bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How effective is joint commissioning? A study of five English localities
Authors: Dickinson Helen , Glasby Jon 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThis paper reports research undertaken into the practices, processes and outcomes of joint commissioning at five English localities. This paper reflects on the implications of this study for the practice of joint commissioning.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach to the research was adopted where the assumptions about what joint commissioning should deliver in five “best practice” sites. These hypothesised relationships about organisational processes, services and outcomes were then tested through the collection of primary and secondary data. Methods of data collection included an online tool based on Q methodology, documentary analysis, interviews and focus groups.FindingsVery little of what we found seemed to relate directly to issues of joint commissioning. Respondents often spoke of joint commissioning conflating it with issues of commissioning or joint working more generally. We found a variety of different definitions and meanings of joint commissioning in practice suggesting that this is not a coherent model but varies across localities. Little evidence of improved outcomes was found, due to practical and technical difficulties.Research limitations/implicationsJoint commissioning is not a coherent model and is applied in different ways across different contexts. As such we may need to ask very different questions of joint commissioning to those typically asked.Practical implicationsIt is important that local sites are clear about what they are trying to deliver through joint commissioning or else risk that it becomes an end in itself. Some of the current reforms taking place in health and social care risk pulling apart existing relationships that have taken significant time and resource to develop.Originality/valueThis is one of the first large‐scale studies of joint commissioning conducted in England.
Risk assessment of offenders with an autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Murphy David 
Published: August 2013

PurposeIntegral to the process of formulating and managing the difficulties of mentally disordered offenders is the assessment of risk. However, the opinion held by many clinicians who work with offenders with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that most conventional risk assessment tools fail to capture the underlying reasons why such individuals may offend. This needs to be explored.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a screening study of the HCR 20 risk assessment tool and some other characteristics of ‘high risk’ individuals with an ASD. Also presented is a brief literature review supported by clinical experience of the assessment of psychopathy in ASD and highlighting potential key factors to be included in a risk assessment of offenders with an ASD.FindingsIt was found that nine out of the 20 risk items contained in the HCR 20 are present in 50 per cent or less of the sample. Whilst some conventional risk factors are present, clinical experience and the literature suggests that it is the specific difficulties associated with having an ASD that contribute towards an individual's vulnerability to offend.Originality/valueAlthough further examination is required, provisional findings from this small screening study of the HCR 20 profiles of high risk individuals with an ASD questions the usefulness of some conventional risk factors in understanding the difficulties within this population. It is proposed that there is a need for good practise guidelines for assessing risk in individuals with an ASD.
Effects of different cooking methods on the vitamin C content of selected vegetables
Authors: Zeng Chuli 
Published: August 2013

PurposeVegetables are rich in vitamin C, but most of them are commonly cooked before being consumed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three common cooking methods (i.e. steaming, microwaving, and boiling) on the vitamin C content of broccoli, spinach, and lettuce.Design/methodology/approach100 g of homogeneous pieces of broccoli, spinach, and lettuce was separately processed for 5 minutes by steaming, microwaving, and boiling. A simple UV analytical method was employed to determine the vitamin C content of the vegetables.FindingsLoss of vitamin C in broccoli, spinach, and lettuce during steaming was 14.3, 11.1, and 8.6 per cent, respectively, while the loss of vitamin C during boiling was 54.6, 50.5, and 40.4 per cent, respectively. During microwaving, loss of vitamin C in broccoli, spinach, and lettuce was 28.1, 25.5, and 21.2 per cent, respectively.Practical implicationsThis study shows that any raw vegetable contains the highest content of vitamin C compared to that of cooked one. Eating raw vegetables is the best way to obtain vitamin C. Cooking methods (i.e. steaming, microwaving, and boiling) have huge impacts on the vitamin C content of vegetables. Steaming is the best cooking method for retaining the vitamin C content in vegetables.Originality/valueThis study evaluates for the first study the effects of three common cooking methods (i.e. steaming, microwaving, and boiling) on the vitamin C content of broccoli, spinach, and lettuce.
Climate change adaptation
Authors: S. Hayles Carolyn , Dean Moira , A. Lappin Sarah , E. McCullough Jane 
Published: August 2013

Purpose
– In this paper, the authors present the Awareness Behaviour Intervention Action (ABIA) framework, a new system developed by them to support environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB).

Design/methodology/approach
– Previous ERB programmes have failed to deliver lasting results; they have not appropriately understood and provided systems to address ERB (Costanzo et al., 1986). The ABIA framework has been developed in line with behavioural studies in other disciplines. A preliminary pilot study has been carried out with social housing residents in order to understand the framework's efficacy.

Findings
– The ABIA framework enables a better understanding of current attitudes to environmental issues and provides support for ERB alongside technological interventions employed to promote carbon reduction.

Research limitations/implications
– The ABIA framework could be tested on individuals and communities in a variety of socio-economic, political and cultural contexts. This will help unpack how it can impact on the behaviours of individuals and communities including stakeholders.

Practical implications
– This type of research and the ABIA framework developed from it are crucial if the EU is to reduce is domestic carbon footprint and if the UK is to meet its pledge to become the first country in the world in which all new homes from 2016 are to be zero carbon.

Social implications
– The framework encourages both individual and community engagement in solving of sustainability issues.

Originality/value
– There are few studies that have developed a framework which can be used in practice to support behavioural change for adaptation to sustainable living in low- or zero-carbon homes.
A pragmatic approach to the analysis of diets of generalist predators: the use of next‐generation sequencing with no blocking probes
Authors: Piñol J. , San Andrés V. , Clare E. L. , Mir G. , Symondson W. O. C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPredicting whether a predator is capable of affecting the dynamics of a prey species in the field implies the analysis of the complete diet of the predator, not simply rates of predation on a target taxon. Here, we employed the Ion Torrent next‐generation sequencing technology to investigate the diet of a generalist arthropod predator. A complete dietary analysis requires the use of general primers, but these will also amplify the predator unless suppressed using a blocking probe. However, blocking probes can potentially block other species, particularly if they are phylogenetically close. Here, we aimed to demonstrate that enough prey sequence could be obtained without blocking probes. In communities with many predators, this approach obviates the need to design and test numerous blocking primers, thus making analysis of complex community food webs a viable proposition. We applied this approach to the analysis of predation by the linyphiid spider Oedothorax fuscus in an arable field. We obtained over two million raw reads. After discarding the low‐quality and predator reads, the libraries still contained over 61 000 prey reads (3% of the raw reads; 6% of reads passing quality control). The libraries were rich in Collembola, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Nematoda. They also contained sequences derived from several spider species and from horticultural pests (aphids). Oedothorax fuscus is common in UK cereal fields, and the results showed that it is exploiting a wide range of prey. Next‐generation sequencing using general primers but without blocking probes provided ample sequences for analysis of the prey range of this spider and proved to be a simple and inexpensive approach.
Sleeping with the enemy
Authors: Salmon Gilly , Angood Rod 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe provide a brief history of how academics and information technology (IT) professionals have come to be on opposing sides in a battle for position, influence and direction within universities. The long‐running conflict has shaped different belief systems and resultant values and behaviours that are no longer appropriate nor tolerable if universities are to successfully address the emerging challenges of the 21st century. We argue that in the complex world of higher education, a new pathway that involves partnerships between IT departments and faculties is a fast—and risk‐averse—way through the new challenges and issues. We suggest that leaders have an opportunity to impact effective and corporate decision making by enabling both camps and factions to share a better understanding of each other's contributions and collaborate around key IT and learning technology initiatives. We conclude with 16 action recommendations for leaders to create a better future for higher education learning with technology.
The protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit Ppp2r2a is required for Connexin‐43 dephosphorlyation during epidermal barrier acquisition
Authors: Gerner Lisa , Youssef Gehad , O'Shaughnessy Ryan F. L. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractEpidermal barrier acquisition during late mammalian development is a prerequisite for terrestrial existence. Over a 24‐h period, the epidermis goes from being a barrier‐deficient, dye permeable epithelium to a barrier‐competent epithelium. We have previously shown that Akt signalling is necessary for barrier acquisition in the mouse and that the protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit Ppp2r2a causes barrier acquisition by dephosphorylation of cJun. Here, we demonstrate that there is transient interaction between the gap junction protein Connexin 43 (Cx43) and Zonula occludins‐1 (Zo‐1) during epidermal barrier acquisition. Ppp2r2a knockdown prevented plasma membrane co‐localisation and interaction between the two proteins. Ppp2r2a knockdown also increased phosphorylation at Serine 368 of Connexin 43. Cx43 phosphorlyation at Serine368 occurred just prior to the interaction between Connexin 43 and Zo‐1. We therefore propose a model in which Ppp2r2a is required both for the initial interaction between Zo‐1 and Cx43 and the consequent dephosphorylation of Connexin 43, preventing interaction of Zo‐1 and allowing Zo‐1 to initiate tight junction formation and barrier acquisition.
Dual sensory loss: A major age‐related increase of comorbid hearing loss and hearing aid ownership in visually impaired adults
Authors: Vreeken Hilde L , van Rens Ger HMB , Knol Dirk L , van Reijen Nadja A , Kramer Sophia E , Festen Joost M , van Nispen Ruth MA 
Published: August 2013

AimDespite increasing interest in visual and hearing impairment in the older population, little attention has been paid to concurrent hearing and vision loss, also known as dual sensory loss. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of comorbid hearing disability and hearing aid ownership in visually impaired older adults.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional survey, a self‐report hearing disability screener was administered to 1396 visually impaired patients (aged ≥50 years) of outpatient low vision rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands and Belgium.ResultsOf all participants, 44.8% (95% CI 42.2–47.5) had insufficient or poor hearing; the prevalence increased quadratically with age. Of all dual sensory impaired participants, 31.2% in the Netherlands and 55.7% in Belgium did not own hearing aids.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of dual sensory loss calls for more awareness of related problems in these patients. Differences between the Netherlands and Belgium regarding hearing aid ownership might be due to different criteria used for hearing aid referral and insurance policies. For patients with dual sensory loss, specialized care implemented in low vision rehabilitation seems warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 570–576.
Association between serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration and cardiac function among elderly cardiology inpatients
Authors: Sakane Kazushi , Shibata Kensaku , Fujita Shu‐ichi , Shimamoto Shinsaku , Ito Takahide , Kizawa Shun , Morita Hideaki , Sohmiya Koichi , Hoshiga Masaaki , Ishizaka Nobukazu 
Published: August 2013

AimTo study whether there is an association between serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) concentration and cardiac function among cardiology inpatients.MethodsThis retrospective study included 91 patients who had sinus rhythm. Of 91 patients, 70 patients (77%) were aged ≥60 years (elderly group) and the remaining 21 patients (23%) were aged <60 years (younger group).ResultsSerum IgG4 concentrations were found to be negatively correlated with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and with E/e′, an indicator for cardiac diastolic function in the elderly group, but not in the younger group. In contrast, IgG4 was significantly correlated with neither left ventricular mass nor ejection fraction in either group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, in the elderly group, the association between IgG4 and E/e′, and that between IgG4 and BNP, were independent of age, sex, systolic blood pressure and renal function; log‐transformed IgG4 showed a negative association with log‐transformed E/e′ and log‐transformed BNP, with a standardized correlation coefficient of −0.26 (95% confidence interval −0.49 to −0.03, P = 0.030 and −0.22 (95% confidence interval −0.44 to −0.11, P = 0.043), respectively.ConclusionSerum IgG4 concentration might be associated with cardiac diastolic function among elderly cardiology inpatients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 582–588.
Transcriptional and functional regulation of the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1
Authors: Spanier Britta 
Published: August 2013

AbstractDietary proteins are cleaved within the intestinal lumen to oligopeptides which are further processed to small peptides (di‐ and tripeptides) and free amino acids. Although the transport of amino acids is mediated by several specific amino acid transporters, the proton‐coupled uptake of the more than 8000 different di‐ and tripeptides is performed by the high‐capacity/low‐affinity peptide transporter isoform PEPT1 (SLC15A1). Its wide substrate tolerance also allows the transport of a repertoire of structurally closely related compounds and drugs, which explains their high oral bioavailability and brings PEPT1 into focus for medical and pharmaceutical approaches. Although the first evidence for the interplay of nutrient supply and PEPT1 expression and function was described over 20 years ago, many aspects of the molecular processes controlling its transcription and translation and modifying its transporter properties are still awaiting discovery. The present review summarizes the recent knowledge on the factors modulating PEPT1 expression and function in Caenorhabditis elegans, Danio rerio, Mus musculus and Homo sapiens, with focus on dietary ingredients, transcription factors and functional modulators, such as the sodium–proton exchanger NHE3 and selected scaffold proteins.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Human-Pathogenic Bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus E0666
Authors: Cao Yuan , Liu Xiao-Fei , Zhang He-Lin , Chen Ying-Jian , Hu Cheng-Jin 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Vibrio alginolyticus
is a Gram-negative halophilic bacterium with worldwide distribution. In this work, we report the draft genome sequence of a
V. alginolyticus
strain (E0666) isolated from
Epinephelus coioides
ascites in the Shantou city of Guangdong Province, China.
Virulence and Immune Response Induced by Mycobacterium avium Complex Strains in a Model of Progressive Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Subcutaneous Infection in BALB/c Mice
Authors: González-Pérez Mónica , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo , Parra-López Carlos Alberto , Murcia Martha Isabel , Marquina Brenda , Mata-Espinoza Dulce , Rodriguez-Míguez Yadira , Baay-Guzman Guillermina J. , Huerta-Yepez Sara , Hernandez-Pando Rogelio 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe genusMycobacteriumcomprises more than 150 species, including important pathogens for humans which cause major public health problems. The vast majority of efforts to understand the genus have been addressed in studies withMycobacterium tuberculosis. The biological differentiation betweenM. tuberculosisand nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is important because there are distinctions in the sources of infection, treatments, and the course of disease. Likewise, the importance of studying NTM is not only due to its clinical significance but also due to the mechanisms by which some species are pathogenic while others are not.Mycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) is the most important group of NTM opportunistic pathogens, since it is the second largest medical complex in the genus after theM. tuberculosiscomplex. Here, we evaluated the virulence and immune response ofM. aviumsubsp.aviumandMycobacterium colombiense, using experimental models of progressive pulmonary tuberculosis and subcutaneous infection in BALB/c mice. Mice infected intratracheally with a high dose of MAC strains showed high expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase with rapid bacillus elimination and numerous granulomas, but without lung consolidation during late infection in coexistence with high expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, subcutaneous infection showed high production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and gamma interferon with relatively low production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) or IL-4, which efficiently eliminate the bacilli but maintain extensive inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, MAC infection evokes different immune and inflammatory responses depending on the MAC species and affected tissue.
The Ferric Enterobactin Transporter Fep Is Required for Persistent Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection
Authors: Nagy Toni A. , Moreland Sarah M. , Andrews-Polymenis Helene , Detweiler Corrella S. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Most bacterial pathogens require iron to grow and colonize host tissues. The Gram-negative bacterium
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium causes a natural systemic infection of mice that models acute and chronic human typhoid fever.
S
. Typhimurium resides in tissues within cells of the monocyte lineage, which limit pathogen access to iron, a mechanism of nutritional immunity. The primary ferric iron import system encoded by
Salmonella
is the siderophore ABC transporter FepBDGC. The Fep system has a known role in acute infection, but it is unclear whether ferric iron uptake or the ferric iron binding siderophores enterobactin and salmochelin are required for persistent infection. We defined the role of the Fep iron transporter and siderophores in the replication of
Salmonella
in macrophages and in mice that develop acute followed by persistent infections. Replication of wild-type and iron transporter mutant
Salmonella
strains was quantified in cultured macrophages, fecal pellets, and host tissues in mixed- and single-infection experiments. We show that deletion of
fepB
attenuated
Salmonella
replication and colonization within macrophages and mice. Additionally, the genes required to produce and transport enterobactin and salmochelin across the outer membrane receptors,
fepA
and
iroN
, are needed for colonization of all tissues examined. However, salmochelin appears to be more important than enterobactin in the colonization of the spleen and liver, both sites of dissemination. Thus, the FepBDGC ferric iron transporter and the siderophores enterobactin and salmochelin are required by
Salmonella
to evade nutritional immunity in macrophages and cause persistent infection in mice.
Analysis of Autoinducer-2 Quorum Sensing in Yersinia pestis
Authors: Yu Jing , Madsen Melissa L. , Carruthers Michael D. , Phillips Gregory J. , Kavanaugh Jeffrey S. , Boyd Jeff M. , Horswill Alexander R. , Minion F. Chris 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

The autoinducer-2 (AI-2) quorum-sensing system has been linked to diverse phenotypes and regulatory changes in pathogenic bacteria. In the present study, we performed a molecular and biochemical characterization of the AI-2 system in
Yersinia pestis
, the causative agent of plague. In strain CO92, the AI-2 signal is produced in a
luxS
-dependent manner, reaching maximal levels of 2.5 μM in the late logarithmic growth phase, and both wild-type and pigmentation (
pgm
) mutant strains made equivalent levels of AI-2. Strain CO92 possesses a chromosomal
lsr
locus encoding factors involved in the binding and import of AI-2, and confirming this assignment, an
lsr
deletion mutant increased extracellular pools of AI-2. To assess the functional role of AI-2 sensing in
Y. pestis
, microarray studies were conducted by comparing Δ
pgm
strain R88 to a Δ
pgm
Δ
luxS
mutant or a quorum-sensing-null Δ
pgm
Δ
ypeIR
Δ
yspIR
Δ
luxS
mutant at 37°C. Our data suggest that AI-2 quorum sensing is associated with metabolic activities and oxidative stress genes that may help
Y. pestis
survive at the host temperature. This was confirmed by observing that the
luxS
mutant was more sensitive to killing by hydrogen peroxide, suggesting a potential requirement for AI-2 in evasion of oxidative damage. We also show that a large number of membrane protein genes are controlled by LuxS, suggesting a role for quorum sensing in membrane modeling. Altogether, this study provides the first global analysis of AI-2 signaling in
Y. pestis
and identifies potential roles for the system in controlling genes important to disease.