Business process re-engineering (BPR): The REBUS approach

Many organisations undertake business process re-engineering (BPR) projects in order to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Although this approach can result in significant improvements and benefits, there are high risks associated with radical changes of business processes and the failure rate of BPR projects is reported to be as high as 70%. The Centre for Re-engineering Business Processes (REBUS) was established at Brunel University to provide a multidisciplinary environment for research into BPR and its success factors. This paper describes the REBUS approach to research concerning the success of BPR projects and presents examples of some of the projects carried out

Interplanetary field and plasma during initial phase of geomagnetic storms

Twenty-three geomagnetic storm events during 1966 to 1970 were studied by using simultaneous interplanetary magnetic field and plasma parameters. Explorer 33 and 35 field and plasma data were analyzed on large-scale (hourly) and small-scale (3 min.) during the time interval coincident with the initial phase of the geomagnetic storms. The solar-ecliptic Bz component turns southward at the end of the initial phase, thus triggering the main phase decrease in Dst geomagnetic field. The By component also shows large fluctuations along with Bz. When there are no clear changes in the Bz component, the By shows abrupt changes at the main phase onset. On the small-scale, behavior of the magnetic field and electric field were studied in detail for the three events; it is found that the field fluctuations in By, Bz and Ey and Ez are present in the initial phase. In the large-scale, the behavior field remains quiet because the small-scale variations are averaged out. It appears that large as well as small time scale fluctuations in the interplanetary field and plasma help to alter the internal electromagnetic state of the magnetosphere so that a ring current could causing a geomagnetic storm decrease

DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY INDICATING HPLC METHOD FOR DAPAGLIFLOZIN IN API AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

Objective: To develop precise, accurate and reproducible stability assay method by RP-HPLC for estimation of dapagliflozin in API and pharmaceutical dosage form.Methods: The adequate separation was carried using agilent C18 (4.6 ml (millimeter)*150,5 µm (micromiter), mixture of acetonitrile: di-potassium hydrogen phosphate with pH-6.5 adjusted with OPA (40:60 %v/v) as a mobile phase with the flow rate of 1 ml/min (milliliter/minute) and the effluent was monitored at 222 nm (nanometer) using photo diode array detector. The retention time of dapagliflozin API and dapagliflozin tablet were 3.160 min (minute) and 3.067 min (minute) respectively.Results: Linearity for dapagliflozin was found in the range of 50-150µg/ml (microgram/milliliter) (R2 = 0.99) respectively. The accuracy of the present method was evaluated at 50 %, 100% and 150%. The % recoveries of dapagliflozin API and tablet were found to be in the range of 99.00–99.99 % and 98.50–99.99 % respectively. Precision studies were carried out and the relative standard deviation values were less than two. The method was found to be robust.Conclusion: The proposed method was found to be specific, accurate, precise and robust can be used for estimation of dapagliflozin in API and Pharmaceutical dosage form

The H1 Forward Track Detector at HERA II

In order to maintain efficient tracking in the forward region of H1 after the luminosity upgrade of the HERA machine, the H1 Forward Track Detector was also upgraded. While much of the original software and techniques used for the HERA I phase could be reused, the software for pattern recognition was completely rewritten. This, along with several other improvements in hit finding and high-level track reconstruction, are described in detail together with a summary of the performance of the detector.Comment: Minor revision requested by journal (JINST) edito

Structural Insights of the Cysteine Protease Heynein from Induction and Characterization of Non-native Intermediate States

Cysteine proteases are vital to cell physiology and many plants secrete these proteases for defense purposes. Many recent studies have reported unusually high stabilities for several plant cysteine proteases which possibly enable these proteases to function under adverse environmental conditions. Here, we have examined the conformational features of a new plant cysteine protease heynein using spectroscopic tools to understand the basis for its robust functional stability. The studies revealed structural integrity over a wide range of pH (2.5-12.0), temperature (65 oC) and urea (8M). However, at pH 2.0, the protein gets acid-unfolded (UA-state) with exposed hydrophobic patches, which upon addition of more protons (pH 0.5) or anions (0.5 M KCl and 0.2 M Na2SO4) yields conformationally distinct refolded intermediates respectively termed: A-, I1- and I2-states. Strikingly, a high methanol level drives the UA-state into a predominantly beta -sheet rich conformation (O-state). We observed three-state unfolding kinetics of the I2-state by urea, possibly suggesting presence of two domains in the heynein molecule

Who Speaks for Me?: Addressing Variability in Informed Consent Practices for Minimal Risk Research Involving Foster Youth

Background: Youth in protective custody (i.e., foster care) are at higher risk for poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared with those who are not. These differences may be due in part to the lack of research on the population to create evidence-based recommendations for health care delivery. A potential contributor to this lack of research is difficulties in obtaining informed consent for empirical studies in this population. The objective of this study was to describe the approaches to obtaining informed consent in minimal risk studies of foster youth and provide recommendations for future requirements. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature to characterize the informed consent approaches in published minimal risk research involving youth in foster care. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, ERIC, Scopus, and EBMR. Inclusion criteria were: studies conducted in the United States, included current foster youth, minimal risk, peer reviewed, and published in English. Full text was reviewed, and individuals required to consent and assent were extracted. Results: Forty-nine publications from 33 studies were identified. Studies required 0 to 3 individuals to consent. Individuals required to give consent included case workers (16, 48%), foster caregivers (12, 36%), biological parents (7, 21%), judges (5, 15%), and guardian ad litems (2, 6%). Twenty-nine (88%) studies required the youth’s assent. The studies used 14 different combinations of individuals. One (3%) study utilized a waiver of consent. Conclusions: There is no consistent approach for obtaining informed consent for foster youth to participate in minimal risk research. Consent should ideally involve individuals with legal authority and knowledge of the individual youth’s interests and should not be burdensome. Consensus regarding consent requirements may facilitate research involving foster youth

Promoting family inclusive practice in Home Treatment Teams

Purpose Families play an instrumental role in helping their relatives experiencing mental health issues to stay well. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a bespoke one-day workshop for practitioners working with families in crisis. Design The study was an uncontrolled evaluation of a one-day workshop for Home Treatment Team practitioners (HTTs) using pre and post-workshop questionnaires. Findings Eighty three practitioners participated. Overall, there was strong agreement for the involvement of families in their relative’s care, which increased marginally following the workshop. There were significant changes in views about talking to family members without service user consent (p=0.001) and keeping them informed of their relative’s wellbeing (p=0.02). Qualitative feedback indicated that participants enjoyed the interactive elements of the workshop, particularly the opportunity to practise skills. It encouraged participants to share knowledge and facilitate the integration of family work into their professional role. Research and practical implications Support for families can contribute to effective mediation of crisis and continuation of care; factors that are important in reducing admission rates and protecting relationships. Participants’ responses suggested that this one-day workshop offered a helpful introduction to a family approach at times of a mental health crisis, which could be routinely offered in HTTs. Originality/value A social systems perspective is at the heart of a successful HTT approach to managing mental health crises. This workshop offered a feasible means to address one element of the necessary conditions for family-focused practice; practitioner confidence to talk with families at times of crisis