Additional measures of progress for Scotland : an analysis of the issues and problems associated with aggregate/composite measures of sustainability

the purpose of this paper is to consider the broad set of issues and problems associated with adopting aggregate measures of sustainability. We do this by first considering what we mean when we talk about 'sustainable development' in a policy context and the role that we want sustainability indicators to play. Two broad types of sustainability are identified and we argue that the role of sustainability indicators depends on which type we are concerned with. This also proves to have a bearing on many of the problems and issues commonly associated with composite or aggregate indicators. In order to consider these problems and issues systematically we initially abstract from examination of any specific candidate. Of course GDP is an aggregate measure, involving valuing output at prices that, in perfect markets, reflect the valuations of individuals. indicators. However, in the latter stages of the paper we illustrate our analysis with a number of candidate measures of sustainability

Medical standards for the use of 'Scubadoo' - a discussion paper

'Scubadoo' is a novel recreational diving device which operates at a fixed depth of three metres' sea water (msw). The diver is free to move in an air-filled dome replenished by continuous air flow from a scuba tank which is an integral part of the device. Calculations show that the equilibrium concentration of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the dome depend on the volumetric air flow from the compressed air cylinder. Experiments carried out with an air flow of 20 L/min gave gas mixtures consistent with the calculations. This provides the basis of safe design for the air supply to the dome. The medical issues that may arise in the use of the Scubadoo device are discussed. Most of the medical issues which apply to scuba diving are minimised here because of the rigid three msw depth limit. Pulmonary barotrauma and also bronchospasm for asthmatics are theoretically possible but are considered to be low risk conditions in the context of the use of the device. Epilepsy and other conditions likely to cause sudden loss of consciousness are the only contraindications to use of the device. It is concluded that Scubadoo should not be subjected to the same medical restrictions as scuba diving

DNA metabarcoding reveals the dietary profiles of a benthic marine crustacean,Nephrops norvegicus

Norwegian lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, are a generalist scavenger and predator capable of short foraging excursions but can also suspension feed. Existing knowledge about their diet relies on a combination of methods including morphology-based stomach content analysis and stable isotopes, which often lack the resolution to distinguish prey items to species level particularly in species that thoroughly masticate their prey. DNA metabarcoding overcomes many of the challenges associated with traditional methods and it is an attractive approach to study the dietary profiles of animals. Here, we present the diet of the commercially valuable Nephrops norvegicus using DNA metabarcoding of gut contents. Despite difficulties associated with host amplification, our cytochrome oxidase I (COI) molecular assay successfully achieves higher resolution information than traditional approaches. We detected taxa that were likely consumed during different feeding strategies. Dinoflagellata, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta accounted for almost 50% of the prey items consumed, and are associated with suspension feeding, while fish with high fisheries discard rates were detected which are linked to active foraging. In addition, we were able to characterise biodiversity patterns by considering Nephrops as natural samplers, as well as detecting parasitic dinoflagellates (e.g., Hematodinium sp.), which are known to influence burrow related behaviour in infected individuals in over 50% of the samples. The metabarcoding data presented here greatly enhances a better understanding of a species’ ecological role and could be applied as a routine procedure in future studies for proper consideration in the management and decision-making of fisheries

Reproducibility of Dietary Intake Measurement From Diet Diaries, Photographic Food Records, and a Novel Sensor Method

Objective: No data currently exist on the reproducibility of photographic food records compared to diet diaries, two commonly used methods to measure dietary intake. Our aim was to examine the reproducibility of diet diaries, photographic food records, and a novel electronic sensor, consisting of counts of chews and swallows using wearable sensors and video analysis, for estimating energy intake. Method: This was a retrospective analysis of data from a previous study, in which 30 participants (15 female), aged 29 ± 12 y and having a BMI of 27.9 ± 5.5, consumed three identical meals on different days. Four different methods were used to estimate total mass and energy intake on each day: (1) weighed food record; (2) photographic food record; (3) diet diary; and (4) novel mathematical model based on counts of chews and swallows (CCS models) obtained via the use of electronic sensors and video monitoring system. The study staff conducted weighed food records for all meals, took pre- and post-meal photographs, and ensured that diet diaries were completed by participants at the end of each meal. All methods were compared against the weighed food record, which was used as the reference method. Results: Reproducibility was significantly different between the diet diary and photographic food record for total energy intake (p = 0.004). The photographic record had greater reproducibility vs. the diet diary for all parameters measured. For total energy intake, the novel sensor method exhibited good reproducibility (repeatability coefficient (RC) of 59.9 (45.9, 70.4), which was better than that for the diet diary [RC = 79.6 (55.5, 103.3)] but not as repeatable as the photographic method [RC = 43.4 (32.1, 53.9)]. Conclusion: Photographic food records offer superior precision to the diet diary and, therefore, would be valuable for longitudinal studies with repeated measures of dietary intake. A novel electronic sensor also shows promise for the collection of longitudinal dietary intake data.Fil: Fontana, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Pan, Zhaoxing. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Sazonov, Edward S.. University of Alabama; Estados UnidosFil: McCrory, Megan A.. Boston University; Estados UnidosFil: Thomas, J. Graham. University Brown; Estados UnidosFil: McGrane, Kelli S.. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Marden, Tyson. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Higgins, Janine A.. University of Colorado; Estados Unido

Tedera: From a Promising Novel Species to a Commercial Pasture Option for Mediterranean Southern Australia

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata and var. crassiuscula) is a traditional forage species used for centuries in the Canary Islands (Méndez and Fernández 1990), that has increasingly attracted interest from researchers in regions with Mediterranean-type climates from Spain, Italy, Israel, Greece, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey and Australia. In 2000, Australian pasture researchers started a large and systematic screening process that evaluated about 720 species of exotic and native legumes, grasses and herbs for adaptation and productivity in Mediterranean and temperate environments (Real et al. 2011). Tedera was one of the few novel perennial legumes to show potential for domestication (Real et al. 2008; Real et al. 2011). Now an international multidisciplinary team has come together to take tedera forward towards commercial adoption by farmers in Mediterranean-type environments. This paper provides a technical update and discussion on all research aspects conducted by the tedera research team up to February 2013

Preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer and lymphoma: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (PROACT)

Introduction: Anthracyclines are included in chemotherapy regimens to treat several different types of cancer and are extremely effective. However, it is recognised that a significant side effect is cardiotoxicity; anthracyclines can cause irreversible damage to cardiac cells and ultimately impaired cardiac function and heart failure, which may only be evident years after exposure. The PROACT trial will establish the effectiveness of the ACE inhibitor enalapril maleate (enalapril) in preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Methods and analysis: PROACT is a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point, superiority trial which will recruit adult patients being treated for breast cancer and NHL at NHS hospitals throughout England. The trial aims to recruit 106 participants, who will be randomised to standard care (high-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy) plus enalapril (intervention) or standard care alone (control). Patients randomised to the intervention arm will receive enalapril (starting at 2.5 mg two times per day and titrating up to a maximum dose of 10 mg two times per day), commencing treatment at least 2 days prior to starting chemotherapy and finishing 3 weeks after their last anthracycline dose. The primary outcome is the presence or absence of cardiac troponin T release at any time during anthracycline treatment, and 1 month after the last dose of anthracycline. Secondary outcomes will focus on cardiac function measured using echocardiogram assessment, adherence to enalapril and side effects. Ethics and dissemination: A favourable opinion was given following research ethics committee review by West Midlands—Edgbaston REC, Ref: 17/WM/0248. Trial findings will be disseminated through engagement with patients, the oncology and cardiology communities, NHS management and commissioning groups and through peer-reviewed publication

The pale spear-nosed bat : a neuromolecular and transgenic model for vocal learning

Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Grant Number(s): MR/T021985/1; Grant recipient(s): Sonja Vernes). Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (Grant Number(s): Max Planck Research Group ; Grant recipient(s): Sonja Vernes). Human Frontier Science Program (Grant Number(s): RGP0058/2016, RGP0058/2016; Grant recipient(s): Uwe Firzlaff, Sonja Vernes).Vocal learning, the ability to produce modified vocalizations via learning from acoustic signals, is a key trait in the evolution of speech. While extensively studied in songbirds, mammalian models for vocal learning are rare. Bats present a promising study system given their gregarious natures, small size, and the ability of some species to be maintained in captive colonies. We utilize the pale spear-nosed bat (Phyllostomus discolor) and report advances in establishing this species as a tractable model for understanding vocal learning. We have taken an interdisciplinary approach, aiming to provide an integrated understanding across genomics (Part I), neurobiology (Part II), and transgenics (Part III). In Part I, we generated new, high-quality genome annotations of coding genes and noncoding microRNAs to facilitate functional and evolutionary studies. In Part II, we traced connections between auditory-related brain regions and reported neuroimaging to explore the structure of the brain and gene expression patterns to highlight brain regions. In Part III, we created the first successful transgenic bats by manipulating the expression of FoxP2, a speech-related gene. These interdisciplinary approaches are facilitating a mechanistic and evolutionary understanding of mammalian vocal learning and can also contribute to other areas of investigation that utilize P. discolor or bats as study species.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Toll-6 and Toll-7 function as neurotrophin receptors in the Drosophila melanogaster CNS

Neurotrophin receptors corresponding to vertebrate Trk, p75(NTR) or Sortilin have not been identified in Drosophila, thus it is unknown how neurotrophism may be implemented in insects. Two Drosophila neurotrophins, DNT1 and DNT2, have nervous system functions, but their receptors are unknown. The Toll receptor superfamily has ancient evolutionary origins and a universal function in innate immunity. Here we show that Toll paralogues unrelated to the mammalian neurotrophin receptors function as neurotrophin receptors in fruit-flies. Toll-6 and Toll-7 are expressed in the central nervous system throughout development, and regulate locomotion, motoraxon targeting and neuronal survival. DNT1 and 2 interact genetically with Toll-6 and 7, bind to Toll-7 and 6 promiscuously, and are distributed in vivo in complementary or overlapping domains. We conclude that in fruit-flies, Tolls are not only involved in development and immunity but also in neurotrophism, revealing an unforeseen relationship between the neurotrophin and Toll protein families

Ikaros family zinc finger 1 regulates dendritic cell development and function in humans

Ikaros family zinc finger 1 (IKZF1) is a haematopoietic transcription factor required for mammalian B-cell development. IKZF1 deficiency also reduces plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) numbers in mice, but its effects on human DC development are unknown. Here we show that heterozygous mutation of IKZF1 in human decreases pDC numbers and expands conventional DC1 (cDC1). Lenalidomide, a drug that induces proteosomal degradation of IKZF1, also decreases pDC numbers in vivo, and reduces the ratio of pDC/cDC1 differentiated from progenitor cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, non-classical monocytes are reduced by IKZF1 deficiency in vivo. DC and monocytes from patients with IKZF1 deficiency or lenalidomide-treated cultures secrete less IFN-alpha, TNF and IL-12. These results indicate that human DC development and function are regulated by IKZF1, providing further insights into the consequences of IKZF1 mutation on immune function and the mechanism of immunomodulation by lenalidomide