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Purpose: To describe the use of work process modelling to optimise the organisation of the demand for oral health treatment in primary care units in Brazil. Materials and Methods: The oral health care routine was at first described as the “AS IS” model, which was evaluated by the oral team professionals, rearranged, and further described as the “TO BE” model described using a business process management modelling tool. The significant increase in the demand of patients due to restrictions offered by the dental service in addition to non-urgent treatments being avoided by patients during COVID-19 pandemic was also considered. Results: Structuring the work processes in a visual way using modelling tools was useful to picture the entire treatment process and adjust when needed. The use of the managerial tool was useful to understand and reorganise the workflow of organising the demand and ultimately improve the efficiency of the resources. The use of such managerial tools helped oral health professionals to efficiently rearrange their tasks and set priorities to meet their needs. Conclusions: With the use of management tools, each unit can readjust its structures and ways of working, aiming to improve the quality of public health care services provided to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a model for developing highly resolved, time-of-day specific electric vehicle charging demand profiles from travel survey data. Since timing of vehicle charging is dependent on electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) availability, four EVSE scenarios are considered: 1) home only, 2) home and workplace only, 3) universal EVSE, and 4) a probabilistic scenario where EVSE availability varies by location. To illustrate the implications of differing demand profiles on power grid operation with high renewable generating capacity, the profiles are in a typical regional economic dispatch model. The results provide a valuable approach for understanding the interactions between vehicle electrification and renewable energy deployment while exploring an updated range of assumptions about EVSE availability and charging behaviors for New York and the six New England states. All scenarios result in increased peak demand and increased generation by non-renewable generating sources. This indicates that incentive mechanisms that influence charging decisions are necessary to attain lower emissions outcomes.View the NCST Project Webpage

Cannabis demand is sensitive to next‐day responsibilities, such as job interviews; however, it is unclear how demand is affected by non‐work‐related responsibilities and how reported compatibility of cannabis use (i.e., how suitable one perceives cannabis use to be in a situation) influences demand. This study examined the effects of a range of responsibilities on cannabis demand in a crowdsourced sample of adults who smoked cannabis at least monthly (n = 177; 78% White; 47% women; mean age = 36.52). Participants completed hypothetical marijuana purchase tasks asking how much cannabis they would consume at escalating prices in the context of no responsibilities and next‐day responsibilities spanning work, leisure, and caregiving. Cannabis demand was significantly reduced in all responsibility conditions (ps < .008; ds .28–.94), with the largest reductions for the job interview and caring‐for‐kids conditions. Higher ratings of suitability of cannabis use in each situation were correlated with higher demand. Finally, a qualitative thematic analysis characterized why cannabis use was considered suitable or unsuitable with each responsibility. These results suggest that demand is sensitive to next‐day responsibilities. However, these effects are not uniform, and future research is needed to examine these individual differences and the timing of upcoming responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMaterials and methodsResultsConclusion\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAlthough the need for rehabilitation is increasing in Zimbabwe, rehabilitation remains undervalued. Currently, Zimbabwe struggles to provide rehabilitation services at primary health care. To justify the need for establishing rehabilitation at this level of care, the demand for these services needs to be understood. This study describes the factors influencing the demand for rehabilitation by adults attending primary healthcare in Zimbabwe.The study used a qualitative descriptive approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 purposefully selected patients in the Shona language and audio recorded. Transcribed data were translated and back-translated. Thematic analysis was done using Atlas.ti. version 22.2®.Most patients at primary health care were not actively seeking nor were they able to utilise rehabilitation services because of several factors. The factors identified from the patients’ responses were categorised into (i) patient and family-, (ii) healthcare professional-, and (iii) health system-related factors. Key factors included rehabilitation awareness and availability of rehabilitation.The identified factors may inform rehabilitation service and policy planners in improving primary health care patients’ access to rehabilitation in similar low-resource settings. Future studies may determine how the identified factors may be addressed to ensure that high need translates to high demand.Identifying factors influencing rehabilitation demand by adult primary health care patients in low-resource settings is a first step in developing strategies to increase access to quality services for underserved populations.Conducting patient education initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of rehabilitation may incite the patients to perceive their need for and actively seek rehabilitation services through their primary care providers.Primary care providers need to be provided with the knowledge on the scope and benefits of rehabilitation to enable identification of patients with functioning problems and adequate referral to rehabilitation.Prioritising financial investment to strengthen the primary healthcare systems in which rehabilitation is to be nested will create a solid foundation for integrating rehabilitation services.Meanwhile, there is need to develop cost-effective interventions that may bring rehabilitation services closer to patients’ homes, ensuring accessibility even in remote areas.Identifying factors influencing rehabilitation demand by adult primary health care patients in low-resource settings is a first step in developing strategies to increase access to quality services for underserved populations.Conducting patient education initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of rehabilitation may incite the patients to perceive their need for and actively seek rehabilitation services through their primary care providers.Primary care providers need to be provided with the knowledge on the scope and benefits of rehabilitation to enable identification of patients with functioning problems and adequate referral to rehabilitation.Prioritising financial investment to strengthen the primary healthcare systems in which rehabilitation is to be nested will create a solid foundation for integrating rehabilitation services.Meanwhile, there is need to develop cost-effective interventions that may bring rehabilitation services closer to patients’ homes, ensuring accessibility even in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of ATMs in commercial areas were considered for business transactions. Customer demand for money requires prompt cash supply; to harmonize optimality options for ATM cash loading to sustain customers. We formulated this tis decision as a multi-stage stochastic process with Markovian demand of ATM cash among customers. The loading and operations of the ATMs were governed by cash demand and supply; with unit (loading, operational, and shortage) costs. The study considered the ATM cash demand of ten ATMs in regions within commercial centres of Kampala city. The relevant data was collected every hour throughout four months. The task focused on optimizing cash-loading decisions that minimize the operational costs of managing ATMs. The optimality of cash loading decisions were determined using the Markov decision processes. The tested model revealed optimal state-dependent options and operational costs of managing ATMs cost-effectively. As a cost optimization strategy for managers in the banking industry, the productivity of ATMs towards improved efficiency and utilization of resources for cash provision to customers emerged; supporting a larger customer base for business transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess the current status and spatial distribution differences of elderly care service resources supply and demand in China. Methods: Semi‐structured qualitative interviews were utilized to gather participants' insights into the current demands for elderly care services, the status of resource allocation, and related indicators. The entropy weight method was employed to determine indicator weights, yielding objective demand and allocation indices for elderly care service resources. Kernel density estimation was used to illustrate the distribution characteristics of the demand and allocation indices. The coupling coordination degree model was applied to measure the coupling coordination level of China's elderly care service resource supply and demand system in 2020. Results: The demand index ranks highest in Beijing (0.3291), Shanghai (0.2941), and Tianjin (0.2563), while the lowest are found in Tibet (0.1673), Guangxi (0.1727), and Guizhou (0.1737). Kernel density estimation shows that the demand index is concentrated in the range of 0.1800 to 0.2000. The top three regions for allocation index are Shanghai (184.0007), Qinghai (129.8177), and Beijing (109.5941), with the lowest in Liaoning (34.8558), Hainan (35.3168), and Yunnan (36.6366). Kernel density estimation indicates that the allocation index is concentrated in the range of 25–75. Calculations of coupling coordination degree show that Shanghai has high coordination quality (0.9368), Beijing has good coordination (0.8392), while Hainan and Yunnan experience severe imbalances (0.1990, 0.1831). Conclusions: There is a significant lack of coordination between the demand for elderly care services and the allocation of resources in Hainan and Yunnan provinces in China. Most provinces, with the exception of Beijing and Shanghai, exhibit some degree of misalignment. The Chinese government should address the varying needs of the elderly population in different regions, pay timely attention to regional disparities, enhance regional cooperation, and dynamically allocate elderly care resources in a rational manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global discussions on health systems strengthening have lately tilted towards increasing investments in human resources for health to address health workforce challenges, especially shortages and employment. Countries have, as a result, increased investments in the health workforce by expanding the production and recruitment of the needed health workforce, with the resultant effects of increasing health workforce budget space and the unending clamour by health policy actors for further increases. Despite these calls, there has been no wage bill affordability and budget space analysis to rationalise the sustainable production of and demand for health workers, which is the thrust of Ghana's current health workforce policy and strategy. Using an adapted approach (the Asamani approach), the study modelled the supply of some essential health workers and their associated cost of employment, compared it with the modelled budget space for health workforce employment and then drew conclusions on the wage bill sustainability for policy consideration. Of the seven cadres considered in the study (doctors, professional nurses, midwives, enrolled nurses, community health nurses, pharmacists and biomedical scientists), who constitute about 97% of the wage bill, the study found the baseline stock to be 129 378 in 2022, which was estimated to increase to 199 715 by 2027 and 254 466 by 2032 with corresponding wage bills of US$869.4 million and US$ 1.1 billion, respectively, holding routine salary increases constant. The budget space for health was, meanwhile, projected to be US$899.3 million and US$1.1 billion in 2022 and 2032 respectively, out of a projected overall government fiscal space of US$7 billion per year. This study concludes that, given current levels and mix of production, Ghana was estimated to expend an average of 88% of its health budget space as wage bill cost. This was 54.4% over the global median and 95.6% over the African Region's median, making the current regime unsustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has led to the development of intelligent transport in China. As active safety technology evolves, the integration of autonomous active safety systems is receiving increasing attention to enable the transition from functional to all-weather intelligent driving. In this process of transformation, the goal of automobile development becomes clear: autonomous vehicles. According to the Report on Development Forecast and Strategic Investment Planning Analysis of China's autonomous vehicle industry, at present, the development scale of China's intelligent autonomous vehicles has exceeded market expectations. Considering limited research on utilizing autonomous vehicles to meet the needs of urban transportation (transporting passengers), this study investigates how autonomous vehicles affect traffic demand in specific areas, using traffic modeling. It examines how different penetration rates of autonomous vehicles in various scenarios impact the efficiency of road networks with constant traffic demand. In addition, this study also predicts future changes in commuter traffic demand in selected regions using a constructed NL model. The results aim to simulate the delivery of autonomous vehicles to meet the transportation needs of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of paid public parking in the city cannot be denied since the ownership and use of private vehicles is increasing, especially among the youth. At the same time, the quantity and quality of paid public parking should also be in line with current user needs. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine the youth's perception of paid public parking in the Klang Valley area. This study applies quantitative methods through the distribution of online questionnaires to youth respondents in the Klang Valley. Through factor analysis of youth respondents, it was found that paying public parking charges online is easier and saves time and that women use private vehicles more often. In addition, the use of paid public parking is very high during working hours which is for eight hours. In fact, the availability of public parking determines when users want to go out and users also feel safe when using public parking at night. The number of public parking lots is also found to be sufficient especially during peak hours and public parking charges should be subject to sales and service tax (SST). Therefore, since the demand for public parking is high, the government should offer public parking that is relevant to the needs of local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The per capita net availability of pulses in India has been increased from 15.5 kg per year in 2018-19 to 19.6 kg in 2021- 22. Efforts made to bridge the gap between demand and supply of pulses in the country has resulted in reducing the gap to some extent in recent years and still country is depended on import to meet the growing demand of the pulses such as pigeon pea, lentils and peas. Few studies predicted the demand and supply of pulses as a whole in the country and no studies analyzed the pulse wise demand supply gap in India. Hence, the present study was proposed to predict the demand and supply of major pulses such as chickpea (Gram/Chana), pigeon pea (Tur/Arhar), black gram (urd bean), mung bean (Green gram) and lentil (Masur) in India for a period, 2024-2030. Methods: The present study has been used the crop data on area, production and yield of major pulses including chickpea (Gram/ Chana), pigeon pea (Tur/Arhar), black gram (urd bean), mung bean (Green gram) and lentil (Masur) for a period of 29 years (1985- 2024) collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of India, New Delhi. Household consumption expenditure data was collected from the National Sample Survey office for 2011-12 from the Government of India. The supply projection was estimated by using linear regression model and demand projections were done by using behaviouristic approach. Result: Decadal trend in area, production and yield of pulses from 1970-2010 showed mixed trends of increase and decrease, whereas in 2010-2020, chickpea, pigeon pea, mung bean and black gram showed positive trend in area, production and yield but lentil alone showed negative trend in production. Import dependency of the pulses in the total availability has reduced to 8.92 per cent in 2021-22 from 19.42 per cent in 2009-10. Import dependency of the pulses in the total availability has reduced to 8.92 per cent in 2021-22 from 19.42 per cent in 2009-10. The availability of pulses has grown at a rate of 3.73 per cent from 2009 to 2021. Chick pea, tur, mung bean, urd bean and lentils together contributed on an average 88.7 per cent to the total pulses production and 83.73 per cent of pulses availability from 2013 to 2021. Production of these five pulses has increased to 23.04 million tonnes in 2020-21 from 17.3 million tonnes from 2013- 14. Gram is the single pulse contributed more than 40 per cent of the pulse production of the country in the above period. Demand supply projection showed a net surplus of 0.81-3.89 mt in the case of pulses and 5.64-7.63 mt in the case of gram and 0.89 to 1.91 mt in Urd and 0.68 to 1.57 mt in mung bean during 2024-2030. But in the case of pigeon pea and lentil there may be a net deficit in the range of 3-2.42 and 1.13-1.04 mt, respectively, during 2024-2030. Efforts should be made to bridge the gap in demand and supply of pigeon pea and lentil by the way of bringing new areas under pulses and developing the technologies suitable for the clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The ambulance service in Victoria, Australia implemented a revised clinical response model (CRM) in 2016 which was designed to increase the diversion of low‐acuity Triple Zero (000) calls to secondary telephone triage and reduce emergency ambulance dispatches. The present study evaluates the influence of the revised CRM on emergency ambulance response times and ED presentations. Methods: A retrospective study of emergency calls for ambulance between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018. Ambulance data were linked with ED presentations occurring up to 48 h after contact. Interrupted time series analyses were used to evaluate the impact of the revised CRM. Results: A total of 2 365 529 calls were included. The proportion allocated a Code 1 (time‐critical, lights/sirens) dispatch decreased from 56.6 to 41.0% after implementation of the revised CRM. The proportion of calls not receiving an emergency ambulance increased from 10.4 to 19.6%. Interrupted time series analyses demonstrated an improvement in Code 1 cases attended within 15 min (Key Performance Indicator). However, for patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest or requiring lights and sirens transport to hospital, there was no improvement in response time performance. By the end of the study period, there was also no difference in the proportion of callers presenting to ED when compared with the estimated proportion assuming the revised CRM had not been implemented. Conclusion: The revised CRM was associated with improved Code 1 response time performance. However, there was no improvement in response times for high acuity patients, and no change in the proportion of callers presenting to ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research endeavour, we delve into the realm of microgrid management, focusing specifically on enhancing its performance in the aftermath of a fault event. Microgrids, characterized by their incorporation of diverse replenishable energy sources like the sun and wind, alongside storage options like batteries and conventional methods of backup, like diesel generators, face significant challenges when confronted with sudden spikes in demand due to faults or disruptions. To address these challenges, we explore the application of three distinct optimization methodologies: Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing (SA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). These techniques are employed to dynamically adjust load demand within the microgrid, aiming to mitigate the impacts of the fault and restore stability and efficiency to the system. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, we assess the efficacy of every optimization approach regarding its capacity for optimize load demand effectively, maintain system reliability, and maximize resource utilization. By examining key performance metrics such as cost reduction, load balancing, and energy efficiency improvement, Our goal is to provide insightful information about the strengths additionally limitations of each optimization technique. Ultimately, our study contributes to the body of knowledge surrounding microgrid management strategies, offering practical guidance for decisionmakers and engineers tasked with optimizing microgrid performance in real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the absence of experimental investigations on column members of underground structures, full‐scale column specimens were tested to explore the seismic behavior of shallow‐buried subway stations at various depths. The axial compression ratios of internal column specimens were set as 0.16, 0.33, and 0.40. Both hybrid simulations and quasi‐static tests were performed on the station columns. The hybrid simulations illustrated the drift demands of internal columns, while the load‐carrying capacity and deformation capacity were obtained from the quasi‐static tests. Hybrid simulations at low, moderate, and high‐intensity levels were conducted to study the seismic responses of shallow‐buried rectangular stations. The hybrid simulations suggest that the most severe damage occurred in the station when the axial compression ratio of the tested column reached 0.40. Central columns suffered severe stiffness deterioration under high‐level earthquake excitation, especially in stations at greater depths. Meanwhile, the quasi‐static test results indicate that the ultimate load of the central columns increases with increasing axial compression, but this leads to a significant decrease in the ductility of columns. Besides, the sectional analysis results show that the central columns are prone to tension‐controlled failure, and the safety margin for flexural response deteriorates with an increasing axial compression ratio. The test results indicate that shallow‐buried rectangular stations are susceptible to flexure‐controlled structural failure when their central columns possess a relatively low axial compression ratio and a high shear span‐to‐depth ratio. The failure mechanism of station columns is revealed by both the hybrid simulations and quasi‐static tests, and the findings from the full‐scale tests are beneficial for the practical design of shallow‐buried rectangular stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature review has clearly indicated that the scale and characteristics of demand for Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences experts across different countries is unknown. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate this issue. This paper presents the results of research on the real demand for GEES specialists. In the paper, real demand is expressed by job vacancies (N = 17 378) published in six European countries over a period of 18 months. To analyse such an extensive body of text data, we used data mining techniques such as: SVD, inter-factor correlation analysis, word frequency analysis and word significance indicators, which allowed us to recognise similarities and differences in the size and structure of demand for these specialists in specific groups of countries. Employers from the UK and Ireland offered the most comprehensive range of positions whereas the expectations of Polish employers were the least diverse. Word frequency analyses for each occupation group demonstrated which components of GEES experts' knowledge and skills are considered universal on the labour market and which are subject to substantial regional variations. Moreover, word significance analyses allowed us to identify the occupations where a wider range of general skill areas was required and the positions for which primarily geographic skills were in demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to provide the basic data needed to estimate future urologist supply and demand by applying various statistical models related to healthcare utilization. Materials and Methods: Data from multiple sources, including the Yearbook of Health and Welfare Statistics, Korean Hospital Association, Korean Medical Association, and the Korean Urological Association, were used for supply estimation. Demand estimation incorporated data on both clinical and non-clinical urologists, along with future population estimates. In-and-out moves and demographic methods were employed for supply estimation, while the Bureau of Health Professions model was utilized for demand estimation. Supply estimation assumptions included fixed resident quotas, age-specific death rates, migration rates, and retirement age considerations. Demand estimation assumptions included combining clinical and nonclinical urologist demands, adjusting population size for age-related healthcare usage variations. Urologist productivity was determined by adjusting productivity levels to 100%, 90%, and 80% of the base year based on actual clinical practice volumes. Results: Estimations of both demand and supply consistently indicate an oversupply of urologists until 2025, followed by an expected shortage by 2035 owing to increased deaths and retirements attributed to the aging urologist population. This shortage becomes more pronounced when employing more reliable models, such as logit or ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average), underscoring the growing need for urologists in the future. Conclusions: All estimation models estimated an oversupply of urologists until 2025, transitioning to a deficit due to reduced supply thereafter. However, considering potential unaccounted factors, greater effort is needed for accurate predictions and corresponding measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term Inflation means a process of continuous increase in the prices of goods and services and a decrease in the purchasing power of people.The indicator that serves to measure inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), that is, the consumer basket that includes the costs that people make to buy the most important products that are necessary for the family, monitored over time.The costs for this basket at a given time expressed relative to the base period represent the consumer price index (CPI). The percentage change in the CPI over the specified period relative to the base period is consumer price inflation.Inflation inevitably affects the operation of all activities and branches. Therefore, tourism and hospitality industry are no exception.Inflation affects the reduction of the purchasing power of the population, so in the conditions of inflation, people try to reduce the expenses in the family by completely giving up or reducing the purchase of products and services that are not necessary for them.All of this on the one hand, and on the other hand the increase in prices in accommodation and catering facilities, additionally influences people to reduce the number of tourist trips, to choose closer and cheaper destinations for tourist trips or to completely give up on tourist trips.In order to determine whether inflation in Kosovo affects the change in the tourist travel habits of the population, an online survey was conducted that included 200 residents of Kosovo. The data from the survey was processed with the SPSS system using the methods of linear regression and correlation, with inflation and the prices of hotel services as independent variables, and travel within the country and the use of hotel services in Kosovo as dependent variables.Applying the Chi-square test shows the existence of a significant difference between domestic tourism trips in Kosovo in 2015 and 2022 (Chi square value of 4.927; degree of freedom 1; two-sided asymptotic significance is 0.026), as well as the existence of a significant difference between the use of hotel services by the domicile population in Kosovo in 2015 and 2022 (the obtained Chi square value of 44,444;degree of freedom 1; the two-sided asymptotic significance is 0). The research also showed that inflation inevitably leads to an increase in the prices of hotel services (correlation coefficient 0.959; coefficient of determination 0.920, B = 0.617, p = 0), and an increase in the prices of hotel services leads to a decrease in the use of hotel services. by the domicile population (correlation coefficient - 0.807, coefficient of determination 0.651, B = - 0.568, p = 0).Inflation also affects the decrease in the number of domestic tourist trips (correlation coefficient - 0.859, coefficient of determination 0.738, B = - 0.389, p = 0). Based on that, it can be concluded that the negative impact of inflation on both domestic tourist trips and the use of hotel services by the resident population is huge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Yıldırım Beyazıt Law Review (YBLR) is the property of Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Law School and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In any inventory and production management, deterioration of physical goods is one of the important factors put into consideration. Therefore, it is very important to control and maintain inventories for decaying items. We considered inventory problem for deteriorating items where demand is stock dependent and deterioration is controllable under two warehouse storage facility, one of the warehouses is owned and the other one is rented. Goods are displayed in both warehouses but demands are met from the rented warehouse until the level of goods get to zero then demands are met from owned warehouse. We derived the optimal inventory management policies for the cases where; the demand is constant function, there is no investment in technology and there is no investment in technology and demand is also constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine identification of differentiated products demand when one has "micro data" linking the characteristics and choices of individual consumers. Our model nests standard specifications featuring rich observed and unobserved consumer heterogeneity as well as product/market‐level unobservables that introduce the problem of econometric endogeneity. Previous work establishes identification of such models using market‐level data and instruments for all prices and quantities. Micro data provides a panel structure that facilitates richer demand specifications and reduces requirements on both the number and types of instrumental variables. We address identification of demand in the standard case in which nonprice product characteristics are assumed exogenous, but also cover identification of demand elasticities and other key features when these product characteristics are endogenous and not instrumented. We discuss implications of these results for applied work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Formula One (F1) is considered as one of the most popular sports worldwide. However, no previous research inspected its determinants of attendance. This paper aims to cover this gap. The dataset includes races from 2015 to 2019. The impact of uncertainty of outcome (UO) is firstly addressed by coefficient of variation, Herfindahl–Hirschman and Gini. Later, a specific metric for F1 is presented. The econometric approach consists in Ordinary Least Squares regressions with season and circuit fixed effects. The results evidence that an increase in price slightly reduces the demand as well as a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between attendance and UO. Moreover, the findings suggest that the latest performance of a local driver has a significant positive effect in the attendance level. The empirical results provided may aid F1 races' organizers maximizing live attendances. The findings offered here suggest the use of specific UO indexes for different sport disciplines in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers a modelling framework for a set of households in residential areas; using electricity as a form of energy for domestic consumption. Considering the demand and availability of units for electricity consumption, optimal decisions for electricity load allocation are paramount to sustain energy management. We formulate this problem as a stochastic decision-making process model where electricity demand is characterized by Markovian demand. The loading and operational framework is governed by the demand and supply phenomena; where shortage costs are realized when demand exceeds supply. Empirical data for electricity consumption was collected from fifty households in two residential areas within the suburbs of Kampala in Uganda. Data collection was made at hourly intervals over a period of four months. The major problem focussed on determining an optimal electricity loading decision in order to minimize consumption costs as demand changes from one state to another. Considering a multi-period planning horizon, an optimal decision was determined for loading or not loading additional electricity units using Markov decision process approach. The model was tested; whose results demonstrated the existence of an optimal state-dependent decision and consumption costs considering the case study used in this study. The proposed model can be cost-effective for managers in the electricity industry. Improved efficiency and utilization of resources for the distribution systems of electricity to residential areas was realised; with subsequent enhanced reliability of service to essential customers of the energy market.

Monitoring wildlife trade dynamics is an important initial step for conservation action and demand reduction campaigns to reduce illegal wildlife trade. Studies often rely on one data source to assess a species' trade, such as seizures or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade data. Each database provides useful information but is often incomplete. Combining information from multiple sources helps provide a more complete understanding of trade. A recent rapid increase in demand for helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) casques (a brightly colored, solid keratinous rostrum) led to its uplisting to critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in 2015. However, there is little current information on what factors influence trade trends and what current levels of demand are. We combined data from CITES, seizure records, and previously underused, yet abundant, art and antique auction data to examine the global trade in helmeted hornbill casque products (HHPs). Three decades of auction data revealed that 1027 individual HHPs had been auctioned since 1992; total auction sales were over US$3 million from 1992 to 2021. The number of HHPs auctioned was greatest from 2011 to 2014, just after the global art boom (2009–2011), followed by a decline in volume and price. The auction data also revealed 2 possible markets for HHPs: true antique and speculative, defined by era, price, and trade patterns. Trends in illegal trade matched those of the auction market, but legal trade remained consistently low. Combining data sources from legal, illegal, and gray markets provided an overview of the dynamics of illegal trade in an endangered species. This approach can be applied to other wildlife markets to provide a more complete understanding of trade and demand at the market level to inform future demand reduction campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have investigated the influence of sponsors on the sport organizations with whom they partner. However, rather than simply assessing the impact of a new, incremental sponsor, which should result in a net positive for the sponsored organization, we quantify and isolate the effect of resources provided upon the switch of one sponsor to another. Furthermore, the resource-based view of the firm is utilized as a theoretical lens to understand the effects of these resources on demand, the ability to recruit human capital, and organizational performance. In Study 1, we analyze 15 years of data from 98 sponsorship agreements, finding that switches provide additional resources, but do not positively impact demand, recruiting, or performance, even in subsequent years. In Study 2, we find that the financial commitment necessary to acquire a sponsorship from a competitor does not result in a corresponding increase in shareholder value for the sponsoring firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of increasingly complex global supply networks and the rising risk of unpredictable events may have far-reaching consequences for various industries and the global economy. The impact unpredictable events have on supply chains remains a relatively underexplored area that requires further research and analysis. Current studies primarily concentrate on singular events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on supply chains. This research aims to identify the main challenges in supply chain management resulting from unforeseen events and the actions taken in supply chains in response to them. The research is based on individual in-depth interviews conducted with a purposive sample of experts in supply chain management using a partially structured interview questionnaire. The research results were analysed using Nvivo v. 17.1, software for qualitative data analysis. A hybrid approach was employed for data coding. The research indicates several problems and the main remedial actions in supply chains in response to unforeseen events. Unforeseen events in the supply chain affect almost all supply chain operations: procurement, planning (including inventory planning and maintenance of company resources and production lines), logistics management (including transportation), and order management. The research indicated that cooperation, integration, and information exchange within the supply chain are crucial for effective responses to unforeseen events. Furthermore, the research highlighted the positive impact of unforeseen events on supply chain innovation. Moreover, there is an observed prevalence of intuitive management, particularly when responding to unexpected events. The research findings can serve as a basis for further discussions and studies on the potential impact and consequences of future unexpected events on supply chain resilience.

The tourism industry significantly contributes to a country’s economic growth and creates a positive image of the destination. This study assesses the impact of corruption on international tourism demand. It employs two-dimensional analyses using the gravity model and a pooled ordinary least square estimator to provide a unique recognition of international tourism demand. The study utilized a conditional quantile regression technique to analyze a dataset of 200 destination countries from 1995 to 2022. The empirical results demonstrate a mixed effect of corruption on international tourism demand. The analysis reveals a non-linear relationship between corruption and international tourism demand, with the inverted-U relationship being statistically significant only at the 50th–75th quantiles and not holding at the upper and lower quantiles. The research confirms that income has a positive impact on tourism across quantiles, but the impact is disproportionate. The sub-period of 2006–2022 experienced a significant decline in gross domestic product (GDP) due to the global financial crisis and its aftershocks, which severely impacted the attractiveness of destination countries for tourists. These valuable insights can inform national tourism policies and businesses.

Abstract Background This study involved a scoping review to explore factors influencing dental hygienist demand and supply in high-income countries. Methods A six-stage scoping review was conducted with separate search strategies tailored to four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Google) plus a targeted scan of dental hygienist organization websites. This yielded 2,117 unique citations, leading to 148 articles included in the review. Results Nearly half of the articles (47%) focused on the United States, with 11% on Canada. Most articles (91%) were in English, alongside 13 in Korean and one in French. Journal articles comprised 62% of the publications, followed by reports/working papers (11%) and websites (11%). Other types included conference abstracts, policy briefs, and presentation slides. Content-wise, 47% were original research, with analysis articles (14%), commentaries (11%), and reviews (8%) also present. The articles were coded into three main categories: workforce characteristics/projections, factor-specific analyses, and workforce opportunities. The articles on workforce characteristics covered demographic, geographic, and employment aspects of dental hygienists, along with projections for supply and demand using simulation modelling and geospatial analyses. Factor-specific articles investigated the (1) working environment, (2) policy/regulatory/training environment, (3) job/career satisfaction and related human resource issues, and (4) scope of practice. The third key category of articles highlighted opportunities for expanding the workforce through alternative models in different sectors/settings (e.g., public health, primary care, long-term care, hospitals, mobile outreach, and non-clinical roles including research, education and leadership) and for a range of vulnerable or underserved populations (e.g., geriatric and pediatric populations, persons with disabilities, those living in rural/remote areas, Indigenous peoples, and incarcerated people). Conclusions This review provides a comprehensive documentation of the current state of the dental hygienist workforce, compiling factors affecting demand and supply, and highlighting opportunities for the dental hygienist workforce in Canada and other high-income countries. The findings offer a foundation for future research, highlighting the need for more focused and rigorous reviews and underscoring the necessity of high-quality studies to verify the effectiveness of various interventions and policies. This is crucial to address dental hygienist workforce challenges and ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of oral health care delivery.

One of the main benefits of air transport is that it allows people to travel quickly from one place to another. This allows people to reach their destinations faster than other modes of transport for purposes such as tourism, business and education. The aim of this study is to investigate the causality relationships between air travel and tourism demand by each market segment. The causality relationship between the number of domestic passengers, international passengers and total number of passengers and the number of domestic tourists, international tourists and total number of tourists is analyzed on a monthly basis for the period 2017–2021 in Turkey with Granger causality analysis. The findings revealed a two-way causal relationship between the number of domestic travelers and the demand for domestic tourism, as well as a two-way relationship between the demand for total travelers and the demand for total tourism. There is a unidirectional causal connection between the demand for inbound tourists and the quantity of international travelers. The research is expected to add to the body of work on the outcomes. It will also have implications for those who make decisions about infrastructure and policy.

Objective Investigate the current status of implementation of three mandatory industry standards (WS310-2016) for sterilization supply centers (CSSDs) in medical institutions at all levels in Yunnan Province compare the development gap of CSSDs outside the province. and investigate the development needs. Methods Based on the requirements of WS310-2016 and the current stage of CSSD development status of medical institutions at all levels in Yunnan Province, a questionnaire was designed. 46 refined indicators were identified.. and the current status of the implementation of WS310-2016 in medical institutions at all levels in- side and outside the province was investigated and analyzed in September 2022 and December 2023-respectively through online surveys. Results Among the 382 medical institutions were surveyed. 195 within Yunnan Province and 187 outside the province. There was no significant difference in the percentage of medical institutions at all levels within and outside Yunnan Province (P>0.05). of which 23(11.8%) were able to fully implement the industry standards within the province and 29 (15.5%) outside the province. The human resources. equipment setup and configuration, device management and quality monitoring of CSSDs in Yunnan Province lagged behind those in developed regions outside the province to varying degrees, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion There is a certain gap between the development of CSSD in Yunnan Province and outside the province and resource allocation and other constraints on the implementation of standards, the formation of a team of CSSD experts, the establishment of provincial CSSD quality control center and the construction of a platform for academic exchanges. in order to accelerate the process of standardization. normalization and homogenization of CSSD in Yunnan Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a model in which a country, which only has access to a dirty technology for producing electric power in the short run, looks to expand its production in the long run by only permitting new power plants based on clean technology. The model mimics current reality in which major developing countries are being pushed by factors, such as the Paris Climate agreement of 2015 and the large burden of mortality and morbidity resulting from use of fossil fuels, to rely more on clean technologies. Our model shows how emissions and emission intensity of power output after the adoption of clean technologies are increasing in the targets for power production set by the government before availability of such technology and supply variables such as the wage rate and expenses on fixed capital, and decreasing in the tax on power production before the availability of clean technologies. Finally, it is seen that for low enough cost of the clean resource input, a country with a higher demand is able to set a higher target for production with the dirty technology when the clean technology is not available and yet achieves lower emissions and emission intensity in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the demand and trends of chemical new materials in sports equipment and provide corresponding evaluations, justifications, and recommendations. This paper provides an overview of the eurrent status and progress of this topic, summarizing the existing research achievements. Furthermore, it proposes strengthening collaboration between the development of chemical new materials and the sports equipment manufacturing industry, promoting technological innovation and knowledge transfer, to enhance the quality and performance of sports equipment and meet eonsumersz demand for high-quality products. This research makes significant theoretical contributions and practical implications in fostering the development and application of chemical new materials, advancing technological progress, and enhancing market competitiveness in the sports equipment industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model was composed that integrated demand for railway services, systemic capacity design of production factors, operating efficiency, and the financial viability of the designed railway operations of a dedicated rail freight project. The design model incorporated efficiency measures essential to successfully developing new railway systems. The investment in rail infrastructure concerning the geometric parameters and their effect on the project’s viability was deduced. A relationship between the geometric layout of track alignment and the hauling process of freight was determined. Results from simulation work to ascertain the operating efficiency informed the design of train-crossing capacity. The effect of inefficiencies on the performance of the production factors and the influence thereof on the rail tariff and the internal rate of return was determined. The design model covered the range of demand from low volumes of dedicated freight to the advent of heavy-haul operations, and will find its application in cases of new green-field projects. The design parameters applied in sub-models were correlated with the results of field tests and individual new railway projects undertaken in Southern Africa. The results of the effect of systemic operating efficiency on the capacity of the rolling stock fleet were illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the perception, willingness to engage, and demand of community residents regarding the 'internet + nursing service' in a designated pilot area, aiming to offer insights for the widespread adoption of the 'internet + nursing service' throughout China. Methods: A survey pertaining to the 'internet + nursing service' was conducted from March to April 2022. The study specifically targeted residents within two sub-districts of a city in the Jiangsu province. The sampling technique employed in this study was stratified random sampling. Results: Out of a total of 400 community residents selected from two sub-districts in this region, 378 provided valid responses, resulting in an effective rate of 94.5%. Within the study cohort, 80 participants (21.16%) demonstrated familiarity with the concept of 'internet + nursing service.' Additionally, 231 participants (61.11%) conveyed their willingness to adopt such services. Regarding service preferences, the primary demands were for health guidance, vital sign monitoring, and basic care. Challenges in implementing the service were attributed to concerns related to medical risks, personal safety for both nurses and patients, and potential breaches of privacy. Conclusions: Residents in the pilot area exhibited a moderate awareness of the 'internet + nursing service,' with a relatively high willingness to embrace the program. There is a need for further refinement of pertinent laws, widespread dissemination of policies, and enhancements in the quality of nursing services. These measures aim to ensure that a greater number of community residents can avail themselves of improved home-based nursing services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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