Hasil untuk "Office management"

Carmen DeNavas-Walt, Bernadette D. Proctor

Zhouxi Wang, Jingbo Xiao, Daniel Obrzut et al.

Abstract The Knowledge-Aided Assessment and Structured Application (KASA) is an initiative led by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) which is launched within CDER’s Office of Pharmaceutical Quality (OPQ). It is a platform designed to conduct the quality assessment of drug product applications more efficiently, effectively, and consistently, promoting OPQ’s “One Quality Voice”. KASA is part of CDER’s broader efforts to support the digital transformation of application submission, assessment, and lifecycle knowledge management for Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) data. KASA supports CDER’s Office of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Assessment (OPMA)’s mission which is to assure that quality pharmaceuticals are consistently manufactured over the product lifecycle. This paper provides insights into the OPMA’s implementation of manufacturing section for non-sterile solid oral dosage form (SODF) drug products, covering both manufacturing process and facility aspects, within the KASA platform for Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs). We provide details how key features of KASA, such as structured applications and knowledge-aided tools, enable manufacturing assessors to perform assessment using scientific and risk-based approaches, and promote lifecycle knowledge management. Additionally, we highlight the quantitative risk models embedded in the KASA manufacturing section for non-sterile SODF drug products, which generate initial risks related to manufacturing process and facility in terms of drug product quality. The paper also describes the risk control strategies implemented within the KASA framework. As of September 2024, over 1,130 manufacturing assessments of original ANDAs for non-sterile SODF drug products have been completed with at least the first review cycle, using the KASA platform since its launch in February 2021. This demonstrates the success of implementation of KASA in OPMA’s manufacturing assessment in support of OPQ’s regulatory assessments.

Nicholas Badger, Shahriar Amini

Pankaj K Agarwal, H K Pradhan, Konark Saxena

This study examines active liquidity management by Indian open-ended equity mutual funds. We find that fund managers respond to inflows by increasing cash holdings, which are later used to purchase less-liquid stocks at favourable valuations. Funds with less liquid portfolios tend to maintain larger cash reserves to manage flows. Funds that make active liquidity choices yield statistically and economically significant gross and net returns. The performance differences between funds with varying activeness in altering liquidity highlight the importance of active liquidity management in markets with substantial cross-sectional liquidity differences such as India.

Juan Sebastián Sánchez Gómez, Edwin Andres Arevalo Herrera, Cristian Camilo Torres Puentes

This article highlights the critical role of specialized digital tools in enhancing project management and monitoring in Colombia's public sector, it showcases how Microsoft Office 365 and Power Platform have been effectively utilized to optimize royalty-funded initiatives, automating processes and improving decision-making through advanced data análisis. These tools enable process optimization, task automation, and enhanced data analysis, significantly improving the administration of resources and facilitating timely, well-informed decision-making. The methodology is quantitative and complementary information is taken from the technical and legal opinions of the participating professionals. For its execution, a combined approach had to be followed: a PMBOK methodology that gave a clear roadmap and an agile SCRUM methodology capable of highly prioritizing schedule management to provide effective results. In this process, the tools used are Power BI, Power Apps, and Power Automate; these are used to automate tasks and improve operational efficiency by addressing specific issues and contributing to project management and project optimization. Through this project, a proper technological infrastructure has been built for senior management strategic management, planning team tactical management, and operative monitoring to implement BI systems successfully. The project is structured in several phases: initial preparation and planning; implementation; and personnel training, emphasizing continuous training and personnel adaptation to manage resistance to change. Implementing BI and digital tools facilitates teams to work closely together, with noticeable improvements in coordination and operational efficiency. This paper deals with the optimization of monitoring project management of the SGR in the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, and this experience seeks to be an example to other entities and to inspire them to walk these paths toward a culture of innovation and permanent improvement within the public sector in Colombia. These Microsoft tools are available to most national public servants and contractors, so generating the solution does not imply additional costs. The experience is well documented in the present work and provides a replicable model that can adapt to multiple contexts, promoting greater efficacy and efficiency in public administration.

DENG Yanfen, ZHANG Xiaojie, ZHAO Jianli et al.

This study conducted a systematic analysis of the topographic evolution and natural vegetation succession of Dongfeng Dongsha Island, a naturally developed shoal in the Yangtze River Estuary, using integrated high-precision unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned surface vessel (USV) topographic surveys coupled with remote sensing interpretation. Based on field survey data collected in 2020-including integrated above- and below-water topographic data, orthophoto imagery, and vegetation quadrat samples-we employed elevation correction and supervised classification methods to extract vegetation spatial distribution and construct a canopy height model, thereby systematically quantifying the structural characteristics and spatial patterns of different plant communities. The results indicate that Dongfeng Dongsha Island has continuously prograded southeastward with significant areal expansion. A total of 5 wetland plant species belonging to 5 genera and 3 families were recorded, with Zizania latifolia being the dominant community. Vegetation including Phragmites australis and Scirpus validus exhibited clear elevation zonation, showing a sequential distribution from waterward to landward: S. validus → Z. latifolia → P. australis, which was closely correlated with mean sea level and tidal creek development. The vegetation succession sequence reflects typical natural wetland zonation characteristics without the invasion by Spartina alterniflora, highlighting the critical transitional role of Z. latifolia. This study provides an important case for understanding the synergistic mechanism between vegetation and topography in natural estuarine shoals and offers a scientific basis for regional wetland conservation and ecological restoration.

Aluth Durage Upali Karunarathna, Dilantha Dharmagunawardene, Mediwaka Wallawwe Malkanthi Kumari Mediwaka, et al.

Objective: We piloted evidence-based health promotion interventions to increase health seeking behaviour (HSB), as measured primarily by utilization of Healthy Lifestyle Centers (HLC). HLCs were introduced in Sri Lanka to increase screening of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), but utilization has not met the pre-defined targets. Design: This case-control study involved: development and validation of a contextually adapted tool to assess HSB; examination of HSB for selected NCDs; co-design and delivery of interventions to promote HSB; and evaluation of how these interventions impacted proxy measures of HSB, such as HLC utilization. The HSB tool was developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and validated by local experts. HSB was assessed using a survey involving 850 participants selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Community-based and health-system interventions were developed through four focus group discussions (FGD). The impact evaluation was completed in study and control areas, with 85 individuals from each area selected through cluster-sampling. Setting: The intervention setting was the Kekanadura Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area and the control was Akuressa MOH area in Matara District, Sri Lanka Main outcome measures: Pre-post survey results regarding HBM constructs, and awareness and utilization of HLCs, were conceptualised as proxy indicators of changes to HSB. Results: Initially, only 46.5% of survey participants were aware of HLCs, 30.1% had ever visited a HLC and, of those, only 40.2% (n=102) were satisfied with HLC services. FGDs revealed lack of awareness, personal and service-related factors as common reasons for limited HLC utilization. Significant post-interventional improvements were identified regarding HLC utilization, but and self-reported improvements to HBM constructs were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The structured, rigorous approach used in this study can be replicated in other resource-constrained settings to improve HSB, strengthen the identification and management of NCDs and, in this way, reduce demand for curative services.

Selemon Thomas Fakana, Ayele Yaya Yaliso, Fekadu Fanjana Falta et al.

Abstract Ecosystem services (ES) are direct and indirect benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems. Land use land cover (LULC) change profoundly influences ecosystem service values (ESVs), shaping ecological functionality and human well-being. Using Landsat data from 1995 to 2025, LULC was analyzed for spatiotemporal change in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia, using GIS and remote sensing techniques. By integrating band combinations, training samples were taken, and the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm was employed in supervised classification. The resultant map was validated using a confusion matrix and Kappa statistics. The Kappa coefficients of the LULC maps for 1995, 2003, 2015, and 2025 were 0.887%, 0.914%, 0.9332%, and 0.9607%, respectively. The benefit-transfer method was used to quantify ESVs across time. Results demonstrate a significant transformation of the landscape over the past three decades. Between 1995 and 2025, vegetation cover and waterbodies increased by 512.61 km² (+ 26.4%) and 66.57 km² (+ 247.46%), with annual rates of increase of 17.09 km²/year (0.88%) and 2.22 km²/year (8.25%), respectively. However, agricultural land and bare land decreased by -400.96 km² (− 27.07%) and − 277.67 km² (− 28.94%), respectively, alongside a modest urban expansion of 99.46 km² (+ 2.21%). These LULC shifts increased total ESVs, from US$246.75 million in 1995 to US$342.23 million in 2025, with a net gain of US$95.48 million per year (38.7%). While global studies often report declining ESVs, this study reveals a contrasting trajectory, with an annual increase of $ 3.18 million per year (1.29%), reflecting a local landscape undergoing ecological recovery. The expansion of vegetation suggests the effectiveness of ecological restoration and afforestation, while the growth of waterbodies highlights the importance of hydrological interventions and watershed protection, particularly in relation to the construction of the Gilgel Gibe III hydroelectric dam. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that vegetation and waterbodies contributed disproportionately to the increase in ESVs, with sensitivity coefficients < 1, indicating that the overall results are robust. The findings provide critical evidence for policymakers and land managers that sustainable land use planning, ecological restoration, and conservation initiatives can substantially enhance ecosystem services, offering valuable insights to scale up and sustain these efforts.

Asra Moradkhani, Mobin Azami, Pardis Mohammadzadeh et al.

Abstract Background and aim Given the high prevalence, incidence, and impact on Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) associated with diabetes, coupled with the limited availability of meta-analysis studies examining its prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) countries, the main objective of this study was to investigate the combined prevalence of type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes within the Eastern Mediterranean region. Methods To implement a comprehensive search strategy aligned with the objectives of this meta-analysis, searches were conducted across international databases, including PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) from January 1967 to December 2022. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on factors such as gender, country, geographic area, criteria for diagnosis, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) level. Results Out of 5,238 primary studies initially screened, 186 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of diabetes was found to be 15% (95% CI: 13 – 16%), of which 6% (95% CI: 4 – 7%) represented undiagnosed cases, while 8% (95% CI: 7 – 10%) were known cases. The prevalence of T2DM was 13% (95% CI: 11 – 16%), while T1DM was found to have a prevalence of 1% (95% CI: 1 – 2%). Pre-diabetes had a pooled prevalence of 15% (95% CI: 13 – 18%), with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) representing 9% (95% CI: 7 – 11%) and 8% (95% CI: 6 – 11%) of cases, respectively. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was found to be 11% (95% CI: 9 – 14%) in the EMRO. Conclusion The findings emphasize the need for enhanced healthcare programs, including early screening, effective management, and lifestyle interventions such as healthy eating and physical activity. The analysis also highlights the importance of considering socioeconomic factors like urbanization, diet changes, and healthcare access when developing diabetes prevention and management strategies. The results call for policymakers and healthcare providers to collaborate in addressing the growing public health burden of diabetes in the region.

Wassim J. Aloulou, Rahaf Fahad Almarshedi, Shuayyi Sameer Alharbi et al.

This study investigates the relationships between proactive personality, psychological capital, work engagement, work well-being, and innovative work behavior among employees in Saudi public authorities, based on the conservation of resources theory and the job demands-resources model. Using a sequential mediation model, data from 457 public employees were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results show that a proactive personality and psychological capital significantly predict work engagement, but neither is significantly related to work well-being. Notably, while a proactive personality does not directly impact innovative work behavior, psychological capital does. Additionally, work well-being partially mediates the relationship between work engagement and innovative work behavior. These findings suggest that enhancing psychological capital and fostering engagement are key to promoting innovation. The mediating role of well-being highlights the importance of employee welfare in this process. This study provides practical implications for HR managers in the Saudi public sector and emphasizes strategies for building internal psychological resources. However, as data were collected from a single source, future research should include multiple key informants to enhance generalizability. This study builds on theory by demonstrating how proactive personality and psychological capital jointly stimulate innovative behavior through engagement and well-being, enriching the job demands-resources model with personal resource dynamics in public sector organizations.

Jinyang Li

In this research paper, we investigate into a paper named "A Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework for the Financial Portfolio Management Problem" [arXiv:1706.10059]. It is a portfolio management problem which is solved by deep learning techniques. The original paper proposes a financial-model-free reinforcement learning framework, which consists of the Ensemble of Identical Independent Evaluators (EIIE) topology, a Portfolio-Vector Memory (PVM), an Online Stochastic Batch Learning (OSBL) scheme, and a fully exploiting and explicit reward function. Three different instants are used to realize this framework, namely a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), a basic Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). The performance is then examined by comparing to a number of recently reviewed or published portfolio-selection strategies. We have successfully replicated their implementations and evaluations. Besides, we further apply this framework in the stock market, instead of the cryptocurrency market that the original paper uses. The experiment in the cryptocurrency market is consistent with the original paper, which achieve superior returns. But it doesn't perform as well when applied in the stock market.

Michele Azzone, Emilio Barucci, Davide Stocco

We investigate the portfolio frontier and risk premia in equilibrium when institutional investors aim to minimize the tracking error variance under an ESG score mandate. If a negative ESG premium is priced in the market, this mandate can reduce portfolio inefficiency when the return over-performance target is limited. In equilibrium, with asset managers endowed with an ESG mandate and mean-variance investors, a negative ESG premium arises. A result that is supported by empirical data. The negative ESG premium is due to the ESG constraint imposed on institutional investors and is not associated with a risk factor.

Cynthia N. Ngxesha, Irvine Langton, Chengedzai Mafini

Background: The effectiveness of information sharing between municipalities and their stakeholders remains an important area for consideration in the improvement of supply chain performance. Aim: This article responds to municipal service delivery challenges in South Africa by testing a model for improving supply chain performance (SCP) through information sharing (IS) and stakeholder collaboration in municipalities. Setting: The setting includes two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Method: The study employed a cross-sectional survey involving 370 supply chain role players. Hypothesised relationships were tested using structural equation modelling. Results: The results revealed that information sharing is positively associated with stakeholder trust, governance and administration and stakeholder relationship continuity. Stakeholder trust, governance and administration, and stakeholder relationship continuity are positively related to the fluency of stakeholder collaboration. Full mediation between the constructs was observed for all relationships tested in the study. Conclusion: The article demonstrates the application of information sharing through, stakeholder trust, governance and administration, and stakeholder relationship continuity in predicting supply chain performance in South African municipalities. The overall outcome of the study is that information sharing and stakeholder relationships are essential drivers of municipal supply chain performance. Contribution: The study contributes to supply chain management literature by providing insights into how municipalities can utilise information to improve stakeholder relationships and enhance service delivery performance. This study could unlock some keys to overcoming municipal service delivery challenges in South Africa.

Editor Admin, Suhardi Mukhlis, Sutardi Sutardi et al.

This study aims to analyze the application of human resource management strategies at the Bintan Regency Environmental Office. This research is a study that uses qualitative research. The results showed that the implementation of human resource strategies at the Bintan Regency Environmental Office has been implemented but must be developed again because basically human resources have many differences for each individual. Planning at the Bintan Regency Environmental Office has been done well through planning, implementation, organizing. In terms of organizing, human resources owned by the Bintan Regency Environmental Office are still developing and training in order to implement the policies contained in the Bintan Regency regional regulations because the Bintan Regency Environmental Office is engaged in the government sector that regulates government regulations through policies that have been regulated in law. 

Lingqian Yang, Katherine Wang, Youngjun Cho

Workload often triggers anxiety for office workers. While a variety of stress intervention and management techniques have been explored, there exist only a few of portable tangible interfaces for anxiety reduction. Contributing to the body of work, we introduce Self-Assistant, a portable anxiety intervention training interface. This is based on progressive muscle relaxation training which is an effective way for reducing stress and raise awareness of tension, and provide feelings of deep relaxation. This interface incorporates a stress ball with a pressure sensor and visual indicators which help track the user's anxiety level through squeeze actions. This is designed to help improve self-awareness of anxiety and stress, in turn self-regulating bodily functions, offering rapid and low-sensory stimulus training for anxiety relief. Finally, we discuss application scenarios and future work with Self-Assistant.

Chinwe Lucia Ochu, Lorretta Ntoimo, Ikenna Onoh et al.

Abstract Lassa fever (LF) remains endemic in Nigeria with the country reporting the highest incidence and mortality globally. Recent national data suggests increasing incidence and expanding geographic spread. Predictors of LF case positivity in Nigeria have been sparsely studied. We thus sought to determine the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of LF positivity amongst suspected cases presenting to health facilities from 2018 to 2021. A secondary analysis of the national LF surveillance data between January 2018 and December 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical data of 20,027 suspected LF cases were analysed using frequencies and Chi-square statistics with significant p-value set at p < 0.05. The outcome variable was LF case status (positive or negative). Predictors of LF case positivity were assessed using multiple logistic regression models with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Case positivity rate (CPR) for the four years was 15.8% with higher odds of positivity among age group 40–49 years (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.21–1.62), males (aOR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.03–1.20), those with formal education (aOR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.13–1.56), artisans (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.28–2.27), religious leaders (aOR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.04–2.52), farmers (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.21–1.81), and symptomatic individuals (aOR = 2.36; 95% CI 2.09–2.68). Being a health worker (aOR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.53–0.91), a teacher (aOR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.53–0.89) and cases reporting in the 3rd quarter (aOR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.69–0.92) had lower odds. In a sex-disaggregated analysis, female farmers had higher odds of positivity (aOR = 2.43; 95% CI 1.76–3.38; p < 0.001) than male farmers (aOR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.19–1.96; p < 0.01). Fever (aOR = 2.39; 95% CI 2.00–2.84) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.94–2.37) had the highest odds among symptoms. Combination of fever and GI symptoms (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.50–3.10), fever and neurological symptoms (aOR = 6.37; 95% CI 1.49–27.16), fever and musculo-skeletal symptoms (aOR = 2.95; 95% CI 1.37–6.33), fever and cardiopulmonary symptoms (aOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.24–2.64), and cardiopulmonary and general symptoms (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.19–1.89) were also predictive. Cumulative LF CPR appears high with clearly identified predictors. Targeted interventions with heightened index of suspicion for sociodemographic categories predictive of LF in suspected cases are recommended. Ethnographic and further epidemiological studies could aid better understanding of these associations.

Yunlong PANG, Tingting WANG, Huabin SHAO et al.

Marine ecological civilization is the concentrated embodiment of ecological civilization thought in marine field, is the innovation and development in the process of marine governance in China. Since ecological civilization was included in the overall plan of "five-in-one" socialist cause with Chinese characteristics, ecological civilization construction has been raised to an unprecedented height. The ocean is an important area of the country′s overall ecological civilization construction. The core of marine ecological civilization is people-centered, so as to realize overall planning on land and sea and harmony among people, and promote the building of a maritime power. In view of this, this paper puts forward the view of coordinated development of marine ecological civilization, and takes Jiaodong as an example to analyze the basic conditions for the coordinated development of marine ecological civilization in five cities of Jiaodong. At the same time, the index system of the coordinated development of marine ecological civilization is constructed, and the level of the coordinated development of regional marine ecological civilization is comprehensively evaluated, in order to expand the achievements of marine ecological civilization construction and provide a new perspective and approach for the regional coordinated development.

Stuart C. Painter, Yuri Artioli, Fathimath Hana Amir et al.

Nitrogen pollution is a widespread and growing problem in the coastal waters of South Asia yet the ecological impacts on the region’s coral ecosystems are currently poorly known and understood. South Asia hosts just under 7% of global coral reef coverage but has experienced significant and widespread coral loss in recent decades. The extent to which this coral ecosystem decline at the regional scale can be attributed to the multiple threats posed by nitrogen pollution has been largely overlooked in the literature. Here, we assess the evidence for nitrogen pollution impacts on corals in the central Indian Ocean waters of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We find that there is currently limited evidence with which to clearly demonstrate widespread impacts on coral reefs from nitrogen pollution, including from its interactions with other stressors such as seawater warming. However, this does not prove there are no significant impacts, but rather it reflects the paucity of appropriate observations and related understanding of the range of potential impacts of nitrogen pollution at individual, species and ecosystem levels. This situation presents significant research, management and conservation challenges given the wide acceptance that such pollution is problematic. Following from this, we recommend more systematic collection and sharing of robust observations, modelling and experimentation to provide the baseline on which to base prescient pollution control action.

Tibamba Matthew Tichem, Youbao Wang, Raphael B. H. Gameli et al.

Recent research has explored the potential of rice husk biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions, including aldrin, mercury (Hg2+), lead (Pb2+), and cadmium (Cd2+). Experimentation involved adding varying doses of biochar to wastewater with different contamination levels, agitating the mixture for 60 min, and filtering the solutions for analysis. The experiment revealed impressive removal efficiencies: 100% for aldrin, 99.92% - 99.99% for Hg2+, 95.90% - 99.52% for Pb2+, and 88.60% - 99.46% for Cd2+. In binary and quaternary mixtures, Hg2+ showed higher removal efficiency than Pb2+ and Cd2+, with the exception of aldrin. The adsorption order was identified as aldrin > Hg2+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm best described heavy metals in the mono and quaternary component adsorption, while the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was a better fit for the binary component. Consequently, the study highlights rice husk biochar as an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly option for wastewater treatment.

Sylvia Kern