The role of values in collaborative consumption: insights from a product-service system for lending and borrowing in the UK

Collaborative consumption is an emerging socio-economic model based on sharing, renting, gifting, bartering, swapping, lending and borrowing. Made possible through community interaction and, increasingly, use of network technologies, these alternative and more sustainable ways of consuming have attracted growing attention for their potential to prevent new purchases, intensify the use of idle assets and promote reuse of possessions that are no longer wanted. Nonetheless, the uptake of Product- Service Systems (PSSs) that enable collaborative consumption is still very limited. This paper investigates how consumers' values can influence the acceptance, adoption and diffusion of collaborative consumption. It reviews two theoretical frameworks used to understand pro-environmental behaviour, social psychological models of behaviour and social practice theory. Coming from contrasting disciplinary perspectives, these approaches conceptualise values differently. The paper evaluates the possibility of resolving these differences through a mixed methods study. It examines values empirically through a case study of Ecomodo, a UK-based online marketplace where people can lend and borrow each other's objects, spaces and skills, and present the results of a quantitative study which identified and measured value priorities among Ecomodo users through Schwartz's Portrait Value Questionnaire. It concludes with a discussion of the role of values in relation to the introduction and scaling up of PSSs that enable collaborative consumption

Effects of controlled diesel exhaust exposure on apoptosis and proliferation markers in bronchial epithelium – an in vivo bronchoscopy study on asthmatics, rhinitics and healthy subjects

BackgroundEpidemiological evidence demonstrates that exposure to traffic-derived pollution worsens respiratory symptoms in asthmatics, but controlled human exposure studies have failed to provide a mechanism for this effect. Here we investigated whether diesel exhaust (DE) would induce apoptosis or proliferation in the bronchial epithelium in vivo and thus contribute to respiratory symptoms.MethodsModerate (n?=?16) and mild (n?=?16) asthmatics, atopic non-asthmatic controls (rhinitics) (n?=?13) and healthy controls (n?=?21) were exposed to filtered air or DE (100 ?g/m 3 ) for 2 h, on two separate occasions. Bronchial biopsies were taken 18 h post-exposure and immunohistochemically analysed for pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bad, Bak, p85 PARP, Fas, Bcl-2) and a marker of proliferation (Ki67). Positive staining was assessed within the epithelium using computerized image analysis.ResultsNo evidence of epithelial apoptosis or proliferation was observed in healthy, allergic or asthmatic airways following DE challenge.ConclusionIn the present study, we investigated whether DE exposure would affect markers of proliferation and apoptosis in the bronchial epithelium of asthmatics, rhinitics and healthy controls, providing a mechanistic basis for the reported increased airway sensitivity in asthmatics to air pollutants. In this first in vivo exposure investigation, we found no evidence of diesel exhaust-induced effects on these processes in the subject groups investigated

A field and video-annotation guide for baited remote underwater stereo-video surveys of demersal fish assemblages

Researchers TL, BG, JW, NB and JM were supported by the Marine Biodiversity Hub through funding from the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program. Data validation scripts and GlobalArchive.org were supported by the Australian Research Data Commons, the Gorgon-Barrow Island Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund, administered by the Government of Western Australia and the BHP/UWA Biodiversity and Societal Benefits of Restricted Access Areas collaboration.1. Baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) are a popular tool to sample demersal fish assemblages and gather data on their relative abundance and body-size structure in a robust, cost-effective, and non-invasive manner. Given the rapid uptake of the method, subtle differences have emerged in the way stereo-BRUVs are deployed and how the resulting imagery are annotated. These disparities limit the interoperability of datasets obtained across studies, preventing broad-scale insights into the dynamics of ecological systems. 2. We provide the first globally accepted guide for using stereo-BRUVs to survey demersal fish assemblages and associated benthic habitats. 3. Information on stereo-BRUV design, camera settings, field operations, and image annotation are outlined. Additionally, we provide links to protocols for data validation, archiving, and sharing. 4. Globally, the use of stereo-BRUVs is spreading rapidly. We provide a standardised protocol that will reduce methodological variation among researchers and encourage the use of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible (FAIR) workflows to increase the ability to synthesise global datasets and answer a broad suite of ecological questions.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Rapid evidence assessment: Liveable and low traffic neighbourhoods

The Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) has produced this rapid assessment of policy proposals linked to the theme of 'Low Traffic Neighbourhoods' (LTC) and 'Liveable Neighbourhoods' (LN).LNs became a part of mainstream policy discussion in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as suggestions to increase pavement space and encourage active transport (i.e. cycling and walking) were justified with the need for social distancing measures.However, the spirit of LNs is far from new - a range of adjacent design models have been present in the policy and public discussions for years, starting from city centre pedestrianisation, through liveable cities, 15-minute cities to resident parking schemes.Ultimately, these concepts paint a vision of sustainable, pollution-free cities, where all residents, no matter of the ability, gender or age, feel safe to walk and cycle; and where key amenities and public transport are within a short walk distance.In such cities, many people wouldn't need to drive a car to commute, shop or drop children at school, as the provision of alternatives would be sufficient and attractive. From a long-term governance perspective, such proposals are considered as means to contribute to climate strategies (such as Bristol's One City Climate Strategy and the UK Government's Clean Air Strategy).As promising as these visions might be, the delivery of such proposals across cities has been patchy. Public consultations reveal a range of common objections: fear of negative impact on high street businesses, displacement of traffic elsewhere and middle-class bias. Meanwhile, research interviews with developers or civil servants shine a light on systemic barriers to joined-up urban design, for example: developers' perception of consumer demand for housing developments with good parking availability and conflicting policy goals of highways departments versus sustainable transport departments in local authorities (Design Council, 2018).As a result, we end up in a situation where individual choices are entangled with systemic constraints and differentiating between evidence and rhetoric becomes a major challenge.In a response to a request from Bristol One City Stakeholders, this rapid review aims to gather and assess the quality and quantity of evidence on LNs. Whenever possible, we will refer to policy proposals present in the local consultation documents and public support or objections with regards to these proposals

Correction to: The mTOR-S6 kinase pathway promotes stress granule assembly

International audienc

Annual report on year one - Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change

Exactly one year following its establishment, the Bristol Advisory Committee on Climate Change (BACCC) has published the Annual Report on Year One to review its first year of operations and key contributions to Bristol’s response to the climate emergency.This report captures BACCC’s key activities to date, its conclusions on the One City Climate Strategy and the evidence base that has been used in the development of the strategy, as well as recommendations for future work.The BACCC celebrates the level of the city’s climate ambitions and looks forward to playing a continued and supportive role – working closely with One City thematic boards, Bristol City Council and other agencies – as the city begins to translate strategy into detailed action and delivery plans.The BACCC has identified its priority areas for the next year as:To work closely with the National Committee on Climate Change and other key agencies – to understand and contextualise key developments for Bristol and exchange insights and learnings from Bristol.To increase the focus on climate risk and adaptation needs.To monitor progress of delivery of the One City Climate Strategy.To support local Climate Emergency communication and engagement activity