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Abstract: The need to increase the recovery rates of recyclables from households, reducing at the same time the collection costs, has favoured the spreading of commingled collection systems. This study presents a thorough analysis of the quality of a secondary source of recovered paper of a Spanish newsprint mill, imported from the United Kingdom, where these systems are widely practiced. The results show that the quality of recovered paper from commingled systems is very far from the quality obtained with selective systems: the unusable material content vary from 1% to 29% (11.9% on average) compared to less than 1%. Larger materials recovery facilities (MRFs), less oversaturated and with advanced sorting techniques, have demonstrated to be able to render better qualities, the unusable material content varying from 0.3% to 16.6% (8.1% on average). However, the quality is still far from contamination levels typically found with selective systems, especially in terms of non-paper components. This fact limits significantly the use of this recovered paper for graphic paper production where the major potential for an extended use of recovered paper in papermaking lies. Furthermore, there is a discussion on the cost efficiency of these systems and how the legislation and private or public initiatives are affecting the spreading of these systems, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Natural Environment White Paper represents the most important conservation policy shift in the United Kingdom (UK) in twenty years. It formalises the ecosystem approach within national policy objectives and emphasises the economic value of ecosystem services. By analysing the use of various evidence sources, the involvement of science entrepreneurs, and the development of policy narratives, our goal was to understand factors that influenced adoption of an ecosystem service framework in the UK. We interviewed 48 policy actors and found that centrally-sponsored synthesis reports with entrepreneurial authors provided the most influential expert-based knowledge in the development of the White Paper . More recently published reports had greater influence, yet the window of opportunity for scientific evidence having policy impact was greater in the problem-setting stages of policy development. The interaction between teams preparing syntheses and expert entrepreneurs helped influence the construction of strategic policy narratives. Those narratives increased the impact of scientific evidence by communicating and framing key policy-salient messages, and brokering between broad ecosystem-based and environmental economics narratives. The combination of ecological and economics evidence was particularly salient in the UK case due to the context of continued biodiversity loss and the acceptability of valuation narratives within central government. Our findings suggest that evidence impact varies at different stages of the policy process, and that this is driven by the interplay of contextual factors like policy timing, personal influence, and the competition between different sets of actors and narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The number of older people dying in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is increasing globally, but care quality may be variable. A framework was developed drawing on empirical research findings from the Palliative Care for Older People (PACE) study and a scoping review of literature on the implementation of palliative care interventions in LTCFs. The PACE study mapped palliative care in LTCFs in Europe, evaluated quality of end-of-life care and quality of dying in a cross-sectional study of deceased residents of LTCFs in 6 countries, and undertook a cluster-randomized control trial that evaluated the impact of the PACE Steps to Success intervention in 7 countries. Working with the European Association for Palliative Care, a white paper was written that outlined recommendations for the implementation of interventions to improve palliative and end-of-life care for all older adults with serious illness, regardless of diagnosis, living in LTCFs. The goal of the article is to present these key domains and recommendations. Transparent expert consultation. International experts in LTCFs. Eighteen (of 20 invited) international experts from 15 countries participated in a 1-day face-to-face Transparent Expert Consultation (TEC) workshop in Bern, Switzerland, and 21 (of 28 invited) completed a follow-up online survey. The TEC study used (1) a face-to-face workshop to discuss a scoping review and initial recommendations and (2) an online survey. Thirty recommendations about implementing palliative care for older people in LTCFs were refined during the TEC workshop and, of these, 20 were selected following the survey. These 20 recommendations cover domains at micro (within organizations), meso (across organizations), and macro (at national or regional) levels addressed in 3 phases: establishing conditions for action, embedding in everyday practice, and sustaining ongoing change. We developed a framework of 20 recommendations to guide implementation of improvements in palliative care in LTCFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus argenteus and Staphylococcus schweitzeri, previously known as divergent Staphylococcus aureus clonal lineages, have been recently established as novel, difficult-to-delimit, coagulase-positive species within the S. aureus complex. Methicillin-resistant strains of S. argenteus are known from Australia and the UK. Knowledge of their epidemiology, medical significance and transmission risk is limited and partly contradictory, hampering definitive recommendations. There is mounting evidence that the pathogenicity of S. argenteus is similar to that of 'classical' S. aureus , while as yet no S. schweitzeri infections have been reported. To provide decision support on whether and how to distinguish and report both species. PubMed, searched for S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. This position paper reviews the main characteristics of both species and draws conclusions for microbiological diagnostics and surveillance as well as infection prevention and control measures. We propose not distinguishing within the S. aureus complex for routine reporting purposes until there is evidence that pathogenicity or clinical outcome differ markedly between the different species. Primarily for research purposes, suitably equipped laboratories are encouraged to differentiate between S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. Caution is urged if these novel species are explicitly reported. In such cases, a specific comment should be added (i.e. 'member of the S.aureus complex') to prevent confusion with less- or non-pathogenic staphylococci. Prioritizing aspects of patient safety, methicillin-resistant isolates should be handled as recommended for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In these cases, the clinician responsible should be directly contacted and informed by the diagnosing microbiological laboratory, as they would be for MRSA. Research is warranted to clarify the epidemiology, clinical impact and implications for infection control of such isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article inform the number of enrolled participants and the percentage of those that desired to continue the intervention post-trial (70%) suggest that people with progressive multiple sclerosis are receptive to this intervention. Topic include participants were required to manoeuvre into the standing frame or need assistance from one person, limiting feasibility of this intervention for people with impairment or without an able-bodied caregiver to assist them.

The article focuses on a 12-week pedometer-based intervention, delivered in primary care, produces long-term gains in physical activity. It mentions study illuminate the potential of pragmatic, pedometer-based interventions to impact on activity levels over more extended time frames; and also mentions the natural overlap between rehabilitation and physical activity presents an opportunity for physiotherapists to respond to major public health issue.

The article focuses on a 12-week pedometer-based intervention, delivered in primary care, produces long-term gains in physical activity. It mentions the multi-component intervention included a pedometer, keeping a step-count diary, 12 weeks of goal setting, and a handbook that included behaviour change techniques; and also mentions participants in the control group were provided with a pedometer and instructions with no further support.

Disposable paper cups comprise typical single-use plastic items, as they are lined internally with a thin plastic coating for waterproofing. They are consumed at a staggering rate worldwide, with the UK alone consuming around 7 million cups daily, thus annually producing around 30,000 tonnes of paper cup waste. Contrary to popular belief, less than 1 in 400 paper cups is currently recycled in the UK, which is in stark contrast to the waste hierarchy and the European Commission's ambitious Circular Economy Action Plan. Paper cups typically end up in landfill sites or even improperly disposed of, contributing to (micro)plastic waste and potentially polluting the world's oceans. The implications of the latter are not fully known yet and cannot be quantified by existing life cycle impact assessment methods. By employing the life cycle assessment methodology, UK's annual carbon footprint from paper cup consumption was found to be 75 kt of carbon dioxide equivalents, which is similar to that of manufacturing 11,500 mid-size passenger cars. Globally, their environmental footprint was found to be comparable to that of some 1.5 M average European inhabitants, indicating the nature and extent of the single-use plastics problem, which paper cups are just a typical example of. Paper cup recycling could reduce this environmental footprint by up to 40%, whereas switching to reusable cups appears to be more environmentally sustainable, achieving a threefold reduction in carbon emissions, which at global scale is more than twice Malta's annual carbon footprint. Results indicate that consumerism along with small daily choices, such as using reusable cups or bags instead of their disposable counterparts, could play a huge role in climate change. At policy level, no concrete measures to curb the superfluous consumption of paper cups, as well as of other single-use plastic items that are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, have materialised. Furthermore, it appears that decision- and policy-makers tend to step in to curtail wasteful and polluting practices only when environmental problems have started to generate widespread concern, instead of undertaking preventative policy measures. Image 1 • The environmental sustainability of disposable paper cups was examined. • 75 kt CO 2eq are emitted annually in the UK and 7.5 Mt CO 2eq globally. • Switching to reusable cups axes carbon emissions by threefold. • Robust LCIA methods should be introduced to account for (micro)plastic pollution. • Existing policy on single use plastics appears to be too little too late. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives In line with the aims of this special issue, the purpose of this paper is to forward a position on the concept of sport parenting expertise through the presentation of six key postulates. Design Literature review and position statement. Method By adopting methods associated with an academic position paper, a statement is presented that we believe encapsulates sport parenting expertise. Six key postulates of parenting expertise, formulated from critically reviewing and interpreting relevant literature, are then presented. Results We propose that sport parenting expertise is dependent on the degree to which parents demonstrate a range of competencies; namely that parents, (a) select appropriate sporting opportunities and provide necessary types of support, (b) understand and apply appropriate parenting styles, (c) manage the emotional demands of competitions, (d) foster healthy relationships with significant others, (e) manage organizational and developmental demands associated with sport participation, and, (f) adapt their involvement to different stages of their child's athletic career. Conclusion Expertise in sport parenting requires parents to develop knowledge and utilize a range of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational skills in order to support their child, manage themselves, and operate effectively in the wider youth sport environment. Recommendations for applied researchers to further investigate these postulates and substantiate the components of sport parenting expertise are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which discussed the meaning of femininity, with emphasis on its theory and practice in Great Britain. Economistic metaphors on capital, according to Bourdieu; Definition of the femininity process; Criticisms made by critics about feminism.

In this article potential barriers to recycling are explored within a UK community of approximately 8000 households that are piloting a kerbside paper recycling scheme. All 1690 non-users of the scheme were surveyed for their decisions not to participate. A 43% response rate was generated from the survey and the reasons given by householders were coded into 12 categories. The main reasons for non-participation included insufficient paper and lack of space in which to locate the recycling bin. 62% of the non-participants reported that they were recycling paper using other facilities such as local bring schemes and charity collections. Strategies to increase participation in the kerbside scheme are suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Drivers on slip roads want vehicles on the target lane to decelerate. • Drivers in target lanes rate the behaviour of vehicles on slip roads ambiguously. • AVs are rated identically or even more positively than MVs with identical behaviour. • No different safety distance is kept from automated vehicles. • Results show that cross-border traffic between Germany and UK with AVs is feasible. • Intercultural aspects must still be considered in the development of AVs. To ensure safe and uninterrupted traffic flow, (semi-)automated vehicles must be capable of providing comprehensible and agreeable implicit communication cues to human drivers. This driving simulator study investigated the assessment of implicit communication at a motorway slip road through longitudinal driving dynamics (acceleration, deceleration, and maintaining speed). The second aim of the study was to determine whether expectations of automated vehicles are different from those of human drivers. And thirdly, we investigated whether these findings are country-specific or can be (partially) generalised to other countries. The perception of three means of communication in connection with the presence of a labelling as an automated vehicle (eHMI) was examined in two samples in Germany and England. 27 participants drove from a slip road onto the motorway and interacted with another vehicle. After a stretch on the motorway, they passed a second slip road on which there was a vehicle merging onto the participants lane. This was repeated six times to test all variables. After each situation, the perceived cooperativity and criticality was recorded, as well as the time headway (THW) to the other vehicle. This paper presents the findings from the UK sample and compares them with the German results, which were previously published. Results show, that when the cooperating vehicles are on the slip road, participants from both countries prefer this vehicle to decelerate. However, when participants themselves are on the slip road, expectations for vehicles on the target lane are ambiguous in the UK sample. Except for one aspect (perceived cooperativity of decelerating vehicles on the slip road), the perception of automated vehicles is similar to those of manual drivers. Also, UK participants do not maintain a different safety distance from these vehicles, while this is the case in the German sample. This paper contributes valuable insights into the cross-cultural evaluation of driving dynamics, shedding light on implications for the development and acceptance of automated vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In July 2010, the new Coalition Government unveiled its plans to make major changes to the English National Health Service (NHS). This paper, which provides a commentary on the NHS White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, casts doubt upon the extent to which the proposals will bring about the fundamental reform that the Government intends, not least because both the British public and GP commissioners (who are expected to play a central role in transforming the NHS) appear to have a limited appetite for radical market reform. The paper also identifies a number of unintended risks, including the large transitional costs and organisational turbulence resulting from further NHS reorganisation; and the fact that key aspects of the White Paper proposals could result in significant financial instability. Given the real world limitations to translating a rhetoric of localism and democratic legitimacy into reality and a lack of hard evidence about the benefits of market reform, the Government would be well advised to take a more cautious approach to health policy formulation and implementation and to ensure that any further changes to the NHS are based on evidence, piloting and evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper discusses the digital transformation journey of a small and medium enterprise (SME) based in the UK. With the proposed digital transformation archetype, the paper highlights the improvement in various key performance indices (KPIs) for the case SME. The core KPIs and operational KPIs show improvement through the technology adoption as part of the digital manufacturing initiative. While embracing technology, such as Industry 4.0, it is important to highlight the importance of the change and other benefits of technological changes. The paper uses socio-technological system principles to achieve a successful transition. An action research approach and a specific soft system thinking methodology known as Process-Oriented Holonic (PrOH) modeling were used in this paper. A digital twin architecture is presented in the paper that showcases the use of integrated technologies for a digital manufacturing roadmap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifting from fossil fuels to clean alternative fuel options such as hydrogen is an essential step in decarbonising the road freight transport sector and facilitating an efficient transition towards zero-emissions goods distribution of the future. Designing an economically viable and competitive Hydrogen Supply Chain (HSC) to support and accelerate the widespread adoption of hydrogen powered Heavy Goods Vehicles (H 2 -HGVs) is, however, significantly hindered by the lack of the infrastructure required for producing, storing, transporting and distributing the required hydrogen. This paper focuses on a bespoke design of a hydrogen supply chain and distribution network for the long-haul road freight transportation in the UK and develops an improved end-to-end and spatially-explicit optimisation tool to perform scenario analysis and provide important first-hand managerial and policy making insights. The proposed methodology improves over existing grid-based methodologies by incorporating spatially-explicit locations of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRSs) and allowing further flexibility and accuracy. Another distinctive feature of the method and the analyses carried out in the paper pertains to the inclusion of bulk geographically agnostic, as well as geological underground hydrogen storage options, and reporting on significant cost saving opportunities. Finally, the curve for H 2 -HGVs penetration levels, safety stock period decisions, and the transport mode capacity against hydrogen levelized cost at pump have been generated as important policy making tools to provide decision support and insights into cost, resilience and reliability of the HSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of radioactive waste management, particularly the geological disposal of higher activity radioactive waste, support for the longevity of engineering solutions in the repository is partly based on studies of natural systems, especially geological examples, often referred to as natural analogues (NA). Since the radioactive waste can be hazardous over hundreds of thousands of years, the long-term safety has to be assessed to very far future, e.g. up to 1 Ma from now. NA studies cover and exceed the time spans of interest. Despite of the long-acknowledged importance of NAs in the safety case for the geological disposal of radioactive waste, there is a lack of guidance and strategic planning to incorporate this information to the safety cases that assess the overall safety of the repositories – this leads to a certain lack of resilience. This paper presents the work undertaken to develop a strategy for utilising natural analogues (NAs) in Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), UK, geological disposal facility (GDF) programme. The work is largely based on the extensive review of the strategic use of NAs in the international context, lessons learnt from various past programmes and by considering how the strategy could look like in the current framework of the UK's GDF programme. The strategy presented aims to support this programme. The main message is that NA information and projects can and should be handled through the same procedures as any research utilising existing and upcoming NWS protocols. This means that NAs need to be a part of knowledge management, rather than, for example, a stagnant database. Including NAs as part of the data screening allows the knowledge base to be updated according to needs arising from the changes in the GDF programme when moving from generic stage towards more site and design specific phases. It is foreseen that key to the best utilisation of NA information is to include it in the NWS' digital safety case, making the information and the related methodology transparent. This paper refers to NWS' GDF siting programme as at September 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Addressing workforce issues has increasingly become a central feature of the organisation and management of public sector services internationally. The introduction of new work roles to public services is one approach advocated in response to recruitment and retention difficulties with professional staff and to increasingly complex services. This paper aims to critically examine UK''s new roles policy in a health care context and explore its wider relevance by drawing on findings from an action research Ph.D. study aimed at exploring one such new role. This deliberately flexible role was held by individuals without a recognised qualification but study findings illustrate that, over the time, the role came to include the complex discharge planning work with patients previously carried out by registered nurses (RNs). The analysis presented highlights shortcomings in current new roles policy including the unacknowledged influence of competing policy goals; the erroneous assumption that defining who does what is clear-cut in practice; the lack of longer-term review of new roles; and the incompatibility between role flexibility and needs for role clarity. Policy makers, managers and practitioners are urged to acknowledge the subtleties and complexities of new work roles in the public sector highlighted by this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The growing number of space debris is alarming as it threatens space-borne services. Hence, there is an increasing demand to remove space debris to ensure sustainability and protect valuable orbital assets. Over the past few years, the research community, agencies and industries have studied many passive and active debris removal methods. However, the current technology readiness for space debris removal is still low. This paper first presents a comparative study of various space debris removal technologies to address the knowledge gap and quantify the challenges. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art space technologies relevant to Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions. Detailed trade-off analysis is then presented based on the Low Earth Orbit Pursuit for Active Removal of Debris (LEOPARD) Phase 0-A study; this study is part of the United Kingdom (UK) Space Agency's Active Debris Removal programme. The ADR mission scenario considered in this paper comprises a chaser spacecraft equipped with recommended technologies to capture non-cooperative targets safely. The final capture technology for the LEOPARD mission consists of an active robotic manipulator and a passive net capture mechanism. An analysis of the coupled-body dynamics of the chaser spacecraft carrying the robot manipulator and the targeted debris is carried out in simulation using SimscapeTM. The chaser spacecraft comprises Airbus's Versatile In-Space and Planetary Arm (VISPA) mounted on a base spacecraft from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL); the targeted debris is SSTL's Tactical Operational Satellite (TOPSAT). The simulation results show dynamic changes in the chaser robot and the target satellite while performing non-cooperative capture. The simulation study accounted for various operational scenarios where the target is stationary or in motion. Further, for different modes of operation, the worst-case end-effector capture force limits were determined using open-loop control to execute a safe capture. Overall, the results presented in the paper advance the current state-of-the-art of robotic ADR and offer a significant leap in designing close-range motion and force control for stabilising the coupled multi-body system during capture and post-capture phases. In summary, this paper pinpoints the technological gaps, identifies barriers to realising ADR missions and offers solutions to catalyse technology maturity for protecting the space ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee arthritis occupies a significant proportion of the musculoskeletal burden in the UK. Total knee arthroplasty currently comprises the mainstay of treatment. There has been a shift towards treating isolated unicompartmental osteoarthritis with bone-preserving surgical techniques, in the form of realignment osteotomy or unicompartmental arthroplasty. There are significant data regarding the survivorship of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty from the National Joint Registry data. Similar registry data are not available for osteotomy surgery yet, but the evidence suggests that unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has greater survivorship. Osteotomies can, however, deliver higher functional return. For both techniques to succeed, it is imperative that rigorous surgical decision-making, with regards to patient selection, should be followed. This paper discusses the basis for these principles and their importance in delivering optimal care. Often, these two surgical techniques are promoted as being mutually exclusive; this paper argues that, in fact, they are part of a complementary algorithm that can deliver the best outcome to the appropriately selected patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver transplantation (LT) for unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRCLM) demonstrates good overall survival for selected patients in contemporary studies, with 5-year survival of 80%. A Fixed Term Working Group (FTWG), set up by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Liver Advisory Group (LAG), advised whether CRCLM should be considered for LT in United Kingdom. Their recommendation was that LT may be undertaken for isolated and unresectable CRCLM using strict selection criteria as a national clinical service evaluation. Opinions were sought from colorectal cancer/LT patient representatives, experts in colorectal cancer surgery/oncology, LT surgery, hepatology, hepatobiliary radiology, pathology, and nuclear medicine, and appropriate patient selection criteria, referral and transplant listing pathways were identified. This paper summarises selection criteria for LT in United Kingdom for isolated and unresectable CRCLM patients, and highlights referral framework and pre-transplant assessment criteria. Finally, oncology-specific outcome measures to be utilised for assessing applicability of LT are described. This service evaluation represents a significant development for colorectal cancer patients in United Kingdom and a meaningful step forward in the field of transplant oncology. This paper details the protocol for the pilot study, scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022 in United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A national collaborative exercise carried out in 2020 within the UK. • The exercise investigated fingermark visualisation on wrapping paper. • Variation in the approach to this exercise was expected due to its complex nature. • Key learning points and lessons learnt were identified. In 2020, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory organised and ran what is believed to be the first UK national collaborative exercise of its kind in the field of fingermark visualisation, on behalf of the Forensic Science Regulator. Laboratories were provided with a piece of wrapping paper, a challenging item for fingermark visualisation due to its semi-porous characteristics, both from a planning and processing perspective, and asked to treat it as a major crime exhibit. Due to the complexity of the substrate, variation in approach was anticipated. 23 laboratories from 21 organisations completed the exercise. In general, laboratories performed well, providing assurance to the Forensic Science Regulator regarding their ability to visualise fingermarks. Key learning points were identified around decision-making, planning and implementation of fingermark visualisation processes – all of which assist in raising the level of understanding around the likely success of fingermark visualisation. Lessons learnt, along with the overall findings, were shared and discussed in a workshop held in summer 2021. The exercise provided a useful insight into the current operational practices of participating laboratories. Areas of good practice were identified as well as the areas within the laboratories' approach that could be altered or adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the scope of transportation infrastructure appraisal approaches for capturing in-process (during design/development and construction) socio-economic impacts. In-process socio-economic impacts are explored through the case of a major road infrastructure improvement programme in South Wales, United Kingdom. The study posits that monitoring in-process benefits can provide a more holistic understanding of impacts to better inform appraisal approaches, addressing concerns over existing appraisal transparency and accountability. Advancing monitoring and appraisal in this way means that more unexpected socio-economic outcomes for regional economies can be understood. These impacts are illustrated through the labour market, skills and wider supply side legacy benefits resulting from direct project activity. The paper reveals the potential outcomes of capturing these in-process socio-economic benefits when supporting local economies in lagging regions. • Infrastructure construction (in-process) development benefits are often overlooked. • In-process outcomes contribute to longer-term regional development gains. • Monitoring allows labour market gains and supply side legacies to be advanced. • In process socio-economic outcomes are valuable for lagging regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2015, the United Kingdom (UK) has increased its investment in transportation infrastructure to compensate for years of underinvestment in comparison with peer countries. It is of critical importance to evaluate the effect of these recent investments, as well as historical ones, on economic development, both theoretically and empirically, to provide guidance on future infrastructure investment. However, few research looks into such policy adjustment on economic growth in the UK. To fill this gap, this paper investigates the relationship between transport infrastructure development and economic growth in the UK from different time spans. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to construct a comprehensive measure of transport infrastructure development. This paper then applies Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to investigate both long-run and short-run relationships between transport infrastructure development and economic growth from 1970 to 2017 in the UK. Empirical results suggest that transportation infrastructure has a long-run promotive effect on economic development. However, in the short run, this effect turns out to be significantly negative. The analysis of this paper indicates differentiated roles that the UK's transport infrastructure played in economic growth, which should be considered in future policy design of achieving economic sustainability in the UK. • This paper investigates the relationship between transport infrastructure development and economic growth in the UK. • Transportation infrastructure has a long-run promotive effect on economic development. • In the short run, transportation infrastructure fails to promote economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenged by complex problems and the speed of technological, social, and environmental change, the joint approach of Lean Management and the Agile Mindset has been explored in business as a management model. This paper aimed to carry out a bibliometric analysis of Lean Agile Management, pointing out trends in scientific research. To this end, an exploratory and descriptive study was developed, with a quantitative approach and based on secondary data from the Web of Science and Scopus, between 1994 and 2022. Bibliometric indicators pointed to 1808 different papers in 897 sources, with 18 citations per paper, and higher scientific productivity of U.S. (276), India (221), and UK (191), with production peaks in 2018 and 2021, suggesting the diffusion and contemporaneity of the research topic. The laws of bibliometrics were not met for this research subject, and dense networks of collaboration and co-citation among researchers were identified, mainly in four application domains, including supply chain, manufacturing, sustainability, and software development as corroborated by the word network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lameness is a significant health and welfare issue in farmed animals. This paper uses a governmentality approach, which focuses on how a problem is made governable, to examine an emerging 'ecology of devices' introduced to intervene in, and attempt to reduce, on-farm incidence of lameness. These devices are associated with advisers who work with farmers on-farm; they enact lameness as a governable entity, are tools to assess the existence of lameness against established norms, and prescribe actions to be taken in response to evidence of lameness. In doing this they subjectify farmers and advisers into seeing and responding to lameness in particular ways. Using concepts of governmentality alongside other perspectives on the power relations and the simplifications and complexities involved in interventions in animal health and farm practice, the paper draws on in-depth research with advisers including vets and other paraprofessionals who work with farmers, and their cows and sheep. It explores how this set of devices introduces particular techniques and practices in lameness management, and produces farmer and adviser subjectivities. It then explores some of the problematics of this mode of governing lameness, including analysis of the limitations and unintended consequences of attempts to simplify lameness management. The paper concludes by arguing that its approach is valuable in analysing ongoing intensification of interventions in farming practices and in understanding the limits of such interventions and the unanticipated divergences from expected conduct. • A governmentality approach to livestock lameness provides valuable insight into recent attempts to reduce its prevalence and severity on farms. • The government of lameness produces farmer and adviser subjectivities linked to new tools and devices aiming to reduce the incidence of lameness. • The government of lameness is limited by complexities linked with attempts to simplify interventions and deviation from expected practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that Chris Philo's original 1992 call to recover the geographies of 'rural others', and the subsequent focus on marginalised lives that has emerged in rural studies in the three decades since, has yet to lead to a significant body of work on rural trans people. Whilst the straight white middle-aged male perspective dominating rural studies—Philo's 'Mr Average'—has been interrogated on almost every other score, his likely cisgender identity has not. With the current prominence of the 'gender-critical' movement, and the recent decision by the UK government not to ban trans conversion therapy, transphobia in the UK is at fever pitch. Arguments against transgender rights typically claim that anti-trans beliefs are 'common sense' and held by most 'average people'. UK polls indeed show that those most likely to be transphobic are male, over 50, and probably white—Philo's 'Mr Average' indeed. This suggests that transphobia is most rife in places where 'Mr Average' is concentrated, such as rural areas. So what happens when a trans person not only lives in the English countryside, but publicly transitions there? This paper tells the story of a woman named Valerie as seen through the eyes of the 'Mr and Mrs Averages' that otherwise populate her village community, using it both to critique the sweeping assumptions about 'common sense' that anti-trans activists rely on, and to demonstrate why rural studies, having explored marginalised lives for over 30 years, should now extend that curiosity and courtesy to trans people too. • Rural studies should embrace transgender people as it has many other marginalised peoples and stories. • Transgender studies and rural studies, despite seeming unrelated, make natural academic allies. • Anti-trans activists often claim that most 'average people' are transphobic; speaking to 'average people' may dispel this. • Assumptions that people in rural areas are automatically less accepting of trans people should be interrogated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydrogen energy technologies are envisioned to play a critical supporting role in global decarbonisation. While low-carbon hydrogen is primarily targeted for reducing industrial emissions, alongside decarbonising parts of the transport sector, environmental benefits could also be achieved in the residential context. Presently, gas-dependent countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom are assessing the feasibility of deploying hydrogen home appliances, as part of their national energy strategies. However, prospects for the transition will hinge on consumer acceptance, alongside an array of other socio-technical factors. To support potential ambitions for large-scale and sustained technology diffusion, this study advances a Unified Theory of Domestic Hydrogen Acceptance. Through an integrative, comparative literature review targeting hydrogen and domestic energy studies, the paper proposes a novel Domestic Hydrogen Acceptance Model (DHAM), which accounts for the cognitive and emotional dimensions of human perceptions. Through this dual interplay, the proposed framework can increase the predictive power of hydrogen acceptance models. [Display omitted] • A unified theory of domestic hydrogen acceptance is proposed. • Researchers should integrate multiple acceptance constructs into survey studies. • Comprehensive perceived risks, costs, and benefits predict attitudes toward hydrogen. • Cognitive and emotional processes influence perceptions of hydrogen homes. • Community-level factors should be incorporated into hydrogen acceptance research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the results of the Improving Mood with Psychoanalytic and Cognitive Therapies (IMPACT) study and its implications for psychological treatment of adolescents with moderate to severe unipolar major depression. IMPACT was a pragmatic, superiority, randomized controlled trial conducted in the United Kingdom, which compared the clinical and cost-effectiveness of short-term psychoanalytic therapy (STPP), cognitive−behavioral therapy (CBT), and a brief psychosocial intervention (BPI) in reducing depression symptoms in 465 adolescents with unipolar major depression, aged 11 to 17 years. Although this was a clinically heterogeneous group of adolescents, some symptoms (eg, sleep and concentration difficulties, irritability/anger) were common and disabling. The trial reported no significant difference among the 3 treatments in reducing depression symptoms. One year after treatment, 84% of participants showed improvement in depressive symptoms (<50% of baseline symptoms) and improved psychosocial functioning, achieving this through different symptom reduction trajectories. Although participants attended fewer treatment sessions than planned, the 3 treatments were delivered with fidelity to their respective models. Ending treatment without therapist agreement occurred in 37% of cases. This was not associated with outcomes by treatment group. Adolescents emphasized the importance of the therapeutic relationship in all 3 treatments. Results suggest that although most adolescents respond to time-limited, structured psychological therapy, subgroups of depressed adolescents are likely to need additional treatment or support. These include adolescents who live in complex circumstances and/or who believe that their needs are not met in therapy, some who stop treatment early, and the 16% to 18% of adolescents who do not respond to treatment. Improving Mood and Preventing Relapse With Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; https://www.isrctn.com ; ISRCTN83033550. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There has been a limited scope of investigation of the contextual factors affecting driver decision-making during narrow passage interactions. • The study found that the likelihood of giving way may alter due to characteristics of the interaction partners, including their vehicle type. • It was also found that factors, external to the direct interaction partners, may affect the likelihood of giving way, such as the presence of vehicles beyond the direct interaction partners. • This paper validates previous communication findings in a UK context. Narrow passage interactions have received increased attention from academics seeking to create behavioural models of the interaction and those looking to define how autonomous vehicles (AVs) should interact with their human counterparts in a composite road system. Despite this increased attention, many factors remain unexplored in the narrow passage literature, with the literature also encompassing few driving culture contexts. To this end, this study employs an explorative survey to identify additional factors that affect driver decision-making during narrow passage interactions, as well as driver perceptions of different communications in a UK context. The study's 243 participants were presented with a range of different narrow passage scenarios and asked to indicate how likely they were to give way/yield to a vehicle approaching the narrow passage from the opposite direction. In addition, they also completed the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory to identify their driving styles and asked to identify which signals they look for from their interaction partner during narrow passage interactions, as well as the meaning of those signals. The results of the study show that situational characteristics such as the vehicle type being interacted with, being in a rush and being followed by vehicles alter the likelihood of drivers giving way at narrow passages, whilst a person's driving style can also indicate how likely someone is to give way to another vehicle. These results highlight the factors that are considered by drivers, increasing our understanding of the factors that need to be incorporated in driver behaviour models and in AV development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Systematic mass testing in closed settings provides information on infection rates. • Test positivity was 11.6%, with only one-quarter reporting symptoms. • The prison wing handling new admissions reported the second-lowest positivity rate. • Testing uptake was higher in residents than in staff members. • Mass testing is a valuable tool to bring outbreaks under control quickly. The aim of this paper was to describe the results of mass asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 in a male prison in England following the declaration of an outbreak. It provides novel data on the implementation of a mass testing regime within a prison during the pandemic. The paper is an observational evaluation of the mass testing conducted for 6 months following the declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak within a prison. It investigated the incidence of positive cases in both staff and residents using polymerase chain reaction testing. Data from October 2020 until March 2021 was included. A total of 2170 tests were performed by 851 residents and 182 staff members; uptake was 48.3% for people living in prison and 30.4% for staff. Overall test positivity was 11.6% (14.3% for residents, 3.0% for staff), with around one-quarter of these reporting symptoms. The prison wing handling new admissions reported the second-lowest positivity rate (9.4%) of the eight wings. Mass testing for COVID-19 over a short space of time can lead to rapid identification of additional cases, particularly asymptomatic cases. Testing that relies on residents and staff reporting symptoms will underestimate the true extent of transmission and will likely lead to a prolonged outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recover LFT was compared against Superglue Fuming and Basic Yellow 40 Dye Staining. • Three pseudo-operational trials were conducted using non-groomed natural marks. • Brass and nickel unfired ammunition and fired cartridge cases were investigated. • Results highlight the difficulty with visualising fingermarks on this evidence type. • Recover LFT produced results no worse than currently implemented processes. Previous studies have identified the potential benefit of the disulfur dinitride (S₂N₂) process to operationally relevant substrates. However, the majority of this work was conducted on prototype equipment that had substantial differences to the commercialised system (Recover Latent Fingerprint Technology (LFT)) in terms of design and chemical delivery. This paper evaluates the performance of Recover LFT on a problematic exhibit encountered within a fingerprint enhancement laboratory: unfired and fired ammunition. Three pseudo-operational experiments involving non-groomed, naturally handled fingermarks were conducted on the most commonly encountered types of ammunition used in crime in the United Kingdom (UK). In addition, Recover LFT was compared against Superglue Fuming followed by Basic Yellow 40 (BY40) Fluorescent Dye Staining (a commonly used alternative) to ascertain if the process provides added benefit to fingermark recovery rates. The results show that fingermark visualisation on small calibre cartridge cases remains difficult with few marks achieving enough ridge detail for comparison. However, this paper also shows that the novel Recover LFT process, which is still in its infancy and requiring optimisation, is no worse than currently implemented visualisation processes and is therefore worth further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the nature of social surveillance through the physical activity tracking app MapMyRun and examines how this was experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic during the UK and USA summer 2020 lockdowns. In contributing to debates in digital geographies around the entanglements of the fleshy and digital body, the paper responds to calls for research to recognise the increasing sociality of self-tracking (Couture, 2021), specifically considering how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these apps offered a form of connection during a time of isolation. Using data from email and video interviews, I argue that whilst a Foucauldian account of surveillance can be used as a point of departure, it is limited in accounting for the social aspects of self-tracking. I therefore propose that applying Robinson's (2000) concept of 'noisy surveillance' to self-tracking is useful for understanding the messiness of surveillance in terms of the complications and noisiness involved in interactions in digital spaces, as well as the opportunities for performance management online particularly during lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the history of the first ethical gold certification programme: Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold, launched in February 2011, and its two successors. By presenting an overview of the key events that occurred in the UK and Switzerland relating to these three leading certification schemes, it outlines the trajectory and relevance of ethical gold in both countries up to the present day. This material is then used to explain why ethical gold certification has survived but remained peripheral to gold jewellery manufacturing in the UK throughout the past decade, whilst growing in relevance and institutional support in Switzerland over the same period. The paper also considers the overall impact of ethical gold certification programmes on global gold supply chains since their inception and concludes by reflecting on the extent to which these schemes have benefitted artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities around the globe. • The first ethical gold certification programme, Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold, was launched in 2011. • Despite claims Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold would take a significant market share, ethical gold has remained a niche product. • The viability of using ethical gold in branded luxury goods was proved by the launch of the L.U.C Tourbillon Fairmined watch. • The support of the Swiss Better Gold Association has pushed cumulative exports of Fairmined Gold into tonnages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of energy and climate policy is usually seen as an 'expert' domain, relying on technical tools such as economic analysis. However, policy requires the support of politicians and citizens alike, through the democratic process. Many policies, such as reducing carbon emissions from homes and transport, also affect people's lives directly. It is thus necessary to supplement technical analysis with methods that allow an exploration of people's views, values and behaviours. One such method is codesign, whereby groups of citizens work with policy analysts to develop strategies informed by the lived experience of citizens, as well as the specialist knowledge of analysts. There is a history of co-design approaches in public services such as healthcare, but there have been few attempts to co-design public policy measures. This paper reports on a Citizens' Panel, a representative group of people working with specialists to create co-designed policy recommendations for reducing carbon emissions from homes. The process revealed that policy co-design can provide detailed, viable proposals. In this case, panellists emphasised the necessity of leadership and support from government; tailored, consistent information; targeted regulation; and financial incentives. Finally, the wider potential role for policy co-design for energy and climate is addressed. • Co-design processes are widely used but rarely applied to the design of energy and climate policy. • Co-design processes can embed citizen perspectives in policy design. • The paper reports on an experimental panel on home energy decarbonisation. • Co-design can ensure that policies are effective and will gain support of politicians and publics. • Changes to cultures of policymaking are needed to embed such approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agri-environmental policies in the UK stand on the threshold of significant change, with wide acceptance that radical changes are needed to ensure a better delivery of public goods in future. The UK's departure from the EU presents an opportunity to fully realise the "Public Money for Public Goods" principle in the new suite of Environmental Land Management schemes. A likely priority will be the delivery of conservation goals at a landscape scale, which will require the recruitment of a broader range of actors and institutions than at present, including an emerging group of what we call in this paper 'new land managers'. Understanding the changing dynamics of rural land occupancy, and the characteristics and motivations of these new land managers, will be essential in the future for the effective delivery of these public schemes. Data on land market trends is nevertheless patchy and poorly researched. For this paper, we drew on a survey of land agents in England, all of whom were members of the Central Association for Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), in order to gather information and reflections on contemporary land markets. A key finding is that agricultural policy reform and retrenchment is seen by many of these experts as a significant driver of future change. Taken together with other interacting factors such as the overall tax burden on businesses and the economic and personal situation of farmers and their succession status, many of our respondents predicted significant structural change, with more land coming on to the market for resale. At the same time, increasing demand for land from "lifestyle/non-farming landholders" and the growing presence of people entering the market interested in enroling land for carbon sequestration and natural capital improvements, will mean a shift in the types of individuals and organisations holding land. Those holding and managing land in coming years are likely to comprise an ever more diverse and fragmented community of land owners and occupiers The task for policymakers then, is to deliver a suite of interventions specifically tailored to the various types of landholders in order to engage them effectively into public goods delivery under ELMs. • Traditional focus of UK agri-environmental policies is on main occupation farmers. • Emphasis on landscape scale delivery requires broader set of public good providers. • Knowledge gaps in rural land occupancy mean that successful recruitment is limited. • Findings reported here indicate a continued diversification of landholder types. • A suite of interventions tailored to the broadening landholders types will be key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the ecological and socio-economic impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS) are increasingly recognised, prompting the development of international policies and legislation that aim to reduce these impacts. Monitoring programmes are required to assess compliance with legislation and progress towards management targets. However, monitoring programmes often need to fulfil the requirements of several legislative drivers, as well as adapt to changing political circumstances and environmental targets, and thereby face design and implementation challenges. In this paper, we summarise the current legislative drivers for monitoring of non-indigenous marine species and provide a review of existing monitoring in UK waters. This paper also discusses aspirations for NIS monitoring, outlines progress, and provides recommendations to address remaining gaps. While the focus is on the drivers for NIS monitoring in UK marine waters, the key messages, in particular recommendations for future improvements, are applicable on a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising demand for emergency food during the last couple of decades in the UK has led to a great deal of academic interest in food aid provision, and food banking in particular. Efforts have also been made to examine food poverty and responses to it in more critical terms, which has entailed moving beyond a focus on emergency food support to engage with 'more than food aid' approaches. In this paper, I discuss how these latter approaches are beginning to be mobilised by national organisations, local authorities and place-based food partnerships in the UK. An important catalyst for this shift was the Covid-19 pandemic, which provided the crisis conditions that encouraged public and third-sector actors to think about, and act upon, food poverty in different ways. Drawing on an analysis of submissions to a Covid-19 food inquiry, place-based food initiatives implemented during the pandemic period and more recent initiatives instigated by national food support and anti-hunger groups, the paper examines how a diverse range of organisations are becoming more critical of existing (food aid) responses to food poverty and are seeking to develop more supportive local foodscapes based on a 'more than food aid' approach. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of this shift for future research on food poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting social information disclosure can develop sustainable banking. This paper aims to evaluate the social sustainability of banks by constructing a new interval-based composite indicator using the Thomson Reuters database. In this paper, to measure the social sustainability of European banks, we propose an approach to construct interval-based composite indicators that usefully extends the construction of the composite indicator and allows us to measure the uncertainty generated by the choices made in the construction of the composite indicator. The methodological approach is based on Monte Carlo simulation and allows us to improve the information provided by the composite indicators. Thus, we measure the value of the social indicator and its subcomponents and the uncertainty of the value due to the different possible weightings. The results show that the best international ESG practices in European banks are found in French and British banks, especially in Italian ones. Finally, we analyze innovative perspectives and propose policy recommendations to support sustainable banking ecosystems in light of the increasing attention to ESG indicator disclosure and its correspondence to reality. • The best practices are found in French and U.K. banks. • Skandinavian banks face non-excellent results. • The work is a first attempt to elaborate on a specific social disclosure index. • Results are a valuable baseline to understand the actions to take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trapping indices stabilization is lagged as injection period is active. • Greater CO 2 cumulative volume occurs as reservoir pressure is far from caprock fracture pressure. • Larger closures will require pressure management-based brine production to reach theoretical storage capacity. • ML-based CO 2 storage modelling preliminary de-risked saline aquifers lacking numerical models. This paper presents a machine learning (ML) model designed to speed up the appraisal of geologic CO 2 storage sites by predicting the effectiveness in trapping and accommodating CO 2 in saline aquifers. Considering the urgency of de-risking as much geologic CO 2 storage resources as possible to help with CO 2 emission reduction Paris' goal, ML-based reservoir modelling has been documented as proper tool when a faster, good approximate, and less expensive approach is needed to surrogate multiple assessments of storage sites traditionally performed by long-timeframe and multi-stage geologic CO 2 storage numerical modelling approach. In this paper, a case study is presented. It consisted of a dataset comprised of six geologic aquifer parameters (CO 2 residual saturation, horizontal permeability, vertical to horizontal permeability ratio, porosity, brine salinity, and CO 2 flow rate) and elapsed time as input data, and as output data the CO 2 trapping mechanism indices (Solubility Trapping Index, Residual Trapping Index, and Structural Trapping Index) along with the dynamic storage capacity (CO 2 injected volume). Such dataset was used to train and test the artificial neural network (ANN) model. The dataset was generated from thousands of post-processed numerical realizations at several injection periods by applying design of experiment using a synthetic aquifer model derived from the Bunter Sandstone Closure 36 aquifer numerical model, from the Southern North Sea. The ANN architecture designed in Python consisted of 3 hidden layers and 40 nodes and its performance was assessed using the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean squared error (RMSE). The ANN performance showed accuracies (R2) for training and testing with 96% and 95% of precision respectively. Practical application of the ANN model was successfully implemented to CO 2 storage aquifer sites selected from CO2Stored® database which lacking numerical models (Bunter Closure 3, 9, 35, and 40), obtaining at the end of 100-years injection case a Structural, Residual, and Solubility Trapping Index averaging 83%, 11%, and 6% respectively, with low variation coefficient indicating that trapping indices were predicted properly because aquifers selected for ANN model application have similar structures (dome-like shape) and reservoir properties. In addition, CO 2 injected volume predictions for 100-years injection case were ranging from 397 to 456 million ton (Mt) totalling 2.1 giga ton (Gt) of potential storage capacity which represents 70% of total theoretical volumetric capacity. These results show the significant impact to accelerate geologic CO 2 storage sites assessment by implementing ML-based modelling to preliminary de-risking groups of saline aquifers and reasonably consider them technically feasible CO 2 storage sites in UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the introduction, development and utility of post-mortem imaging relating specifically to conflict-related and terrorist-related deaths and considers the use of computed tomography (CT) in the investigations. We demonstrate how a multi-disciplinary approach involving direct communication between forensic pathologist and radiologist can maximise evidential yield, reduce the need for unnecessary dissection and further our understanding of such injuries. This summarises our shared experience of hundreds of cases, each having been individually discussed and reviewed, and has helped shape our understanding of conflict injury as well as contributing to the development of mitigation strategies and adaptations to protective equipment. A series of clinical cases are presented to demonstrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of the process. • Development of post-mortem CT in forensic radiology by UK military. • Collaborative learning and working between radiology, pathology and police. • What the forensic pathologist and police want from CT. • What radiology can answer from a pragmatic PMCT study. • Strengths and weaknesses of the technique through case scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK government aims to transition its modern natural gas infrastructure towards Hydrogen by 2035. Since hydrogen is a much lighter gas than methane, it is important to understand the change in parameters when transporting it. While most modern work in this topic looks at the transport of hydrogen-methane mixtures, this work focuses on pure hydrogen transport. The aim of this paper is to highlight the change in gas distribution parameters when natural gas is replaced by hydrogen in the existing infrastructure. This study uses analytical models and computational models to compare the flow of hydrogen and methane in a pipe based on pressure loss. The Darcy-Weisbach and Colebrook-White equations were used for the analytical models, and the k- ε model was used for the computational approach. The variables considered in the comparison were the pipe material (X52 Steel and MDPE) and pipe diameters (0.01m–1m). It was observed that hydrogen had to be transported 250–270% the velocity of methane to replicate flow for a fixed length of pipe. Furthermore, it was noted that MDPE pipes has 2–31% lower pressure losses compared to X52 steel for all diameters when transporting hydrogen at a high velocity. Lastly, it was noted that the analytical model and computational model were in agreement with 1–5% error in their findings. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen is expected to replace methane by 2035 for domestic heating applications. • Analytical and computational models were used to compare flow of hydrogen and methane. • Hydrogen velocity must be up to 2.7 times faster than methane to replicate flow. • MDPE pipes showed lower pressure losses than steel pipes due to reduced roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, there has been a growing emphasis on the publication quality in Foot & Ankle research. A level-of-evidence rating system for clinical scientific papers has been proposed by the Centre for Evidence-based medicine in Oxford, United Kingdom. As opposed to other subspecialities, foot & ankle surgery deals with a wide variety of clinical problems and surgical solutions, which in turn leads to a generally low number of patients available for study groups. However, level III and IV studies still have a valuable place in orthopaedic research, given the challenges in running high-level studies.The measurement of outcomes in medicine from the patients' perspective (PROMS:(patient reported outcome measures) has grown almost exponentially in all surgical specialties including foot & ankle surgery. There are many PROMs available to foot & ankle surgeons, but there is little consensus on which assessment is most appropriate for a given procedure or diagnosis. Their use in research and clinical practice offers many advantages in clinical practice and research, however, besides the advantages there are also some downsides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the debate on the decarbonisation of heat, renewable electricity tends to play a much more dominant role than green gases, despite the potential advantages of gas in terms of utilising existing transportation networks and end-use appliances. Informed comparisons are hampered by information asymmetry; the renewable electricity has seen a huge grid level deployment whereas low-carbon hydrogen or bio-methane have been limited to some small, stand-alone trials. This paper explores the regulatory and commercial challenges of implementing the first UK neighbourhood level 100% low-carbon hydrogen demonstration project. We draw on existing literature and action research to identify the key practical barriers currently hindering the ability of strategically important actors to accelerate the substitution of natural gas with low carbon hydrogen in local gas networks. This paper adds much needed contextual depth to existing generic and theoretical understandings of low-carbon hydrogen for heat transition feasibility. The learnings from pilot projects, about the exclusion of hydrogen calorific value from the Local Distribution Zone calorific value calculation, Special Purpose Vehicle companies, holding of liability and future costs to consumers, need to be quickly transferred into resilient operational practice, or gas repurposing projects will continue to be less desirable than electrification using existing regulations, and with more rapid delivery. • This paper explores barriers for the first UK 100% hydrogen distribution project. • Learnings from pilot projects need to be transferred into UK operational practice. • Existing regulations present barriers to gas distribution innovation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Examines the possibilities and challenges of nurturing UK agri-food justice. • Land justice is crucial to engender food system transformation. • 'Public goods' approach to agri-food policy acts as a depoliticising consensus frame. • The land-food nexus must be placed more prominently on the research agenda. • Argues for participative, inclusive agri-food praxis based on socioecological justice. This paper examines the possibilities and challenges of nurturing agri-food justice by using land as a foundational node in the context of the UK leaving the European Union – what has been termed 'Brexit'. Drawing upon the interconnected literatures of land justice and food justice, which have received sparse coverage in the UK, we develop an agri-food (in)justice lens to reveal the diverse contestations and struggles to transform the physical and political agri-food Brexit landscape in more socioecological just ways. Our research highlights the tensions and difficulties in addressing the complex social and environmental injustices bound up with UK agri-food relations, given the unequal power dynamics that permeate food and farming politics and policy. In particular, the research reveals the continued 'hidden' politics of historically-embedded land (in)justice. We therefore argue for greater focus on the multiscalar relationships between land and the intersecting contestations of agri-food labour, capital and knowledge. We end the paper by discussing the limitations of the nascent 'public goods' approach to agricultural policy under a purported 'Green Brexit' and arguing for participative and inclusive agri-food praxis based on land and food justice to cultivate more socioecologically just futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper begins with the common phrase 'good girl' as a lens through which to explore the insidious nature of patronising and paternalistic language on women's agency in obstetric care. Here we see how misogynistic language is both violence against women in its own right, and serves to create a context in which more extreme obstetric violence can be precipitated. Based on thematic analysis of discussion on Mumsnet, and on contributions to a research-focused Facebook group, this paper illustrates the complexity of recognising and refuting misogyny as a female patient as well as the damage that can occur from a cultural context in which this language is normalised. Here, words both boast a materiality through the environments they reify, and become transient and slippery, with semiotic uncertainty. • Use of misogynistic language in obstetric and fertility care is widespread. • This language may be difficult to identify and address. • Language that positions women as incompetent creates a context in which violence may occur during childbirth. • Experiences of obstetric violence are common even in the UK, amongst well-educated women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scale of the decarbonisation challenge and the short timeframes over which action is required demand urgent action. This paper is set within the surface transport sector, now the largest sector of emissions with the slowest pace of change in many advanced liberal economies. It focuses on the strategies and actions of local government which is recognised to be a central player in catalysing change. Our evidence is derived from the actions of two UK local areas which claim to be at the forefront of the decarbonisation challenge. The paper focuses on the role of funding and financial mechanisms in addressing the climate crisis. In the face of an established pattern of austerity and hollowing out of local government we explore how deep transformation is being envisaged. We find a recursive set of issues which derive from a dependence on funding from outwith. This dependence means that despite comprehensive overarching strategies and goals the funding available is the core of the strategy. This means that the nature of the funds, such as the requirement for experimentation, innovation or private sector leverage, defines direction. In turn, and to maintain success in attracting funds, there is an emphasis on presenting 'premium spaces of ambition' with little evidence of attention to broader systemic change. This duality is openly recognised. This paper advances a wider point that greater emphasis should be placed on the 'financialisation' of climate policy and the reality rather than the rhetoric of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the potential implications of the proposed European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the recently adopted United Kingdom (UK) legislation on deforestation-free supply chains (henceforth 'the legislation') for different stakeholders in Brazil. These regulations intend to address global commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation by ensuring that targeted commodities and products placed on (or exported from) markets are of minimal risk of being associated with - in the EU - deforestation and forest degradation or - in the UK - illegal deforestation. The paper examines potential compliance readiness in cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soybean and tropical timber supply chains in Brazil, indicating specific challenges that may arise. Through the construction of a "Compliance Likelihood Index", our research provides comparable indications to policymakers on sectors and stakeholders that may need stronger support to meet the requirements, in order to maintain Brazil's access to EU and UK markets. The paper indicates that coffee is the sector with the highest level of incentivization and smallest hurdles for compliance, while the cattle sector may face stronger challenges to rapidly adjust its production system towards a deforestation-free value chain and prove compliance. Results of our analysis also highlight the need for collaboration between the EU/UK and Brazil in order to promote alignment between domestic and demand-side legislations so that they are mutually reinforcing. Results of this exercise, which has a focus on the producer-country view of demand-side legislation, will contribute to discussions on the merits of different approaches to strengthen the governance of deforestation-risk commodity trade. [Display omitted] • Brazil's coffee sector may currently have the greatest likelihood of ready compliance. • Cattle may be the sector to which the regulations may pose the greatest challenges. • The EU and UK should focus on providing financial means and technical assistance for smallholders. • The EU and UK legislation will need to be accompanied by domestic policies and regulations in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Police negotiators work in small units or teams. In a crisis negotiation, one of the team becomes the 'primary' negotiator and talks with the person in crisis. However, because the person in crisis may refuse to participate, and because several negotiators are co-present, there are multiple opportunities for negotiators to talk between themselves, 'behind-the-scenes'. We used conversation analysis to analyse these interstitial sequences in a corpus of audio-recorded UK suicide crisis negotiations. Our analysis focused on how negotiators talk about what, when, and how to communicate to people in crisis. We found that negotiators evaluated different communication technologies and modalities (e.g., telephone versus face-to-face) and physical locations (e.g., standing on the ground versus on a roof) in terms of their affordances for future interactions and impact on previous ones. Second, negotiators (re)formulated what and how to communicate with persons in crisis and evaluated hypothetical consequences. Third, they evaluated their progress in terms of specific (in)effective words and phrases. The analysis shows how negotiators, in contrast to individual post hoc reflection, come to share live scrutiny of their negotiation practice. Overall, the paper augments what we know about the low frequency but high-stakes activity of crisis negotiation. • The paper examines 'behind-the-scenes' communication between teams of crisis negotiators. • We analysed UK police negotiations with suicidal people in crisis. • Data were transcribed and analysed using conversation analysis. • Negotiators plan their ongoing communication in terms of precise words and phrases. • In contrast to individual post hoc reflection, negotiators evaluate practice in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the international literature, small towns are most likely to reorient following structural change if they are rich in natural or built amenity, accessible to large urban areas and have local capacity for change. However, not all places have these characteristics. Focusing on places less blessed with these features, this paper develops a conceptualisation that extends beyond these simplistic empirical regularities/characteristics and enhances understanding of the processes underlying small town change. Drawing on two cases from both the UK and New Zealand, key drivers for small town reorientation are explored, their meaning illustrated in terms of the likelihood of reorientation of the towns' development trajectory and the key policy choices emerging are highlighted. Whilst small town reorientation is inherently unpredictable, positive forces for change are likely to occur within most small towns. Informed by the adaptive cycle model and how this links to observed case realities, the findings suggest the need for an emergent strategic approach that focuses on supporting a local rediscovery/re-imagination of potential, local adaptive processes of emergence and connectivity as it emerges. Consistent with recent research into placeleadership and place-based revival, there is a need for public support to encourage positive local activity and the development of policies that are flexible to the changing place-based opportunities/synergies that emerge. • Small town reorientation is most likely when they are rich in amenity, accessible and strong local capacity. • There is a need to conceptualise beyond these simplistic empirical regularities/characteristics, which this paper does through exploring the processes underlying small town change. • The paper explores the value of using complex adaptive systems to help explain the transitions which small towns experience. • This conception and empirical evidence supports a flexible emergent strategic approach. • Policies need to be more supportive to place-based opportunities/synergies as they emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• People often keep children's products at home that they no longer need, which frequently leads to these items becoming obsolete and discarded. • 5 key emotional factors influencing users' decisions to keep those products and 14 factors influencing their reuse behavior were identified. • Pragmatic, emotional, and value considerations, along with their sub-factors, are key variables affecting users' behaviors towards the reuse products. • Taking into account 14 factors in the design of children's products for a longer lifespan will significantly impact waste reduction. • Applying these factors in design practices and user testing enriches design research by bridging theory with practical application. Product hibernation, where end-of-life products are kept but no longer used, poses a significant barrier to prolonging product lifespans within a circular economy. Obsolete products challenge users' decision-making process for the after-use phase and are often discarded despite being perfectly functional. This is especially common in households with growing children, where children's products are outgrown but not discarded. This paper presents the survey findings of 157 hibernating children's products, and interviews with five UK families, exploring reasons for product hibernation, and related reuse barriers. An idea generation workshop further explored the owners' reuse experience with their children's products and identified fourteen factors that suggest opportunities to shift users' perception of end-of-life product value, care and reuse for these products, ultimately reducing product hibernation. This paper makes an original contribution to product reuse knowledge with the development of a framework for understanding reuse motivations and barriers through the lens of care. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A quarter of people have experienced crime when travelling. • Only approx. 50% of the respondents indicated that crime never impacts their decision to not make a trip. • People who worry about crime are more likely to change how they travel. • The same applies for those who perceived higher levels of crime in their neighborhood. • Women were twice as likely as men to adjust their travel behavior. Although the risk of becoming a victim of crime in a transport setting is higher than in many other settings, research on how crime-related aspects impact travel has mostly focused on certain socioeconomic groups or certain modes, or by linking objective crime rates with mode choice. This limits our understanding of how crime-related aspects may impact decisions on whether, when, and how to travel. This paper aims to explore experiences with crime-related aspects in transport settings and how past experiences, together with perceptions and worry, are associated with self-reported alterations as a result of fear in travel behavior. In the absence of existing datasets, we collected primary data on experiences with crime, fear of crime, perceptions of crime, and travel behavior alterations as a result of fear of crime from 1,000 inhabitants in Great Britain. Our sample was representative in terms of gender, age, and socioeconomic groups, and revealed that experiences with crime in transport settings were common. Furthermore, we found that at least 25% of our respondents had experienced crime in any of the transport modes they used. We used ordinal regression models to test the impact of worry, crime experiences and perceptions on self-reported levels of travel behavior alteration due to fear. A previous experience of crime has impacts on travel behavior to a certain extent. For example, individuals who experienced crime while walking report an increased likelihood of not making a trip at all or altering their travel times. Having higher levels of worry is also significantly associated with an alteration in travel behavior. Women were on average more worried. They were also twice as likely as men to alter their travel behavior. However, stratified analyses by gender did not demonstrate that women were very differently impacted by experiences or worry. These findings provide insights into the extent to which travel behavior is impacted by experiences, perception, and fear of crime, as well as the existence of inequalities in this relationship. Based on our findings, we recommend including questions on social safety in travel surveys to enable additional modeling of these impacts, which may consequently help reduce inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) present enormous uncertainties and challenges for future urban transport and mobility. While urban and transportation planning have significant roles to play in shaping these futures, a critical challenge is identifying and reconciling divergent values and competing visions in relation to this potentially disruptive transport technology and the associated mobility services. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a participatory multi-criteria visioning and appraisal framework and methodology to enable stakeholders to envision, identify and interrogate essential tensions between imagined AV futures and long-term transport and mobility imperatives. Based on workshops with stakeholders at the forefront of policy and practice, and academia in Greater Manchester (UK) and Melbourne (Australia), we reveal several insights. Regarding the prospects of AVs, our participants are neither 'opponents' nor 'evangelists', but instead, manifest the contrasting attitudes and perspectives of excitement, optimism, ambivalence, scepticism and uncertainty all at the same time. In the visions outlined and appraised, our stakeholders identify AVs prospects in various use cases, such as public transport, personal and shared-use and urban freight and delivery applications, while at the same time recognising the inherent contradictions between automated driving futures outlined and imperatives such as reversing auto-mobility and creating safe and inclusive urban environments. Finally, the study brings to the fore the significant role of governance in mediating the politics and resolving contestations in critical areas including data management and privacy, cybersecurity and implementing viable business models and ownership arrangements. • Develop and apply participatory multi-criteria framework to envision and appraise automated driving futures. • Identify and interrogate essential tensions between imagined AV futures and long-term transport and mobility imperatives. • Identify AVs prospects in various use cases, such as public transport, personal and shared-use. • Inherent contradictions between automated driving, reversing auto-mobility and creating safe urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NHS accounts for 5.4% of the UK's total carbon footprint, with the perioperative environment being the most resource hungry aspect of the hospital. The aim of this systematic review was to assimilate the published studies concerning the sustainability of the perioperative environment, focussing on the impact of implemented interventions. A systematic review was performed using Pubmed, OVID, Embase, Cochrane database of systematic reviews and Medline. Original manuscripts describing interventions aimed at improving operating theatre environmental sustainability were included. 675 abstracts were screened with 34 manuscripts included. Studies were divided into broad themes; recycling and waste management, waste reduction, reuse, reprocessing or life cycle analysis, energy and resource reduction and anaesthetic gases. This review summarises the interventions identified and their resulting effects on theatre sustainability. This systematic review has identified simple, yet highly effective interventions across a variety of themes that can lead to improved environmental sustainability of surgical operating theatres. Combining these interventions will likely result in a synergistic improvement to the environmental impact of surgery. • Perioperative environments use 3–6 times more energy than the hospital in general. • Paper/cardboard recycling bins in operating areas led to a 50–67% recycling rate. • Reusable items can lead to 70% reduction in waste generation. • Alcohol scrub solutions vs handwashing saves ∼930,000 L/year/hospital of water. • Dispensing propofol in 20 mL bottles instead of 50/100 mL reduces drug wastage by 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) has become an established intervention to support patient recovery after a cardiac event, with evidence supporting its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in improving patient health and reducing future burden on healthcare systems. However, this evidence has focussed on the national value case for CR rather than at the point at which it is commissioned. This analysis uses the UK as a case-study to explore variation in current CR engagement and disassemble the value case from a commissioner perspective. Using data collected by the National Audit of CR (NACR), and an existing model of cost-effectiveness, we present details on the current level of CR uptake by commissioning region (Specialist Clinical Networks) in light of the current UK target of achieving 85% uptake. We then interrogate the value case for achieving the target at a commissioner level, highlighting the expected profile of health benefits and healthcare system costs over the long-term. Importantly we consider where this may differ from the national value case. Each commissioning region has a unique level of CR uptake and sociodemographic profile. Concurrently, the value case for commissioning CR relies on the upfront cost of the service being offset by long-term healthcare savings, and health improvements. The shift in the UK and internationally to more localised commissioning necessitates evidence of cost-effectiveness that better reflects the realities of those decision makers. This paper provides vital additional data to facilitate such commissioners to understand the value case in increasing CR uptake in line with national policy. • Many nations are aiming to increase rates of CR uptake. • Commissioning of services is complex and different from national decision making. • The challenges in reaching targets are different for each region. • It is important to consider equity when commissioning CR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circumferential deep burns on the limb lead to a constrictive, tourniquet-like effect causing critical limb ischaemia. The treatment, escharotomy, is a time-critical procedure that sometimes is required before the patient arrives at a burn centre. At present, no practical method of teaching this procedure is incorporated into formal educational courses. The feasibility of a comprehensive education package to teach upper limb escharotomy was assessed in a group of plastic and general surgery trainees in Wales. Small group workshops focused on the clinical presentation of patients requiring escharotomy. Participants then executed this on a custom-made high-fidelity simulation upper limb model. The articulated limb has subcutaneous silicone fat which bulges upon decompression and a finger-tip which turns pink indicating satisfactory reperfusion. A before and after five-point Likert scale was used to evaluate changes in participants' self-assessed confidence in the surgical management of escharotomy. Statistical significance between scores was assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A total of 34 participants took part. Following completion of the course, general surgery trainees' confidence in executing the procedure increased from a median score of 1.00 "not confident at all" (IQR 1.00–2.00) to 4.00 "fairly confident" (IQR 4.00–5.00, p < 0.01). Plastic surgery trainees' confidence increased from a median score of was 3.00 "somewhat confident" (IQR 1.75–4.00) to 4.00 "fairly confident" (IQR 3.00–4.25, p < 0.01). We developed a comprehensive simulator course that has been demonstrated to improve candidate's confidence in performing escharotomy. The next stage in the course development is to confirm the results in a larger cohort. By developing this simulator course we aim to improve emergency burn care education in the UK and globally. • Escharotomy is a time critical procedure. • This paper outlines the development of a novel, high fidelity model. • It has improved confidence in a cohort of trainees with and without prior experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The incidence of silver trauma and associated open lower limb fractures continues to increase. • There is an increased clinical need to consider microsurgical procedures for lower limb reconstruction in the older population. • This systematic review identified 51 free flaps and compared the complication profile of fasciocutaneous free flaps and muscle free flaps. There are 12.5 million people aged 65 years and older living in the UK. The annual incidence of open fracture is 30.7 per 10,000 person-years. In females, 42.9% of all open fractures occur in patients ≥ 65 years. Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020209149). The aim was to compare the complication profiles of free fasciocutaneous flaps and free muscular flaps in patients aged over 60 years undergoing lower limb soft tissue reconstruction following an open lower limb fracture. The search strategy based on strict inclusion criteria included PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar. 15 papers were identified, including 46 patients with 10 free fasciocutaneous flaps and 41 free muscle flaps. There were 3 complications in the fasciocutaneous group (30%) and 9 complications in the muscle group (22%). There was a total of 1 secondary procedure in the fasciocutaneous group and 4 in the muscle group. There is insufficient data to provide statistical comparison between free fasciocutaneous versus free muscle flaps for lower limb reconstruction performed in those aged over 60 years. This systematic review highlights evidence for the successful use of free tissue transfer in the older population following an open fracture injury and requiring lower limb reconstruction. There is no evidence to suggest the superiority of one tissue type over the other, with the inference that well vascularised tissue is the most significant factor impacting outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of pledges to reach net-zero emissions has revealed a wide range of understandings of what such a pledge entails. The lack of international standards to define decarbonisation pathways and the many kinds of speculative offsets available for net-zero calculations have generated a multiplication of public commitments not tethered to any specific mechanism of accountability. Many have criticised this state of affairs as a governance vacuum allowing extravagant forms of 'greenwashing,' with corporations and countries asserting ostensibly ambitious goals without adopting verifiable instruments for their delivery. This paper addresses the situation from a slightly different perspective, exploring instead how net-zero pledges create new climate publics and counter-publics. Drawing on three case studies (UK national net-zero policy, the Race to Zero campaign, and the Science Based Targets Initiative), and informed by a pragmatist understanding of 'public' and 'public formation,' we examine how the adoption of a formal but ambiguous target leads to a collective consideration of consequences, thus expanding the range of actors engaged in disputes over alternative climate futures. • Imaginations of net zero futures are unavoidably ambiguous and open to interpretation. • Setting net zero targets and delineating their consequences can enable the formation of new publics and counter publics. • This process hinges on the deployment of specific devices to imagine and deliberate on plausible futures. • The paper develops a pragmatist framework for investigating the formation of publics as a political consequence of net zero publics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the concept of policy story-lines, this paper analyses the use of accounts of farmers' emotional well-being in policy disputes about the management of animal disease. Recent research on the emotional well-being of farmers in the face of climate change, market uncertainty and animal disease has sought to objectively assess its scale and extent. Studies of the policy process, however, suggest that discourses of farmer well-being can be put to use in policy argumentation by establishing story-lines that disrupt and challenge dominant policy perspectives. Using a case study from the United Kingdom, this paper analyses the use of a social impacts of animal disease story-line, the evidence used to construct the story-line, and its use in coupling policy problems and solutions. To do this, the paper analyses 24 years of elected politicians' speeches in two different government administrations. Firstly, the paper describes how the story-line was used in response to a competing story-line of 'sound science', and defines its core rhetorical components as: universal devastation, emotional trauma, helplessness, shared suffering, and regulative stress. Secondly, the paper shows how the story-line relies on spatially situated anecdote and 'proximate experience' – direct experience or the visiting and listening to farmers – rather than formal research. Thirdly, the paper shows how the story-line was used strategically to couple specific policy solutions to the problem of farmer well-being but was also captured to justify other solutions. The paper concludes by considering the wider implications of this story-line for the politics of the rural, farmer identity and the role of social research • Investigates farmer well-being as a policy story-line in animal disease policy. • Farmer well-being is discursively constructed using rhetoric and anecdote. • Evidence is derived from 'proximate experience' rather than quantified research. • Politicians use the farmer well-being story-line to challenge dominant policy story-lines. • Academic research must develop new methods to contribute to this policy debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seaside resorts face socio-economic challenges which can exacerbate family crises. • Inequalities in seaside resorts can complicate delivery of family support services. • Innovative embedded research approach within Children's Social Care. • Preventative Early Help strategies need to be attuned to differing care ecologies. Effective Early Help services are key to halting rising rates of children in care in the UK. Yet despite family support and child welfare interventions being unequally distributed across the country, the role of 'place' has received limited attention in the children's social care arena. This paper examines the connections between coastal challenges, Early Help and child welfare interventions, drawing on embedded research undertaken within a Local Authority on England's coast with elevated levels of children in care. We focus on families' experiences raising children in a seaside resort area as well as professionals' perspectives on the place-based challenges faced delivering effective and accessible Early Help support. The study generated data from ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups with local parents/carers (n = 57), service managers and frontline professionals (n = 14), and the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector (n = 22). The findings highlight how the socio-economic challenges associated with many seaside resort areas, including housing pressures, a seasonal and low-wage economy, and the transience of the population, present difficulties for parents/carers in raising and supporting their children. For professionals delivering Early Help, high levels of housing instability, elevated inward migration, resource constraints and challenges around recruitment and retention presented challenges to delivering services. This paper recommends increased emphasis in regulation and resourcing around family support that considers the spatial and geographic dynamics that influence the incidence, structuring, and experiences of child and family welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK farmers are facing significant uncertainty due to recent post-Brexit policy changes. Upland farmers in England are particularly at risk, due to their high dependence on European subsidy support payments. Farm entrepreneurship strategies may be a viable solution for these farmers to achieve economic sustainability while continuing to make valuable social and environmental contributions via multifunctional enterprises. However, many socio-economic constraints often prevent farmers from implementing these strategies. This paper builds upon existing research on 'constrained entrepreneurship in UK agriculture' by examining the Constrained Institutional Contexts that upland farmers operate within. Using a qualitative approach, the paper explores and theorizes how upland farmers are constrained by exogeneous forces which control access to and dependence on resources. The findings highlight the importance of a supportive rural environment for farm entrepreneurship; however, they also reveal that the success of such strategies is often beyond the control of individual farmers and policy support is often necessary to alleviate these constraints. • Constrained entrepreneurship in UK agricultural sector. • Post-Brexit legislative changes. • Weberian Analysis. • Uncertainty in the UK farming sector. •UK Agricultural policy will have a dramatic effect on the UK farm sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses two differing approaches to the improvement of local bus services, using the analytical lens of formal and informal institutions. Both formal and informal institutions govern the behaviour of authorities and operators, but they do it in different ways and they have advantages and disadvantages. In so doing we seek to understand both how the informal institutional approach (e.g. voluntary partnership working) can be used effectively, but also to assess its limits; and to understand why a formal institutional approach (e.g. franchising), in spite of its strong underlying basis in law, may nonetheless not always function. Through doing so, this paper contributes to the current understanding of how to handle the unintended consequences of a deregulated market through the different (formal and informal) ways available. • Compares two differing approaches to the improvement of local bus services. • Contrasts informal (voluntary partnership) with formal (franchsing) models. • Explores how to handle the unintended consequences of a deregulated market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on literature on values in science and a case-study of UK cancer policy, this paper argues for a novel account of the demarcation project in terms of trustworthiness. The first part of the paper addresses the relationship between science, politics and demarcation. In 2010, the UK government decided to pay more for cancer drugs than for drugs for other diseases; in 2016, this Cancer Drugs Fund was reformed so as to lower the evidential standards for approving cancer drugs, rather than paying more for them. Are these two ways of treating cancer as "special" importantly different? This paper argues that, if we the argument from inductive risk seriously, they seem equivalent. This result provides further reason to doubt the notion of demarcating science from non-science. However, the second part of the paper complicates this story, arguing that considerations of epistemic trust might give us reasons to prefer epistemic communities centred around "broadly acceptable" standards, and which are "sociologically well-ordered", regardless of inductive risk concerns. After developing these claims through the cancer case-study, the final section suggests how these concerns might motivate novel versions of the demarcation project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do 'green' environmental concerns – such as about biodiversity, climate change, pollution – deter citizens from having children? This paper reports the first longitudinal evidence consistent with that increasingly discussed hypothesis. It follows through time a random sample of thousands of initially childless men and women in the UK. The paper shows that those individuals who are committed to a green lifestyle are found to be substantially less likely to go on later to have offspring. Probit and Weibull survival models are estimated. The results are robust to controlling for people's age, education, income, marital status, mental health, life satisfaction, optimism, and physical health. The paper's key estimated effect-size is substantial. A person entirely unconcerned about environmental behaviour is estimated to be just over 50% more likely to go on to have a child than a deeply committed environmentalist. • Will fertility decline because humans become so concerned about environmental damage? • Using UK data on thousands of randomly selected young adults, we provide the first longitudinal evidence that those who have environmental concerns and act in a 'green' way go on to have fewer children. • The estimated effect-size is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Financial geography is one of the fastest growing subdisciplines in geography. • Financial geography emerged in the UK in the late 1980s after London's Big Bang. • The subfield remains exceedingly British with the growing engagement from Continental Europe. • Financialization emerged as the subfield's central focus after the 2008 global financial crisis. • Financial geography has a pluralist theory-culture represented by four distinct intellectual traditions. The past decade has yielded an unprecedented surge in geographical research on money and finance. Amidst this apparent financial turn, the paper aims to provide an institutional sociology of the rapidly growing subdiscipline of Anglophone financial geography, using Web of Science bibliometric data and oral histories of key figures in the field. Employing a two-track methodology involving an analysis of 440 financial geography articles published since 1986 and 23 interviews conducted with self-identified financial geographers and scholars allied with the financial geography project, the paper aims to deconstruct how financial geography emerged as a field by examining the people present at the birth, the intellectual histories that shaped it, and the conditions that have influenced its wider reception. The paper presents three main findings. First, it shows how the political economic conditions of financialization in the UK coupled with the patterns of institutionalization and the subfield's origins resulted in an enduring British dominance. Second, citation patterns reveal that during the three decades of its existence, financial geography evolved into a poly-centric and pluralist subfield with four main intellectual traditions represented. Finally, the paper exposes the extent to which the 2008 global financial crisis was the major force behind the consolidation of financial geography as a subfield, giving momentum to studies of financialization and amplifying the visibility of financial geography's scholarship within the broader social sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Branching points: key decision-points forming and maintaining sociotechnical pathways. • Applied to UK heat decarbonisation shows structural challenges faced by policy actors. • Recommend UK heat policy approaches decarbonisation decisions as coordinated pathways. • Branching point analysis can be a tool to support policy decisions for transition. This paper develops the use of the branching point concept as a tool to support key decisions for reorienting systems for sustainability. In this approach, a pathway is seen as arising from accumulation of many specific decisions which create momentum in a particular direction and so reinforce the irreversibility of the pathway. Three complementary approaches to branching point analysis are identified within the transitions literature: 1) in pathway-scenarios for sustainability, 2) framing key decision-points in historical analysis, 3) to deconstruct the politics of transition pathways. A case study of UK heat decarbonisation is used to apply the branching point concept. This analysis highlights the tension where a policy approach, framed by a sector-wide target, interacts with distinct socio-technical responses and an alternative policy approach to decision-points is proposed. This paper demonstrates the potential to develop branching point analysis into a tool to support and help structure policy decisions for transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient view paper focused on hopes and challenges facing the never smoker lung cancer population – from lived experience, unexpected diagnosis, treatment and subsequent immersion in lung cancer research and patient advocacy over many years, citing examples, references and events organised to explore the subject by UK research institutions. Based on lived experience, invited patient perspective conference presentations including National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) never smoker lung cancer research strategy event opening presentation and subsequent article, includes references to relevant papers/findings and points raised during research events/group discussions, alongside personal experiences and beliefs. Discussions with clinicians, events, surveys, meetings and virtual discussions all revealed a dearth of evidence available to identify the best way to deal with this patient cohort at almost every aspect of their experience – from missed/late diagnosis, to screening potential (non-existent), mutation driven treatments (what about those ineligible?), and psychosocial/psychological aspects given their different life stage from older traditional lung cancer patients. More effort and focus are needed to better understand what is driving these cases, how best to detect them sooner and respond/refer to treatments as well as developing screening methods alongside increased public and healthcare professional awareness raising and tools to support clinicians in earlier detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main road widening can reduce the clearance of the low-level underpass road, restricting the passage of vehicles and leading to collisions with structures. Therefore, checking the clearance of the underpass road effectively should be considered at the design stage. This paper describes a digital twin approach for checking the clearance of underpass roads in highway widening projects using online map data. The underpass road digital twin and BIM model of the newly widened road based on the existing main road digital twin are created to assist the clearance check and redesign. The proposed method presented a cost-effective clearance check for underpass roads in road widening design without field surveys and was successfully implemented in an underpass road in the UK. In future research, more digital twin methods for overpasses, bridges, tunnels, and traffic safety facilities should be employed comprehensively to assist more road widening applications. • A novel approach is presented to check the underpass road clearance in the road widening project. • A method for building road digital twins from online map data is proposed. • A systematic method for road widening based on the digital twin is proposed. • According to the clearance check, the underpass road can be redesigned to increase the insufficient clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much literature views South Asian women in the UK through the prism of arranged marriage and, when discussing gender-based violence, forced marriage. Little attention is paid to South Asian women's experiences of dating, with no commitment to marriage. This paper is based on qualitative research using the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Theory and Intersectionality to analyse how women, who feel they are making their own choices and exercising agency by dating, can, through gendered power dynamics be pressured into marriages. This paper explores how such experiences can elucidate the manifestations of forced marriage and adds to this complex picture of how women entering an intimate relationship of choice, can be entrapped into forced marriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of partnerships in the governance of UK migration policy, considering how partnerships have been mobilised to navigate tensions between multiple state and non-state actors. The paper focuses on the work of regional strategic migration partnerships (SMPs) across the UK, bodies that bring together national and local government, statutory agencies, third sector organisations, and private contractors, all concerned with the management of migration and asylum. Considering SMPs as sites of collaboration and contention within local 'battlegrounds' of policy, the paper examines how enrolment and socialisation shape relations between actors, serving to sustain governmental authority but also offer openings for the formation of advocacy coalitions. Through examining how SMPs addressed the outsourcing of asylum support services, I argue that for many non-state actors enrolment into an SMP produces an ambivalent politics centred on forms of tactical closeness and critical discomfort. In concluding, I suggest the forms of intimacy created through enrolment serve to extend ambivalence as actors become torn between relationships and commitments, highlighting the fraught and often unstable nature of SMPs as bodies of policy coordination and advocacy potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metrology provides the underpinning science that supports the practical use of testing standards; ensuring that different users, be it academia, government or industry, develop a common language regarding the capabilities of many materials sectors. For the hardmetal community, after a century of fundamental and effective applications, it isn't surprising that there are already a considerable number of formal International Standards. For example, ISO and ASTM are well known [1], and over time these have evolved, with international consensus, from metrological studies. Currently important properties of hardmetals such as Stiffness, Density, Hardness, Toughness, Abrasion Resistance, Macroscopic Strength and Phase and Magnetic properties are comprehensively supported by these international standards. However, there are other testing strategies where improved knowledge could contribute to enhanced carbide functionality. These might include high resolution microscopy, indentation strength measurements, micro-tribology, thermal fatigue testing and modelling in all its diverse approaches which are not yet addressed through standards, though they often feature strongly in published academic papers. The hardmetal research community is international, diverse and productive in addressing these many facets and frequently embed metrological studies that are relevant to the practical characterisation of hardmetals. In the UK the Materials Group at the National Physical Laboratory, NPL, has a prime remit to focus on metrology and our contribution to the WC-Co 100 year anniversary publication provides some specifics of typical metrological issues that need further attention before addressing the formal stage of standardisation. In this celebratory paper we have chosen examples of recent metrological activities that fall under this remit and which have only partly been contributed to the scientific published domain. These five examples are High Hardness measurements, Dislocation Analysis, Micro-Tribology, Nanoindentation and Structural Characterisation. • Issues associated with high hardness metrologies. • Assessment of dislocations in WC using slip trace analysis. • Micro-tribology as a metrology tool for hardmetal wear. • Nanoindentation of WC crystals at ambient and high temperatures. • WC grain size issues using EBSD, especially in large data files. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The offshore wind industry is growing rapidly around the world. Many governments have set ambitious targets for growth to achieve their decarbonisation goals. As the industry grows it can become more challenging to build and operate wind farms safely. Wind farms are being constructed further from shore in tougher weather and sea conditions. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive has raised concerns about safety performance. This paper aims to review the current state of health and safety in the offshore wind industry. It reviews the latest research, injury statistics and the state of legislation covering the sector. It also considers how the risk profile of the industry may change in coming years. The paper finds there is a need for more research specific to the safety challenges of offshore wind. Injury rate statistics show that performance is 3–4 times worse than comparable industries, and industry reports do not currently include large parts of the sector. Rapid growth and the implementation of new technologies will create additional challenges. Regulators should consider the implementation of industry specific safety legislation to manage the unique challenges of offshore wind. [Display omitted] • Injury rates are up to 4 times higher than the offshore oil and gas industry. • Risk exposure to workers is expected to increase due to growth and technology. • Safety legislation requires reform to address specific industry risks. • Innovations from other industries in safety management should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study offers a detailed and original assessment of the practices of prescription veterinary medicine use on UK dairy farms. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance as a global threat has necessitated an increasing focus on medicine use in agriculture. While an abundance of studies have recently emerged to demonstrate and evaluate strategies for medicine reduction, this paper seeks to understand the context and the on-farm culture within which treatment practices occur on a sample of UK dairy farms. Arguing that the experiential knowledge, on-farm culture and informal information flows are as important as 'science' in the practice of treatment decision making and drawing on extensive participant observation fieldwork combined with semi-structured interviews, this paper identifies and discusses three key themes that develop and, in places, challenge our current understanding of farmer treatment practices. These areas - treatment knowledge and understanding, a duty of care and autonomy of treatment practice - are seen to have complex effects on the use of veterinary medicines in dairy cattle and, as such, highlight critical areas for further research and opportunities for policy interventions aimed at improving responsible medicine use. • Farmers construct their own narratives of disease and treatment, based on experiential and experimental knowledges. • Uncertainty remains a key element of treatment decision-making, which can manifest as risk-averse behaviour. • Farmers are strongly motivated to treat by a sense of duty to the wellbeing of the animals for which they are responsible. • A perceived lack of autonomy with regard to treatment decisions directly affected dairy farmers' medicine use behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero‑carbon electricity is a pre-requisite for decarbonisation of the wider economy and many scenarios envisage rapid expansion of renewables. IEA estimates a need to double the annual rate of investment to 2030. A rapid transition to low carbon electricity creates a risk to investors because projects being financed now will generate their revenue in a zero‑carbon electricity system for which there is no track record of price formation. Although the cost of renewable power has fallen greatly, future revenues from renewables are still affected by market price risks that are often outside the control of generators. If risks are difficult to quantify, they may be mis-priced, leading to inefficient premiums being added to the cost of capital, which could increase the overall cost of the transition. In this context many countries around the world provide support for low carbon energy, such as the UK Contracts for Difference. In this paper we investigate exposure to price risk caused by uncertainty over the mix of technologies used to achieve decarbonisation, which we term 'transition risk', and how this varies under different technology mixes, and for different policy regimes. We show that exposing investors to transition risk could increase the cost of delivering the renewables needed for a zero‑carbon electricity system by around 25% or £7bn/year compared to policy options that reduce exposure to wholesale market price risk. The paper concludes that as long as transition risks remain high, de-risking policy mechanisms can help to minimise the overall cost of achieving net-zero. • We characterise the current stage of the low-carbon transition as a 'build phase', requiring large volumes of investment • Uncertainty over the final physical state of the decarbonised system causes significant financial risk to investors • 'Contracts for difference' (CfDs) help to manage this 'transition risk' and reduce the cost of capital for projects • Exposing projects fully to transition risk could increase costs by a third, and raise the cost of transition by £7bn per year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UK law changed in 2018 to permit cannabis prescribing. Cannabis remains otherwise criminalised. Participants experienced benefits from cannabis across a broad range of conditions. • Most people who need a cannabis prescription in the UK still cannot access one. • Poor implementation of cannabis prescribing policy creates heath inequalities. • Intractable prohibition policy context continues to create social harms. This paper reports on the first qualitative study to interview people prescribed cannabis in the UK. Cannabis is a class B controlled substance under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs (MoD) Act, but a 2018 change to UK regulations provided for the prescription of cannabis for medical purposes. Relatively few people have been able to access a prescription, despite this policy change. This paper examines their experiences. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 people with a prescription for cannabis, or their carers. Data was analysed using a reflextive thematic analysis approach. The findings are discussed using a zemiology (social harms) perspective which provides a language for critical reflection on the current cannabis policy context. All participants reported that cannabis had significantly improved their mental and/or physical health, across a broad range of conditions. Many had been able to reduce their use of conventional medicines and reported that cannabis had relatively few side effects. Despite the potentially life-enhancing benefits of cannabis medicine, patients in the UK face multiple barriers to access. These include a lack of funding streams, bureaucratic supply problems, and a lack of training for doctors and police. Even for the few people able to obtain a prescription, the ongoing criminalisation of cannabis in the UK contributed to their experiences of stigmatisation. This often made it difficult and anxiety-inducing to take their medicine in public spaces. The UK government's lack of implementation of medical cannabis legalisation, combined with their ongoing prohibition position, is producing multiple harms to people who need cannabis medicine. The policy context is perpetuating stigmatising attitudes to cannabis which, as we demonstrate, contribute to social harms. We make recommendations on equality of patient access, and highlight the importance of education and policy change as means of combatting stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e. Spice) are a major public health problem in UK prisons, however, research in this area is limited. Here we aimed to draw comparisons between people with and without experience of using synthetic cannabinoids in prison, to characterise the features of, and motivations for use within this setting and evaluate support for different treatment interventions. Questionnaires were administered to 122 people in a category-B prison for adult males in England between July 2022 and March 2023. Participants were asked questions related to their sociodemographic and custodial characteristics, use of synthetic cannabinoids (and other drugs) inside and outside of prison and psychological distress was measured via the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). Those that had ever used synthetic cannabinoids in prison completed additional questions related to features of use, motivations for use and support for various interventions. In total 46.7 % (n = 57) of participants reported use of synthetic cannabinoids in prison and this group experienced significantly greater levels of psychological distress compared to those reporting no use (mean (± standard deviation) BSI-18 scores = 23.7 (±16.7) vs 12.8 (±13.6), p < 0.001). Participants mostly reported using paper-based preparations (77.4 %) and use via e-cigarettes (75.9 %). The most strongly endorsed motivations for use included to alleviate boredom (91.1 % strongly agree/agree), to make the sentence pass faster (89.3 % strongly agree/agree) and to cope with stress (80.4 % strongly agree/agree). The interventions that received most support were strategies to better manage time and medication to manage withdrawal. The use of synthetic cannabinoids in UK prisons typically involves the use of paper-based preparations via e-cigarettes, and use is associated with greater levels of psychological distress. Motivations for use were mostly pragmatic (e.g. to alleviate boredom or cope with stress) and interventions should prioritise increasing the time individuals spend out of cells and in meaningful activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acceptance of shared automated vehicles was investigated among United Kingdom private car owners through a focus group. • From a long list of factors based on previous research, three main factors (Service Quality, Trust, Price Value) came out as overwhelmingly discussed. • Shared Space Quality, Security and Trusting Co-passengers are introduced as important indicators to accept shared automated vehicles. • Trusting Co-passengers was found to be as important as Trusting Automated Vehicles. • An extended UTAUT2 is proposed for future acceptance research on shared automated vehicles. The development of Shared Automated Vehicles (SAVs) is well underway to provide mobility as a service (MaaS) and bring benefits such as reduced traffic congestion, reduced reliance on privately owned vehicles and increased independence to non-drivers. To realise the benefits of SAVs, adoption by private vehicle users is crucial. Previous research has shown this subset of users as the least likely to adopt SAVs, and it is not well understood what factors are important to achieve such adoption. The purpose of this study is to obtain an in-depth understanding of attitudes, perceptions and preferences that influence the acceptance of future SAVs for drivers. This paper presents the results from an online asynchronous focus group study with 21 British drivers as participants. From the analysis, Service Quality, Trust and Price Value emerged as the three most prominent factors to understand user acceptance of SAVs. These three main factors may be of prime importance for convincing naïve private car owners to accept high-speed SAVs. Productive use of travel time has been frequently mentioned in previous research as a benefit of vehicle automation but was scarcely mentioned by participants in this study. Shared Space Quality in introduced as an indicator for Service Quality, together with Security and Trusting Co-passengers as two indicators of Trust. Based on the findings, this paper concludes with a conceptual SAV technology acceptance model is introduced, with the results added as extended model predictors to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first large-scale field trial of microcapsule-based self-healing concrete in the UK. • Microcapsules were developed and implemented in concrete on site. • Self-healing process was demonstrated both in field and laboratory assessment. • Crack width and depth and permeability reduction and strength recovery was achieved. Maintaining the health and reliability of our infrastructure is of strategic importance. The current state of the UK infrastructure, and the associated huge costs of inspection, maintenance, repair and eventual replacement, is not sustainable and is no longer environmentally viable. The design of infrastructure, mainly concrete, remains traditional and poor material performance continues to be the main cause of deterioration and failure in our infrastructure systems. Biomimetic materials, that emulate natural biological systems in their ability to self-healing, provide an exciting and plausible solution. Embedding cementitious materials with in-built capabilities to sense and respond to their environmental triggers could potentially eliminate all external interventions and deliver a resilience infrastructure. The work presented in this paper forms part of a national initiative that has been developing biomimetic cementitious infrastructure materials which culminated in the first large-scale field trials of self-healing concrete in the UK testing four different but complementary technologies that were developed. This paper focuses on one self-healing technology, namely microcapsules, which contain a healing agent that is released on their rupture as a result of crack propagation. The paper will present details of the microcapsules used, their implementation in concrete and in the field trials and time-related, field and laboratory, assessment of the self-healing process. It also highlights challenges faced and improvements that are now on-going to produce the next generation of the microcapsule self-healing cementitious system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the impact of news and sentiments related to covid-19 on United Kingdom (UK)'s stock returns from February 4, 2020 to December 7, 2020. Our results show that covid-19 daily cases exert a significant negative effect on stock returns whereas covid-19 daily deaths have a significant positive impact. These findings hold when covid-related news and sentiments indices are controlled with the 2nd wave data, and when the US policies and equity market volatilities from infectious diseases are used as controls. The magnitude of the effect of covid cases and deaths indicates that the pandemic is not very harmful to the UK stock market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of a drug holiday in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) remains controversial. Current UK guidance does not recommend this practice given the lack of conclusive evidence, and potential risk of skeletal-related events or cancer metastasis. This paper aims to describe a series of fifty patients with confirmed MRONJ who were prescribed a drug holiday as part of their management. Data were collected on exposures including: anti-resorptive and/or anti-angiogenic drug history, duration of drug, method of administration, concurrent therapy, MRONJ stage, management of MRONJ and duration of drug holiday. The primary outcome was complete healing as documented in the clinical notes. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between exposures and primary MRONJ outcome. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and index of multiple deprivation. Survival analysis was performed using a log-rank test, censoring any patients with no primary outcome recorded (p < 0.05). A total of 44% of patients stopped their medication for >36 months. Over half of all MRONJ cases presented in the posterior mandible and dental extraction was the most common precipitating factor (76%). Almost three-quarters (72%) of patients achieved complete healing. MRONJ recurrence (new site) was reported at 30%, mainly in those with incomplete healing of the initial area. There was a lack of evidence for an association between all recorded exposures and the primary MRONJ outcome using multivariate Cox regression. Similarly, we did not demonstrate evidence for an association between the duration of the drug holiday and MRONJ outcome. Our results support published guidelines, which do not recommend the discontinuation of bone modifying drugs for the prevention of MRONJ, or as part of treatment for established MRONJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the stability of holdings of Divisia money balances by UK households using step and impulse indicators. An error feedback equation for money demand is estimated that includes 5 step dummies and 6 impulse dummies. For comparison an error correction model for the traditional M4 aggregate is also estimated that includes 9 steps and 5 impulse dummies. Steps in 1983 and 1990 are common to both aggregates. Steps in 1992, 2012 and 2015 only affect the Divisia aggregate. The step in 2012 corresponds to the Bank of England's second round of quantitative easing. The Divisia aggregate appears to be a useful guide for policy, especially when the policy rate is close to the zero lower bound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Papermaking is known as an energy-intensive, but not always efficient industry. This is at least partly due to the fact that the majority of papermaking technologies and procedures were established at a time when energy was both cheap and plentiful. A considerable fraction of the energy required for papermaking is consumed in removing water by the use of steam in the paper machine’s drying section. It is also known that even a small reduction in steam use can result in a significant reduction in production costs and environmental effects. To date, a great deal of research has been undertaken, aimed at improving the performance of the drying section by making more efficient use of dryer steam. This paper investigates a new approach to reducing thermal energy use in paper making by seeking to enhance the amount of water removed in sections of the machine prior to the drying section. The proposed method is focused on sequential modelling of the effect of vacuums used in the forming section on the thermal energy consumption in the drying section. The primary models explain how different vacuum pressures can affect the flow of water from the sheet in the forming section whilst the secondary models describe the effect of increased drainage on the steam requirements in the dryer. Operational data from a UK paper mill are used to illustrate the proposed method. The models developed can have subsequent application to optimising the use of thermal energy in paper making. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper explores how past notions of idyllic rural dwelling were mobilised and enacted during the implementation of the UK Land Settlement Association (LSA) scheme established in 1934. The LSA was a UK Government programme set up to resettle unemployed workers from depressed industrial urban areas to the countryside. Between 1934 and 1939, 1100 smallholdings were established within 20 settlements across the country. These smallholdings were run as cooperatives, but many failed when relocated families complained of long hours, low pay and isolation. Recruitment to the scheme ceased at the outbreak of World War II, with the settlements being fully dissolved and privatised in 1983. By drawing on a unique archive housed in the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), analysis centres on how the LSA represented and promoted rural living to settlers and the wider public. The paper illuminates three overlapping but distinct elements to this project: the production of physical space as a setting that has been designed to bring about particular forms of behaviour and community cohesion; notions of labour, independence of spirit and reconnecting with the land; and building the physiques of men through hard work, fresh air and good food, thus improving the national stock. The findings demonstrate the power of the rural idyll in producing particular forms of sociality, belonging and masculinity, with many of the ideas that undergirded the LSA continuing to resonate today. • The rural idyll produces distinct forms of sociality, belongingness and masculinity. • Many past English land settlement schemes drew on the notion of the rural idyll. • The rural idyll underlaid formation of the 1930s Land Settlement Association (LSA). • The LSA captured imaginations at the time but had limited practical success. • Many ideas concerning rurality that undergirded the LSA continue to resonate today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to air quality concerns and stricter carbon targets, surface transport electrification is quickly spreading, posing questions on the impact it will have on national and local electrical networks. This paper proposes an agent-based model to assess the per-minute weekday and weekend impact of the uptake of Electric Vehicles (EVs) over the next decade on local electrical and charging infrastructures, aimed at local decision-makers and stakeholders for transport electrification forecasting purposes. This study compares two scenarios, the first assessing the case where no restrictions are imposed on the daily charging events, and the second scenario where the peak electrical demand period between 5pm and 8.30pm is constrained for charging. Swindon Borough is selected as case study since it has one of UK's highest EV adoption rates and has ambitious aims for decarbonisation. The results show that, over time, scenario two consistently lessened the constraints imposed on the grid by lowering the weekday and weekend peak loads up to 7% and 20%, respectively, and through lowering the usage rate of the charging infrastructure by around 12%. This scenario postponed the 5pm to 8.30pm EV charging demand to later hours, resulting in delayed load waves in residential areas that, over time, took values of higher proportion of the daily peak, forecasted to match it by 2036. However, controlling the EV demand through this strategy became less effective over time, and so, constraining charging between 7am and 2.30pm is suggested for further control. To conclude, this scenario can be portrayed in reality by adding flexibility to the grid, through the use of time-of-use tariffs (TOUTs), hence, if well implemented, postponing the upgrade of the grid and the charging infrastructure, presenting savings to the network operator, charging network stakeholders and EV users. The paper thus highlights the advantages of using a model of a heterogeneous population with fine spatial and temporal detail to provide decision-support to key stakeholders in planning energy transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of Big Data, the Internet has become one of the main data sources: Data can be collected for relatively low costs and can be used for a wide range of purposes. To be able to timely support solid decisions in any field, it is essential to increase data production efficiency, data accuracy, and reliability. In this framework, our paper aims at identifying an optimized and flexible method to collect and, at the same time, geolocate social media information over a whole country. In particular, the target of this paper is to compare three alternative methods to collect data from the social media Twitter. This is achieved considering four main comparison criteria: Collection time, dataset size, pre-processing phase load, and geographic distribution. Our findings regarding Great Britain identify one of these methods as the best option, since it is able to collect both the highest number of tweets per hour and the highest percentage of unique tweets per hour. Furthermore, this method reduces the computational effort needed to pre-process the collected tweets (e.g., showing the lowest collection times and the lowest number of duplicates within the geographical areas) and enhances the territorial coverage (if compared to the population distribution). At the same time, the effort required to set up this method is feasible and less prone to the arbitrary decisions of the researcher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the requirement for energy storage capacity will grow as the penetration of renewables increases. The UK's electric grid is used as a case study. The paper aims to provide insight on what is the most economical solution to decarbonize the electric supply. A two-dimensional study varying the penetrations of wind and solar PV is carried out to identify the most appropriate generation mix for the country. The study is based on 9 years of demand and generation data with a 1hr resolution. It discusses the risk of underestimating the storage capacity needed, by failing to capture the inter-annual variability of renewables and analyzes the economic trade-off between over-generation (curtailment) and storage capacity. It also aims to determine the percentage of over-generation that minimizes the total cost of electricity. Results suggest that the UK could need a storage capacity of approximately 43 TWh to decarbonize its electricity supply. This figure considers a generation mix of 84% wind +16% solar PV, a roundtrip storage efficiency of 70%, and 15% of curtailment. Based on current costs of bulk energy storage technologies, this storage capacity translates into an investment of ∼£165.3 billion or approximately 7% of the country's GDP. • The UK will need 43 TWh of storage for a 100% renewable penetration with 15% curtailment. • If no overgeneration is allowed; storage increases to reduces to 116.5 TWh. • The generation mix has a very strong impact on the storage capacity required. • The optimum mix for the UK is a wind penetration of 84% and a solar PV penetration of 16%. • Considering current costs, a 100% renewable supply would have a LCOE of 80.2 £/MWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over recent times there has been a rise in the number of objects placed into Earth orbit. With various countries licensing a number of large constellations, the orbital population is set to increase dramatically. A significant number of technical advances have facilitated this and, in the UK and elsewhere, this has been matched by the updating of legislation and an increased policy focus on the need for increased space surveillance and tracking. The rise of large constellations coupled with an increasing number of experimental techniques such as active debris removal or on-orbit servicing procedures means that establishing fault will be crucial if litigation is to be successful. In doing this, any legal proceedings will look at both norms of behaviour, deviation from which will point towards fault and the types and standard of evidence that will be required. This paper will outline these problems in detail. It will be proposed that what is required to map out the contours of liability are both codification of the norms for satellite operations and clarity on protocols for evidence gathering in cases where fault may be contested in orbital operations. This discussion will identify that a way in which this could be achieved is by the use of "space law games". These are simulations, similar to military war games, in which fictional scenarios could highlight some of the key legal issues that might need to be dealt with. The paper will outline some of the ways in which the law games might work and pose questions as to what data and other considerations will be needed to make such simulations meaningful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have assessed the energy performance alterations affected by the novel technology of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic in Double-Skin Facades (BIPV-DSF), while lighting performance tied to the BIPV-DSF has not received much attention. This paper provides numerical modelling to assess the effect of BIPV-DSF on both indoor visual condition and energy consumption for an office module under a typical climate in the United Kingdom. The proposed study was focused on the comparisons between a reference case (a DSF office module with both layers using clear double glazing) and a design case of the same office module with BIPV-DSF using semi-transparent Amorphous Silicon PV glazing. Results show a significant drop in maximum daylight illuminance of 73% by configuring the BIPV-DSF with reference to the regular DSF. It was also reported the resultant average and minimum daylight factors (0.65% and 0.00%) were not able to meet indoor visual comfort requirements for office environments. Furthermore, it was found that the use of BIPV-DSF resulted in a net increase of 8% in building energy consumption over the reference DSF. Therefore, it is concluded that in the present context the BIPV-DSF is not viable for a commercial installation under the UK's climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the effect of having a nuclear baseload in a 100% carbon-free electricity system The study analyses numerous scenarios based on different penetrations of conventional nuclear, wind and solar PV power, different levels of overgeneration and different combinations between medium and long duration energy stores (hydrogen and compressed air, respectively) to determine the configuration that achieves the lowest total cost of electricity (TCoE). At their current cost, new baseload nuclear power plants are too expensive. Results indicate the TCoE is minimised when demand is supplied entirely by renewables with no contribution from conventional nuclear. However, small modular reactors may achieve costs of ∼£60/MWh (1.5× current wind cost) in the future. With such costs, supplying ∼80% of the country's electricity demand with nuclear power could minimise the TCoE. In this scenario, wind provides the remaining 20% plus a small percentage of overgeneration (∼2.5%). Hydrogen in underground caverns provides ∼30.5 TWh (81 days) of long-duration energy storage while CAES systems provide 2.8 TWh (∼8 days) of medium-duration storage. This configuration achieves costs of ∼65.8 £/MWh. Batteries (required for short duration imbalances) are not included in the figure. The TCoE achieved will be higher once short duration storage is accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses and compares the performance between a bifacial and a monofacial PV system based on the tests conducted at Heriot-Watt University, UK. The module's performance was observed on different ground reflective surfaces: concrete, white tiles, soil, and white pebbles. The rear side irradiance and bifacial energy gains are analysed. The power output is examined for a sunny and cloudy days, and yearly energy mapping is shown. Correlation studies are performed, and empirical model are developed between (i) clearness index and rear irradiance gain: (ii) rear irradiance gain and bifacial energy gain; (iii) total irradiance and power output. Based on the annual rear irradiance gain analysis, the highest gain range is found for white pebbles and white tiles ground surface (>30 % gain) and lowest for soil surface within the 5 %–10 % range and for concrete, >20 %. Regardless of the ground reflective surface, the probability is low that the bifacial energy gain is more than 30 %. Finally, a case study is discussed to perform a sensitivity analysis of a bifacial PV project's Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The sensitivity analysis shows that by using an enhanced ground albedo surface, the LCOE of the bifacial PV project can be reduced to 7.15p/kWh. The results show consistency with simulations output ran in PVSyst for different locations across the UK and the reported bifacial gain worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Many local authorities are preparing climate actions plans. • Policies to increase distributed energy generation such as PV are likely. • As capacities increase, PV can dominate system variability and predictability. • Predictive demand side response (DSR) may be too coarse to address this. • More granular techniques such as using system frequency may be required. Since 2018, over three quarters of UK local governments have signed climate emergency declarations signalling a new phase in local climate action. Many areas are developing climate action plans and considering what policies could be adopted to increase the use of distributed energy resources, such as building-integrated photo-voltaic (PV) generation. In this paper we demonstrate how city-scale backcasting can be used as a tool to go beyond technical feasibility and explore the policy, market and governance implications of decarbonisation pathways across the local and nation scales. Using urban PV as an example we model three scenarios for increasing installed capacity in the UK city of Bristol and demonstrate how, in each case, PV switches from being a minor 'negative load' on the energy system to being the dominant factor determining the volatility and predictability of the energy demand during daylight hours. Current approaches to integrating distributed energy resources into the wider system tend to focus on predictive modelling and half-hourly pricing to drive demand-side response. Our analysis indicates the risks of relying on these non-real time methods and suggests that more granular techniques such as triggering local DSR based on changes in electricity system frequency could better manage the variability of high levels of PV deployment at the local scale. We also demonstrate the importance of developing new local approaches to system integration that bring together network operators, local authorities and other local actors to deploy renewable generation and flexibility assets in coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between rural space and Brexit. It uses the 2016 UK Referendum outcome and the ongoing processes of Brexit as an optic though which to explore the changing configurations of rural communities and the ways in which they both reinforce and problematise the politics and geographies of Brexit. Taking as its starting point the 'take our country back' nationalism of the 2016 Referendum the paper considers how the anti-migrant, defensive Brexit positions folded into dominant rural imaginaries. Arguing that these imaginaries have always been fractured, the paper shows how this has intensified through the ruralisation of migration in the 2000s. In this context Brexit can be understood as rupture more than a confirmation of nationalist or exclusionary rural imaginaries and the complex intra-rural Leave/Remain geography is indicative of this. Drawing on a small set of in-depth interviews with expert 'policy actors' from rural community and migrant organisations in rural regions in of Wales, England, and Scotland the paper reflects on the rural-Brexit relationship by exploring rural diversity, perceptions of the impacts of Brexit on rural places and rural-migrant dependencies that are social as well as economic. It identifies the interconnected precarity of rural communities' well-being as the decisions of (and constraints on) rural migrants in the post Brexit, re-bordered UK disrupt and affect rural livability. In doing so, it emphasises the ambivalence in the everyday 'rural Brexit' and calls for closer attention to the ways in which rural communities are constitutive of and respond to political turbulence. • Develops the nascent debates around the relationship between Brexit and the rural. • Examines the complexity of that relationship across three national contexts. • Brings together the sociological literature around Brexit with insights from rural sociology. • Explores the lacunae between the rural as an expression of nationalism and the rural as a lived and fluid space. • Draws on and presents situated policy responses from an exploratory empirical study. • Reflects on emergent senses of rural precarity and the importance of rural interdependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Academic staff often experience pedagogic dissonance when first teaching in another country. • They adopt classroom and curriculum strategies to address these challenges. • These strategies are shaped by their own experiences, student diversity and institutional context. Drawing on material from qualitative research with Chinese academics in a UK university and British academics in the Chinese branch campus of that university, this paper places pedagogy at the centre of geographical debates about mobility and the internationalisation of higher education. In particular, it moves beyond the usual focus on the mobility of pedagogy in schools or the teaching of international students in higher education to consider how pedagogic practices are embodied in mobile academic staff, within particular classroom and wider institutional environments. These individuals bring their prior experience of teaching and institutional cultures to a new environment where they come up against approaches and pedagogic practices which may clash with their beliefs about good teaching. This pedagogic dissonance may create feelings of frustration or insecurity, but may also provide opportunities for creativity and self-reflection. The paper focuses on three aspects of pedagogic practice: classroom interactions, language and assessment. The focus on the embodied nature of pedagogic practice extends geographical debates around academic mobility, hierarchies of knowledge, and the internationalisation of higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volunteers have been increasingly important in responding to rising UK poverty in the last decade in the context of austerity and the retracting welfare state. Faith-based organisations in particular have played a vital role in this response but whilst there has been attention to how religious faith can motivate people to volunteer, this paper is one of the first geographical pieces to specifically focus on how volunteers' religious faith is affected by volunteering. Inspired by the geographies of religion, it conceptualises faith as fluid and relational. This means faith cannot only be understood as a motivation at the start of volunteering, and therefore how faith is affected by volunteering needs to be understood. This paper is based on the experiences of volunteers at a participatory research project 'Lunch' responding to UK children's holiday hunger. Engaging with volunteers' journeys at Lunch drew out two dominant ways in which volunteers' religious faith was affected: encouragement and challenge from volunteering at a faith-based project without explicit faith content, and secondly, the challenge of giving an unconditional welcome to volunteers and children at Lunch. Overall, I argue that whilst religious faith can motivate people to volunteer, this is not a unidirectional relationship because volunteers' faith can also be challenged by their experiences which can not only affect their motivations and whether they will persist in volunteering, but can also fundamentally change their understanding of their religious faith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry led schemes to eradicate the endemic cattle disease bovine viral diarrhoea involving government legislation represent a new type of biosecurity governance. This paper explores the governance of schemes to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea in the UK and Ireland, using the concept of the institutional void. The institutional void describes the devolution of responsibility from central government to devolved administrations and industry. In addition, our research took place within the context of uncertainty over Brexit and how this will affect biosecurity governance within the UK, and the UK's relationship with EU countries, particularly Ireland. The paper draws on interviews with key stakeholders involved in the design and administration of the schemes across the UK and Ireland. The paper identifies three institutional logics that motivated the development of the schemes and their design to ensure successful disease eradication. The key findings from the paper were that though the schemes had a novel industry led design, novel governance mechanisms for ensuring compliance other than national government enforcement do not yet exist. The most common response to threats to the schemes' logic was to call for a scaling up of responsibility – from industry to government and from government to the EU. This may allow for the harmonisation of schemes and enforcement of compliance but may also open up fresh legitimacy challenges as control of the scheme is also scaled up from industry to government and government to the EU. While past research has shown that international biosecurity regulation can become depoliticised by the actors involved and is treated as a risk calculation exercise, this was not the case with BVD eradication schemes where the meaning of 'BVD free' was a politicised concept. The schemes represented a new departure in biosecurity governance and so raise the need to rethink what compliance means in an industry-government hybrid scheme – is it compliance with epidemiological advice or compliance with the law and how can these two meanings be best harmonised? • Schemes eradicating BVD in UK and Ireland are novel forms of biosecurity governance. • Schemes are industry led and involve industry-government partnerships. • Despite novel partnerships government seen as having responsibility for compliance. • Disagreements about role of government and whether BVD is public or industry good. • Harmonising schemes between countries was about scaling up responsibility to the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how conceptions of displacement have been challenged and adapted as the study of gentrification has expanded to encompass a series of new contexts, including post-industrial conversions and new-build urban developments within and beyond the Global North. Attention is draw to Peter Marcuse's work on displacement, and how some of his conceptualisations of different forms of displacement have been significant in cross-contextual discussions of gentrification, although other aspects of his work, such as his discussions of the relationship between abandonment and displacement have received less attention. Drawing on work of Marcuse, the earlier work of George and Eustice Grier, and a series of more contemporary studies, the paper argues for the adoption of more multi-dimensional and temporally sensitive conceptualisations of gentrification displacement. It then seeks to illustrate the value of this conceptualisation in the study of a further context of gentrification, namely the study of rural gentrification. The paper highlights recent debates over the significance of displacement, and thereby gentrification, to the study of demographic change in rural areas of the UK. Attention is drawn to studies that have made reference to displacement impacts of rural gentrification, before drawing on research conducted by the authors in nine villages located in six districts of England. The paper highlights evidence of 'disinvestment displacement' occurring prior to the major onset of gentrification in these villages, through 'reinvestment displacement' and 'direct displacement' at the point of gentrification, 'chain displacement' occurring both before and after the point of property gentrification, and 'exclusionary displacement', and material and experiential 'displacement pressures', operating once gentrification had started to take hold in these locations. Displacement is further shown to involve not only housing but also employment conditions, access to services, and the symbolism, practices and affective relations that people have with human and more-than-human constituents of space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]