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This exploratory study investigated the disruption to schools ministry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Perspectives of church leaders, Christian parents, Christian teachers and organisations involved in schools ministry were consulted using online surveys, interviews and focus groups, to examine how schools ministry could be rebuilt, incorporating reflective practice and hence bringing positive change. The severe impact of extensive school closures and restrictions strongly solidified the move from being largely provision of RE, lunchtime events and collective worship, to much broader methods in response to listening to the needs of the school (both staff and pupils in a secular/mainstream setting). A striking observation was that schools ministry was viewed in many of these case study settings as a peripheral aspect of local church ministry and often devolved to specialist organisations. Arising needs and models of ministry have emphasised the value and effectiveness of relational approaches and listening to the needs of schools and responding accordingly. This reinforces the need for collaborative approaches and long-term development of relationships between church and school. Training needs identified concerned relationship building and vision and strategy development, with many stakeholders perceiving this as the way forward to more effective ministry activity.

Background: Non-word repetition (NWR) tests are an important way speech and language therapists (SaLTs) assess language development. NWR tests are often scored whilst participants make their responses (i.e., in real time) in clinical and research reports (documented here via a secondary analysis of a published systematic review). Aims: The main aim was to determine the extent to which real-time coding of NWR stimuli at the whole-item level (as correct/incorrect) was predicted by models that had varying levels of detail provided from phonemic transcriptions using several linear mixed method (LMM) models. Methods & Procedures: Live scores and recordings of responses on the universal non-word repetition (UNWR) test were available for 146 children aged between 3 and 6 years where the sample included all children starting in five UK schools in one year or two consecutive years. Transcriptions were made of responses to two-syllable NWR stimuli for all children and these were checked for reliability within and between transcribers. Signal detection analysis showed that consonants were missed when judgments were made live. Statistical comparisons of the discrepancies between target stimuli and transcriptions of children's responses were then made and these were regressed against live score accuracy. Six LMM models (three normalized: 1a, 2a, 3a; and three non-normalized: 1b, 2b, 3b) were examined to identify which model(s) best captured the data variance. Errors on consonants for live scores were determined by comparison with the transcriptions in the following ways (the dependent variables for each pair of models): (1) consonants alone; (2) substitutions, deletions and insertions of consonants identified after automatic alignment of live and transcribed materials; and (3) as with (2) but where substitutions were coded further as place, manner and voicing errors. Outcomes & Results: The normalized model that coded consonants in non-words as 'incorrect' at the level of substitutions, deletions and insertions (2b) provided the best fit to the real-time coding responses in terms of marginal R[superscript 2], Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) statistics. Conclusions & Implications: Errors that occur on consonants when non-word stimuli are scored in real time are characterized solely by the substitution, deletion and insertion measure. It is important to know that such errors arise when real-time judgments are made because NWR tasks are used to assess and diagnose several cognitive-linguistic impairments. One broader implication of the results is that future work could automate the analysis procedures to provide the required information objectively and quickly without having to transcribe data.

This exploratory study investigated the disruption to schools ministry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Perspectives of church leaders, Christian parents, Christian teachers and organisations involved in schools ministry were consulted using online surveys, interviews and focus groups, to examine how schools ministry could be rebuilt, incorporating reflective practice and hence bringing positive change. The severe impact of extensive school closures and restrictions strongly solidified the move from being largely provision of RE, lunchtime events and collective worship, to much broader methods in response to listening to the needs of the school (both staff and pupils in a secular/mainstream setting). A striking observation was that schools ministry was viewed in many of these case study settings as a peripheral aspect of local church ministry and often devolved to specialist organisations. Arising needs and models of ministry have emphasised the value and effectiveness of relational approaches and listening to the needs of schools and responding accordingly. This reinforces the need for collaborative approaches and long-term development of relationships between church and school. Training needs identified concerned relationship building and vision and strategy development, with many stakeholders perceiving this as the way forward to more effective ministry activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical models highlighted the importance of pathogen‐mediated invasion, with the replacement of red squirrels by squirrelpox virus (SQPV) carrying grey squirrels in the UK, a well‐known example.In this study, we combine new epidemiological models, with a range of infection characteristics, with recent longitudinal field and experimental studies on the SQPV dynamics in red and grey squirrel populations to better infer the mechanistic basis of the disease interaction.A key finding is that a model with either partial immunity or waning immunity and reinfection, where individuals become seropositive on the second exposure to infection, that up to now has been shown in experimental data only, can capture the key aspects of the field study observations.By fitting to SQPV epidemic observations in isolated red squirrel populations, we can infer that SQPV transmission between red squirrels is significantly (4×) higher than the transmission between grey squirrels and as a result our model shows that disease‐mediated replacement of red squirrels by greys is considerably more rapid than replacement in the absence of SQPV.Our findings recover the key results of the previous model studies, which highlights the value of simple strategic models that are appropriate when there are limited data, but also emphasise the likely complexity of immune interactions in wildlife disease and how models can help infer disease processes from field data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of the Triassic succession in the North Sea is poorly understood because of structural complexities associated with halokinesis and limited stratigraphic control. This study uses a seismic and well-based dataset to improve understanding of development of the Triassic succession in the Ula Field Area, in the Norwegian North Sea. Core interpretation revealed a fluvial-dominated depositional environment in the Ula Field Area. Palynological studies allowed dating of cored intervals, revealing Ladinian and Carnian sections, time-equivalent to the Julius and Joanne members of the Skagerrak Formation. Well-log interpretation provided insight into the intra-Triassic stratigraphy of the Ula Field Area. A section considered to be equivalent to and extending from the Smith Bank Formation to the Jonathan Member of the Skagerrak Formation was interpreted and correlated across the area. In the proposed correlation, the Julius Member thins towards the Ula Field Area and is replaced by a time equivalent sandstone unit. The Jonathan Member displays a sandier composition compared to the equivalent section in the UK sector. Seismic facies-based interpretation of Triassic stratigraphy within salt minibasins allowed recognition and mapping of intra-Triassic units and showed that mudstone members thin towards the NE. Interpreted internal geometries within minibasins allowed determination of the timing of halokinesis. Integration of different datasets allowed palaeogeographic reconstructions for the Anisian, early Ladinian, Carnian and Norian to be constructed. To conclude, the distribution of stacked fluvial channel deposits indicates that they occur both within minibasins and across salt highs such that ongoing halokinesis had no topographic expression and that channels were free to migrate across the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilfield production is controlled by a wide range of geological and engineering parameters, many of which are at least partially interrelated. This paper uses multivariate statistical methods (principal component analysis, regression analysis and analysis of variance) to determine how these parameters are related, and which of them are most significant in controlling and predicting oilfield performance. The analysis is based on a database of publicly available oilfield data from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS), from which a series of geological, engineering and fluid‐related control variables from 136 fields were pre‐processed and analyzed. This dataset is a subset of a much wider project database for UKCS oil, gas and condensate fields. For this study, the project database was divided into two datasets: a first dataset with 10 parameters from 136 fields, and a second, more detailed dataset with 27 parameters from 38 fields. Both datasets were analysed using principal component analysis in order to investigate possible correlations between numerically/statistically interrogable predictor variables such as porosity, permeability, number of production wells, gas‐oil ratio and reservoir temperature. A regression analysis was then carried out on the predictor variables in order to obtain a ranking of predictability (i.e. how indicative a predictor is of a particular outcome) and sensitivity (how sensitive an outcome is to slight changes in a predictor) in relation to recovery factor based on R‐squared and regression coefficient values. The results showed that key variables from the principal component analysis included field size, number of production wells, PVT, gross depositional environment and reservoir quality. High‐ranking parameters of predictability and sensitivity from the regression analysis were found to include API, net‐to‐gross, porosity and reservoir depth. These results are consistent with previous studies and suggest that it should be possible to forecast oilfield recovery based on only a few selected input variables. As a preliminary test of forecasting ability of the variable permutations put forward, a best‐subsets multiple regression was carried out using a statistical software package and yielded results which corroborated the main findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Older people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a less active radiological and clinical presentation, but many still attain significant levels of disability; but what drives worsening disability in this group? Methods: We used data from the UK MS Register to characterize demographics and clinical features of late‐onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS; symptom onset at ≥50 years), compared with adult‐onset MS (AOMS; onset 18–49 years). We performed a pathology study of a separate MS cohort with a later onset (n = 18, mean age of onset 54 years) versus AOMS (n = 23, mean age of onset 29 years). Results: In the Register cohort, there were 1,608 (9.4%) with LOMS. When compared with AOMS, there was a lower proportion of women, a higher proportion of primary progressive MS, a higher level of disability at diagnosis (median MS impact scale 36.7 vs. 28.3, p < 0.001), and a higher proportion of gait‐related initial symptoms. People with LOMS were less likely to receive a high efficacy disease‐modifying treatment and attained substantial disability sooner. Controlling for age of death and sex, neuron density in the thalamus and pons decreased with onset‐age, whereas actively demyelinating lesions and compartmentalized inflammation was greatest in AOMS. Only neuron density, and not demyelination or the extent of compartmentalized inflammation, correlated with disability outcomes in older‐onset MS patients. Interpretation: The more progressive nature of older‐onset MS is associated with significant neurodegeneration, but infrequent inflammatory demyelination. These findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of MS in older people. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:471–486 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There are many different haematological malignancy subtypes. Most follow chronic pathways that are uncertain and unpredictable, which may lead to feelings of anxiety and distress. The provision of information can ameliorate such difficulties, but patients are known to have unmet needs in this regard. The aim of this study is to explore experiences of information sharing among patients with chronic blood cancers and the factors impacting this process. Methods. The study is set within a UK cohort of blood cancer patients, where care is provided across 14 hospitals according to national clinical guidelines. Purposive sampling was used to identify expert participants (based on experience), and in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 35 patients, 10 with a relative present. The study was intended to inform practice and utilised qualitative description, with thematic content analysis and systematic data coding. Results. Experiences of information sharing varied. Most patients described this positively, but not all. Several barriers and facilitators were identified, which are discussed within five themes: (1) shock affects ability to process information, (2) the importance of time to facilitate information exchange, (3) personal relationships have an impact on meeting information needs, (4) HCP interpersonal skills are central to good information sharing, and (5) communication skills and terminology. Conclusions. Patients with chronic blood cancers prefer to engage in information sharing when they are not in a state of shock, and when they have adequate time to process material that is effectively and sensitively delivered, by HCPs they know and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]