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Speculation in the United Kingdom, 1785‒2019
No full textSpeculation has long been thought to have significant economic effects, but it is difficult to measure, making it challenging to examine these effects empirically. In this paper we measure speculation in the United Kingdom since 1785 by using business and financial reporting in The Times newspaper. Our monthly speculation index reveals four distinct epochs of speculation in the United Kingdom. Epochs of high speculation coincide with higher stock market returns and higher economic growth, while low‐speculation periods coincide with high levels of government debt and financial repression. We find that low interest rates foment the development of higher speculation, and that eras of higher speculation are often followed by greater banking instability
New developments and future challenges of non-destructive near-infrared spectroscopy sensors in the cheese industry
No full textNear-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has emerged as a pivotal non-destructive analytical technique within the cheese industry, offering rapid and precise insights into the chemical composition and quality attributes of various cheese types. This review explores the evolution of NIR spectral sensors, highlighting key technological advancements and their integration into cheese production processes as well as final products already in markets. In addition, the review discusses challenges such as calibration complexities, the influence of sample heterogeneity and the need for robust data and interpretation models through spectroscopy coupled with AI methods. The future potential of NIR spectral sensors, including real-time in-line monitoring and the development of portable devices for on-site analysis, is also examined. This review aims to provide a critical assessment of current NIR spectral sensors and their impact on the cheese industry, offering insights for researchers and industry professionals aiming to enhance quality control and innovation in cheese production, as well as authenticity and fraud studies. The review concludes that the integration of advanced NIR spectroscopy with AI represents a transformative approach for the cheese industry, enabling more accurate, efficient and sustainable quality assessment practices that can strengthen both production consistency and consumer trust
Corrigendum to "Enhancement in site-specific delivery of carvacrol for potential treatment of infected wounds using infection responsive nanoparticles loaded into dissolving microneedles: a proof of concept study." [Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm. 147 (2020) 57-68]
No full textThe relationship between acceptance and commitment therapy processes and the well-being of adults with acquired facial palsy
No full textPsychological flexibility, a key process in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), underpins adaptive coping and well-being in chronic conditions but has not been examined in adults with facial palsy (FP). This study explored associations between psychological flexibility processes, functioning, and well-being in this population. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 124 adults with acquired facial palsy (FP) across the UK and Northern Ireland. Measures included psychological flexibility processes (valued action, openness to experience, behavioural awareness), social and physical functioning, well-being, anxiety, and depression. Hierarchical multiple regressions examined covariates of well-being, anxiety, and depression, entering demographics (age, gender) at Step 1, functioning at Step 2, and psychological flexibility at Step 3. Social functioning was the most consistent covariate across models, associated with greater well-being and lower anxiety and depression. Psychological flexibility processes contributed to well-being and anxiety, with valued action, behavioural awareness, and openness to experience predicting greater well-being, while openness to experience and behavioural awareness predicted greater anxiety. Psychological flexibility was not associated with depression. Findings suggest that psychological flexibility processes contribute uniquely to well-being and anxiety among adults with FP, beyond demographic and functional factors. In contrast, depressive symptoms were primarily associated with reduced social functioning. ACT-informed interventions that strengthen valued action and behavioural awareness, alongside support targeting social functioning, may be beneficial for this population.</p
Evidence of mycobacteriaemias and mycobacterial co-infections uncovered in cattle at slaughter using a novel phage-based PhMS-qPCR assay for viable Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
No full textAccurate diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle is important for success of eradication programmes, but the current reliance on the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test is not achieving disease eradication in all jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland (NI). In this study, a novel Phagomagnetic separation (PhMS)-qPCR assay to rapidly detect viable Mycobacterium bovis in bovine blood samples was evaluated. A total of 149 heart blood samples were collected from cattle at exsanguination point of the slaughter line at a NI abattoir between June and August 2023 - 74 from TB reactor cattle (compulsorily culled within days of a positive SICCT test result) and 75 from routine slaughter cattle (< 30 months). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and lysed to release any mycobacteria present before PhMS-qPCR and culture were performed to detect presence of viable M. bovis. The DNAs obtained were subsequently tested for evidence of viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) also. PhMS-qPCR results indicate that of the TB reactor cattle with conclusive PhMS-qPCR results, 7.5% of bloods tested positive for viable M. bovis only, 41.8% for viable MAP only and 28.4% showed evidence of co-infection (both M. bovis and MAP detected). Of the routine slaughter cattle with conclusive PhMS-qPCR results, 22.4% of bloods tested positive for viable M. bovis only, 19.4% for viable MAP only and 20.9% showed evidence of co-infection. Of the blood samples with conclusive culture results, 19.6% TB reactors and 25.4% routine slaughter cattle were M. bovis culture positive. No agreement was observed between the M. bovis PhMS-qPCR assay and M. bovis culture results (Kappa - 0.028, 95% CI -0.162 to 0.105). Results of this study provide proof-of-concept that the PhMS-qPCR assay is able to detect viable M. bovis in bovine blood, although a different qPCR assay with greater detection sensitivity will need to be identified going forward. A surprisingly high number of M. bovis/MAP co-infections were detected in the blood of NI cattle, which may be contributing to failure of the bTB eradication scheme. The latter warrants further investigation
“I wasn’t prepared for that”: UK social worker experiences of training in and knowledge of acquired brain injury
No full textSummaryAcquired brain injury is a major cause of death and disability. Due to the impact of acquired brain injury on an individual's and a family's functioning, social workers are likely to encounter individuals and families affected by the condition. This study aimed to (1) identify the existing level of knowledge and skills of social workers in working with individuals with acquired brain injury and their families and (2) examine the training needs of social workers to improve their knowledge and skills in working with those with acquired brain injury. A series of semi-structured interviews with newly qualified social workers (six), brain injury specialist social workers (nine), team leaders (two), and commissioners (three) were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe data highlighted that social workers in England and Wales have no formal training around acquired brain injury but felt there was a need for different levels of training and guidance for social workers. Participants also discussed the need for better integration with health care and a greater focus on relational working to enact positive change for individuals and families.ApplicationsSocial work training should be embedded within prequalification training with additional postqualification training where appropriate. Work and training within social work should take an interdisciplinary approach. The authors have taken the data to develop a freely available online training program for social workers
The 2025 roadmap to ultrafast dynamics: frontiers of theoretical and computational modeling
No full textThe exploration of ultrafast phenomena is a frontier of condensed matter research, where the interplay of theory, computation, and experiment is unveiling new opportunities for understanding and engineering quantum materials. With the advent of advanced experimental techniques and computational tools, it has become possible to probe and manipulate nonequilibrium processes at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions, providing insights into the dynamical behavior of matter under extreme conditions. These capabilities have the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from optoelectronics and quantum information to catalysis and energy storage. This roadmap captures the collective progress and vision of leading researchers, addressing challenges and opportunities across key areas of ultrafast science and condensed matter. Contributions in this roadmap span the development of ab initio methods for time-resolved spectroscopy, the dynamics of driven correlated systems, the engineering of materials in optical cavities, and the adoption of FAIR principles for data sharing and analysis. Together, these efforts highlight the interdisciplinary nature of ultrafast research and its reliance on cutting-edge methodologies, including quantum electrodynamical density-functional theory, correlated electronic structure methods, nonequilibrium Green’s function approaches, quantum and ab initio simulations
Re QX (Parental Consent for Deprivation of Liberty: Children under 16) [2025] EWHC 745 (Fam): Parental consent and deprivation of liberty
No full textAdvanced tools and methodologies for identification, characterization, and quantification of micro/nano plastics in environmental matrices
No full textAlthough plastics were a ground-breaking invention that transformed modern life, their widespread mismanagement and accumulation have led to pervasive pollution, with microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) now posing risks to ecosystems and human health. This reality is drawing urgent research attention toward their isolation, identification, and quantification in the environment, which is not well-established yet. Therefore, to cover this gap, this review article provides a comprehensive overview of various separation methods, including density separation, oil separation, electrostatic separation, magnetic separation, elutriation, membrane filtration, enzymatic treatments, and sieving. These methods are useful for separating MPs from their surrounding environment. Furthermore, the present work discusses the recent methodologies/techniques employed for the identification and characterization of MPs/NPs in environment, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser direct infrared (LDIR), pressurized fluid extraction (PFE), thermal analysis, electrochemical sensing, optical sensing, chromatographic techniques, and visual inspection. These techniques are effective in detecting MPs and are widely used to analyse their polymer composition, size, morphology, and shape. This review further outlines recent developments in MPs/NPs identification & quantification methods, major challenges, toxicological mechanism, regulation framework and also, compare their detection limit, cost, accessibility advantages and addresses the limitations associated with various available analytical tools. Overall, this review offers an overview of the various methods for separating, identifying, and quantifying MPs, and underscores the need for continuous innovation required for the advancements and addressing the challenges in the field.