Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational forms of the provision of health care: an institutional perspective.

We approach our survey of organizational forms in this chapter from an institutional perspective (Meyer & Scott 1983; Scott 1995; Scott Ruef Mendel & Caronna 2000). Generally the institutional perspective emphasizes the rules values and beliefs that surround organizations and their members as critical components of behavior and communication practices within organizations. This approach to organization studies has its roots in the work of Selznick (1948 1949 1957) but has a well-developed history in research on organizations more recently (Meyer & Scott 1983; Meyer Scott & Deal 1983) as well as on health organizations (Alexander & Fennel 1986; Alexander Fennell & Halpern 1993; DAunno & Zuckerman 1987; Mick & Associates 1990; Scott et al. 2000). The institutional perspective recognizes that as organizations develop they take on lives of their own and that the symbolic environments external to organizations have determinant effects on the shape behavior culture climate and even survival of organizations. In the pages that follow we first lay out several tenets of the institutional perspective that will guide our identification of organizational forms in health care and help explain the changes we are witnessing. Second based on the institutional perspective we turn to a taxonomy of organizations engaged in the funding and regulating of health and medical services organizations that represent health professionals and other health organizations and organizations that deliver health services. With this inventory of forms complete in the third section we review trends and change forces at work in contemporary health care including demographics disease chronicity technology and managed care. Finally we address future research by considering ways that theory building in organizational communication could make common cause with research in health communication. (excerpt)
Transport of 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine across plasma membrane of HeLa S3 cells is protein mediated

9-(2-Phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) is an acyclic adenine nucleotide analog which exhibits potent and selective antiviral activity against herpesviruses and retroviruses. The study of [14C]PMEA uptake in HeLa S3 cells has shown that intracellular levels of the drug plateau after 1 h. Transport across the plasma membrane is saturable (concentration at half-maximal saturation [Kt], 0.39 microM; maximum rate of uptake [Vmax], 1.72 pmol/min.10(6) cells), and it can operate against the concentration gradient. Its significant dependence on temperature and on cellular density has been demonstrated. Following the treatment of cells with proteases, PMEA uptake strongly decreases. The transport process is considerably specific, since only a few phosphonate analogs act effectively as competitive inhibitors. Of these, 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (Ki = 0.24 microM) is the most efficient. Also, natural nucleotides competitively inhibit PMEA transport, depending on the nature of the nucleobase (thymine = adenine > guanine > cytosine < uracil) and on the position and number of phosphate groups. Nucleosides and nucleobases do not interfere with PMEA uptake. Cellular transport of adenosine and thymidine or uptake of AMP and ATP via conjugated activity of ectonucleotidases and nucleoside transporters is not affected by PMEA. By using vectorial labeling of plasma membrane proteins with Na125I combined with affinity chromatography, a 50-kDa protein which may mediate cellular transport of PMEA has been identified.
Incentives for Health

This article discusses incentives to help make healthy choices the easy choices for individuals, operating at the levels of the individual, producers and service providers, and governments. Whereas paying individuals directly to be healthier seems to have a limited effect, offering financial incentives through health insurance improves health. Changing the environment to make healthier choices more accessible acts as an incentive to improve health. Employers can provide incentives to improve the health of their employees. Producers and service providers can take voluntary action to make their products less harmful, and they can be nudged into marketing healthier products within a regulatory environment. International agreements and monitoring systems can incentivize governments to do more for health. Lessons from climate change adaptation suggest that multilevel governance and policy integration are greater obstacles to policy change and implementation than knowing what has to be done. Policy change and implementation are triggered by many drivers, many of which are side effects of other policy pressures rather than of the direct policy goal itself. Effective action to reduce noncommunicable diseases will require leveraging social networks into a new ways of thinking about health; making better health prestigious and aspirational, and giving health and wellness a brand that encourages positive behavior change.
Ex〈α〉: An effective algorithm for continuous actions Reinforcement Learning problems

In this paper the Ex(α) Reinforcement Learning algorithm is presented. This algorithm is designed to deal with problems where the use of continuous actions have clear advantages over the use of fine grained discrete actions. This new algorithm is derived from a baseline discrete actions algorithm implemented within a kind of κ-nearest neighbors approach in order to produce a probabilistic representation of the input signal to construct robust state descriptions based on a collection (knn) of receptive field units and a probability distribution vector p(knn) over the knn collection. The baseline continuous-space-discrete-actions kNN-TD(λ) algorithm introduces probability traces as the natural adaptation of eligibility traces in the probabilistic context. Later the Ex(α)(κ) algorithm is described as an extension of the baseline algorithms. Finally experimental results are presented for two (not easy) problems such as the Cart-Pole and Helicopter Hovering.
Analysis of Relationships between Peptide/MHC Structural Features and Naive T Cell Frequency in Humans

The structural rules governing peptide/MHC (pMHC) recognition by T cells remain unclear. To address this question, we performed a structural characterization of several HLA-A2/peptide complexes and assessed in parallel their antigenicity, by analyzing the frequency of the corresponding Ag-specific naive T cells in A2+ and A2- individuals, as well as within CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. We were able to find a correlation between specific naive T cell frequency and peptide solvent accessibility and/or mobility for a subset of moderately prominent peptides. However, one single structural parameter of the pMHC complexes could not be identified to explain each peptide antigenicity. Enhanced pMHC antigenicity was associated with both highly biased TRAV usage, possibly reflecting favored interaction between particular pMHC complexes and germline TRAV loops, and peptide structural features allowing interactions with a broad range of permissive CDR3 loops. In this context of constrained TCR docking mode, an optimal peptide solvent exposed surface leading to an optimal complementarity with TCR interface may constitute one of the key features leading to high frequency of specific T cells. Altogether our results suggest that frequency of specific T cells depends on the fine-tuning of several parameters, the structural determinants governing TCR–pMHC interaction being just one of them.
Building an Efficient Financial System in China: A Need for Stronger Market Discipline

China has built a very comprehensive financial system, but has not let the market mechanism work freely. This unique pattern, rooted in China's dual-track reform strategy between state and non-state sectors, did not prevent a strong economic performance in the past, but is now a main cause of economic inefficiency and financial risks. The rapid development of digital finance is a back-door way of financial liberalization, responding to both old repressive policies and new technologies. To accomplish the mission of building an efficient financial system, the government needs to take at least three further steps in financial reform: creating a level-playing field; freeing up the market mechanism; and improving regulation. The key test lies in the effective enforcement of market discipline for corporate and financial institutions.
The Simplexa™ Group A Strep Direct Assay: a sample-to-answer molecular assay for the diagnosis of group A streptococcal pharyngitis

ABSTRACT The Simplexa™ Group A Strep Direct assay is intended for use on the Integrated Cycler for detection of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) directly from throat swabs that have not undergone nucleic acid extraction. A prospective study of 1352 samples in 4 geographically diverse sites showed an overall prevalence of GAS of 15.4%. The assay demonstrated 97.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity versus culture. The positive predictive value compared to culture was 72.7%. However, 46 out of 57 discrepant samples were Group A Strep positive when tested using a bi-directional sequencing method illustrating the increased sensitivity of the assay compared to culture for detection of GAS. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of GAS allows for timely treatment to decrease complications of this prevalent organism that continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Comparison of Isolation Media for Recovery of Burkholderia cepacia Complex from Respiratory Secretions of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT Burkholderia cepacia selective agar (BCSA) has previously been devised for isolation of B. cepacia from respiratory secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis and tested under research laboratory conditions. Here we describe a study in which BCSA, oxidation-fermentation polymyxin bacitracin lactose agar (OFPBL), and Pseudomonas cepacia agar (PCA) were compared in routine culture procedures for the ability to grow B. cepacia and inhibit other organisms. Three hundred twenty-eight specimens from 209 patients at two pediatric centers and 328 specimens from 109 adults were tested. Plates were inoculated, incubated, and read for quality and quantity of growth at 24, 48, and 72 h. Five (1.5%) specimens from 4 (1.9%) children and 75 (22.9%) specimens from 16 (14.7%) adults grew B. cepacia complex. At 24, 48, and 72 h, BCSA achieved 43, 93, and 100% detection, respectively; OFPBL achieved 26, 84, and 96%, respectively; and PCA achieved 33, 74, and 84% detection, respectively. Quality was assessed as pinpoint or good growth. At 24 h, most cultures growing B. cepaciacomplex had pinpoint colonies. By 48 and 72 h, 48 and 69% ofB. cepacia complex cultures, respectively, had good growth on BCSA, while on OFPBL 19 and 30%, respectively, had good growth and on PCA 11 and 18%, respectively, had good growth. BCSA was superior to OFPBL and PCA in suppressing organisms other than B. cepacia complex; 40 non-B. cepacia complex organisms were isolated from BCSA, 263 were isolated from OFPBL, and 116 were isolated from PCA. We conclude that BCSA is superior to OFPBL and PCA in its ability to support the growth of B. cepacia complex and to suppress other respiratory organisms.
Gender Dimension of Asset Poverty in the Near-Urban and Rural Households in Selected Local Government Areas of Oyo and Osun states, Nigeria

Attempt was made to collect data on housing characteristics, household durable and semi-durable assets of the respondents to construct an asset index. Due to economic limitations, only 454 households were covered. Most women interviewed in the near urban were either divorced, separated or widowed. They were highly educated and lived in modern apartments owned by them or inherited from their spouses. This unlike their counterparts in the remote areas, though they remained in a married state by being widowed, they lived in poorer apartments and mostly uneducated. On the average, female headed household respondents were older with an average age of 58.6 years while that of the male headed counterpart was 56.2 years. In asset poverty, 18.5% males as against 24.2% of the female headed households were in the richest category. This is in contrast to the apriori expectation; Male headed households had educational advantage over their female headed counterparts at the primary, secondary and the university levels. Yoruba culture is patriarchal; hence 54.2% of the male headed households inherited land from their father side while 37.0% of the female headed households did. Average distance to water source was 0.54 kilometer for male headed households and 0.56 kilometer for the female headed households. Open defecation affected more males in that 16.5% of the male headed households and only 6.8% of the female headed households had no toilets facilities. Female headed households use mobile phones and television sets/DVD, remittances, cooperarative societies and the micro finance houses and commercial banking than their male counterparts.
Localization of Glycogen Synthase in Brain

Antisera against glycogen synthase from canine brain were prepared and used for investigation of the localization of the enzyme in the brain. Antisera cross‐reacted only with the 88‐kilodalton protein that is the subunit of brain glycogen synthase. Immunoreactivity of glycogen synthase was universally distributed in all regions of the brain, although hippocampus, cerebral cortex, caudatoputamen, and cerebellar cortex had relatively high immunoreactivity. Light microscopic examination revealed that the immunoreactivity was found in all cell types, such as neurons in several regions, astrocytes, ependymal cells surrounding the ventricle, oligodendrocytes, and epithelial cells of the choroid plexus in the ventricle. Immunoreactive intensity was more prominent in neurons than glial cells. Immunostaining may be a useful tool for investigation of the state of glycogen metabolism under normal and pathological conditions.
Treatment of Intertrochanteric Fractures: Comparison of Ender Nails and Sliding Screw Plates

The results of two fixation devices for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures were compared in 220 patients 163 women and 57 men with a mean age of 81 ± 10 years. One hundred and one patients were randomized to Ender nailing and 119 to fixation with a sliding screw plate (SSP). The two treatment groups were equal with respect to important preinjury variables. The two methods did not differ in operating time or perioperative blood loss. The proportions of good reduction of the fractures and of good positioning of the internal fixation devices were equal in the two groups. But the complication rate and the reoperation rate were more than twice as high in the Ender group than in the SSP group. The outcome at 1-year follow-up was approximately equal in the two groups.
Time Perspective and Health-Promoting Behavior in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Population

Abstract Behavior changes can significantly improve outcomes for patients in the cardiac rehabilitation population. The authors examined the influence of time perspectives on health-promoting behaviors of patients for whom the future might be perceived as limited, although goal-directed behavior changes are crucial. Measures included the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII). In this study of 74 cardiac participants with a mean age of 60.2 years, the preponderant time perspective was found to be past-positive orientation. The authors discuss the effects of a life-threatening event and older age on time perspective and health-promoting behaviors and consequent implications for cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Specific Activation of Smad1 Signaling Pathways by the BMP7 Type I Receptor, ALK2*

BMP7 and activin are members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Here we characterize endogenous activin and BMP7 signaling pathways in P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. We show that BMP7 and activin bind to the same type II receptors, ActRII and IIB, but recruit distinct type I receptors into heteromeric receptor complexes. The major BMP7 type I receptor observed was ALK2, while activin bound exclusively to ALK4 (ActRIB). BMP7 and activin elicited distinct biological responses and activated different Smad pathways. BMP7 stimulated phosphorylation of endogenous Smad1 and 5, formation of complexes with Smad4 and induced the promoter for the homeobox gene,Tlx2. In contrast, activin induced phosphorylation of Smad2, association with Smad4, and induction of the activin response element from the Xenopus Mix.2gene. Biochemical analysis revealed that constitutively active ALK2 associated with and phosphorylated Smad1 on the COOH-terminal SSXS motif, and also regulated Smad5 and Smad8 phosphorylation. Activated ALK2 also induced the Tlx2promoter in the absence of BMP7. Furthermore, we show that ALK1 (TSRI), an orphan receptor that is closely related to ALK2 also mediates Smad1 signaling. Thus, ALK1 and ALK2 induce Smad1-dependent pathways and ALK2 functions to mediate BMP7 but not activin signaling.
Big-science organizations as lead users: A case study of CERN

This paper explores the role of big-science organizations in a lead-user context. Lead users are valuable for suppliers because they are active in co-developing products and foreshadowing market needs. Big-science organizations represent a special breed of co-developers, as their demands are not necessarily the avant-garde of a coming market. Yet, they may provide a valuable test bed for suppliers because they are pushing the boundaries of technological capacities and, thus, challenging suppliers’ talents. They are also prestigious collaboration partners that help producers to be acknowledged as being at the forefront of technology. They are often deeply engaged in their suppliers’ manufacturing and development activities, which is seen as a characteristic of the customer-active paradigm upon which the lead-user notion builds. This paper investigates whether and how interacting with the European Organization for Nuclear Research concerning their development needs may contribute to suppliers’ innovation. We ask the question: What characterizes interactions with big-science organizations as a type of lead user, and how do these characteristics impact the potential innovation benefits accruing to the suppliers?
Immunoglobulin level in donor blood reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus

Blood samples from 98 asymptomatic volunteer blood donors, including 55 that were reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Western blot (WB) assay, were tested for levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and titer of antibodies to HIV, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. Levels of IgG were significantly elevated (P less than or equal to 0.001) in donors with specific anti-HIV reactivity. A total of 69% of donors with anti-HIV had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 12 mg/ml, and 44% had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 14.5 mg/ml. Levels of IgM were not significantly different among WB-reactive and nonreactive donors. The titer of anti-HIV was significantly (P less than 0.02) correlated with IgG levels among donors reactive in the WB assay. Elevation of IgG, however, was not significantly associated with the presence of anticytomegalovirus or anti-herpes simplex virus antibodies. The data show that elevation of IgG may represent an early manifestation of HIV infection before the development of clinical symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Preradiotherapy Hemoglobin Level but not Microvessel Density Predicts Locoregional Control and Survival in Laryngeal Cancer Treated with Primary Radical Radiotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the roles of preradiotherapy hemoglobin level and microvessel density (MVD) as predictive factors for tumor control and survival in patients with laryngeal cancer treated with primary radiotherapy. Experimental Design: Two hundred and fourteen patients with stage I-IV laryngeal cancer were included in the analysis. Patients were treated with once daily fractionated radiotherapy over 6.5 weeks or twice daily fractionated radiotherapy over 4.5 weeks up to total doses of 62 to 68 Gy. Preradiotherapy hemoglobin levels were obtained from patient journals, and pretreatment tumor biopsies were stained with CD34 antibody for the counting of microvessels. The prognostic implication of preradiotherapy hemoglobin level and MVD on tumor control and survival was tested. Results: Five-year locoregional control probability was 88.9% for patients with preradiotherapy hemoglobin levels >137.5 g/L (median) and 64.4% for patients with preradiotherapy hemoglobin levels <137.5 g/L (P = 0.01). The corresponding figures for disease-free survival were 87.8 and 62.8% (P = 0.007), respectively, and for overall survival 58.1 and 40.3% (P < 0.001), respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor stage and preradiotherapy hemoglobin level were significant prognostic factors for locoregional control and disease-free survival, whereas tumor stage, preradiotherapy hemoglobin-level, gender, and age were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. No correlation was found between MVD and tumor control and survival. Conclusion: Preradiotherapy hemoglobin level, but not MVD, predicts locoregional control and survival in patients with laryngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy.
Expression recognition based constructing strategy for virtual learning community

Virtual learning community is an important organizational form for collaborative learning. And the learning emotion, interaction degree, knowledge test are important characteristics of learning. However, the existing constructing strategy is unable to accurately determine the matching degree between the learner and the community. The lower matching degree will weaken the learning performance of learners. This paper comprehensively considers and uses the learning characteristics to evaluate the matching degree between learners and commmunities, and presents a new dynamic constructing strategy, then give its corresponding adjusting algorithm for virtual learning community. It is easy and more accurate to identify whether a certain community suits the learner, and it can help a learner to find a suitable community to further improve his learning performance and experience. Case study and analysis shows the feasibility and practicability of our proposed constructing strategy.
Identification of Major Antigenic Proteins of Edwardsiella Tarda Recognized by Japanese Flounder Antibody

Edwardsiella tarda is a fish pathogen that causes systemic infections in fresh water and marine fish. Determining the antigenic proteins is important for the development of an immunodiagnostic tests and a vaccine for effective infection control in fish. In the current study, antigens were detected by immunoblotting and affinity column chromatography using a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) antibody produced by experimental infection with E. tarda. GroEL, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), outer membrane protein A, filament protein, 30S ribosomal protein S6, 50S ribosomal protein L9, cold shock protein, and carbon storage protein were identified as antigens of E. tarda through biochemical analyses of the molecular weights, isoelectric points, and N-terminal amino-acid sequences. These proteins can be easily detected in flounder infected with E. tarda and are potential diagnostic markers.