bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cleland and King: project management and the systems approach
Authors: Morris Peter W.G. 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review Cleland and King'sSystems Analysis and Project Management,first published in 1968.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a review of the book in its historical context and with relevance to its role in establishing project management as a discipline.FindingsThe book is a classic but in retrospect it has some short‐comings. These vary from lack of critique of the material to ignoring several of the issues that research shows (and showed at the time) that managers of projects and programs need to address. Had these been covered, the discipline might have been better articulated academically and professionally (which would have been useful given that the PMBOK Guide®was being formulated in the early 1980s).Research limitations/implicationsThe systems approach that informed the book, and the whole defence‐aerospace program and project world of the second half of the twentieth century, should be critically re‐examined (for example jointly with Geels' transition theory) in terms of its relevancy to the short, medium and long‐terms challenges now confronting society and the contribution that project, program and portfolio management can make to addressing these issues.Originality/valueThe paper shows that Cleland and King's book is immensely important as an early exposition on project management and is quite original.
Insights for the governance of large projects
Authors: Ahola Tuomas , Davies Andrew 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the influence of the highly cited Organization Theory and Project Management on consequent project research and to highlight the key contributions of the book, how it has affected consequent project research and to identify areas that could be further explored in future research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a book review and literature analysis.FindingsIt is found that the book offers insights to elaborating the salient characteristics of large, complex and uncertain projects. It identifies the underlying theories and concepts to improve our understanding of the three main issues: the sources of uncertainty in large engineering intensive projects; management and governance approaches utilized to tackle uncertainty; and project routines and innovation. Some of these insights have later been acknowledged by project scholars focusing topics such as project governance and the management of uncertainty in projects.Practical implicationsThe book offers several insights and lessons to scholars and practitioners working with large engineering intensive projects.Originality/valueThe contribution of the book is not used to its full potential in project research. The paper's identification of the book's key insights should be useful for both scholars and practitioners.
Projectification: Midler's footprint in the project management field
Authors: Aubry Monique , Lenfle Sylvain 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to revisit Christophe Midler's contribution throughL'auto qui n'existait pas(The car that did not exist), first published in 1993. The paper summarizes and examines the main themes of the book based on current knowledge and ends with suggestions for future research opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is grounded in an in‐depth analysis of Midler's book and a one‐hour interview with him.FindingsMidler argues that projectification is not a temporary managerial fashion; quite the contrary. At Renault, he witnessed a profound industrial transformation founded on collective learning. Central to this transformation was the establishment of project management as an engine of renewal within the permanent organisation.Practical implicationsRevisiting Midler's work on projectification generates new insights into understanding the current situation confronting organisations in all industries as they evolve in their approach to creativity and innovation.Originality/valueTwo original facets of Midler's seminal work still influence the field of project management. First, he provided a global understanding of the creative organisation. He described, analysed and explained how an organisation reinvents itself, not only in terms of project management, but more globally, from a permanent organisation perspective. Recent research developments focus on project‐oriented organisations, program and portfolio management, organisational project management, and others. Midler's work should be more widely known and referenced for its capacity to conceptualise what simultaneously happens in multiple, concurrent, organisational terms as a project is carried out (e.g. financial, commercial, technological and career development). Second, Midler conducted a study from within an organisation for four years. In this respect, he could be seen as a precursor of recent project management research practices.
Comments on challenging the rational project environment
Authors: Kreiner Kristian 
Published: September 2012

PurposeKristian Kreiner is one of the co‐authors of Projektledning i en ofulständig värld. The purpose of this paper (commentary) is to reiterate and update a few of the fundamental tenets on which the original text was based. The purpose is also to argue that the need to challenge conventional project management thinking is still pressing today.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary highlights two ideas and makes one plea for future research.FindingsProject managers must bridge two notions of a project: one focussing on some desired future state which can guide current, contingent action, and the other one focussing on the conscious design and planning of social action to enable efficient, collaborative achievements. In practice, project managers face a dilemma in having to encourage both behavioural flexibility (adaptability) and behavioural rigidity (discipline). Secondly, project managers face conditions of complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. Conventionally, such conditions are made to signal poor project management, but they are often managerial premises rather than problematic outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsWe need to theorize project management under imperfect, but realistic circumstances in which complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity are central. One way to start may be to reject the notion that good project management is equivalent to good planning of processes and responsibilities. Rather, we should search for intelligent ways of using plans which necessarily will be rendered inadequate and imperfect by change and turbulence.Originality/valueThe plea delivered in the paper is to change our academic focus from devising optimal ways of planning and organizing projects to a search for more intelligent ways of exploiting plans and organizational forms that are, by definition, inadequate and imperfect.
Health and safety maturity in project business cultures
Authors: Roberts Aeli , Kelsey John , Smyth Hedley , Wilson Adam 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between health and safety (H&S) and organisational culture in project business, in particular to explore the validity of current cognitive emphases of linear organisational maturity towards a “safety culture”, and normative models and prescriptions.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretative methodology is employed, informed by ethnography (Douglas' cultural theory) and clinical consultative (Schein's model) approaches, using case‐based analysis comprising seven project business organisations.FindingsThe cases were characterized by diverse organisational cultures and diverse H&S practices informed by habits and intuitive behaviour, as well as cognitive strategies and decisions for implementation. H&S was not the top priority for these cases. Good performance related to alignment with the prevailing culture rather than pursuit of a “safety culture”.Research limitations/implicationsThe term “safety culture” is misdirected; greater attention on what is, rather than normative models and prescription, is necessary. Generalisation is limited by the case‐based approach.Practical implicationsPractitioners need to pay more attention to organisational culture and alignment of H&S practices, to the unintended consequences of prescriptions, and robust systems.Social implicationsThe way activities are conducted requires awareness of the prevailing culture in order to align the structure and processes to the culture for effective operations. These implications are general, and within project business and management, Failure to do so carries increased risk of failing to satisfy business and broader stakeholder interests.Originality/valueAnomalies in H&S research and practice are challenged, especially “safety culture” and normative approaches. The contribution is the combination employment of the Schein and Douglas models to understand organisational culture and H&S cultural alignment.
Diabetes exacerbates amyloid and neurovascular pathology in aging‐accelerated mice
Authors: Currais Antonio , Prior Marguerite , Lo David , Jolivalt Corinne , Schubert David , Maher Pamela 
Published: September 2012

SummaryMounting evidence supports a link between diabetes, cognitive dysfunction, and aging. However, the physiological mechanisms by which diabetes impacts brain function and cognition are not fully understood. To determine how diabetes contributes to cognitive dysfunction and age‐associated pathology, we used streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D) in senescence‐accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) and senescence‐resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Contextual fear conditioning demonstrated that T1D resulted in the development of cognitive deficits in SAMR1 mice similar to those seen in age‐matched, nondiabetic SAMP8 mice. No further cognitive deficits were observed when the SAMP8 mice were made diabetic. T1D dramatically increased Aβ and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and to a lesser extent in age‐matched SAMR1 mice. Further analysis revealed aggregated Aβ within astrocyte processes surrounding vessels. Western blot analyses from T1D SAMP8 mice showed elevated amyloid precursor protein processing and protein glycation along with increased inflammation. T1D elevated tau phosphorylation in the SAMR1 mice but did not further increase it in the SAMP8 mice where it was already significantly higher. These data suggest that aberrant glucose metabolism potentiates the aging phenotype in old mice and contributes to early stage central nervous system pathology in younger animals.
Limitations of the risk factor based approach in early neonatal sepsis evaluations
Authors: Flidel‐Rimon Orna , Galstyan Sophie , Juster‐Reicher Ada , Rozin Ilya , Shinwell Eric S 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAim:  Guidelines for detection of early neonatal sepsis employ a risk factor approach combined with laboratory parameters. In an era of increasing intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP), we re‐assessed the approach as a whole and each of the risk factors individually.Method:  This retrospective study included infants with risk factors for sepsis or those treated with antibiotics or who had documented early sepsis. Safety of the protocol was assessed by the number of cases of either missed or partially treated late sepsis or meningitis and the sepsis‐related mortality rate. Predictive value of each clinical and laboratory factor was calculated.Results:  Of the 22 215 neonates, 2096 were assessed. IAP among infants with risk factors rose from 68% in 2005 to 78% in 2008 (p = 0.001). A total of 1662 asymptomatic infants had risk factors, 635 received antibiotics and one (0.06%) had sepsis. A total of 434 symptomatic infants were treated with antibiotics and of these 234 had risk factors and 20 (4.6%) had sepsis. No cases of partially treated or missed sepsis were detected. Poor predictive value was found for all risk factors except prematurity and leukopenia.Conclusion:  The risk factor based approach in asymptomatic infants cannot be justified. In‐hospital observation of asymptomatic infants for 2–3 days with antibiotic treatment being reserved only for symptomatic infants may be a reasonable alternative.
Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes translocate into the pleural cavity and induce visceral mesothelial proliferation in rats
Authors: Xu Jiegou , Futakuchi Mitsuru , Shimizu Hideo , Alexander David B. , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Fukamachi Katsumi , Suzui Masumi , Kanno Jun , Hirose Akihiko , Ogata Akio , Sakamoto Yoshimitsu , Nakae Dai , Omori Toyonori , Tsuda Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2012

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes have a fibrous structure similar to asbestos and induce mesothelioma when injected into the peritoneal cavity. In the present study, we investigated whether carbon nanotubes administered into the lung through the trachea induce mesothelial lesions. Male F344 rats were treated with 0.5 mL of 500 μg/mL suspensions of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes or crocidolite five times over a 9‐day period by intrapulmonary spraying. Pleural cavity lavage fluid, lung and chest wall were then collected. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and crocidolite were found mainly in alveolar macrophages and mediastinal lymph nodes. Importantly, the fibers were also found in the cell pellets of the pleural cavity lavage, mostly in macrophages. Both multi‐walled carbon nanotube and crocidolite treatment induced hyperplastic proliferative lesions of the visceral mesothelium, with their proliferating cell nuclear antigen indices approximately 10‐fold that of the vehicle control. The hyperplastic lesions were associated with inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammation‐induced fibrotic lesions of the pleural tissues. The fibers were not found in the mesothelial proliferative lesions themselves. In the pleural cavity, abundant inflammatory cell infiltration, mainly composed of macrophages, was observed. Conditioned cell culture media of macrophages treated with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and crocidolite and the supernatants of pleural cavity lavage fluid from the dosed rats increased mesothelial cell proliferation in vitro, suggesting that mesothelial proliferative lesions were induced by inflammatory events in the lung and pleural cavity and likely mediated by macrophages. In conclusion, intrapulmonary administration of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, like asbestos, induced mesothelial proliferation potentially associated with mesothelioma development.
Development of an early induction model of medulloblastoma in Ptch1 heterozygous mice initiated with N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea
Authors: Takahashi Miwa , Matsuo Saori , Inoue Kaoru , Tamura Kei , Irie Kaoru , Kodama Yukio , Yoshida Midori 
Published: September 2012

Mice heterozygous for the ptch1 gene (ptch1 mice) are known as a valuable model of medulloblastoma, a common brain tumor in children. To increase the incidence and reduce the time required for tumor development, allowing for evaluation of modifier effects on medulloblastoma in a short time, we attempted to develop an early induction model of medulloblastoma in ptch1 mice initiated with N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU). Ptch1 mice and their wild‐type littermates received a single intraperitoneal injection of ENU (10, 50 or 100 mg/kg) on postnatal day 1 (d1) or 4 (d4), and histopathological assessment of brains was conducted at 12 weeks of age. The width of the external granular layer (EGL), a possible origin of medulloblastoma, after injection of 100 mg ENU on d1 or d4 was measured in up to 21‐day‐old mice. Cerebellar size was apparently reduced at the 50 mg dose and higher regardless of genotype. Microscopically, early lesions of medulloblastomas occurred with a high incidence only in ptch1 mice receiving 10 mg on d1 or d4, but a significant increase was not observed in other groups. Persistent EGL cells and misalignment of Purkinje cells were increased dose‐dependently. Although EGL was strikingly decreased after ENU injection, strong recovery was observed in mice of the d1‐treated group. In summary, neonatal treatment with ENU is available for the induction of medulloblastoma in ptch1 mice, and 10 mg of ENU administered on d1 appeared to be an appropriate dose to induce medulloblastoma.
Area‐under‐the‐HbA1c‐curve above the normal range and the prediction of microvascular outcomes: an analysis of data from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
Authors: Maple‐Brown L. J. , Ye C. , Retnakaran R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAims  In the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, mean updated HbA1c accounted for most of the differential risk of microvascular complications between intensive and conventional insulin therapy. We hypothesized, however, that a more precise measure of chronic hyperglycaemic exposure may be the incremental area‐under‐the‐HbA1c‐curve above the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial‐standardized normal range for HbA1c (iAUCHbA1c>norm).Methods  Using the Principal Diabetes Control and Complications Trial data set, we compared the following three measures of chronic glycaemic exposure for their capacity to predict retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy during the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: mean updated HbA1c, iAUCHbA1c>norm, and total area‐under‐the‐HbA1c‐curve (tAUCHbA1c). For each outcome, models using each of these three glycaemic measures were compared in the following three ways: hazard or odds ratio, χ2 statistic, and Akaike information criterion.Results  The three glycaemic measures did not differ in their prediction of neuropathy. iAUCHbA1c>norm was modestly superior to mean updated HbA1c for predicting nephropathy (χ2P = 0.017, Akaike P = 0.032). In contrast, for predicting retinopathy, both iAUCHbA1c>norm (χ2P = 0.0005, Akaike P = 0.0005) and tAUCHbA1c (χ2P = 0.004, Akaike P = 0.004) were significantly better than mean updated HbA1c. Varying its HbA1c threshold incrementally between 37 and 53 mmol/mol (5.5–7.0%), inclusive, did not improve the prediction of retinopathy by iAUCHbA1c>threshold beyond that of tAUCHbA1c,consistent with the concept of a continuous relationship between glycaemia and retinopathy, with no glycaemic threshold.Conclusions  Both iAUCHbA1c>norm and tAUCHbA1c were superior to mean updated HbA1c for predicting retinopathy. Optimal assessment of chronic glycaemic exposure as a determinant of retinopathic risk may require consideration of both the degree of hyperglycaemia and its duration.
Diagnosis of active tuberculosis using MPB64, a specific antigen of Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Tamada Yasuko , Kanda Seiji , Yoshidome Atsuko , Hayashi Itoko , Miyake Mari , Nishiyama Toshimasa 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTBecause the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is still high in developing countries, an inexpensive and rapid diagnostic test for this infection is needed. To develop a screening test for TB, MPB64 antigen was produced by recombinant technology and purified with a polyhistidine tag. Next, serum and urine samples from patients with TB and uninfected individuals were examined by the dot‐blot assay method using this purified antigen. Serum samples from patients with TB reacted more strongly with MPB64 antigen than did those from uninfected individuals. In addition, serum samples from TB patients with active infection reacted more strongly with the antigen than did samples from patients with inactive TB. When urine samples were assessed using this assay, similar results were obtained. Correlations between the data obtained from serum and urine samples were analyzed for all subjects, including uninfected individuals, and a strong positive correlation between the results of serum and urine tests (n = 36, r = 0.672) was found. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay for serum samples was 85.7 % and 85.0 %, and for urine samples 75.0 % and 85.0 %, respectively. These results suggest that dot‐blot assay with MPB64 antigen could be a useful screening test for active TB. Because urine samples can be obtained more easily than serum samples and because urine is less contagious, urine testing should probably be employed for screening purposes.
Critical role of Toll‐like receptor 2 in Bacteroides fragilis‐mediated immune responses in murine peritoneal mesothelial cells
Authors: Kim Tae‐Hyoun , Lee Kyung‐Bok , Kang Min‐Jung , Park Jong‐Hwan 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, the role of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) in immune responses of murine peritoneal mesothelial cells against Bacteroides fragilis was investigated. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure cytokines and chemokines. Activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB‐α) and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) was investigated by western blot analysis. B. fragilis induced production of interleukin‐6, chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in wild type peritoneal mesothelial cells; this was impaired in TLR2‐deficient cells. In addition, in response to B. fragilis, phosphorylation of inhibitory NF‐κB‐α and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was induced in wild type mesothelial cells, but not in TLR2‐deficient cells,. Inhibitor assay revealed that NF‐κB and MAPKs are essential for B. fragilis‐induced production of CXCL1 and CCL2 in mesothelial cells. These findings suggest that TLR2 mediates immune responses in peritoneal mesothelial cells in response to B. fragilis.
Health‐related quality of life, anxiety and depression related to mammography screening in Norway
Authors: Hafslund Bjorg , Espehaug Birgitte , Nortvedt Monica Wammen 
Published: September 2012

Aim and objectives.  To measure health‐related quality of life, anxiety and depression ahead of mammography screening and to assess any differences in health‐related quality of life compared to reference population.Background.  The study of health‐related quality of life among attendees prior to mammography screening has received little attention, and increased knowledge is needed to better understand the overall health benefits of participation.Design.  A two‐group cross‐sectional comparative study was performed.Methods.  The samples comprised 4,249 attendees to mammography screening and a comparison group of 943 women. We used the SF‐36 Health Survey to assess health‐related quality of life. Linear regression was used to study any differences between the groups with adjustment for age, level of education, occupation, having children and smoking status. Other normative data were also used. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results.  Attendees scored statistically significant higher on the SF‐36 than the comparison group but were in line with normative data. Attendees had anxiety mean 4·1 and depression mean 2·6.Conclusions.  The majority of the attendees have a high health‐related quality of life, low anxiety and depression ahead of screening. Anxiety and depression were less than shown in normative data from Norway. Despite a high health‐related quality of life, low anxiety and depression among the majority, healthcare workers should pay special attention to the few women who are anxious and depressed, and have a lower health‐related quality of life. Omitted from mammography screening may be women who are unemployed, have lower socioeconomic status, are anxious and are depressed. Further research should be performed with non‐attendees and subgroups to improve the screening programme.Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important to identify which patients have the greatest need for support and caring in an organised mammography screening and who may be overlooked.