bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design-driven innovation, quality, and customer value in manufacturing companies
Authors: Conti Emanuela , Vesci Massimiliano , Crudele Chiara , Pencarelli Tonino 
Published: September 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an empirical study which examines the relationships among design-driven innovation, quality and customer value in manufacturing companies.Design/methodology/approachA research project was carried out in 193 Italian manufacturing companies, using the questionnaire method. An exploratory research study was conducted with hierarchical cluster analysis and regression analysis.FindingsThe analysis shows the existence of four clusters of manufacturing companies which differ by firm size, expenditure in innovation and type of innovation. Furthermore, the elements of a quality product and a design product have a significant impact on customer value, and the importance of these elements changes within the different cluster.Research limitations/implicationsThe small size of the sample and the geographic origin of companies imply limited generalizability and further research on the topic is recommended.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that companies should simultaneously pursue quality and innovation to increase customer value. To achieve high levels of innovation, and thus increase their quality standards, manufacturing companies should consider the importance of the elements related to design which have impact on customer value.Originality/valueFocusing on the relationship between design-driven innovation and quality which has not yet been investigated, the present study reveals many common elements of product design and quality product and their positive influence on the perception of customer value.
Quality management, innovation capability and firm performance
Authors: Sahoo Saumyaranjan 
Published: September 2019

PurposeMany organizations are facing competitive challenges due to the rapid pace of technological changes. Both quality management (QM) and innovation are the competitive factors that are intensely embedded into organizational products, services and processes. In order to achieve higher firm performance, manufacturing firms are needed to adopt QM practices as well as develop innovation capability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among QM, innovation capability (IC) and firm performance under both mediation and moderation models using structural equation modeling.Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this study is quantitative. The data used to test the hypotheses were gathered from Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interviewing senior managers with a structured questionnaire. These hypothesized relationships are tested with data collected from 134 Indian manufacturing firms by using SPSS and AMOS statistical software.FindingsOverall, the findings clearly show that QM through the firm’s IC is indirectly associated with a firm’s business performance. It supported the notion that QM practices encourage the definition of innovation strategies of products and processes within a manufacturing setup, which positively affected different aspects of firm performance. More importantly, this study supports the findings of past studies that questioned the role of QM practices in improving a firm’s IC.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations of this study include: although a cross-sectional survey has been applied, the research does not permit us to account for the lag between implementation and performance. It also brings the opinion of a limited number of senior managers of Indian manufacturing SMEs, and hence both the sample size could be increased and the nationality of the respondent/responding firms could be expanded for future research.Practical implicationsIn light of the obtained results, several recommendations were introduced to assist decision makers in manufacturing companies. The paper contains suggestions for improving manufacturing firm’s performance through developing IC and adopting QM practices.Originality/valueThis paper extends theoretical contribution in production and operations management literature, highlighting how QM practices and firm’s IC have to interact in determining an organization’s success and sustaining its global competitiveness.
Ranking model of total quality management enablers in healthcare establishments using the best-worst method
Authors: Talib Faisal , Asjad Mohammad , Attri Rajesh , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Khan Zahid A. 
Published: September 2019

Purpose
Recent years have witnessed a significant rise in Indian healthcare establishments (HCEs) which indicate that there is a constant need to improve the healthcare quality services through the adoption and implementation of TQM enablers. The purpose of this paper is to identify such enablers and then propose a ranking model for TQM implementation in Indian HCEs for improved performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The study identifies 20 TQM enablers through comprehensive literature survey and expert’s opinion, and classifies them into five main categories. The prominence of these enablers is established using a recently developed novel multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method, i.e. best-worst method (BWM). The importance of the various main category and sub-category enablers is decided on the basis of their weights which are determined by the BWM. In comparison to other MCDM methods, such as analytical hierarchy process, BWM requires relatively lesser comparison data and also provides consistent comparisons which results in both optimal and reliable weights of the enablers considered in this paper. Further, a sensitivity analysis is also carried out to ensure that the ranking (based on the optimal weights) of the various enablers is reliable and robust.

Findings
The results of this study reveal that out of five main category enablers, the “leadership-based enablers (E1)” and the “continuous improvement based enablers (E5)” are the most and the least important enablers, respectively. Similarly, among the 20 sub-category enablers, “quality leadership and role of physicians (E14)” and “performing regular survey of customer satisfaction and quality audit (E52)” are the most and the least dominating sub-category enablers, respectively.

Research limitations/implications
This study does not explore the interrelationship between the various TQM enablers and also does not evaluate performance of the various HCEs based on the weights of the enablers.

Practical implications
The priority of the TQM enablers determined in this paper enables decision makers to understand their influence on successful implementation of the TQM principles and policies in HCEs leading to an overall improvement in the system’s performance.

Originality/value
This study identifies the various TQM enablers in HCEs and categorizes them into five main categories and ranks them using the BWM. The findings of this research are quite useful for management of the HCEs to properly understand the relative importance of these enablers so that managers can formulate an effective and efficient strategy for their easy and smooth implementation which is necessary for continuous improvement.
Assumptions and goals for least squares migration
Authors: Trad Daniel 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTLeast squares migration uses the assumption that, if we have an operator that can create data from a reflectivity function, the optimal image will predict the actual recorded data with minimum square error. For this assumption to be true, it is also required that: (a) the prediction operator must be error‐free, (b) model elements not seen by the operator should be constrained by other means and (c) data weakly predicted by the operator should make limited contribution to the solution. Under these conditions, least squares migration has the advantage over simple migration of being able to remove interference between different model components. Least squares migration does that by de‐convolving or inverting the so‐called Hessian operator. The Hessian is the cascade of forward modelling and migration; for each image point, it computes the effects of interference from other image points (point‐spread function) given the actual recording geometry and the subsurface velocity model. Because the Hessian contains illumination information (along its diagonal), and information about the model cross‐correlation produced by non‐orthogonality of basis functions, its inversion produces illumination compensation and increases resolution. In addition, sampling deficiencies in the recording geometry map to the Hessian (both diagonal and non‐diagonal elements), so least squares migration has the potential to remove sampling artefacts as well. These (illumination compensation, resolution and mitigating recording deficiencies) are the three main goals of least squares migration, although the first one can be achieved by cheaper techniques. To invert the Hessian, least squares migration relies on the residual errors during iterations. Iterative algorithms, like conjugate gradient and others, use the residuals to calculate the direction and amplitudes (gradient and step size) of the necessary corrections to the reflectivity function or model. Failure of conditions (a), (b) or (c) leads the inversion to calculate incorrect model updates, which translate to noise in the final image. In this paper, we will discuss these conditions for Kirchhoff migration and reverse time migration.
Amplitude‐compensated Laplacian filtering of reverse time migration and its application
Authors: Yang Renhu , Chang Xu , Ling Yun , Feng Ye E. , Qu Lijian 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTReverse time migration is an advanced seismic migration imaging method. When the source wavefield and the receiver wavefield are cross‐correlated, the cross‐correlations of direct arrivals, backscattered waves and overturned waves will produce a lot of low‐frequency noise, which will mask the final imaging results. Laplacian filtering, as a common method to suppress low‐frequency noise, can adapt to any complex media, just adding a little computational cost. However, simple direct Laplacian filtering will destroy the characteristics of the useful signals. Therefore, the amplitude needs to be compensated before filtering when using the Laplacian filtering method. Zhang and Sun proposed an improved Laplacian filtering method and gave a simple calculation formula and explanation. This method can effectively suppress the low‐frequency noise in reverse time migration while retaining the useful signal characteristics, but lacks detailed and strict mathematical derivation. Therefore, this paper gives a detailed and rigorous mathematical derivation of the amplitude‐compensated Laplace filtering method from the point of view of amplitude‐preserved filtering. The source wavelet is used instead of the source wavefield to compensate amplitude, just adding a little calculation cost. Finally, the amplitude‐compensated Laplace filtering method is verified by two theoretical models and compared with the direct Laplacian filtering method.
Wiltshire Council v Cooper Estates Strategic Land Ltd: Development Plans and the Restriction of Town and Village Green Applications
Authors: Ronan Harley 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe Court of Appeal has, for the first time, considered the scheme of ‘trigger events’ introduced in the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 which preclude the registration of land as a town or village green (or TVG). The event in question concerned identification for potential development in a development plan document. The court was required to determine what constitutes ‘identification for potential development’ for the purposes of the statute. This note suggests that the court's interpretation of ‘identification for potential development’ is unconvincing, and was motivated primarily by policy: to render it more difficult to register land as a TVG. It argues that the judgment constitutes a further and significant restriction on the future viability of TVG applications, rendering entire settlements liable to lose the application of TVG law.
Prevalence and outcomes of prenatal recreational cannabis use in high‐income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Singh S , Filion KB , Abenhaim HA , Eisenberg MJ 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundWith expanding recreational cannabis legalisation, pregnant women and their offspring are at risk of potentially harmful consequences.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of recreational cannabis use among pregnant women, health outcomes associated with prenatal recreational cannabis use, and the potential impact of recreational cannabis legalisation on this population.Search strategyFive databases and the grey literature were systematically searched (2000–2019).Selection criteriaHuman studies published in English or French reporting on the prevalence of prenatal recreational cannabis use in high‐income countries.Data collection and analysisData on study characteristics, prenatal substance use, and health outcomes were extracted and qualitatively synthesised.Main resultsForty‐one publications met our inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of prenatal cannabis use varied substantially (min–max: 0.24–22.6%), with the greatest use in the first trimester. In the three studies with temporal data available, rates of prenatal cannabis use increased across years. Only 7/41 and 5/41 studies provided information on gestational age of exposure and frequency of use, respectively. The concomitant use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco was higher among cannabis users than nonusers. Prenatal cannabis use was associated with select neonatal, but not maternal, health outcomes. There were insufficient data to compare prenatal cannabis use between the pre‐ and post‐legalisation periods.ConclusionCannabis use among pregnant women is prevalent and may be associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Future studies should assess the gestational age and frequency of cannabis exposure, and usage patterns prior to and following legalisation.Tweetable abstractWomen who consume cannabis during pregnancy could risk predisposing their newborns to poor birth outcomes.
segRDA: An r package for performing piecewise redundancy analysis
Authors: Vieira Danilo Cândido , Brustolin Marco Colossi , Ferreira Fábio Cop , Fonseca Gustavo 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Redundancy analysis is widely used to correlate species matrix against environmental descriptors. This analysis assumes that the response variables have the same continuous linear trend over the whole gradient, which is often not the case. To overcome this issue, we propose the piecewise redundancy analysis (pwRDA).

The pwRDA allows the relationship between the response and explanatory variables to break into pieces. The breakpoint between communities is assessed by the split‐moving‐window (SMW) approach. Both analyses are within segRDA package for the R environment. We illustrate the use of segRDA using simulated and empirical examples with a varying degree of discontinuity among communities.

SMW results provide consistent estimates for both, number and location of community breakpoints along the gradient. In communities with a sharp transition, the pwRDA models were significantly more informative than the traditional RDA model. For smooth transitions between communities, the pwRDA did not differ from the traditional RDA.

The combined use of SMW and pwRDA allows one to identify breakpoints and transition zones among ecological communities along environmental gradients. This approach is particularly relevant when species–habitat associations may differ among communities.
Genome‐wide association study identifies loci linked to serum electrolyte traits in Chinese Holstein cattle
Authors: Gan Q. F. , Li Y. R. , Lund M. , Su G. S. , Liang X. W. 
Published: September 2019

SummaryWe aimed to identify QTL for serum electrolyte traits by performing a GWAS of calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium and magnesium ion concentrations in Chinese Holstein cattle. We detected five SNPs that had significant associations with calcium ion concentrations and identified GATA2 from Bos taurus chromosome (BTA)22 as having the highest significance. Among the genes with significant results, we speculate that TMEM123 might be related to calcium channel proteins according to the functions of the TMEM family.
The role of fibrinogen and fibrinogen concentrate in cardiac surgery: an international consensus statement from the Haemostasis and Transfusion Scientific Subcommittee of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology
Authors: Erdoes G. , Koster A. , Meesters M. I. , Ortmann E. , Bolliger D. , Baryshnikova E. , Ahmed A. , Lance M. D. , Ravn H. B. , Ranucci M. , von Heymann C. , Agarwal S. 
Published: September 2019

SummaryTo date, data regarding the efficacy and safety of administering fibrinogen concentrate in cardiac surgery are limited. Studies are limited by their low sample size and large heterogeneity with regard to the patient population, by the timing of fibrinogen concentrate administration, and by the definition of transfusion trigger and target levels. Assessment of fibrinogen activity using viscoelastic point‐of‐care testing shortly before or after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in patients and procedures with a high risk of bleeding appears to be a rational strategy. In contrast, the use of Clauss fibrinogen test for determination of plasma fibrinogen level can no longer be recommended without restrictions due to its long turnaround time, high inter‐assay variability and interference with high heparin levels and fibrin degradation products. Administration of fibrinogen concentrate for maintaining physiological fibrinogen activity in the case of microvascular post‐cardiopulmonary bypass bleeding appears to be indicated. The available evidence does not suggest aiming for supranormal levels, however. Use of cryoprecipitate as an alternative to fibrinogen concentrate might be considered to increase plasma fibrinogen levels. Although conclusive evidence is lacking, fibrinogen concentrate does not seem to increase adverse outcomes (i.e., thromboembolic events). Large prospective multi‐centre studies are needed to better define the optimal perioperative monitoring tool, transfusion trigger and target levels for fibrinogen replacement in cardiac surgery.
Gastric cancer during pregnancy: A report on 13 cases and review of the literature with focus on chemotherapy during pregnancy
Authors: Maggen Charlotte , Lok Christianne A. , Cardonick Elyce , van Gerwen Mathilde , Ottevanger Petronella B. , Boere Ingrid A. , Koskas Martin , Halaska Michael J. , Fruscio Robert , Gziri Mina M. , Witteveen Petronella O. , Van Calsteren Kristel , Amant Frédéric ,   for the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP)
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionGastric cancer during pregnancy is extremely rare and data on optimal treatment and possible chemotherapeutic regimens are scarce. The aim of this study is to describe the obstetric and maternal outcome of women with gastric cancer during pregnancy and review the literature on antenatal chemotherapy for gastric cancer.Material and methodsTreatment and outcome of patients registered in the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy database with gastric cancer diagnosed during pregnancy were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 13 women with gastric cancer during pregnancy were registered between 2002 and 2018. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 22 weeks (range 6‐30 weeks). Twelve women were diagnosed with advanced disease and died within 2 years after pregnancy, most within 6 months. In total, eight out of 10 live births ended in a preterm delivery because of preeclampsia, maternal deterioration, or therapy planning. Two out of six women who initiated chemotherapy during pregnancy delivered at term. Two neonates prenatally exposed to chemotherapy were growth restricted and one of them developed a systemic infection with brain abscess after preterm delivery for preeclampsia 2 weeks after chemotherapy. No malformations were reported.ConclusionsThe prognosis of gastric cancer during pregnancy is poor, mainly due to advanced disease at diagnosis, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis. Antenatal chemotherapy can be considered to reach fetal maturity, taking possible complications such as growth restriction, preterm delivery, and hematopoietic suppression at birth into account.
Obesity is associated with significantly increased risk for diarrhoea after controlling for demographic, dietary and medical factors: a cross‐sectional analysis of the 2009‐2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Ballou Sarah , Singh Prashant , Rangan Vikram , Iturrino Johanna , Nee Judy , Lembo Anthony 
Published: September 2019

SummaryBackgroundObesity is associated with increased risk for various gastrointestinal and liver diseases. However, the relationship between obesity and abnormal bowel habits is poorly understood.AimTo investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and bowel habit, controlling for clinical, demographic and dietary factors, in a representative sample of the United States adult populationMethodsData were extracted from the 2009‐2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Survey responses were included in this study if respondents completed the bowel health questionnaire (BHQ), were ≥20 years of age, and did not report history of IBD, celiac disease or colon cancer. BMI was divided into the following categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and severely obese. Stepwise logistic regression provided risk ratios of constipation and diarrhoea controlling for confounding factors (dietary, life‐style, psychological and medical).ResultsA total of 5126 respondents completed the BHQ, had BMI data available, and met eligibility criteria. Of these, 70 (1.40%) were underweight, 1350 (26.34%) were normal weight, 1731 (33.77%) were overweight, 1097 (21.40%) were obese and 878 (17.13%) were severely obese. Up to 8.5% of obese and 11.5% of severely obese individuals had chronic diarrhoea, compared to 4.5% of normal weight individuals. Stepwise regression revealed that severe obesity was independently associated with increased risk of diarrhoea.ConclusionObesity is positively associated with chronic diarrhoea in a nationally representative US adult population after adjusting for several known confounding factors.
Two emergency cases of spontaneous esophageal perforation treated using a minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach
Authors: Sekiya Sho , Ebihara Yuma , Yamamura Yoshiyuki , Tanaka Kimitaka , Nakanishi Yoshitsugu , Asano Toshimichi , Noji Takehiro , Kurashima Yo , Murakami Soichi , Nakamura Toru , Tsuchikawa Takahiro , Okamura Keisuke , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Hirano Satoshi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBoerhaave's syndrome is a rare life‐threatening disease that requires prompt intervention. Thoracotomy has traditionally been considered the gold standard approach for treatment, but other minimally invasive approaches have recently been reported. Our institute reported the efficacy of minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach in the treatment of patients with esophagogastric junction cancer and introduced it for the treatment of two patients with Boerhaave's syndrome. We intraoperatively sutured the rupture sites and irrigated the pleural cavity using thoracoscopy. Then, after confirming the absence of intraabdominal contamination, we performed jejunostomy or gastrostomy using laparoscopy. Patients' vital signs remained stable intraoperatively, and their postoperative periods were uneventful with no leakage or stricture. The minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach for Boerhaave's syndrome is convenient and useful as it provides excellent visualization of the thoracic and abdominal cavities with the possibility of quickly switching between views.