bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managing operations by a logistics company for sustainable service quality: Indian perspective
Authors: Gupta Anchal , Singh Rajesh Kumar 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how logistics service providers manage their operations for sustainable service quality and operational excellence. This study is also trying to propose a framework for measuring service quality index along with some research propositions for analyzing service quality and operational excellence.Design/methodology/approachThe detailed case analysis on sustainable practices of Indian logistics service providers (LSPs) has been done on the basis of case study approach suggested by Eisenhardt (1989). After this case analysis, service quality index is evaluated for the given company based on Cleveland et al. (1989) framework. The SWOT and performance analysis of the case organization has been also done, which is further followed by development of framework and propositions for analyzing service quality and operational excellence for LSPs.FindingsIt can be observed from in-depth case analysis that LSPs are making use of green practices to conserve resources for long-term sustainability. LSPs optimize their resources and use sustainable practices in the form of use of reusable and recyclable packaging materials, rain water harvesting, use of solar panels, innovations such as trucking cube, safety concern toward goods and contribution toward environment and society.Practical implicationsResources optimization and green management practices are essential for LSPs for benchmarking environmental performance and for improving service quality and operational excellence.Originality/valueThis study has tried to analyze green logistics practices for sustainable service quality and proposed a framework for quantifying sustainability.
International actors of democracy assistance in Egypt post 2011: German political foundations
Authors: Kubbara Ola Ashraf 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis paper aims at a qualitative investigation and analysis of the complicated situation of the four German Political Foundations (GPFs) – Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Hanns Seidel Foundation – as actors of democracy assistance in Egypt post 25 January 2011 revolution. It explores the relation between the restrictive political circumstances and the weakness and potential failure of the GPFs while considering their internal structural and operative misconducts as intervening variables.Design/methodology/approachThe researcher uses the qualitative research method and its interpretive practices of data collection. The backbone of this study are the field visits and extensive interviews with the resident representatives of the GPFs in Egypt, and the representatives of the international departments of their headquarters in Germany. These interviews were complemented by further interviews with members of related organizations in Germany, as well as Egyptian professors, diplomats and experts on Egypt and the broader Middle East. The interviewing method is semi-structured in nature and audio-recorded. In Germany, interviews and information were gathered throughout a four-month field-research stay in Germany.FindingsThe paper concludes that the restrictive regime and political limitations were determining variables undermining the success of the GPFs in the area of democracy assistance in Egypt post 2011 revolution, while the GPFs’ own operative malfunctions and lack of adaptation to the political reality post 2011 were contributing factors in the process.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to security concerns and trust issues, many interviewees were reluctant to give information openly and freely; also requesting complete anonymity in the study. Some information and documents were denied to the researcher out of security concerns.Originality/valueThe added value of this paper lies in the qualitative research, investigations and personalized views on the functions and situation of the GPFs as international actors of democracy assistance in Egypt post 25 January 2011 revolution, considering the restrictive political landscape in which they exist. The study can assist scholars and researchers who explore the processes of democratization during transitional periods and the harsh grip of restrictive regime.
Modeling social sustainability: analysis of hospitality e-distributors
Authors: Turker Duygu , Ozdemir Gokce 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose a definition and model of social sustainability within the ambit of systems theory and to test it on hospitality e-distributors. The study suggests that social sustainability arises through the congruence among the interrelated components of social innovation, societal demand and social stakeholders in a transformation model and it can be assessed to whether and how this congruence addresses to the equity principles.Design/methodology/approachThe study provides a case analysis on two selected hospitality e-distributors – Booking.com and Airbnb. The data obtained from a video-based content on managerial interviews were triangulated with the data of corporate disclosures and expert views derived from a focus group study.FindingsThe study reveals that both companies affect the intra-generational, procedural and geographical equity principles across physical and virtual communities so long as they take the advantage of their strategic positions. While Booking.com transforms its own industry, Airbnb disrupts the entire system by blurring the boundaries between market and non-market as well as touristic and non-touristic areas.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to the practitioners by showing how to configure and assess the social sustainability of their organizations at the different contexts.Social implicationsThe study provides a holistic perspective on social sustainability by linking the concept with social innovation, societal demand and social stakeholders and highlighting its contribution to equity principles.Originality/valueDespite the proliferation of studies, the authors have very little understanding on the social pillar of sustainability. The current study fills the gap by addressing these conceptualization and measurement challenges in the literature.
Homoacetogenesis and microbial community composition are shaped by pH and total sulfide concentration
Authors: Ntagia Eleftheria , Chatzigiannidou Ioanna , Williamson Adam J. , Arends Jan B. A. , Rabaey Korneel 
Published: March 2020

SummaryBiological CO2 sequestration through acetogenesis with H2 as electron donor is a promising technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, a major issue is the presence of impurities such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in CO2 containing gases, as they are known to inhibit acetogenesis in CO2‐based fermentations. However, exact values of toxicity and inhibition are not well‐defined. To tackle this uncertainty, a series of toxicity experiments were conducted, with a mixed homoacetogenic culture, total dissolved sulfide concentrations ([TDS]) varied between 0 and 5 mM and pH between 5 and 7. The extent of inhibition was evaluated based on acetate production rates and microbial growth. Maximum acetate production rates of 0.12, 0.09 and 0.04 mM h‐1 were achieved in the controls without sulfide at pH 7, pH 6 and pH 5. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50qAc) was 0.86, 1.16 and 1.36 mM [TDS] for pH 7, pH 6 and pH 5. At [TDS] above 3.33 mM, acetate production and microbial growth were completely inhibited at all pHs. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed major community composition transitions that could be attributed to both pH and [TDS]. Based on the observed toxicity levels, treatment approaches for incoming industrial CO2 streams can be determined.
Adherence to subcutaneous anti‐TNFα agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is largely influenced by pain and skin sensations at the injection site
Authors: Salaffi Fausto , Di Carlo Marco , Farah Sonia , Carotti Marina 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimThe aims of this prospective study were to determine the dimension of adherence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving subcutaneously administered anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α (anti‐TNFα) agents and to evaluate the influence of injection site pain and skin perceptions following subcutaneous administration of anti‐TNFα drugs on patients’ adherence.MethodAn inception cohort of patients starting subcutaneously administered anti‐TNFα treatment was enrolled. Injection site pain perception was assessed through the Self‐Injection Assessment Pain Questionnaire (SIAPQ), and adherence to treatment was ascertained by the Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR5). Associations between beliefs and non‐adherence, and the influence of demographic (age, disease duration, educational level), clinical (body mass index, patient global assessment, physician global assessment, Numerical Rating Scale of pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index, Simplified Disease Activity Index, and comorbidities measured by the modified Rheumatic Disease Comorbidty Index), and radiographic (Simple Erosion Narrowing Score) variables were assessed using logistic regression models.ResultsAdherence data over a 12‐month interval were available for 193 patients. Of these, 21.7% reported non‐adherence to anti‐TNFα therapy. No difference (P = .383) was found for anti‐TNFα drugs (adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol and golimumab). In the logistic model, age (P = .0029), higher disease activity (P = .020), low numbers of comorbidity conditions (P = .0004), injection site pain and skin perception (P = .0008), were significantly associated with increased likelihood of medication adherence.ConclusionAdherence is influenced by both demographic characteristics (age) and clinical factors (disease activity, comorbidity burden and injection site pain and skin perception) in RA patients.
Assessment of portable oxygen concentrators in infants undergoing hypoxic challenge testing. A randomised controlled crossover trial
Authors: Sailer Sebastian , Osona Rodriguez de Torres Borja , Gil Sanchez José Antonio , Bover Bauzà Catalina , Vetter‐Laracy Susanne , Figuerola Mulet Joan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimDue to reduced PaO2, aircrafts at cruising altitudes are pressurised to a cabin altitude of 2438 m, equivalent to breathing FiO2 0.15. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are approved for onboard oxygen supply with lack of evidence, especially in infants. We assessed POCs (continuous‐flow cPOC vs. pulsed‐flow pPOC) under simulated altitude conditions performing Hypoxic Challenge Testing (HCT).MethodsIn a randomised controlled crossover trial, we included patients <1 year born prematurely. In incidents of hypoxia (SpO2 ≤ 85%), oxygen was administered through POC. In patients with a positive hypoxia reversal, HCT was repeated 24 hours later. If hypoxia occurred during the second testing, oxygen was given using the alternative POC.ResultsWe randomised 26 patients; 22 patients received allocated intervention (4 dropped out). Mean gestational age 30.4 weeks, mean corrected age 38.2 weeks. Both POCs achieved immediate hypoxia reversal in all cases (SpO2 cPOC/pPOC 98%/99.4% (95%CI −2.91, 0.01)) without any adverse events. No significant difference was observed in patients with BPD.ConclusionBoth POCs generated sufficient oxygen to reverse HCT induced hypoxia. Although pPOCs are not recommended in paediatric age, our data suggest their effectiveness even in neonates without any associated adverse events. Future research on pPOCs safety is required to establish recommendations for their use.
Incidence, Risk Factors for and Outcomes of Transplant‐Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Authors: Epperla Narendranath , Li Ang , Logan Brent , Fretham Caitrin , Chhabra Saurabh , Aljurf Mahmoud , Chee Lynette , Copelan Edward , Freytes César O. , Hematti Peiman , Lazarus Hillard M. , Litzow Mark , Nishihori Taiga , Olsson Richard F. , Prestidge Tim , Saber Wael , Wirk Baldeep , Yared Jean A. , Loren Alison , Pasquini Marcelo 
Published: March 2020

SummaryTransplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) is a complication of allogeneic transplantation (allo‐HCT). The incidence and risk factors associated with TA‐TMA are not well known. A retrospective analysis from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) was conducted including patients receiving allo‐HCT between 2008 and 2016, with the primary objective of evaluating the incidence of TA‐TMA. Secondary objectives included identification of risk factors associated with TA‐TMA, and the impact of TA‐TMA on overall survival and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Among 23,665 allo‐HCT recipients, the 3‐year cumulative incidence of TA‐TMA was 3%. Variables independently‐associated with increased incidence of TA‐TMA included female sex, prior autologous transplant, primary disease (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and severe aplastic anaemia), donor type (mismatched or unrelated donor), conditioning intensity (myeloablative), GVHD prophylaxis (sirolimus + calcineurin inhibitor), pre‐transplant kidney dysfunction and acute GVHD (time‐varying effect). TA‐TMA was associated with higher mortality (HR = 3·1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 2·8–16·3) and RRT requirement (HR = 7·1, 95% CI = 5·7–311·6). This study provides epidemiologic data on TA‐TMA and its impact on transplant outcomes. Increased awareness of the risk factors will enable providers to be vigilant of this uncommon but serious transplant complication. The results will also provide benchmarking for future study designs and comparisons.
Sphingosine kinase‐2 is overexpressed in large granular lymphocyte leukaemia and promotes survival through Mcl‐1
Authors: LeBlanc Francis R. , Pearson Jennifer M. , Tan Su‐Fern , Cheon HeeJin , Xing Jeffrey C. , Dunton Wendy , Feith David J. , Loughran Thomas P. 
Published: March 2020

SummarySphingolipid metabolism is increasingly recognised as a therapeutic target in cancer due to its regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The sphingolipid rheostat is proposed to control cell fate through maintaining balance between pro‐apoptotic and pro‐survival sphingolipids. This balance is regulated by metabolising enzymes involved in sphingolipid production. One such enzyme, sphingosine kinase‐2 (SPHK2), produces pro‐survival sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) by phosphorylation of pro‐apoptotic sphingosine. Elevated SPHK2 has been found in multiple cancer types and contributes to cell survival, chemotherapeutic resistance and apoptosis resistance. We have previously shown elevation of S1P in large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukaemia serum and cells isolated from patients. Here, we examined SPHK2 expression in LGL leukaemia and found SPHK2 mRNA and protein upregulation in a majority of LGL leukaemia patient samples. Knockdown of SPHK2 with siRNA in LGL leukaemia cell lines decreased proliferation. Additionally, the use of ABC294640 or K145, both SPHK2‐specific inhibitors, decreased viability of LGL leukaemia cell lines. ABC294640 selectively induced apoptosis in LGL cell lines and freshly isolated LGL leukaemia patient cells compared to normal controls. Mechanistically, SPHK2 inhibition downregulated pro‐survival myeloid cell leukaemia‐1 (Mcl‐1) protein through proteasomal degradation. Targeting of SPHK2 therefore provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of LGL leukaemia.
Changes in dental caries and sugar intake before and during the conflict in Libya: A natural experiment
Authors: Arheiam Arheiam A. , Harris Rebecca Vera , Baker Sarah R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of reduced sugar consumption on caries experience among 12‐year‐old Libyan schoolchildren during the Libyan conflict, in comparison to preconflict data collected in the same water‐fluoridated setting from a similar age group. A further aim was to investigate the socio‐demographic and behavioural factors which may impact caries levels during the conflict.MethodsA natural experiment in which dental caries data before and during the Libyan conflict, over a 9‐year period, was compared. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted between December 2016 and February 2017 to collect during‐conflict data comparable to preconflict data collected in 2007. A random sample of 1134, 12‐year‐olds were recruited from public schools in Benghazi. Epidemiological examinations were undertaken by three trained examiners to measure dental caries. Questionnaires addressing socio‐demographic and behaviours related to oral health were completed by participants. Data were analysed using SPSS 24, at P ≤ .05.ResultsIn the during‐conflict period, caries prevalence was 42.8% and mean DMFT was 1.09 (SD ± 1.57). These figures were significantly lower than the caries prevalence and severity reported in the preconflict group (P < .001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that male children, those who frequently consumed sugary drinks, who drank bottled water (low fluoride) and whose fathers had relatively lowly occupations were more likely to have dental caries (all P < .05).ConclusionsThis study indicates that decreased levels of sugar intake during the Libyan conflict are associated with a decline in dental caries prevalence and severity. This provides some support for the notion that reducing sugar intake is still an important factor in caries prevention and control even when fluorides are available in public water and toothpaste.
Cutaneous microsporidiosis in an immunosuppressed patient
Authors: Nadelman Daniel A. , Bradt Ashley R. , Qvarnstrom Yvonne , Goldsmith Cynthia S. , Zaki Sherif R. , Wang Frank , Smith Emily H. , Fullen Douglas R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMicrosporidia are a group of obligate intracellular parasites that naturally infect domestic and wild animals. Human microsporidiosis is an increasingly recognized multisystem opportunistic infection. The clinical manifestations are diverse with diarrhea being the most common presenting symptom. We present a 52‐year‐old woman with a history of amyopathic dermatomyositis complicated by interstitial lung disease managed with mycophenolate mofetil and hydroxychloroquine who presented with a 7‐month history of recurrent subcutaneous nodules as well as intermittent diarrhea and chronic sinusitis. A punch biopsy showed superficial and deep lymphocytic and granulomatous dermatitis with focal necrosis. Tissue stains for microorganisms revealed oval 1 to 3 μm spores within the necrotic areas in multiple tissue stains. Additional studies at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed cutaneous microsporidiosis. This case is one of very few confirmed examples of cutaneous microsporidiosis reported in the literature.
Temporal and dietary niche is context‐dependent in tropical ants
Authors: Houadria Mickal , Menzel Florian 
Published: March 2020

1. Niche traits (those that describe a species' niche) are not constant within a species, and the importance of intraspecific variation is increasingly appreciated. However, little is known about the extent of niche variability across species. This study investigated variation in dietary and temporal niches of ant species in two tropical rainforests.2. Ants were collected from baits reflecting seven different natural resources and from pitfalls at 128 grid points. Sampling was done separately for day and night. Co‐occurrence analyses were used to estimate the monopolisation capacity of each species.3. It was expected that species would show similar dietary and temporal preferences across sites. Therefore, species with high or low niche variability between grid points (within a site) should show similar tendencies when comparing sites. It was predicted that between sites, intraspecific variability should be lower than interspecific variability, and that numerically dominant species should have higher monopolisation rates and lower intraspecific niche variability than less common ones.4. These results showed that niche traits such as temporal activity and realised food niche shifted drastically between conspecifics of different sites. Even the most common species showed different food or temporal preferences between sites. In general, species with the highest monopolisation rates displayed lower niche variability.5. This study also demonstrates that niche characterisation via combined continuous rather than categorical values permits a quantification of a species' niche variability. Categorising niche traits without considering context dependency may be misleading if one tries to assess niche width and a species' ability to cope with environmental change.
Characterisation of the damaging micromechanisms in a pearlitic ductile cast iron and damage assessment by acoustic emission testing
Authors: D'Angela Danilo , Ercolino Marianna , Bellini Costanzo , Di Cocco Vittorio , Iacoviello Francesco 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe damaging micromechanisms in a pearlitic (EN‐GJS700‐2) ductile cast iron (DCI) are investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and acoustic emission (AE) testing. Monotonic uniaxial tensile tests are performed on microtensile specimens under strain control. SEM analysis is applied under in situ conditions by means of a tensile holder. The multiple damaging micromechanisms are identified, and their evolution along with the mechanical response is characterised. The traditional AE features are found to be qualitatively correlated to the onset of the fracture damage over the elastic behaviour. The information entropy of the AEs evaluated according to both Shannon and Kullback‐Leibler formulations is proven to be well correlated to the ongoing damage and the incipient failure. Tentative failure criteria are finally proposed. The assessment approach is found to be promising for structural health monitoring purposes.
Intracellular ATP levels influence cell fates in Dictyostelium discoideum differentiation
Authors: Hiraoka Haruka , Nakano Tadashi , Kuwana Satoshi , Fukuzawa Masashi , Hirano Yasuhiro , Ueda Masahiro , Haraguchi Tokuko , Hiraoka Yasushi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMulticellular organisms contain various differentiated cells. Fate determination of these cells remains a fundamental issue. The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is a useful model organism for studying differentiation; it proliferates as single cells in nutrient‐rich conditions, which aggregate into a multicellular body upon starvation, subsequently differentiating into stalk cells or spores. The fates of these cells can be predicted in the vegetative phase: Cells expressing higher and lower levels of omt12 differentiate into stalk cells and spores, respectively. However, omt12 is merely a marker gene and changes in its expression do not influence the cell fate, and determinant factors remain unknown. In this study, we analyzed cell fate determinants in the stalk‐destined and spore‐destined cells that were sorted based on omt12 expression. Luciferase assay demonstrated higher levels of intracellular ATP in the stalk‐destined cells than in the spore‐destined cells. Live‐cell observation during development using ATP sensor probes revealed that cells with higher ATP levels differentiated into stalk cells. Furthermore, reducing the ATP level by treating with an inhibitor of ATP production changed the differentiation fates of the stalk‐destined cells to spores. These results suggest that intracellular ATP levels influence cell fates in D. discoideum differentiation.