Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toyota production system for healthcare organisations: prospects and implementation challenges

The objective of this study is to document the implementation of the Toyota production system (TPS) in a Healthcare Organisation – Heartland Regional Medical Center – undertaken to meet accreditation standards and customer service goals. We record the challenges experienced and elaborate the effectiveness of knowledge-management (KM) procedures during TPS implementation. The study addresses an organisation-wide preparation for implementing TPS and the accreditation standards of the National Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Our observations are centred on the Quality Management Council which has been involved in carrying out improvements in patient care, service, and hospital administration. The study documents the effectiveness of KM approaches such as cross-functional coordination and subject-matter experts in the implementation of TPS. This is a single site case study, and the challenges observed and remedies pursued while implementing TPS may be specific to the site or unique to the healthcare industry, and may not be appropriate in other organisational contexts. The study highlights key strategies and tenets that managers can pursue for effective integration of TPS in a Healthcare setting. Our study implies the importance of the creation of missions and goals that effectively bond the top management and employees to quality and safety goals. The use of subject-matter experts, employee committees, cross-functional teams, and process champions documented will provide the template for TPS implementation.
Na+ stimulates binding of dopamine to the dopamine transporter in cells but not in cell‐free preparations

Although Na+ is crucial for the function of the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT), its role in the substrate binding step has been questioned. To address this issue, we investigated the effect of Na+ on DA binding by measuring the potency of DA in inhibiting the binding of the cocaine analogue [3H]2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐fluorophenyl)tropane (CFT) in intact cells expressing DAT in their plasma membranes and in membranes isolated from these cells. In cells, Na+ substantially enhanced the potency of DA in inhibiting CFT binding. This effect of Na+ was independent of buffer compositions and substitutes (sucrose vs. NMDG), more pronounced at 4°C than 25°C, and correlated with its stimulatory effect on DA uptake Km. Removing extracellular Na+ had little effect on intracellular concentrations of Na+ and K+, or on membrane potential. These data suggest that extracellular Na+ most likely acts at the transporter level to enhance the binding of external DA during the transport cycle. In contrast, in cell‐free membrane preparations the Na+ stimulation was abolished without impairment of the potency of DA in inhibiting CFT binding, regardless of whether sucrose was used to maintain the buffer osmolarity. The difference in Na+ dependence for DA to inhibit CFT binding between plasma membranes of intact cells and isolated membranes raises the possibility that intracellular ion environment, alone or in combination with other cellular factors, plays a critical role in determining DA–DAT interaction and the integration of Na+ modulation in this interaction.
The Non-point Source Pollution Simulation in the Xiangxi River Watershed of Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China Based on SWAT Model

A good numerical non-point source pollution model is an efficient tool for non-point source pollution management, which can be used to analyze the temporal and spatial rules of pollutant discharge. In this paper, SWAT model is adopted to estimate the contribution of non-point source pollution in the Xiangxi River watershed of Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China in 2002-2007a. With the predicted values generally matched well with the observed values during calibration and validation (R2 ≥ 0.7 and Nash-Suttcliffe ≥ 0.5), This study shows that SWAT is able to predict streamflow and nutrients with satisfactory results. The results indicated that the NPS load of the Xiangxi river watershed basicly increased year by year. It increased from 8764 t in 2002a to 18838 t in 2007a and the NPS pollution were closely correlated with the temporal distribution of rainfall-runoff. Also the pollutant yields were mainly affected by the spatial distribution of slope, soil type, and land-use conditions. The subbasins with high proportion of cropland will geneate the more NPS polltion load. These understanding and analyses about characteristics of non-point source pollution are foundations of water quality management. To prevent water body from soil erosion and non-point source pollution, effective and powerful measures should be carried out in crucial period and area.
Extracellular Electron Transfer to Fe(III) Oxides by the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Geoglobus ahangari via a Direct Contact Mechanism

ABSTRACT The microbial reduction of Fe(III) plays an important role in the geochemistry of hydrothermal systems, yet it is poorly understood at the mechanistic level. Here we show that the obligate Fe(III)-reducing archaeon Geoglobus ahangari uses a direct-contact mechanism for the reduction of Fe(III) oxides to magnetite at 85°C. Alleviating the need to directly contact the mineral with the addition of a chelator or the electron shuttle anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) stimulated Fe(III) reduction. In contrast, entrapment of the oxides within alginate beads to prevent cell contact with the electron acceptor prevented Fe(III) reduction and cell growth unless AQDS was provided. Furthermore, filtered culture supernatant fluids had no effect on Fe(III) reduction, ruling out the secretion of an endogenous mediator too large to permeate the alginate beads. Consistent with a direct contact mechanism, electron micrographs showed cells in intimate association with the Fe(III) mineral particles, which once dissolved revealed abundant curled appendages. The cells also produced several heme-containing proteins. Some of them were detected among proteins sheared from the cell's outer surface and were required for the reduction of insoluble Fe(III) oxides but not for the reduction of the soluble electron acceptor Fe(III) citrate. The results thus support a mechanism in which the cells directly attach and transfer electrons to the Fe(III) oxides using redox-active proteins exposed on the cell surface. This strategy confers on G. ahangari a competitive advantage for accessing and reducing Fe(III) oxides under the extreme physical and chemical conditions of hot ecosystems.
The value of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of renal agenesis.

Real‐time ultrasonographic diagnosis of renal agenesis may be difficult because of severe oligohydramnios. Recent reports have suggested that the absence of renal arteries on color Doppler ultrasonography may assist in the identification of renal agenesis. Because the position of the renal arteries is variable owing to fetal size, this study was undertaken to determine the location of the renal arteries as a function of fetal growth. Using color Doppler ultrasonography, 200 normal fetuses were studied in which the length of the aortic segment from the bifurcation of the iliac arteries to the renal arteries was measured. Regression analysis was performed in which the measured aortic segment was the dependent variable and the femur length the independent variable. Four cases of severe oligohydramnios were studied. The regression equation for the length of the aortic segment (Y) was significantly (P < 0.000001; R = 0.921) related to the femur length (X) (Yaortic segment (mm) = 3.1950 + 0.3034Xfemur length (mm); 99% prediction interval +/‐ 4.6 mm). In three cases of renal agenesis the renal arteries were not imaged with color Doppler sonography. Color Doppler imaging may be useful to identify the location of the renal arteries as they originate from the aorta. Using the data from this study, the location of the renal arteries can be determined for the corresponding femur length. If the renal arteries are not identified within the expected range (+/‐ 99% prediction interval) in fetuses in whom the kidneys are not identified with real‐time ultrasonography, renal agenesis must be considered.
Volunteer perceptions of an ecotourism experience: a case study of ecotourism to the coral reefs of Southern Negros in the Philippines

Volunteer tourism is the focus of much activity in ecotourism provision. Yet, despite apparent altruism, volunteer motivations and expectations are underpinned by a degree of consumer self-interest; in what they expect to experience for their contributions. Such expectations centre on perceptions aroused through promotional images that stimulate a destination–activity–self-image. This represents counterstructure, an idealised contrast with everyday reality, which performs a decisive role in tourism purchases. Herein, flights, accommodation, etc. become subsidiary to the perceived meta-cognitive character of the volunteer-ecotourist experience. However, disparities in this perception between volunteer and producer and actual experience produced can threaten the ecocentricity of tourist–host–environment interaction. This undermines conservation and developmental efforts by resulting in egocentric spatial over-consumption as consumers and producers pursue destination exclusivity elsewhere. The importance of such issues is discussed and the potential to broaden the depth of understanding of volunteer consumer perceptions is explored in seeking to further harness volunteer ecotourism more effectively.
Is Government Size Optimal in the Gulf Countries of the Middle East? An empirical investigation

The size of government consumption relative to national output is examined to see if it is optimal in five Gulf countries of the Middle East. We follow the methodology suggested in Barro (1990) and Karras (1996, 1997). The 'Barro rule' is examined using regression tests for each country and in panels created by pooling data. Results find that government consumption is productive, but the size of government is larger than optimal.
Technology-Hours Redux: Tax Changes and the Measurement of Technology Shocks

A number of empirical studies find that permanent technological improvements give rise to a temporary drop in hours worked. This finding seriously questions the technology-driven business cycle hypothesis. In this paper we argue that it is important to control for permanent changes in taxes, which invalidate the standard long run identifying assumptions for technology shocks and induce low frequency fluctuations in hours worked. Using the narrative data of Romer and Romer (2010), we find that tax shocks have significant long run effects on aggregate hours, output and labor productivity. We also find that, after controlling for tax shocks, permanent shocks to labor productivity generate short run increases in hours worked and are an important source of fluctuations in US output.
Framing and Retirement Age: The Gap between Willingness-to-Accept and Willingness-to-Pay

SUMMARYIn a large online experiment, we relate the retirement timing decision to the disparity between the willingness-to-accept (WTA) and the willingness-to-pay (WTP). In the WTP treatment, participants indicate the maximum amount of monthly benefits they are willing to give up to retire early. In the WTA treatment, the minimum increase of monthly payments to delay retirement is elicited. Our results reveal that the framing of the decision problem strongly influences participants’ reservation price for early retirement. The WTA for early retirement is more than twice as high as the corresponding WTP. Using actual values from the German social security system as market prices, we demonstrate that the presentation in a WTA frame can induce early retirement. In this frame, the implicit probability of retiring early increases by 30 percentage points. We further show that the disparity between WTA and WTP is correlated with loss aversion. Repeating the analysis with data from a representative household survey (German SAVE panel), we find similar results.
Seasonal cointegration analysis for German M3 money demand

Investigating the German money demand function the paper provides a vector autoregressive model that allows for cointegration at the zero frequency and at the seasonal frequencies. The sample period is 1975:1 to 1995:4 and thus contains the German unification period. Using prediction tests the employed model is found to be stable. The seasonal cointegration analysis is used to infer against price homogeneity of money demand and against scale invariance of holding money.
The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem in Multivariate Statistical Analysis

In this paper the examination of the modifiable areal unit problem is extended into multivariate statistical analysis. In an investigation of the parameter estimates from a multiple linear regression model and a multiple logit regression model, conclusions are drawn about the sensitivity of such estimates to variations in scale and zoning systems. The modifiable areal unit problem is shown to be essentially unpredictable in its intensity and effects in multivariate statistical analysis and is therefore a much greater problem than in univariate or bivariate analysis. The results of this analysis are rather depressing in that they provide strong evidence of the unreliability of any multivariate analysis undertaken with data from areal units. Given that such analyses can only be expected to increase with the imminent availability of new census data both in the United Kingdom and in the USA, and the current proliferation of GIS (geographical information system) technology which permits even more access to aggregated data, this paper serves as a topical warning.
Recovery of Tourism Demand in Hong Kong From the Global Financial and Economic Crisis

This study aims to predict the recovery of the Hong Kong tourism industry from the current global financial and economic crisis. Based on the latest statistics available, this study provides updated forecasts of tourist arrivals to Hong Kong from 10 key source markets over the period 2010–2015. The forecasts include annual and quarterly forecasts of tourist arrivals and the market shares of the source markets concerned. An econometric method is used to estimate the demand elasticities as well as their confidence intervals, followed by the interval demand predictions. The total tourist arrivals to Hong Kong are projected to reach 53.8 million by 2015 with the interval forecasts between 38.4 and 74.4 million, representing an annual growth of 10.48% on average against 2009, with an interval ranging from 4.44 to 16.60%. As far as individual source markets are concerned, their demand recovery takes varying paces. Overall, tourism demand in Hong Kong is relatively resilient to the global financial and economic crisis.
A Kaldorian approach to regional economic growth in China

Kaldor's engine of growth hypothesis is examined in the case of the Chinese economy. China has in the last decade experienced a rapid industrialization and very strong economic growth. Using regional data of this growth process, the three Kaldorian laws of economic growth are tested. The empirical results support the hypothesis. There seems to be an especially strong relation between productivity and industrial growth.
Effects of Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine on High-voltage–activated Calcium Currents of the Dorsal Horn Neurons in Newborn Rats

BackgroundLocal anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, have been reported to block calcium currents in primary sensory neurons and to interfere with the release of neurotransmitters in central nervous system neurons. However, it is unknown whether local anesthetics affect the calcium current activity of central nervous system neurons. MethodsUsing a traditional whole cell voltage clamp technique, effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on high-voltage–activated calcium currents (HVA-Ica) were investigated in enzymatically dissociated dorsal horn neurons of neonatal rats. Calcium currents were evoked by testing pulses from a holding potential of −90 to 0 mV. ResultsBupivacaine significantly reduced HVA-Ica in a dose-dependent manner. The peak HVA-Ica decreased by 24.5 ± 2.5, 32.0 ± 6.8, 59.4 ± 6.2, 88.3 ± 1.5, and 91.6 ± 1.1% in response to 10, 30, 50, 100 and 200 &mgr;m bupivacaine, respectively. Unlike bupivacaine, ropivacaine markedly increased HVA-Ica at lower concentrations (< 50 &mgr;m) but decreased HVA-Ica at higher concentrations (≥ 50 &mgr;m). The percent increases in peak HVA-Ica induced by 10 and 30 &mgr;m ropivacaine were 95 ± 19.1 and 41.6 ± 8.3%, respectively. The percent decreases in response to 50, 100, and 200 &mgr;m ropivacaine were 21.1 ± 2.1, 63.2 ± 6.0 and 79.1 ± 7.6%, respectively. Results indicate that the inhibitory potency of ropivacaine on HVA-Ica was significantly lower than that of bupivacaine at the same concentrations. ConclusionsThe current study showed that bupivacaine inhibited HVA-Ica recorded from dorsal horn neurons and that ropivacaine increased HVA-Ica at lower concentrations but decreased HVA-Ica at higher concentrations. The inhibitory potency of ropivacaine was lower than that of bupivacaine. Inhibition of calcium currents of central nervous system neurons may be related to the systemic neurotoxic effects of local anesthetics (e.g., convulsions, seizures).
Mucus Secretion from Single Submucosal Glands of Pig

Secretion rates of >700 individual glands in isolated tracheal mucosa from 56 adult pigs were monitored optically. “Basal” secretion of 0.7 ± 0.1 nl·min−1gland−1 was observed 1–9 h post-harvest but was near zero on day 2. Secretion to carbachol (10 μm) peaked at 2–3 min and then declined to a sustained phase. Peak secretion was 12.4 ± 1.1 nl·min−1 gland−1; sustained secretion was approximately one-third of peak secretion. Thapsigargin (1 μm) increased secretion from 0.1 ± 0.05 to 0.7 ± 0.2 nl·min−1 gland−1; thapsigargin did not cause contraction of the trachealis muscles. Isoproterenol and phenylephrine (10 μm each) were ineffective, but vasoactive intestinal peptide (1 μm) and forskolin (10 μm) each produced sustained secretion of 1.0 ± 0.5 and 1.7 ± 0.2 nl·min−1gland−1, respectively. The density of actively secreting glands was 1.3/mm2. Secretion to either carbachol or forskolin was inhibited (∼50%) by either bumetanide or HCO 3 − removal and inhibited ∼90% by the combined treatments. Mucus secreted in response to carbachol or forskolin was acidic by ∼0.2 pH units relative to the bath and remained acidic by ∼0.1 pH units after bumetanide. The strong secretory response to vasoactive intestinal peptide, the acidity of [cAMP] i -stimulated mucus, and its inhibition by bumetanide were unexpected.
Liquidity and Returns to Target Shareholders in the Market for Corporate Control: Evidence from the U.S. Markets

In this paper we analyze how stock market liquidity affects the abnormal return to target firms in mergers and tender offers. We predict that target firms with poorer stock market liquidity receive larger announcement day abnormal returns based on the following considerations. First, target firms with poorer stock market liquidity receive greater liquidity improvements after a merger or tender offer. Second, deals that involve less liquid targets are less anticipated and/or more likely to be completed. Third, less liquid stocks have more diverse reservation prices across shareholders and thus require a higher takeover return. Consistent with these expectations, we show that abnormal returns to target firms’ shareholders are significantly and positively related to the difference in liquidity (measured by the bid-ask spread) between acquirers and targets as well as the magnitude of target firms’ liquidity improvement.
Long run determinants and short run dynamics of inflation in Tunisia

The essential idea of this study is to analyse the origins of inflation at short and long runs in Tunisia relying on annual data during the period 1962 to 2003. We also suggest a model that has a structure determined by monetary and structural factors, and estimated by Johansen's cointegration technique. The empirical results show that inflation is explained by mixed factors: monetary ones such as money supply, the interest rate and the real effective exchange rate; and structural ones like the nominal average annual wage rate, the import prices and the real output. The analysis aims at pointing out the long run determinants of inflation and studying its short run dynamics.
Examining Differences in Executive Functioning in ADHD and Anxiety in an ODD Sample

Executive functioning (EF) has been gaining attention recently in the area of child psychopathology and EF deficits have been hypothesized to be present in a variety of these disorders. Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders (AD) all experience difficulties at home, with friends, and at school, some of which may be related to deficits in EF. The proposed study is designed to determine whether specific EF deficits are associated with ADHD and AD when they are comorbid with ODD. Children recruited for an ODD treatment study completed an emotional Stroop task and their mothers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000). The present study included 49 children with ODD who had comorbid ADHD (n = 22) or comorbid AD (n = 27), but not both. The ODD/ADHD group exhibited significantly more EF deficits on the MI than the ODD/AD group when gender and corresponding symptoms of ADHD and AD were controlled for. However, no significant differences were found on the emotional Stroop or the BRI scale of the BRIEF suggesting that EF deficits may not be clearly differentiated in samples of ADHD and AD youth who are also comorbid with ODD. It is recommended that future studies explore executive dysfunction in pure ODD, ADHD, and AD samples to better identify possible differences that might be useful in designing interventions for children who have EF deficits associated with
An Optimized 3D Coculture Assay for Preclinical Testing of Pro- and Antiangiogenic Drugs

Angiogenesis is a promising target for anticancer therapies, but also for treating other diseases with pathologic vessel development. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway did not proof as effective as expected due to emerging intrinsic resistance mechanisms, as well as stromal contributions leading to drug insensitivity. Therefore, alternative strategies affecting the interaction of endothelial cells (ECs) with other stromal cells seem to be more promising. Human preclinical in vitro angiogenesis models successfully recapitulating these interactions are rare, and two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures cannot mimic tissue architecture in vivo. Consequently, models combining three-dimensionality with heterotypic cell interaction seem to be better suited. Here, we report on an improved human fibroblast–EC coculture assay mimicking sprouting angiogenesis from EC-covered microbeads resembling existing endothelial structures. Culture conditions were optimized to assess pro- and antiangiogenic compounds. Important characteristics of angiogenesis, that is, the number of sprouts and branch points, sprout length protrusion, and overall vessel structure areas, were quantified. Notably, the endothelial sprouts display lumen formation and basal membrane establishment. In this model, angiogenesis can be inhibited by genetic interference of pro-angiogenic factors expressed in the fibroblasts. Moreover, bona fide antiangiogenic drugs decreased, whereas pro-angiogenic factors increased vessel formation in 24-well and 96-well settings, demonstrating the applicability for screening approaches.