This chapter reviews the activities of the Assessment Strategies and Standards in Sociology project. In doing so it seeks to achieve two aims. The chapter identifies a number of key themes raised in the course of the seven contributions. It offers some speculative remarks about future trends. It has become apparent to the authors that sociological researchers have neglected some crucial areas for investigation. Despite a long-standing sociological interest in labour markets and their operation, relatively little is known about the academic labour market for sociologists. The rapid expansion of the discipline, its diffusion throughout other programmes and its contribution to new multi-disciplinary areas of interest have all combined to make the paths into sociology teaching more variegated and career trajectories afterwards more complex. By contrast the authors' activities offered a space for collective reflection and sharing of insights and practice within the context of a single discipline.

This chapter focuses on the enhancement of the assessment process from within the sociology community rather than from outside through public regulation. It reflects on the fact that there has been so little interest in assessment issues among sociologists. The chapter argues that this results from the ambiguous status of university teaching, an underdeveloped disciplinary infrastructure in comparison with longer-established subjects, and an uneasy relationship between sociology and the whole notion of 'professional closure'. It reports the findings of a survey of assessment practice in sociology conducted as part of the Assessment Strategies and Standards in Sociology project. In the case of sociology it has taken place at the level of the subject association. For much of the 1970s and 1980s the discipline was concerned with defending its access to research council funding and arguing the case for preserving a social science research base.

Cancer and cardiovascular (CV) disease are the most prevalent diseases in the developed world. Evidence increasingly shows that these conditions are interlinked through common risk factors, coincident in an ageing population, and are connected biologically through some deleterious effects of anticancer treatment on CV health. Anticancer therapies can cause a wide spectrum of short- and long-term cardiotoxic effects. An explosion of novel cancer therapies has revolutionised this field and dramatically altered cancer prognosis. Nevertheless, these new therapies have introduced unexpected CV complications beyond heart failure. Common CV toxicities related to cancer therapy are defined, along with suggested strategies for prevention, detection and treatment. This ESMO consensus article proposes to define CV toxicities related to cancer or its therapies and provide guidance regarding prevention, screening, monitoring and treatment of CV toxicity. The majority of anticancer therapies are associated with some CV toxicity, ranging from asymptomatic and transient to more clinically significant and long-lasting cardiac events. It is critical however, that concerns about potential CV damage resulting from anticancer therapies should be weighed against the potential benefits of cancer therapy, including benefits in overall survival. CV disease in patients with cancer is complex and treatment needs to be individualised. The scope of cardio-oncology is wide and includes prevention, detection, monitoring and treatment of CV toxicity related to cancer therapy, and also ensuring the safe development of future novel cancer treatments that minimise the impact on CV health. It is anticipated that the management strategies discussed herein will be suitable for the majority of patients. Nonetheless, the clinical judgment of physicians remains extremely important; hence, when using these best clinical practices to inform treatment options and decisions, practitioners should also consider the individual circumstances of their patients on a case-by-case basis.

Background: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) is thought to be a rare phenomenon in the solid tumour population, particularly in patients with breast cancer. However, it may be increasing within this population as the type and intensity of chemotherapy used changes. There is currently a lack of consensus on PCP prophylaxis in patients who are immunocompromised due to chemotherapy. Methods: The EPIC electronic health record system was searched for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated with a weekly chemotherapy (epirubicin/paclitaxel) regimen from October 2014 – February 2016 at Addenbrooke's hospital (n = 49). A subset of patients diagnosed with PCP (n = 5) was identified. A retrospective analysis was performed on the charts of all patients. Results: Patients received a mean of 21 weeks (SD = 15, min=1, max=62) of chemotherapy. An overall of 16% (n = 8) of patients had profound lymphopaenia (absolute lymphocyte count <0.5*10^9/L) at some point during their treatment. 10% (n = 5) of the patients were diagnosed with confirmed (n = 3) and probable (n = 2) PCP. Conclusions: A high incidence of PCP was observed in MBC patients receiving weekly epirubicin/paclitaxel treatment. Additional investigation is needed to define the population of patients at the greatest risk of PCP infection, and to identify those who might benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis. Legal entity responsible for the study: Cambridge Cancer Centre Funding: None Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Abstract Background Failure of drugs to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) can be a major reason for treatment failure for patients with brain tumors. For most patients who don't respond to treatment, it is not known whether this is due to inadequate drug concentrations in the tumor, or due to drug resistance. Preliminary data suggest that low-dose radiotherapy may disrupt the BBB, and could facilitate increased drug delivery into brain tumors. Afatinib is a potent, irreversible inhibitor of EGFR / HER2 / HER4 and takes approximately 8 days to achieve steady-state concentrations in cancer patients. Aims CamBMT1 has been designed to investigate the delivery of afatinib into brain metastases and whether this might be enhanced by low dose-radiotherapy. Patient Population Key eligibility criteria Patients with operable brain metastases from breast or lung primaries for whom neurosurgical resection would be standard of care, as determined by the local multi-disciplinary team. ECOG PS 0, 1 or 2. Trial design After a phase 1b safety run- in, the phase 2 part of the trial randomises patients (n=60) into 3 pre-operative arms: Arm 1afatinib alone for 11 days, then neurosurgery on day 12Arm 2afatinib for 11 days plus a single 2 Gy fraction on day 10, then neurosurgery on day 12Arm 3afatinib for 11 days plus a single 4 Gy fraction on day 10, then neurosurgery on day 12 Primary endpoint: to compare steady-state afatinib concentration in resected brain metastases, following afatinib administered alone, or in combination with radiotherapy (2 Gy or 4 Gy). Afatinib concentrations are measured in the resected brain metastases and in plasma. Secondary endpoints: safety of afatinib administration in combination with radiotherapy; and multi-sequence MRI (optional) to detect changes in perfusion, vascular density, blood-brain-barrier permeability and interstitial pressure. Exploratory endpoints: molecular profiling of resected brain metastases, for comparison with paired primary lung and breast cancers; the establishment and study of patient-derived xenografts. Statistical methods With 20 patients randomised in each of 3 arms in the phase 2 part of CamBMT1, the trial has a power of 84% at a significance level of 20% (one-sided) to detect an increase in afatinib concentrations with targeted radiotherapy, measured as a Cohen's D (standardised mean difference) ≥0.5. Accrual By the end of q2 2016, phase 1b had nearly completed enrolment. The randomised phase 2 part of CamBMT1 is due to open by q4 2016 at additional Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres. Acknowledgments CamBMT1 is funded by Cancer Research UK, the Brain Tumour Charity and Boehringer-Ingelheim. Citation Format: Baird RD, Ramenatte N, Watts C, Jonson A, Jones L, Biggs H, Harrison E, Oberg I, Bullen G, Williams M, Qian W, Gilbert F, Jodrell D, Caldas C, Karabatsou K, Dunn L, Jena R, Whitfield G, Chalmers A, Jefferies S, Price S. Cambridge brain mets trial 1 (CamBMT1): A proof-of-principle phase 1b / randomised phase 2 study of afatinib penetration into brain metastases for patients undergoing neurosurgical resection, both with and without prior low-dose, targeted radiotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-04-01.

Called to account - the last autonomous profession, Robert Mears the practice of assessing sociology, Joan Chandler the limits of managerialism and the need for collegialism in assessment - the case of dissertations in sociology, Andrew Pilkington, Chris Winch and Ruchira Leisten capturing experience and sorting it out - using autobiographical approaches as learning strategies in social science, Barbara Harrison and Nod Miller using computer-assisted assessment in sociology, Victor Jupp, Lee Barron and Alan Heslington social relations and intellectual evaluation in self- and peer assessment, Jennifer Platt, Rebecca Willison, Tim Reed, Helen Graham, et al conclusion - reflection and speculation, Eric Harrison and Robert Mears.

Objectives . The paper investigates differences in engagement with medical research between White British and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the UK, using data from the Wellcome Trust Monitor (WTM).Design. The study used two waves of the WTM (n=2575) to examine associations between ethnic group and participation in medical research, and willingness to participate (WP) in medical research. Logistic regression models controlled for socio-economic and demographic factors, and relevant outlooks and experiences that are assumed to be markers of engagement.Results. Respondents from the BAME group were less likely to have participated in medical research compared to those from the White British group, but there was only patchy evidence of small ethnic group differences in WP. Influences on engagement with medical research varied somewhat between the White British and BAME groups, in particular in relation to occupation, education, health, attitudes to medical science and belief.Conclusions. These findings consolidate previously context-specific evidence of BAME group under-representation in the UK, and highlight heterogeneity in that group. Efforts to address the under-representation of those from BAME groups might benefit from targeted strategies for recruitment and advocacy, although improved data sets are required to fully understand ethnic differences in engagement with medical research.

There is an increasing awareness and clinical interest in cardiac safety during cancer therapy as well as in optimally addressing cardiac issues in cancer survivors. Although there is an emerging expertise in this area, known as cardio-oncology, there is a lack of organization in the essential components of contemporary training. This proposal, an international consensus statement organized by the International Cardioncology Society and the Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network, attempts to marshal the important ongoing efforts for training the next generation of cardio-oncologists. The necessary elements are outlined, including the expectations for exposure necessary to develop adequate training. There should also be a commitment to local, regional, and international education and research in cardio-oncology as a requirement for advancement in the field.

This chapter charts the career of Eric Harrison. It details how the author stumbled into sociology. Luck and the lack of a clear alternative opened up opportunities in sociological research. It also details the importance of quantitative research and finishes with a range of advice to early career academics.

We report the case of a 66-year-old African American female with a history of breast cancer previously treated with anthracycline based chemotherapy presenting with significant mitral regurgitation. She initially had preserved left ventricular systolic function with normal cardiac chamber dimensions, however, she developed progressive left ventricular chamber dilation and mild reduction in systolic function, which prompted surgical correction of her mitral regurgitation. After surgical mitral valve repair, she developed overt left ventricular failure with severe systolic dysfunction; however, she responded well to subsequent medical therapy.

This thesis examines the impact of democracy on alliance abrogation. It serves as an extension of the current literature that examines democratic commitments and merges that with alliance studies. The data used consists of alliances from 1816-1991 and has been composed using EUGene from Leeds and Anac (2005), Correlates of War, and Polity IV. Using a standard probit model, this thesis examines the relationship between democracy and alliance commitments in a systematic approach and finds little evidence to support existing theoretical justifications on how democracies behave in an alliance. INDEX WORDS: Alliances, Democratic peace, Democratic commitments ARE DEMOCRACIES MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO ABROGATE ALLIANCES?

This paper reports on a project following up previous work about patterns of and attitudes to assessment among sociologists. Two forms of data collection were undertaken: an online questionnaire to sociology departments and a series of focus groups with undergraduate students. The results showed that assessment has become a more salient issue than ten years ago, but that most of the innovations in practice had taken place in post-1992 institutions. The focus group findings confirm those from national satisfaction surveys; namely that student dissatisfaction with assessment is profound and that it persists throughout their undergraduate experience.

In ‘The Analytical Language of John Wilkins’, Borges describes ‘a certain Chinese Encyclopaedia, the Celestial Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge’, in which it is written that animals are divided into: • those that belong to the Emperor, • embalmed ones, • those that are trained, • suckling pigs, • mermaids, • fabulous ones, • stray dogs, • those included in the present classification, • those that tremble as if they were mad, • innumerable ones, • those drawn with a very fine camel hair brush, • others, • those that have just broken a flower vase, • those that from a long way off look like flies. To modern readers this classification may seem somewhat haphazard, hardly systematic and certainly not exhaustive (although the category ‘others’ makes up for quite a lot of gaps). Actually, Borges did not find this classification in a Chinese encyclopaedia: he made it up. Making up a classification of surveys at times seems as challenging as making up a classification of animals. A short enquiry into types of surveys yields random samples, telephone surveys, exit polls, multi-actor surveys, business surveys, longitudinal surveys, opinion polls (although some would argue that opinion polls are not surveys), omnibus surveys and so forth. It will be clear that the types of surveys mentioned in this list are neither exhaustive nor mutually exclusive. The ‘type’ of survey can refer to the survey mode, the target population, the kind of information to be collected and a number of other characteristics. Sometimes these different characteristics interact, but some combinations are rarely found together. Surveys of older persons are rarely web surveys, for instance, and exit polls are never longitudinal surveys. This chapter presents a brief overview of the different ways in which surveys can be classified. First, however, we need to consider what a survey is. Below is given an abridged version of the section ‘What is a survey’ from the booklet drafted by Fritz Scheuren from NORC. I. Stoop (&) The Netherlands Institute for Social Research/SCP, P.O. Box 16164, 2500 BD, The Hague, The Netherlands e-mail: i.stoop@scp.nl

Many European countries have seen high levels of immigration from all parts of the world in the past two decades and the population of visible minority ethnic groups has grown rapidly. This report presents the results of a research programme analysing the quality of life in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in EU15 countries based on the 2007 European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS). The findings confirm that material poverty is often combined with higher degrees of social exclusion in such neighbourhoods. The perceived quality of life is also lower in these areas and in general they have higher levels of social tension. From a policy point of view, this underlines the need for an integrated and comprehensive social and housing policy intervention in affected high-diversity neighbourhoods, with strong involvement of local communities. An executive summary is available.