Managing and Partnering with External Stakeholders

The weakening of the traditional management hierarchy, the hollowing out of corporations, and an increasing management emphasis on boundarylessness have created a new mind set concerning external stakeholders. Increasingly, organizations are moving beyond traditional stakeholder management techniques to partnering tactics that lead to the achievement of common goals. In spite of these trends, there has been very little effort in the management literature to tie stakeholder management and partnering tactics. This article demonstrates how successful partnerships with stakeholders create such valued benefits as increased product success rates, increased manufacturing efficiency, the development of distinctive competencies arising from partnerships with local communities or government agencies, reduced unfavorable litigation, reduced levels of negative publicity, and favorable regulatory policies

The Influence of Prices on Within-Year Persistence by Traditional College-Age Students In Four-Year Colleges

This paper uses the 1987 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study to examine the influence of prices on within-year persistence by traditional college-age students enrolled in four-year colleges. The findings include: 1) within-year persistence was influenced by the amount of tuition charged; 2) tuition charges were negatively associated with within-year persistence in both public and private colleges; and 3) grant aid was positively associated with persistence in private colleges and negatively associated with persistence in public colleges. The authors conclude that the negative association between grants and persistence by students in public colleges is an artifact, attributable to an insufficient amount of grants available to students in public colleges

System, Device, and Method for Determination of Intraocular Pressure

A system for determination of intraocular pressure includes: an intraocular pressure sensor; a light source illuminating the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and a detector that measures emitted light from the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate member, a spacer member, and a flexible membrane, which define a sealed cavity. The flexible membrane moves in response to intraocular pressure changes. A device for measuring intraocular pressure includes: the sensor; an anchoring member attached to the sensor for immobilizing the sensor in an eye; and a protective member attached to the anchoring member and covering the sensor to prevent contact between the flexible membrane and the eye. A method for determination of intraocular pressure includes: placing the sensor in an eye; illuminating, with a light source, the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and detecting, with a detector, a resultant light that contains information about intraocular pressure

Reaction of Alkynyl- And Alkenyltrifluoroborates with Propargyldicobalt Cations: Alkynylation, Alkenylation, and Cyclopropanation Product Pathways

The Lewis acid-mediated Nicholas reactions of propargyl acetate–Co2(CO)6 complexes with a series of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates and potassium alkenyltrifluoroborates are described. Alkynyltrifluoroborates directly alkynylate the intermediate propargyldicobalt cations. In contrast, alkenyltrifluoroborates proceed through one of the three modes of dominant reactivity: C-2-substituted alkenyltrifluorobrates directly alkenylate, predominantly with the retention of stereochemistry. C-1-substituted alkenyltrifluoroborates alkenylate at C-2. Potassium vinyltrifluoroborate incorporates a cyclopropane at the site propargyl to alkynedicobalt. Computational analysis of these systems explains the differential modes of reactivity of alkenyltrifluoroborates and outlines the probable mechanisms for the formation of each product

Using action inquiry to address critical challenges

Action research involves researchers and practitioners in collaborative projects and provides a means of integrating evaluation into the reform process.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/49310/1/180_ftp.pd

Multi-faceted role of LRP1 in the immune system

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) represents the major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). GVHD-prone patients rely on GVHD prophylaxis (e.g. methotrexate) and generalized anti-GVHD medical regimen (glucocorticoids). New anti-GVHD therapy strategies are being constantly explored, however there is an urgent need to improve current treatment, since GVHD-related mortality reaches 22% within 5 years in patients with chronic GVHD. This review is an attempt to describe a very well-known receptor in lipoprotein studies – the low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) - in a new light, as a potential therapeutic target for GVHD prevention and treatment. Our preliminary studies demonstrated that LRP1 deletion in donor murine T cells results in significantly lower GVHD-related mortality in recipient mice with MHC (major histocompatibility complex) -mismatched HSCT. Given the importance of T cells in the development of GVHD, there is a significant gap in scientific literature regarding LRP1’s role in T cell biology. Furthermore, there is limited research interest and publications on this classical receptor molecule in other immune cell types. Herein, we endeavor to summarize existing knowledge about LRP1’s role in various immune cells to demonstrate the possibility of this receptor to serve as a novel target for anti-GVHD treatment

Evaluation of newly generated LRP1 antibodies in different cell types: THP1 cancer cell line, human and mouse immune cells

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp22/1008/thumbnail.jp

A public health response to the methamphetamine epidemic: the implementation of contingency management to treat methamphetamine dependence

BACKGROUND: In response to increases in methamphatemine-associated sexually transmitted diseases, the San Francisco Department of Public Health implemented a contingency management (CM) field program called the Positive Reinforcement Opportunity Project (PROP). METHODS: Methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco qualified for PROP following expressed interest in the program, provision of an observed urine sample that tested positive for methamphetamine metabolites and self-report of recent methamphetamine use. For 12 weeks, PROP participants provided observed urine samples on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and received vouchers of increasing value for each consecutive sample that tested negative to metabolites of methamphetamine. Vouchers were exchanged for goods and services that promoted a healthy lifestyle. No cash was provided. Primary outcomes included acceptability (number of enrollments/time), impact (clinical response to treatment and cost-effectiveness as cost per patient treated). RESULTS: Enrollment in PROP was brisk indicating its acceptability. During the first 10 months of operation, 143 men sought treatment and of these 77.6% were HIV-infected. Of those screened, 111 began CM treatment and averaged 15 (42%) methamphetamine-free urine samples out of a possible 36 samples during the 12-week treatment period; 60% completed 4 weeks of treatment; 48% 8 weeks and 30% 12 weeks. Across all participants, an average of $159 (SD =$165) in vouchers or 35.1% of the maximum possible ($453) was provided for these participants. The average cost per participant of the 143 treated was$800. CONCLUSION: Clinical responses to CM in PROP were similar to CM delivered in drug treatment programs, supporting the adaptability and effectiveness of CM to non-traditional drug treatment settings. Costs were reasonable and less than or comparable to other methamphetamine outpatient treatment programs. Further expansion of programs like PROP could address the increasing need for acceptable, feasible and cost-effective methamphetamine treatment in this group with exceptionally high rates of HIV-infection