16 research outputs found
THE DOMINANT ROLE OF "LOCAL" INFORMATION IN USER INNOVATION: THE CASE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
In a study of innovations developed by mountain bikers, we find that user-innovators
almost always utilize "local" information - information already in their possession or
generated by themselves - to assess the need for and to develop solutions for their
innovations. We argue that this finding fits the economic incentives operating on users.
Local need information is the most relevant to user-innovators, since the bulk of their
innovation-related rewards typically come from in-house use. Local solution
information that is already "in stock" is preferred because it can be applied to
innovation-related problem-solving at a relatively low cost. Our findings suggest that
innovation development is distributed among users in an economical way:
user-innovations tend to be developed by "low-cost providers." It also suggests that
the likely function and solution type employed in most user innovations can be
predicted on the basis of preexisting user activity patterns and stocks of
solution-related information. This in turn opens the way to new methods for efficiently
screening user populations for the presence of innovations of any specified typ
Local and systemic effects of angiotensin receptor blockade in an emphysema mouse model
THE DOMINANT ROLE OF "LOCAL" INFORMATION IN USER INNOVATION: THE CASE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
In a study of innovations developed by mountain bikers, we find that user-innovators almost always utilize "local" information - information already in their possession or generated by themselves - to assess the need for and to develop solutions for their innovations. We argue that this finding fits the economic incentives operating on users. Local need information is the most relevant to user-innovators, since the bulk of their innovation-related rewards typically come from in-house use. Local solution information that is already "in stock" is preferred because it can be applied to innovation-related problem-solving at a relatively low cost. Our findings suggest that innovation development is distributed among users in an economical way: user-innovations tend to be developed by "low-cost providers." It also suggests that the likely function and solution type employed in most user innovations can be predicted on the basis of preexisting user activity patterns and stocks of solution-related information. This in turn opens the way to new methods for efficiently screening user populations for the presence of innovations of any specified typeUser Innovation, Local Information, Mountain Biking,
Measurement of Left Atrial Pressure is a Good Predictor of Freedom From Atrial Fibrillation
Background: It is suggested that an elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) promotes ectopic beats emanating in the pulmonary veins (PVs) and that LAP might be a marker for structural remodeling. This study aimed to identify if the quantification of LAP correlates with structural changes of the LA and may therefore be associated with outcomes following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).
Methods: We analysed data from 120 patients, referred to PVI due to drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) (age 63±8; 57% men). The maximum (mLAP) and mean LAP (meLAP) were measured after transseptal puncture.
Results and Conclusions: Within a mean follow-up of 303±95 days, 60% of the patients maintained in sinus rhythm after the initial procedure and 78% after repeated PVI. Performing univariate Cox-regression analysis, type of AF, LA-volume (LAV), mLAP and the meLAP were significant predictors of recurrence after PVI (p=0.03; p=0.001; p=0.01). In multivariate analysis mLAP>18 mmHg, LAV>100 ml and the presence of persistent AF were significant predictors (p=0.001; p=0.019; p=0.017). The mLAP >18 mmHg was associated with a hazard ratio of 3.8. Analyzing receiver-operator characteristics, the area under the curve for mLAP was 0.75 (p18 mmHg predicts recurrence with a sensitivity of 77 % and specificity of 60 %. There was a linear correlation between the LAV from MDCT and mLAP (p=0.01, R2=0.61). The mLAP measured invasively displays a significant predictor for AF recurrence after PVI. There is a good correlation between LAP and LAV and both factors may be useful to quantify LA remodeling
Clinical utility of intrathoracic impedance monitoring to alert patients with an implanted device of deteriorating chronic heart failure
Fluid status monitoring with a wireless network to reduce cardiovascular-related hospitalizations and mortality in heart failure: rationale and design of the OptiLink HF Study (Optimization of Heart Failure Management using OptiVol Fluid Status Monitoring
Impact of prevalent fractures on quality of life: baseline results from the global longitudinal study of osteoporosis in women
OBJECTIVE: To examine several dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in postmenopausal women who report previous fractures, and to provide perspective by comparing these findings with those in other chronic conditions (diabetes, arthritis, lung disease). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fractures are a major cause of morbidity among older women. Few studies have examined HRQL in women who have had prior fractures and the effect of prior fracture location on HRQL. In this observational study of 57,141 postmenopausal women aged 55 years and older (enrollment from December 2007 to March 2009) from 17 study sites in 10 countries, HRQL was measured using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) and the health status, physical function, and vitality questions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Reductions in EQ-5D health-utility scores and SF-36–measured health status, physical function, and vitality were seen in association with 9 of 10 fracture locations. Spine, hip, and upper leg fractures resulted in the greatest reductions in quality of life (EQ-5D scores, 0.62, 0.64, and 0.61, respectively, vs 0.79 without prior fracture). Women with fractures at any of these 3 locations, as well as women with a history of multiple fractures (EQ-5D scores, 0.74 for 1 prior fracture, 0.68 for 2, and 0.58 for ?3), had reductions in HRQL that were similar to or worse than those in women with other chronic diseases (0.67 for diabetes, 0.69 for arthritis, and 0.71 for lung disease). CONCLUSION: Previous fractures at a variety of bone locations, particularly spine, hip, and upper leg, or involving more than 1 location are associated with significant reductions in quality of life. <br/