Local Government Association

Businesses are increasingly being forced to adopt transformative strategies in order to remain viable and competitive in an era of post-pandemic economic restructuring, globalization, and rapid technological advancement. This study examines the relationships between economic development, human resource management (HRM), and business process re-engineering (BPR). It draws attention to the ways in which these three fields complement one another to enhance organizational effectiveness and overall socioeconomic development. The research investigates how initiatives for radical process redesign, when effectively supported by strategic HRM practices such as employee engagement, performance management, talent development, and change management, can improve operational efficiency, innovation, and productivity. It uses recent literature (2020–2026) to achieve this. Through enhanced competitiveness, job creation, and human capital development, the study also looks at the connection between macroeconomic growth and better organizational performance. Using a qualitative and conceptual research design based on a thorough literature review and theme analysis, the study develops an integrative framework that links BPR, HRM, and economic outcomes. According to the findings, process innovation and human capital development must be coordinated for sustained economic growth, and human-centered management strategies are essential for successful business re-engineering initiatives. The study advances management theory and offers helpful guidance for decision-makers and organizational leaders who wish to encourage long-term economic growth through organizational change by fusing strategic HRM and process re-engineering points of view.

Background: Gambian human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina). Humans are the major host and mass screening and treatment of the human population has contributed to the elimination of gHAT as a public health problem in many countries, including Uganda. There is some evidence that animals may act as hosts for T. b. gambiense which may undermine efforts to eliminate transmission. We undertook a study to determine whether cattle and pigs were harbouring T. b. gambiense in a region of north-western Uganda where efforts to eliminate transmission of gHAT were ongoing. Methodology: Blood was collected from 2,775 cattle and 571 pigs and examined for the presence of trypanosomes by the haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT). In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the trypanosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1). Those whose ITS-1 results indicated the Trypanozoon group (T. brucei) were further tested by sub-species specific PCRs for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. The results were analysed by species of infecting parasite, geographic location and presence or absence of vector control activities in the area. Principal Findings: No samples were found positive for potentially human infective trypanosomes. Among the cattle samples, 2.2% were positive by HCT (95% CI = 1.7% - 2.8%), while 5% were positive by PCR (95% CI = 4.3% - 5.9%), but this varied depending on location with up to 26.5% positive in one village. Among pigs, 3 samples (0.6%; 95% CI 0.2% - 1.6%) were positive by HCT and none were positive by PCR. There was no significant association between trypanosome species and vector control activities (p > 0.05). Based on these results it was concluded with 95% confidence that human infective trypanosomes are not circulating in livestock at a prevalence greater than 1/1000, and when this is augmented with results of previous surveys the parasite is not circulating at a prevalence greater than 1/2734. At the level of the trypanosome species, there is no significant difference between the frequencies of species in vector controlled versus non-vector controlled areas (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These results support the evidence base that livestock are not an important reservoir and therefore not a threat to the elimination of Gambian human African trypanosomiasis in Uganda.

This study investigates forest resilience in the face of intensifying energy competition and ecological pressures in MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey) from 1990 to 2024. Energy competition is represented by renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, while ecological pressures are assessed through environmental degradation, green economic growth, and population density. Using a Vector Autoregression (VAR) approach, all variables are treated as endogenous to capture dynamic feedback relationships. Stationarity tests confirm that most variables are first- difference stationary without long-run cointegration. Granger causality analysis reveals bidirectional relationships between forest area (FA) and non-renewable energy consumption, and between environmental degradation and population density. Unidirectional causality is also found from renewable energy consumption, environmental degradation, and green economic growth to FA; from environmental degradation to renewable energy consumption; and from FA and non-renewable energy consumption to population density. Impulse response and variance decomposition results suggest that non-renewable energy consumption and ecological, such as environmental degradation and population density have a negative impact on FA, whereas renewable energy consumption and green economic growth contribute positively. The findings highlight the urgent need to integrate energy, environmental, and development policies to support forest sustainability amid growing global energy demands and ecological stress.

In recent years, the deepening convergence of new-quality productive forces and the digital economy has furnished critical momentum for the modernization of China's governance system. By 2025, the value-added of core digital-economy industries is expected to exceed 10% of GDP [1], while artificial intelligence, data elements and related technologies are poised to empower virtually every sector. Responding to the national strategies of "Cyberpower" and "Digital China", the all-in-one government service platform has registered more than one billion real-name users; over 90% of administrative licensing items can now be processed online; 5G base stations nationwide have surpassed 3.3 million–more than 60% of the global total–and optical fibre together with 4G networks has reached every administrative village. Yet persistent problems–including redundant construction, high development costs, homogenised system functions, local protectionism, absent or fragmented standards, and inter-agency buck-passing-continue to constrain the high-quality development of digital government and smart cities. Anchored in the principles of "problem orientation, process re-engineering, data sharing and source governance", this paper examines Guangzhou Baiyun District's exploration and practice in constructing and disseminating its smart-city management system. We elaborate an innovative "1+4+N" governance architecture, unpack technological breakthroughs and standard-setting initiatives, and synthesise both achievements and remaining challenges. On this basis we derive a replicable pathway for county-level districts nationwide and propose targeted policy recommendations. Empirical evidence demonstrates that the "Baiyun Model" has markedly shortened administrative procedures, enhanced governance efficiency, reduced fiscal expenditure and enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration, thereby offering a paradigmatic reference for smart-city development across China.

Since renewable energy sources (RES) are intermittent and use converters, bringing them onto power grids causes difficulties in maintaining power grid frequency and system inertia. A new control method is presented for virtual inertia in microgrids by using an optimized Fractional Order Proportional-Integral and Proportional-Derivative controller tuned with the Osprey Optimization Algorithm. Fixed-parameter PI/PID controllers are common, but the approach in this paper dynamically updates the power system parameters to manage fluctuations on the grid and increase both frequency response and system resilience. One converter links the BESS with the grid and a second VSG provides inertia characteristics required by the grid. The proposed method is shown to work well in simulation, limiting oscillations of frequency, cutting down on overshoot and providing stable power flow in any situation. Combining advanced optimization and hybrid control strategies in this work helps to reproduce inertia in renewable microgrids with low inertia.

ABSTRACT Background Aplastic Anemia (AA) is a rare, life-threatening condition featured by hypocellular bone marrow without leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. Early diagnosis is vital because of the effectiveness of the existing treatments. This study examined AA epidemiology and clinical correlates to aid general practitioners (GPs) in recognizing potential AA cases. Research design and methods The Italian Health Search database (HSD) was used. A cohort study on individuals aged 18 years and older registered in the HSD between 1 January 1998, and 31 December 2022, estimated the prevalence and incidence rate of AA. Cases were operationally classified as ‘certain,’ ‘probable,’ and ‘possible.’ A case-control study was conducted to examine the clinical correlates of AA. Results The cumulative prevalence was 3.8–4.8 per 100,000. The AA incidence rates for certain, certain/probable, and certain/probable/possible diagnoses were 0.3, 0.7, and 6 cases/million person-years, respectively. Increased infections (OR = 2.5), higher comorbidity burden (Charlson Index 1: OR = 2.14; 2+: OR = 2.43), and immunosuppressants use (OR = 14.9) were strongly associated with an AA diagnosis. Conclusions Our findings indicate that AA is often underdiagnosed in primary care, but these data could help raise the suspicion of AA. Efforts are needed to utilize GPs’ healthcare records for early AA identification and to enhance GP-hematologist collaboration.

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 produced a detrimental effect on mental health that could not be appropriately addressed due to a reduced accessibility of healthcare services, as patients with socioeconomic vulnerabilities faced the largest barriers in accessing healthcare during the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate emergency department (ED) accesses with a psychiatric diagnosis before and after COVID-19, with a specific focus on the role of socioeconomic factors.MethodsPopulation-based longitudinal open cohort of residents and NHS beneficiaries aged ≥ 10, was enrolled in three large Italian areas from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 (n=5,159,363). The primary outcome of interest was the first access to an ED (FMHEA); sex, age, deprivation level, citizenship and groups of diagnosis were considered as covariates. Crude incidence rates were calculated comparing the two time periods (pre- and post-COVID-19) by each covariate. In the context of interrupted time series (ITS), incidence rate ratios (IRR) of FMHEAs with 95%CI were estimated via an ITS analysis using a step-change negative binomial model. Temporal trend of FMHEAs was investigated through an ITS analysis on their monthly numbers.ResultsDuring follow-up, 56,762 FMHEAs were observed. The multivariate analysis showed that before COVID-19, the rate of FMHEA was higher among the highly deprived (IRR: 1.28; 95%CI:1.22.-1.35 for highest vs lowest deprivation level), females, people aged ≤24 and ≥85 and immigrants. A significant interaction between the COVID-19 period and deprivation level was found: the probability of reduced FMHEA increased with the deprivation level. The greater impact of COVID-19 was found in the central age classes resulting in a reduction in the differences in FMHEA rates by age in the post-Covid-19 period.ConclusionCOVID-19 reduced incidence rates of ED accesses, but increased socioeconomic inequalities in the use of ED for mental health disorders.

BackgroundThe language used in research and health programs is crucial in influencing participation and ensuring the acceptability of programs and the adoption of research outcomes. The use of alienating language may present a barrier for research participants hence the need to identify accurate, respectful, relevant, and acceptable terms for respective study populations. The study explored commonly used terminologies during research involving pregnant and lactating mothers using public engagement and participatory approaches in Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in August 2023 among 5 ethnically diverse communities with different languages and from different regions across Uganda. Data were collected through 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising community members and one comprising the community advisory board (CAB) using a participatory approach. An interview guide exploring perceptions and experiences on research, common and preferred terms for specific terminologies used among pregnant and lactating mothers as well as disliked words guided the discussion. Transcription was done verbatim in English. Nvivo version 14 software was used to organize and manage the data appropriately based on themes and subthemes.ResultsA consensus on the preferred terminologies to communicate about our research studies involving pregnant and lactating mothers was reached. The study revealed that words used in research that did not specify sex were described as disrespectful, inappropriate or confusing. Language defining a person on the basis of anatomical or physiological characteristics was considered ‘embarrassing’ and labelling individuals based on their conditions was construed as stigmatising. Participants recommended that researchers be mindful of any terms that could be perceived as embarrassing or inappropriate within the community, ensure clear communication of research terms to participants, and train healthcare workers on the use of appropriate health language. The importance of providing feedback regarding study findings was emphasised.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of using culturally sensitive language in health research to improve engagement and participation. By adopting community-preferred terms, researchers can avoid confusion and stigma fostering respectful health communication. The findings offer guidance for future research, advocating for community-driven inclusive language in research involving pregnant and breastfeeding women. For healthcare workers, training in empathetic communication and cultural competence is crucial to improve patient interactions and promote dignity in healthcare settings.

The study explored the contribution of community driven development programme towards women economic empowerment in Nyakabande Sub County. The study had four objectives. To examine activities carried out by CDD program in supporting economic empowerment of women. To document economic activities done by women in pursuant of economic empowerment and support by CDD programme. To determine the role of group dynamics in influencing economic empowerment of women. To find out other family related factors that hinder economic empowerment of women in Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro District. A cross-sectional design utilizing a mixed research approach was adopted. A total of 92participants constituting Women in CDD supported groups and local leaders were involved. A Mixed methods approach was utilized for data collection, providing descriptive statistics and opinions about the study. Results show monitoring and supervision as the most effective CDD activity that supports women economic empowered in Nyakabande Sub County. Farming is the most dominant activity carried out by women in CDD supported programme. The group dynamics especially cohesion, has an influence on women economic empowerment. The family size affects the returns the economic returns women make from their groups, increases dependence, and cost of living. Conclusively, WEE in Nyakabande Sub County is below average, indicating a low contribution of CDD programmes in WEE especially at individual level. Government, through Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) in collaboration with Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) should increase CDD capitation to elevate the financing abilities of sub counties to support women groups. The effect of culture on women empowerment in Nyakabande sub-county is not well researched. Future researchers should consider this area.