bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditor Information Foraging Behavior
Authors: Commerford Benjamin P. , Hatfield Richard C. , Houston Richard W. , Mullis Curtis
Published: October 2016

In this study, we examine how information foraging by auditors affects audit evidence collection in two distinct contexts, and show how a small change to audit methodology mitigates the potentially harmful effects of foraging. Information Foraging Theory explains how, while navigating an information environment, individuals learn to acquire information through personally experiencing the costs incurred and the values obtained from information. Consistent with the theory, we find that auditors react to the immediately felt costs of information collection (e.g., time and effort) at the expense of a more global consideration of information value (i.e., auditors collect lower-quality audit evidence). However, foraging behavior is moderated by removing the personal cost to the individual auditor (identifying audit evidence for another member of the audit team to collect), further demonstrating that these personally felt costs influence auditor choices in a way that reduces the quality of information collected. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating how information foraging can influence evidence quality and, thus, audit quality, and how a slight alteration of audit methodology can mitigate this behavior.
Discussion of Integrated Information Systems, Alliance Formation, and the Risk of Information Exchange between Partners
Authors: Van den Abbeele Alexandra
Published: October 2016

Christ and Nicolaou (2016) develop a model predicting that when firms are engaged in alliances with multiple objectives, they are more likely to use Integrated Information Systems (IIS) and more extensive formal controls to manage alliance risk. In addition, they hypothesize that higher levels of IIS are associated with lower information exchange risk and subsequently lower overall alliance risk. Finally, they argue that the relationship between IIS and information exchange risk is mediated by alliance formalization (i.e., the use of formal controls). They test the model using a survey of 116 chief financial officers from U.S. public companies with strategic alliance activity. In this discussion paper, I highlight the main contributions of Christ and Nicolaou (2016), discuss some concerns, and provide some suggestions for future studies.
Identification and Optimization of New Leads for Malaria Vector Control
Authors: Hueter Ottmar F. , Hoppé Mark , Wege Philip , Maienfisch Peter
Published: October 2016

A significant proportion of the world's population remains at risk from malaria, and whilst great progress has been made in reducing the number of malaria cases globally through the use of vector control insecticides, these gains are under threat from the emergence of insecticide resistance.
The spread of resistance in the vector populations, principally to pyrethroids, is driving the need for the development of new tools for malaria vector control. In order to identify new leads 30,000 compounds from the Syngenta corporate chemical collection were tested in a newly developed
screening platform. More than 3000 compounds (10%) showed activity at ?200 mg active ingredient (AI) litre–1 against Anopheles stephensi. Further evaluation resulted in the identification of 12 viable leads for the control of adult mosquitoes, most originating from
current or former insecticide projects. Surprisingly, one of these leads emerged from a former PPO herbicide project and one from a former complex III fungicide project. This indicates that representatives of certain herbicide and fungicide projects and modes of action can also represent a
valuable source of leads for malaria vector control. Optimization of the diphenyl ether lead 1 resulted in the identification of the cyano-pyridyl compound 31. This compound 31 exhibits good activity against mosquito species including rdl resistant Anopheles. It
is only slightly weaker than permethrin and does not show relevant levels of cross-resistance to the organochlorine insecticide dieldrin.
How and Where Parents of Infants and Young Children Want to Receive Nutrition Information
Authors: Dexter Bria , Frank Sarah , Seguin Louise
Published: October 2016

Purpose: To understand how and where parents of infants and young children (children ≤5 years old) prefer to receive nutrition information.

Methods: A 1-page survey was developed and pilot tested at 2 community agencies. The final survey was distributed at 18 community health centres (CHCs) in Calgary and surrounding rural areas. Any parent attending a well-child visit (child ≤5 years old) was able to participate.

Results: Five hundred and twenty-nine surveys were completed. The majority of respondents at every CHC identified online reading (79.2%) in their home (86.0%) as the preferred method and location to receive nutrition information. Almost all (99.4%) participants had internet access. Handouts (38.6%) were the second most popular way to receive nutrition information. In-person and online classes were only a preferred method by a small percentage of respondents, 10.6% and 8.1%, respectively.

Conclusions: Appropriate, evidence-based nutrition websites should be promoted to parents with young children. Health professionals should be aware that parents likely access nutrition information online, and they need to provide an opportunity for parents to discuss what they found. Future research is needed to understand which websites parents access for online nutrition information and how they discern whether it is credible.
From the Desk of Editor-in-Chief 6(3)
Authors: Khan Md Aminul Haque
Published: October 2016

Abstract not availableJ Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 121
Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine: Future of Cervical Cancer Prevention
Authors: Fardows Jannatul , Nehar Naznin , Laskar Nurjahan , Joly Samsoon Nahar
Published: October 2016

Cervical cancer is a deadly cancer that clutches lives of the women in most of the cases due to lack of consciousness about the disease in the developing countries. It remains a threat which is second only to breast cancer in overall disease burden for women throughout the world. Cervical cancer is almost a preventable disease by prophylactic vaccine and routine screening. Both Cervarix and Gardasil vaccines have been effective in preventing persistent infection with targeted HPV types and in preventing cervical intraepithelial lesions. It is safe and nearly 100% effective if given before onset of sexual activity. This review article is aimed to explore different aspects of this vaccine as well as to develop awareness among health professionals of different disciplines.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 157-160
Age-Related Effect of Viral-Induced Wheezing in Severe Prematurity
Authors: Perez Geovanny , Jain Amisha , Kurdi Bassem , Megalaa Rosemary , Pancham Krishna , Huseni Shehlanoor , Isaza Natalia , Rodriguez-Martinez Carlos , Rose Mary , Pillai Dinesh , Nino Gustavo
Published: October 2016

Premature children are prone to severe viral respiratory infections in early life, but the age at which susceptibility peaks and disappears for each pathogen is unclear. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of the age distribution and clinical features of acute viral respiratory infections in full-term and premature children, aged zero to seven years. Results: The study comprised of a total of 630 hospitalizations (n = 580 children). Sixty-seven percent of these hospitalizations occurred in children born full-term (>37 weeks), 12% in preterm (32–37 weeks) and 21% in severely premature children (<32 weeks). The most common viruses identified were rhinovirus (RV; 60%) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 17%). Age-distribution analysis of each virus identified that severely premature children had a higher relative frequency of RV and RSV in their first three years, relative to preterm or full-term children. Additionally, the probability of RV- or RSV-induced wheezing was higher overall in severely premature children less than three years old. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the vulnerability to viral infections in children born severely premature is more specific for RV and RSV and persists during the first three years of age. Further studies are needed to elucidate the age-dependent molecular mechanisms that underlie why premature infants develop RV- and RSV-induced wheezing in early life.
New Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Behavioral MADM Method and Its Application in the Selection of Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaolu
Published: October 2016

As one of the emerging renewable resources, the use of photovoltaic cells has become a promise for offering clean and plentiful energy. The selection of a best photovoltaic cell for a promoter plays a significant role in aspect of maximizing income, minimizing costs and conferring high maturity and reliability, which is a typical multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem. Although many prominent MADM techniques have been developed, most of them are usually to select the optimal alternative under the hypothesis that the decision maker or expert is completely rational and the decision data are represented by crisp values. However, in the selecting processes of photovoltaic cells the decision maker is usually bounded rational and the ratings of alternatives are usually imprecise and vague. To address these kinds of complex and common issues, in this paper we develop a new interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy behavioral MADM method. We employ interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs) to express the imprecise ratings of alternatives; and we construct LINMAP-based nonlinear programming models to identify the reference points under IVIFNs contexts, which avoid the subjective randomness of selecting the reference points. Finally we develop a prospect theory-based ranking method to identify the optimal alternative, which takes fully into account the decision maker’s behavioral characteristics such as reference dependence, diminishing sensitivity and loss aversion in the decision making process.
Comparison of Numerical and Experimental Studies for Flow-Field Optimization Based on Under-Rib Convection in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Vinh Nguyen , Kim Hyung-Man
Published: October 2016

The flow-field design based on under-rib convection plays an important role in enhancing the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) because it ensures the uniform distribution of the reacting gas and the facilitation of water. This research focused on developing suitable configurations of the anode and cathode bipolar plates to enhance the fuel cell performance based on under-rib convection. The work here evaluated the effects of flow-field designs, including a serpentine flow field with sub channel and by pass and a conventional serpentine flow-field on single-cell performance. Both the experiment and computer simulation indicated that the serpentine flow field with sub channel and by pass (SFFSB) configuration enables more effective utilization of the electrocatalysts since it improves reactant transformation rate from the channel to the catalyst layer, thereby dramatically improving the fuel cell performance. The simulation and experimental results indicated that the power densities are increased by up to 16.74% and 18.21%, respectively, when applying suitable flow-field configurations to the anode and cathode bipolar plates. The findings in this are the foundation for enhancing efficient PEMFCs based on flow field design.
Use of a Pre-Drilled Hole for Implementing Thermal Needle Probe Method for Soils and Rocks
Authors: Lee So-Jung , Choi Jung-Chan , Baek Seunghun , Kwon Tae-Hyuk , Ryu Hee-Hwan , Song Ki-Il
Published: October 2016

The thermal needle probe method, which is widely used for measuring the thermal conductivity λ of soils, deploys a long and thin metallic probe that houses a line heater and a temperature sensor. However, inserting such probes into consolidated or densely compacted soils or rocks is difficult, frequently causing buckling of the probe and severe disturbance to the surrounding ground, leading to unreliable measurements. We found that the use of a pre-drilled hole filled with thermally conductive grease for installing a thermal needle probe was feasible to overcome such challenges, and still yielded reliable measurements of thermal conductivity. The proposed method, i.e., the pre-drilling thermal needle probe method, was verified by finite element calculations and laboratory experiments by varying various parameters, such as the pre-drilled hole diameter, probe diameter, and thermal conductivity of thermal grease. It was observed that increases in the pre-drilled hole diameter and probe diameter and a decrease in the thermal conductivity of the thermal grease caused delays in temperature increase owing to the slowed heat transfer. Nevertheless, all the estimated λ values agreed well with the reference λ values with acceptable errors. Thus, the proposed method yields reliable measurements and can be applied for a wide range of soils from compacted soils to hard rocks.
What Goes Around, Comes Around: Experimental Evidence on Exposed Lies
Authors: Mörtenhuber Sarah , Nicklisch Andreas , Schnapp Kai-Uwe
Published: October 2016

We experimentally investigate the optimal way to handle the uncovering of a noble lie, that is, a lie that supposedly is in the best interest of a given community. For this purpose, we analyze a public good game with feedback to group members on the average contributions of the other group members. The computer program inflates the feedback and shows higher than real average contributions to the high contributors. As shown by earlier studies, the partial feedback inflation increases the total payoff of the public good as it avoids the feeling of being a sucker for above average contributors. The lie is then uncovered and we continue with different feedback modes on contributions, some inflated, some true. We find that players respond similarly to both feedback modes. However, with true feedback, initial contributions in the second stage are significantly higher than with inflated feedback.
NR2F6 Expression Correlates with Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis and Poor Prognosis in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer
Authors: Niu Chunhao , Sun Xiaoying , Zhang Weijing , Li Han , Xu Liqun , Li Jun , Xu Benke , Zhang Yanna
Published: October 2016

Background: There is an abnormal expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 6 (NR2F6) in human cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and acute myelogenous leukemia. However, its clinical significance in cervical cancer has not been established. We explored NR2F6 expression and its clinicopathological significance in early-stage cervical cancer. Methods: NR2F6 expression in cervical cancer cell lines and cervical cancer tissues was determined by Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunochemistry (IHC). NR2F6 expression in 189 human early-stage cervical cancer tissue samples was evaluated using IHC. The relevance between NR2F6 expression and early-stage cervical cancer prognosis and clinicopathological features was determined. Results: There was marked NR2F6 mRNA and protein overexpression in the cervical cancer cells and clinical tissues compared with an immortalized squamous cell line and adjacent noncancerous cervical tissues, respectively. In the 189 cervical cancer samples, NR2F6 expression was positively related to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p = 0.006), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (p = 0.006), vital status (p < 0.001), tumor recurrence (p = 0.001), chemotherapy (p = 0.039), and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). Overall and disease-free survival was shorter in patients with early-stage cervical cancer and higher NR2F6 levels than in patients with lower levels of NR2F6. Univariate and multivariate analysis determined that NR2F6 was an independent prognostic factor of survival in early-stage cervical cancer. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that high NR2F6 expression predicts pelvic lymph node metastasis, tumor recurrence and poor prognosis in early-stage cervical cancer. NR2F6 might be a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target of cervical cancer.
The Molecular and Cellular Effect of Homocysteine Metabolism Imbalance on Human Health
Authors: Škovierová Henrieta , Vidomanová Eva , Mahmood Silvia , Sopková Janka , Drgová Anna , Červeňová Tatiana , Halašová Erika , Lehotský Ján
Published: October 2016

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing non-proteinogenic amino acid derived in methionine metabolism. The increased level of Hcy in plasma, hyperhomocysteinemia, is considered to be an independent risk factor for cardio and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it is still not clear if Hcy is a marker or a causative agent of diseases. More and more research data suggest that Hcy is an important indicator for overall health status. This review represents the current understanding of molecular mechanism of Hcy metabolism and its link to hyperhomocysteinemia-related pathologies in humans. The aberrant Hcy metabolism could lead to the redox imbalance and oxidative stress resulting in elevated protein, nucleic acid and carbohydrate oxidation and lipoperoxidation, products known to be involved in cytotoxicity. Additionally, we examine the role of Hcy in thiolation of proteins, which results in their molecular and functional modifications. We also highlight the relationship between the imbalance in Hcy metabolism and pathogenesis of diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological and psychiatric disorders, chronic kidney disease, bone tissue damages, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, and congenital defects.
Discovery of Potent Carbonic Anhydrase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: 2-Aminoindan β-Lactam Derivatives
Authors: Genç Hayriye , Kalin Ramazan , Köksal Zeynep , Sadeghian Nastaran , Kocyigit Umit , Zengin Mustafa , Gülçin İlhami , Özdemir Hasan
Published: October 2016

β-Lactams are pharmacologically important compounds because of their various biological uses, including antibiotic and so on. β-Lactams were synthesized from benzylidene-inden derivatives and acetoxyacetyl chloride. The inhibitory effect of these compounds was examined for human carbonic anhydrase I and II (hCA I, and II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results reveal that β-lactams are inhibitors of hCA I, II and AChE. The Ki values of β-lactams (2a–k) were 0.44–6.29 nM against hCA I, 0.93–8.34 nM against hCA II, and 0.25–1.13 nM against AChE. Our findings indicate that β-lactams (2a–k) inhibit both carbonic anhydrases (CA) isoenzymes and AChE at low nanomolar concentrations.
Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Common and Emerging Dietary Sources: Occurrence, Applications, and Health Benefits
Authors: Shahidi Fereidoon , De Camargo Adriano
Published: October 2016

Edible oils are the major natural dietary sources of tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as tocols. Plant foods with low lipid content usually have negligible quantities of tocols. However, seeds and other plant food processing by-products may serve as alternative sources of edible oils with considerable contents of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Tocopherols are among the most important lipid-soluble antioxidants in food as well as in human and animal tissues. Tocopherols are found in lipid-rich regions of cells (e.g., mitochondrial membranes), fat depots, and lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Their health benefits may also be explained by regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, and modulation of cell functions. Potential health benefits of tocols include prevention of certain types of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic ailments. Although deficiencies of tocopherol are uncommon, a continuous intake from common and novel dietary sources of tocopherols and tocotrienols is advantageous. Thus, this contribution will focus on the relevant literature on common and emerging edible oils as a source of tocols. Potential application and health effects as well as the impact of new cultivars as sources of edible oils and their processing discards are presented. Future trends and drawbacks are also briefly covered.
Iterative Diffusion-Based Distributed Cubature Gaussian Mixture Filter for Multisensor Estimation
Authors: Jia Bin , Sun Tao , Xin Ming
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a distributed cubature Gaussian mixture filter (DCGMF) based on an iterative diffusion strategy (DCGMF-ID) is proposed for multisensor estimation and information fusion. The uncertainties are represented as Gaussian mixtures at each sensor node. A high-degree cubature Kalman filter provides accurate estimation of each Gaussian mixture component. An iterative diffusion scheme is utilized to fuse the mean and covariance of each Gaussian component obtained from each sensor node. The DCGMF-ID extends the conventional diffusion-based fusion strategy by using multiple iterative information exchanges among neighboring sensor nodes. The convergence property of the iterative diffusion is analyzed. In addition, it is shown that the convergence of the iterative diffusion can be interpreted from the information-theoretic perspective as minimization of the Kullback–Leibler divergence. The performance of the DCGMF-ID is compared with the DCGMF based on the average consensus (DCGMF-AC) and the DCGMF based on the iterative covariance intersection (DCGMF-ICI) via a maneuvering target-tracking problem using multiple sensors. The simulation results show that the DCGMF-ID has better performance than the DCGMF based on noniterative diffusion, which validates the benefit of iterative information exchanges. In addition, the DCGMF-ID outperforms the DCGMF-ICI and DCGMF-AC when the number of iterations is limited.
Chocolate Classification by an Electronic Nose with Pressure Controlled Generated Stimulation
Authors: Valdez Luis , Gutiérrez Juan
Published: October 2016

In this work, we will analyze the response of a Metal Oxide Gas Sensor (MOGS) array to a flow controlled stimulus generated in a pressure controlled canister produced by a homemade olfactometer to build an E-nose. The built E-nose is capable of chocolate identification between the 26 analyzed chocolate bar samples and four features recognition (chocolate type, extra ingredient, sweetener and expiration date status). The data analysis tools used were Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The chocolate identification E-nose average classification rate was of 81.3% with 0.99 accuracy (Acc), 0.86 precision (Prc), 0.84 sensitivity (Sen) and 0.99 specificity (Spe) for test. The chocolate feature recognition E-nose gives a classification rate of 85.36% with 0.96 Acc, 0.86 Prc, 0.85 Sen and 0.96 Spe. In addition, a preliminary sample aging analysis was made. The results prove the pressure controlled generated stimulus is reliable for this type of studies.
Exploring the Use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Reducing Rider Stress and Stress-Related Anxiety, Anger, and Worry
Authors: Fernández-Medina Kristen , Reed Nick
Published: October 2016

Stress can have serious implications on road safety and evidence suggests that it could lead to increases in driving errors, lapses, and even crashes. Motorcyclists are a vulnerable road user group, and lapses in attention and risky behaviours resulting from stress could increase the risk of collision. However, few safety interventions for reducing stress have been developed and evaluated, especially in motorcyclists. The purpose of this research was to develop and pilot a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course for the treatment of rider stress. Five motorcyclists experiencing a range of life and work stressors completed the CBT course between January and March 2015. Findings from the Driver Stress Inventory and Driver Behaviour Questionnaire showed positive trends in the overall reduction of rider stress traits, such as aggression, thrill seeking, and dislike of riding. Qualitative data showed that participants engaged well with the intervention and believed it had aided them in their riding-related stress. Although these results are promising, the results warrant further investigation in order to validate CBT as a viable means of reducing the collision risk both for this already vulnerable road user group and other driver categories.
Evaluation of an overlapping pubic and ischiatic osteotomy for the improvement of acetabular ventroversion in dogs: an ex vivo study
Authors: Roush James , Biller David , Gervais Julie
Published: October 2016

Objectives: To assess the potential of a new single-session surgical procedure, the overlapping pubic and ischiatic osteotomy (OPIO) for modification of bilateral hip conformation. We hypothesized that OPIO would be simple to perform with currently available surgical equipment, through a single surgical approach, with minimal potential morbidity, and that it would allow adequate simultaneous bilateral improvement of coxofemoral joint conformation in patients at risk of canine hip dysplasia.

Methods: The OPIO procedure was performed in the pelves of five large breed canine cadavers. Computed tomography images of each cadaver were compared by measurement of the dorsal acetabular rim angle (DARA), acetabular angle (AA), dorso-ventral sacroiliac ratio (SR), and pubic inlet area before and after OPIO.

Results: Coxofemoral joint conformation was improved after OPIO. Postoperative DARA was significantly decreased (mean: –5.09°) and AA was significantly increased (mean: 3.54°) after OPIO. The SR was not significantly different after OPIO, indicating minimal impact on the sacro-illiac joints by the procedure. Pubic inlet dimensions and area were significantly decreased after OPIO, but the overall effect on pelvic inlet area was clinically insignificant.

Clinical significance: An OPIO allows some improvement of coxofemoral joint conformation in canine cadavers.
Pulsed radiofrequency therapy might be not inferior to thermal neurotomy in lumbar facet joint pain: a commentary
Authors: Sprott Haiko , Bergamin Norina , Aeschbach Armin
Published: October 2016

The effects of pulsed radiofrequency treatment in low back pain was evaluated in a routine clinical setting and compared with thermal neurotomy of nerve structures of the facet joint. The treatment of 19 patients with lumbar facet joint pain was prospectively evaluated. Follow-ups were recorded at 6 weeks and 6 months after intervention. Patients with ≥50% pain relief following controlled diagnostic local anesthetic block underwent medial branch neurotomy with thermal continuous radiofrequency (CRF, n=16) or pulsed radiofrequency (PRF, n=3). Experiences between the two radiofrequency modes in the treatment of facet joint pain were recorded. In the overall population, a facet joint pain reduction of 23% at 6 weeks, 20% at 6 months and an improvement in various clinical scores was achieved. CRF and PRF appeared to be similarly effective in the treatment of facet joint pain, providing pain relief for at least 6 months. These observations should encourage pain researcher to design meaningful studies to further address this concept.
Impediments to the structural development of South African maritime supply chains
Authors: Fourie Yolanda
Published: October 2016

The progress of the South African economy relies heavily on earnings from physical exports, which depend increasingly on the competitiveness in global markets of the maritime supply chains that serve the country. World best practice requires that those chains should function as entities structured to serve their logistical purpose, while the development of such structured chains requires chain leadership. Transnet fulfils a prominent role in South Africa’s maritime supply chains, but that role, in accordance with the declared policy of the Government, constitutes an impediment to restructuring the chains as competing entities under private leadership. The solution may be found in leadership by public-private partnerships.
Enacting outsourcing: An innovation process perspective
Authors: Borgström Benedikte , Hertz Susanne
Published: October 2016

Much research has been done on outsourcing. However, we still know little about outsourcing based on a social process view on innovation. Outsourcing is an innovation as a logistics-related process that is perceived as new by the adopter. We will explore and analyse an outsourcing idea, its development and implementation, from an innovation perspective. The development is studied in a qualitative, long-term process study. The analysis draws on Hoholm’s (2009) model of innovation processes. It extends the applicability of this innovation model and its methodology of following the action into logistics and supply chain management (SCM) research. The outsourcing process is an innovation that develops in a rational way based on the incremental process because of its actor-network and simultaneous reflection. Interactions and confrontations come about because of involved contrary forces such as competing objectives. The model explains the practice of SCM innovation and increases the understanding of dynamics and complexity. The process study brings insights to cause-effect relations in the development of outsourcing that are consequential to innovative logistics and SCM.
Humanitarian logistics: Review and case study of Zimbabwean experiences
Authors: Mbohwa Charles
Published: October 2016

This paper reviews and presents findings on mini-case studies done on the difficulties and problems faced by humanitarian organisations in running logistics systems in Zimbabwe. Document analysis was done and this was complemented by mini-case studies and semi-structured interviews and site visits. Mini-case studies of the operations of the World Food Programme, the International Red Cross Society and the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children's Fund and the Zimbabwean Civil Protection Organisation in Zimbabwe are discussed. These clarify the difficulties and problems faced such as the lack of trained logistics personnel, lack of access to specialised humanitarian logistics courses and research information, the difficulty in using and adapting existing logistics systems in attending to humanitarian logistics and the lack of collaborative efforts that address the area specifically. This study seeks to use primary and secondary information to inform decision-making in humanitarian logistics with possible lessons for neighbouring countries, other regions in Africa and beyond. Activities on collaborative networks that are beneficial to humanitarian logistics are also suggested.
Supply chain performance attributes for the fast moving consumer goods industry
Authors: Bala Madhu , Kumar Dinesh
Published: October 2016

This research paper identifies the supply chain performance attributes that are relevant to the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. The FMCG supply chains are analysed from the perspective of processes, components and typology. The typical issues faced by the FMCG supply chains are also explored. Three supply chain operational models are compared and identify SCOR as the one best suited for the FMCG industry. The survey, conducted with the respondents from four research cases across two product categories, demonstrates the acceptance and the usage of the performance attributes for the FMCG supply chains. The results also include the analysis of the typology of the research cases across two product categories.
Disaster management and humanitarian logistics – A South African perspective
Authors: Bean Wilna L. , Viljoen Nadia M. , Ittmann Hans W. , Kekana Elza
Published: October 2016

Disasters are becoming an unavoidable part of everyday life throughout the world, including South Africa. Even though South Africa is not a country affected by large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, the impact of disasters in South Africa is aggravated significantly by the vulnerability of people living in informal settlements. Humanitarian logistics, as a ‘new’ sub-field in the supply chain management context, has developed significantly recently to assist in disaster situations. This paper provides an overview of the South African humanitarian logistics context. Even though humanitarian logistics plays a critical role in the aftermath of disasters, it extends far beyond events that can typically be classified as ‘disasters’. Therefore the implication of the South African humanitarian logistics context on future research and collaboration opportunities in South African humanitarian logistics is also discussed. Finally, two recent case studies in the South African humanitarian logistics environment are discussed.
Forecasting South African containers for international trade: A commodity-based approach
Authors: Havenga Jan H. , Van Eeden Joubert
Published: October 2016

The most common approach used internationally for forecasting international trade containers is models based on the correlation between container trade and economic growth. While the strong historical correlation is indisputable, this paper argues that there will be saturation in the propensity to containerise as all the suitable volumes of the underlying commodities shift to containers over time. In addition, the link between freight transport and GDP will decouple as more sustainable approaches to economic development, and therefore freight transport, are necessitated by economic and environmental realities. A commodity-based model, taking into account the underlying drivers of containerisation, is proposed here as a more realistic forecast of container demand. This could have a material impact on how large-scale investment decisions are directed.
The South African coal mining industry: A need for a more efficient and collaborative supply chain
Authors: Pooe David , Mathu Kenneth
Published: October 2016

It is estimated that about two-thirds of global coal is used for power generation and that, in the next 20 years, over 70% of the demand for coal will come from China and India. Coal accounts for approximately 41% of the world's electricity generation. Demand for thermal coal is influenced by factors that include availability, prices of competing products such as oil, gas and nuclear power, and the demand for electricity. The aim of this article is to provide an exposition of supply chain dynamics within the South African coal mining industry and to argue for a more efficient and collaborative supply chain. The authors attempt to investigate at local and global level, the current trends pertaining to the level of reserves, production and consumption of coal. The article further demonstrates the shortcomings of current logistics in meeting the demand for coal in both domestic and export markets. The article draws from secondary data sourced from academic papers, government and agency documents in the exposition of the coal mining supply chain. The paper concludes by recommending the need for a scientific study on supply chain constraints facing the coal mining industry in South Africa.
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management
Authors: Kruger Stephen
Published: October 2016

No related abstract found
Chronic Ethanol Exposure Effects on Vitamin D Levels among Subjects with Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Ogunsakin Olalekan , Hottor Tete , Mehta Ashish , Lichtveld Maureen , McCaskill Michael
Published: October 2016

Vitamin D has been previously recognized to play important roles in human immune system and function. In the pulmonary system, vitamin D regulates the function of antimicrobial peptides, especially cathelicidin/LL-37. Human cathelicidin/LL-37 is a bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and antiviral endogenous peptide with protective immune functions. Chronic exposure to excessive alcohol has the potential to reduce levels of vitamin D (inactive vitamin D [25(OH)D3] and active vitamin D [1, 25(OH)2D3]) and leads to downregulation of cathelicidin/LL-37. Alcohol-mediated reduction of LL-37 may be partly responsible for increased incidence of more frequent and severe respiratory infections among subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which alcohol exerts its influence on vitamin D metabolism. In addition, the aim was to establish associations between chronic alcohol exposures, levels of pulmonary vitamin D, and cathelicidin/LL-37 using broncho-alveolar lavage fluid samples of subjects with AUD and healthy controls. Findings from the experiment showed that levels of inactive vitamin D (25(OH)D3), active vitamin D (1, 25(OH)2D3), cathelicidin/LL-37, and CYP27B1 proteins were significantly reduced ( P < 0.05) when compared with the matched healthy control group. However, CYP2E1 was elevated in all the samples examined. Chronic exposure to alcohol has the potential to reduce the levels of pulmonary vitamin D and results in subsequent downregulation of the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, in the human pulmonary system.
Observations and regional modeling of aerosol optical properties, speciation and size distribution over Northern Africa and western Europe
Authors: Menut Laurent , Siour Guillaume , Mailler Sylvain , Couvidat Florian , Bessagnet Bertrand
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The aerosol speciation and size distribution is modeled during the summer 2013 and over a large area encompassing Africa, Mediterranean and western Europe. The modeled aerosol is compared to available measurements such as the AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD) and aerosol size distribution (ASD) and the EMEP network for surface concentrations of particulate matter PM2.5, PM10 and inorganic species (nitrate, sulfate and ammonium). The main goal of this study is to quantify the model ability to realistically model the speciation and size distribution of the aerosol. Results first showed that the long-range transport pathways are well reproduced and mainly constituted by mineral dust: spatial correlation is  ≈  0.9 for AOD and Ångström exponent, when temporal correlations show that the day-to-day variability is more difficult to reproduce. Over Europe, PM2.5 and PM10 have a mean temporal correlation of  ≈  0.4 but the lowest spatial correlation ( ≈  0.25 and 0.62, respectively), showing that the fine particles are not well localized or transported. Being short-lived species, the uncertainties on meteorology and emissions induce these lowest scores. However, time series of PM2.5 with the speciation show a good agreement between model and measurements and are useful for discriminating the aerosol composition. Using a classification from the south (Africa) to the north (northern Europe), it is shown that mineral dust relative mass contribution decreases from 50 to 10 % when nitrate increases from 0 to 20 % and all other species, sulfate, sea salt, ammonium, elemental carbon, primary organic matter, are constant. The secondary organic aerosol contribution is between 10 and 20 % with a maximum at the latitude of the Mediterranean Sea (Spanish stations). For inorganic species, it is shown that nitrate, sulfate and ammonium have a mean temporal correlation of 0.25, 0.37 and 0.17, respectively. The spatial correlation is better (0.25, 0.5 and 0.87), showing that the mean values may be biased but the spatial localization of sulfate and ammonium is well reproduced. The size distribution is compared to the AERONET product and it is shown that the model fairly reproduces the main values for the fine and coarse mode. In particular, for the fine mode, the model overestimates the aerosol mass in Africa and underestimates it in Europe.
The Oxic Degradation of Sedimentary Organic Matter 1.4 Ga Constrains Atmospheric Oxygen Levels
Authors: Zhang Shuichang , Wang Xiaomei , Wang Huajian , Hammarlund Emma U. , Su Jin , Wang Yu , Canfield Donald E.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. We studied sediments from the ca. 1400 million-year-old Xiamaling Formation from the northern China Block. The upper unit of this formation (unit 1) deposited mostly below storm wave base and contains alternating black and green-gray shales with very different geochemical characteristics. The black shales are enriched in redox sensitive trace metals, have high concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), high hydrogen index (HI) and iron speciation indicating deposition under anoxic, mostly euxinic, conditions. In contrast, the green-grey shales show no trace metal enrichments, low TOC, low HI and iron speciation consistent with an oxygenated depositional setting. Altogether, unit 1 displays alternations between oxic and anoxic depositional environments, and differences in carbon preservation consistent with observations from the modern ocean. We combined our TOC and HI index results to calculate the differences in carbon mineralization between the oxygenated and anoxic depositional environments. Through comparisons of these results with modern sedimentary environments, and by use of a simple diagenetic model, we conclude that carbon mineralization under oxygenated conditions at Xiamaling required a minimum of 4 % to 8 % of present-day oxygen levels (PAL). These oxygen levels are higher than estimates based on chromium isotopes and, furthermore, were likely sufficient for early animal respiration. Therefore, our results reinforce the idea that the environment contained enough oxygen for animals long before their evolution.
eWaterCycle: a hyper-resolution global hydrological model for river
discharge forecasts made from open source pre-existing components
Authors: Hut Rolf , Drost Niels , van Meersbergen Maarten , Sutanudjaja Edwin , Bierkens Marc , van de Giesen Nick
Published: October 2016

Abstract. eWaterCycle is an open source hyperresolution (10 km × 10 km) global hydrological forecasting framework that runs an ensemble of hydrological models. Forced with a weather forecast ensemble, it predicts river discharge and river discharge uncertainty nine days ahead. Daily satellite soil moisture observations are assimilated into the state of the model ensemble using an Ensemble Kalman Filter. We demonstrate that it is feasible to build such a system using pre-exisiting, open source, components that communicate through standard interfaces. The PCRGLOBWB2.0 (van Beek et al., 2011; Sutanudjaja et al., 2014) model is used to model hydrology globally, forced with GFS (Kanamitsu, 1989; Kanamitsu et al., 1991; Moorthi et al., 2001) weather forecast. The operational soil moisture product from the HSAF (Drusch et al., 2009; De Rosnay et al., 2011) service is assimilated into the model ensemble using OpenDA (Velzen et al., 2016), a data assimilation framework. Output of the model ensemble is presented in a Cesium (Analytical Graphics, 2011) based visualization. All communication between framework components is through standard file types (NetCDF)(Rew and Davis, 1990) and services (Web Map Service) (de La Beaujardiere, 2006). Communication between model and data assimilation framework is through the Basic Model Interface (BMI) (Peckham et al., 2013). The forecasts is available at forecast.ewatercycle.org. By using standard open interfaces, the different components of the model can be replaced with relative ease, facilitating future model comparison studies without the need of extensive Computer Science support. This makes eWaterCycle, in addition to an operational forecasting model, a testbed environment where the impact of different model structures, input sources and/or data assimilation schemes can easily be studied. Setup instructions to run the eWaterCycle project on local hardware are provided, allowing the hydrological community to build on this open source framework.
Analyzing the future climate change of Upper Blue Nile River Basin (UBNRB) using statistical down scaling techniques
Authors: Mekonnen Dagnenet Fenta , Disse Markus
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Climate change is becoming one of the most arguable and threatening issues in terms of global context and their responses to environment and socio/economic drivers. Its direct impact becomes critical for water resource development and indirectly for agricultural production, environmental quality, economic development, social well-being. However, a large uncertainty between different Global Circulation Models (GCM) and downscaling methods exist that makes reliable conclusions for a sustainable water management difficult. In order to understand the future climate change of the Upper Blue Nile River Basin, two widely used statistical down scaling techniques namely LARS-WG and SDSM models were applied. Six CMIP3 GCMs for LARS-WG (CSIRO-MK3, ECHAM5-OM, MRI-CGCM2.3.2, HaDCM3, GFDL-CM2.1, CCSM3) model while HadCM3 GCM and canESM2 from CMIP5 GCMs for SDSM were used for climate change analysis. The downscaled precipitation results from the prediction of the six GCMs by LARS WG showed inconsistency and large inter model variability, two GCMs showed decreasing trend while 4 GCMs showed increasing in the range from −7.9 % to +43.7 % while the ensemble mean of the six GCM result showed increasing trend ranged from 1.0 % to 14.4 %. NCCCS GCM predicted maximum increase in mean annual precipitation. However, the projection from HadCM3 GCM is consistent with the multi-model average projection, which predicts precipitation increase from 1.7 % to 16.6 %. Conversely, the result from all GCMs showed a similar continuous increasing trend for maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) in all three future periods. The change for mean annual Tmax may increase from 0.4 °c to 4.3 °c whereas the change for mean annual Tmin may increase from 0.3 °c to 4.1 °c. Meanwhile, the result from SDSM showed an increasing trend for all three climate variables (precipitation, minimum and maximum temperature) from both HadCM3 and canESM2 GCMs. The relative change of mean annual precipitation range from 2.1 % to 43.8 % while the change for mean annual Tmax and Tmin may increase from 0.4 °c to 2.9 °c and from 0.3 °c to 1.6 °c respectively. The change in magnitude for precipitation is higher in RCP8.5 scenarios than others as expected. The present result illustrate that both down scaling techniques have shown comparable and good ability to simulate the current local climate variables which can be adopted for future climate change study with high confidence for the UBNRB. In order to see the comparative downscaling results from the two down scaling techniques, HadCM3 GCM of A2 scenario was used in common. The result obtained from the two down scaling models were found reasonably comparable and both approaches showed increasing trend for precipitation, Tmax and Tmin. However, the analysis of the downscaled climate data from the two techniques showed, LARS WG projected a relatively higher increase than SDSM.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF POSITIONAL UNCERTAINTY IN DIRECT GEOREFERENCING
Authors: Kiraci Ali Coskun , Toz Gonul
Published: October 2016

Abstract. GNSS/INS system composed of Global Navigation Satellite System and Inertial Navigation System together can provide orientation parameters directly by the observations collected during the flight. Thus orientation parameters can be obtained by GNSS/INS integration process without any need for aero triangulation after the flight. In general, positional uncertainty can be estimated with known coordinates of Ground Control Points (GCP) which require field works such as marker construction and GNSS measurement leading additional cost to the project. Here the question arises what should be the theoretical uncertainty of point coordinates depending on the uncertainties of orientation parameters. In this study the contribution of each orientation parameter on positional uncertainty is examined and theoretical positional uncertainty is computed without GCP measurement for direct georeferencing using a graphical user interface developed in MATLAB.