The effects of recreational footpaths on terrestrial invertebrate communities in a UK ancient woodland: a case study from Blean Woods, Kent, UK

Globally, terrestrial invertebrates are in decline, in part due to habitat fragmentation. Footpaths provide nature-based recreation to the public but can present small-scale spatially continuous changes in forest dynamics. However, their effects on terrestrial invertebrate communities are unknown. Pitfall trapping was undertaken to identify whether terrestrial invertebrate communities were disrupted by a popular recreational footpath in Blean Woods, an ancient UK woodland. The study identified 720 invertebrates across 36 taxa from 20 footpath edge and forest interior traps. It was found that footpaths did not significantly affect terrestrial invertebrate communities. There was no difference in the taxonomic abundance, richness, and diversity; invertebrate trait abundance and richness; or invertebrate community composition between the footpath edge and woodland interior traps. Thus, footpaths in Blean Woods do not disturb the terrestrial invertebrate community, and therefore present a sustainable mechanism for facilitating public engagement with conservation in a nationally important protected ancient woodland

Langevin Equation for the Rayleigh model with finite-ranged interactions

Both linear and nonlinear Langevin equations are derived directly from the Liouville equation for an exactly solvable model consisting of a Brownian particle of mass $M$ interacting with ideal gas molecules of mass $m$ via a quadratic repulsive potential. Explicit microscopic expressions for all kinetic coefficients appearing in these equations are presented. It is shown that the range of applicability of the Langevin equation, as well as statistical properties of random force, may depend not only on the mass ratio $m/M$ but also by the parameter $Nm/M$, involving the average number $N$ of molecules in the interaction zone around the particle. For the case of a short-ranged potential, when $N\ll 1$, analysis of the Langevin equations yields previously obtained results for a hard-wall potential in which only binary collisions are considered. For the finite-ranged potential, when multiple collisions are important ($N\gg 1$), the model describes nontrivial dynamics on time scales that are on the order of the collision time, a regime that is usually beyond the scope of more phenomenological models.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Aggregation of SiC-X Grains in Supernova Ejecta

We present a model for the formation of silicon carbide aggregates within the expanding and cooling supernova remnant. Many SiC-X grains have been found to be aggregates of smaller crystals which are isotopically homogenous. The initial condensation of SiC in the ejecta occurs within a interior dense shell of material which is created by a reverse shock which rebounds from the core-envelope interface. A subsequent reverse shock accelerates the grains forward, but the gas drag from the ejecta on the rapidly moving particles limits their travel distance. By observing the effects of gas drag on the travel distance of grains, we propose that supernova grain aggregates form from material that condensed in a highly localized region, which satisfies the observational evidence of isotopic homogeneity in SiC-X grains.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, To be published in the Astrophysical Journa

Effects of crude protein levels in concentrate supplements on animal performance and nitrogen utilization of lactating dairy cows fed fresh-cut perennial grass

There are increased concerns regarding N pollution of air and ground water from grazing cattle. Although a number of studies have investigated mitigation strategies for N output from dairy cows fed conserved forages and concentrates, similar research on fresh-cut grass in addition to production parameters is limited. Therefore the current study, using 3 dietary treatments and incorporating 2 genotypes, was designed to evaluate the effects of concentrate crude protein (CP) level on animal production and N utilization efficiency (NUE) of lactating dairy cows. Twelve multiparous cows (6 Holstein and 6 Holstein × Swedish Red) were used in a change-over study with three 25-d periods and 3 diet treatments; low, medium and high CP concentrate (14.1, 16.1 and 18.1% respectively, dry matter (DM) basis) fed at 32.8% DM intake in combination with good quality zero-grazed perennial ryegrass (18.2% CP, DM basis). Each period consisted of an adaption phase (18-d) housed as a single group, 1-d adaption in individual stalls and a 6-d measurement phase with feed intake and feces, urine and milk output recorded. There was no significant interaction between cow genotype and concentrate CP level on any animal performance or NUE parameters. Total DM intake, milk yield and composition and NUE were not affected by dietary treatment. However, increasing concentrate CP level increased (i) N intake by 42 g/d and excretion in urine and manure, by 38 and 40 g/d, respectively, and (ii) the ratio of urine N over manure N. Feeding high CP, rather than low CP concentrate, increased milk urea N (MUN) content by 3.6 mg/dL and total MUN output by 1.08 g/d. Crossbred cows had lower grass DM intake, total DM intake, total N intake and consequently energy-corrected milk yield. However, cow genotype had no significant effect on NUE or MUN parameters. Equations have been developed to predict urine N excretion using MUN output as sole predictor or in combination with dietary CP level. The present study indicated that when grazing cows are fed on good quality pasture, feeding concentrates with a protein content as low as 14.1% may not negatively affect productivity. In addition, reducing concentrate CP concentration may be a successful method of reducing urinary N excretion of lactating dairy cattle on pasture-based systems, but further research is needed to investigate long-term effects of supplementary concentrate CP content on milk production

Effects of concentrate crude protein content on nutrient digestibility, energy utilization, and methane emissions in lactating dairy cows fed fresh-cut perennial grass

Although many studies have investigated mitigation strategies for methane (CH4) output from dairy cows fed a wide variety of diets, research on effects of concentrate crude protein (CP) content on CH4 emissions from dairy cows offered fresh grass is limited. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate effects of cow genotype and concentrate CP level on nutrient digestibility, energy utilization and CH4 emissions of dairy cows offered fresh grass based diets. Twelve multiparous lactating dairy cows (6 Holstein and 6 Holstein × Swedish Red) were blocked into 3 groups within each breed and assigned to low, medium or high CP concentrate diet (14.1, 16.1 and 18.1 % on dry matter (DM) basis), respectively, in a 3-period changeover study (25-d / period). Total diets contained (DM basis) 32.8 % concentrates and 67.2 % perennial ryegrass, which was harvested daily. All measurements were undertaken during the final 6-d of each period; digestibility measurements for 6-d and calorimetric measurements in respiration chambers for 3-d. Feed intake and milk production data were reported in a previous paper. No significant interaction between concentrate CP level and cow genotype on any parameter was observed. Concentrate CP level had no significant effect on any energy utilization parameter, except for urinary energy output which was positively related to concentrate CP level. Similarly concentrate CP content had no effect on CH4 emission (g/d), CH4 per kg feed intake or nutrient digestibility. The crossbreeding of Holstein cows significantly reduced gross energy, digestible energy and metabolizable energy intake, heat production and milk energy output. However, cow genotype had no significant effects on energy utilization efficiency or CH4 parameters. Furthermore, the present study yielded a value for gross energy lost as CH4 (5.6 %) on fresh grass-based diets that is lower than the widely accepted value of 6.5 %. The present findings indicate reducing concentrate CP content from 18.1 to 14.1 % may not be a successful approach to alleviate CH4 emissions from lactating dairy cows offered good quality fresh grass, however grazing cows could be offered a low CP concentrate without compromising energy utilization efficiency. Further research is needed to investigate whether larger differences in dietary CP content may yield positive results

The Role of Overexpressed HER2 in Transformation

The HER family of receptors has an important role in the network of cell signals controlling cell growth and differentiation. Although the activity of the HER receptor is strictly controlled in normal cells, HER2 receptor overexpression plays a pivotal role in transformation and tumorigenesis. HER2 gene amplification and/or overexpression of the receptor has been detected in subsets of a wide range of human cancers including breast cancer, and is an indicator of poor prognosis. It is proposed that overexpressed HER2 in combination with HER3 causes high activity of cell-signaling networks, thereby resulting in tumor cell proliferation. Thus, the HER2 receptor is an attractive target for new anti-cancer treatments. Mono-clonal antibodies directed against the receptor are the most promising of these, and the humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has shown significant clinical efficacy in clinical trials. The anti-tumor mechanisms of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies are not completely understood. However, some tumor types are not sensitive to trastuzumab, suggesting that the response of a tumor to trastuzumab may not only be dependent on overexpressed HER2, but may also be influenced by other members of the HER receptor family expressed in the tumor cel

Written evidence submitted by Canterbury Christ Church University (SH0097) to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Soil health. First Report of Session 2023–24, HC 245.

Executive summary Soils are fundamental to ecosystem functioning in agricultural soils and therefore their ability to provide public goods. Agri-environment policy measure progress towards improving soil health through various physio-chemical or biological means; however, these are no longer fit for purpose. This paper is split into two sections: soil health indicators, covering physio-chemical characteristics and biodiversity, and soil contamination, dealing with heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Within this document, we make a series of recommendations to improve monitoring and subsidy schemes under the new Environmental Land Management schemes. New policy frameworks also need to consider known and emerging contaminants if they are to be a true representation of the health of our soils. Recommendations are given below, split into: physio-chemical characteristics, biodiversity, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Physio-chemical indicators: 1. Expand on the soil health indicators quantified under the ELMS to include several more that are mentioned under the Countryside Survey (i.e. pH, bulk density, soil carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, mineralizable nitrogen and total phosphorous), and offer a set of relevant tests related to soil health, taking into account basic soil characteristics, cropping systems and/or climate. 2. Subsidise costs of soil testing under the ELMS so that farmers can collect good quality data on soil health before and after management interventions to demonstrate if soil health has been improved. 3. Ensure that all tests have a standardised method for soil sampling, storage and testing to enable comparisons and accurately track long-term changes. 4. There is a risk of low farmer participation due to the loosely defined soil assessment methods. There is a need for clear guidance and defined, but easy to use, methodologies and farmers need to have access to expert advice and guidance. 5. Soil quality indicators should be relatable to a specific ecosystem services/public goods, and farmers need clear guidance on how to interpret the results of their soil tests in this context. 6. Conduct a large-scale monitoring scheme to provide a reference dataset for farmers to compare their soil physio-chemical data to, or create a scoring system that is easy for farmers to interpret to use as a comparison or demonstrate changes in soil health. Biological indicators: 1. Any agreements attaching subsidy payments to improvements in soil biodiversity need to be long-term and might need to include staged and proxy payments. This is to account for the longer timeframe that soil communities may take to respond to new land management approaches compared to physio-chemical characteristics. 2. Current measurements of biological health are no longer appropriate. Since soil biodiversity – especially microbial biodiversity – drives soil functioning and is a key component of soil health, this needs to be included as a soil health indicator under the new ELMS. 3. Although methods for biodiversity assessment using metagenomics are complex, schemes ot monitor soil must be cooperative. Thus, farmers have to be able to on collecting soil samples and sending these for analysis. Similarly, the biodiversity data that is sent back to the farmer also needs to be easily interpreted (i.e. using a simple summary of findings or scoring system). Heavy metals: 1. Expand on heavy metals that are used as soil health indicators under the Countryside Survey (total copper, zinc, cadmium, and nickel) to include several more that are prevalent in agricultural soils. 2. Include contamination as a soil threat and add Action(s) within the ELMS that targets remediation of contaminated soils. Pharmaceuticals: 1. First, there is a need for prioritization: there are more than 1,900 active pharmaceutical compounds in use, making it a challenge to study all of them at once. Prioritization will allow identifying those compounds that can pose the greatest risk to the UK soil, plants, environment, and public health. 2. Soil microbiome is diverse and varies with location, soil type, plants, environmental conditions, and human activities. There is a need to understand the effect of prioritized CECs pharmaceuticals on soil microbiome and its interaction with the rhizosphere in different agroecological zones of the UK. 3. How the presence of prioritized CECs in the soil affects the growth, productivity, and nutritional quality of main UK crops needs to be assessed. This will be achieved by evaluating the mechanisms of absorption, plant uptake and metabolism of CECs in main UK crop species. 4. With the anticipated negative effects of the CECs on agriculture and the environment, strategies for the remediation of prioritized CECs from contaminated soils should be developed. Different available bioremediation approaches need to be tested to identify those who would work on those CECs and in the UK context. 5. Considering the current development of climate change and its impact on agriculture, it is inevitable to assess how climate change is affecting / will affect the prioritized CECs in their interaction with plants and soil. Microplastics: 1. Define ‘microplastics’ clearly as an environmental contaminant in policy documents. 2. More accurate estimates of deliberate and accidental release of plastics are required to reduce uncertainty in approximations of the quantity of plastics entering soils. 3. Well-aligned initiatives, best management practices, more stringent policies and co-operative efforts of the public, manufacturers and government officials are urgently needed to reduce illegal disposal of plastic waste, moderate improper use of plastic products in the agriculture and increase the proportion of plastics undergoing waste management or recycling processes. 4. Better characterisation of MPs (i.e. origin, shape, size, and composition) and evaluation of their in soils (i.e. distribution, transport and degradation) is required, with reference to specific soil characteristics, agricultural systems and climates. 5. Understand how the presence of MPs in the soil affects soil biota and the growth, productivity and nutritional quality of crops, and determine soil guideline values for MPs in soils. 6. Develop a standard set of low-cost, high-efficiency protocols to collect and process soil samples, and then to isolate, identify and quantify microplastics in soils, depending on both the soil characteristics and the type of MPs being quantified

Entropy and vorticity wave generation in realistic gas turbine combustors

Understanding the nature of the unsteady flow at the combustor exit is required to accurately simulate time dependent phenomena in the turbine entry, such as indirect noise generation. Using Large Eddy Simulations of the combustion process in a realistic geometry, we analyse the flow at its exit. Two realistic, near-ground certification operating conditions are considered. Different mechanisms for large-scale flow and thermal structure generation are described, which are ejected into the turbine. Modal decomposition methods are used to extract the spatial and temporal scales at the turbine entry. We find that, depending on the operating condition, the entropy waves convect as elongated streaks in the core of the combustor annulus or the proximity of the walls. The dominant unsteady character of the fluctuations exhibits different spectral properties, i.e. low-frequency in the core and high-frequency towards walls. At the combustor exit, the vortical field is dominated by the swirl in the air inlet, which is found to have little influence on the entropy perturbations. Further, the importance of considering the interaction of multiple fuel injectors and combustion zones in an annular combustor is investigated. It is shown that pulsating circumferential vorticity modes can occur in multi-sector annular combustors but these, however, do not affect the entropy wave distribution.The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to Rolls-Royce plc for permission to publish this paper. This work was conducted within the EU Horizon 2020 Framework Research Programme - Clean Sky (CORNET-CORE Noise Technologies), project number: H2020-CS2-CFP01-2014-01/ 686332

Modulation of p27/Cdk2 complex formation through 4D5-mediated inhibition of HER2 receptor signaling

The molecular mechanisms mediating the anti-proliferative effects of the murine anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (4D5) were investigated in HER2-overexpressing human carcinoma cell lines. Treatment with 4D5 resulted in a dramatic accumulation of BT-474 breast carcinoma cells in Gl; concomitant with reduced expression of proteins involved in sequestration of the cyclin E/Cdk2 inhibitor protein p27, increased association of p27 with Cdk2 complexes and Cdk2 inactivation. No equivalent effects were observed in BT-474 cells treated with a control, non-inhibitory HER2 monoclonal antibody (FRP5) or in a HER2-overexpressing cell line insensitive to 4D5 treatment (MKN7 gastric carcinoma cells), confirming the relationship between these molecular changes and 4D5-mediated inhibition of proliferation. Increased p27 expression was also observed in 4D5-treated BT-474 cells; however an antisense approach demonstrated that this increase was not required for Cdk2 inactivation or establishment of the Gl block. These data suggest that 4D5 interferes with HER2 receptor signaling, resulting in downregulation of proteins involved in p27 sequestration. This causes release of p27, allowing binding and inhibition of cyclin E/Cdk2 complexes and inhibition of Gl/S progression. This model was confirmed using a second 4D5-sensitive, HER2-overexpressing breast tumor line (SKBR3), and suggests that the dependency of a given tumor cell on elevated HER2-receptor signaling for the maintenance of p27 sequestration proteins may determine the clinical response to treatment with the humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody Herceptin® (trastuzumab

Awareness of Social Media Audiences among Adolescents in a School-Based Intervention

The current study investigated adolescents’ (N=213) decision finding processes and affective reactions to interactions on social media via 29 focus groups. As part of a larger study, adolescents participated in focus groups at two time-points across an academic year while participating in a school-based intervention promoting healthy romantic, interpersonal, and family relationships, job readiness, and financial literacy. Qualitative analyses indicated adolescents’ experiences and decisions on social media platforms were informed by their awareness of audiences, namely who they thought would view their posts and anticipated responses from “friends,” “family members,” “fans,” “creeps,” and “potential employers.” Comprehensive school-based interventions may serve to effectively develop responsibility more broadly, as well as a specific awareness about online risks and behaviors