bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A maintenance maturity assessment method for the manufacturing industry
Authors: Macchi Marco , Fumagalli Luca 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe paper proposes a maturity assessment method to measure the state of maintenance practices in a company.Design/methodology/approachThe method assumes that a maintenance department is evaluated in terms of its managerial, organizational and technological capabilities. By its adoption it is possible to analyse the maturity level reached by a company, in order to classify the criticalities in its maintenance processes; a company can also make a benchmark with the best companies of a reference sample.FindingsThe paper presents the method as a support to identify the levers to improve the maintenance management system. The method is demonstrated on a company whose maturity is assessed before making a benchmark against a sample of other manufacturing companies located in the Northern Italy.Originality/valueThe paper presents a scoring method for maturity assessment and a procedure to use it in order to identify the criticalities in maintenance processes and to subsequently drive the improvement of the maintenance management system. The paper should be useful both to researchers and maintenance professionals interested in using new methods for long‐term planning in maintenance.
Double loop learning in the Indian two‐wheeler service sector
Authors: Bagodi Virupaxi , Mahanty Biswajit 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the rationale for the lack of growth in the two‐wheeler service sector despite an exponential growth in the number of two‐wheelers on Indian roads.Design/methodology/approachThe data of a premier manufacturer were gathered to develop a system dynamics model. Policy experimentation was carried out after validating the model.FindingsThe results corroborate that a mere increase in the number of facilities is inadequate for sustainable growth. Improving service quality is vital for sustainable growth of the service sector.Practical implicationsThe system dynamics model unveils facts that otherwise would remain obscured. It is very useful for real‐world managers in carrying out policy experimentation to understand the effect of one variable on the other. Managers can design effective policies only through double‐loop learning.Originality/valueThe complexity of the system increases as the business grows. Managers need to adopt double‐loop learning to achieve true growth in capacity, revenue, and the bottom line. The paper demonstrates the essence of double‐loop learning in the two‐wheeler service sector.
Microbial analysis of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) produced with tap or treated waste water
Authors: Mothershaw A.S. , Kharousi Z.A. , Mumtaz Khan M. , Al‐Mahruki Y.A. , Said F.A. Al 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThere is increasing evidence for a significant role of fruits and vegetables in infectious diseases in humans. Their consumption is increasing and environmental factors such as water availability are impacting their production. In this study, adding fertiliser to tap water (TW) increased the microbial load above that found in treated waste water (TWW); coliforms were also introduced. Low numbers of Bacillus spp. were recovered from inside some healthy cucumber fruits. No visible differences were observed between cucumber plants irrigated with TWW or TW or cucumbers with and without endophytic Bacillus spp. This is noteworthy when considering the use of TWW for crop irrigation.
Homeostatic and injury‐induced microglia behavior in the aging brain
Authors: Hefendehl Jasmin K. , Neher Jonas J. , Sühs Rafael B. , Kohsaka Shinichi , Skodras Angelos , Jucker Mathias 
Published: August 2013

SummaryMicroglia cells are essential for brain homeostasis and have essential roles in neurodegenerative diseases. Aging is the main risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases, and age‐related changes in microglia may contribute to the susceptibility of the aging brain to dysfunction and neurodegeneration. We have analyzed morphology and dynamic behavior of neocortical microglia in their physiological environment in young adult (3‐month‐old), adult (11‐ to 12‐month‐old), and aged (26‐ to 27‐month‐old) C57BL/6J‐Iba1‐eGFP mice using in vivo 2‐photon microscopy. Results show that surveying microglial cells in the neocortex exhibit age‐related soma volume increase, shortening of processes, and loss of homogeneous tissue distribution. Furthermore, microglial process speed significantly decreased with age. While only a small population of microglia showed soma movement in adult mice, the microglia population with soma movement was increased in aged mice. However, in response to tissue injury, the dynamic microglial response was age‐dependently diminished. These results provide novel insights into microglial behavior and indicate that microglial dysfunction in the aging brain may contribute to age‐related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Why Do Firms Choose Refunds to Shareholders Through Capital Reduction?
Authors: Shih Nien‐Su , Yang Mei‐Ling 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn recent years, some firms have chosen capital reduction as a payout tool for returning cash to shareholders, and these firms have also engaged in large‐scale payouts, more than in dividends and stock repurchases. This study investigates the economic motives causing firms to adjust firm payout policies towards a distribution of cash through capital reduction. Using a logit model, we show that cash‐flow uncertainty, life cycle theory, insider interests, increasing EPS and government regulation could account for capital reduction payouts. The results for Taiwan reveal positive associations between capital reduction choice and earned/contributed capital mix and insider ownership, and negative associations with cash‐flow uncertainty and the growth rate of EPS. The findings suggest that in Singapore, firms with lower cash‐flow uncertainty and lower business freedom are significantly more likely to use capital reduction payouts.
Fresh frozen cadaver workshops for advanced vascular surgical training
Authors: Jansen Shirley , Cowie Margaret , Linehan John , Hamdorf Jeffery M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundReduction in working hours, streamlined training schemes and increasing use of endovascular techniques has meant a reduction in operative experience for newer vascular surgical trainees, especially those exposures which are not routinely performed such as thoracoabdominal, thoracotomy and retroperitoneal aortic, for example.MethodsThis paper describes an Advanced Anatomy of Exposure course which was designed and convened at the Clinical Training & Evaluation Centre in Western Australia and uses fresh frozen cadavers. Feedback was obtained from the participants who attended over three courses by questionnaire.ResultsFeedback was strongly positive for the course meeting both its learning outcomes and personal learning objectives, and in addition, making a significant contribution to specialty skills. Most participants thought the fresh frozen cadaveric model significantly improved the learning objectives for training.ConclusionsThe fresh frozen cadaver is an excellent teaching model highly representative of the living open surgical scenario where advanced trainees and newly qualified consultants can improve their operative confidence and consequently patient safety in vascular surgery. An efficient fresh frozen cadaver teaching programme can benefit many health professionals simultaneously maximizing the use of donated human tissue.
Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation at Thr497 by protein phosphatase 2B‐dependent dephosphorylation of protein kinase C
Authors: Ching L.‐C. , Zhao J.‐F. , Su K.‐H. , Shyue S.‐K. , Hsu C.‐P. , Lu T.‐M. , Lin S.‐J. , Lee T.‐S. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsWe investigated the effects and underlying molecular mechanism of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a calcium (Ca2+)‐permeable non‐selective cation channel, on phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at threonine 497 (Thr497) in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and in mice.MethodsWestern blotting and immunoprecipitation were used for the evaluation of protein phosphorylation; protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) activity was assessed by convention kit; Griess assay was for NO production; tube formation and Matrigel plug assay were used for angiogenesis.ResultsIn BAECs, treatment with the TRPV1 ligand evodiamine decreased the phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr497, protein kinase Cα (PKCα) at Serine 657 (Ser657) and PKCβ2 at Ser660. Evodiamine increased protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) activity and promoted the formation of a PP2B–PKC complex. Inhibition of TRPV1 activation by the pharmacological antagonists, removal of extracellular Ca2+ or pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II/AMP‐activated protein kinase signalling pathway abolished the evodiamine‐induced alterations in phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr497, PKCα at Ser657, PKCβ2 at Ser660 and PP2B activity, as well as the formation of a PP2B–PKC complex. Inhibition of PP2B activation partially reduced the evodiamine‐induced NO bioavailability and tube formation in endothelial cells (ECs) and angiogenesis in mice. Moreover, evodiamine decreased the phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr497, PKCα at Ser657 and PKCβ2 at Ser660 in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‐deficient mouse aortas but not TRPV1‐deficient or ApoE/TRPV1 double‐knockout mice.ConclusionTRPV1 activation in ECs may elicit a Ca2+‐dependent effect on PP2B–PKC signalling, which leads to dephosphorylation of eNOS at Thr497 in ECs and in mice.
Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on cardiac performance and oxidative stress in orchidectomized rats
Authors: Eleawa S. M. , Sakr H. F. , Hussein A. M. , Assiri A. S. , Bayoumy N. M. K. , Alkhateeb M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the effects of testosterone on myocardial contractility, oxidative stress status and expression of sodium channel protein (Nav1.5) and inward rectifying K channels (Kir 2.x) in normal and orchidectomized (ORX) rats.MethodsOne hundred four rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 26, each) as follows: (i) untreated controls, (ii) testosterone treated, (iii) orchidectomized rats and (iv) orchidectomized, testosterone‐treated rats. Treatments with the vehicle or testosterone were carried out for 12 weeks, three times per week. At the end of treatment, surface ECG, isolated heart, tissue oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation experiments were carried out on the cardiac tissues. Also, immunohistochemical examination for Nav1.5 and PCR detection of mRNA of Kir2.1, Kir2.2 and Kir2.4 subunits of K channels were carried out.ResultsOrchidectomy impaired cardiac contractile function parameters left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the peaks of the positive and negative pressure derivatives (dP/dtmax and −dP/dtmax respectively), increased heart rate and prolonged QT and QTc intervals, elevated pro‐oxidant state in rat's hearts and decreased the expression of Kir 2.1 but not Kir2.2, Kir 2.4 and Nav1.5 channels. Exogenous testosterone administration to orchidectomized rats restored heart contractility and shortened QT and QTc intervals to their normal values, ameliorated the generated pro‐oxidant state and improved the expression of Nav1.5 and Kir2.1, but not Kir2.2 or Kir2.4 channels.ConclusionTestosterone improved cardiac contractility and shortened QT and QTc intervals in ORX rats. An effect that might be dependent of reduction in oxidative stress and enhancement of Kir2.1 channels but independent of Nav1.5 channel protein.
Recent Advances in the Search for Novel 5‐Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
Authors: Steinhilber Dieter , Hofmann Bettina 
Published: August 2013

Abstract5‐Lipoxygenase (5‐LO) is an important enzyme of the arachidonic acid cascade and catalyses with the help of FLAP, the 5‐LO‐activating protein, the formation of bioactive leukotrienes (LTs). LTs are inflammatory mediators playing a pathophysiological role in different diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis as well as cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Up to now, only one 5‐LO inhibitor is on the market, zileuton for the treatment of asthma. With the rising number of indications for anti‐LT therapy, 5‐LO inhibitor drug development becomes more and more important. This MiniReview gives an update on 5‐LO inhibitors currently under clinical development. Furthermore, the recent advances in the search for novel 5‐lipoxygenase inhibitors with a focus on computational methods are summarized. Currently, licofelone is the compound with the highest clinical development status (completed phase III trials). 5‐LO inhibitor screening programmes based on computational methods could deliver several promising drug‐like new molecules. These activities can be expected to be driven by the newly resolved structure of human 5‐LO in the future, enabling structure‐based drug design. For the prospective drugs in late‐stage clinical development, the future will show their clinical safety and efficacy in the particular diseases.
Chemical burns caused by trifluoroacetic acid
Authors: Dahlin Jakob , Engfeldt Malin , Svedman Cecilia , Mowitz Martin , Zimerson Erik , Isaksson Marléne , Hindsén Monica , Bruze Magnus 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBackgroundTrifluoroacetic acid is a very strong carboxylic acid. The acid has been suspected to have similar toxic effects as hydrofluoric acid on skin contact. Hydrofluoric acid is highly toxic, owing to skin penetration by fluoride ions. A spill of hydrofluoric acid on the skin may be fatal. As trifluoroacetic acid contains fluorine, patients with chemical burns caused by trifluoroacetic acid have been given particular attention when treated in the hospital.ObjectivesTo gather the known cases of trifluoroacetic acid burns from our department to give an overview of how they were exposed, the clinical presentation, and treatment.MethodsFive patients with chemical skin burns caused by trifluoroacetic acid were reviewed with regard to the extent of the burn, treatment, blood samples taken, and systemic effects.ResultsThe chemical burns reported were limited (< 1% of the total body surface). The burns healed as expected for chemical burns caused by acids. None of the patients showed any symptoms or signs that are typical for hydrofluoric acid burns.ConclusionLocalized chemical burns caused by trifluoroacetic acid should be regarded as being similar to burns from other acids, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid. To our knowledge, there are no indications that trifluoroacetic acid causes the same toxic effects as hydrofluoric acid.
The cosmetic allergy conundrum: inference of an immunoregulatory response to cosmetic allergens
Authors: McFadden John P. , White Ian R. , Basketter David , Puangpet Pailin , Kimber Ian 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe ability to be sensitized to experimental contact allergens declines significantly with increasing age, from as early as age 40 years. In contrast, the rate of contact allergy to chemical allergens (haptens) in cosmetic products significantly increases with age. This has been explained previously on the basis of greater cumulative exposure in the older age groups. However, outbreaks of contact allergy to preservatives in cosmetic products recorded soon after their introduction to the market have also shown a significantly higher rate among older adult age groups. This association with increasing age cannot be readily explained by exposure history or pattern, and is not compatible with a sensitizing/stimulatory reaction that degrades with age as the sole immune response. From this, the existence of a second, tolerizing/regulatory arm to the immune response to cutaneous haptens that possibly becomes less effective with age at a higher rate than the sensitizing/stimulatory arm can be inferred. This reinforces the view that current clinical and experimental observations of allergic contact dermatitis are best explained by an immune system with the functional ability to produce both sensitizing/stimulatory and tolerizing/regulatory responses.
Stapled vs hand suture closure of loop ileostomy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Gong J. , Guo Z. , Li Y. , Gu L. , Zhu W. , Li J. , Li N. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimLoop ileostomies are widely used in colorectal surgery to reduce the consequences of distal anastomotic failure. The optimal surgical technique for their closure has yet not been defined. A meta‐analysis was performed to compare the outcome after stapled or hand sutured ileostomy closure.MethodAn electronic literature search of EMBASE, PubMed and the Cochrane Library was undertaken to identify studies reporting stapled and hand sutured ileostomy closure. End‐points included postoperative small bowel obstruction (SBO), anastomotic leakage, wound infection, overall postoperative complications, operation time, hospital stay and surgery‐related cost.ResultsFourteen studies including 5084 patients were identified. Meta‐analysis showed that stapled closure was associated with a lower rate of SBO overall (OR = 0.56, P < 0.00001) and early (within 30 days of closure) SBO (OR = 0.51, P < 0.00001). This difference persisted for direct ileostomy closure (OR = 0.62, P = 0.02) or closure with bowel resection and hand sewn anastomosis (OR = 0.44, P < 0.00001). Stapled closure required a shorter inpatient stay (mean difference −1.22, P < 0.0001) and operating time (mean difference −11.21, P = 0.01). No significant difference was noted between the two techniques in terms of anastomotic leakage, wound infection, overall complications or cost.ConclusionStapled side‐to‐side anastomosis is associated with fewer complications, especially SBO, than hand sewn ileostomy closure by direct suture or resection and anastomosis. It is quicker to perform and associated with fewer postoperative bowel obstructions.
Spatial memory and animal movement
Authors: Fagan William F. , Lewis Mark A. , Auger‐Méthé Marie , Avgar Tal , Benhamou Simon , Breed Greg , LaDage Lara , Schlägel Ulrike E. , Tang Wen‐wu , Papastamatiou Yannis P. , Forester James , Mueller Thomas 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMemory is critical to understanding animal movement but has proven challenging to study. Advances in animal tracking technology, theoretical movement models and cognitive sciences have facilitated research in each of these fields, but also created a need for synthetic examination of the linkages between memory and animal movement. Here, we draw together research from several disciplines to understand the relationship between animal memory and movement processes. First, we frame the problem in terms of the characteristics, costs and benefits of memory as outlined in psychology and neuroscience. Next, we provide an overview of the theories and conceptual frameworks that have emerged from behavioural ecology and animal cognition. Third, we turn to movement ecology and summarise recent, rapid developments in the types and quantities of available movement data, and in the statistical measures applicable to such data. Fourth, we discuss the advantages and interrelationships of diverse modelling approaches that have been used to explore the memory–movement interface. Finally, we outline key research challenges for the memory and movement communities, focusing on data needs and mathematical and computational challenges. We conclude with a roadmap for future work in this area, outlining axes along which focused research should yield rapid progress.
The impact of an invasive plant changes over time
Authors: Dostál Petr , Müllerová Jana , Pyšek Petr , Pergl Jan , Klinerová Tereza 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMany exotic plant invaders pose a serious threat to native communities, but little is known about the dynamics of their impacts over time. In this study, we explored the impact of an invasive plant Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed) at 24 grassland sites invaded for different periods of time (from 11 to 48 years). Native species' richness and productivity were initially reduced by hogweed invasion but tended to recover after ~30 years of hogweed residence at the sites. Hogweed cover declined over the whole period assessed. A complementary common garden experiment suggested that the dynamics observed in the field were due to a negative plant–soil feedback; hogweed survival and biomass, and its competitive ability were lower when growing in soil inocula collected from earlier‐invaded grasslands. Our results provide evidence that the initial dominance of an invasive plant species and its negative impact can later be reversed by stabilising processes.
Factors Affecting Geographic Variation in Echolocation Calls of the Endemic Myotis davidii in China
Authors: Jiang Tinglei , You Yuyan , Liu Sen , Lu Guanjun , Wang Lei , Wu Hui , Berquist Sean , Ho Jennifer , Puechmaille Sébastien J. , Feng Jiang 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe sensory drive hypothesis of speciation predicts that divergence in communication systems will occur when environments differ and that this sensory divergence can ultimately promote speciation. The factors affecting geographic evolution in acoustic signals remain poorly understood, especially in the contexts of high gene flow. This study investigated variation patterns in peak frequency emitted by the Chinese endemic Myotis davidii on a broad geographic scale by evaluating the relative importance of morphological, environmental, geographic, and genetic variables. Significant variation in peak frequency was observed among regions, but peak frequencies among populations within region had some percentage of similarity. Differences in peak frequency were not associated with morphological difference, genetic structure, and geographic distance among regions, which suggested that peak frequency divergences in M. davidii were not the primary driver of regions' isolation in a context of weak gene flow. Within the Middle East Plain (MEP), one of the regions delineated in this study, peak frequency differences of M. davidii were not significantly correlated with genetic distance and geographic distance among populations, suggesting that peak frequency was not be subject to cultural drift within MEP. Our results provide evidence that geographic variation in echolocation call design may evolve as a consequence of local adaptation to climate conditions.
Unified correlation of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness
Authors: Yang J. , Wang G. Z. , Xuan F. Z. , Tu S. T. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the specimens with different geometries and loading configurations were used to study the unified correlation of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness by using numerical simulation method. The results show that the unified constraint parameter Ap which was defined on the basis of the areas surrounded by the equivalent plastic strain isolines ahead of crack tip can characterise both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints induced by different specimen geometries and loading configurations. A sole linear relation between the normalised fracture toughness JIC/Jref and was obtained. The JIC/Jref ‐ line is a unified correlation line of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane constraints with fracture toughness of a material, and the constraint dependent fracture toughness of a material can be determined from the unified correlation line. The results also demonstrate that the out‐of‐plane constraint effect is related to the in‐plane constraint effect, and there exists interaction between them. The higher in‐plane constraint strengthens the out‐of‐plane constraint effect, whereas the lower in‐plane constraint is not sensitive to the out‐of‐plane constraint effect.