Stirling Online Research Repository (RIOXX)
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Interactions between nutritional programming, genotype, and gut microbiota in Atlantic salmon: Long-term effects on gut microbiota, fish growth and feed efficiency
Nutritional programming (NP) is a tool for developing adaptive changes that can be expressed in adulthood by exposing individuals to a stimulus early in life. This study investigated the interactions between nutritional programming (NP), genotype and gut microbiota in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) across the life cycle, to potentially improve feed efficiency and fish health. Approximately 5100 eggs from six families characterised by high (HP) or low pigment retention (LP) were incubated and divided into four groups (HPM, HPV, LPM, LPV) that received a stimulus diet based on marine (M) (61 % fishmeal and 8 % fish oil) or vegetable (V) (5 % fishmeal, plant proteins and rapeseed oil) ingredients. This stimulus phase lasted three weeks, followed by a 49-week freshwater intermediate phase with fish fed a commercial feed subsequent to seawater transfer. In seawater, the fish were initially fed a commercial feed for 13 weeks and then switched to a plant-based “challenge” diet with approximately 3 % EPA + DHA until the end of the experiment, at 101 weeks, at which point fish were 4 kg. During the study, survival rates, SGR, and FCR were monitored. Samples for microbiota analysis were collected at T0 (after the stimulus), T1 (before the challenge), T2 (challenge, after the feed change), and T3 (end of the feeding trial). Gut and feed microbiota were analysed by bacterial DNA extraction, Illumina NGS library preparation and raw sequencing data analysis using QIIME 2 and PICRUSt software. Gut microbiota composition changed with fish age, independent of NP and pigmentation genotype, emphasising the importance of developmental stage. Early diet influenced beta diversity and increased the number of specific bacteria, but these changes decreased with time. NP influenced the gut microbiota during the stimulus phase but not during the challenge phase, showing that the current diet has a greater influence than the earlier diet. Some microbial genera were associated with different genotypes and diets, suggesting interactions between genotype and stimulus diet. Differences in the metabolic potential of the gut microbiota due to the stimulus diet were observed but were not associated with differences in growth and feed utilisation. The study concludes that early nutritional programming with a plant-based diet has a transient effect on growth and gut microbiota, with long-term growth performance being more strongly influenced by pigmentation genotype. Further studies on the interactions between genotype, diet and microbiota are required
The Pain of Thinking at Light Speed: Posthuman Play as Response to “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream"
Searching for solutions to the coming extinction brought on by the anthropocene, some turn their attention to increasingly powerful computation. Billionaires, transhumanists but also James Lovelock write of technological salvation as a solution to climate destruction. In contrast to this, apocalyptic science fiction warns against placing too much faith in supercomputers. Harlan Ellison’s short story “I have no Mouth and I Must Scream” serves as a starting point for discussing digital technologies in and after the Anthropocene. I suggest – with reference to both Ellison’s short story and the videogame inspired by it – that supercomputation is unlikely to be a viable solution to humanity’s extinction. Thinking as a supercomputer, looking for answers at light speed, the solution would emerge, as in Ellison’s work, that humanity is already doomed. Instead, embracing a rejection of standard of duration and experience, I champion an emphasis on the possibility, necessity, and unique power of play and making ‘odd kin’ in the face of a computationally unavoidable Armageddon
Different coasts for different folks: Place-based community values and experience mediate social acceptability of low-trophic aquaculture
The expansion of low-trophic aquaculture (shellfish and sea plants) is limited in many regions by a fragmented regulatory process that is difficult for smallholder farmers to navigate. Small-scale Aquaculture Development Areas (ADAs) can remove some of this regulatory burden by establishing pre-approved zones for aquaculture development; however, an understanding of local support for low-trophic aquaculture is needed to understand the potential of ADAs. A survey was used to solicit information about community support for shellfish and sea plant aquaculture in Pictou County, a coastal area of Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants had a positive impression of low-trophic aquaculture, but residents in one coastal area reported greater perceived negative impacts on the recreational use and enjoyment of coastal areas and views, while residents in another coastal area reported a higher level of support for shellfish aquaculture. In general, participants also valued community involvement in aquaculture management, local ownership of farms, and community benefits from the presence of farms. Results suggest that top-down communication is unlikely to play a significant role in acceptability. Instead, experience of low trophic aquaculture and place-based values are important for understanding social acceptability. Community involvement in the development of ADAs and the distribution of benefits from farming could support trust in ADAs and social licence for low-trophic aquaculture
Marine aquaculture sites have huge potential as data providers for climate change assessments
In-situ data is essential in understanding climate change in coastal and marine environments, especially in nearshore locations that are challenging for models to simulate and are often lacking in downscaled climate projections. Environmental parameters such as sea temperature and oxygen are often recorded at fish farms, and this information could be useful for observing coastal changes and climate change assessment. For aquaculture, Norway's BarentsWatch portal is one of the most advanced open-data platforms in the sector. The aim of this study was to inspect the weekly sea temperature data collected from salmon lice monitoring within the Fish Health dataset in BarentsWatch and consider if the recorded temperatures could have value for monitoring climate change due to the spatial and temporal coverage of the farm data. Initial inspection of the dataset found many inconsistencies and suspected errors. In total there were 667 sites where suspected errors were removed. Suspected errors amounted to 7797 data points. Following data cleaning there were 1129 sites and 303,792 data points in total, covering much of the Norwegian coastline. The positions offered good insight into the range of conditions, with data from sheltered inner fjords as well as more exposed locations. Analysis of the BarentsWatch temperatures revealed some sites in southern and western Norway that have already experienced temperatures above 20 °C, challenging conditions for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture. The results showed differences between sites within the same production regions due to site-specific characteristics, illustrating the need for more local-scale data that represents the actual conditions the fish experience, rather than a reliance on regional averages. Although the BarentsWatch platform provided some insight into the temperatures experienced at Norwegian salmon farms, the lack of standardised reporting and uncertainties about data collection and aggregated values meant that detailed analysis was not possible at present. The BarentsWatch analysis was complemented by data from two farms that further demonstrated the need for better guidance and standardised data collection and reporting. Standardised data collection and reporting would ensure that data from different farms is directly comparable. When considered in context with other conditions and fish health parameters, more standardised and robust monitoring of water temperatures at farms would aid the identification of potential challenging conditions and allow for more targeted adaptation responses. Improved data collection and reporting in the present day would have huge value in the future by facilitating the creation of long-term datasets spanning multiple decades at hundreds of locations along the Norwegian coastline, offering exceptional insight into coastal climate change
Fostering Health Behaviour Change in Overweight Male Football Fans Through the European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) Program: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective
The European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) program integrated need-supportive motivational strategies from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the design of a healthy lifestyle program delivered to overweight or obese male football fans (n = 1113; mean age of 45.9 [SD = 9.0] years old and BMI of 33.2 kg/m2 [SD = 4.6]) in professional football club settings in the UK, Portugal, Norway and the Netherlands. With a critical realist approach, we developed a structured thematic framework analysis based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to investigate the process of change in men who participated in the EuroFIT randomized controlled trial (RCT). We examined whether men’s experiences of the social context of EuroFIT, and whether their engagement with the program’s motivational strategies supported or frustrated their basic psychological needs while attempting to change their lifestyle behaviours. We found that men in all countries perceived the social contexts of the EuroFIT program as mostly needs-supportive, and that they found engagement with most of the program components helpful in supporting their psychological needs when initiating health behaviour changes. However, some of the program elements in the EuroFIT program were perceived as needs-frustrating by some participants and need-supportive by others. Implications for the use of need-supportive motivational strategies in designing future lifestyle interventions in sport settings to promote health behaviour change among male football fans are discussed
Use of scenarios with multi-criteria evaluation to better inform the selection of aquaculture zones
The allocation of zones for aquaculture development is a strategic problem as it involves long-term outcomes and many stakeholders with competing interests. Resource planners require tools to support such complex allocation decisions, but these are either lacking or with serious limitations. This paper presents an approach that improves the traditional method of developing aquaculture zoning model. Four scenario narratives describing potential development pathways for aquaculture in Nigeria were used to guide the model development, from selection of suitability factors to evaluation of alternatives. The modelling objective was to identify a suitable location for zoning small-to-medium scale commercial pond catfish production in Nigeria. So, a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) was used to produce a suitability map, from which five alternative zones were extracted. These zones were then compared using three sustainability criteria that were designed based on future uncertainties highlighted by the four scenarios. Results show that 4 of the 5 zones are concentrated in the north-eastern part of Nigeria, while the other one occurred in the north-west. Furthermore, this study found two top-ranking zones that can be selected in all the scenarios, meaning the two zones with the most potential to support the sustainable development of small-to-medium scale aquaculture in Nigeria. As these two were almost tied in ranking, sensitivity analyses across the scenarios revealed the most stable zone to changes in the criteria scores. These findings can be used to inform aquaculture expansion policy in Nigeria and integrate the activity into wider land use planning. Overall, the new approach advances the traditional method of developing GIS-based MCE models for aquaculture zoning, as it generates options and relevant information to facilitate strategic decision-making
Awareness of enterprise finance support programmes: the role of networks, gender and ethnicity
Implementation of Virtual Reality Motivated Physical Activity via Omnidirectional Treadmill in a Supported Living Facility for Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.: Virtual reality to motivate physical activity for older adults
Virtual reality (VR) can support healthy ageing, but few devices have been trialed with frail older adults to increase physical activity. We conducted a preliminary mixed-methods implementation evaluation of an omnidirectional VR treadmill and a static VR experience with seven older adults over a six-week period in a supported living facility. Frequency of use and pre-post physical functioning measures were collected, mainly to establish technology suitability based on person characteristics. Diary entries following technology use, resident focus group and staff interview revealed technology acceptance and perceived potential for increasing physical activity, health and wellbeing through accessing virtual environments, which motivated continued activity. Results demonstrated technology suitability for a range of older adults with various mobility and physical impairments. However, residents noted interest in a seated treadmill for physical activity without perceived risks of falls with standing treadmills. Staff raised considerations around care home implementations including usability, cost and space
The early impact of the UK's new alcohol taxation system on product strength and price: an exploratory comparative descriptive study
Objectives: We explored the early impact of changes to the UK alcohol tax system, implemented in August 2023, on the strength and price of alcoholic products available for sale on the website of the largest supermarket in England. Study design: Our comparative descriptive study using longitudinal brand-level data was not preregistered and should be considered exploratory. Methods: Data were collected weekly (May to October 2023) using automated web scraping tools. Outcomes were product strength (% alcohol by volume [ABV]) and price (per 10 mL of pure alcohol and per litre of product). We undertook paired t-tests, two-sample KolmogoroveSmirnov tests, and quantile regression to compare outcomes before and after the tax changes. Beer, cider, spirits, and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) were analysed separately. Results: There was a reduction in the mean strength of beer, driven by manufacturers reformulating a small number of weaker beers, moving them into a lower tax band (<3.5%ABV). The mean price per 10 mL of alcohol and per litre of product was significantly higher after the new tax system for beer, cider, and spirits and significantly lower for RTDs. Increases in the price of beer tended to occur across the entire distribution, whereas increases in the price of cider occurred among more expensive products. Conclusions: Changes to product strength tended to occur among weaker products near the new lowest tax band, suggesting tax bands may be a potential stimulus for change. Reformulation of stronger products would have better public health potential. Longer term monitoring, including data on purchasing/consumption, is required
Studying Great Apes and Cultural Diversity to Understand the Human Mind
Psychologists want to understand how the human mind is extraordinary among animal minds and where the unique aspects of human minds and behaviors come from. To build scientific understanding of human minds, we must study the wide range of humans across cultures, to know what all humans have in common and which aspects of human minds are diverse. However, this is not enough-studying humans across cultures tells us how humans think and act, not how they are unique among animals. To understand how humans are similar and dierent from other animals, we must study other animals too, especially our close primate relatives, the great apes, who have minds that are similar to ours in many, but not all, ways. So, to understand human minds and behaviors, researchers should study humans and non-humans at a scale that allows us to explore the origins of the similarities and dierences of minds and behaviors across our world today