bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome After Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation in a Pediatric Population
Authors: Bellin Melena D , Carlson Annelisa M , Kobayashi Takashi , Gruessner Angelika C , Hering Bernhard J , Moran Antoinette , Sutherland David ER
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

Little is known regarding outcomes after pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis in pediatric patients. In this study, we document pain control and metabolic course after this procedure in a pediatric population.

Materials and Methods:

We reviewed medical records for 24 patients 18 years old or younger who underwent pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation at the University of Minnesota from July 1989 through June 2006. Patients and/or their parents were invited to participate in a follow‐up telephone survey. Primary outcome measures were narcotics and insulin use at follow‐up. We compared outcomes in patients undergoing surgery as preadolescents (<13 years old) versus adolescents.

Results:

Follow‐up information was available on 18 of 24 patients. All of the patients required narcotics before surgery. Of the 18, only 7 (39%) were still taking narcotics at the time of the survey. At 1 year posttransplant, 78% of patients had islet graft function with full function (insulin independent) in 56% and partial function (once‐daily insulin use only) in 22%. By Cox regression analysis, important predictors of insulin independence were islet yield >2000 islet equivalents per kilogram and lack of prior pancreatic surgery (P = 0.011). Preadolescents were less likely to require chronic narcotic therapy at follow‐up (P = 0.05) and were more likely to maintain graft function (P = 0.02) compared with adolescents.

Conclusions:

Pancreatectomy can relieve pain in pediatric patients with chronic pancreatitis and the majority can withdraw from narcotics. Islet autotransplantation can prevent or reduce the severity of diabetes in about three fourths of patients. Outcome goals were reached in a higher proportion of younger than older children.
Fibrin Glue Application in the Management of Refractory Chylous Ascites in Children
Authors: Zeidan S , Delarue A , Rome A , Roquelaure B
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this retrospective review of the charts of 6 children who underwent surgical treatment of chylous ascites refractory to conservative measures between 1993 and 2006 was to evaluate the efficiency of fibrin glue application for control of lymph leakage. Five children had postoperative chylous ascites (neuroblastoma, 4; cystic lymphangioma, 1) and 1 had a congenital malformation. Surgical exploration revealed large areas of diffuse lymphatic leakage in all of the patients. Lymphatic fistula was not identified intraoperatively in any patient. Ingestion of lipophilic dye in a concentrated fatty meal was not helpful in locating a lymph fistula. Absorbable mesh was used in association with glue application in the last 3 patients treated. Control of ascites was achieved immediately in 2 patients and within 3 weeks in 2 patients. Repeat surgery was required in the remaining 2 patients. The mean follow‐up time was 4.3 years. One patient died of tumor recurrence 12 months after surgical treatment without relapse of the ascites. Two mild late recurrences were observed at 6 and 11 months after surgery and were managed conservatively. The findings of this study show that fibrin glue application on absorbable mesh after dissection of the leakage zones is easy, safe, and effective. We recommend that surgery with glue application be repeated until control of ascites is achieved. We suggest fibrin glue application as a preventive measure against postoperative chylous ascites.
Prevalence of Endoscopic Findings of Erosive Esophagitis in Children: A Population‐based Study
Authors: Gilger Mark A , El‐Serag Hashem B , Gold Benjamin D , Dietrich Craig L , Tsou VM , McDuffie Addie , Shub Mitchell D
Published: March 2009

Purpose:

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occur in 2% to 7% of children. The manifestations of GERD can be limited to symptoms (eg, heartburn, regurgitation) or can be more complicated, such as erosive esophagitis, esophageal strictures, or Barrett esophagus. The prevalence of such GERD complications in children is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of endoscopic findings of erosive esophagitis in children.

Patients and Methods:

All children ages 0 to 17 years, 11 months who underwent upper endoscopy that was recorded in the Pediatric Endoscopic Database System‐Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative between 1999 and 2002 were included. Endoscopic reports that were incomplete or that did not include demographic features, indications for endoscopy, or endoscopic findings were excluded. Erosive esophagitis was defined either descriptively or by the Los Angeles classification. Esophageal biopsy was not evaluated.

Results:

A total of 7188 children who underwent upper endoscopy fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of those, 888 (12.4%) had erosive esophagitis. The median age of children with erosive esophagitis was 12.7 ± 4.9 years versus 10.0 ± 5.1 years in those without erosive esophagitis (P ≤ 0.0001). Of those with erosive esophagitis, 55.2% (490/888) were male, compared with 48.2% (3040/6300) in those without erosive esophagitis (P = 0.0001). Erosive esophagitis was found in 29 of 531 (5.5%) children ages 0 to 1 years and progressively increased to 106 in 542 individuals (19.6%) by age 17. Hiatal hernia was found in 68 (7.7%) of children with erosive esophagitis, compared with 157 (2.5%) without erosive esophagitis (P ≤ 0.0001. The prevalence of Barrett esophagus, esophageal stricture, ulcer, previous surgery, nodules, foreign body or retained food, and anatomic abnormalities was not significantly different between children with erosive esophagitis and those without.

Conclusions:

The frequency of erosive esophagitis is slightly higher in male children and increases with age. In contrast to erosive esophagitis in adults, there were no significant variations according to race or ethnicity. Hiatal hernia is the only endoscopic observation that predicts erosive esophagitis.
Discontinuation of Tube Feeding in Young Children by Hunger Provocation
Authors: Kindermann Angelika , Kneepkens Corneille Marie Francois , Stok Anita , van Dijk Elisabeth Maria , Engels Michelle , Douwes Adriaan Cornelis
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

Pathological food refusal (PFR) is not rare in young children with chronic conditions requiring prolonged tube feeding. We investigated whether these children could be weaned from tube feeding with a multidisciplinary hunger provocation program.

Patients and Methods:

The study included children younger than 2 years with PFR who had been dependent on tube feeding for at least 3 months. They followed a multidisciplinary in‐hospital program. During step 1, only 50% of the normal allowance was given by tube. During step 2, oral feeding was offered and completed up to 50% with tube feeding afterwards. During step 3, supplementary tube feeding was given at night. During step 4, only insensible loss (400 mL/m2), was replaced. When the child had started eating, parents took over feeding (step 5). Primary endpoints were eating without tube feeding while gaining weight at 3 and 6 months after discharge.

Results:

Ten children (age 9–21 months; 7 girls) were exclusively tube fed for 7 to 19 months. Hospital stay lasted 9 to 33 days (mean 17.3 days). All children but 1 remained in clinically stable condition and started to eat within 1 week. Weight loss was 3.7% to 15.6% (mean 9.2%); in 1 child, the program was discontinued because of excessive weight loss. At follow‐up after 3 and 6 months, 9 of 10 and 8 of 10 children, respectively, were eating adequately and gaining weight without tube feeding. Two children with recurrent infections resumed partial (25%–50%) tube feeding during follow‐up.

Conclusions:

The multidisciplinary hunger provocation program seems to be a promising method to promote discontinuation of tube feeding in young children.
Global diversity in the human salivary microbiome
Authors: Nasidze Ivan , Li Jing , Quinque Dominique , Tang Kun , Stoneking Mark
Published: February 2009

The human salivary microbiome may play a role in diseases of the oral cavity and interact with microbiomes from other parts of the human body (in particular, the intestinal tract), but little is known about normal variation in the salivary microbiome. We analyzed 14,115 partial (∼500 bp) 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences from saliva samples from 120 healthy individuals (10 individuals from each of 12 worldwide locations). These sequences could be assigned to 101 known bacterial genera, of which 39 were not previously reported from the human oral cavity; phylogenetic analysis suggests that an additional 64 unknown genera are present. There is high diversity in the salivary microbiome within and between individuals, but little geographic structure. Overall, ∼13.5% of the total variance in the composition of genera is due to differences among individuals, which is remarkably similar to the fraction of the total variance in neutral genetic markers that can be attributed to differences among human populations. Investigation of some environmental variables revealed a significant association between the genetic distances among locations and the distance of each location from the equator. Further characterization of the enormous diversity revealed here in the human salivary microbiome will aid in elucidating the role it plays in human health and disease, and in the identification of potentially informative species for studies of human population history.
Genomic distribution of CHD7 on chromatin tracks H3K4 methylation patterns
Authors: Schnetz Michael P. , Bartels Cynthia F. , Shastri Kuntal , Balasubramanian Dheepa , Zentner Gabriel E. , Balaji Ravishankar , Zhang Xiaodong , Song Lingyun , Wang Zhenghe , LaFramboise Thomas , Crawford Gregory E. , Scacheri Peter C.
Published: February 2009

CHD7 is a member of the chromodomain helicase DNA binding domain family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes. De novo mutation of the CHD7 gene is a major cause of CHARGE syndrome, a genetic disease characterized by a complex constellation of birth defects (Coloboma of the eye, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, severe Retardation of growth and development, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities). To gain insight into the function of CHD7, we mapped the distribution of the CHD7 protein on chromatin using the approach of chromatin immunoprecipitation on tiled microarrays (ChIP-chip). These studies were performed in human colorectal carcinoma cells, human neuroblastoma cells, and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells before and after differentiation into neural precursor cells. The results indicate that CHD7 localizes to discrete locations along chromatin that are specific to each cell type, and that the cell-specific binding of CHD7 correlates with a subset of histone H3 methylated at lysine 4 (H3K4me). The CHD7 sites change concomitantly with H3K4me patterns during ES cell differentiation, suggesting that H3K4me is part of the epigenetic signature that defines lineage-specific association of CHD7 with specific sites on chromatin. Furthermore, the CHD7 sites are predominantly located distal to transcription start sites, most often contained within DNase hypersensitive sites, frequently conserved, and near genes expressed at relatively high levels. These features are similar to those of gene enhancer elements, raising the possibility that CHD7 functions in enhancer mediated transcription, and that the congenital anomalies in CHARGE syndrome are due to alterations in transcription of tissue-specific genes normally regulated by CHD7 during development.
General gene movement off the X chromosome in the Drosophila genus
Authors: Vibranovski Maria D. , Zhang Yong , Long Manyuan
Published: February 2009

In Drosophila melanogaster, there is an excess of genes duplicated by retroposition from the X chromosome to the autosomes. Most of those retrogenes that originated on the X chromosome have testis expression pattern. These observations could be explained by natural selection favoring genes that avoided spermatogenesis X inactivation or by sexual antagonistic effects favoring the fixation of male beneficial mutations on the autosomes. If natural selection played the essential role in distributing male-related genes, then the out-of-the-X chromosomal gene movement should not be limited to retrogenes. Here, we studied DNA-based interchromosome gene movement patterns by analyzing relocated genes that were previously identified in 12 Drosophila genome sequences. We found a significant excess of gene movement out of the X chromosome. In addition, we were able to extend previous retrogene movement analysis to species and branches other than those involving D. melanogaster, confirming the pervasiveness of gene movement out of the X chromosome. Also, for X chromosome-to-autosome (X→A) movement, we observed high testis expression of relocated genes as opposed to the low testis expression of parental genes, corroborating the involvement of the male germ line on the gene movement process. These analyses of both DNA-based and RNA-based gene relocations reveal that the out-of-the-X movement of testis-expressed genes is a general pattern in the Drosophila genus.
An Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cascade, MKK9-MPK6, Plays a Role in Leaf Senescence
Authors: Zhou Chunjiang , Cai Zhaohui , Guo Yongfeng , Gan Susheng
Published: February 2009

Leaf senescence is a developmentally programmed cell death process that constitutes the final step of leaf development, and it can be regulated by multiple environmental cues and endogenous signals. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play diverse roles in intracellular and extracellular signaling in plants. Roles of the MAPK signaling module in leaf senescence are unknown. Here, a MAPK cascade involving MKK9-MPK6 is shown to play an important role in regulating leaf senescence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Both MKK9 and MPK6 possess kinase activities, with MPK6 an immediate target of MKK9, as revealed by in vitro, in vivo, and in planta assays. The constitutive and inducible overexpression of MKK9 causes premature senescence in leaves and in whole Arabidopsis plants. The premature senescence phenotype is suppressed when MKK9 is overexpressed in the mpk6 null background. When either MKK9 or MPK6 is knocked out, leaf senescence is delayed.
AtVPS45 Is a Positive Regulator of the SYP41/SYP61/VTI12 SNARE Complex Involved in Trafficking of Vacuolar Cargo
Authors: Zouhar Jan , Rojo Enrique , Bassham Diane C.
Published: February 2009

We report a functional characterization of AtVPS45 (for vacuolar protein sorting 45), a protein from the Sec1/Munc18 family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that interacts at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) with the SYP41/SYP61/VTI12 SNARE complex. A null allele of AtVPS45 was male gametophytic lethal, whereas stable RNA interference lines with reduced AtVPS45 protein levels had stunted growth but were viable and fertile. In the silenced lines, we observed defects in vacuole formation that correlated with a reduction in cell expansion and with autophagy-related defects in nutrient turnover. Moreover, transport of vacuolar cargo with carboxy-terminal vacuolar sorting determinants was blocked in the silenced lines, suggesting that AtVPS45 functions in vesicle trafficking to the vacuole. These trafficking defects are similar to those observed in vti12 mutants, supporting a functional relationship between AtVPS45 and VTI12. Consistent with this, we found a decrease in SYP41 protein levels coupled to the silencing of AtVPS45, pointing to instability and malfunction of the SYP41/SYP61/VTI12 SNARE complex in the absence of its cognate Sec1/Munc18 regulator. Based on its localization on the TGN, we hypothesized that AtVPS45 could be involved in membrane fusion of retrograde vesicles recycling vacuolar trafficking machinery. Indeed, in the AtVPS45-silenced plants, we found a striking alteration in the subcellular fractionation pattern of vacuolar sorting receptors, which are required for sorting of carboxy-terminal vacuolar sorting determinant-containing cargo. We propose that AtVPS45 is essential for recycling of the vacuolar sorting receptors back to the TGN and that blocking this step underlies the defects in vacuolar cargo trafficking observed in the silenced lines.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Ethylene Response Factor LeERF2 in the Expression of Ethylene Biosynthesis Genes Controls Ethylene Production in Tomato and Tobacco
Authors: Zhang Zhijin , Zhang Haiwen , Quan Ruidan , Wang Xue-Chen , Huang Rongfeng
Published: March 2009

Fine-tuning of ethylene production plays an important role in developmental processes and in plant responses to stress, but very little is known about the regulation of ethylene response factor (ERF) proteins in ethylene biosynthesis genes and ethylene production. Identifying cis-acting elements and transcription factors that play a role in this process, therefore, is important. Previously, a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [f. sp. Lycopersicon esculentum]) ERF protein, LeERF2, an allele of TERF2, was reported to confer ethylene triple response on plants. This paper reports the transcriptional modulation of LeERF2/TERF2 in ethylene biosynthesis in tomato and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Using overexpressing and antisense LeERF2/TERF2 transgenic tomato, we found that LeERF2/TERF2 is an important regulator in the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes and the production of ethylene. Expression analysis revealed that LeERF2/TERF2 is ethylene inducible, and ethylene production stimulated by ethylene was suppressed in antisense LeERF2/TERF2 transgenic tomato, indicating LeERF2/TERF2 to be a positive regulator in the feedback loop of ethylene induction. Further research showed that LeERF2/TERF2 conservatively modulates ethylene biosynthesis in tobacco and that such regulation in tobacco is associated with the elongation of the hypocotyl and insensitivity to abscisic acid and glucose during germination and seedling development. The effects on ethylene synthesis were similar to those of another ERF protein, TERF1, because TERF1 and LeERF2/TERF2 have overlapping roles in the transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthesis in tobacco. Biochemical analysis showed that LeERF2/TERF2 interacted with GCC box in the promoter of NtACS3 and with dehydration-responsive element in the promoter of LeACO3, resulting in transcriptional activation of the genes for ethylene biosynthesis in tomato and tobacco, which is a novel regulatory function of ERF proteins in plant ethylene biosynthesis.
GRAS Proteins Form a DNA Binding Complex to Induce Gene Expression during Nodulation Signaling in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Hirsch Sibylle , Kim Jiyoung , Muñoz Alfonso , Heckmann Anne B. , Downie J. Allan , Oldroyd Giles E.D.
Published: February 2009

The symbiotic association of legumes with rhizobia involves bacterially derived Nod factor, which is sufficient to activate the formation of nodules on the roots of the host plant. Perception of Nod factor by root hair cells induces calcium oscillations that are a component of the Nod factor signal transduction pathway. Perception of the calcium oscillations is a function of a calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and this activates nodulation gene expression via two GRAS domain transcriptional regulators, Nodulation Signaling Pathway1 (NSP1) and NSP2, and an ERF transcription factor required for nodulation. Here, we show that NSP1 and NSP2 form a complex that is associated with the promoters of early nodulin genes. We show that NSP1 binds directly to ENOD promoters through the novel cis-element AATTT. While NSP1 shows direct binding to the ENOD11 promoter in vitro, this association in vivo requires NSP2. The NSP1-NSP2 association with the ENOD11 promoter is enhanced following Nod factor elicitation. Mutations in the domain of NSP2 responsible for its interaction with NSP1 highlight the significance of the NSP1-NSP2 heteropolymer for nodulation signaling. Our work reveals direct binding of a GRAS protein complex to DNA and highlights the importance of the NSP1-NSP2 complex for efficient nodulation in the model legume Medicago truncatula.
Practical digital asset management and the university library
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the assertion that, because library‐managed institutional repositories (IRs) have successfully created specific collections of self‐archived textual papers produced by researchers in Higher Education organisations, the entire digital content of a university's network space can be managed by libraries as successfully as the contents of an IR. The system for achieving this is called a “digital asset management” system (DAMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a review of some recent writing on this topic combined with observations from library and information management practice.

Findings

The paper finds that “DAMs” systems are in reality very under‐developed. Libraries cannot implement ready‐made “DAMs” for universities in the same way that they can implement a library management system. However, they are well placed to use their institutional repository and general information management expertise to improve the DAMs practices of universities and should gradually start to promote better practice in this area.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation into the concept of DAMs is necessary to see how software innovations can push the idea forward.

Practical implications

Given that DAMs are underdeveloped relative to their potential, practitioners should adopt a gradualist and incremental approach to the implementation of DAMs ideas.

Originality/value

The paper tries to present the concepts of DAMs against a background of everyday library and information practice.
The world of outreach
Authors: Gluibizzi Amanda K.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the outreach activities of the Fine Arts Library at Ohio State University.

Design/methodology/approach

Outreach at Ohio State is intended to have global impact, but successful outreach is often hampered by lack of partnerships, funding restrictions, and a monolithic approach to the patron. The paper reflects on each of these issues and discusses the strategies used by the Fine Arts Library to conduct outreach with user‐focus and budgets in mind.

Findings

The paper finds that there are techniques for outreach that involve small outputs of funds but have larger impacts. Moving past a “one size fits all” philosophy for outreach allows the Fine Arts Library to connect with the patrons it is best able to serve.

Originality/value

While the phrase “think globally, act locally” is well‐known, it can often be forgotten in libraries, where the goal to reach as many people as possible is very important. This paper suggests that the returns on the local investment are incredibly important to the global missions of libraries.
Exploiting the social style of patrons to improve their satisfaction with the reference interview
Authors: Sisselman Peggy
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discover whether the social styles of patrons affects their perception (and librarians’ perception) of the quality of the reference interview. Also, whether learning to assess social styles of patrons improves perception of the quality of the reference interview.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher observed 24 reference interviews, assessed the social style of each patron using a checklist of behavioral characteristics; both patrons and librarians confidentially filled out a survey to assess the outcome of the reference interview.

Findings

It appears that the social style of patrons has some effect on how both librarians and patrons perceive the outcome of the reference interview. There also appears to be a correlation between the librarians’ awareness of the social styles of people and the outcome of the reference interview.

Practical implications

Literature has not provided any data on how social style theory on the four social styles (analytical, expressive, driver, amiable) could be used to improve the reference interview.

Originality/value

Social style theory has been explored in academic settings and in the areas of marketing and sales, but not yet in public libraries.
Cognition in strategic decision making
Authors: McKenzie Jane , Woolf Nick , van Winkelen Christine , Morgan Clare
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge an over‐reliance on past experience as the cognitive underpinning for strategic decisions. It seeks to argue that, in complex and unknowable conditions, effective leaders use three distinct and complementary thinking capacities, which go beyond those normally learned during their rise to the top.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model of thinking capacities is justified through a review of the psychology literature; the face validity of the proposed model is supported through six in‐depth interviews with successful CEOs.

Findings

A model of non‐conventional thinking capacities describes how strategic decision‐makers make choices that are better adapted to the conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity and contradiction, which prevail in complex situations. These capacities are complementary to the more conventional approaches generally used in thinking about decisions.

Practical implications

The paper aims to stimulate awareness of the limitations of habitual mental responses in the face of difficult strategic decisions. It challenges leaders consciously to extend their abilities beyond conventional expectations to a higher order of thinking that is better suited to multi‐stakeholder situations in complex environments.

Originality/value

The paper responds to the challenge of McKenna and Martin‐Smith to develop new theoretical approaches to complex environments. It extends conventional approaches to decision making by synthesising from the literature some essential thinking capacities, which are well suited to the demands of situations dominated by uncertainty, ambiguity and contradiction.
Structures of learning for dynamic markets
Authors: Murray Peter A. , Syed Jawad , Roberts Zeynep
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand why structures of learning underpin the creation of competencies that allow firms to compete more successfully in dynamic markets. The paper seeks to challenge the idea that, in the absence of learning, capabilities are the main source of competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper discusses the relationships between competencies, learning, and dynamic markets. Second, a preliminary analysis is conducted of the learning routines of 118 top sales managers. The results are compared with three different structures of learning, allowing conclusions to be drawn about learning in dynamic markets.

Findings

The study illustrates that a number of dynamic learning routines are not evident in the sales environments of dynamic markets. The findings suggest that firms are not well placed to renew routines from inside‐out and to respond to market dynamics. The patterns of integration among individuals and groups, however, seem to be well represented, reflecting higher‐level learning routines.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical findings offered here are of a preliminary nature. Future researchers might usefully apply the typology of learning structures to examine in more detail the empirical links established. Studies might also examine organisational learning in a variety of industrial and consumer‐based contexts.

Originality/value

The idea that learning structures (rather than capabilities themselves) are the basis of competencies that enable a firm to better respond to dynamic markets is a useful and novel approach.
Impact of insurers' product variety on performance across underwriting cycles
Authors: Elango B.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This study sets out to focus on understanding the linkage between product variety and performance of property/casualty insurers during underwriting cycles.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample is based on 4,597 property/casualty (PC) insurers from the time period 2000‐2004. Insurers are categorized into two groups based on performance: insurers whose performance is above 0.1 standard deviation of the mean, and insurers whose performance is below 0.1 standard deviation of the mean. Later logistic regression models are used to determine the influence of product variety on the likelihood of an insurer falling into one of these groups.

Findings

Study findings indicate that insurers with greater product variety had lower performance than focused insurers during both phases of the cycle. Insurers with great product variety fared relatively better than focused insurers during the hard markets compared with soft markets.

Originality/value

Extant research has presented significant evidence for the existence of underwriting cycles and factors causing such cycles. However, very little is known about factors that influence performance differentials across property/casualty insurers during underwriting cycles. Using real options theory, the study initially develops a rationale explaining how product variety reduces performance during an underwriting cycle and tests for the same. Study findings show that product variety aids performance of insurance firms in hard markets and soft markets, though more so in the former. In this particular instance, for firms seeking to reduce performance, it could well be that “not putting all your eggs in one basket” may not be a bad idea after all.
Jaguar lifts XF robot total to 179
Authors: Mortimer John
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how Jaguar Cars in the UK has increased the number of industrial robots at its XF body‐in‐white (BIW) facility at its Castle Bromwich site in the UK. This site has three BIW shops – one each for the XK sports car, the XF sports saloon and the XJ saloon. Both XK and XJ use aluminium‐intensive BIW structures. Castle Bromwich is Jaguar's principal manufacturing site alongside Halewood on Merseyside where the X‐Type continues to be built.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the major production line techniques that are used in the manufacture of the BIW structure of the XF vehicle, Jaguar's latest car. The BIW techniques include spot‐welding and ultrasonic weld inspection for parts assembly.

Findings

Over the space of the last three or four years, Jaguar has increased significantly the stature of its UK manufacturing units with the aim of increasing productivity.

Research limitations/implications

Jaguar Cars, part of the Indian conglomerate TATA, continually assesses all of the functions involved in the manufacture of a motor vehicle, and in this context is working both with its own plants as well as with suppliers of equipment and components to enhance production and quality processes. This includes all of the processes of joining steel and other materials using spot welding and adhesives. There is also much to be gained from the interchange of information between the various plants in the Jaguar/LandRover group with a view to implementing continuous improvement. The benefits achieved from one process in one particular plant are communicated to other facilities, again with the object of improving quality and productivity.

Practical implications

Arising out of greater plant integration and utilization, it is likely the management of Jaguar Cars can further increase manufacturing efficiency at the Castle Bromwich site.

Originality/value

Jaguar Cars continues to rationalise its manufacturing processes, further integrating these production facilities with those of major component suppliers to produce a finished vehicle. There is a heavy concentration of robots within the BIW manufacturing facilities.
Robots boost for GMM van production
Authors: Mortimer John
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how General Motors (GM) Manufacturing has increased the number of installed robots at its Luton, Bedfordshire, UK van making facility as a means of increasing productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

As a result of a study of industrial robots the decision was taken to install Fanuc robots to increase the level of automation. The robots are used mainly for spot welding, though some are used for handling large components.

Findings

Over the space of the last four years or so the management of GM Manufacturing has been tackling constraints in the body shop using GMs' throughput improvement processes to achieve greater utilization of its facilities at a time of a gradually reducing workforce.

Research limitations/implications

GM has a process of continuous improvement, which it uses in most of the functions involved in the manufacture of motor vehicles. As part of this process, engineers continually examine ways of removing constraints on the shop floor. Many of these constraints are brought about by the old age of the plant and the confined nature of the equipment. The techniques of continuous improvement are being applied with the aim of bringing up the plant to the point that it is in the best position to win the contract for the next generation of compact light commercial van. If the Luton plant does not win this contract then it would have to examine means of manufacturing other niche vehicles that would allow the plant to continue operations. Alternatively, without further work the prospect facing the plant is closure. The importance of making improvements to ensure the future of the plant is crucial.

Practical implications

Arising out of the increased robot population, the plant at Luton now has the capability for the first time to manufacture over 100,000 vans a year.

Originality/value

For the first time, Fanuc robots have been installed in a plant, which hitherto has used Comau Smart robots. By such a move, two types of robots are being used on the shop floor with the inevitable implications associated with two different control systems.
Larger is the key word at the latest IMTS show
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago with emphasis on innovative robot applications on display.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Findings

Robots are becoming smarter with more integrated capabilities such as vision and autonomous part picking from random bin locations. They are becoming more economical, faster and more application specific. Robot system integrators are creating more efficient solutions for customers to consider.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found they did not meet applications requirements and who may need to revisit robotics. Robot builders and system integrators are providing more suitable solutions that can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.
A minimum‐time algorithm for intercepting an object on a conveyor belt
Authors: Sang Shin Ik , Nam Sang‐Hyun , Roberts Rodney , Moon Seungbin
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a minimum time algorithm to intercept an object on a conveyor belt by a robotic manipulator. The goal is that the robot is able to intercept objects on a conveyor line moving at a given speed in minimum time.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to formulate the problem, the robot and object‐arrival time functions were introduced, and conclude that the optimal point occurs at the intersection of these two functions. The search algorithm for finding the intersection point between the robot and object arrival time functions are also presented to find the optimal point in real‐time.

Findings

Simulation results show that the presented algorithm is well established for various initial robot positions.

Practical implications

A trapezoidal velocity profile was employed which is used in many industrial robots currently in use. Thus, it is believed that robot travel time algorithm is readily implemented for any commercially available robots.

Originality/value

The paper considers exhaustive cases where robot travel time functions are dependent upon initial positions of robotic end‐effectors. Also presented is a fast converging search algorithm so that real time application is more feasible in many cases.
Use of infrared light reflecting landmarks for localization
Authors: Lee Sooyong
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present a novel localization scheme using infrared light reflecting artificial landmarks.

Design/methodology/approach

By putting the infrared light reflecting landmarks on the ceiling, localization is achieved. The landmark is designed for effective recognition and identification. From the difference of two successive images, one with the infrared light illumination and the other without, the landmarks are clearly identified.

Findings

From the mathematical analysis, a greater of landmarks are required if the robot's tilt angles are not known. With the camera's pan/tilt angles information, the distortion of the image can be corrected and fewer landmarks are required. Movement of the camera while getting two successive images is modeled and is compensated.

Originality/value

Thorough analysis of practical issues such as capturing the image from a non‐flat floor, pan/tilt motion of the camera and movement of the camera is presented.
Humanitarian demining: path planning and remote robotic sweeping
Authors: Hemapala Manjula , Belotti Vittorio , Michelini Rinaldo , Razzoli Roberto
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Humanitarian demining is addressed as an engineering‐driven duty, aiming at optimal price/effectiveness figures, joining low‐cost robotics and flexible automation. The mine sweeping is highly dangerous task, and safety is sought by automatic rigs, with remote steering and control. The small price is achieved with resort to locally available equipment, technology and know‐how.

Design/methodology/approach

The robotic solutions are split at three levels: the mobility enabler, exploiting standard agricultural machinery; the demining outfits, specialising cheap end‐effectors; the robot path planner, exploring reliable remote govern options. The approach aims at the pace‐wise deployment of consistent rigs with assessed productivity and tiny investment.

Findings

The paper explores basic ideas to modify common agricultural machines, placing in front proper effectors and specifying the guidelines needed to choose both carriers and suitable demining tools. The remote command logic of the suggested demining strategy is then outlined, specifying the communication and instrumentation for the case study. Finally, the warning/emergency occurrences management is described.

Practical implications

The ensuing robotic equipment joins the remote‐command abilities, with safe and reliable management of dangerous tasks and emergency healing, to the technological appropriateness (shared know‐how and commitment) and the price tag fitness (on‐place device availability). The final set‐up grants dramatic up‐grading, as compared with the current demining practice.

Originality/value

Unmanned mine‐clearing is presently a sophisticated accomplishment of the industrialised countries' armies. By the prospected methods/fixtures, the technical/economic feasibility of the practice is shown to be practicable in third‐world countries.
Floor‐cleaning robot using omni‐directional wheels
Authors: Gao Xueshan , Wang Yan , Zhou Dawei , Kikuchi Koki
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an omni‐directional floor‐cleaning robot equipped with four omni‐directional wheels. The research purposes are to design a robot for cleaning jobs in domestic, narrow and crowded places and to provide a robotics‐study platform in a laboratory.

Design/methodology/approach

The robot system using Swedish wheels, one dust collector (brush) switching device and a sort of air‐bag sensing device is designed. The kinematics and the motion control conditions of the robot are analyzed. Specifically, a design method of wheels is described.

Findings

The configuration of the robot, parameters of the wheel and controlling methods are studied and demonstrated. The smooth locomotion capability and high‐working efficiency are verified by experiments.

Practical implications

The robot can perform its work in semi‐autonomous and tele‐operated mode. Moreover, the robot can pivot around, avoid obstacles and is provided with automatic power management system.

Originality/value

The research target is to provide a kind of robotic cleaner especially for crowded public or narrow places and educational robotics‐study platform in a laboratory.
Bridge transported servo manipulator system for remote handling tasks under a radiation environment
Authors: Jik Lee Hyo , Kwang Lee Jong , Suk Park Byung , Sup Yoon Ji
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe bridge transported servo‐manipulator (BTSM) system, which was developed to overcome the limited workspace of the conventional mechanical master‐slave manipulators in a hot cell.

Design/methodology/approach

The BTSM system consists of four components: a transporter with a telescoping tubeset, a slave manipulator, a master manipulator, and a remote control system. The slave manipulator is able to move horizontally, transversely, and vertically by using the transporter.

Findings

The performance test of the BTSM system has been carried out in terms of basic functions such as force threshold, bilateral control and force reflection characteristic.

Originality/value

With respect to design characteristic, the BTSM system has the novel features in that the individual motor modules or the slave manipulator can be repaired in a fully remote manner in case of catastrophic failure. Also, a 3D viewing camera facilitates remote tasks giving human operators realistic environmental information.
Vehicle scheduling in 2D shop floor environments
Authors: Xidias Elias K. , Nearchou Andreas C. , Aspragathos Nikos A.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient method for solving a vehicle scheduling problem (VSP) in 2D industrial environments. An autonomous vehicle is requested to serve a set of work centers in the shop floor providing transport and delivery tasks while avoiding collisions with obstacles during its travel. The objective is to find a minimum in length, collision‐free vehicle routing schedule that serves timely as many as possible work centers in the shop floor.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the vehicle's environment is mapped into a 2D B‐Spline surface embedded in 3D Euclidean space using a robust geometric model. Then, a modified genetic algorithm is applied on the generated surface to search for an optimum legal route schedule that satisfies the requirements of the vehicle's mission.

Findings

Simulation experiments show that the method is robust enough and can determine in a reasonable computation time a solution to VSP under consideration.

Originality/value

There is a gap in the literature for methods that face VSP in shop‐floor environments. This paper contributes to filling this gap by implementing a practical method that can be easily programmed and included in a modern service delivery system.
Theorizing in social gerontology: theraison d'être
Authors: Hendricks Jon , Powell Jason L.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contextualise the need for a social theory of ageing. For a long time, social gerontology has been accused of being “data rich but theory poor”. The paper reviews this and maps out the importance of research themes of social theory and sets the scene for the articles that have used social theory in an innovative way to shed light on international experiences of ageing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an introduction to the collection. It mainly is a literature review of key theoretical ideas and trends on social theory and ageing.

Findings

The paper points to how different dimensions of social theory are internationalised across USA, Israel, UK and Europe. The use of theory in an informed manner gives intellectual respectability to empirical research in social gerontology.

Originality/value

The paper is original in that it points to the gaps in social gerontology in terms of theoretical development. It sets the scene for the very original papers on social theory that is assessed by different levels: macro, messo and micro forms of theoretical analysis of ageing.
Ageing well: emplaced over time
Authors: Chapman Sherry Ann
Published: February 2009

Purpose

To understand ageing well, one needs to study not only those who are ageing but also the places within and with which people are ageing. In the past, much ageing‐well research has been focused on ensuring individuals have the “right” resources and are engaged in the “best” types of activities. However, recent theorizing has prompted the study of ageing well as a process of making sense of self amid later‐life changes. Building on Rowles' attachment‐to‐place work, the purpose of this paper is to consider how the “thick concreteness” of place influences later‐life meaning making.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper on ageing.

Findings

The paper draws on Casey's phenomenological conceptualization of places as imprinting themselves on bodies and selves, much as humans shape the places they inhabit. Data from interviews with older rural women in western Canada illustrates how this conceptualization can enhance understanding of ageing well relative to place as a physical, socio‐cultural and temporal phenomenon. In a place that has been depicted as inhospitable, participants have chosen to stay even as practically invisible kin and community “keepers” on the “frontier”.

Originality/value

This original paper suggests that to age well is to age locally and to make sense not only for self about self and one's own ageing but also for ageing in mutually compatible ways in that place.
Globalization and ageing workers: constructing a global life course
Authors: Brandon McKelvey J.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Globalization has speeded the flow of development across borders, encouraging the movement of both labour and capital. Although it has been well‐documented that labour is less flexible than capital and that unskilled labour is disadvantaged by these trends, the impact of globalization on older workers has been largely ignored. The critical gerontology perspective can contribute through its focus on globalization's effects on labour market opportunities and social welfare benefits. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper on ageing.

Findings

This paper examines four issues faced by older workers in an international context in order to more fully understand the differential impact of globalization by age. First, the paradigm of globalization assumes a youthful labour force willing and able to relocate search of employment opportunities, criteria inapplicable to many older workers. Second, human capital inequalities produce differing opportunities for older workers to respond to economic changes. Third, existing social welfare provisions are relatively durable and likely to affect older people in complex ways. Fourth, varied levels of international development and life course possibilities produce differences between countries and regions.

Originality/value

This paper is original in highlighting how a lifetime of constraints placed upon older workers by their moral and political economies make their integration into the idealized global market difficult and pose larger questions about understanding the life course in a global context.