The T-box family

SUMMARY: Transcription factors of the T-box family are required both for early cell-fate decisions, such as those necessary for formation of the basic vertebrate body plan, and for differentiation and organogenesis. When mutated, T-box genes give dramatic phenotypes in mouse and zebrafish, and they have been implicated both in fundamentals of limb patterning and in a number of human congenital malformations such as Holt-Oram, ulnar-mammary and DiGeorge syndromes, as well as being amplified in a subset of cancers. Genes encoding members of the T-box family have recently been shown to comprise approximately 0.1% of genomes as diverse as those of nematodes and humans and have been identified in a wide variety of animals from ctenophores (comb jellies) to mammals; they are, however, completely absent from genomes from other organisms (such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana)

Good enough evaluation

A significant obligation still rests with practitioners and researchers to help spread an understanding - and ultimately a valuing - of person-centred practice among stakeholders at various levels, through systematic and meaningful evaluation of their efforts. While there is a range of frameworks (for example, Praxis and Fourth Generation Evaluation) that help guide the evaluation process, there is still the tendency to feel overwhelmed by choices when selecting the right tools or measures for the right people at the right time. In addition, a burden may be created by the amount and range of data produced and how this is analysed and used, which may result in incomplete, inadequate or incongruous evaluations. If we are unable to provide evidence of the effectiveness of our evaluations then stakeholders may assume practice development does not make much difference to the development of an effective person-centred culture. This paper focuses on the importance of evaluation in practice development work and outlines a new framework that incorporates the principles of person-centred practice. This framework will assist practitioners and researchers to undertake effective evaluations and produce strong, reliable evidence for key stakeholders. A case example will be outlined to illustrate the key principles of the framework and how it can be used in practice

Using person-centred key performance indicators to improve paediatric services: an international venture

Nurses are a critical part of the healthcare workforce and provide a significant proportion of care. There is a recognised gap in the evidence base regarding how to measure the impact of care and its contributions to the quality of the patient and family experience. This paper focuses on a set of eight key performance indicators (KPIs), developed from primary research led by a team at Ulster University to reflect core aspects of person-centred practice. The KPIs, having already been tested across a range of practice settings, are currently being implemented and further tested through an international study in the area of paediatrics. This study set out to explore their utility in supporting the development of person-centred practice across a range of services provided to sick children. The study involves children\u27s wards/hospitals in Australia (six sites across three states) and Europe (seven sites across four countries). Its purpose is twofold: To describe the person-centred KPIs and how they link to the person-centred nursing framework 2. To describe how these KPIs are being further tested internationally across children\u27s services,and the benefits and challenges of this international approac

The T-box family

Transcription factors of the T-box family are required both for early cell-fate decisions, such as those necessary for formation of the basic vertebrate body plan, and for differentiation and organogenesis. When mutated, T-box genes give dramatic phenotypes in mouse and zebrafish, and they have been implicated both in fundamentals of limb patterning and in a number of human congenital malformations such as Holt-Oram, ulnar-mammary and DiGeorge syndromes, as well as being amplified in a subset of cancers. Genes encoding members of the T-box family have recently been shown to comprise approximately 0.1% of genomes as diverse as those of nematodes and humans and have been identified in a wide variety of animals from ctenophores (comb jellies) to mammals; they are, however, completely absent from genomes from other organisms (such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana)

MY Camelopardalis, a very massive merger progenitor

Context. The early-type binary MY Cam belongs to the young open cluster Alicante 1, embedded in Cam OB3. Aims. MY Cam consists of two early-O type main-sequence stars and shows a photometric modulation suggesting an orbital period slightly above one day. We intend to confirm this orbital period and derive orbital and stellar parameters. Methods. Timing analysis of a very exhaustive (4607 points) light curve indicates a period of 1.1754514 +- 0.0000015 d. High- resolution spectra and the cross-correlation technique implemented in the TODCOR program were used to derive radial velocities and obtain the corresponding radial velocity curves for MY Cam. Modelling with the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND was used to obtain stellar parameters and create templates for cross-correlation. Stellar and orbital parameters were derived using the Wilson-Devinney code, such that a complete solution to the binary system could be described. Results. The determined masses of the primary and secondary stars in MY Cam are 37.7 +- 1.6 and 31.6 +- 1.4 Msol, respectively. The corresponding temperatures, derived from the model atmosphere fit, are 42 000 and 39 000 K, with the more massive component being hotter. Both stars are overfilling their Roche lobes, sharing a common envelope. Conclusions. MY Cam contains the most massive dwarf O-type stars found so far in an eclipsing binary. Both components are still on the main sequence, and probably not far from the zero-age main sequence. The system is a likely merger progenitor, owing to its very short period.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, photometric data available on-line, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 201

Identification of Optical Parameters for Determination of Radiance

The ‘brightness’ of coherent beams such as lasers is known as ‘radiance’ in radiometric terms. It is a concept which is rarely taken into account in laser material processing, laser system design, and for the characterization of laser beams. The typical beam parameters such as: laser power; spot size; intensity; wavelength; beam divergence and the beam propagation factor - M2, combined together are factors which determine the ‘radiance’ of lasers or energy beams in general. The concept of ‘brightness’ (‘radiance’ in particular), and how the laser beam parameters contribute to affect ‘radiance’, has not so far been reported in previous literature. Thus, we have investigated the theoretical ‘radiance’ for each parameter in relation to one another. In addition, a rather suitable empirical equation to determine the ‘radiance’ was also introduced herein, since, the existing equation for calculating ‘brightness’ do not employ the total power intensity of the beam. Based on this, we consider ‘power density’ rather than the ‘output power’ for determining radiance of a selected 1.064 μm wavelength Nd:YAG laser for a set laser processing parameter window. The analytical investigation firstly concluded that the inclusion of ‘power density’ into the equation takes in account of ‘spot size’ and ‘laser power’ to cover all laser beam parameters. Secondly, the results have shown wavelength to be the most contributory parameter to influence the radiance value followed by power density, M2, laser power and lastly the spot size of the laser beam. This was for a set-condition applied, but is generically applicable to different conditions and parameters, whereby, the same tendency would occur. This novel concept of brightness (radiance), of light sources such as a laser beam is not just useful for process control during laser material processing, but could prove to be a very effective concept for laser beam characterization, and in laser system design for enhancing the ‘brightness’ or ‘radiance’ of lasers. Also not just lasers but, the concept could be applicable for other energy beams in general.Publisher Statement: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12596-014-0219-

The pressure injury prevalence and practice improvements (PIPPI) study : A multiple methods evaluation of pressure injury prevention practices in an acute-care hospital

Pressure injuries are a significant problem for immobile patients in acute care and can have a profound impact on patients' health and well-being, putting pressure on healthcare systems and strain on the healthcare economy. Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing pressure injuries. A study using multiple methods was conducted to explore pressure injury prevention practices in four inpatient units within a tertiary-level Australian Hospital. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather data across a 9-month period. Observations, audits, surveys and interviews were used to collect data across five time points. Statistical analysis of the quantitative data was undertaken, and thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Data were integrated using a realist evaluation framework. Ethical approval for the study was granted. The quantitative results demonstrated significant reductions in pressure injury prevalence from 11.5% at commencement to 4.8% at completion of the study. Hospital-acquired pressure injuries also reduced from 4.6% to 1.9%. These results were achieved even though nursing knowledge and attitudes did not increase during the study period. Three qualitative themes were identified: Making Nursing Care Visible, Understanding the ‘Why’ and Engagement is Key. This study demonstrates that pressure injuries can be prevented with improvements in nursing care processes. Nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards pressure injury prevention did not change throughout this study and further research is required on how nurses' knowledge and attitudes contribute towards pressure injury prevention practices

Person-centredness - The ‘state’ of the art

Background: Person-centred practice is now firmly embedded in the nursing and healthcare discourse. While there is a growing body of development and research activity in the field, there is increased recognition of the need for further advances in the body of existing knowledge. This is reflected in the different approaches to person-centredness being adopted by healthcare systems internationally. Aims: To provide an overview of person-centredness and ways in which person-centred practice has been adopted in healthcare systems internationally. Methods: A summary review of the evidence underpinning the concepts and theory of person-centredness, incorporating an overview of national strategic frameworks that influence the development of person-centred practice in different countries. Findings: While there have been considerable advances in the development of person-centredness, there is a lot of work to be done in the adoption of more consistent approaches to its development and evaluation. In particular, a shared discourse and measurement tools are needed. Internationally, person-centredness is gaining momentum and many countries have strategic frameworks in place to direct its development and implementation

Murine Anti-vaccinia Virus D8 Antibodies Target Different Epitopes and Differ in Their Ability to Block D8 Binding to CS-E

The IMV envelope protein D8 is an adhesion molecule and a major immunodominant antigen of vaccinia virus (VACV). Here we identified the optimal D8 ligand to be chondroitin sulfate E (CS-E). CS-E is characterized by a disaccharide moiety with two sulfated hydroxyl groups at positions 4′ and 6′ of GalNAc. To study the role of antibodies in preventing D8 adhesion to CS-E, we have used a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies, and tested their ability to compete with CS-E for D8 binding. Among four antibody specificity groups, MAbs of one group (group IV) fully abrogated CS-E binding, while MAbs of a second group (group III) displayed widely varying levels of CS-E blocking. Using EM, we identified the binding site for each antibody specificity group on D8. Recombinant D8 forms a hexameric arrangement, mediated by self-association of a small C-terminal domain of D8. We propose a model in which D8 oligomerization on the IMV would allow VACV to adhere to heterogeneous population of CS, including CS-C and potentially CS-A, while overall increasing binding efficiency to CS-E