Public service ethos: the blending values of public and mutual organisations

The previous Labour and Coalition governments both promoted experimentation in mutual and social enterprise run services, a trend the current government continues. At the same time, complexity in the range of stakeholders and vehicles for public service delivery has led to calls for agencies to share a common public service ethos. John Maddocks and Jan Myers explore the combination of mutual and public to see if there is room for a blended approach, and if so who will benefit from it

A Double-Strand Elastic Rod Theory

Abstract.: Motivated by applications in the modeling of deformations of the DNA double helix, we construct a continuum mechanics model of two elastically interacting elastic strands. The two strands are described in terms of averaged, or macroscopic, variables plus an additional small, internal or microscopic, perturbation. We call this composite structure a birod. The balance laws for the macroscopic configuration variables of the birod can be cast in the form of a classic Cosserat rod model with coupling to the internal balance laws through the constitutive relations. The internal balance laws for the microstructure variables also take a mathematical form analogous to that for a Cosserat rod, but with coupling to the macroscopic system through terms corresponding to distributed force and couple load

Practical multimodal care for cancer cachexia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer cachexia is common and reduces function, treatment tolerability and quality of life. Given its multifaceted pathophysiology a multimodal approach to cachexia management is advocated for, but can be difficult to realise in practice. We use a case-based approach to highlight practical approaches to the multimodal management of cachexia for patients across the cancer trajectory. RECENT FINDINGS: Four cases with lung cancer spanning surgical resection, radical chemoradiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy and no anticancer treatment are presented. We propose multimodal care approaches that incorporate nutritional support, exercise, and anti-inflammatory agents, on a background of personalized oncology care and family-centred education. Collectively, the cases reveal that multimodal care is part of everyone's remit, often focuses on supported self-management, and demands buy-in from the patient and their family. Once operationalized, multimodal care approaches can be tested pragmatically, including alongside emerging pharmacological cachexia treatments. SUMMARY: We demonstrate that multimodal care for cancer cachexia can be achieved using simple treatments and without a dedicated team of specialists. The sharing of advice between health professionals can help build collective confidence and expertise, moving towards a position in which every team member feels they can contribute towards multimodal care

Analyzing ion distributions around DNA: sequence-dependence of potassium ion distributions from microsecond molecular dynamics

Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of B-DNA oligomers carried out in an aqueous environment with a physiological salt concentration enable us to perform a detailed analysis of how potassium ions interact with the double helix. The oligomers studied contain all 136 distinct tetranucleotides and we are thus able to make a comprehensive analysis of base sequence effects. Using a recently developed curvilinear helicoidal coordinate method we are able to analyze the details of ion populations and densities within the major and minor grooves and in the space surrounding DNA. The results show higher ion populations than have typically been observed in earlier studies and sequence effects that go beyond the nature of individual base pairs or base pair steps. We also show that, in some special cases, ion distributions converge very slowly and, on a microsecond timescale, do not reflect the symmetry of the corresponding base sequenc

Accounting for social value: exploring local perspectives and annual reporting by local third sector infrastructure organisations in England

Ph. D. Thesis.The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 led to increased interest in social value among public service and third sector organisations, due to its perceived potential for securing greater economic, social or environmental benefits. The non-prescriptive nature of the legislation offers flexibility for interpreting and communicating social value. Utilising multiple constituency theory (MCT), institutional reality theory (IRT) and accountability concepts, the study explores interpretations of social value from local authority, community foundation and local third sector infrastructure organisation (LTSIO) perspectives, and their influence on LTSIO annual reporting. A qualitative multi-methods research design supported exploration of local perspectives and reporting practice. Thematic analysis of local authority documents, LTSIO annual reports and interviews with local authority, community foundation and LTSIO managers contributed to the study’s findings. Multiple interpretations of social value were found to co-exist within an overarching theme of economic, social and environmental benefits. Although resource providers presented as dominant constituencies influencing definitions, the study adds to knowledge and theory in developing a more nuanced version of MCT power perspectives by recognising power ceded to service providers where major changes in resource interdependency are evident. Additionally, the findings contribute to social accounting literature by highlighting perceptions of monetised metrics as epistemologically subjective, unstable representations of social and economic reality. Conversely, alternative reporting methods incorporating epistemologically objective non-monetised metrics and illustrative examples offer more stable and transparent representations of social value. The findings also contribute to policy and practice by demonstrating that organisational social responsibilities (OSR) constitute the basis of LTSIO reporting on social value. Extending charity accounting guidance to encourage reporting on ethical and citizenship dimensions of OSR alongside social mission would further a more holistic accountability. The use of MCT and IRT alongside accountability concepts provides a highly applicable lens for understanding accounts of social value from differing constituency perspectives.Economic and Social Research Counci

Analyzing ion distributions around DNA

We present a new method for analyzing ion, or molecule, distributions around helical nucleic acids and illustrate the approach by analyzing data derived from molecular dynamics simulations. The analysis is based on the use of curvilinear helicoidal coordinates and leads to highly localized ion densities compared to those obtained by simply superposing molecular dynamics snapshots in Cartesian space. The results identify highly populated and sequence-dependent regions where ions strongly interact with the nucleic and are coupled to its conformational fluctuations. The data from this approach is presented as ion populations or ion densities (in units of molarity) and can be analyzed in radial, angular and longitudinal coordinates using 1D or 2D graphics. It is also possible to regenerate 3D densities in Cartesian space. This approach makes it easy to understand and compare ion distributions and also allows the calculation of average ion populations in any desired zone surrounding a nucleic acid without requiring references to its constituent atoms. The method is illustrated using microsecond molecular dynamics simulations for two different DNA oligomers in the presence of 0.15 M potassium chloride. We discuss the results in terms of convergence, sequence-specific ion binding and coupling with DNA conformatio

Practical multimodal care for cancer cachexia

Purpose of reviewCancer cachexia is common and reduces function, treatment tolerability and quality of life. Given its multifaceted pathophysiology a multimodal approach to cachexia management is advocated for, but can be difficult to realise in practice. We use a case-based approach to highlight practical approaches to the multimodal management of cachexia for patients across the cancer trajectory.Recent findingsFour cases with lung cancer spanning surgical resection, radical chemoradiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy and no anticancer treatment are presented. We propose multimodal care approaches that incorporate nutritional support, exercise, and anti-inflammatory agents, on a background of personalized oncology care and family-centred education. Collectively, the cases reveal that multimodal care is part of everyone's remit, often focuses on supported self-management, and demands buy-in from the patient and their family. Once operationalized, multimodal care approaches can be tested pragmatically, including alongside emerging pharmacological cachexia treatments.SummaryWe demonstrate that multimodal care for cancer cachexia can be achieved using simple treatments and without a dedicated team of specialists. The sharing of advice between health professionals can help build collective confidence and expertise, moving towards a position in which every team member feels they can contribute towards multimodal care

The relationship between average student achievement and nonpromotion rate : a path analysis model for North Carolina elementary schools

This research examines the relationship among initial elementary school achievement, nonpromotion, and subsequent academic achievement. School-wide achievement means and retention rates were examined for first-, second-, and third-grade classes across North Carolina. In addition, the factors of race, socioeconomic status, and intelligence were examined as correlates of achievement means and nonpromotion rates and their linear effects were controlled in the analysis. This research analyzes the effects of differing rates of nonpromotion upon classes of children in several grades rather than the effects upon individual children who are either promoted or retained. A review of previous research was conducted and these findings were compiled into an hypothesized path-analysis model. This model proposed a relationship among several variables, indicated causal links, and arranged them in temporal order