Purpose:This paper aims to present an exploratory view of rural supply chain management (RSCM) and furthermore, to provide a framework to facilitate further study and research. The paper also identifies future research directions derived from the framework.Design/methodology/approach:Based on the limited literature in the field, this paper adopts an inductive approach using an interdisciplinary pa

Background: Previous studies from our and other centers on young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have indicated pro-atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and in the lipid and systemic inflammatory profiles without a clear relationship between these changes and the hyperglycemic control. We have also earlier found in these patients a certain HLA-related genetic susceptibility to adver

Background: In neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS), a nonrestrictive atrial septal defect (ASD) has been speculated to improve the initial clinical course after pulmonary valvotomy (PV) but some concerns exist in terms of its potentially longterm adverse effect on the right ventricle`s (RV) growth and persistent desaturation d

Diabetes is a collection of diseases characterized by defective glucose homeostasis. Different diabetes types have different etiologies and their genetic architecture ranges from highly penetrant monogenetic diseases, such as MODY and neonatal diabetes, to polygenic diseases, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes that are caused by numerous genetic variants adding up to the individual risk. While bot

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are crucial components of various electrochemical devices. To function well they require both high chemical and mechanical robustness, as well as a sufficient hydroxide conductivity. However, due to the aggressive nature of the hydroxide ion, which causes polymer degradation, the applicability of AEMs is so far limited.1-2 As a consequence, a lot of effort is presen

Anion exchange membranes (AEM) are central materials in different energy storage and conversion devices such as alkaline fuel cells, electrolysers and flow batteries. The properties of the AEM therefore has a direct impact on the performance and life-time of the devices. As a polymeric electrolyte film that separates the two electrodes, the AEM is required to have good mechanical properties, high

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have received increasing attention as power sources in electric vehicles. In commercial LIBs, the electrolyte consists of lithium salts dissolved in flammable organic solvents, which raises safety concerns because catastrophic failure of LIBs often begins with the ignition of these solvents.1 Furthermore, these solvents have poor electrochemical stability, resulting in

Patients suffering from inflammatory conditions often present with severe hypovolemia due to vasodilatation and increased vascular permeability. Early administration of fluids is, therefore, a cornerstone and lifesaving therapy.However, a vigorous and aggressive fluid therapy increases tissue edema, worsen tissue perfusion and organ function. Based on this, the presented studies investigated diffe

BACKGROUND: Even though crystalloids are the first choice for fluid resuscitation in hemodynamically unstable patients, their potency as plasma volume expanders in hypovolemia of different etiologies is largely unknown. The objective of the study was to investigate dose-response curves of a crystalloid in hypovolemia induced by either sepsis or hemorrhagic shock.RESULTS: Rats were randomized to re

In previous in-vivo studies we have presented indirect evidence for the involvement of islet acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase (acid amyloglucosidase), a lysosomal glycogen-hydrolysing enzyme, in certain insulin secretory processes. In the present combined in-vitro and in-vivo investigation, we studied whether differential changes in islet acid amyloglucosidase activity were related to the insulin

Today, commercially used brasses commonly contain 2 to 4 wt% lead. As the availability of low-lead and lead-free brass increases, there are environmental incentives for investigating the consequences of replacing the lead-containing brasses with lead-free equivalents. Generally, lead-free brass is expected to have a lower machinability than its lead-alloyed counterpart, implying a higher manufactu

Access to compatible blood for transfusion is a prerequisite for modern health care. The compatibility is limited by the presence of antibodies to blood group antigens, polymorphic protein and carbohydrate structures, on the surface of the red blood cell. Blood group antigens arise from genetic variation in the genes underlying their expression. Knowledge of these genes and their variation can fac

This thesis explores crystal-phase engineering of nanowires to fabricate advanced quantum structures for charge and spin transport studies. Quantum dots formed by crystal-phase tuning during epitaxial growth of InAs nanowires were used as a starting point to realize and electrically characterize two different types of parallel-coupled quantum dots; electron-hole quantum dots and electron-electron

Även om vi skulle lyckas minska de globala utsläppen av växthusgaser, så finns det ett angeläget behov att anpassa samhället för att kunna motstå klimatförändringens skadliga effekter. Denna process kallas klimatanpassning. Städer står inför särskilda risker från klimatförändringen och nuvarande tillvägagångssätt, som ofta förlitar sig på tekniska lösningar och toppstyrd implementering, bedöms intEven if current attempts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions would succeed, society-wide adjustment to the harmful effects of climate change is urgently needed. This process is known as climate adaptation. Cities face particular risks from climate change, and there is increasing evidence that traditional approaches, which have often relied on technical solutions and top-down management struc

Change has often been said to characterise retailing, and research on retail change is extensive. However, though much of that research has focused on retail formats, it has not sufficiently addressed the fluid nature of retailing and how its formats emerge. This paper offers a more dynamic conceptualisation of retail format change by introducing the concept of retail formation. Taking a construct

Semiconductor nanowire solar cells have achieved comparable efficiency to their planar counterparts with substantial reduction of material consumption. Tandem geometry is a path towards even higher efficiency. However, extensive studies are needed to reach this goal. My study started from the building blocks of the materials used in the upper cell, namely GaInP nanowires. The growth and doping con

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether probiotic prophylaxes reduce the odds of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults and children. DESIGN: Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), adjusting for risk factors. METHODS: We searched 6 databases and 11 grey literature sources from inception to April 2016. We identified 32 RCTs (n=8,713); among them, 18

A broad measurement range of glucose is often required in clinical analysis, especially for diabetic patients where glucose levels can be very high. Pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) has previously been used in electrochemical quantification of glucose with an extended linear range. However, in real sample determination of glucose, interferences from electroactive substances