bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Responding to schedule changes in build‐to‐order supply chains
Authors: Krajewski Lee , Wei Jerry C. , Tang Ling‐Lang 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis multiple case study explores the reaction strategies suppliers use to respond to short‐term dynamics of schedule changes in build‐to‐order supply chains. We examine the relationship and supply chain processes between a notebook computer manufacturer and five component suppliers. Two distinct reaction strategies emerge from these five buyer–supplier dyads. The “reduce uncertainty” strategy emphasizes supply contracts with a high degree of restrictiveness, relatively infrequent schedule revisions, and a high level of form postponement. The “cope with uncertainty” strategy emphasizes flexible supply contracts, relatively frequent schedule revisions, and low levels of form postponement. Eight propositions are formulated to understand the linkage between a supplier's power, its short‐term process flexibility, and the elements of its reaction strategy. The paper concludes by proposing future research directions.
Optimal return policy and modular design for build‐to‐order products
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Samar K. , Setoputro Robert 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA build‐to‐order product gives the firm the opportunity to customize the product to the requirement of the customers. The firm will see an increase in demand, but face some operational difficulties. One of these is related to the return policy which is now a recognized tool to win customer orders. This is even more true for increasingly popular Internet sales where the opportunity to physically examine the product is absent. A tremendous advantage can be gained by the Internet firm if it could offer a return policy for BTO products. We propose the use of modularity in the product design as a solution to this problem. From manufacturer's point of view, following a policy of modularization and offering a generous return policy would increase revenue, but also increase the cost due to increased likelihood of return and increased cost of design. We develop a profit maximization model to jointly obtain optimal polices for return policy and modularity level in terms of certain market reaction parameters. We obtain a number of managerial guidelines for using marketing and operational strategy variables to influence those reaction parameters so as to obtain the maximum benefit from the market.
Turbulence Slope After Atrial Premature Complexes Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Survivors of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: WICHTERLE DAN , CAMM A. JOHN , MALIK MAREK 
Published: December 2004

Introduction: Heart rate turbulence is a potent postinfarction risk predictor that originally was investigated when it was triggered by ventricular premature complexes. Similar heart rate response is present after atrial premature complexes. “Atrial” turbulence slope (TSA) moderately correlates with “ventricular” turbulence slope (TSV). This study investigated the value of TSA assessed in 24‐hour Holter recordings for postinfarction risk stratification. Methods and Results: Predictive power of TSA was investigated in the placebo arm of the European Myocardial Infarction Amiodarone Trial, which enrolled patients surviving acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%. Of 633 patients with available 24‐hour Holter recordings, 87 died during the follow‐up period of 662 ± 105 days. The same methodology was used to calculate TSA and TSV. TSA was significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (2.0 ± 2.7 vs 3.0 ± 3.3 msec/RR, P = 0.014). TSA≤0.8 msec/RR was associated with relative risk all‐cause mortality of 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.6–3.9, P = 0.000046). In a multivariate Cox regression model including age, LVEF, QRS duration, mean RR interval, heart rate variability index, presence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and TSV, TSA remained a significant predictor of total mortality with relative risk of 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.2–3.4, P = 0.014). Conclusion: TSA is a significant and independent predictor of all‐cause mortality in postinfarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction.
Synergistic Action of Atrial Dilation and Sodium Channel Blockade on Conduction in Rabbit Atria
Authors: EIJSBOUTS SABINE C.M. , HOUBEN RICHARD P.M. , BLAAUW YURI , SCHOTTEN ULRICH , ALLESSIE MAURITS A. 
Published: December 2004

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of atrial dilation and blockade of the rapid sodium channel on atrial conduction and degree of anisotropy. Methods and Results: The right atrium was acutely dilated by increasing intra‐atrial pressure from 2 to 9 cm H2O in 14 isolated rabbit hearts. A rectangular mapping array of 240 electrodes (spatial resolution 0.5 mm) was positioned on the free wall of the right atrium during pacing from four different directions at intervals of 240 and 140 msec. In nondilated atria, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L of the use‐dependent INa blocker flecainide prolonged the total conduction time under the mapping electrode by 15% to 75%. In dilated atria, flecainide depressed conduction by 24% to 89% (P < 0.05). The incidence of intra‐atrial conduction block increased from 0.6%–0.8% to 3.3%–7.2% in nondilated atria and from 3.9%–4.6% to 13%–21% in dilated atria (P < 0.05). The direction of activation relative to the crista terminalis and major pectinate muscles was of major importance for occurrence of conduction block. During rapid pacing, the degree of anisotropy in conduction increased by the combination of atrial dilation and flecainide (1.0 mg/L) from 1.7 ± 0.1 to 2.2 ± 0.4 (P < 0.05). The effects of dilation and flecainide on conduction were clearly synergistic. The effect of flecainide on the atrial refractory period also was enhanced by atrial dilation. Conclusion: In dilated atria, blockade of the rapid sodium channels caused a higher degree of local conduction delay and intra‐atrial conduction block than in nondilated atria.
AZD7009:
Authors: GOLDSTEIN ROBERT N. , KHRESTIAN CELEEN , CARLSSON LEIF , WALDO ALBERT L. 
Published: December 2004

Introduction:We tested the hypothesis that AZD7009 terminates induced atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFL) and prevents their reinduction, and that effects on refractoriness, conduction, and excitability are predominantly on the atria.Methods and Results:Thirty‐eight electrophysiologic studies were performed during AZD7009 infusion in 11 dogs with sterile pericarditis. The effects of AZD7009 on refractoriness, conduction, and capture threshold were studied and its antiarrhythmic efficacy tested. Simultaneous multisite biatrial mapping was performed in 7 dogs to assess arrhythmia termination. AZD7009 prolonged arrhythmia cycle length (CL) from 121 ± 7.8 to 157 ± 9.7 msec (P < 0.001) before terminating 23 of 23 AF/AFL episodes. Mapping demonstrated that AF/AFL CL prolonged and then terminated in area(s) of slow conduction in a reentrant circuit. Arrhythmia reinduction failed in 19 of 20 attempts. At 400‐msec CL, atrial and ventricular refractoriness and QT interval increased 33%, 17% (P < 0.001 vs atrial refractoriness), and 9%, respectively. Atrial capture threshold increased in a CL‐dependent manner: 1.8 ± 0.3 to 2.2 ± 0.3 mA (CL 400 msec); 2.1 ± 0.3 to 2.8 ± 0.5 mA (CL 300 msec), and 2.2 ± 0.3 to 5.3 ± 0.8 mA (CL 200 msec). Only minor nonsignificant changes occurred in the ventricles: 0.95 ± 0.05 to 0.98 ± 0.06 mA (CL 400 msec), and 1.14 ± 0.12 to 1.16 ± 0.13 mA (CL 333 msec). Atrial conduction time increased 8 ± 1.4 msec (CL 400 msec), 8.3 ± 1.5 msec (CL 300 msec), and 13.2 ± 1.6 msec (CL 200 msec, all P < 0.001), but ventricular conduction time was unchanged.Conclusion:AZD7009 is highly efficacious in terminating AF/AFL and preventing reinduction in this model. It exhibits marked effects on atrial electrophysiology but has only modest effects on the ventricle.
Effect of Chronic Amiodarone Therapy on Excitable Gap During Typical Human Atrial Flutter
Authors: MAURY PHILIPPE , ZIMMERMANN MARC 
Published: December 2004

Introduction: Class I antiarrhythmic drugs increase duration of the excitable gap (EG) during typical atrial flutter whereas intravenous class III drugs decrease the EG. The effect of chronic oral amiodarone therapy on the EG is unknown. Methods and Results: EG was prospectively determined by introducing a premature stimulus and analyzing the response pattern during typical atrial flutter in 30 patients without antiarrhythmic drugs and in 20 patients under chronic oral amiodarone therapy. EG was calculated by the difference between the longest coupling interval leading to resetting and the effective atrial refractory period (EARP). A fully EG was defined by the portion of EG where the response curve of the return cycles was flat. A partially EG was defined by the portion of EG where the return cycle increases while coupling interval decreases. A resetting response curve was constructed by plotting the duration of the return cycle against the value of the coupling interval. Cycle length (CL; 222 ± 17 vs 267 ± 20 msec, P < 0.0001), EARP (128 ± 16 vs 152 ± 18 msec, P < 0.0001), and EG (54 ± 19 vs 70 ± 21 msec, P = 0.01) were significantly longer in patients taking amiodarone than in controls. Compared to CL, the relative part of the EARP (57 ± 7 vs 57 ± 6%, P = 0.96) and EG (24 ± 7 vs 26 ± 8%, P = 0.41) were comparable in both groups. The fully EG was larger in patients under chronic amiodarone therapy than in controls (39 ± 21 vs 26 ± 20 msec, P = 0.03). Neither duration of the partially EG (28 ± 15 vs 31 ± 15 msec, P = 0.42) nor slope of the ascending portion of the resetting response curve (1.15 ± 0.5 vs 1.13 ± 0.4 msec/msec, P = 0.71) differed between the two groups. Conclusion: EG in patients under chronic amiodarone therapy is significantly larger than in controls, mainly because of a longer fully EG. This observation may be explained by opposite effects on conduction velocity and refractoriness.
Profit Sharing, Credit Market Imperfections and Equilibrium Unemployment*
Authors: Koskela Erkki , Stenbacka Rune 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe investigate the interaction between labour and credit market imperfections for equilibrium unemployment in the presence of profit sharing. In a partial equilibrium with exogenous outside options, increased bargaining power of banks has adverse employment effects. In a general equilibrium with endogenous outside options, this relationship is frequently reversed; reduced credit market imperfections increase equilibrium unemployment if the labour market imperfections—measured by the bargaining power of trade unions—are sufficiently strong and the benefit–replacement ratio is sufficiently high. Finally, we show that higher bankruptcy risks increase equilibrium unemployment under similar conditions.
Does the Gap in Family‐friendly Policies Drive the Family Gap?*
Authors: Nielsen Helena Skyt , Simonsen Marianne , Verner Mette 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSegregation of the labour market into a family‐friendly and a non‐family‐friendly sector implies that women self‐select into sectors depending on institutional constraints, preferences for family‐friendly working conditions and expected wage differences. We take this sector dimension into account and find a severe penalty after birth‐related leave in the non‐family‐friendly sector, so that women who would be affected by this penalty self‐select into the family‐friendly sector. The penalty is a combination of a large human‐capital depreciation effect, a child penalty and no recovery.
B‐Type natriuretic peptide and the prediction of outcome in patients admitted to intensive care
Authors: Cuthbertson B. H. , Patel R. R. , Croal B. L. , Barclay J. , Hillis G. S. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryB‐type natriuretic peptide is known to predict outcome in congestive cardiac failure and myocardial infarction. We aimed to determine whether measurement of B‐type natriuretic peptide would predict hospital mortality in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 78 consecutive patients. Demographics, clinical details and clinical outcomes were recorded. Admission and 24 h B‐type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels were measured. B‐type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels taken on intensive care admission and 24 h after admission did not accurately predict hospital mortality for all patients, including patients with severe sepsis or septic shock (all p > 0.05). B‐type natriuretic peptide levels were higher in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (p = 0.02), in patients ≥ 65 years (p = 0.04) and in patients with raised creatinine ≥ 110 μmol.l−1 (p = 0.02). We concluded that B‐type natriuretic peptide, measured soon after admission to intensive care, does not usefully predict outcome after intensive care.
A comparative study of preload‐adjusted maximal and peak power: assessment of ventricular performance in clinical practice
Authors: Amà R. , Claessens T. , Roosens C. , Segers P. , Verdonck P. , Poelaert J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThis study was performed to determine whether preload‐adjusted peak power can act as a surrogate for preload‐adjusted maximal power in the assessment of left ventricular performance in the clinical setting. Ninety‐nine consecutive patients who had undergone elective coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. Fifty‐five of these patients were divided into four study groups. Afterload was changed with phenylephrine (n = 12) or glyceryl trinitrate (n = 13), preload was increased with intravenous colloid (n = 18), and contractility was increased with dobutamine (n = 12). There was excellent correlation between the two indices (r = 0.99, y = 1.0168x + 0.0769; p < 0.0001). Manipulation of neither preload nor afterload affected the indices. Both indices increased significantly during dobutamine infusion (p = 0.002). In conclusion, preload‐adjusted peak power can be used as a substitute for preload‐adjusted maximal power in the determination of ventricular performance in clinical practice.
Patient controlled analgesia for labour: a comparison of remifentanil with pethidine*
Authors: Blair J. M. , Dobson G. T. , Hill D. A. , McCracken G. R. , Fee J. P. H. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe compared the analgesic efficacy and safety of remifentanil and pethidine via patient controlled analgesia for women in established uncomplicated labour. Women received either remifentanil 40 μg with a 2‐min lockout (n = 20) or pethidine 15 mg with a 10‐min lockout (n = 19). Visual analogue scores for pain during the study and for overall pain were similar for both groups (mean (SD) 6.4 (1.5) cm for remifentanil and 6.9 (1.7) cm for pethidine). The area under the curve for visual analogue scores of satisfaction with analgesia was higher for remifentanil than for pethidine (p = 0.001). Maternal arterial oxygen saturation was similar in both groups. Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Scores at 30 min were higher for remifentanil than for pethidine (median (interquartile range [range]) 36 (34.5–37 [32–39]) vs 34 (33–35 [30–35]), respectively; p = 0.003).
A quantitative analysis of anaesthetist–patient communication during the pre‐operative visit
Authors: Kindler C. H. , Szirt L. , Sommer D. , Häusler R. , Langewitz W. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryPrevious communication research in general medical practice has shown that effective communication enhances patient compliance, satisfaction and medical outcome. It is expected that communication is equally important in anaesthesia, since patients often suffer from anxiety and lack of knowledge about anaesthetic procedures. However, little is known about the nature of communication during routine anaesthetic visits. The present study of 57 authentic anaesthetic visits provides the first results on the structure and content of communication in the pre‐operative setting using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Patient‐centred communication behaviours of anaesthetists and the extent of patient involvement were particularly investigated. From the 57 pre‐operative visits, 18 267 utterances were coded. The mean (SD) [range] duration of the visit was 16.1 (7.8) [3.7–42.7] min. Anaesthetists provided 169 (68) and patients 153 (82) utterances per visit (53.5% vs. 46.5%). Physician and patient gender had no impact on the distribution of utterances and the duration of the visit. Conversation mainly focussed on biomedical issues with little psychosocial discussion (< 0.1% of all anaesthetist utterances). However, anaesthetists quite frequently used emotional comments toward patients (7%) and involved them in the conversation. The use of facilitators, open questions and emotional statements by the anaesthetist correlated with high patient involvement. The amount of patient participation in anaesthetic decisions was assessed with the Observing Patient Involvement Scale (OPTION). Compared with general practitioners, anaesthetists offered more opportunities to discuss treatment options (mean (SD) OPTION score 26.8 (16.8) vs. 16.8 (7.7)).
Postoperative course and anabolic‐androgenic steroid abuse – a case report
Authors: Medras M. , Tworowska U. , Jozkow P. , Dumanski A. , Dubinski A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIt is estimated that 80% of weight lifters and body‐builders take anabolic‐androgenic steroids. Their long‐term use is associated with a variety of pathological conditions and premature death. Anabolic‐androgenic steroid abuse may lead to changes in the presentation and progression of some conditions. It remains unclear whether anabolic steroids should be given to patients with a history of abuse of these drugs who are to undergo surgery. We report on a fatal outcome following surgery in a 48‐year‐old weight lifter.
Interaction between infusion equipment resulting in drug overdose in a critically ill patient
Authors: Sundaram R. , Dell A. E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA critically ill septic patient on haemofiltration for acute renal failure suffered sudden circulatory and respiratory collapse. The cause of the collapse was traced to an interaction between mechanical devices (syringe driver infusion pumps and haemofiltration equipment) connected to two central venous catheters.
Drug related critical incidents
Authors: Khan F. A. , Hoda M. Q. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryDrug related incidents are a common form of reported medical errors. This paper reviews the critical incidents related to drug errors reported from the main operating theatre suite in a teaching hospital in a developing country from January 1997 to December 2002. Each report was evaluated individually by two reviewers using a structured process. During this period, 44 874 anaesthetics were administered; 768 critical incidents were reported, 165 (21%) of which were related to drug errors. Underdosage, side‐effect/drug reaction and syringe swap were the most common. A total of 76% were classified as preventable; 56% due to human error and 19% due to system error. High risk incidents accounted for 10% of all drug errors and most of these were related to the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs. This analysis has been found useful in addressing some issues about priorities.
Spinal anaesthesia despite combined clopidogrel and aspirin therapy in a patient awaiting lung transplantation: effects of platelet transfusion on clotting tests
Authors: Herbstreit F. , Peters J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe risk of central neuraxial blockade in patients treated with newer antiplatelet drugs is unclear. We report the case of a woman awaiting lung transplantation who presented for emergency groin surgery. She had recently undergone a coronary artery stent implantation and was treated with both clopidogrel and aspirin. Despite this dual antiplatelet therapy, uneventful spinal anaesthesia was administered following platelet transfusion. While thromboelastography was of no help in assessing the degree of anticoagulation, the effects of platelet transfusion were reflected by adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine aggregometry. Thus, in selected patients, platelet transfusion may be appropriate to enable central neuraxial blockade when deemed necessary.
Comparison of root canal preparation using RaCe and ProTaper rotary Ni‐Ti instruments
Authors: Paqué F. , Musch U. , Hülsmann M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim  To compare various parameters of root canal preparation using RaCe (FKG Dentaire, La‐Chaux‐de‐Fonds, Switzerland) and ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) nickel‐titanium (Ni‐Ti) instruments.Methodology  Fifty extracted mandibular molars with mesial root canal curvatures between 20° and 40° were embedded in a muffle system. All root canals were prepared to size 30 using RaCe or ProTaper rotary instruments in low‐torque motors with torque control and constant speed of 300 r.p.m. (ProTaper with ATR Tecnika, Advanced Technology Research, Pistoia, Italy; RaCe with EndoStepper, S.E.T., Olching, Germany). In both groups irrigation was performed with 2 mL NaOCl (3%) after each instrument size. Calcinase‐Slide (lege artis, Dettenhausen, Germany) was used as a chelating agent with each instrument. The following parameters were evaluated: straightening of curved root canals, postoperative root canal cross‐sections, safety issues and working time. Cleanliness of the root canal walls was investigated under the SEM using 5‐score indices for debris and smear layer. Statistical analysis was performed using the following tests: Wilcoxon's test for straightening and working time was used (P < 0.05); Fisher's exact test for comparison of cross‐sections and root canal cleanliness (P < 0.05).Results  Both Ni‐Ti systems maintained curvature well; the mean degree of straightening was less than 1° for both systems. Following preparation with RaCe, 49% of the root canals had a round or oval diameter and 50% an irregular diameter, ProTaper preparations resulted in a round or oval diameter in 50% of the cases. For debris, RaCe and ProTaper achieved 47 and 49% scores of 1 and 2, respectively; there was no significant difference. For smear layer, RaCe and ProTaper achieved 51 and 33% scores 1 and 2, respectively; no statistically significant differences were apparent for the coronal and middle sections of the root canals, but RaCe performed significantly better in the apical region (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0392). Two roots lost working length with RaCe instruments, whilst ProTaper preparation resulted in two roots loosing working length and one fractured instrument. Mean working time was shorter for ProTaper (90.9 s) than for RaCe (137.6 s); the difference was significant (Wilcoxon's test, P = 0.011).Conclusions  Both systems respected original root canal curvature well and were safe to use. Cleanliness was not satisfactory for both systems.
The effect of capsaicin on substance P expression in pulp tissue inflammation
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli J. , Azuero‐Holguin M. M. , Munoz H. R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim  To evaluate the effect of capsaicin on substance P (SP) expression during induced inflammation in rat pulp tissue.Methodology  Radioimmunoanalysis was used to measure SP levels in 36 mandibular molar pulps taken from six Wistar rats. Twelve samples were obtained from healthy pulps and used as negative control group. Another 12 samples were obtained after inducing inflammation with mechanical pulp exposure; these were used as the positive control group. Capsaicin was infiltrated into the inferior dental nerve in the experimental group and 12 samples were obtained after mechanical pulp exposure.Results  The lowest SP expression was found in mechanically exposed pulps where capsaicin pretreatment had been carried out (0.028 ng mL−1), followed by healthy pulps (0.302 ng mL−1). The highest SP expression was found in mechanically exposed pulps with no capsaicin pretreatment (124 ng mL−1). The Kruskal–Wallis test showed statistically significant differences between the groups (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Inferior dental nerve infiltration with capsaicin reduces SP expression in dental pulp tissue in rats.