Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational change in the National Health Service: lessons from the staff

This paper is based on research on the impact organizational change (mergers) had upon staff and patient care in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) within Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland from 2006 to 2007. The latest round of health reform has been driven by the ‘Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS’ (CaPLNHS; DOH, 2005) plan to reduce the number of PCTs and for a saving of £250 million in administrative and management costs. A cross-sectional case study using a series of focus groups was undertaken to identify salient aspects of mergers and organizational change in a health sector context and explore staff perceptions (negative and positive) of the recent organizational wide changes. Based on the findings, we propose an ‘Agenda for Action’ to recognize and minimize the potential negative effects upon staff and service delivery. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Origin of Endotoxin Neutralization and Antimicrobial Activity of a Lactoferrin-based Peptide*

Treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections with antimicrobial agents can cause release of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the potent initiator of sepsis, which is the major cause of mortality in intensive care units worldwide. Structural information on peptides bound to LPS can lead to the development of more effective endotoxin neutralizers. Short linear antimicrobial and endotoxin-neutralizing peptide LF11, based on the human lactoferrin, binds to LPS, inducing a peptide fold with a “T-shaped” arrangement of a hydrophobic core and two clusters of basic residues that match the distance between the two phosphate groups of LPS. Side chain arrangement of LF11 bound to LPS extends the previously proposed LPS binding pattern, emphasizing the importance of both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in a defined geometric arrangement. In anionic micelles, the LF11 forms amphipathic conformation with a smaller hydrophobic core than in LPS, whereas in zwitterionic micelles, the structure is even less defined. Protection of tryptophan fluorescence quenching in the order SDS>LPS>DPC and hydrogen exchange protection indicates the decreasing extent of insertion of the N terminus and potential role of peptide plasticity in differentiation between bacterial and eukaryotic membranes.
Are effects of travel feedback programs correctly assessed?

It has been claimed that travel feedback programs (TFPs) are effective in reducing levels of car-use related congestion, noise, and air pollution. This article examines this claim, noting that many evaluation studies have employed less than optimal research designs. Demonstrating the use of meta-analysis, the results of 15 Japanese TFPs show that the effect sizes estimated for the frequently used research design lacking adequate control groups differ from the effect sizes estimated for research designs including adequate control groups. In addition, estimates of the homogeneity of treatment effects appear to differ, thus suggesting that inferences of causes of the effectiveness of a TFP vary with research design.
An Evaluation of the Cutaneous Distribution After Obturator Nerve Block

In 1973, Winnie et al. introduced the inguinal paravascular three-in-one block, which allegedly provides anesthesia of three nerves—the femoral, lateral cutaneous femoral, and obturator nerves—with a single injection. This concept was undisputed until the success of the obturator nerve block was reassessed by using evidence of adductor weakness rather than cutaneous sensory blockade, the latter being variable in its distribution and often absent. We performed this study, therefore, to evaluate the area of sensory loss produced by direct injection of local anesthetic around the obturator nerve. A selective obturator nerve block with 7 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine was performed in 30 patients scheduled for knee surgery. Sensory deficit and adductor strength were evaluated for 30 min by using sensory tests (cold and light-touch perception) and the pressure generated by the patient’s squeezing a blood pressure cuff placed between the knees. Subsequently, a three-in-one block was performed, and the sensory deficit was reassessed. The obturator nerve block was successful in 100% of cases. The strength of adductors decreased by 77% ± 17% (mean ± sd). In 17 patients (57%), there was no cutaneous contribution of the obturator nerve. The remaining 7 patients (23%) had an area of hypoesthesia (cold sensation was blunt but still present) on the superior part of the popliteal fossa, and the other 6 (20%) had sensory deficit located at the medial aspect of the thigh. The three-in-one block resulted in blockade of the lateral aspect of the thigh in 87% of cases, whereas the anteromedial aspect was always anesthetized. By use of magnetic resonance imaging in eight volunteers, we demonstrated that the obturator nerve has already divided into its two branches at the site of local anesthetic injection. However, the injection of blue dye after having simulated the technique in five cadavers showed that the fluid regularly spread to both branches. We conclude that after three-in-one block, a femoral nerve block may have been assessed as an obturator nerve block in 100% of cases when testing the cutaneous distribution of the obturator nerve on the medial aspect of the thigh.
Suramin to enhance glaucoma filtering procedures: a clinical comparison with mitomycin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Trabeculectomies performed with mitomycin are more likely to be successful, but have an increased rate of complications. We performed a novel approach to enhance the outcome of trabeculectomies using suramin, a substance that inhibits the action of growth factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trabeculectomies were performed in 10 eyes of 10 patients with advanced stages of complicated glaucoma and/or poor visual prognosis in a prospective, consecutive study. For comparison, an equal number of matched controls were selected from surgical cases using mitomycin and another 20 cases without mitomycin. Pre- and post-operative data were evaluated as well as complications and the need for further surgeries. RESULTS The follow up was 18 months for the eyes in all groups. Average IOP values decreased from 32.7 mm Hg and 29.5 mm Hg to 19.7 mm Hg and 19.3 mm Hg in the suramin and mitomycin groups. The average number of medications decreased from 2.6 and 2.5 (P <0.86, t-test) to 1.3 and 0.4 (P <0.027) in the suramin- and mitomycin-treated eyes at the last visit. Hypotony following trabeculectomy occurred in 2/10 cases in suramin-treated eyes and 5/10 cases in mitomycin-treated eyes (P <0.18). Hypotony lasting for more than three months occurred in 0/10 suramin-treated eyes and 5/10 mitomycin-treated eyes. Conjunctival dehiscence (2/10), choroidal detachment (4/10), hypotony maculopathy (1/10), and endophthalmitis (1/10) were only noted in mitomycin-treated eyes. Without mitomycin 60% of surgeries performed failed. CONCLUSIONS In this first study using suramin to inhibit fibrosis following trabeculectomy for complicated cases of glaucoma, it appears that the use of suramin is associated with fewer cases of severe hypotony, choroidal detachment, and severe visual loss as compared to mitomycin, while the success rates seem to be similar.
Exploration strategies and key activities for the system of environmental management

The increasing emphasis on environmental protection has forced firms in virtually all industries to implement environmental management systems and to produce ‘green’ products. The activities of ‘environmental management and green production’ include all efforts to minimise the adverse environmental impacts of a firm's processes and products throughout their life-cycle. However, the question of how to decide the key activities to achieve the performance of environmental management is an important issue in all industries. The present study addresses this problem by using a literature review and an expert panel to develop a proposed framework for environmental management activities based on Porter's ‘value-chain model’. The study first uses the Delphi method to determine the critical activities and develop the system of environmental management and green product, which consists of three perspectives, 12 initiatives, and 30 activity items. Analytic hierarchy process is then used to determine the priorities of these activities. Finally, the study uses quality function deployment to investigate which existing environmental management systems make the most significant contribution to enhancing the effectiveness of these activities.
Identification of genetic heterogeneity in the Cryptosporidium parvum ribosomal repeat

Oocysts of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum are found in most surface waters and can contaminate municipal water supplies, as demonstrated by recent outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis. A method capable of fingerprinting C. parvum isolates from the environment would facilitate the study of epidemiology and transmission cycles and aid in the implementation of preventive measures to reduce water contamination by oocytes. In this study, we report polymorphism in C. parvum isolates on the basis of analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA and nucleotide sequences in a region of the 18S rRNA and the internal transcribed spacer 1. Isolate-specific primers for these two regions were designed, and PCR tests capable of discriminating between isolates were developed. In both PCR assays, the five C. parvum isolates analyzed segregated into two subgroups. One group consisted of isolates that originated directly from human patients, and the other group had various host origins and had been propagated in laboratory animals. These results demonstrate the feasibility of distinguishing C. parvum isolates by sequence-specific PCR tests.
Ethical Principles and Standards for the Conduct of Human and Animal Biological Rhythm Research

Most research papers published in Chronobiology International report the findings of investigations conducted on laboratory animals and human beings. The Journal, its editors and the publication committee endorse the compliance of investigators to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association relating to the conduct of ethical research on human beings and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the National Research Council relating to the conduct of ethical research on laboratory and other animals. Chronobiology International requires that submitted manuscripts reporting the findings of human and animal research conform to the respective policy and mandates of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The peer review of manuscripts will thus include judgment of whether or not the involved research methods conform to the standards of good research practice. This article outlines the basic expectations for the methods of human and animal biological rhythm research, both from the perspective of the fundamental criteria necessary for quality chronobiology investigation and from the perspective of humane and ethical research on human beings and animals.
Operation of single-flux-quantum logic cells based on all-NbN integrated circuit technology

We developed NbN-based SFQ circuits consisting of high-quality epitaxial NbN/AlN/NbN trilayer grown on MgO (100) substrate. The SFQ logic cells such as JTL, DC/SFQ converter, voltage driver, pulse splitter, TFF, and CB were designed by setting the critical current density JC at 2.5 kA/cm2. We succeeded in demonstrating correct operations of all the designed SFQ cells, but the JC range allowing the operation was quite narrow as around 70% for the designed value. The circuit simulation revealed that the TFF cell requires the JC range from 65% to 115% for the correct operation, while the DC/SFQ converter was not operational for the JC of more than 70%.
Outsourcing and the US Labour Market

There is worldwide concern about the vulnerability of the current labour force to displacement by future imported services. In the USA, some have suggested that as much as one-third of the workforce might be vulnerable to such outsourcing. However, the labour market impacts of this displacement are difficult to assess using purely analytical or statistical approaches. In this paper, simulation methods are used to understand how sensitive the US economy and labour market are to increases in services imports. Specifically, the scenario examined assumes that the share of imported services in total employment increases from 0.8 per cent to 7.25 per cent over a time horizon in which workers are unable to change occupations. In response, it is found that all industries increase their use of imported services and their use of the composite input that is comprised of imported services and tradable labour. With the exception of legal workers, all workers in tradable occupations experience declines in their real wages. Demand for non-tradable occupations labour rises in the industries that expand the most, while demand falls in shrinking industries. The non-tradable occupations that are used intensively in the shrinking industries experience declines in real wages, while the real wages rise for workers in non-tradable occupations used intensively in the expanding industries.
Optimum behavior: Wireless power transmission system design through behavioral models and efficient synthesis techniques

In this article, the different challenges and open issues regarding WPT systems have been presented considering both the transmitting and receiving ends. The challenges in the receiving side include the accurate modeling of the rectifying elements, the adequate selection of the rectifier topology, and the joint optimization of antenna and rectifier circuit. The challenges in the transmitting side are mainly in the improvement of the dc-to-RF conversion efficiency and in the selection of the optimum transmitted signal waveform. The final goal of most of these challenges is to take advantage of the nonlinear nature of the rectifying elements in order to maximize the RF-to-dc conversion efficiency in the receiving end of WPT systems.
Terminal 7-methyl-guanosine cap structure on the normally uncapped 5' noncoding region of poliovirus mRNA inhibits its translation in mammalian cells

We have used an RNA transfection assay to study the translation of cellular and viral mRNAs with and without 5'-terminal m7GpppG cap structures in human tissue culture cells. HeLa cells were transfected with in vitro-transcribed hybrid RNA molecules containing the 5' noncoding regions of either luciferase or poliovirus linked to the coding region of the firefly luciferase gene. Transcripts containing a capped luciferase 5' noncoding region produced luciferase, while similar uncapped transcripts did not. In contrast, transcripts containing a capped 5' noncoding region of poliovirus accumulated 10-fold-lower levels of luciferase than similar transcripts without a terminal cap structure. Inhibition of poliovirus mRNA translation by a 5'-terminal cap structure was not observed in in vitro translation systems. This finding indicates that factors involved in cap-independent translation of poliovirus RNA are quantitatively or qualitatively different in human tissue culture cells and in in vitro translation systems. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of studying translational control of mRNAs in intact cells.
A LONG-RUN COST FUNCTION FOR THE LOCAL SERVICE AIRLINE INDUSTRY

N this study we formulate and estimate a cost function for the United States local service airline industry. Section I discusses certain characteristics of the industry and its regulation by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) which influence the form of the cost function and the method of estimation chosen. The model is outlined in section II. The data available and the method of estimation are discussed in section III. Some tentative conclusions are presented in section IV.
Dichloroacetate‐induced developmental toxicity and production of reactive oxygen species in zebrafish embryos

Dichloroacetate (DCA) is one of the toxic by products that are formed during the chlorine disinfection process of drinking water. In this study, the developmental toxicity of DCA has been determined in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Embryos were exposed to different concentrations (4, 8, 16, and 32 mM) of the compound at the 4 h postfertilization (hpf) stage of development, and were observed for different developmental toxic effects at 8, 24, 32, 55, 80, and 144 hpf. Exposure of embryos to 8–32 mM of DCA resulted in significant increases in the heart rate and blood flow of the 55 and 80 hpf embryos that turned into significant decreases at the 144 hpf time point. At 144 hpf, malformations of mouth structure, notochord bending, yolk sac edema and behavioral effects including perturbed swimming and feeding behaviors were also observed. DCA was also found to produce time‐ and concentration‐dependent increases in embryonic levels of superoxide anion (O 2·– ) and nitric oxide (NO), at various stages of development. The results of the study suggest that DCA‐induced developmental toxic effects in zebrafish embryos are associated with production of reactive oxygen species in those embryos. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 19:52–58, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20051
Switchable compact widestopband bandstop filter to wideband bandpass filter

In this paper, a switchable compact microstrip band-stop filter (BSF) to bandpass filter (BPF) using spiral resonator is reported. In BSF, spiral resonator has open ends as against to the shorted ends of the BPF. This concept is used to design the filter switchable so that in a single layout, the two filters - BSF and BPF - can be achieved. PIN diode is used for switching operation. Also a mathematical two-port system approach is used to derive the response of the proposed filter consisting of spiral resonator. To validate the proposed filter design, a switchable BSF to BPF is designed and fabricated on the substrate RT/Duroid 6010.2 having dielectric constant and thickness of 10.2 and 0.635 mm respectively. Simulation and experimental results are in good agreement.
Efficient customisable dynamic motion planning for assistive robots in complex human environments

People with impaired physical and mental ability often find it challenging to negotiate crowded or unfamiliar envi- ronments, leading to a vicious cycle of deteriorating mobility and sociability. To address this issue we present a novel motion planning algorithm that is able to intelligently deal with crowded areas, permanent or temporary anomalies in the environment (e.g., road blocks, wet floors) as well as hard and soft constraints (e.g., "keep a toilet within reach of 10 meters during the jour- ney", "always avoid stairs"). Constraints can be assigned a priority tailored on the user's needs. The planner has been validated by means of simulations and experiments with elderly people within the context of the DALi European project.
Expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 (SDF‐1) in human prostate cancers (PCa) in vivo

Human prostate cancers (PCa) express great variability in their ability to metastasize to bone. The identification of molecules associated with aggressive phenotypes will help to define PCa subsets and will ultimately lead to better treatment strategies. The chemokine stromal‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1 or CXCL12) and its receptor CXCR4 are now known to modulate the migration and survival of an increasing array of normal and malignant cell types including breast, pancreatic cancers, glioblastomas, and others. The present investigation extends our previous investigations by determining the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in humans using high‐density tissue microarrays constructed from clinical samples obtained from a cohort of over 600 patients. These data demonstrate that CXCR4 protein expression is significantly elevated in localized and metastastic cancers. At the RNA level, human PCa tumors also express CXCR4 and message, but overall, they were not significantly different suggesting post‐transcriptional regulation of the receptor plays a major role in regulating protein expression. Similar observations were made for CXCL12 message, but in this case more CXCL12 message was expressed by metastastic lesions as compared to normal tissues. PCa cell lines also express CXCL12 mRNA, and regulate mRNA expression in response to CXCL12 and secrete biologically active protein. Furthermore, neutralizing antibody to CXCL12 decreased the proliferation of bone homing LNCaP C4‐2B and PC3 metastastic tumor cells. These investigations provide important new information pertaining to the molecular basis of how tumors may ‘home’ to bone, and the mechanisms that may account for their growth in selected end organs. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Citizens at Play: Children's Participation through Community-Based Opportunities for Child-Directed Play

Play is widely discussed within the context of children's education and development. However, play (specifically child-directed play) should also be understood in the context of children's participation. With an argument grounded in theory and research from multiple perspectives, this article encourages readers to consider play as not only a means to an end, but as an essential element of children's current engagement within cultural contexts and the creation of social capital and personal voice. Recognizing the limits of theoretical discussion alone, the authors have developed a practice-based community engagement and training model to support child-directed play across various contexts. Pop-Up Adventure Playgrounds support and celebrate child-directed play in public spaces and help to reframe discussions about children's right to play as part of an ongoing and collective issue of human rights, citizenship, and participation.
Effect of exercise training on plasma levels of C-reactive protein in healthy adults: the HERITAGE Family Study.

AIMS To study the effect of exercise training on plasma C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a 20 week standardized exercise training programme in 652 sedentary healthy white and black men and women. C-reactive protein was measured with a high sensitivity assay. The study sample was stratified according to baseline C-reactive protein levels using a recommended classification (low <1.0 mg/L, n=265; moderate 1.0-3.0 mg/L, n=225; high >3.0 mg/L, n=162). The median C-reactive protein reduction was 1.34 mg/L in the high baseline C-reactive protein group. C-reactive protein levels did not change in the low or moderate baseline C-reactive protein groups. The difference among the C-reactive protein groups was significant adjusting for all correlates of baseline C-reactive protein (P<0.001) and additionally for changes in body weight, glucose, insulin, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and maximal oxygen uptake (P<0.001). The C-reactive protein reduction in the high baseline C-reactive protein group was consistent across all population groups (P<0.001 for difference among baseline C-reactive protein groups). CONCLUSION Plasma C-reactive protein levels are reduced in response to exercise training in sedentary healthy adults with high initial C-reactive protein levels. This finding may partly explain the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.