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This methodological paper discusses and critiques the 'insider' and 'outsider' models of action research described in the nursing literature. It highlights tensions and problems with these models and demonstrates how the models developed by the authors -- the 'double-act' and 'collaborative group' partnerships -- overcome these difficulties. The success of this approach suggests that such partnerships of nurse practitioners and a researcher should be considered when practitioners want to introduce innovation and facilitate change in practice and generate and test theory which is relevant to practice. The paper is presented in the form of a commentary, interspersed with reflective conversations in which the authors illustrate and reflect upon their attempts to make the methodology described a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a talk given at a joint meeting of the London Mathematical Society and the British Society for the History of Mathematics held in Oxford on 13 May 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 01A60, 46-03, 47-03. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at the concept of Black History Month and its implications for teaching and learning in art and design education. It argues that the concept of Black History Month should be discarded because it tends to promote a separatist notion of culture and that it deflects from an understanding of culture as a plural and intermeshing process. The paper interrogates history as a discourse, problematising our use of the word. The article then looks through the eyes of two groups of African Caribbean young people at Black History Month, as a curriculum initiative. The first group was interviewed at a south London gallery and the second at a conference for African Caribbean learners in Oxford. Two art and design educationalists who participated in the research project that included the south London young people make a significant contribution to the paper. It concludes with a personal interpretation of movements in art and the practice of a contemporary artist whose work endorse the key philosophical position posited in the text that culture is always a process on interweaving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titles reviewed in this section of Ibis are available for reference at the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK. The library is open to BOU members, Monday to Friday (09:00–17:00 h). Please write or telephone (+44 (0)1865 271143) prior to your visit to ensure the library is open. The aim of the Alexander Library is to build up a comprehensive collection of literature as a service to ornithologists. Its holdings include an extensive range of periodicals and a large number of reprints drawn from many sources: additional reprints of readers’ papers are always welcome. The library has always greatly benefited from its close relationship with the BOU. For a number of years, all journals received in exchange for Ibis have been deposited in the library, and through the generosity of reviewers, most of the books sent for review. In return, as a service to readers, this review section of Ibis is organized and edited by Michael G. Wilson and Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute, with the help of a panel of contributors. They are always grateful for offers of further assistance with reviewing, especially with foreign language titles. Part of the cost of this book review section has been subsidized by Subbuteo Natural History Books. Subbuteo are an international mail-order book company stocking over 2000 titles covering all natural and environmental sciences. They can also source titles from around the world. Titles reviewed here can be ordered from Subbuteo and payment can be accepted by credit card or cheques in £/$. Postage, packing and insurance is £1.99 per order. International postage is charged at cost; please contact them for a quote. To order a book or to request the full catalogue please contact: Subbuteo Natural History Books Ref. 0252, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR, UK. Tel: 0870 010 9700 Fax: 0870 010 9699. Email: Website: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes a multiproject practice development programme undertaken over a period of 1 year. The background and development of the programme are outlined, whilst attention is paid to the innovatory nature of the work, particularly the use of inductive, deductive and integrated approaches to both change implementation and project supervision. The programme was monitored throughout using different data sources and the paper uses evaluative material retrospectively to provide answers to organizational and professional difficulties which arose during the course of the programme. The authors conclude that the use of combinations of different models for practice development has potential, but requires careful supervision. They also recommend that those involved in practice development are made fully aware of its local or micropolitics, and develop strategies to deal with change before it occurs, not after it has taken place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is in memory of Philip Andrews, with whom the author has worked in the journal, "Oxford Economic Papers." Philip's enthusiasm was unflagging and his energy inexhaustible. He was always full of ideas about the ways in which the policy should evolve and, at the same time, he was ready to devote unlimited effort to the exacting labor of producing the journal without secretarial assistance. Philip had a strong sense of continuity. He was anxious to ensure that the lines of research, both empirical and theoretical, with which he had been associated should be carried forward and he became the leading member of the Oxford Economists' Research Group. Philip read widely, far beyond the field of economics, both in philosophy and in general literature. Moreover, if he was, in one sense, a genuine revolutionary in his own subject, he was also a traditionalist in that he looked back with regret to the works of an earlier generation when the subject was less narrowly confined within a barrier of conventional assumptions and less exclusively concerned with the manipulation of equations.

The titles reviewed in this section of Ibis are available for reference at the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK. The library is open to Ibis readers, Monday to Friday (09:00–17:00 h). Please write, telephone (+44 (0)1 865 271143) or email ( or ) prior to your visit to ensure the library is open. The aim of the Alexander Library is to build up a comprehensive collection of literature as a service to ornithologists. Its holdings include an extensive range of periodicals and a large number of reprints drawn from many sources: additional reprints of readers’ papers are always welcome. The library has always greatly benefited from its close relationship with the BOU. For many years, all journals received in exchange for Ibis have been deposited in the library, as have most of the books sent for review, through the generosity of reviewers and publishers. In return, as a service to readers, this review section of Ibis is organized and edited by Michael G. Wilson and Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute, with the help of a panel of contributors. They are always grateful for offers of further assistance with reviewing, especially with foreign-language titles. Books for review: publishers are kindly asked to send two copies of each title to Ibis Book Reviews, Alexander Library, EGI, Dept of Zoology, Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK. This book review section is supported by Subbuteo Natural History Books. Subbuteo are an international mail-order book company stocking over 2000 titles covering all natural and environmental sciences. They can also source titles from around the world. Titles reviewed in Ibis can be ordered from Subbuteo and payment can be made by credit card or cheques in £/$. Postage, packing and insurance is £1.99 per order. International postage is charged at cost; please contact Subbuteo for a quote. Subbuteo Natural History Books Ref. 0252, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)870 010 9700 Fax: +44 (0)870 010 9699 Email: Website: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: What are the impacts of factors controlling patterns of change in woodland field-layer vegetation, through time? Location: Wytham Woods, Oxford, UK (51°41′ N, 1°19′ W). Methods: Species occurrence was monitored in 163 permanent plots three times between 1973 and 2002 and related to management compartment and history. The dataset was analysed using a combination of ordination methods, univariate and multivariate analysis of variance and HOF modelling. Results: The two key findings of this paper are: (1) that the species composition of ancient woodlands (often cited as a conservation goal), may be moving along an `undesirable' trajectory, from a conservation viewpoint; and (2) that the impact of a synergistic effect of changing canopy dynamics, nitrogen deposition and a rising deer population has resulted in an increase in grass species, at the expense of woodland herbs. These findings have significant implications for the practical conservation of similar habitats across Europe. Conclusions: The analytical methodology presented here allowed detailed assessment of the potential roles of a range of environmental factors controlling change. The methodology may be applicable to other long-term studies of vegetation, and is particularly appropriate for identification of cross-site drivers, such as pollutant load and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titles reviewed in this section of Ibis are available for reference at the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK. The library is open to BOU members, Monday to Friday (09:00–17:00 h). Please write or telephone (+44 (0)1865 271143) prior to your visit to ensure the library is open. The aim of the Alexander Library is to build up a comprehensive collection of literature as a service to ornithologists. Its holdings include an extensive range of periodicals and a large number of reprints drawn from many sources: additional reprints of readers’ papers are always welcome. The library has always greatly benefited from its close relationship with the BOU. For a number of years, all journals received in exchange for Ibis have been deposited in the library, and through the generosity of reviewers, most of the books sent for review. In return, as a service to readers, this review section of Ibis is organized and edited by Michael G. Wilson and Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute, with the help of a panel of contributors. They are always grateful for offers of further assistance with reviewing, especially with foreign language titles. Part of the cost of this book review section has been subsidized by Subbuteo Natural History Books. Subbuteo are an international mail-order book company stocking over 2000 titles covering all natural and environmental sciences. They can also source titles from around the world. Titles reviewed here can be ordered from Subbuteo and payment can be accepted by credit card or cheques in £/$. Postage, packing and insurance is £1.99 per order. International postage is charged at cost; please contact them for a quote. To order a book or to request the full catalogue please contact: Subbuteo Natural History Books Ref. 0252, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR, UK. Tel: 0870 010 9700 Fax: 0870 010 9699. Email: Website: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titles reviewed in this section of Ibis are available for reference at the Alexander Library of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK. The library is open to BOU members, Monday to Friday (09:00–17:00 h). Please write or telephone (+44 (0)1865 271143) prior to your visit to ensure the library is open. The aim of the Alexander Library is to build up a comprehensive collection of literature as a service to ornithologists. Its holdings include an extensive range of periodicals and a large number of reprints drawn from many sources: additional reprints of readers’ papers are always welcome. The library has always greatly benefited from its close relationship with the BOU. For a number of years, all journals received in exchange for Ibis have been deposited in the library, and through the generosity of reviewers, most of the books sent for review. In return, as a service to readers, this review section of Ibis is organized and edited by Michael G. Wilson and Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute, with the help of a panel of contributors. They are always grateful for offers of further assistance with reviewing, especially with foreign language titles. Part of the cost of this book review section has been subsidized by Subbuteo Natural History Books. Subbuteo are an international mail-order book company stocking over 2000 titles covering all natural and environmental sciences. They can also source titles from around the world. Titles reviewed here can be ordered from Subbuteo and payment can be accepted by credit card or cheques in £/$. Postage, packing and insurance is £1.99 per order. International postage is charged at cost; please contact them for a quote. To order a book or to request the full catalogue please contact: Subbuteo Natural History Books Ref. 0252, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR, UK. Tel: 0870 010 9700 Fax: 0870 010 9699. Email: Website: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the highlights of the Sixth International Quality Reliability and Maintenance (QRM) conference that was held at the St. Edmund Hall of the University of Oxford, England in March 2007. Research areas covered during the convention include quantitative infrared thermography, digital vibration analysis, integrated approaches to condition monitoring, computation analysis in conditioning monitoring, non-destructive testing and evaluation, and education, training, standards and competences.

Comments on Kadry et al.'s paper presenting views of anaesthetists in the Oxford region regarding combined regional and general anesthetics, published in the 2001 issue of the journal 'Anaesthesia.' Importance of standard care in anaesthetic administration; Risk factors of anesthetics.

Background: The Nutrition Checklist screening tool was developed by dietitians for the trauma nursing staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Its purpose was to identify those at nutritional risk so that dietetic assessment and intervention could be implemented. This paper focuses on a single day audit that was devised 5 months post-initiation of the Nutrition Checklist. Method: Data from 48 nursing care plans was used to measure compliance of recording a nutrition score (and re-scoring where applicable) alongside the timing of dietetic referral and intervention. Results: Sixty-seven per cent (32/48) of trauma patients had a nutrition score recorded, however only 75% (24/32) of these patients were scored within 24 h of admission. Of those due for reassessment, only 38% (11/29) were rescored. Eighty-eight per cent (23/26) of the patients who scored ≥ 3 (automatic referrals) were referred to the dietitian; the dietitian documented 100% (23/23) of referrals. Conclusion: The audit suggests limited use of the screening tool by nurses. Collaboration between the nursing team, dietitian, consultant team, catering and clinical auditors could improve compliance in the use of the Nutrition Checklist and ultimately lead to improved clinical practice in nutritional care delivery. Despite its limitations, the audit exercise was a valuable learning experience in the maintenance of a nursing Nutrition Checklist. Further research is needed to assess whether the introduction of such a screening tool improves patient outcomes by minimizing nutrition-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a framework used by the National Institute for Nursing in Oxford to integrate research, development and practice. With the increasing attention given to the topic of how research findings are implemented into clinical practice, it was felt important to share the challenges that have arisen in attempting to combine traditional research activities with more practice-based development work. The emerging conceptual framework, structures and functions are described, highlighting the variety of partnerships to be established in order to achieve the goal of integrating research into practice. While the underpinning principles of the framework -- generating knowledge, implementing research into practice and evaluating the effectiveness of programmes -- are not new, it is the way they have been combined within an organizational structure that could be helpful to others considering such a strategy. Both the strengths and weaknesses of the framework are discussed, a number of conclusions drawn as to its robustness and consideration given to its replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home Office statistics provide some evidence of the rapid growth of heroin abuse. In 1960 there were 63 known addicts in the age group 34 years and under, and by 1968, when notification of addiction to heroin was made compulsory under the Notification of Addicts' Act, the number had risen to 2,294 The use of methadone ("Physeptone") both in withdrawal and in long-term maintenance therapy, has resulted in cases of additional dependence. The aim of this paper is to present an enumerative survey of abuse of these two drugs by persons of 30 years of age and under, known to have resided at some time within the Oxford City boundaries during the year 1969. The initial model for this study was that published by de Alarcon and Rathod in 1968. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the topics discusses during the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) symposium on human evolution held in 2007 in Oxford, England is presented. It features several topics on human evolution from the molecular evidence for human evolution to specific regions of the body. It also highlights a summary of the fossil evidence for human evolution discussed by anatomists Bernard Wood and Nicholas Lonergan.

The article offers information the joint spring meeting of the British Society for Matrix Biology and the German Connective Tissue Society (DGBF) which was held on April 2-4, 2012 at Oxford, England. The meeting was held in several sessions focusing on nanotechnology and cell adhesion and fibrosis. It includes several papers presented at the meeting on several topics including heparan sulphate, callus differentiation and glucocorticoids.

Information about several papers discussed at the conference entitled "21st-Century Anthropology: Global Process and Power," held at Rhodes House in Oxford, England on June 28-29, 2007. The conference has focused on the aspects of anthropology. Among the speakers include Thomas Eriksen, Gerhard Anders, and David Gellner.

Using data from the Oxford Record Linkage Study (ORLS), we conducted a case-control study to examine prenatal risk factors for cryptorchidism. We identified 1449 boys born during 1970-86 for whom there was a record of an orchidopexy during 1970-87. Up to eight controls were matched to each case on year of birth and hospital or place of delivery. For each boy and his mother we extracted abstracts of maternity and general hospital records from the ORLS. Low birthweight (trend P < 0.001), low social class (trend P < 0.001), breech presentation (relative risk 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16, 2.41), pre-eclampsia (1.17 [1.00, 1.37]), artificial feeding (1.22 [1.04, 1.45]) and episiotomy (1.13 [1.00, 1.27]) were identified as independent risk factors for cryptorchidism. Gestational age was not independently associated with cryptorchidism after adjusting for birthweight (P = 0.33), and this observation suggested that some cryptorchid boys may have suffered from intrauterine growth retardation. Low birthweight, breech presentation and pre-eclampsia may have in common poor placental function and impaired fetal growth, which may be causes of cryptorchidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fine structure of the periphyton of Chara sp. from Wytham pond, Oxford, is examined using transmission and stereoscan electron microscopy. As a result of this investigation the structural proximity of each periphyte component as required by Wetzel and Allen's metabolic model of macrophyte-periphyton interaction is amply confirmed. The application of stereoscan electron microscopy to a study of feeding in periphyton consumers is also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights the meeting of the European Weed Research Council in Oxford, England in April 1960. Excerpts from a report of the editor of the journal "Weed Research"; Activities of the committees of the European Weed Research Council.

Profiles Reginald Hems, a biochemist at the Metabolic Research Laboratory, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Personal background; Career history; Achievements; Contributions to biochemistry.

No Apstract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on author's reply on comments by optometrists B.C. Reeves and A.R. Hill at the Oxford Eye Hospital in Oxford, England, regarding his research paper on optometry. He says that Reeves is misled in believing that the coefficient of repeatability directly gives a value for a significant change in score. This is only strictly true when used with continuous data. When used with quasi-continuous data, the value for a significant change in score is more accurately recorded as one increment above the coefficient of repeatability.

This paper explores the interplay of factors that produce specific local patterns of interaction between firms and universities, using survey evidence from a comparative study of two e´lite locations, the Oxford and Cambridge regions. It uses these examples to examine why innovating firms have external links, why they have them with universities, which spatial mechanisms are significant in the place-specific technology transfer links universities have with firms in their immediate hinterlands, and what kinds of institutional factors influence the form links take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the quality of study and teaching of modern languages at Oxford University in Oxford, England. Views on the tutorial offered by the university; Examples of the type of subjects which a student can choose to offer as his additional papers; Description of the faculty and facilities offered in the university.

In Europe in recent years, there has been recognition of the need to better understand the risk from groundwater flooding. This recognition has been due both to the occurrence of major flooding events clearly attributable to groundwater and the inclusion of groundwater flooding in European and national legislation. The case study of the city of Oxford on the River Thames flood plain in UK is used to examine the mechanisms for groundwater flooding in urbanised flood plain settings. Reference is made to an extensive data set gathered during a major flood event in 2007. Groundwater flooding of a significant number of properties is shown to occur in areas isolated from fluvial flooding because of high ground created historically to protect property and the transport network from flood inundation. The options for mitigating this form of flooding are discussed; measures to increase the rate of conveyance of flood waters through Oxford, designed to reduce fluvial flood risk, have also been recognised as a means for reducing groundwater flood risk within the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The recent discovery in St John's College of a mass burial of mostly young adult males with severe perimortem blade trauma has prompted the suggestion that these may be related to the St Brice's Day Massacre in Oxford on 13th November AD 1002. Three radiocarbon determinations suggest that a date in the tenth century is more likely. We have nevertheless undertaken an isotopic study of the bone collagen (δ13C and δ15N) and dental enamel (δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) in an attempt to answer the question 'were these individuals of Danish descent?' Our conclusion is somewhat ambiguous, but the bone collagen suggests a diet more like other Scandinavian populations than that of local groups, and the enamel isotopes point towards a Scandinavian rather than a lowland English origin. Comparison with Oxford Archaeology's recently excavated Weymouth Ridgeway mass burial suggests, however, that the execution of a captured raiding party is more likely than the slaughter of Oxford inhabitants of Danish descent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the thirty-third list of dates measured at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) by Oxford University in Oxford, England. It states that such dates include those measured in laboratories funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and English Heritage. Comments on the dates of archaeological and environmental samples are also provided.

Finding the most biologically meaningful scale at which to describe environmental variation is a persistent problem in ecology. Most studies of forest passerines are conducted at the scale of the habitat or woodland and do not account for environmental variation between individual breeding sites. Here we employ two GIS models, and four spatial scales, to describe environmental variation among 4683 Great Tit Parus major breeding sites occupied over a 32-year period in Wytham Wood, Oxford, UK, and use these data to help explain variation in an environmentally sensitive trait, first egg date. Model 1 used Thiessen polygons to generate individual spatial scales for each breeding pair, while Model 2 used a range of predetermined radial scales around each breeding site. Environmental variables included local altitude and aspect estimated from a Digital Terrain Model, and the number of Oak Quercus robur trees around each nest-site, used here as a surrogate for local food (caterpillar) availability. In a Linear Mixed Model, Model 2 explained the most variation in lay-date at a scale of 25 m from each nestbox. However, the model that returned the lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) contained environmental variables from Model 2, but measured at different fixed spatial scales of between 25 and 75 m. Results from this final model showed that birds breeding in low-altitude, north-facing and Oak-rich areas bred earlier than those in high-altitude, south-facing and Oak-poor areas, at radial scales of 25, 75 and 75 m from each nestbox, respectively. In addition, birds in interior sites bred earlier than those nearer the woodland edge, although this edge effect was only apparent on north-facing slopes. Thus, the current study demonstrates that a range of GIS models can be effectively used to scale and describe environmental variation between individual breeding sites, and that fine-scale topographic variation, food availability and edge proximity can affect the breeding date of Great Tits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section is collated by Steve Dudley (BOU Administrator). Requests for the publication of information, and other assistance which is considered to be of interest to our readers, will be considered sympathetically. Publicity will be given to relevant grants and awards that can be applied for and to new societies operating within the field of ornithology, birds and birding. Details of conferences, meetings and other events will be included if sent at least six months in advance of the event, and news of members’ activities is particularly welcome. All contributions are restricted to 500 words, and should be sent in RTF on disk or by email to: The Administrator, BOU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK. Tel./Fax: +44 (0)1865 281842. Email: Deadlines for contributions: 15 September (January issue); 15 December (April issue); 15 March (July issue); 15 June (October issue). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article tells of King Charles II's visit to the University of Oxford in England in 1660. The return of King Charles II in May 1660 to Oxford found the university under presbyterian government. The article discusses the conflict that resulted from the university administration's political affiliation with the victorious rebel cause and the personal advantages that they gained from the ejection of the defeated royalist dons.

The article summarizes the experience of librarians who attended the Teaching Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in Oxford, England. Each morning all participants assembled for a plenary session, covering topics such as ‘EBM in homeopathic doses’ and the dynamics of small-group teaching. The librarian tutor at the EBM workshop took on both tutor and participant roles which enabled them to both provide and gain knowledge as well as participating fully in all aspects of the small group work. At the end of the week, workshop participants completed an evaluation form, which included questions on the searching sessions and the librarian tutors’ involvement.

Presents topics and issues discussed during the Fourth European Conference on Comparative Neurobiology held on April 2004 at Saint John's College in Oxford, England. Devotion on the first day of discussion on forebrain evolution; Presentation of new research findings on tecto-thalamo-telencephalic projections in reptiles and birds; Analysis of the anatomy and physiology of the neural circuits and segmental motor apparatus subserving swimming in lamprey.

There is currently little and conflicting evidence concerning the existence of socio-economic inequalities in cerebral palsy prevalence, or the extent to which this is influenced by socio-economic inequalities in low birthweight, a strong risk factor for cerebral palsy. The study is based on 753 children registered with cerebral palsy, resident in the former Oxford Regional Health Authority area and born in the years 1984-90. Two population definitions were used: 1. Children with cerebral palsy resident at birth in the area, with resident births as denominator, 2. Children with cerebral palsy resident at age 5 in the area, with children of ages 1-7 resident in the area in the 1991 census as denominator. Children with cerebral palsy and all births/children were classified according to the Carstairs area deprivation index (grouped into quintiles) of their ward of residence. The prevalence among residents at birth varied from 2.08 per 1000 births in the most affluent quintile to 3.33 in the most deprived quintile (trend P < 0.001). Although there was a tendency for children to move to more affluent areas during early childhood, the socio-economic gradient was similar at age 5. A greater proportion of births in the more deprived quintiles were of low or very low birthweight, the proportion rising from 5.6% in the most affluent quintile to 8.2% in the most deprived. Within the normal birthweight category there was a trend for higher prevalence of cerebral palsy in more deprived quintiles, from 1.29 per 1000 in the most affluent quintile to 2.42 in the most deprived quintile (trend P < 0.001). Within the low birthweight and very low birthweight groups, separately or combined, there was no evidence of any relationship between cerebral palsy prevalence and deprivation. We estimate that up to 17% of cerebral palsy cases might be "preventable" in terms of the reduction to be expected if the whole population had the rate of cerebral palsy of the most affluent quintile. Although the strong socio-economic gradient for cerebral palsy was restricted to the normal birthweight category, we estimate that two-thirds of the excess cases in the population associated with greater socio-economic deprivation were normal birthweight cases, and one-third were low birthweight cases owing to the greater prevalence of low birthweight in more deprived populations. The pattern of socio-economic inequalities should be further explored in other regions, and should be taken into account in aetiological research, and in the effective delivery and evaluation of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Numeracy Recovery scheme described here involves working with children who have been identified by their teachers as having problems with arithmetic. These children are assessed on eight components of early numeracy: (1) principles and procedures related to counting; (2) use of written arithmetical symbolism; (3) use of place value in arithmetic; (4) understanding and solution of word problems; (5) translation between concrete, verbal and numerical formats; (6) use of derived fact strategies for calculation; (7) arithmetical estimation and (8) memory for number facts. The children received weekly individual intervention in the particular components with which they were found to have difficulty. For the first 62 children in the project, Wilcoxon tests showed a significant improvement in standardised scores in both tests following intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lower proportion of women than men obtain first class degrees at British universities (the so-called gender gap). At Oxford University, this difference is not seen in all degree subjects but is found both in some Arts and in some Science subjects. We have used a questionnaire administered under supervision to undergraduates 2 to 3 months before their final examination to assess factors which might be expected to affect examination performance. These included measures of verbal and non-verbal reasoning (Alice Heim AH6 test), self-esteem, motivation, responses to stresses of examinations and of personal relationships, happiness, risk-taking and working patterns. We have also obtained a detailed breakdown of the marks the students were given in the examination. Women scored higher on negative emotions while men scored higher on self-esteem, their perception of their own academic efficacy and on risk-taking strategies, but none of these factors predicted outcome. Verbal reasoning ability did predict outcome but there was no gender difference. Hence, it is concluded that the gender gap is not due to any of these individual differences and is more likely to be related to the nature of the academic assessment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the development of the Royal Microscopical Society in Oxford, England. Topics of research papers; Introduction of phase contrast microscope; Occurrence of genetic disabilities.

This section presents the calls for paper for the Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Accounting Conference in Oxford, England from July 8-10, 1985.

This article examines the financing options of universities and colleges in Oxford and Cambridge, England, between 1871 and 1913. The gross income of 12 colleges in Cambridge was ascertained to have been approximately 137,700 pounds per annum, in 1850, and estimated that of all 17 colleges at not less than 185,000 pounds per annum. Broadly comparable figures for 1871 were 221,600 pounds and 279,000 pounds. The increase was due to the running out of leases. This system of "beneficial leases" was distinctly disadvantageous for landlords, and by the 1840's reformers were seeking to move towards one of rack-rent. Neither Cambridge nor Oxford colleges spent unreasonably: after 1883 repairs accounted for between 11 and 24 per cent of gross income from land and housing, as compared with an automatic income-tax allowance for this purpose of 12 and a half per cent and a maximum allowance of 25 per cent. At Cambridge expenditure rose sharply to a peak in 1883; and thereafter most colleges clearly sought to economize on repairs, at least until the greater prosperity of the twentieth century. Oxford colleges were slower to increase their expenditure.

It is generally believed that the prevalence of drug misuse, and especially of opioid misuse, is increasing. The prevalence of heroin misuse in Oxford City was estimated accurately in 1969 using a detailed multi-agency enumeration method, and it was therefore possible to repeat this procedure to obtain an estimate of the current prevalence, and hence a longitudinal view of the problem. In one year 246 heroin users were identified, giving an overall 12-month period prevalence rate of 3.7 per thousand in the age range 15-49 years. This finding suggests that the prevalence of heroin misuse in Oxford City is little different from that of 1969. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the political system of Oxford Union at Oxford University in England in the late 20th century. He cited that from the General Strike in 1926, there was little political interest among undergraduates who were still dominated by the Public School element. He emphasized that academic standards were still low although entrance standards had been raised after the First World War and the university life still appeared to be a continual struggle.

The article features a long-term study of the Great Tit Parus Major L. According to the article this started in 1947 in the 63 acres of Marley Wood on the Wytham estate near Oxford, England. It also notes that in the western Europe, the great tit is primarily adapted to broad-leaved woods and Marley, a mixed broad-leaved wood is highly suited to it, except for a paucity of old trees. It notes that the factors determining the reproductive rate of the great tit are discussed briefly, as well as the survival of young species of Marley.

The article presents a study that investigates on the role of bryophytes in the formation of calcareous fens in Oxford, England. The study was conducted by assessing the different types of water accumulated in calcareous peat wherein its essence depend on the content level of oxygen and nitrate. The study reveals that bryophytes assume an essential role in the succession of open water carried though the calcareous fens in the district as well as the formation of phanerogamic seedlings in different stages of soil. It also discusses the zonation characteristics of tussocks and the procedure in the establishment of fens.

The article presents a study that investigates on the structure of the root system of beech that grows in woodland soil in Oxford, England. The study was carried out through qualitative observations and analyzes on the different elemental values found in the leaves and buds as well as nitrogen content and root concentrations of minerals. The study reveals that beech grow in different types and ranges of soil and the root condition depend on the availability of microorganisms. In addition, the author notes that beech that grows in escarpment soils presents higher rates of nitrogen content and mobilization with less mycorrhizal roots.

The article investigates the seasonal variations in the acidity of woodland soils in chosen stations in Bagley Wood, near Oxford, England at monthly intervals from December 1932 to November 1937. Specifically, the authors investigate the acidity on the upper and lower layers of soil in seven stations which represent three types of woodland soil. Findings show that there are statistically significant annual and monthly variations in soil acidity, and these variations are related to total annual rainfall and monthly variations in rainfall, respectively.

The article reports on a comparative study of ecological observations made during the years 1921-1924 and 1936 on alluvial meadows, such as grazed and mown meadows. These meadows border the River Thames close to Oxford. Historical evidence shows that these alluvial meadows are unique in England. The article also provides comparisons of floristic lists from the two types of meadows and lists of species common and exclusive to the two. A prominent factor for most of the differences observed is the presence or absence of grazing.

The article offers information on a study done during six years from 1922 to 1927 of about seventy posts at Bagley Wood, near Oxford, England which are inhabited by the animal community. It states that the animals which are regularly seen on the posts come to perform various activities, and mentions that some animals come to feed or to oviposit on wood, bark, fungus or on willow leaves, while others to devour the vegetarians. It offers information on various organisms that are associated with the wood of the posts as well as the food relations of the willow community. It mentions that the study showed very little connection between the post-insects and those that feed on the willows, but the ant, Acanthomyops niger L., which nests in the posts, attends aphides on the willows.

The article focuses on consequences of the pattern of recruitment adopted by most hospitals recognized as training schools by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales. The facts presented in this article comes from a longitudinal study of recruitment to and withdrawal from five school of nursing in the Oxford area, England, carried out for the Oxford Area Nurse Training Committee with financial assistance from the General Nursing Council. In 1960 some 300 girls were accepted for three year training leading to state registration. These students were interviewed at various stages in their training and information on their progress and subsequent success or failure in the qualifying examination was made available by the administrative nursing staff. The initial focus of the research was on the relationship between the characteristics and of individual entrants and their subsequent success or failure. As the survey progressed the importance of the recruitment procedure and the structure and organization of the individual schools began to emerge.

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