The use of social networking technology in the promotion and scaling up of complex global health initiatives

Western medicine has a long tradition of humanitarian service in low resource countries and in crisis and disaster situations. However, advances in social network technology have dramatically changed the manner in which global health services are delivered. A new generation of healthcare professionals, modeled as social entrepreneurs, utilizing collaborative and nonprofit models is establishing relationships with healthcare professionals in host countries, to actively track early disease detection, scaling up of services and research. Oftentimes, technology allows healthcare professionals to contribute to these efforts remotely and without detracting from their routine clinical work as well as facilitating more flexible pathways for global health training in postgraduate education. This paper examines the limitations and opportunities for the utilization of social networking technology, including health care workers as social entrepreneurs, in early disease detection and in scaling up of services and research. Key words: global healthcare entrepreneurs, global burden of disease, social network technology, low resource countries, scaling up, capacity building, social enterpris

Energy consumption in chemical fuel-driven self-assembly

Nature extensively exploits high-energy transient self-assembly structures that are able to perform work through a dissipative process. Often, self-assembly relies on the use of molecules as fuel that is consumed to drive thermodynamically unfavourable reactions away from equilibrium. Implementing this kind of non-equilibrium self-assembly process in synthetic systems is bound to profoundly impact the fields of chemistry, materials science and synthetic biology, leading to innovative dissipative structures able to convert and store chemical energy. Yet, despite increasing efforts, the basic principles underlying chemical fuel-driven dissipative self-assembly are often overlooked, generating confusion around the meaning and definition of scientific terms, which does not favour progress in the field. The scope of this Perspective is to bring closer together current experimental approaches and conceptual frameworks. From our analysis it also emerges that chemically fuelled dissipative processes may have played a crucial role in evolutionary processes

Effects of edible bird's nest (EBN) on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There has been no effective treatment or agent that is available for corneal injury in promoting corneal wound healing. Previous studies on edible bird's nest extract (EBN) had reported the presence of hormone-like substance; avian epidermal growth factor that could stimulate cell division and enhance regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes proliferative capacity and phenotypical changes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Corneal keratocytes from six New Zealand White Rabbits were isolated and cultured until Passage 1. The proliferative effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes were determined by MTT assay in serum-containing medium (FDS) and serum-free medium (FD). Keratocytes phenotypical changes were morphologically assessed and gene expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), collagen type 1 and lumican were determined through RT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest cell proliferation was observed when both media were supplemented with 0.05% and 0.1% EBN. Cell proliferation was also consistently higher in FDS compared to FD. Both phase contrast micrographs and gene expression analysis confirmed the corneal keratocytes retained their phenotypes with the addition of EBN.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggested that low concentration of EBN could synergistically induce cell proliferation, especially in serum-containing medium. This could be a novel breakthrough as both cell proliferation and functional maintenance are important during corneal wound healing. The in vitro test is considered as a crucial first step for nutri-pharmaceutical formation of EBN-based eye drops before in vivo application.</p

A descriptive study of six emergency room nurses' expressions of concern and understanding in dealing with the behavior of children from three to ten years of age within an emergency room setting

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you.2031-01-0

Social networks in the management of complex health-related projects

Abstract \ud \ud Global health initiatives usually require collective business-healthcare professional based partnerships and address health issues and concerns that transcend national borders, irrespective of practices, policies and systems in the host country. Social networks (SNs) formed by organizations like UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank and private corporations, which are working together, have produced innovative financial tools to support these initiatives. The \ud purpose is to find better ways to raise funds, apply resources and develop meaningful alliances among networks working towards a common goal (e.g., delivering vaccines to children in developing countries). Business, social and healthcare networks can amalgamate their skills to prevent illness and relieve suffering, even in the current economic challenges. Social networks, with their ability to foster interdependency, such as kinship, common interest, financial \ud exchange, relationships or common beliefs, knowledge and prestige, are able to operate on many levels, from individual families up to national and global levels. Historically, SNs play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which \ud both individuals and organizations succeed in achieving their goals. This paper will utilize Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a means to examine three strategic areas to global healthcare delivery: expanding delivery of new or under-utilized healthcare initiatives; achievement of global access to healthcare through private sector partnerships; and the strengthening of \ud research, development and activation of private and political support as a means to empower communities to advocate for policies that will improve their health. \ud Keywords: global health, social network analysis, and developing countrie

The use of social networking technology in the promotion and scaling up of complex global health initiatives

Western medicine has a long tradition of humanitarian service in low resource countries and in crisis and disaster situations. However, advances in social network technology have dramatically changed the manner in which global health services are delivered. A new generation of healthcare professionals, modeled as social entrepreneurs, utilizing collaborative and nonprofit models is establishing relationships with healthcare professionals in host countries, to actively track early disease detection, scaling up of services and research. Oftentimes, technology allows healthcare professionals to contribute to these efforts remotely and without detracting from their routine clinical work as well as facilitating more flexible pathways for global health training in postgraduate education. This paper examines the limitations and opportunities for the utilization of social networking technology, including health care workers as social entrepreneurs, in early disease detection and in scaling up of services and research