bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maximal Efficiencies in New Single GaAs1−xTex-Alloy Junction Solar Cells at 300 K
Authors: Van-Cong Huynh 
Published: January 2024

In single n+(p+) − p(n) [XX(xx) ≡ GaAs1−xTex]-alloy junction solar cells at 300 K, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, by basing on the same physical model and the same treatment method, as those used in our recent work (Van Cong, 2023), we will investigate the highest (or maximal) efficiencies, ηImax.(IImax.), obtained at the open circuit voltage Voc(=VocI(ocII)), according to highest hot reservoir temperatures TH(K), obtained from the Carnot efficiency theorem, being proved by entropy law. Here, one first remarks that, with increasing x=(0, 0.5,1), (i)- from Table 3, for the single n+ − p X(x)-alloy junction solar cell and for given rSn(Cd)-radius, for example, ηImax. (↗)= 31.14%, 31.55%, 32.11%, according to TH(K) = 435.7, 438.3, 4444 . 99, at VocI(V) = 1.07, 1.07, 11. 00 , respectively, while, (ii)- from Table 5, for the single p+ − n X(x)-alloy junction solar cell and for givenrCd(Sn)-radius, for example, ηIImax. (↘)= 33.04%, 32.65%, 32.51%, according to TH(K) = 444444. 00, 445.4, 444.5, at VocII(V)[> VocI(V)] = 1.20, 1.19, 1.18, respectively, suggesting that suchηImax.(IImax.)-and-TH variations depend on the VocII(V)[> VocI(V)] − values. Then, as given in Table3, for x = 0 and for rd(a) = rTe(Mg), one gets: ηI =23.48 % and 29.71 % at Voc = 0.98 V and 1.1272
V, respectively, which can also be compared with the corresponding results, obtained for the single-junction GaAs thin-film solar cell, 22.08 % and 29.71 %, with relative deviations in absolute values, 6.34
% and 2.1 %, and given respectively by Moon et al. (2016) and Green et al. (2022). As a result, in orderto obtain the highest efficiencies, the single GaAs1−xTex-alloy junction solar cells could be chosen ratherthan the single crystalline GaAs-junction solar cell.
Patients Perceived Autonomy Support Affecting Treatment Motivation, Depression, Anxiety and Stress in CHD and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Idrees Saba , Hafeez Shazia , Azam Muhammad , Bhatti Sarfraz Hader 
Published: January 2024

The study was aimed to investigate the impact of perceived autonomy support on treatment motivation, depression, anxiety and stress among patients of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Study was completed through correlational research design and 310 patients were selected as sample of study by applying convenient sampling technique. Three questionnaires were utilized as research instruments to measure variables; Health Care Climate Questionnaire (Ryan, 1995), Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (Ryan, 1995), and DASS (Lovibond, 1995). Findings revealed that treatment motivation was positively correlated with perceived autonomy support. Results suggest that there was negative correlation among depression, anxiety, stress and perceived autonomy support. Perceived autonomy support is significant positive predictor of treatment motivation. In addition no difference was investigated between gender on PAS and TM. Level of depression anxiety and stress was reported higher among female as compared to male patients of CHD and DM. It was suggested that treatment motivation must be explored as mediator between PAS and DAS among patients in future.
Building a customer satisfaction system: Effective listening when the customer speaks
Authors: Stein Martin M. , Bowen Maurice 
Published: May 2003

AbstractIn the automobile and related industries, customer satisfaction has become a point of competitive
differentiation, thanks to J.D. Powers & Associates and other highly publicized surveyors. It can, however,
be more than a marketing tool. Customer needs can become the appropriate focus for organizational change
efforts. The more an organization understands its customers and aligns business processes with meeting
customers' needs, the more customers it can get. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recruitment of immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (plasmacytoid monocytes) and myeloid dendritic cells in primary cutaneous melanomas
Authors: Vermi William , Bonecchi Raffaella , Facchetti Fabio , Bianchi Denise , Sozzani Silvano , Festa Silvana , Berenzi Angiola , Cella Marina , Colonna Marco 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe present study has analysed the distribution and phenotype of dendritic cells (DCs) in primary cutaneous melanomas and sentinel lymph nodes by immunohistochemistry. In primary melanomas, an increase of DCs was found in the epidermis and the peritumoural area. Intraepidermal DCs were mostly CD1a+/Langerin+ Langerhans cells. Peritumoural DCs included a large population of DC‐SIGN+/mannose‐receptor+/CD1a− DCs, a small subset of CD1a+ DCs, and, remarkably, plasmacytoid monocytes/plasmacytoid DCs (PM/PDCs). The PM/PDCs, most likely recruited by SDF‐1 secreted by melanoma cells, produced type I interferon (IFN‐I), but the expression of the IFN‐α inducible protein MxA was extremely variable and very limited in the majority of cases. All DC subsets were predominantly immature. The peritumoural area also contained a minor subset of mature CD1a+ DCs. However, the small amount of local interleukin (IL)‐12 p40 mRNA and the naïve phenotype of 20–50% of peritumoural T‐lymphocytes are consistent with poor T‐cell stimulation or erroneous recruitment. In sentinel lymph nodes, notable expansion of mature CD1a+/Langerin+ DCs was observed. The paucity of intratumoural DCs and the predominant immature phenotype of peritumoural dermal DCs indicate defective maturation of primary cutaneous melanoma‐associated DCs, resulting in lack of T‐cell priming. These results may explain why melanoma cells grow despite the presence of infiltrating immune cells. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical Influence on Th1/Th2 Balance and Monocyte Surface Antigen Expression and Its Relation to Infectious Complications
Authors: Tatsumi Hiroomi , Ura Hideki , Ikeda Shinichiro , Yamaguchi Koji , Katsuramaki Tadashi , Asai Yasufumi , Hirata Koichi 
Published: May 2003

AbstractMalignancy and operation for it cause several alterations in immune function that are considered to be concerned with the development of infectious complications. Forty‐three patients who underwent curative surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies were entered into this study and were divided into two groups, those with and those without postoperative infection. Changes in the proportion of Th1/Th2 subsets in CD4+ T cells and the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR and CD16a molecules on monocytes were measured by flow cytometry before and after surgery. We performed intracellular cytokine stainings to exactly detect Th1/Th2 subsets. The proportions of interferon‐γ‐producing CD4+ T (Th1) cells in the preoperative state were almost equal in the two groups, and the proportion decreased on postoperative day (POD) 1 in both groups. On POD 7, the proportion of Th1 cells recovered to the preoperative level in the noninfection group, while the suppression was further reinforced in the infection group (26.8% versus 18.3%, p < 0.005). In contrast, the proportion of interleukin‐4‐producing CD4+ T (Th2) cells in the infection group (11.3%) was already suppressed in the preoperative state when compared with the noninfection group (17.3%, p < 0.005). Changes in HLA‐DR and CD16a expression on monocytes were similar to the changes in the proportion of Th1 cells. These results indicate that the suppression of Th1 cell and monocyte functions during the early phase of the postoperative course was directly related to the occurrence of infectious complications and that several immunological impairments have already occurred in the preoperative state in cancer patients.
Using production and transfer batches in flowshops under MRP control
Authors: Veral Emre 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of using material flow control and order release throttling mechanisms on shop floor effectiveness in MRP based order release environments. The research methodology involves simulation experiments conducted using a flow shop model of a manufacturing and assembly setting. Specifically addressed issue is the decoupling of shop floor control decisions from MRP release schedules. This decoupling effect is implemented through the use of smaller production batch sizes, staggering the release of the production quantities to initial work stations, and using transfer batches.In a 14 parts/9 processes simulation environment, the effects of shop floor control decisions are evaluated based on average hours of work in process inventory and average number of tardy units for the simulated planning horizon. Experimental results suggest that increasing material flow frequency through smaller process and transfer batch sizes have significant consequences on inventory and service levels. By separating work in process inventories into two components, it is shown that reducing batch sizes may not affect inventory levels of asynchronized assembly units (i.e. component delay). The results also indicate the presence of a possible threshold effect for throttling and staggering work order releases where service levels are compromised and marginal gain on inventory reduction diminishes.
Forecasting system parent group formation: An empirical application of cluster analysis
Authors: Fliedner Eugene B. , Lawrence Barry 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe focus of this empirical investigation is twofold. First, an examination of formal hierarchical forecasting system structural parameters is reported. Four formal experimental factors used to define the hierarchical forecasting system are examined. These factors are evaluated in a controlled comparison by means of parametric statistical analysis. Second, a comparative analysis of formal hierarchical forecasting system performance with (1) an informal hierarchical strategy, and (2) a traditional forecasting approach is presented. The best performing combination of factor level settings identified in the examination of formal hierarchical forecast strategies is subsequently evaluated in the second part of this analysis by means of paired difference comparisons with (1) a randomized, informal approach, and (2) a common forecast strategy over the same time series data. Traditional measures of forecast accuracy are used as dependent performance criteria.
Comparing the effects of cellular and functional manufacturing on employees' perceptions and attitudes
Authors: Shafer Scott M. , Tepper Bennett J. , Meredith Jack R. , Marsh Robert 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not CM represents a source of job enrichment that ultimately translates into positive outcomes for the individual and the organization. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested: (1) job characteristics mediate the effects of CM on employees' attitudes, and (2) growth need strength moderates the effects of job characteristics on attitudes. To test the hypotheses, data were collected at two manufacturing facilities in the midwest that produce generic clothing. At plant 1, 85% of the production employees worked in cellular configurations, while 100% of the production at plant 2 was performed in cells. Sixty‐eight workers (29 workers from functional departments and 39 cellular workers) completed surveys at plant 1, while eighty‐five cellular workers completed surveys at plant 2.The results indicate that CM has both positive and negative effects on employees' attitudes. Consistent with the job characteristics model, job characteristics positively mediate the effects of CM on employees' attitudes. However, the findings indicate that CM has negative direct effects on employees' attitudes suggesting that unmeasured variables such as reliance on co‐workers mediate the negative effects of CM. There was no support for the prediction that growth need strength moderates the effects of CM on attitudes. Several complementary explanations for our findings are discussed.
Operating decisions, supplier availability and quality: An empirical study
Authors: Kekre Sunder , Murthi B.P.S. , Srinivasan Kannan 
Published: May 2003

AbstractIn the just‐in‐time (JIT) philosophy, purchasing strategies advocate the use of fewer sources of supply to enable a firm to improve the quality of its products. However, there is paucity of empirical evidence in support of the theory. We develop a model by integrating concepts from manufacturing, marketing, and business strategy to better understand the links between operating decisions of the firm, supplier availability, and product quality. We empirically test the hypotheses using cross‐sectional PIMS data. Our analysis shows that operating decisions and environmental factors such as wider product lines, lower levels of competition, and greater frequency of product changes increase the likelihood of a firms' reduction of supplier base, which in turn raises quality levels.
Plant objectives as revealed by shop floor activities
Authors: Miller Robert A. , Ramnath Prasad 
Published: May 2003

AbstractOne problem management scientists face in adapting heuristics to actual applications on the factory floor is eliciting preferences from plant managers about the importance of different jobs. Even when the goal of the firm is apparently as straightforward as profit maximization, reputation and goodwill can play such critical roles in affecting the revenue flow, that exclusively focusing on a few key variables (such as the price of individual items, their production times, and the raw material cost) may give a distorted picture about which jobs the firm values most highly. This paper offers a new way of eliciting preferences, utilizing high‐frequency data on plant operations that are routinely collected by many firms, in order to infer the direct and indirect cost of scheduling jobs, from actual job schedules that managers reveal by their choices. We then apply our method to a scheduling problem in a steel tube manufacturing plant. After estimating the preferences of the plant manager, we demonstrate how our estimates can be used to evaluate heuristics for hard scheduling problems, and to forecast the effects of structural change, such as expansion in plant capacity, or shifts in job order flow.
The business value of quality management systems certification. Evidence from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Terziovski Milé , Samson Danny , Dow Douglas 
Published: May 2003

AbstractISO 9000 certification is one of the most popular quality assurance systems in the world. Despite its overwhelming popularity, there is considerable confusion and frustration surrounding the role and business value of ISO 9000 certification. A review of the literature revealed a major gap in research in this area of quality/operations management. The purpose of this study is to test the strength of the relationship between ISO 9000 certification and organisational performance in the presence and absence of a total quality management (TQM) environment. Our analysis is primarily of a large random sample of manufacturing companies in Australia and New Zealand. The central finding is that ISO 9000 certification is not shown to have a significantly positive effect on organisational performance in the presence or absence of a TQM environment. This supports the view that on average ISO 9000 certification has little or no explanatory power of organisational performance.
Repair of patellar tendon injuries using a cell–collagen composite
Authors: Awad Hani A. , Boivin Gregory P. , Dressler Matthew R. , Smith Frost N. L. , Young Randell G. , Butler David L. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractCollagen gels were seeded with rabbit bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and contracted onto sutures at initial cell densities of 1, 4, and 8 million cells/ml. These MSC–collagen composites were then implanted into full thickness, full length, central defects created in the patellar tendons of the animals providing the cells. These autologous repairs were compared to natural repair of identical defects on the contralateral side. Biomechanical, histological, and morphometric analyses were performed on both repair tissue types at 6, 12, and 26 weeks after surgery. Repair tissues containing the MSC–collagen composites showed significantly higher maximum stresses and moduli than natural repair tissues at 12 and 26 weeks postsurgery. However, no significant differences were observed in any dimensional or mechanical properties of the repair tissues across seeding densities at each evaluation time. By 26 weeks, the repairs grafted with MSC–collagen composites were one‐fourth of the maximum stress of the normal central portion of the patellar tendon with bone ends. The modulus and maximum stress of the repair tissues grafted with MSC–collagen composites increased at significantly faster rates than did natural repairs over time. Unexpectedly, 28% of the MSC–collagen grafted tendons formed bone in the regenerating repair site. Except for increased repair tissue volume, no significant differences in cellular organization or histological appearance were observed between the natural repairs and MSC–collagen grafted repairs. Overall, these results show that surgically implanting tissue engineered MSC–collagen composites significantly improves the biomechanical properties of tendon repair tissues, although greater MSC concentrations produced no additional significant histological or biomechanical improvement.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The level of compressive load affects conclusions from statistical analyses to determine whether a lateral meniscal autograft restores tibial contact pressure to normal: A study in human cadaveric knees
Authors: Huang Arthur , Hull M. L. , Howell Stephen M. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis study addressed the question of whether the level of compressive load would affect the conclusions from statistical analyses aimed at determining how well a lateral meniscal autograft restores tibial contact (as indicated by the maximum contact pressure, mean pressure, and contact area) to that of the intact knee. If statistical analyses indicated that normal tibial contact was not restored with a higher, more physiologic load, then a secondary question was whether an autograft surgically implanted with bone plugs would improve tibial contact compared to that in a meniscectomized knee. Nine, fresh‐frozen human cadaveric knees were subjected to a low, non‐physiologic compressive load of 400 N and a higher, more physiologic compressive load of 1200 N under three conditions (lateral meniscus intact, lateral meniscus removed and reimplanted as an autograft, and lateral meniscus removed). Contact pressure on the lateral plateau was measured with pressure sensitive film at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion. At 400 N, p‐values from statistical analyses indicated that both the maximum and mean pressures with the autograft were comparable to those of the intact knee (p ≥ 0.685). However, at 1200 N, p‐values from statistical analyses indicated that both the maximum and mean pressures with the autograft were significantly greater than those of the intact knee (p ≤ 0.0001). Therefore studies designed to evaluate tibial contact pressure for a meniscal transplant should use a higher, more physiologic compressive load, because lower loads overestimate the transplant's effectiveness. Although none of the contact variables was restored to normal when the compressive load was increased to 1200 N, all of the contact variables were more normal than those of the meniscectomized knee. Thus, lateral meniscal allografts implanted using bone plugs can significantly improve contact pressure relative to a meniscectomized knee at the time of implantation.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of compressive follower preload on the flexion–extension response of the human lumbar spine
Authors: Patwardhan Avinash G. , Havey Robert M. , Carandang Gerard , Simonds James , Voronov Leonard I. , Ghanayem Alexander J. , Meade Kevin P. , Gavin Thomas M. , Paxinos Odysseas 
Published: May 2003

AbstractTraditional experimental methods are unable to study the kinematics of whole lumbar spine specimens under physiologic compressive preloads because the spine without active musculature buckles under just 120 N of vertical load. However, the lumbar spine can support a compressive load of physiologic magnitude (up to 1200 N) without collapsing if the load is applied along a follower load path. This study tested the hypothesis that the load–displacement response of the lumbar spine in flexion–extension is affected by the magnitude of the follower preload and the follower preload path. Twenty‐one fresh human cadaveric lumbar spines were tested in flexion–extension under increasing compressive follower preload applied along two distinctly different optimized preload paths. The first (neutral) preload path was considered optimum if the specimen underwent the least angular change in its lordosis when the full range of preload (0–1200 N) was applied in its neutral posture. The second (flexed) preload path was optimized for an intermediate specimen posture between neutral and full flexion. A twofold increase in flexion stiffness occurred around the neutral posture as the preload was increased from 0 to 1200 N. The preload magnitude (400 N and larger) significantly affected the range of motion (ROM), with a 25% decrease at 1200 N preload applied along the neutral path. When the preload was applied along a path optimized for an intermediate forward‐flexed posture, only a 15% decrease in ROM occurred at 1200 N. The results demonstrate that whole lumbar spine specimens can be subjected to compressive follower preloads of in vivo magnitudes while allowing physiologic mobility under flexion–extension moments. The optimized follower preload provides a method to simulate the resultant vector of the muscles that allow the spine to support physiologic compressive loads induced during flexion–extension activities.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cyclic hydrostatic pressure enhances the chondrogenic phenotype of human mesenchymal progenitor cells differentiated in vitro
Authors: Angele P. , Yoo J. U. , Smith C. , Mansour J. , Jepsen K. J. , Nerlich M. , Johnstone B. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractMuch attention has been given to the influences of bioactive factors on mesenchymal progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, but few studies have examined the effect of mechanical factors on these cells. This study examined the effects of cyclic hydrostatic pressure on human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal progenitor cells undergoing chondrogenic differentiation. Aggregates of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal progenitor cells were cultured in a defined chondrogenic medium and were subjected to cyclic hydrostatic pressure. Aggregates were loaded at various time points: single (day 1 or 3) or multiple (days 1–7). At 14 and 28 days, aggregates were harvested for histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative DNA and matrix macromolecule analysis. The aggregates loaded for a single day did not demonstrate significant changes in proteoglycan and collagen contents compared with the non‐loaded controls. In contrast, for the multi‐day loaded aggregates, statistically significant increases in proteoglycan and collagen contents were found on both day 14 and day 28. Aggregates loaded for seven days were larger and histological staining indicated a greater matrix/cell ratio. This study indicates that hydrostatic pressure enhances the cartilaginous matrix formation of mesenchymal progenitor cells differentiated in vitro, and suggests that mechanical forces may play an important role in cartilage repair and regeneration in vivo.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.