Desenvolvimento Local, Espaço e Território: O Conceito de Capital Social e a Importância da Formação de Redes entre Organismos e Instituições Locais

O artigo faz uma resenha critica de alguns conceitos da área de economia institucional que são uteis para o estudo das experiências de desenvolvimento endógeno. Num momento em que os relatos de sistemas produtivos localizados", arranjos produtivos" e distritos industriais" tornam-se cada vez mais comuns nas revistas especializadas e na literatura sobre o tema, julgamos que o conceito de capital social e o entendimento da importância da formação de redes entre os organismos e instituições locais, ambos propostos pela abordagem institucionalista, podem contribuir positivamente para o avanço do debate. O artigo está dividido em três seções. Na primeira seção fazemos a constatação da insucifiencia das teorias tradicionais do desenvolvimento para o adequado tratamento das experiências de desenvolvimento localizado. Na segunda seção apresentamos o território como um dos sujeitos da ação coletiva que poderá promover o desenvolvimento econômico local. Na terceira seção, a um menor nível de abstração, apresentamos o conceito de formas intermediárias de coordenação, que sintetiza a importância de instituições e organismos locais robustos para os casos bem-sucedidos de desenvolvimento econômico local.Desenvolvimento Local, Território, Capital Social, Redes e Instituições Sociais

Optimizing sterilized logistics in hospitals

This paper deals with the optimization of the flow of sterile instruments in hospital which takes place between the sterilization department and the operating theatre. This topic is especially of interest in view of the current attempts of hospitals to cut costs by outsourcing sterilization tasks. Oftentimes, outsourcing implies placing the sterilization unit at a larger distance, hence introducing a longer logistic loop, which may result in lower instrument availability, and higher cost. This paper discusses the optimization problems that have to besolved when redesigning processes so as to improve material availability and reduce cost. We consider changing the logistic management principles, use of visibility information, and optimizing the composition of the nets of sterile materials.Economics (Jel: A)

Improving the well-being of men by Evaluating and Addressing the Gastrointestinal Late Effects (EAGLE) of radical treatment for prostate cancer: study protocol for a mixed-method implementation project

Introduction: Radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer can cause bowel problems, which may lead to severe difficulties for cancer survivors including limiting travel, work or socialising. These symptoms can appear at any time following radiotherapy. This study focuses on the early identification and protocol-based management of effects known to cause long-term, or even permanent, changes to the well-being of prostate cancer survivors. The rationale of this study is to improve the care offered to men and their families following pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Method and analysis: Implementation research methodology will be used to adopt a multicomponent intervention at three UK centres. The intervention package comprises a standardised clinical assessment of relevant symptoms in oncology outpatient clinics and rapid referral to an enhanced gastroenterological service for patients identified with bowel problems. Gastroenterology staff will be trained to use an expert practice algorithm of targeted gastroenterology investigations and treatments. The evaluation of the intervention and its embedding within local practices will be conducted using a mixed-methods design. The effect of the new service will be measured in terms of the following outcomes: acceptability to staff and patients; quality of life; symptom control and cost effectiveness. Data collection will take place at baseline, 6 months (±2 months), and 12 months (±2 months) after entry into the study. Ethics and dissemination: The study has ethical approval from the North West-Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee and the appropriate NHS governance clearance. All participants provide written informed consent. The study team aim to publish the results of the study in peer-reviewed journals as well as at national and international conferences. Trial registration number: UKCRN1697

Bolton J., Světy Disentu: Charta 77, The Plastic People of the Universe a česká kultura za komunismu

C'est à la thématique de la dissidence en Tchécoslovaquie que Jonathan Bolton consacre son ouvrage Worlds of dissent: Charter 77, The Plastic People of the Universe, and Czech Culture under Communism, paru en tchèque en 2015 sous le titre Světy Disentu. S'attaquant à des approches historiques unilatérales et au stéréotype d'une dissidence héroïque aux valeurs morales absolues, Bolton procède à une démystification et à une re-complexification de ce phénomène. Affublés de l'appellation de diss..

Mechanisms of immunological tolerance in central nervous system inflammatory demyelination.

Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that results in a disruption of the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals in the immune system. Given that central nervous system inflammation can be suppressed by various immunological tolerance mechanisms, immune tolerance has become a focus of research in the attempt to induce long-lasting immune suppression of pathogenic T cells. Mechanisms underlying this tolerance induction include induction of regulatory T cell populations, anergy and the induction of tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells. The intravenous administration of encephalitogenic peptides has been shown to suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and induce tolerance by promoting the generation of regulatory T cells and inducing apoptosis of pathogenic T cells. Safe and effective methods of inducing long-lasting immune tolerance are essential for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. By exploring tolerogenic mechanisms, new strategies can be devised to strengthen the regulatory, anti-inflammatory cell populations thereby weakening the pathogenic, pro-inflammatory cell populations