bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous determination of product attributes and prices, and production processes in product‐line design
Authors: Raman Narayan , Chhajed Dilip 
Published: May 2003

AbstractGlobal competition, rapid changes in technology, and market fragmentation have resulted in shorter product life cycles. In order to remain viable, it is increasingly important for firms to introduce new products frequently. Product design is a complex process that involves coordination of activities among several functional disciplines within the company as well as the customers and the suppliers. Traditionally, the information flow among the various product development stages has been sequential. However, there is increasing evidence to suggest that an integrated approach that considers several stages simultaneously may be superior.This paper provides a decision support tool for implementing such an integrated approach. On the basis of given customer preferences, the paper presents a model for determining the number of new products to be introduced, the exact specifications of these products, and the production processes for efficiently delivering these specifications. These decisions are made in an integrated manner by simultaneously considering the interaction among the various choice variables. A decomposition‐based solution procedure is developed that iterates between the product design and process selection decisions while maintaining an effective link between them.In addition to understanding the economic value of adopting the integrated approach to product design, the paper discusses how the proposed model can be used effectively to perform sensitivity analysis with respect to some of the important decision variables.
Early pleistocene lake deposits and Lower Paleolithic finds in Nahal (wadi) Zihor, Southern Negev desert, Israel
Authors: Ginat Hanan , Zilberman Ezra , Saragusti Idit 
Published: May 2003

AbstractAn Early Pleistocene fluvio-lacustrine sequence from the extremely arid southern Negev desert, Israel, indicates that climatic conditions during that period were humid enough to support the formation of a lake (Lake Zihor) there. The lacustrine sediments were deposited in a tectonic valley that developed along the Zihor tectonic line after the deposition of the Pliocene Arava Formation. They intercalate with fluvial sediments that contain several horizons of reddish calcic paleosols. The lacustrine sequence comprises three sedimentary cycles. Each starts with a dark clay layer overlain by a white limestone unit, both of which contain abundant freshwater fauna, and terminates with a green detrital limestone that contains only one type of brackish-water ostracod. The top of each green limestone unit is characterized by pedogenic features and microrelief, indicating desiccation of the lake and soil development. Isotope data support the hypothesis that the white limestone was deposited in an open, freshwater lake. The incision of the present channel of Nahal (wadi) Zihor in the lacustrine sediments is manifested by a series of rock-cut and fluvial terraces (Q1–Q4) capped by gypsic-salic soils, which reflect the onset of the present, extremely arid climate. Over 100 find-spots and larger occurrences of prehistoric artifacts assigned to the Lower Paleolithic were discovered near Lake Zihor. On the basis of techno-typological and stratigraphic considerations, these assemblages are divided into two groups, the first of which may be contemporaneous with the lake, while the second is found mainly on the younger Q1 and Q2 terraces. It is estimated that the lake existed for more than 100,000 years. The climate during this period was probably semiarid, but water budget calculations suggest that, in addition to surface runoff, seepage of groundwater along the Zihor Line contributed a considerable amount of water to the lake.
Chlorine-36 and14C chronology support a limited last glacial maximum across central Chukotka, northeastern Siberia, and no Beringian ice sheet
Authors: Brigham-Grette Julie , Gualtieri Lyn M. , Glushkova Olga Yu , Hamilton Thomas D. , Mostoller David , Kotov Anatoly 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe Pekulney Mountains and adjacent Tanyurer River valley are key regions for examining the nature of glaciation across much of northeast Russia. Twelve new cosmogenic isotope ages and 14 new radiocarbon ages in concert with morphometric analyses and terrace stratigraphy constrain the timing of glaciation in this region of central Chukotka. The Sartan Glaciation (Last Glacial Maximum) was limited in extent in the Pekulney Mountains and dates to ∼20,000 yr ago. Cosmogenic isotope ages > 30,000 yr as well as non-finite radiocarbon ages imply an estimated age no younger than the Zyryan Glaciation (early Wisconsinan) for large sets of moraines found in the central Tanyurer Valley. Slope angles on these loess-mantled ridges are less than a few degrees and crest widths are an order of magnitude greater than those found on the younger Sartan moraines. The most extensive moraines in the lower Tanyurer Valley are most subdued implying an even older, probable middle Pleistocene age. This research provides direct field evidence against Grosswald’s Beringian ice-sheet hypothesis.
Managing the buyer‐supplier interface for on‐time performance in product development
Authors: Hartley Janet L. , Zirger B.J. , Kamath Rajan R. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractReducing the time required to develop new products has become an important factor of competition in many industries. This paper empirically tests whether management of the buyer‐supplier interface affects supplier‐related delays and, in turn, if these delays slow the overall project. Product development engineers and engineering managers in 79 assembly industry firms were surveyed to gather the data for this study. Results of analysis of covariance show that working with a supplier that has strong technical capabilities reduces supplier‐related delays. However, the benefits of commonly cited interface management techniques such as early supplier involvement, increasing the supplier's responsibility for design, and greater buyer‐supplier communication were not confirmed. A significant relationship was found between supplier‐related delays and overall project delays. The priority that the buyer's top management places on the project and the degree of technical change were also significantly related to overall project delays.
The relationship between service customers' quality assurance behaviors, satisfaction, and effort: A cost of quality perspective
Authors: Youngdahl William E. , Kellogg Deborah L. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe overarching purpose of this article is to deepen understanding of customers' roles in service quality assurance. Customers engage in quality assurance behaviors in attempts to increase their satisfaction and to recover from service failures. The non‐monetary costs incurred by customers who engage in these behaviors represent largely overlooked costs of quality that can and should be factored into service design and management. Four customer costs of service quality are identified using a critical incident methodology to classify service customers' quality assurance behaviors. Then, relationships between customers' quality assurance behaviors and reported levels of effort and satisfaction are tested to better understand the implications of the typology. Finally, we provide some initial suggestions for integrating the quality assurance behaviors of customers with the service management activities of service providers.
Purification and quantification of opioid peptides in bone and joint tissues—a methodological study in the rat
Authors: Bergström J. , Ahmed M. , Kreicbergs A. , Nylander I. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe occurrence of methionine‐enkephalin‐Arg6‐Phe7 (MEAP) and dynorphin B (DYNB) representing two main precursors of opioids was analyzed in specimens from rat cortical bone, periosteum, bone marrow and joint tissue by radioimmunoassay (RIA). MEAP and DYNB were extracted in a solution of 4% EDTA in 2 M acetic acid previously proven suitable for extraction of sensory and autonomic neuropeptides in bone and joints. In crude extracts of cortical bone, the immunoreactive (ir) levels of both opioids were under the detection limit of RIA. As for DYNB this also applied to crude extracts of joints and periosteum. Therefore, two purification methods were tested and compared, i.e. reverse phase C 18 and ion exchange chromatography. RIA of the elution fraction disclosed a significant difference between the two methods in terms of recovery, i.e. < 5% and 50%, respectively. Thus, purification by ion exchange chromatography prior to RIA appeared to be the most suitable by providing measurable levels of both MEAP and DYNB in all tissues analyzed (highest in bone marrow, lowest in cortical bone). The described method offers a means of quantifying opioid peptides in bone and joints, which may be utilized in the analysis of regulatory mechanisms of nociception, growth and immune responses in different conditions.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Simultaneous feedforward recruitment of the vasti in untrained postural tasks can be restored by physical therapy
Authors: Cowan Sallie M. , Bennell Kim L. , Hodges Paul W. , Crossley Kay M. , McConnell Jenny 
Published: May 2003

AbstractBackground and purpose: Physical therapy rehabilitation strategies are commonly directed at the alteration of muscle recruitment in functional movements. The aim of this study was to investigate whether feedforward strategies of the vasti in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome can be changed by a physical therapy treatment program in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.Subjects: Forty (25 female, 15 male) subjects aged 40 yrs or less (27.2 ± 7.8 yrs).Methods: Subjects were allocated to either a placebo treatment or a physical therapy intervention program. The postural challenge used as the outcome measure was not included in the training program. Electromyography (EMG) onsets of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), tibialis anterior and soleus were assessed before and after the six week standardised treatment programs.Results: At baseline the EMG onset of VL occurred prior to that of VMO in both subject groups. Following physical therapy intervention there was a significant change in the time of onset of EMG of VMO compared to VL with the onsets occurring simultaneously. This change was associated with a reduction in symptoms. In contrast, following placebo intervention the EMG onset of VL still occurred prior to that of VMO.Conclusion and discussion: The results indicate that the feedforward strategy used by the central nervous system to control the patella can be restored. Importantly, the data suggest that this intervention produced a change that was transferred to a task that was not specifically included in the training program. Furthermore, the change in motor control was associated with clinical improvement in symptoms.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Physiological axial compressive preloads increase motion segment stiffness, linearity and hysteresis in all six degrees of freedom for small displacements about the neutral posture
Authors: Gardner‐Morse Mack G. , Stokes Ian A. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe stiffness of motion segments, together with muscle actions, stabilizes the spinal column. The objective of this study was to compare the experimentally measured load–displacement behavior of porcine lumbar motion segments in vitro with physiological axial compressive preloads of 0, 200 and 400 N equilibrated in a physiological fluid environment, for small displacements about the neutral posture. These preloads are hypothesized to increase stiffness, hysteresis and linearity of the load–displacement behavior.At each preload, displacements in each of six degrees of freedom (±0.3 mm AP and lateral translations, ±0.2 mm axial translation, ±1° lateral bending and ±0.8° flexion/extension and torsional rotations) were imposed. The resulting forces and moments were recorded. Tests were repeated after removal of posterior elements. Using least squares, the forces at the vertebral body center were related to the displacements by a symmetric 6 × 6 stiffness matrix. Six diagonal and two off‐diagonal load–displacement relationships were examined for differences in stiffness, linearity and hysteresis in each testing condition.Mean values of the diagonal terms of the stiffness matrix for intact porcine motion segments increased significantly by an average factor of 2.2 and 2.9 with 200 and 400 N axial compression respectively (p < 0.001). Increases for isolated disc specimens averaged 4.6 and 6.9 times with 200 and 400 N preload (p < 0.001). Changes in hysteresis correlated with the changes in stiffness. The load–displacement relationships were progressively more linear with increasing preload (R2 = 0.82, 0.97 and 0.98 at 0, 200 and 400 N axial compression respectively). Motion segment and disc load–displacement behaviors were stiffer, more linear and had greater hysteresis with axial compressive preloads.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Stress distribution patterns at the coracoacromial arch in rotator cuff tear measured by computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry
Authors: Oizumi Naomi , Suenaga Naoki , Minami Akio , Iwasaki Norimasa , Miyazawa Takeshi 
Published: May 2003

AbstractWhen a rotator cuff tear occurs, forces compressing the humeral head toward the glenoid are disturbed, and the kinematics of the glenohumeral joint change. Therefore, stress distributions at the coracoacromial arch in cuff tear shoulders should differ from those in normal shoulders. To investigate this hypothesis, we studied stress distribution patterns at the coracoacromial arch in normal and cuff tear shoulders using a computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry method, in which bone density correlates directly with long‐term physiologic loading. Eight normal subjects and 11 patients with cuff tear were examined. The stress distributions at the undersurface of the acromion and the posterolateral surface of the coracoid process differed markedly between normal and cuff tear shoulders. In cuff tear shoulders, a high‐density area was located at the anterior or the anterolateral part of the undersurface of the acromion, while it was located at the posterior part in all but one normal shoulder. Additionally, a high‐density area was located at the superior or the lateral part of the coracoid process in most of the cuff tear shoulders; on the other hand, it was located at the base in all but one normal shoulder. We believe that the differences in stress distribution patterns are due to impingement at the coracoacromial arch in cuff tear shoulders. CT osteoabsorptiometry can provide useful information in performing coracoacromial arch decompression for cuff tear shoulders.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Physiologic weight‐bearing increases new vessel formation during distraction osteogenesis: A micro‐tomographic imaging study
Authors: Moore Douglas C. , Leblanc Christopher W. , Müller Ralph , Crisco Joseph J. , Ehrlich Michael G. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractDuring distraction osteogenesis, large volumes of new bone are formed through the slow distraction of fracture callus. The newly formed bone is closely linked to angiogenesis and positively influenced by physiologic loading. In this study, a rat model was used to explore the correlation between these two observations. Unilateral femoral lengthenings were performed in 18 male Sprague‐Dawley rats (400–500 g, age<6 months). Half of the animals were allowed to bear weight freely (WB) while the remaining animals were made non‐weight‐bearing via a through‐knee amputation (NWB). After a seven‐day latency period, femurs were lengthened 7 mm over 21 days. Animals were sacrificed at 7, 21, 35, and 49 days (0, 4.7, 7, and 7 mm of distraction) at which time lower extremity vessels were perfused with a 60% (w/v) barium sulfate suspension. High‐resolution three‐dimensional images of the vascular architecture were generated using a fan‐beam micro‐tomography machine by digitally separating the contrast‐filled vessels from surrounding tissue. For two subvolumes, VOI1, which included vessels in the medullary canal, cortex, and periosteum, and VOI2, which included only vessels in the canal and cortex, the total tissue volume (TV), the volume of vessels (VV), and vessel diameter (VD) were determined. For the larger subvolume (VOI1), VV and vessel density (VV/TV) increased as a function of time (p < 0.001) in WB animals. In NWB animals, VV increased significantly with time (p = 0.029), while VV/TV did not (p = 0.36). Increases in VV and VV/TV were significantly greater in WB animals than in NWB animals (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). VD was similar in both groups and did not change with time. Our data suggest that weight bearing stimulates new vessel formation during distraction osteogenesis.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The research evidence base for homeopathy: a fresh assessment of the literature
Authors: Mathie RT 
Published: May 2003

AbstractBackground.  The claims made for the clinical effects of homeopathy are controversial. The results of several meta-analyses of clinical trials are positive, but they fail in general to highlight specific medical conditions that respond well to homeopathy.Aims.  This review examines the cumulative research from randomised and/or double-blind clinical trials (RCTs) in homeopathy for individual medical conditions reported since 1975, and asks the question: What is the weight of the original evidence from published RCTs that homeopathy has an effect that is statistically significantly different from that in a comparative group?Method.  Analysis of the 93 substantive RCTs that compare homeopathy either with placebo or another treatment.Results.  50 papers report a significant benefit of homeopathy in at least one clinical outcome measure, 41 that fail to discern any inter-group differences, and two that describe an inferior response with homeopathy. Considering the relative number of research articles on the 35 different medical conditions in which such research has been carried out, the weight of evidence currently favours a positive treatment effect in eight: childhood diarrhoea, fibrositis, hayfever, influenza, pain (miscellaneous), side-effects of radio- or chemotherapy, sprains and upper respiratory tract infection. Based on published research to date, it seems unlikely that homeopathy is efficacious for headache, stroke or warts. Insufficient research prevents conclusions from being drawn about any other medical conditions.Conclusions.  The available research evidence emphasises the need for much more and better-directed research in homeopathy. A fresh agenda of enquiry should consider beyond (but include) the placebo-controlled trial. Each study should adopt research methods and outcome measurements linked to a question addressing the clinical significance of homeopathy's effects.
Evaluation of the Clinical Global Impression Scale among individuals with social anxiety disorder
Authors: ZAIDER T. I. , HEIMBERG R. G. , FRESCO D. M. , SCHNEIER F. R. , LIEBOWITZ M. R. 
Published: May 2003

Background. The clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) is commonly used as a primary outcome measure in studies evaluating the efficacy of treatments for anxiety disorders. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties and predictors of clinicians' ratings on an adapted version of the CGI among individuals with social anxiety disorders.Method. An independent assessor administered the CGI Severity of Illness and Improvement ratings to 123 patients at baseline and the subset of treated patients again mid- and post-treatment.Results. Improvement ratings were strongly related to both concurrent Severity of Illness and changes in Severity of Illness ratings from baseline. Additionally, both CGI ratings were positively correlated with both self-report and clinician-administered measures of social anxiety, depression, impairment and quality of life. Measures of social anxiety symptoms accounted for a large portion of the variance in Severity of Illness ratings, with significant additional variance accounted for by measures of impairment and depression. Changes in social anxiety symptoms from baseline accounted for significant variance in Improvement ratings, but no significant additional variance was accounted for by changes in impairment and depressive symptoms.Conclusions. Our findings support the utility of the CGI as an index of global severity and symptom-specific improvement among individuals with social anxiety disorder.
Endothelin as a causative factor of blunted volume reflex in diabetic rats
Authors: Wongmekiat Orawan , Johns Edward J 
Published: April 2003

The study investigated whether endothelin (ET) contributed to the diabetes‐associated alterations in volume reflex and characterised the receptor subtype that might be involved. The influence of renal sympathetic nerves on these aspects of ET was also examined.
Groups of nondiabetic and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats were subjected to an acute isotonic saline volume expansion (VE), 10% body wt in the presence and absence of ET antagonists.
Cumulative urine sodium excretion (CuUNaV) after VE in diabetic rats reached values of 116±10 in the denervated and 74±6 μmol min−1 g kidney wt−1 in the innervated kidneys, which were both less (both P<0.001) than those achieved in the nondiabetic rats, at 267±9 in the denervated and 183±10 μmol min−1 g kidney wt−1 in the innervated kidney, respectively.
Diabetic rats pretreated with a nonselective ETA/ETB antagonist had an enhanced CuUNaV in the denervated kidneys by 37% (P<0.01) compared to that of untreated diabetic rats. At both doses of SB209670 these increments were less than the values obtained previously in nondiabetic rats (both P<0.01). The ETA/ETB antagonist had no meaningful effect on CuUNaV in the innervated kidneys of the diabetic rats, whereas previous studies in nondiabetic rats showed the response to be depressed. The CuUNaV responses to VE in diabetic rats given the selective ETA antagonist were not different from those observed in untreated diabetic rats, irrespective of whether or not the renal nerves were present. In nondiabetic rats, the ETA antagonist had an action similar to the mixed antagonist.
These findings demonstrate that activation of ETB receptors contributes to the depressed ability to excrete a saline load in diabetes mellitus, but its impact is obscured by the influence of the renal nerves.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1403–1410. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705133