An Analysis of the Impact of Stay-at-Home Measures on the Occurrence of Vaccine Shortages

COVID-19, a contagious respiratory disease, presents immediate and unforeseen challenges to people worldwide. Moreover, its transmission rapidly extends globally due to its viral transmissibility, emergence of novel strains (variants), absence of immunity, and human unawareness. This framework introduces a revised epidemic model, drawing upon mathematical principles. This model incorporates a modified vaccination and lockdown approach to comprehensively depict an epidemics transmission, containment, and decision-making processes within a community. This study aims to provide policymakers with precise information on real-world situations to assist them in making informed decisions about the implementation of lockdown strategies, maintenance variables, and vaccine availability. The suggested model has conducted stability analysis, strength number analysis, and first and second-order derivative analysis of the Lyapunov function and has established the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the proposed models. We examine the combined effects of an effective vaccination campaign and non-pharmaceutical measures such as lockdowns and states of emergency. We rely on the results of this research to assist policymakers in various countries in eradicating the illness by developing more innovative measures to control the outbreak.

Enlightenment and Suggestions on the Construction of Information Platform and Processing Mechanism of Drug Shortages in Developed Countries to China

Objective To study how to improve and perfect the information platform and processing mechanism of drug shortages in China.Methods By searching the relevant policies from official websites of FDA,European Medicines Agency(EMA),Health Canada(HC)and National Health Commission,the good experience of the United States,the European Union and Canada in the construction of information platform and processing mechanism of drug shortages was summarized for reference in China.Results and Conclusion China has initially established the processing mechanism of drug shortages,but the platform construction should be improved,and the information disclosure of drug shortages varies from province to province.We should improve the information platform of drug shortages,strengthen the disclosure and communication of information,enrich the processing tools and measures after the drug shortages occurs,and strengthen the cooperation with relevant associations and other non-governmental departments.

Optimal EOQ Model for Deteriorating Items Considering the Incremental Quantity Discounts and Shortages

In this present paper, a deterministic lot size model is developed for deteriorating items with incremental quantity discounts. It is assumed that shortages are permitted to occur and fully backlogged. A simple solution procedure is shown for determining the optimal order lot size and the optimal order cycle. A numerical example is used to illustrate how the solution procedure works.

Anticipated Actions to Reduce Energy Shortages in the Residential Sector

This study investigates the electric energy shortages impact upon the residential sector in Riyadh city, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) resulting from severe power outages. The results reveal the extent of hardship and high costs the residential will suffer and endure. These outages occur and extend for longer durations. To mitigate these consequences, a method is suggested known as “willingness-to-pay” to seek the ability and willingness of consumers to pay to avert these power outages and energy shortages. Two approaches have been developed and utilized. The first one is based on a consumer survey to estimate his perceived costs. Outages occur in specific periods and last for longer durations. The second approach focussed on developing a mathematical model to complement the survey approach as this model can decrease the size of the problem complexity associated with consumer lack of experience in evaluating and assessing the worth of service reliability and quality.

Impact of Electricity Shortages on Productivity: Evidence from Manufacturing Industries

Electricity shortages present a significant constraint on manufacturers,who rely on electricity as an important input into production.In China,electricity supply has been growing rapidly.However,the rapid industrialization sometimes makes the power supply still unable to meet the demand.Using a survey of 1673 Chinese manufacturing firms,this paper explores how firms response to electricity shortages and its impact on productivity.We find that self-generation of electricity and investment in Research and Development(R&D)have significant positive relationships with electricity shortages.Further investigations reveal that self-generation is the most common way to deal with electricity shortages.However,it aggravates productivity loss.Though investment in Research and Development can promote productivity,it cannot offset the negative impact of electricity shortages on productivity.Analyses on subsamples show heterogeneity in the impacts of electricity shortages across firms.In particular,large firms are more inclined to invest in R&D than small and medium-sized firms are.They are also the one who suffer significant productivity loss due to self-generation of electricity.Though it is possible for medium-sized firms to reduce productivity loss through R&D,they are not likely to invest in R&D as a response to electricity shortages.This study illustrates that firms can hardly have effective solutions to electricity shortages,and policy makers should take great efforts to increase electricity supply.

Water Shortages in China's Cities

"Water,woater evenyuwhere,and nary a drop to drink!"Poetry becomes reality in China,as experts scramble to find new supplies of the preious liquid to slake the thirst of a growing population and industry.

Mitigating Energy Shortages in China

The recent electricity supply shortage in the People’s Republic of China(PRC)is driven by a disequilibrium in demand and supply.Energ y demand has picked up with the economy recovering and industry growing,strongly supported by solid merchandise export growth.At the same time,soaring coal prices have hit power producers curtailing growth in electricity supply.

The Innovations and Shortages of the New Budget Law

The introduction of the new budget law is one of the most important achievements of the construction of national legal system. It is a landmark event in building financial system. The new budget law has made a lot of breakthroughs and innovations in the budget managemenL to lead direction for further deepen fiscal reform. However, the modification of the budget law can only adopt the principle of limited modification, there are still many problems. This paper discusses the innovation and deficiency of the new budget law under the background of budget law modification, and makes suggestions to further improve the budget law.

Analysis on Causes of Drug Shortages and Countermeasures

Objective To analyze the causes of drug shortages in China and put forward some countermeasures and suggestions accordingly.Methods Based on the relevant data of 14 provinces that issued the lists of drug shortages from 2018 to 2020,377 kinds of drugs were sorted out first,and then the features of shortage were analyzed descriptively.Finally,the degree and causes of shortage were studied based on field investigation and literature summary.Results and Conclusion Among the drugs in short supply across the country,69.2%of them were listed in the National Medical Insurance Catalogue,37.1%were essential drugs and 26.5%were low-price drugs.They were used for different diseases,and most were for treating nervous system and blood system.There were many reasons for drug shortages.For instance,any problems in supply chain(production,circulation,use)could lead to drug shortages,of which the production accounted for the largest proportion.This paper puts forward targeted measures to solve drug shortages from the aspects of unwillingness and inability of manufacturing enterprises in their production.

An Optimal Policy with Quadratic Demand, Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution Deterioration Rate, Shortages and Salvage Value

The present paper focuses an optimal policy of an inventory model for deteriorating items with generalized demand rate and deterioration rate. Shortages are allowed and partially backlogged. The salvage value is included into deteriorated units. The main objective of the model is to minimize the total cost by optimizing the value of the shortage point, cycle length and order quantity. A numerical example is carried out to illustrate the model and sensitivity analyses of major parameters are discussed.

Analysis of the Impact of Inventory Shortages on the Supply Chain

With the continuous development of economic globalization,especially in the face of expanding COVID-19 pandemic,the supply shortage of suppliers will directly affect the ordering strategy of enterprises,which will cause price fluctuations in the commodity market and corporate profits.We assume that the demand for the product in the market is constant,and the supply determines the product price.An EOQ model is constructed with a supply shortage under the additive supply.We find that the optimal order quantity is consistent with the classic EOQ without considering product price changes;after introducing the price function,we analyze the relationship between the product’s market price and the seller’s optimal profit and the supplier uncertainty.The research results show that the product’s market price will increase with the increase of the out-of-stock quantity.At the same time,the uncertainty will decrease,and the seller’s optimal profit will decrease as the average stock-out and uncertainty increase.

2D S-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalyst

The application of photocatalytic technology in H_(2) production,CO_(2) reduction,H_(2)O_(2) production,and pollutant degradation provides a promising approach to the alleviation of energy shortage and environmental issues 1-3.However,hindered by the easy recombination of electron-hole pairs,single-component photocatalysts usually exhibit inferior performance.Constructing heterojunction photocatalysts is a valid method which can improve charge separation and attain high catalytic efficiencies4.

A New Continuous-Production Lot-Size Model with Increasing Time-Varying Demand and Variable Rate of Production Considering Shortages

Here an optimal continuous Production Lot size(PLS) model is developed for deterio rating items with increasing time varying demand over a finite planning horizon.The production rate is dealt with as a decision variable.The deterioration rate is assumed to be a constant fraction of the on hand inventory level.Shortages are permitted in every production cycle and are not backlogged.Some properties for the optimal solution of the proposed model are shown.The solvting procedure is proposed to generate an optimal continuous production schedule. The corresponding models with no deterioration and no shortage are derived as the special cases.Numerical examples for illustrating the solvting procedure are employed for linearly increasing demand.

“机械灌注+”应用于扩大标准供肝移植--肝尽其用

Transplantation represents the most effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases but is limited by the shortage of healthy donor organs.Extended criteria donor(ECD)liver grafts are increasingly utilized in clinical practice to mitigate this challenge.However,impaired ischemic tolerance of these grafts jeopardizes organ viability during cold storage.Machine perfusion(MP)was designed to improve organ preservation and reduce posttransplant complications.Nevertheless,it is increasingly evident that MP alone may not preserve ECD grafts optimally.Increasing emphasis has thus been placed on modified MP strategies,including the use of different perfusates,modified perfusion modalities,and different therapeutic interventions.Here,we introduce a novel term,"MP Plus,"denoting these additional strategies that are designed to restore organ function and potentially enable regeneration of ECD grafts.In this review,we summarize the existing and potential modified MP strategies and discuss their advantages in reconditioning different ECD grafts in clinical settings.

Some Indicators of the Water Regime in Some Varieties Belonging to the Monarda didyma L. Genus in the Conditions of Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

In this article, the names of 3 varieties of Monarda didyma L., which are considered to be introduced species, some indicators of the water regime in the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan: the amount of water in the leaves, water deficit, water storage capacity were studied in spring and summer, and seasonal changes were determined. According to these indicators of the water regime, the studied varieties belong to the labile water regime, high green mass (centner), seed yield (how many grams), resistance to diseases and pests have been determined, which shows that it is promising for introduction in the conditions of our republic. Therefore, it is recommended to breed these varieties in the foothills and hilly regions of Uzbekistan, where the amount of precipitation is more than 400 - 500 mm.

Impact of the economic crisis and drug shortage on Lebanese cancer patients’care

BACKGROUND As a consequence of the economic crisis,the sociopolitical instability and the advent of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic,nested challenges faced the Lebanese healthcare system.These have resulted in critical shortages of essential resources,including medications vital for oncologic patients.AIM To assess the ramifications of the ongoing economic crisis on oncology patient care focusing on our outpatient oncology department.METHODS A questionnaire was distributed during the month of February 2022 to oncology patients in Hôtel Dieu de France University Hospital in Beirut during their outpatient therapy.The primary objective was to assess the far-reaching impact of the economic crisis on patient care and the resulting psychological implications.RESULTS Among 182 interviewed patients,31.87%experienced treatment interruption mainly due to acute drug shortages.Despite 87.91%of the patients benefiting from third-party coverage,69.60%had to self-pay for their medications leading to 69.78%of patients perceiving that healthcare was more difficult to access after 2020.Psychologically,one-third of the patients exhibited symptoms of anxiety and/or depression,with 7 patients reporting suicidal ideations.Notably,37.93%of patients who interrupted cancer treatment reported a history of comorbidities,and 89.66%who altered their treatment cited financial difficulties.CONCLUSION Lebanese cancer patients face complex challenges spanning economic,healthcare,and psychological realms.Income inequalities exacerbated by the economic crisis hindered healthcare access.

Effects of Desalination Processes on the Water Circulation and Earth System

Desalination is emerging as a promising alternative among various technologies to resolve water shortage. However, desalination requires a sufficient energy and cooling device and therefore poses limitations for its installation and application. In particular, many countries suffering water deficits are economically underdeveloped and cannot afford the technology. As this technology, which changes seawater into freshwater, has little environmental impact, developed countries will need to assist less developed countries to introduce this technology as a humanitarian effort. This will help reduce the number of countries that have experienced difficulty with development.

Factors Promoting Retention of Nurses in Three Private Hospitals of Lahore: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Survey

Introduction: Pakistan has a large number of professional nurses but a higher rate of turnover contributes towards the shortage of nurses which is intensified by nurses’ immigration, lack of recruitment of new nurses and retirement of senior nurses. Aim: The study aimed at examining the factors that increase retention of nurses. Research Method: The study is descriptive cross sectional with a sample of 150 nurses including both the genders, from 3 private hospitals located in Pakistan. A convenient sampling technique was used. The data collection was done through close ended questionnaires based on 20 questions. Data collection was done quantitatively and then data was entered in SPSS. Correlation and regression tests were performed. Findings: The analysis revealed that 91.3% nurses are loyal to their hospitals but, 8.7%nurses can switch the hospital for different reasons. It was also found that the idea of leaving the job based on the intention of moving to abroad and public sector was higher than the retirement and other causes. Resultantly, enhancements in nurses’ work environments have the ability to decrease nurses’ job burnout and turnover and increase patients’ satisfaction. Recommendations: Hospital leaders should implement effective strategies to encourage nurses to continue their job by motivation, strengthening management skills within the hospital and improving a positive work environment by promoting teamwork, continuous learning, trust, respect and flexible arrangements which can lead towards achieving better results.However, further studies quantitatively and qualitatively can explore more factors related to dissatisfaction of nurses. Health systems policy makers should lead by developing related strategies for the retention of nurses.

Paradigm shift in transfusion practices during early COVID-19 pandemic:A single center retrospective study

BACKGROUND The advent of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)unveiled the worst national blood crisis that the United States had witnessed in over a decade.With the pandemic influencing the different stages of the acquisition of blood products outside the hospital setting,we aimed to explore the possible barriers contributing to the shortage of blood products within the medical community.the COVID era and pre-COVID era.METHODS We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on hospitalized patients distinguishing the pattern of blood transfusion during the COVID and pre-COVID era in a community hospital.Data was tabulated to include the number of red blood cell(RBC)transfusions and if transfusions met restrictive blood transfusion criteria as per institutional guidelines.Chi-square was applied to test the statistical association between qualitative variables.Unpaired t test and Mann Whitney U test were applied respectively to test the mean difference of quantitative variables.RESULTS A total of 208 patients were included in the study,of which 108 were during COVID era and 100 were during pre-COVID era.The leading reason for admission in both the COVID era and pre-COVID era transfused patients was shortness of breath(53.7%and 36%P=0.001),followed by gastrointestinal bleeding(25.9%and 21%P=0.001).There was a higher percentage of RBC transfusions in the intensive care unit in the COVID-era group than in the pre-COVID era group(38.9%vs 22%,P=0.008).The restrictive transfusion criteria were met in 62%vs 79%in the COVID and pre-COVID eras,respectively(P=0.008).CONCLUSION The COVID-era group received RBC transfusions with less stringent adherence to restrictive blood transfusion practices in comparison to pre-COVID era group.

Modelling Economic Order Quantities,Considering Buy and Repair Options for Defective Items,and Allowing for Shortages and Inspection Errors

Nowadays,it is common for suppliers to be separated from their buyers by great distances.This means that,if some items in the lot turn out to be defective,the distance makes it uneconomical to order replacements from the original supplier.Moreover,both Type I and Type II errors may occur in the screening process for eliminating defective items and the combination of defective items and inspection errors may lead to shortages.Working with these assumptions,this paper develops two distinct models.Under the first model,defective items are repaired by a local repair shop subject to a repair charge and a mark-up margin.Under the second model,a local supplier replaces the defective with good ones,but at a higher cost.The expected total profit per cycle is developed,together with the expected cycle time,and,employing the renewal reward theorem,the objective function is derived,from which the optimum values are obtained for the order and shortage quantities.The paper presents numerical results and a discussion for both models.The study finds that repairing defective items generally leads to greater total profit than purchasing local replacements.