An exploratory study of the incorporation of their ‘future-self’ as part of transition preparation in to and out of further education for young people with learning disabilities

This research explored the perception of the incorporation of ‘future-self’ for young people (YP) moving from specialist provision for children where the Local Authority have identified the provision as Moderate Learning Difficulties and additional needs, their parent/carers views, and the perspectives of professionals supporting their transition to mainstream further education. The ‘future-self’ approach had its basis in social cognitive theory, as the creation of imagined ‘future-selves’ is thought to influence an individual’s behaviour to aid them to work towards their aspired self (Baker, 2015; Markus & Nurius, 1986; Oysterman & James, 2011). Phase one used a case study methodology using semi-structured interviews to explore the YP and their parent/carer’s experience of transition planning having included the young person’s vision of their ‘future-self’, at aged 16. Materials were designed to aid their understanding using visual support. Phase two gained the views of YP using focus groups as they approach transition out of FE at aged 19 or older into continued training, employment, and on towards adulthood, in relation to inclusion of their vision of their ‘future-self’ in this preparation. This phase also explored the perceptions of the professionals for incorporating the young person’s view of their ‘future-self’ using semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six stage thematic analysis to identify themes in the data. Focus groups were thematically analysed using Ritchie and Spencer’s (1994) five stage analysis. A number of themes were found for the YP at both stages, the parents/carers and the professionals. Findings indicated that the YP are more involved in the transition planning and a range of methods are applied to prepare the YP however there are a number of barriers still limiting the options for the YP such as: lack of choice available, protectiveness of others, low aspirations, failure to explore holistic longer term outcomes, insufficient multi-agency involvement, overreliance on parents, and the need for more effective strategic planning and awareness of the systems around the YP. The findings from this research indicate that applying a ‘future-selves’ approach for YP as a method to generate future aspirations to motivate YP’s behaviour has been effective as a tool to add to existing transition preparations. This could act as a way to overcome the currently existing poorer long term outcomes for YP with this population. Based upon this small scale project, further investigation would be required to assess the benefit for a wider population

Identification of pre-synaptic processing proteins from bacteroides fragilis

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is required for the survival of all organisms. In bacteria, DNA DSBs can occur during normal housekeeping processes such as DNA replication or by exogenous damage due to chemicals or radiation. DSBs will compromise the integrity of the genome if left un-repaired, and can be fatal to an organism. Repair of DSBs by homologous recombination (HR) replicates missing chromosomal regions before joining of the separated DNA ends. In Escherichia coli the HR repair steps are; pre-synapsis, synapsis and post-synapsis. In the pre-synaptic stage a DSB is processed into a 3′ single-strand overhang, the substrate required for strand invasion in the synapsis stage and the eventual repair of the DSB. At present there are three identified pre-synapsis systems involved in recombination in bacteria; represented by the AdnAB, AddAB and the RecBCD protein complexes. Each system functions in a similar manner but differ in the physical composition of the machinery. This project investigated the pre-synaptic system of Bacteroides fragilis NCTC9343. Genes encoding putative pre-synapsis proteins were initially identified through analysis of the NCTC9343 genome. The function of these proteins was investigated in vivo by rescue of a repair-deficient strain of E. coli. This demonstrated that Bacteroides fragilis encodes a two component system, where both genes products are required to work in concert for pre-synaptic processing of DSBs. The identified genes were BF2192 and BF2191, and have been renamed addA and addB, respectively. To further examine the role of the AddAB proteins in DSB repair, a Bacteroides fragilis strain with a deletion of addAB was constructed and shown to be extremely sensitive to DNA damaging agents. The AddAB complex was purified and found to be an ATP-dependant helicase and exonuclease that acted on double-stranded DNA ends. In conclusion, this project has identified the proteins involved in pre-synaptic processing of DSBs in B. fragilis NCTC9343, consisting of AddAB homologues, and shown their protective role in repair of DNA damage

A novel plasma source for surface chemical patterning and spatial control of cell adhesion.

The aim of this work was to develop and characterise a plasma source, which could be used to modify polymeric surfaces and incorporate well-defined regions of controlled chemistry. A novel plasma treatment system in which the ion energy and flux at the substrate can be independently controlled was developed. Argon plasma was separated into two regions with stainless steel meshes. The ion energy and flux in the substrate processing region was manipulated by applying an electrical bias to these meshes. This 'tailored' plasma was used to investigate the relative contributions of ions and vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) photons in the plasma treatment of polystyrene (PS). The level of surface modification induced by the plasma treatment was ascertained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Isolation of the VUV component by use of the biased mesh system revealed that in this system, these photons were the primary species causing oxygen incorporation into the PS surface. The modified PS was successfully employed as a culture substrate for bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). By use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids placed on the PS surface during exposure to the source, micron scale surface chemical patterns were produced. The pattern of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions was visualised by condensing water onto the surface. On these substrates, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) formed patterns with features as small as 5 μm. The ability to independently control the ion energy and flux at the substrate has enabled the identification of the primary plasma species involved in surface modification of PS in this system. Combined with simple patterning technology, the novel plasma source has been used to produce well-defined micron scale chemical patterns on PS. The biological utility of such patterned substrates has been demonstrated by spatial control over cell attachment and spreading

Defining novel regulators of inflammatory signalling in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a cancer with few effective therapeutic options and, for patients with this disease, the prognosis remains extremely poor. In recent years immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality for a number of different tumour types but so far its impact in treatment of PDAC has been limited. Examining the molecular pathways that determine the immune response to cancer cells in PDAC will enable development of new therapeutic strategies to target this response. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that is elevated in human PDAC tissues and correlates with high levels of fibrosis and poor CD8+ T cell infiltration. The Serrels Laboratory has already demonstrated a role for FAK in promoting tumour evasion by inducing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, specifically by regulation of cytokines. This has led to trials of the FAK inhibitor (defactinib) in conjunction with immunotherapy. I proposed that FAK was likely to regulate further chemokine/cytokine and ligand receptor networks and that by understanding more about these networks it may be possible to target potential pathways to modify this response and provide therapeutic benefit. I used CRISPR, Forward Phase Protein Arrays (FPPA) and ELISA on mouse and human PDAC cell lines to examine relative expression of chemokines and cytokines and how this expression was regulated by FAK. I identified CXCL16 as one of the most abundantly expressed cytokines in both mouse and human cell lines and one of the most significantly increased cytokines upon FAK depletion. PDAC FAK null cell lines +/- CXCL16 were then orthotopically implanted into the pancreas of C57BL/6 mice and I demonstrated that CXCL16 depletion resulted in a re-programming of the immune cell tumour infiltrate with reduced tumour growth. These findings identify a FAK dependent CXCL16-CXCR6 paracrine signalling axis that may represent a mechanism of resistance to FAK inhibition and thus an important potential therapeutic target

Proof of principle : the adaptive geometry of social foragers

Acknowledgments We thank Cape Nature for permission to undertake the study. We thank Dr Matt Grove and two anonymous referees for comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript substantially. This research was funded by grants from the Leakey Foundation, National Science and Engineering Research Council, Canada to S.P.H. and L.B., and by the National Research Foundation, South Africa to S.P.H. His co-authors dedicate this paper to the memory of P.M.R.C. The authors declare no competing interests.Peer reviewedPostprin

Using concept mapping to understand motivational interviewing practice

Motivational interviewing (MI) has developed considerably since its inception, which may have led to diverse practice across contexts and differential understanding of core principles. Concept mapping is one potential method for offering insight into practitioner awareness, understanding and application of MI. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach In total, 29 professionals from a range of disciplines, including counselling, education and health, completed concept maps about MI, following brief training at the UK regional MI interest network. In total, 17 completed maps were submitted for analysis using quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings A total of 186 concepts and 175 propositional links were found within the 17 maps. The most commonly identified concepts were: change, empathy, collaboration, open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries (OARS), client centred and compassion. The concept maps also suggested differing levels of expertise across network members using concept mapping morphology classification. Research limitations/implications The sample was small scale and located in one region of the UK. Maps were submitted anonymously meaning that participant data could not be matched to the maps. Practical implications Concept mapping is a potentially useful method for auditing practice and developing skills in MI, as well as exploring participants’ understanding of related concepts and therapeutic mechanisms. Social implications MI has a strong evidence-based across a variety of disciplines and contexts. Refining practitioner skills in MI has implications for the integrity of delivery, and improved client outcomes in areas such as substance use, health promotion and educational disaffection. Originality/value This is the first study to investigate concept mapping as a means of understanding MI practice. It has potential implications for training, monitoring, supervision and development in MI practice

Developing an Intervention for Fall-Related Injuries in Dementia (DIFRID): an integrated, mixed-methods approach

Background Falls in people with dementia can result in a number of physical and psychosocial consequences. However, there is limited evidence to inform how best to deliver services to people with dementia following a fall. The aim of the DIFRID study was to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a new intervention to improve outcomes for people with dementia with fall-related injuries; this encompasses both short-term recovery and reducing the likelihood of future falls. This paper details the development of the DIFRID intervention. Methods The intervention was designed using an integrated, mixed-methods approach. This involved a realist synthesis of the literature and qualitative data gathered through interviews and focus groups with health and social care professionals (n=81). An effectiveness review and further interviews and observation were also conducted and are reported elsewhere. A modified Delphi panel approach with 24 experts was then used to establish a consensus on how the findings should translate into a new intervention. After feedback from key stakeholders (n=15) on the proposed model, the intervention was manualised and training developed. Results We identified key components of a new intervention covering three broad areas: • Ensuring that the circumstances of rehabilitation are optimised for people with dementia • Compensating for the reduced ability of people with dementia to self-manage • Equipping the workforce with the necessary skills and information to care for this patient group Consensus was achieved on 54 of 69 statements over two rounds of the Delphi surveys. The statements were used to model the intervention and finalise the accompanying manual and protocol for a feasibility study. Stakeholder feedback was generally positive and the majority of suggested intervention components were approved. The proposed outcome was a 12-week complex multidisciplinary intervention primarily based at the patient’s home. Conclusions A new intervention has been developed to improve outcomes for people with dementia following a fall requiring healthcare attention. The feasibility of this intervention is currently being tested. Trial registration ISRCTN41760734 (16/11/2015

The Contribution of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to Person-Centred Care within a Medicine’s Optimisation in Care Homes Service: A Qualitative Evaluation

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seek to improve person-centred care. Improvements to systems for care homes seeks to reduce medicines waste and inefficiency, particularly through supporting care home staff, to enhance safer administration of medicines. A complex evaluation used qualitative design and utilised narrative enquiry, and team members and key stakeholders were interviewed. Framework analysis was used, aligning findings to a person-centred care framework for older people. The Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) team brokered improvement practices across care homes to enhance person-centred care. The framework analysis confirms that the team used ‘authentic attention’ in relation to the residents’ experiences and flexibility in relation to negotiating medication. The importance of transparency of processes and systems in medicines management is highlighted, alongside requirements for person-centred care to make explicit the reason for taking a medication, and the continuous discussion with a range of stakeholders about the continuing need for particular medications. The outcome of the evaluation includes insights into a new area of pharmacy practice in community, based on the skills, knowledge, and experience of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in the care home sector. Further study is needed into the efficacy and outcomes of medicines management interventions

Individual-level movement bias leads to the formation of higher-order social structure in a mobile group of baboons

Sherpa Romeo green journal. Open access article. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International LIcense (CC BY 4.0) applies.In mobile social groups, influence patterns driving group movement can vary between democratic and despotic. The arrival at any single pattern of influence is thought to be underpinned by both environmental factors and group composition. To identify the specific patterns of influence driving travel decision-making in a chacma baboon troop, we used spatially explicit data to extract patterns of individual movement bias. We scaled these estimates of individual-level bias to the level of the group by constructing an influence network and assessing its emergent structural properties. Our results indicate that there is heterogeneity in movement bias: individual animals respond consistently to particular group members, and higher-ranking animals are more likely to influence the movement of others. This heterogeneity resulted in a group-level network structure that consisted of a single core and two outer shells. Here, the presence of a core suggests thatasetofhighlyinterdependentanimalsdroveroutinegroup movements. These results suggest that heterogeneity at the individual level can lead to group-level influence structures, and that movement patterns in mobile social groups can add to the exploration of both how these structures develop (i.e. mechanistic aspects) and what consequences they have for individual- and group-level outcomes (i.e. functional aspects).Ye