Requiem for the Chyldren: the bioarchaeology of non-adult life course morbidity and maturation in Late Medieval and Tudor England, c. 1450-1600.

This study employs life course theory to palaeopathological evidence of morbidity from skeletons, and in doing so, endeavours to uncover new insights about the lives of medieval children in England. This research explores life course theory, through a biohistorical approach, to non-adult bioarchaeological evidence. Through the implementation of a holistic research approach, this study aims to address an important gap in our knowledge of childhood in the past, as well as demonstrate the value of engaging with – and integrating approaches from – multiple disciplines. This research examines the prevalence of skeletal disease in non-adults (in this study ≤25-years-old) in England between AD 1200 and 1700. Data for 3,466 non-adults from 146 later medieval sites and an additional 753 non-adults from 41 Tudor sites were collated from published and unpublished skeletal reports and analysed for evidence of skeletal changes reflective of disease. It was observed that, adopting a life course perspective was vital for understanding the lived experience of childhood in the past. It was noted that evidence of morbidity during childhood (≤11-years-old) was low, potentially indicating a period of effective child care. At around12-16-years of age the transition into youthhood occurred and this was accompanied by a change in morbidity patterns. It was also noted that patterns of morbidity in the life course changed according to different scales of analysis – such as regional, temporal, social status, urbanism. There was also potentially a difference in morbidity and burial evidence between later medieval and Tudor childhood. Evidence of violent trauma suggests that youths might have participated in warfare activities from the age of 14-17-years-old. Finally, the approach of composite life course analysis revealed that progressive tuberculosis was likely to have been a significant childhood experience, during which children were cared for by their familial units

Overview: Archaeology and the Medieval Life-Course

Historical evidence has provided a rich source of information concerning the structure and experience of the medieval life-course. Archaeology has also contributed to these debates, through the material remains associated with different age groups and the structural remains of houses, but primarily via the wealth of evidence provided by the medieval cemeteries. Human skeletal remains are proving to be a particularly fruitful source of data for understanding the relationship between chronological, biological, and social ages in medieval England. This overview examines the historical, archaeological, and bioarchaeological evidence for the medieval life-course, from infancy to old age. This range of evidence is integrated and discussed with reference to current theoretical approaches to the life course and age identity within the social sciences

The Children of the Reformation: Childhood Palaeoepidemiology in Britain, ad 1000–1700

CHILDHOOD IS A TIME of rapid biological growth and development, and a stage of the life course during which bodies are particularly sensitive to social and environmental stressors. As a consequence, events which may impact upon a child’s care and treatment can become physically embodied within their bones and teeth. The skeletal remains of children have been neglected within archaeological discourse until recently, but they are, in fact, a particularly important demographic for understanding the impact of social processes on past population health. This research examines the prevalence of skeletal disease in children (≤16 years) in Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) between ad 1000 and 1700. Data for a total of 4,626 children from 95 sites were collated from published and unpublished skeletal reports and analysed for evidence of skeletal changes reflecting disease. A biocultural approach was adopted in which the evidence was interpreted in relation to ecological, social, economic and environmental conditions. It was observed that childhood levels of skeletal stress did increase significantly after 1540. It was noted that during the Reformation sociocultural and economic factors added to stressors in the ecology of the medieval child. The effects of the Reformation were found to be the greatest aggravator in the rise of morbidity prevalence over seven centuries. Differences in morbidity patterns between non-adult age categories indicated that a state of ‘childhood’ existed until at least eleven years of age, after which there appears to have been a gradual transition into adolescence and adulthood

A Good Worker is Hard to Find: The Determinants of Skills Shortages in New Zealand Firms

This paper investigates the determinants of firms’ external skill shortages – that is, vacancies that are hard to fill for skill­related reasons. This paper utilises a specially­designed survey, the Business Strategy and Skills (BSS) module of the Business Operations Survey 2008 (BOS 2008). We estimate the determinants of firms reporting having vacancies and skill shortage in comparison to the non­skill­related vacancies using probit models and two­stage (Heckman) probit models with selection, to enable us to distinguish between those factors related with the firm posting a vacancy and those that make them difficult to fill. We consider a broad suite of variables, including firm’s size and industry, their market focus, R&D investment, innovation, previous performance (e.g. productivity), the degree of competition they are subject to

Spectroscopic and physical parameters of Galactic O-type stars. I. Effects of rotation and spectral resolving power in the spectral classification of dwarfs and giants

The modern-era spectral classification of O-stars relies on either the Walborn or the Conti-Mathys scheme. Since both of these approaches have been developed using low-quality photographic data, their application to high-quality digital data might not be straightforward and be hampered by problems and complications that have not yet been appreciated. Using high-resolution spectra obtained with the ESO/MPG 2.2\,m telescope in La Silla and following the premises of the Walborn and Conti classification schemes, we determined the spectral types and luminosity classes of 19 Galactic O-type stars and compared them to those attributed by Walborn and Mathys based on low-quality data. Our analysis reveals that the morphological spectral types assigned using high-resolution data are systematically later (by up to 1.5 subtypes) then those attributed by Walborn. By means of line-profile simulations, we show that part of this discrepancy is more likely caused by the combined effect of stellar rotation and high spectral resolution on the depth of helium lines used as spectral type indicators. In addition, we demonstrate that at least for narrow-lined stars the "rotational effect" does not disappear when the high-resolution spectra are degraded to the resolution of the Walborn standards. We also find evidence of a systematic difference between our high-resolution quantitative spectral types and those assigned by Mathys. Rotation and spectral resolution are important third parameters in the spectral classification of O-type stars. To obtain reliable spectral classes within the Walborn approach, the unknown and the standard spectra must be compared at the same resolution and \vsini. Owing to resolution effects, the Conti approach might also need to be updated.Comment: paper accepted for publication in A&

Chemical composition of Galactic OB stars II. The fast rotator Z Oph

Z Oph, HD149757, is an O9.5 Vnn star with a very high projected rotational velocity (vsini >= 340 km\s). It is also a classical runaway star due to its high proper motion. We perform a quantitative analysis of its optical spectrum in order to measure important observables of the star such as its mass, effective temperature, luminosity and He, C, N, and O abundances. Comparing these observed values to those predicted by the rotating evolutionary models of the Geneva group we find that none of the two sets of models is capable of reproducing the characteristics of the star. Nevertheless, due to its runaway nature, the reason for this discrepancy may be that the star is not the result of the evolution of a single object, but the product of the evolution of a close binary system.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

A qualitative exploration of older people’s lived experiences of homelessness and memory problems – stakeholder perspectives

Background: The numbers of older people experiencing both homelessness and memory problems are growing, yet their complex health, housing and care needs remain undelineated and unmet. There is a critical gap in understanding what can improve the care, support and experiences of this group. In this qualitative study we explore how stakeholders understand memory problems among older people in the context of homelessness and consider what they judge gets in the way of achieving positive outcomes. Method: We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 49) using a semi-structured topic guide, with 17 older people (aged ≥ 50 years) experiencing memory problems and homelessness, 15 hostel staff and managers, and 17 health, housing and social care practitioners. We recruited participants from six homelessness hostels, one specialist care home and National Health and Local Authority Services in England. Results: We identified four overarching themes. The population is not taken seriously; multiple causes are hard to disentangle; risk of exploitation and vulnerability; and (dis)connection and social isolation. The transience and lack of stability associated with homelessness intensified the disorienting nature of memory and cognitive impairment, and those providing direct and indirect support required flexibility and persistence, with staff moving beyond traditional roles to advocate, provide care and safeguard individuals. Memory problems were perceived by frontline staff and older people to be overlooked, misinterpreted, and misattributed as being caused by alcohol use, resulting in pervasive barriers to achieving positive and desired outcomes. Conclusions: Efforts to meet the needs of older people living with memory problems and experiencing homelessness and future interventions must reflect the complexity of their lives, often in the context of long-term alcohol use and current service provision and we make suggestions as to what could be done to improve the situation

A qualitative exploration of older people's lived experiences of homelessness and memory problems - stakeholder perspectives

BACKGROUND: The numbers of older people experiencing both homelessness and memory problems are growing, yet their complex health, housing and care needs remain undelineated and unmet. There is a critical gap in understanding what can improve the care, support and experiences of this group. In this qualitative study we explore how stakeholders understand memory problems among older people in the context of homelessness and consider what they judge gets in the way of achieving positive outcomes. METHOD: We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 49) using a semi-structured topic guide, with 17 older people (aged ≥ 50 years) experiencing memory problems and homelessness, 15 hostel staff and managers, and 17 health, housing and social care practitioners. We recruited participants from six homelessness hostels, one specialist care home and National Health and Local Authority Services in England. RESULTS: We identified four overarching themes. The population is not taken seriously; multiple causes are hard to disentangle; risk of exploitation and vulnerability; and (dis)connection and social isolation. The transience and lack of stability associated with homelessness intensified the disorienting nature of memory and cognitive impairment, and those providing direct and indirect support required flexibility and persistence, with staff moving beyond traditional roles to advocate, provide care and safeguard individuals. Memory problems were perceived by frontline staff and older people to be overlooked, misinterpreted, and misattributed as being caused by alcohol use, resulting in pervasive barriers to achieving positive and desired outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to meet the needs of older people living with memory problems and experiencing homelessness and future interventions must reflect the complexity of their lives, often in the context of long-term alcohol use and current service provision and we make suggestions as to what could be done to improve the situation

A Good Worker is Hard to Find: The Determinants of Skills Shortages in New Zealand Firms

This paper investigates the determinants of firms’ external skill shortages – that is, vacancies that are hard to fill for skill­related reasons. This paper utilises a specially­designed survey, the Business Strategy and Skills (BSS) module of the Business Operations Survey 2008 (BOS 2008). We estimate the determinants of firms reporting having vacancies and skill shortage in comparison to the non­skill­related vacancies using probit models and two­stage (Heckman) probit models with selection, to enable us to distinguish between those factors related with the firm posting a vacancy and those that make them difficult to fill. We consider a broad suite of variables, including firm’s size and industry, their market focus, R&D investment, innovation, previous performance (e.g. productivity), the degree of competition they are subject to