Evaluation of Environmental and Social Safeguards Performance Assessment Method using Corrective Action Plan Compliance Rate in Financing and Investment

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This study evaluates the environmental and social safeguards (ESS) performance assessment method of PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (PT SMI), focusing on the corrective action plan (CAP) compliance rate in financing and investment. Despite the utility of the compliance rate in monitoring adherence to financing agreements, it often inaccurately reflect actual environmental and social performance due to its inherent ambiguities. This research employed a qualitative method, employing observations of 146 active financing facilities and equity investment, surveys, and discussions with PT SMI’s ESS personnel.

The study reveals that projects with higher CAP compliance rates may still have unresolved issues, while projects with fewer CAPs can be unfairly categorized as underperforming. To address these limitations, the study proposes a new, comprehensive framework that incorporates multiple variables to better capture ESS performance. This approach aligns with sustainable practices, enhances legitimacy, and meets stakeholder expectations more effectively. In addition, the proposed framework offers opportunities for incentives or disincentives based on ESS performance. Future research should focus on developing and validating this new framework to ensure accurate assessments of ESS performance in financing and investment activities.

The Interrelation between Obesity Management and Climate Change in Greece

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Two major global problems of our era are climate change and obesity. Both are interlinked and interconnected having undesired social, economic, environmental impacts as well as harmful impacts on human health. The rate of obesity and overweight in children and adults in Greece is high compared to other EU countries causing many health, social and economic problems. Climate change is foreseen to have severe and harmful impacts in Greece as well as in other Mediterranean countries altering the climate conditions. Obesity and its treatment mitigate climate change, mainly due to the change in the dietary pattern of the treated patients. The proposed diets for managing obesity, based on Mediterranean dietary patterns, have less GHG emissions and lower climate footprint. Climate change makes more difficult the treatment of obesity, mainly due to the rising temperatures. Climate change has undesired and harmful impacts on obesity treatment in Greece while obesity treatment results in the mitigation of climate change in the country. Future policies for climate change mitigation and managing obesity in Greece should take into account their mutual interconnections and interlinkages in order to maximize their effectiveness in treating these two severe pandemics in the country.

The Effect of Stress on the Physical Health of High School Students between Grades 10-12 in Thailand

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Currently, teenagers are under high social pressure. This affects stress levels and can have a negative effect on physical health. Therefore, we should study this matter to find a way to reduce stress levels in high school students, especially those in grades 10 through 12. The objectives of this survey research are 1) to study the stress and physical health levels of high school students; 2) to compare the stress levels of high school students in Thailand, focusing on students in grades 10-12, and 3) to study the relationship between stress level and physical health among high school students. The sample group used in the study were students in grades 4-6 in Thai and international schools, with a total of 222 participants. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed by valid percentages, standard deviation, mean, one-way ANOVA test (F-test), independent sample (t-test), and Pearson’s correlation. The results of this research found that high school students report high levels of stress on average and moderate levels of physical health problems. When comparing the stress levels and physical health problems of students classified by educational level and type of school, it was found that there was no difference in education level or type of school. Still, the assumption that physical health problems are related to stress levels is highly possible. Stress and physical health problems are significantly related at 0.01. Further, this study could be improved in comparison to the effect of stress on physical health in different grades and at every age. This study would help raise awareness among adolescents who are maturing.

Recycling Pesticide Plastic Containers in Indonesia: An Evaluation of Technical, Economic, and Regulatory Impact Feasibility

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This study explores the feasibility of recycling pesticide plastic packaging in Indonesia, focusing on technical, economic, and regulatory aspects. Technical feasibility analysis highlights challenges in material composition and pesticide residue removal, emphasizing the effectiveness of a cleaning process to ensure safety and quality of recycled materials. Economically, the study demonstrates significant cost savings when incorporating at least 40% recycled material into new packaging, enhancing market competitiveness. The regulatory analysis emphasizes the recommendation to the Indonesian government to reclassify waste pesticide containers from hazardous to non-hazardous materials following the validation of the triple rinsing trial’s effectiveness in removing pesticide residue. Reclassifying the containers as non-hazardous will reduce transportation costs from the source locations, such as plantations or farming areas, to the waste processing plant, thereby improving the economic feasibility of the pesticide plastic container recycling. Recommendations include conducting production trials with larger container sizes and adjusting the recycled material percentage, as well as exploring performance-enhancing additives for recycled plastics. Industries are advised to align with regulations by adopting best recycling practices and establishing robust compliance processes. Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and supporting advanced recycling infrastructure development are critical steps. These measures will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling programs, ensuring regulatory compliance and promoting sustainable waste management. The study concludes that recycling pesticide plastic packaging is feasible and beneficial, provided that technical and economic challenges are effectively addressed with at least 40% recycled material content. The economic viability of recycling pesticide plastic containers will be further enhanced if the Indonesian government reclassifies the waste containers as non-hazardous, after triple rinsing process, thereby reducing transportation costs.

Examining Clinical Practice and Short-Term Results in Ventral Hernia Repair

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Background and Objectives: This prospective observational study conducted at Parul Sevashram Hospital, Vadodara aimed to examine the diversity in surgical techniques used for primary and incisional ventral hernia repair (VHR).

Methods: Twenty-five elective VHR patients treated from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023, were enrolled. Patients were monitored for 90 days post-surgery. Exclusion criteria included patients under 18 years old and those undergoing emergency surgeries. The primary objective was to compare surgical approaches between primary and incisional hernia repairs. Secondary objectives focused on intraoperative procedures such as mesh selection, fixation techniques, and drain placement, as well as evaluating postoperative outcomes at 3 months, including infection rates, surgical site issues, mortality, and readmission rates within 90 days.

Results: Data from 25 patients were analysed: 14 (58%) had primary hernias (PH) and 11 (42%) had incisional hernias (IH), including 1 (9.09%) recurrent case.

– PH Group: Procedures included 6 (42.85%) open Onlay, 4 (28.57%) open Sublay, 1 (7.14%) intraperitoneal Onlay meshplasty (IPOM), and 3 (21.42%) suture repairs. Complications: 7% seroma, 0% surgical site infection (SSI), 0% recurrence.

– IH Group: Procedures included 7 (63.63%) open Onlay, 3 (27.3%) open Sublay, and 1 (9.09%) suture repair. Complications: 9% seroma, 9% hematoma, 0% SSI, 9% wound sinus, 0% recurrence.

Conclusion: Onlay meshplasty emerged as the predominant procedure for both primary and incisional hernias. However, open Sublay repair showed promising results with fewer seroma-related complications. Standardizing guidelines could optimize outcomes in VHR.

An Analysis of the Role of Work Motivation and Work Discipline in Improving Employee Performance: Job Satisfaction as a Mediating Factor (Case study on PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I)

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This study analyzes how worker motivation and discipline affect performance through job satisfaction. Using primary data, this study is quantitative. This study took a sample of all workers totaling 48 people because the population was below 100. Path analysis and multiple linear regression are used. The hypothesis of this study produces the following conclusions: work motivation, discipline, and job satisfaction improve employee performance at PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I. Work motivation and discipline increase job satisfaction in employees. PT Prima Sejati Sejahtera I workers will be more productive when job satisfaction is high, because they can moderate the relationship between work motivation and work discipline.

Business Solution for Profit Optimization at PBS Clinic

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Health service profitability is an important factor for the sustainability and growth of clinics such as PBS Clinic. PBS Clinic, like many other healthcare providers, faces challenges in balancing quality of service with financial viability. These issues collectively contribute to suboptimal profitability, requiring thorough investigation and strategic intervention. This research aims to determine the root cause of declining profits at the PBS clinic and propose a business solution to increase revenue and reduce costs in the PBS clinic. This research will use a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative data will be collected through financial performance data, patient volume statistics, and satisfaction surveys. Qualitative data will be obtained from interviews and focus groups with staff. The results of the review found that The root causes of declining profits at the PBS clinic include: inappropriate practice hours that reduce patient visits, an inefficient IT system that hinders operational efficiency and service delivery, insufficient staff training affecting the quality of care, ongoing construction limiting space and services, issues with insurance payments constraining financial flexibility, and weak marketing efforts diminishing the clinic’s visibility and attractiveness in a competitive healthcare market. The proposed solutions include expanding clinic services, improving staff training and facilities, simplifying insurance payment processes, and leveraging digitalization. This research is critical because it addresses the urgent need for clinics to adapt to changing healthcare demands and economic pressures.

Evaluating Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Customer Service Training Programs: A Study of IOH Outlets in Jakarta

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In the dynamic telecommunications market of Indonesia, quality customer service is pivotal for sustaining competitive advantage. IOH faces persistent challenges in meeting customer service expectations, evidenced by consistent customer complaints regarding the customer service representative performance despite extensive training programs for their representatives. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of IOH’s customer service training programs in Jakarta, identifying key factors influencing training effectiveness and proposing improvements. Utilizing a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted among 49 customer service representatives, and the data were analyzed using spearman rank correlation. The results revealed that training content, method, schedule, and facilities significantly impact training effectiveness, with training content identified as the most influential. Improved training content to be more relevant with the needs of representatives, implement the diverse and interactive methods, well-structured schedules, and utilize the high-quality facilities can enhance the effectiveness of training programs. These strategies will enhance the competency and confidence of customer service representatives, ultimately improving customer satisfaction. Future research should explore personalized training approaches tailored to individual needs and assess the long-term impacts of training programs and expanding the study beyond Jakarta will provide a more comprehensive understanding of training effectiveness across different regions. By addressing these recommendations, IOH can significantly improve their customer service training programs, leading to higher service quality and customer satisfaction.

Combustion Properties of Biochar Briquettes Blend of Goat Manure Charcoal, Saboak Shell and Other Biomass

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This study aims to determine the quality of combustion properties of biochar briquettes mixed with goat manure charcoal, lontar shell and other biomass. The completely randomized design was applied with 4 different combinations tested, as follows: T1= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lontar male fruit; T2= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lamtoro twigs; T3= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% rice husk and T4= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% corn cob. The variables studied were combustion temperature, combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. The average values obtained consecutively from T1-T4 are as follows: combustion temperature 272.9; 231.5; 228.8 and 280.8˚C; combustion rate 2.03; 1.61; 1.67 and 2.03 g/min; combustion resistance 210.0; 205.0; 195.0 and 225.0 min; flame color and combustion smoke 3.70; 3.65; 3.60 and 3.75. The results of variance analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on combustion temperature, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. It was concluded that the biochar briquettes produced had good combustion properties with indications of high combustion temperature (253.5°C), slow combustion rate (1.83 g/min), long combustion resistance (208.75 min), bluish red flame colour and no smoke emitted (score 3.68). The best treatment was shown in the mixture of 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% palm shell charcoal +10% corn cob charcoal (T4).