Transition probabilities of 30 Pb II lines of spectrum obtained by emission of a laser-produced plasma

Transition probabilities have been determined for 30 lines of Pb II by measuring the intensities of the emission lines of a laser-produced plasma (LPP) of Pb in an atmosphere of Ar. The plasma has been seen to contain local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and homogeneity; the plasma studied has a temperature of 11 500 K and an electron density of 1016 cm−3. The experimental results obtained during this study have been compared with the experimental and theoretical values given by other authors

A spectroscopic study of the plasma generated in a thallium arc. Transition probabilities for several lines of Tl I

The optical emission spectra (2000–15 000) A of a plasma produced an a Tl arc lamp have been recorded and analysed; using the series nd 2D3/2`5/2 → 6p 2P Q3/2 and ns 2SL/2 → 6p 2P Q3/2 we have obtained that the electron density is of the order of 10L4 cm−3 and the excitation temperature is (2880 ± 50) K. Relative transition probabilities for 26 lines from excited levels near the ionization limit of Tl I have been determined from line intensities

‘Team GB’ or ‘Team Scotland’? Media representations of ‘Britishness’ and ‘Scottishness’ at London 2012 and Glasgow 2014

This article critically reflects upon media coverage of the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, scrutinising the emergent discursive constructions of ‘Britishness’ and ‘Scottishness’ through an examination of both London-based (English) and Scotland-based publications. Drawing upon Dayan and Katz’s (1992) portrayal of ‘media events’, the article explores how both events presented competing sites of symbolic struggle during a period of constitutional and political turmoil. Consideration is given to the existence of a ‘hegemonic Britishness’ in print media narratives of these events, as evident in the emergent connotations associated with ‘British nationalism’ and ‘Scottish separatism’

Women leaders in the political field in Scotland:A socio-historical approach to the emergence of leaders

Drawing on a contextualised case, we present a specific approach to leadership studies that brings together history, sociology and politics. We start with the following event. In August 2015, the election of Kezia Dugdale as leader of the Labour Party meant that, for the first time the leaders of the three main political parties in the Scottish Parliament were women. We approach the study of this significant leadership event, first, through a critique of aspects of leadership studies as a field. We next consider the potential for socio-historical approaches in understanding this event. Then, as a contextualised example of this alternative approach to studying leadership, we apply Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts – in particular the political field – in order to historicise the conditions of possibility of this event. Finally, we consider issues of power and gender in relation to how the leaders position themselves in relation to their parties and to each other within the political field. In so doing, we contribute to critical leadership studies by developing and demonstrating a socio-historical approach that can help us to identify processes of organisation and change in relation to the emergence of leaders

The 'Celtic Lion' and social policy: some thoughts on the SNP and social welfare

In May 2007 the Scottish National Party emerged as the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament and with contingent support from the Greens it now forms a minority Scottish government. This paper considers the ways in which social policy making is being approached by the SNP and the extent to which this represents divergence from the policies of the previous New Labour—Liberal Democrat administration. The paper argues that while the SNP has no tradition of policy making in the field of social welfare there are already some signs emerging of the direction it is likely to follow. Tensions between economic development and social justice agendas are highlighted with a concern that social justice could take even more of a second place than it has in the recent past. Finally it is argued that a neo-liberal vision of Scotland informs current as well as past policy making and explains why the promotion of social justice is more than likely to take second place to the pursuit of economic growth, reflected in the SNP's goal of transforming Scotland as a 'Celtic Lion' economy

The Rhetoric of Alex Salmond and the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum

This is the first article to examine the rhetoric of Alex Salmond using the Aristotelian modes of persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos) during the 2014 independence referendum. The article examines Salmond’s persuasive style, his political discourses, and construction of a specific form of Scottishness between January and September 2014. The article argues that Salmond’s rhetorical style was driven in large part by a concern to reassure voters about the consequences of independence (logos-centred), combined with a positive vision informed by both civic nationalism and anti-Toryism (pathos-centred), which he constructing around his own character and credibility (ethos-centred). We conclude that Salmond’s rhetoric over the course of the referendum campaign can be understood as part of a wider political transformation in which the legitimacy of Westminster decisions over Scotland is subject to regular scrutiny and doubt