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Business executives’ service on UK government boards and firm performance does “insiderness” matter?
No full textThe corporate political activity literature suggests that business executives’ personal service in government creates bureaucratic capital which can be deployed in ways that favour private firms. We investigate whether there are firm-specific benefits for UK companies with executives simultaneously serving as non-executive directors (NEDs) on the corporate governance boards responsible for the oversight of UK government agencies. We also explore whether these benefits are greater for firms that have “insider” status – FTSE100 companies. To estimate potential firm-specific benefits from executives’ service on government boards, we employ a novel database of the NEDs sitting on the departmental and agency boards in UK central government for the period 2008-21. Information on these NEDs is supplemented with data on market and financial performance, and tax liabilities for a large sample of UK-registered companies. Our statistical results indicate that firms with executives simultaneously serving as NEDs on government boards have higher market capitalization, higher turnover and lower taxation. Further analysis indicates that the benefits of executive board service in government are particularly strong for FTSE100 companies, but that for these companies such service may be associated with weaker profitability
Opt-out of Stop Smoking Service referral via SMS: a controlled interrupted time series analysis
No full textObjectives:To evaluate the impact of opt-out and self-referral (opt-in) invitations to a Stop Smoking Service (SSS) delivered via Short Message Service (SMS) by 14 general practices in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, on 28-day self-reported smoking abstinence.Study Design:Controlled and uncontrolled Interrupted Time series Analysis (ITSA) with cohort analysis.Methods:A controlled ITSA of 13 practices (N = 145,170) that delivered opt-out invitations to 3,994 patients (59% men; mean age 42.0 years) and cohort analysis.An uncontrolled ITSA of one practice (N = 19,100) that delivered self-referral invitations to 3,676 patients (56% men; mean age 43.8 years).Results:Most patients did not opt out (91.7%; 3,663/3,994), were contactable and confirmed smoking (52.4%; 1,918/3,659). Of this group 21.7% (417/1918) booked SSS appointments, and 7.1% (137/1918) abstained from smoking (29 messages per abstinence). Most abstainers (73%; 100/137) lived in high deprivation areas (IMD 1/2). Controlled ITSA indicated an immediate level increase of 13.1 in the weekly count of SSS patients who subsequently achieved abstinence (95% CI: 5.0–21.1; p = 0.002). In the intervention month, 168 patients reported abstinence, 142 more than the pre-intervention mean of 25.6 (95% prediction interval: 20.1–40.1).Uncontrolled ITSA indicated self-referral invitations did not change the count of SSS patients who became abstinent (0.22 patients per week; 95% CI: -0.61–1.16; p = 0.601).Conclusion:Proactive invitations to opt-out of SSS referral delivered via SMS by general practices were associated with a substantial increase in self-reported 28-day smoking abstinence. Self-referral invitations were not. The opt-out approach appears low-cost and scalable with potential to impact deprived populations
Translation and Validation of the Portuguese Version of European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire (ESIT-SQ-PT)
Get PDFObjective: Several questionnaires for the diagnosis and characterization of tinnitus are available in English but there is a need for Portuguese standardized questionnaires for use in research and in clinic. The goals of this study were to translate and culturally adapt the ESIT-SQ (European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire) to Portuguese, and to validate the questionnaire for clinical use. Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument were performed. The translation stage included the translation and retroversion of the instrument in the languages of interest (English–Portuguese) by three bilingual translators. Subsequently, cross-cultural adaptation was performed involving an Experts Panel (n = 5) and a Patient Panel (n = 4) to evaluate the questionnaire versions obtained after translation and retroversion. Participants completed their evaluation in Microsoft Forms. All ambiguities and uncertainties were addressed by the research team. Validation of the questionnaire involved an ENT specialist (n = 1), health researchers (n = 3), and patients (n = 300). Results: The Portuguese version of the ESIT-SQ (ESIT-SQ-PT) was found to be culturally appropriate, clear, and valid for clinical use. Expert review confirmed strong face validity, with only minor textual adjustments needed. The validation study, involving both online and paper responses, demonstrated good reproducibility and internal consistency across diverse participant profiles. The questionnaire effectively captured a wide range of tinnitus characteristics and associated factors, and reliability analyses confirmed its temporal stability. Overall, the ESIT-SQ-PT proved to be a robust and reliable instrument for assessing tinnitus in Portuguese-speaking populations. Conclusion: The ESIT-SQ in Portuguese (ESIT-SQ-PT), had good face validity, was comprehensible, and was culturally appropriate; thus, it is a valid tool for the screening and assessment of tinnitus and associated symptoms in Portuguese populations
Development of a prototype bridge scour sensor exploiting vortex-induced vibrations
Get PDFThe ability to effectively manage the deterioration of a network-wide bridge stock condition from year to year is vital for the effective use of finite resources while maintaining public safety. The leading cause of bridge failures and deterioration globally is bed scour. This paper looks at the development of a novel Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) Vortex Flow Sensor (VFS) for scour utilising vortex-induced vibration flow effects. These sensors can provide early warnings to bridge managers and allow for a proactive approach to scour management at vulnerable bridges. This paper briefly reviews the current types of scour sensors available before outlining the initial development of the novel VFS setup and associated prototype development. The initial findings of lab trials are presented before outlining the selection process for a masonry arch bridge test site
Elites and Democracy
No full textA central paradox of democracies is that they are always ruled by elites. What can democracy mean in this context? Today, it is often said that a populist revolt against elites is driving democratic politics throughout the West. But in Elites and Democracy, Hugo Drochon argues that democracy is more accurately and usefully understood as a perpetual struggle among competing elites—between rising elites and ruling elites. Real political change comes from the interaction between social movements and elite political institutions such as parties. But, although true democracy—the rule of the people—may never be achieved, striving towards it can bring about worthwhile democratic results.At the turn of the twentieth century, Gaetano Mosca, Vilfredo Pareto, and Robert Michels put forward “elite” theories of democracy and gave us terms such as the “ruling class” and “elites” itself. Drawing on their work and tracing the history of democratic thought through figures such as Joseph Schumpeter, Robert Dahl, C. Wright Mills, and Raymond Aron, Elites and Democracy reveals that this fundamentally elitist basis of democracy—democracy understood as competition between elites—was there all along. The challenge is to think it anew.Moving away from procedural or principled conceptions of democracy, Elites and Democracy develops a dynamic theory of democracy, one grounded in movement. With current politics defined by a populist backlash against elites, dynamic democracy offers the tools we urgently need to understand our contemporary predicament and to act upon it
Promoting activity, independence and stability in early dementia and mild cognitive impairment: the PrAISED research programme including an RCT
Get PDFBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-term skin condition where evidence for management after first-line treatment fails is limited and practice varies across the UK. Medical and surgical treatment options are potential avenues of treatment. Furthermore, patient perspectives on HS treatments have received little attention in research to date.ObjectivesTo explore patients’ views and experiences of treatment for HS to inform clinical care.MethodsWe conducted a nested qualitative study within a prospective cohort study. Interviews with 35 participants were completed by telephone. Purposive sampling was undertaken. Framework analysis was used to develop themes.ResultsPast experiences and knowledge informed patient beliefs and whether an individual felt a treatment option was appropriate or a good ‘fit’ for them at a specific moment in time. Healthcare professional recommendations can influence a patient’s views and which treatment option they ultimately receive. Positive experiences were reported across all treatment types covered in the study. Negative experiences included mediation side-effects, lack of efficacy, delays to procedures and burden of wound care. However, even when personal experiences were not wholly positive for an individual, participants often believed the same treatment may potentially help others with HS, owing to the importance placed on personalization of treatment.ConclusionsThis paper has implications for how healthcare professionals discuss treatment options with people with HS. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inappropriate, and shared decision-making that elicits patients’ beliefs and preferences is crucial
Undivine Intervention: How Social Networks Mediate the Relationship between Religious Repression and Political Violence
Get PDFA robust literature demonstrates a relationship between religious repression and political violence, but this research struggles to clarify the causal link between the two behaviors. Drawing on the relational turn in international relations, we argue that social networks remain an important but overlooked mechanism. Religious repression reduces social cohesion and weakens group leaders’ abilities to prevent tensions from spiraling into violence. We test this relational theory through a mixed methods approach. A parametric regression model for mediation analysis demonstrates that network effects explain part of religious repression's overall impact on civil war. A case study of Indonesia further corroborates our argument
Determining the most frequent combinations of drugs prescribed prior to bullous pemphigoid diagnosis using association rule mining: a UK population-based case-control study
Get PDFBackgroundBullous pemphigoid (BP) is a serious autoimmune skin disease affecting older people. Given the highly prevalent polypharmacy in older people, identifying drug combinations associated with high BP risk is needed.ObjectivesTo identify drug combinations frequently prescribed for older people prior to BP using association rule mining (ARM) and estimate their BP risk.MethodsWe conducted a nested case-control study using UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink primary care records (1998-2021). ARM identified the ten most common drug class or active substance pairs more likely co-prescribed (lift) on the same day and within 30 days of one another (sensitivity analysis). Fold change (FC; case:control lift ratio) identified combinations with greater lift in cases. Multivariable conditional logistic regression estimated BP risk following combinations and their constituent drugs.ResultsAmong 16844 cases and 79493 controls, most frequent drug class combinations associated with increased BP risk with greater lift in cases were: ACE inhibitors (ACEIs)-statins (FC: 1.31 vs FC, sensitivity analysis: 1.18); antiplatelets-statins (1.23 vs 1.11); proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)-antiplatelets (1.22 vs 1.14); PPIs-statins (1.22 vs 1.14), and ACEIs-antiplatelets (1.20 vs 1.09). Substance combinations with a greater lift in cases included simvastatin-ramipril (1.30), aspirin-simvastatin (1.21), aspirin-ramipril (1.19), and aspirin-bendroflumethiazide (1.16). The sensitivity analysis results for substances were similar. BP risk following drug combinations was lower than after single drugs.ConclusionsARM found that most frequently prescribed drug combinations associated with increased BP risk treated cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Patients should be vigilant for skin changes following these drugs rather than avoid them
Surgery versus non-surgical splint treatment for proximal phalanx shaft finger fractures in adults: the POINT Randomised Controlled Trial
Get PDFBackground: Proximal phalanx finger shaft fractures are common and can impair hand function. There is controversy, but no high-quality evidence, on how they are best treated. We compared the clinical and cost-effectiveness of surgery versus non-surgical splint treatment.Objective: The primary objective was to compare hand function following surgical fixation with hand function following non-surgical splint treatment using the Hand Health Profile of the Patient Evaluation Measure at 6 months post randomisation.Design: Pragmatic multicentre, parallel superiority randomised (1 : 1) trial.Setting: Twenty-four acute hospitals in the United Kingdom National Health Service.Participants: Patients ≥ 16 years with one or more proximal phalanx shaft fracture(s), which can be treated via either surgery or non-surgical splint treatment. Patients with intra-articular, base-metaphyseal, neck, open proximal phalanx fractures, injury ≥ 14 days or unable to adhere to trial procedures/complete questionnaires were excluded.Interventions: Surgery was any mode of surgical fixation that was considered as appropriate by the treating specialist. Non-surgical splint treatment consisted of any technique/material used in routine care, which may involve manipulation of the fracture with analgesia or local anaesthetic, and subsequent bracing through an externally applied support, usually performed in a clinic or therapy room environment.Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the Hand Health Profile of the Patient Evaluation Measure (possible range 11–77, higher scores indicate worst function). Measurements were collected at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months; 6 months was the primary outcome time point. The primary health outcome for economic evaluation was quality-adjusted life-years in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.Results: Between 9 November 2020 and 2 February 2023, 113 participants were randomised to surgery (n = 56) or non-surgical treatment (n = 55); 2 were excluded. Participants were 60% male, with mean age of 38 years. Treatment arms were balanced. Fifty-three participants in the surgical and 46 in the non-surgical group were included in the primary analysis. At 6 months, the mean Patient Evaluation Measure was 27.1 (standard deviation = 13.6, n = 48) in the surgical group and 25 (standard deviation 12.4, n = 41) in the non surgical group, with no clinically important difference between groups (adjusted difference in means for surgery vs. non-surgical groups 3, 95% confidence interval −1.6 to 7.7). There were no differences at 6 weeks and 3 months. There were more complications in the surgery group. Surgery was more expensive, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £39,686 per quality-adjusted life-year, with a 3.2% probability of being cost-effective at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence threshold of £20,000.Conclusions: This study supports the conclusion that surgery does not restore better hand function than nonsurgical treatment. Surgery results in additional complications and is more expensive.Limitations: We were unable to further determine if surgery is worse than splint or if the two treatments are equivalent, because of slow recruitment and the smaller than the planned sample size.Future work: Research should be directed towards further comparisons of treatments for common hand fractures.Funding: This synopsis presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme as award number NIHR127292.A plain language summary of this synopsis is available on the NIHR Journals Library website https://doi.org/10.3310/GJAK6715
Multi-generational koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) pedigree analysis reveals rapid changes in heritable provirus load associated with life history traits
No full textRetroviruses that colonize the host germline can be passed on as inherited genetic variants.The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is currently experiencing germline colonization by two retroviruses, the koala retrovirus (KoRV) and phaCin-β. We analyzed the integration site segregation and diversity of endogenous KoRV, phaCin-β, and the related phaCin-β-like in pedigreed koalas from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and seven European Zoos. The use of multigenerational pedigrees and the inclusion of health information for each individual koala revealed elimination of retroviruses from proto-oncogenes and the generation and spread of new germline integrations. Seven-hundred-and-fourteen integrations did not persist in the living population. For the 55 triads examined, 21 unique integrations were identified in individual koalas that were absent in their parents. Retroviral integrations associated with leukemia, fertility, and longevity were used to estimate genetic risk scores and develop a longevity breeding index to minimize neoplasia risk in the captive koala population
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