bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DM for severely injured claimants in the Botswana motor vehicle accident fund
Authors: Kgosidiile Cross
Published: November 2014

The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) started operations on 1 January 1987 to service third party cover from funds earned from a levy on fuel. Originally called the Motor Vehicle Insurance Fund, the MVA Fund has been going through profound change in order to deliver services that meet the expectations of its stakeholders. Over the years, the governing Act underwent reviews as a response to feedback from both the public and stakeholders. Currently the Fund is governed by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund Act No. 15 of 2007, which is a hybrid of both a fault-based and a no fault compensation system. Severe Injuries MVA Fund has a total of 1 589 claimants who suffered severe injuries during road crashes.. Role of MVA Fund in management of the severely injured The Act has put emphasis on medical treatment and rehabilitation as one of its core mandates. The timeliness of medical attention and rehabilitation results in improved claimants’ outcomes. Some of the objectives of the Fund in managing these claimants include among others:

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Restoring claimants to highest possible level of functionality

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Vocational rehabilitation

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Return to work

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Social rehabilitation Achievements by Botswana MVA Fund

Despite the challenges faced by developing countries, the Fund managed to:

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Remain sustainable hence continuing to deliver on its mandate

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Support the severely injured by:

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medical and rehabilitation cover

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loss of income o enhancement of quality of life e.g. house/workplace modification o providing social and welfare care

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advocacy role

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Build capacity in both government and non-governmental organisations as a long-term investment in the management of the severely injured.

The Fund continues collaborating with relevant stakeholders and international bodies for best practice in managing these claimants.
Exploring the factors of workplace injury and chronic illness in return-to-work outcomes
Authors: Hussain Hafez
Published: November 2014

Objective: The study aims to explore factors of workplace injury and chronic illnesses patients in a return to work program which are associated with return to work outcomes. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Return to Work Department, Social Security Organisation, Malaysia.

Method: All participants of the Return to Work Rehabilitation Program who were absent from work due to workplace injury and chronic illnesses between January 2008 and December 2013 with no other history of injury were included. The main outcome of the study was the number in days from day one of injury prior to return of gainful employment. Hierarchical multiple regression methods were used to determine the identified factors that influence the return to work outcome.

Results: An initial study with data from January 2008 and December 2011 of cases with occupational injury showed 66% (n = 1,552) of the participants had returned to work. The average number of days to return to work was 201 days. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified duration of referral to the Return to Work rehabilitation program, monthly salary, Whole Person Impairment ratings, DASS 21 anxiety and DASS 21 stress scale as factors that influenced return to work, explaining 32% of the variance. However an analysis of the remaining cases such as cases with chronic illnesses will be included in the final results of this study.

Conclusion: Currently, a total of 66% participants had returned to employment after occupational injury. It is essential to understand the complex pathway from the point of injury and illnesses until returning to work in order to develop more effective return to work practices.
Secondary instability and tertiary states in rotating plane Couette flow
Authors: Daly C. A. , Schneider Tobias M. , Schlatter Philipp , Peake N.
Published: November 2014

Recent experimental studies have shown rich transition behaviour in rotating plane Couette flow (RPCF). In this paper we study the transition in supercritical RPCF theoretically by determination of equilibrium and periodic orbit tertiary states via Floquet analysis on secondary Taylor vortex solutions. Two new tertiary states are discovered which we name oscillatory wavy vortex flow (oWVF) and skewed vortex flow (SVF). We present the bifurcation routes and stability properties of these new tertiary states and, in addition, we describe a bifurcation procedure whereby a set of defected wavy twist vortices is approached. Further to this, transition scenarios at flow parameters relevant to experimental works are investigated by computation of the set of stable attractors which exist on a large domain. The physically observed flow states are shown to share features with states in our set of attractors.
High stability, single frequency, 300 mJ, 130 ps laser pulse generation based on stimulated Brillouin scattering pulse compression
Authors: Zhu Xuehua , Lu Zhiwei , Wang Yulei
Published: November 2014

We obtained the output of single frequency laser pulses with an average pulse-width of 136 ps and the minimum of 123 ps based on stimulated Brillouin scattering pulse compression pumped by an 8 ns-pulse-width, 1064 nm-wavelength Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The pulse-width stability of the output is about 4.1% while that of the pump pulses is about 1.1%, the highest energy conversion efficiency is about 85%, and the single pulse energy is above 300 mJ.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? DEVELOPING DEFINITIONS FOR COMMON HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PRODUCT TYPES OF THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF AGENCIES FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (INAHTA)
Authors: Merlin Tracy , Tamblyn David , Ellery Benjamin ,   the INAHTA Quality Assurance Group
Published: November 2014

Objectives: A mapping exercise was undertaken to determine how HTA is being described and conducted across the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA), with the aim of harmonizing terminologies and approaches.

Methods: Three progressive surveys were undertaken. In 2010, INAHTA agencies were asked to provide details on all of their HTA products. In 2013, additional information was sought on key methodological characteristics of five of the most common HTA product types. Subsequently, final agreement was sought on three proposed product types.

Results: Forty-five HTA agencies responded to at least one of the surveys. In 2010, twenty-one agencies reported publishing over seventy named HTA products. Core domains associated with full HTA reports were reported by a third of agencies but were labeled differently, so products were classified according to product type (n = 17). Agencies producing short, tailored products increased between 2010 and 2013, with the publication of rapid reviews doubling from 33 percent to 66 percent. In 2013, half of the agencies adapted their common HTA products from documents produced by other agencies. A consensus (>70 percent) was achieved on definitions for HTA reports, mini-HTAs, and rapid reviews.

Conclusions: The product label for an HTA is not always indicative of its content. Terminology has, therefore, been agreed to make explicit the trade-off between rigor and timeliness in three common HTA product types. An INAHTA Product Type (IPT) Mark has been created to identify each of these. It is hoped this will further facilitate HTA adaptation between agencies and reduce duplication of effort.
Borel and Hausdorff hierarchies in topological spaces of Choquet games and their effectivization
Authors: BECHER VERÓNICA , GRIGORIEFF SERGE
Published: November 2014

What parts of the classical descriptive set theory done in Polish spaces still hold for more general topological spaces, possibly T0 or T1, but not T2 (i.e. not Hausdorff)? This question has been addressed by Selivanov in a series of papers centred on algebraic domains. And recently it has been considered by de Brecht for quasi-Polish spaces, a framework that contains both countably based continuous domains and Polish spaces. In this paper, we present alternative unifying topological spaces, that we call approximation spaces. They are exactly the spaces for which player Nonempty has a stationary strategy in the Choquet game. A natural proper subclass of approximation spaces coincides with the class of quasi-Polish spaces. We study the Borel and Hausdorff difference hierarchies in approximation spaces, revisiting the work done for the other topological spaces. We also consider the problem of effectivization of these results.
Transdiagnostic CBT Treatment of Co-morbid Anxiety and Depression in an Older Adult: Single Case Experimental Design
Authors: Hague Ben , Scott Shonagh , Kellett Stephen
Published: November 2014

Background: Despite the prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression in older adults, evaluation of suitable clinical models is rare. Aims: This study tested the acceptability and effectiveness of a transdiagnostic approach to treating co-morbid anxiety and depression in an older adults in a routine clinical setting. Method: In an A/B single case experimental design, a patient completed five daily ideographic measures of anxiety and depression across baseline and treatment and the HADS at five time points over time, including 3-month follow-up. The 8-session treatment was transdiagnostic CBT informed by the Unified Protocol. Results: All sessions were attended. Significant baseline-treatment improvements were found for daily structure, mood, confidence and worry, with large associated effect sizes. The HADS showed that the patient met recovery criteria by the end of treatment, with some evidence of anxious relapse at follow-up. Conclusion: Transdiagnostic CBT offers promise as a treatment approach to mixed anxiety and depression in older adults. The model needs to be further tested using more rigorous and suitably powered methodologies.
Rapid Measurement of Molecular Transport and Interaction inside Living Cells Using Single Plane Illumination
Authors: Hedde Per Niklas , Stakic Milka , Gratton Enrico
Published: November 2014

The ability to measure biomolecular dynamics within cells and tissues is very important to understand fundamental physiological processes including cell adhesion, signalling, movement, division or metabolism. Usually, such information is obtained using particle tracking methods or single point fluctuation spectroscopy. We show that image mean square displacement analysis, applied to single plane illumination microscopy data, is a faster and more efficient way of unravelling rapid, three-dimensional molecular transport and interaction within living cells. From a stack of camera images recorded in seconds, the type of dynamics such as free diffusion, flow or binding can be identified and quantified without being limited by current camera frame rates. Also, light exposure levels are very low and the image mean square displacement method does not require calibration of the microscope point spread function. To demonstrate the advantages of our approach, we quantified the dynamics of several different proteins in the cyto- and nucleoplasm of living cells. For example, from a single measurement, we were able to determine the diffusion coefficient of free clathrin molecules as well as the transport velocity of clathrin-coated vesicles involved in endocytosis. Used in conjunction with dual view detection, we further show how protein-protein interactions can be quantified.
Cationic Polymer Nanoparticles for Drug and Gene Delivery
Authors: Bilensoy Erem , Işık Gamze , Varan Cem
Published: November 2014

Conventional therapies of several diseases, in particular cancer therapy, have been insufficient clinically for effective and safe treatment of these important diseases. The major cause of side effects is insufficient uptake and non-selective delivery of therapeutic molecules. In order to overcome this problem, colloidal, nano-sized carrier systems have been developed for gene and drug delivery. These novel delivery systems have a wide range of modification capabilities, such as controllable particle size and surface charge or grafting of different molecules for active or passive targeting to cells. A variety of modification or formulation approaches ensure the efficacy, equality and safety of the system. In this context, cationic nano-sized drug delivery systems have a net positive surface charge, suggesting strong cellular interactions with negatively charged biological membranes. This electrostatic interaction between cationic nanoparticles and cell membranes brings with it enhanced uptake of nanoparticles by cells. Another important advantage of cationic nanocarriers is that they are able to condense DNA, siRNA, nucleotides, peptides and proteins to form polyplexes that are able to deliver their load intracellularly, resulting in increased transfection efficiency. In this chapter the surface properties, cellular interaction and uptake mechanism of nano-sized drug carrier systems and the innovations in treatment are described using examples from the literature. In addition, various cationic polymers commonly used in drug and gene delivery and their characteristics are summarized. Positively charged nanocarrier systems emerge as a promising option for effective drug or gene therapy and extensive research is being carried out in this field worldwide.
Low-Temperature Plasma Probe
Authors: Liu Jiangjiang , Zhou Xiaoyu , Cooks R. Graham , Ouyang Zheng
Published: November 2014

The low-temperature plasma (LTP) probe was developed as an ambient ionization source for direct chemical analysis using mass spectrometry (MS). The physical and chemical properties of the LTP, the designs of the LTP probes, characterization of their analytical performance, and their implementation for different applications are described in this chapter.
The Application of Motor Learning Concepts to the Treatment of Children with Compensatory Speech Sound Errors
Authors: Ruscello Dennis , Vallino Linda
Published: November 2014

Children with cleft palate frequently present with compensatory speech sound errors, which are generally targeted in treatment. Often, treatment consists of different phonetic teaching methods and procedures that are delivered via an operant learning paradigm; however, there are other theoretical models of learning that may prove more efficacious for modifying compensatory errors. Motor learning is a teaching/learning methodology that has an extensive body of research to support its use in the acquisition and development of motor skills. Currently, researchers are using motor learning paradigms in the treatment of different speech disorders and evidence on efficacy is being collected. This paper will discuss motor learning as a methodology for treating compensatory speech sound errors in an effective and efficient manner.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for the Treatment of Hypernasality: A Single Case Study
Authors: Kollara Lakshmi , Schenck Graham , Perry Jamie
Published: November 2014

Studies have investigated the applications of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy in the treatment of hypernasality due to velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD; Cahill et al., 2004; Kuehn, 1991; Kuehn, Moon, & Folkins, 1993; Kuehn et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of CPAP therapy to reduce hypernasality in a female subject, post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pharyngeal flap, who presented with signs of VPD including persistent hypernasality. Improvements in mean velopharyngeal orifice size, subjective perception of hypernasality, and overall intelligibility were observed from the baseline to 8-week post-treatment assessment intervals. Additional long-term assessments completed at 2, 3, and 4 months post-treatment indicated decreases in immediate post-treatment improvements. Results from the present study suggest that CPAP is a safe, non-invasive, and relatively conservative treatment method for reduction of hypernasality in selected patients with TBI. More stringent long-term follow up may indicate the need for repeated CPAP treatment to maintain results.
The Use of the Twang Technique in Voice Therapy
Authors: Lott Joanna
Published: November 2014

Aryepiglottic narrowing is an important component in both resonant voice and twang therapy techniques. While resonant voice is considered a well-established standard in voice therapy, twang remains the subject of debate. The hesitation toward the use of twang therapy is unclear. Potential explanations include lack of familiarity and inadequate experience or training with the technique. Moreover, concerns have been raised that twang could be vocally injurious due to the required constriction within the vocal tract. There is evidence that twang therapy is an effective voice therapy tool. However, the appropriateness of its application has not yet been well-defined.
Coupling strength in Coulomb and Yukawa one-component plasmas
Authors: Ott T. , Bonitz M. , Stanton L. G. , Murillo M. S.
Published: November 2014

In a non-ideal classical Coulomb one-component plasma (OCP), all thermodynamic properties are known to depend only on a single parameter—the coupling parameter Γ. In contrast, if the pair interaction is screened by background charges (Yukawa OCP) the thermodynamic state depends, in addition, on the range of the interaction via the screening parameter κ. How to determine in this case an effective coupling parameter has been a matter of intensive debate. Here we propose a consistent approach for defining and measuring the coupling strength in Coulomb and Yukawa OCPs based on a fundamental structural quantity, the radial pair distribution function (RPDF). The RPDF is often accessible in experiments by direct observation or indirectly through the static structure factor. Alternatively, it is directly computed in theoretical models or simulations. Our approach is based on the observation that the build-up of correlation from a weakly coupled system proceeds in two steps: First, a monotonically increasing volume around each particle becomes devoid of other particles (correlation hole), and second (upon further increase of the coupling), a shell structure emerges around each particle giving rise to growing peaks of the RPDF. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we present a systematic study for the dependence of these features of the RPDF on Γ and κ and derive a simple expression for the effective coupling parameter.
Preface: Special Topic on Biological Water
Authors: Hummer Gerhard , Tokmakoff Andrei
Published: November 2014

This special issue presents a series of papers that highlight a new and evolving view of water's molecular role in biological structure and dynamics. Increasingly water is appreciated for playing an active role in biological function rather than just serving as a spectator. The areas represented include molecular interfaces with water, biological self-assembly, conformational changes by macromolecules, and chemical reactivity.
Influence of CO2 and light spectra on the enhancement of microalgal growth and lipid content
Authors: Kumar Muthukannan Satheesh , Hwang Jae-Hoon , Abou-Shanab Reda A. I. , Kabra Akhil N. , Ji Min-Kyu , Jeon Byong-Hun
Published: November 2014

The effect of different light spectrum and CO2 concentrations on the growth and lipid content of Micractinium pusillum and Ourococcus multisporus was investigated. The highest biomass yields (2.9 and 2.6 g-dry cell weight l−1) were observed for M. pusillum and O. multisporus, respectively, at 5% CO2 with red light illumination. Red light spectrum with 5% CO2 supported the highest lipid contents (20% and 27%) and lipid productivity (32 and 36 mg l−1 d−1) for M. pusillum and O. multisporus, respectively. The highest fatty acid methyl esters content for both microalgal species was observed under red light spectrum and 5% CO2 conditions, with the oleic acid fraction ranging between 35% and 37%. This study showed that the red light spectrum and 5% CO2 were the optimum conditions for maximum growth, lipid content and lipid productivity of both microalgae species, which could be further exploited to establish a microalga-based biodiesel production strategy.
Pressure tensor in the presence of velocity shear: Stationary solutions and self-consistent equilibria
Authors: Cerri S. S. , Pegoraro F. , Califano F. , Del Sarto D. , Jenko F.
Published: November 2014

Observations and numerical simulations of laboratory and space plasmas in almost collisionless regimes reveal anisotropic and non-gyrotropic particle distribution functions. We investigate how such states can persist in the presence of a sheared flow. We focus our attention on the pressure tensor equation in a magnetized plasma and derive analytical self-consistent plasma equilibria which exhibit a novel asymmetry with respect to the magnetic field direction. These results are relevant for investigating, within fluid models that retain the full pressure tensor dynamics, plasma configurations where a background shear flow is present.
On the role of disorder on graphene and graphene nanoribbon-based vertical tunneling transistors
Authors: Ghobadi Nayereh , Pourfath Mahdi
Published: November 2014

In this work, the characteristics of vertical tunneling field-effect transistors based on graphene (VTGFET) and graphene nanoribbon heterostructure (VTGNRFET) in the presence of disorder are theoretically investigated. An statistical analysis based on an atomistic tight-binding model for the electronic bandstructure along with the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism are employed. We study the dependence of the averaged density of states, transmission probability, on- and off-state conductances, on/off conductance ratio, and transfer characteristics on the substrate induced potential fluctuations and vacancies. In addition, the variabilities of the device characteristics due to the presence of disorder are evaluated. It can be inferred from the results that while introducing vacancies cause a relatively modest suppression of the transmission probability, potential fluctuations lead to the significant increase of transmission probability and conductance of the device. Moreover, the results show that the transport properties of VTGFET are more robust against disorder compared to VTGNRFET.
Turbulent cascade in a two-ion plasma
Authors: Qiu Xin , Liu San-Qiu , Yu Ming-Yang
Published: November 2014

It is shown that small but finite-amplitude drift wave turbulence in a two-ion-species plasma can be modeled by a Hasegawa-Mima equation. The mode cascade process and resulting turbulent spectrum are investigated. The spectrum is found to be similar to that of a two-component plasma, but the space and time scales of the turbulent cascade process can be quite different since they are rescaled by the presence of the second ion species.
Analysis of enhanced modal damping ratio in porous materials using an acoustic-structure interaction model
Authors: Kook Junghwan , Jensen Jakob S.
Published: November 2014

The aim of this paper is to investigate the enhancement of the damping ratio of a structure with embedded microbeam resonators in air-filled internal cavities. In this context, we discuss theoretical aspects in the framework of the effective modal damping ratio (MDR) and derive an approximate relation expressing how an increased damping due to the acoustic medium surrounding the microbeam affect the MDR of the macrobeam. We further analyze the effect of including dissipation of the acoustic medium by using finite element (FE) analysis with acoustic-structure interaction (ASI) using a simple phenomenological acoustic loss model. An eigenvalue analysis is carried out to demonstrate the improvement of the damping characteristic of the macrobeam with the resonating microbeam in the lossy air and the results are compared to a forced vibration analysis for a macrobeam with one or multiple embedded microbeams. Finally we demonstrate the effect of randomness in terms of position and size of microbeams and discuss the difference between the phenomenological acoustic loss model and a full thermoacoustic model.
Dislocation structure produced by an ultrashort shock pulse
Authors: Matsuda Tomoki , Sano Tomokazu , Arakawa Kazuto , Hirose Akio
Published: November 2014

We found an ultrashort shock pulse driven by a femtosecond laser pulse on iron generates a different dislocation structure than the shock process which is on the nanosecond timescale. The ultrashort shock pulse produces a highly dense dislocation structure that varies by depth. According to transmission electron microscopy, dislocations away from the surface produce microbands via a network structure similar to a long shock process, but unlike a long shock process dislocations near the surface have limited intersections. Considering the dislocation motion during the shock process, the structure near the surface is attributed to the ultrashort shock duration. This approach using an ultrashort shock pulse will lead to understanding the whole process off shock deformation by clarifying the early stage.
Charge transfer in the fullerene C60-few layer graphene system and the existence of negative photoconductivity
Authors: Bautista-Flores C. , Sato-Berrú R. Y. , Mendoza D.
Published: November 2014

The electrical conductance of few layer graphene during thermal evaporation of fullerene C60 as well as the conductance under illumination of this bilayer junction is reported. We obtained few layer graphene films by chemical vapor deposition technique, and then C60 was thermally evaporated on these films. We found an increase in conductance of few layer graphene during the thermal evaporation of C60 and a kind of negative photoconductivity when the bilayer junction was under illumination. We observed that at low light intensities few layer graphene is p-type doped, and we propose that its behavior changes to n-type for high light intensities.
Do Rural Firms Perceive Different Problems? Geography, Sorting, and Barriers to Growth in UK SMEs
Authors: Lyee Neil , Cowling Marc
Published: November 2014

Support for small businesses is often delivered separately for urban and rural areas, based on the idea that the barriers to business growth differ geographically. Yet firms in rural and urban areas will also differ in their characteristics, and these may be more important influences on firm growth than location. In this paper we test whether firms in urban, semirurals, and rural areas perceive each of eight obstacles to their success differently, based on a large sample of UK SMEs. After controlling for selection effects, rural and semirural firms are more likely to perceive regulation as a problem while rural firms are more likely to see the economy as an obstacle to success. We also find some evidence that skills shortages may be more acute for rural firms, once selection effects are controlled for. The results provide only limited support for geographically differentiated policy for small businesses.
Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery with concurrent bevacizumab for recurrent malignant gliomas: the University of Alabama at Birmingham experience
Authors: Clark Grant M. , McDonald Andrew M. , Nabors Louis B. , Fathalla-Shaykh Hassan , Han Xiaosi , Willey Christopher D. , Markert James M. , Guthrie Barton L. , Bredel Markus , Fiveash John B.
Published: November 2014

Background

Nearly all patients with malignant glioma will have disease recurrence. Our purpose was to define the treatment toxicity and efficacy of concurrent bevazicumab (BVZ) with hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of relatively larger targets for patients with recurrent MG.

Methods

A retrospective review of 21 patients with recurrent malignant glioma (18 glioblastoma, 3 WHO grade III glioma), treated at initial diagnosis with surgery and standard chemoradiation, was performed. All patients had concurrent BVZ with hypofractionatedSRS, 30 Gy in 5 fractions, with or without concurrent chemotherapy (temozolomide or CCNU).

Results

Median patient age was 54 years, median Karnofsky Performance Status was 80, and median target size was 4.3 cm (range, 3.4–7.5 cm). Eleven patients (52%) had previously failed BVZ. One patient had grade 3 toxicities (seizures, dysphasia), which resolved with inpatient admission and intravenous steroids/antiepileptics. Treatment-related toxicities were grade 3 (n = 1), grade 2 (n = 9), and grade 0–1 (n = 11). Kaplan-Meier median progression-free survival and overall survival estimates (calculated from start of SRS) for GBM patients (n = 18) were 11.0 and 12.5 months, respectively. Concurrent chemotherapy did not appear to show any statistically significant efficacy benefit or have any propensity for toxicity.

Conclusion

BVZ concurrent with hypofractionated SRS was well tolerated by this cohort of patients with relatively larger targets. Ongoing randomized trials with more moderate radiotherapy dosing may help establish the efficacy of this regimen, though intricacies of this approach, including patient selection, radiation target volume delineation/size, and optimal radiation dose, will need further evaluation.
Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy of Capecitabine Maintenance in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Eren Orhan Onder , Ozturk Mehmet Akif , Sonmez Ozlem Uysal , Oyan Basak
Published: November 2014

Gastric cancer is still one of the cancers with highest mortality. Most patients present with advanced-stage disease. Palliative chemotherapy is usually the only treatment option for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Maintenance chemotherapy is an evolving concept in medical oncology. Maintenance chemotherapy can be administered with the same drug(s) in the initial regimen or with an alternative agent. In this article, we report our experience with capecitabine as a maintenance agent for patients with AGC. No treatment-related death was observed due to use of capecitabine. Median progression-free survival was 10.4 months, and median overall survival was 19.7 months. Activity and toxicity profile of capecitabine seems favorable as a maintenance agent in AGC. We believe that capecitabine deserves further trials as a maintenance agent for patients with AGC.
An investigation of the breadth of neutralizing antibody response in cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Bęczkowski Paweł M. , Logan Nicola , McMonagle Elizabeth , Litster Annette , Willett Brian J. , Hosie Margaret J.
Published: November 2014

Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are believed to comprise an essential component of the protective immune response induced by vaccines against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. However, relatively little is known about the role of NAbs in controlling FIV infection and subsequent disease progression. Here, we present studies where we examined the neutralization of HIV-luciferase pseudotypes bearing homologous and heterologous FIV envelope proteins (n = 278) by sequential plasma samples collected at 6 month intervals from naturally infected cats (n = 38) over a period of 18 months. We evaluated the breadth of the NAb response against non-recombinant homologous and heterologous clade A and clade B viral variants, as well as recombinants, and assessed the results, testing for evidence of an association between the potency of the NAb response and the duration of infection, CD4+ T lymphocyte numbers, health status and survival times of the infected cats. Neutralization profiles varied significantly between FIV-infected cats and strong autologous neutralization, assessed using luciferase-based in vitro assays, did not correlate with the clinical outcome. No association was observed between strong NAb responses and either improved health status or increased survival time of infected animals, implying that other protective mechanisms were likely to be involved. Similarly, no correlation was observed between the development of autologous NAbs and the duration of infection. Furthermore, cross-neutralizing antibodies were evident in only a small proportion (13 %) of cats.
Tumor suppression by miR-26 overrides potential oncogenic activity in intestinal tumorigenesis
Authors: Zeitels Lauren R. , Acharya Asha , Shi Guanglu , Chivukula Divya , Chivukula Raghu R. , Anandam Joselin L. , Abdelnaby Abier A. , Balch Glen C. , Mansour John C. , Yopp Adam C. , Richardson James A. , Mendell Joshua T.
Published: November 2014

Down-regulation of miR-26 family members has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple malignancies. In some settings, including glioma, however, miR-26-mediated repression of PTEN promotes tumorigenesis. To investigate the contexts in which the tumor suppressor versus oncogenic activity of miR-26 predominates in vivo, we generated miR-26a transgenic mice. Despite measureable repression of Pten, elevated miR-26a levels were not associated with malignancy in transgenic animals. We documented reduced miR-26 expression in human colorectal cancer and, accordingly, showed that miR-26a expression potently suppressed intestinal adenoma formation in Apcmin/+ mice, a model known to be sensitive to Pten dosage. These studies reveal a tumor suppressor role for miR-26 in intestinal cancer that overrides putative oncogenic activity, highlighting the therapeutic potential of miR-26 delivery to this tumor type.
Influence of tooth profile on gear power loss
Authors: Magalhaes Luis , Martins Ramiro , Locateli Cristiano , Seabra Jorge
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop innovative geometry for gears aiming low power loss and easy manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

New gear profiles were developed and studied, and gears were built accordingly and then tested using an FZG machine.

Findings

Results from the experimental tests revealed the influence of the profile modifications on the operating temperature, thus on the efficiency of gears (in terms of power loss).

Research limitations/implications

Studied cases were limited to experimental gear models compliant to the FZG machine.

Practical implications

Low‐loss gears can be produced using common technologies and tools. Its design includes power loss minimization besides mechanical strength. The new gears are more environmentally friendly and can operate with lower power consumption, lower temperature, increasing gear and gear oil life.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the development of the “low‐loss gears” concept, adapting it to low‐cost manufacturing technologies. Finally, more efficient gears and gearboxes can be produced only by performing simple geometrical modifications to standard gears.
Supply Chain Quality and Excellence in the New Economy: An Empirical Study of Hong Kong Based Firms
Authors: Kuei Ph D. Chu‐hua , Madu Ph D. Christian N. , Chow Wing S. , Lu Min H.
Published: November 2014

There exists an association between Supply Chain Quality Management
(SCQM) and supply chain competence. To verify such claims, data was
collected from Hong Kong based firms. The data showed in most cases an
association could be established between SCQM initiatives and the supply chain
competence. Some fi rms with SCQM initiatives tend to perform better in terms
of customer service or product quality. Supply chains managers may therefore,
perform better when their managerial foci are consistent with recognized
dimensions of supply chain quality and excellence. In today’s global economy
supply chain management is crucial in achieving organizational effectiveness.
Organizational Responses to Institutional Upheaval by Central Eurasian Firms and the Ability to Transform Under Uncertainty
Authors: Ismail Kiran M. , Ford David L. , Portugal Ferreira Manuel
Published: November 2014

Firms’ strategic responses to environmental shifts under conditions of uncertainty in the wake of institutional changes are far from understood. We utilize data from over 1,200 firms in seven Central Eurasian transition economies to examine the extent to which institutional inefficiency is predictive of the response strategies employed by the firms in their environments. We also examine how firms maneuver in the environment through an innovative effort in developing new products, opening new plants or upgrading product lines and technologies. Our results seem indicative of both an adaptive and an innovative effort by firms in these countries. The results are discussed with respect to empirical limitations and future research avenues in these transition economies.
Describing the needs of children presenting to children's services: issues of reliability and validity
Authors: Forrester Donald , Fairtlough Anna , Bennet Yommi
Published: November 2014

Children's social services in England and Wales deal with a wide range of referrals of children who are or may be ‘in need’. Finding ways of describing the issues that present in such referrals is important if we wish to understand the nature of the work of children's services and explore different interventions and outcomes. Yet there have been few attempts to describe the full range of needs presenting to social services, and no studies of the reliability or validity of attempts to define the types of need. In this article the legal definitions of need, a typology developed by Sinclair et al, a related one used by the Department of Health and one developed within the current study were compared for reliability and construct validity. There were two main findings. First, it was found that while the presence of needs could generally be agreed on in all the schemes, ascriptions of a ‘main’ need were not made reliably. This is important because a ‘main’ need has been used in both research and statistical returns to government. Second, while existing schemes appeared well suited to describing allocated cases, they were less able to describe the range of needs presenting in all referrals to social services.
The evolution of children's services in Ireland and prospects for the future: a personal perspective
Authors: Keenan Owen
Published: November 2014

Ireland is now the hub of much activity around children's services ‐ at central and local government levels, involving the primary statutory and voluntary agencies, and engaging some of the more disadvantaged communities. Previous articles in the series have looked at the origins and work of the government Office of the Minister for Children, which is overseeing the reform programme (Langford, 2007), the role of $200 million philanthropic investment in this work (Little & Abunimah, 2007) and how the new approach is translating into practice in local communities (Zappone, 2007).Here, Owen Keenan, former Chief Executive of Barnardos1, offers his personal perspective on the work. He starts by tracing how Ireland moved from having under‐developed services and limited suitable research capacity to having the potential within the next 10 years to become one of the best places in the world for children to grow up in. He highlights the roles played by international collaborations, indigenous advocacy (focused on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) and philanthropic investment in helping to usher in a new paradigm of evidence‐based, outcome‐focused services. He then outlines the main challenges as he sees them if the potential is to be realised ‐ for example, improving relationships between stakeholders and strengthening service design and evaluation capacity. Finally, he summarises what has been learnt about undertaking (and undergoing) such farreaching change processes.
Adapting the Incredible Years child dinosaur social, emotional, and problem-solving intervention to address comorbid diagnoses
Authors: Webster-Stratton Carolyn , Reid M.
Published: November 2014

Young children who are referred to mental health agencies because of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct problems (CP) frequently have comorbid diagnoses or symptoms such as attention deficit disorder (ADD) with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), language/learning and developmental, or autism spectrum disorders. Research has shown that the Incredible Years Child Dinosaur programme offered to children with comorbid issues is successful at reducing behaviour problems and increasing social and emotional competence. This article examines ways in which this small group therapy programme is tailored to address the individual goals of each child so that the intervention is developmentally and therapeutically appropriate. It discusses group composition, as well as the importance of specific content and teaching methods for children with ADHD, academic and language delays and mild autism.

Corrigendum:

It has been brought to Emerald’s attention that the article “Adapting the Incredible Years child dinosaur social, emotional, and problem-solving intervention to address comorbid diagnoses” by Webster-Stratton, Carolyn and Reid, M. Jamila published in the Journal of Children’s Services, Vol. 3 No. 3, 2008, failed to disclose conflict of interests prior to publication. Author Carolyn Webster-Stratton disseminates the Incredible Years treatment and stands to gain from favourable reports. Because of this, she has voluntarily agreed to distance herself from certain critical research activities, including recruitment, consenting, primary data handling and data analyses. The authors apologise for not disclosing the information prior to publication. The University of Washington has approved these arrangements.
Access to post‐adoption services when the child has substantial problems
Authors: Monck Elizabeth , Rushton Alan
Published: November 2014

The aim of the study described here was to assess the types of additional specialist service available to adoptive parents participating in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of post‐adoption support whose ex‐care children were showing substantial psychosocial problems. Parents from 37 families who volunteered for the RCT were asked about access to professional help with problems arising from the placement, additional to the tested support: questions focused on which services they had received, how long they waited and whether the services were, in their terms, satisfactory. The study found that 23 families had used or applied for 37 separate specialised services to support the child or family. Although 56% of families were positive about services, 12 families had waited more than a year for a first contact with specialists and 44% of parents said the services had not met their needs. The experiences of these parents show that more timely and targeted services are needed for adoptive families with a child with psychosocial problems.
Leading children's services: some contemporary issues and challenges
Authors: Frost Nick
Published: November 2014

This article explores some of the contemporary challenges facing leaders of children's services. Using the theoretical framework of the ‘incomplete leader’ developed by Ancona and colleagues (2007), the article reflects on the many challenges facing children's service leaders. It argues that a distributed and connected model of leadership is the best available in the current climate of change and challenge. This model contradicts the current one of embodied, individualised leadership contained in the England and Wales Children Act 2004. The article argues that the key leadership skills are about making sense of change, relating to people, creating a vision and developing new ways of working. The article utilises Government policy documents such as the Children's Plan and Care Matters, workforce issues and strategic planning to illustrate the nature of the leadership challenge. It concludes by suggesting a way forward for children's services leadership in integrated settings, in the current climate of audit and managerialism.
Steps towards “putting recovery at the heart of all we do”: workforce development and the contribution of “lived experience”
Authors: Roberts Glenn , Good John , Wooldridge James , Baker Elina
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a review and overview of the issue of developing guidance on implementing recovery and supporting organisational change, focused specifically on seeking to clarify the many different contributions that “lived experience” could make to training and workforce development.

Design/methodology/approach

The particular focus of our workshop was to clarify the key issues in workforce development, training for a recovery‐focused service and the contribution of “lived experience”. A particular outcome was to emphasise the benefits of collaborative co‐working between people who use services and practitioners at all levels.

Findings

A key element of our learning has been in valuing collaborative co‐working and the synergism of personal experience, professional training, research and evaluation.

Originality/value

The paper draws out what lessons have been learned already and sketches guidance for future practice and service development.
Preparing for collaborative working in mental health: an interprofessional education project with clinical psychology trainees and nursing students
Authors: Priest Helena , Roberts Paula , Dent Helen , Hunt Tom , Weston Dale , Chell Amy , Blincoe Christine , Armstrong Christine
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Effective interprofessional working is widely claimed to enhance service delivery, user satisfaction, and most importantly, clinical outcomes. Achieving this position is proving difficult. Research suggests that strategies to enhance interprofessional collaboration should begin at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent negative stereotypes from developing. This project was an attempt to develop effective interprofessional education (IPE) across staff groups who work in the mental health arena (mental health nursing students and clinical psychology trainees).

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were whole cohorts of undergraduate mental health nursing students (n=11) in their second year of training (at the commencement of their “branch” programme), and trainees on the doctorate in clinical psychology (n=10) at the start of their first year of training. IPE sessions were facilitated by mental health nursing and clinical psychology academic staff and clinicians. Activities included creative group work and problem‐based learning. Seven sessions were delivered across over a 2 year period.

Findings

Qualitative and quantitative data from this two year project showed an increase in positive attitudes towards professionals from each profession over a two year period, though no overall improvement. Qualitative analysis of participant comments provided more encouraging support for improvement in attitudes, within the theme areas of teamwork and collaboration, professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. Overall, the project provided important information on building positive attitudes within the mental health workforce, while identifying challenges that need to be anticipated and addressed.

Originality/value

Few studies have explored IPE in mental health contexts, especially in the pre‐qualification arena.