bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The implementation of lean Six Sigma in financial services organizations
Authors: Delgado Catarina , Ferreira Marlene , Castelo Branco Manuel 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to obtain pertinent information pertaining to benefits accomplished, main difficulties felt, and key lessons learned in the implementation of lean Six Sigma (LSS), which are likely to be helpful to financial services organizations wanting to implement the same tool.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports the results of a case study from a financial services organization which has begun the implementation of LSS methodologies ten years ago, in the pursuit of service excellence.FindingsThe benefits derived from LSS implementation, such as lowering the operational costs, improving processes and product quality, increased efficiency, which leads to the increase of productivity, the agility and versatility obtained by the organization, vastly outweigh the costs. At an international level, there are cultural differences pertaining mainly to internal resistance and openness to change.Research limitations/implicationsThis work focuses on a specific case study.Practical implicationsThe authors compiled the lessons learned and recommendations for future implementations of this methodology. The paper, therefore, will be of interest to managers of similar companies.Originality/valueThe paper presents a successful application of LSS for a financial services company.
Phylogeny of New World Stipeae (Poaceae): an evaluation of the monophyly of Aciachne and Amelichloa
Authors: Cialdella Ana M. , Salariato Diego L. , Aagesen Lone , Giussani Liliana M. , Zuloaga Fernando O. , Morrone Osvaldo 
Published: May 2010

© The Willi Hennig Society 2010.AbstractThe tribe Stipeae, with nearly 550 species, includes 28 core genera, of which 13 occur in America: Achnatherum, Aciachne, Amelichloa, Anatherostipa, Hesperostipa, Jarava, Nassella, Ortachne, Oryzopsis, Pappostipa, Piptatherum, Piptochaetium and Ptilagrostis. Based on 37 species representing 14 Stipeae genera, and using four chloroplast markers and morphological characters, we provide a phylogenetic hypothesis of the New World Stipeae, with our focus on Amelichloa and Aciachne. Parsimony analyses included two approaches: (i) a multiple‐sequence alignment where gaps were treated as missing or coded, (ii) using direct sequences by direct optimization as implemented by the program POY v.4.0.2870. Analyses under direct optimization were conducted using the molecular data sets independently and combined, and with morphological data. Different cost regimes were explored and the one producing the highest congruence between partitions was chosen. Among the genera considered, only Piptochaetium, Austrostipa, and Hesperostipa were resolved as monophyletic, while Achnatherum, Amelichloa s.l., Anatherostipa, Jarava and Nassella were polyphyletic, and Aciachne was polyphyletic or paraphyletic. As a result, Amelichloa can be restricted to a monophyletic group if including A. brachychaeta, A. ambigua, A. clandestina and A. caudata, or it should be considered within Nassella. The phylogenetic position of species of Aciachne suggests inbreeding and outbreeding events with species of Anatherostipa, Ortachne and Hesperostipa.
Bilateral zosteriform extragenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus: A new clinical presentation
Authors: CHEN Jeng‐Feng , CHIANG Chien‐Ping , CHEN Yu‐Fei 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWe report a 13‐year‐old female child with sequentially occurring lesions of extragenital zosteriform lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). The skin lesions first appeared at the right waist when she was 8 years and gradually extended inferiorly and medially along the dermatome of the right L1–2. Subsequently, another skin lesion occurred along the dermatome of the left L5–S1 from the left buttock to left dorsum of the foot in the following 5 years. Microscopic findings obtained from the right inguinal sclerotic plaque revealed typical features of LSA. We report the first case of bilateral zosteriform LSA and remind clinicians of including lichen sclerosus in the differential diagnoses of cutaneous zosteriform lesions.
Interstitial type granuloma annulare associated with Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: SUMIKAWA Yasuyuki , ANSAI Shinichi , KIMURA Tetsunori , NAKAMURA Junnosuke , INUI Shigeki , KATAYAMA Ichiro 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWe describe a case of granuloma annulare (GA) associated with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) in a 69‐year‐old woman. She complained of erythematous plaques on the left forearm and neck in addition to dry eyes and mouth. The laboratory and clinical findings also fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of SS. Histopathological examination revealed the features of interstitial type GA. It is not rare that granulomatous diseases are associated with autoimmune diseases. This case indicated that granulomatous diseases and SS are closely related and that GA should be recognized as a cutaneous manifestation associated with autoimmune diseases, including SS.
Glucocorticoid resistance in atopic dermatitis associated with decreased expression of glucocorticoid receptor‐α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: INUI Shigeki , SUMIKAWA Yasuyuki , ASADA Hideo , ITAMI Satoshi 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA 51‐year‐old man had been followed up for approximately 10 years at our clinic for persistent itchy eczematous lesions on his limbs and trunk. At the first visit, physical examination revealed itchy lichenificated and eczematous eruptions and many pruriginous papules over his entire body. Laboratory data showed remarkably high levels of immunoglobulin E (20 000 IU/mL). He was diagnosed as having severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Topical treatment with a potent corticosteroid (class I–II) did not significantly decrease the eruptions and occasional administration of a systemic corticosteroid elicited only a subtle response. The pruriginous lesions did not respond at all to topical or systemic corticosteroids. We used semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to examine the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)α and GRβ mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of this patient and compared those with six other patients with AD and three normal controls. As a result, the expression of GRα was remarkably decreased compared to normal controls and the other AD patients. Therefore, his poor response to corticosteroid was at least partially caused by this GRα decrease in the PBMC.
Clinical trial: chest pain caused by presumed gastro‐oesophageal reflux in coronary artery disease – controlled study of lansoprazole vs. placebo
Authors: Talwar V. , Wurm P. , Bankart M. J. G. , Gershlick A. H. , De Caestecker J. S. 
Published: April 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 191–199SummaryBackground  Gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GER) and coronary artery disease commonly co‐exist. Coronary artery disease patients may mistake GER‐induced pain for cardiac pain or GER might provoke angina.Aim  To investigate if GER might contribute to nocturnal/rest chest pain among coronary artery disease patients.Methods  Double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study investigating effect of lansoprazole on chest pain; 125 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease enrolled with at least one weekly episode of nocturnal/rest pain, randomized to lansoprazole 30 mg daily or placebo with crossover after 4 weeks. Symptoms recorded and QOL assessed by Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire; ST segment depression episodes counted from 24 h electrocardiographic monitoring in final week of both periods. Statistical analysis: ANCOVA with period and carryover analysis.Results  In all, 108 patients completed the study. There was a modest increase in pain‐free days on lansoprazole vs. placebo (P < 0.02), with fewer days with pain at rest (P < 0.05) and at night (P < 0.009) on lansoprazole vs. placebo, but no significant differences in ST segment depression episodes (P = 0.64). There was a trend for reduction in the ‘physical pain’ QOL domain.Conclusions  Among coronary artery disease patients, lansoprazole modestly increases pain‐free days and reduces rest/nocturnal pain. As lansoprazole did not affect ST segments, this may be by suppression of GER‐provoked pain misinterpreted as angina, rather than acid‐provoked ischaemia.
Antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides identify adult coeliac disease patients negative for antibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase
Authors: Dahle C. , Hagman A. , Ignatova S. , Ström M. 
Published: April 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 254–260SummaryBackground  This study was done to evaluate the diagnostic utility of antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides compared to traditional markers for coeliac disease.Aim  To evaluate diagnostic utility of antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP).Methods  Sera from 176 adults, referred for endoscopy without previous analysis of antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG) or endomysium (EmA), were retrospectively analysed by ELISAs detecting IgA/IgG antibodies against DGP or a mixture of DGP and tTG, and compared with IgA‐tTG and EmA. Seventy‐nine individuals were diagnosed with coeliac disease.Results  Receiver operating characteristic analyses verified the manufacturers’ cut‐off limits except for IgA/IgG‐DGP/tTG. In sera without IgA deficiency, the sensitivity was higher for IgA/IgG‐DGP (0.85–0.87) compared with IgA‐tTg (0.76) and EmA (0.61). All tests showed high specificity (0.95–1.00). Eighteen coeliac disease‐sera were negative regarding IgA‐tTG, nine of which were positive for IgA/IgG‐DGP. Sera from coeliac disease‐patients >70 years were more often negative for IgA‐tTG (50%) and IgA/IgG‐DGP (36%) than younger patients (15% and 8% respectively) (P < 0.01). Three of the four IgA‐deficient patients were positive in the IgA/IgG‐DGP assay.Conclusions  In this study of patients unselected regarding IgA‐tTg/EmA, thus unbiased in this respect, IgA/IgG‐DGP identified adult coeliac disease patients negative for antibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase. Serology is often negative in elderly patients with coeliac disease; a small bowel biopsy should therefore be performed generously before coeliac disease is excluded.
Hepatitis‐associated aplastic anaemia: epidemiology and treatment results obtained in Europe. A report of The EBMT aplastic anaemia working party
Authors: Locasciulli Anna , Bacigalupo Andrea , Bruno Barbara , Montante Barbara , Marsh Judith , Tichelli André , Socié Gerard , Passweg Jakob ,   On the Behalf of the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Blood and Marrow Transplant Group (SAA‐WP, EBMT)
Published: April 2010

SummaryIn order to assess the epidemiology of Hepatitis‐Associated Aplasia (HAA) and compare treatment outcome of HAA with non‐HAA patients, we evaluated 3916 aplastic anaemia patients reported to the European Registry between 1990 and 2007. Year, month, season of diagnosis, type and outcome of first‐line therapy were analysed. Prevalence of HAA (n = 214) in Europe was 5%. Compared to non‐HAA patients, HAA patients were younger (15 vs. 20 years, P < 0·001), with a male prevalence (68% vs. 58%P = 0·002), and were treated earlier after diagnosis (46 vs. 62 d; P < 0·001). No significant differences were found regarding the year or month of diagnosis. No geographic clusters could be identified. Actuarial survival at 10 years after first‐line immunosuppression was 69%, and did not differ according to aetiology. The 10‐year actuarial survival after transplantation was 70%, and was comparable in HAA and non‐HAA patients, when stratified for age and donor type. In a multivariate Cox analysis, increasing age and delayed treatment were significant negative indicators for survival. In conclusion, the incidence of HAA was 5% and was evenly distributed over time and geographic areas in Europe. Treatment outcome and predictive variables, were comparable in patients with or without HAA.
Purification of FANCD2 sub‐complexes
Authors: Zhi Gang , Chen Xiaoyong , Newcomb William , Brown Jay , Semmes Oliver J. , Kupfer Gary M. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryFanconi anaemia (FA) is a recessive genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure, birth defects and cancer. Cells from FA patients are particularly defective in removing DNA interstrand crosslinks. We have developed a working chromatography purification scheme for FANCD2, a pivotal player in the FA DNA repair pathway, to facilitate identification of FANCD2 interacting partners. In doing so, at least three distinct FANCD2 subcomplexes were found to be present, designated as large, middle, and small complexes. The small complex is composed of tetramer of FANCD2 polypeptides, which may be the building block for other FANCD2 subcomplexes.
A method for experimental heating of intact soil profiles for application to climate change experiments
Authors: HANSON PAUL J. , CHILDS KENNETH W. , WULLSCHLEGER STAN D. , RIGGS JEFFERY S. , THOMAS WARREN K. , TODD DONALD E. , WARREN JEFFREY M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA new system for simulating future belowground temperature increases was conceived, simulated, constructed and tested in a temperate deciduous forest in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. The new system uses low‐wattage, 3 m deep heaters installed around the circumference of a defined soil volume. The heaters add the necessary energy to achieve a set soil temperature differential within the treatment area and add exterior energy inputs equal to those, which might be lost from lateral heat conduction. The method, which was designed to work in conjunction with aboveground heated chambers, requires only two control sensor positions one for aboveground air temperatures at 1 m and another for belowground temperatures at 0.8 m. The method is capable of achieving temperature differentials of at least +4.0±0.5 °C for soils to a measured depth of −2 m. These +4 °C differential soil temperatures were sustained in situ throughout 2009, and both diurnal and seasonal cycles at all soil depths were retained using this simple heating approach. Measured mean energy inputs required to sustain the target heating level of +4 °C over the 7.1 m2 target area were substantial for aboveground heating (21.1 kW h day−1 m−2), but 16 times lower for belowground heaters (1.3 kW h day−1 m−2). Observations of soil CO2 efflux from the surface of the target soil volumes showed CO2 losses throughout 2009 that were elevated above the temperature response curve that have been reported in previous near‐surface soil warming studies. Stimulation of biological activity within previously undisturbed deep‐soil carbon stocks is the hypothesized source. Long‐term research programs may be able to apply this new heating method that captures expected future warming and temperature dynamics throughout the soil profile to address uncertainties in process‐level responses of microbial, plant and animal communities in whole, intact ecosystems.
Adolescents’ experiences of coping with domestic violence
Authors: Lepistö Sari , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi , Joronen Katja , Luukkaala Tiina , Paavilainen Eija 
Published: April 2010

lepistö s., åstedt‐kurki p., joronen k., luukkaala t. & paavilainen e. (2010) Adolescents’ experiences of coping with domestic violence. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(6), 1232–1245.AbstractTitle.  Adolescents’ experiences of coping with domestic violence. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of experiences of domestic violence and coping among ninth‐grade (14–17 years old) adolescents.Background.  Domestic violence is commonplace and adolescents are involved in it either as witnesses or victims. Research has shown that different degrees of domestic violence play a major role in adolescent well‐being and coping.Method.  A survey of ninth graders in one municipality in Finland was conducted in 2007. A total of 1393 adolescents participated, giving a 78% response rate. The survey included two validated scales, the Violence Scale and the Adolescent Coping Scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine coping among adolescents with and without experience of domestic violence.Results.  Sixty‐seven per cent of adolescents had experienced parental symbolic aggression, 55% mild violence and 9% serious violence. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that experiences of violence were associated with deterioration in self‐rated health, life satisfaction, adolescent giving in when in a conflict situation, approval of corporal punishment and coping by seeking to belong and self‐blame. Those with experience of domestic violence did not seek professional help.Conclusion.  Adolescents experiencing domestic violence do not seek help and care providers should therefore take active measures to help them. These adolescents reported that they were satisfied with life, which makes it difficult to identify their need for help. Resources should be developed to identify and help these adolescents.
Clinical Learning Environment Inventory: factor analysis
Authors: Newton Jennifer M. , Jolly Brian C. , Ockerby Cherene M. , Cross Wendy M. 
Published: April 2010

newton j.m., jolly b.c., ockerby c.m. & cross w.m. (2010) Clinical Learning Environment Inventory: factor analysis.Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(6), 1371–1381.AbstractTitle. Clinical Learning Environment Inventory: factor analysis.Aim. This paper is a report of the psychometric testing of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory.Background. The clinical learning environment is a complex socio‐cultural entity that offers a variety of opportunities to engage or disengage in learning. The Clinical Learning Environment Inventory is a self‐report instrument consisting of 42 items classified into six scales: personalization, student involvement, task orientation, innovation, satisfaction and individualization. It was developed to examine undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of the learning environment whilst on placement in clinical settings.Method. As a component of a longitudinal project, Bachelor of Nursing students (n = 659) from two campuses of a university in Australia, completed the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory from 2006 to 2008. Principal components analysis using varimax rotation was conducted to explore the factor structure of the inventory.Results. Data for 513 students (77%) were eligible for inclusion. Constraining data to a 6‐factor solution explained 51% of the variance. The factors identified were: student‐centredness, affordances and engagement, individualization, fostering workplace learning, valuing nurses’ work, and innovative and adaptive workplace culture. These factors were reviewed against recent theoretical developments in the literature.Conclusion. The study offers an empirically based and theoretically informed extension of the original Clinical Learning Environment Inventory, which had previously relied on ad hoc clustering of items and the use of internal reliability of its sub‐scales. Further research is required to establish the consistency of these new factors.
Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young children
Authors: Semple Cherith J. , McCance Tanya 
Published: April 2010

semple c.j. & mccance t. (2010) Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young children. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(6), 1280–1290.AbstractTitle.  Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young children. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study exploring the experience and support needs of parents with head and neck cancer, who are also caring for their young children.Background.  The incidence of head and neck cancer is steadily rising in the younger age groups (under 50 years). As a direct consequence, more parents of young children are being diagnosed with this cancer.Methods.  Using a qualitative descriptive design, 12 patients with young children under the age of 16 were interviewed during 2008. The data were analysed using cognitive mapping.Findings.  At diagnosis, parents experienced the fear of missing milestones in the life of their children and fear of telling the children about their diagnosis. During treatment, parents’ inevitable stays in hospital led to separation from the children and the need to prepare their children for the first hospital visit. Parents experienced many debilitating effects of treatment, which had an impact on family activities, especially those that involved eating. There was often changing roles within the family. After treatment, the experience of living with cancer for parents resulted in the desire to get back to day‐to‐day life. Parents had an increased appreciation of life but were also living with uncertainties. The most important support networks for parents were their spouse, family and friends.Conclusion.  Oncology nurses are in an excellent position to offer support and guidance to parents with cancer who have children, and should encourage them to explore with the family the best way of managing role change during treatment.
Human non‐rapid eye movement stage II sleep spindles are blocked upon spontaneous K‐complex coincidence and resume as higher frequency spindles afterwards
Authors: KOKKINOS VASILEIOS , KOSTOPOULOS GEORGE K. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate a potential relation between the K‐complex (KC) and sleep spindles of non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) stage II of human sleep. Using 58 electroencephalogram electrodes, plus standard electrooculogram and electromyogram derivations for sleep staging, brain activity during undisturbed whole‐night sleep was recorded in six young adults (one of them participated twice). NREM stage II spindles (1256 fast and 345 slow) and 1131 singular generalized KCs were selected from all sleep cycles. The negative peak of the KC, the positive peak of the KC (where applicable), and the prominent negative wave peak of slow and fast spindles were marked as events of reference. Fast Fourier transform‐based time–frequency analysis was performed over the marked events, which showed that: (a) fast spindles that happen to coincide with KC are interrupted (100% of 403 cases) and in their place a slower rhythmic oscillation often (80%) appears; and (b) spindles that are usually (72% of 1131) following KCs always have a higher frequency (by ∼1 Hz) than both the interrupted spindles and the individual fast spindles that are not in any way associated with a KC. This enhancement of spindle frequency could not be correlated to any of the KC parameters studied. The results of this study reveal a consistent interaction between the KC and the sleep spindle during NREM stage II in human sleep.