Electronic Distribution of Goods and Services: The Impact of the Internet and Competition Law on Distribution Networks- Section Two

Technical regulations are not enough measures to provide lawful protection of goods distribution networks when it comes to electronic distribution. There is a need for other regulations that aim to regulate processes within the network and outside it, i.e. internally and externally. In fact, distribution contracts include a personal consideration. The distributors are chosen according to conditions and standards which aim to represent the network and respond to consumers\u27 needs, so the network works as one entity. The nature of the relationship between the supplier and the distributor dictates that the first party imposes a group of conditions and restrictions to guarantee that the operation of the network goes smoothly. In addition, the establishment of these electronic networks is accompanied by the emergence of other unconventional networks called Parallel Resale Networks which sell the same products at lower prices and easier terms. This study divides section two titled Regulatory Criteria of Electronic Distribution Networks into two subsections: Subsection One: Regulatory criteria of the internal relationships of the Electronic Distribution Networks. Subsection Two: Regulatory criteria of the external relationships of the Electronic Distribution Networks

Electronic Distribution of Goods and Services: The Impact of the Internet and Competition Law on Distribution Networks Part I

In the past, producers resorted to the method of selling directly to consumers. At that time, the producer was close to the market and was aware of the consumers\u27 needs and requirements. Thereupon, the producers performed the role of both producers and distributors; however, due to the growth of consumers\u27 needs on the one hand, and the progress in production techniques, and the development of transport means and communications on the other hand, producers looked for new, domestic and external markets for their goods and services. This lead to the producers\u27 need of specialists, called distributors, who were given the mission of distributing goods and services in addition to collecting information related to the market to produce goods and to provide services which match the individuals\u27 needs and requirements in this market. The idea of distribution is based on a vertical legal structure, which combines the producers and suppliers; those are chosen according to certain specific criteria or certain geographical areas. This legal structure is called the Distribution Networks of Goods and Services. In addition, these networks are called Closed Networks because they prevent, as a general rule, any distributor outside the network from obtaining the products that are the object of distribution as well as from reselling them. Typical distribution networks are divided into selective distribution networks; however, the internal relationships within the distribution networks are divided into exclusive distribution networks. These in turn maybe Vertical when there is a direct relationship between suppliers and distributors, or Horizontal when there is a relationship among the distributors themselves. The goods and services distribution network is affected by the progress in communication methods among consumers; this progress took the form of e-marketing via the Internet. This research is divided into two sections: Section one deals with the distributors\u27 freedom to resort to e-marketing or electronic distribution over both selective and exclusive distributing networks. Finally, section two deals with the set criteria when distributors resort to electronic marketing or distributio

Oral health status among convenient sample of palestinian adults

The Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) is the term used by the UN for those parts of historical Palestine occupied by Israel after the Arab–Israeli war of 1967. (1) Because of the political situation and its consequences, most of the areas in the West Bank has little infrastructure in health, education and social services.(2) Ramallah, a city located in the middle of the West Bank, is considered the commercial and governmental capital of the Palestinian Territories. Palestinians from all over the West Bank seek jobs and business in Ramallah which makes its people very diverse

Pathogenic Bacteria on Raw Chicken Meat in West-Bank, Palestine: Salmonella Spp., Campylobacter Spp., and Listeria monocytogenes

Large epidemiological data from many countries confirm that contaminated chicken meat contribute significantly to foodborne diseases worldwide. Thus, reduction of contamination of raw chicken meat would have a large impact in reducing incidence of these foodborne diseases. Therefore, our study was designed to investigate the prevalence of the major human illnesses causing bacteria, particularly, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes in the retail chicken meat in West Bank, Palestine. To achieve this goal, one hundred and two random chicken meat samples were collected from different retail markets and governorates in the West Bank, Palestine. They were studied for total aerobic bacterial content, and for the presence of human pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes using conventional culturing and biochemical methods. Our results indicate that: (6/102) 5.9% of the samples contain Listeria monocytogenes, (21/102) 20.6% contain Salmonella Spp. and (37/102) 36.27% contain Campylobacter Spp. Samples containing Campylobacter Spp were further subdivided to Campylobacter coli which was present in (21/102) 20.59%, Campylobacter jejuni which was present in (11/102) 10.78%, and Campylobacter lari which was present in (5/102) 4.90 % of the total samples. Comparing our results to similar studies done on raw chicken meat in other countries, the prevalence of these pathogens in West Bank, Palestine lies within the range. For example: the highest prevalence of Salmonella (22/40) 55% is in Spain and the lowest (3/205) 1.5% is in north Ireland, the highest prevalence of Campylobacter (393/448) 91.8% is in Turkey and the lowest (32/99) 32.3% is in South Africa, and the highest prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes (17/46) 37% is in Japan and the lowest 3/66 (4.5%) is in Brazil. These variations in isolation rates between countries depend on the country where the study was carried out, the chicken breeding environment and methods, processing and marketing procedures, the sampling plan and the sensitivity of the methodology used in the study. Statistical correlation analysis was done to see if there is any significant relationship between the presence of these pathogens and the total aerobic plate count, carcass gross weight, governorate from which the sample was taken, slaughtering time, and chicken meat market type. The results of this analysis showed that only the prevalence of Salmonella significantly differ between those samples bought from poultry market or street side poultry market, while none of the other studied pathogens is significantly associated with the market type. Also none of the other studied factors is significantly associated with the presence of these three pathogens. In contrast significant relationship (P<0.001) was found between the total aerobic plate count, the slaughtering time, marketing type, and governorate of sample origin. Therefore, based on these results, setting up a cost-effective pathogens monitoring and surveillance systems, augmented by good agricultural and hygienic practices and well-designed longitudinal research activities on the whole chicken meat production chain, are strongly recommended

Tigertriever in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease.

BACKGROUND: The Tigertriever device offers a unique feature that enables gradual control of the radial expansion. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Tigertriever device in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and underlying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The patients were part of the TIGER trial. METHODS: The presence of underlying ICAD was determined by a core imaging laboratory using CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography. The primary outcomes included successful reperfusion, puncture to reperfusion time, and complications associated with the use of the Tigertriever device. Patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy with the Tigertriever device for up to three passes, and alternative devices were employed for subsequent passes. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were enrolled in the TIGER trial, and 32 patients had ICAD. Among the patients with ICAD, 78% achieved successful reperfusion within three passes of the Tigertriever device, without requiring rescue therapy. Additionally, a first pass effect was observed in 46.8%. The median time from puncture to reperfusion was 22 minutes. There were no device-related complications. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 hours was significantly reduced, from an average of 17 at baseline to 8. At the 3 month follow-up, 50% of patients achieved a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2. CONCLUSION: Endovascular therapy (EVT) with the Tigertriever device for LVO in patients with underlying ICAD is effective and safe. When compared with historical data from other devices employed in similar cases, we observed a high rate of successful reperfusion, along with a shorter puncture to reperfusion time

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Pharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes and Associated Factors Among School Children in the South-West Bank, Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), a gram-positive coccus, poses a significant public health burden due to its diverse spectrum of infections, ranging from mild pharyngitis ("strep throat") to severe invasive diseases like necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. Asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage, particularly prevalent among children, plays a crucial role in GAS transmission and outbreaks

Examining the effect of nano-additions of rare earth elements on the hardness of body armor ceramic

64-72Body armor is a very critical entity in protecting soldier's live. Soldiers carry heavy stuff on duties, and the ceramic insert in those body armors is one of them. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of Nano-rare-earth elements as additives to the ceramic base material on the armor's performance. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) has been selected as the base material of the ceramic in this study. This study has chosen two additives: Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and Nano-ceramic lab composite (NCLC). In this work, we have presented results of mechanical characterization for alumina-nanocomposites armor plates. Three different concentrations of NCLC and ZnO2 alumina-based compositions have been prepared and pressed at 40 and 50 MPa and sintered at 1350&deg;C for 120 min. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques have been employed to characterize structural, morphological, and phase identification of the films. Mohs test hardness measurements of samples after sintering have been performed. Results have shown that the compositions with NCLC showed a higher hardness than a composition with ZrO2. This result has indicated that the addition of NCLC to Alumina enhances the microstructure and increases the ceramics' hardness

Age and frailty are independently associated with increased COVID-19 mortality and increased care needs in survivors: results of an international multi-centre study

Introduction Increased mortality has been demonstrated in older adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the effect of frailty has been unclear. Methods This multi-centre cohort study involved patients aged 18 years and older hospitalised with COVID-19, using routinely collected data. We used Cox regression analysis to assess the impact of age, frailty and delirium on the risk of inpatient mortality, adjusting for sex, illness severity, inflammation and co-morbidities. We used ordinal logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of age, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and delirium on risk of increased care requirements on discharge, adjusting for the same variables. Results Data from 5,711 patients from 55 hospitals in 12 countries were included (median age 74, interquartile range [IQR] 54–83; 55.2% male). The risk of death increased independently with increasing age (>80 versus 18–49: hazard ratio [HR] 3.57, confidence interval [CI] 2.54–5.02), frailty (CFS 8 versus 1–3: HR 3.03, CI 2.29–4.00) inflammation, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, but not delirium. Age, frailty (CFS 7 versus 1–3: odds ratio 7.00, CI 5.27–9.32), delirium, dementia and mental health diagnoses were all associated with increased risk of higher care needs on discharge. The likelihood of adverse outcomes increased across all grades of CFS from 4 to 9. Conclusion Age and frailty are independently associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19. Risk of increased care needs was also increased in survivors of COVID-19 with frailty or older age