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The role of women in logistics. A Comparative study of traditional and modern supply chain management in Nigeria.
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the important role women leadership plays in shaping the management and development of logistics and supply chain sector. The logistics industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with women assuming leadership roles and making significant contributions to its growth and sustainability. A combination of factors is responsible for the transformative shift giving women strategic opportunities and responsibilities to excel in logistics leadership due to advancement in education which has significantly transfer the crude traditional approach to logistics management. In this context, it is imperative to examine and understand the specific role that women leadership plays in driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness within the logistics sector. By exploring the experiences, challenges, and successes of women leaders in logistics, this study seeks to investigate and define a framework for overcoming the barriers preventing active participation and leadership of women in logistic management in emerging economies such as Nigeria
Risk factors for Diabetes Mellitus among caregivers of dialysis-dependent patients: results from a case-control study in Pakistan
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of the caregiver role on the diet intake, physical activity and future risk of developing chronic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in adult female cases of patients with long-term illness in Pakistan.
METHODS: This hospital-based Case control study was conducted between October 2017 and March 2018 at three dialysis centers located in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The cases included female caregivers who had been looking after patients with long-term Chronic Kidney Disease for at least 6 months. The comparison group consisted of female caregivers accompanying patients with short-term conditions lasting one month or less. Data on socio-demographic factors, anthropometry, diet, and physical activity were collected. Random measurements of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels were taken. Additionally, the Women's Diet Diversity Score (WDDS) and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FDRS) were calculated.
RESULTS: Cases (n=124) compared to controls (n=128) showed higher Diabetes risk score (2.51±0.90 vs. 2.22±1.01, p=0.048) and similar WDDS. Both groups exhibited a high prevalence of overweight (BMI >29 kg/m²) and limited fruit intake. Despite similar diet diversity, caregivers reported increased physical activity and altered household responsibilities. More than half of all participants were overweight (BMI >29kg/m2). The mean WDDS of cases and controls were 4.77±1.51 and 4.90±1.62, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Our study shows that overweight and poor diet diversity was prevalent in both groups. The overall risk of chronic disease was low in both groups, however caregivers of patients with long-term illness had higher risk scores for DM than controls
Revolutionising IoT Network Security By Assessing ML Localisation Techniques Against Jamming Attacks
No full textThe Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionises data flow management by interconnecting various devices, from sim-ple sensors to complex systems, for varied applications, including smart homes and industrial automation. However, this extensive integration also renders IoT networks vulnerable to cyber threats, mainly jamming attacks, which can disrupt wireless communications and risk total network failure, significantly impacting critical sectors such as healthcare and industrial au-tomation. This research introduces a novel approach to IoT network security, transitioning from conventional detection meth-ods to a refined strategy emphasising the accurate localisation of jamming sources. Integrating machine learning with network security to counter jamming attacks establishes a foundation for future exploration. It effectively utilises Fuzzy Logic-based Intrusion Detection Systems (FLIDS) for the initial detection of jamming threats, addressing a vital need for heightened security in IoT networks. Central to our research is adopting advanced machine learning models, including Recurrent Neural Network - Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (RNN-B-LSTM), Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). These models are carefully selected for their capacity to process complex data patterns and suitability for real-time IoT environments. We conduct a thorough evaluation of these models using various metrics. Consequently, the RNN-B-LSTM model, in particular, demonstrates exceptional accuracy in jammer localisation
Cluster analysis of Korean IP-final intonation
Get PDFIn the Korean Tones and Break Indices (K-ToBI) system, Intonational Phrase (IP) final f0 contours are represented using tones at two levels, Low and High. However, functional analyses have shown the need for two additional levels, Mid and Top. These four levels are also used in some speech synthesis applications. This paper uses hierarchical clustering to investigate the f0 contours on IP final syllables in spontaneous dialogues. Our aim is to develop a classification scheme for analysing surface-level intonational variation in Korean. The clustering results show differences in register for the IP final f0 contours, supporting the usefulness of a phonetic analysis with more than two levels. The IP’s position in a sentence seems to affect the IP boundary tone; the low boundary tone for the sentence-medial IP may not be as low as that for the sentence-final IP. The mapping between meaning and boundary tones is not straightforward, and the effect of post-positional particles must be considered when investigating intonational meanings in Korean. Given the variability related to morphosyntactic and sociolinguistic factors, implementing a fine-grained classification scheme that goes beyond two levels is desirable for further exploration of large corpora
A novel catalytically inactive construct of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) directly inhibits visceral sensory signaling
Get PDFBotulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) is a potent neurotoxin that silences cholinergic neurotransmission through the cleavage of the synaptic protein SNAP-25. Previous studies have shown that, in addition to its paralytic effects, BoNT/A can inhibit sensory nerve activity. The aim of this study was to identify how BoNT/A inhibits afferent signalling from the bladder. To investigate the role of SNAP-25 cleavage in the previously reported BoNT/A-dependent inhibition of sensory signalling, we developed a recombinant form of BoNT/A with an inactive light chain, rBoNT/A (0), unable to paralyse muscle. We also developed recombinant light chain (LC)-domain-only proteins to better understand the entry mechanisms, as the heavy chain (HC) of the protein is responsible for the internalisation of the light chain. We found that, despite a lack of catalytic activity, rBoNT/A (0) potently inhibited the afferent responses to bladder distension to a greater degree than catalytically active rBoNT/A. This was also clear from the testing of the LC-only proteins, as the inactive rLC/A (0) protein inhibited afferent responses significantly more than the active rLC/A protein. Immunohistochemistry for cleaved SNAP-25 was negative, and purinergic and nitrergic antagonists partially and totally reversed the sensory inhibition, respectively. These data suggest that the BoNT/A inhibition of sensory nerve activity in this assay is not due to the classical well-characterised ‘double-receptor’ mechanism of BoNT/A, is independent of SNAP25 cleavage and involves nitrergic and purinergic signalling mechanisms
Controlled synthesis and structure characterization of a new fluconazole polymorph using analytical techniques and multivariate method
Get PDFIn the crystallization and search for higher multicomponent forms of fluconazole (FLZ), a metastable FLZ polymorph (concomitant) that manifests in the same crystallization system and transforms into the stable FLZ form (II) after the lyophilization process was observed. In this report, we demonstrated and showed how this FLZ polymorph 10 (Mw = 306.79 g/mol) of the monoclinic C2 space group was detected and reproduced through a controlled lyophilized experiment, and modeled differentiation between vibrational and absorption modes of FLZ functionalities like C=O, OH, –CH2 and –NH. The FLZ polymorph shows strong O–H···N and weak C−H···X (X = N, and F) hydrogen bond and the presence of pi-pi bond interactions in the overlapping triazole rings. The combination of vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman/FT-IR) and principal component analysis (PCA) aid the development of important models for polymorph screening and identification. In addition, X-ray diffraction (powder and single crystal) techniques support the polymorph characterization and structure depiction. The PCA models and X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed the newness of FLZ polymorph 10, and further solid-state characterization using thermal techniques (DSC and TGA) affirmed its uniqueness and novelty. Finally, the thermal stability and solubility studies on the new FLZ polymorph were determined to understand its structure properties and compare these with previously reported polymorphs of FLZ
Exploring the implementation of an educational film within antenatal care to reduce the risk of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy: A qualitative study
Get PDFBackground
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss and neuro-disability in childhood. In the absence of a licensed vaccine, adoption of hygiene-based measures may reduce the risk of CMV infection in pregnancy, however these measures are not routinely discussed with pregnant women as part of National Health Service (NHS) antenatal care in the United Kingdom (UK).
Methods
An exploratory qualitative study was conducted, underpinned by Normalization Process Theory (NPT), to investigate how an educational intervention comprising of a short film about CMV may best be implemented, sustained, and enhanced in real-world routine antenatal care settings. Video, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who were recruited using a purposive sample that comprised of midwives providing antenatal care from three NHS hospitals (n = 15) and participants from professional colleges and from organisations or charities providing, or with an interest in, antenatal education or health information in the UK (n = 15).
Findings
Midwives were reluctant to include CMV as part of early pregnancy discussions about reducing the risk of other infections due to lack of time, knowledge and absence of guidance or policies relating to CMV in antenatal education. However, the educational intervention was perceived to be a useful tool to encourage conversations and empower women to manage risk by all stakeholders, which would overcome some identified barriers. Macro-level challenges such as screening policies and lack of official guidelines to legitimise dissemination were identified.
Discussion
Successful implementation of education about CMV as part of routine NHS care in the UK will require an increase in awareness and knowledge about CMV amongst midwives. NPT revealed that ‘coherence’ and ‘cognitive participation’ between service members are vital to imbed CMV education in routine practice. ‘Collective action’ and ‘reflexive monitoring’ is required to sustain service changes
The European Union’s Responsibility for Protecting the Rights of Irregular Maritime Migrants in the Mediterranean under EU and International Law
Get PDFThe thesis explores the phenomenon of irregular maritime migration in the Mediterranean, the rights of irregular maritime migrants in the international and European context and the EU’s responsibility, vis-à-vis this phenomenon, within its own legal order and in international law.
The main research questions include: (1) What are irregular maritime migrants’ rights in the Mediterranean in international human rights and EU law? (2) What is the EU’s responsibility, (i) in accordance with the International Law Commission Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations, and (ii) in line with EU law? And (3) What is the EU’s responsibility in its external competences towards irregular maritime migrants in the Mediterranean?
The research identifies outdated legal provisions as the roots of the phenomenon and identifies a category of irregular migrants who are subject to rights of protection according to human rights but fall outside the 1951 Refugee Convention.
As evidence of the alleged shift in responsibility from the Member States to the EU, the thesis explores i) the recent developments at the international scene concerning migrants coming from vulnerable situations and ii) the changing mandates of the EU agencies acting on behalf of the EU in the area of freedom, security, and justice.
Further, the thesis examines areas of law to identify the potential responsibility of the EU agencies in international maritime law and the international framework concerning smuggling. It raises the question of what could trigger individual responsibility, taking note of international criminal law and the academic term of ‘banal crimes’.
New insights into the EU’s responsibility are possible in the external dimension of migration. For example, the EU’s externalization of migration policies through its agreements with non-EU states, the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, and the possibility that the principle of conditionality could be used as a shield for human rights when collaborating with non-EU countries
Population dynamics of microbiota bacteria lead morphogenetic variations, phenotypic pathogenesis shifts and antimicrobial resistance expression
No full textThe wide and essential role of the gut microbiota includes fending off pathogens, enabling nutrient generation, metabolism and absorption, participating in the development of immune and nervous system and more. Although correlational research has given us an insight on the microbiota composition, a mechanistic understanding of microbial population coordination and dynamics and its impact on the host health remains a key challenge. For example, the process that leads commensal microbiota players to become pathogens, and the factors that limit the establishment of incoming healthy bacteria (probiotics) have not been fully elucidated. Likewise, the critical involvement of micronutrients on microbial selection is at its infancy.
The primary aim of this PhD Thesis was to investigate the differential prevalence of a subset of bacterial species commonly encountered in the gut as commensal or as pathogens to better understand bacterial population dynamics and competition. Specifically, we aimed to elucidate bacterial population dynamics in response to an underrated but emerging potential pathogen, Serratia marcescens, and external factors such as the micronutrient zinc. To study such a complex ecosystem, we used a bottom-up approach of in vitro co-culture competition experiments with pairs of bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus salivarius). A rich microbiological media was used as a surrogate for the postprandial intestine.
While no difference in prevalence was observed in pairwise competitions between strains of E. coli and S. marcescens, we have identified a novel phenomenon where S. marcescens in co-culture with E. coli exhibited a differential spatial geometric distribution on solid media with the appearance of a “bull’s eye” pattern. The pattern only and consistently appeared in well-defined conditions (cell density, temperature, nutrients). This morphogenetic pattern was accompanied by phenotypic changes that affected virulence and antimicrobial resistance, a novel and cutting-edge finding that may help to design effective intervention tools to treat infectious diseases and tackle antibiotic resistance. The phenomenon was mathematically modelled, and the outcome suggested the need to increase model complexity thus informing biological research going forward. We also observed that P. aeruginosa prevailed over some Gram-positive cocci (S. aureus and S. streptococcus) and S. marcescens, and that Lactobacillus plantarum inhibited the growth of selected Gram-negatives.
Our results established proof of concept regarding bacterial behaviours and morphogenetic variations that can be harnessed to explore genome-wide changes and related virulence and pathogenesis mechanisms, and may enrich the microbiota-linked prevention and infections management