In-work poverty in the East Midlands

Research that explores the nature and scale of in-work poverty in the East Midlands, using several established measures

Double Carbon−Hydrogen Activation of 2-Vinylpyridine: Synthesis of Tri- and Pentanuclear Clusters Containing the μ-NC\u3csub\u3e5\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eCH═C Ligand

Reactions of 2-vinylpyridine with the triruthenium complexes [Ru3(CO)12] and [Ru3(CO)10(μ-dppm)] leads to a previously unknown double carbon−hydrogen bond activation of the β-carbon of the vinyl group to afford the pentaruthenium and triruthenium complexes [Ru5(CO)14(μ4-C5H4CH═C)(μ-H)2] (1) and [Ru3Cl(CO)5(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)(μ3-NC5H4CH═C)(μ-H)] (2), respectively. Crystal structures reveal two different forms of bridging of the dimetalated 2-vinylpyridyl ligand, capping a square face in 1 and a triangular face in 2

On the perceptual aesthetics of interactive objects

In this paper we measured the aesthetics of interactive objects (IOs), which are three-dimensional physical artefacts that exhibit autonomous behaviour when ‎handled. The aim of the research was threefold: firstly, to investigate whether aesthetic preference for distinctive objects' structures emerges in compound stimulation; secondly, to explore whether there exists aesthetic preference for distinctive objects’ behaviours; and lastly, to test whether there exists aesthetic preference for specific combinations of objects' structures and behaviours. The following variables were systematically manipulated: 1) IOs’ contour (rounded vs. angular); 2) IOs’ size (small vs. large); 3) IOs’ surface texture (rough vs. smooth); and 4) IOs’ behaviour (Lighting, Sounding, Vibrating, and Quiescent). Results show that behaviour was the dominant factor: it influenced aesthetics more than any other characteristic; Vibrating IOs were preferred over Lighting and Sounding IOs, supporting the importance of haptic processing in aesthetics. Results did not confirm the size and smoothness effects previously reported in vision and touch respectively, which suggests that for the aesthetics preference that emerges in isolated conditions may be different in compound stimulation. Finally, results corroborate the smooth curvature effect

Evaluation of elicitation methods to quantify Bayes linear models

The Bayes linear methodology allows decision makers to express their subjective beliefs and adjust these beliefs as observations are made. It is similar in spirit to probabilistic Bayesian approaches, but differs as it uses expectation as its primitive. While substantial work has been carried out in Bayes linear analysis, both in terms of theory development and application, there is little published material on the elicitation of structured expert judgement to quantify models. This paper investigates different methods that could be used by analysts when creating an elicitation process. The theoretical underpinnings of the elicitation methods developed are explored and an evaluation of their use is presented. This work was motivated by, and is a precursor to, an industrial application of Bayes linear modelling of the reliability of defence systems. An illustrative example demonstrates how the methods can be used in practice

Alternative job search strategies in remote rural and peri-urban labour markets: the role of social networks

This paper examines the importance of informal methods (especially social networking) to the job search strategies used by unemployed people. It compares three areas: a small rural town; a larger, more sparsely populated, remote rural area; and a centrally-located, peri-urban labour market. The analysis is based first on survey research undertaken with 490 job seekers across the study areas. Emerging issues were then followed up during a series of twelve focus groups. The survey research showed that job seekers in the rural study areas were significantly more likely to use social networks to look for work. However, those who had experienced repeated or long-term periods out of work, the unskilled and young people were significantly less likely to use such networks. Focus groups confirmed the perceived importance of social networking to the job search process in rural areas, in contrast to the more marginal role such methods appear to play in peri-urban settings. For many rural job seekers, formal job search activities conducted through Jobcentres were seen as largely symbolic, lacking the practical value of social networking. These results suggest that service providers seeking to assist unemployed people in rural areas need to address the problems faced by many disadvantaged job seekers who are currently caught between their lack of social network relations and the absence of local public employment service facilities in more remote communities

Reactivity of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine towards Group 7 Metal Carbonyls: Carbon–phosphorus Bond Activation

Addition of phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine (PPhTh2) to [Re2(CO)10−n(NCMe)n] (n = 1, 2) affords the substitution products [Re2(CO)10−n(PhPTh2)n] (1, 2) together with small amounts of fac-[ClRe(CO)3(PPhTh2)2] (3) (n = 2). Reaction of [Re2(CO)10] with PPhTh2in refluxing xylene affords a mixture which includes 2, [Re2(CO)7(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-H)] (4), [Re2(CO)7(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,κ1(S)-C4H3S)] (5) and mer-[HRe(CO)3(PPhTh2)2] (6). Phosphido-bridged 4 and 5 are formed by the carbon–phosphorus bond cleavage of the coordinated PPhTh2 ligand, the cleaved thienyl group being retained in the latter. Reaction of [Mn2(CO)10] with PPhTh2 in refluxing toluene affords [Mn2(CO)9(PPhTh2)] (7) and the carbon–phosphorus bond cleavage products [Mn2(CO)6(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,η5-C4H3S)] (8) and [Mn2(CO)5(PPhTh2)(μ-PPhTh)(μ-η1,η5-C4H3S)] (9). Both 8 and 9 contain a bridging thienyl ligand which is bonded to one manganese atom in a η5-fashion

Work-time underemployment and financial hardship: class inequalities and recession in the UK

The economic crisis that led to recession in the UK in 2008–9 impacted in multiple ways on work and economic life. This article examines changes to the work-time of employees. The UK stood out for its recessionary expansion of work-time underemployment. Working in a job that provides ‘too few’ hours can have serious ramifications for the economic livelihood of workers. Working-class workers are central here. Drawing on analysis of large-scale survey data, the article identifies that workers in lower level occupations experienced the most substantial post-recessionary growth in the proportions working ‘too few’ hours. Did these work-time changes narrow or widen class inequalities in feelings of financial hardship? The article concludes that although middle-class workers also saw their financial positions damaged, this so-called ‘first middle-class recession’ did not erode class inequalities in financial hardship among UK workers

The introduction of the Cancer Research UK Stratified Medicine Programme 2 (CRUK SMP2) in North East England; lessons learned and experience gained

Introduction: The CRUK SMP2 programme was set-up to evaluate the feasibility of performing large scale molecular analysis within the NHS on the (often small) diagnostic biopsies obtained in NSCLC. The results are used to allocate patients to an appropriate molecular therapy within the “umbrella” MATRIX trial. Newcastle opened SMP2 on 01/10/2014. Here we report our first year’s experience. Methods: NSCLC patients with PS 0–2 were consented onto the CRUK SMP2. Matched residual diagnostic tissue and blood were sent to All Wales Genetics Laboratory, Cardiff. Samples with >70ng DNA were assessed for 28 oncogenes using Next Genuine Sequencing on the Illumina SMP2 panel. Results: 116 patients were consented from 6/10/14–1/10/15 referred from 12 oncologists. The data on patient/sample flow is shown in Fig 1. Median survival was 161 days from consent. The 1st sample was sent to Cardiff on 28/1/15 as the Illumina panel was undergoing fi- nal validation. 50 samples have been sent; 11 had insufficient DNA; these samples had lower cell number (but with no impact of necrosis/tumour proportion); The most commonly altered gene was K-Ras (13 of 22 adenocarcinomas). Only 2 patients with results from >25 of the 28 genes had no tier 1 or 2 ie potentially treatable molecular abnormalities. The median time from consent to result was 109 days (range 45–250) with delays occurring throughout the pathway. Conclusion: Patients and oncologists are keen to be involved in molecular profiling; but patients need to be consented early to allow results to guide therapy. Prioritisation of samples is key. Not all samples are suitable for analysis due to small cell number or low tumour proportion. Molecular analysis may require extra resource in pathology, if it is to become standard of care. The first 4 patients to start treatment on MATRIX were enrolled from 27/8/15 in Newcastle. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest