Site In South-east England Research Articles

A novel multisite model to facilitate hepatitis C virus elimination in people experiencing homelessness

Background/aims: Only a handful of countries are on target to achieve hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030. People experiencing homelessness (PEH) remain an important HCV reservoir. The END C study evaluated clinical, patient reported and health economic outcomes of a decentralised integrated model. MethodsThis prospective study assessed a decentralised regional service based at multiple homeless sites in southeast England. Novel linkage-care strategies were utilised. We assessed generic and liver specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (SF-12v2; EQ-5D-5L and SFLDQol) pre/post HCV treatment and cost per HCV case detected and cured. Primary outcome was intention-to-treat (ITT) sustained virological response (SVR12). ResultsWe recruited 418 individuals, mean age 44.45 ± 10.6, 78% were male, 74% being currently homeless, current injecting drug use/alcohol use being 25% and 65% respectively. Prevalence of cirrhosis (liver stiffness measurement >12kPa) was 12%. Twenty-eight percent (n=116) were HCV PCR positive, of whom n=105 received direct acting antiviral treatment. ITT SVR12 rates were 81% (95% CI 72%-88%), the only predictor of SVR12 being >80% treatment adherence (OR 20.69, 95% CI 6.227-68.772, p<0.001). HRQoL improved significantly after SVR12: SF-12v2 (General Health, Mental Health, Social Functioning, Mental Health Composite Score p<0.049); SFLDQoL (Symptoms/Effects of Liver Disease, Distress, Loneliness p<0.004) and EQ-5D-5L (Index Score, Visual Analog Scale p<0.001). Costs (British pound 2022) per HCV case detected and per case cured were £359 and £257 respectively. Reinfection rates were 6.82/100 person years. ConclusionThe END C study endorses a multisite decentralised service for PEH enabling excellent linkage to care, high SVR12 rates and significant improvements in generic and liver specific HRQoL, all being achieved at modest costs. Such services are paramount to help achieve HCV elimination. Impact and implicationsIn people experiencing homeless, we found a high prevalence of HCV, alcohol and substance misuse including overdoses and mental health issues. Despite this, an integrated and decentralised service resulted in excellent linkage to care with high SVR12 rates. Even in this complex cohort with multiple comorbidities, SVR12 was associated with significant improvements in both generic and liver specific health-related quality of life. This was all achieved at modest costs in a community setting. Such models of care are feasible, easy to replicate and essential if we are to achieve HCV elimination.

After Wilding: exploring environmental futures through place-based, speculative documentary filmmaking

In 2021 and 2022, we engaged in a collaborative filmmaking project at Maple Farm, a rewilding site in Southeast England. The project resulted in After Wilding, a speculative documentary film that explores different perspectives on rewilding and the future of Maple Farm and natures in the United Kingdom more broadly. After Wilding envisions what it would be like to visit Maple Farm in June 2042; to do so, we used 360° imagery of the present site and computer-generated visualisations of possible future landscape features. These visualisations were underscored by three narrative vignettes reflecting on different interventions and perspectives on the site. This article describes creating After Wilding as a three-part process – attunement, perspectives and synthesis. We then reflect on the potential opportunities that digital technologies offer for collaborative speculations between researchers, artists and practitioners for geographical praxis and conservation activities.

Genetic variation and heritability of grain protein deviation in European wheat genotypes

There is a well-established negative relationship between the yield and the concentration of protein in the mature wheat grain. However, some wheat genotypes consistently deviate from this relationship, a phenomenon known as Grain Protein Deviation (GPD). Positive GPD is therefore of considerable interest in relation to reducing the requirement for nitrogen fertilization for producing wheat for breadmaking. We have carried out two sets of field experiments on multiple sites in South East England. The first set comprised 11 field trials of 6 cultivars grown over three years (2008-2011) and the second comprised 9 field trials of 40 genotypes grown over two years (2015-2017) and 5 field trials of 30 genotypes grown in a single year (2017-2018). All trials comprised three replicate randomized plots of each genotype and nutrient regime. These studies showed strong genetic variation in GPD, which also differed in stability between genotypes, with cultivars bred in the UK generally having higher GPD and higher stability than those bred in other European countries. The heritability of GPD was estimated as 0.44, based on data from the field trials of 30 and 40 genotypes. The largest component contributing to the genetic variance was genotype (0.30), with a smaller contribution of the interaction between genotype and year/site (0.11) and a small (but statistically significant) contribution of nitrogen level. These studies suggest that selection for GPD is a viable target for breeders.

Insights into rainfall undercatch for differing raingauge rim heights

Abstract The measurement of rainfall has a long history, but despite its apparent simplicity it is difficult to quantify accurately. The common installation of raingauges with rims above the ground surface results in a difference between the rainfall caught and the amount reaching ground level, termed undercatch. The UK standard installation of raingauges is for their rim to be sited at 0.305 m above the ground; however, the use of weighing gauges installed at a minimum rim height of 1 m has increased in recent years. The installation of these weighing raingauges raises complex questions of homogeneity in rainfall data across space and time. Here, we investigate the impact of these changes using field trials of commonly deployed UK raingauges at a site in south-east England. This paper discusses the results of the trial, exploring the variation in and potential drivers of undercatch with differing gauge sitings. With varying standards for gauge heights around the world and new rainfall measurement technologies coming to the market all the time, improved understanding of undercatch is needed to inform evolving operational practices and explore the possibility of developing catch correction algorithms to remove arising inhomogeneity in precipitation datasets.

Maintained load-test results for continuous flight auger piles in south-east England Chalk

This paper presents a case study of the results from Roger Bullivant Ltd's testing database from the last 4 years, consisting of eight working load tests and one preliminary test spread across five sites in south-east England. The paper covers the geology of each site and the design of the piles, which was carried out using current industry design practice. The results were analysed to predict the ultimate shaft friction of each pile. As the test results demonstrated that the piles behaved satisfactorily at working load, it is argued that the piles could be seen to be uneconomical. When piles in Chalk are tested, it is common that they rarely deflect to a point where any noticeable failure is deemed to occur. Through a comparison of available published data together with this new data set, a more efficient design is proposed for piles in Chalk with a higher limiting shaft friction value.

Elite UK winter wheat cultivars differ in their ability to support the colonization of beneficial root-infecting fungi.

In numerous countries, Gaeumannomyces species, within the Magnaporthaceae family, have previously been implicated in the suppression of take-all root disease in wheat. A UK arable isolate collection (n=47) was gathered and shown to contain Gaeumannomyces hyphopodioides and an unnamed Magnaporthaceae species. A novel seedling pot bioassay revealed that both species had a similar ability to colonize cereal roots; however, rye (Secale cereale) was only poorly colonized by the Magnaporthaceae species. To evaluate the ability of 40 elite UK winter wheat cultivars to support soil inoculum of beneficial soil-dwelling fungi, two field experiments were carried out using a naturally infested arable site in south-east England. The elite cultivars grown in the first wheat situation differed in their ability to support G. hyphopodioides inoculum, measured by colonization on Hereward as the subsequent wheat in a seedling soil core bioassay. In addition, the root colonization ability of G. hyphopodioides was influenced by the choice of the second wheat cultivar. Nine cultivars supported the colonization of the beneficial root fungus. Our findings provide evidence of complex host genotype-G. hyphopodioides interactions occurring under field conditions. This new knowledge could provide an additional soil-based crop genetic management strategy to help combat take-all root disease.

The Hayworth: A Lowland Vaccary Site in South-East England

REMAINS OF AN 11th–13th-century farmstead were revealed during excavations within part of ‘The Hayworth’, an early enclosure on the ‘lost’ manor of Trubwick, (West Sussex).2Historical, landscape and toponymic evidence has been utilised to set the archaeological activity in context. It seems probable that the excavated site, and the Hayworth enclosure more broadly, relate to a specialised cattle rearing or vaccary farm. The site represents the most completely excavated vaccary complex yet known, and is the first recognisable example from the Wealden region in south-east England. The discovery has important implications for our current understanding of medieval Wealden economy and environment, as well as patterns of settlement evolution. Evidence suggests this site can be linked with the traditions of Anglo-Saxon outpasture and transhumance. This article explores the evidence from this site for the transition from a seasonal pasture to a permanent 12th-century manorial establishment held in severalty. The likely form of a vaccary complex is established and the potential for the existence of these specialised cattle ‘ranches’ and dairies is explored.

Shallow Traces (Pits) in the Test of the Irregular Echinoid Echinocorys scutata Leske from the Chalk (Upper Cretaceous) of the United Kingdom

ABSTRACTSpecimens of epifaunal irregular echinoids in the Upper Cretaceous of northern Europe have been reported with patterns of circular, nonpenetrative parabolic pits, Oichnus paraboloides (Bromley), in the apical region. Specimens of Echinocorys scutata Leske from the Chalk at two sites in southeast England were commonly penetrated by this trace, generated by an indeterminate pit-forming organism. Pits commonly surround the apical system and, less commonly, occur within it; they occur preferentially anteriorly. Pits occur within plates, not along margins or sutures. Crosscutting of pits indicates that multiple spatfalls probably occurred. The host echinoid added new test plates adjacent to the apical system; thus, plates bearing O. paraboloides were moved abapically. The reduction in number of pits away from the apex, including those with echinoid tubercles reestablished on the base, indicates that, following death of an infester, the echinoid “reclaimed” and infilled them with calcite. The pit-former was most probably an unmineralized invertebrate that used E. scutata as a domicile which provided good access to food-rich currents for suspension feeding. Although the systematic position of the pit-former is unknown, similar infestations are known from other Upper Cretaceous echinoids and Mississippian crinoids.

High yielding biomass genotypes of willow (Salix spp.) show differences in below ground biomass allocation

Willows (Salix spp.) grown as short rotation coppice (SRC) are viewed as a sustainable source of biomass with a positive greenhouse gas (GHG) balance due to their potential to fix and accumulate carbon (C) below ground. However, exploiting this potential has been limited by the paucity of data available on below ground biomass allocation and the extent to which it varies between genotypes. Furthermore, it is likely that allocation can be altered considerably by environment. To investigate the role of genotype and environment on allocation, four willow genotypes were grown at two replicated field sites in southeast England and west Wales, UK. Above and below ground biomass was intensively measured over two two-year rotations. Significant genotypic differences in biomass allocation were identified, with below ground allocation differing by up to 10% between genotypes. Importantly, the genotype with the highest below ground biomass also had the highest above ground yield. Furthermore, leaf area was found to be a good predictor of below ground biomass. Growth environment significantly impacted allocation; the willow genotypes grown in west Wales had up to 94% more biomass below ground by the end of the second rotation. A single investigation into fine roots showed the same pattern with double the volume of fine roots present. This greater below ground allocation may be attributed primarily to higher wind speeds, plus differences in humidity and soil characteristics. These results demonstrate that the capacity exists to breed plants with both high yields and high potential for C accumulation.

Severity, duration and frequency of drought in SE England from 1697 to 2011

Severe droughts have affected much of Europe over the last 40 years. A limitation to current understanding of droughts is based around drought characteristics (e.g. frequency, severity and duration) as there are limited long series (>100 years) with well documented severe droughts. This is further complicated with future climate projections, and the potential implications that these will have on drought characteristics. This paper presents reconstructed drought series from 1697, 1726 and 1767 to 2011 for three sites in southeast England. Precipitation and temperature series are reconstructed to generate long drought series using the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index, enabling determination of drought characteristics. The reconstructions identify multiple drought-rich periods, 1730–1760 and 1890-present, with an increasing tendency towards more severe droughts during the latter period. Prolonged rainfall deficiencies are found to be the primary cause of severe droughts, with rising temperatures increasing soil moisture deficit, therefore intensifying drought conditions. Cycles at the 6–10 year period identify a sub-decadal to decadal signal during drought-rich periods. Analysis of the spatial variability of droughts finds that whilst severe events are predominantly regionally coherent, there are notable variations in severity and duration between sites, which are attributed to localised rainfall variability. This study extends the temporal range of previous drought studies and places recent drought events in a longer context improving upon existing ‘benchmark’ drought analyses in southeast England; with far-reaching implications for local, national and continental scale reduction of drought vulnerability and risk.

Responses of two woodland geophytes to disturbance caused by soil translocation

Topsoil transfer is an important tool in ecological restoration, but as a technique for re-locating woodland habitats displaced by development works it would appear highly damaging to geophytes present in the field layer. The effect of moving soil using different handling techniques was simulated in pot experiments with two common geophytes, Hyacinthoides non-scripta (L.) Chouard ex Rothm. and Anemone nemorosa L., while longer term changes in Hyacinthoides populations were also followed at an active woodland translocation field site in South East England, UK. In the pot experiment, artificially damaging Hyacinthoides bulbs restricted their performance, as did planting at sub-optimal depths and orientations, but Anemone rhizomes were little affected either by damage or displacement. Provided that they were able to produce leaves and thus re-allocate biomass to their perennating organs, recovery of both species was rapid in the following season. In the field, Hyacinthoides bulb densities also eventually recovered to levels reported in semi-natural woodlands in autumn-translocated soil profiles, although bulb biomass was still significantly lower in spring-moved treatments after three growing seasons. The parent bulbs rapidly adjusted their orientation and depth in the soil profile and were enhanced by natural seedling recruitment. The results suggest that, provided careful soil handling protocols are followed, these woodland geophytes have the capacity to recover if soil translocation is restricted to their dormant period. In the longer term, the sudden change from woodland to open conditions may be detrimental and may increase competition from non-woodland species.

Actual and Perceived Units of Alcohol in a Self‐Defined “Usual Glass” of Alcoholic Drinks in England

BackgroundSeveral studies have found participants pour more than 1 standard drink or unit as their usual glass. This is the first study to measure actual and perceived amounts of alcohol in a self-defined usual glass of wines and spirits in the general population.MethodsParticipants were a convenience sample of adults who drink alcohol or who pour drinks for other people (n = 283, 54% women) at 6 sites in South East England. The survey was face to face and comprised a self-completion questionnaire and pouring task. Estimation accuracy, categorised as correct (±0.5 units), underestimate (>0.5 units), or overestimate (>0.5 units) was the main outcome.ResultsThe mean number of units poured was 1.90 (SD 0.80; n = 264) for wine and 1.93 (SD 0.78; n = 201) for spirits. The amount of alcohol in a self-defined usual glass was estimated in 440 glasses (248 wine and 192 spirits). Overestimation took place in 42% glasses of spirit poured and 29% glasses of wine poured, and underestimation in 17 and 19%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression found volume poured to be significantly associated with underestimating both wines and spirits, and additionally for wine only, belonging to a non-white ethnic group and being unemployed or retired. Not having a university degree was significantly associated with overestimating both drink types.ConclusionsThis study is the first in the general population and did not identify systematic underestimation of the amount of alcohol in a self-defined usual glass. Underestimation is significantly associated with volume poured for both drink types; therefore, advocating pouring smaller glasses could reduce underestimation of alcohol consumption.

Pollen beetle in the UK; the start of a resistance problem?

In 2003, the first report of poor control of pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus at a site in South East England in the UK was investigated but resistance to pyrethroid insecticides was not confirmed in subsequent laboratory testing. Bioassays of 26 UK samples of M. aeneus collected in 2004 with the pyrethroid lambda‐cyhalothrin showed little or no divergence from the response expected of a fully susceptible strain. In 2006 samples of pollen beetle from the UK were sent to Germany, and again these were shown to be fully susceptible. In 2007 using test kits supplied by Udo Heimbach, BBA, 19 samples of pollen beetle were tested, again from across the UK. Results indicated that a small number of individuals were fully resistant, surviving the highest dose of lambda‐cyhalothrin tested (0.375 microg/L) after 5‐h exposure at 4 sites, and after 24‐h exposure at 2 of these sites.

Strong genetic divergence indicates that congeneric damselflies Coenagrion puella and C. pulchellum (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) do not hybridise

Coenagrionid damselflies are in general decline in the British Isles. Numerous factors have been implicated in the loss of these species including recent speculation that hybridisation between congeners may result in species decline. Here we use a panel of 12 microsatellite loci to examine levels of genetic divergence and the likely occurrence of hybridisation in five populations of Coenagrion puella and C. pulchellum using samples from four sites in south-east England. Coenagrion puella and C. pulchellum were highly genetically divergent, and there was no evidence of hybridisation between any of the populations examined, even where C. puella and C. pulchellum were sympatric. There was some suggestion that C. pulchellum was less genetically diverse than C. puella, though this may have been a result of ascertainment bias associated with cross-species application of microsatellite markers. We conclude that there is no evidence that hybridisation between C. puella/pulchellum could be responsible for the on-going demographic decline in C. pulchellum. Nevertheless, further genetic studies such as this one are likely to provide estimates of diversity, population structure and dispersal capacity that will be invaluable in future conservation management strategies for coenagrionid damselflies.

Ins and Outs of Extinction

The global extinction of a species is the end point of a series of smaller-scale local extinctions of populations. Hence, the causes of extinction can be understood by studying patterns of extinction at the local scale. Species vary in their intrinsic vulnerability to extinction, and there is a range of extrinsic factors that can influence a population's survival; the probability of extinction might depend on the interplay of these two broad considerations. To study these questions, Fréville et al. took advantage of the Park Grass experiment, in which the fate of populations of herbaceous plants subjected to different fertilizer treatments have been followed for 60 years at a site in southeast England. The interactions of 11 intrinsic factors (life-history traits relating, for example, to reproduction and growth) with four extrinsic factors (such as nitrogen enrichment and acidification) were investigated. It transpired that population extinction could in most cases be related to the interaction of just one life-history trait with one extrinsic factor, but that the pairs of factors differed in different species. These findings point the way to a more accurate and predictive science of extinction, which will in turn provide a new tool for conservation managers attempting to reduce the rate of local extinctions caused by human activity. — AMS

Collaborative reflection: how far do 2:1 models of learning in the practice setting promote peer reflection?

A number of health professional groups have been looking at alternative models to the traditional 1:1 model of practice education in order to meet the increasing shortage of practice placements for pre‐registration students. One such model that has been explored recently is the 2:1 or collaborative model where one practice educator takes responsibility for the education of two or more students. This paper presents the findings of a small research study undertaken to explore facilitation of learning in 2:1 collaborative models of physiotherapy practice education, and focuses on the potential for reflection with particular emphasis on peer reflection within the collaborative model. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with thirteen educators and eighteen third year physiotherapy students at a number of different NHS practice sites in southeast England. Additional focus groups were held with academic tutors and students at the end of the placement period. Findings from the study indicated that learning was facilitated in a variety of ways with students benefiting from peer learning and teaching approaches. Opportunities for peer reflection appeared to be increased in the 2:1 model. However, some practice educators highlighted the need for further guidance when promoting reflective practice. Further research into the role of reflection within 2:1 models and the facilitation of reflection during clinical education placements is needed.

A Tale of Two Markets: Housing in East Lancashire

ABSTRACTThe contrasting fortunes of the housing market in different areas of England is an issue of major political importance. Plans to build large numbers of new houses on greenfield sites in South East England have caused outrage and consternation in some quarters, as have proposals to demolish properties in areas of housing market failure. Using the housing market in East Lancashire as an example, this article investigates differences at regional and local levels, uncovering a much more complex situation than simplistic headlines might suggest.

The importance of the diurnal and annual cycle of air traffic for contrail radiative forcing

Air traffic condensation trails, or contrails, are believed to have a net atmospheric warming effect, although one that is currently small compared to that induced by other sources of human emissions. However, the comparably large growth rate of air traffic requires an improved understanding of the resulting impact of aircraft radiative forcing on climate. Contrails have an effect on the Earth's energy balance similar to that of high thin ice clouds. Their trapping of outgoing longwave radiation emitted by the Earth and atmosphere (positive radiative forcing) is partly compensated by their reflection of incoming solar radiation (negative radiative forcing). On average, the longwave effect dominates and the net contrail radiative forcing is believed to be positive. Over daily and annual timescales, varying levels of air traffic, meteorological conditions, and solar insolation influence the net forcing effect of contrails. Here we determine the factors most important for contrail climate forcing using a sophisticated radiative transfer model for a site in southeast England, located in the entrance to the North Atlantic flight corridor. We find that night-time flights during winter (December to February) are responsible for most of the contrail radiative forcing. Night flights account for only 25 per cent of daily air traffic, but contribute 60 to 80 per cent of the contrail forcing. Further, winter flights account for only 22 per cent of annual air traffic, but contribute half of the annual mean forcing. These results suggest that flight rescheduling could help to minimize the climate impact of aviation.

Swarming activity of temperate zone microchiropteran bats: effects of season, time of night and weather conditions

AbstractSeveral species of vespertilionid bat gather at underground sites in temperate zones during late summer and early autumn for an activity called swarming. Up to many hundreds of bats may arrive and depart during a night. Bat activity was recorded automatically with a frequency division logging system at a swarming site in south‐east England for 415 nights between 1997 and 2001. In all 5 years, activity was highest between the beginning of August and the end of October (the swarming period), with a peak in September. Activity varied markedly from night to night and was affected by rainfall (which significantly suppressed swarming activity), and residual maximum ambient temperature (with which activity was positively correlated). Moon phase had no detectable influence on swarming activity. Activity was low in the first few hours after sunset of each night during the swarming period indicating that few bats emerged and that there was low daytime occupancy of the site. Activity increased to a peak between 6 and 7 h post‐sunset consistent with a large number of bats arriving after the first evening foraging bout. Activity then decreased gradually up to dawn as these bats departed again. Logged activity was positively correlated with the number of bats caught by harp‐trap, confirming that loggers are a reliable alternative to catching when monitoring a swarming site.

Modelling soil moisture for a grassland and a woodland site in south-east England

Abstract. This paper describes a comparison between two soil moisture prediction models. One is MORECS (Met Office Rainfall and Evaporation Calculation Scheme), the Met Office soil moisture model that is used by agriculture, flood modellers and weather forecasters to initialise their models. The other is MOSES (Met Office Surface Exchange Scheme), modified with a runoff generation module. The models are made compatible by increasing the vegetation information available to MOSES. Both models were run with standard parameters and were driven using meteorological observations at Wallingford (1995-1997). Detailed soil moisture measurements were available at a grassland site and a woodland site in this area. The comparison between the models and the observed soil moisture indicated that, for the grassland site, MORECS dried out too quickly in the spring and, for the woodland site, was too wet. Overall, the performance of MOSES was superior. The soil moisture predicted by the new, modified MOSES will be included as a product of Nimrod - the 5 km x 5km gridded network of observed meteorological data across the UK. Keywords: Soil moisture, model, observation, field capacity