Business Process Integration And Supply Chain Networks

Given the dot-com collapse and the recent Enron bankruptcy, one might conclude that the promises of the so-called new economy have been overstated.  Yet, in spite of the litany of failed Internet pure plays and Enron’s unexpected demise, the Internet has transformed the way the business is being conducted.  Yes, the basics still matter and cost-cutting is appropriate, but today it must be achieved along with unprecedented business-model innovation and corporate agility.  Witness the way many traditional firms are still thriving and succeeding by transforming their core business architectures around the Net. The Internet is slashing the cost of sharing knowledge, collaborating, and meshing business processes among supply chain partners.  Valued-added communities are replacing traditional vertically integrated industries. These value added communities are external networks that cover both company and supply chain processes, such as financial, marketing, accounting and human resources services.  Smart companies are focusing on their core competencies and outsourcing the remainder of their non-essential processes.  The traditional vertically integrated corporation is no longer the most effective vehicle for value creation.   Ford was the quintessential example of this. At one point, the company owned steamships, power plants, forests and virtually every other input critical to building an automobile. The vertically integrated structure worked well for auto manufacturers for a time to achieve scale economies and productivity.  But these companies have squeezed out about as much productivity as they can.  In today’s networked economy, one company makes the car's wheels, another makes the engine, another makes the seats and another makes the body all of which flow through the value added community that the auto company created.   In the end, the auto company and the consumer both benefit.  The automobile consumers get a better quality product, delivered precisely when and how they want it, at a much better cost.  The auto company can respond to customers far more quickly than ever before.  We strongly believe that the “glue” for building these networked communities is a business process orientation (BPO), a concept introduced in one of our earlier books, which serves as a powerful organizing principle for firms competing in the networked economy. BPO is not simply a new business fad, but an entirely new way of thinking or viewing an organization.  Nor is BPO simply a new business operations strategy, but rather broad framework for organizing work and information flows that ultimately help an organization build superior customer value. Corporate survival in the Internet economy will depend both on the effectiveness of internal processes and their integration with supply chain customers.  Supply chain management will serve as the coordinating mechanism for process integration among supply chain partners. Competitors can match individual processes or activities but can’t match the integration or “fit’ of these activities In this paper,we present empirical evidence showing that building a process-oriented organization results in improved business performance.  We also propose that BPO can be successfully applied to supply chain networks and argue that value is created in the networked economy based on the alignment of supply chain processes

A Two-Year Longitudinal Study of Bone Mineral Density in Collegiate Distance Runners

Research has shown that weight-bearing physical activity such as running results in osteogenesis; distance runners, however, may experience deficiencies at specific sites. The purpose of this investigation was to examine changes in bone mineral density (BMD) of male and female collegiate cross-country runners over two years. Methods: BMD of 29 collegiate distance runners (16 men and 13 women) were measured five times over 24 months using dual-energy x- ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) spine, femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), whole body (WB), and ultra-distal (UD) forearm. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance, with bone free lean mass (BFLM) as covariate, was used to compare mean BMD values. Results: Adjusted for BFLM, there were no significant differences (p\u3e0.05) in BMD at any site between sexes. There were no significant differences at the AP or LAT spine, or FN across visits for either sex. There was a significant increase in BMD (p=0.044) at the UD forearm over two years in males. However, 56% of the men (n=9) had a z-score \u3c-1 at the UD forearm. Seven of 11 women had z-scores \u3c-1.0 at the LAT spine and four of 13 had z-scores \u3c-1.0 at the AP spine. Conclusion: There were no significant changes in BMD at any site over the two-year time frame, except the men had a significant increase in BMD at the non-dominant forearm. The spine appears to be an area of concern for the women in this study when examining z-score results

Urinary bisphenol A concentration and risk of future coronary artery disease in apparently healthy men and women

addresses: Epidemiology and Public Health Group, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Barrack Road, Exeter, United Kingdom. [email protected]: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tThe endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in food and beverage packaging. Higher urinary BPA concentrations were cross-sectionally associated with heart disease in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 and NHANES 2005-2006, independent of traditional risk factors.Medical Research Council UKCancer Research UKBritish Heart FoundationPeninsula Medical School, University of ExeterEuropean Regional Development FundEuropean Social Fund Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of ScillyNational Institute for Health Research Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Car

Velocity at maximal oxygen uptake best predicts 3 km race time in collegiate distance runners

Purpose: There is a lack of scientific investigation into the predictors of 3 km race performance in collegiate distance runners. The purpose of this investigation was to determine what physiological variables best predict 3 km race time in a group of collegiate distance runners. Methods: Twenty-one endurance trained runners (11 men, 10 women) volunteered for this investigation. Running economy (RE) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) testing were conducted within 9 ± 6 days of the race in a single session. All participants ran in a 3 km race at an NCAA sanctioned track meet. Pearson’s product moment correlations were performed between 3 km race time and velocity at VO2max (vVO2max), relative VO2max, RE at 9.7, 11.3, 12.9, and 14.5 km•hr-1 and percent of VO2max. A stepwise multiple regression was performed with 3 km race time as the dependent variable and independent variables of vVO2max, VO2max, RE9.7, RE11.3, RE12.9, RE14.5. Results: The results revealed that vVO2max was the best predictor of 3 km race performance in a heterogeneous group of collegiate distance runners (R2=0.90). For the men, vVO2max remained the best predictor of 3 km race performance (R2=0.49). For the women, the best predictors of 3 km performance were vVO2max and VO2max (R2=0.97). Conclusions: Distance coaches should consider emphasizing vVO2max as a primary factor in training to improve 3 km race performance and conversely, the pace achieved in a 3-km race is a good predictor of vVO2max

Efficacy of phosphatidic acid ingestion on lean body mass, muscle thickness and strength gains in resistance-trained men

Background: Phosphatidic acid (PA) has been reported to activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and is thought to enhance the anabolic effects of resistance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine if oral phosphatidic acid administration can enhance strength, muscle thickness and lean tissue accruement during an 8-week resistance training program. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to a group that either consumed 750 mg of PA (n = 7, 23.1 +/- 4.4 y; 176.7 +/- 6.7 cm; 86.5 +/- 21.2 kg) or a placebo (PL, n = 9, 22.5 +/- 2.0 y; 179.8 +/- 5.4 cm; 89.4 +/- 13.6 kg) group. During each testing session subjects were assessed for strength (one repetition maximum [1-RM] bench press and squat) and body composition. Muscle thickness and pennation angle were also measured in the vastus lateralis of the subject\u27s dominant leg. Results: Subjects ingesting PA demonstrated a 12.7% increase in squat strength and a 2.6% increase in LBM, while subjects consuming PL showed a 9.3% improvement in squat strength and a 0.1% change in LBM. Although parametric analysis was unable to demonstrate significant differences, magnitude based inferences indicated that the Delta change in 1-RM squat showed a likely benefit from PA on increasing lower body strength and a very likely benefit for increasing lean body mass (LBM). Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that a combination of a daily 750 mg PA ingestion, combined with a 4-day per week resistance training program for 8-weeks appears to have a likely benefit on strength improvement, and a very likely benefit on lean tissue accruement in young, resistance trained individuals

The effect of a dietary supplement (N-oleyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and epigallocatechin gallate) on dietary compliance and body fat loss in adults who are overweight: A double-blind, randomized control trial

Background: A dietary supplement containing a blend of 170 mg of N-oleyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NOPE) and 100 mg of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to improve compliance to low caloric diets. Considering the cost of dietary ingredients, many manufacturers attempt to determine the lowest efficacious dose. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 8-weeks of supplementation with a daily intake of 120 mg of NOPE and 105 mg of EGCG in conjunction with a low caloric diet and regular, moderate exercise on dietary compliance in healthy, overweight adults. An additional purpose was to examine the effect of this supplement/diet/exercise paradigm on changes in body composition, sensation of appetite, mood and severity of binge eating. Methods: Fifty healthy, overweight (BMI \u3e 25 m.kg(2)) men (15) and women (35) (SUP; n = 25; 32.7 +/- 13.75 y; BMI = 33.4 +/- 6.2; PLA; n = 25, 34.3 +/- 12.7 years; BMI = 33.2 +/- 6.8) were recruited for a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Each volunteer was randomly assigned to either the supplement (SUP; n = 25) or placebo group (PLA; n = 25). Based upon a self-reported 3-day dietary recall all volunteers were recommended a 500 kcal or 30% (maximum of 1000 kcal) reduction in caloric intake. Volunteers were also encouraged to exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week. Results: Subjects in SUP were significantly more compliant (x(2) = 3.86, p = 0.049) in maintaining a low caloric diet at week 4, but this was not able to be maintained through the 8-week study. In addition, a significant difference in mood, feelings of fatigue and confusion were noted between the groups at week 4, but again not maintained by week 8 where only feelings of tension were improved. No differences between groups (p \u3e 0.05) were observed for body mass, body composition, feelings of hunger, and binge eating after eight weeks. Conclusion: Supplementing with a combination of 120 mg of NOPE and 105 mg of EGCG does appear to enhance compliance to a low caloric diet and improve mood for 4-weeks, but loses its effectiveness by week 8

Implementation facilitation to introduce and support emergency department-initiated buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in high need, low resource settings: protocol for multi-site implementation-feasibility study

Background: For many reasons, the emergency department (ED) is a critical venue to initiate OUD interventions. The prevailing culture of the ED has been that substance use disorders are non-emergent conditions better addressed outside the ED where resources are less constrained. This study, its rapid funding mechanism, and accelerated timeline originated out of the urgent need to learn whether ED-initiated buprenorphine (BUP) with referral for treatment of OUD is generalizable, as well as to develop strategies to facilitate its adoption across a variety of ED settings and under real-world conditions. It both complements and uses methods adapted from Project ED Health (CTN-0069), a Hybrid Type 3 implementation-effectiveness study of using Implementation Facilitation (IF) to integrate ED-initiated BUP and referral programs. Methods: ED-CONNECT (CTN 0079) was a three-site implementation study exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of introducing ED-initiated BUP in rural and urban settings with high-need, limited resources, and different staffing structures. We used a multi-faceted approach to develop, introduce and iteratively refine site-specific ED clinical protocols and implementation plans for opioid use disorder (OUD) screening, ED-initiated BUP, and referral for treatment. We employed a participatory action research approach and use mixed methods incorporating data derived from abstraction of medical records and administrative data, assessments of recruited ED patient-participants, and both qualitative and quantitative inquiry involving staff from the ED and community, patients, and other stakeholders. Discussion: This study was designed to provide the necessary, time-sensitive understanding of how to identify OUD and initiate treatment with BUP in the EDs previously not providing ED-initiated BUP, in communities in which this intervention is most needed: high need, low resource settings. Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03544112) on June 01, 2018: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03544112

Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (Epoc) Following Multiple Effort Sprint and Moderate Aerobic Exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 30-second all-out sprint interval exercise (SIE) vs. moderate aerobic exercise (MA) on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Six recreationally-trained males (age=23.3 +/- 1.4 yrs, weight=81.8 +/- 9.9 kg, height=180.8 +/- 6.3 cm) completed a sprint interval exercise session consisting of three repeated 30-second Wingate cycling tests separated by four minutes (duration similar to 11minutes) as well as a moderate aerobic exercise session consisting of 30-minute cycling at 60% heart rate reserve (HRR) in a random counterbalanced design. Baseline oxygen consumption (VO2) was determined by an average VO2 from the final five minutes of a 30-minute supine rest period prior to each trial. Following each protocol, VO2 was measured for 30 minutes or until baseline measures were reached. EPOC was determined by subtracting baseline VO2 from post-exercise VO2 measurements. Energy expenditure (kJ) was determined by multiplying kJ per liter of oxygen by the average VO2 during recovery. EPOC values were significantly higher in SIE (7.5 +/- 1.3 L) than MA (1.8 +/- 0.7 L). SIE produced a higher recovery caloric expenditure (156.9 kJ) compared to MA (41.0 kJ) and remained significantly elevated (p=.024) over resting levels during the entire recovery period (30 minutes) compared to MA (6 minutes, p=.003). The energy required to recover from three repeated maximal effort 30-second Wingate cycling tests was greater than 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise. Future studies should examine the chronic effects of maximal effort sprint training protocol on cardiovascular fitness and body composition

Surfactant protein D modulates HIV infection of both T-cells and dendritic cells

Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) is an oligomerized C-type lectin molecule with immunomodulatory properties and involvement in lung surfactant homeostasis in the respiratory tract. SP-D binds to the enveloped viruses, influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus and inhibits their replication in vitro and in vivo. SP-D has been shown to bind to HIV via the HIV envelope protein gp120 and inhibit infectivity in vitro. Here we show that SP-D binds to different strains of HIV (BaL and IIIB) and the binding occurs at both pH 7.4 and 5.0 resembling physiological relevant pH values found in the body and the female urogenital tract, respectively. The binding of SP-D to HIV particles and gp120 was inhibited by the presence of several hexoses with mannose found to be the strongest inhibitor. Competition studies showed that soluble CD4 and CVN did not interfere with the interaction between SP-D and gp120. However, soluble recombinant DC-SIGN was shown to inhibit the binding between SP-D and gp120. SP-D agglutinated HIV and gp120 in a calcium dependent manner. SP-D inhibited the infectivity of HIV strains at both pH values of 7.4 and 5.0 in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibition of the infectivity was abolished by the presence of mannose. SP-D enhanced the binding of HIV to immature monocyte derived dendritic cells (iMDDCs) and was also found to enhance HIV capture and transfer to the T-cell like line PM1. These results suggest that SP-D can bind to and inhibit direct infection of T-cells by HIV but also enhance the transfer of infectious HIV particles from DCs to T-cells in vivo

Bisphenol A exposure is associated with in vivo estrogenic gene expression in adults

addresses: Epidemiology and Public Health, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.notes: PMCID: PMC3261992types: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tEnvironmental Health Perspectives, 2011, Vol. 119, Issue 12, pp. 1788 – 1793 doi: 10.1289/ehp.1103809. Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives, http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ Copyright ©2011 National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesBisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen commonly used in polycarbonate plastic and resin-lined food and beverage containers. Exposure of animal and cell models to doses of BPA below the recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 50 μg/kg/day have been shown to alter specific estrogen-responsive gene expression, but this has not previously been shown in humans