bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Comparison of Approximate Solution Sets for Bi‐criteria Optimization Problems*
Authors: Carlyle W. Matthew , Fowler John W. , Gel Esma S. , Kim Bosun 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTWe present the Integrated Preference Functional (IPF) for comparing the quality of proposed sets of near‐pareto‐optimal solutions to bi‐criteria optimization problems. Evaluating the quality of such solution sets is one of the key issues in developing and comparing heuristics for multiple objective combinatorial optimization problems. The IPF is a set functional that, given a weight density function provided by a decision maker and a discrete set of solutions for a particular problem, assigns a numerical value to that solution set. This value can be used to compare the quality of different sets of solutions, and therefore provides a robust, quantitative approach for comparing different heuristic, a posteriori solution procedures for difficult multiple objective optimization problems. We provide specific examples of decision maker preference functions and illustrate the calculation of the resulting IPF for specific solution sets and a simple family of combined objectives.
A Transaction‐Efficiency Analysis of an Internet Retailing Supply Chain in the Music CD Industry*
Authors: Rabinovich Elliot , Bailey Joseph P. , Carter Craig R. 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTThe emergence of the Internet may have fundamentally altered the mechanisms underlying information exchanges between sellers and end consumers. However, little attention has been given to the impact these mechanisms have on the efficiency of supply chain operations.This paper begins to address this deficiency in the literature by evaluating supply chain transaction efficiency effects from Internet purchases by consumers. It develops and empirically tests a theoretical framework examining the role Internet purchases have in establishing transaction‐efficiency levels in product exchanges involving sellers, placed at different supply chain echelons, and consumers. The theoretical framework integrates the transaction‐cost and internet economics, inter‐organizational information systems, and supply chain management literatures. Empirical testing, via structural equation modeling, is based on archival data in the Internet music CD market.The results show that Internet‐mediated purchases by consumers allow for greater transaction efficiencies when inventory ownership is postponed farther upstream in the supply chain and supply chain echelons are disintermediated. The results also indicate that channel structure configuration, defined by the supply chains' Internet retailing echelon, moderates these transaction efficiency effects.
A Resource‐Based View of Strategic IT Alignment: How Knowledge Sharing Creates Competitive Advantage
Authors: Kearns Grover S. , Lederer Albert L. 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTA critical decision problem for top management, and the focus of this study, is whether the CEO (chief executive officer) and CIO (chief information officer) should commit their time to formal planning with the expectation of producing an information technology (IT)‐based competitive advantage. Using the perspective of the resource‐based view, a model is presented that examines how strategic IT alignment can produce enhanced organizational strategies that yield competitive advantage. One hundred sixty‐one CIOs provided data using a postal survey. Results supported seven of the eight hypotheses. They showed that information intensity is an important antecedent to strategic IT alignment, that strategic IT alignment is best explained by multiple constructs which operationalize both process and content measures, and that alignment between the IT plan and the business plan is significantly related to the use of IT for competitive advantage. Study results raise questions about the effect of CEO participation, which appears to be the weak link in the process, and also about the perception of the CIO on the importance of CEO involvement. The paper contributes to our understanding of how knowledge sharing in the alignment process contributes to the creation of superior organizational strategies, provides a framework of the alignment‐performance relationship, and furnishes several new constructs.
The Impact of Information System Personnel Skill Discrepancies on Stakeholder Satisfaction
Authors: Tesch Debbie , Jiang James J. , Klein Gary 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTSystem development efforts depend to a large degree upon how well information systems (IS) managers, IS specialists, and IS users work together in a project team structure. Yet, these individuals frequently work under different perceptions about matters of importance to development, management, and success. This paper introduces a framework for examining IS specialists' skill requirements from a multiple‐stakeholder perspective. Derived from discrepancy theory, the framework concedes that different stakeholders hold a variable set of expectations for IS personnel skill levels as well as a perception of skills held by IS personnel. We examine differences in expectation and performance expressed by each group and describe the impact of the discrepancy on user satisfaction, career satisfaction of IS specialists, and on job performance evaluations by IS managers. Results confirm that a discrepancy between an IS specialist's expectations of skill and their perceived skill self‐proficiency impacts career satisfaction. Similar relations hold for IS managers and users. Since different stakeholders may hold different perceptions, satisfaction of all parties becomes problematic unless a common frame of reference can be determined.
A Generalized Framework for Quantity Discount Pricing Schedules
Authors: Rubin Paul A. , Benton W. C. 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTThe use of price to influence a buyer's purchasing behavior and thus improve supply chain coordination has received considerable attention. The vendor and buyer are independent economic entities, each maximizing its own profit. We consider the case of a buyer with fixed annual demand, independent of cost. The vendor's objective is to set a price schedule that encourages the buyer to raise its order quantity, increasing the vendor's profits. We present a unified treatment of the problem, categorize different variations, and provide a common solution procedure for all cases.
FORMAL ASPECTS OF A MULTIPLE-RULE CLASSIFIER
Authors: TKADLEC JOSEF , BRUHA IVAN 
Published: June 2003

This paper deals with the multiple-rule problem which arises when several decision rules (of different classes) match ("fire" for) an input to-be-classified (unseen) object. The paper focuses on formal aspects and theoretical methodology for the above problem. The general definitions of the notions of a Designer, Learner and Classifier are presented in a formal matter, including parameters that are usually attached to the above concepts such as rule consistency, completeness, quality, matching rate, etc. We thus provide the minimum-requirement definitions as necessary conditions for these concepts. Any designer (decision-system builder) of a new multiple-rule system may start with these minimum requirements. We only expect that the Classifier makes its decisions according to its decision scheme induced as a knowledge base (theory, model, concept description). Also, two case studies are discussed. We conclude with a general flow chart for a decision-system builder. He/she can just pursue it and select parameters of a Learner and Classifier, following the minimum requirements provided.
External Rotation Osteotomy of Femur in Patients with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Kuo Ken N. , Hang David W. , Smith Peter A. 
Published: June 2003

Fifteen subjects with ambulatory spastic cerebral palsy underwent proximal femoral external rotation osteotomy between 1990 to 1992 for severe intoeing gait due to internal femoral torsion. Among them 13 patients returned for follow-up. Preoperatively, maximum internal rotation of the hip on physical examination corrected from 77° to 50° postoperatively. Foot progression angle changed from 10° intoeing gait preoperatively to 9° outtoeing gait postoperatively ( p < 0.05). The recurrence rate for internal femoral torsion after correction is 9.5 degrees/year for the group of 10-year-olds and younger, and 2.1 degrees/year for the group older than 10-year-olds. In the kinematic study, foot progression angle changed from internal rotation of 9.2° to external rotation of 16.5° ( p < 0.05). Our study showed that external rotation osteotomy of the femur is a safe and effective procedure. The rate of recurrence for femoral internal torsion was greater for younger patients (≤10-year-old) when the surgery was performed.
The Functional Assessment of the Untreated and the Reconstructed Posterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Knee
Authors: Hsu Robert Wen-Wei , Cheng Cheng-Kung , Lin Yang-Hua 
Published: June 2003

Seventeen patients with rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), 7 untreated and 10 having reconstruction of the PCL using the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the attached adductor tendon, were recruited for functional evaluation. The clinical functional status of the knee joint was evaluated in accordance with Hughston's criteria and Lysholm's score. The patients' gaits were analyzed using a three-dimensional electrogoniometer and mats. Muscle strength was assessed via Cybex-340; and a KT-1000 arthrometer was used to measure the laxity of the knee joints. Muscle strength tests showed a significant difference ( p < 0.01) in the knee extensors when the injured side was compared with the noninjured side in the untreated group, while no significant difference existed in reconstructed group. The gait analysis revealed that a significant difference existed over the velocity ( p < 0.05) when the reconstructed group was compared with the untreated group. The KT-1000 arthrometer test demonstrated that the anterior and posterior drawer at a knee flexion of 70 degrees and the posterior tibial sag screen at 90 degrees, differed significantly ( p < 0.01) between injured and noninjured limbs in the untreated group. In the reconstructed group only the anterior drawer presented a significant difference ( p < 0.05) between the injured and noninjured limbs. Using Hughston's and Lysholm's criteria, reconstruction was shown to have improved the knees' functions and scores postoperatively ( p < 0.01). The authors concluded that although the overall clinical results along with dynamic function, stability and strength of the extensor of the knee joints with PCL deficiency, were significantly improved after reconstruction using the medial head of the gastrocnemius together with the adductor tendon, yet, the normal perfect knee functions were still not achieved. A more sophisticated reconstructive procedure needs further investigation.
The Effect of Cyclosporine a On Xenogeneic Moose (Alces Alces) Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Induced Immune Inhibition of Heterotopic Osteoinduction in the Rat Guided Muscle Island Flap Bioassay Model
Authors: Vilijanen Veikko V. , Gao Tie-Jun , Laitinen Minna , Sam Lindholm T. 
Published: June 2003

Experimental heterotopic osteoinduction can be induced to take place in a pre-determined intramuscular space using a standard-sized membrane cylinder around a vascular muscle island flap, and implanting an osteoinductive agent such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) inside the flap. This kind of newly introduced guided muscle assay method, analyzed by radiomorphometry and histology, was used to study quantitative differences in the osteoinductive activities of xenogenic moose BMP (mBMP) and allogeneic DBM in the Wistar rat, as well as the effect of cyclosporine A (CyA). Calcified tissue in the flaps was quantified by computerized radiomorphometry at 21 days from implantation in five experimental groups: 1) partially purified mBMP; 2)mBMP with CyA treatment; 3) mBMP Plus active allogeneic DBM with CyA; 4) active allogeneic DBM alone; and 5) inactive DBM (control). The results were presented as radiopacity percentages of normal rat femoral bone values (=100). New bone formation was confirmed by microscopy of hematoxylin-eosin and azure II-stained samples. The mean radiopacity, compared to mean rat femoral bone values (=100%), in the mBMP group was 20%. This did not significantly exceed the result in the control flaps with inactive DBM. When CyA was administered perorally to mBMP-implanted animals, the radiopacity increased from 20% to 35% ( p =0.026). When active allogeneic DBM was added to this combination, the increase was up to 53% ( p =0.002). Implantation of active allogeneic DBM alone gave 60%. In microscopy, cartilage was the main sign of tissue transformation in the mBMP-implanted groups without DBM, and new bone with marrow in the active allogeneic DBM-implanted groups. In the control flaps with inactive DBM, no bone or cartilage developed. The quantity of new bone formation with mBMP could be significantly improved with CyA, but not to the superior level induced by active allogeneic DBM. The findings were explained by the marked immunogenicity of xenogeneic partially purified BMP. The advantage of the new model, compared to the conventional intramuscular assays, is a reduction of variability in soft tissue intensities of the measured objects. The standard volume reserved for osteoinduction to take place will make the model also eminently suitable for histomorphometry.
Comparative Study of Graf Stabilization and Posterior Fusion in the Treatment of Chronic Symptomatic Mechanically Unstable Low Back Syndrome
Authors: Skinner I. , Mather-Brown N. , Hardcastle P. 
Published: June 2003

Spinal stabilization of unstable intervertebral segments is a well recognized technique in the management of patients with chronic pain with or without neural compression in an attempt to relieve the patient's symptoms. The introduction of internal fixation techniques using a variety of different materials began at the early part of this century and there has been a significant expansion of such techniques over the past 20 years. There is significant controversy between treating spinal surgeons as to whether such stabilization techniques should involve semi-rigid or totally rigid systems. Henry Graf in 1988 introduced a new concept in spinal stabilization utilizing dacron bands between pedicle implants as opposed to the previously available systems which used a solid plate or rod to interconnect the intervertebral fixation devices (pedicle screw, wires, sub laminar hooks). This paper will report the results of a independently reviewed prospective study comparing patients who have undergone the Graf procedure and either a rigid plate fixation or spinal fusion without fixation. The patients were equally matched for age, sex and psychological parameters (Zung and Somatic Indices). The results demonstrated a much better functional outcome in those patients who underwent the Graf procedure. This was using rigid criteria introduced by Greenough and Fraser (Low Back Outcome Score). There was no significant difference with respect to patients' satisfaction in the case of Graf and patients undergoing spinal fusion without internal fixation. Those patients who underwent rigid spinal fixation did not report as good patient satisfaction as the other two groups. The psychological indices both pre- and postoperative for the three groups were similar. The complications between all groups were also similar and not statistically significant. This study would suggest that the Graf Soft Stabilization Technique does offer patients a potentially better functional outcome than the more rigid systems, though further prospective studies are necessary given the number of variables.
The Skull Defect Model in Measuring Osteoinductivity
Authors: Lindholm T. Sam , Lindholm Tom C. 
Published: June 2003

Research on regeneration and experimental or clinical repair of cranial defects commenced already one hundred years ago. Principally spontaneous regeneration, intramembraneous bone healing, starts from the edges, proceeding to the center of the defect. A skull defect exceeding some critical limitations lacks the capacity for spontaneous healing. This kind of situation is named a "critical size" defect. The skull defect model is eminently suitable for testing osteoconduction and induction following local implantation of biomaterials and growth factors. There are numerous reports especially on osteoinductive proteins, native and recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), showing satisfactory complete healing of critical size skull defects in a relatively short period of time, while untreated defects have not had the capacity for complete regeneration. This article is a review of skull defect healing in different animal species showing optimized osteoinductive regenerative capacity especially with the use of BMPs. The results, indeed, also have clinical implications.
CPM on Meniscal Regeneration and Maturation after Meniscectomy in Rabbits
Authors: Kim Sung-Soo , Moon Myung-Sang 
Published: June 2003

This study in rabbit knees was carried out to clarify the effect of the application of CPM, after meniscectomy, on the regeneration rate of the meniscus and histology of the regenerated menisci. Twenty-seven mature rabbits were used: three rabbits as control (non-CPM) and 24 rabbits as experimental ones. Among them, four rabbits were used as the immediate CPM group and 20 rabbits as the delayed CPM group. In each animal, the medial meniscus was totally excised from the right knee, and the lateral meniscus was totally excised from the left knee. In three control animals, 16 weeks after meniscectomy, there was (hold) Grade II to III meniscal regeneration in two, and small meniscal mold was formed in one. In the immediate CPM group, meniscal regeneration failed and there was would disruption in all four knees. In the delayed CPM group, grades II to III regeneration was observed in 15 of the 20 medial meniscectomized knees, while in the lateral meniscectomized knees, the same size of meniscal regeneration was observed only in 3 of the 20 knees. The regenerated menisci in the delayed CPM group overall looked normal in appearance. Application of the delayed CPM induced the early fibrocartilaginous metaplasia of the regenerated fibrous menisci even at 6 to 12 weeks after meniscectomy. It is speculated that the application of delayed CPM promotes early focal fibrocartilagenous metaplasia of the fibrous meniscus following meniscectomy.
Effect of Bone Marrow Blood Injection into Delayed Fracture Union and Nonunion Gaps on Callus Formation
Authors: Moon Myung-Sang , Moon Young-Wan , Sun Doo-Hoon , Moon Hanlim , Moon Jeong-Lim , Kim Sung-Sim , Yoo Whan-Kun 
Published: June 2003

This study was carried out to assess the effect of bone marrow transplant into the 47 ununited fracture sites of the long bones of the extremities in 46 patients on bone healing. Among 46 cases, there were 43 pure fractures; a case of simultaneous ipsilateral femoral and tibial osteotomies for leg lengthening; a case of ununited repositioned cryo-treated proximal half of tibia as a limb salvage; and a case of internal transport of proximal tibia. Among the 43 pure fractures, there were 11 hypertrophic, 30 oligotrophic, and 2 gap nonunions. Bone marrow transplant was performed for any type of the delayed union and nonunion, and was also indicated in the distraction callotasis site of poor osteogenesis. Overall union rate in 43 fractures was 55.8% (24 cases). In two gap nonunions, no callus was formed. Union was obtained in all the 11 hypertrophic nonunions and 13 (46.4%) of the 30 oligotrophic nonunions. The oligotrophic and gap nonunions responded poorly to the marrow transplant. One of the two tibial osteotomy gaps healed with good evidence of endosteal callus formation. In a femoral osteotomy site for lengthening and in an ununited repositioned site of the cryo-treated tibia, there were no visible callus at all. The average time for clinical and radiological unions in the fracture cases were 5 and 7 months on average. In our series, there were no complications, including infection. The results in this series suggest that bone marrow transplant is a good source of callus formation or stimulant in treating the delayed union and hyper- and oligotrophic nonunions of any origin, and also enhances the callus formation at the gap of the early stage of the internal transport.
Harvest Site and Loading Direction as Determinants of the Flexural Rigidity of Human Fibular Bone Grafts
Authors: Heiner Anneliese D. , Zhang Yongde , Pedersen Douglas R. , Brown Thomas D. 
Published: June 2003

Segments of fibula commonly used as cortical bone grafts need to support functional loading at their host site. Since many such constructs require the fibula to carry appreciable bending loads, we undertook a series of flexural tests to determine how flexural rigidity of the fibula varies with longitudinal (or harvest) site and loading direction. Ten fresh-frozen human fibulas were tested in a 4-point bending fixture. The fibulas were tested at three longitudinal sites (centered at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 lengths) and in each of four anatomic directions (anterior, posterior, medial and lateral). There were consistent longitudinal and directional variations in flexural rigidity. The central site was about twice as stiff as the proximal and distal sites, for both the A-P and M-L directions (p < 0.05), indicating that the center of the fibula is the optimal site for harvesting grafts that will be subjected to severe bending. The A-P direction was stiffer in bending than the M-L direction, by 43%, 52%, and 86% for the proximal, central, and distal sites (p < 0.05 for the central and distal sites only), indicating that the choice of circumferential orientation of a fibular graft at the host site could have an appreciable influence on construct rigidity.
Relation between Disc Degeneration on MRI and Spinal Instability on Flexion-Extension Radiography
Authors: Chang Ho-Guen , Jeong Soo-Won , Lee Eung-Joo , Chang Jun-Dong , Lee Chang-Ju , Kim Hyeung-Su 
Published: June 2003

Purpose The initial mechanism causing segmental instability is unclear: It is not known whether disc degeneration is a primary cause or a secondary result of instability. This study analyzed the relationship between the disc degeneration on MRI and positive spinal instability on dynamic flexion-extension radiographs obtained from low back pain patients. Methods MRI and flexion-extension dynamic roentgenography was obtained in 83 patients with low back pain and were studied to determine the relationship between the instability and disc degeneration. Results Of the 15 cases of young low back pain patients in the 3rd decade were positive instability on dynamic flexion-extension roentgenography; disc degeneration shown on MRI in 7 patients (44%); and normal disc in 8 (56%). Of the 61 cases of young low back pain patients over 4th decade were positive instability on dynamic flexion-extension roentgenography; disc degeneration shown on MRI in 58 patients (95%); and normal disc in 3 (5%). The relation between disc degeneration and instability was statistically inconsistent in the 3rd decade (p > 0.05), but consistent over 4th decade (p < 0.05). Conclusion These results indicate that, at a young age, lumbar instability showing disc degeneration on MRI is inconsistent and no relation between the disc degeneration on MRI and spinal instability on dynamic flexion-extension roentgenography is present. This shows that in disc degeneration, if the disc degeneration does not show on the MRI of a young low back pain patient with poitive instability with dynamic flexion-extension radiography, allowance must made for the fact that this will take some time.