What lies beneath? Framing the principles for post-16 education in Scotland

This article explores the guiding principles from an informal education /youth work perspective. If the proposals include, even marginally, some of the work carried out under the auspices of CLD, then we argue it is valid that these principles are explored from such perspectives. As the CLD configuration also includes ‘achievement through learning for adults and ‘achievements through building community capacity’, perspectives will also be included from these traditions. The way that the document uses various concepts from a wider range of theory, both formal and informal education, we argue that the frame being used is intended to speak to a wide range of professionals and interested parties but at the same time narrow the focus to mirror a political ethos

Environmental and relative sea-level reconstruction from isolation basins in NW Scotland using geochemical techniques

Isolation basins from Northwest Scotland provide the longest near-field records of relative sea-level (RSL) change in the world (0 to > 16kyr BP). These archives contributed to quantitative models of glacial isostatic adjustment since the last glacial maximum. Isolation basin RSL reconstructions have been primarily based on salinity reconstructions from biological data such as foraminifera and diatoms. However, preservation problems and non-analogue situations can limit their usefulness. Therefore, it is necessary to identify other proxies from isolation basin to improve RSL reconstructions. Also isolation basin sediments are potentially high-resolution records of climate change from both the land and the oceans simultaneously, but little research has been undertaken. This thesis presents the results of a range of isotopic and geochemical measurements that were thought to be suitable proxies for palaeosalinity and palaeoclimate reconstructions. Tephrochronology was also applied to improve the existing geochronological controls of isolation basin sequences by attempting to identify Icelandic tephra layers. A combination of isotopic measurements; δ(^13)Corg, C/N ratios δ(^13)Ctoram, δ(^18)Otoram, (^87)Sr/(^86)Sr from foraminifera and δ(^13)Odiatoms, were preformed on contemporary and fossil archives. Results show δ(^13)Corg, C/N ratios measurements are as sensitive indicators of palaeosalinity, as biological reconstructions on Holocene aged sediment. Overall this thesis highlights the benefits of multi proxy palaeosalinity studies in order to gain a fuller understanding of the complex changes isolation basins experience during an isolation or connection events. A climate signal from an isolation basin that experienced a gradual isolated over the Holocene has been detected for the first time using geochemical techniques biogenic silica (BSi02) and total organic carbon (TOC)

The challenges and risks inherent in Welsh language revitalization and the Cymraeg 2050 Strategic Plan

The new Welsh Language Strategy, Cymraeg 2050 makes dramatic demands upon the resources, infrastructure and policies of Welsh language planning. To bring about the desired increase in Welsh speaker numbers there will need to be a complete rethink of Welsh language policy, and the challenges faced are considerable. This thesis explores these challenges, considering the two essential pillars of language revitalization, acquisition and retention of speakers, both child and adult. Overarching themes such as evidence, measurement, resources and leadership are considered, as are the specific challenges relating to the different facets of language revitalization. The family is the traditional cornerstone of Welsh language transmission. However it is clear that the family unit no longer provides the numbers of Welsh speakers required if the language is to thrive. Consideration is, therefore, also given to the education system, both statutory education for children, and language learning for adults. To succeed in its stated aims, Cymraeg 2050 must result not only in an increased rate of Welsh speaker acquisition, but also an improved rate of retention rate of speakers. The traditional strongholds of the Welsh language are shrinking, with in-migration reducing Welsh speaker numbers in percentage terms, and out-migration reducing them in absolute terms. Retention is considered not only in terms of quantity of speakers, but also quality of language. It is probable that poor language quality, with an associated loss of prestige, will jeopardize the relationship between identity and language, so important to Welsh language maintenance. There is an inherent tension between a focus on quantity, and a focus on quality. This raises the question whether the focus on a large number of speakers is not actively detrimental to the future of the Welsh language, which might be better served by more fluency, and strengthening the core areas of Welsh community use

Method and system for image analysis

A computer-implemented method for analyzing a sample comprising a first material and a second material of generally different densities and having a junction therebetween. The method comprises: defining automatically a plurality of regions of interest within an image of the sample, each of said regions of interest having a width of one or more voxels or pixels; determining respective density, intensity or attenuation profiles within the regions of interest; determining a location of said junction including defining a first reference point within one of said first and second materials and employing the first reference point as current reference point, and (i) determining a closest point to said current reference point that is on said respective profile and in the other of said first and second materials to that of the current reference point; (ii) locating a greatest difference in values of the respective profile between an adjacent peak and trough in a segment of the respective profile between said current reference point and said closest point; and (iii) locating a point of inflexion in said segment

Targeted screening in the UK:A narrow concept with broad application

A recent report on screening in the UK proposed that the responsibility for recommendations on population and targeted screening programmes should be held by one new integrated advisory body. There is no wide international consensus on the definition of targeted screening. Our review identified and compared the defining components of screening terms: targeted, population, selective, and cascade screening, and case finding. Definitions of targeted screening and population screening were clearly demarcated by the eligible population; targeted and selective screening were found to be conceptually interchangeable; cascade screening, whilst conceptually similar to targeted screening across several components, was only used within the context of genetic diseases. There was little consensus between different definitions of case finding. These comparisons contributed to an updated definition of targeted screening. Considerable overlap between definition components across terms implies that a broad range of disease areas may fall into the remit of the new advisory body

Dermatological cancer screening: Evaluation of a new community pharmacy service

Background: Skin cancer accounts for one third of all cancers. Prognosis is inversely related to identification stage. Objectives: To describe a novel service, mole scans, performed in community pharmacy, the findings from the first 3.5 years it was in place, and to explore patient acceptability of the service. Methods: Norwegian Boots' pharmacies offer a mole scanning service in cooperation with ScreenCancer. Scans are undertaken within pharmacy consultation rooms. Image interpretation is undertaken remotely by a specialist. Number and result of scans performed from 2010 to 2014 are reported. A satisfaction questionnaire was returned by 10% of participants. Results: A total of 25836 scans were performed on 15777 individuals. Of these, 83.6% had normal scans, 1% had melanoma, and 15.4% had another skin condition. In 2014 the service identified 4.1% of melanoma cases registered in the Norwegian Cancer Registry. Most responders (88%) would use a similar service again. Nearly all (99%) felt the pharmacy was a suitable venue, and 95% would recommend the service to others. In total, 99% of respondents scored their overall satisfaction as “good” or higher. Conclusions: This approach was acceptable among participants who provided feedback. Providing mole scanning through pharmacies enables individuals to obtain a rapid check of moles causing concern, in an acceptable environment with a high level of satisfaction

Angry opposition to government redress: when the structurally advantaged perceive themselves as relatively deprived

We examined (structurally advantaged) non-Aborigines' willingness for political action against government redress to (structurally disadvantaged) Aborigines in Australia. We found non-Aborigines opposed to government redress to be high in symbolic racism and to perceive their ingroup as deprived relative to Aborigines. However, only perceived relative deprivation was associated with feelings of group-based anger. In addition, consistent with relative deprivation and emotion theory, it was group-based anger that fully mediated a willingness for political action against government redress. Thus, the specific group-based emotion of anger explained why symbolic racism and relative deprivation promoted a willingness for political action against government redress to a structurally disadvantaged out-group. Theoretical and political implications are discussed

PNU-120596, a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reverses a sub-chronic phencyclidineinduced cognitive deficit in the attentional set-shifting task in female rats

yThe α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been highlighted as a target for cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia. Adult female hooded Lister rats received sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP) (2mg/kg) or vehicle i.p. twice daily for 7 days, followed by 7 days’ washout. PCP-treated rats then received PNU-120596 (10mg/kg; s.c.) or saline and were tested in the attentional set-shifting task. Sub-chronic PCP produced a significant cognitive deficit in the extra-dimensional shift (EDS) phase of the task (p < 0.001, compared with vehicle). PNU-120596 significantly improved performance of PCP-treated rats in the EDS phase of the attentional set-shifting task (p < 0.001). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that PNU-120596 improves cognitive dysfunction in our animal model of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, most likely via modulation of α7 nACh receptors.This work was partially funded by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development