bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field studies into the dynamics of product development tasks
Authors: van Oorschot K.E. , Bertrand J.W.M. , Rutte C.G.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to describe three exploratory field studies investigating which characteristics add to later time to market and/or low product functionality of newly developed products. The studies are conducted at the level of developments tasks, or work packages. The first and second studies investigate to what extent the unpredictability of the project's outcome is the result of the unpredictability of the completion time of individual work packages, and of the instability of the total network of work packages.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical analysis of the empirical data about the progress of three design projects carried out in the development department of a high‐tech capital equipment manufacturer was used. The third study examines the reasons that members of the product development teams in this firm give for the unpredictability of time and quality of the project's outcome.

Findings

The results result indicate the existence of three very different sources of unpredictability: the usual uncertainty about the duration of a design task, the discovery of unexpected new problems in a design task, and the reprioritization of a work package by project leaders due to new problems in other work packages.

Originality/value

Together the three studies provide a detailed account of the operational characteristics of time‐paced product development projects in a particular firm and suggest ways to effectively manage such a project.
American, Asian and third‐party international warehouse operations in Europe
Authors: de Koster M.B.M. , Warffemius P.M.J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to report a survey carried out among European distribution centres (EDCs) in The Netherlands. EDCs are forerunners in implementing advanced logistics systems, since they are responsible for the distribution of a manufacturer's products to customers in a larger part of Europe, Middle East and Africa, often with strict service level agreements.

Design/methodology/approach

Warehouses with different outsourcing relations (own‐account, dedicated outsourced and public outsourced) are compared on operational aspects, performance, and future developments. Moreover, within the group of own‐account warehouses, especially Asian and American operations are tested for differences.

Findings

Outsourced warehouse operations appear to have a higher percentage of error‐free deliveries and to be more flexible than own‐account operations. Based on the literature it was expected that a difference in productivity and quality between American and Asian EDCs would be found. Some differences in operations are found. For example, Asian EDCs put more effort in quality methods and involve more native managers. However, significant differences in productivity and quality levels were not found. Apparently, the differences in operations do not have a substantial effect on the warehouse performance.

Originality/value

This paper is a first attempt to compare advanced warehouse operations from different origins, either operated by service providers or not.
Performance measurement systems, competitive priorities, and advanced manufacturing technology
Authors: Sacristán Díaz Macarena , José Álvarez Gil María , Dominguez Machuca José A.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

When acquiring advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT), the greatest caution should be taken regarding the performance measurement system to be used: the decision regarding new investments should not be conditioned by the excessive use of financial indicators to the detriment of the strategic objectives that motivated the investments. It is intended to analyze the aeronautical sector, for which the purchase of AMT is qualifying criteria, with two intentions: first, to identify the performance measurement systems that are used, and second, to test their correspondence with the objectives that motivated the investments.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of the 20 plants in the population was conducted via a postal questionnaire plus a structured interview. The unit of analysis has been maintained through the triangulation of data sources.

Findings

The findings suggest that both financial and non‐financial indicators are used, with the latter gaining predominance over the former on some occasions, even though there is no clear correspondence between strategy and the measurement of performance. In the light of the findings, the question of what inspires a company's performance measurement system is still open, especially in those cases where there is no explicit strategy. With regard to practical implications, what seems to be indispensable is an improvement in the determination of the critical variables that should be used to measure performance.

Research limitations/implications

Being valuable for academics and practitioners, this contribution relies, rather, on the possibility of a logical extrapolation to circumstances where the findings might apply, and researchers can judge whether the particular findings would be valid.

Originality/value

Provides new evidence on the adaptation of the make‐up and combination of the type of performance measures currently used by plants in the aeronautical industry, one of the sectors in which technological innovation is of the utmost importance.
A model for the assessment of waste in job shop environments
Authors: Rawabdeh Ibrahim A.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the waste in a job shop environment and proposes an assessment method aimed at helping companies to identify root causes of waste.

Design/methodology/approach

The seven wastes (overproducing; processing; inventory; transporting; producing defects; time waiting; and motion waste) and their relationships were explored. A waste matrix was developed to quantify in a percentage form the relationships among wastes and represents a probability that a certain type of waste will affect others or be affected by others. An assessment questionnaire was employed to allocate the source of waste and differentiate between the levels of waste. The waste matrix and the assessment questionnaire were incorporated in the assessment method to rank the existing waste in a job shop.

Findings

The developed model serves as guidelines for simplifying the search of waste problems and identifies opportunities for waste elimination. A case study was conducted to validate the model; and the results of the assessment and the real situation concur.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has investigated a method to allocate waste, quantify it and discuss the relationships among wastes without quantifying the potential savings. Further research should be done in order to investigate the level of reduction in effort and time as a result of implementing the method.

Practical implications

The approach provides a method by which managers can identify the sources of waste, differentiate between the levels of waste and rank their significance.

Originality/value

The simplicity of the matrix and the comprehensiveness of the questionnaire contribute to the achievement of accurate results in identifying the root causes of waste. The new model provides an insight into on where to concentrate effort by weighing the contributions of the different waste types.
Surviving the loss of state aid
Authors: Stephens Jay
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Given the issue of massive state aid cuts, this library aims to address the issue of how to handle poor or non‐existent government funding for public libraries. This situation has led many librarians over the years to explore the possibility of raising additional funds from alternative sources of income.

Design/methodology/approach

The author takes this dramatic situation and spins this as a way to productively work with whatever givens still exist, be they staff, resources, technology, etc. On identifying needs and shortcomings, others can find where they can still provide information services, yet in new and innovative ways.

Findings

Revenue streams may gain and reduce, but library users can remain a constant vibrancy in a community. This increasingly sophisticated demand for services and programs demands a parallel creativity of the library profession to develop programs and services, and find funding for them.

Originality/value

The author provides four practical points of how to deal with state financial losses, both in narrative examples and a checklist form. The findings are illustrative and can be replicated in a variety of public, special and academic library settings.
Financial responsibilities of library boards
Authors: Holt Glen E.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To guide library directors and their boards when financial issues arise – especially in finding a good balance on the level of involvement that the library board should have.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses a list of nine key responsibilities that can guide library board members when they deal with library finances.

Findings

It is impossible to have a library board and not have it involved in financial issues important to the management of the institution. Without proper guidance and management, board members cannot participate with the library in these issues in a meaningful way.

Originality/value

By listing nine responsibilities as examples, library directors can determine what responsibilities they want for their boards, and avoid some problems others have witnessed in other boards.
Revitalizing inner city retail?
Authors: Lowe Michelle
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the West Quay shopping centre development on the city of Southampton.

Design/methodology/approach

The West Quay scheme parallels recent high‐profile openings of “regional shopping centres” in city centre locations (e.g. Birmingham's Bullring and Reading's Oracle), and like those centres has had a significant impact on the image and external appeal of the city. Using a combination of material from personal interviews with key players in the Southampton retail scene, statistical data collected by Hammerson (the owners of West Quay), and city centre health check information, the paper offers an assessment of the impact of the regional in‐town centre on Southampton more broadly and on the city centre specifically.

Findings

Evidence suggests that the local effects of the centre's opening have not been as detrimental as was feared and that West Quay appears to be generating considerable synergy with Southampton's existing city centre. In addition, there are a number of important developments in the pipeline that owe theirraison d'êtreto West Quay.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not record the views of consumers and a future task must be to document and evaluate consumer's opinions of West Quay and incorporate these insights into future assessments of regional in‐town centres.

Originality/value

The paper provides a benchmark of “impacts” to date and a resource for other cities with similar in‐town schemes moving forward.
Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Authors: Schmidt Ruth Ä. , Jones Peter , Oldfield Brenda M.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

At the time of the imminent implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, Part III, this paper aims to raise awareness both amongst retail and marketing academics and practitioners of the opportunities and potential marketing benefits inherent in the implementation of the Act.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the UK disabled sector and the implications of DDA Stage III for retailers and service marketers is combined with an observational case study of shopping facilities for the mobility impaired shopper in a Manchester city centre and out‐of‐town location, complemented by interviews with Shopmobility representatives.

Findings

Findings provide an observational insight into the status quo of the implementation of the Act. Questions are raised concerning potential retailer responses on a continuum between mere compliance and enthusiastic commitment to the enhancement of servicescapes to the benefit of all. The role of different stakeholders and the potential contribution to location marketing are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Insights are based on systematically gathered observational data representing one person's experience at one point in time and in a specific location, validated via key informant interviews with two representatives of Shopmobility services. They can therefore be seen as exploratory only. Furthermore the focus is on mobility impairment, which is only one of a wide range of disabilities.

Practical implications

Implications for marketers include the need to move away from treating this market as separate from the mainstream and realize opportunities for enhancing servicescapes and retail offerings in ways which would benefit the wider population as well.

Originality/value

Through its qualitative case study approach the paper represents a rich snapshot of the retail offering in two Manchester locations on the eve of the implementation of DDA Part III, as seen from the point of view of a scooter based shopper.
Part II. Partnering in a railway infrastructure maintenance contract: a case study
Authors: Espling Ulla , Olsson Ulf
Published: August 2005

In 2000, the concept of partnering was introduced as a pilot project in an in‐house contract for operation and maintenance of railway infrastructure. A facilitator introduced the client, the Swedish National Rail Administration (Banverket), and the in‐house contractor, Banverket Produktion in partnering procedures before a contract was finalised. A contract with a target cost combined with incentives was negotiated. The partnering process was started by forming a team consisting of key personnel from the client and contractor. A charter containing mutual objectives was developed. Expected targets from the partnering process were achieved during 2001 and Banverket has decided to continue with the partnering process during the current year 2002 and expects to improve upon results to date. This paper presents the experiences from the implementation of partnering process to enhance the effectiveness of maintenance processes in order to enhance railway network efficiency in Sweden.
Improving university library electronic services
Authors: Falcone Santa , Rivera Michael
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To identify important features of a method to evaluate and improve university electronic library services.

Design/methodology/approach

Three iterations of the survey instrument designed by the Association of Research Libraries and two usability studies were conducted at the University of New Mexico Libraries.

Findings

The findings of three LibQUAL+TM surveys (2001, 2002, and 2003) and two usability studies (in 2001 and 2003) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) are presented

Research limitations/implications

The small number of demographic measures on the usability instrument prevented analyzing whether any demographic variables influenced user outcomes and the small number of participants in the usability studies (while useful for the purpose of the studies) was too small for statistical analysis.

Practical implications

Using the findings and the experience of applying the results of the usability studies, recommendations are made for an improved usability instrument that is more targeted.

Originality/value

This paper provides information to library managers who desire to evaluate and improve their library's electronic resource service provision and offers practical help to conduct a usability study.
Design for quality in agile manufacturing environment through modified orthogonal array‐based experimentation
Authors: Devadasan S.R. , Goshteeswaran S. , Gokulachandran J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To provide a modified orthogonal array‐based model for enabling the researchers and practitioners to exploit the technique, “design of experiments” in an agile manufacturing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics of Taguchi's off‐line models and agile manufacturing were studied. A theoretical model of modified orthogonal array‐based experimentation was designed. This model was subjected to implementation study in an Indian pump‐manufacturing company.

Findings

The model contributed in this paper has shown its feasibility in achieving quality in agile manufacturing environment.

Research limitations/implications

The authors are residing in an Indian city where the majority of the companies have not adopted agile manufacturing criteria. Hence, it was not possible to carry out implementation study in an agile manufacturing company. Future researchers should examine the practical validity of the proposed model in agile manufacturing companies.

Practical implications

Since the manufacturing organizations are fast becoming agile, due to the customers' dynamic demands coupled with competition, the traditional quality improvement techniques are becoming obsolete. The model contributed in this paper is found to be useful in achieving continuous quality improvement in AM environment. Hence the model would be a useful technique for today's practitioners whose activities are increasingly focused towards achieving agility in manufacturing.

Originality/value

The literature survey covering articles on agile manufacturing indicates that no researcher or practitioner has contributed a model that would exploit the technique, “design of experiments” in an agile manufacturing environment. Hence the proposed model is expected to be of high value for researchers and practitioners to explore the way of achieving continuous quality improvement in agile manufacturing environment.
Reducing bottle‐necks in a manufacturing system with automatic data collection and discrete‐event simulation
Authors: Ingemansson Arne , Ylipää Torbjörn , Bolmsjö Gunnar S.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Seeks to present a methodology for working with bottle‐neck reduction by using a combination of automatic data collection and discrete‐event simulation (DES) for a manufacturing system.

Design/methodology/approach

In the DES model, the bottle‐neck was identified by studying the simulation runs based on the collected automatic data from the different machines in the manufacturing system.

Findings

A case study showed an improvement of the availability in one machine from 58.5 to 60.2 percent. This single alteration with a minimum of investment resulted in a 3 percent increase of the overall output in the manufacturing system consisting of 11 numerically controlled machines and six other stations. A new simulation run was performed one year after the first study in order to see how the improvement work has progressed with the suggested method. The method resulted in an increase of 6 percent in overall output.

Originality/value

It could be assumed that machines in future manufacturing systems will provide automatic data. The data can then be used for DES models when identifying bottle‐necks in a manufacturing system.
Change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments using ERP
Authors: Lenny Koh S.C. , Simpson Mike
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate how enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems could create a competitive advantage for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The objectives of this study are to examine how responsive and agile the existing ERP systems are to change and uncertainty, and to identify the types of change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology is used in this study, which involves literature review, questionnaire survey and follow‐up, in‐depth telephone interviews. An uncertainty diagnosing business model is applied to collect data from SME manufacturers in make‐to‐stock (MTS), make‐to‐order (MTO) and mixed mode (MM) manufacturing environments in a structured manner, and to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. Some 108 enterprises responded (86 per cent response rate), of which 64 are SMEs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out in SPSS to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs.

Findings

ANOVA results show that a different group of underlying causes of uncertainty significantly affects the product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. This study found that ERP could improve responsiveness and agility to change, but not to uncertainty. SMEs could create a competitive advantage by being more responsive to change in the ERP system before generating purchase and work order. ERP systems could not deal with uncertainty due to its stochastic and unpredictable nature. SMEs use a range of buffering or dampening techniques under uncertainty to be competitive in delivery.

Originality/value

It can be concluded that the application of the business model in SMEs that use ERP has provided useful knowledge about the significant underlying causes of uncertainty that affect product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments. Using this knowledge, similar SMEs could then prioritise the effort and devise suitable buffering or dampening techniques to manage the causes of uncertainty and hence prevent any changes to the ERP system.
Multi‐plant purchase co‐ordination based on multi‐agent system in an ATO environment
Authors: Oboulhas Tsahat , Xu Xiaofei , Zhan Dechen
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to deal with the problem of multi‐plant purchase coordination in an assemble‐to‐order (ATO) environment, when volume discount schedules are provided by each of the suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses linear programming and a multi‐agent system to coordinate multi‐plant purchasing activities in order to minimize the total purchasing cost.

Findings

An integrated linear programming model and multi‐agent approach is perfectly suited to the purchase coordination in multi‐plant organizations in order to achieve the global profit.

Originality/value

The proposed model provides an effective and efficient coordination mechanism that helps multi‐plant organization and suppliers to maintain the availability of materials in the right quantity, with the right quality and at minimum possible cost.
Factors affecting ERP system adoption
Authors: Buonanno G. , Faverio P. , Pigni F. , Ravarini A. , Sciuto D. , Tagliavini M.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Proposes providing an insight about enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption, highlighting contact points and significant differences between the way small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies approach such a task.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a wide literature review, focused on the identification of a taxonomy of business and organizational factors influencing ERP adoption. The deriving research model was incorporated in a questionnaire that was preliminarily tested and finally provided to a sample of 366 companies of any size. Responses were collected through personal interviews made by a dedicated team to a top manager.

Findings

The analysis of the empirical data shows that business complexity, as a composed factor, is a weak predictor of ERP adoption, whereas just company size turns out to be a very good one. In other words, companies seem to be disregarding ERP systems as an answer to their business complexity. Unexpectedly, SMEs disregard financial constraints as the main cause for ERP system non‐adoption, suggesting structural and organizational reasons as major ones. This pattern is partially different from what was observed in large organizations where the first reason for not adopting an ERP system is organizational. Moreover, the decision process regarding the adoption of ERP systems within SMEs is still more affected by exogenous reasons or “opportunity of the moment” than business‐related factors, contrary to large companies that are more interested in managing process integration and data redundancy/inconsistency through ERP implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The research model is based on the assumption that business complexity and organizational change are the most relevant variables influencing ERP adoption, and such variables are explained through a set of factors inherently limited by the results of the literature review.

Practical implications

The results of the empirical research provide indication to SMEs willing to take into consideration the adoption of an ERP system. The same outcomes could be incorporated into the development strategies of ERP software houses.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to enhancing the understanding of the factors influencing the evolution of information systems within SMEs with respect to large companies.
Strategic technology adoption: extending ERP across the supply chain
Authors: de Búrca Seán , Fynes Brian , Marshall Donna
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This article proposes examining how small to medium‐sized organisations (SMEs) are responding to the challenge of harnessing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and internet technologies to enhance performance and improve competitiveness and aims to identify the barriers preventing organisations from harnessing these technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A case‐based research strategy was chosen. Four leading SMEs were interviewed to determine their approach to extended ERP and the barriers encountered. The primary data collection was based on structured in‐depth interviews with key respondents who were involved in the implementation of extended ERP and closely involved in day‐to‐day operations.

Findings

While each of the SMEs had already taken some steps to extended ERP, they adopted a cautious approach to the future. In short, SMEs considering extended ERP should determine the impact on all organisations before proceeding and should also apply the lessons learned from their initial ERP implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Single company case studies could be used to uncover some of the causal mechanisms behind the processes observed. Within‐sector case studies could be used to highlight the issues faced by particular sectors. Cross‐sector case studies could be used to validate the article's conclusions as well as to elucidate differences among sectors.

Practical implications

Managers of SMEs embarking on extended ERP should consider the following challenges: business processes, whether internal or external, must be examined and redesigned as necessary to take advantage of the new technology; an effective change management and communications programme must be run; the lessons learned from the original ERP implementation should be revisited and mistakes made in the past avoided; and a strong business case needs to be developed, with clear objectives and critical success factors.

Originality/value

While the internet has facilitated a shift towards dynamic communication and improved integration, the complexity of integrating electronic supply chain management, e‐procurement and customer relationship management poses an enormous challenge for organisations. This research study indicates that there are multiple ways in which extended ERP can be achieved to add value to SMEs but it is not simply a matter of adding a new application.
Towards a model of organisational prerequisites for enterprise‐wide systems integration
Authors: Sammon David , Adam Frederic
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The need for an integrated enterprise‐wide approach to management information pronounced data warehousing (DW) the “hot topic” of the early‐to‐mid‐1990s. However, it became unfashionable in the late 1990s, with the widespread implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. With ERP managers were led to believe that they would derive informational as well as operational benefits from the introduction of integrated enterprise‐wide systems. However, the recent re‐emergence of DW, to address the limitations and unrealised benefits of ERP systems, provides a new, more complex integration challenge. The main objective of this paper is to present the concept of organisational prerequisites for enterprise‐wide integration projects as a means to help managers preparing for and managing their ERP/DW projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on existing literature on ERP and DW implementations. It puts forward a model to be further tested and validated by ERP researchers.

Findings

The proposed model has the potential to solve the problems experienced in ERP implementations and, more generally, in projects leading to large‐scale enterprise integration.

Originality/value

Existing ERP research indicates that the intelligence phase of most ERP projects is ignored both in practice and in research. This paper lays the foundation for a framework that addresses this problem.
Design patterns for data integration
Authors: Schwinn Alexander , Schelp Joachim
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The application landscapes of major companies all have their own complex structure. Data have to be exchanged between or distributed to the various applications. Systemizing different data integration patterns on a conceptual level can help to avoid uncontrolled redundancy and support the design process of data integration solutions. Each pattern provides a solution for certain data integration requirements and makes the design process more effective by reusing approved solutions. Proposes identifying these patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

After a broad literature review data were obtained from interviews and documentary sources. Ten semi‐structured interviews were conducted within four different companies operating in the financial service industry. EAI‐ and IT‐architects as well as project managers and CTOs were involved in these interviews.

Findings

Five different data integration patterns were identified. Solutions for upcoming data integration requirements can be designed using these patterns. Advantages and disadvantages as well as typical usage scenarios are discussed for each identified data integration pattern.

Research limitations/implications

In order to identify data dependencies, to detect redundancies and to conduct further investigations, a consistent methodology for the description of application landscapes has to be developed. The presented design patterns are one part of this methodology only. The approach in this paper only considers data integration while in reality there are also other integration requirements like functional or process‐oriented integration.

Practical implications

The identified design patterns help practitioners (e.g. IT‐architects) to design solutions for data integration requirements. They can map the conceptual patterns to company specific technologies or products to realize the solution physically.

Originality/value

The design patterns are indifferent from any technology or products which ensure a broad application. Business requirements (e.g. requirement for autonomous processing) are considered first when designing a data integration solution.
ERP II: a conceptual framework for next‐generation enterprise systems?
Authors: Møller Charles
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to frame next‐generation enterprise systems (ES).

Design/methodology/approach

The model is based on a retrospective analysis of the evolution of enterprise systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) research and emerging business requirements.

Findings

The paper proposes a conceptual framework for extended enterprise resource planning (ERP II). The aim of this model is to compile present ES concepts into a comprehensive outline of ERP II, thus composing a generic map and taxonomy for corporate‐wide enterprise systems.

Research limitations/implications

The paper concludes that the ERP research needs to broaden its perspective in order to accommodate itself to the new issues of next‐generation enterprise systems.

Practical implications

The model is seen as a first step towards a tool to analyse and design complex enterprise systems architecture.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to formalize and capture the ERP II concept and the next‐generation enterprise systems.
Container contamination as a possible source of a diarrhoea outbreak in Abou Shouk camp, Darfur province, Sudan
Authors: Walden Vivien Margaret , Lamond Elizabeth‐Anne , Field Sally A.
Published: August 2005

Diarrhoea is one of the five major causes of death in an emergency setting and one of the three main causes of death in children (Curtis and Cairncross, 2003). In June 2004, an outbreak of shigellosis was confirmed in Abou Shouk camp in the Northern Darfur province of Sudan. As water testing showed no contamination, it was assumed that post‐collection contamination was happening. The decision was taken to launch a programme of mass disinfection of all water containers in order to break the contamination cycle. Diarrhoea figures from the clinics showed a fall in cases following the cleaning campaign. It is extremely difficult to obtain good and statistically rigorous data in an emergency setting, the priority being to intervene rapidly to prevent further cases of diarrhoea. However, the results do appear to indicate that the disinfection programme has had an impact on the prevalence of bloody and watery diarrhoea.
Restoring sanitation services after an earthquake: field experience in Bam, Iran
Authors: Pinera Jean‐François , Reed Robert A. , Njiru Cyrus
Published: August 2005

A powerful earthquake hit the city of Bam in southeast Iran on 26 December 2003. In its aftermath, a number of international relief agencies, including Oxfam, assisted in providing emergency sanitation services. Oxfam's programme consisted of constructing and repairing toilets and showers in villages located outside of the city. In contrast with other organisations, Oxfam opted for brickwork structures, using local materials and human resources rather than prefabricated cubicles. The choice illustrates the dilemmas faced by agencies involved in emergency sanitation: responding to needs in a manner consistent with international standards and offering assistance in a timely fashion while involving beneficiaries. Following a preliminary survey, Oxfam concluded that the provision of showers and latrines, in addition to utilisation of local materials and human resources, was essential for ensuring well‐being, empowerment and dignity among members of the affected population, thereby maximising the benefits.
Standardising and mapping open‐source information for crisis regions: the case of post‐conflict Iraq
Authors: Mubareka Sarah , Khudhairy Delilah Al , Bonn Ferdinand , Aoun Sami
Published: August 2005

Painting an accurate picture of the situation on the ground in countries in crisis is vital for the efficiency of humanitarian aid and reconstruction agencies. This study describes a method for standardising and mapping the plethora of open‐source information. The test site for the study is post‐conflict Iraq. Important information on aid distribution, reconstruction and security in Iraq can be derived from the reports of humanitarian aid agencies and the media, before being formatted, inserted into a database and mapped. The product is a visual, cartographic structure of otherwise random information, showing which organisations are working in the country, which thematic and geographic areas are being prioritised in the field, and which areas most frequently experience security events. This type of mapping not only highlights the overall working environment within different parts of the country, but it may also serve as a decision‐making tool for donors and humanitarian aid agencies planning to deploy personnel.
Comparing reactions to two severe tornadoes in one Oklahoma community
Authors: Comstock R. Dawn , Mallonee Sue
Published: August 2005

The authors compared the effect of the 3 May 1999 F5 and 8 May 2003 F3 tornadoes on the community of Moore, Oklahoma, by canvassing damaged areas after both tornadoes and surveying residents. Significantly more 1999 than 2003 residents reported property damage and injuries. Television and tornado sirens were the most common warnings each year, however, more 1999 residents received and responded to television warnings. Importantly, storm shelters were used more frequently in 2003. Fifty‐one per cent of residents who experienced both tornadoes took the same amount of protective action in 2003 as they had in 1999; 22% took less; and 27% took more. Residents who took less action said that the reason for doing so was inadequate warning and shelter. Firsthand experience of tornadoes prompts people to heed warnings when adequate notification is received and to take effective protective action when adequate shelter is available.
Prolonged cognitive dysfunction in survivors of critical illness
Authors: Sukantarat K. T. , Burgess P. W. , Williamson R. C. N. , Brett S. J.
Published: August 2005

A prospective study using neuropsychological testing explored cognitive performance, and specifically executive function, in survivors of critical illness during the first year of recovery. Fifty‐one patients who had survived 3 days or more in the intensive care unit were studied approximately 3 months after discharge; 45 of them were studied again 6 months later. General health was assessed using the Short‐Form 36. Cognitive and executive functions were measured using Raven's Progressive Matrices, the Hayling Sentence completion test and the Six‐Element Test. Three months after discharge from intensive care, all eight domains of Short‐Form 36 were impaired among survivors; by 9 months, four of the eight domains showed significant improvement. At 3 months, 35% of patients scored at or below a level equivalent to the lowest performing 5% of a normal population (i.e. the fifth percentile) on two or more tests of cognitive function; by 9 months only 4% of patients were impaired to this extent. Although cognitive performance improved with time, it remained below normal.
Nosocomial bacterial infections in Intensive Care Units. I: Organisms and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Lim S.‐M. , Webb S. A. R.
Published: August 2005

Hospital‐acquired infection is an increasing problem in intensive care units, where the patients are more susceptible and the organisms often more resistant than in other environments. This review discusses the reasons for these phenomena and describes the mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance and the common intensive care unit‐acquired organisms.
Low‐skill fibreoptic intubation: use of the Aintree Catheter with the classic LMA
Authors: Higgs A. , Clark E. , Premraj K.
Published: August 2005

We describe a series of patients in whom anaesthetists – many of whom were trainees and had no prior experience of using the Aintree Intubation Catheter – successfully intubated the tracheas of patients in whom conventional attempts at intubation had failed. This was achieved by passing a fibrescope loaded with an Aintree Intubation Catheter through a classic Laryngeal Mask Airway (cLMA™), which had already been placed to maintain the patient's airway.
Intra‐operative diagnosis of hypopituitarism in a patient undergoing radical nephrectomy
Authors: Pillai P. , Spears F. D.
Published: August 2005

A 43‐year‐old woman presented for elective radical nephrectomy. After induction of anaesthesia, she developed hypotension that failed to respond to standard treatment measures. Her core temperature decreased to 34 °C in spite of active warming. She required very low concentrations of anaesthetic agents to maintain an adequate depth of anaesthesia for abdominal surgery. After excluding the common causes of hypotension, the possibility of subclinical hypopituitarism was considered and subsequently confirmed.
Dreaming during anaesthesia in children: incidence, nature and associations
Authors: Huang G. H. , Davidson A. J. , Stargatt R.
Published: August 2005

In previous studies, the incidence of dreaming during anaesthesia in children was reported to be between 9.7% and 19%. These limited studies were performed over 15 years ago using outmoded anaesthetic techniques. No recent studies have examined the nature of dreaming or its impact on children. In this prospective cohort study of 864 children, we determined the incidence, nature, predictors and behavioural consequences of children who reported dreaming during anaesthesia. Children aged 5–12 years who had undergone general anaesthesia were interviewed for dreaming on three occasions. Dreaming was reported by 10.4% of children. The content of the dreams was mostly pleasant and unrelated to their hospital experiences. Dreaming was more common in younger children and in children who had also experienced awareness during anaesthesia. No association was found between dreaming and the anaesthetic drugs used. Dreaming was not associated with an increased risk of behavioural disturbances postoperatively. Anaesthetists should be reassured that dreaming is a common occurrence that does not appear to distress children.
The diagnosis of acute renal failure in intensive care: mongrel or pedigree?
Authors: Tillyard A. , Keays R. , Soni N.
Published: August 2005

Acute renal failure is common in the intensive care unit; it is well recognised that patients who develop acute renal failure have a high mortality rate. While there have been improvements in the management of acute renal failure, the mortality remains high. Acute renal failure is easily diagnosed biochemically and clinically but it is not a single disease entity. It is a syndrome that affects a very heterogeneous population. Studies of acute renal failure and of the impact of renal replacement therapy in intensive care are usually inconclusive, which may be the natural consequence of studying a syndrome. This article focuses on the more uncertain features of acute renal failure, the problems of investigating acute renal failure as a disease and the difficulties of applying the results of a study of a heterogeneous population to the management of individuals.
Application of MVBC equation to predict mixed venous blood concentrations of sevoflurane in cardiac anaesthesia
Authors: Ho W.‐M. , Hung W. T. , Wu C. C. , Shen C. H. , Yang N. C. , Hwang K. L. , Wong K. C.
Published: August 2005

We have proposed an equation for estimating the real‐time mixed venous blood concentration (MVBC) of isoflurane in cardiac anaesthesia. However, information related to the application of our method to sevoflurane is lacking. We studied 12 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and anaesthetised with sevoflurane. At different time points, pulmonary arterial blood samples were collected for gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) to determine the real mixed venous concentrations of sevoflurane. The inspired and expired concentrations of sevoflurane, measured by a gas monitor, were used for the MVBC calculations. Using Bland‐Altman analyses, we found that the calculated MVBCs accurately represent the actual concentrations of sevoflurane in pulmonary arterial blood, as shown by a near‐zero percentage bias with a 0.14% precision between the two concentrations. The results demonstrated that our equation could be a useful method for estimating the pulmonary blood concentration of sevoflurane.
A prospective, randomised, controlled study examining binaural beat audio and pre‐operative anxiety in patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day case surgery*
Authors: Padmanabhan R. , Hildreth A. J. , Laws D.
Published: August 2005

Pre‐operative anxiety is common and often significant. Ambulatory surgery challenges our pre‐operative goal of an anxiety‐free patient by requiring people to be ‘street ready’ within a brief period of time after surgery. Recently, it has been demonstrated that music can be used successfully to relieve patient anxiety before operations, and that audio embedded with tones that create binaural beats within the brain of the listener decreases subjective levels of anxiety in patients with chronic anxiety states. We measured anxiety with the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and compared binaural beat audio (Binaural Group) with an identical soundtrack but without these added tones (Audio Group) and with a third group who received no specific intervention (No Intervention Group). Mean [95% confidence intervals] decreases in anxiety scores were 26.3%[19–33%] in the Binaural Group (p = 0.001 vs. Audio Group, p < 0.0001 vs. No Intervention Group), 11.1%[6–16%] in the Audio Group (p = 0.15 vs. No Intervention Group) and 3.8%[0–7%] in the No Intervention Group. Binaural beat audio has the potential to decrease acute pre‐operative anxiety significantly.
Correlation of EEG spectral entropy with regional cerebral blood flow during sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia*
Authors: Maksimow A. , Kaisti K. , Aalto S. , Mäenpää M. , Jääskeläinen S. , Hinkka S. , Martens S. , Särkelä M. , Viertiö‐Oja H. , Scheinin H.
Published: August 2005

ENTROPY™ index monitoring, based on spectral entropy of the electroencephalogram, is a promising new method to measure the depth of anaesthesia. We examined the association between spectral entropy and regional cerebral blood flow in healthy subjects anaesthetised with 2%, 3% and 4% end‐expiratory concentrations of sevoflurane and 7.6, 12.5 and 19.0 μg.ml−1 plasma drug concentrations of propofol. Spectral entropy from the frequency band 0.8–32 Hz was calculated and cerebral blood flow assessed using positron emission tomography and [15O]‐labelled water at baseline and at each anaesthesia level. Both drugs induced significant reductions in spectral entropy and cortical and global cerebral blood flow. Midfrontal‐central spectral entropy was associated with individual frontal and whole brain blood flow values across all conditions, suggesting that this novel measure of anaesthetic depth can depict global changes in neuronal activity induced by the drugs. The cortical areas of the most significant associations were remarkably similar for both drugs.
Intraocular pressure during lumbar disc surgery in the knee‐elbow position
Authors: Tiefenthaler W. , Gabl M. , Teuchner B. , Benzer A.
Published: August 2005

Increased intraocular pressure is often implicated in the aetiology of postoperative visual impairment. Such an increase in intraocular pressure has been demonstrated in the prone position. We investigated intraocular pressure in seven patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery in the knee‐elbow position with the head resting on a cushion and turned to the side. Measurements were performed in the supine position before induction of anaesthesia and in the knee‐elbow position after surgery with the patient still anaesthetised. After a mean (SD) duration of prone positioning of 121 (18) min, mean (SD) intraocular pressure in the nondependent eye was unchanged when compared to the awake state (17.7 (2.4) mmHg vs 18.9 (5.5) mmHg), whereas the intraocular pressure in the dependent eye had significantly decreased (17.0 (3.6) mmHg vs 8.1 (1.8) mmHg; p < 0.01). These results may be important for choosing the optimal position for spinal surgery when an increase in intraocular pressure should be avoided.