scholarly journals On the Record: An Analysis of Exotic Pet Licences in the UK

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2373
Author(s):  
Angie Elwin ◽  
Jennah Green ◽  
Neil D’Cruze
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Gaps ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Exotic Pets

Keeping exotic pets has become a popular habit in the UK in recent decades. Yet, information on the current scale of the trade and the diversity of animals involved is lacking. Here, we review the licensed sale of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals as exotic pets in the UK, identifying current geographical hotspots of trader activity, data gaps, and compliance issues related to this trade. In terms of trade volume, records showed large numbers of individual wild animals, across a wide range of species groups, are being legally sold in the UK. Maximum numbers of exotic pets permitted for sale included 54,634 amphibians, 64,810 reptiles, 23,507 birds, and 6479 mammals. Moreover, nearly 2000 pet traders located in 283 different local authority areas had permission to sell exotic pets. The scope and scale of the trade draws additional attention to the substantial animal welfare challenges associated with it, and our review serves to highlight several shortcomings associated with the licensed exotic pet trade in the UK. Pet shop licences often lacked detailed information about the specific type and number of animals permitted for sale, which raises compliance concerns and hinders efforts to carry out adequate inspection and monitoring. Ninety-five pet traders in England had been given a one star rating, indicating ‘minor failings’ in animal welfare, and some local authorities in England were still operating under the old Pet Animals Act (1951). We recommend that resources should be prioritised and focused towards local authorities in England that are not operating under the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations (2018), and that local authorities should improve data reporting on all licenses issued to aid inspection and monitoring.

scholarly journals The Views of the UK Public Towards Routine Neutering of Dogs and Cats

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanakarn Wongsaengchan ◽  
Dorothy McKeegan
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Linear Model ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
General Linear Model ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Level Of Agreement

Despite being routinely recommended by veterinarians, neutering of dogs and cats has both positive and negative impacts on animal welfare and is ethically problematic. We examined attitudes of a sample of the UK public towards routine neutering of dogs and cats using a questionnaire. Respondents indicated their level of agreement with statements describing welfare and ethical reasons ‘for’ and ‘against’ the neutering of male and female dogs and cats. We conducted a general linear model (GLM) analysis to investigate the effects of demographic factors on agreement scores. Respondents (n = 451) expressed views both supporting and opposing neutering. The predominant view (>80%) supported neutering, justified primarily by prevention of unwanted offspring and reproductive diseases. Around 10% of the respondents disagreed and felt that neutering should only be done for medical reasons. Men were less likely than women to support neutering (p < 0.001). Those with meat reduction diets were more likely to be against neutering (p < 0.05) and cat owners supported neutering more than non-cat owners (p < 0.05). Although the data reflected a wide range of ethical views, our findings show that the UK public generally supports the routine neutering of dogs and cats. This insight has implications for future policy-making and compliance with veterinary advice.

A vernalization-intensity model to predict bolting in sugar beet

2009 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. J. MILFORD ◽  
P. J. JARVIS ◽  
C. WALTERS
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Trial Data ◽  
Vernalization Requirement ◽  
New Model ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Maximum Air Temperature ◽  
Potential Use

SUMMARYA new model is presented that relates the numbers of bolters in sugar-beet crops to an intensity of vernalization calculated as the accumulated number of hours between sowing and the end of June that temperatures were between 0 and 13°C, with each temperature within this range differentially weighted for its vernalizing effect. The model allows varieties to be characterized in terms of a threshold number of vernalizing hours needed to induce bolting (the vernalization requirement) and the increase in the proportion of bolted plants with each additional 10 vernalizing hours accumulated above this vernalizing threshold (the bolting sensitivity). When parameterized for variety, the model allows the level of bolting to be predicted for crops sown on specific dates in particular locations.Data from variety-assessment trials done at a wide range of locations throughout the main UK sugar-beet growing areas between 1973 and 2006, and from early sown bolting trials done at a few sites between 2000 and 2008, were used to define specific aspects of the model. These included the range and weightings of vernalizing temperatures, the period during which vernalization occurs, and the temperatures likely to cause plants to become devernalized.The vernalization-intensity bolting model was parameterized and validated using separate subsets of the UK variety-assessment trial data. It was shown to be more discriminating and robust than an existing ‘cool-day’ model, which relates bolting to the number of days from sowing in which the maximum air temperature was below 12°C. Examples are given of the use of the new model to assess the bolting risk associated with early sowing in different regions of the UK, to interpret recent patterns of bolting (especially the large numbers of bolters seen in some commercial crops in 2008), and its potential use as an advisory tool.

scholarly journals Methods for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the UK: a literature review

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (109) ◽  
pp. 3-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Rooney-Browne
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Evaluation Methodologies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
The Uk

This paper summarises the findings of a report commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' (CILIP) Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) to produce a comprehensive review of existing quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the United Kingdom (UK). A thorough literature review of existing research was carried out and an investigation into best practices for evaluating impact was conducted. A wide range of journals and books published within the fields of library and information science and social research have been consulted. Relevant White Papers and Reviews; such as those published by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC); the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the Department of Culture, Sport and Media (DCMS); and the American Library Association (ALA) have been analysed. Additional online searches helped to identify models of best practice; and the most up to date methods currently in use for measuring value outside of the UK. During the early stages of the literature review it became clear that a limited amount of research has been carried out in the UK field of public library valuation. Although academic researchers at Loughborough, Sheffield and Strathclyde University have published various journal articles and reports on this topic there is a lack of evidence that local authorities have been implementing the methodologies that the academics have recommended. Although it is possible that some local authorities may be working in isolation to implement bespoke evaluation methodologies it has been difficult to uncover examples of best practice in the UK. Therefore, as the literature review progressed the author expanded beyond the UK public library sector, and into the broader areas of economics, sociology and psychology. This enabled a more thorough understanding of the increase in evaluations, incentives, benchmarking, objective setting, accountability; and social and economic auditing. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will help the sector to develop more appropriate models for demonstrating the value of public libraries in the 21st century. The original report was compiled in June 2010.

scholarly journals Preliminary checklists for applying SERCON (System for Evaluating Rivers for Conservation) to rivers in Serbia

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 1037-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Radulovic ◽  
P.J. Boon ◽  
Dusanka Laketic ◽  
P. Simonovic ◽  
S. Puzovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Management ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Water Law ◽  
Biological Surveys ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
River Quality ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
The Uk

This paper describes the first steps in gathering biological data to assess the conservation value of rivers in Serbia, using SERCON (System for Evaluating Rivers for Conservation). SERCON was developed in the UK to improve consistency in assessments of river ?quality? by using a scoring system to evaluate habitat features and species groups, catchment characteristics, and the potential impacts to which river systems may be subjected. This paper provides checklists for aquatic, semiaquatic and marginal plants, macroinvertebrates, fish and birds associated with rivers in Serbia, collated from a wide range of published and unpublished sources. These lists should be regarded as provisional because few wide-ranging biological surveys have been carried out specifically on Serbian rivers; further revisions are likely as more information becomes available in future. Ultimately, the work will benefit regulators and decision-makers with responsibility for river management under the new Water Law, and contribute to river protection and conservation in Serbia.

The education of looked after children: the social implications of further education

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert Herd ◽  
Tim Legge
Keyword(s):  
Local Authority ◽  
Further Education ◽  
College Life ◽  
Looked After Children ◽  
School Based ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
The Uk

Considerable attention is now paid to the education of looked after children in the UK, but the criteria used to judge success tend to focus on GCSE passes and university entry. The further education (FE) sector has been largely overlooked in these discussions even though it provides a wide range of non-school based courses for large numbers of disadvantaged 16–19-year-olds. Evidence from a typical college in England with 6200 students shows that a third of all older adolescents living in the area, most of them with modest academic achievements, have some connection with the college, and that around 700 of them require special mentoring. In addition, over 50 students, 70% of them female, are looked after – the same number of older teenagers as would be in the care of a medium-sized local authority. The article seeks to alert practitioners and carers to the contribution that FE can make to the welfare of older looked after children as participation in college life and the specialist help received can help mitigate some of the widely reported problems facing care leavers.

Private water supplies and the local authority role: results of a UK national survey

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Shepherd ◽  
A.P. Wyn-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Potable Water Supply ◽  
The Uk

There are more than 100,000 private water supplies within the UK serving about a million people. The Private Water Regulations 1991 provide a framework for Local Authorities to monitor these supplies within their areas. Geographical distribution is variable with some Authorities responsible for large numbers of private sources. Sampling programmes are dependent on the abstraction volume or the number of consumers; some supplies may be monitored only annually or even less frequently. Seasonal variation of water quality may allow contaminated water to be consumed undetected by the Authority and may constitute a risk of illness to the consumer. This national survey of all the UK Local Authorities assesses the distribution, classification and quality of UK private water supplies. Incidence of sample non-compliance, complaints regarding water quality and suspected illness due to possible microbial contamination are addressed. The role of the Authorities in maintaining a safe potable water supply from private sources and the difficulties encountered in implementation of the Regulations are discussed.

ESRC Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 657-698
Author(s):  
Simeon J. Yates ◽  
Jordana Blejmar
Keyword(s):  
Social Research ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
Levels Of Automation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Technological World ◽  
Ways Of Being

Two workshops were part of the final steps in the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) commissioned Ways of Being in a Digital Age project that is the basis for this Handbook. The ESRC project team coordinated one with the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (ESRC-DSTL) Workshop, “The automation of future roles”; and one with the US National Science Foundation (ESRC-NSF) Workshop, “Changing work, changing lives in the new technological world.” Both workshops sought to explore the key future social science research questions arising for ever greater levels of automation, use of artificial intelligence, and the augmentation of human activity. Participants represented a wide range of disciplinary, professional, government, and nonprofit expertise. This chapter summarizes the separate and then integrated results. First, it summarizes the central social and economic context, the method and project context, and some basic definitional issues. It then identifies 11 priority areas needing further research work that emerged from the intense interactions, discussions, debates, clustering analyses, and integration activities during and after the two workshops. Throughout, it summarizes how subcategories of issues within each cluster relate to central issues (e.g., from users to global to methods) and levels of impacts (from wider social to community and organizational to individual experiences and understandings). Subsections briefly describe each of these 11 areas and their cross-cutting issues and levels. Finally, it provides a detailed Appendix of all the areas, subareas, and their specific questions.

Punk as Folk: Continuities and Tensions in the UK and Beyond

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pete Dale
Keyword(s):  
Folk Music ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Collective Creativity ◽  
Living Tradition ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Uk

Numerous claims have been made by a wide range of commentators that punk is somehow “a folk music” of some kind. Doubtless there are several continuities. Indeed, both tend to encourage amateur music-making, both often have affiliations with the Left, and both emerge at least partly from a collective/anti-competitive approach to music-making. However, there are also significant tensions between punk and folk as ideas/ideals and as applied in practice. Most obviously, punk makes claims to a “year zero” creativity (despite inevitably offering re-presentation of at least some existing elements in every instance), whereas folk music is supposed to carry forward a tradition (which, thankfully, is more recognized in recent decades as a subject-to-change “living tradition” than was the case in folk’s more purist periods). Politically, meanwhile, postwar folk has tended more toward a socialist and/or Marxist orientation, both in the US and UK, whereas punk has at least rhetorically claimed to be in favor of “anarchy” (in the UK, in particular). Collective creativity and competitive tendencies also differ between the two (perceived) genre areas. Although the folk scene’s “floor singer” tradition offers a dispersal of expressive opportunity comparable in some ways to the “anyone can do it” idea that gets associated with punk, the creative expectation of the individual within the group differs between the two. Punk has some similarities to folk, then, but there are tensions, too, and these are well worth examining if one is serious about testing out the common claim, in both folk and punk, that “anyone can do it.”

Heritability of the Effect of Corticosteroids on Intraocular Pressure

1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.H. Reuling ◽  
J.T. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Topical Steroids ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Steroid Response ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Allele Pair ◽  
High Level ◽  
Genetically Determined

In the late 1950's and early 1960's, it became evident that some glaucoma patients developed elevations of intraocular pressure, which were difficult to control, following prolonged use of systemic or ocular medications containing corticosteroids (Chandler, 1955, Alfano, 1963; Armaly, 1963). In addition, some patients without glaucoma, when treated with steroids for long periods of time, developed clinical signs of chronic simple glaucoma (McLean, 1950; François, 1954; Covell, 1958; Linner, 1959; Goldman, 1962). Fortunately, the elevation of intraocular pressure was reversible if the drug was discontinued.Over the past decade, extensive investigation of the “steroid response” has been undertaken. For this presentation, the steroid response may be considered as a gradual elevation of intraocular pressure, occurring over several weeks, in an eye being medicated with corticosteroid drops several times a day. The elevation in pressure is usually accompanied by a reduction in the facility of aqueous outflow. When relatively large numbers of subjects were tested with topical steroids, so that a wide range of responsiveness could be observed, a variation in individual sensitivity was demonstrated. Frequency distributions of intraocular pressure or change in pressure following steroids showed a skew toward the high side. On the basis of trimodal characteristics which they observed in such frequency distributions, Becker and Hahn (1964), Becker (1965) and Armaly (1965, 1966) considered the possible existence of several genetically determined subpopulations. These investigators distinguished three subpopulations on the basis of low, intermediate, and high levels of pressure response. It was hypothesized that these levels of response characterized three phenotypes, corresponding to the three possible genotypes of an allele pair, wherein one member of the pair determined a low level of response, and the other member determined a high level of response (Armaly, 1967).

Approaches to common conditions of the gastrointestinal tract in pet hamsters

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Vicki Baldrey
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Support ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Positive Contrast ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Indications For Surgery ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
The Uk

Hamsters are popular pets in the UK. The Syrian or Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is the best known species in the pet trade, with a variety of dwarf species also encountered. Gastrointestinal disease occurs frequently, and diarrhoea is a common presenting complaint. This is most often associated with bacterial or parasitic infection, but can also be related to neoplasia or the use of certain antibiotics. Initial stabilisation of the hamster with diarrhoea should include provision of a warm stress-free environment, fluid therapy, nutritional support with an appropriate critical care diet and analgesia. Following a full history and clinical examination, further diagnostic steps include faecal parasitology and microbiology, routine biochemistry and haematology, radiography with or without positive contrast, and abdominal ultrasound. Indications for surgery include evidence of intestinal obstruction or prolapsed intussusception. This article gives an overview of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in hamster species and provides a guide of how to logically approach the investigation and treatment of these cases, achievable in general practice.

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