War, State Formation and National Identity on the Fringes of the Atlantic World

This article looks at the relationship between war, state formation and national identity in England and Ireland. Focusing on the Elizabethan andStuart periods, I show how English rule was extended over Ireland in a series of wars. As well as ending the possibility of the development of an alternative type of state in Ireland, where a centralised colonial state emerged instead, this also had a profound impact on state formation in Britain. In addition, this process also contributed to a new type of national identity in both countries, which was geographically restricted and based on religion

Conscientious objection in Greater Glasgow Health Board v. Doogan and others [2014] UKSC 68

This article considers the recent decision of the Supreme Court in Greater Glasgow Health Board v Doogan and Others, which concerns the definition of ‘participate’ in the context of abortion and the conscientious objection of healthcare professionals due to their religious beliefs. It is argued that the Supreme Court was correct in affirming the definition of ‘participate’ as articulated by Lord Keith in Janaway v Salford Area General Authority. The protection of conscientious objection, under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, is considered. The discussion in this commentary, however, is limited to religious belief and does not consider the wider ambit of Article 9, such as non-religious philosophical beliefs

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood Transfusions: An Analysis of the Legal Protections Afforded to Adults and Children in European/English Human Rights Contexts

This article considers the degree to which the religious beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are given consideration in European and English courts. Adults' refusal of blood transfusions, based upon religious belief, is examined within the context of European human rights jurisprudence. A focus is also placed on the position of Jehovah's Witness children who refuse blood transfusions in the specific context of English medical law due to the prevalence of related case law in this jurisdiction. It is argued that the European Court of Human Rights has given appropriate protection to the will-rights of competent adult Jehovah's Witnesses who refuse blood transfusions. The position of children is somewhat different, and it is suggested that the courts should give greater consideration to the rights of competent children to manifest their religious beliefs

Book review: The Female Body: A Journey Through Law, Culture and Medicine

The Female Body: A Journey Through Law, Culture and Medicine, edited by Feuillet-Liger, Orfali and Callus provides a comprehensive and clear picture of the relationship between biomedicine and law in the context of the female body. In the 21st century, a range of different scientific and biomedical possibilities exist for women that would once have seemed impossible. How does the law regulate these advances in biomedicine? How does the law govern procreation in the light of the new reproductive technologies and challenges? How does the law interact with women who want to improve their physical appearance by the use of cosmetic surgery? How does the law engage with issues of genetic predispositions? Can biomedicine liberate women or does it further disempower them? These questions are analysed and answered in this book

An Ammonia Sensor Using an Unadorned Bromocresol Layer

Bromocresol Purple,(BCP) cast onto an acetate sheet, was used to sense ammonia. This simple layer responded reversibly to a low concentration ( 15 ppm) of ammonia in the presence of water vapour. The BCP solution was spincoated on an acetate sheet from a solution in dichloromethane. This layer was exposed to nitrogen and NH3/H2O vapour in quick succession. The colour change occurred from yellow to purple rapidly in the solid state. The λmax for the neutral ( acid) form of the BCP was found to be 435 nm and the λmax for the dianion ( base form) of the BCP was found to be 610 nm A mechanism previously predicted theoretically was confirmed using FTIR identifying the presence of a peak associated with a carbonyl in the dianion form