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Directors’ duties in climate change litigation
No full textThis chapter will focus on private law and explore the rationale and significance of climate-related directors’ duties. If such duties exist, companies that fail to take account and remedial actions for climate change risks are likely to face financially difficulties. A combination of transition risks associated with carbon regulations, and failure to deal with risks related to climate change may have an effect on the solvency of the company. This chapter will ascertain how climate change risks can be addressed by directors, and what are the implications that this may have on the broader creditors and shareholders interests. It will be ascertained how companies and its directors may be held accountable for their climate change records and targets, and the legal challenges that face such climate change litigation. While current case law indicates that successful claims against companies are in short supply, crucial policies may nevertheless influence how climate change is approached
Three-year-old children understand the false beliefs of their partner in collaborative decision making
No full textClassic false-belief tasks may be confusing because children converse with someone who knows that a situation has changed about a third person who does not know this. Two studies used a collaborative false-belief task in which US- and UK-based 3-year-olds (N = 84, 48 girls, data collection: 2023) and a partner had to jointly decide in which box a toy was hidden. Children informed their partner and provided reasons about the location of the toy more when their partner had a false belief than when they had a true belief. We discuss the hypothesis that collaborative decision making pushes children to understand how their partner's perspective relates to their own and, when they differ, to assess how each corresponds to reality
‘Very’ selective licensing – An exploration of English local authorities’ adoption of a discretionary landlord licensing scheme, 2006-2019
Get PDFSince 2006 English Local Authorities (LA) have had discretionary powers to implement a type of landlord licensing scheme, Selective Licensing (SL), in the private rental sector. The scheme is intended to improve housing standards in areas marked by antisocial behaviour, poor housing conditions, low housing demand, and high levels of migration, deprivation, and crime. Yet up to 2019, only 15% of LA had adopted SL. We examine temporal, socio-economic, and geographical factors associated with SL adoption between 2006 and 2019, focusing on: (A) overall temporal trends in adoption, (B) socio-economic factors in adoption on their own; and in relation to (C) regional diffusion processes. To examine these factors, we applied cumulative adoption rate, logit, and spatial autoregressive logit (SAL) models considering 1 st and 2 nd order LA neighbours. The influence of socio-economic factors was studied using multiple variables and by coding the LA with the Census 2011 LA classification. The adoption curve showed that the policy has only been adopted at a slow rate. The adoption rate did however increase slightly at the point when the justifiable reasons for implementing SL were expanded. The logit and SAL models showed that higher proportions of the population receiving Income Support was a powerful determinant, while spatial spillovers were not statistically significant. The same was true in SAL with Census classification exposure showing stronger associations with larger urban areas than with spatial spillovers. We note that SL is absent from large parts of Mid- and South-England, so even without evidence of regional diffusion on a local scale it may still exist on a larger scale. We conclude that SL adoption has been slow, regionally patchy, and more correlated with socio-economic factors than with regional diffusion processes. Resource and staffing constraints as well as internal organisational/political and policy-related factors are likely barriers to adoption. More qualitative evidence is needed from local areas including from those that never adopted SL
Drivers of Post-Acquisition Business Model Innovation : The Interplay of Shared Mental Models, Organizational Agility, and Integration Speed
No full textMergers and acquisitions (M&A) are a vital tool for strategic renewal, yet achieving successful business model innovation (BMI) post-acquisition remains a significant challenge. This study addresses the under-researched role of informal coordination by investigating how shared mental models (SMMs)—the cognitive alignment between acquirer and target firm employees—act as a critical antecedent to BMI. We develop a conceptual model proposing that the influence of SMMs is mediated by organizational agility. SMMs provide the microfoundations for a firm’s ability to respond quickly to change, which in turn drives the strategic renewal process of BMI. Furthermore, we theorize that these relationships are moderated by integration speed. The positive effect of SMMs on BMI is amplified under a slower integration pace, which allows for the deliberate learning and trust-building essential for complex innovation. Our study contributes a novel theoretical framework explaining how cognitive, capability-based, and temporal factors drive post-acquisition innovation
Structure Learning for Multivariate Extremes : A Comparative Study of Regional UK Rainfall
No full textCharacterizing extremal structural relationships between sets of variables is central to the development of parsimonious models in extreme value analysis, particularly as statistical modeling in high dimensions remains challenging. In this study, we considered recently proposed statistical methods for learning the dependence structure of multivariate variables, with a focus on their ability to capture relationships at extreme levels. We considered complementary approaches that differed in their underlying modeling assumptions. One approach was less model-based and relied on the notion of partial tail correlation to assess extremal dependence between pairs of variables given the others. The other methods were rooted in graphical modeling frameworks, which provided a flexible means of representing complex dependence patterns and facilitated the investigation of higher-order extremal dependencies. We applied the methods to extreme rainfall data from the Lancashire region of the United Kingdom. The resulting dependence structures revealed some spatial heterogeneity, with distinct clustering behavior observed between northern and southern subregions. In particular, evidence of stronger higher-order dependence was concentrated in the southeastern area. These findings suggested that the effectiveness of flood defense and mitigation strategies may vary across subregions, highlighting the importance of accounting for extremal dependence structure in regional risk assessment and infrastructure planning
Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1). LEMON -- Lens Modelling with Neural networks. Automated and fast modelling of Euclid gravitational lenses with a singular isothermal ellipsoid mass profile
No full textThe Euclid mission aims to survey around 14000 deg^{2} of extragalactic sky, providing around 10^{5} gravitational lens images. Modelling of gravitational lenses is fundamental to estimate the total mass of the lens galaxy, along with its dark matter content. Traditional modelling of gravitational lenses is computationally intensive and requires manual input. In this paper, we use a Bayesian neural network, LEns MOdelling with Neural networks (LEMON), to model Euclid gravitational lenses with a singular isothermal ellipsoid mass profile. Our method estimates key lens mass profile parameters, such as the Einstein radius, while also predicting the light parameters of foreground galaxies and their uncertainties. We validate LEMON's performance on both mock Euclid datasets, real lenses observed with Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and real Euclid lenses, demonstrating the ability of LEMON to predict parameters of both simulated and real lenses. Results show promising accuracy and reliability in predicting the Einstein radius, mass and light ellipticities, effective radius, Sérsic index, lens magnitude, and unlensed source position for simulated lens galaxies. The application to real data, including the latest Quick Release 1 strong lens candidates, provides encouraging results in the recovery of the parameters for real lenses. We also verified that LEMON has the potential to accelerate traditional modelling methods, by giving to the classical optimiser the LEMON predictions as starting points, resulting in a speed-up of up to 26 times the original time needed to model a sample of gravitational lenses, a result that would be impossible with randomly initialised guesses. This work represents a significant step towards efficient, automated gravitational lens modelling, which is crucial for handling the large data volumes expected from Euclid
Understanding multilevel influences on the adaptation of a complex intervention for oncology to palliative care transitions : a qualitative study across seven European countries
No full textBackground Adapting complex healthcare interventions for use across diverse healthcare systems requires balancing fidelity to core components with responsiveness to local contexts. The Pal-Cycles project aims to support transitions in care for patients with advanced cancer across seven European countries. Understanding the multilevel factors that influence adaptation is essential to ensure contextual fit while maintaining intervention integrity. Aim To explore the multilevel factors that influenced the adaptation of the Pal-Cycles intervention across seven European countries. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with purposively sampled country lead team members from all participating countries. Data were derived from focus groups, in which participants reflected on and discussed their experiences of cross-country adaptation meetings, and were analysed using framework analysis. Results Fourteen country lead team members participated in the study. Analysis identified five areas reflecting multilevel factors that influenced the adaptation of the Pal-Cycles intervention: (1) Organisational variability as a barrier to adapting the Pal-Cycles intervention, (2) Disparities in training and shared motivation to improve palliative care communication, (3) Multidisciplinary collaboration shaped by organisational and cultural contexts, (4) Balancing optimism and practical constraints: stakeholder views on the Pal-Cycles intervention, (5) Working together to adapt the Pal-Cycles intervention across cultures. Organisational variability influenced service availability, integration between oncology and palliative care, and communication pathways. Disparities in previous training and shared motivation shaped clinicians’ engagement with the intervention’s training component. Multidisciplinary collaboration varied across settings, affecting role clarity and coordination among healthcare professionals. Stakeholder perspectives, including those of cancer clinicians, general practitioners, and consortium members, informed decisions about which elements of the intervention were most relevant in each context. Finally, working together to adapt the intervention across diverse cultural and organisational settings involved iterative discussions that balanced flexibility with preservation of the intervention’s core components. Conclusion The adaptation of Pal-Cycles was shaped by interrelated organisational, professional, and cultural factors. Recognising how local contexts influence the prioritisation and operationalisation of intervention components is essential for achieving a balance between standardisation and flexibility in cross-national healthcare interventions
Evaluating the technical efficiency of primary health facilities in delivering adolescent mental, sexual and reproductive health services in Burkina Faso
No full textBackground Adolescence is a critical phase of life, with sexual, reproductive, and mental health being essential to overall well-being. Despite global and national initiatives to improve adolescent health, substantial gaps persist in service delivery, especially in low-resource settings like Burkina Faso. Primary healthcare (PHC) facilities play a pivotal role in addressing adolescent mental, sexual, and reproductive health (AMSRH) needs. However, evidence on the technical efficiency of these facilities in delivering AMSRH services remains limited. This study evaluates the technical efficiency of PHC facilities in Burkina Faso in providing AMSRH services and identifies key factors influencing efficiency. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 132 PHC facilities across the West-Central and Hauts Bassins regions of Burkina Faso from September to October 2022. Data on facility characteristics, resource availability, and service delivery were collected. Technical efficiency of ASRH services was assessed using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) with a Translog production function, while a truncated regression identified determinants of efficiency. The analysis included inputs such as laboratory tests, consultation rooms, and trained providers, with efficiency scores ranging from 0 to 1. Data analysis was performed using STATA 16. Results Of the surveyed facilities, 77% were in rural areas, and 23% were in urban areas. While all facilities offered adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services, only 42% provided adolescent mental health (AMH) services, which were excluded from efficiency analysis due to low adolescent consultation numbers. Average technical efficiency was 0.66, with urban facilities (0.73) and those with electricity (0.71) showing higher efficiency. Access to electricity (Coef. = 0.061, p = 0.004) and laboratories (Coef. = 0.053, p = 0.020) significantly enhanced efficiency. These findings highlight critical infrastructure gaps and the need for targeted investments to optimize service delivery. Conclusion This study highlights critical gaps in AMH service availability within PHC facilities in Burkina Faso. Key determinants of technical efficiency in delivering adolescent sexual and reproductive health ASRH services included access to electricity, laboratories, and trained providers. Conversely, longer facility manager tenure negatively impacted efficiency, emphasizing the need for dynamic leadership. Targeted investments in infrastructure, capacity-building initiatives, and digital health adoption are essential. Expanding AMH services and aligning with national guidelines are urgent priorities for optimizing AMSRH service delivery and improving adolescent health outcomes
A Graphene-Coated AFM Probe for Durable and Reproducible Nanoscale Electronic Measurements
No full textConductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM) is a powerful tool for investigating electronic and thermoelectric properties at the nanoscale. However, the widespread application of cAFM is hindered by the rapid wear and unpredictable failure of metal-coated probes, leading to poor measurement reproducibility and limited probe lifetime. Here, we report a scalable fabrication method for graphene-coated cAFM probes using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. These probes exhibit exceptional mechanical durability, including resistance to both friction-induced wear and high-current stressing, and maintain stable electrical performance over extended use. When applied to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), the graphene-coated probes yield narrow conductance distributions, significantly improved measurement reproducibility across different probe batches, and a substantial reduction in short-circuit artifacts. The graphene coating also provides a more compliant tip–sample contact, minimising damage to soft molecular layers. Electronic transport and thermoelectric measurements further confirm the reliability of these probes, revealing tunnelling characteristics and Seebeck coefficients consistent with established values. Our work establishes a robust and scalable platform for nanoscale electrical characterisation, overcoming a critical limitation in conventional cAFM and opening avenues for long-term, reproducible studies in molecular electronics and beyond
Gendered representations in swearing : bitch and bastard in the spoken BNC2014
No full textThis study examines how bitch and bastard construct gendered identities in contemporary British English conversation. Using corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of the Spoken BNC2014, it examines collocational patterns and “ be + bitch / bastard ” constructions to trace how gendered meanings are enacted across speaker and target sexes. bastard predominantly targets men, representing masculinity through moral evaluation, functioning as a discursive resource for policing fairness and integrity. BITCH constructs more variable representations: it is frequently used by and about women to regulate interpersonal and emotional conduct, yet can also mark assertive femininity or position men outside socially recognised norms of masculinity. These patterns highlight how moral and relational discourses intersect in the linguistic representations of gender, sustaining long-standing associations of masculinity with public morality and femininity with emotional virtue. The findings show that derogatory language remains a critical discursive site where gendered identities and hierarchies are reproduced, contested, and occasionally re-signified in everyday interaction