Supply Management Research Articles

Bioefficacy of Methanolic Leaf Extracts from Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) pose significant public health challenges globally, with India and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for the majority of cases. Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of dengue fever, thrives in an environment with inadequate water supply and poor waste management. The increasing resistance of mosquito population to chemical insecticides necessitates the exploration of alternative control strategies, such as botanical extracts. This study evaluates the adulticidal efficacy of methanolic leaf extracts of Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against the adults of Ae. aegypti. Fresh leaves of both plants were collected, dried, and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening revealed a moderate presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and glycosides in C. amboinicus, while phenols are highly prevalent, indicating significant biological activity. In contrast, M. spicata displayed a high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, though saponins, phenols, and glycosides were less abundant. Adulticidal bioassays demonstrated that C. amboinicus achieved higher mortality rates across all concentrations compared to M. spicata. The LC50 value for C. amboinicus was 202.00 ppm, while M. spicata exhibited an LC50 of 230.00 ppm. Similarly, the LC90 values were 428.51 ppm and 457.40 ppm for C. amboinicus and M. spicata, respectively. These findings suggest that C. amboinicus has a more balanced and diverse phytochemical profile, which likely contributes to its superior adulticidal activity against Ae. aegypti. This study highlights the potential of C. amboinicus as a natural alternative for mosquito control, warranting further exploration and development for effective vector management.

Prevalence of problem drinking in the Swedish workforce: differences between labour market industries based on gender composition and main job activity

BackgroundIdentifying problem drinking patterns across industries is essential for addressing drinking problems in the workforce. Still, it is not well understood how problem drinking differs across industries and whether it is associated with industry gender composition. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of problem drinking (PPD) across Swedish industries and investigate possible associations between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.Methods9,155 current workers were selected from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) data collected in 2020. Participants’ work industries were identified through the Swedish Standard Industrial Classification (SNI) codes. Seven gender-typed industry categories were created based on gender composition and main job activity in each industry. Self-reported problem drinking was measured using a slightly modified Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and a cut-off score 2 was used to determine problem drinking. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to investigate the association between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.ResultsPPD in the workforce was 6.6%. Men (8.5%) had a higher prevalence than women (5.3%). Across industries, PPD varied from 2.3% in Water supply and waste management to 15.4% in Mining and quarrying. The highest prevalence for men was in Mining and quarrying (18.2%), whereas for women it was in Construction (11.1%). Within gender-typed industries, the highest PPD was in male-dominated Goods and Energy Production (7.7%), and the lowest was in female-dominated Health and Social Care (4.7%). In the regression analysis, both Education (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.03) and Labour-intensive Services (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.02) had higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) compared with Health and Social Care. However, there was no significant difference in aPR among gender-typed industries when considering the gender composition of industries only.ConclusionsPPD in the Swedish workforce varied significantly across industries, with differences observed between men and women. Problem drinking differed between industries when categorized by gender composition and main job activity, but not when categorized by gender composition only. Future research should investigate how industry-specific psychosocial factors influence individual alcohol consumption.

INDICADORES DE SALUD EN BOVINOS DE UNIDADES DE PRODUCCIÓN DOBLE PROPÓSITO EN TRÓPICO SECO

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Beef ranks third in consumption in the Mexican market, where the diversity in supply sources and management systems used in production units is notable. This diversity is reflected in the health and welfare conditions of cattle. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate health indicators of dual-purpose cattle in Michoacán, Mexico, aiming to promote quality in the meat industry. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Data were collected using the protocol adapted from UC Davis Cow-Calf Health and Handling. Bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) were applied to analyze the data. <strong>Results:</strong> Six factors explain the cattle's current and past health conditions. From these, three groups of cattle were obtained with statistically significant differences in eight key indicators. Group 1 (G1) was characterized by good body condition and favorable past health status. Group 2 (G2) showed recent health problems, skin lesions, wildlife attacks, and parasitosis. Group 3 (G3) presented moderate conditions regarding past and recent health. <strong>Implications:</strong> This study provides a foundation for designing tools to enhance livestock living conditions by identifying and addressing individuals with poor health and welfare. These actions benefit livestock and directly improve the quality of meat derived from them. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Group 2 (G2) was identified as having the greatest health problems, while G3 showed intermediate conditions and G1 grouped cattle with better health indicators. These findings underscore the importance of implementing improved animal health and welfare practices in production units to enhance the quality of meat produced.</p>

Enhanced Data Processing and Machine Learning Techniques for Energy Consumption Forecasting

Energy consumption plays a significant role in global warming. In order to achieve carbon neutrality and enhance energy efficiency through a stable energy supply, it is necessary to pursue the development of innovative architectures designed to optimize and analyze time series data. Therefore, this study presents a new architecture that highlights the critical role of preprocessing in improving predictive performance and demonstrates its scalability across various energy domains. The architecture, which discerns patterns indicative of time series characteristics, is founded on three core components: data preparation, process optimization methods, and prediction. The core of this architecture is the identification of patterns within the time series and the determination of optimal data processing techniques, with a strong emphasis on preprocessing methods. The experimental results for heat energy demonstrate the potential for data optimization to achieve performance gains, thereby confirming the critical role of preprocessing. This study also confirms that the proposed architecture consistently enhances predictive outcomes, irrespective of the model employed, through the evaluation of five distinct prediction models. Moreover, experiments extending to electric energy validate the architecture’s scalability and efficacy in predicting various energy types using analogous input variables. Furthermore, this research employs explainable artificial intelligence to elucidate the determinants influencing energy prediction, thereby contributing to the management of low-carbon energy supply and demand.

Increasing the efficiency of logistics for the area of storage and picking of special materials

The article deals with increasing the efficiency of logistics flows for the area of storage and picking. The aim of the processed study was to focus on the analysis of logistics activities and processes, the state of supply and inventory management. An assessment of the effectiveness of the introduced information system at the selected warehouse was carried out, which led to changes in a positive direction in the very process of storage and management of special products. The study presents the design of variants, the selection of the optimal one using selected decision-making methods and the introduction of a new warehouse system, which leads to the efficiency of the entire storage process in the NPI (New Product Introduction) warehouse. The output of the study is also the implementation of the selected variant into industrial practice, which is declared by the elaborated project of the introduction of the selected variant. The article is a contribution related to the process of implementing a warehouse and picking system for specialized material items.

Plan for Improvement of Legal System for Efficient Management of Property for Public Use of Government Office Buildings of Central Administrative Agency: Focusing on Security Management under Legislative Bill Concerning Supply and Demand and Management of Government Office Building of Central Administrative Agency

Plan for Improvement of Legal System for Efficient Management of Property for Public Use of Government Office Buildings of Central Administrative Agency: Focusing on Security Management under Legislative Bill Concerning Supply and Demand and Management of Government Office Building of Central Administrative Agency

Analysis of Educational Needs of Home Care Nurses: Utilizing Borich’s Needs Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model

Purpose: This study analyzed educational needs of home care nurses to improve the quality of home care service and identify priority educational subjects. Methods: This study analyzed the training priorities of 54 home care nurses working at community service centers or public health centers in Seoul, Korea, using the Borich Needs Assessment and the Locus of Focus model. The home care nurses’ tasks were categorized into 21 tasks and 85 task elements. Results: Six priority educational subjects were identified: 1) health assessment and monitoring, 2) nursing records and information management, 3) health education and counseling techniques, 4) home care supplies management, 5) recipient identification and communication skills, and 6) care recipient classification and management. Activities related to one-on-one health management, such as health screening, measurements, and disease management counseling, were found to be high priorities. In contrast, small group program planning and operation were rated as a low priority. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of incorporating identified educational needs into training curricula for home care nurses. Regular assessment and integration of these needs into educational programs are crucial for enhancing nursing competence and service quality.

Infrastructures of power: Governance by energy systems and infrastructure

This paper suggests a synthetization of three classic approaches to analyze infrastructures as interconnected compositions that subtly distribute power and governance. We draw upon conceptualizations within large technological systems (LTS), Internet governance, and information infrastructures (II), and connect them to our own extensive research in energy infrastructure and systems spanning over a decade. This combination serves as the bedrock for our methodological work, which we establish here as pivotal signposts for the study of governance by infrastructures. Rooted empirically in energy research, we advocate for scholars to expand these methodologies to other infrastructures, such as the Internet and II, to illustrate how governance operates across diverse infrastructural networks and their intersections. Our empirical examples draw from studies in smart grids and smart energy technologies, electricity supply management and markets, and energy computer modeling. These diverse cases are utilized to inform the proposed methodological approach.

A geospatial assessment of the resilience of municipal water supply to flooding in Nowshera District, Pakistan

Post-disaster functionality of the potable water supply infrastructure is crucial for maintaining public health and safety. The failure of the water supply system may harm inhabitants and significant users, which can impact other services and various types of infrastructures. It is vital to assess climate change impacts on water resources to ensure resilience and sustainable management. The study assessed the resilience of 22 municipal water schemes using an indicator-based framework, How Tough is Wash (HTIW), across six domains: environment, infrastructure, community governance, water supply management, supply chains, and institutional support. The sites of municipal water supply were purposively selected based on specific criteria to include those water supply schemes which have been directly affected by flooding or are vulnerable to the impact of the flood. The resilience scores ranged from (6 to 7.5) for schemes with very low resilience, (7.5 to 10.5) for those classified as poor, and (10.6 to 16.5) for schemes considered moderately resilient. It was discovered that protective measures against the risk of flood were negligible. Community engagement governance and water supply management needed to be stronger. Local governments can pinpoint current advantages and disadvantages by utilizing these metrics and their impact on the public water supply's resilience and strategically allocate resources for optimal outcomes. Furthermore, the metrics that have been suggested simplify and unify the multiple dimensions of the elements, enabling decision-makers to optimize the measures.

Integrated design and performance optimization of three-electrode sliding discharge plasma power supply

The three-electrode sliding dielectric barrier discharge (TES-DBD) plasma actuator significantly enhances the ionization rate and momentum exchange between charged particles and neutral particles by incorporating a parallel DC electrode into the standard DBD design. This design improves the body force and induced jet velocity while allowing flexible control of the induced jet angle, overcoming the limitations of discharge extension and uncontrollable direction in traditional DBD plasma actuators. An integrated plasma power supply has been designed specifically for TES-DBD plasma actuators, streamlining the power supply management. The methodology involves designing the circuit topology for the TES-DBD power supply, followed by simulating and validating its operating principles using Multisim software. The operational performance of the power supply is evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of its electrical, thermal, and aerodynamic properties specific to TES-DBD plasma actuation.

E-Procurement Systems and Organizational Performance in Germany

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the e-procurement systems and organizational performance in Germany. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The implementation of e-procurement has streamlined procurement processes, reducing costs and improving efficiency through automation and better supplier management. Organizations adopting e-procurement systems report enhanced transparency, reduced procurement cycle times, and improved compliance with procurement regulations. Additionally, the data-driven nature of e-procurement allows for better decision-making and strategic sourcing, contributing to overall organizational effectiveness and competitiveness in the market. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Technology acceptance model (TAM), resource-based view (RBV) & institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the e-procurement systems and organizational performance in Germany. Establish regular and comprehensive training programs tailored to the needs of procurement staff to ensure effective utilization of e-procurement systems. Develop a national policy framework that encourages e-procurement adoption in both public and private sectors.

Globalization and Local Procurement: A Study of Supply Chain Dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the globalization and local procurement: a study of supply chain dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on strategic sourcing's impact on cost reduction in Australia and Bangladesh manufacturing firms demonstrated significant positive results. It showed that strategic sourcing led to notable reductions in procurement costs, enhanced supplier management, negotiation, and risk mitigation strategies. The findings underscored the importance of aligning procurement strategies with organizational goals for sustainable cost reductions and competitive advantages in the sector. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource dependence theory (RDT), transaction cost economics (TCE) & institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the globalization and local procurement: a study of supply chain dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh. Businesses in both Australia and Bangladesh should prioritize building strong relationships with local suppliers to enhance supply chain resilience. Policymakers in both Australia and Bangladesh should create supportive regulatory frameworks that promote local procurement practices.

Urban trees left high and dry – Modelling urban trees´ water supply and evapotranspiration under drought

Abstract Long-lasting extreme weather conditions are expected to occur more frequently in the future owing to climate change, as demonstrated by the recent heat waves. In particular, the decrease in precipitation during the summer months had a significant impact on urban tree water availability. Therefore, it is imperative to develop methodologies for determining the available water supply and evaporation rates for urban trees. We mapped data from 49 urban small-leaved linden trees with varying characteristics including groundwater levels, shading situations, tree pit sizes, pavement materials, and sealing ratios. By combining these data with an adapted Penman-Monteith method to calculate evapotranspiration, we simulated the soil water storage and evapotranspiration rates of these trees during the very dry year of 2018 as an example. Model validations were performed using lysimeter and sap-flow studies on Tilia cordata trees in 2022.
During the growing season, most trees experienced water stress on > 85% of the days because of weak precipitation events that failed to refill soil water storage. In contrast, trees with additional water supply through capillary rise reached water stress approximately 45 d later. The model results suggest that many trees will require additional water supply during predicted droughts in the future, which could have significant implications for urban forestry management. This model approach can be used to test and refine future water supply management strategies, making it a useful planning tool for improving the water efficiency of trees in urban areas and blue-green infrastructure.

Requirements for water data ecosystems: results from a business ecosystem case study

This paper studies the factors that affect the emergence of water data ecosystems using a case study as a research method. The study is based on interviews conducted with partners in a comprehensive business ecosystem focused on the development of smart water network management. Eleven representatives from six private companies, the waterworks of a city, and three organizations that provide water supply management services for municipalities were interviewed. The paper presents analysis of the interview results focusing on the interviewees’ thoughts on the state of water data systems in Finland and on the factors that affect the emergence of water data ecosystems in Finland.The interview results indicate a clear need for water data ecosystems but also obstacles preventing their emergence. Inadequate understanding on the part of customer, a lack of water data, regulations, and underdeveloped agreements were seen to hinder the development of water data solutions. In addition to ecosystem development, the emergence of water data ecosystems requires investment and the development of water data solutions, solution concepts, and demonstrations to show the value of the ecosystem. The results show that ecosystems need a clear rationale and vision, effective management of water data sharing, and mechanisms to ensure the scalability of water data ecosystems.

Теоретичне підґрунтя публічного управління у сфері водопостачання та водовідведення

The sphere of water supply and drainage is a critically important component of the socio-economic mechanism, which is characterized by numerous challenges that were actualized in wartime. Aim of this paper is to analyze the main theoretical approaches of public management in the field of water supply and drainage in order to identify the main principles and tools that affect the efficiency and sustainability of the field. The tools of strategic planning, operational management and emergency response are considered as key components of successful management in this area. Emphasis is placed on the special role of developing fair tariff policies and financial support for infrastructure investments. The importance of the legal framework that regulates the sphere, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and protection of consumer rights is highlighted. The environmental aspect of resource management in the field, which includes modern methods of wastewater treatment and minimizing the negative impact on natural water bodies, is considered. It was emphasized that state intervention is a key factor in ensuring equal access to clean water, which is a basic human right according to the United Nations. The problem of natural monopoly in the field is considered through the prism of high capital investments and low elasticity of demand, which limit market competition. Strategies to stimulate competition and improve service quality are explored, including regulating tariffs and encouraging innovation. The example of Scotland, where water supply management is centralized through the creation of a single national company Scottish Water, reveals the effectiveness of such an approach in improving infrastructure and ensuring high quality services with public participation. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to management in the field is emphasized, with a special emphasis on the stability of the service in wartime. The research may be useful to researchers, state and local authorities, and international organizations. Further perspectives of research include the study of the peculiarities of the application of the theoretical base in the solution of scientific and practical problems in the field in Ukraine during the war.

Multi-criteria group decision analytics for sustainable supplier relationship management in a focal manufacturing company

In the context of sustainable development, while the benefits of incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into supplier management have been widely discussed in recent years, a significant gap in the literature remains. Specifically, there is a lack of a standardized decision analytics framework for ESG-oriented supplier relationship management (SRM) processes in the manufacturing sector. To address this gap, this study introduces a multi-criteria supplier analytics framework (MCSAF) towards sustainable SRM. Through referring traditional supplier evaluation criteria as well as emerging ESG criteria, a novel decision hierarchy for supplier segmentation is developed. The proposed system utilizes the Bayesian best-worst method and the Canopy-k-means clustering algorithm to formulate different supplier segments for strategic development. The proposed MCSAF has been successfully implemented in a German solar water pump manufacturer. The results show that the five highest-ranked criteria are ‘Quality’, ‘Impact and importance on product quality and business growth’, ‘Environmental policy/management’, ‘Customer and product responsibility’, and ‘Risk and crisis management’. 52 suppliers are categorized into five segments, leading to the formulation of ESG-enabled supplier development strategies are subsequently formulated. The successful implementation of the MCSAF showcases its effectiveness in advancing ESG practices in sustainable supplier management.

Optimizing supply and production management through energy storage strategies: A solar cold production approach using artificial neural networks

The reliability of clean renewable energy hinges on robust energy systems, with storage serving a critical function. This paper investigates the influence of various storage types and configurations on thermal performance, with a focus on optimal sizing for economic and environmental cost reduction. To achieve this objective, we simulate a solar cooling facility with varied configurations of hot/cold storage installations. This study employs an ANN methodology with a multi-layer perceptron approach to forecast unit performance for each configuration based on data generated during the simulation process. In the pursuit of the most efficient and high-performance network, a comprehensive investigation is conducted on the number of neurons, activation functions, and training algorithms. Subsequently, the optimization process, conducted through a genetic algorithm, determines the Pareto fronts representing the best solution sets. The comparison shows that a system design with double hot and cold storage tanks shows superior techno-economic-environmental performance. Among possible optimum solution sets, a point with this specification is selected; flow rate ratio, minimum flow ratio, cooling capacity ratio, cold storage ratio, and hot storage ratio of 1.2, 0.4, 0.91, 3.4, and 3.8, respectively. This configuration anticipates a levelized cost of cooling at 341 USD/MWhr, representing a 13 % reduction compared to the benchmark.

Category Mapping of Emergency Supplies Classification Standard Based on BERT-TextCNN

In recent years, the escalation in emergency occurrences has underscored the pressing need for expedient responses in delivering essential supplies. Efficient integration and precise allocation of emergency resources under joint government–enterprise stockpiling models are pivotal for enhancing emergency response effectiveness and minimizing economic repercussions. However, current research predominantly focuses on contract coordination and cost-sharing within these joint reserve modes, overlooking significant discrepancies in emergency supply classification standards between government and enterprise sectors, as well as the asymmetry in cross-sectoral and cross-regional supply information. This oversight critically impedes the timeliness and accuracy of emergency supply responses. In practice, manual judgment has been used to match the same materials under differing classification standards between government and enterprise reserves. Still, this approach is inefficient and prone to high error rates. To mitigate these challenges, this study proposes a methodology leveraging the BERT pre-trained language model and TextCNN neural network to establish a robust mapping relationship between these classification criteria. The approach involves abstracting textual representations of both taxonomical classes, generating comparable sentence vectors via average pooling, and calculating cosine similarity scores to facilitate precise classification mapping. Illustrated with China’s Classification and Coding of Emergency Supplies standards and Global Product Classification standards, empirical validation on annotated data demonstrates the BERT-TextCNN model’s exceptional accuracy of 98.22%, surpassing other neural network methodologies such as BERT-CNN, BERT-RNN, BERT-BiLSTM, etc. This underscores the potential of advanced neural network techniques in enhancing emergency supply management across diverse sectors and regions.

Drug supply management at first-level public health facilities: Case of Pyay District, Myanmar.

First-level public health facilities (PHFs) serve as primary providers of essential medicines, necessitating critical attention to drug availability and quality assurance. This study aimed to examine the status of functional areas within the drug supply chain management framework and assess the overall capability maturity at first-level PHFs. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 183 drug store sites from six townships of Pyay District. Only situational analysis was exercised to determine the existing situations. The overall capability maturity was determined according to the definitions of levels of the Capability Maturity Module Tool. 58.47% lacked formal drug supply management training, with 23.5% not undergoing performance reviews. Drug forecasting predominantly relied on a pen-paper system (91.6%) and factors like patient load (87.39%), drug consumption (85.71%), and disease prevalence (64.71%). Store site analysis revealed that 65.03% exhibited marginal capability, lacking standardized drugstores and employing unstandardized procedures. Storage practices varied, with 48.69% storing drugs conveniently and others categorizing them by drug type (32.79%) or using the first-expired-first-out system (40.98%). Approximately 42.69% reported having expired drugs. Concerning transportation costs, 37.16% incurred expenses exceeding 20,000 Kyats per time, with management staff often covering the costs. Waste management methods included burial pits (49.18%), incineration (62.84%), and sharp pits (55.19%). A majority (78.14%) used safety boxes, and 57.38% implemented a color-coded system for waste bins. The logistics management information system was entirely paper-based (100%). On average, assessments of drug quality conditions and physical damages scored 46.51% and 48.20%, respectively. The overall supply chain maturity at first-level public health facilities is at a marginal capability level (36.35%). While some basic drug supply chain management procedures were in place, they were not consistently followed, and many systems remain manual. The findings underscored significant inconsistencies in the management functions of supplied drugs, with poor adherence to Standard Operating Procedure guidelines.

System dynamic model of water, energy and food nexus for policy implementation

In this study, a spatiotemporal disaggregated simulation model was developed based on water–food–energy (WFE) nexus approach to assess water and food supply security considering ecosystem provisioning services. The main components of the developed model in this study (SD-WFE model) are population, water, agriculture, and energy modules. The model, which was developed using system dynamics (SD) approach, was utilized to simulate effectiveness of sectoral municipal, industrial, and agricultural water and energy consumption management and environmental protection policies in improving ecosystem provisioning services during a 20-year period. Through sensitivity analysis utilizing the Monte Carlo model, the study addresses the formulation of sustainable water resource policies across four main categories: water demand management, water supply management, food resource management, and energy resource demand management. Additionally, it explores the integration of policies within an optimal framework. The simulation of proposed solutions revealed that a combination of water demand management and food resource management yielded the most promising outcome. Specifically, the recommended solution entails enhancing water irrigation efficiency by 18% through the expansion of pressurized irrigation network coverage, adjusting cropping patterns by 14%, reducing agricultural product losses by 8% via improved food supply management, minimizing food demand by 9% due to reduced food consumption losses, and achieving an annual 10% increase in crop performance. These selected policies form the foundation for sustainable water resource management strategies.