Why, Where, and How are Organizations Using Blockchain in their Supply Chains? Motivations, Application areas, and Contingency Factors

Purpose Blockchain is increasingly being considered for deployment in operations and supply chain management. However, evidence from practice is still scarce on why, where, and how organizations seek to apply the technology in the supply chain across different industries. The study develops a comprehensive framework to enhance understanding of the application areas of blockchain technology in the supply chain, as well as organizations’ motivations in seeking blockchain solutions and relevant contingency factors influencing applications.Design/methodology/approachWe investigate 50 use cases of blockchain applications in the supply chain, covering six industries. We apply contingency theory and conduct a detailed qualitative textual and correlation analysis to identify and compare blockchain adoption motivations, application areas and contingency factors across the different sectors. FindingsThe analysis develops an evidence-based framework that captures ten principal motivations in seeking blockchain solutions, three main blockchain application areas along with important application sub-categories, and five clusters of contingency factors that determine blockchain deployment and its success in different industrial sectors.Research implications The study expands the limited cross-sectoral research on blockchain applications and motivations in the supply chain. Using contingency theory, we present a comprehensive framework that captures the drivers and factors relating to blockchain adoption in the supply chain in a nomological network. The study lays the foundation for further theoretical perspectives and empirical research to investigate relevant sectoral characteristics and their importance for different types of blockchain applications in the supply chain.Practical implications The study informs practitioners about potential supply chain application areas that can be enhanced through blockchain technology, taking account of the specific characteristics of their product, business and manufacturing processes, supply network configuration, industry standards, regulations, and market demand.Originality/valueThe study is the first to provide cross-sectoral evidence on the relevance of organizations’ motivations and numerous contingency factors on blockchain application areas in the supply chain

Analyzing Domino Effects Occurring on Gasoline Storage Tanks at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Depot

Since processed crude oil products are very vulnerable (susceptible) and highly flammable to cause massive catastrophes, such as fire and explosion, which are frequent and can create a chain reaction (Domino effects). This research was carried out at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation LTD depot on the Accra plain in Ghana where gasoline and Gasoil are stored. The research was conducted on a flammable gasoline area subjected to a vapor cloud explosion and the hazardous zone. Analyzing domino effects, propagation of a gasoline flammable vapor cloud caused by the explosion, ALOHA (Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres) software was used to find out how to apply effective safety measures to prevent future risks at any BOST facilities across the country. After the analysis, it was realized that 5.0 miles to the west-south-west the fuel concentration in the air was 2100 ppm lower than the explosive limit (LEL), and could not be as severe as that at 2.3 miles distance from the source point (12600 ppm LEL) with a greater fuel concentration in the atmosphere. The results made available would be useful in maximizing (improving) safety at the facility, residential area, and as well as minimizing future incidents

UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 to 2021: annual report for submission under the Framework Convention on Climate Change

This is the United Kingdom’s National Inventory Report (NIR) submitted in 2023 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It contains national greenhouse gas emission estimates for the period 1990-2021, and descriptions of the methods used to produce the estimates. The greenhouse gas inventory (GHGI) is based on the same datasets used by the UK in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) for reporting atmospheric emissions under other international agreements. The GHGI is therefore consistent with these other air emissions inventories where they overlap. The greenhouse gas inventory is compiled on behalf of the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for the Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy (SICE) Directorate, by Ricardo Energy & Environment. We acknowledge the positive support and advice from DESNZ throughout the work, and we are grateful for the help of all those who have contributed to this NIR. A list of the contributors can be found in Chapter 18. The GHGI is compiled according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 Guidelines (IPCC, 2006). Each year the inventory is updated to include the latest data available. Improvements to the methodology are backdated as necessary to ensure a consistent time series. Methodological changes are made to take account of new data sources, or new guidance from IPCC, and new research, sponsored by DESNZ or otherwise

Proposing a Tool for Supply Chain Configuration: An Application to Customised Production

The full implementation of collaborative production networks is crucial for companies willing to respond to consumer demand strongly focused on product customisation. This chapter proposes an approach to evaluate the performance of different Supply Chain (SC) configurations in a customised production context. The model is based on discrete-event simulation and is applied to the case of supply chain in the fashion sector to support the comparison between mass and customised production. A prototype web-based interface is also developed and proposed to facilitate the use of the model not only for experts in simulation but for any user in the SC management field

The therapeutic potential of a series of orally bioavailable anti-angiogenic microtubule disruptors as therapy for hormone-independent prostate and breast cancers

Therapies for hormone-independent prostate and breast cancer are limited, with the effectiveness of the taxanes compromised by toxicity, lack of oral bioavailability and drug resistance. This study aims to identify and characterise new microtubule disruptors, which may have improved efficacy relative to the taxanes in hormone-independent cancer. 2-Methoxy-3-O-sulphamoyl-17β-cyanomethyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-triene (STX641), 2-methoxy-3-hydroxy-17β-cyanomethyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-triene (STX640) and 2-methoxyoestradiol-3,17-O,O-bis-sulphamate (STX140) were all potent inhibitors of cell proliferation in a panel of prostate and breast cancer cell lines. STX641 and STX640 significantly inhibited tumour growth in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. STX641 inhibited both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis. Despite good in vivo activity, STX641 was not as potent in vivo as STX140. Therefore, STX140 was evaluated in the prostate hormone-independent PC-3 xenograft model. STX140 had superior efficacy to docetaxel, 2-MeOE2 and bevacizumab. In contrast to vinorelbine, no significant toxicity was observed. Furthermore, STX140 could be dosed daily over a 60-day period leading to tumour regression and complete responses, which were maintained after the cessation of dosing. This study demonstrates that STX641 and STX140 have considerable potential for the treatment of hormone-independent breast and prostate cancer. In contrast to the taxanes, STX140 can be dosed orally, with no toxicity being observed even after prolonged daily dosing

Анализ эффектов домино, возникающих в резервуарах для хранения бензина на складе хранения и транспортировки нефтепродуктов

Since processed crude oil products are very vulnerable (susceptible) and highly flammable to cause massive catastrophes, such as fire and explosion, which are frequent and can create a chain reaction (Domino effects). This research was carried out at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation LTD depot on the Accra plain in Ghana where gasoline and Gasoil are stored. The research was conducted on a flammable gasoline area subjected to a vapor cloud explosion and the hazardous zone. Analyzing domino effects, propagation of a gasoline flammable vapor cloud caused by the explosion, ALOHA (Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres) software was used to find out how to apply effective safety measures to prevent future risks at any BOST facilities across the country. After the analysis, it was realized that 5.0 miles to the west-south-west the fuel concentration in the air was 2100 ppm lower than the explosive limit (LEL), and could not be as severe as that at 2.3 miles distance from the source point (12600 ppm LEL) with a greater fuel concentration in the atmosphere. The results made available would be useful in maximizing (improving) safety at the facility, residential area, and as well as minimizing future incidents.Переработанные сырые нефтепродукты очень уязвимы (восприимчивы) и легко воспламеняются, что может вызвать массовые катастрофы, такие как пожары и взрывы, они случаются часто и могут вызвать цепную реакцию (эффект домино). Это исследование было проведено на складе компании Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation LTD на равнине Аккра в Гане, где хранятся бензин и дизельное топливо. Исследование проводилось на подвергшемся взрыву парового облака участке с легковоспламеняющимся бензином и на опасной зоне. Для анализа эффекта домино от распространения вызванного взрывом облака горючих паров бензина было использовано программное обеспечение ALOHA (Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres), чтобы выяснить, как применять эффективные меры безопасности для предотвращения будущих рисков на любых объектах BOST по всей стране. После анализа было установлено, что в 5,0 мили к западу-юго-западу концентрация топлива в воздухе была на 2100 ppm ниже предела взрываемости (LEL) и не могла быть такой сильной, как на расстоянии 2,3 мили от исходной точки (12600 ppm LEL) с большей концентрацией топлива в атмосфере. Полученные результаты будут полезны для максимизации (повышения) безопасности на объекте, в жилом районе, а также для минимизации будущих инцидентов

Methicillin-Susceptible ST398 Staphylococcus aureus Responsible for Bloodstream Infections: An Emerging Human-Adapted Subclone?

In the course of an annual 3-month bloodstream infections (BSI) survey conducted during a four-year period in 31 healthcare institutions located in three noncontiguous French regions, we report 18 ST398 Staphylococcus aureus BSI. ST398 BSI incidence showed a seven-fold increase during the study period (0.002 per 1,000 patient days in 2007 vs. 0.014 in 2010). ST398 BSI isolates differed from the pig-borne multiresistant clone: 17/18 BSI isolates were methicillin susceptible and none was of t011, t034 or t108 pig-borne spa-types. ST398 BSI isolates had homogenous resistance patterns (15/18 with only Eryr) and prophagic content (all harboured the hlb-converting Sau3int phage). The clustering of BSI and pig-borne isolates by spa-typing and MLVA, the occurrence of Sau3int phage in BSI isolates and the lack of this phage in pig-borne isolates suggest that the emergence of BSI isolates could have arisen from horizontal transfer, at least of the Sau3int phage, in genetically diverse MSSA ST398 isolates. The acquisition of the phage likely plays a role in the increasing ability of the lysogenic ST398 isolates to colonize human. The mode of acquisition of the non pig-borne ST398 isolates by our 18 patients remains unclear. ST398 BSI were diagnosed in patients lacking livestock exposure and were significantly associated with digestive portals of entry (3/18 [16.7%] for ST398 vs. 19/767 [2.5%] for non ST398 BSI; p = .012). This raises the question of possible foodborne human infections. We suggest the need for active surveillance to study and control the spread of this human-adapted subclone increasingly isolated in the hospital setting

Happy heart syndrome. role of positive emotional stress in takotsubo syndrome

AIMS: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is typically provoked by negative stressors such as grief, anger, or fear leading to the popular term 'broken heart syndrome'. However, the role of positive emotions triggering TTS remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of patients with TTS following pleasant events, which are distinct from the stressful or undesirable episodes commonly triggering TTS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Takotsubo syndrome patients with preceding pleasant events were compared to those with negative emotional triggers from the International Takotsubo Registry. Of 1750 TTS patients, we identified a total of 485 with a definite emotional trigger. Of these, 4.1% (n = 20) presented with pleasant preceding events and 95.9% (n = 465) with unequivocal negative emotional events associated with TTS. Interestingly, clinical presentation of patients with 'happy heart syndrome' was similar to those with the 'broken heart syndrome' including symptoms such as chest pain [89.5% (17/19) vs. 90.2% (412/457), P = 1.0]. Similarly, electrocardiographic parameters, laboratory findings, and 1-year outcome did not differ. However, in a post hoc analysis, a disproportionate higher prevalence of midventricular involvement was noted in 'happy hearts' compared with 'broken hearts' (35.0 vs. 16.3%, P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: Our data illustrate that TTS can be triggered by not only negative but also positive life events. While patient characteristics were similar between groups, the midventricular TTS type was more prevalent among the 'happy hearts' than among the 'broken hearts'. Presumably, despite their distinct nature, happy and sad life events may share similar final common emotional pathways, which can ultimately trigger TTS