Can the European low-cost airline boom continue?: Implications for regional airports

At a time when the traditional major airlines have struggled to remain viable, the low-cost carriers have become the major success story of the European airline industry. This paper looks behind the headlines to show that although low-cost airlines have achieved much, they too have potential weaknesses and face a number of challenges in the years ahead. The secondary and regional airports that have benefited from low-cost carrier expansion are shown to be vulnerable to future changes in airline economics, government policy and patterns of air service. An analysis of routes from London demonstrates that the low-cost airlines have been more successful in some markets than others. To attractive and historically under-served leisure destinations in Southern Europe they have stimulated dramatic growth and achieved a dominant position. To major hub cities however they typically remain marginal players and to secondary points in Northern Europe their traffic has been largely diverted from existing operators. There is also evidence that the UK market is becoming saturated and new low-cost services are poaching traffic from other low-cost routes. Passenger compensation legislation and possible environmental taxes will hit the low-cost airline industry disproportionately hard. The high elasticities of demand to price in certain markets that these airlines have exploited will operate in reverse. One of the major elements of the low-cost business model involves the use of smaller uncongested airports. These offer faster turn-arounds and lower airport charges. In many cases, local and regional government has been willing to subsidise expansion of air services to assist with economic development or tourism objectives. However, recent court cases against Ryanair now threaten these financial arrangements. The paper also examines the catchment areas for airports with low-cost service. It is shown that as well as stimulating local demand, much traffic is captured from larger markets nearby through the differential in fare levels. This has implications for surface transport, as access to these regional airports often involves long journeys by private car. Consideration is then given to the feasibility of low-cost airlines expanding into the long-haul market or to regional operations with small aircraft. Many of the cost advantages are more muted on intercontinental services – for example, aircraft utilisation is already high and few routes have sufficient local demand without the use of hubbing. Large turbo-prop aircraft such as the DHC Dash 8 400 series offer very good economics compared to regional jets on short to medium sectors where demand is too thin to support a Boeing 737 operation. flybe is using these on certain ‘third level’ routes in Britain and other opportunities are identified in mainland Europe. It is concluded that there are still good growth prospects for low-cost airlines in Europe, especially in France, Italy and some of the new EU member states but rather than growing to dominate the air transport industry, an equilibrium position is likely to be reached. Some regional airports may see their services reduce once the market becomes saturated or the relative competitive position of the major airports and airlines improves.

The design and development of E-textbooks to support problem-based learning in secondary school science classrooms

Problem-based Learning (PBL) is widely used in education and extensive research has been conducted into the use of PBL to improve student learning. E-textbooks are a relatively recent development and represent the next stage of evolution of print media with improvements in the presentation of information. They also offer the possibility of being used as a learning tool rather than just as a store of knowledge. This thesis attempts to develop a set of design principles that allow the development of e-textbooks to promote PBL in secondary school science students. This research presents the results of a four-year study, between 2013 and 2016 with different classes, that aimed to investigate the development and use of e-textbooks to facilitate PBL in secondary school science classrooms. It involved identification of constraints that limit the implementation of PBL and measurement of their effect on learning through PBL. These included learning, pedagogical and technical constraints. An investigation was conducted into the use of e-textbooks to augment PBL and ameliorate these constraints. Through a process of Design-based Research, a set of principles was established that might promote the successful use of PBL and e-textbooks in secondary science contexts. A review of the research literature revealed that PBL can have a powerful impact as an educational tool if the learning environment is well managed. However, certain constraints to using PBL, especially in secondary schools, require investigation. E-textbooks may also be able to improve student learning using PBL while ameliorating some of these constraints. The three research questions developed for this research aimed to identify such constraints and identify factors that could increase the impact of PBL on student learning using e-textbooks. This study used a qualitative approach to investigate the use of e-textbooks to support PBL in secondary school science classrooms with some quantitative data used to support one aspect of the study (student knowledge). Data collected from a PBL Evaluation Tool before and after each intervention were used to measure student knowledge, planning, monitoring and evaluation and student engagement. In addition, data were collected through focus group interviews and observations of students in class. The four-year time span of the study allowed the collection of a large amount of data that provided opportunities for triangulation. The three research questions guided the development of a set of design principles that will be useful in the future development of e-textbooks that support PBL. The results of the study were several design principles that could be used by teachers and schools to develop e-textbooks to support a PBL program. These principles are presented using a road map analogy that illustrates the journey undertaken in this research. The design principles involve the pedagogy of the teacher, the design of the e-textbook and the facilitation of the students in the PBL environment

Thermal and photochemical routes to compounds containing the tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]nonane skeleton using polyfluoro-aryl and heteroaryl prop-2-enyl ethers

This work is concerned with the sythesis of fluorine containing derivatives of the novel tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]nonane skeleton by both thermal and photochemical routes from Claisen rearrangement products obtained from polyfluoroaryl and heteroaryl prop-2-enyl ethers. Fluorine is used as a blocking group to prevent an intermediate dienone from rearranging to a tautomeric phenol. Thermal rearrangements of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl prop-2-enyl ether 41 in the vapour phase gives (via an intramolecular Diels-Alder addition reaction of the intermediate dienone) 2,4,5,7-tetrafluoro-3-aza-tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]non-3-en-6-one 42. The structure of this product was confirmed by complete hydrolysis with 50% sulphuric acid to give 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Hydrolysis and hydration of the Diels-Alder adduct with water gave 2,5,7-trifluoro-6,6-dihydroxy-3-aza-tricyclo [3.3.1.0(^2,7)]nonan-4-one 43. This compound was readily dehydrated by sublimation under high vacuum to give 2,5,7-trifluoro-3-aza-tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]nonan-4,6-dione 44. l,3,5,6,7,8-Heptafluoro-2-naphthyl prop-2-enyl ether 77 readily underwent Claisen rearrangement in xylene at reflux to give l,3,4,5,6,7,8-heptafluoro-l-(prop-2-enyl)-napnthalen-2-one 80. Irradition of the napnthalenone in solution at 366nm gave rise to two isomeric tricyclic compounds 2,5,7-trif luoro-3,4-(tetrafluorobenzo) -tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]non-3-en-6-one 95 and l,2,7-trifluoro-3,4-(tetrafluorobenzo)-tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]non-3-en-6-one 103. Compound 103 is formed by an initial [3,5] sigmatropic shift, followed by a [2+2] cycloaddition and then a [1,3] sigmatropic shift. This compound was easily hydrated to give the corresponding gem-diol l,2,7-trifluoro-3,4-(tetrafluorobenzo)-tricyclo[3.3.1.0(^2,7)]non-3-en-8,8-diol 104 The structure of the second compound 95, formed by a direct [2+2] cycloaddition reaction was shown by hydrolysis and methylation to give 1β,4β,5,6,7,8,8bβ - heptafluoro-1α-methoxycarbonyl-8b,2a,3,4-tetrahydro-8bα,2aα-ethanonaphthalene 96c which was identified by (^19)F nmr and i.r. spectroscopy. Pyrolysis of compound 95 at 450ºC gave the naphthalenone 80 whilst at higher temperatures (490ºC) a new compound 1-fluorovinyl-4,5,6,7,8-pentafluoro-1-naphthyl ketone105 was formed. Pyrolysis of 1,3,4,5,6,7,8-heptafluoro-1- (prop-2-enyl)-naphthalen-2-one 80 at 455ºC gave the the compound 55 in very low yield. At higher temperatures (490ºC) the 1-fluorovinyl ketone 105 was formed

Dissimilatory nitrate and sulphate reduction in marine sediments

Abstract unavailable please refer to PD

Studies on the molecular immunogenetics of class II histocompatibility antigens in multiple sclerosis

Serological studies of HLA antigens in a number of different populations over many years have clearly demonstrated that MS is associated with particular products of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II region, particularly DR2/Dw2 and DQw1. It is widely accepted that immune mechanisms are responsible for the demyelination seen in MS, and there is a good deal of circumstantial evidence in favour of an autoimmune pathogenesis. Furthermore, it is now well established that MHC gene products play a pivotal role in T cell activation, and this raises the possibility that a true disease susceptibility gene might be encoded in the MHC. It has also been suggested that the rate of disease progression might be influenced by the MHC in a similar way. Since the genes encoded by the MHC exhibit at the genetic level an extraordinary degree of polymorphism, much of which is not detectable using serological techniques, genetic methods have been employed to investigate further the association between MS and the Class II region. An extensive analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of the Class II region was carried out in an attempt to identify genetic markers more strongly associated with MS than the classical serological markers. Initial studies using pooled DNA samples from patients and controls from the Grampian region of Northeast Scotland enabled the screening of 14 restriction endonucleases with five HLA-D region probes (DPA, DPB, DQA, DQB and DRB). A small number of discriminatory polymorphisms were observed with the DQ probes, although none with DP or DR. Based on these data, further studies were carried out on individual samples of DNA from 33 MS patients and 48 controls from the Grampian region. By identifying a number of DQA and DQB fragments of known specificity, it could be demonstrated that almost all of the antigens that typed serologically as DR2 and DQw1 were encoded by the Dw2 DQw6 alleles of DR and DQ, and also that these alleles were represented equally in both patients and controls. However, following Msp1 digestion and hybridization to a DQA1 probe a cluster of fragments was observed significantly more frequently in the patients (p<0.001), and furthermore, this association was found to be independent of DR2. These findings were confirmed in an independently conducted collaborative study in Northern Ireland. The DQA restriction fragment duster was further characterized by means of established RFLP allogenotyping systems. The cluster was seen in all DRw8 (DQw4) homozygous cell lines included in the Tenth International Histocompatibility Workshop, and in some DR4 and DR7 lines, but not in caucasoid DR2 lines. In a panel of healthy British donors, the cluster was again seen most commonly in association with DQw4 or E>Qw8. The apparent allelism thus demonstrated by the cluster raised the possibility that disease susceptibility was associated with transcomplementation between the DR2-positive and DQA cluster-positive haplotypes. Since the putative allele marked by the DQA cluster possessed many of the features of DQw4, an allele which is thought to be uncommon in caucasoids, an attempt to demonstrate this directly using monoclonal serology was made. A number of lymphoblastoid cell lines were raised from Scottish MS patients and their families, and studied using the DQw4 β chain-specific antibody HU46. However, the relation between the cluster and HU46 reactivity, though close, was not exact. Although 5 out of 6 HU46-reactive cell lines were cluster-positive, 3 out of 8 cluster-positive lines were HU46 non-reactive. In order to demonstrate that the DQA cluster corresponded to an expressed DQ α polymorphism, attempts were made to raise alloreactive T cell clones against cluster-positive cell lines. Using cloning strategies designed to eliminate the possibility of generating clones against the 'cluster-negative' haplotype, a number of CD4-positive clones were raised and maintained in stable culture. However, analysis of the fine specificities of these clones failed to demonstrate reactivity corresponding exclusively to the DQA cluster. DQα1-encoding exons from 3 cluster-positive Scottish MS patients, 2 unaffected siblings from multiple case families and 2 cluster-positive homozygous cell lines were amplified enzymatically by the polymerase chain reaction, and probed with allele-specific oligonucleotides. The data obtained suggested that in each case, the cluster-positive haplotype contained the DQA allele predicted by the linked DR genotype, and thus that the DQA cluster did not correspond to an expressed member of the DQA allelic series. This conclusion was confirmed by analysing the nucleotide sequences of PCR-amplified DQA α1-encoding exons from selected cluster-positive haplotypes. Taken together, these data suggest that an MS-associated polymorphism, detectable by RFLP analysis, lies in noncoding regions adjacent to the DQA gene

Assessment of quality of life in HAART-treated HIV-positive subjects with body fat redistribution in Rwanda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The introduction of HAART has initially improved the quality of life (QoL) of HIV-positive (HIV+) patients, however body fat redistribution (BFR) and metabolic disorders associated with long-term HAART use may attenuate this improvement. As access to treatment improves in sub-Saharan Africa, the disfiguring nature of BFR (peripheral atrophy and/or central adiposity) may deter treatment adherence and initiatives and decrease QoL. We examined the relationship between BFR and domains of QoL in HAART-treated HIV+ African men and women with (HIV+BFR, n = 50) and without (HIV+noBFR, n = 50) BFR in Rwanda.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HIV+ subjects with BFR were less satisfied with their body image (4.3 ± 0.1 versus 1.5 ± 0.2; p < .001), self-esteem and social life (4.1 ± 1.4 versus 2.1 ± 0.3; p = 0.003). HIV+BFR were more ashamed in public (4.5 ± 1.2 versus 1.1 ± 1.1), reported less confident about their health (4.6 ± 1.4 versus 1.5 ± 1.2) and were frequently embarrassed due to body changes (4.1 ± 1.1 versus 1.1 ± 0.9) (p < .001) than HIV+noBFR. HIV+ Rwandan women with BFR reported more dissatisfaction with psychological (8.3 ± 2.9 versus 13.7 ± 1.9), social relationships (6.9 ± 2.3 versus 11.1 ± 4.1) and HIV HAART-specific domain of wellbeing (3.1 ± 4.8 versus 6.3 ± 3.6) (p < .001). Age was associated with independence (r²= 0.691; <it>p </it>= 0.009) and marital status was associated with psychological (r²= 0.593; <it>p </it>= 0.019) and social relationships (r²= 0.493; <it>p </it>= 0.007). CD4 count (r²= 0.648; <it>p </it>= 0.003) and treatment duration (r²= 0.453; <it>p </it>= 0.003) were associated with HIV HAART-specific domain of wellbeing. HIV+ Rwandan women with BFR were significantly more affected by abdominal adiposity (p < .001), facial and buttocks atrophy (p < .05) than HIV+ men with BFR.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Body fat alterations negatively affect psychological and social domains of quality of life. These symptoms may result in stigmatization and marginalization mainly in HAART-treated African women, adversely affecting HAART adherence and treatment initiatives. Efforts to evaluate self-perceived body fat changes may improve patients' wellbeing, HAART adherence and treatment outcomes and contribute towards stability in quality of life continuum.</p

Applying psychological theory to evidence-based clinical practice : identifying factors predictive of managing upper respiratory tract infections without antibiotics

Background: Psychological models can be used to understand and predict behaviour in a wide range of settings. However, they have not been consistently applied to health professional behaviours, and the contribution of differing theories is not clear. The aim of this study was to explore the usefulness of a range of psychological theories to predict health professional behaviour relating to management of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) without antibiotics. Methods: Psychological measures were collected by postal questionnaire survey from a random sample of general practitioners (GPs) in Scotland. The outcome measures were clinical behaviour (using antibiotic prescription rates as a proxy indicator), behavioural simulation (scenario-based decisions to managing URTI with or without antibiotics) and behavioural intention (general intention to managing URTI without antibiotics). Explanatory variables were the constructs within the following theories: Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Common Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM), Operant Learning Theory (OLT), Implementation Intention (II), Stage Model (SM), and knowledge (a non-theoretical construct). For each outcome measure, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the predictive value of each theoretical model individually. Following this 'theory level' analysis, a 'cross theory' analysis was conducted to investigate the combined predictive value of all significant individual constructs across theories. Results: All theories were tested, but only significant results are presented. When predicting behaviour, at the theory level, OLT explained 6% of the variance and, in a cross theory analysis, OLT 'evidence of habitual behaviour' also explained 6%. When predicting behavioural simulation, at the theory level, the proportion of variance explained was: TPB, 31%; SCT, 26%; II, 6%; OLT, 24%. GPs who reported having already decided to change their management to try to avoid the use of antibiotics made significantly fewer scenario-based decisions to prescribe. In the cross theory analysis, perceived behavioural control (TPB), evidence of habitual behaviour (OLT), CS-SRM cause (chance/bad luck), and intention entered the equation, together explaining 36% of the variance. When predicting intention, at the theory level, the proportion of variance explained was: TPB, 30%; SCT, 29%; CS-SRM 27%; OLT, 43%. GPs who reported that they had already decided to change their management to try to avoid the use of antibiotics had a significantly higher intention to manage URTIs without prescribing antibiotics. In the cross theory analysis, OLT evidence of habitual behaviour, TPB attitudes, risk perception, CS-SRM control by doctor, TPB perceived behavioural control and CS-SRM control by treatment entered the equation, together explaining 49% of the variance in intention. Cnclusion: The study provides evidence that psychological models can be useful in understanding and predicting clinical behaviour. Taking a theory-based approach enables the reation of a replicable methodology for identifying factors that predict clinical behaviour. Hwever, a number of conceptual and methodological challenges remain

A Ponderação Principiológica de Robert Alexy na Construção da Argumentação das Decisões Judiciais

The objective of this work is to perform an analysis on the weighting of principles in the construction of the argumentation of judicial decisions. Decision-making processes can, through weighing, result in solutions that contain valid, solid and rational foundations, adequate to the peculiarities of the conflicts of principles. Along with the technique of weighting, one also perceives the need to use rationality, seeking greater legal certainty and impartiality. The question is: how to use the technique of weighting in the construction of the argumentation of judicial decisions? One can hypothesize: the construction of the argumentation of the judicial decisions can happen from the base on the made weights, as proposed by Robert Alexy. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar análise sobre a ponderação de princípios na construção da argumentação das decisões judiciais. Os processos decisórios podem, através da ponderação, resultar em soluções que contenham fundamentação válida, sólida e racional, adequadas às peculiaridades dos conflitos principiológicos. Aliado à técnica da ponderação, percebe-se também a necessidade de utilizar a racionalidade, buscando maior segurança jurídica e imparcialidade. Indaga-se: como utilizar a técnica da ponderação na construção da argumentação das decisões judiciais? Tem-se como hipótese: a construção da argumentação das decisões judiciais pode acontecer a partir do embasamento sobre as ponderações efetuadas, como proposto por Robert Alexy

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a universal parenting skills programme in deprived communities : multicentre randomised controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and cost utility of a universally provided early years parenting programme. Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial with cost-effectiveness analysis. Setting: Early years centres in four deprived areas of South Wales. Participants: Families with children aged between 2 and 4 years. 286 families were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention or waiting list control. Intervention: The Family Links Nurturing Programme (FLNP), a 10-week course with weekly 2 h facilitated group sessions. Main outcome measures: Negative and supportive parenting, child and parental well-being and costs assessed before the intervention, following the course (3 months) and at 9 months using standardised measures. Results: There were no significant differences in primary or secondary outcomes between trial arms at 3 or 9 months. With ‘+’ indicating improvement, difference in change in negative parenting score at 9 months was +0.90 (95%CI −1.90 to 3.69); in supportive parenting, +0.17 (95%CI −0.61 to 0.94); and 12 of the 17 secondary outcomes showed a non-significant positive effect in the FLNP arm. Based on changes in parental well-being (SF-12), the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was estimated to be £34 913 (range 21 485–46 578) over 5 years and £18 954 (range 11 664–25 287) over 10 years. Probability of cost per QALY gained below £30 000 was 47% at 5 years and 57% at 10 years. Attendance was low: 34% of intervention families attended no sessions (n=48); only 47% completed the course (n=68). Also, 19% of control families attended a parenting programme before 9-month follow-up. Conclusions: Our trial has not found evidence of clinical or cost utility for the FLNP in a universal setting. However, low levels of exposure and contamination mean that uncertainty remains. Trial registration: The trial is registered with Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13919732

Late Quaternary sea-level changes of the Persian Gulf

Late Quaternary reflooding of the Persian Gulf climaxed with the mid-Holocene highstand previously variously dated between 6 and 3.4 ka. Examination of the stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental context of a mid- Holocenewhale beaching allows us to accurately constrain the timing of the transgressive, highstand and regressive phases of the mid- to late Holocene sea-level highstand in the Persian Gulf. Mid-Holocene transgression of the Gulf surpassed today's sea level by 7100–6890 cal yr BP, attaining a highstand of N1 m above current sea level shortly after 5290–4570 cal yr BP before falling back to current levels by 1440–1170 cal yr BP. The cetacean beached into an intertidal hardground pond during the transgressive phase (5300–4960 cal yr BP) with continued transgression interring the skeleton in shallow-subtidal sediments. Subsequent relative sea-level fall produced a forced regression with consequent progradation of the coastal system. These new ages refine previously reported timings for the mid- to late Holocene sea-level highstand published for other regions. By so doing, they allow us to constrain the timing of this correlatable global eustatic event more accurately