Horizontal network collaboration by entrepreneurial ventures: a supply chain finance perspective

Purpose – The present paper aims at understanding how horizontal network collaborations between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be designed and implemented to take advantage of a supply chain finance (SCF) perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study presents an SCF literature background identifying four literature gaps, and in response to them it adopts an action research approach. The empirical analysis is developed on a network-case study: a horizontal collaboration project between small businesses of the Italian wine industry and their supply chains. Findings – SMEs can play an active role in developing – in terms of design and implementation – their collaborative networks by taking advantage of an SCF perspective for themselves, and their customers, based on the reorganization of relationships interface processes. Taking this perspective can be a concrete and crucial way to sustain the development of SMEs and their supply chains in an actual competitive context. Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies the theoretical gaps in the literature, suggests new research areas that deserve to be more deeply investigated and connects case-related results to the key concepts. The empirical part presents a real case application that proposes a complete roadmap for managers and practitioners who wish to experience similar projects. Practical implications – This network-case study storyline, presenting an overview of ten years of meetings, with related purposes, is suggesting a roadmap for design and implementation of horizontal network as managerial implications. These kinds of active research projects, with a collaborative mixed team of academics and practitioners, and involving a multilayer group of participants, are positive examples for closing the bridge between companies and academia, which enhance this network of small businesses active in trying to improve their competitiveness working together. Originality/value – The value of the paper is to embrace a supply chain-oriented perspective for an SME, independent of the financial system and based on inventory flow management. Very little literature focuses on inventory-based research within the SCF framework, designed for real implementation in horizontal network collaboration by entrepreneurial ventures

Pain-related Somato Sensory Evoked Potentials: A potential new tool to improve the prognostic prediction of coma after cardiac arrest

INTRODUCTION: Early prediction of a good outcome in comatose patients after cardiac arrest still remains an unsolved problem. The main aim of the present study was to examine the accuracy of middle-latency SSEP triggered by a painful electrical stimulation on median nerves to predict a favorable outcome. METHODS: No- and low-flow times, pupillary reflex, Glasgow motor score and biochemical data were evaluated at ICU admission. The following were considered within 72 h of cardiac arrest: highest creatinine value, hyperthermia occurrence, EEG, SSEP at low- (10 mA) and high-intensity (50 mA) stimulation, and blood pressure reactivity to 50 mA. Intensive care treatments were also considered. Data were compared to survival, consciousness recovery and 6-month CPC (Cerebral Performance Category). RESULTS: Pupillary reflex and EEG were statistically significant in predicting survival; the absence of blood pressure reactivity seems to predict brain death within 7 days of cardiac arrest. Middle- and short-latency SSEP were statistically significant in predicting consciousness recovery, and middle-latency SSEP was statistically significant in predicting 6-month CPC outcome. The prognostic capability of 50 mA middle-latency-SSEP was demonstrated to occur earlier than that of EEG reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Neurophysiological evaluation constitutes the key to early information about the neurological prognostication of postanoxic coma. In particular, the presence of 50 mA middle-latency SSEP seems to be an early and reliable predictor of good neurological outcome, and its absence constitutes a marker of poor prognosis. Moreover, the absence 50 mA blood pressure reactivity seems to identify patients evolving towards the brain death

Mapping, cluster detection and evaluation of risk factors of ovine toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy

Toxoplasmosis, an important cause of reproductive failure in sheep, is responsible for significant economic losses to the ovine industry worldwide. Moreover, ovine meat contaminated by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii is considered as a common source of infection for humans. The aim of this study was to develop point and risk profiling maps of T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep bred in Campania Region (Southern Italy) and analyse risk factors associated at the flock-level. We used serological data from a previous survey of 117 sheep flocks, while environmental and farm management information were obtained from an analysis based on geographical information systems and a questionnaire purveyance, respectively. An univariate Poisson regression model revealed that the type of farm production (milk and meat vs only meat) was the only independent variable associated with T. gondii positivity (P<0.02); the higher within-flock seroprevalence in milking herds suggests that milking practices might influence the spread of the infection on the farm. Neither environmental nor other management variables were significant. Since a majority of flocks were seasonally or permanently on pasture, the animals have a high exposure to infectious T. gondii oocysts, so the high within-flock seroprevalence might derive from this management factor. However, further studies are needed to better assess the actual epidemiological situation of toxoplasmosis in sheep and to clarify the factors that influence its presence and distribution

Integridad: respuesta superadora a los dilemas éticos del hombre de empresa

The various scandals that have shaken the corporate world have shown the need to analyze once again the ethic foundations of the corporation. It is not enough to issue a simple negative judgment; we must learn from failure and reflect on its causes. Why didn’t these companies fulfill theirmissions? What happened to their fundamental values? What happened to the personal convictionsof their general managers, with their vision of the future, with their contributions for the country and the community? Experience shows that it is not enough to merely propose worthy goals, guiding values or policies in favor of the environment and the community. It is necessary that all these propositions originate in the personal convictions of each individual, so that each actionwill have a distinctive, personal mark. Integrity must be found in the center of each individual and corporation. This paper presents integrity as a superior concept amongst the values and virtues which are normally mentioned; it implies that management must adopt the enabling attitudes andabilities they need to carry out their work properly.Los escándalos que han sacudido al mundo empresarial han puesto en evidencia la necesidad devolver a analizar los fundamentos éticos de la empresa. No basta un simple juicio negativo, es preciso reflexionar sobre las causas del derrumbe, porque también es válido aprender de los fracasos.¿Qué falló para que esas empresas no cumplieran con su misión? ¿Qué pasó con los valores fundacionales de cada una de ellas? ¿Dónde fueron a parar las convicciones personales de los directivos, con su visión del futuro, con lo que podían aportarle al país, a la comunidad humana? La experiencia demuestra que no es suficiente proponerse buenas metas, algunos valores-guía, ciertas prácticas favorables al ambiente y a la sociedad. Es necesario que todas estas determinacion es surjan de una condición interior de las personas que permita darle a cada acción un sello distintivo. Se trata de que en el centro de las personas y de las empresas se encuentre la condición de la integridad. Este trabajo presenta la integridad como un concepto superador al de los valores y virtudes a los que se hace referencia habitualmente, por cuanto significa actitudes y capacidades de los directivos para abordar cabalmente su tarea

Cultivo de células amnióticas durante diferentes idades gestacionais para análise do cariótipo em bovinos

Bovine karyotyping has become an important diagnostic tool in animal breeding. In the prenatal period it can diagnose several chromosomal abnormalities such as Robertsonian translocations, testicle feminization syndrome, gonadal dysgenesis and Klinefelters syndrome. An important cell source for karyotype analysis is the amniotic fluid. It has been extensively used in humans but in bovine, however, this is not the case despite its diagnostic value. Since a small percentage of cells is viable, cells and their growth conditions as well as the handling of the material should be optimal to insure a successful analysis. For this, we have compared the growth efficiency for bovine amniocytes in two media, employing cells from 10 to 14 weeks of gestation. Amniocytes were cultured in the Amniomax (Gibco-BRL/ Life Technologies, Rockville, MD USA) medium during eleven days and in the RPMI 1640 (Gibco-BRL) medium during sixteen days at 37ºC and 5% CO2, then fixed and GTG banded. All the cultures with RPMI showed a poor cell growth, regardless the gestational age. Out of the samples cultured in Amniomax one presented 100% of cellular confluence at day 11 (10 weeks of gestation) and the others resulted in an increased proliferation compared with those that were cultured in RPMI. To ensure a successful karyotyping, amniotic fluid from cows with gestational ages of 10-12 weeks should be used and care should be taken for critical steps in preparation of spread metaphases - hypotonic and trypsin treatments.A cariotipagem em bovinos é uma importante ferramenta diagnóstica. Pode ser utilizada no período prenatal para diagnóstico de várias anormalidades cromossômicas, tais como translocações Robertsonianas, síndrome da feminilização testicular, disgenesia gonadal e síndrome de Klinefelter. O fluido amniótico é uma importante fonte de células para cariotipagem e tem sido extensivamente utilizado para humanos mas não para bovinos, apesar de seu valor diagnóstico. Uma vez que pequena porcentagem dessas células é viável, suas condições de crescimento, assim como o processamento do material, devem ser otimizadas para se assegurar uma análise bem sucedida. Para tanto, comparamos a eficiência de crescimento de amniócitos bovinos em dois meios de cultura, usando células de 10 a 14 semanas de gestação. Os amniócitos foram cultivados no meio Amniomax (Gibco-BRL/ Life Technologies, Rockville, MD USA) durante onze dias e no meio RPMI (Gibco-BRL) durante dezesseis dias a 37ºC e 5% CO2, fixados e corados de acordo com a técnica GTG de bandeamento. Todas as culturas no meio RPMI apresentaram baixo crescimento celular, independente da idade gestacional. Das amostras cultivadas em Amniomax, uma apresentou 100% de confluência celular no 11ºdia de cultivo (10 semanas de gestação) e as outras apresentaram proliferação maior em relação àquelas cultivadas em RPMI. O líquido amniótico proveniente de gestações entre 10 e 12 semanas deve ser utilizado para se assegurar uma boa qualidade de material para cariotipagem. Além disso, deve-se atentar para os passos durante o processamento para melhor visualização das metáfases - choque hipotônico e tempo de tripsina

Epidemiology and spatial distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic European Mediterranean area

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato affecting livestock, particularly sheep and goats. However, often this parasitosis is underestimated. For this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of CE in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic Mediterranean area. Methods: A survey was conducted in the Basilicata region (southern Italy) from 2014 to 2019. A total of 1454 animals (1265 sheep and 189 goats) from 824 farms were examined for hydatid cyst detection by visual inspection, palpation and incision of target organs. All the CE cysts were counted and classified into five morphostructural types (unilocular, multiseptate, calcified, caseous and hyperlaminated). Molecular analysis was performed on 353 cysts. For spatial analysis, a kriging interpolation method was used to create risk maps, while clustering was assessed by Moran’s I test. Results: CE prevalence of 72.2% (595/824) and 58.4% (849/1454) was observed at the farm and animal levels, respectively, with higher values in sheep (62.9%) than goats (28.0%). The liver and lungs were the most frequently infected organs in both sheep and goats. Most of recovered cysts were of the calcified and multiseptate morphotypes. All the isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (genotypes G1–G3). Spatial distribution showed a moderate clustering of positive animals. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used to better understand the eco-epidemiology of echinococcosis and to improve CE surveillance and prevention programs in regions highly endemic for CE.Fil: Bosco, Antonio. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Alves, Leucio Camara. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Cociancic, Paola. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Amadesi, Alessandra. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Pepe, Paola. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Morgoglione, Maria Elena. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Maurelli, Maria Paola. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Ferrer Miranda, Edyniesky. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Santoro, Kleber Régis. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Nascimento Ramos, Rafael Antonio. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Rinaldi, Laura. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Cringoli, Giuseppe. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Itali

Application of a Low Transition Temperature Mixture for the Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction of Illicit Drugs from Urine Samples

The use of psychoactive substances is a serious problem in today's society and reliable methods of analysis are necessary to confirm their occurrence in biological matrices. In this work, a green sample preparation technique prior to HPLC-MS analysis was successfully applied to the extraction of 14 illicit drugs from urine samples. The isolation procedure was a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on the use of a low transition temperature mixture (LTTM), composed of choline chloride and sesamol in a molar ratio 1:3 as the extracting solvent. This mixture was classified as LTTM after a thorough investigation carried out by FTIR and DSC, which recorded a glass transition temperature at −71 °C. The extraction procedure was optimized and validated according to the main Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for bioanalytical methods, obtaining good figures of merit for all parameters: the estimated lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) values were between 0.01 µg L−1 (bk-MMBDB) and 0.37 µg L−1 (PMA); recoveries, evaluated at very low spike levels (in the ng-µg L−1 range), spanned from 55% (MBDB) to 100% (bk-MMBDB and MDPV); finally, both within-run and between-run precisions were lower than 20% (LLOQ) and 15% (10xLLOQ)