How Do Procurement Networks Become Social? Design Principles Evaluation in a Heterogeneous Environment of Structured and Unstructured Interactions

Expanding procurement networks involving many countries, organizations and people impose challenges on procurement e-business systems. Firstly, the classic document ex-change based connection approach across company borderlines is still both time con-suming and costly. Secondly, today’s systems provide limited support for people net-working dimensions, combining structured and unstructured activities as part of the entire business process. We argue that the potential for accelerating the intra and inter firm procurement processes by addressing the challenges of integration and heteroge-neous activities is not sufficiently leveraged at present. In this paper, we present the re-sults of our design science research focusing on the evaluation of design principles along a software artifact, towards effects on procurement network performance

From cave to spring: Understanding transport of suspended sediment particles in a fully phreatic karst conduit using particle analysis and geochemical methods

Karst aquifers are vulnerable to contamination, especially in the context of heavy rainfall events. Contamination is often associated with turbidity that can originate from the soil zone, infiltrating surface waters or resuspension of previously deposited sediments within the aquifer. While turbidity events can be well monitored at karst springs, related information about the sediment origin and the spatiotemporal input function usually remain unknown. Thus, the mobility and attenuation of the particulate matter and associated pollutants can hardly be determined quantitatively. A tracer test with suspended cave sediments and solute tracers for comparison has hence been performed in a karst aquifer at the Blue Spring (Blautopf) in Southern Germany. The tracers were injected in the cave system, at the beginning of a fully phreatic karst conduit, and monitored at the spring after a travel distance of 1250 m. The particle-size distribution was monitored using a particle counter and sediment samples were filtered with 0.45-μm cellulose acetate filters. Particles on the filter were analysed for major and trace elements as well as rare earth elements (REE) by ICP-MS after acid digestion. Results show that (1) sediment particles were transported faster than solutes, which was interpreted as a transport in the main flow path of the conduit, whereas conservative tracers tend to diffuse into smaller fissures as well. (2) All measured particles sizes were transported at similar flow velocities. (3) A transport associated to sediment particles could be shown for all measured elements. This study presents a methodological improvement of comparative sediment tracer tests as well as deeper insights into particle and element transport processes in karst aquifers, originating from previously deposited cave sediment. Results provide deeper knowledge into transport processes of sediment-associated contaminants, such as heavy metals which may strongly be affected by the particle size. This knowledge contributes to a better management of karst water resources in the context of turbidity events

Elevated CO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e and warming shift the functional composition of soil nematode communities in a semiarid grassland

Climate change can alter soil communities and functions, but the consequences are uncertain for most ecosystems. We assessed the impacts of climate change on soil nematodes in a semiarid grassland using a 7-year, factorial manipulation of temperature and [CO2]. Elevated CO2 and warming decreased the abundance of plant-feeding nematodes and nematodes with intermediate to high values on the colonizer-persister scale (cp3-5), including predators and omnivores. Thus, under futuristic climate conditions, nematode communities were even more dominated by r-strategists (cp1-2) that feed on bacteria and fungi. These results indicate that climate change could alter soil functioning in semiarid grasslands. For example, the lower abundance of plant-feeding nematodes could facilitate positive effects of elevated CO2 and warming on plant productivity. The effects of elevated CO2 and warming on nematode functional composition were typically less than additive, highlighting the need for multi-factor studies

Fatty Acid Elongation in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is characterized by quantitative and qualitative changes in hepatic lipids. Since elongation of fatty acids from C16 to C18 has recently been reported to promote both hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation we aimed to investigate whether a frequently used mouse NASH model reflects this clinically relevant feature and whether C16 to C18 elongation can be observed in HCC development. Feeding mice a methionine and choline deficient diet to model NASH not only increased total hepatic fatty acids and cholesterol, but also distinctly elevated the C18/C16 ratio, which was not changed in a model of simple steatosis (ob/ob mice). Depletion of Kupffer cells abrogated both quantitative and qualitative methionine-and-choline deficient (MCD)-induced alterations in hepatic lipids. Interestingly, mimicking inflammatory events in early hepatocarcinogenesis by diethylnitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis (48 h) increased hepatic lipids and the C18/C16 ratio. Analyses of human liver samples from patients with NASH or NASH-related HCC showed an elevated expression of the elongase ELOVL6, which is responsible for the elongation of C16 fatty acids. Taken together, our findings suggest a detrimental role of an altered fatty acid pattern in the progression of NASH-related liver disease

Healthcare Utilization and Costs in Sepsis Survivors in Germany-Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Survivors of sepsis often face long-term sequelae after intensive care treatment. Compared to the period of hospitalization, little is known about the ambulatory healthcare utilization in sepsis patients. The study evaluated healthcare utilization and associated costs of sepsis care including allied health professions after initial hospitalization. Methods: Secondary analysis was performed on data in 210 sepsis patients prospectively enrolled from nine intensive care study centers across Germany. Data was collected via structured surveys among their Primary care (Family-) physicians (PCPs) within the first month after discharge from ICU (baseline) and again at 6, 12 and 24 months after discharge, each relating to the period following the last survey. Costs were assessed by standardized cost unit rates from a health care system’s perspective. Changes in healthcare utilization and costs over time were calculated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: Of the 210 patients enrolled, 146 (69.5%) patients completed the 24 months follow-up. In total, 109 patients were hospitalized within the first 6 months post-intensive care. Mean total direct costs per patient at 0–6 months were €17,531 (median: €6047), at 7–12 months €9029 (median: €3312), and at 13–24 months €18,703 (median: €12,828). The largest contributor to the total direct costs within the first 6 months was re-hospitalizations (€13,787 (median: €2965). After this first half year, we observed a significant decline in inpatient care costs for re-hospitalizations (p ≤ 0.001). PCPs were visited by more than 95% of patients over 24 months. Conclusions: Sepsis survivors have high health care utilization. Hospital readmissions are frequent and costly. Highest costs and hospitalizations were observed in more than half of patients within the first six months post-intensive care. Among all outpatient care providers, PCPs were consulted most frequently. Clinical impact: Sepsis survivors have a high healthcare utilization and related costs which persist after discharge from hospital. Within outpatient care, possible needs of sepsis survivors as physiotherapy or psychotherapy seem not to be met appropriately. Development of sepsis aftercare programs for early detection and treatment of complications should be prioritized

Effects of tDCS of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Dual-Task Performance Involving Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Task in Healthy Older Adults

Healthy aging limits the activities of daily living and personal independence. Furthermore, cognitive-motor interference in dual-task (e.g., walking while talking) appears to be more pronounced in the elderly. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a form of the non-invasive brain stimulation technique, is known to modify cortical excitability and has been investigated as a tool for enhancing motor and cognitive performance in health and disease. The present study examined whether tDCS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could improve dual-task performance in healthy older adults. The effects of tDCS, among other factors, depend on stimulation polarity (anodel vs. cathodal), electrode setup (unilateral vs. bilateral) and the time of application (off-line vs. on-line). We therefore explored the effects of unilateral and simultaneous bilateral tDCS (anodel and cathodal) of left DLPFC while performing (on-line) the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Serial Seven Subtraction Test (SSST) alone or together (dual-tasking). The number of pegs and the number of correct subtractions were recorded before, during and 30 min after tDCS. The dual-task performance was measured as the percent change from single- to the dual-task condition (dual-task cost DTC). Only bilateral, anode left tDCS, induced a significant increase in subtracted numbers while dual-tasking, i.e., it reduced the DTC of manual dexterity (GPT) to a cognitive task. Significant changes 30 min after the stimulation were only present after bilateral anode right (BAR) tDCS on GPT dual-task costs. These findings suggest that anodal tDCS applied on-line interacts with a dual-task performance involving demanding cognitive and manual dexterity tasks. The results support the potential use of non-invasive brain stimulation for improvement of cognitive functioning in daily activities in older individuals

Light Sterile Neutrinos: A White Paper

This white paper addresses the hypothesis of light sterile neutrinos based on recent anomalies observed in neutrino experiments and the latest astrophysical data

Pojava mikotoksina u vodenom okolišu zbog njihove prisutnosti u usjevima

The aim of this study was to establish a relation between zearalenone contamination of crops in the Polish province of Wielkopolska and its occurrence in aquatic ecosystems close by the crop fields. Water samples were collected from water bodies such as drainage ditches, wells, or watercourses located in four agricultural areas. Moreover, control water samples were collected from the Bogdanka river, which was located outside the agricultural areas and near an urban area. Cereal samples were collected in the harvest season from each agricultural area close to tested water bodies. Zearalenone (ZEA) was found in all water and cereal samples. The highest concentrations were recorded in the postharvest season (September to October) and the lowest in the winter and spring. Mean ZEA concentrations in water ranged between 1.0 ng L-1 and 80.6 ng L-1, and in cereals from 3.72 ng g-1 to 28.97 ng g-1. Our results confi rm that mycotoxins are transported to aquatic systems by rain water through soil.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je pojasniti učestalost pojave mikotoksina u vodenim ekosustavima i njihove korelacije sa stupnjem zaraze žitarica (uzgajanih u blizini vodospremnika), čija su zrna onečišćena (kontaminirana) mikotoksinima te problem prolaska mikotoksina kroz tlo u vodeni okoliš (onečišćenje podzemnih voda mikotoksinima). Uzorci vode prikupljeni su u regiji Wielkopolska iz vodenih tijela poput odvodnih jaraka i zdenaca, odnosno vodotoka smještenih u područjima koja se rabe za poljoprivredu. Dio uzoraka vode prikupljen je iz rijeke Bogdanka, u rubnom području grada Poznańa. U sezoni žetve sa svake poljoprivredne površine smještene u neposrednoj blizini testiranih vodenih tijela prikupljeni su uzorci žitarica. U svim analiziranim uzorcima vode i žitarica potvrđena je prisutnost zearalenona (ZEA). Najviše koncentracije mikotoksina u uzorcima sa svih poljoprivrednih površina zabilježene su u jesen nakon sezone žetve (rujan-listopad), dok su najniže vrijednosti izmjerene zimi i u proljeće. Srednje koncentracije zearalenona u vodi bile su u rasponu od 1,0 ng L-1 do 80,6 ng L-1. U žitarica je prosječna razina zearalenona iznosila 3,72 ng g-1 do 28,97 ng g-1, što govori u prilog vjerodostojnosti naše polazišne hipoteze o prijenosu mikotoksina kroz tlo nakon njihova ispiranja s površine u jarke za odvodnju

PF-4var/CXCL4L1 Predicts Outcome in Stable Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Function

Background: Platelet-derived chemokines are implicated in several aspects of vascular biology. However, for the chemokine platelet factor 4 variant (PF-4var/CXCL4L1), released by platelets during thrombosis and with different properties as compared to PF-4/CXCL4, its role in heart disease is not yet studied. We evaluated the determinants and prognostic value of the platelet-derived chemokines PF-4var, PF-4 and RANTES/CCL5 in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methodology/Principal Findings: From 205 consecutive patients with stable CAD and preserved left ventricular (LV) function, blood samples were taken at inclusion and were analyzed for PF-4var, RANTES, platelet factor-4 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Patients were followed (median follow-up 2.5 years) for the combined endpoint of cardiac death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for heart failure. Independent determinants of PF-4var levels (median 10 ng/ml; interquartile range 8-16 ng/ml) were age, gender and circulating platelet number. Patients who experienced cardiac events (n = 20) during follow-up showed lower levels of PF-4var (8.5 [5.3-10] ng/ml versus 12 [8-16] ng/ml, p = 0.033). ROC analysis for events showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.73-0.90, p<0.001) for higher NT-proBNP levels and an AUC of 0.32 (95% CI 0.19-0.45, p = 0.009) for lower PF-4var levels. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that PF-4var has an independent prognostic value on top of NT-proBNP. Conclusions: We conclude that low PF-4var/CXCL4L1 levels are associated with a poor outcome in patients with stable CAD and preserved LV function. This prognostic value is independent of NT-proBNP levels, suggesting that both neurohormonal and platelet-related factors determine outcome in these patients

OpenMS – An open-source software framework for mass spectrometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mass spectrometry is an essential analytical technique for high-throughput analysis in proteomics and metabolomics. The development of new separation techniques, precise mass analyzers and experimental protocols is a very active field of research. This leads to more complex experimental setups yielding ever increasing amounts of data. Consequently, analysis of the data is currently often the bottleneck for experimental studies. Although software tools for many data analysis tasks are available today, they are often hard to combine with each other or not flexible enough to allow for rapid prototyping of a new analysis workflow.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We present OpenMS, a software framework for rapid application development in mass spectrometry. OpenMS has been designed to be portable, easy-to-use and robust while offering a rich functionality ranging from basic data structures to sophisticated algorithms for data analysis. This has already been demonstrated in several studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>OpenMS is available under the Lesser GNU Public License (LGPL) from the project website at <url>http://www.openms.de</url>.</p