Understanding citizen science and environmental monitoring: final report on behalf of UK Environmental Observation Framework

Citizen science can broadly be defined as the involvement of volunteers in science. Over the past decade there has been a rapid increase in the number of citizen science initiatives. The breadth of environmental-based citizen science is immense. Citizen scientists have surveyed for and monitored a broad range of taxa, and also contributed data on weather and habitats reflecting an increase in engagement with a diverse range of observational science. Citizen science has taken many varied approaches from citizen-led (co-created) projects with local community groups to, more commonly, scientist-led mass participation initiatives that are open to all sectors of society. Citizen science provides an indispensable means of combining environmental research with environmental education and wildlife recording. Here we provide a synthesis of extant citizen science projects using a novel cross-cutting approach to objectively assess understanding of citizen science and environmental monitoring including: 1. Brief overview of knowledge on the motivations of volunteers. 2. Semi-systematic review of environmental citizen science projects in order to understand the variety of extant citizen science projects. 3. Collation of detailed case studies on a selection of projects to complement the semi-systematic review. 4. Structured interviews with users of citizen science and environmental monitoring data focussing on policy, in order to more fully understand how citizen science can fit into policy needs. 5. Review of technology in citizen science and an exploration of future opportunities

Delocalized, non-SUSY pp-branes, tachyon condensation and tachyon matter

We construct non-supersymmetric $p$-brane solutions of type II supergravities in arbitrary dimensions ($d$) delocalized in one of the spatial transverse directions. By a Wick rotation we convert these solutions into Euclidean $p$-branes delocalized in the transverse time-like direction. The former solutions in $d=10$ nicely interpolate between the $(p+1)$-dimensional non-BPS D-branes and the $p$-dimensional BPS D-branes very similar to the picture of tachyon condensation for the tachyonic kink solution on the non-BPS D-branes. On the other hand the latter solutions interpolate between the $(p+1)$-dimensional non-BPS D-branes and the tachyon matter supergravity configuration very similar to the picture of rolling tachyon on the non-BPS D-branes.Comment: 15 pages, typos correcte

Production of a novel medium chain length Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) using unprocessed biodiesel waste and its evaluation as a tissue engineering scaffold

This study demonstrated the utilisation of unprocessed biodiesel waste as a carbon feedstock for Pseudomonas mendocina CH50, for the production of PHAs. A PHA yield of 39.5% CDM was obtained using 5% (v/v) biodiesel waste substrate. Chemical analysis confirmed that the polymer produced was poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate-co-3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3- hydroxydecanoate-co-3-hydroxydodecanoate) or P(3HHx-3HO-3HD-3HDD). P(3HHx-3HO- 3HD-3HDD) was further characterised and evaluated for its use as a tissue engineering scaffold (TES). This study demonstrated that P(3HHx-3HO-3HD-3HDD) was biocompatible with the C2C12 (myoblast) cell line. In fact, the % cell proliferation of C2C12 on the P(3HHx-3HO-3HD-3HDD) scaffold was 72% higher than the standard tissue culture plastic confirming that this novel PHA was indeed a promising new material for soft tissue engineering

Skin tests, T cell responses and self-reported symptoms in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma due to house dust mite allergy

Abstract BACKGROUND: In allergic responses, a distinction is made between an early-phase response, several minutes after allergen exposure, and a late-phase response after several hours. During the late phase, eosinophils and T cells infiltrate the mucosa and play an important role in inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between allergen-induced late-phase skin responses and in vitro T cel

Binary Polyhydroxyalkanoate Systems for Soft Tissue Engineering

Progress in tissue engineering is dependent on the availability of suitable biomaterials. In an effort to overcome the brittleness of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), a natural biodegradable polyester, and widen its biomedical applications, plasticising of P(3HB) with oligomeric substances of related structure has been studied. A biosynthesised medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) copolymer, the plasticizer precursor, was obtained using vegetable waste frying oil as a sole carbon source. The mcl-PHA was transformed into an oligomeric derivative by acid hydrolysis. The plasticising effect of the oligomeric mcl-PHA on P(3HB) was studied via characterisation of thermal and mechanical properties of the blends in the course of ageing at ambient conditions. Addition of oligomeric mcl-PHA to P(3HB) resulted in softer and more flexible materials based entirely on PHAs. It was shown that the oligomeric mcl-PHA transformed highly crystalline P(3HB) into materials with a dominant amorphous phase when the content of oligomeric mcl-PHA exceeded 10wt%. In vitro biocompatibility studies of the new binary PHA materials showed high viability and proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells. Thus, the proposed approach for P(3HB) plasticisation has the potential for the generation of more pliable biomaterials based on P(3HB) which can find application in unique soft tissue engineering applications where a balance between stiffness, tensile strength and ductility is required

Unidirectional Neuronal Cell growth and Differentiation on Aligned Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blend Microfibres with Varying Diameters

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of prokaryotic-derived biodegradable and biocompatible natural polymers known to exhibit neuroregenerative properties. In this work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB) and poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate), P(3HO), have been combined to form blend fibres for directional guidance of neuronal cell growth and differentiation. A 25:75 P(3HO)/P(3HB) blend (PHA blend) was used for the manufacturing of electrospun fibres as resorbable scaffolds to be used as internal guidance lumen structures in nerve conduits. The biocompatibility of these fibres was studied using neuronal and Schwann cells. Highly aligned and uniform fibres with varying diameters were fabricated by controlling electrospinning parameters. The resulting fibre diameters were 2.4 ± 0.3 µm, 3.7 ± 0.3 µm and 13.5 ± 2.3 µm for small, medium and large diameter fibres respectively. The cell response to these electrospun fibres was investigated with respect to growth and differentiation. Cell migration observed on the electrospun fibres showed topographical guidance in accordance with the direction of the fibres. The correlation between fibre diameter and neuronal growth under two conditions; individually and in co-culture with Schwann cells was evaluated. Results obtained from both assays revealed that all PHA blend fibre groups were able to support growth and guide aligned distribution of neuronal cells and there was a direct correlation between the fibre diameter and neuronal growth and differentiation. This work has led to the development of a family of unique biodegradable and highly biocompatible 3D substrates capable of guiding and facilitating the growth, proliferation and differentiation of neuronal cells as internal structures within nerve conduits

Reduction of the Three Dimensional Schrodinger Equation for Multilayered Films

In this paper, we present a method for reducing the three dimensional Schrodinger equation to study confined metallic states, such as quantum well states, in a multilayer film geometry. While discussing some approximations that are employed when dealing with the three dimensionality of the problem, we derive a one dimensional equation suitable for studying such states using an envelope function approach. Some applications to the Cu/Co multilayer system with regard to spin tunneling/rotations and angle resolved photoemission are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur

Nerve tissue engineering using blends of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) for peripheral nerve regeneration

The only types of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that have been explored for use in nerve regeneration are poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB‐co‐3HHx)). However, nerve regeneration induced by these PHAs is inferior to that of autologous nerve grafting. The aim of this work was to study novel PHA blends as resorbable biomaterials for the manufacture of nerve guidance conduits. PHA blend films with varying ratios of poly(3‐hydroxyoctanoate)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HO)/P(3HB)) were produced using the solvent‐casting method. Neat films of P(3HO) and P(3HB), along with 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 blend films of P(3HO)/P(3HB), were characterized with respect to chemical, material, and biological properties. On surface analysis, the blends exhibited higher values of roughness compared with the neat films. The differential scanning calorimetry characterization of the blends confirmed that P(3HO) and P(3HB) formed immiscible blends. FTIR and XRD analysis of the blends showed a decrease in crystallinity along with an increase of the proportion of P(3HO) . However, an increase in the stiffness of the blends was observed when the proportion of P(3HB) increased. Although all of the blends were biocompatible with NG108‐15 neuronal cells, the 25:75 P(3HO)/P(3HB) blend showed significantly better support for growth and differentiation of these cells. The mechanical properties of PHA blends correspond to the reported properties of peripheral nerves. Therefore, they could serve as base material for the manufacture of nerve guidance conduits

Nanolithography and manipulation of graphene using an atomic force microscope

We use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to manipulate graphene films on a nanoscopic length scale. By means of local anodic oxidation with an AFM we are able to structure isolating trenches into single-layer and few-layer graphene flakes, opening the possibility of tabletop graphene based device fabrication. Trench sizes of less than 30 nm in width are attainable with this technique. Besides oxidation we also show the influence of mechanical peeling and scratching with an AFM of few layer graphene sheets placed on different substrates.Comment: 11 pages text, 5 figure

Projected pH reductions by 2100 might put deep North Atlantic biodiversity at risk

This study aims to evaluate the potential for impacts of ocean acidification on North Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems in response to IPCC AR5 Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Deep-sea biota is likely highly vulnerable to changes in seawater chemistry and sensitive to moderate excursions in pH. Here we show, from seven fully coupled Earth system models, that for three out of four RCPs over 17% of the seafloor area below 500 m depth in the North Atlantic sector will experience pH reductions exceeding ?0.2 units by 2100. Increased stratification in response to climate change partially alleviates the impact of ocean acidification on deep benthic environments. We report on major pH reductions over the deep North Atlantic seafloor (depth >500 m) and at important deep-sea features, such as seamounts and canyons. By 2100, and under the high CO2 scenario RCP8.5, pH reductions exceeding ?0.2 (?0.3) units are projected in close to 23% (~15%) of North Atlantic deep-sea canyons and ~8% (3%) of seamounts – including seamounts proposed as sites of marine protected areas. The spatial pattern of impacts reflects the depth of the pH perturbation and does not scale linearly with atmospheric CO2 concentration. Impacts may cause negative changes of the same magnitude or exceeding the current target of 10% of preservation of marine biomes set by the convention on biological diversity, implying that ocean acidification may offset benefits from conservation/management strategies relying on the regulation of resource exploitation