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The article focuses on some of the ways in which the study of Scotland's place-names can inform understanding of the early vocabulary of the Scots and English languages. It also attempts to draw attention to some of the questions regarding the relationship between the Scots lexicon and onomasticon. The author hopes to illustrate the need for greater recognition of the Scottish toponymicon as a national resource for early linguistic history. It cites examples of influential reference works on English place-name vocabulary. It discusses the Germanic toponymicon of Southern Scotland.

Policy makers and regulators use scientists' advice as a basis for making decisions about GM technology, but tend to discount diversity among the views of scientists. This paper reports on an empirical study of 13 UK scientists who have become engaged publicly on different sides in the GM debate. Cultural Theory was chosen as a framework to analyse the data, because it is based on an assumption that complex societies contain plural rationalities. This study drew on previous empirical research but developed and extended the Cultural Theory approach. In-depth qualitative analysis of interview transcripts, taking contextual factors into account, and triangulating with other sources of data, showed patterns of positive and negative comments that correspond to cultural biases. These patterns were graphically displayed as semi-quantitative bar charts which allowed a detailed visual analysis and indicated four distinct perspectives which correspond to hierarchist, egalitarian, individualist and autonomous cultural biases, within the context of the GM debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a prospective assessment of a temporary stroke and transient ischaemic attack clinic in Lothian, Scotland as part of the Scottish Stroke Care Audit. It states that in February 2007, a 24-hour telephone hotline was provided to a medical consultant who gave immediate recommendation on diagnosis, emergency treatment, and investigation for patients suffering from ischaemic attack. It says that the launch of the hotline resulted to a sustained and immediate decrease in delays to treatment and assessment. It adds that the hotline decreased delays to carotid surgery. It notes that the hotline is an effective and feasible way of decreasing delays to treatment and assessment of patients suffering from stroke or ischaemic attack.