Achieving the Rio target: CO2 abatement through fiscal policy in the UK

The research reported in this paper is an application of a large energy-environment-economy model2 of the UK to the medium-term issue of stabilising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at their 1990 levels by the year 2000, a commitment by the UK government made at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and taking the form of accession to the Climate Change Convention (the Rio Convention) in June 1992. This commitment has crystallised into a target of reducing emissions in the year 2000 by the equivalent of 10 million tonnes of carbon (mtc) below the level they would otherwise reach under a business-as-usual scenario (Department of the Environment, 1992, 1993 and 1994). Since there is considerable uncertainty in forecasting the level of CO2 emissions in 2000 (157-179 mtc compared with 160 mtc in 1990 — Department of the Environment (1992, p. 7); the 1990 figure has subsequently been revised to 158.6 mtc), it seems sensible to focus on such a target, rather than on achieving a particular level.

The typical developmental trajectory of social and executive functions in late adolescence and early adulthood.

Executive functions and social cognition develop through childhood into adolescence/early adulthood and are important for adaptive goal-oriented behaviour (Apperly, Samson & Humphreys, 2009; Blakemore & Choudhury, 2006). These functions are attributed to frontal networks known to undergo protracted maturation into early adulthood (Barker, Andrade, Morton, Romanowski & Bowles, 2010; Lebel, Walker, Leemans, Phillips & Beaulieu, 2008) although social cognition functions are also associated with widely distributed networks. Previously, non-linear development has been reported around puberty on an emotion match to sample task (McGivern, Andersen, Byrd, Mutter & Reilly, 2002) and for IQ in mid adolescence (Ramsden et al., 2011). However, there are currently little data on the typical development of social and executive functions in late adolescence and early adulthood. In a cross sectional design, 98 participants completed tests of social cognition and executive function, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (Wechsler, 1999), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (Watson, Clark & Tellegan, 1988), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983) and measures of pubertal development and demographics at age 17, 18 and 19. Non-linear age differences for letter fluency and concept formation executive functions were found, with a trough in functional ability in 18 year olds compared to other groups. There were no age group differences on social cognition measures. Gender accounted for differences on one scale of concept formation, one dynamic social interaction scale and two empathy scales. The clinical, developmental and educational implications of these findings are discussed

A vegetation analysis of some woodlands in the Coniston basin Cumbria

Not availabl

Liposomes for the delivery to the lungs.

This thesis consists of a study characterising preformed liposomes by the novel technique of low frequency dielectric spectroscopy, and a study investigating the gamma scintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of inhaled radiolabelled liposomes in healthy human volunteers. The low frequency dielectric spectroscopy of preformed liposomes based on L-di- palmitoylphosphatidylcholine (L-DPPC) was investigated. The dielectric response is of a modified Maxwell-Wagner type, and may be split into two regions corresponding electrically to two layers in series. Physically, these regions correspond to the lipid bilayers and the external aqueous phase of the liposomal system. This allows simultaneous monitoring of changes in both phases of a liposomal system. The effect on the dielectric response of the incorporation of cholesterol into the bilayers has been investigated. By examining the dielectric response at various temperatures of liposomes containing different amounts of cholesterol, a value for the phase transition temperature of L-DPPC liposomes was obtained, which was in agreement with published values. The effects of size, concentration and orientation of the phospholipid headgroup on the dielectric response of L-DPPC liposomes were also examined. The effects of the incorporation of a model water-soluble drug, ascorbic acid, into L-DPPC liposomes were studied. The release of entrapped ascorbic acid from L-DPPC liposomes was studied by low frequency dielectric spectroscopy. An aqueous phase radiolabel, 99mTechnetium chelated to diethylene triamine penta- acetic acid (DTPA), was used to investigate the deposition and clearance of inhaled 50:50 mole% L-DPPC:cholesterol liposomes in young healthy male volunteers. The liposomes were nebulised to the volunteers and activity monitored for 24 hours post-inhalation. Approximately 43 % of the radioactivity initially deposited remained associated with the lungs 24 hours post-inhalation, representing alveolar deposited intact vesicles. SPECT images were taken and used to assess the deposition of the liposomes in a three-dimensional fashion. The SPECT images indicated that the liposomes were distributed widely throughout the lungs

Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of Risk Factors for the Development of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents.

Risk factors which have been shown to influence the development of body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance in adolescents include depressed mood, low self-esteem, a history of teasing about physical appearance, social and parental pressure to be thin, pubertal timing, and actual body weight or body mass index. In the present study, an etiological model was proposed with these risk factors as predictors of the presence of eating disorder symptoms; this association was hypothesized to be mediated by dissatisfaction with body shape and weight. Structural equation modeling was used to test this theoretical model within a total sample of 345 adolescent females. Of the risk factors examined, all were significantly correlated with body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance except pubertal timing (i.e., early or late onset of menarche). Depressed mood, low self-esteem, social and parental pressure for thinness, and body mass index were found to be significant risk factors for the presence of body dissatisfaction. Depressed mood and low self-esteem were also found to be significant direct risk factors for eating disturbance; this relationship was not mediated by body dissatisfaction. In an initial sample of 172 subjects, the risk factors examined accounted for 40 percent of the variance in body dissatisfaction, which itself explained 64 percent of the variance in eating disturbance. The model was cross-validated with data from an additional 173 subjects; within this sample the risk factors accounted for 41 percent of the variance in body dissatisfaction; 67 percent of the variance in eating disturbance was explained. The results of this investigation were consistent with other recent studies of risk factors for eating disturbance. The major new finding of this study was that the direct association of depressed mood and low self-esteem with eating disorder symptoms was stronger than has previously been reported

The Midwife's coracle: a phenomenological study of midwives' experiences of emotionally supporting motherhood.

Background An initial review of the literature pertaining to the emotional health of women in their transition to motherhood was undertaken. It became clear that this is an emotional time for women where they are particularly at risk of becoming distressed (Drift 2004) and if women are emotionally distressed at this time it may have long term implications for mother (Drift 2004), baby (Miller et al 1993, Lemaitre-Sillere 1998, McMahon et a1200l) and family (Burke 2003, Tammentie et al 2004a, Tammentie et al 2004b). This understanding led to an exploration of who might provide for the emotional health needs ofwomen at this time. Midwives were identified as key professionals because of their regular contact with women through pregnancy, labour, birth and early childcare. The literature review indicated that midwives were providing for the emotional needs of women but there was no indication of how, despite the recent studies conducted into the emotion work of midwives by Hunter and her colleagues (Hunter 2001,2005,2006, Hunter and Deery 2009). Design This study has been conducted using the Husserlian philo.sophical approach with Giorgi's psychological method (Giorgi 1985). Eight community midwives were recruited following a presentation at their community midwifery team meeting at a local NHS Trust and subsequent 'snowballing'. Unstructured interviews were conducted with them in 2004 in order to explore their experiences ofproviding emotional support to women who were becoming mothers. Findings A general structure was developed along with four constituents: these were 'tipping the balance to showing emotionally supportive care', 'showing emotionally supportive care', 'struggles in showing emotionally supportive care' and 'emotional experiences'. The descriptions of experiences shared by the midwives led to an understanding that emotional support is a special type of care. This occurs in an intimate relationship supported by a 'circle of care'. The midwives use their communication skills with the aim of facilitating comfort and ameliorating emotional distress. To give this care, midwives needed to go through a process of 'tipping the balance' but even after this was enacted, they still struggled in providing this care. They appeared to particularly struggle with maintaining their 'with woman' ideology within their current professional culture. Recommendations There is a need for midwifery to consider how midwives might manage their 'with woman' care within health and social care services. For the midwives in this study, having the autonomy to manage their own diaries and caseloads along with good working relationships with their colleagues was facilitative. This was a small study in one geographical area but it clearly indicates the need for further research in this area