scholarly journals Support for direct and deliberative models of democracy in the UK: understanding the difference

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1809474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergiu Gherghina ◽  
Brigitte Geissel
Keyword(s):  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Models Of Democracy

Party systems in the UK

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
Paul Webb ◽  
Tim Bale
Keyword(s):  
Party System ◽  
Party Systems ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
Detailed Account ◽  
Minor Parties ◽  
Consensus Models ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Local Levels ◽  
Models Of Democracy

The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of contemporary party systems in the UK by way of context for the detailed account of party politics in the chapters which follow. It starts by defining the term ‘party system’ before highlighting the difference between party systems under majoritarian and consensus models of democracy and considering various ways of classifying party systems. It then surveys the varieties of party system found at Westminster, devolved, and local levels. It argues that the classic two-party system label now obscures as much as it reveals. If it does still apply, then it is mainly at the level of Westminster politics; even there, however, the minor parties have become more relevant in both the electoral and legislative arenas—and even, on occasion, in the executive arena.

ATTITUDE TO OPEN ACCESS IN RUSSIAN SCHOLARLY COMMUNITY: 2018. SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Razumova ◽  
N. N. Litvinova ◽  
M. E. Shvartsman ◽  
A. Yu. Kuznetsov
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Open Access Publishing ◽  
Scholarly Community ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
High Level ◽  
Access Policies

Introduction. The paper presents survey results on the awareness towards and practice of Open Access scholarly publishing among Russian academics.Materials and Methods. We employed methods of statistical analysis of survey results. Materials comprise results of data processing of Russian survey conducted in 2018 and published results of the latest international surveys. The survey comprised 1383 respondents from 182 organizations. We performed comparative studies of the responses from academics and research institutions as well as different research areas. The study compares results obtained in Russia with the recently published results of surveys conducted in the United Kingdom and Europe.Results. Our findings show that 95% of Russian respondents support open access, 94% agree to post their publications in open repositories and 75% have experience in open access publishing. We did not find any difference in the awareness and attitude towards open access among seven reference groups. Our analysis revealed the difference in the structure of open access publications of the authors from universities and research institutes. Discussion andConclusions. Results reveal a high level of awareness and support to open access and succeful practice in the open access publications in the Russian scholarly community. The results for Russia demonstrate close similarity with the results of the UK academics. The governmental open access policies and programs would foster the practical realization of the open access in Russia.

scholarly journals THE VALUE OF ROBUST STATISTICAL FORECASTS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 19-43
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Castle ◽  
Jurgen A. Doornik ◽  
David F. Hendry
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Data Measurement ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Changing Trends ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk

The Covid-19 pandemic has put forecasting under the spotlight, pitting epidemiological models against extrapolative time-series devices. We have been producing real-time short-term forecasts of confirmed cases and deaths using robust statistical models since 20 March 2020. The forecasts are adaptive to abrupt structural change, a major feature of the pandemic data due to data measurement errors, definitional and testing changes, policy interventions, technological advances and rapidly changing trends. The pandemic has also led to abrupt structural change in macroeconomic outcomes. Using the same methods, we forecast aggregate UK unemployment over the pandemic. The forecasts rapidly adapt to the employment policies implemented when the UK entered the first lockdown. The difference between our statistical and theory based forecasts provides a measure of the effect of furlough policies on stabilising unemployment, establishing useful scenarios had furlough policies not been implemented.

scholarly journals Gender inequality in COVID-19 times: evidence from UK prolific participants

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Sonia Oreffice ◽  
Climent Quintana-Domeque
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Gender Gaps ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Future State ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk

Abstract We investigate gender differences across multiple dimensions after 3 months of the first UK lockdown of March 2020, using an online sample of approximately 1,500 Prolific respondents’ residents in the UK. We find that women's mental health was worse than men along the four metrics we collected data on, that women were more concerned about getting and spreading the virus, and that women perceived the virus as more prevalent and lethal than men did. Women were also more likely to expect a new lockdown or virus outbreak by the end of 2020, and were more pessimistic about the contemporaneous and future state of the UK economy, as measured by their forecasted contemporaneous and future unemployment rates. We also show that between earlier in 2020 before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and June 2020, women had increased childcare and housework more than men. Neither the gender gaps in COVID-19-related health and economic concerns nor the gender gaps in the increase in hours of childcare and housework can be accounted for by a rich set of control variables. Instead, we find that the gender gap in mental health can be partially accounted for by the difference in COVID-19-related health concerns between men and women.

scholarly journals The contribution of changes to tax and social security to stalled life expectancy trends in Scotland: a modelling study

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-214770
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Richardson ◽  
Martin Taulbut ◽  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Andrew Pulford ◽  
Gerry McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Tax Credits ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Group Sex ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Security Benefits ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Welfare Reforms ◽  
Detrimental Impact

BackgroundLife expectancy (LE) improvements have stalled, and UK tax and welfare ‘reforms’ have been proposed as a cause. We estimated the effects of tax and welfare reforms from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022 on LE and inequalities in LE in Scotland.MethodsWe applied a published estimate of the cumulative income impact of the reforms to the households within Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles. We estimated the impact on LE by applying a rate ratio for the impact of income on mortality rates (by age group, sex and SIMD quintile) and calculating the difference between inflation-only changes in benefits and the reforms.ResultsWe estimated that changes to household income resulting from the reforms would result in an additional 1041 (+3.7%) female deaths and 1013 (+3.8%) male deaths. These deaths represent an estimated reduction of female LE from 81.6 years to 81.2 years (−20 weeks), and male LE from 77.6 years to 77.2 years (−23 weeks). Cuts to benefits and tax credits were modelled to have the most detrimental impact on LE, and these were estimated to be most severe in the most deprived areas. The modelled impact on inequalities in LE was widening of the gap between the most and least deprived 20% of areas by a further 21 weeks for females and 23 weeks for males.InterpretationThis study provides further evidence that austerity, in the form of cuts to social security benefits, is likely to be an important cause of stalled LE across the UK.

Comparison of postal and non-postal post-vasectomy semen sample submission strategies on compliance and failures: an 11-year analysis of the audit database of the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care of the UK

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2021-201064
Author(s):  
Melanie Atkinson ◽  
Gareth James ◽  
Katie Bond ◽  
Zoe Harcombe ◽  
Michel Labrecque
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Failure Detection ◽  
Semen Sample ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Early Failure ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Late Failure ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundVasectomy occlusive success is defined by the recommendation of ‘clearance’ to stop other contraception, and is elicited by post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). We evaluated how the choice of either a postal or non-postal PVSA submission strategy was associated with compliance to PVSA and effectiveness of vasectomy.MethodsWe studied vasectomies performed in the UK from 2008 to 2019, reported in annual audits by Association of Surgeons in Primary Care members. We calculated the difference between the two strategies for compliance with PVSA, and early and late vasectomy failure. We determined compliance by adding the numbers of men with early failure and those given clearance. We performed stratified analyses by the number of test guidance for clearance (one-test/two-test) and the study period (2008–2013/2014–2019).ResultsAmong 58 900 vasectomised men, 32 708 (56%) and 26 192 (44%) were advised submission by postal and non-postal strategies, respectively. Compliance with postal (79.5%) was significantly greater than with non-postal strategy (59.1%), the difference being 20.4% (95% CI 19.7% to 21.2%). In compliant patients, overall early failure detection was lower with postal (0.73%) than with non-postal (0.94%) strategy (−0.22%, 95% CI −0.41% to −0.04%), but this difference was neither clinically nor statistically significant with one-test guidance in 2014–2019. There was no difference in late failure rates.ConclusionsPostal strategy significantly increased compliance to PVSA with similar failure detection rates. This resulted in more individuals receiving clearance or early failure because of the greater percentage of postal samples submitted. Postal strategy warrants inclusion in any future guidelines as a reliable and convenient option.

scholarly journals Posture, Flexibility and Grip Strength in Horse Riders

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jane Hobbs ◽  
Joanna Baxter ◽  
Louise Broom ◽  
Laura-Ann Rossell ◽  
Jonathan Sinclair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Functional Asymmetry ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Sitting Posture ◽  
Competition Level ◽  
Negative Trait ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Since the ability to train the horse to be ambidextrous is considered highly desirable, rider asymmetry is recognized as a negative trait. Acquired postural and functional asymmetry can originate from numerous anatomical regions, so it is difficult to suggest if any is developed due to riding. The aim of this study was therefore to assess symmetry of posture, strength and flexibility in a large population of riders and to determine whether typical traits exist due to riding. 127 right handed riders from the UK and USA were categorized according to years riding (in 20 year increments) and their competition level (using affiliated test levels). Leg length, grip strength and spinal posture were measured and recorded by a physiotherapist. Standing and sitting posture and trunk flexibility were measured with 3-D motion capture technology. Right-left differences were explored in relation to years riding and rider competitive experience. Significant anatomical asymmetry was found for the difference in standing acromion process height for a competition level (-0.07±1.50 cm Intro/Prelim; 0.02±1.31 cm Novice; 0.43±1.27 cm Elementary+; p=0.048) and for sitting iliac crest height for years riding (-0.23±1.36 cm Intro/Prelim; 0.01±1.50 cm Novice; 0.86±0.41 cm Elementary+; p=0.021). For functional asymmetry, a significant interaction was found for lateral bending ROM for years riding x competition level (p=0.047). The demands on dressage riders competing at higher levels may predispose these riders to a higher risk of developing asymmetry and potentially chronic back pain rather than improving their symmetry

scholarly journals Cannabis and epilepsy

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 465-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys H Thomas ◽  
Mark O Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
High Profile ◽  
High Street ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The One ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Genetic Epilepsies ◽  
Trial Evidence

Click here to listen to the PodcastThe one-third of people who do not gain seizure control through current treatment options need a revolution in epilepsy therapeutics. The general population appears to be showing a fundamental and rapid shift in its opinion regarding cannabis and cannabis-related drugs. It is quite possible that cannabidiol, licensed in the USA for treating rare genetic epilepsies, may open the door for the widespread legalisation of recreational cannabis. It is important that neurologists understand the difference between artisanal cannabidiol products available legally on the high street and the cannabidiol medications that have strong trial evidence. In the UK in 2018 there are multiple high-profile reports of the response of children taking cannabis-derived medication, meaning that neurologists are commonly asked questions about these treatments in clinic. We address what an adult neurologist needs to know now, ahead of the likely licensing of Epidiolex in the UK in 2019.

scholarly journals Radiational tides: their double-counting in storm surge forecasts and contribution to the Highest Astronomical Tide

Ocean Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1057-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Williams ◽  
Maialen Irazoqui Apecechea ◽  
Andrew Saulter ◽  
Kevin J. Horsburgh
Keyword(s):  
Tide Gauge ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Double Counting ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Astronomical Tide ◽  
Operational Forecasts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Total Water Level

Abstract. Tide predictions based on tide-gauge observations are not just the astronomical tides; they also contain radiational tides – periodic sea-level changes due to atmospheric conditions and solar forcing. This poses a problem of double-counting for operational forecasts of total water level during storm surges. In some surge forecasting, a regional model is run in two modes: tide only, with astronomic forcing alone; and tide and surge, forced additionally by surface winds and pressure. The surge residual is defined to be the difference between these configurations and is added to the local harmonic predictions from gauges. Here we use the Global Tide and Surge Model (GTSM) based on Delft-FM to investigate this in the UK and elsewhere, quantifying the weather-related tides that may be double-counted in operational forecasts. We show that the global S2 atmospheric tide is captured by the tide-and-surge model and observe changes in other major constituents, including M2. The Lowest and Highest Astronomical Tide levels, used in navigation datums and design heights, are derived from tide predictions based on observations. We use our findings on radiational tides to quantify the extent to which these levels may contain weather-related components.

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