bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dielectric relaxation in ferroelectric TlInS2 layered crystals within metastable chaotic state
Authors: Şentürk E. , Tümbek L. , Mikailov F. A. , Salehli F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe results of investigations low frequency dielectric relaxation in layered ferroelectric TlInS2 crystals are presented. The measurements were performed in the temperature range of 180‐230 K and in the frequency range of 5 kHz–1 MHz. Two different relaxation processes were observed in mentioned temperature interval. The crystal has “slow” and “fast” relaxation mechanisms in low and high frequency region, respectively. The presence of two different relaxation mechanisms in TlInS2 is discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Involvement of nonclassical MHC class Ib molecules in heat shock protein‐mediated anti‐tumor responses
Authors: Goyos Ana , Guselnikov Sergey , Chida Asiya S. , Sniderhan Lynn F. , Maggirwar Sanjay B. , Nedelkovska Hristina , Robert Jacques 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNonclassical MHC class Ib (class Ib) genes are found in all jawed vertebrates, and their products are hypothesized to be indicators of intracellular stress and malignancy. They may be involved in immune recognition of classical MHC class Ia (class Ia)‐low or ‐negative tumor cells through their interaction with T cell receptors and/or non‐T cell inhibitory or triggering receptors expressed by NK cells and T cells. In the frog Xenopus, the molecular chaperone gp96 mediates a potent immune response involving antigen‐specific classical class Ia‐unrestricted CD8+ CTL (CCU‐CTL) against a transplantable thymic tumor (15/0) that does not express class Ia molecules. We hypothesized that Xenopus nonclassical class Ib gene products (XNC) are involved in gp96‐mediated CCU‐CTL anti‐tumor responses. To investigate the involvement of class Ib gene products in Xenopus anti‐tumor responses, we generated, for the first time in ectothermic vertebrates, stable tumor transfectants expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to silence either XNC directly or β2m to prevent class Ib surface expression. Both types of 15/0 transfectants are more resistant to CCU‐CTL killing, more tumorigenic and more susceptible to NK‐like cell killing. This study provides in vitro and in vivo evidence of the evolutionary conservation of class Ib involvement in anti‐tumor CD8+ T cell responses.
Transition‐Metal (MnII and CoII) Complexes with the Heteropolymolybdate Fragment [AsVMo9O33]7–: Crystal Structures, Electrochemical and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Yang Yanyan , Xu Lin , Gao Guanggang , Li Fengyan , Qiu Yunfeng , Qu Xiaoshu , Liu Hong 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTwo novel heteropolymolybdates, [(CH3)4N]8n[M(H2O)5]2n(H3O)2n[{M(H2O)5}2(MAsVMo9O33)2]n[M(H2O)4(MAsVMo9O33)2]n·20nH2O (M = Mn2+, 1; M = Co2+, 2), constructed from the new fragment (AsVMo9O33)7– and a transition metal have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Structurally the title complexes resemble a sandwich‐type complex because they involve the coordination of two transition metals to two [AsVMo9O33]7– fragments, which derive from the well‐known B‐β‐Keggin structure. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit a one‐dimensional chain‐like framework [M(H2O)4(MAsVMo9O33)2]8n– with isolated {[M(H2O)5]2(MAsVMo9O33)2}6– units residing among the chains. The magnetic properties of the two complexes were investigated to indicate typical antiferromagnetic interactions through the MnII–O–MnII bridge unit for complex 1 and the CoII–O–CoII bridge unit for complex 2. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Gel‐free IEF in a membrane‐sealed multicompartment cell for proteome prefractionation
Authors: Lam Hoang‐Trang , Antonioli Paolo , Righetti Pier Giorgio , Citterio Attilio , Girault Hubert 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA minidevice for performing gel‐free proteome prefractionation via conventional IEF in soluble carrier ampholyte buffers is reported here. It consists of a compact block of polyoxymethylene in which eight samples and two electrode chambers are machined. Each of the eight sample chambers can be filled with up to 120 μL of sample and has the following size: 7 mm width, 3 mm depth and 10 mm height. The anodic and cathodic compartments have the same width and height as the sample chambers, but with a depth of 6 mm, thus accepting up to 250 μL of electrodic solutions. Focusing is in general accomplished in 2 h with a voltage gradient of up to 1000 V (7 cm electrode distance). Easy fractionation and collection of the content of the eight chambers is achieved by simply pressing a rubber diaphragm against the edges of the thin walls separating each well, this automatically breaking liquid continuity. The performance of this device has been tested by subfractionating total cell lysates of a human cancer cell line (U2Os) and of Escherichia coli bacterial cells, and by analysing the content of each chamber by mono‐dimensional SDS‐PAGE and 2‐D maps.
Toward a global characterization of the phosphoproteome in prostate cancer cells: Identification of phosphoproteins in the LNCaP cell line
Authors: Giorgianni Francesco , Zhao Yingxin , Desiderio Dominic M. , Beranova‐Giorgianni Sarka 
Published: May 2007

AbstractProtein phosphorylation plays a major role in most cell‐signaling pathways in all eukaryotic cells. Disruptions in phosphorylation‐mediated cell‐signaling events are associated with various diseases, including cancer. Here, we applied a fully non‐gel‐based methodology to obtain an initial panel of phosphoproteins from the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line. The analytical strategy involved enrichment of phosphopeptides by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, the use of POROS Oligo R3 to capture phosphopeptides that were not retained with a C18 packing, and gas‐phase fractionation in the m/z dimension to extend the dynamic range of the LC‐MS/MS analysis. In this pilot investigation, 137 phosphorylation sites in 81 phosphoproteins were identified. The characterized phosphoproteins include kinases, co‐regulators of steroid receptors, and a number of cancer‐related proteins.
The probability function of the compound Poisson process and an application to aftershock sequence in Turkey
Authors: Özel Gamze , İnal Ceyhan 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObtaining the probability function is a problem in the compound Poisson process. In this study, the explicit probability function of the compound Poisson process is derived. By means of written macros, some numerical examples are also given to illustrate the usage of the probability function. Also as an application, 94 destructive earthquakes having surface wave magnitudes Ms ≥ 5.0 and their aftershocks within one month occurred in Turkey between 1903 and 2005 are considered. By using this data set, the probability function of the total number of aftershocks is obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of endoscopic surgery in the management of selected malignant epithelial neoplasms of the naso‐ethmoidal complex
Authors: Nicolai Piero , Castelnuovo Paolo , Lombardi Davide , Battaglia Paolo , Bignami Maurizio , Pianta Luca , Tomenzoli Davide 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground.This study reviews the outcome of patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the naso‐ethmoidal complex treated by endoscopic surgery.Methods.Sixteen patients underwent a purely endoscopic excision of AC (n = 12) or SCC (n = 4) at 2 university hospitals. All patients were prospectively followed by endoscopic and MRI evaluations.Results.The tumor originated from the ethmoid in 13 cases and the nasal fossa in 3. Lesions were staged as follows: 5 T1, 10 T2, and 1 T3. Adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered in 7 cases. Follow‐up (range, 28–70 months; mean, 47.25) was available for all patients. One patient died for brain metastases 28 months after surgery. Another patient required salvage craniofacial resection and radiotherapy for recurrent AC. Five‐year disease‐specific and disease‐free survival rates were 93.3% and 87.0%, respectively.Conclusions.In selected T1‐T2 lesions of the naso‐ethmoidal complex, endoscopic surgery seems to offer a satisfactory alternative to external procedures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007
Hospital management: Integrating the dual hierarchy?
Authors: Pool Jeroen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTraditionally, hospitals are seen as dual hierarchies: in addition to the formal administrative pyramid, the professional medical system forms a second line of authority. Equally traditional, this poses substantial problems for hospital management.The present study reported in this article took place as part of a larger research project on Industrial Democracy in Europe (IDE‐2), aimed at studying changes in industrial relations and internal relations in metal and insurance companies. In the Netherlands, this project was enlarged to include hospitals.A number of significant changes have taken place in the past decade in Dutch general hospitals. As a reaction to environmental changes, e.g. in legislation, planning and financing, organizational structures have shown interesting developments. Examples are an increased hospital size due to mergers, the emergence of mid‐level management, divisionalization (inpatient vs outpatient wards), and integration of medical specialists in the organization. As a result, several changes in power positions have occurred, mainly at the strategic decision level: middle and top management have gained while the medical profession has lost some influence. The Works Council has established its position, and made a significant gain in influence on strategic decision making.
Essential national health research in developing countries: Health‐care financing and the quality of care
Authors: Wouters Annemarie V. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNew research integrating expertise in financing and quality assurance is critical at times when resource constraints threaten to undermine the sustainability of effective healthcare services. Cost‐effectiveness is related to the quality of the health‐care intervention. In the economics literature, health‐care demand studies generally indicate that quality is an important determinant of utilization patterns, but do not clearly identify those components of quality most important to the patient. On the supply side, cost analyses have not closely examined cost‐quality tradeoffs, nor the net costs of quality. Policy makers must determine the affordability of cost‐recovery mechanisms, which include both increases in price and quality. Further research should identify those aspects of quality which will maximize effectiveness at the least cost, thus helping to promote the financial sustainability of the health service.
Productivity and quality of public hospital medical staff: A dominican case study
Authors: Lewis Maureen A. , Sulvetta Margaret B. , la Forgia Gerard M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMedical care personnel constitute a major portion of health‐care costs and are an important determinant of quality. Personnel policy, especially regarding physicians and nurses, is central to the level and type of care provided, and ultimately to the resources expended. There is increasing evidence that state health systems in many Latin American countries face the apparently paradoxical situation of oversupply of physicians coupled with the undersupply of physician services. Yet, productivity of medical staff in public facilities in Latin America is a relatively unexplored area. Further, little is known about the relationship between productivity of medical staff and quality of services provided in developing countries.Taking the case of a large public hospital in the Dominican Republic, this study examines the quality of hospital structure and process as it relates to the functions and performance of physicians, and to a lesser extent, nurses. Based on a patient‐based survey, data were collected on physician and nurse time allocations in outpatient, emergency, surgery and inpatient wards, the types of services provided, and the time costs of providing them.The analysis focuses on medical staff performance according to the professional levels of physicians and nurses providing care, and the time spent attending to patients and conducting supervisory tasks. The gap between contracted and expended physician hours is examined. The paper concludes with a discussion of the policy implications for hospital management, particularly as they relate to incentives for medical personnel.
Addressing national and regional health needs: A framework for health planning
Authors: Stanton Bonita F. , Clemens John D. , Black Robert E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCompletion of the first decade since the Alma‐Ata Declaration of ‘health for all’ (1978) has led to numerous appraisals, in international forums, of progress achieved by the current primary health care strategy. Although this strategy appears to have contributed to improvements in selected health outcomes, changing circumstances in many developing countries may now require a more flexible and country‐specific approach to health care programming. This article argues for the development of a pragmatic framework: to articulate problems which should be addressed in the development of national health programs; and, to organize concepts and methodologies to address these problems. Such a framework should enable an assessment of currently implicit value judgments, and enable strategies to be considered that assess several input and output variables simultaneously. Moreover, this framework would, we believe, further the goal of improved health delivery at a national level, and serve as a guide for further methodologic and conceptual development.
The public and private sectors in health: Economic issues
Authors: Newbrander William , Parker David 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMajor changes in the public/private mix of health services are occurring in many countries. These changes may be analysed by examining the financing and provision of services and subsidization of the purchase of the factors of production. The public sector and not‐for‐profit and for‐profit elements of the private sector must be viewed as separate entities in such analyses due to their differing objectives, motives and form of operation. The issues to be dealt with by countries in finding the public/private mix which is appropriate for their health system and achieves their objectives include efficiency, quality, regulation, equity and consumer choice and satisfaction. The recommendations for action for countries include: promoting collaboration between private and public sectors; testing different public/private mix models; identifying appropriate expansion paths for private sector services; improving information for policy and planning decisions; enhancing management capacity; and, reviewing programme and project support. International agencies also have a role in this process by supporting countries through the provision of technical assistance, financial aid, promoting policy reviews, and facilitating the sharing of information and experiences among countries concerning these public/private mix issues.
Methods for cost analysis, cost recovery, and cost control for a public hospital in a developing country: Victoria Hospital, St. Lucia
Authors: Trisolini Michael G. , Russell Sharon Stanton , Gwynne Gretchen , Zschock Dieter K. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInternational attention has focused in recent years on methods for analysing costs of public hospitals in developing countries, with the goal of reducing the financial burden on governments by enabling improved resource allocation, by identifying areas for cost recovery and cost control, and by developing management systems to facilitate these efforts. A range of methods for cost analysis, cost recovery, and cost control are reviewed in this article, with illustrations of applications of the methods at Victoria Hospital, the national hospital in St. Lucia. Comparisons are made to similar studies in Belize, Lesotho, and the Dominican Republic.Cost‐analysis methods focus on a detailed cost accounting effort which identifies the full financial costs of hospital operations and the unit costs of individual hospital services. Cost‐recovery methods include an analysis of cost‐related and other issues involved in setting fee levels for hospital services, determination of exemptions for certain population groups, and management of fee collection systems. Cost‐control methods include analysing the degree of managerial authority exercised by hospital managers in relation to the central Ministry of Health and other government departments, identifying opportunities and incentives for cost control by individual departments within the hospital, and evaluating methods for involving physicians and other clinical decision‐makers in cost control efforts. A diagnosis‐independent method for utilization review of clinical decisions, the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol, is pilot‐tested and alternatives, including Diagnosis Related Groups, are discussed. Implementation issues related to long‐term systems development efforts are reviewed.
Private medicine in socialist China: A survey of the private medical market in Guangzhou
Authors: Yuen Peter P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study analyses the size and the characteristics of the private medical market in Guangzhou. Legislations related to the regulation of private medical establishments are examined. Data collected reveal that private sector provision of health services in China is still small and lacks sophistication. The article recommends further reforms in the fees and charges system; loosening of the restrictions of public doctors to undertake private practice; contracting‐out some of the state health services to private practitioners; and, creating a more favourable environment for private investment in the health care industry.
Quality of care in decentralized primary care clinics: A conceptual framework
Authors: Gross Revital , Benbassat Jochanan , Nirel Nurit , Cohen Miriam 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn an attempt to provide high quality medical care, despite limited resources, health care providers in various countries have introduced decentralization into their health care services. It has been assumed that the delegation of authority to the local levels of the organization will enhance their ability to respond to local needs, and improve cost containment without compromising the quality of care. However, to date, few empirical studies have explored the relationship between decentralization and such projected outcomes.In this article we present a conceptual framework for analyzing possible consequences of decentralization on dimensions of quality of primary health care. We also suggest a framework for defining decentralization programs by their key components, and employ these frameworks to analyse a specific decentralization program being implemented in Israel's largest health maintenance organization (HMO).While we identify the dimensions most likely to be affected, we also conclude that data presently available do not permit a definitive prediction of whether the overall effect of decentralization on quality of care will be positive or negative. The potential reaction of a unit to the elements of change introduced by a decentralization program is influenced by the structural, cultural and management characteristics of that unit. Therefore, future attempts to decentralize health care organizations should be accompanied by close monitoring.
A knowledge‐based system for monitoring immunization coverage in Papua new Guinea
Authors: Cibulskis Richard E. , Crouch‐Chivers Paul R. , Posonai Enoch , Moni Coleman , Thomason Jane A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMicrocomputers have great potential to improve health service management in developing countries. In addition to their commonly recognized abilities to process numerical information, they can also provide assistance in interpreting it. They can highlight problems that require attention, suggest possible reasons why problems occur and suggest appropriate managerial responses. Computer programs which perform these more advanced functions are often known as knowledge‐based systems (KBSs) since they incorporate the knowledge of experts in the area addressed by the system. Such systems are increasingly being used to support decision making in commerce and public administration and offer great potential to the health sector. This article presents preliminary results of work to develop a KBS to help mid‐level managers monitor and evaluate health service provision in Papua New Guinea. It considers issues in the design and development of KBSs and discusses their future potential.
Developing health services management in South Africa: The question of transformation
Authors: Ong Bie Nio , Joseph Dawn 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe end of the Apartheid system in South Africa will have a major impact on its public sector, and the health service in particular. The key player in the process of transformation, the African National Congress, has put forward proposals for a National Health Service. The need for a management cadre to bring about and maintain these major changes is slowly being recognized. This article considers the impact of the proposed changes for health service management, and argues that management education has to produce people who possess both strategic and operational competencies to effect the transformation of an unequal and divisive health service into one that offers an equitable and high quality service to all South Africans.
The NHS internal market: Economic aspects of its medium‐term development
Authors: Whynes David K. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWith the re‐election of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom in April 1992, it is now likely that the major reforms of its National Health Service as outlined in the 1989 White Paper—Working for Patients—and embodied in the 1990 National Health Service and Community Care Act will be implemented to completion. This article examines the reforms as a re‐structuring of incentives facing agencies within the internal market for health care, and forecasts how agency behaviour is likely to change as a result of such re‐structuring. Medium‐term implications of the reforms for hospitals, general practitioners and patients are derived. A number of problems in the continued development of the internal market are anticipated.
Internal market reforms of health care systems and the allied health professions: An international perspective
Authors: Boyce Rosalie A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractFundamental reshaping of the organization of health services is occurring in publically funded health care systems introducing internal market reforms. Management of clinical activity and the introduction of competition through contract‐based processes has concentrated on the impacts on medicine and nursing. This article reports early experiences of the consequences of restructuring on the allied health professions from a five‐country fieldwork study. Data suggest that decisions on new organizational structures for allied health professions are likely to effect their potential to participate competitively in the market reforms of health care systems.