Facilitating total quality through effective project management

Examines the impact of introducing TQM on a project‐by‐project basis. A framework, suggested by Taylor and Meegan (Taylor, A. and Meegan, S., “Factors influencing a successful transition from ISO 9000 to TQM. The influence of understanding and motivation”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 1997, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 100‐17) discusses the role of senior executives in the transition from ISO 9000 to TQM. This framework is then used as a means for examining project management and TQM (particularly the emphasis on continuous improvement) literature. The critical review of the literature addresses senior management commitment, development needs of senior directors, company‐wide employee involvement, reward recognition, orientation towards strategic management and core competencies and organisational capability. The theory underlying the transition from ISO 9000 to TQM is then empirically tested within a case study.</jats:p

Illuminant metameric effects on interbrand and intrabrand color differences of direct composite resins

Statement of problem: Information on the illuminant metameric effects on the intrabrand and interbrand differences in color of direct composite resins is lacking. Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of different illuminations on the color differences of the same or different brands of composite resins. Material and methods: Sixty-four disks were prepared from 8 different direct dental composite resins of A3 shade, and, after polymerization and hydration for 48 hours, their color coordinates were measured in the Commission Internationale de I&apos;Eclairage (CIE) L∗a∗b∗ color space with a portable colorimeter on a black and white background under D65 (daylight), F2 (cool white fluorescence), and A (incandescence) illuminations. Translucency parameters (TP) and fluorescence intensities (FI) of the brands were also measured to assist in the interpretation of brand behavior under the illuminations. The Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman nonparametric tests with post hoc multiple comparisons tests were applied to analyze the data for differences within and between brands under all illuminations (α=.05), while regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between D65 and F2 or A illumination data. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences among brands (P&amp;lt;.05) for all color coordinates under all illuminations, with a strong linear relationship between them (R2=0.72-0.97). Intrabrand differences were significantly different across brands (P&amp;lt;.05) and ranged from 0.06 to 3.1 across illuminations in ΔE∗ab units (0.05 to 2.4 in ΔΕ00 units). Interbrand differences were also significantly different (P&amp;lt;.05), with a range of 0.15 to 8.7 ΔE∗ab units or 0.14 to 5.7 ΔΕ00 units. Conclusions: Primary color coordinates of composite resins were affected by A or F2 illumination and were strongly associated with D65 values. Redder or yellower composite resins were affected more under A or F2 illumination. Intrabrand differences, although small, may contribute to clinical mismatches under A or F2 illuminations. Clinicians should be aware that certain brand pairs may present acceptable differences under D65 illumination but could become unacceptable under A or F2 illumination. © 2021 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistr

Work-related leukemia: A systematic review

Leukemia is a complex disease, which only became better understood during the last decades following the development of new laboratory techniques and diagnostic methods. Despite our improved understanding of the physiology of the disease, little is yet known about the causes of leukemia. A variety of potential risk factors have been suggested so far, including personal habits and lifestyle, and a wide range of occupational or environmental exposures. A causal association with leukemia has only been documented to date for ionizing radiation, benzene and treatment with cytostatic drugs, but there is an ongoing scientific debate on the possible association of leukemia with a number of other work-related hazards. In this article, we have reviewed scientific studies, published over the past 5 years, which investigated potential associations between leukemia and exposure to occupational risk factors. The systematic literature review took place via electronic databases, using specific search criteria, and independent reviewers have further filtered the search results to identify the number of articles, presented in our paper. A large number of studies included in the review referred to the effects of ionizing radiation, where new data suggest that the effects of exposure to small doses of ionizing radiation should probably be reevaluated. Some other works appear to substantiate a potential association of the disease with certain pesticides. Further research is also suggested regarding the role of infectious agents or exposure to certain chemicals like formaldehyde or butadiene in the pathogenesis of leukemia. © 2013 Polychronakis et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Occupational Immediate-Type Allergic Asthma due to Potassium Tetrachloroplatinate in Production of Cytotoxic Drugs

Allergic immediate-type reactions by halogenated compounds of platinum (Pt) (platinum salts) have been described in workers in precious metal re fineries and catalyst productions. In both industries there are exposures to many different Pt compounds. It is believed that the most important allergens are those compounds with the highest number of halide ligands. It is unknown whether sensitizations to compounds with a lower number of halide ligands represent co-sensitizations or are due to cross-reactivity. We report a worker engaged in the production of cytotoxic drugs with occupational asthma and exposure to only one Pt salt with four halide ligands. The 22-year-old worker developed work-related sneezing, runny nose, and variable dyspnea about a year after he had started to work in the cytotoxic drugs production with exposure to potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) (K 2 PtCl 4). He was immediately removed from his workplace and admitted for a medical opinion about 6 months afterwards. Spirometry was normal, but asthma was corroborated by a positive response to methacholine. The results of skin prick testing could not be interpreted due to urticaria factitia. Challenge with K 2 PtCl 4 by a dosimeter method yielded a clear immediate-type reaction with an increase of exhaled nitric oxide from 32 to 156 ppb after 24 h indicating an increased airway in flammation. Pt salts with four halide ligands like K 2 PtCl 4 may cause an allergic immediate-type reaction and occupational asthma. Workers in the production of Pt-containing cytotoxic drugs with exposure to these substances should be included in medical surveillance programs for the prevention of occupational asthma caused by Pt salts