bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
To study the comparison and effect of Six Sigma and Red Bin Analysis in Indian manufacturing industries
Authors: Shandilya Sumit , Arora Jaskiran , Kalluri Vinayak 
Published: August 2022

PurposeContinued quest for business improvement in terms of enhanced productivity and cost cuts is the most valued strategic function in an organization. Towards this endeavor, there have been evolutions of many problem-solving techniques like Lean, quality control (QC) tools, Six Sigma, total productive maintenance (TPM), etc. This paper introduces a different problem-solving methodology for quality improvement – prepare, measure, define, establish, control and stabilize (PMDECS) approach of Red Bin Analysis (RBA) – and presents empirical evidence of its effectiveness in eliminating the defectives at source (parts per million [PPM]) and improving the process capability (Cp).Design/Methodology/ApproachAn attempt has been made to compare RBA with the Six Sigma methodology in terms of number of defects, defectives, process capabilities, project duration, etc. Data validation with more than 2000 data points was conducted based on empirical data collected over multiple problem-solving projects conducted in six manufacturing industries of India to compare the effectiveness of both the methods. Finally, fuzzy AHP (analytical hierarchy process) model was proposed to identify the Quality Improvement Index for both the methods to address the manager’s dilemma in selecting an appropriate problem-solving method.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights in establishing that the PMDECS approach of RBA is at par and sometimes better for problem-solving if the problem is not chronic and is at the initial stages, it requires less duration than Six Sigma projects and except casting process and it can yield better results in case of PPM rejection or Cp/Cpk improvement in other processes.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. This research has been specifically conducted in automotive manufacturing industries. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for the usage of alternative problem-solving methods, like PMDECS approach of RBA.Originality/valueThis paper intends to compare how the results of six sigma projects in manufacturing industries are effective against a different methodology, PMDECS approach of RBA.
Impact of lifetime lactation on the risk and duration of frequent vasomotor symptoms: A longitudinal dose–response analysis
Authors: Scime Natalie V. , Shea Alison K. , Faris Peter D. , Brennand Erin A. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between lifetime lactation and risk and duration of frequent vasomotor symptoms (VMS).DesignProspective cohort.SettingUSA, 1995–2008.Sample2356 parous midlife women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.MethodsLifetime lactation was defined as the duration of breastfeeding across all births in months. We used generalised estimating equations to analyse risk of frequent VMS and Cox regression to analyse duration of frequent VMS in years.Main outcome measuresFrequent VMS (hot flashes and night sweats) were measured annually for 10 years, defined as occurring ≥6 days in the past 2 weeks.ResultsOverall, 57.1% of women reported hot flashes and 43.0% reported night sweats during follow‐up. Lifetime lactation was inversely associated with hot flashes plateauing at 12 months of breastfeeding (6 months: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.96; 12 months: AOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65–0.93) and was inversely associated with night sweats in a downward linear fashion (6 months: AOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.81–1.08; 18 months: AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–1.02; 30 months: AOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.97). Lifetime lactation was associated with shorter duration of hot flashes and night sweats in a quadratic (bell‐shaped) fashion. The association was strongest at 12–18 months of breastfeeding and significant for hot flashes (6 months: adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.65; 18 months: AHR 1.54, 95% CI 1.16–2.03; 30 months: AHR 1.18, 95% CI 0.83–1.68).ConclusionsLonger lifetime lactation is associated with decreased risk and duration of frequent VMS.
Propensity‐score‐matched analysis of D2 and D3 right hemicolectomy for colon cancer
Authors: Tan Ming Ngan Aloysius , Liu Biquan , Lin Norman Sihan , Liu Hui Min , Loong Tse Han , How Kwang Yeong , Lim Gek Hsiang , Wong Kar Yong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundComplete mesocolic excision with D3 lymph node dissection in right‐sided colon cancer is associated with improved oncological outcomes, but can potentially be associated with higher rates of complications compared to conventional D2 right hemicolectomy. This study aims to evaluate the oncological and perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent D3 right hemicolectomy, comparing to conventional right hemicolectomy.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2020, 360 patients underwent right hemicolectomy for colonic malignancies. Data was retrospectively analysed from a prospectively collected database. A propensity‐score‐matched analysis was performed between the two groups to evaluate their outcomes.ResultsAbout 88(24.4%) patients underwent D3 right hemicolectomy, with the rest undergoing D2 right hemicolectomy. After propensity‐matched analysis, D3 right hemicolectomy had a higher lymph node yield (median of 26 versus 23, p = 0.005), lower overall recurrence rate (11.7% versus 25.7%, p = 0.03), and lower overall mortality rate (14.5% versus 30.1%, p = 0.02) There were no significant differences in the complication rates. There were no anastomotic leaks. D3 right hemicolectomy was associated with an improved 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) with a hazard ratio of 0.63 (P = 0.21), and also an improved 3‐year overall survival (OS) with a hazard ratio of 0.68 (P = 0.31).ConclusionD3 right hemicolectomy is associated with a higher lymph node yield, without increasing morbidity or mortality. It is also associated with significantly lower recurrence and overall mortality rates in this study. Short term 3‐year DFS and OS also trend towards favouring D3 right hemicolectomy. However, this study is limited by the small sample size and retrospective nature.
Outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in a non‐metropolitan Australian hospital: audit of 120 patients with long‐term follow‐up results
Authors: Wichmann Matthias W. , McCullough Timothy K. , Beukes Eben , Gunning Thomas , Maddern Guy J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery has been shown to produce comparable oncological long‐term results as well as improved short‐term outcomes compared to open surgery in multicentre trials. Limited information is available whether these results are reproduced in non‐metropolitan surgery.MethodsAudit of prospectively collected follow‐up data in a rural surgical centre in South Australia. Short‐ and long‐term results of colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for cure. Outcomes are compared with results of open surgery.ResultsSurvival and clinical data of 120 patients after laparoscopic resection were analysed and then benchmarked against results of 157 open resections. Conversion rate was 10.8% (N = 13). Mean patient age was 69.9 years. Mean number of lymph nodes analysed was 15.5. Mean follow‐up is 53.0 months. Thirty‐day mortality was 0.36% (n = 1) and 90‐day mortality was 0.72% (n = 2). No differences in complications rates, long term survival or procedures performed were observed. This is a single centre audit of clinical and oncological outcomes and a number of exclusion criteria were applied. Patient gender, cancer stages as well as number of patients undergoing neoadjuvant radio‐chemotherapy differ significantly between the study and the benchmarking group. Patients were not randomized and the benchmarking group is in part a historical control.ConclusionsThis audit of clinical outcomes and survival after laparoscopic CRC resection for cure indicates that minimal invasive surgery may be suitable for adequately staffed and equipped rural centres.
Risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury associated with female genital mutilation/cutting and timing of deinfibulation
Authors: Taraldsen Sølvi , Vangen Siri , Øian Pål , Sørbye Ingvil K. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroductionA greater risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury has been reported among African migrants in several host countries compared with the general population. To what degree female genital mutilation/cutting affects this risk is not clear. In infibulated women, deinfibulation prevents anal sphincter injury. Whether the timing of deinfibulation affects the risk, is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the risks of anal sphincter injury associated with female genital mutilation/cutting and timing of deinfibulation in Norway, and to compare the rates of anal sphincter injury in Somali‐born women and the general population.Material and methodsIn a historical cohort study, nulliparous Somali‐born women who had a vaginal birth in the period 1990–2014 were identified by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and data collected from medical records. Exposures were female genital mutilation/cutting status and deinfibulation before labor, during labor or no deinfibulation. The main outcome was obstetric anal sphincter injuries.ResultsRates of obstetric anal sphincter injury did not differ significantly by female genital mutilation/cutting status (type 1–2: 10.2%, type 3: 11.3%, none: 15.2% P = 0.17). The total rate of anal sphincter injury was 10.3% compared to 5.0% among nulliparous women in the general Norwegian population. Women who underwent deinfibulation during labor had a lower risk than women who underwent deinfibulation before labor (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.86, P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe high rate of anal sphincter injury in Somali nulliparous women was not related to type of female genital mutilation/cutting. Deinfibulation during labor protected against anal sphincter injury, whereas deinfibulation before labor was associated with a doubled risk. Deinfibulation before labor should not be routinely recommended during pregnancy.
Breccia verde di Sparta, an elusive decorative stone used in antiquity
Authors: Athanasiadis Panos , Cesare Bernardo , Lazzarini Lorenzo 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBreccia verde di Sparta is the traditional name given by the Roman marmorarii of the 19th century to a brecciated volcanic rock whose unknown precise provenance has been determined here for the first time through exploration of the broader area of Psefí (south of Krokees, province of Sparta, Peloponnese, Greece). This location was well known in antiquity and in modern times for having been exploited by the Romans for an important green porphyry named lapis lacedaemonius, nowadays also known as porfido verde antico. This breccia has been seldom used in Roman times for opera sectilia; in contrast, it appears more frequently reused in medieval floors; it is also frequently present in historical lithotecs formed in the 19th and 20th centuries. To fully characterise it and determine its relationships with green porphyry, breccia verde di Sparta samples from the newly discovered source have been thoroughly studied minero‐petrographically and geochemically, and their complex genesis has been reconstructed. It appears that after extrusion the original brecciated basaltic andesite underwent extensive hydrothermal low‐grade metamorphism, with a complete alteration of the igneous assemblage and minerals that preserved only part of the clinopyroxene phenocrysts. Alteration was accompanied by crystallisation of abundant epidote and chlorite, which imparted its predominant green colour to the rock. These breccias intruded in the lithoclases of the porphyry.
The first author takes it all? Solutions for crediting authors more visibly, transparently, and free of bias
Authors: Baum Myriam A. , Braun Moritz N. , Hart Alexander , Huffer Véronique I. , Meßmer Julia A. , Weigl Michael , Wennerhold Lasse 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWith the seventh edition of the publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), the APA style now prescribes bias‐free language and encourages accessibility even to non‐academic audiences. However, even with the newest guidelines, the way we credit authors in psychology remains anachronistic, intransparent, and prone to conflict. It still relies on a sequence‐determines‐credit approach in the byline, which concurrently is contradicted by the option to consider the last author as the position of the principal investigator depending on the field or journal. Scholars from various disciplines have argued that relying on such norms introduces a considerable amount of error when stakeholders rely on articles for career‐relevant decisions. Given the existing recommendations towards a credit‐based system, ignoring those issues will further promote bias that could be avoided with rather minor changes to the way we perceive authorship. In this article, we introduce a set of easy‐to‐implement changes to the manuscript layout that value contribution rather than position. Aimed at fostering transparency, accountability, and equality between authors, establishing those changes would likely benefit all stakeholders in contemporary psychological science.
CD155 mutation (Ala67Thr) increases the binding affinity for and the signaling via an inhibitory immunoreceptor TIGIT
Authors: Matsuo Tomohei , Iguchi‐Manaka Akiko , Shibuya Akira , Shibuya Kazuko 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCD155 is a shared ligand for activating and inhibitory immunoreceptors DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM‐1), also called CD226, and T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT), which are expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, and positively and negatively regulates tumor immune responses, respectively. A recent study showed that the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1058402G>A causing a mutation to Thr from Ala at residue 67 of CD155 is associated with worse overall survival of patients with small cell lung cancer and suggested that this is caused by the decreased affinity of mutant CD155 for DNAM‐1 as a result of the 3D structural analysis. Unexpectedly, however, we found that the mutation increased the binding affinity for TIGIT rather than decreased the binding affinity for DNAM‐1 and induced a stronger signal than WT CD155. Our results suggest that the mutation suppresses tumor immune responses by generating a stronger inhibitory signal in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Identifying developmental challenges of youth with congenital heart defects: A patient‐oriented perspective
Authors: Bolduc Marie‐Eve , Rennick Janet E. , Gagnon Isabelle , Sokol Eva , Brossard‐Racine Marie , Majnemer Annette 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundYouth with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for a range of developmental impairments that become evident at different times across childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to explore perspectives of youth with CHD with respect to their developmental follow‐up across childhood.MethodsInterpretive description was used as a methodological approach for this qualitative study. Youth aged 12–22 years with CHD requiring open‐heart surgery before 2 years of age and who had received health services in Canada since birth were enrolled.ResultsTen youth with CHD, two males and eight females, aged 13–22 years (mean 19.8) participated in this study. With higher social and academic demands as well as increased level of autonomy associated with older age, some youth faced new challenges that they had not encountered as children. Youth with CHD identified four aspects of the continuum of care as needing to be changed to better respond to their needs. First, the format of developmental follow‐up needs to be adapted to their unique challenges. Second, resources must be more easily accessible throughout childhood and adolescence. Third, planning for transition to adult care is essential to ensure continuity of services. Finally, they identified that the school system is an essential component of the continuum of care.ConclusionsAdolescents and young adults with CHD are at high risk of developing physical, academic and psychosocial challenges; however, timely identification of challenges does not appear to be optimal across domains and transition points, from the perspective of the youth themselves. Youth with CHD reported not having the resources and supports they required to optimize their functioning. Our findings suggest that several approaches could be adopted to enhance identification and outcomes to address the limitations of current Canadian practices.
Effective strategies for socio‐educational intervention during the process of transition to adult life of unaccompanied minors from Africa
Authors: Fernández‐Simo Deibe , Carrera‐Fernández María Victoria , Cid‐Fernández Xosé Manuel , Campos Edgar Correia 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe arrival of unaccompanied minors from Africa in Spanish territory has been a constant since the last decade of the twentieth century. This migratory phenomenon has forced the child welfare system to attend to thousands of migrant children. The transition to adult life is a decisive stage in overcoming the situation of social exclusion. This research aims to analyse which socio‐educational intervention strategies are effective during the process of transition to independent living with unaccompanied minors of African origin. We designed a qualitative research according to the grounded theory, which we divided into two phases. Twenty‐nine young people (26 men and 3 women) participated. In phase 1, we performed two focus groups (N = 11), and in phase 2, we conducted longitudinal follow‐ups (N = 18) for 24 months through 180 interviews. The results indicate the effectiveness of designing socio‐educational accompaniment, prioritizing spaces of trust from which to attain the goals of emancipation. Young people consider effective those strategies that favour their knowledge of the social, labour and legal reality of the host society, designed considering each minor's individualized situation. We concluded that professional involvement acts as a buffer, reducing the bureaucratic obstacles implemented by the Spanish government.
Efficacy of vaccination against equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infection: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled challenge trials
Authors: Marenzoni Maria Luisa , De Waure Chiara , Timoney Peter J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundEquid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infection can cause a range of disease syndromes of variable severity that can result in a lethal outcome and restriction of horse movements, especially in the case of outbreaks involving neurological disease. Vaccination is one of the tools used to control the infection. It is widely known that vaccination is not completely effective in ensuring protection against disease caused by this virus. In fact, the real efficacy of vaccination against EHV‐1 related disease has not been measured and no systematic reviews exist on this topic.ObjectivesTo perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the efficacy of commercial or candidate vaccines against EHV‐1 in randomised controlled trials (RCT) all of which involved experimental challenge of the test subjects.Study designSystematic review and meta‐analysis.MethodsRCTs were searched using the search algorithm (([equid herpesvirus* OR equine herpesvirus* OR EHV‐1]) AND vaccin*) AND (trial OR experimental OR challenge) on PubMed, Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts. Where appropriate, meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.ResultsEight studies were selected and were analysed for their respective characteristics and possible shortcomings. The results of RCTs revealed that there was a general improvement in the clinical and virological outcomes of EHV‐1 infection following vaccination, but that the effects were very slight. The reduced beneficial effect is probably amplified by the paucity of detailed data reported in the studies that did not allow for the comparison of parameters in many of the cases analysed.Main limitationsThe remarkable heterogeneity and the poor quality of reporting of the selected studies.ConclusionsMeta‐analysis has shown that EHV‐1 vaccination generally results in a slight improvement in clinical and virological outcomes, although not to a significant extent. The cumulative results have probably been affected by the lack of information on some parameters not systematically reported in the studies. An improvement in the standard of reporting and better standardisation of the data collected would likely have improved the quality of each study and enabled more effective comparison of the studies with each other.
The importance of considering the duration of extreme temperatures when investigating responses to climate change
Authors: Isotalo Teija , Rotenbiller Lilla , Candolin Ulrika 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe frequency and duration of heatwaves are increasing because of human activities. To cope with the changes, species with longer generation times may have to rely on plastic responses. The probability that their responses are adaptive is higher if the species have experienced temperature fluctuations also in their evolutionary past. However, experimental studies investigating responses to heatwaves often use exposure times that are significantly shorter than recent heatwaves. We show that this can lead to faulty conclusions and that the duration of higher temperature has to be considered in experimental designs. We recorded the response of threespine stickleback to prolonged duration of higher temperature during the breeding season, using a population that has experienced large fluctuations in temperature in its past and, hence, is expected to endure temperature changes well. We found males to adaptively adjust their reproductive behaviours to short periods of higher temperature, but not to longer periods that extended across two breeding cycles. Males initially increased their reproductive activities—nest building, courtship and parental care—which ensured high reproductive success during the first breeding cycle, but decreased their reproductive activities during the second breeding cycle when exposed to sustained high temperature. This reduced their courtship success and resulted in fewer offspring. Thus, a species expected to cope well with higher temperature suffers fitness reductions when the duration of high temperature is prolonged. The results stress the importance of considering the duration of extreme environmental conditions when investigating the impact that human activities have on species. Responses to short‐term exposures cannot be extrapolated to assess responses to longer periods of extreme conditions.