A Case Study of Applied Scholarship: The British Journal of Social Work 1971–2013

The British Journal of Social Work (BJSW) has played a significant role in the development of social work as a practice and discipline for over forty years. For the first three decades of its life, the BJSW was the only prominent social work journal published out of the UK and thus is a ‘journal of record’, holding a mirror to the profession. As such, the BJSW has a rich depository of data, which not only tell the story of the journal itself, but contribute significantly to the narrative of social work as an ever-changing field. In this article, we aim to illuminate certain aspects of this narrative by presenting some of the findings from a multiple method historical case study on the BJSW, focusing on the first forty years of the journal. Data consisted of archival records, oral histories and analysis of journal content for the last full year of each of eleven editorial regimes. Here, we foreground the content analysis, giving particular emphasis to evidence regarding trends. We place these findings in the context of social work as a field, and relate them to the projected identity of the journal and to the broader identity of social work

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen

Where do Configuration Constraints Stem From? An Extraction Approach and an Empirical Study

The GSDLAB technical reports are published as a means to ensure timely dissemi-nation of scholarly and technical work on a non-commercial basis. Copyright and all rights therein are maintained by the authors or by other copyright holders, notwith-standing that they have offered their works here electronically. It is understood that all persons copying this information will adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author’s copyright. These works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder

Where do Configuration Constraints Stem From? An Extraction Approach and an Empirical Study

Highly configurable systems allow users to tailor software to specific needs. Valid combinations of configuration options are often restricted by intricate constraints. Describing options and constraints in a variability model allows reasoning about the supported configurations. To automate creating and verifying such models, we need to identify the origin of such constraints. We propose a static analysis approach, based on two rules, to extract configuration constraints from code. We apply it on four highly configurable systems to evaluate the accuracy of our approach and to determine which constraints are recoverable from the code. We find that our approach is highly accurate (93 % and 77 % respectively) and that we can recover 28 % of existing constraints. We complement our approach with a qualitative study to identify constraint sources, triangulating results from our automatic extraction, manual inspections, and interviews with 27 developers. We find that, apart from low-level implementation dependencies, configuration constraints enforce correct runtime behavior, improve users’ configuration experience, and prevent corner cases. While the majority of constraints is extractable from code, our results indicate that creating a complete model requires further substantial domain knowledge and testing. Our results aim at supporting researchers and practitioners working on variability model engineering, evolution, and verification techniques</p

Developing a Test-bed for Distributed Search by Mobile Sensors

Abstract-- The goal of this Systems and Information Engineering Capstone project is to develop a physical test-bed in order to analyze the efficiency of swarmbased distributed search algorithms. This test-bed demonstrates a distributed search system using actual moving search agents and target detection. The goal of this test-bed is to provide a tool that can be used in future research to better understand swarm-based distributed search by mobile sensors. I

Sepsis

We are examining the effectiveness of sepsis screening at triage. Sepsis requires critical thinking to identify and treat appropriately, but it is also imperative for patient outcomes to do so in a timely manner. It has not been answered because the icon is new to the department and has not been fully investigated. One would correlate utilization of the sepsis icon with diagnosis of sepsis and time to antibiotics and fluid. In Adult patients coming into ED triage, will early identification of sepsis at initial triage assessment utilizing a sepsis icon on the First Net system verses no icon utilized improve the 3 hour septic bundle compliance for better patient outcomes? We will compare data from prior to the sepsis icon roll out to date after. The key impact to our research is to decrease mortality related to sepsis.https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/nursing_artof_innovation/1005/thumbnail.jp

Discovery of a novel chemotype of potent human ENaC blockers using a bioisostere approach. Part 2: α-Branched quaternary amines

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel α-branched pyrazinoyl quaternary amines for their ability to block ion transport via the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Compound 12g has an IC50 of 37 nM and is highly efficacious in the Guinea-pig tracheal potential difference (TPD) model of ENaC blockade with an ED50 of 1 μgkg-1 at 1 h. In addition the SAR results demonstrate for the first time the chiral nature of the binding site of human ENaC. As such, pyrazinoyl quaternary amines represent a promising new class of ENaC blockers for the treatment of cystic fibrosis that are structurally distinct from the pyrazinoyl guanidine chemotype found in prototypical ENaC blockers such as amiloride

Discovery of a novel chemotype of potent human ENaC blockers using a bioisostere approach. Part 1: Quaternary amines

We report the identification of a novel series of human epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) blockers that are structurally distinct from the pyrazinoyl guanidine chemotype found in prototypical ENaC blockers such as amiloride. Following a rational design hypothesis a series of quaternary amines were prepared and evaluated for their ability to block ion transport via ENaC in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Compound 11 has an IC50 of 200 nM and is efficacious in the Guinea-pig tracheal potential difference (TPD) model of ENaC blockade with an ED50 of 44 μg kg−1 at 1 h. As such, pyrazinoyl quaternary amines represent the first examples of a promising new class of human ENaC blockers