Secure data deduplication for efficient cloud storage using blockchain technologies addresses the challenge of reducing storage costs and improving data management in cloud environments. By leveraging blockchain technology, this approach ensures data integrity and security during deduplication processes. The system eliminates redundant data blocks while maintaining a secure authentication mechanism to verify the integrity of stored data. Blockchain's decentralized and tamper-resistant nature enhances the trustworthiness and transparency of the deduplication process. Through the utilization of cryptographic techniques and smart contracts, the system guarantees secure data handling, ensuring that only authorized users can access and modify deduplicated data. By incorporating blockchain technology, the proposed solution enhances the efficiency and security of cloud storage operations, making it a promising approach for organizations seeking to optimize storage resources and protect sensitive information.

Highly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environments (VUCA) complicate and condition project management. With the emergence of agile project management, it is proposed to co-construct it with the client's active participation. Two used agile methodologies are Scrum and Kanban. Scrum is based on executing fast, interactive cycles (Sprints) for the incremental construction of products. Kanban promotes the balance of the continuous workflow through synchronizing tasks and seeking perfection. The combined use of Scrum-Kanban facilitates the integration of the best of both approaches. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) proposes a method for managing constraints in a system (Constraint Management). The Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) method and Buffer Management are practical applications of this theory. This study seeks to maximize the continuous flow of value (Throughput) in agile project management by synergistically integrating the DBR method with Scrum-Kanban. The five-step process is implemented for the planning, executing, and controlling the Kanban board in a Scrum Sprint cycle. Four scenarios are evaluated: (1) Balanced Line; (2) Unbalanced Line; (3) Unbalanced Line Modification 1 - Stable, Robust and Fast; and (4) Unbalanced Line Modification 2 - Focusing and Elevation. Measurement of completed work (Kanban cards in the ''Done'' column) and final inventory for the Sprint cycle reveals that Simulation 4 is the optimal scenario, achieving the highest average ''output'' (''Done'' cards) with reduced inventory (''Doing'' cards). The integration of DBR with Scrum-Kanban maximizes the completed work (Throughput) and minimizes the final inventory of the Sprint cycle, which is corroborated by the principle of Little's Law.

Successful project management depends on ensuring the project's objectives. Within these objectives, technical success is associated with achieving the expectations of the project baseline. The baseline of the project is made up of the definition of the scope (WBS), time (schedule) and costs (S curve) of the project. Directly, the project is expected to be technically successful if it manages to deliver its full scope on schedule and without associated cost overruns. Baseline performance management is how project managers track and control the progress of deliverables, timelines and associated costs. In a traditional approach, for waterfall-type projects that use the critical path paradigm, the baseline performance management tool par excellence is earned value management (EVM). Earned value management, in practice, works well when project costs are monitored and controlled; however, applying this approach to measure the status of the schedule presents serious inconsistencies. Over the last several decades, different variations of the original earned value have been developed to overcome some of these inconsistencies when used to measure project schedule status. Within these variations, we have the critical path earned value; the work in progress earned value; the critical path earned value and the work in progress; the earned schedule; and the critical path earned schedule. Each of these proposals tries to address some weakness of the original earned value management applied to time monitoring and control, for example, considering critical tasks as a focus on monitoring the progress of the schedule, solving the problem of task recognition late finishers, reporting schedule variances in time units and measuring adherence to the project's schedule (P factor). Due to the exposed situation, it is necessary to determine which alternative of the versions of the original earned value is the most appropriate for the management of the project schedule, considering that there are several evaluation criteria that must be considered. In the present research, a systematic review and comparison of EVM and its variations for measuring project baseline schedule performance are performed to determine the most suitable methods for monitoring and controlling the project baseline schedule. For this purpose, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used, and five comparison criteria are considered: schedule variation focused on critical tasks, recognition and measurement of the delay of tasks that finish late, schedule variation in time units, measurement of schedule adherence (P factor) and software support and development. The result of the AHP performed for comparing the methods shows that the best method for monitoring and controlling the project baseline schedule is the critical path earned schedule because it behaves adequately in comparison with the other methods for the evaluated comparison categories.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruption in students’ lives through lockdowns, restricted movement, remote instruction, and mixed information. Therefore, this study aimed to capture the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of student pharmacists during 2020–2021. A 43-item COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (COVKAP) survey previously developed was administered at four schools of pharmacy across the U.S. during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. A total of 418 responses were analyzed from graduating classes of 2021–2024. There were no significant differences in correct COVID-19 knowledge responses across the four graduating years. Respondents’ attitudes around COVID-19 were homogenous with the exception for their belief in their preparedness to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Respondents reported wearing masks daily (76.8%), infrequently visiting restaurants (82.1%), practicing social distancing daily (45.7%), and referring to medical journals for information (72%). In conclusion, during the pandemic, student pharmacists experienced significant changes in their academic lives. Their knowledge and subsequent attitudes and practices were consistent with the state of evidence during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Subsequently, as newer information has emerged, the authors suggest that the COVKAP survey may be modified and administered frequently to address student needs and concerns as the pandemic evolves.

BACKGROUND:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused innumerable changes to all aspects of human life and behavior, including academic life. This study describes the development of a COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (COVKAP) Survey among U.S. student pharmacists. The survey was administered at Doctor of Pharmacy programs in three states-Tennessee, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.METHODS:The COVKAP survey-an online cross-sectional survey-was distributed to U.S. student pharmacists enrolled in three different colleges of pharmacy in three states during the fall semester of 2020. The survey was developed using literature review and Dillman's recommendations for survey design. The COVKAP survey consisted of 23 closed and Likert-scale questions, and three open-ended questions. The research team conducted descriptive and inductive thematic analyses on the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively using SPSS (v27) and Dedoose® software.RESULTS:A total of 421 responses were received. Respondents were predominantly female (72%) and White (79%). The average age of respondents was 23.4 years. The qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (1) Wellbeing and mental health struggles; (2) Being part of the decision-making process; (3) Necessity of adequate protection measures.CONCLUSIONS:Preliminary study findings indicate that student pharmacists' concerns and the challenges that they face in their academic pursuits are largely similar across the three states in this study and inform about the importance of recognizing and mitigating the impact of widespread disruption in education. This disruption provides an opportunity for pharmacy academia to examine practices and methods that can be improved upon to help students become successful practitioners.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of Emergency Preparedness & Response (EP&R) education, training, capacity building and infrastructure development in India. During the pandemic, pharmacy professionals (PPs) in India have continued to provide medications, supplies and services. India's public-private healthcare system is complex and of variable quality. Lacunae in pharmacy education, training, and lack of resolution around pharmacist roles present challenges in providing health services to patients. Such lack of differentiation creates challenges around role specifications and appropriate placement of PPs in patient care and on EP&R task forces or representation at the policy level. This study aimed to gain rapid insights from PPs in India regarding their roles and preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey comprising 20 questions regarding EP&R and Operations management was developed using the Qualtrics® survey software and administered to a sample of PPs. Survey results indicate that PPs were actively involved in essential pharmacy services despite minimal EP&R training. Based on lessons learned during COVID-19, lacunae in knowledge, training and regulations were identified and recommendations are provided to broaden PP roles and enable them to be better prepared and actively engaged in EP&R for future emergencies.

The COVID-19 epidemic has spawned an "infodemic," with excessive and unfounded information that hinders an appropriate public health response. This perspective describes a selection of COVID-19 fake news that originated in Peru and the government's response to this information. Unlike other countries, Peru was relatively successful in controlling the infodemic possibly because of the implementation of prison sentences for persons who created and shared fake news. We believe that similar actions by other countries in collaboration with social media companies may offer a solution to the infodemic problem.

Aim: To study the impact of Modular Faculty training on the attitude of faculty, motivation towards self-directed learning and team learning. Train the faculty on new teaching and learning tools and assessment. Assess the faculty continuously and after the completion of the training and distribute certificates as per the requirements informed in advance. Materials and Methods: Thirty two (32) faculty of an accredited college were enrolled in a 4 credit course consisting of 15 Modules with 60 contact hr workshop based program spread over about 06 months or 01 semester. Each workshop was of 4 to 5 hr face to face interaction, including pre and post-tests, activities, presentations, discussions, reflections, flash card PPT and feedback. Important modules included were how to write good Learning Outcomes, Problem Based Learning (PBL), Blooms taxonomy, Soft skills, Leadership, Quality assurance and Academic advising to name a few. Formative assessment of 60% included Quiz, Assignment and mid module exam and summative assessment consisted of end module exam for 40% with MCQ's and RRE's (Restricted Response Essay). A minimum of 70 % was assigned a C grade, 80% for B grade and 90% and above for A grade. Results: Twenty-seven faculty (27), 84% completed the training and were awarded the certificate at a public function. Participants rated the program as effective, useful and need based. Average age of faculty in Indian pharmacy colleges is 32 to 34 and without any formal training in teaching and learning. Conclusion: Average pretest score in all the training modules was 4.2 and in post-tests the score rose to 9.6, indicating very clearly that training and upskilling was effective and raised the knowledge, skill and attitude of the participants. Institution paid a nominal fee for the training program, assessment and certification. As of now, in India there is no formal, modular and certificate based training imparted to faculty in about 2000 pharmacy colleges. If they are trained and upskilled, they will be able to impart more effective education and thereby transform the teaching and learning process in the pharmacy colleges.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the metric properties of a questionnaire that evaluates environmental and ecological purchasing behavior, environmental personal norms, environmental identity and environmental social influence.Design/methodology/approachThe validity and reliability of the scales of the questionnaires were determined in a sample of 2445 consumers from Lima (Peru), selected through non-probabilistic sampling by quotas and by factorial analysis based on Classical Theory of Tests (CTT) and Structural Equations of Variance with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS).FindingsThe results support the construct and discriminant validity of the instrument, as well as the internal consistency of all the subscales (Cronbach’s alpha between 0.662 and 0.8887 – composite reliability between 0.815 and 0.917).Research limitations/implicationsCustomers evaluated were only from Lima city. It would be important to evaluate, in future research, customers from other cities in Peru.Practical implicationsAlthough a large number of instruments have been designed, not all are based on integral theoretical models, and their metric properties were determined with methodological criteria that restrict their applicability. Therefore, there is a need to have valid and reliable instruments for the identification of environmental behavior and ecological purchasing.Social implicationsThis “new questionnaire” integrates the exploration of environmental behavior and ecological purchasing, along with the measurement of personal environmental norms, environmental identity and the social influence received from peers and teachers, to provide a comprehensive picture of the consumer behavior.Originality/valueThis research constitutes a theoretical and practical contribution to the understanding and evaluation of ecological behavior and some of its associated factors. Its main contribution is the adaptation of this instrument to the Peruvian context and the validation of an instrument that evaluates environmental and ecological purchasing behavior, personal environmental standards, environmental identity and environmental social influence.

Fixed dose combination (FDC) consists of two or more active ingredients in a single pill that are preferred when patient requires multiple regimens to control particular disease state i.e. various antihypertensive agents to control blood pressure or antidiabetics to control blood sugar and A1C. These combination products make patients life simpler by reducing pill burden. For FDC products to be on the market, it must meet specific requirements to be accepted.1 Some things that need to be considered when creating FDC products include1) active ingredients in the combination should have different mechanisms of actions, 2) pharmacokinetics should differ, and 3) combining such drugs should not cause excessive toxicity.1

We suggest that since there is widespread use of herbal products by patients, the pharmacy community cannot truly claim expertise in all medications if we continue to ignore this important area of patient’s self-therapy. This commentary is based on our experience of offering elective “Medicinal Herbs” course at the University for past eight years. Every year, about twenty percent of the pharmacy students in their third professional year enroll in this elective; invariably, at the end of the course, more students report being more comfortable in recommending and counseling over herbal therapies for many more ailments than they were at the beginning of the course.

Curcuminoids of the spice turmeric and their enhanced derivatives have much potential as cancer treatments. They act on a wide variety of biological pathways, including those regulating cell division and circadian rhythms. It is known that circadian clocks can modify cancer therapy effectiveness, according to studies aimed at optimizing treatments based on the circadian cycle. It is therefore important to determine whether treatments with curcumin or similar chemotherapeutic agents are regulated by circadian timing. Similarly, it is important to characterize any effects of curcumin on timing abilities of the circadian clocks within cancer cells.

Objectives:The objectives of the current study is to determine the extent of awareness and the level of understanding about INR testing among patients undergoing oral anti-coagulation (OAT) therapy and to determine whether their INR values are within therapeutic range as measured by Coagucheck on-site INR.Results: For our study we interviewed 205 patients, and enrolled 90 patients that lasted for 6 months.Patient population recruited in the study comprised of 53 males and 37 females and INR was determined on-spot for these patients by CoaguChek.Majority of patients enrolled in this study were in the age group 20-59.Results indicate that more patients lacked awareness than aware of the importance of INR.Among 63 patients who were unaware about the significance of regular INR testing, 74.60% get their INR tested only if asked by a physician, 22.22% get their INR tested on a monthly basis and 3.17% get their INR checked every week.Whereas, among the 27 patients who were aware, 70.37% gets their INR tested on a weekly basis, 25.92% gets tested on a monthly basis and only 3.70% do it only if asked by a physician.Results also revealed that a greater proportion of the patients in the "lack of aware group" have INR values that are beyond the therapeutic range.Of the total of 7 Bleeding events reported by patients in this study, 6 were reported by patients who belonged to the "lack of aware group". Conclusion:Our study clearly demonstrates that ignorance regarding the significance of INR is clearly associated with increased incidence of bleeding.Patient education in conjunction with on-site INR testing by the pharmacist will both save lives and improve therapeutic outcome..

Based on last year's student survey, I modified my cardiovascular pharmacology course for fall of 2012. This course was taught at the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy. I recorded the first ten of my presentations using Camtasia software, and they were available for students to preview before coming to listen to live presentations. Since presentations were available before class, only 30 minutes were required for lecturing during class. This left time to ask students questions about important points and concepts using an “audience response system”. At the completion of this project, students were provided with a “google docs” survey that they completed anonymously. Results of the survey were extremely positive and are reported here. Fifty‐nine of the sixty‐nine students enrolled in the course completed the survey. Fifty eight percent of students had seen all 10 posted videos; twenty percent – 7 to 9 videos; nineteen percent – 4 to 6 videos; two percent – 1 to 3 videos and two percent did not see any of the posted videos. Statement # Student Statement # Student Video good quality 55 (95%) Helped me learn better 57 (98%) Watched video only once 39 (66%) Watched video more than once 15 (26%) Watched before class 37 (64% Watched after class 14 (24%) Watched before and after class 21 (36%) Continue future postings 57 (98%) Replayed portion of video 54 (93%) Plan to see videos not seen 37 (64%)

At all levels of education, teachers are encouraged to promote the concept of active learning in their classrooms and curriculums. Use of an audience response system encourages greater participation of the audience and should therefore stimulate learning. Senior students, enrolled in the fourth year of their six‐year Pharm D program at the University of Findlay, were required to bring “clickers” for each of my classes in the cardiovascular disease module. While students were not graded for their answers, positive incentives in the form of participation points were awarded. Forty‐eight of the fifty‐four students completed the anonymous Google Docs survey, the results of which are presented below: Question Response % SA A D SD NA Promoted learning 73 23 0 0 0 Improved concentration 40 54 6 0 0 Class more interesting 46 48 2 0 0 Identified difficult to understand concepts 52 44 4 0 0 Wrong answer explanation helped me to learn 38 56 2 4 0 Results clearly indicate that over 90% of the students believed clicker use in the class made the class more interesting and promoted learning.