bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On theory in operations management
Authors: Schmenner Roger W , Swink Morgan L 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe field of operations management has been criticized for the inadequacy of its theory. We suggest that this criticism may be too harsh, and further, that many building blocks of theory are prevalent in the body of existing research. This paper has two goals. The first is to suggest that careful organization of our thinking can lead to useful, productive theories in operations management that demonstrate all the hallmarks of the familiar theories of natural science. We discuss the nature of scientific inquiry in general terms, and examine the implications for what should be expected from theory in operations management. Our second goal is to illustrate through examples how such theories and their related laws might be developed. Two theories are proposed: the Theory of Swift, Even Flow, and the Theory of Performance Frontiers. The Theory of Swift, Even Flow addresses the phenomenon of cross‐factory productivity differences. The Theory of Performance Frontiers addresses the multiple dimensions of factory performance and seeks to unify prior statements regarding cumulative capabilities and trade‐offs. Implications drawn from the theories are discussed and concluding remarks suggest the advantages of future theory development and test.
A review of operations management studies using scale development techniques
Authors: Hensley Rhonda L 
Published: July 2002

AbstractOperations management research is beginning to focus on the development and use of reliable and valid scales. OM scale development efforts and scale development in organizational behavior and psychology are compared. Major differences include the fact that OM research tended, until recently, to be theoretical and, when applied, tended to use the firm as a unit of measure. OM research, therefore, seems to lack a common language that other fields have developed. OM literature was searched for completely described scale development efforts, and six studies were identified and reviewed for this paper. Suggested techniques of scale development were compiled primarily from those methods used in research areas such as psychology, organizational behavior, and management. The reviewed studies were compared to the suggested techniques. Many of the same techniques were described by the six studies. The similarities should be encouraging to researchers thinking about scale development studies. Weaknesses in the studies are identified, and suggestions for researchers are presented. Finally, the study provides a discussion of when and why OM researchers might find the development and use of scales advantageous in their research efforts.
Supply management orientation and supplier/buyer performance
Authors: Shin Hojung , Collier David A , Wilson Darryl D 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAcademics and practitioners agree that excellence in supply management results in better quality, customer service, and channel performance. Yet, most of these studies are either conceptual in nature or actual case studies. The primary objective of this research is to test the impact of a supply management orientation (SMO) on the suppliers' operational performance and buyers' competitive priorities (cost, quality, delivery, flexibility). Three major research hypotheses associated with SMO, Supplier Performance (SP), and Buyer Performance (BP) are tested using a confirmatory structural equation modeling approach. The results of this research support the conclusion that an improvement (increase) in the SMO improves both the suppliers' and buyers' performance (i.e., a win–win situation for the supply chain). In addition, the influence of SMO on delivery‐ and quality‐related performance is more statistically significant than on cost or flexibility performance. In fact, when volume and process flexibility are top competitive priorities, a supply chain management orientation may not be an effective way to achieve the desired flexibility. The article ends by discussing other conclusions and suggests directions for future research.
Regional variations in certain cellular characteristics in human lumbar intervertebral discs, including the presence of α‐smooth muscle actin
Authors: Hastreiter Dawn , Ozuna Richard M. , Spector Myron 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAn evaluation of the regional variation of certain cellular features in the human intervertebral disc (IVD) could lead to a better understanding of site‐specific properties relative to degradation, response to injury, and healing processes. The objective of this study was to determine how cell density, cell morphology, cell grouping, and expression of a specific actin isoform varied with location and degeneration in the human disc. A total of 41 human L4‐L5 and L5‐S1 discs removed postmortem from 21 individuals were analyzed. The discs were graded for degeneration based on the Thompson scale and processed for evaluation. Microtomed sections from paraffin‐embedded specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or a monoclonal antibody to α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), an actin isoform often associated with contraction. A significant regional dependence was found for most of the measured parameters. A fourfold increase in cell density was found in proceeding from the nucleus pulposus (NP) to the outer annulus (OA) of the IVD. Approximately 30% of the cells in the NP were present in groups. Virtually all of the cells in the NP and 40% of those in the OA were round. Moreover, notable percentages (12–15%) of the cells in the NP and inner annulus (IA) contained α‐SMA. Only pair density was found to be correlated with Thompson grade, with more degenerated specimens having higher values. A greater effect was also observed on the percentage of cells in groups. These findings provide the basis for future work to investigate the importance of cells in groups, the role of α‐SMA in the disc, and the changes in these cellular characteristics in pathological disc conditions. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Isolation of RNA from small human articular cartilage specimens allows quantification of mRNA expression levels in local articular cartilage defects
Authors: Gehrsitz Angelika , McKenna Louise A. , Söder Stefan , Kirchner Thomas , Aigner Thomas 
Published: July 2002

AbstractHuman adult cartilage is an inherently difficult tissue from which to isolate RNA. The RNA isolation techniques described so far have generally only been successfully applied to the isolation of RNA from larger amounts of cartilage. However, it is important to be able to analyse focal cartilage lesions in order to understand the local processes in the cartilage degeneration process. Therefore, we have developed a protocol for isolating RNA directly from as little as 10 mg wet weight of cartilage followed by quantitative PCR analysis. We were able to analyse the expression levels of several genes in parallel including aggrecan and type II collagen. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Point prevalence of schizophrenia in immigrant groups in Rotterdam: data from outpatient facilities
Authors: Schrier A.C. , van de Wetering B.J.M. , Mulder P.G.H. , Selten J.P. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryObjectiveReports of an increased incidence of schizophrenia in some immigrant groups to The Netherlands are based exclusively on hospital data. The aims of our study were: 1) to determine the treated point prevalence of schizophrenia at outpatient mental health services in Rotterdam and to compare the results for immigrants to those for natives; and 2) to compare groups born in The Netherlands and immigrant groups in terms of the proportions of patients with a previous hospital admission.MethodWe included all patients aged between 20 and 64 who were treated for a non-affective psychosis at any of the outpatient mental health services in Rotterdam on October 1, 1994. The mental health professionals responsible reported on the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of each patient.ResultsSeven hundred and thirteen patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (DSM-III-R) were identified (rate: 2.1 per 1000). The (treated) prevalence of schizophrenia in male immigrants from Surinam and Morocco and in female immigrants from Surinam, the Netherlands Antilles and Cape Verde was significantly higher than that in their native-born counterparts (odds ratios between 2 and 3). The (treated) prevalence was not significantly higher in immigrants from Turkey, female immigrants from Morocco or male immigrants from the Antilles. Proportions of patients with a previous hospital admission were similar in each ethnic group (81–93%).ConclusionThese findings are generally in line with earlier studies, based on the Dutch psychiatric registry, which has reported an increase in the (treated) incidence of schizophrenia in immigrants from Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles and in male immigrants from Morocco, and no increase in the (treated) incidence in immigrants from Turkey or female immigrants from Morocco.
Season of birth, gender and negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Authors: Troisi A. , Pasini A. , Spalletta G. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe aim of this study was to ascertain whether the symptom profile distinguishes between schizophrenic patients born in the winter and early spring and those born in other seasons. The sample consisted of 204 patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia who had been hospitalized for acute psychotic decompensation. Symptom ratings were based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The use of demographic and anamnestic data as dependent variables did not detect any season-of-birth effect. In contrast, clear gender-specific differences emerged from the comparison focusing on symptom dimensions and clinical subtype. Female patients born in the winter and early spring had higher scores on the PANSS negative scale and anergia factor whereas male patients born in other seasons had higher scores on the PANSS anergia factor. In addition, we found a gender-specific association between season of birth and clinical subtype. Most paranoid female patients were born in the non-winter months whereas, among men, a slightly higher percentage of paranoid patients were born in winter months. These results suggest that gender plays a role in modulating the effect of the season of birth on symptoms of schizophrenia.
The effects of trazodone on sleep disturbances induced by brofaromine
Authors: Haffmans PMJ , Vos MS 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe effects of trazodone on subjective and objective sleep parameters were compared to those of placebo in a double-blind design in seven patients who developed insomnia during treatment with the selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitor, brofaromine. Trazodone significantly increased deep sleep and altered the architecture of sleep in these patients. Subjectively, patients reported a better and deeper sleep. No negative interactions between brofaromine and trazodone were observed and side-effects were minimal. A low dose of trazodone may be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of MAO-I induced insomnia.
PRIMARY CARE IN NURSE‐MIDWIFERY PRACTICE: A NATIONAL SURVEY
Authors: Stuart Deborah , Oshio Sachiko 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTProviding primary health care is a relatively new addition to the scope of practice for certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs)/certified midwives (CMs); thus, not much is known about how this component has been integrated into midwifery practice. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the type and extent of primary care education among CNMs/CMs and how various common health conditions are managed. In addition, perceptions of barriers to incorporating primary care into their practice were gathered. A small national survey was conducted among randomly selected members of the American College of Nurse‐Midwives. No CMs participated. Although the sample size (n = 63) precludes generalizing the findings, 65% of CNMs reported lack of formal education in primary care. However, when asked about specific health conditions, more than 50% stated that they had some form of education in treating 30 of 37 common health problems. It is noteworthy that 54% of the CNM respondents indicated that they do not provide newborn care despite the fact that more than 85% of them received newborn education. Barriers such as lack of insurance reimbursement, institutional rules, and a lack of understanding of the CNM's scope of practice were cited by respondents as contributing factors. Unfamiliarity with primary care may be the most important factor in the reluctance of CNMs to incorporate primary care into practice.
Plasma concentrations of active lovastatin acid are markedly increased by gemfibrozil but not by bezafibrate
Authors: Kyrklund Carl , Backman Janne T. , Kivistö Kari T. , Neuvonen Mikko , Laitila Jouko , Neuvonen Pertti J. 
Published: July 2002

BackgroundConcomitant use of fibrates with statins has been associated with an increased risk of myopathy, but the underlying mechanism of this adverse reaction remains unclear. Our aim was to study the effects of bezafibrate and gemfibrozil on the pharmacokinetics of lovastatin.MethodsThis was a randomized, double‐blind, 3‐phase crossover study. Eleven healthy volunteers took 400 mg/day bezafibrate, 1200 mg/day gemfibrozil, or placebo for 3 days. On day 3, each subject ingested a single 40 mg dose of lovastatin. Plasma concentrations of lovastatin, lovastatin acid, gemfibrozil, and bezafibrate were measured up to 24 hours.ResultsGemfibrozil markedly increased the plasma concentrations of lovastatin acid, without affecting those of the parent lovastatin compared with placebo. During the gemfibrozil phase, the mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 hours [AUC(0–24)] of lovastatin acid was 280% (range, 131% to 1184%; P < .001) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 280% (range, 123% to 1042%; P < .05) of the corresponding value during the placebo phase. Bezafibrate had no statistically significant effect on the AUC(0–24) or Cmax of lovastatin or lovastatin acid compared with placebo.ConclusionsGemfibrozil markedly increases plasma concentrations of lovastatin acid, but bezafibrate does not. The increased risk of myopathy observed during concomitant treatment with statins and fibrates may be partially of a pharmacokinetic origin. The risk of developing myopathy during concomitant therapy with lovastatin and a fibrate may be smaller with bezafibrate than with gemfibrozil.Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 340–345; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2001.115542
The fine‐tuning of cell membrane lipid bilayers accentuates their compositional complexity
Authors: Dingjan Tamir , Futerman Anthony H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCell membranes are now emerging as finely tuned molecular systems, signifying that re‐evaluation of our understanding of their structure is essential. Although the idea that cell membrane lipid bilayers do little more than give shape and form to cells and limit diffusion between cells and their environment is totally passé, the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of lipid bilayers often catches cell and molecular biologists by surprise. Models of lipid bilayer structure have developed considerably since the heyday of the fluid mosaic model, principally by the discovery of the restricted diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids within the plane of the bilayer. In reviewing this field, we now suggest that further refinement of current models is necessary and propose that describing lipid bilayers as “finely‐tuned molecular assemblies” best portrays their complexity and function. Also see the video abstract here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddkP-QRZTl8
Experimental verification for improved phase‐disposition PWM of three‐phase five‐level diode‐clamped inverter
Authors: Suleiman Mohammad , Elnady A. , Osman Ahmed 
Published: February 2021

SummaryThis paper focuses on the design and practical implementation of the effective and improved switching modulation and filter circuits for a three‐phase five‐level diode‐clamped inverter. The proposed switching modulation circuits illustrate the three‐phase control signals, carrier signals, and signals for drive circuits. The paper presents also an efficient control and drive circuits, which are used to operate the power switches (power MOSFETs). An improved analog dead‐band circuit is practically analyzed and implemented to minimize the overlapping periods of any two complement power switches and consequently reduce the noise/spikes caused by those overlapping periods. The proposed improved switching modulation circuit is verified by simulation results along with their analogous experimental results for the switching modulation, control circuits, and power circuits.
Robust correlations across six SARS‐CoV‐2 serology assays detecting distinct antibody features
Authors: Rowntree Louise C , Chua Brendon Y , Nicholson Suellen , Koutsakos Marios , Hensen Luca , Douros Celia , Selva Kevin , Mordant Francesca L , Wong Chinn Yi , Habel Jennifer R , Zhang Wuji , Jia Xiaoxiao , Allen Lily , Doolan Denise L , Jackson David C , Wheatley Adam K , Kent Stephen J , Amanat Fatima , Krammer Florian , Subbarao Kanta , Cheng Allen C , Chung Amy W , Catton Mike , Nguyen Thi HO , van de Sandt Carolien E , Kedzierska Katherine 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesAs the world transitions into a new era of the COVID‐19 pandemic in which vaccines become available, there is an increasing demand for rapid reliable serological testing to identify individuals with levels of immunity considered protective by infection or vaccination.MethodsWe used 34 SARS‐CoV‐2 samples to perform a rapid surrogate virus neutralisation test (sVNT), applicable to many laboratories as it circumvents the need for biosafety level‐3 containment. We correlated results from the sVNT with five additional commonly used SARS‐CoV‐2 serology techniques: the microneutralisation test (MNT), in‐house ELISAs, commercial Euroimmun‐ and Wantai‐based ELISAs (RBD, spike and nucleoprotein; IgG, IgA and IgM), antigen‐binding avidity, and high‐throughput multiplex analyses to profile isotype, subclass and Fc effector binding potential. We correlated antibody levels with antibody‐secreting cell (ASC) and circulatory T follicular helper (cTfh) cell numbers.ResultsAntibody data obtained with commercial ELISAs closely reflected results using in‐house ELISAs against RBD and spike. A correlation matrix across ten measured ELISA parameters revealed positive correlations for all factors. The frequency of inhibition by rapid sVNT strongly correlated with spike‐specific IgG and IgA titres detected by both commercial and in‐house ELISAs, and MNT titres. Multiplex analyses revealed strongest correlations between IgG, IgG1, FcR and C1q specific to spike and RBD. Acute cTfh‐type 1 cell numbers correlated with spike and RBD‐specific IgG antibodies measured by ELISAs and sVNT.ConclusionOur comprehensive analyses provide important insights into SARS‐CoV‐2 humoral immunity across distinct serology assays and their applicability for specific research and/or diagnostic questions to assess SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific humoral responses.
RETRACTED: Implementation of deep neural networks for classifying electroencephalogram signal using fractional S‐transform for epileptic seizure detection
Authors: Ashokkumar S. R. , Anupallavi S. , Premkumar M. , Jeevanantham V. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases of the human brain. It affects the nervous system of brain which shows the impact on an individual's life because of its repetitious occurrences of seizure. Epileptic detection using automatic learning is essential to reduce the substantial work on reviewing continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) signal in spatial and temporal dimensions. A novel methodology is implemented on EEG signals for the detection of epileptic seizure with the combination of fractional S‐transform (FST) and entropies along with deep convolutional neural networks (CNN). The original EEG signals are preprocessed with discrete wavelet transform to generate Daubechies‐4 (Db4) wavelets. FST is enacted on every segment of the preprocessed signal for time‐frequency representation and the features are obtained through entropies. Afterwards, a 15‐layer deep CNN with dropout layer and soft‐max is used for classification. The experimental results showed that the singular value decomposition entropy are more stable and deep CNN models always performed better for this entropy. A specificity of 98.70%, sensitivity of 97.71%, and accuracy of 99.70% are achieved for the multichannel segment.
Impact of military culture and experiences on eating and weight‐related behavior
Authors: Ferrell Emily L. , Braden Abby , Redondo Rachel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDisordered eating behaviors and obesity are becoming increasingly common among United States military personnel. However, little research has explored the role of the military environment as it may influence the development of disordered eating among personnel. The present qualitative analysis examined beliefs about how military experiences affected eating and weight‐related behaviors. Military personnel who served within the last year and a year or more ago (n = 250) were recruited using Amazon's Mechanical Turk (mTurk). Data included in the present study consisted of participant responses to three open‐ended questions, analyzed by means of content and thematic analysis. Analyses yielded eight themes: eating extremely quickly, strict mealtime regimens, the pressure to “make weight,” food insecurity, difficulty after military, food quality/content, overeating behavior, and military superior maltreatment. The current study provides a preliminary examination of the role of the military culture and experiences in the development of unhealthy eating and weight‐related behaviors and offers suggestions for future research and interventions.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Double Aortic Arch: Associated Findings and Postnatal Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Bornaun Helen , Süzen Çaypınar Sema , Gedik Özköse Zeynep , Topbaş Nura Fitnat , Behram Mustafa 
Published: March 2021

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to share our experience in the prenatal diagnosis and characteristics of double aortic arc and neonatal consequences.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 2153 fetal echocardiography reports between 2014 and 2019 years. Records of 14 fetuses with double aortic arc were examined. Prenatal and postnatal medical records, sonographic images, genetic reports, associated cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, and neonatal clinical results of affected fetuses were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsDAA was isolated in 9 of 14 (64.2%) cases, while the other five cases had cardiac or extracardiac accompanying ultrasound findings. Three of cases (21.4%) were associated with other heart pathologies, including ventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle, and persistent left superior vena cava. In 10 cases (71.43%), the right aortic arch diameter was dominant. The left aortic arc was dominant in two cases and both arcs were symmetrical in the remaining two cases. 22q11 microdeletion was the only chromosomal abnormality and was detected in two of nine patients who accepted genetic analysis. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in two of the cases. After birth, in 58.3% (7/12) of the live born cases various degrees of symptoms. Surgical repair was performed with the division of the aorta to all symptomatic cases at different times according to severity of the complaints.ConclusionsSince it can cause severe respiratory distress in the postnatal period and may accompany chromosomal anomalies, it is important to provide antenatal diagnosis of double aortic arc and adequate counseling to the family.