Is Social Mobility Really Declining? Intergenerational Class Mobility in Britain in the 1990s and the 2000s

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on social mobility in contemporary Britain among economists and sociologists. Using the 1991 British Household Panel Survey and the 2005 General Household Survey, we focus on the mobility trajectories of male and female respondents aged 25-59. In terms of absolute mobility, we find somewhat unfavourable trends in upward mobility for men although long-term mobility from the working class into salariat positions is still in evidence. An increase in downward mobility is clearly evident. In relation to women, we find favourable trends in upward mobility and unchanging downward mobility over the fourteen-year time period. With regard to relative mobility, we find signs of greater fluidity in the overall pattern and declining advantages of the higher salariat origin for both men and women. We consider these findings in relation to the public debate on social mobility and the academic response and we note the different preoccupations of participants in the debate. We conclude by suggesting that the interdisciplinary debate between economists and sociologists has been fruitful although a recognition of similarities, and not simply differences in position, pushes knowledge and understanding forward.Social Class, Absolute and Relative Mobility, Gender Difference, Social Fluidity

Endogenous IL-33 and Its Autoamplification of IL-33/ST2 Pathway Play an Important Role in Asthma.

IL-33 and its receptor ST2 are contributing factors to airway inflammation and asthma exacerbation. The IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway is involved in both the onset and the acute exacerbations of asthma. In this study, we address the role of endogenous IL-33 and its autoamplification of the IL-33/ST2 pathway in Ag-dependent and Ag-independent asthma-like models. Wild-type, IL-33 knockout, ST2 knockout mice were either intratracheally administrated with 500 ng of rIL-33 per day for four consecutive days or were sensitized and challenged with OVA over 21 d. In wild-type mice, IL-33 or OVA induced similar airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation. IL-33 induced its own mRNA and ST2L mRNA expression in the lung. IL-33 autoamplified itself and ST2 protein expression in airway epithelial cells. OVA also induced IL-33 and ST2 protein expression. In IL-33 knockout mice, the IL-33- and OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation were both significantly attenuated, whereas IL-33-induced ST2L mRNA expression was preserved, although no autoamplification of IL-33/ST2 pathway was observed. In ST2 knockout mice, IL-33 and OVA induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation were both completely diminished, and no IL-33/ST2 autoamplification was observed. These results suggest that endogenous IL-33 and its autoamplification of IL-33/ST2 pathway play an important role in the induction of asthma-like phenotype. Thus an intact IL-33/ST2 pathway is necessary for both Ag-dependent and Ag-independent asthma-like mouse models

Is social mobility really declining? intergenerational class mobility in Britain in the 1990s and the 2000s

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on social mobility in contemporary Britain among economists and sociologists. Using the 1991 British Household Panel Survey and the 2005 General Household Survey, we focus on the mobility trajectories of male and female respondents aged 25-59. In terms of absolute mobility, we find somewhat unfavourable trends in upward mobility for men although long-term mobility from the working class into salariat positions is still in evidence. An increase in downward mobility is clearly evident. In relation to women, we find favourable trends in upward mobility and unchanging downward mobility over the fourteen-year time period. With regard to relative mobility, we find signs of greater fluidity in the overall pattern and declining advantages of the higher salariat origin for both men and women. We consider these findings in relation to the public debate on social mobility and the academic response and we note the different preoccupations of participants in the debate. We conclude by suggesting that the interdisciplinary debate between economists and sociologists has been fruitful although a recognition of similarities, and not simply differences in position, pushes knowledge and understanding forward. </jats:p

Bis(spirolactam) 1,3-Double-Armed Calix[4]arene Compounds and their Application as Extractants for the Determination of Heavy Metal Ions

A number of double-armed calix[4]arene compounds, with proline-derived spirolactam ligating groups on the lower rim, have been synthesised and investigated as extractants of toxic heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Pedersen’s extraction technique was employed to determine the capability of these new 1,3-distal derived calix[4]arene spiroalactams to extract selected heavy metal ions (e.g. Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+) from an aqueous phase into an organic phase. The percentage extraction was calculated using UV-vis spectroscopy. All of the compounds synthesised demonstrated good selectivity for the heavy metals selected over the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions, in particular for Pb2+. The level of selectivity observed was dependent on the N-substituent of the spirolactam moiety attached to alternate phenolic oxygens of the narrow calix[4]arene rim. Interestingly, higher sensitivity and lower selectivity was found when the two remaining –OH groups were replaced by –OCH3 groups

Measuring the Cosmic X-ray Background accurately

Synthesis models of the diffuse Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB) suggest that it can be resolved into discrete sources, primarily Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). Measuring the CXB accurately offers a unique probe to study the AGN population in the nearby Universe. Current hard X-ray instruments suffer from the time-dependent background and cross-calibration issues. As a result, their measurements of the CXB normalization have an uncertainty of the order of $\sim$15%. In this paper, we present the concept and simulated performances of a CXB detector, which could be operated on different platforms. With a 16-U CubeSat mission running for more than two years in space, such a detector could measure the CXB normalization with $\sim$1% uncertainty

Authenticity and Nostalgia: A Gastronomic Experience of a Local Food Night Market

The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of authenticity (food authenticity and atmosphere authenticity) and nostalgia in tourist’ food experiences. Data were collected with tourists visiting a local food night market in Macao. CFA and SEM were used for data analysis. Results suggested that authenticity, especially atmosphere authenticity, has a positive influence on nostalgia, which in turn influences attitude towards local food, perceived gastronomy destination image, as well as revisit intention for food consumption. The findings also provide some practical implications for the food night market as well as DMOs

Kinetic Analysis of Dynamic PET for Molecular, Functional and Physiological Characterization of Diseases

PET with targeted probes may better elucidate the molecular and functional basis of diseases. The widely used standardized uptake value from static imaging, however, cannot quantify the probe uptake processes like perfusion, permeability, binding to and disassociation (k4) from target. The overarching thesis goal is to develop a model to enable kinetic analysis of dynamic imaging to separate these processes. As perfusion delivery is not modelled in the current standard two tissue compartment (S2TC) model, I developed a flow modified two tissue compartment (F2TC) model that incorporates the blood flow effect. The model’s performances were investigated with simulation. It was applied to derive kinetic parameters of [18F]FAZA binding to highly hypoxic pancreatic cancer. As a validation, the distribution volume (DV) of [18F]FAZA determined with the F2TC and S2TC model were compared with graphical analysis (GA). Kinetic analysis requires arterial concentration of the native probe to model the observed tissue uptake over time, therefore, a method was developed to correct for the metabolite contamination of arterial plasma. Based on fractional Euclidean distance of estimated and simulated parameters, F2TC model performed better than S2TC model, particularly with longer mean transit time due to the neglect of perfusion effect in the latter model. Also, dynamic acquisition longer than 45 minutes did not improve the accuracy of estimated F2TC model parameters. In the pancreatic cancer study: (a) GA showed that [18F]FAZA was reversibly bound to hypoxic cells; (b) DV estimated by the F2TC and S2TC model was not and was significantly different from GA respectively; (c) k4 and DV estimated by F2TC model could distinguish normal and cancerous tissue with 95% sensitivity. TLC-autoradiography identified metabolites in 2µL of arterial plasma with radioactivity as low as 17Bq. This high sensitivity and the ability to measure multiple (8-12) samples simultaneously could allow metabolite correction of arterial plasma to be performed in individual studies. Finally, the reversible binding of [18F]FAZA in hypoxic pancreatic tumor cells could be due to efflux of reduced products by the multidrug resistance protein. Therefore, kinetic analysis of dynamic [18F]FAZA PET could monitor both hypoxia and drug resistance for individualized treatment

The Impact of Digital Health Interventions for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes on Health and Social Care Utilisation and Costs: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions such as smartphone applications (mHealth) or Internet resources (eHealth) are increasingly used to improve the management of chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. These digital health interventions can augment or replace traditional health services and may be paid for using healthcare budgets. While the impact of digital health interventions for the management of type 2 diabetes on health outcomes has been reviewed extensively, less attention has been paid to their economic impact. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to critically review existing literature on the impact of digital health interventions for the management of type 2 diabetes on health and social care utilisation and costs. METHODS: Studies that assessed the impact on health and social care utilisation of digital health interventions for type 2 diabetes were included in the study. We restricted the digital health interventions to information provision, self-management and behaviour management. Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and EconLit) for articles published between January 2010 and March 2021. The studies were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. The risk of bias and reporting quality were appraised using the ROBINS-I checklist. RESULTS: The review included 22 studies. Overall, studies reported mixed evidence on the impact of digital health interventions on health and social care utilisation and costs, and suggested this impact differs according to the healthcare utilisation component. For example, digital health intervention use was associated with lower medication use and fewer outpatient appointments, whereas evidence on general practitioner visits and inpatient admissions was mixed. Most reviewed studies focus on a single component of healthcare utilisation. CONCLUSIONS: The review shows no clear evidence of an impact of digital health interventions on health and social care utilisation or costs. Further work is needed to assess the impact of digital health interventions across a broader range of care utilisation components and settings, including social and mental healthcare services. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO before searches began in April 2021 (registration number: CRD42020172621)

Control of final seed and organ size by the DA1 gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

Although the size of an organism is a defining feature, little is known about the mechanisms that set the final size of organs and whole organisms. Here we describe Arabidopsis DA1, encoding a predicted ubiquitin receptor, which sets final seed and organ size by restricting the period of cell proliferation. The mutant protein encoded by the da1-1 allele has a negative activity toward DA1 and a DA1-related (DAR) protein, and overexpression of a da1-1 cDNA dramatically increases seed and organ size of wild-type plants, identifying this small gene family as important regulators of seed and organ size in plants

Alat Penentu Kematangan Buah Berdasarkan Pantulan Gelombang Mikro

There exists many ways to detect the ripeness of a fruit, but most of the time these methods are destructive, like for example, pressing the fruit or extracting the juice for chemical tests. The aim of this project is to develop a method to detect the degree of ripeness of a fruit without destroying it. This project is part of an ongoing effort carried out in USM. In this year's project, microwave signal will be used to detect the degree of ripeness of the fruit. Two axial mode helical antennas are used, one as the transmitter, and the other as the receiver. The transmitter will radiate the microwave signal towards the fruit, and the receiver will pick up the microwave signal that is reflected from the fruit. The strength of the reflected microwave signal will show how ripe the fruit is. This is because fruits with different degree of ripeness have different chemical (internal) composition and the reflection of microwave signal will depend on the chemical composition. So, it is expected that fruits with different degree of ripeness will reflect microwaves with different strength. The strength of the reflected microwave signal is also sampled at different instances using analogue-to-digital converters. Sampling is needed to obtain the transient response of the reflected microwave signal. The transient response pattern could also give information about the degree of fruit ripeness because, fruits with different degree of ripeness will reflect microwave signal with different transient response pattern. Bananas are used in this project. Two levels of banana ripeness is tested, ripe and unripe. The results obtained are analysed to determine the degree of ripeness of the bananas. The results do show some difference between ripe and unripe bananas, therefore the concept of using microwave reflection to detect the degree of fruit ripeness is feasible