Counties Of England Research Articles

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Deer Tick Virus (Powassan Virus, Lineage II) in Ixodes scapularis Ticks in Five Habitats at a Nature Reserve in Southern Maine, United States.

Deer tick virus (DTV), also known as Powassan virus lineage II, is a rising health concern due to increased recognition as a cause of human encephalitis. Since European tick-borne encephalitis virus persists in nature in enzootic foci (i.e., higher prevalence rates in small pockets in nature), we sought to determine whether DTV is also focally maintained in relation to habitat type, to better understand factors leading to human risk of exposure. From 2018 to 2021, questing Ixodes scapularis ticks were collected from five habitats at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve (WNERR) in Wells, ME: forest with invasive vegetation in the understory, edge, shrub, forest with native vegetation in the understory, and open field. Deer tick virus prevalence was greater in adult ticks (2.0%) than in nymphs (0.5%). Deer tick virus prevalence in adult ticks collected from forest with invasive vegetation was 3.2% compared to 0 to 1.7% in other habitat types. A hot spot analysis revealed a higher number of infected adults collected per hour on one of the transects located in forest with invasive vegetation. Phylogenetic analysis of 37 full-length DTV genomes sequenced in this study revealed four major clades from the WNERR, and there was high genetic diversity within each transect, suggesting frequent, short-range dispersal between habitats. Analysis of DTV sequences from other New England counties and states also indicated long-distance dispersal to and/or from the WNERR. This study provides preliminary evidence that DTV is focal and that the risk of encountering DTV-infected ticks in forest with invasive vegetation may be greater than in other habitat types.

The Victoria history of the counties of England

Professor Pugh, who has been Editor of this History since 1949 and who is retiring in September this year, here describes the aims and achievements of this world-famous series since its inception in 1899. It is, he explains, a work designed to narrate encyclopaedically the history of the English counties on a basis of original research. He shows how the various county 'sets' are organized and what steps are taken to co-ordinate the work of different local editors throughout the country so as to secure a high and uniform degree of technical proficiency. He argues that English topographical techniques can profitably be studied by other countries who may wish to initiate regional historical studies.

Polygenic risk score adds to a clinical risk score in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in a clinical setting.

A cardiovascular disease polygenic risk score (CVD-PRS) can stratify individuals into different categories of cardiovascular risk, but whether the addition of a CVD-PRS to clinical risk scores improves the identification of individuals at increased risk in a real-world clinical setting is unknown. The Genetics and the Vascular Health Check Study (GENVASC) was embedded within the UK National Health Service Health Check (NHSHC) programme which invites individuals between 40-74 years of age without known CVD to attend an assessment in a UK general practice where CVD risk factors are measured and a CVD risk score (QRISK2) is calculated. Between 2012-2020, 44,141 individuals (55.7% females, 15.8% non-white) who attended an NHSHC in 147 participating practices across two counties in England were recruited and followed. When 195 individuals (cases) had suffered a major CVD event (CVD death, myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularisation, stroke), 396 propensity-matched controls with a similar risk profile were identified, and a nested case-control genetic study undertaken to see if the addition of a CVD-PRS to QRISK2 in the form of an integrated risk tool (IRT) combined with QRISK2 would have identified more individuals at the time of their NHSHC as at high risk (QRISK2 10-year CVD risk of ≥10%), compared with QRISK2 alone. The distribution of the standardised CVD-PRS was significantly different in cases compared with controls (cases mean score .32; controls, -.18, P = 8.28×10-9). QRISK2 identified 61.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.3%-68.4%) of individuals who subsequently developed a major CVD event as being at high risk at their NHSHC, while the combination of QRISK2 and IRT identified 68.7% (95% CI: 61.7%-75.2%), a relative increase of 11.7% (P = 1×10-4). The odds ratio (OR) of being up-classified was 2.41 (95% CI: 1.03-5.64, P = .031) for cases compared with controls. In individuals aged 40-54 years, QRISK2 identified 26.0% (95% CI: 16.5%-37.6%) of those who developed a major CVD event, while the combination of QRISK2 and IRT identified 38.4% (95% CI: 27.2%-50.5%), indicating a stronger relative increase of 47.7% in the younger age group (P = .001). The combination of QRISK2 and IRT increased the proportion of additional cases identified similarly in women as in men, and in non-white ethnicities compared with white ethnicity. The findings were similar when the CVD-PRS was added to the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease pooled cohort equations (ASCVD-PCE) or SCORE2 clinical scores. In a clinical setting, the addition of genetic information to clinical risk assessment significantly improved the identification of individuals who went on to have a major CVD event as being at high risk, especially among younger individuals. The findings provide important real-world evidence of the potential value of implementing a CVD-PRS into health systems.

Understanding and learning from rural drug service adaptations to opioid substitution therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: the What C-OST? study.

In April 2020, in response to government COVID-19 advice, changes were made to the way English drug services operated. Methadone and buprenorphine were typically dispensed in 1- to 2-week supplies, and key working was conducted by phone/online. Previous studies have examined the impact of these changes on people from urban settings. This study adds the experiences and perspectives of people receiving care from drug services in rural areas and makes suggestions for future emergency planning. Telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people receiving care in Somerset, Wiltshire, and Suffolk, rural counties in England. Reflexive thematic analysis was used. Three overarching themes were found. "Challenges of rural lockdown" (theme 1) describes how rural community challenges, especially reduced or no rural public transport, were experienced. This hampered some OST collections, with consequential drug use. It also impeded connections to loved ones, worsening isolation. For participants who were struggling pre-pandemic, the intersection between this and their experience of revised drug service operations is embodied in "Amplification of Social Disconnection: Cut off and unheard" (theme 2). They felt a lack of support, particularly from remote provision key working. Participants who had supportive relationships and time in the pandemic occupied in ways they found meaningful, and others who struggled with anxiety or depression, found pandemic changes "Fits better with my life" (theme 3). They experienced more freedom for other things, gained support by other means, such as family, or felt more comfortable with remote engagement. A cross-cutting sub-theme "Understandable Interruptions" showed acceptance of pandemic disruptions. National guidance and organizational policy impacted participants in different ways. Those who had supportive relationships and occupied time were better able to make positive use of newfound freedoms and engage with community-level support. In contrast, those who had less stability, including mental health struggles and social isolation, felt cut off and unheard, particularly from key workers. Reduced rural transport was a significant community-level issue, which impeded OST collection and social support. We suggest emergency response plans be created for individuals taking account of their pre-existing personal situations.

Family abuse targeting queer family members: An argument to address problems of visibility in local services and civic life

Abstract Purpose To draw attention to the invisibility of family abuse victimisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans folk and its impacts; and the lack of appropriate, confident, skilled, formal responses to family abuse victimisation. In addition to argue that local strategic commitment is required to address structural discrimination faced by queer folk and to positively invite those victimised to seek help from local services. Method A multi-method local study in a Central Bedfordshire, a County in England was conducted with an online survey, interviews and focus groups with local LGBT+ communities and practitioners. Results The data suggests worryingly high reporting of family abuse particularly for trans participants. At the same time our data, in line with others, shows help-seeking to be low other than to informal sources of help especially friends. In addition professionals appear underconfident about how to respond appropriately. Conclusions Family abuse targeting queer folk is a significant problem and under-recognised. This is in part due to the mainstream domestic abuse sector associating family abuse with racially minoritised and/or faith communities and particular forms of violence such as “honour” abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Family abuse victimising queer folk is relatively invisible despite profound social, mental and physical health impacts. Practitioners in this study describe a lack of confidence, skills and knowledge about their practice responses to queer folk which needs to be addressed through training. However, we also conclude that the wider civic context can also play a part in sending messages to local queer folk that local services are for them and that there is a role for civic leaders to improve the visibility and confidence of local queer folk as citizens.

Using geospatial mapping to predict and compare gambling harm hotspots in urban, rural and coastal areas of a large county in England.

Disordered gambling is a public health problem with interconnections with health and social inequality, and adverse impacts on physical and mental health. Mapping technologies have been used to explore gambling in the UK, though most were based in urban locations. We used routine data sources and geospatial mapping software to predict where gambling related harm would be most prevalent within a large English county, host to urban, rural and coastal communities. Licensed gambling premises were most concentrated in areas of deprivation, and in urban and coastal areas. The aggregate prevalence of disordered gambling associated characteristics was also greatest in these areas. This mapping study links the number of gambling premises, deprivation, and risk factors for disordered gambling, and highlights that coastal areas see particularly high density of gambling premises. Findings can be applied to target resources to where they are most needed.

The emergence of Leveller polemic: William Walwyn, collaborative authorship and radical identity, 1645–7

Abstract This article investigates Leveller prehistory by analysing three polemical tracts of 1646–7. William Walwyn and Richard Overton arguably collaborated in the Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens and in the New Found Stratagem Framed in the Old Forge of Machivilisme, as well as in the Warning to All the Counties of England. Their denunciations of the dominant Presbyterian faction supported the independent alliance; but they employed distinctive language too extreme for many independents, pointing to their increasing political ambiguity. Their collaboration challenges scholarly characterizations of Walwyn’s ‘gentle’ style. The essay concludes by examining the related emergence of London, army and county radicals, some of whom would soon become Levellers.

Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned when Using a Novel Anonymised Linked Dataset of Health and Social Care Records for Public Health Intelligence: The Sussex Integrated Dataset

Background: In the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), digital transformation programmes have resulted in the creation of pseudonymised linked datasets of patient-level medical records across all NHS and social care services. In the Southeast England counties of East and West Sussex, public health intelligence analysts based in local authorities (LAs) aimed to use the newly created “Sussex Integrated Dataset” (SID) for identifying cohorts of patients who are at risk of early onset multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). Analysts from the LAs were among the first to have access to this new dataset. Methods: Data access was assured as the analysts were employed within joint data controller organisations and logged into the data via virtual machines following approval of a data access request. Analysts examined the demographics and medical history of patients against multiple external sources, identifying data quality issues and developing methods to establish true values for cases with multiple conflicting entries. Service use was plotted over timelines for individual patients. Results: Early evaluation of the data revealed multiple conflicting within-patient values for age, sex, ethnicity and date of death. This was partially resolved by creating a “demographic milestones” table, capturing demographic details for each patient for each year of the data available in the SID. Older data (≥5 y) was found to be sparse in events and diagnoses. Open-source code lists for defining long-term conditions were poor at identifying the expected number of patients, and bespoke code lists were developed by hand and validated against other sources of data. At the start, the age and sex distributions of patients submitted by GP practices were substantially different from those published by NHS Digital, and errors in data processing were identified and rectified. Conclusions: While new NHS linked datasets appear a promising resource for tracking multi-service use, MLTCs and health inequalities, substantial investment in data analysis and data architect time is necessary to ensure high enough quality data for meaningful analysis. Our team made conceptual progress in identifying the skills needed for programming analyses and understanding the types of questions which can be asked and answered reliably in these datasets.

The Mechanics of the Industrial Revolution

Although there are many competing explanations for the Industrial Revolution, there has been no effort to evaluate them econometrically. This paper analyzes how the very different patterns of growth across the counties of England between the 1760s and 1830s can be explained by a wide range of potential variables. We find that industrialization occurred in areas that began with low wages but high mechanical skills, whereas other variables, such as literacy, banks, and proximity to coal, have little explanatory power. Against the view that living standards were stagnant during the Industrial Revolution, we find that real wages rose sharply in the industrializing north and declined in the previously prosperous south.

The Orchards of Eastern England: History, Ecology, and Place

The Orchards of Eastern England: History, Ecology, and Place

Green Hell: Detention, art, and activism in an English landscape

This paper revolves on the carceral practices of Morton Hall IRC (Immigration Removal Centre) and of the role of visual imagery in the campaigns against them. Morton Hall is located in Lincolnshire, a rural county in England with a long history of agricultural innovation. It observes and debates a sense of the dissonance between institution and location that Morton Hall shared with Manus Island in the Pacific, the site of another postcolonial prison camp also in a beautiful setting. We interrogate how the legacies of British colonialism in the Pacific might help to explain that shared incongruity between function and place. We discuss a public initiative that aimed to give artistic and activist expression to these insights by highlighting the physical, historical, and emotional connections between Lincoln, the surrounding countryside, and the IRC. The aim of this planned event, The Big Walk, was to show that there is no absolute spatial disconnect between places of incarceration and places of freedom. In describing and analysing the cultural legacy of the planned event, curtailed by the 2020 pandemic, we draw on the wider oeuvre of British-Croatian artist, Natasha Davis, which include a film (2020) commissioned to replace the Walk and yet draw attention to the landscape as layered by time and memory, a landscape that yields ups a cross-temporal narrative spored beneath our feet.

Modelling livestock infectious disease control policy under differing social perspectives on vaccination behaviour.

The spread of infection amongst livestock depends not only on the traits of the pathogen and the livestock themselves, but also on the veterinary health behaviours of farmers and how this impacts their implementation of disease control measures. Controls that are costly may make it beneficial for individuals to rely on the protection offered by others, though that may be sub-optimal for the population. Failing to account for socio-behavioural properties may produce a substantial layer of bias in infectious disease models. We investigated the role of heterogeneity in vaccine response across a population of farmers on epidemic outbreaks amongst livestock, caused by pathogens with differential speed of spread over spatial landscapes of farms for two counties in England (Cumbria and Devon). Under different compositions of three vaccine behaviour groups (precautionary, reactionary, non-vaccination), we evaluated from population- and individual-level perspectives the optimum threshold distance to premises with notified infection that would trigger responsive vaccination by the reactionary vaccination group. We demonstrate a divergence between population and individual perspectives in the optimal scale of reactive voluntary vaccination response. In general, minimising the population-level perspective cost requires a broader reactive uptake of the intervention, whilst optimising the outcome for the average individual increased the likelihood of larger scale disease outbreaks. When the relative cost of vaccination was low and the majority of premises had undergone precautionary vaccination, then adopting a perspective that optimised the outcome for an individual gave a broader spatial extent of reactive response compared to a perspective wanting to optimise outcomes for everyone in the population. Under our assumed epidemiological context, the findings identify livestock disease intervention receptiveness and cost combinations where one would expect strong disagreement between the intervention stringency that is best from the perspective of a stakeholder responsible for supporting the livestock industry compared to a sole livestock owner. Were such discord anticipated and achieving a consensus view across perspectives desired, the findings may also inform those managing veterinary health policy the requisite reduction in intervention cost and/or the required extent of nurturing beneficial community attitudes towards interventions.

Meningococcal Meningitis and Coal Mining in Provincial England: Geographical Perspectives on a Major Epidemic, 1929–33

This article presents the first systematic study of the spatial transmission of the 1929–33 epidemic of meningococcal meningitis and its association with local coal mining communities in three adjacent high incidence counties of England; Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. Drawing on a robust method of spatial epidemiological analysis (swash‐backwash model), we demonstrate a gradient response with local levels of employment in coal mining for each of three key parameters of the epidemic wave: spatial velocity of transmission; duration of infectivity; and spatial reach. Partial least squares regression analysis identifies the relatively young and fertile demographic of local mining communities as the principal determinant of the resulting epidemic burden. Other sociodemographic parameters, including established risk factors for invasive meningococcal disease (low social class, high residential density, and overcrowding) are found to play little, or no, role in the spatial distribution of the disease. Our findings have importance for understanding the historic links between the coal mining industry and epidemic meningococcal meningitis, and point to possible present‐day opportunities for intervention through the designation of coal mining communities as defined risk groups for meningococcal vaccines.

A randomised controlled trial of energetic activity for depression in young people (READY): a multi-site feasibility trial protocol

BackgroundPrevalence of depression is increasing in young people, and there is a need to develop and evaluate behavioural interventions which may provide benefits equal to or greater than talking therapies or pharmacological alternatives. Exercise could be beneficial for young people living with depression, but robust, large-scale trials of effectiveness and the impact of exercise intensity are lacking. This study aims to test whether a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention targeting young people living with depression is feasible by determining whether it is possible to recruit and retain young people, develop and deliver the intervention as planned, and evaluate training and delivery.MethodsThe design is a three-arm cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial with embedded process evaluation. Participants will be help-seeking young people, aged 13–17 years experiencing mild to moderate low mood or depression, referred from three counties in England. The intervention will be delivered by registered exercise professionals, supported by mental health support workers, twice a week for 12 weeks. The three arms will be high-intensity exercise, low-intensity exercise, and a social activity control. All arms will receive a ‘healthy living’ behaviour change session prior to each exercise session and the two exercise groups are energy matched. The outcomes are referral, recruitment, and retention rates; attendance at exercise sessions; adherence to and ability to reach intensity during exercise sessions; proportions of missing data; adverse events, all measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months; resource use; and reach and representativeness.DiscussionUK National Health Service (NHS) policy is to provide young people with advice about using exercise to help depression but there is no evidence-based exercise intervention to either complement or as an alternative to medication or talking therapies. UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines suggest that exercise can be an effective treatment, but the evidence base is relatively weak. This feasibility trial will provide evidence about whether it is feasible to recruit and retain young people to a full RCT to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an exercise intervention for depression.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN66452702. Registered 9 April 2020.

Delivering Community Based Quality Mental Health CARE for Children and Young People in England, the Ongoing Opportunities and Challenges, with a Focus on School Life in Somerset, UK, Illustrated by Case Studies

Introduction: Around 1 in 8 children and young people (CYP) in England experience behavioural or emotional problems growing up. For some, these will resolve with time, while others will need professional support. Mental ill health is a leading cause of health-related disabilities and can have adverse and long-lasting effects. Despite service developments, The ValuesBased Child and Adolescent Mental Health System Commission considered that the mental health and well-being of children and young people has never been of greater concern for a multitude of reasons, including rising levels of self-harm, eating disorders and depression, along with the adverse impacts of social media. However the Commission argued that schools are struggling to support CYP and these problems persist despite national debate and proposals to tackle the challenges (ValuesBased Child and Adolescent Mental Health System Commission. The whole situation has been dramatically escalated however as a result of the COVID - 19 pandemic, and the consequential lockdowns and high-level restrictions that have been put in place. This situation has highlighted both existing problems and creating new demand. In addition as a direct result of the pandemic, CYP may also have to endure personal illness, or more likely, cope with unexpected serious illness or even the death of someone close to them, such as a family member, thus potentially adding feelings of sadness, loss and grief to existing emotional obstacles. Discussion: This paper presents an overview of how one county in England, Somerset (with its own limitations including rurality and significant poverty) has sought to address the needs of CYP at this unprecedented time. The work of different organisations in Somerset is discussed and interventions aimed at helping meet the needs of CYP struggling with mental ill health are presented and further illustrated through the use of case studies from one of the key organisations involved, Young Somerset. Key evidence based resources are highlighted to help practitioners in other localities find help for their own CYP needing help and support. Conclusion: There can be no doubt that our children and young people nationally and locally here in Somerset currently, and into the future, have many difficulties to overcome to optimise, a situation made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The depth and breadth of the present and future difficulties facing our CYP has now been recognized nationally and locally. However, different localities have different resource levels but also CYP present a vast range of needs and personal obstacles. Consequently, our future, our present children and young people need help and support from ALL of us going forward. In addition to other traumas endured because of the COVID-19, a catastrophic legacy MUST NOT is a tsunami of mental and physical ill health for our present children and young people. This is a whole nation challenge, not just something to be left to the organisations that have a formal duty to provide care and intervention, each and every one of us has to be there to secure the wellbeing of our future nation.

William Lambard and the Сhorographic Еradition of Historical Writing in Early Modern England: Discourses of Land, Law and Language

The article considers the little-studied topic — the origin in the 16th century of the chorographic tradition in the English historical writing. This tradition had both a medieval genesis and actual relevance for Tudor England. In its entirety the chorographic tradition was evolved in William Lambard’s “Perambulation to Kent” (1576). The narrative structure of this book was developed in the form of a multi-leveled description of Kent, placed as a part of a larger panorama of the entire England based on three interdependent discourses — of land and, law and language consequently. Through this imaginary journey Lambard showed to the readers the peculiarities of geography and history of Kent. This lively journey made visible through geographic features both Kentish and English history. With the help of history, archeology, customs, law as well as description and classification of geographical space, Lambard gave readers an image of the English placed in time and space. This work has became a convincing example for the next generations of the British historians who ventured to describe particular counties of England. It also fulfilled an important goal as far as demonstrated the very ways of establishing power over the environment self-determination and reflection on one's own origin.

Group supervision: understanding the experiences and views of Emotional Literacy Support Assistants in one county in England

ABSTRACT This study was interested in the views of Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) in one English county. Support staff from ten schools experienced 7 days of ELSA training over one academic year and attended four supervision sessions led by educational psychologists over the subsequent 12 months. Five ELSAs were interviewed about their views at the end of their first year of ELSA supervision; these interviews were carried out in respective ELSA’s school. The interviews were transcribed: six overarching themes were identified through thematic analysis, carried out by two researchers. The themes identified were: “session format”; “learning in the moment”; “applying learning from supervision sessions”; “communication, relationships and emotional support”; “schools' approach to ELSA”; and “challenges”. Implications for practice are discussed.

The nature of epistemological opportunities for doing, thinking and talking about science: Reflections on an effective intervention that promotes creativity

ABSTRACT Background Randomised Control Trials (RCT) involving large numbers of schools, teachers and pupils, can provide statistically significant evidence that an intervention ‘works’, or makes a difference to learning. However, often the quantitative data collected to illustrate the extent of impact is insufficient to illustrate exactly ‘how’ the intervention was enacted, what was done and ‘why’ it was successful. This paper collates a range of forms of data from an innovative professional training programme to indicate the nature of the promoted strategies that comprise the ‘intervention’ and consider how they worked in practice. Purpose To illustrate how a mixed methods approach is required to substantiate the nature, as well as the extent of impact, of an educational intervention. Namely, Thinking Doing and Talking Science (TDTS). Sample The project reported on here involved 42 schools in a south east county in England, UK. 21 were the ‘experimental’ schools and 21 were ‘control’ schools. Design and Methods The project was an Educational Endowment Fund (EEF) RCT designed to assess the impact of the TDTS intervention. Results Quantitative data showed TDTS had a statistically significant impact on the academic attainment of nine and ten-year olds, by at least three months. Various forms of qualitative data provided here offer evidential insights illustrating how and why the intervention had the impact it did on thinking and attainment. Conclusions Designing research projects that examine both the nature and extent of impact on pupils’ learning requires a mixed methods approach. This necessarily involves the statistical comparison of quantitative evidence from both the experimental and control school groupings. However, in addition to the quantitative data, qualitative evidence is required to elicit the precise nature of the intervention. This included observations during the professional development sessions, lesson transcripts, evaluative questionnaire data and interviews characterise a successful science learning intervention.

Pride and Prejudice (radio broadcast)

<i>Pride and Prejudice</i> (radio broadcast)

THE ROLES AND STATUS OF ENGLISH IN PRESENT-DAY VIETNAM: A SOCIO-CULTURAL ANALYSIS

Starting from a collection of dialects in the southern counties in England, the English language has moved far beyond its nation and has now consolidated its power as the most widely used lingua franca in the world for business, science, communication and technology, and for many other purposes (Cheshire, 1996; Crystal, 1997, 2012; Halliday, 2017). In Vietnam, since Đổi mới (Renovation) which was initiated by the Vietnam Communist Party in 1986, English has become the most important foreign language being taught and used nation-wide, second only to Vietnamese – the national language. Why has English gained such a predominant status in the Vietnamese linguistic space? What are the roles and status of English in present-day Vietnam? Does the expansion of English pose any threat to Vietnamese? To what extent does the expansion of English challenge other foreign languages being taught and learned in Vietnam? Will English become a second official language in Vietnam? The answers to these questions constitute the focus of analysis in this paper and will be addressed throughout.