bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) benefits using Alternating Conditional Expectation (ACE)
Authors: Sum Chee‐Chuong , Yang Kum‐Khiong , Ang James S.K. , Quek Ser‐Aik 
Published: July 2002

AbstractResponding to regional and international competition, many manufacturing companies have adopted MRP systems to improve their manufacturing operations. Of primary interest to managers and users of MRP is the benefits that can be derived from using the MRP technology. While the literature abounds with MRP implementation studies, there is a dearth of research that examines the determinants of specific MRP benefits. Knowledge of the determinants would enable MRP managers and users to concentrate on key areas to achieve benefits that match their company goals.This paper identifies the organisational, implementational, and technological variables that affect specific MRP benefits as reported by Singapore manufacturing companies in the most extensive MRP survey ever conducted in Singapore. Using Alternating Conditional Expectation (ACE), an advanced statistical modeling technique that increases the model fit by approximating the optimal transformations for the dependent and independent variables, the regression models developed reveal more accurate relationships compared to those in previous MRP studies.Our findings offer several novel and valuable insights into the MRP benefit‐determinant relationship. The major finding is that determinant variables such as data accuracy, people support, degree of integration, and company size affect benefits in a nonlinear fashion. Data accuracy was found to be critical in affecting operational efficiency, customer service, and interdepartmental coordination benefits. Another finding suggests that when people support and data accuracy degenerate to a critical level, users might still derive increased benefits by resorting to secondary sources to accomplish their work. Users should strive for a high degree of integration to achieve full operational efficiency and coordination benefits. Partial integration does not appear to provide significant improvements. We also found that increasing company size has a positive, followed by a negative impact on operational efficiency. Lastly, our findings suggest that the pattern of technical complaints can be an indicator of system usage and interdepartmental coordination. Our findings have important implications for managers and users of MRP.
Ovarian size and response to laparoscopic ovarian electro‐cauterization in polycystic ovarian disease
Authors: Alborzi S , Khodaee R , Parsanejad M.E 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate endocrine and ovulatory changes in polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) in relation to patients’ ovarian size. Methods: Three hundred and seventy‐one women with clomiphene citrate‐resistant PCOD underwent laparoscopic ovarian cauterization [type I or typical with ovarian volume >8 cm3 or cross‐sectional area >10 cm2 (n=211), type II with normal size ovary (n=160)]. Serum levels of LH, FSH, DHEAS, PRL, and T before and 10 days after ovarian cautery, spontaneous and induced ovulation and pregnancy rates were compared. Results: Both groups responded to therapy in a similar manner, with a marked decrease in LH, FSH, DHEAS and T levels, with ovulation rates in type I 90.99%, type II 88.75% and pregnancy rates, 73.45% and 71.25%, respectively, with no statistical differences. Conclusions: Hormonal changes, ovulation and pregnancy rates were similar in the two types of PCOD, therefore it can be concluded that ovarian size is not a prognostic factor for response of PCOD patients to laparoscopic ovarian electro‐cauterization.
Business process reengineering: A tutorial on the concept, evolution, method, technology and application
Authors: Grover Varun , Malhotra Manoj K 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIt is ironical that while much is being discussed about business process reengineering (BPR), most companies are still searching for methods to better manage radical change. Academics are studying the phenomenon but precious little has been published. Many basic questions remain unanswered. What does reengineering involve? Are there methods for effectively accomplishing BPR? Why is it so popular? Is there a logic behind reengineering? Is BPR fundamentally different from old Taylorian approaches to industrial engineering based on task decomposition and specialization? Is BPR the same as TQM, restructuring, etc.? What is the relationship between process redesign and organizational structures? How do we best plan, organize and control BPR efforts? Under what conditions will BPR be most effective? Answers to these questions are neither easy nor direct. However, this tutorial seeks to address them in a systematic, comprehensive and unbiased manner. In doing so, the tutorial will attempt to synthesize a variety of material from both practitioner and academic literature sources into a coherent précis that defines and discusses BPR in a language palatable to both the manager and the academic. A variety of frameworks will be presented to clarify the nature of the phenomenon as prescribed (in theory) and as companies are learning about it (in practice). The objective of this tutorial is to inform rather than provide an academic discourse.
Linking the customer contact model to service quality
Authors: Soteriou Andreas C , Chase Richard B 
Published: July 2002

AbstractOne of the defining characteristics of services is the existence of some form of contact between the customer and the service firm during the service production process. In the 1980s, customer contact (CC) became an important dimension in virtually all service taxonomies. Its importance to perceived service quality (SQ) was also recognized, but the direct linkage between CC and SQ was difficult to determine without an operational definition of CC. In 1995, Kellogg and Chase addressed this issue and developed an empirically derived operational measure of contact. In this paper, we employ the Kellogg/Chase measures as the basis for a conceptual model linking the CC dimensions of communication time and intimacy with SQ. We assert that ‘desirable’ levels of these contact dimensions do exist and present hypotheses as to the nature of their relationship. We report results from an empirical study undertaken in a hotel environment which support the existence of such desirable contact levels. Managerial implications and future research are also discussed.
A replication study of a theory of quality management underlying the Deming management method: insights from an Italian context
Authors: Rungtusanatham Manus , Forza Cipriano , Filippini Roberto , Anderson John C 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWe present research that contributes to the debate on the universal applicability of quality management, and in doing so, subject the ‘one size fits all’ assumption underlying quality management to an empirical examination. Specifically, with the exception of enhancements in instrumentation, we attempted to replicate, as closely as possible, Anderson et al.'s (1995) empirical evaluation of a Deming‐based theory of quality management. In our replication, we applied path analysis to secondary, plant‐level data provided by a stratified sample of plants in three different industries in Italy. The path analytical results from the current replication study were compared against those reported in Anderson et al. (1995), which used data from U.S.‐based plants. These results were then discussed in the context of conducting and interpreting cross‐cultural quality management research. We concluded with the need for more replication studies in the quality management discipline and with implications for research and practice.
World class manufacturing: an investigation of Hayes and Wheelwright's foundation
Authors: Flynn Barbara B , Schroeder Roger G , Flynn E.James 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAlthough Hayes and Wheelwright originally coined the term ‘world class manufacturing’, the global manufacturing environment has undergone many changes since their work. In the study, we seek to determine whether the practices which they described are still relevant in today's manufacturing environment. We also look at their list of competitive priorities and examine whether they function as tradeoffs, as Hayes and Wheelwright suggested, or whether there are synergies between them. The World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Project data set, comprised of plants in the machinery, electronics and transportation components industries, was used to construct measures to correspond to the practices and performance measures suggested by Hayes and Wheelwright. The results indicated that Hayes and Wheelwright's practices were related to competitive performance, and that the addition of new manufacturing practices resulted in further improvements in competitive performance. Thus, Hayes and Wheelwright's practices are robust and have provided a foundation for the use of new manufacturing practices. In addition, there was strong support for the notion that the use of world class manufacturing practices, alone and in combination with new manufacturing practices, leads to the achievement of simultaneous competitive advantages, supporting the synergies perspective.
A theoretical framework for analyzing the dimensions of manufacturing flexibility
Authors: Koste Lori L , Malhotra Manoj K 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe competitive environment of today has generated an increased interest in flexibility as a response mechanism. While the potential benefits of flexibility are familiar, the concept of flexibility itself is not well‐understood. Neither practitioners nor academics agree upon, or know, how flexibility can be gauged or measured in its totality. Consequently, this study seeks to provide a framework for understanding this complex concept and to create a theoretical foundation for the development of generalizable measures for manufacturing flexibility. With this objective in mind, we first critically examine diverse streams of literature to define four constituent elements of flexibility: range‐number (R‐N), range‐heterogeneity (R‐H), mobility (M), and uniformity (U). The R‐H element is new, and has not been proposed before in prior literature. These four elements can be applied to consistently define different types or dimensions of flexibility. Definitions for 10 flexibility dimensions pertaining to manufacturing are thus obtained. These definitions serve a dual purpose. First, they capture the domain of flexibility. Second, we show in this study how these definitions can be used to generate scale items, thereby facilitating the development of generalizable manufacturing flexibility measures. Several research avenues that can be explored once such measures are developed are also highlighted.
Homology of lubricin and superficial zone protein (SZP): Products of megakaryocyte stimulating factor (MSF) gene expression by human synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes localized to chromosome 1q25
Authors: Jay Gregory D. , Tantravahi Umadevi , Britt Deborah E. , Barrach Hans J. , Cha Chung‐Ja 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWe have previously identified megakaryocyte stimulating factor (MSF) gene expression by synovial fibroblasts as the origin of lubricin in the synovial cavity. Lubricin is a mucinous glycoprotein responsible for the boundary lubrication of articular cartilage. MSF has a significant homology to vitronectin and is composed of 12 exons. RNA was purified from human synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes grown in vitro from tissue explants obtained from subjects without degenerative joint disease. RT‐PCR was used with multiple complimentary primer pairs spanning the central mucin expressing exon 6 of the MSF gene and individual exons on both the N‐ and C‐terminal sides of exon 6. Exons 2, 4 and 5 appear to be variably expressed by synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes. Lubricating mucin, in the form of MSF, is expressed by both chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts in vitro. Both lubricin and superficial zone protein (SZP), a related proteoglycan, share a similar primary structure but could differ in post‐translational modifications with O‐linked oligosaccharides which are predominant in lubricin and with limited amounts chondroitin and keratan sulfate found in SZP. Since most of the MSF exons are involved in the expression of lubricating mucin, a strong homology to vitronectin persists. It is therefore appropriate to consider that both SZP and lubricin occupy a new class of biomolecules termed tribonectins. Screening of a human genome bacterial artificial chromsome (BAC) library with a cDNA primer pair complimentary for exon 6 identified two clones. Both clones were complimentary for chromosome 1q25 by in situ hybridization. This same locus was previously implicated in camptodactyl‐arthropathy‐pericarditis syndrome (CAP) by genetic mapping. It is hypothesized that CAP, a large joint arthropathy, may be associated with ineffective boundary lubrication provided by synovial fluid. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Injuries produced by blunt trauma to the human patellofemoral joint vary with flexion angle of the knee
Authors: Atkinson Patrick J. , Haut Roger C. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractPatellofemoral joint impact trauma during car accidents, sporting activities, and falls can produce acute gross fracture of bone, microfracture of bone, and soft tissue injury. Field studies of car accidents, however, show that most patellofemoral traumas are classified as ‘subfracture’ level injuries. While experimental studies have shown that the influence of flexion angle at impact is not well understood, flexion angle may influence injury location and severity. In the current study, 18 pairs of isolated human cadaver knees were subjected to blunt impact at flexion angles of 60°, 90°, or 120°. One knee from each cadaver was sequentially impacted until gross fracture of bone was produced. The contralateral knee was subjected to a single, subfracture impact at 45% of the impact energy producing fracture in the first knee. The fracture experiments produced gross fracture of the patella and femoral condyles with the fracture plane positioned largely within the region of patellofemoral contact. The fracture location and character changed with flexion angle; at higher flexion angles the proximal pole of the patella and the femoral condyles were more susceptible to injury. For the 90° flexion angle, the patella was fractured centrally, while at 60° the distal pole fractured transversely at the insertion of the patellar tendon. In addition, the load magnitude required to produce fracture increased with flexion angle. In the ‘subfracture’ knees, injuries were documented for all flexion angles: occult microfractures of the subchondral and trabecular bone and fissures of the articular surface. Similar to the fracture‐level experiments, the injuries coincided with the patellofemoral contact region. These data show that knee flexion angle plays an important role in impact related knee trauma. Such data may be useful in the clinical setting, as well as in the design of injury prevention strategies. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Dimensional structure and diagnostic specificity of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire
Authors: Maβ R , Haasen C , Krausz M 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ) is a widely used method to investigate non-psychotic subjective experiences of schizophrenics. Less is known about its dimensional structure. Therefore, principal components analyses (PCA) were conducted with the FCQ data of 505 schizophrenics and 187 alcoholics. Furthermore, results of a former analysis using item-to-item comparisons between schizophrenics and alcoholics were examined. PCA yielded two factors called ‘dysphoric concomitants of severe illness particularly impairing concentration’ and ‘subjective experiences of perceptual uncertainties’. Neither of the factors was specific to schizophrenia. The item comparisons suggest that only a group of eight FCQ items (subscale ‘FCQ-S’) is specific to schizophrenia while ten items (‘FCQ-A’) are related more to alcoholism. The validity of FCQ-S and FCQ-A was confirmed: schizophrenics reached high scores in FCQ-S and low scores in FCQ-A; alcoholics scored high in FCQ-A and low in FCQ-S; schizophrenics with an additional alcohol disorder scored high in both of the subscales. It is concluded that direct group comparisons seem to be promising for the identification of non-psychotic subjective phenomena which are characteristic for schizophrenia.
Patients who attempted suicide and failed to attend mental health centres
Authors: Jauregui J. , Martínez M.L. , Rubio G. , Santo-Domingo J. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryDifferent studies report non-attendance to treatment of between 20 to 70% of patients after a suicide attempt. However, few studies have analyzed the characteristics of this non-attending population. To determine therefore the characteristics or profile of individuals who do not attend outpatient centres to which they are referred after a suicide attempt, we performed this study.A total of 232 patients who had attended the Emergency Department of our general hospital were interviewed. Instruments used included the suicide risk scale, the violent behaviour scale, the impulsivity scale, the hopelessness scale, and the Beck's depression scale.Seventy-three percent of the sample did not attend the mental health centre to which they had been referred. In comparison to the attending group, the non-attending group had the following characteristics: unmarried, residing in an urban area, took less precautions not to be discovered, were more critical of the attempt, and the purpose of the attempt was to resolve a conflict. Our data emphasize the importance of social and interpersonal aspects in determining the nature of the psychiatric care required by these types of patients.
The impact of heart failure on prognosis of diabetic and non‐diabetic patients with myocardial infarction: a 15‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Melchior Thomas , Rask‐Madsen Christian , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Hildebrandt Per , Køber Lars , Jensen Gunnar 
Published: July 2002

AbstractBackground:Information about the occurrence of heart failure in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetic patients and its impact on prognosis are sparse.Aim:The purpose of the present study was to describe how MI patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) differed from MI patients without DM with respect to the occurrence of heart failure and with respect to the influence of heart failure on mortality during follow‐up 30 days extending to 15 years.Methods:The study is a retrospective long‐term follow‐up of prospectively recorded data concerning 1954 consecutive cases of MI admitted to one coronary care unit (CCU) between 1979 and 1983. DM was diagnosed in 10% (n=194), with 17% (n=33) on insulin therapy. Patients with DM comprised of a higher proportion of women (DM 36% vs. no DM 26%, P<0.001) compared with non‐diabetic patients. Baseline risk factors were more prevalent in the patients with DM. The cumulative incidence of heart failure was higher among patients with than without DM (DM 54% vs. no DM 34%, P<0.001). The incidence of life‐threatening arrhythmias were similar in both groups. Only 2% of patients with DM and heart failure survived 10 years of follow‐up compared with 15% of the non‐diabetic patients with heart failure (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis DM was not independently associated with 30 days mortality. During long‐term follow‐up DM was an important risk factor for mortality independent on the presence of heart failure.Conclusion:DM disposes to the development of heart failure. In acute myocardial infarction diabetic patients with heart failure have a worse prognosis than non‐diabetic patients with heart failure.
Different baseline sympathovagal balance and cardiac autonomic responsiveness in ischemic and non‐ischemic congestive heart failure
Authors: Malfatto Gabriella , Branzi Giovanna , Gritti Selene , Sala Luca , Bragato Renato , Perego Giovanni Battista , Leonetti Gastone , Facchini Mario 
Published: July 2002

AbstractBackground:A profound autonomic unbalance is present in heart failure: its correlation with the etiology of the disease has never been investigated.Aims:We characterized the sympatho‐vagal balance and autonomic responsiveness of 42 patients (21 with ischemic heart failure, 21 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). Patients had comparable NYHA class, ejection fraction, exercise pVO2, exercise ventilatory response, incidence of β‐blocking treatment. None showed periodic breathing or nocturnal arterial desaturation.Methods:Heart rate variability was assessed in the time and frequency domain during: (1) 10 min of quiet supine resting and free breathing; (2) 10 min of regular breathing at a frequency of 20 acts/min (‐ parasympathetic stimulus); and (3) 10 min of active standing (‐ sympathetic stimulus). The ratio of the low‐ to high‐frequency components of each autospectrum obtained in the frequency domain (LF/HF) was used as an index of sympathovagal balance.Results:Patients with ischemic heart failure had a greater baseline sympathetic activation (higher LF/HF) than those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, maintaining some parasympathetic responsiveness as well (reduced LF/HF with regular breathing).Conclusions:There is a distinct autonomic control according to the etiology of heart failure, a finding that may help understanding its pathophysiology, and could be useful in the clinical management of patients.
Beneficial effect of carvedilol on heart rate response to exercise in digitalised patients with heart failure in atrial fibrillation due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: A.K. Agarwal , P. Venugopalan 
Published: July 2002

AbstractFourteen digitalised patients diagnosed with heart failure (NYHA Functional class II) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in chronic established atrial fibrillation were administered carvedilol in addition to their anti‐heart failure medications in an attempt to improve their heart rate control. Fourteen matched patients who did not receive carvedilol acted as control subjects. Patients treated with carvedilol showed significantly reduced resting heart rates (10–36%), maximal heart rates on exercise (5–20%) and an increased exercise time (2–30%) on treadmill stress tests (all P ‐ 0.001). Ventricular ectopic activity was also diminished. This was associated with symptomatic improvement in effort intolerance and palpitations. NYHA functional class, left ventricular dimensions and ejection fractions did not improve during the study period of 3 months. Thus, addition of carvedilol to digoxin had a beneficial effect on exercise tolerance in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in atrial fibrillation by virtue of an improved heart rate control both at rest and on exercise. Carvedilol was well tolerated despite impaired myocardial function.