Inventory drivers in a pharmaceutical supply chain

In recent years, inventory reduction has been a key objective of pharmaceutical companies, especially within cost optimization initiatives. Pharmaceutical supply chains are characterized by volatile and unpredictable demands –especially in emergent markets-, high service levels, and complex, perishable finished-good portfolios, which makes keeping reasonable amounts of stock a true challenge. However, a one-way strategy towards zero-inventory is in reality inapplicable, due to the strategic nature and importance of the products being commercialised. Therefore, pharmaceutical supply chains are in need of new inventory strategies in order to remain competitive. Finished-goods inventory management in the pharmaceutical industry is closely related to the manufacturing systems and supply chain configurations that companies adopt. The factors considered in inventory management policies, however, do not always cover the full supply chain spectrum in which companies operate. This paper works under the pre-assumption that, in fact, there is a complex relationship between the inventory configurations that companies adopt and the factors behind them. The intention of this paper is to understand the factors driving high finished-goods inventory levels in pharmaceutical supply chains and assist supply chain managers in determining which of them can be influenced in order to reduce inventories to an optimal degree. Reasons for reducing inventory levels are found in high inventory holding and scrap related costs; in addition to lost sales for not being able to serve the customers with the adequate shelf life requirements. The thesis conducts a single case study research in a multi-national pharmaceutical company, which is used to examine typical inventory configurations and the factors affecting these configurations. This paper presents a framework that can assist supply chain managers in determining the most important inventory drivers in pharmaceutical supply chains. The findings in this study suggest that while external and downstream supply chain factors are recognized as being critical to pursue inventory optimization initiatives, pharmaceutical companies are oriented towards optimizing production processes and meeting regulatory requirements while still complying with high service levels, being internal factors the ones prevailing when making inventory management decisions. Furthermore, this paper investigates, through predictive modelling techniques, how various intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the inventory configurations of the case study company. The study shows that inventory configurations are relatively unstable over time, especially in configurations that present high safety stock levels; and that production features and product characteristics are important explanatory factors behind high inventory levels. Regulatory requirements also play an important role in explaining the high strategic inventory levels that pharmaceutical companies hold

Transparent authentication: Utilising heart rate for user authentication

There has been exponential growth in the use of wearable technologies in the last decade with smart watches having a large share of the market. Smart watches were primarily used for health and fitness purposes but recent years have seen a rise in their deployment in other areas. Recent smart watches are fitted with sensors with enhanced functionality and capabilities. For example, some function as standalone device with the ability to create activity logs and transmit data to a secondary device. The capability has contributed to their increased usage in recent years with researchers focusing on their potential. This paper explores the ability to extract physiological data from smart watch technology to achieve user authentication. The approach is suitable not only because of the capacity for data capture but also easy connectivity with other devices - principally the Smartphone. For the purpose of this study, heart rate data is captured and extracted from 30 subjects continually over an hour. While security is the ultimate goal, usability should also be key consideration. Most bioelectrical signals like heart rate are non-stationary time-dependent signals therefore Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is employed. DWT decomposes the bioelectrical signal into n level sub-bands of detail coefficients and approximation coefficients. Biorthogonal Wavelet (bior 4.4) is applied to extract features from the four levels of detail coefficents. Ten statistical features are extracted from each level of the coffecient sub-band. Classification of each sub-band levels are done using a Feedforward neural Network (FF-NN). The 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th levels had an Equal Error Rate (EER) of 17.20%, 18.17%, 20.93% and 21.83% respectively. To improve the EER, fusion of the four level sub-band is applied at the feature level. The proposed fusion showed an improved result over the initial result with an EER of 11.25% As a one-off authentication decision, an 11% EER is not ideal, its use on a continuous basis makes this more than feasible in practice

Digital learning resources and ubiquitous technologies in education

This research explores the educators' attitudes and perceptions about their utilisation of digital learning technologies. The methodology integrates measures from ‘the pace of technological innovativeness’ and the ‘technology acceptance model’ to understand the rationale for further ICT investment in compulsory education. A quantitative study was carried out amongst two hundred forty-one educators in Malta. It has investigated the costs and benefits of using digital learning resources in schools from the educator’s perspective. Principal component analysis has indicated that the educators were committed to using digital technologies. In addition, a step-wise regression analysis has shown that the younger teachers were increasingly engaging in digital learning resources. Following this study’s empirical findings educational stakeholders are better informed about how innovative technologies can support our students. In conclusion, this paper puts forward key implications and recommendations for regulatory authorities and policy makers for better curricula and educational outcomes.peer-reviewe

Interpersonal interaction within the violin teaching studio: the influence of interpersonal dynamics on outcomes for teachers

The overall aims of this study were to identify qualities of interpersonal interaction within teacher- parent-pupil learning partnerships and to explore whether these characteristics were predictors of learning and teaching outcomes for teachers, parents and pupils participating in pursuit of expertise on musical instruments. This article presents the findings relating to how teachers' beliefs relating to interpersonal interaction with pupils and parents impacted on their professional satisfaction, self-efficacy, and involvement with pupils and parents. Two hundred and sixty-three violin teachers were surveyed, each completing a questionnaire that included measures of the interpersonal constructs of control and responsiveness as well as measures for outcomes that included professional satisfaction, teacher self-efficacy, and involvement with pupils and parents. The scales for control and responsiveness were subjected to a principal component analysis, revealing several underlying dimensions of these constructs. Multiple regressions revealed that facets of control bore significant correlations with all of the specified teacher outcomes, while the interpersonal factor that had the greatest influence overall was teacher sensitivity (a responsiveness component). At the heart of this finding is a model of a 'responsive leader', providing authoritative direction but also compelled to respond to the individual pupil needs and parental wishes or circumstances. © The Author(s) 2010

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 159

This bibliography lists 257 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in September 1976

Monitoring What Matters About Context and Instruction in Science Education: A NAEP Data Analysis Report

This report explores background variables in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to examine key context and instructional factors behind science learning for eighth grade students. Science education is examined from five perspectives: student engagement in science, science teachers' credentials and professional development, availability and use of science resources, approaches to science instruction, and methods and uses of science assessment

Establishing a student satisfaction index - A Malaysian case study

The paper provides an insight on student satisfaction in a higher education institution (HEI) within the context of a quasi-government environment. Students’ opinions about factors related to academic life are sought in the form of a satisfaction feedback questionnaire. This survey aims to investigate issues viewed as important to students by seeking their opinion on a number of factors related to teaching, assessment and support provided by the HEI and its courses. A new model that is based on SERVQUAL framework is proposed that suited the quasi-government environment. The case study was conducted at a quasi-government HEI located in Pahang on the East Coast of Malaysia. Based on the results of this comprehensive study, it is clear that many of the physical aspects of the HEI services were viewed as important relating to student satisfaction. Student feedback confirms that they do receive high quality teaching from staff with high levels of expertise in their various academic disciplines. The lecture and tutorial are considered as the core service provided by the HEI. Students are prepared to tolerate largely deficiencies in the physical aspects of the facilities as long as the teaching they receive is perceived to be at the acceptable level. The concept of the service-product bundle is a valid and reliable tool for the design of a satisfaction survey and segments a HEI's service offering in such a way as to allow management to target resources at those areas that are perceived to be low satisfaction and high importance. This research model can be utilized in most HEIs establishments