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Effective supply chain management is a critical pillar of well-functioning health systems ensuring that medical commodities reach those in need. In Liberia, the national neglected tropical disease (NTD) programme supports health systems strengthening for case management of NTDs. Integration of NTD commodities into the national health system supply chain is central to the integrated approach; however, there is minimal evidence on enablers and barriers. Drawing on qualitative evaluation data, we illustrate that perceived benefits and strengths to integrating NTD commodities into the supply chain include leveraged storage and management capacities capitalized at lower system levels; the political will to integrate based on cost-saving and capacity strengthening potential and positive progress integrating paper-based reporting tools. Challenges remain, specifically the risk of reliance on donor funding; difficulty in accessing commodities due to bureaucratic bottlenecks; lack of inclusion of NTD commodities within electronic data tools and poor coordination leading to an inability to meet demand. Collectively, the negative consequences of ineffective integration of NTD commodities into the supply chain has a detrimental impact on health workers (including community health workers) unable to deliver the quality of care to patients. Trust between affected populations and the health system is compromised when treatments are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sport und Gesellschaft is the property of De Gruyter 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.)

Copyright of Nuova Secondaria is the property of Edizioni Studium S.r.l 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.)

Afghanistan has abundant water resources; however, the current state of affairs is dismal because of the lack of integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices and prolonged war and conflict in the country. Therefore, there is a need for a systematic approach to water management, which can be materialized by integrating IWRM and the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus approach to maintain a critical balance of available water resources and their various uses at the national level. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of Afghanistan’s water resource management, including the current state, challenges, opportunities, and way forward. The identified challenges are categorized as social and environmental issues, engineering and technical and regulatory, policy and government role. These challenges are inter-connected and a novel framework toward the implementation of IWRM and the WEF nexus in Afghanistan is proposed. This framework can be used by the relevant stakeholders to prepare a roadmap for sustainable management of water resources. Such integrative approaches will enhance Afghanistan’s water, food, and energy security and significantly contribute to its economic development. Moving forward, the Afghanistan government must play a crucial role with regards to the efficient management of the country’s water resources in an integrated manner as suggested in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nuova Secondaria is the property of Edizioni Studium S.r.l 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.)

This paper concentrates on the integration of relative localization and the formation control over leader–follower networks. First, we develop a consensus-like relative localization scheme for each agent to estimate the real-time relative positions of its neighbors by merely using velocity as well as distance-related measurements and local communications under the assumption that the local frames of all agents share a common orientation. It is shown that the relative position estimate exponentially converges to its true value under a persistent excitation condition on relative velocity between the two agents. Second, an integrated relative localization and a leader–follower formation control are developed by combining the proposed relative localization scheme and a complex Laplacian-based formation control scheme. It is proven that the integrated system globally asymptotically converges to a stationary similar formation in the case of error-free initial relative position estimates while globally uniformly bounds in a neighborhood of the prescribed formation in the case with initial relative position estimation errors. Furthermore, based on the two degrees of freedom of similar formation on translation, the integrated scheme is also generalized to achieve moving similar formation control. Finally, simulations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resource management will continue to be increasingly important in the face of impending climate change and population growth, respectively, impacting supply-side and demand-side constraints. Water resources, the subject of this paper, require sustainable management to provide drinking water for society, habitat and ecological water for the environment, and a myriad of industrial water uses, including agriculture, power generation, and manufacturing. In addition to technologies that increase water supply or reduce demand, the effective management of data, specific to water resources, will be crucial in the immediate and long-term future. With diverse water data generators, collectors, synthesizers, users, and policymakers, an integrated system of water data management has potential to ensure sustainable water resource management. To bring this potential to fruition, this work synthesizes published recommendations, as well as those of water experts, and best practices from examples of water data management to provide a preliminary assessment for larger ongoing efforts to improve data for water decision-making in California. Stakeholder collaboration, data standardization, increased data collection, and data transparency and accessibility are among the most common and most important recommendations for sustainably developing and managing an integrated water data management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new integration algorithm is found, and an implementation is compared with other programmed algorithms. The new algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving the initial value problem in ordinary differential equations. It is designed to approximate poles of small integer order in the solutions of the differential equations by continued fractions obtained by manipulating the sums of truncated Taylor series expansions. The new method is compared with the Gragg-Bulirsch-Stoer, and the Taylor series method. The Taylor series method and the new method are shown to be superior in speed and accuracy, while the new method is shown to be most superior when the solution is required near a singularity. The new method can finally be seen to pass automatically through singularities where all the other methods which are discussed will have failed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focal point of this paper is the well known problem of polynomial positivity over a given domain. More specifically, we consider a multivariate polynomial ƒ(x) with parameter vector x restricted to a hypercube X C Rn. The objective is to determine if ƒ(x) > 0 for all x E X. Motivated by NP-Hardness considerations, we introduce the so-called dilation integral method. Using this method, a "softening" of this problem is described. That is, rather than insisting that ƒ(x) be positive for all x ϵ X, we consider the notions of practical positivity and practical non-positivisy. As explained in the paper, these notions involve the calculation of a quantity e > 0 which serves as an upper bound on the percentage volume of violation in parameter space where ƒ(x) ≤ 0. Whereas checking the polynomial positivity requirement may be computationally prohibitive, using our ϵ-softening and associated dilation integrals, computations are typically straightforward. One highlight of this paper is that we obtain a sequence of upper bounds ϵk which are shown to be "sharp" in the sense that they converge to zero whenever the positivity requirement is satisfied. Since for fixed n, computational difficulties generally increase with k, this paper also focuses on results which reduce the size of the required k in order to achieve an acceptable percentage volume certification level. For large classes of problems, as the dimension of parameter space n grows, the required k value for acceptable percentage volume violation may be quite low. In fact, it is often the case that low volumes of violation can be achieved with values as low as k = 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integration technique for the automatic solution of an initial value problem for a set of ordinary differential equations is described. A criterion for the selection of the order of approximation is proposed. The objective of the criterion is to increase the step size so as to reduce solution time. An option permits the solution of "stiff" differential equations. A program embodying the techniques discussed appears in Algorithm 407. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new method to map a state-space continuous-time model into an equivalent discrete state-space model. It is shown that the discrete model can approximate the continuous one to an arbitrary high-order which can be set by the user. In addition, it is demonstrated that the constructed discrete model is guaranteed stable, where it can be run in an A-stable or L-stable mode, depending on the application or user's preference. The proposed mapping method is based on the single-step Obreshkov integration formulas that were proposed to solve ordinary differential equations. Preliminary performance experiments show superior accuracy compared to traditional discretization methods such as the Tustin method. Application of the proposed method to the discretization of analog filters demonstrates a significant accuracy in matching both of the magnitude and phase of the frequency response of the continuous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-Gb/s integrating decision-feedback equalization (DFE) receiver was implemented for a four-drop single-ended DRAM interface channel by using a 0.25-µm CMOS process. The receiver combines both DFE and integration operations in a single receiver circuit so that the DFE operation reduces the intersymbol interference and the integration operation reduces the high-frequency noise. The DFE operation was implemented by switching the capacitance values of the two output nodes of a differential integrator, depending on the previous decision data. A look-ahead scheme was used to reduce the DFE loop delay. A MUX-embedded D flip-flop was used in the look-ahead circuit to further reduce the DFE loop delay and latency. The DFE operation enhanced the voltage margins by 110% and 90% at the 2-Gb/s stubless channel and the 1.2-Gb/s stub series terminated logic channel, respectively. The chip area and the power dissipation of the proposed receiver chip were 220 x 120 µm² and 10 mW, respectively, at the data rate of 2 Gb/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper focuses on the affective and cognitive impact a new culture has on the individual. Culture shock is a very controversial term in today's society. Some of the factors that cause such feelings of alienation, helplessness, irritation or confusion are language, food, climate, social roles or values. In the globalization context, people have to be able to cope with stress, with accepting a new identity and with developing a new dimension for understanding social contexts. Multiculturalism should be regarded as a positive aspect and the individual must focus on integration rather than segregation. The papers also researches ways of facilitating the adjustment process, of helping people to adapt to unfamiliar cultural settings. The key to getting over culture shock is to understand and assimilate the new culture while preserving one's own values and principles intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I first 'met' Mary Parker Follett on a train in 1986, but I did not really get to know her until organisations themselves began to interest me around 1993. I was introduced to her as an early influencer of management education in the OU's excellent "Introduction to Management", but didn't recognise then quite how pioneering she was - still ahead of most writers today. I remember I was on my way to a board meeting and perhaps had other things on my mind. It's a pity, because I could have saved a lot of money (shareholders') and angst (mine and colleagues'), if I'd paid more attention to her then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2001, the World Health Assembly (WHA) passed a resolution which urged member states to attain, by 2010, a minimum target of regularly administering anthelminthic drugs to at least 75% and up to 100% of all school-aged children at risk of morbidity. The refined global strategy for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis was issued in the following year and large-scale administration of anthelminthic drugs endorsed as the central feature. This strategy has subsequently been termed ‘preventive chemotherapy’. Clearly, the 2001WHAresolution led the way for concurrently controlling multiple neglected tropical diseases. In this paper, we recall the schistosomiasis situation in Africa in mid-2003. Adhering to strategic guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, we estimate the projected annual treatment needs with praziquantel among the school-aged population and critically discuss these estimates. The important role of geospatial tools for disease risk mapping, surveillance and predictions for resource allocation is emphasised. We clarify that schistosomiasis is only one of many neglected tropical diseases and that considerable uncertainties remain regarding global burden estimates. We examine new control initiatives targeting schistosomiasis and other tropical diseases that are often neglected. The prospect and challenges of integrated control are discussed and the need for combining biomedical, educational and engineering strategies and geospatial tools for sustainable disease control are highlighted. We conclude that, for achieving integrated and sustainable control of neglected tropical diseases, a set of interventions must be tailored to a given endemic setting and fine-tuned over time in response to the changing nature and impact of control. Consequently, besides the environment, the prevailing demographic, health and social systems contexts need to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study comparing the performance of several computer programs for integrating systems of ordinary differential equations is reported. The integration methods represented include multistep methods (predictors correctors), single-step methods (Runge-Kutta) and extrapolation methods (both polynomial and rational). The testing procedure is described together with the evaluation criteria applied. A set of test problems on which the programs were tested is included in an appendix. For the particular problems and criteria used in the investigation it was found that a program based on rational extrapolation showed the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is proposed to calculate the intersection points of two plane curves. The theory of singular points of a system of two differential equations is used in developing the method. The intersection point to be determined is identified with such a singular paint and appropriate modifications are applied to the system to ensure that the singular point be stable, i.e. all integrals which start in the neighborhood of the singular point will always approach this point if the integral parameter tends to infinity. In addition a method is described for systematically searching for of intersection points in a prescribed rectangular area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of microwave circuits requires detailed knowledge on the electromagnetic properties of the transmission lines used. This can be obtained by applying Maxwell's equations to a longitudinally homogeneous waveguide structure, which results in an eigenvalue problem for the propagation constant. Special attention is paid to the so-called perfectly matched layer boundary conditions (PML). Using the finite integration technique we get an algebraic formulation. The finite volume of the PML introduces additional modes that are not an intrinsic property of the waveguide. In the presence of losses or absorbing boundary conditions the matrix of the eigenvalue problem is complex. A method which avoids the computation of all eigenvalues is presented in an effort to find the few propagating modes one is interested in. This method is an extension of a solver presented by the authors in a previous paper which analyses the lossless case. Using mapping relations between the planes of eigenvalues and propagation constants a strip in the complex plane is determined containing the desired propagation constants and some that correspond to the PML modes. In an additional step the PML modes are eliminated.The numerical effort of the presented method is reduced considerably compared to a full calculation of all eigenvalues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we try to assess how a weighted shares index and corresponding futures index respond to a change in the short-term interest rate. Three methods are applied in analysing the data: an error correction regression method, a state space method and a neural network method. Results indicate presence of cointegration in the data set. A sensitivity analysis of each model was carried out by studying the evolution of the predictions after the studied time period, using deterministic values of the inputs. An analysis of the influence of an interest rate shock yielded interesting results. In the neural network model, again, more complicated response patterns were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is facing many challenges in the water sector while implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM). Another daunting task -- adapting to water-related impacts of climate change, is also challenging China's water managers. These challenges have been posing threats to China's economic, social and environmental development. While separate efforts in promoting IWRM and climate change adaptation have been made, the approach of mainstreaming climate change adaptation strategy within IWRM is seldom studied. Attempting to fill the gap, this paper argues that there is great potential in synergizing them after analysing their distinctions and common points. By developing climate-proofing strategies within IWRM, mainstreaming is able to minimize adverse water-related climate change risks and maximize the benefits of policies and plans. In this study, entry points of mainstreaming climate change adaptation in the sustaining environment of IWRM and its process will be identified and analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EDITOR'S SUMMARY The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports 65 million refugees around the world, a 50 percent increase over the last five years and a 75 percent increase over the last 20 years. With over 80 percent of refugees living below the poverty line, new ideas and innovations are desperately needed to assist with refugee integration into host countries. This information behavior investigation is an attempt to identify information needs, both individually and publically, in refugee integration. Concepts considered in this investigation include the hierarchy of needs, social capital, accessibility and quality of information and sense-making. One main goal of the investigation was to determine situations where refugees experienced a lack of information during the integration process. Using the materials for this investigation, Olubukola Oduntan created and submitted the winning video for the first ASIS&T Doctoral Student Research Video competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising concerns about the spread of cross-border criminal networks and transnational terrorism have transformed the international security arena into a more diverse, fragmented, diffused, less visible and hardly predictable one. Thus, (in)security is more mobile and remote than some decades ago. The establishment of an integrated European security area requires efforts to develop common standards and joint practices in terms of harmonisation of legal systems, advanced integration of security measures and tools, coherence of procedures and shared operational methods of law enforcement. The article discusses the main integration trends, challenges and options of internal security reforms in the European Union (EU) from legal, technological and operational advancement perspectives. It is argued that some harmonisation of criminal law as sharing and pooling of sovereignty has been achieved on the supranational level. The approach of supra-territoriality development is proposed in terms of shared security space management, where enhanced functional needs towards discursive coherence by copulative regulations and technological measures can be innovated to overcome some obstacles in the EU's security integration and achieve further operational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article approaches the current economic crisis from an historical perspective, analyzing the building of the monetary integration and the common currency. The process is explained through pointing out its effects on the European integration and outlining the positive and negative consequences of the introduction of a common currency in the European Union. The investigation continues with a general outlook of the current situation of the countries which were more affected by the current crisis--Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus. What all these countries have in common is the necessity of extra funding in a context of austerity, plus some national particularities. The author proposes an expansion in the public spending as the only reliable way to stimulate European economies in the crisis. As the introduction of the euro meant the end of the monetary independence for the Member States, an innovative solution is proposed--the creation of an Economic Government in the union in order to transfer funds from wealthier states to the countries in trouble. It is presented as a necessity for the states in crisis, a necessity for the wealthier states, and a must for the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cooperative education (co-op) has recently surpassed 100 years, it is worthwhile to reflect on the challenges co-op faced and responded to, as co-op has matured and new challenges developed. Much concern was raised in the past of a lack of accepted theoretical learning framework for learning in co-op, however, there has been advances made since that attempt to capture the complexities of what is co-op. Over the last so many years, diverse range of terms has developed, along with multiple definitions, to loosely describe what may (or perhaps may not) be co-op, possibly a reflection of the diversity of practices of co-op across the disciplines and attempts to be inclusive. Lastly, we would argue that even though co-op often claims to have integration of knowledge between the workplace and educational institutions, the claims are often not well supported, how integration may occur seems to be poorly understood, and here still lays a challenge for the co-op community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study about the integration of music and core academic objectives in the K-12 curriculum. Participants completed a survey that addressed music experience, ability and attitude, teaching music objectives, and integrating music and academic objectives. Results indicated that teachers became more comfortable at the global thought of integrating music and core academic objectives, with a slight increase in confidence level in integrating music with reading, math, science, or social studies objectives. The teachers participating in this course may have felt that time devoted to planning and implementing integrated lessons was not feasible when they return to their naturalistic classroom setting.

Addresses two difficulties which arise when using a compressible code with equal order interpolation (non-staggered grids in the finite-difference nomenclature) to capture a steady-state solution in the incompressible limit, i.e. at low Mach numbers. Explains that, first, numerical instabilities in the form of spurious oscillations in pressure pollute the solution and, second, the convergence to the steady state becomes extremely slow owing to bad conditioning of the different speeds of propagation. By using a stabilized method, allows the use of equal-order interpolations in a consistent (weighted-residual) formulation which stabilizes both the convection and the continuity terms at the same time. On the other hand, by using specially devised preconditioning, assures a rate of convergence independent of Mach number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European integration has became an important part of the national agenda of the Balkan countries, as well a "hot topic" in the newsrooms of the media all over the Balkans. Free media considered as one of the most important characteristics of democratic societies, is now becoming a task to fulfill for these countries that aspire to join the union. As the matter of fact, media in the Balkan countries has failed so far. to be rated as totally free. The latest European Commission progress report stated that the media in the Western Balkan countries is still facing with dependence from the politics, nationalism and hate approach, lack of professional and ethical standards. Nonetheless, this is a process that will take time and a lot of effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No emailing on weekends or after hours. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]