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The deciduous tree‐herbivorous caterpillar‐insectivorous bird food chain is a well‐studied system for investigating the impacts of climate change across trophic levels. To date, across Europe, most attention has focused on the impacts of increasing spring temperature on changes to phenology in Oak‐dominated (Quercus spp.) woodlands. Paridae species and Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca are the most studied secondary consumers, all of which demonstrate an advancement in reproductive phenology with increases in spring temperature. Shifts in climate and phenology may also impact on reproductive investment in clutch size, and the effects of climate on phenology and clutch size may vary depending on woodland composition. To date, the effects of among‐habitat variation in phenology and reproductive investment have received little attention. Insectivorous birds inhabiting woodlands that differ in tree composition may differ in the timing of breeding, due to local tree leafing phenology acting as a cue for egg‐laying date and/or clutch size. Moreover, for most insectivorous birds, woodland composition within a territory is likely to be the main determinant of food availability for both adults and chicks. Consequently, if warming springs affect the temporal patterns of food availability differently across different woodland compositions, this may affect the optimal average local phenology for nesting birds. Here, using data from 34 long‐term (mean 15 years) nest monitoring sites across the UK, we investigate the effect of woodland tree composition and temperature on Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus first egg date (FED) and clutch size. We supplemented the nest monitoring data by quantifying woodland composition, at a site level, through modified point counts. We predict that birds breeding in woodlands with greater proportions of late‐leafing species, such as Oak and Ash Fraxinus excelsior, will breed later than those breeding in woodlands with greater proportions of early‐leafing species, such as Birch Betula spp. and Beech Fagus sylvatica. We found no evidence for differences in Blue Tit FED or clutch size in relation to the proportion of any of the tree species investigated, after controlling for temperature and latitude (FED: −3.4 and 2.2, clutch size: −0.4 and − 0.2 eggs for one‐unit increase in temperature and latitude, respectively). In recent decades and across all sites, clutch size has decreased as spring temperatures have increased, a strategy which could allow birds flexibly to adjust their breeding phenology such that nestling demand coincides with peak food availability. The lack of an effect of woodland composition on Blue Tit phenology suggests Blue Tits do not fine‐tune their reproductive phenology to the local tree composition. Whether this lack of evidence for phenological divergence is due to an absence of divergent selection on breeding phenology and clutch size or to gene flow is not clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine whether investments in fixed (identifiable) intangible assets and tangible assets are sensitive to cash flow and the extent to which this sensitivity differs for firms with different levels of financial constraints. Using both UK private and public firms' data, our overall analysis shows strong positive (negative) effects of cash flow on intangible assets (tangible assets) investments. When we split the data on the basis of listing status, we observe that cash flow is positively (negatively) and significantly related to intangible assets (tangible assets) investments for private firms but not so for public firms. In addition, we further observe that both public and private firms' investments follow a similar pattern when we split our data based on the availability of internal funds. Moreover, we also find that the sensitivity of investment (identifiable intangible assets) to cash flow is higher for young and large private firms but lower for small and old ones. Our results remain similar to other econometric specifications, which account for possible endogeneity issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse if and how the characteristics of grant research panels affect the applicants' likelihood of obtaining funding and, especially, if particular types of panels favour particular types of applicants. We use the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) award decisions to test the similar‐to‐me hypothesis for the first time in the grant context. Our main results indicate that panel members tend to favour more (or penalise less) applicants with similar characteristics to them, as the similar‐to‐me hypothesis suggests. We show, for instance, that the quality of the applicants is more critical for panels of high quality than for panels of relatively lower quality, that basic‐oriented panels tend to penalise applied‐oriented applicants, and that panels with fewer female members tend to penalise teams with more female applicants. As a whole, we show that similar‐to‐me effects are simultaneously at work for a wide variety of functional, job‐related research characteristics as well as for more well‐known demographic attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Co‐production with communities is increasingly seen as best practice that can improve the quality, relevance and effectiveness of research and service delivery. Despite this promising position, there remains uncertainty around definitions of co‐production and how to operationalize it. The current paper describes the development of a co‐production strategy to guide the work of the ActEarly multistakeholder preventative research programme to improve children's health in Bradford and Tower Hamlets, UK. Methods: The strategy used Appreciative Inquiry (AI), an approach following a five‐step iterative process: to define (Step 1) scope and guide progress; to discover (Step 2) key issues through seven focus groups (N = 36) and eight in‐depth interviews with key stakeholders representing community groups, and the voluntary and statutory sectors; to dream (Step 3) best practice through two workshops with AI participants to review findings; to design (Step 4) a co‐production strategy building on AI findings and to deliver (Step 5) the practical guidance in the strategy. Results: Nine principles for how to do co‐production well were identified: power should be shared; embrace a wide range of perspectives and skills; respect and value the lived experience; benefits should be for all involved parties; go to communities and do not expect them to come to you; work flexibly; avoid jargon and ensure availability of the right information; relationships should be built for the long‐term; co‐production activities should be adequately resourced. These principles were based on three underlying values of equality, reciprocity and agency. Conclusion: The empirical insights of the paper highlight the crucial importance of adequate resources and infrastructure to deliver effective co‐production. This documentation of one approach to operationalizing co‐production serves to avert any misappropriations of the term 'co‐production' by listening to service users, stakeholders and other relevant groups, to develop trust and long‐term relationships, and build on the learning that already exists amongst such groups. Patient or Public Contribution: The work was overseen by a steering group (N = 17) of individuals, both professional and members of the public with experience in undertaking co‐production, and/or with some knowledge of the context of the two ActEarly field sites, who provided regular oversight and feedback on the AI process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential micronutrient required as a cofactor in many metabolic processes. Clinical symptoms of thiamine deficiency are poorly defined, hence biomarkers of thiamine status are important. The erythrocyte transketolase activity coefficient (ETKac) is a sensitive measure of thiamine status, but its interpretation may be confounded where the availability of the transketolase enzyme is limited. Basal ETK activity per gram of hemoglobin provides a complementary biomarker of thiamine status; however, its measurement and calculation are poorly described. Here, we describe in detail the assessment of basal ETK activity, including the calculation of path length in microplates and the molar absorption coefficient of NADH specific to the assay, and the measurement of hemoglobin in sample hemolysates. To illustrate the application of the methods, we present ETKac and basal ETK activity from women in The Gambia and UK. In conclusion, we present a clear protocol for the measurement of basal ETK activity that will permit the harmonization of methods to improve replication between laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the neo‐classical theory of investment (Tobin's Q), this study looks at how growth opportunity drives investment policies and the extent to which this relationship is sensitive to managerial incentives. We use data from 213 non‐financial and non‐utility UK FTSE 350 firms for the period 2007–2015, generating a total of 1748 firm‐year observations. We uncover that growth opportunity firms invest more in fixed intangible assets but less in tangible capital assets activities. We further observe that the growth opportunity‐fixed intangible assets' investment is more sensitive to executive compensation incentives. Our results remain robust to alternative econometric models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelp forests are highly productive coastal habitats and are emerging as important sources of organic matter for other ecosystems. Although their high rates of productivity and detritus release are expected to lead to substantial export of carbon, few studies have actually quantified rates of export or the persistence of detritus. We addressed this in eight subtidal kelp forests (Laminaria hyperborea) spanning the length (9° of latitude) of the United Kingdom. Specifically, we quantified detritus production, retention/export from source and adjacent habitats, and in situ decomposition rates. Detritus released via both dislodgment of whole plants and "May cast" shedding of old growth was highly variable between sites with greatest values recorded in our colder, northern sites. This was attributable to greater plant size biomass in northern regions, rather than plant density or dislodgement rates. On average, the annual production of kelp detritus was 4706 ± 700 g FW m−2 yr−1 or 301 g C m−2 yr−1. Low retention of detritus within the kelp forest and adjacent sedimentary habitats indicated very high rates of export (> 98% across the study). A litterbag experiment showed detritus may take > 4 months to decompose, suggesting great potential for long distance transport. Overall, our findings suggest that L. hyperborea forests export large amounts of detritus subsidies across their range, which can potentially shape the structure of distant benthic communities and constitute a relevant and largely overlooked flux in the coastal carbon cycle, which may represent an important component of natural carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the differences and potential mechanistic rationale for observed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) between four approved PARP inhibitors (PARPi). Methods: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) Yellow Card drug analysis profiles and NHS secondary care medicines database enabled the identification of suspected ADRs associated with the PARPi in the UK from launch to 2020. The polypharmacology of the PARPi were data‐mined from several public data sources. Results: The overall ADRs per 100 000 Rx identified across the four PARPi are statistically significant (χ2 test, P <.001). Rucaparib has the greatest relative suspected ADRs, which can be explained by its least clean kinome and physicochemical properties. The suspected gastrointestinal ADRs of rucaparib and niraparib can be ascribed to their kinase polypharmacology. Suspected blood and lymphatic system ADRs of PARPi can be linked to their high volume of distribution (Vd). The thrombocytopenia rate of niraparib > rucaparib > olaparib tracked with the Vd trend. Hypertension is only associated with niraparib and could be explained by the therapeutically achievable inhibition of DYRK1A and/or transporters. Arrhythmia cases are potentially linked to the structural features of hERG ion‐channel inhibition found in rucaparib and niraparib. Enhanced psychiatric/nervous disorders associated with niraparib can be interpreted from the diverse neurotransporter off‐targets reported. Conclusions: Despite their similar mode of action, the differential polypharmacology of PARP inhibitors influences their ADR profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This ratio has increased as psychiatric beds for older people has reduced and the number of people living with dementia has increased.8 Patient complexity is likely reflected in length of stay, with typical admissions measured in months and some patients staying longer. REFERENCES 1 Alanen HM, Pitkänen A, Suontaka-Jamalainen K, Kampman O, Leinonen E. Acute psychogeriatric inpatient treatment improves neuropsychiatric symptoms but impairs the level of functioning in patients with dementia. Keywords: Alzheimer; dementia; inpatient; treatment EN Alzheimer dementia inpatient treatment 1 4 4 02/01/22 20220201 NES 220201 DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. [Extracted from the article]

In this article, we evaluate property flood resilience (PFR) to manage pluvial and combined tidal/ fluvial flood risks. We achieve this by evaluating flood risk and intervention targeting strategies across a case study in Bristol (UK) using data types generally available for preliminary option assessment. We investigate opportunities for mitigating flood damages within catchments using PFR and evaluate two targeting strategies: Installing PFR across strategic areas of a catchment and targeting interventions at specific high‐risk properties. We find that individually targeting PFR is more effective than focusing resources on specific high‐risk areas. Targeting pluvial flood measures at individual properties across our case study provides an average annual benefit per property of approximately £750 more than applying zonal targeting, supporting use of high‐resolution modelling in surface water management, and highlighting the applicability of PFR to manage damages at specific high‐risk properties which may not fall under the protection of community level defences. A similar approach provides the best outcomes for fluvial targeting; however, the hazard is more concentrated and so a zonal targeting approach may be more acceptable. Overall, we find resistance based PFR an effective intervention to mitigate damages, however complementary strategies are required when managing extreme flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the approach taken to develop the United Kingdom's first community Earth system model, UKESM1. This is a joint effort involving the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), representing the U.K. academic community. We document our model development procedure and the subsequent U.K. submission to CMIP6, based on a traceable hierarchy of coupled physical and Earth system models. UKESM1 builds on the well‐established, world‐leading HadGEM models of the physical climate system and incorporates cutting‐edge new representations of aerosols, atmospheric chemistry, terrestrial carbon, and nitrogen cycles and an advanced model of ocean biogeochemistry. A high‐level metric of overall performance shows that both models, HadGEM3‐GC3.1 and UKESM1, perform better than most other CMIP6 models so far submitted for a broad range of variables. We point to much more extensive evaluation performed in other papers in this special issue. The merits of not using any forced climate change simulations within our model development process are discussed. First results from HadGEM3‐GC3.1 and UKESM1 include the emergent climate sensitivity (5.5 and 5.4 K, respectively) which is high relative to the current range of CMIP5 models. The role of cloud microphysics and cloud‐aerosol interactions in driving the climate sensitivity, and the systematic approach taken to understand this role, is highlighted in other papers in this special issue. We place our findings within the broader modeling landscape indicating how our understanding of key processes driving higher sensitivity in the two U.K. models seems to align with results from a number of other CMIP6 models. Plain Language Summary: The United Kingdom has taken a community approach to model development and delivery of simulations to the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The papers in this special issue characterize and evaluate the U.K. models and highlight emerging properties of the models, such as the climate sensitivity. Understanding of the reasons for an increase in sensitivity in these new models is highlighted here, and similarities to our findings from other modeling centers are discussed. Key Points: The United Kingdom has developed its first community Earth system model and delivered a traceable hierarchy of models to CMIP6We applied a process‐based evaluation strategy in model development but chose not to use historic trends or measures of climate responseThe U.K. models exhibit higher climate sensitivity than seen in CMIP5 arising in part from more positive cloud feedbacks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot summer was largely a consequence of the atmospheric circulation anomalies and elevated sea-surface temperature in the proximity of the United Kingdom, but these alone are insufficient to fully explain the magnitude of the observed temperature anomalies for the season overall. The most recent set of probabilistic projections from the UK Climate projections (UKCP18) give a wider but overlapping range of 10-25% for the current climate and a likelihood greater than 50% of summers exceeding 2018 temperatures by the mid-twenty-first century. The summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) represents the principal pattern of year-to-year variability in the summer climate of the north Atlantic and influences summer rainfall and air temperature across northern Europe through its association with the North Atlantic storm track (Folland I et al i ., [6]). We expect UK temperatures to be dependent on atmospheric circulation, with warmer summer temperatures, for example, when southerly winds blow across the United Kingdom. [Extracted from the article]

Distinct clinical syndromes have been associated with pathogenic MT-ATP6 variants. In this cohort study, we identified 125 individuals (60 families) including 88 clinically affected individuals and 37 asymptomatic carriers. Thirty-one individuals presented with Leigh syndrome and 7 with neuropathy ataxia retinitis pigmentosa. The remaining 50 patients presented with variable nonsyndromic features including ataxia, neuropathy, and learning disability. We confirmed maternal inheritance in 39 families and demonstrated that tissue segregation patterns and phenotypic threshold are variant dependent. Our findings suggest that MT-ATP6-related mitochondrial DNA disease is best conceptualized as a mitochondrial disease spectrum disorder and should be routinely included in genetic ataxia and neuropathy gene panels. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:310-315. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the rivalry between Euronext and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in the Dutch stock market to test hypotheses about the effect of market fragmentation. As predicted by our theory, the consolidated limit order book is deeper after entry of the LSE. Moreover, cross-sectionally, we find that a higher trade-through rate in the entrant market coincides with less liquidity supply in this market. These findings imply that (i) fragmentation of order flow can enhance liquidity supply and (ii) protecting limit orders against trade-throughs is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Ophthalmic examination in the horse is generally limited to crude assessment of vision and screening for ocular lesions. The refractive state of equine eyes and the potential impact on vision and performance requires further investigation. Objective To assess the refractive state of a large, mixed-breed sample of horses and ponies in the United Kingdom ( UK). Procedure The refractive state of both eyes of 333 horses and ponies was determined by streak retinoscopy, and the effect of age, height, gender, breed and management regime on the refractive state assessed. Results Emmetropia was found in 557 of 666 (83.63%) of eyes; 228/333 (68.5%) of the horses/ponies were emmetropic in both eyes. Refractive errors of greater than 1.50 D (in either direction) were found in 2.7% of the eyes tested. Ametropic eyes included hyperopia (54%) and myopia (46%). Anisometropia was found in 30.3% of horses and ponies. Breed of horse/pony was the only factor that affected refractive state (in the left eye only, P < 0.05) with Thoroughbred crosses having a tendency toward myopia and Warmbloods/Shires toward hyperopia. Discussion and Conclusion The retinoscopic survey found emmetropia to be the predominant refractive state of the equine eye with no evidence of an overall trend toward myopia or hyperopia. However, individual and breed-related differences were found. Such factors should be considered in the selection of horses for sport and leisure, and when evaluating their performance potential. More comprehensive visual testing would be valuable in identifying underlying causes of behavioral problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As soil-atmosphere fluxes of greenhouse gases are characterized by high temporal fluctuations, frequent measurements in the range of hours to days need to be deployed, resulting in high analytical costs. We have therefore developed a new low-cost system that combines high-frequency automated sampling with low-frequency chemical analysis. The System for Inert Gas Monitoring by Accumulation (SIGMA) is suited particularly for stand-alone observations in remote locations. The SIGMA is connected to an automated chamber with headspace sampling several times per day. Air samples are aggregated in sampling bags, which reduces the number of subsequent laboratory analyses and allows calculation of average flux rates over extended sampling periods. The SIGMA was tested under field conditions and compared with a conventional autochamber system, where flux rates were measured several times per day. Sample air fillings of the SIGMA sampling bags varied less than 5% between bags and diverged <1 to 6% of the pre-set values, justifying the assumption about proportional mixing of chamber headspace samples. When the SIGMA and conventional autochambers were compared simultaneously over the same patch of grassland in Denmark, the estimates agreed within ±12% in the assessment of average N2O fluxes. When deployed to discrete autochambers situated a few metres apart and under various environmental conditions in Denmark and the UK, we found no consistent difference between the two measuring systems. For a N-fertilized cropland in Denmark the SIGMA N2O and CO2 fluxes were 28 and 23% less, respectively than those recorded with the conventional autochamber, while for a N-fertilized grassland in the UK the SIGMA N2O flux was 47% more than that recorded with the conventional autochamber and 6% less than that recorded with a manual chamber system. Such differences are within the range of natural spatial variability in trace gas fluxes for these ecosystems and indicate the potential for further application of the SIGMA approach as a cost-effective technique to estimate long-term trace gas fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses why the Brexit referendum of 2016 was a triumph of nostalgic democracy and a failure for democratic internationalism. Topics discussed include democratic autonomy requiring strong economic performance, the electoral system by which popular democratic control is qualified, and Great Britain's commitment to Ireland's peace process.

The article addresses various concerns on the methods of teaching medical students in Great Britain. It offers information on the evidence based research related to the clinical teaching and learning conducted at the University of Manchester in England and University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. It also presents an experience based learning model that offers practical advice on how to be a facilitator the clinical learning of students.

Current predictions of climate change include altered rainfall patterns throughout Europe, continental USA and areas such as the Amazon. The effect of this on soil carbon efflux remains unclear although several modelling studies have highlighted the potential importance of drought for carbon storage. To test the importance of drought, and more importantly repeated drought year-on-year, we used automated retractable curtains to exclude rain and produce repeated summer drought in three heathlands at varying moisture conditions. This included a hydric system limited by water-excess (in the UK) and two mesic systems with seasonal water limitation in Denmark (DK) and the Netherlands (NL). The experimental rainfall reductions were set to reflect single year droughts observed in the last decade with exclusion of rain for 2–3 months of the year resulting in a 20–26% reduction in annual rainfall and 23–38% reduction in mean soil moisture during the drought period. Unexpectedly, sustained reduction in soil moisture over winter (between drought periods) was also observed at all three sites, along with a reduction in the maximum water-holding capacity attained. Three hypotheses are discussed which may have contributed to this lack of recovery in soil moisture: hydrophobicity of soil organic matter, increased water use by plants and increased cracking of the soil. The responses of soil respiration to this change in soil moisture varied among the sites: decreased rates were observed at the water-limited NL and DK sites whilst they increased at the UK site. Reduced sensitivity of soil respiration to soil temperature was observed at soil moisture contents above 55% at the UK site and below 20% and 13% at the NL and DK sites, respectively. Soil respiration rates recovered to predrought levels in the NL and DK sites during the winter re-wetting period that indicates any change in soil C storage due to changes in soil C efflux may be short lived in these mesic systems. In contrast, in the hydric UK site after 2 years of drought treatment, the persistent reduction in soil moisture throughout the year resulted in a year-round increase in soil respiration flux, a response that accelerated over time to 40% above control levels. These findings suggest that carbon-rich soils with high organic matter content may act as a significant source of CO2 to the atmosphere following repeated summer drought. Nonrecovery of soil moisture and a persistent increase in soil respiration may be the primary mechanism underlying the reported substantial losses of soil carbon from UK organic soils over the last 20 years. These findings indicate that the water status of an ecosystem will be a critical factor to consider in determining the impact of drought on the soil carbon fluxes and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the population estimate in Great Britain with the use of Estimating with Confidence (EwC). It discusses the revisions made in Great Britain's 2001 Census after finding out that the previous official upward adjustments to 1991 populations were too large. The authors also present the revised Great Britain-coverage small-area population estimates and recommend that it can be used as building bricks for aggregation to larger areas and to application-relevant age bands. They also present example calculations to assess differences which occur when a revised population estimate is used for the calculation of population change and as the denominator in demographic rates. Charts and tables are presented.

Objective: Mutations in Gap Junction Beta 2 ( GJB2) (the gene encoding the protein Connexin 26) have been found to be a major cause of non-syndromic sensorineural recessive deafness. The mutations in GJB2 causing hearing impairment vary in different populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of GJB2 mutations in prelingual deafness in a population of Bangladeshi origin in the UK. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Community based audiology clinic and tertiary level genetics department. Methods: Fifty-three families (67 patients) with sensorineural hearing loss of unknown cause were included in the study. Detailed history and examination excluded syndromic and environmental causes of hearing loss in the subjects as far as possible. Genetic analysis was performed, specifically looking for mutations in the GJB2 gene. Results: Of the 53 families, 14 were confirmed to have biallelic pathogenic mutations in GJB2 (26%). The most common mutations of GJB2 in this population were W24X, IVS1+1, M1V, W77X and Q124X, W24X being the most common mutation seen in 57% of patients. Conclusion: Mutations in GJB2 are responsible for over one quarter of non-syndromic sensorineural deafness in the British Bangladeshi population. It is recommended that all Bangladeshi patients with non-syndromic hearing loss should be first tested for GJB2 mutations before requesting other aetiological investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article offers developments related to topics featured in the journal "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" in 2014. In the said year, the journal showcased studies on the implications of the consumption of shiitake mushroom on the gabapentin pharmacokinetics. Moreover, the periodical also featured articles on substance addiction in February as well as pharmacogenomics in April.

Examines the incidence of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) in patients with HIV in Great Britain. Influence of abnormal immune response to antigens on the development of PRP; Symptoms of PRP; Examination of human leukocyte antigen phenotypes.

This article explores the impact European Union (EU) integration has had on methods and processes of budgeting in France and Britain from 1970 to 1995. It assesses whether convergence of budgetary institutions occurs and, if so, whether it is promoted by an obligation of compliance or by an hybridization effect. Compliance refers to changes in national budgetary institutions made compulsory by membership in the EU. Hybridization emphasizes that national and EU budgetary processes are increasingly interwoven and indivisible. Public budgeting is no longer purely national because part of the decision-making on national expenditure is made at the EU level and because the national budget is closely linked to the EU budget in financial and policy terms. Based on an institutional analysis, combined with elite interviewing, the article suggests that hybridization is a significant factor contributing to a convergence of budgetary practices in Britain and France. Underlying the argument is the fact that an increasingly important function of departmental actors involves negotiating with their EU counterparts at the EU level, in addition to the conventional budgetary game at the domestic level. Regarding compliance, there is an influence as testified by significant formal institutional convergence. However, compliance seems a less effective factor in influencing convergence than hybridization because it conveys a "negative" approach to convergence, based on enforcement and sanctions. The article suggests that the convergence of administrative systems is promoted by the growing similarity of administrative practices more than by the harmonization of rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the proposed reform of social security in Great Britain stipulated under the Green Paper, "Reform of Social Security". Control of public expenditure; Demographic predictions; Abolition of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme; Proposals on family support, income support and housing benefit; Indications of public policy and the welfare state.

Environmental protection nowadays is a major issue of policy and administration. It is well recognized that an effective approach to pollution control requires it to be integrated, but UK governments have been slow to respond to this need. The creation of a new unified pollution inspectorate in England and Wales must be set in the context of a general transition in British pollution control practice, where the incorporation of more formal procedures is taking place within a tradition of emitter self-policing, client-regulator mutual respect, and regulatory adaptability. This article examines the circumstances that led to the formation of the new pollution inspectorate and considers the challenges that it faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recounts the story of how classic hemophilia was transmitted in three generations of the descendants of Victoria, the late Queen of Great Britain. Hemophiliac descendants of Victoria; Hemophilia carrier testing and prenatal diagnosis; Postage stamps depicting Queen Victoria and other hemophiliacs.

Presents the results of a survey of British doctors to find out the prevalence of 'bottom drawer papers,' defined as articles intended for publication in a peer reviewed journal that has been written but are no longer moving towards publication. Reasons for botton drawer papers; Publication bias.

Comments on a book about the impact of illicit drug prevalence in Great Britain on its economy. Relevance of the book to economic and non-economic practitioners; Trend on the unit prices of cocaine, heroin and cannabis; Costs and benefits of drug enforcement programs.