[ relationship between perceived high performance human resource management and evidence-based practices with perceived service orientation climate [case of study: Isfahan's health centers]]

Introduction: Recently, the gap between academic theories of health management and human resource management as well as their organizational consequences has been appraised. `In response, some theories claiming they have achieved the best practice [bridging theory and practice] have been presented. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between evidence-based practice [EBP] and high performance human resource management practice [HPHRMP] with the perception service orientation climate [SOC] as their organizational outcome

Method: This applied study, conducted in 2013 was descriptive and analytical in nature. Considering data collection, the study was based on a causative and correlation relationship. For data collection, 161 physicians were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS for descriptive statistics using Cronbach's alpha and Pearson correlation. LISREL software, using causative relationships and Structural equation modeling, was used for inferential analysis

Results: Accuracy of hypotheses was confirmed, suggesting that HPHRMP and EBP separately can improve CuO through moderating EO and ClO

Conclusion: On the basis of the proposed research model, theoretical rhetoric include physician perceptions from HPHRMP and EBP can be good predictors for perceived outcome of SOC [including EO, ClO and CuO dimensions]; thus, application of these practices in organizations especially in health sector is recommended

Megavoltage dose enhancement of gold nanoparticles for different geometric set-ups: Measurements and Monte Carlo simulation

Gold nanoparticles [GNPs] have been shown as a good radiosensitizer. In combination with radiotherapy, several studies with orthovoltage X-rays have shown considerable dose enhancement effects. This paper reports the dose enhancement factor [DEF] due to GNPs in 18 megavoltage [MV] beams. Different geometrical 50-nm GNPs configurations at a concentration of 5 mg/ml were used by both experimental and Monte Carlo [MC] simulation in a deep-seated tumor-like insertion within a phantom. Using MCNP repeated structure capability; a large number of gold nanospheres with a semi-random distribution were applied to simulate this phantom based study. Thermoluminescence dosimetries were used to verify the process of irradiation and MC simulation. Under geometries with different probable combinations of water and GNPs distribution in the tumor, the percentage depth dose and DEF were calculated. Incorporation of GNPs into the radiation field in our set-ups showed a 12% DEF. We show that the method of nanoparticles, distribution, and orientation can effectively change the DEF value

[Comparison between progesterone and GnRH supplementation on the conception rate of heat stressed dairy cattle after artificial insemination]

Heat stress causes reduced fertility and significant economic loss in dairy cattle. To override the suppressive effects of heat stress, various hormonal manipulations have been utilized. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of progesterone [in the form of CIDR] and administration of GnRH after insemination on the conception rate of heat stressed dairy cattle. All cows were inseminated at estrus and were then alternately assigned into three groups on day 5 after artificial insemination [AI]: i] GnRH group [n=44] received an IM injection of 500 micro g GnRH [GONAbreed, PARNEL, Australia,]; ii] CIDR group [n = 44] received a CIDR [EAZI-BREED, Hamilton, NZ, containing 1/9 g progesterone] which was removed after a week; and iii] control group [n = 36], which did not receive any treatment. Conception was diagnosed on day 32-39 after AI by ultrasonography. Conception rate in GnRH, CIDR and control groups were 54.5%, 54.5% and 58.3%, respectively. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference among the three groups [p >0.05]. These treatments had had no statistically different effects on lactation, milk yield, days in milk and number of AI [p>0.05]. Conception rates within GnRH and CIDR groups in <150 and >150 days in milk subgroups were 74.4%, 40.7%, 84.6% and 41.9%, respectively and differed statistically significantly [p>0.05]. Conception rate within control and CIDR groups among <3 and >3 numbers of AI were 80%, 31.2%, 84.2% and 32%, respectively, which was statistically significant [p>0.05]. According to the results of this study, the use of GnRH and CIDR after AI did not improve conception rates of mildly heat stressed dairy cattle

[Review of finite element model studies in knee joint biomechanics]

Human knee joints experience very large loads and motions during regular daily, occupational and sport activities. Consequently, they are at high risk of being exposed to injuries and degeneration. Osteoarthritis and ligament injuries often inflict knee joints causing considerable pain and loss of productivity involving thus significant human and economic costs. Hence, biomechanics of human knee joints has been the focus of many investigations with the primary aim to improve understanding of joint function in normal and perturbed conditions. The existing prevention and treatment programs have been based on such studies. Due to inherent costs, limitations, difficulties and ethical concerns associated with in vivo and in vitro cadaveric studies, finite element model studies have been developed as effective, powerful and complementary tools to investigate knee joint biomechanics subject to internal and external mechanical conditions affecting its normal function. The advantage of finite element method in study of joint biomechanics lies in its robustness to incorporate complex 3D joint geometry, intricate boundary and loading conditions and materials with nonhomogeneous and nonlinear properties. This article reviews important model studies, presents their relevant results and discusses some of the promising future directions

relationships between patient satisfaction and loyalty in the private hospital industry

In today's competitive world, organizations' survival and success depends on satisfying customer needs and expectations. This is particularly important in health care sector where quality of service and customer relations are the key success factors. The purpose of this research was to determine whether there was a relationship between patient satisfaction and loyalty to the service provider. A total of 240 patients in four private hospitals were invited to complete a survey questionnaire. Both parametric and nonparametric research analysis were performed to test the research hypotheses. In addition, sensitivity analysis was applied to identify the most critical satisfaction dimensions that provide the highest return for management effort and financial investment. The study used six specific-satisfaction dimensions, including nursing care, operating room, admission and administrative service, meal, cost and patient room to propose its hypotheses. The patient overall satisfaction was mostly affected by the nursing care, meal, patient room as well as admission and administrative services, respectively. Further, we found that patient overall satisfaction and loyalty were positively correlated so that one unit increase in patient overall satisfaction increases patient loyalty by 54% to 77%. Hospitals in devising their long-term strategy should pay sufficient attention to the development of their human resources. Such a strategy should be leveraged on attracting and retaining competent and customer-oriented nursing and administrative staff, investing in continuous professional development of staff and using advanced technologies to improve the quality and speed of customer services

[Effects of nitric oxide on the expression of nicotine and apomorphine induced behavioral sensitization in mice]

Nicotine is the most abused drug in the world Experiments have shown that repeated administration of nicotine may increase the responsibility to the drug, whereas small amounts of nicotine may increase behavioral responses including locomotor activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide and possible dopamine mediation in nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization. Since, it is hypothesized that dopaminergic pathways within the brain are responsible for sensitization, apomorphine has been used. Apomorphine was also used to evaluate the interactions between nitric oxide and brain dopaminergic pathways. In the present study, the effects of L-arginine [a nitirc oxide precursor] and L-NAME [a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor] on the acquisition and expression of nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization in female N-MARI mice [body weight 20-25 g n=7/group] were investigated. Animal activities were recorded by an infrared activity meter. In order to evaluate the effetcs of the drugs on animal locomotor activity, animals were received different doses of nicotine [0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg], L-arginine [5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg], L-NAME [5, 10 and 20 mg/kg] apomorphine [0.125, 0.5 and 2 mg/kg]. L-arginine and/or L-NAME were injected to the animals either 20 min before each nicotine or apomorphine administration during the sensitization phase [acquisition] or 20 min before nicotine or apomorphine challenge dose [expression]. Results showed that administration of nicotine [1 mg/kg] caused significantly reduced, while apomorphine [0.125 mg/kg] significantly increased in animal's locomotor activity. While L-arginine administration did not change the animals' activities, injection of L-NAME [10 and 20 mg/kg] significantly reduced animals activities. Administration of L-arginine [5-50 mg/kg] before nicotine injection did not affect the nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization but did inhibit apomorphine-induced behavioral senitization. Injection of L-arginine [5-50 mgkg] reduced the expression of behavioral sensitization in nicotine and apomorphine senstized mice. L-NAME [5, 10 and 20 mg/kg] injection reduced both acquisition and expression of nicotine and apomorphine-induced behavioral sensitization. It could be concluded that inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis caused the inhibition of behavioral sensitization to nicotine and apomorphine. Considering these findings, it seems that nitric oxide inhibits nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization via brain dopaminergic pathways

Developing a PC- based portal image contrast enhancement program

Delivering the radiation dose to the target volume and minimizing the dose to normal tissues are the main objectives in radiotherapy. The aim of our study is to enhance the contrast of the portal image to increase the accuracy of delineation of the organs in the irradiation field. The software was written based on local enhancement of the pixel values in image matrix. The portal images were digitized by charged coupled device [CCD] in compatible format to be read with this program. This program was applied as an m-file in MATLAB imaging tool box to the matrices of the portal images. The imaging parameters before and after application of the program were compared. The quantitative information of images was obtained. Analysis of the mean and standard deviations of the results has shown that the difference of the criteria between two groups of the images is significant [p< 0.01]. In qualitative analysis, final images scores were based on "special weight ". The result of this test confirms the superior quality of the post-processed images from the professional view point. Superiority of final images within the three studied parameters by the experts [superiority of lung image, superiority of thorax and its soft tissue images] can be used to increase the accuracy of the treatment set up and decrease the probability of normal tissue complications

[Dosimetry, control and irradiation of rat cervical spinal cord]

In radiobiology, the most important physical radiation quantity to predict the effect of irradiation of a biological specimen is the absorbed dose to the tissue of interest. In this project an irradiation set up was designed and verification of set up and dosimetry procedure was performed to deliver a precise X-ray dose to the small field of rat cervical spinal cord. AAPM-TG61 [American association and physician in medicine radiation therapy committee task group 61] protocol was used for dose measurement and we tailored a rat like phantom from polyethylene for dosimetry verification. The ionization chamber in this study was a farmer type and the X-ray generator was an orthovoltage Siemens machine working at 200 KVp potential. Dosimetry was done in air and phantom. An special jig was also built to fix the animals during irradiation which could help the treatments to be reproducible. Simulation and portal films were obtained to verify the irradiation field. The average value of dose rate in specified geometries by measurement was 146.54 cGy/min [SD=0.109]. While the dose determined by calculation was 95.145 cGy/min [SD=0.105], the comparison between these 2 methods shown a small discrepancy of 0.50% [P<0.001], which lies within the error limit of +/- 5.3% as mentioned by ICRU. Using protocol of AAPM TG-61 can provide an accurate dosimetry with minimum ambiguity. Application of appropriate correction factors and protocols can increase the accuracy and decrease the irradiation errors in radiobiological studies

Gamma-ray spectrum of bovine thyroid during nuclear fallout

Following a nuclear explosion, the radioactive materials descend, to the earth. Most of the activity results from fission fragments. Therefore, new atoms created when heavy atoms such as uranium and plutonium are fissioned, Atoms made radioactive by neutron capture are also important. If the explosion is sufficiently high in the air, it takes months to years for most of the resulting finely dispersed particle to settle [1and 2]. By this time the greater part of the initial radioactivity has decayed away. This delayed fallout covers the entire world. Rain and snow help to bring it down. It tends to be greater in wet climate and seasons. In this article the data obtained during Russian nuclear air tests has been analysed [1961]