African horse sickness: a potential threat to the UK

This paper analyses the legal protection of the journalist–source relationship from both sides and the underlying interests involved. The paper begins by analysing why the relationship deserves protection. The position of journalists at common law is analysed with a discussion of the application of the principle established in Norwich Pharmacal v Customs and Excise to journalists. The development of immunity from contempt in s. 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 is examined to illustrate the ideological clash between the judiciary and journalists. The impact of the Human Rights Act and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights are analysed to assess whether this will lead to a change in attitudes in the UK. Finally, the potential threat to journalists posed by compelled evidentiary disclosure in criminal cases is reviewed, with a particular look at ‘special procedure’ material. The US section begins with an analysis of the law at federal level, the decisions of the Supreme Court, including the leading decision of Branzburg v Hayes, as well as the role the legislature has played. The paper then analyses protections provided at state level, with a case study of the California shield law and a review of Californian jurisprudence.

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Natural and vaccine-induced antibody and cellular responses against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

10.21203/rs.3.rs-224655/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Donal T. Skelly ◽

Adam C. Harding ◽

Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo ◽

Michael L. Knight ◽

Stephanie Longet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Natural Infection ◽

T Cell Responses ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Antibody Neutralization ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Cell Responses ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Both natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 and immunization with a number of vaccines induce protective immunity. However, the ability of such immune responses to recognize and therefore protect against emerging variants is a matter of increasing importance. Such variants of concern (VOC) include isolates of lineage B1.1.7, first identified in the UK, and B1.351, first identified in South Africa. Our data confirm that VOC, particularly those with substitutions at residues 484 and 417 escape neutralization by antibodies directed to the ACE2-binding Class 1 and the adjacent Class 2 epitopes but are susceptible to neutralization by the generally less potent antibodies directed to Class 3 and 4 epitopes on the flanks RBD. To address this potential threat, we sampled a SARS-CoV-2 uninfected UK cohort recently vaccinated with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech, two doses delivered 18-28 days apart), alongside a cohort naturally infected in the first wave of the epidemic in Spring 2020. We tested antibody and T cell responses against a reference isolate (VIC001) representing the original circulating lineage B and the impact of sequence variation in these two VOCs. We identified a reduction in antibody neutralization against the VOCs which was most evident in the B1.351 variant. However, the majority of the T cell response was directed against epitopes conserved across all three strains. The reduction in antibody neutralization was less marked in post-boost vaccine-induced than in naturally-induced immune responses and could be largely explained by the potency of the homotypic antibody response. However, after a single vaccination, which induced only modestly neutralizing homotypic antibody titres, neutralization against the VOCs was completely abrogated in the majority of vaccinees. These data indicate that VOCs may evade protective neutralising responses induced by prior infection, and to a lesser extent by immunization, particularly after a single vaccine, but the impact of the VOCs on T cell responses appears less marked. The results emphasize the need to generate high potency immune responses through vaccination in order to provide protection against these and other emergent variants. We observed that two doses of vaccine also induced a significant increase in binding antibodies to spike of both SARS-CoV-1 & MERS, in addition to the four common coronaviruses currently circulating in the UK. The impact of antigenic imprinting on the potency of humoral and cellular heterotypic protection generated by the next generation of variant-directed vaccines remains to be determined.

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African horse sickness: Its emergence in Thailand and potential threat to other Asian countries

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases ◽

10.1111/tbed.13625 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gang Lu ◽

Jialiang Pan ◽

Jiajun Ou ◽

Ran Shao ◽

Xue Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African Horse Sickness ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Potential Threat

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Vaccine-induced immunity provides more robust heterotypic immunity than natural infection to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-226857/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Donal T. Skelly ◽

Adam C. Harding ◽

Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo ◽

Michael L. Knight ◽

Stephanie Longet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Natural Infection ◽

T Cell Responses ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Antibody Neutralization ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Cell Responses ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Both natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 and immunization with a number of vaccines induce protective immunity. However, the ability of such immune responses to recognize and therefore protect against emerging variants is a matter of increasing importance. Such variants of concern (VOC) include isolates of lineage B1.1.7, first identified in the UK, and B1.351, first identified in South Africa. Our data confirm that VOC, particularly those with substitutions at residues 484 and 417 escape neutralization by antibodies directed to the ACE2-binding Class 1 and the adjacent Class 2 epitopes but are susceptible to neutralization by the generally less potent antibodies directed to Class 3 and 4 epitopes on the flanks RBD. To address this potential threat, we sampled a SARS-CoV-2 uninfected UK cohort recently vaccinated with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech, two doses delivered 18-28 days apart), alongside a cohort naturally infected in the first wave of the epidemic in Spring 2020. We tested antibody and T cell responses against a reference isolate (VIC001) representing the original circulating lineage B and the impact of sequence variation in these two VOCs. We identified a reduction in antibody neutralization against the VOCs which was most evident in the B1.351 variant. However, the majority of the T cell response was directed against epitopes conserved across all three strains. The reduction in antibody neutralization was less marked in post-boost vaccine-induced than in naturally-induced immune responses and could be largely explained by the potency of the homotypic antibody response. However, after a single vaccination, which induced only modestly neutralizing homotypic antibody titres, neutralization against the VOCs was completely abrogated in the majority of vaccinees. These data indicate that VOCs may evade protective neutralising responses induced by prior infection, and to a lesser extent by immunization, particularly after a single vaccine, but the impact of the VOCs on T cell responses appears less marked. The results emphasize the need to generate high potency immune responses through vaccination in order to provide protection against these and other emergent variants. We observed that two doses of vaccine also induced a significant increase in binding antibodies to spike of both SARS-CoV-1 & MERS, in addition to the four common coronaviruses currently circulating in the UK. The impact of antigenic imprinting on the potency of humoral and cellular heterotypic protection generated by the next generation of variant-directed vaccines remains to be determined.Authorship note: Donal T. Skelly and Adam C. Harding contributed equally; Miles W. Carroll and William S. James contributed equally

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Isolation and culture of Sphaerothecum destruens from Sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) in the UK and pathogenicity experiments in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182012000030 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 139 (7) ◽

pp. 904-914 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

RICHARD K. PALEY ◽

DEMETRA ANDREOU ◽

KELLY S. BATEMAN ◽

STEPHEN W. FEIST

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Salmon ◽

Salmo Salar ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Population Decline ◽

Cyprinid Fish ◽

Pseudorasbora Parva ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Cyprinid Species ◽

The Uk ◽

Low Prevalence

SUMMARYThe sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus), a cyprinid fish native to continental Europe and now established in the UK, is experiencing population decline which appears to be linked to the spread of the invasive Asian cyprinid (Pseudorasbora parva). A population of sunbleak in the UK has previously been identified as infected with S. destruens at low prevalence. Because Sphaerothaecum destruens has, on occasion, caused severe disease in cultured and wild salmonids the aim of this work was to establish laboratory cultures of S. destruens from sunbleak in the UK and use these cultures in challenge experiments to determine if the UK isolate of S. destruens from cyprinid species is a potential threat to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The first isolation and culture of S. destruens in the UK and from a cyprinid species is described. Cultured S. destruens spores from sunbleak are infective to EPC, CHSE and FHM cells, replicating most rapidly in FHM and EPC cells. Spores can be induced to zoosporulate in water forming motile, uni-flagellated zoospores. Challenge experiments indicated the spores are able to replicate and disperse in Atlantic salmon and are associated with increased mortality (up to 90%) when injected intraperitonealy.

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Near Earth Object impact simulation tool for supporting the NEO mitigation decision making process

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921307003614 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (S236) ◽

pp. 477-486

Author(s):

Nick J. Bailey ◽

Graham G. Swinerd ◽

Andrew D. Morley ◽

Hugh G. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Local Population ◽

South American ◽

Simulation Tool ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Impact Simulation ◽

Impact Processes ◽

Population Density Model ◽

The Uk

AbstractThis paper describes the development of a computer simulation tool, NEOSim, capable of modelling small NEO impacts and their effect on the global population. The development of the tool draws upon existing models for the atmospheric passage and impact processes. Simulation of the land and ocean impact effects, combined with a population density model, leads to casualty estimation at both a regional and global level. Casualty predictions are based upon the intensity of each impact effect on the local population density, with consideration given to the population inside or outside local infrastructure. Two case studies are presented. The first evaluates the potential threat to the UK, and highlights coastal locations as being at greatest risk. Locations around Cornwall demonstrate an increase in casualties above the local average. The second case study concerns the potential impact of asteroid (99942) Apophis in 2036. Propagation of the possible orbits along the line of variance leads to an extensive path of risk on the Earth. Deflection of the asteroid, by a variety of means, will move the projected impact site along this path. Results generated by NEOSim for the path indicate that South American countries such as Colombia and Venezuela are at a greatest risk with estimated casualty figures in excess of 10 million. Applications of this software to the NEO threat are discussed, along with the next stage of NEO impact simulation development.

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Interrogating religion: Christian/secular values, citizenship and racial upliftment in governmental education policy

International Journal of Law in Context ◽

10.1017/s1744552313000165 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 318-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Suhraiya Jivraj

Keyword(s):

Education System ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Race Riots ◽

Labour Government ◽

Community Cohesion ◽

The North ◽

Church School ◽

Religious Dress ◽

The Uk ◽

Faith Schools

AbstractFaith schools have (re)gained an increasingly prominent place within the public education system in the UK. Whilst the former Labour government expanded the number of state-funded faith schools during its terms in office, they continue to be supported by the current coalition government. The expansion of faith schooling has continued despite widespread opposition attributing much of the religious divisions and lack of community cohesion within society to faith schooling, particularly after ‘race riots’ in the north of England in 2001. This article does not seek to contribute to the largely polarised debate arguing either for or against faith schools. Instead, I explore how religion circulates in governmental discourse supporting faith schools and the sociopolitical work it does through law. I focus on the key contention put forward particularly by the former Labour government that faith schools, contrary to being divisive, can actually play an important role in the promotion of community cohesion, precisely because of the values and ethos of these schools. I examine how this governmental discourse is influenced by social capital and communitarian theories that highlight the role of Christian or church school values in fostering citizenship and community cohesion through education. I suggest that the influence of these theories on government policy has led to church schools becoming a benchmark for other schools to emulate, especially where they embody state/British values which are sometimes posited as being universal and secular. Rather than the expansion of faith schools being a policy that supports schools of all faiths, Muslim schools in particular have been singled out as posing a potential ‘threat to the nation’ and the social cohesion within it. In addition, I argue that the often invisibilised normative influence of de-theologised Christian/secular values plays a role in regulating the boundaries of ‘acceptable’ religion. The potential effects of delimiting religion through the discourse of values, coupled with the engendering of citizenship and belonging of children from minority religious/ethnic backgrounds within the education system, might also be viewed as effectively resulting in a form of ‘racial upliftment’. My analysis draws on critical religion and race perspectives that remain largely absent within socio-legal scholarship on law and religion and indeed citizenship. One exception is more recent scholarship on gender and the banning of Muslim religious dress in schools and other public spaces, and the recognition of certain areas of Muslim family law within Western legal systems. However, analyses that attend to the contingent ways in which religion can circulate and be produced through law relating to children are urgently needed alongside those attending to gender.

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