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The purpose of this article is to present and discuss the development of a system for assessing and improving healthcare organisations. The system components comprise (1) a framework or model for assessing, measuring, diagnosing and improving healthcare organisations, (2) a simple methodology for data collection, data analysis and prioritising improvement areas and (3) an index named ILL (innovati
We describe a simple method to detect significant changes of the total ozone column from global (diffuse and direct) zenith sky measurements taken at the Earth’s surface. The calculation of the total ozone column relies on measured irradiance at two wavelengths in the ultra violet part of the solar spectrum. One of these (i.e. 306 nm) are appreciable absorbed by ozone whereas the other (i.e. 360 n
Diabetic retinopathy is an ophthalmic complication of diabetes that currently affects 93 million people worldwide. Diabetic macular edema is a subtype of diabetic retinopathy that is characterized by leaking blood vessels in the central part of the retina, and it is a major cause of vision loss in individuals with diabetes. Screening for retinopathy is performed at regular intervals to identify su
The best valve substitute for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in terms of hemodynamic performance, durability, incidence of complications, and survival remains the subject of much debate. It has been suggested that valve performance is influenced by the potentially modifiable variable prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). PPM has been reported to be detrimental for survival and symptom resolution main
1.. Implementation of the full spectra of screening tools to prevent the introduction of invasive species results in a need to evaluate the cost-efficiency of gathering the information needed to screen for these species. 2. We show how the Bayesian value of information approach can be used to derive the benefit of a screening model based on species traits, which in combination with the base rate o
Background: Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a fatal cancer, accounting for 3-5% of all diagnosed cancers. Finding the primary site is important for therapeutic choices and we believe that the organ which is designated as the cause of death may give clues about the primary site. Methods: A total of 20,570 patients with CUP were identified from the Swedish Family-Cancer Database. Causes of death
The complex structural behavior of tau-[AgCu](similar to 0.92)V4O10 has been elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. The tau-phase region is apparently composed of several distinct phases and this study identifies at least three: tau(1rt) tau(2rt) and tau(1t), tau(1rt) and tau(2rt) have slightly different compositions and crystal habits. Both phases transform to Tit at
Pacini G, Ahren M, Ahren B. Reappraisal of the intravenous glucose tolerance index for a simple assessment of insulin sensitivity in mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 296: R1316-R1324, 2009. First published February 11, 2009; doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.90575.2008.- Mice are increasingly used in studies where measuring insulin sensitivity (IS) is a common procedure. The glucose clamp is labor
Chromosomal translocations of transcription factors generating fusion proteins with aberrant transcriptional activity are common in acute leukemia. In acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic-acid receptor alpha (PML-RARA) fusion protein, which emerges as a consequence of the t(15;17) translocation, acts as a transcriptional repressor that blocks neutrophil different
We have recently reported Monte Carlo simulations for a system of two infinite like-charged plates in a dipolar fluid solvent (Pegado et al 2008 J. Chem. Phys. at press). The pressure as a function of plate separation qualitatively reproduces the ion-ion correlation attraction picture seen in primitive model studies, where the solvent only enters the picture implicitly through its dielectric const
Due to the involvement of calpains and calpastatin in the pathology of several diseases, it is important to create an analytical tool for their accurate and sensitive measurements. In this work, an amperometric immunoassay (AIA) was developed and optimized for quantification of two key proteins from the calpain proteolytic system. The detection is based on the measurement of a steady-state current
The duration of cell death may allow deducing the underlying degenerative mechanism. To find out how long a photoreceptor takes to die, we used the rdl mouse model for retinal neurodegeneration, which is characterized by phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) dysfunction and photoreceptor death triggered by high cGMP levels. Based on cellular data on the progression of cGMP accumulation, cell death, and survi
The processes that led to the formation of the planetary bodies in the Solar system are still not fully understood. Using the results obtained with the comprehensive suite of instruments onboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, we present evidence that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko likely formed through the gentle gravitational collapse of a bound clump of mm-sized dust aggregates ('
Summary: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and most efficient way of offering middle-aged Swedish women a primary fracture screening program via a questionnaire. Two out of five invited women returned the FRAX questionnaire and those contacted directly by mail were most prone to respond. Purpose: Osteoporosis and its associated fractures are increasing, and this study aims to ex
The age relationship between sunburns and malignant melanoma was investigated in a population-based, matched, case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region (the highest risk area for melanoma in Sweden). Between 1988 and 1990, a total of 400 patients with a first diagnosis of malignant melanoma and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire includin
The radiometric distortion of reflected radiation received by the NOAA AVHRR sensor is brought on by the effects of viewing and solar illumination geometry, as well as atmospheric effects. This may lead to a gross underestimation of bioproductivity or crop yield from models which use high temporal resolution NOAA AVHRR data as an input. Accordingly, a simple angular correction method is presented
ABSTRACT— A model is described in which transient ischemia is induced in rats anaesthetized with N2O:O2 (70:30) by bilateral carotid artery clamping combined with a lowering of mean arterial blood pressure to 50 mm Hg, the latter being achieved by bleeding, or by bleeding supplemented with administration of trimetaphan or phentolamine. By the use of intubation, muscle paralysis with suxamethonium
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change is an approach claimed to deliver social benefits relevant to marginalized groups. Based on a structured literature review, we interrogate such claims, asking whether such approaches may (or may not) contribute to social change and, more specifically, empowerment. We present a review of the predominant meaning and interlinkages of the EbA and empo
The Puchezh-Katunki impact structure, 40–80 km in diameter, located ~400 km northeast of Moscow (Russia), has a poorly constrained age between ~164 and 203 Ma (most commonly quoted as 167 ± 3 Ma). Due to its relatively large size, the Puchezh-Katunki structure has been a prime candidate for discussions on the link between hypervelocity impacts and extinction events. Here, we present new 40Ar/39Ar
