrastructures] land area was on an increasing trend which was followed by 21.77%, 30.28%, 31.75%, and 32.25% in each period. The study also found that the changing rate of forest cover and the agricultural land have been decreasing. Further, the research found the major drivers of forest cover change were encroachment and agricultural land abandonment. In addition, population growth, migration, poverty, development activities, natural hazards, resettlement, public utilities, weak implications of policy, and illegal activities were also the major causes of forest cover change. The research implies that both forest encroachment and land abandonment should be controlled, and are to be considered by the stakeholders.

STOCK PRICE : IMPACT OF SALES GROWTH (SG), CASH TURNOVER (CT) AND DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO (DPR)

This research aims to analyze the influence of Sales Growth (SG), Cash Turnover (CT), and Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR) on Stock Price at PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk during the 2013-2022 period. The study methodology employed is a descriptive approach utilizing quantitative methods. The objective of this study is to elucidate the correlation between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The research focuses on PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk. The secondary data source is acquired from the company's official website's annual financial report. The data analysis involved descriptive tests, classical assumption tests, and quantitative testing such as linear regression analysis, correlation, coefficient of determination, and significance tests. The research results show that there are complex fluctuations between the observed variables. Partially, Sales Growth (SG), Cash Turnover (CT), and Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR) do not have a significant effect on Stock Price. Likewise, the three of them simultaneously have no significant effect on Stock Price. The implications of this research highlight the incompatibility of data with existing theory and provide insight into the factors that influence company stock prices. It is hoped that the results of this research can provide information as a basis for consideration, support, and contribution to the company.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mexico.

May Measurement Month 2021 (MMM21) in Mexico was an opportunistic survey that aimed to improve blood pressure awareness at the individual and population levels and to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, knowledge, and rates of hypertension in the country. This survey followed the methodology of MMM, previously published. The total number of participants screened was 77 547, of which 47 793 (61.6%) were female and 29 178 (37.6%) were male. The mean age (SD) was 46.2 (16.6) years. Of all 77 547 participants, 14 939 (19.3%) had hypertension, of which 48% were aware. The frequency and awareness of hypertension in this survey are similar to those reported before the pandemic (MMM19-Mexico and the 2019 National Health Survey), suggesting that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in these parameters of arterial hypertension was not as important as expected. These data are concordant with the official reports in Mexico that showed that the pandemic had a severe impact on cardiovascular mortality but did not modify mortality due to hypertension or stroke.

First report of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) in Romania

AbstractSpodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) originates from the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and has spread to Africa, Asia, Oceania and, more recently, to Europe. This paper provides the first official report of S. frugiperda in Romania. In the southern part of the country, adults of this species were caught in a pheromone trap in November 2023. The identification of fall armyworm was carried out at a morphological and molecular level. Barcode sequences of the Romanian specimens were obtained. No damage was observed in the fields surrounding the trap where the pest was captured. A brief description and information on the economic importance of S. frugiperda are given, mainly for maize, taking into consideration the major importance of this crop in Romania and for the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization region.

Supply chain integration, competitive strategies and firm performance

Purpose This study aims to examine the interaction between different types of supply chain integration (SCI) and competitive strategies on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The research method is quantitative. The study develops a structured model and a set of hypotheses based on the related theories. Empirical data is collected in a cross-sectional manner using an online survey to test the model and its hypotheses. The survey comprised standard scales to measure study variables. The scales had high reliability and validity and were commonly used in the literature. The study was conducted on Iranian firms working in steel and auto parts industries. Based on official reports, a total of 305 active companies were found in these two industries. Due to the small population size, all companies in the two industries were contacted for participation. Overall, 84 firms completed the survey. To test the research hypotheses, the authors used hierarchical regression analyses using SPSS 27 software. Findings Results showed that internal integration improves financial performance when firms follow a cost leadership strategy. Differentiation strategy and process integration interact positively and improve operational performance. Type of industry had no significant effect. The results add to the SCI literature by showing that a match between competitive strategy and integration type can influence both operational and financial performance. In total, firms should focus on the appropriate dimension of SCI based on their competitive strategy to improve the performance of the firm. Originality/value The impact of competitive strategy as a moderator on the SCI-performance relationship has not been widely addressed in the literature. In one study, Huo et al. (2014) investigated this relationship using data from 604 manufacturing companies in China. The results provided support for financial performance but not for operational performance. However, the influence of competitive strategies on the SCI performance may vary in different countries and contexts with dissimilar environmental, social and cultural characteristics. As several supply chain scholars have argued, understanding contextual conditions that influence the effect of best practices such as SCI on performance are critical