Project Management and the Temporary Relocation of the Decoupling Point: Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study

This study investigates, understands, and describes the value of engaging a project manager to support a customer-driven project that creates a random supply chain demand event. Specifically such an event would require the temporary re-positioning of the decoupling point between the supply push and demand pull within the supply chain. In response to the challenges of this type of event, this study will focus on two specific project manager roles. First, the project manager would act as an extension of a customer-driven project and serve as a conduit for the voice of the customer (VOC) into the supply chain. Secondly, the project manager would employ his skills and manage the temporary relocation of the decoupling point. The focused engagement of the project manager in these roles provides the firm with a process that is responsive to its customers and creates a competitive advantage as well as meeting the strategic needs of the customer. The methodology for this research study is a qualitative research approach, using a qualitative method, hermeneutic phenomenological design, and interviews as the research instrument. From a biblical perspective this study demonstrates the principals that support the profession of project management can find a foundation in the biblical principles

Muscle Damage following Maximal Eccentric Knee Extensions in Males and Females

Aim: To investigate whether there is a sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage. Materials and Method: Vastus Lateralis and patella tendon properties were measured in males and females using ultrasonography. During maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions (12 reps x 6 sets), Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions torque were recorded every 10° of knee joint angle (20–90°). Isometric torque, Creatine Kinase and muscle soreness were measured pre, post, 48, 96 and 168 hours post damage as markers of exercise induced muscle damage. Results: Patella tendon stiffness and Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening were significantly higher in males compared to females (p0.05). Creatine Kinase levels post exercise induced muscle damage were higher in males compared to females (p<0.05), and remained higher when maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, relative to estimated quadriceps anatomical cross sectional area, was taken as a covariate (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on isometric torque loss, there is no sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage. The higher Creatine Kinase in males could not be explained by differences in maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and patella tendon stiffness. Further research is required to understand the significant sex differences in Creatine Kinase levels following exercise induced muscle damage

The Relationship of Mobility, Child Characteristics and School Characteristics to the Academic Achievement of Third Grade Students in a Predominantly Latino District

The high rates of mobility in the U.S. can produce negative consequences for children\u27s academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine relationships among math and reading academic achievement, mobility characteristics, student characteristics, and school characteristics in order to develop a model to predict achievement using these variables. Using such a model, educational stakeholders could identify students that are at risk for academic failure. The study included 523 third grade students from a high poverty, predominantly Latino, suburban district. Correlation analyses, factor analyses, ordered linear regression, and forward regression analyses were used to determine the relationships among variables as well as the power of variables to predict math and reading Transitional Colorado Assessment Program scale scores (TCAPSS). In the correlation analyses, four predictor variables (including one mobility variable) had significant correlations with math TCAPSS, while six predictor variables (with no mobility variables) had significant correlations with reading TCAPSS. An initial factor analyses showed that the variables in the study had low proportion of variance that could be caused by underlying factors. A factor analysis, therefore, was not considered useful for building a model, and was not conducted. The single block and ordered two set block regression analyses revealed that student characteristics, as a block of variables, significantly predicts TCAPSS for both math and reading, while mobility characteristics did not. A forward regression analysis was conducted to determine the best model for predicting TCAPSS. In the math regression, six variables (including two mobility characteristics) were accepted into the model, reaching a low predictive value (adjusted R2= .21). In the reading regression, four variables (with no mobility variables) were accepted into the model, also reaching a low predictive value (adjusted R2 = .26). The conclusions of this study are that most mobility characteristics are not useful as predictors of academic achievement for the population of this study when student characteristics are present or absent. However, two binary mobility variables, moving to a better school ( R2 change = .006) and moving between school years ( R2 change = .008), were accepted in the math forward regression model with small but significant predictive value

Quantum Layers over Surfaces Ruled Outside a Compact Set

In this paper, we proved the quantum layer over a surface which is ruled outside a compact set, asymptotically flat but not totally geodesic admits ground states

Ecological and physical characteristics of the Te Awa O Katapaki Stream, Flagstaff, Waikato

1. The fish, macroinvertebrates, aquatic vegetation, and water quality indicate that the Te Awa O Katapaki Stream is an unpolluted, pastureland stream that is typical of the Waikato region. 2. The stream has very high nutrient concentrations that probably result from the dairy farming upstream. 3. The fish fauna is dominated by the native shortfinned eels. The presence of the migratory common smelt indicates that swimming fish species also have free access to the stream from the Waikato River. 4. Fish of high conservation value, such as giant or banded kokopu (Galaxias argenteus or G. fasciatus) were absent, which is predictable given the warm, unshaded nature of the stream. 5. Fish and invertebrates would soon recolonise the restored stream following any work in the streambed

Protective Immunity against Infection with <i>Mycoplasma haemofelis</i>

Hemoplasmas are potentially zoonotic mycoplasmal pathogens, which are not consistently cleared by antibiotic therapy. Mycoplasma haemofelis is the most pathogenic feline hemoplasma species. The aim of this study was to determine how cats previously infected with M. haemofelis that had recovered reacted when rechallenged with M. haemofelis and to characterize the immune response following de novo M. haemofelis infection and rechallenge. Five specific-pathogen-free (SPF)-derived naive cats (group A) and five cats that had recovered from M. haemofelis infection (group B) were inoculated subcutaneously with M. haemofelis. Blood M. haemofelis loads were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR), antibody response to heat shock protein 70 (DnaK) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), blood lymphocyte cell subtypes by flow cytometry, and cytokine mRNA levels by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Group A cats all became infected with high bacterial loads and seroconverted, while group B cats were protected from reinfection, thus providing the unique opportunity to study the immunological parameters associated with this protective immune response against M. haemofelis. First, a strong humoral response to DnaK was only observed in group A, demonstrating that an antibody response to DnaK is not important for protective immunity. Second, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA levels appeared to increase rapidly postinoculation in group B, indicating a possible role in protective immunity. Third, an increase in IL-12p35 and -p40 mRNA and decrease in the Th2/Th1 ratio observed in group A suggest that a Th1-type response is important in primary infection. This is the first study to demonstrate protective immunity against M. haemofelis reinfection, and it provides important information for potential future hemoplasma vaccine design

Stairway Step Dimensions: Replication of a Measurement System Study

This paper reports a replication of a prior measurement system study. The earlier study examined the nosing-to-nosing measurement system for measuring steps in a stairway to determine uniformity. In each study, two individuals measured six flights of stairs on two separate occasions. The difference in the first and second study was the different measurers. Step attributes used to define uniformity are riser height and tread depth. The measurers in each study obtained 744 values of riser height and 672 values of tread depth. The ANOVA for each study indicated that less than 4% of the variance in these attributes was due to the measurers; the remainder of variability was due to physical differences in the steps. ANOVA results of this replication led to essentially the same conclusion as the initial study—that the nosing-to-nosing measurement system is acceptable for measuring step dimensions