bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tradeoffs in Manufacturing? A Meta‐Analysis and Critique of the Literature
Authors: Rosenzweig Eve D. , Easton George S.
Published: October 2009

An ongoing, important question in the operations strategy literature pertains to tradeoffs: Can manufacturers focus on multiple priorities simultaneously or achieve strength on multiple capabilities without sacrificing performance of another? In this paper, we accumulate, integrate, and examine the wide spectrum of conclusions reached in the literature concerning tradeoffs using modified meta‐analysis methods. Based on two decades of empirical research in operations strategy, we find that the evidence in the literature indicates manufacturers, on average, do not report experiencing tradeoffs among the competitive dimensions of quality, delivery, flexibility, and cost as suggested by the classical tradeoffs model. Our meta‐analysis also reveals that the way variables are operationalized, whether initiatives are implemented, and the unit of analysis are all related to the degree and nature of the evidence a paper contains with respect to the tradeoffs issue. We interpret our meta‐analysis results in the context of the prevailing model of manufacturing strategy and the theory of performance frontiers. We also discuss how the research designs used in this literature, which are predominantly cross‐sectional, affect the nature of the evidence generated and the conclusions that can be drawn. We go on to suggest research designs that more directly assess the tradeoffs issue.
Prevalence and significance of extracellular myelin‐like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Zabolotzky Shanon M. , Vernau Karen M. , Kass Philip H. , Vernau William
Published: October 2009

Background: Myelin‐like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyelinating or myelomalacic conditions. In our experience, myelin‐like material is observed frequently, especially in lumbar samples, and in a variety of disease conditions.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if there are associations between the presence of myelin‐like material and CSF collection site, body weight, underlying disease, and patient outcome.

Methods: Wright–Giemsa‐stained cytocentrifuged specimens of CSF from the cerebellomedullary cistern (n=51) and lumbar cistern (n=47) of 98 dogs with neurologic disease were evaluated retrospectively for the presence and amount of extracellular myelin‐like material. Results were compared based on collection site, body weight, type of neurologic disease, and outcome.

Results: Myelin‐like material was observed in 20/98 (20%) samples and was more frequently observed in lumbar (17/47, 36%) than cerebellomedullary samples (3/51, 6%) (P=.0028). Samples from dogs <10 kg were more likely to contain myelin (14/36, 39%) compared with dogs ≥10 kg (5/60, 8%) (P=.0052). Larger amounts of myelin‐like material were observed in CSF from dogs with intervertebral disk disease compared with other diseases (P=.045). No association was found between myelin‐like material and outcome.

Conclusion: The association of extracellular myelin‐like material in canine CSF samples with sampling site and body weight suggests it is more often an artifact of collection technique and anatomy rather than the result of neurologic disease. Myelin‐like material in CSF is not associated with a poorer prognosis.
Design Optimization of Input and Output Coupled Power Split Infinitely Variable Transmissions
Authors: Volpe S. Schembri , Carbone G. , Napolitano M. , Sedoni E.
Published: October 2009

The authors present an optimization procedure in designing infinitely variable transmission architectures, which allows them to achieve a significant reduction in power recirculation and, hence, an increase in mechanical efficiency. The focus of this paper is on infinitely variable transmissions used in off-highway vehicles and, in particular, on input and output coupled architectures. The optimized solutions have been analyzed in depth, with particular attention to the power flowing through the infinitely variable unit, which strongly influences the overall efficiency of the transmission. The major result of this study is that the so far neglected output coupled solution, if properly optimized, guarantees very good performance over the entire range of vehicle speed. The analysis then shows that the particular choice of either input or output coupled architecture by itself, or of a mixed solution, strictly depends on the specific application under consideration and that none of them should be discarded a priori.
Synthesis of Dynamically Balanced Mechanisms by Using Counter-Rotary Countermass Balanced Double Pendula
Authors: van der Wijk Volkert , Herder Just L.
Published: October 2009

Complete dynamic balancing principles still cannot avoid a substantial increase in mass and inertia. In addition, the conditions for dynamic balance and inertia equations can be complicated to derive. This article shows how a double pendulum, which is fully dynamically balanced using counter-rotary countermasses (CRCMs) for reduced additional mass and inertia, can be used as a building element in the synthesis of dynamically balanced mechanisms. It is also shown that for these mechanisms, the balancing conditions and inertia equations can be derived quickly. For constrained mechanisms, the procedure is to first write down the known balancing conditions and inertia equations for the balanced double pendula and subsequently substitute the kinematic relations. In addition, new CRCM configurations were derived that have low inertia, a single CRCM, or all CRCMs near the base.
An In Situ Study of Analogical Reasoning in Novice and Experienced Design Engineers
Authors: Ahmed Saeema , Christensen Bo T.
Published: October 2009

This paper describes a study to understand the use of analogies by design engineers with different levels of experience in an adaptive design domain. Protocol analyses of 12 design engineers have been analyzed to understand the functions and reasoning of the analogies. The protocols are real-world data from the aerospace industry. The findings indicate a significant difference in both the use of analogies by novices and experienced designers and the reasoning from the analogies. Novices were found to predominantly transfer information related to the geometric properties without explicit reference to relevant design issues or to the appropriateness of applying the analogy, whereas experienced designers tended to use analogies for problem solving and problem identification. Experienced designers were found to use the analogy to reason about the function of a component and the predicted behavior of the component, whereas the novices seem to lack such reasoning processes.
A Nonlinear Constituent Based Viscoelastic Model for Articular Cartilage and Analysis of Tissue Remodeling Due to Altered Glycosaminoglycan-Collagen Interactions
Authors: Thomas Gregory C. , Asanbaeva Anna , Vena Pasquale , Sah Robert L. , Klisch Stephen M.
Published: October 2009

A constituent based nonlinear viscoelastic (VE) model was modified from a previous study (Vena, et al., 2006, “A Constituent-Based Model for the Nonlinear Viscoelastic Behavior of Ligaments,” J. Biomech. Eng., 128, pp. 449–457) to incorporate a glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-collagen (COL) stress balance using compressible elastic stress constitutive equations specific to articular cartilage (AC). For uniaxial loading of a mixture of quasilinear VE constituents, time constant and relaxation ratio equations are derived to highlight how a mixture of constituents with distinct quasilinear VE properties is one mechanism that produces a nonlinear VE tissue. Uniaxial tension experiments were performed with newborn bovine AC specimens before and after ∼55% and ∼85% GAG depletion treatment with guanidine. Experimental tissue VE parameters were calculated directly from stress relaxation data, while intrinsic COL VE parameters were calculated by curve fitting the data with the nonlinear VE model with intrinsic GAG viscoelasticity neglected. Select tissue and intrinsic COL VE parameters were significantly different from control and experimental groups and correlated with GAG content, suggesting that GAG-COL interactions exist to modulate tissue and COL mechanical properties. Comparison of the results from this and other studies that subjected more mature AC tissue to GAG depletion treatment suggests that the GAGs interact with the COL network in a manner that may be beneficial for rapid volumetric expansion during developmental growth while protecting cells from excessive matrix strains. Furthermore, the underlying GAG-COL interactions appear to diminish as the tissue matures, indicating a distinctive remodeling response during developmental growth.
Effects of Cyclic Flexure on Endothelial Permeability and Apoptosis in Arterial Segments Perfused Ex Vivo
Authors: Van Epps J. Scott , Chew Douglas W. , Vorp David A.
Published: October 2009

Certain arteries (e.g., coronary, femoral, etc.) are exposed to cyclic flexure due to their tethering to surrounding tissue beds. It is believed that such stimuli result in a spatially variable biomechanical stress distribution, which has been implicated as a key modulator of remodeling associated with atherosclerotic lesion localization. In this study we utilized a combined ex vivo experimental/computational methodology to address the hypothesis that local variations in shear and mural stress associated with cyclic flexure influence the distribution of early markers of atherogenesis. Bilateral porcine femoral arteries were surgically harvested and perfused ex vivo under pulsatile arterial conditions. One of the paired vessels was exposed to cyclic flexure (0–0.7 cm−1) at 1 Hz for 12 h. During the last hour, the perfusate was supplemented with Evan's blue dye-labeled albumin. A custom tissue processing protocol was used to determine the spatial distribution of endothelial permeability, apoptosis, and proliferation. Finite element and computational fluid dynamics techniques were used to determine the mural and shear stress distributions, respectively, for each perfused segment. Biological data obtained experimentally and mechanical stress data estimated computationally were combined in an experiment-specific manner using multiple linear regression analyses. Arterial segments exposed to cyclic flexure had significant increases in intimal and medial apoptosis (3.42±1.02 fold, p=0.029) with concomitant increases in permeability (1.14±0.04 fold, p=0.026). Regression analyses revealed specific mural stress measures including circumferential stress at systole, and longitudinal pulse stress were quantitatively correlated with the distribution of permeability and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that local variation in mechanical stress in arterial segments subjected to cyclic flexure indeed influence the extent and spatial distribution of the early atherogenic markers. In addition, the importance of including mural stresses in the investigation of vascular mechanopathobiology was highlighted. Specific example results were used to describe a potential mechanism by which systemic risk factors can lead to a heterogeneous disease.
Experimental Determination of the Permeability in the Lacunar-Canalicular Porosity of Bone
Authors: Gailani Gaffar , Benalla Mohammed , Mahamud Rashal , Cowin Stephen C. , Cardoso Luis
Published: October 2009

Permeability of the mineralized bone tissue is a critical element in understanding fluid flow occurring in the lacunar-canalicular porosity (PLC) compartment of bone and its role in bone nutrition and mechanotransduction. However, the estimation of bone permeability at the tissue level is affected by the influence of the vascular porosity in macroscopic samples containing several osteons. In this communication, both analytical and experimental approaches are proposed to estimate the lacunar-canalicular permeability in a single osteon. Data from an experimental stress-relaxation test in a single osteon are used to derive the PLC permeability by curve fitting to theoretical results from a compressible transverse isotropic poroelastic model of a porous annular disk under a ramp loading history (2007, “Compressible and Incompressible Constituents in Anisotropic Poroelasticity: The Problem of Unconfined Compression of a Disk,” J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 55, pp. 161–193; 2008, “The Unconfined Compression of a Poroelastic Annular Cylindrical Disk,” Mech. Mater., 40(6), pp. 507–523). The PLC tissue intrinsic permeability in the radial direction of the osteon was found to be dependent on the strain rate used and within the range of O(10−24)–O(10−25). The reported values of PLC permeability are in reasonable agreement with previously reported values derived using finite element analysis (FEA) and nanoindentation approaches.
Influence of Medial Collagen Organization and Axial In Situ Stretch on Saccular Cerebral Aneurysm Growth
Authors: Eriksson Thomas , Kroon Martin , Holzapfel Gerhard A.
Published: October 2009

A model for saccular cerebral aneurysm growth, proposed by Kroon and Holzapfel (2007, “A Model for Saccular Cerebral Aneurysm Growth in a Human Middle Cerebral Artery,” J. Theor. Biol., 247, pp. 775–787; 2008, “Modeling of Saccular Aneurysm Growth in a Human Middle Cerebral Artery,” ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 130, p. 051012), is further investigated. A human middle cerebral artery is modeled as a two-layer cylinder where the layers correspond to the media and the adventitia. The immediate loss of media in the location of the aneurysm is taken to be responsible for the initiation of the aneurysm growth. The aneurysm is regarded as a development of the adventitia, which is composed of several distinct layers of collagen fibers perfectly aligned in specified directions. The collagen fibers are the only load-bearing constituent in the aneurysm wall; their production and degradation depend on the stretch of the wall and are responsible for the aneurysm growth. The anisotropy of the surrounding media was modeled using the strain-energy function proposed by Holzapfel et al. (2000, “A New Constitutive Framework for Arterial Wall Mechanics and a Comparative Study of Material Models,” J. Elast., 61, pp. 1–48), which is valid for an elastic material with two families of fibers. It was shown that the inclusion of fibers in the media reduced the maximum principal Cauchy stress and the maximum shear stress in the aneurysm wall. The thickness increase in the aneurysm wall due to material growth was also decreased. Varying the fiber angle in the media from a circumferential direction to a deviation of 10 deg from the circumferential direction did, however, only show a little effect. Altering the axial in situ stretch of the artery had a much larger effect in terms of the steady-state shape of the aneurysm and the resulting stresses in the aneurysm wall. The peak values of the maximum principal stress and the thickness increase both became significantly higher for larger axial stretches.
A Structural Multi-Mechanism Damage Model for Cerebral Arterial Tissue
Authors: Li Dalong , Robertson Anne M.
Published: October 2009

Early stage cerebral aneurysms are characterized by the disruption of the internal elastic lamina. The cause of this breakdown is still not understood, but it has been conjectured to be due to fatigue failure and/or by a breakdown in homeostatic mechanisms in the wall arising from some aspect of the local hemodynamics and wall tension. We propose to model this disruption using a structural damage model. It is built on a previously introduced nonlinear, inelastic multi-mechanism model for cerebral arteries (2005, “An Inelastic Multi-Mechanism Constitutive Equation for Cerebral Arterial Tissue,” Biomech. Model. Mechanobiol., 4(4), pp. 235–248), as well as a recent generalization to include the wall anisotropy (2009, “A Structural Multi-Mechanism Constitutive Equation for Cerebral Arterial Tissue,” Int. J. Solids Struct., 46(14–15), pp. 2920–2928). The current model includes subfailure damage of the elastin, represented by changes in the tissue mechanical properties and unloaded reference length. A structural model is used to characterize the gradual degradation, failure of elastin, and recruitment of anisotropic collagen fibers. The collagen fibers are arranged in two helically oriented families with dispersion in their orientation. Available inelastic experimental data for cerebral arteries are used to evaluate the constitutive model. It is then implemented in a commercial finite element analysis package and validated using analytical solutions with representative values for cerebral arterial tissue.
Alterations of Pulse Pressure Stimulate Arterial Wall Matrix Remodeling
Authors: Yao Qingping , Hayman Danika M. , Dai Qiuxia , Lindsey Merry L. , Han Hai-Chao
Published: October 2009

The effect of pulse pressure on arterial wall remodeling has not been clearly defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate matrix remodeling in arteries under nonpulsatile and hyperpulsatile pressure as compared with arteries under normal pulsatile pressure. Porcine carotid arteries were cultured for 3 and 7 days under normal, nonpulsatile, and hyperpulsatile pressures with the same mean pressure and flow rate using an ex vivo organ culture model. Fenestrae in the internal elastic lamina, collagen, fibronectin, and gap junction protein connexin 43 were examined in these arteries using confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that after 7 days, the mean fenestrae size and the area fraction of fenestrae decreased significantly in nonpulsatile arteries (51% and 45%, respectively) and hyperpulsatile arteries (45% and 54%, respectively) when compared with normal pulsatile arteries. Fibronectin decreased (29.9%) in nonpulsatile arteries after 3 days but showed no change after 7 days, while collagen I levels increased significantly (106%) in hyperpulsatile arteries after 7 days. The expression of connexin 43 increased by 35.3% in hyperpulsatile arteries after 7 days but showed no difference in nonpulsatile arteries. In conclusion, our results demonstrated, for the first time, that an increase or a decrease in pulse pressure from its normal physiologic level stimulates structural changes in the arterial wall matrix. However, hyperpulsatile pressure has a more pronounced effect than the diminished pulse pressure. This effect helps to explain the correlation between increasing wall stiffness and increasing pulse pressure in vivo.
System and Method for Investigating Arterial Remodeling
Authors: Rachev Alexander , Dominguez Zachary , Vito Raymond
Published: October 2009

Organ culture systems are used to study remodeling of arteries and to fabricate tissue engineered vascular grafts. Investigations to date focused on changes in geometry and mechanical response of arteries or constructs associated with controlled sustained alterations in the global load parameters such as the arterial pressure, flow, or axial stretch. A new experimental paradigm is proposed, which is based on the simultaneous independent control of local mechanical parameters such as mean strain or stress in the arterial wall and flow-induced shear at the intima. An organ culture system and methodology were developed, which controls pressure, flow, and axial length of a specimen in order to maintain the local mechanical parameters at prescribed values. The operation of the system is illustrated by maintenance of elevated axial medial stress in porcine carotid artery, while keeping the mean circumferential stress and flow-induced shear stress at baseline values. Previously unknown aspects of remodeling that might be revealed by the novel approach are discussed.
Flexible Multibody Dynamic Modeling of a Horizontal Wind Turbine Drivetrain System
Authors: Qin Datong , Wang Jianhong , Lim Teik C.
Published: October 2009

A mathematical model of a horizontal wind turbine drivetrain is developed by applying the flexible multibody dynamics theory based on the Lagrange formulation. The proposed model accounts for the variation in the number of teeth in contact and support bearing elasticity, which are known to influence the dynamic behavior of drivetrain significantly. The derivation of the system governing equation by Lagrange equations requires the formulations of the kinetic energy terms of both orbiting and rotating gears, the potential energy terms of time-varying tooth stiffness and bearing compliance, and the work from input torque. From the resultant governing equations, the natural frequencies and modes of interest are calculated, and the effect of bearing stiffness on those modes is examined. The rotational vibrations of the sun gears as well as the tooth contact forces between the sun and planet and the ring and planet are analyzed in detail. Result of the dynamic transmission error as a function of gearbox speed is also predicted to understand the overall dynamic behavior of the drivetrain system.
A New Manipulator Based on ISMAAs and TWUSMs
Authors: Yang Kai , Gu Chenglin
Published: October 2009

Manipulators of high accuracy and flexibility call for very strict requirements when their actuating mechanisms are downsized at the millimeter scale, which opens up the investigation of several novel actuator technologies such as those relying on piezoelectrics and shape memory alloys. In order to implement the precise and flexible operations, a new manipulator driven by a traveling wave ultrasonic motor and two inserted shape memory alloy actuators is presented. The structure and mechanism of the manipulator is introduced. After suitable material is selected, the prototype of the manipulator is fabricated. Finally, the experiments of the prototype are carried out to prove the property of the manipulator.
Keys to Safer Transfusions
Authors: Kelner Katrina L.
Published: October 2009

Patients with activated immune systems may be prone to the acute lung injury sometimes seen after transfusions, but platelet-directed therapies may help.
Metabolic Barcode: With or Without You, Genome
Authors: Khidr Lily
Published: October 2009

A new method based on a high-throughput array reveals metabolites and functionally characterizes proteins in organisms for which no DNA sequence is available.
A DECISION PROBLEM FOR ULTIMATELY PERIODIC SETS IN NONSTANDARD NUMERATION SYSTEMS
Authors: BELL JASON , CHARLIER EMILIE , FRAENKEL AVIEZRI S. , RIGO MICHEL
Published: October 2009

Consider a nonstandard numeration system like the one built over the Fibonacci sequence where nonnegative integers are represented by words over {0,1} without two consecutive 1. Given a set X of integers such that the language of their greedy representations in this system is accepted by a finite automaton, we consider the problem of deciding whether or not X is a finite union of arithmetic progressions. We obtain a decision procedure for this problem, under some hypothesis about the considered numeration system. In a second part, we obtain an analogous decision result for a particular class of abstract numeration systems built on an infinite regular language.
DECISION PROBLEMS FOR FINITELY PRESENTED AND ONE-RELATION SEMIGROUPS AND MONOIDS
Authors: CAIN ALAN J. , MALTCEV VICTOR
Published: October 2009

For some distinguished properties of semigroups, such as having idempotents, regularity, hopficity, etc., we study the following: whether that property or its negation is a Markov property, whether it is decidable for finitely presented semigroups and for one-relation semigroups and monoids. All the results and open problems are summarized in a table.
ON THE CAYLEY SEMIGROUP OF A FINITE APERIODIC SEMIGROUP
Authors: MINTZ AVI
Published: October 2009

Let S be a finite semigroup. In this paper, we introduce the functions φs:S* → S*, first defined by Rhodes, given by φs([a1,a2,…,an]) = [sa1,sa1a2,…,sa1a2 ⋯ an]. We show that if S is a finite aperiodic semigroup, then the semigroup generated by the functions {φs}s ∈ S is finite and aperiodic.
COULOMB FRICTION AND OTHER SLIDING LAWS IN A HIGHER-ORDER GLACIER FLOW MODEL
Authors: SCHOOF CHRISTIAN
Published: October 2009

We consider a widely used higher-order glacier flow model with a variety of parametrizations of wall slip, including Coulomb friction, regularized Coulomb friction laws and a power law. Mathematically, the Coulomb friction problem is found to be analogous to a classical friction problem in elasticity theory. We specifically analyze the case in which slip is possible everywhere at the boundary, in which case the weak formulation becomes a semi-coercive convex minimization problem which has a solution only if a solvability condition representing force and torque balance is satisfied. Going beyond previous work, we study the uniqueness of solutions in depth, finding that non-unique solutions are possible under very specialized circumstances. Further, in an extension of work by Campos, Oden and Kikuchi, we show that solutions to the regularized Coulomb friction and power law problems converge to the Coulomb friction problem in appropriate parametric limits, provided the latter is unique, and briefly discuss the implications of possible non-unique solutions for a priori error estimation in numerical approximations.
CO-CONSTRUCTING THE BRAND AND THE PRODUCT
Authors: CHRISTIANSEN JOHN K. , VARNES CLAUS J. , HOLLENSEN BIRGITTE , BLOMBERG BIRGITTE C.
Published: October 2009

How do brand and product development processes interact? How do brands and branding strategies influence product development? Moreover, does a branding strategy facilitate or impede the development process? So far, research on product development has focused on the development of new products and services, whereas research on marketing and especially branding has emphasized what types of line extensions to create rather than on how to integrate brands and product development processes.

The present models of the product development process mostly distinguish between the process of innovation and that which follows, and also distinguish between the company as a sender and the user as a receiver of the communicated values. In the present study we suggest an alternative understanding of the innovation process: A network process perspective (NPP) as derived from the actor network theory (ANT), is used to explore the co-created relationship between the new product development process and branding.

The network process perspective is used to analyse and understand the innovation process and represents a constructivist theory that departs from an ontological assumption that the 'world' is the relations and networks among heterogeneous human and non-human actors and that these networks are not per se stable, but are created, negotiated and dynamic. This theory is especially suitable for comprehending 'branding' where the 'ing' underscores the dynamic nature of this concept and to explore the dynamics in innovation.

The empirical analysis identified four incidents as critical to the co-construction of the product and the brand in two companies. The effects are measured using the framework provided by Kapferer. The present analysis indicates that branding and innovation processes are interrelated in more subtle and complex ways than indicated in prior research on the subject. It further shows that even with well-organized marketing departments, consistent branding strategies and skilled project managers, the product development process is not easily managed. The brand and the branding strategies are non-human actors among other actors in the process, and it requires skill, persistence and energy if the 'brand' wants to become an influential 'actor'. Sometimes, the processes may even be reversed.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND NEW SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE: INSIGHTS FROM KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE BUSINESS SERVICE
Authors: LIU SHUNZHONG
Published: October 2009

Current research on new service development (NSD) management has resulted in an impressive amount of literature on the success factors of new service development, but there is little literature on NSD organizational culture. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between organization culture and NSD performance. Data were collected via questionnaires through face-to-face interviews with KIBS managers knowledgeable about NSD in their organization (sample size 192). The set correlation analysis was chosen to assess and evaluate the relationship between organization culture and NSD performance. Research results indicate that there exist strongly complementary relationships among innovative supportive culture, market orientation culture, learning culture and customer communication culture. This study outlines that the NSD management should perform to foster the different NSD organizational culture together and thereby enhance the performance of new service development activities.
INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION PROMOTERS IN SMALL, KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE FIRMS
Authors: JENSSEN JAN INGE , NYBAKK ERLEND
Published: October 2009

This paper examines the relationship between external relations and innovation in small, knowledge-intensive Norwegian firms. Our findings indicate that external relations are beneficial for innovation. The analysis shows that it is necessary to treat innovation as more than a concept. Our independent variables related differently to product innovation, process innovation, and market innovation.

We found that market participation in product development has a positive impact on product, process and market innovation. We also found that top management interaction with other firms had a positive effect on market innovation and that top management interaction with external R&D had a positive effect on product innovation. This finding probably indicates that access to R&D resources is vital for product development in the context of knowledge-intensive products. The results also show that participation in conferences and courses positively influences process and market innovation and that systematic environmental scanning positively influences product innovation.
PRIVATE-LABEL NPD PROCESS IMPROVEMENT IN THE UK FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY
Authors: FRANCIS MARK
Published: October 2009

This paper contributes to the limited but growing body of literature on the topic of new product development performance within the world-class UK fast moving consumer goods industry. It reports the findings of the second phase of an applied research project called that involved Asda and six of its leading private-label suppliers. Based upon questionnaire responses that characterise the performance of 283 new product lines developed over a twenty-month period, this paper details the baseline operational (technical) and commercial performance of the standard Asda product development process called Bullseye. This data includes its innovation profile, success profile, value adding profile and time-based performance (cycle time and lead time). The paper highlights a number of relationships within this data that contravene some of the key findings in the existing literature. It also provides insight into the resulting interventions necessary to both the Bullseye process itself and its supporting performance measurement system in order to achieve significant performance improvement.
A case study of lateral spreading: the Precambrian Svecofennian Orogen
Authors: Korja Annakaisa , Kosunen Paula , Heikkinen Pekka
Published: October 2009

We have studied the crustal structures of the Palaeoproterozoic Svecofennian (
c.
1.9 Ga) Orogeny with the help of large scale seismic reflection surveys (FIRE 1–3), preliminary structural field work and geological and geophysical databases. The central part of the orogen is occupied by the Central Finland Granitoid Complex, which comprises two suites of granitoid rocks and associated mafic and volcanic rocks. The complex and the surrounding supracrustal belts are cut and deformed by numerous shear zones and faults; here divided into six groups. The most prominent reflections are usually shear zones or faults on outcrops. The granitoid complex is interpreted as a deep, lower-level section of an old core complex, where the younger granitoid intrusions form the basins and older granitoid intrusions and associated volcanic rocks form the horsts. The upper–middle crust detachment zone is exposed at the northeastern edge of the complex and middle crust is exposed in the migmatitic domes at northern and western margins.

The seismic reflection sections display a frozen image of orogenic thickening and lateral spreading. The decoupling of the upper, middle and lower crust during spreading resulted in the formation of layered superstructure–infrastructure of the crust.
Upper and lower crustal evolution during lithospheric extension: numerical modelling and natural footprints from the European Alps
Authors: Marotta Anna Maria , Spalla Maria Iole , Gosso Guido
Published: October 2009

When continental rifting does not develop on a stable continental lithosphere, geodynamic interpretation of igneous and metamorphic records, as well as structural and sedimentary imprints of rifting-related lithospheric extension, can be highly ambiguous since different mechanisms can be responsible for regional HT–LP metamorphism. This is the case of the European Alps, where the exposure of Variscan structural and metamorphic imprints within the present-day Alpine structural domains indicates that before the Pangaea break-up, the continental lithosphere was thermally and mechanically perturbed by Variscan subduction and collision. To reduce this ambiguity, we use finite-element techniques to implement numerical geodynamic models for analysing the effects of active extension during the Permian–Triassic period (from 300 to 220 Ma), overprinting a previous history of Variscan subduction-collision up to 300 Ma. The lithosphere is compositionally stratified in crust and mantle and its rheological behaviour is that of an incompressible viscous fluid controlled by a power law. Model predictions of lithospheric thermal state and strain localization are compared with metamorphic data, time interval of plutonic and volcanic activity and coeval onset of sedimentary environments. Our analysis confirms that the integrated use of geological data and numerical modelling is a valuable key for inferring the pre-orogenic rifting evolution of a fossil passive margin. In the specific case of the European Alps, we show that a relative high rate of active extension is required, associated for example with a far extensional field, to achieve the fit with the maximal number of tectonic units. Furthermore, in this case only, thermal conditions allowing partial melting of the crust accompanying gabbroic intrusions and HT–LP metamorphism are generated. The concordant set of geological events that took place from Permian to Triassic times in the natural Alpine case is justified by the model and is coherent with the progression of lithospheric thinning, later evolving into the appearance of oceanic crust.
Structure and evolution of the western Corinth Rift, through new field data from the Northern Peloponnesus
Authors: Skourtsos Emmanuel , Kranis Haralambos
Published: October 2009

Extensional structures with geometrical and kinematic features analogous to the known Gulf of Corinth faults, are found further to the south of what is considered to be the southern margin of the of Proto-Corinth Gulf, reaching south to the northern flanks of Mt Mainalon. This mountain front is marked by the North Mainalon Fault Zone, which comprises a series of normal fault segments with NNE dips. Assuming a listric or ramp-flat geometry for the North Mainalon Fault Zone, it could flatten at a depth of 6–8 km, underneath Mt Khelmos. Its southern, shallow part has been truncated by NNE- and NNW-trending faults, which may be linked to northward propagation of the east–west extension in the Southern Peloponnesus, causing further uplift in the central and northern Peloponnesus, while its deeper part is still active and may reach further north and sole onto the hypothesized detachment zone beneath the Gulf of Corinth.
Timing of the Amorgos detachment system and implications for detachment faulting in the southern Aegean Sea, Greece
Authors: Ring Uwe , Thomson Stuart N. , Rosenbaum Gideon
Published: October 2009

We present apatite and zircon fission-track (AFT and ZFT) ages from the Amorgos detachment system in the Aegean Sea, Greece. The Amorgos detachment system consists of a basal and an upper detachment. The lower Amorgos detachment occupies the same tectonic position as the regionally important large-magnitude Cretan detachment and therefore can provide improved constraints on the evolution of the latter. AFT ages from the footwalls of both detachments show that detachment-related cooling occurred in the early Miocene, coeval with an important phase of cooling in the footwall of the Cretan detachment on Crete. We interpret the footwall AFT ages to indicate an early Miocene age of movement on the Amorgos detachments, essentially simultaneously with slip on the Cretan detachment. ZFT ages from rocks above the lower Amorgos detachment are not reset indicating that metamorphic temperatures during the Tertiary Hellenic orogeny did not exceed
c.
300 °C significantly. We discuss a model in which top‐to-the-north movement on the Cretan/Amorgos detachment commenced in the early Miocene. Soon after the inception of the Cretan/Amorgos detachment, top‐to-the-south movement on the South Cyclades shear zone deformed the latter and brought the Amorgos detachment into a higher crustal position.
Lactate distribution in culture medium of human myometrial biopsies incubated under different conditions
Authors: Åkerud Helena , Ronquist Gunnar , Wiberg-Itzel Eva
Published: October 2009

It is generally believed that a relationship exists between muscle fatigue and intracellular accumulation of lactate. This reasoning is relevant to obstetrical issues. Myocytes in uterus work together during labor, and the contractions need to be strong and synchronized for a child to be delivered. At labor dystocia, the progress of labor becomes slow or arrested after a normal beginning. It has been described that, during labor dystocia, when the force of the contractions is low, the uterus is under hypoxia, and anaerobic conditions with high levels of lactate in amniotic fluid dominate. The purpose of this study was to examine whether myometrial cells are involved in the production of lactate in amniotic fluid and whether there are differences in production and distribution of lactate in cells incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. We also wanted to elucidate the involvement of specific membrane-bound lactate carriers. Women undergoing elective caesarean section were included. Myometrial biopsies from uteri were collected and subjected to either immunohistochemistry to identify lactate carriers or in vitro experiments to analyze production of lactate. The presence of lactate carriers named monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 was verified. Myometrial cells produced lactate extracellularly, and the lactate carriers operated differently under anaerobic and aerobic conditions; while being mainly unidirectional under anaerobic conditions, they became bidirectional under aerobic conditions. Human myometrial cells produced and delivered lactate to the extracellular medium under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The delivery was mediated by lactate carriers.
Effect of xanthine oxidase-generated extracellular superoxide on skeletal muscle force generation
Authors: Gomez-Cabrera M. C. , Close G. L. , Kayani A. , McArdle A. , Viña J. , Jackson M. J.
Published: October 2009

Skeletal muscle contractions increase superoxide anion in skeletal muscle extracellular space. We tested the hypotheses that 1) after an isometric contraction protocol, xanthine oxidase (XO) activity is a source of superoxide anion in the extracellular space of skeletal muscle and 2) the increase in XO-derived extracellular superoxide anion during contractions affects skeletal muscle contractile function. Superoxide anion was monitored in the extracellular space of mouse gastrocnemius muscles by following the reduction of cytochrome c in muscle microdialysates. A 15-min protocol of nondamaging isometric contractions increased the reduction of cytochrome c in microdialysates, indicating an increase in superoxide anion. Mice treated with the XO inhibitor oxypurinol showed a smaller increase in superoxide anions in muscle microdialysates following contractions than in microdialysates from muscles of vehicle-treated mice. Intact extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles from mice were also incubated in vitro with oxypurinol or polyethylene glycol-tagged Cu,Zn-SOD. Oxypurinol decreased the maximum tetanic force produced by EDL and soleus muscles, and polyethylene glycol-tagged Cu,Zn-SOD decreased the maximum force production by the EDL muscles. Neither agent influenced the rate of decline in force production when EDL or soleus muscles were repeatedly electrically stimulated using a 5-min fatiguing protocol (stimulation at 40 Hz for 0.1 s every 5 s). Thus these studies indicate that XO activity contributes to the increased superoxide anion detected within the extracellular space of skeletal muscles during nondamaging contractile activity and that XO-derived superoxide anion or derivatives of this radical have a positive effect on muscle force generation during isometric contractions of mouse skeletal muscles.
Effect of PPARγ inhibition on pulmonary endothelial cell gene expression: gene profiling in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Tian Jing , Smith Anita , Nechtman John , Podolsky Robert , Aggarwal Saurabh , Snead Connie , Kumar Sanjiv , Elgaish Manal , Oishi Peter , Göerlach Agnes , Fratz Sohrab , Hess John , Catravas John D. , Verin Alexander. D. , Fineman Jeffrey R. , She Jin-Xiong , Black Stephen M.
Published: October 2009

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type gamma (PPARγ) is a subgroup of the PPAR transcription factor family. Recent studies indicate that loss of PPARγ is associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We hypothesized that the endothelial dysfunction associated with PPARγ inhibition may play an important role in the disease process by altering cellular gene expression and signaling cascades. We utilized microarray analysis to determine if PPARγ inhibition induced changes in gene expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAEC). We identified 100 genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were upregulated by >1.5-fold and 21 genes and ESTs that were downregulated by >1.3-fold ( P < 0.05) by PPARγ inhibition. The upregulated genes can be broadly classified into four functional groups: cell cycle, angiogenesis, ubiquitin system, and zinc finger proteins. The genes with the highest fold change in expression: hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR), VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1), endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and caveolin-1 in PAEC were validated by real time RT-PCR. We further validated the upregulation of HMMR, Flk-1, FGF2, and caveolin-1 by Western blot analysis. In keeping with the microarray results, PPARγ inhibition led to re-entry of cell cycle at G1/S phase and cyclin C upregulation. PPARγ inhibition also exacerbated VEGF-induced endothelial barrier disruption. Finally we confirmed the downregulation of PPARγ and the upregulation of HMMR, Flk-1, FGF2, and Cav-1 proteins in the peripheral lung tissues of an ovine model of PH. In conclusion, we have identified an array of endothelial genes modulated by attenuated PPARγ signaling that may play important roles in the development of PH.
Senescence-Associated Oxidative DNA Damage Promotes the Generation of Neoplastic Cells
Authors: Gosselin Karo , Martien Sébastien , Pourtier Albin , Vercamer Chantal , Ostoich Peter , Morat Luc , Sabatier Laure , Duprez Laurence , T'Kint de Roodenbeke Claire , Gilson Eric , Malaquin Nicolas , Wernert Nicolas , Slijepcevic Predrag , Ashtari Marjan , Chelli Fazia , Deruy Emeric , Vandenbunder Bernard , De Launoit Yvan , Abbadie Corinne
Published: October 2009

Studies on human fibroblasts have led to viewing senescence as a barrier against tumorigenesis. Using keratinocytes, we show here that partially transformed and tumorigenic cells systematically and spontaneously emerge from senescent cultures. We show that these emerging cells are generated from senescent cells, which are still competent for replication, by an unusual budding-mitosis mechanism. We further present data implicating reactive oxygen species that accumulate during senescence as a potential mutagenic motor of this post-senescence emergence. We conclude that senescence and its associated oxidative stress could be a tumor-promoting state for epithelial cells, potentially explaining why the incidence of carcinogenesis dramatically increases with advanced age. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):7917–24]
Combination of Sulindac and Antimicrobial Eradication ofHelicobacter pyloriPrevents Progression of Gastric Cancer in Hypergastrinemic INS-GAS Mice
Authors: Lee Chung-Wei , Rickman Barry , Rogers Arlin B. , Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Takaishi Shigeo , Yang Peiying , Wang Timothy C. , Fox James G.
Published: October 2009

Helicobacter pylori infection causes severe dysplasia manifested as gastrointestinal intraepithelial neoplasia (GIN) after 28 weeks post–H. pylori infection (WPI) in cancer-prone, hypergastrinemic male INS-GAS mice. We examined the efficacy of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac (400 ppm in drinking water) alone, the CCK2/gastrin receptor antagonist YM022 (45 mg/kg/wk) alone, and sulindac or YM022 combined with H. pylori eradication therapy to prevent H. pylori–associated gastric cancer in male INS-GAS mice. Treatments started at 22 WPI, and mice were euthanized at 28 WPI. In uninfected mice, all treatments significantly delayed development of spontaneous GIN (P < 0.05). In H. pylori–infected mice, sulindac alone or YM022 alone had no protective effect on H. pylori–associated GIN. Importantly, sulindac exacerbated the severity of H. pylori–associated gastritis despite decreased gastric prostaglandin E2 levels. However, sulindac combined with H. pylori antimicrobial eradication reduced the incidence of GIN (P < 0.05), whereas YM022 combined with antimicrobial eradication did not reduce GIN. In infected mice, sulindac or YM022 treatment did not alter gastric expression of the proinflammatory cytokines Ifn-γ and Tnf-α and mucosal cell proliferation. Sulindac or YM022 combined with antimicrobial eradication down-regulated mRNA levels of Ifn-γ and Tnf-α and mucosal cell proliferation (P < 0.05). We conclude that sulindac enhances H. pylori gastritis and may promote inflammation-mediated gastric carcinogenesis. The combination of sulindac and antimicrobial H. pylori eradication was beneficial for reducing proinflammatory cytokine mRNA in the stomach and preventing progression from severe dysplasia to gastric cancer in H. pylori–infected INS-GAS mice. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8166–74]