Standard Compliance Research Articles

Evaluation of university food environment and healthy space policy implementation at university

Abstract Issue/problem Unhealthy diets, along with factors like tobacco, alcohol, and inactivity, contribute significantly to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Prevention strategies should prioritize reducing exposure to these risk factors. It’s also crucial to consider environmental well-being alongside promoting health. Description of the problem During 2023/2024, university cafeterias (UC) were evaluated for healthy eating standards compliance, resulting in a noticeable presence of unhealthy foods together with plastic use, alcohol and tobacco consumption. This led to the development of an accreditation program to boost UC as healthy spaces. Results The developed program includes 5 mandatory standards and 42 recommendations. Priority objectives are offering healthy food options like fruit, avoiding alcohol and sugary drink ads, banning tobacco, promoting physical activity, and reducing waste for example by encouraging unpackaged water consumption. Our policy emphasizes evaluation and monitoring, so accreditation is valid only for two years. Our goal is to establish UC as sustainable, healthy spaces. To encourage compliance, we offer institutional financial support and accreditation seals to UC, showcasing their commitment to community health. Implementation begins in the 2024/2025 academic year, with an initial evaluation scheduled at that time. Lessons Monitoring UC food offerings is crucial for ensuring healthier options. Cafeterias play a key role in promoting healthy habits. Creating environments with healthier options can mitigate non-communicable disease risk factors presence. Key messages • University cafeterias are pivotal in fostering a healthy lifestyle. • Prioritizing policies to address non-communicable diseases is crucial. Clear programs are essential for sustained effectiveness.

Monitoring and audit quality: Does quality standards compliance matter?

Monitoring and audit quality: Does quality standards compliance matter?

Effect of Social Norms on Turnover Tax Collection among Micro and Small Enterprises in Meru Town, Kenya

The turnover tax has achieved a significantly low level of tax compliance since its introduction. This research examines social norms' impact on turnover tax collection among Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Meru Town, Kenya. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to evaluate the influence of social norms on tax compliance. An Analysis of 367 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between social norms and tax compliance (β = 0.149, p = 0.007). The report proposed promoting robust tax compliance standards and improving tax education programs via seminars and advertising.

Accelerating Time-to-Market in Life Insurance: The Power of AI-Driven Test Automation Frameworks

The Life Insurance sector grapples with distinct challenges, balancing multifaceted operational workflows, rigorous compliance standards, and the surging demand for swift software deployment. Conventional Quality Assurance (QA) paradigms often fall short in delivering the responsiveness required by today's digital transformation efforts. This paper examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced test automation frameworks can substantially truncate time-to-market while ensuring software excellence. By leveraging advanced predictive analytics, strategic test case prioritization, and integrated Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) processes, Life Insurance enterprises can accelerate software launch cycles with improved dependability, thereby meeting the ever-evolving expectations of the marketplace and regulatory entities.

The Effect of the Adoption of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Process on Compliance Standards at a Single Institution.

Background: The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) was developed to enhance the quality of rectal cancer care in the United States. This project compared NAPRC compliance at a single tertiary care academic hospital before and after the institution adopted these standards in 2019. Methods: Rectal cancer patients from 2016 to 2023 who met NAPRC eligibility criteria were retrospectively reviewed for compliance with pre-selected patient care standards. Patients diagnosed prior to August 1, 2019 (pre-NAPRC) were compared with those diagnosed afterward (post-NAPRC) to determine whether compliance with these standards differed following the institution's adoption of new guidelines. Results: This study included 353 patients, 146 pre-NAPRC and 207 post-NAPRC. The post-NAPRC group demonstrated significantly higher compliance with pretreatment standards compared to the pre-NAPRC group, including attaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (P = .015), computed tomography (CT) (P < .001), and a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (P < .001). Postoperative standards were more frequently met in the post-NAPRC group regarding the photographing of surgical specimens (P < .001). No significant differences were observed in confirming a tissue diagnosis, starting treatment within a 60-day timeframe, or completing surgical pathology reports. Prior to initiation of the NAPRC process, the institution had achieved accreditation-level compliance in 2 of the 7 standards. Within 2years of adopting NAPRC standards, complete compliance was met in 6 of the 7 measures. Conclusions: A single institution's adoption of NAPRC standards improved compliance with multiple rectal cancer care standards, achieving near-complete accreditation level compliance within 2years.

Preferences for processed tomato products’ attributes: an explorative analysis of Italian consumers using a large sample

IntroductionPrice competition in the tomato market may lead Italian processing companies to adopt product differentiation strategies to attract consumers and raise revenues. Exploring consumers’ preferences for processed tomato products’ attributes can support companies in implementing product differentiation strategies and succeed in the market.MethodsThis study used a convenience sample of 602 Italian consumers to identify consumers’ preferences for processed tomato products’ attributes selected through a literature review and tested by the Best Worst Scaling (BWS) method. Also, a two-step cluster analysis was used to identify and size consumer groups with common preferences for tested product’s attributes.ResultsOverall, our results showed that Italian consumers of processed tomato products strongly preferred attributes such as Country of origin, Organic, and Social and economic sustainability labels. In addition, the analysis shows the existence of three distinct consumer segments such as “traditional,” “price-sensitive,” and “sustainable” consumers. The largest one was price-sensitive consumers followed by sustainable and traditional ones.DiscussionOur findings have practical implications for producers and policymakers. Producers may use claims about the product’s origin jointly with an organic production logo and ethical label to differentiate their products and raise revenues. Likewise, policymakers should enhance monitoring and control measures to ensure with environmental, social, and economic sustainable standards compliance. This will support building consumer trust for those credence attributes. Overall, this study adds valuable insights to the existing literature on consumer preferences for processed tomato products, providing results with high external validity using a large convenience sample.

Advancing healthcare systems: A tri‐tier architecture by using data communication, AI data generative and regulation and compliance standards

AbstractTraditional healthcare systems have suffered from different data communication, security, data processing, and compliance issues. The traditional systems are also not well equipped to handle the new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) by enabling more accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes. The existing data communication and security protocols and compliance are also not fully implemented to tackle the system's challenges. This article proposes a Tri‐Tier architecture by using data communication, AI data generative, and regulation and compliance tiers. The data communication tier is based on advanced sensing and monitoring technologies like cloud and edge‐based systems integrated with security detection mechanisms. The edge and cloud layer provides the all functions of the perception layer like smart sensing, visual sensing, and monitoring services, and can control the device's perception and behaviour. The second tier provides the AI data generative functionalities to handle real‐time synthetic medical images for predictive analytics to enhance patient care. This tier also automates routine tasks, such as administrative work and data analysis, which can free up healthcare professionals to focus on more complex tasks. The last regulation and compliance tier is responsible for handling the standards and compliance for healthcare systems. Experiments are conducted to test the data communication and security level of the proposed architecture. The results showed the suitability of existing solutions and synchronization with the proposed architecture.

Market survey of food product indicators and their credibility as a healthy food product in Klang Valley, Malaysia

IntroductionThe presence of food product indicators may facilitate consumers in making informed healthy choices. However, it may also mislead consumers. This study aims to determine the prevalence of food products...

A governance and risk management framework for project management in the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas industry operates in an environment marked by high risks, complex regulations, and significant financial investments. Effective project management in this sector requires a robust governance and risk management framework to address operational, regulatory, financial, and environmental challenges. This review proposes a comprehensive governance and risk management framework tailored specifically to the unique needs of oil and gas projects. The framework integrates governance structures that define clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes, ensuring that projects align with corporate objectives and compliance standards. Central to this framework is a risk management model that identifies, assesses, and mitigates potential project risks. The model emphasizes continuous risk monitoring, utilizing advanced technologies such as predictive analytics, AI, and digital twins to forecast risks and optimize decision-making. Additionally, it advocates for proactive stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure alignment among diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, and local communities. The governance aspect of the framework promotes transparency, accountability, and sustainability, ensuring that projects meet both operational goals and regulatory requirements. It also introduces agile project management techniques to enhance flexibility and responsiveness throughout the project lifecycle. By integrating technological tools like blockchain for contract management and AI for predictive maintenance, the framework addresses both governance and risk management challenges. Ultimately, the review serves as a guide for oil and gas companies to enhance project efficiency, minimize risks, and meet the demands of an increasingly complex industry landscape.

A Comparative Analysis of Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake: Architectural Paradigms and Performance Metrics in Modern Cloud Data Platforms

Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of two leading cloud data platforms: Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake. As organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions for data management and analytics, understanding the strengths and limitations of these platforms becomes crucial. This article examines the architectural foundations, functional capabilities, performance metrics, and cost considerations of both platforms. We explore Microsoft Fabric's integrated service model within the Azure ecosystem and Snowflake's multi-cluster shared data architecture, assessing their approaches to data integration, storage, analytics, and machine learning integration. Through empirical performance comparisons and an evaluation of scalability mechanisms, we provide insights into the operational efficiencies of each platform. Additionally, we analyze the security features, compliance standards, and pricing models to offer a holistic view of the total cost of ownership. Our findings reveal distinct advantages in Microsoft Fabric's end-to-end integration and Snowflake's performance in multicloud environments, while also highlighting areas for potential improvement in both platforms. This article aims to serve as a valuable resource for organizations navigating the complex landscape of cloud data solutions, offering evidence-based criteria for platform selection aligned with specific business needs and technological ecosystems

Application Of FMEA Method In Halal Risk Determination On Halal Poultry Slaughtering Operations

The importance of halal slaughtered chicken has become crucial in the era of globalization and complex supply chains. The rising awareness among Muslim communities regarding the integrity of slaughtered chicken products has led to a focus on adhering to halal compliance standards and Islamic law. This study aims to qualitatively analyze the halal risk points in chicken slaughtering operations, by using the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method, in order to identify potential halal risks and ensure the integrity of halal chicken products. This qualitative study uses a analysis approach by examining secondary sources including journals, articles, guidelines and standards related to halal slaughtering process. In this study, seven Halal Risk Points (HRP) have been identified in the entire halal slaughtering process of broilers. Based on the results of the risk assessment through the FMEA method, each determined HRP will be assessed based on the severity, occurrence and detection rating scale. The final result of this study found that only six HRPs have a Risk Priority Number (RPN) value that exceeds 100. Therefore, corrective action recommendations are proposed to prevent any halal non-compliance from occurring on the process involved. Overall, the FMEA framework in this study is a new approach in guaranteeing the integrity of chicken slaughter products and is able to have a positive impact on the halal chicken slaughter industry players and also the implementers of the halal management system.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management for Business Competitiveness: A Systematic Literature Review

The goal of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to present a thorough examination of the connection between corporate competitiveness and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Based on 74 publications from reliable sources, including Science Direct, JSTOR, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, this review combines data to highlight important concepts, conceptual frameworks, and research findings. According to the review, supply chain strategies that incorporate sustainability principles can improve social responsibility, environmental performance, and economic viability—all of which support long-term competitiveness. The analysis reveals that among the key success factors within SSC that are related to social and environmental impacts, operational resilience and continuity, financial performance, technological innovation, technological innovation, differentiation, regulatory compliance and industry standards, customer satisfaction and loyalty, and resource efficiency and cost savings. Transparency and traceability, market and reputation benefits, risk management techniques, and circular economy ideas are some of the best ways that SSC practices boost company competitiveness. However, some of the biggest obstacles to supply chain management (SSCM) that undermine firm competitiveness are high beginning costs, complexity, supply chain interruptions, and market constraints. The review expands on our knowledge of the ways in which SSCM boosts corporate competitiveness. Discussions are held regarding conclusions, suggestions for additional study, and theoretical and practical ramifications.

Using Spectral Flow Cytometry for CAR T-Cell Clinical Trials: Game Changing Technologies Enabling Novel Therapies

Monitoring chimeric antigen redirected (CAR) T-cells post-infusion in clinical trials is a specialized application of flow cytometry. Unlike the CAR T-cell monitoring for individual patients conducted in clinical laboratories, the data generated during a clinical trial will be used not only to monitor the therapeutic response of a single patient, but determine the success of the therapy itself, or even of an entire class of therapeutic compounds. The data, typically acquired at multiple testing laboratories, will be compiled into a single database. The data may also be used for mathematical modeling of cellular kinetics or to identify predictive biomarkers. With the expanded context of use, a robust, standardized assay is mandatory in order to generate a valuable and reliable data set. Hence, the requirements for assay validation, traceable calibration, technology transfer, cross-instrument standardization and regulatory compliance are high.

Teaching Hospital Governance Model for Service Quality Performance: Case Study of Indonesian Central General Hospital

This study aims to investigate the effect of teaching hospital management practices on the quality performance of health services by involving elements such as hospital accreditation standards, quality management, and JCI Academic Hospital-specific standards that are indirectly connected. This study chose a survey-based quantitative approach to clinical professional students in vertical teaching hospitals under the direct management of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Six proposed hypotheses were tested by Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The test results showed a positive influence between hospital teaching governance and hospital accreditation compliance, quality assurance and JCI Academic Hospital standards. Third, compliance with teaching hospital standards was also found to have a significant positive effect on the performance of teaching hospital service quality. Understanding the role of governance in encouraging the performance of teaching hospital service quality can help develop effective managerial strategies in achieving complete service quality for patients and clinical profession participants. This research resulted in contributions to existing practices and literature as governance modeling in dual quality standards charged to teaching hospitals.

Enhancing topology optimization with colored body-fitted mesh using adaptive filter, dual re-meshing strategy, and OOP programming paradigm

This study introduces a novel topology optimization approach by employing power law-based material interpolation and adaptive filtering in the framework of the unstructured grids. As an extension of the established Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method that utilizes the fixed structured mesh, the proposed Colored Body-Fitted Optimization (CBFO) method adopts the body-fitted grids to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability for diverse engineering applications. Notably, incorporating body-fitted meshes with intermediate density profiles enables improved flexibility in the numerical simulations and eliminates the need for re-meshing in each iteration. The dual re-meshing strategy drastically reduces computational costs, with only two re-meshing procedures required throughout the optimization process. This approach facilitates the generation of dense mesh regions around critical boundaries to augment solution accuracy while enabling sparse mesh configurations in the low-sensitivity regions, thereby boosting computational efficiency without compromising performance. The effectiveness, robustness, and efficiency of the CBFO method are validated through testing on multiple standard minimum compliance and compliant mechanism problems. The proposed optimization method can converge in dozens of iterations, obtain better objective function values, and save computational costs by up to 69 % compared to the previous method using the body-fitted mesh. Additionally, a concise MATLAB script implementing the proposed method using an Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm is provided in the appendix and the supplementary material, complete with annotations.

Exploring the Influence of Export Environment on Market Standard Dimensions and Horticultural Market Growth in South Rift, Kenya

The inclusion of rural smallholder farmers in the export of horticultural products has two major implications: increased household income through a promising global market, which is a catalyst for productivity, cumulatively growing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange. So far, there are an estimated 2500 smallholder farmers who participate in the export of horticulture in Kenya. As a result, the current study sought to establish the influence of export environment on the relationship between market standard dimensions and export market growth of the horticultural products from small scale farmers in south rift of Kenya. The study collected quantitative data using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 334 small-scale horticultural farmers who were randomly selected. Validity and reliability tests were performed before the main study. Then, descriptive and multiple regression was used to analyze the data. Export environment was measured through: government support and services for export, government regulations and certifications and trade agreements and market access. Findings indicated that there was a statistically significant influence relationship between market standard dimensions and the growth of horticultural export market, where export environment on each predictor variable had the highest influence on market dynamics, followed by quality control, traceability and post-harvest handling practices being the least. This implies that the export environment plays a critical role in making the smallholder farmers’ products more competitive in export market. The study concluded that, appropriate policies, regulations and trade agreements were critical in market standards compliance. The government should create a framework to effectively disseminate information on trade agreements so as to benefit farmers and in addition establish collaboration between farmers, the government and private sector in export intervention measures. Keywords: Export, Horticulture, quality, Post-harvest, Traceability, Market

Growth of Horticultural Export Market: The implication of Post-harvest Handling Practices among Small Scale Farmers in South Rift, Kenya

The inclusion of rural smallholder farmers in the export of horticultural products has two major implications: increased household income through access to a promising global market and enhanced productivity, cumulatively contributing to the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange. Currently, there are an estimated 2,500 smallholder farmers participating in horticultural exports South Rift of Kenya. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between post-harvest handling practices by smallholder farmers and the growth of the horticultural export market. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 334 small-scale horticultural farmers, randomly selected for the study. Validity and reliability tests were conducted prior to the main study. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression were employed to analyze the data. Post-harvest handling practices were assessed through the utilization of packaging materials, storage facilities, energy supply, hygiene, and transportation facilities. The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between post-harvest handling practices and the growth of horticultural export markets. However, deficiencies were observed among small-scale farmers in South Rift, Kenya, in managing horticultural products after harvest. The study recommended for strategic interventions for the adoption of modern technologies in every stage of the supply chain and establishes collaborations with key stakeholders in order to minimize cost of investment per farmer and ultimately enhancing market standards compliance and competitiveness in the fruit and vegetable export market. Keywords: Post harvest, storage, packaging, Hygiene, Export, Markets

Quality and Readability Analysis of Information on Cleft Lip and Palate: Sample of Online Resources in Turkish

Aim: Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital craniofacial conditions with follow-up of many different professionals usually beginning at birth and continuing throughout life. Internet resources can influence people's decisions on health-related issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the information quality, verifiability, standard compliance, and readability of websites that offer information on cleft lip and palate. Method: The first 100 websites accessed through "http://www.google.com.tr/" using the keyword "cleft lip and palate (“dudak damak yarıkları” in Turkish)" were evaluated and 64 websites were included in the analysis. The information quality, conformity to standards, and verifiability of the websites were scored according to HONcode criteria (0=lowest; 16=highest); Ateşman (0–29=very difficult; 90–100=very easy) and Çetinkaya (0–34=disabled level; 51+=independent level) readability indices were applied. Results: The mean HONcode score of the websites was 4.79±2.07 (min=0; max=9). The average word length was 2.77±0.12 (min=2.44; max=3.13) and the average sentence length was 11.46±2.44 (min=5.4; max=19.1). The mean of Ateşman readability analysis was 57.57±8.92 (min=32.9; max=77.4) and the mean of Çetinkaya readability analysis was 57.93±3.27 (min=49.72; max=64.64). Conclusion: The results indicate that the web pages have limited standards compliance, verifiability, and information quality. The Ateşman index places readability at a medium difficulty level, while the Çetinkaya index places it at an independent level. It is emphasized that content producers should pay attention to quality standards while developing the reading material on websites related to cleft lip and palate and pay attention to readability features so that visitors can easily access information.

Implementing a multidimensional faculty promotion matrix at Saint George University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine

This paper outlines the development and implementation of a multidimensional faculty promotion matrix at Saint George University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (SGUB FM). The matrix, designed to provide a comprehensive and equitable evaluation of faculty across multiple dimensions, is anchored in six pillars: Research, Clinical Practice, Teaching Effort, Administrative Effort, Community Work, and Extra Degrees and Awards. These pillars encompass diverse components, including publication output, clinical activities, teaching responsibilities, administrative roles, community engagement, and additional qualifications, with each metric normalized using z-scores for fair comparison. This matrix analyzed the CVs and relevant documents of 112 faculty members, demonstrating its efficacy in providing equitable evaluation regardless of gender or rank. The results showed no significant differences in promotion rates among various faculty ranks, highlighting the matrix’s fairness and impartiality. The study also explores the relationship between faculty ranks and various performance metrics, revealing patterns in research productivity, clinical practice, and community engagement that escalate with higher academic ranks. SGUB FM's approach aligns its curricular designs and instructional implementations with international benchmarks, particularly those set by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), ensuring global standard compliance while catering to the institution's unique context. The matrix serves not only as an evaluation tool but also as a catalyst for faculty excellence and professional development. This case study offers valuable insights for medical institutions developing inclusive promotion criteria and emphasizes the importance of holistic evaluation frameworks in fostering academic excellence and professional growth.

Exploring the factors influencing information security policy compliance and violations: A systematic literature review

Despite advancements in security technology, the prevalence of insider threats has been on the rise in recent years. Organizations implement Information Security Policies (ISPs) that outline the expected security-related behavior and compliance standards for employees. Ensuring and enhancing ISP compliance and reducing violations is crucial for organizations to maintain their security posture. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aims to synthesize the existing research on ISP compliance and violations to identify the underlying factors behind employee policy violations and delve into the factors that promote compliance with ISPs. In order to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding these behaviors, this SLR identifies the prominent theories used to explain ISP compliance and violation. A comprehensive search is conducted across different academic databases, applying defined inclusion and exclusion criteria to select the relevant studies between 2012 and 2023. To understand intentional violations, we categorize and analyze studies on ISP violations based on Moral Disengagement, Neutralization and Deterrence, Stress, and Monitoring mechanisms. For ISP compliance, we categorize and analyze studies based on individual-level decision-making and organizational-level factors. We identified forty-seven factors that influence compliance behavior and forty-one factors that determine non-compliance behavior. Fourteen common factors were identified from prior literature, which were determinants of both compliance and violation behaviors, with opposite directions of influence. By considering both compliance and noncompliance simultaneously, organizations can develop more effective strategies for enhancing compliance and mitigating noncompliance.