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Systemic risk and oil price volatility shocks
No full textWe examine the impact of different types of oil price volatility shocks on firm’s systemic risk using a large panel dataset of US firms. Oil price volatility shocks occur due to changes in supply or demand for oil, or through idiosyncratic fluctuations of oil prices. Our findings indicate that the supply-driven or idiosyncratic oil price volatility shocks reduce systemic risk, whereas demand-driven shocks have the opposite effect. Large-cap and high-beta firms amplify the impact of oil price volatility shocks on firms’ systemic risk. Importantly, firms with extensive supply chain networks exacerbate systemic risk when facing demand-driven oil price volatility shocks.</p
Thinking outside the therapeutic box: the potential of polyphenols in preventing chemotherapy-induced endothelial dysfunction
No full textThe numerous side effects and adverse health implications associated with chemotherapies have long plagued the field of cancer care. Whilst in some cases a curative measure, this highly toxic intervention consistently scores poorly on quantitative measures of tolerability and safety. Of these side effects, cardiac and microvascular defects pose the greatest health risk and are the leading cause of death amongst cancer survivors who do not succumb to relapse. In fact, in many low-grade cancers, the risk of recurrence is far outweighed by the cardiovascular risk of morbidity. As such, there is a pressing need to improve outcomes within these populations. Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring metabolites that have shown potential vasoprotective effects. Studies suggest they possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to directly modulating vascular signalling pathways and gene expression. Leveraging these properties may help counteract the vascular toxicity induced by chemotherapy. In this review, we outline the main mechanisms by which the endothelium is damaged by chemotherapeutic agents and discuss the ability of polyphenols to counteract such side effects. We suggest future considerations that may help overcome some of the published limitations of these compounds that have stalled their clinical success. Finally, we briefly explore their pharmacological properties and how novel approaches could enhance their efficacy while minimising treatment-related side effects.</p
Do industrial decarbonization policies deliver? A global assessment of policy effectiveness across 150 nations, 1990-2020
No full textIndustry is the fastest growing sector of carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the single largest source of global greenhouse emissions. Industrial decarbonization policies have therefore emerged as critical components of any attempt to achieve net-zero energy transitions. However, little research has examined the effectiveness of those industrial decarbonization policies. We fill this gap by examining trends in industrial greenhouse gas emissions and whether industrial decarbonization policies (and particular policy instruments) are effective in reducing industrial sector emissions. We use panel data from 150 nations from 1990 to 2020 to examine the effect of industrial decarbonization policy instruments (drawing from an inventory of more than 700 policies across different countries) on industrial greenhouse gas emissions. We find that Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Cuba experienced the largest decreases in industrial emissions, whereas developing countries in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Kuwait experienced the greatest growth in emissions. We also find that industrial decarbonization policy leads to reductions in industrial greenhouse gas emissions, and that these effects are primarily driven by two policy types: (1) payments, finance, and taxation and (2) strategic plans. We also find some (but inconsistent) evidence that (1) regulation, (2) grants, (3) codes and standards, (4) minimum energy performance standards, (5) voluntary approaches, and (6) negotiated agreements (public-private sector) are associated with a reduction in emissions and that (1) payments and transfers, (2) information and education, and (3) targets, plans, and framework legislation may be associated with decreases or increases in emissions. By using dynamic modeling and event study approaches, we observe that the introduction of industrial decarbonization policy has persistent effects well into the future. The effect of each additional policy lasts between 4-19 years, and the effects of payments, finance, and taxation and strategic planning policies last between 4-18 years on average.</p
Child mental health practitioners' perspectives on providing support for families where there is intimate partner violence: navigating complex family relationships and fear at home
No full textBackgroundChildren who experience and are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) between their parents or carers are at greater risk of mental health problems and are more likely to use mental health services. Prevalence studies suggest that between 10 and 35 % of children attending children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS) have experienced parental IPV. Despite forming a considerable proportion of practitioner caseloads, we have limited knowledge of CYPMHS practitioner perspectives on working with children who have experienced parental IPV.ObjectiveTo understand the perspective of CYPMHS practitioners on providing support for children who have experienced parental IPV.MethodsSecondary qualitative analysis of interview transcripts from a wider study.Participants and setting: Nine CYMPHS practitioners from three areas of England.ResultsWe constructed four themes: 1) Understanding family contexts and fear: time and complexity; 2) Supporting the non-abusing parent: empathy, understanding and conflict; 3) Interacting with abusing parents: fear of causing harm and lack of confidence; 4) Teams of superheroes: the hope and the challenges.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that working with children who have experienced IPV adds additional complexity for CYMPHS practitioners. They would benefit from specialist domestic abuse input to support them to understand post-separation abuse and to interact with both the abusing and non-abusing parent.</p
ChatGPT, extended: large language models and the extended mind
No full textRecent research has relied on the use of fine-tuning techniques to incorporate philosophical knowledge into Large Language Models (LLMs). The present paper outlines an alternative approach to the development of such systems—one that is rooted in a technique known as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). In contrast to fine-tuning, RAG does not seek to adjust the internal parameters (or internal memory) of an LLM. Instead, RAG relies on the retrieval of information from an externally-situated store, which functions as a form of non-parametric (or external) memory. Applying this technique to the works of the contemporary philosopher Andy Clark yields Digital Andy: an LLM that is able to respond to questions about the extended mind. This serves as a practical demonstration of RAG-based techniques, highlighting how philosophical knowledge can be ‘incorporated’ into an LLM without the need for additional machine learning. But Digital Andy’s reliance on extra-systemic resources also raises questions about the scope of active externalist theorizing, encouraging us to consider Digital Andy’s status as an extended cognitive/computational system. Addressing these questions reveals some interesting points of convergence between the philosophical effort to understand the extended mind and the technological effort to build the next generation of LLMs.</p
Active participants as primary victims: a forgotten categorisation
No full textRecovery for negligently-inflicted pure psychiatric harm is problematic in the UK. The range of foreseeable physical injury, or zone of danger, has emerged as the dominant test for primary victims. Despite a broader test of active participatory primary victimhood being recognised by the House of Lords in Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, and referred to in some of the subsequent case law since then, it is a category that has largely disappeared from view. This article's critical analysis of existing UK authority, including Young v Charles Church (Southern) Ltd and Schofield v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, supports the argument for a broader understanding of the category of primary victim based upon participation. The strong practical utility of the test of active participatory primary victimhood, in both accident and non-accident type situations, is illustrated by considering the differing contexts of accidents at work and medical negligence. Following the limits that the Supreme Court in Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust confirmed applied in cases of secondary victims, this article provides timely and instructive insights about the scope of the category of primary victims and calls for the more nuanced test of active participatory primary victimhood to be given more prominence.</p
Generating a highly uniform magnetic field inside the magnetically shielded room of the n2EDM experiment
No full textWe present a coil system designed to generate a highly uniform magnetic field for the n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. It consists of a mainB0 coil and a set of auxiliary coils mounted on a cubic structure with a side length of273cm, inside a large magnetically shielded room (MSR). We have assembled this system and characterized its performances with a mapping robot. The apparatus is able to generate aμ1μT vertical field with a relative root mean square deviationσ(Bz)/Bz=3×10−5 over the volume of interest, a cylinder of radius40cm and height30cm. This level of uniformity overcomes the n2EDM requirements, allowing a measurement of the neutron Electric Dipole Moment with a sensitivity better than1×10−27ecm.</p
Imagined climate futures and collective action: an analysis of affect in dystopias and utopias by young climate activists
No full textIn recent climate mobilisations, young people have emerged as key leaders, organisers, and influencers of social change. This article examines how utopias and dystopias, embedded in affective-discursive practices, are articulated by young climate activists to support their engagement in collective action. We analysed discourse from four focus group discussions and two pair interviews with young climate activists (total participants n = 26, ages 15–32) from groups such as School Strike for Climate in Portugal. The findings challenge much of the existing scholarship that emphasises utopias and hope as isolated experiences promoting collective action. Instead, emotionally elaborated dystopias were central in framing the present crisis and motivating engagement. From there, utopian impulses and hope emerged through solidarity and collective work, giving rise to ‘real’ utopias—practical visions of inclusive and negotiated future societies that embraced contingency and possibility. The article discusses how young activists intertwine imaginaries, emotions, and actions as strategic tools for world-making, highlighting their implications for theories of collective action.</p
Supplementary material for Evolution of the Complex Growth Hormone Gene Cluster in Macaques
No full textSupplementary Material for "Evolution of the Complex Growth Hormone Gene Cluster in Macaques" published in Endocrinology March 2025Article AbstractIn higher primates, unlike other mammals, the growth hormone (GH) gene locus is complex, comprising several GH-like genes, resulting from gene duplication and divergent evolution, expressed in pituitary and placenta. There are 5 genes in this GH gene cluster in human and 5-7 in apes and most Old-World monkeys, but in macaques the cluster has expanded further. Here the nature and evolution of the GH locus in this important primate genus is explored. Analysis of genomic data for Macaca fascicularis (crab-eating macaque) revealed that the GH gene cluster in this species is variable, with at least 5 different haplotypes, comprising 11-14 GH-like genes. Gene-number heterozygosity was also detected in M. mulatta (rhesus macaque) with 9-13 genes. Analysis of genomic data for other macaque species revealed GH gene clusters containing 8-14 GH-like genes, but gene-number heterozygosity was not detected. Expression of GH-like genes in pituitary and placenta was examined for M. fascicularis. This analysis has established that complexity of the GH gene cluster increased during the evolution of macaques, by gene duplication and divergent evolution, and that these processes continue within at least two extant species. Analysis of rate of sequence change, and distribution of substitutions within the 3D structure, shows that for at least one GH-like gene (GH2) the changes reflect positive selection, implying adaptive biological change. Whether this involves changes in physiological (endocrine) function or response to viral or other pathogenic challenge is not yet clear.</p