Interorganizational Network Structures and Diffusion of Information Through a Health System

The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.063669Objectives. I used computational models to test the relationship between interorganizational network structures and diffusion of moderate- to high-priority health information throughout a system. I examined diffusion effects of mean and variance in organizational partnering tendencies, arrangement of ties among subgroups of the system, and the diffusing organization’s effective network size. Methods. I used agent-based models to simulate local information-sharing processes and observe the outcomes of system-level diffusion. Graphs of diffusion curves demonstrated differences among intergroup structures, and regression models were used to test effects of parameterized and emergent network variables on diffusion. Results. The average tendency of participating organizations to engage in partnerships with other network members influenced diffusion of information, but variance in partnering tendencies had little effect. Fully connected subgroup structures outperformed hierarchical connections among subgroups, and all outperformed group-to-group chains. Introduction of a small proportion of randomness in connections among members of the chain structure improved diffusion without increasing network density. Finally, greater effective size in the diffusing organization’s network increased diffusion of information. Conclusions. Small interventions that build connecting structures among subgroups within a health system can be particularly effective at facilitating natural dissemination of information

Values and Knowledge about Computer Mediated Communications: Testing a Model of Social and Broadcast Media Effects

Many knowledge-intensive organizations, such as educational institutions, technology developers, or professional services firms, depend on the ability of individuals to obtain information and ideas. Use of computer mediated communication (CMC) systems, including electronic mail, commercial on-line services, and the Internet, has the potential to vastly improve information flow. Thus, for many organizations, individuals\u27 ability to obtain knowledge about CMC technology will remain an important issue as new services become available. Attitudes and knowledge can both play a role in adoption of innovations. Therefore it is important to understand how values regarding new technologies develop within organizations. In this paper, we apply existing theories of social influence and learning to these issues. We propose and test a model of the impact of social interaction, department structures, and broadcast media on the spread of knowledge and values regarding CMC system

Framing Effects on Stigma and Help-Seeking

NPS NRP Project PosterThis study examines stigma and related factors that reduce help-seeking in the Navy across the N17 program enterprise. The intended outcome will be to measure effectiveness of changes in language related to the DoD's Integrated Primary Prevention Policy (DoDI 6400.09) and to identify language that encourage help-seeking among Sailors. The research will consider effects of message framing alongside broader influences such as organizational culture and structure, individual differences (e.g., gender, rank, personality) and openness to coaching about life skills. This research plan allows for the possibility that effects of language on stigma and help-seeking may vary among persons and communities within the socio-cultural environment of the Navy. Research methods include review of current literature, conduct of focus group meetings, and surveys of Naval community members. The literature review will establish known principles about how to encourage help-seeking and support formulation of discussion questions, message frames, and scenarios for further exploration via focus groups. The focus groups will include members of various communities within the Navy, inviting their assessment of current practices and attitudes, and their consideration of alternative approaches to encourage help-seeking. Following analysis of focus group data, the survey will collect quantitative data about attitudes toward help-seeking, socio-cultural factors in the environment that may affect stigma and help-seeking, and individual differences that might impact personal attitudes. An interim report following the focus group meetings will identify issues that frequently arise, message frames that participants see as positive or negative, and qualitative assessments of alternative ways to discuss help-seeking. The final report will explain results of the surveys and include recommendations to further support help-seeking among Navy personnel.N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & EducationThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Framing Effects on Stigma and Help-Seeking

NPS NRP Executive SummaryThis study examines stigma and related factors that reduce help-seeking in the Navy across the N17 program enterprise. The intended outcome will be to measure effectiveness of changes in language related to the DoD's Integrated Primary Prevention Policy (DoDI 6400.09) and to identify language that encourage help-seeking among Sailors. The research will consider effects of message framing alongside broader influences such as organizational culture and structure, individual differences (e.g., gender, rank, personality) and openness to coaching about life skills. This research plan allows for the possibility that effects of language on stigma and help-seeking may vary among persons and communities within the socio-cultural environment of the Navy. Research methods include review of current literature, conduct of focus group meetings, and surveys of Naval community members. The literature review will establish known principles about how to encourage help-seeking and support formulation of discussion questions, message frames, and scenarios for further exploration via focus groups. The focus groups will include members of various communities within the Navy, inviting their assessment of current practices and attitudes, and their consideration of alternative approaches to encourage help-seeking. Following analysis of focus group data, the survey will collect quantitative data about attitudes toward help-seeking, socio-cultural factors in the environment that may affect stigma and help-seeking, and individual differences that might impact personal attitudes. An interim report following the focus group meetings will identify issues that frequently arise, message frames that participants see as positive or negative, and qualitative assessments of alternative ways to discuss help-seeking. The final report will explain results of the surveys and include recommendations to further support help-seeking among Navy personnel.N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & EducationThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Framing Effects on Stigma and Help-Seeking

NPS NRP Technical ReportThis study examines stigma and related factors that reduce help-seeking in the Navy across the N17 program enterprise. The intended outcome will be to measure effectiveness of changes in language related to the DoD's Integrated Primary Prevention Policy (DoDI 6400.09) and to identify language that encourage help-seeking among Sailors. The research will consider effects of message framing alongside broader influences such as organizational culture and structure, individual differences (e.g., gender, rank, personality) and openness to coaching about life skills. This research plan allows for the possibility that effects of language on stigma and help-seeking may vary among persons and communities within the socio-cultural environment of the Navy. Research methods include review of current literature, conduct of focus group meetings, and surveys of Naval community members. The literature review will establish known principles about how to encourage help-seeking and support formulation of discussion questions, message frames, and scenarios for further exploration via focus groups. The focus groups will include members of various communities within the Navy, inviting their assessment of current practices and attitudes, and their consideration of alternative approaches to encourage help-seeking. Following analysis of focus group data, the survey will collect quantitative data about attitudes toward help-seeking, socio-cultural factors in the environment that may affect stigma and help-seeking, and individual differences that might impact personal attitudes. An interim report following the focus group meetings will identify issues that frequently arise, message frames that participants see as positive or negative, and qualitative assessments of alternative ways to discuss help-seeking. The final report will explain results of the surveys and include recommendations to further support help-seeking among Navy personnel.N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & EducationThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Elevated rates of horizontal gene transfer in the industrialized human microbiome

Industrialization has impacted the human gut ecosystem, resulting in altered microbiome composition and diversity. Whether bacterial genomes may also adapt to the industrialization of their host populations remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the extent to which the rates and targets of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) vary across thousands of bacterial strains from 15 human populations spanning a range of industrialization. We show that HGTs have accumulated in the microbiome over recent host generations and that HGT occurs at high frequency within individuals. Comparison across human populations reveals that industrialized lifestyles are associated with higher HGT rates and that the functions of HGTs are related to the level of host industrialization. Our results suggest that gut bacteria continuously acquire new functionality based on host lifestyle and that high rates of HGT may be a recent development in human history linked to industrialization.Peer reviewe

Search for supersymmetry in events with b-quark jets and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at 7 TeV

Results are presented from a search for physics beyond the standard model based on events with large missing transverse energy, at least three jets, and at least one, two, or three b-quark jets. The study is performed using a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2011. The integrated luminosity of the sample is 4.98 inverse femtobarns. The observed number of events is found to be consistent with the standard model expectation, which is evaluated using control samples in the data. The results are used to constrain cross sections for the production of supersymmetric particles decaying to b-quark-enriched final states in the context of simplified model spectra.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes