Computerised software systems in replacement maintenance information management : a South African case study

Abstract: Computerised software systems have undeniably continued to gain recognition in the implementation of reliable maintenance policies in today’s Industries. While significant investigations corroborating the importance of management technology in developed economies abound, this study examines the level of the technology’s success in a typical manufacturing firm in South Africa. Using an analytical research approach, useful maintenance indices were established from the dataset stored in the maintenance information management system of a case example manufacturing firm, designated ‘X-Company’ in this research for the sake of confidentiality. The result shows that, as applied currently to the replacement maintenance of the case example system, the technology requires optimisation. Maintenance policies that can improve the poor correlation between the current status on the one hand, and the established trends in the maintenance engineering literature and practice on the other, are recommended

A proposed framework for assessing lean readiness in South African healthcare institutions

Abstract: Recent healthcare literature has upheld lean as a methodology for improving operational efficiency and quality of care. However, the uncertainty of implementing lean successfully is still of concern as implementation failures have been recorded. Insufficient preparedness and lack of readiness assessment among other factors have been highlighted as a reason for failure. This paper develops an instrument for assessing the capabilities, quality management practices, and general preparedness of healthcare institutions for a lean implementation journey. The study identifies, through a comprehensive review of lean healthcare literature and the South African healthcare quality improvement literature to find current best quality management practices, and resource requirements needed to create a healthcare system that is supportive of lean. Application of this framework may provide an opportunity for hospital managers to benchmark with emerging lean success stories within the same operating context for organizational learning

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price

Agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed agricultural extension needs of farmers in Telfairia production and marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 Telfairia farmers for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Results show that farmers sold their products directly to consumers through village or local markets (56.9%), village squares (27.6%), at roadside stands (16.2%), while 11.2% sold them at farm gate. Only 3.6% sold their products through cooperative societies. The quantity and price of sale of produce varied depending on the season of the year (26.6%) in which the crop was produced, number of buyers (20.0%) and quality of produce (16.2%). About 63% of the respondents did not have extension contact in the last one year. Extension needs of farmers were indicated in the following areas: sourcing of farm input (M= 3.62), sourcing appropriate marketing channel (M= 3.18), sourcing of improved farm tools (M= 3.11), expansion of scale of production (M= 3.07), receiving information on appropriate cultural practices (M=3.06), and sourcing farm credit (M= 3.00). Infrastructural, technical, logistic and financial challenges hindered effective production and marketing of Telfairia among farmers. There is need for extension to assist farmers to source farm inputs and establish or explore viable markets where farmers will sell their products at a favourable price

Improving supply chain performance in the South African healthcare service : a literature based perspective

Abstract: Supply chain performance management plays an imperative role in keeping healthcare organizations sustainable and competitive by handling the storage and efficient distribution of resources in the value chain. Managing the complexity of healthcare demands and the application of improved technologies requires best practice supply chain models. The South African healthcare industry experiences unsatisfactory capacity limitations where there are extreme deficiencies of beds, equipment, facilities and trained healthcare professionals. This study highlights supply chain management strategies that can enhance efficient healthcare accessibility and delivery in South Africa using literature data. The results show that advanced healthcare delivery approaches such as ambulance divert and predictive analytics stand a good chance of improving supply chain management in the country

Maternal death and obstetric care audits in Nigeria: A systematic review of barriers and enabling factors in the provision of emergency care.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Yutaka Osakabe for co-ordinating the retrieval of full text articles. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supported this study, grant number 12-100074-000-INPPeer reviewedPublisher PD

A de-novo synthesis of transforming growth factor (TGF-b) by human endometrial cell line (ECC-1)

It is uncertain if the epithelial cells in culture, especially endometrial cells can constitutively produce TGF-b with and without endocrine stimulation. TGF-b is an important cytokine, which has biological effects that are not yet fully characterized. In this study, we cultured a human endometrial cell-line (ECC-1) and evaluated their capacity to synthesize TGF-b in the absence of normal stimulation. We found that these cells can produce determinable levels of the cytokine constitutively. The secretion of the cytokine into the luminal side of the endometrium further suggests a functional polarity as in the stromal and endometrial cells under hormonal influence in the normal female sexual cycle. Key Words: TGF-b, Endometrial culture cells. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.1 2003: 24-2

Sex And Age As Risk Factors In The Development Of Noise Induced Hearing Impairment.

Background: Noise pollution constitutes one of the greatest occupational hazards to the exposed. Noise induced hearing impairment is one of the many problems associated with exposure to high noise levels. It has been known that sex is a potential risk factor to the development of noise induced hearing impairment (nihi) in the exposed. In this study we evaluated the possible risk posed by age and sex to the development of nihi and the severity of nihi symptoms. Method: 100 industrial workers in Benin City were recruited for this study. 60 staff and students living in a university community with an ambient noise level of 60dBA served as the control subjects. The test group was individuals who had been exposed for a minimum of four years to noise level of 100dBA. They were categorized into five age groups and according to sex. The frequency of nihi and severity of its symptoms in these individuals was assessed. The results show that the occurrence of nihi and the severity of the symptoms increased with age. Also, females appeared to have a higher tolerance to noise, lower hearing thresholds and developed nihi more slowly relative to their male counterparts. Conclusion: The development of nihi may show sex and age trends. This information may inform better noise control measures and the understanding of the pathogenesis of nihi in this environment. Keywords: Age, Sex, and noise impaired hearing impairment.Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 11 (2) 2007: pp. 14-1

Students Performance And Perception Of Neurophysiology: Feedback For Innovative Curricular Reform In A Nigerian Medical School

This study aimed at ascertaining the status of students' performances and their perception of the learning of neurophysiology in a Nigerian medical school. The goal of the study was to determine ways of addressing identified negative perceptions for the purpose of improving upon the overall learning and use neurophysiology knowledge by structured curricular reform. We analyzed and compared the performances of students in three areas of physiology at the second professional examinations over a three-year period (n=300). We also surveyed learning experience of a batch of graduating doctors in neurosciences (n=50) and surveyed the staff and students’ perception of the teaching of neurophysiology. The students performances in neurophysiology was comparatively poorer than in cardiovascular and endocrinology aspects of the subject over a three year period at the second professional examinations. The reported students perception of their neurophysiology learning included uninteresting, abstract concepts, lack of real examples and conflicting facts with their prior basic knowledge. Over 50% of the graduands rated their learning experiences as poor or very poor or below average for the neuroscience courses. The analyses of the curricular contents of neurophysiology in the preclinical departments indicted asynchrony and redundancy in topics that may reduce the learning and reduce teaching time efficiency of the neuroscience courses. It is suggested that learning experiences of medical students should be routinely monitored and structured to ensure that the graduate doctor is able to understand and transfer learned experiences into clinical studies and practice. A horizontally integrated curriculum may be one way of raising students knowledge, attitude and skills in neuroscience courses as taught in the preclinical departments and is suggested