bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a production improvement programme on global quality performance
Authors: H. Netland Torbjørn , Sanchez Ebly 
Published: February 2014

Purpose– How can multinational companies become more productive on a global scale? The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a production improvement programme can improve quality performance in a global network of factories. Specifically, the paper analyses the effects of the Volvo Group's production improvement programme on global quality performance.Design/methodology/approach– The research approach is a case study of the Volvo Production System (VPS). The paper analyses the effects of the programme on global quality performance, using data from an implementation audit and a questionnaire survey. The paper triangulate the analysis with longitudinal quality performance data from three different plants.Findings– The paper finds a significant and strong positive relationship between implementation of the VPS and improvements in both process quality and product quality. Hence, the paper suggests that tailored production improvement programmes have clear positive effects on global quality performance.Research limitations/implications– As with all case studies, the paper should use caution when generalising beyond the specific case. However, the Volvo Group is a broad and diversified corporation, which mitigates this limitation.Originality/value– While many studies have investigated the effect of production improvement programmes on performance, very few have looked at the effect of a corporate multi-plant programme. This study represents one of the first attempts to do so. The paper also provides a case description of the VPS that readers might find valuable in its own right.
Nutrient enrichment and local competition influence the evolution of plant mineralization strategy: a modelling approach
Authors: Barot Sébastien , Bornhofen Stefan , Loeuille Nicolas , Perveen Nazia , Shahzad Tanvir , Fontaine Sébastien 
Published: February 2014

Summary

It is important to study how evolution impacts on plant functional traits and to determine how this subsequently determines ecosystem functioning. We tackle this general issue by studying the evolution of plant strategies that affect mineralization through the chemical quality of their own litter and their position on the leaf economic spectrum. This spectrum allows us to classify all plants on a single axis ranging from resource‐acquisitive to resource‐conservative strategies.

We build a spatially explicit and individual‐based simulation model: individual plants grow in the cells of a lattice and the limiting nutrient is recycled locally in these cells. Individual plants may die and produce seeds that are dispersed. Mutants with different mineralization strategies appear stochastically. A trade‐off is implemented between the rate of nutrient loss from plants and litter mineralization.

In the spatial‐explicit model, plant capacity to increase mineralization evolves and reaches an evolutionary equilibrium in most cases. The evolved mineralization decreases with plant longevity, seed dispersal efficiency, spatial homogenization of mineral nutrient availability and inputs of mineral nutrient to the ecosystem.

The evolved mineralization strategies neither maximize plant biomass, nor minimize the availability of mineral nutrient or the stock of dead organic matter. The evolutionary and ecological impacts of nutrient enrichment on the stock of organic matter are different.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that plant mineralization strategy may evolve provided that the mineral resource is not fully shared by all individuals. Such an evolution modifies soil capacity to store organic carbon thereby being relevant in the context of the current climate change and global nutrient enrichment. Indeed, our model shows that evolutionary feedbacks of plants to nutrient enrichment are likely to differ from purely ecological feedbacks.
The Effect of Previous Traumatic Injury on Homicide Risk
Authors: Griffin Russell L. , Davis Gregory G. , Levitan Emily B. , MacLennan Paul A. , Redden David T. , McGwin Gerald 
Published: February 2014

AbstractResearch has reported that a strong risk factor for traumatic injury is having a previous injury (i.e., recidivism). To date, the only study examining the relationship between recidivism and homicide reported strong associations, but was limited by possible selection bias. The current matched case–control study utilized coroner's data from 2004 to 2008. Subjects were linked to trauma registry data to determine whether the person had a previous traumatic injury. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between homicide and recidivism. Homicide risk was increased for those having a previous traumatic injury (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.09–2.99) or a previous intentional injury (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.24–5.17). These results suggest an association between homicide and injury recidivism, and that trauma centers may be an effective setting for screening individuals for secondary prevention efforts of homicide through violence prevention programs.
Sudden or Unnatural Deaths Involving Anabolic‐androgenic Steroids
Authors: Darke Shane , Torok Michelle , Duflou Johan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAnabolic‐androgenic steroids (AASs) are frequently misused. To determine causes of death, characteristics, toxicology, and pathology of AAS positive cases, all cases (n = 24) presenting to the New South Wales Department of Forensic Medicine (1995–2012) were retrieved. All were male, and the mean age was 31.7 years. Deaths were mainly due to accidental drug toxicity (62.5%), then suicide (16.7%) and homicide (12.5%). Abnormal testosterone/epitestosterone ratios were reported in 62.5%, followed by metabolites of nandrolone (58.3%), stanozolol (33.3%), and methandienone (20.8%). In 23 of 24 cases, substances other than steroids were detected, most commonly psychostimulants (66.7%). In nearly half, testicular atrophy was noted, as was testicular fibrosis and arrested spermatogenesis. Left ventricular hypertrophy was noted in 30.4%, and moderate to severe narrowing of the coronary arteries in 26.1%. To summarize, the typical case was a male polydrug user aged in their thirties, with death due to drug toxicity. Extensive cardiovascular disease was particularly notable.
Spontaneous Rupture of the Gall Bladder: An Unusual Forensic Diagnosis
Authors: Dean Dorothy E. , Jamison Jennifer M. , Lane Jason L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPeritonitis secondary to spontaneous rupture/perforation of the gall bladder is a rare condition overall and is even less common in the forensic population. We report the case of a middle‐aged man who died from generalized peritonitis from gall bladder perforation due to acute acalculous cholecystitis. This condition usually occurs in critical patients with systemic illness, and although the exact pathogenesis remains unclear, the development of acalculous cholecystitis appears to be multifactorial. Antemortem diagnosis is reliant upon clinical presentation, laboratory data, and radiologic studies. Surgery and appropriate antibiotics are mainstays of treatment; however, there is an emerging role for minimally invasive procedures. Histopathologic features show significant overlap with the calculous type. Although increasing numbers of acalculous cholecystitis have been diagnosed in the critically ill, the fatal presentation of a perforated gall bladder following an undiagnosed case of acute acalculous cholecystitis is unusual in a nonhospitalized and ambulatory man.
Ketoacidosis and Adrenocortical Insufficiency
Authors: Palmiere Cristian , de Froidmont Sébastien , Mangin Patrice , Werner Dominique , Lobrinus Johannes A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe herein report an autopsy case involving a 27‐year‐old Caucasian woman suffering from chronic adrenocortical insufficiency with a background of a polyendocrine disorder. Postmortem biochemistry revealed pathologically decreased aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone levels in postmortem serum from femoral blood as well as decreased cortisol and 17‐hydroxycorticosteroid in urine. Decreased vitreous sodium and increased 3‐beta‐hydroxybutyrate and C‐reactive protein concentrations were observed. The cause of death was determined to be acute adrenocortical insufficiency. Fasting ketoacidosis was postulated to have precipitated the Addisonian crisis. Traumatic causes of death and third‐party involvement were excluded. The case highlights the importance of systematically performing exhaustive postmortem biochemical investigations to formulate appropriate hypothesis regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the death process.
Long Bone (Humerus, Femur, Tibia) Measuring Procedure in Cadavers
Authors: Menéndez Garmendia Antinea , Gómez‐Valdés Jorge A. , Hernández Francisco , Wesp Julie K. , Sánchez‐Mejorada Gabriela 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn this work, we present a measuring methodology for long bones of the limbs (humerus, femur, and tibia) of human corpses. Measurements of cadaveric height and long bone lengths were conducted on 72 corpses (20 females and 52 males) from the School of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Additionally, these measurements were compared with those taken from dry bones of a subsample of individuals. Our results show marginal differences (TEM% = 0.59) between cadaveric and dry bone measurements, resulting from different osteometric technical procedures. This note outlines the measuring methodology, which will be subsequently used to create regression formulas for stature estimation.
The diagnostic value of ultrasound compared with nerve conduction velocity in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Azami Ahad , Maleki Nasrollah , Anari Hassan , Iranparvar Alamdari Manouchehr , Kalantarhormozi Mohammadreza , Tavosi Zahra 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common form of peripheral entrapment neuropathy. The use of sonography for investigation and diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions has been rapidly increasing over the past few decades. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sonography can be an alternative method to nerve conduction study (NCS) in the diagnosis of CTS.MethodsIndividuals with electrodiagnostically proven CTS and healthy control subjects were enrolled prospectively. Median nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) at three different levels, proximal to tunnel inlet, at tunnel inlet and tunnel outlet, and flexor retinaculum thickness, were measured. Then, comparisons between ultrasonography and NCS were made.ResultsWe assessed 180 wrists, of which 120 were electrophysiologically confirmed as CTS diseased hands and 60 nondiseased hands in 90 patients (83 women and seven men). The mean median nerve CSA at the tunnel inlet was 13.31 ± 3.23 mm2 in CTS diseased hands and 8.57 ± 0.82 mm2 in nondiseased hands. Post hoc comparisons between the diseased and nondiseased hands demonstrated that the CSA at various levels of the median nerve were significantly greater in the CTS diseased hands than the nondiseased hands (P = 0.001). CSA at the tunnel inlet with a threshold of 9.15 mm2 gave the best diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity and specificity of 99.2% and 88.3%, respectively. The difference in cross‐sectional area of the median nerve in mild, moderate and severe CTS was statistically significant.ConclusionUltrasonographic measurement of the CSA of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet is useful in diagnosing and grading CTS.
Our anonymous online research participants are not always anonymous: Is this a problem?
Authors: Dawson Phillip 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWhen educational research is conducted online, we sometimes promise our participants that they will be anonymous—but do we deliver on this promise? We have been warned since 1996 to be careful when using direct quotes in Internet research, as full‐text web search engines make it easy to find chunks of text online. This paper details an empirical study into the prevalence of direct quotes from participants in a subset of the educational technology literature. Using basic web search techniques, the source of direct quotes could be found in 10 of 112 articles. Analysis of the articles revealed previously undiscussed threats from data triangulation and expert analysis/diagnosis. Issues of ethical obliviousness, obscurity and concern for future privacy‐invasive technologies are also discussed. Recommendations for researchers, journals and institutional ethics review boards are made for how to better protect participants' anonymity against current and future threats.
Use of the continuous glucose monitoring system to treat insulin autoimmune syndrome: quantification of glucose excursions and evaluation of treatment efficacy
Authors: Philippon M. , Séjil S. , Mugnier M. , Rocher L. , Guibergia C. , Vialettes B. , Delenne B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundAutoimmune hypoglycaemia, based on the presence of autoantibodies directed against endogenous insulin (insulin autoimmune syndrome or Hirata's disease), is a rare cause of hypoglycaemia. Treatment of the disease is not standardized and various therapeutic options have been proposed. We wondered whether using a continuous glucose‐monitoring system could help quantify precisely glucose excursions and allow evaluation of treatment efficacy.Case reportA 44‐year‐old Caucasian patient with insulin autoimmune syndrome was studied for 7 days using a continuous glucose monitoring system under various treatment regimens, i.e. diet modification, high‐dose corticosteroids, alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors, and plasmapheresis.ConclusionContinuous glucose monitoring system data confirmed that insulin autoimmune syndrome alternated between periods of prandial hyperglycaemia and interprandial hypoglycaemia. Alpha glucosidase inhibitors and plasmapheresis were more potent in limiting glucose excursions than corticosteroid or diet‐only treatments. The continuous glucose monitoring system appears to be a useful tool in the management of insulin autoimmune syndrome.
Protein content in larval diet affects adult longevity and antioxidant gene expression in honey bee workers
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Xu Baohua , Wang Yuxi , Yang Zaibin , Yang Weiren 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn honey bees, adult longevity is strongly dependent on the quantity of dietary protein ingested after emergence, but relatively little is known about the role played by the protein content of larval diet. In total, 15 colonies of Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola (Hymenoptera: Apidae) bees with sister queens were randomly allocated to one of three groups (five colonies per group), provided with pollen substitutes (PS) with protein concentrations of 15, 25, or 35%, designated as PS15, PS25, and PS35, respectively. In a field experiment, we measured the PS consumption and collected samples for analyzing body protein content and gene expression. On day 29, groups of 50 newly emerged workers from each colony were obtained and confined in cages for measuring survival and longevity. Results showed that bees consumed significantly more PS15 and PS25 than PS35. However, the total protein intake of PS15 was less than that of the others. Increasing the protein available to larvae (PS35) significantly increased total accumulated protein before emergence, adult survival, and longevity. Furthermore, bees fed PS25 or PS35 tended to have higher mRNA levels for genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, providing a potential physiological mechanism for observed survival differences among the three dietary treatments. We conclude that protein content in larval diet could positively influence worker longevity likely because of the increased related antioxidant gene expression.
Winners and losers in the competition for space in tropical forest canopies
Authors: Kellner James R. , Asner Gregory P. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTrees compete for space in the canopy, but where and how individuals or their component parts win or lose is poorly understood. We developed a stochastic model of three‐dimensional dynamics in canopies using a hierarchical Bayesian framework, and analysed 267 533 positive height changes from 1.25 m pixels using data from airborne LiDAR within 43 ha on the windward flank of Mauna Kea. Model selection indicates a strong resident's advantage, with 97.9% of positions in the canopy retained by their occupants over 2 years. The remaining 2.1% were lost to a neighbouring contender. Absolute height was a poor predictor of success, but short stature greatly raised the risk of being overtopped. Growth in the canopy was exponentially distributed with a scaling parameter of 0.518. These findings show how size and spatial proximity influence the outcome of competition for space, and provide a general framework for the analysis of canopy dynamics.
Evidence for shared broad‐scale climatic niches of diploid and polyploid plants
Authors: Glennon K. L. , Ritchie M. E. , Segraves K. A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWhole‐genome duplication (polyploidy) occurs frequently and repeatedly within species, often forming new lineages that contribute to biodiversity, particularly in plants. Establishment and persistence of new polyploids may be thwarted by competition with surrounding diploids; however, climatic niche shifts, where polyploids occupy different niches than diploid progenitors, may help polyploids overcome this challenge. We tested for climatic niche shifts between cytotypes using a new ordination approach and an unprecedentedly large data set containing young, conspecific diploids and polyploids. Despite expectations of frequent niche shifts, we show evidence for alternative patterns, such as niche conservatism and contraction, rather than a prevalent pattern of niche shifts. In addition, we explore how interpreting climatic niches plotted on environmental niche (principal component) axes can generate hypotheses about processes underlying niche dynamics. Dispersal capabilities or other life‐history traits, rather than shifts to new climatic niches, could better explain polyploid persistence in the long term.
Extension of strain–life equation for low‐cycle fatigue of sheet metals using anisotropic yield criteria and distortional hardening model
Authors: Hariharan K. , Barlat F. , Lee M. G. , Prakash R. V. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe fatigue strain–life equation is in general applicable to isotropic materials. It was recently attempted to account for material anisotropy because of crystallographic texture in fatigue modelling. The proposed modification was limited to isotropic hardening. The present work is an extension of the previous work, wherein a general framework to model anisotropy using phenomenological yield criterion and anisotropic hardening is provided. Yld2004‐18p yield criterion and the so‐called homogenous anisotropic hardening model are used to demonstrate the anisotropic cyclic behaviour of low carbon steel. The proposed methodology can be utilized in applications including multiaxial fatigue modelling.
Fracture behaviour of slightly hypereutectoid steel with different degree of spheroidization
Authors: Toribio J. , González B. , Matos J. C. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses how the microstructure influences the fracture behaviour of a steel with quasi‐eutectoid composition (slightly hypereutectoid) and pearlitic microstructure, when subjected to different spheroidization processes by means of isothermal treatment of pearlite at 700 ºC and different spheroidization times. Results indicate that the fracture toughness decreases with the degree of spheroidization, strongly at the beginning and with quasi‐linear trend later. The fracture surface shows an initial fibrous region formed by microvoids, originated in the pearlitic microstructure by fracture of cementite lamellae and in the spheroidized microstructure from the large cementite particles in the proeutectoid layer (by matrix decohesion or fracture), followed by unstable fracture by cleavage.
Exploring the Mechanisms of Knowledge Transfer in University‐Industry Collaborations: A Study of Companies, Students and Researchers
Authors: Nielsen Christian , Cappelen Katja 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article discusses mechanisms, enablers and barriers for knowledge transfer in university‐industry collaboration projects involving companies, students and researchers. Data is collected through 35 qualitative interviews with Danish and Norwegian representatives from the above categories. All respondents have been involved in collaborative projects, such as student‐industry cooperation or collaboration projects between scientists and businesses. This research shows that to secure real value adding through knowledge transfer in university‐industry collaboration projects, it is important that the involved parties view each other as equal partners. It is argued that creating a better understanding of roles and competences of the involved parties can help diminish this problem. A final conclusion is that continuous knowledge sharing throughout the project seems more highly valued by the involved parties than a final report does. Best practice for collaborative projects is suggested.
Formulation of tocopherol nanocarriers and in vitro delivery into human skin
Authors: Abla M. J. , Banga A. K. 
Published: February 2014

SynopsisObjectiveTocopherol is stronger antioxidant than tocopherol acetate but due to its viscous form, poor water solubility, instability to light and skin irritation issues it is not used in the current marketed formulations. To overcome the drawbacks, tocopherol was formulated as nanostructured lipid carriers and nanoemulsion. The objective of the study was to formulate tocopherol as nanocarriers.MethodNanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and nanoemulsion (NE) were prepared by homogenization technique. They were characterized for particle size and zeta potential. In vitro release study was performed using dialysis method, and skin permeation was carried out using human cadaver skin. Further, antioxidant activity was tested by ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay and skin irritation testing was performed on Epiderm skin model. Effect of UV degradation was studied using solar simulator.ResultsThe size and zeta potential of NLC was 67.0 nm ± 1.2 and −32.0 mV ± 1.2, whereas for NE, it was 586.5 nm ± 209.6 and −10 mV ± 0.6. In vitro release study showed that 30% of tocopherol was released from NLC in the first 2 h of the study as compared to only 4% from NE. Permeation study from human skin showed that 762.3 ng mL−1 ± 184.6 of tocopherol was delivered into the epidermis when formulated as NLCs as compared to 182.3 ng mL−1 ± 52.7 from NE. FRAP assay was performed to test the antioxidant activity of formulated tocopherol, and it was seen that both formulations were able to retain the antioxidant activity. Skin irritation testing showed that NLC was non‐irritant to the skin. NLC and NE were also able to protect tocopherol from UV degradation.ConclusionBased on the studies conducted, it can be concluded that formulating tocopherol as NLCs is beneficial to produce a stable, non‐irritant and aqueous formulation.