Effective supply chain management (SCM) is essential for municipalities to provide quality services to residents, foster economic development, and improve the overall quality of life. However, municipal managers encounter various challenges in maintaining effective SCM service quality, especially in emerging markets such as South Africa. These obstacles can result in inefficiencies, intensified costs, and decreased service quality, ultimately impacting the well-being of residents. This study intends to investigate the barriers to effective SCM service quality in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, located in the North-West Province of South Africa. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the key barriers faced by municipal managers in ensuring effective SCM service quality and to provide recommendations for addressing these challenges. The study is grounded in contingency theory, which emphasizes the importance of adapting management approaches to suit specific contexts and challenges. This study utilised a qualitative research method, employing semi-structured interviews to gather data from selected participants. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 municipal managers selected using purposive sampling, and data analysis was conducted using Atlas. ti software. The study reveals that several factors hinder effective SCM service quality in municipalities. These factors include inadequate funding, inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems, limited human resources and skills, unclear roles and responsibilities, irregular budget allocation and infrastructure maintenance, uncompetitive salaries for skilled workers, ineffective employee training, inadequate internal audit control, ineffective policy compliance, shortages of skill workers, unreliable service providers, and maintenance issues with machinery and equipment. This study provides valuable insights into the barriers to effective SCM service quality in municipalities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these barriers. The findings have implications for management, policy, and practice and suggest avenues for further research. By addressing these challenges, municipalities can improve SCM service quality, enhance resident satisfaction, and promote economic growth and development.
Objectives: Our study aimed to select the optimal growth factor cocktail for the differentiation of MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) in the absence and presence of a 3D microenvironment. Methods: Ninety ml BM was aspirated from the iliac bone for separation of MSCs. This study was conducted on 20 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, divided into two groups. Group I; MSCs were plated onto 96-well plates without microenvironment (control group). Group II; MSCs were plated onto 96-well plates with a 3D microenvironment. Surface expression of CD271, CD29, and CD34 were analyzed using flow cytometry. MSCs were differentiated in-vitro into HLCs by adding four growth factor cocktails in presence and absence of 3D microenvironment. Hepatogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of OV6, AFP, albumin, and cytokeratin 18 expressions. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the expression of CD271 and CD29 after MSCs culture (P <0.001). A heterogeneous cell population composed of MSCs and differentiated HLCs was encountered (40% hepatocytes and 60% MSCs). Furthermore, our results showed that growth factor cocktails one and two gave the best results for differentiation of MSCs into HLCs. Conclusion: MSCs could be a feasible, readily available, and novel source for differentiation into HLCs for future therapeutic implications.
Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate found in red cabbage, possesses anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. The objective of the study was to examine the antioxidant activity of purified SFN in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, as well as the levels of Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in Vero and HEp-2 cells. The results indicated that the extract possesses higher radical scavenging activity in HEp-2 and Vero cells compared to purified SFN. Purified and standard SFN were found to have similar radical scavenging activities in these cells. GST and GSH levels in SFN-treated Vero and HEp-2 cells were decreased compared to control cells. The antimicrobial activity of purified SFN was assessed using the diffusion method, revealing good antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal species. The study suggests that purified SFN and its extract can exert antioxidant stress by scavenging free radicals and controlling xenobiotic metabolism in Vero and HEp-2 cells.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consists of a large volume of quantitative and qualitative information that traditional methods struggle to present effectively. EIA is a crucial criterion for sustainable development and environmental management worldwide. Therefore, appropriate methods must be employed. This paper explores the application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in EIA, supporting full integration of quantitative and qualitative data to improve decision-making. Four oil refineries were selected as case studies, focusing on their construction and operation phases. Expert Choice 11 software was utilized for environmental impact assessments and decision-making procedures. The results enhance decision-making capabilities, facilitate the selection of optimal solutions, and provide a basis for future recommendations across three distinct phases. This approach to EIA demonstrates effective multidisciplinary decision-making for environmental impacts. With comprehensive calculations, graphical data, and consideration of existing environmental and refinery conditions, the study proposes innovative pathways for the Environmental Impact Assessment of oil refineries, integrating multiple criteria.
Tropical forests are vital for maintaining global biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. This study evaluates the diversity of flora and the provision of ecosystem services in tropical forests by integrating remote sensing technology with traditional field surveys. The research focuses on the Amazon rainforest, employing satellite imagery to assess vegetation cover and species distribution. Field data collection was conducted to validate remote sensing observations and to understand the interactions between plant species. The findings reveal a significant correlation between remote sensing data and field observations, highlighting the effectiveness of combining these methodologies for comprehensive biodiversity assessments. The study provides insights into conservation strategies and sustainable management practices for tropical ecosystems.
This study examines the role of urban green spaces in enhancing biodiversity and promoting human well-being. By analyzing various urban parks across different cities, we assess the diversity of plant and animal species and their correlation with human health benefits. The research highlights the importance of maintaining and designing urban green spaces to support ecological sustainability and improve quality of life for urban populations.
This study investigates the effects of urbanization on plant biodiversity, focusing specifically on the proliferation of invasive plant species within metropolitan environments. A comprehensive survey was conducted across various cities, analyzing the correlation between urban expansion and the spread of non-native species. The research highlights how human activities alter natural habitats, facilitating the introduction and establishment of invasive species. The study further explores management strategies to mitigate the impact of urbanization on local ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of integrated planning and conservation efforts.
Due to the inadequacy of the analysis methods of composites, designers have had to take into account relatively high safety coefficients in designing composites. Consequently, most structures made of composites are produced with higher capacity than is needed. However, these materials can be used more effectively provided that behaviors, damage processes, and damage prevention methods are considered more meticulously. In this paper, damage phenomenon in laminates made of a layer of graphite-epoxy and glass-epoxy with different layer alignments under tension have been studied and compared using finite element analysis (FEA). Maximum stress, strain, displacement, and destruction number based on the Tsai-Wu criteria in the most critical layers in every layout in both materials have been obtained and compared together. It was found that when the arrangement of layers is cross-ply, damage in laminates is far lower than in quasi-orthotropic mode and the unsymmetrical mode (general laminate). Results also showed that graphite-epoxy over glass-epoxy is more resistant against tension. It can be finally concluded that, in order to produce laminates when the laminates are under tension, instead of using a high safety factor in designing—which leads to higher product prices and resulting economic failure of the product—economic competition with other competitors’ products can be obtained through correct material and arrangement selection of layers.
