Development and Application of Integrated Indicators for Assessing Healthcare Waste Management Systems in Kenyan Hospitals

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is an important aspect of healthcare delivery globally because of its hazardous and infectious components that have potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. The paper introduces a set of indicators for assessing HCWM systems in hospitals. These indicators are: HCWM policies and standard operating procedures, management and oversight, logistics and budget support, training and occupational health and safety, and treatment, disposal and waste treatment equipment housing. By plotting a mark on a continuum which is defined as good and poor on the extremes and is connected with all other marks in a spoke arrangement, it’s possible to describe a baseline for HCWM in any specific hospital. This baseline can be used to improve awareness of the actors and policy-makers, compare the same hospital at a different point in time, to compare observations by different evaluators and to track improvements. Results suggest that in Kenya, the application of such indicators is useful for evaluating which priorities should be addressed to improve outcomes in HCWM systems. Systematic sampling technique was used to identify and collect data by use of observational checklist, interviews, visual verification and review of documents and a HCWM assessment tool. The objective is to suggest an integrated management tool as a method to identify prevailing problems with a HCWM system. The method can be replicated in other contexts worldwide, with a focus on the developing world. The integrated indicators focus on management of HCW and not its potential impact on human health and environment, an area recognized to be critical for future research.

系统老年综合评估工具护理模式在老年2型糖尿病患者护理中的应用

目的探讨系统老年综合评估工具护理模式在老年2型糖尿病患者护理中的应用效果。方法选择2020年5月至2022年5月我院收治的102例老年2型糖尿病患者,随机分为常规组(51例)和试验组(51例)。常规组应用常规护理模式,试验组应用系统老年综合评估工具护理模式。比较两组的糖代谢指标及自我管理能力。结果干预后,试验组FBG、2hPG、HbA1c水平均低于常规组(P<0.05)。干预后,试验组的糖尿病自我管理行为量表(SDSCA)评分高于常规组(P<0.05)。结论系统老年综合评估工具护理模式可明显改善老年2型糖尿病患者的糖代谢指标及自我管理能力。

基于政策工具视角的日本教师研修政策分析

如何选择政策工具体现着政府的价值取向,决定着教师研修的走向和效果。20世纪80年代中期以来,日本经济社会和教育问题持续引发研修政策更新,依据政策内容可划分为偏重资格、个性、开放和支持的四个时期。不同时期的工具选择存在差异,而同一工具在不同时期又有所变化,且不同工具间的协作与融合渐趋紧密。由此,政府的政策“工具箱”不断扩展与兼容,工具应用的针对性和整合性大大加强。

Modelling growing space of four valuable broadleaved tree species in southern China

We present management tools for growing four valuable broadleaved tree species, indigenous to subtropi.cal southern China. Crown diameter （CD） of the species studied can be predicted very well by using a model that is so e y a near funct on of d ameter at breast he ght （DBH）. The add t on of tree age （AGE） and yield class （YC） to this-nodel did not significantly improve its predictive capacity. We used species-specific crown diameter models to calcu- ate the amount of growing space and subsequently stand density that each species needs to achieve desired stem ＂adial growth rates. Furthermore we used this information to calculate a ＂distance factor＂, a rule of thumb that roughly ~stimates the distance between two neighboring trees needed to achieve a desired future target diameter. These tools ＇acilitate the planning of thinning regimes by using crown diameter models combined with annual radial growth rates to ;alculate the number of crop trees per hectare required to reach a desired target stem diameter.

Precision Livestock Farming: The Opportunities inPoultry Sector

Precision management of animals using technology is one innovation in agriculture that has the potential to revolutionizewhole livestock industries including the poultry sector. Limited research in precision livestock farming (PLF) in the poultry productionhas been so far conducted and most of them are conducted within the past 5-10 years. The PLF collects real-time data from individual orgroup of animals or birds using sensor technology, and involves the multidisciplinary team approach to give it a reality. Poultry scientistsplay a central role in executing poultry PLF with collaboration from agri-engineers and computer scientists for the type of measurementsto be made on biological or environmental variables. A real-time collection of environmental, behavioral and health data from birdgrow-out facilities can be a strong tool for developing daily action plans for poultry management. Unlike other livestock farming, theattributes of poultry rearing such as a closed housing system and vertically integrated industry provides a greater opportunity for poultrysector to adopt technology-based farming for enhanced production output.

Project Planning and Scheduling in the Face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR)

This paper addresses the integrated processes of planning and scheduling of projects using technologies advanced tools as means for managing change in the era of the 4IR.The paper explores the traditional project management planning and scheduling tools in conjunction with what technology has to offer,to bridge the gap between the traditional project management planning and scheduling tools and what the modern-day business market demands.An analysis of literature covering a wide range of theoretic and empirical studies was performed.The theories underlying various planning and scheduling methods were analysed in relation to the design of projects.A descriptive quantitative secondary data was used as a tool to assess the impact of technology on project planning for scheduling.The analysis of the study’s data was conducted using the principles of cross-tabulation.Inferences were drawn on the significant impact of the use of advanced technological tools on project planning for scheduling in current business time.Organisations can make use of the findings of this study to correctly apply the available advanced technological tools for more efficient schedule management planning to enhance the successful delivery of their projects.Further,this research can be used to provide learning opportunities for new and inexperienced planners and schedulers,and as a basis for further research in this field of knowledge.

Climate change and its consequences for water and wastewater management

Life,in combination with solar radiation and abiotic processes,is most probably the reason why liquid water has existed on Earth for over billions of years,and the global mean temperature has remained in a lifeenabling range.Efforts to limit or even reverse global warming must be derived from the knowledge of the Earth’s complex life-support system.In this context,the balance between liquid and gaseous water plays a crucial role,and water management becomes an important field of innovation and action,globally,on the scale of watersheds but also on the very local level.Cascading use,reuse,and temporary storage of water in urban settings must be considered to limit over-extraction of water from natural resources,and to maintain the life supporting function of ecosystems.At the same time,public health requirements,cost efficiency,and reliability demands are to be met.

Product Information Modelling and Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM

Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM requires a common product information model with CAD as the key process in forming the model.CAD can not only meet the demands of design, but also meet the demands of the subsystems, such as CAPP and CAM.The product modelling system based on STEP (PMSS) uses the 1-DEAS system andadopts STEP as its mechanism to exchange product information.PMSS closely integrates with 1-DEAS and takes advantage of the functions of 1-DEAS to meet the demands of CAD/CAPP/CAM integration. For integration with othersystems, PMSS uses management tool for STEP file to manage information required by subsystems.