bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Comparison Between Subjects With No Pain and Pain Associated With Active Myofascial Trigger Points
Authors: Gerber Lynn H. , Sikdar Siddhartha , Armstrong Katee , Diao Guoqing , Heimur Juliana , Kopecky John , Turo Diego , Otto Paul , Gebreab Tadesse , Shah Jay 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveTo determine whether standard evaluations of pain distinguish subjects with no pain from those with myofascial pain syndromes (MPS) and active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and to assess whether self‐reports of mood, function, and health‐related quality of life differ between these groups.DesignA prospective, descriptive study.SettingUniversity.PatientsAdults with and without neck pain.MethodsWe evaluated adults with MPS and active (painful) MTrPs and those without pain. Subjects in the “active” (A) group had at least one active MTrP with spontaneous pain that was persistent, lasted longer than 3 months, and had characteristic pain on palpation. Subjects in the “no pain” (NP) group had no spontaneous pain. However, some of these subjects had discomfort upon MTrP palpation (latent MTrP), whereas others in the NP group had no discomfort upon palpation of nodules or had no nodules.Outcome MeasuresEach participant underwent range of motion measurement, a 10‐point manual muscle test, and manual and algometric palpation. The latter determined the pain/pressure threshold using an algometer of 4 predetermined anatomic sites along the upper trapezius. Participants rated pain using a verbal analog scale (0‐10) and completed the Brief Pain Inventory and Oswestry Disability Scale (which included a sleep subscale), the Short ‐Form 36 Health Survey, and the Profile of Mood States.ResultsThe A group included 24 subjects (mean age 36 years; 16 women), and the NP group included 26 subjects (mean age 26 years; 12 women). Group A subjects differed from NP subjects in the number of latent MTrPs (P = .0062), asymmetrical cervical range of motion (P = .01 for side bending and P = .002 for rotation), and in all pain reports (P < .0001), algometry (P < .03), Profile of Mood States (P < .038), Short Form 36 Health Survey (P < .01), and Oswestry Disability Scale (P < .0001).ConclusionA systematic musculoskeletal evaluation of people with MPS reliably distinguishes them from subjects with no pain. The 2 groups are significantly different in their physical findings and self‐reports of pain, sleep disturbance, disability, health status, and mood. These findings support the view that a “local” pain syndrome has significant associations with mood, health‐related quality of life, and function.
The high returns to low volatility stocks are actually a premium on high quality firms
Authors: Walkshäusl Christian 
Published: June 2013

AbstractRecent empirical research shows that low volatility stocks outperform high volatility stocks around the world. This study documents that the volatility effect is associated with the quality of the firm using a large sample of international stocks. First, adding a quality factor to the Fama–French model contributes to the explanation of the volatility effect. Furthermore, the negative volatility–return relation is shown to be stronger and significant only among high quality firms which are profitable and have stable cash flows. Second, a fundamental investment strategy that goes long high quality firms and short low quality firms performs like a volatility strategy and cannot be explained by common asset pricing models. However, a low–high volatility factor adds to the explanation of the return difference between high and low quality stocks as volatility and quality strategies have a common component.
Potential impacts of ocean acidification on the Puget Sound food web
Authors: Busch D. Shallin , Harvey Chris J. , McElhany Paul 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Busch, D. S., Harvey, C. J., and McElhany, P. 2013. Potential impacts of ocean acidification on the Puget Sound food web. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 823–833. Ecosystem impacts of ocean acidification (OA) were explored by imposing scenarios designed to mimic OA on a food web model of Puget Sound, a large estuary in northwestern USA. The productivity of functional groups containing mostly calcifiers was decreased while still allowing other species groups to respond to the scenarios in a dynamic way through indirect effects. Results focus on changes in ecosystem services and structure. Sometimes the direct and indirect effects of OA countered each other due to interactions between predators and prey within the food web, leading to little change in the food web. In other cases, direct and indirect effects caused greater change in the food web than anticipated from direct effects alone. Results were strongly affected by the group on which OA was directly imposed, with changes in copepod productivity being the most influential. While there is much uncertainty in our predictions, focusing on the complex interactions among species, and between species and their environment, will yield better understanding of how ecosystems may respond to OA.
Defining trends and thresholds in responses of ecological indicators to fishing and environmental pressures
Authors: Large Scott I. , Fay Gavin , Friedland Kevin D. , Link Jason S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractLarge, S. I., Fay, G., Friedland, K. D., and Link, J. S. 2013. Defining trends and thresholds in responses of ecological indicators to fishing and environmental pressures. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 755–767. Both fishing and environmental forces can influence the structure of marine ecosystems. To further understand marine ecosystems and to implement ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), an evaluation of ecosystem indicators is warranted. In this context, it is particularly important to identify thresholds where fishing and environmental pressures significantly influence ecological indicators. We empirically determined numerical values of environmental forces and fishing pressure that significantly altered the response of ecological indicators for the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. Generalized additive models predicted a non-linear relationship for each pressure–response pairing. With this smoother, 95% confidence intervals (CI) for estimated first and second derivatives for each relationship were determined via parametric bootstrap. A significant trend or threshold was noted when the CI for the first or second derivative was greater or less than zero, delineating the level at which pressure variables influence the rate and direction of ecosystem indicator responses. We identify reference levels where environmental forces and fishing pressure result in ecosystem change by collectively examining the responses of multiple ecological indicators. Individual indicators showed unique responses to pressures, however, similar values for the pressures were associated with significant changes for multiple indicators. These reference levels establish a foundation for implementation of EBFM.
Realizing Improved Patient Care through Human-centered Operating Room Design
Authors: Palmer Gary , Abernathy James H. , Swinton Greg , Allison David , Greenstein Joel , Shappell Scott , Juang Kevin , Reeves Scott T. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background:
Human factors engineering has allowed a systematic approach to the evaluation of adverse events in a multitude of high-stake industries. This study sought to develop an initial methodology for identifying and classifying flow disruptions in the cardiac operating room (OR).

Methods:
Two industrial engineers with expertise in human factors workflow disruptions observed 10 cardiac operations from the moment the patient entered the OR to the time they left for the intensive care unit. Each disruption was fully documented on an architectural layout of the OR suite and time-stamped during each phase of surgery (preoperative [before incision], operative [incision to skin closure], and postoperative [skin closure until the patient leaves the OR]) to synchronize flow disruptions between the two observers. These disruptions were then categorized.

Results:
The two observers made a total of 1,158 observations. After the elimination of duplicate observations, a total of 1,080 observations remained to be analyzed. These disruptions were distributed into six categories such as communication, usability, physical layout, environmental hazards, general interruptions, and equipment failures. They were further organized into 33 subcategories. The most common disruptions were related to OR layout and design (33%).

Conclusions:
By using the detailed architectural diagrams, the authors were able to clearly demonstrate for the first time the unique role that OR design and equipment layout has on the generation of physical layout flow disruptions. Most importantly, the authors have developed a robust taxonomy to describe the flow disruptions encountered in a cardiac OR, which can be used for future research and patient safety improvements.
The effect of funding status on duration of stay for inpatients with dementia
Authors: Simpson Steve , Craven Janet , Weekes Rebecca 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThis study is a follow‐up to a previously published paper, by Ball et al. in 2004. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influenced the discharge outcomes and duration of stay over the three years since the introduction of the National Framework for Continuing Health Care (CHC) provision in October 2007.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined consecutive dementia patients (n=175) admitted to an organic elderly mental health assessment ward over a three‐year period between January 2008 and December 2010. The majority of patients in the study had vascular dementia (34 per cent) or Alzheimer's disease (31 per cent) with an average score of 11.5 in the Mini‐Mental State Examination. The assessment tools used in this study were good indicators as part of the dementia care pathway to predict the rehabilitation outcome.FindingsThe mean duration of stay of patients was 8.4 weeks but this was extended to 18.3 weeks for the 15 per cent of patients subject to CHC funding. Patients who require CHC funding can expect to stay in hospital for more than ten weeks before a placement is made. Duration of stay was longer for those patients with behavioural and psychological complications, but the strongest independent predictor of duration of stay was CHC funding which accounted for 23 per cent of the duration of stay in hospital, independently of any clinical parameters in the patient.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence of the effect of current funding procedures in the discharge of inpatients with dementia from an assessment ward.
Sourcing effective scenarios for use in business ethics training
Authors: Bradshaw Katherine 
Published: June 2013

PurposeEnsuring that ethical values are embedded into day‐to‐day working practice is a challenge for multinational organisations. Training on the subject can be dull and can fail to engage staff in the issues, but using scenarios helps to convey ethical messages and gives staff the tools to identify and deal with ethical dilemmas. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the case for business ethics training and the role of scenarios. It seeks to suggest ways to develop effective scenarios and to describe a case study of how one company incorporated them into its training.Design/methodology/approachThis article is based on the Institute of Business Ethics' experience of developing scenarios for its subscriber organisations.FindingsThe paper shows that scenarios give employees practice at applying ethical frameworks and company standards to workplace situations. Scenario training is an opportunity for a “dry run” so that employees will know what to do when confronted with a real situation.Practical implicationsThis work assists organisations with the development of effective training and communications to support their commitment to high ethical standards.Originality/valueA more in‐depth examination of the subject is published in the IBE's Good Practice Guide Developing and Using Business Ethics Scenarios (available from www.ibe.org.uk). The study draws on original research to incorporate good practice in this area.
Obstacles to upgrading customer value‐in‐use in retail banking
Authors: Lähteenmäki Ilkka , Nätti Satu 
Published: June 2013

PurposeImproving capability to generate value for customers is seen as a way to create a new competitive edge, but developing the related organisational capabilities involves facing several obstacles that stem from the producer‐orientation of the retail‐banking business. This paper aims to focus on defining and describing those obstacles.Design/methodology/approachAn in‐depth, qualitative single case study of a European retail bank was conducted.FindingsA retail bank can find it challenging, first, to understand the deepest meaning and character of customer value and, second, to harness the organisational attributes to deliver that value. The main barriers lie in the strong producer‐oriented way of doing business, a lack of employee commitment, a strong product and sales orientation, a restrictive network, difficulties in seeing the profitability aspect of a new mindset, lack of conceptualisation and proper segmentation, and finally, silo‐style bank organisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is focused on the retail‐banking industry, while the findings are transferable to other retail finance businesses.Practical implicationsEnhancing value creation may provide a competitive edge, but developing that edge means facing several obstacles, which may jeopardise the calculated positive return on investment. For management, understanding the value of the banking service in the customer's own context is critical.Originality/valueDeveloping customer experience and value‐in‐use has been suggested as a good starting point for customer orientation. However, research on its implications for organisations and potential obstacles to implementation remains scarce. This paper offers a detailed view on the organisational development necessary to generate value‐in‐use in a retail‐banking context.
Managing variability in ocean shipping
Authors: Harrison Alan , Fichtinger Johannes 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the relationship between time‐related variables in global ocean transportation networks (GOTNs) and the shipper's inventory management performance. The authors modelled fill rates with daily and weekly sailings, and analysed the impact of variability on these on the shipper's inventory management system.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted simulation modelling of the above variables, and supplemented these by means of interviews with executives in a number of liner operators, 3PLs, freight forwarders and a large automotive shipper.FindingsImprovements in variability have different impacts, depending on the source of the variability and the frequency of the shipments. The highest inventory reduction potential arises from a combination of high reliability and improved frequency.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates the potential advantages of reduced variability and improved frequency of sailings. Port‐to port (P2P) has been positioned in the context of door‐to‐door (D2D) supply chain movements.Originality/valueThe paper develops clear quantitative analyses of time‐based factors in operating GOTNs.
Assessment of empty container repositioning policies in maritime transport
Authors: Dong Jing‐Xin , Xu Jingjing , Song Dong‐Ping 
Published: June 2013

PurposeEmpty container repositioning is an important issue in the liner shipping industry. Generally stated, two groups of mathematical models have been proposed to tackle this issue. The first group aims to derive time‐dependent origin‐destination matrices that specify the number of empty containers to be repositioned at a decision epoch; the second group aims to develop effective state‐feedback control policies consisting of dynamic decision‐making rules. There is, however, a lack of research into the comparison of these two groups, especially with regard to realistic cases subject to uncertainties. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the performances of some typical repositioning policies from these two groups and to shed light on their relative merits and suitability in various realistic scenarios.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review, the paper classifies the current empty container repositioning policies into two categories: origin‐destination (OD) based solutions and state‐based dynamic rules. Typical policies are selected from these two categories and then evaluated using a simulation tool. A range of scenarios are designed based on realistic cases considering the stochastic and dynamic nature of liner services. A comprehensive set of simulation experiments are conducted and analysed; and the relative merits and suitability of the repositioning policies are identified.FindingsThrough a carefully designed comparative study, several research findings are obtained with regard to how the performances of different types of empty container repositioning policies are affected by various factors such as structure of service route, uncertainty of daily demands, and parametric optimisation methods.Originality/valueThe study makes a good attempt to analyse the suitability of different empty container repositioning policies in different scenarios. This is an area that has lacked investigation. The research findings can help shipping companies and other relevant stakeholders better understand the relative merits of different empty container repositioning policies and better tackle the challenges in operating the container shipping system.
Slow steaming in container liner shipping: is there any impact on fuel surcharge practices?
Authors: Notteboom Theo , Cariou Pierre 
Published: June 2013

PurposeSlow steaming has been implemented by the main liner shipping companies since 2008. The reduction in vessel speed affects fuel consumption and should be reflected within the fuel surcharges paid by shippers. The purpose of this paper is to assess if this was the case for the main outbound European container trades from the port of Antwerp.Design/methodology/approachThrough an extensive analysis of liner service characteristics, fuel costs and fuel surcharges this paper provides an answer to three research questions: how significant are slow steaming practices in container liner shipping?; what is the impact of slow steaming on fuel consumption and liner service characteristics?; and to what extent has slow steaming changed the relation between fuel costs and fuel surcharges imposed on shippers by shipping lines?FindingsIt is found that slow steaming practices are not implemented on all trade routes, but depend on operational aspects such as distances covered and the characteristics of the ships deployed. While it could be expected that the reduction in vessel speed should be reflected within the fuel surcharges paid by shippers, the empirical results show that on most trade routes slow steaming did not fundamentally change the relation between fuel costs and fuel surcharges imposed on shippers by shipping lines.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical relevance to actors active in global ocean freight logistics, particularly since its results can be used as input for ongoing debates between shipping lines and shippers on pricing and surcharges in container shipping.Originality/valueThis paper is the first extensive study that makes an explicit link between slow steaming practices and fuel surcharge policies of shipping lines. A method was developed to estimate fuel consumption levels of ships at various speeds and to link the associated fuel costs to real‐life bunker surcharges imposed on shippers by shipping lines.
Improving the service operations of container terminals
Authors: Hsu Wen‐Kai K. 
Published: June 2013

PurposesIn the relevant literature about container terminals (CTs), most studies focused on the internal operational management of CT operators. In practice, for improving the performance of CT operators, the external customers’ requirements should also be considered. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the improvement of service operations of CTs from users’ requirement perspectives.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the customer requirements for container terminal are first examined. Based on the customer requirements, a quality function deployment (QFD) model is then constructed to translate the customer requirements into service operations of the container terminals, by which CT operators may make policies to improve their service operations. As an empirical study, the container terminal of Yang‐Ming Shipping Line (YML CT) at Kaohsiung Port and its users were investigated to validate the model.FindingsThe result proposes 19 customer requirement attributes from users’ perspectives and 15 service operations from CT operators’ perspectives. Further, the top five customer requirement attributes by importance degree are: consistency of bill of lading; accuracy of dynamic information on cargos; accuracy of EDI information for receiving and releasing of containers; professional ability of operators to deal with cargo damage; and cargo safety.Practical implicationsThe results indicate the top five service operations in need of improvement for the YML CT are: storage operation in depot; outbound container operation; hazardous container storage; inbound container operation; and T1 arrangement.Originality/valueIn this paper, a QFD model was constructed to improve the service operations of CTs. The proposed model may provide valuable references for future research on container terminals.
PCS interoperability in Europe: a market for PCS operators?
Authors: Baron Marie‐Laure , Mathieu Hervé 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the evolution of local port community systems (PCS) towards a vast network of interlinked locations in Europe.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is conceptual. It builds on the findings of platform theory and the analogy between the market for cargo information and the payment system industry to discuss the potential outcomes and shapes of a European port community. A number of interviews were also conducted with PCS market participants.FindingsAs a result, insight is given into the stages of building a European maritime information network, the growing part played by PCS operators and the way competition and the market are organizing, as well as into some institutional difficulties.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper makes various inroads into the subject of PCS operation that call for further research. One particular field concerns the possible impact of PCS interoperation on port competition, which is not sufficiently clear at this stage of the research.Originality/valueThe paper enlightens a hot topic in an original way and provides a useful benchmark for all concerned parties, professionals and public authorities alike. It also opens many prospects into future research on how information systems may contribute to shaping the cargo industry.