The institutional capacity of the UK speculative housebuilding industry – responding to the brownfield development policy agenda

The UK speculative housebuilding industry has grown and prospered primarily through the conversion of greenfield land into mass, standardised housing estates. As such, the UK Government’s commitment to restricting the development of housing primarily to brownfield sites presents a significant challenge to the current skills base of many speculative housebuilders. Whilst the housebuilding industry has demonstrated in recent years a commitment to brownfield development through the steady increase in the numbers of dwellings built on previously developed land, concerns exists over whether the industry has developed the requisite core competencies necessary to secure a long-term commitment to brownfield development. In response to such concerns, this research assesses the attitudes, behaviours and corporate strategies of a select number of speculative housebuilders towards brownfield development in the English and Scottish contexts. Through this, the research presents a timely and important evaluation of the strategic decision making of UK speculative housebuilders and explores the concept of institutional capacity through an investigation into the private sectors response to public policy change

Stokes flows in a 2D bifurcation

The flow network model is an established approach to approximate pressure-flow relationships in a network, which has been widely used in many contexts. However, little is known about the impact of bifurcation geometry on such approximations, so the existing models mostly rely on unidirectional flow assumption and Poiseuille's law, and thus neglect the flow details at each bifurcation. In this work, we address these limitations by computing Stokes flows in a 2D bifurcation using LARS (Lightning-AAA Rational Stokes), a novel mesh-free algorithm for solving 2D Stokes flow problems utilising an applied complex analysis approach based on rational approximation of the Goursat functions. Using our 2D bifurcation model, we show that the fluxes in two child branches depend on not only pressures and widths of inlet and outlet branches, as most previous studies have assumed, but also detailed bifurcation geometries (e.g. bifurcation angle), which were not considered in previous studies. The 2D Stokes flow simulations allow us to represent the relationship between pressures and fluxes of a bifurcation using an updated flow network, which considers the bifurcation geometry and can be easily incorporated into previous flow network approaches. The errors in the flow conductance of a channel in a bifurcation approximated using Poiseuille's law can be greater than 16%, when the centreline length is twice the inlet channel width and the bifurcation geometry is highly asymmetric. In addition, we present details of 2D Stokes flow features, such as flow separation in a bifurcation and flows around fixed objects at different locations, which previous flow network models cannot capture. These findings suggest the importance of incorporating detailed flow modelling techniques alongside existing flow network approaches when solving complex flow problems

Stokes flows in a 2D bifurcation

The flow network model is an established approach to approximate pressure-flow relationships in a network, which has been widely used in many contexts. However, little is known about the impact of bifurcation geometry on such approximations, so the existing models mostly rely on unidirectional flow assumption and Poiseuille's law, and thus neglect the flow details at each bifurcation. In this work, we address these limitations by computing Stokes flows in a 2D bifurcation using LARS (Lightning-AAA Rational Stokes), a novel mesh-free algorithm for solving 2D Stokes flow problems utilising an applied complex analysis approach based on rational approximation of the Goursat functions. Using our 2D bifurcation model, we show that the fluxes in two child branches depend on not only pressures and widths of inlet and outlet branches, as most previous studies have assumed, but also detailed bifurcation geometries (e.g. bifurcation angle), which were not considered in previous studies. The 2D Stokes flow simulations allow us to represent the relationship between pressures and fluxes of a bifurcation using an updated flow network, which considers the bifurcation geometry and can be easily incorporated into previous flow network approaches. The errors in the flow conductance of a channel in a bifurcation approximated using Poiseuille's law can be greater than 16%, when the centreline length is twice the inlet channel width and the bifurcation geometry is highly asymmetric. In addition, we present details of 2D Stokes flow features, such as flow separation in a bifurcation and flows around fixed objects at different locations, which previous flow network models cannot capture. These findings suggest the importance of incorporating detailed flow modelling techniques alongside existing flow network approaches when solving complex flow problems

Identification of iridoid glucoside transporters in Catharanthus roseus

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) are plant defense compounds and high-value pharmaceuticals. Biosynthesis of the universal MIA precursor, secologanin, is organized between internal phloem-associated parenchyma (IPAP) and epidermis cells. Transporters for intercellular transport of proposed mobile pathway intermediates have remained elusive. Screening of an Arabidopsis thaliana transporter library expressed in Xenopus oocytes identified AtNPF2.9 as a putative iridoid glucoside importer. Eight orthologs were identified in Catharanthus roseus, of which three, CrNPF2.4, CrNPF2.5 and CrNPF2.6, were capable of transporting the iridoid glucosides 7-deoxyloganic acid, loganic acid, loganin and secologanin into oocytes. Based on enzyme expression data and transporter specificity, we propose that several enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway are present in both IPAP and epidermis cells, and that the three transporters are responsible for transporting not only loganic acid, as previously proposed, but multiple intermediates. Identification of the iridoid glucoside-transporting CrNPFs is an important step toward understanding the complex orchestration of the seco-iridioid pathway

The Stony Brook / SMARTS Atlas of mostly Southern Novae

We introduce the Stony Brook / SMARTS Atlas of (mostly) Southern Novae. This atlas contains both spectra and photometry obtained since 2003. The data archived in this atlas will facilitate systematic studies of the nova phenomenon and correlative studies with other comprehensive data sets. It will also enable detailed investigations of individual objects. In making the data public we hope to engender more interest on the part of the community in the physics of novae. The atlas is on-line at \url{http://www.astro.sunysb.edu/fwalter/SMARTS/NovaAtlas/} .Comment: 11 figures; 5 table

Intrauterine Candida albicans infection causes systemic fetal candidiasis with progressive cardiac dysfunction in a sheep model of early pregnancy

Introduction: Several recent studies have identified a potential role for intrauterine Candida albicans in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. There is, however, a limited understanding of the impact of intrauterine candida infection on fetal well-being in early pregnancy. Using a sheep model of early pregnancy, the aims of this study were to determine (1) the ability of experimentally induced intrauterine C albicans to infect the fetus and (2) whether C albicans exposure in early pregnancy is associated with alterations in fetal cardiac function, as measured by spectral tissue Doppler imaging analysis of fetal cardiac function. Methods: Merino ewes carrying singleton pregnancies at 89 days’ gestation (term is ∼150 days) received C albicans (n = 8) via ultrasound-guided intra-amniotic injection. Saline-exposed fetuses served as controls (n = 6). Spectral tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography and amniotic fluid collection were performed at baseline and 24 and 72 hours after intrauterine C albicans injection. Fetal tissues were collected at postmortem for analysis of infection and inflammation. Results: Relative to saline control, intrauterine C albicans infection resulted in pronounced increases in amniotic fluid tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α; P < .05) and cytokine/chemokine messenger RNA (interleukin [IL] 1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; P < .05) in the fetal myocardium, lung, skin, and liver at 72 and 96 hours postinfection. Spectral tissue Doppler imaging showed diastolic dysfunction at 24 hours and severe biventricular diastolic dysfunction 72 hours postinfection. Conclusion: Intrauterine C albicans infection in a sheep model of early pregnancy causes systemic fetal candidiasis, which is associated with a robust systemic inflammatory response and progressive cardiac dysfunction detectable by spectral tissue Doppler imaging

What influences the worldwide genetic structure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)?

The interplay of natural selection and genetic drift, influenced by geographic isolation, mating systems and population size, determines patterns of genetic diversity within species. The sperm whale provides an interesting example of a long-lived species with few geographic barriers to dispersal. Worldwide mtDNA diversity is relatively low, but highly structured among geographic regions and social groups, attributed to female philopatry. However, it is unclear whether this female philopatry is due to geographic regions or social groups, or how this might vary on a worldwide scale. To answer these questions, we combined mtDNA information for 1091 previously published samples with 542 newly obtained DNA profiles (394-bp mtDNA, sex, 13 microsatellites) including the previously unsampled Indian Ocean, and social group information for 541 individuals. We found low mtDNA diversity (π = 0.430%) reflecting an expansion event <80 000 years bp, but strong differentiation by ocean, among regions within some oceans, and among social groups. In comparison, microsatellite differentiation was low at all levels, presumably due to male-mediated gene flow. A hierarchical amova showed that regions were important for explaining mtDNA variance in the Indian Ocean, but not Pacific, with social group sampling in the Atlantic too limited to include in analyses. Social groups were important in partitioning mtDNA and microsatellite variance within both oceans. Therefore, both geographic philopatry and social philopatry influence genetic structure in the sperm whale, but their relative importance differs by sex and ocean, reflecting breeding behaviour, geographic features and perhaps a more recent origin of sperm whales in the Pacific. By investigating the interplay of evolutionary forces operating at different temporal and geographic scales, we show that sperm whales are perhaps a unique example of a worldwide population expansion followed by rapid assortment due to female social organization.Genetic samples from the 'Voyage of the Odyssey' were collected under permit #0751-1614 from the US National Marine Fisheries Service

Identifying inequitable healthcare in older people: systematic review of current research practice

$\textbf{Background:}$ There is growing consensus on the importance of identifying age-related inequities in the receipt of public health and healthcare interventions, but concerns regarding conceptual and methodological rigour in this area of research. Establishing age inequity in receipt requires evidence of a difference that is not an artefact of poor measurement of need or receipt; is not warranted on the grounds of patient preference or clinical safety; and is judged to be unfair. $\textbf{Method:}$ A systematic, thematic literature review was undertaken with the objective of characterising recent research approaches. Studies were eligible if the population was in a country within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and analyses included an explicit focus on age-related patterns of healthcare receipt including those 60 years or older. A structured extraction template was applied. Extracted material was synthesised in thematic memos. A set of categorical codes were then defined and applied to produce summary counts across key dimensions. This process was iterative to allow reconciliation of discrepancies and ensure reliability. $\textbf{Results:}$ Forty nine studies met the eligibility criteria. A wide variety of concepts, terms and methodologies were used across these studies. Thirty five studies employed multivariable techniques to produce adjusted receipt-need ratios, though few clearly articulated their rationale, indicating the need for great conceptual clarity. Eighteen studies made reference to patient preference as a relevant consideration, but just one incorporated any kind of adjustment for this factor. Twenty five studies discussed effectiveness among older adults, with fourteen raising the possibility of differential effectiveness, and one differential cost-effectiveness, by age. Just three studies made explicit reference to the ethical nature of healthcare resource allocation by age. While many authors presented suitably cautious conclusions, some appeared to over-stretch their findings concluding that observed differences were ‘inequitable’. Limitations include possible biases in the retrieved material due to inconsistent database indexing and a focus on OECD country populations and studies with English titles. $\textbf{Conclusions:}$ Caution is needed among clinicians and other evidence-users in accepting claims of healthcare ‘ageism’ in some published papers. Principles for improved research practice are proposed.This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research’s School for Public Health Research