25507 research outputs found
Sort by
Species identity and spatial scale drive context‑dependent tree diversity effects in a Finnish forest experiment
No full textTree species diversity-mediated leaf trait variation is increasingly recognised as a factor that can influence ecosystem processes such as herbivory and tree growth across different forest communities. However, results from comparisons of tree monocultures and species mixtures remain inconsistent, suggesting that diversity effects are context-dependent. We elucidated these contextual factors using the Satakunta tree diversity experiment to assess how diversity effects are impacted by tree species identity, stand density, and spatial scale. By comparing the responses of light-demanding Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and shade-tolerant Norway spruce (Picea abies), we show that the factors influencing diameter at breast height (DBH) and leaf traits differ between these two species with different life history strategies. Pine needle terpene concentrations were lowest in neighbourhoods dominated by conspecifics, while spruce needle terpenes were unaffected by tree species composition. Increasing canopy cover reduced spruce dry needle mass but had no effect on the dry needle mass of pines. Likewise, the factors that influenced tree growth differed between species; spruce DBH was lowest in thinned stands but was unaffected by tree species composition, whereas pine DBH did not vary with plot density but was reduced in neighbourhoods containing silver birch (Betula pendula). Our findings also suggest diversity effects on leaf traits may be highly localised, as statistical models assessing the effect of immediate neighbours on pine terpenes yielded significant results, whereas models assessing diversity effects on a plot-level did not. In contrast, significant effects of diversity were found on pine DBH at both neighbourhood and plot-level scale, suggesting that tree growth can be more responsive to plot-level factors than leaf traits
Financial stress evaluation: a complexity science approach
Full text linkFinancial markets typically exhibit dynamically complex properties as they continuously interact with economic and environmental factors. For example, the efficient market hypothesis suggests a considerable difference in the structural complexity of security prices between “normal” (stable markets) and “abnormal” (financial crises) situations. Considering the analogy between market undulation of price time series and physiological stress of bio-signals, we investigate whether physical stress indices in bio-systems can be adopted and modified to measure “standard stress” in financial markets. We employ structural complexity analysis based on univariate and multivariate sample entropy variants to estimate the overall stress level of financial markets and the performance of individual financial indices. Furthermore, we propose a novel graphical framework to determine the sensitivity of individual assets and stock markets to financial crises. Catastrophe theory and entropy-based stress evaluations are used to ascertain the unique performance of each index or individual stock in response to different types of crisis. Four major indices and four individual equities with gold prices are considered over 31 years, from 1991 to 2021. Results show the feasibility of measuring financial stress and reveal the relationship between structural complexity among economic indices and within each price time series
Dual-targeting Sulfamethoxazole derivatives overcome multidrug resistance in ESKAPE pathogens by inhibiting quorum sensing and efflux pumps
Full text linkThe rapid emergence of pan-drug-resistant pathogens necessitates innovative antimicrobial strategies that overcome conventional resistance. This study reports the structure-guided design of sulfamethoxazole derivatives as dual inhibitors of quorum sensing (LasR) and efflux pumps (AcrB), alongside the classic dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) target. High-throughput virtual screening of 54 derivatives, followed by MM-GBSA analysis, prioritized five novel compounds for synthesis. Their structures were confirmed by 1H/13C NMR, FT-IR, and mass spectrometry. All compounds demonstrated potent growth inhibition (MICs 15.625–125 µg mL−1) against Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli, though activity against the more resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reduced. Critically, lead compounds SMX033 and SMX015 achieved >99% biofilm inhibition against P. mirabilis, and SMX033 showed significant efflux pump inhibition, directly validating our in silico predictions of a multi-target mechanism. In particular, compound SMX033 exhibited the best antimicrobial activity and lowest cytotoxicity of all the sulfamethoxazole derivatives with a CCC50 value of 286.20 µM against Vero cells. Despite their predicted in silico genotoxicity, these derivatives provide promising chemical scaffolds for combating multidrug-resistant infections by concurrently attenuating virulence and restoring antibiotic susceptibility
Sauna culture boosts physical and mental wellbeing in the UK through social connection and ritual
Full text linkSauna culture is experiencing rapid global growth, yet beyond physical health benefits, remains largely understudied within academic research. We investigate both its physical and mental health benefits in the UK using the Social Cure model in conjunction with a ritual lens to understand how feelings of connection grow via sauna. Across three studies (N = 1,907), we explored the role of social identities in shaping wellbeing outcomes among sauna users. Studies 1 and 3 employed longitudinal designs, revealing increases in emotional wellbeing over time, while Study 2 used a cross-sectional approach and showed that stronger sauna identities were associated with self-reported improvements in both physical and emotional wellbeing. Study 3 further demonstrated that perceiving sauna use as a ritual, alongside experiencing emotional synchrony during sauna sessions, was positively linked to stronger sauna identities. Together, these findings suggest that the social and ritual aspects of sauna use may contribute to its wellbeing effects, with potential implications for sauna operators in the UK and beyond
Antioxidant, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of pectins from Citrus aurantium ‘Changshanhuyou’
No full textTo improve the utilization rate of Citrus aurantium ‘Changshanhuyou’ (Huyou) resources, the biological activities of pectins extracted from Huyou residue were studied. Huyou pectin (HYP) and its three separated components (HYP0, HYP1 and HYP3) showed considerable DPPH•, ABTS•+ and HO• scavenging abilities, bile salts-binding abilities, and marked inhibitory effect on lipase and α-glucosidase. In insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells, HYPs effectively reduced ROS, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, and increased the hepatic glycogen content and pyruvate kinase and hexokinase activities. RT-qPCR analysis showed that HYPs effectively upregulated the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, AMPK and GLUT4, and downregulated the expression of G6Pase, PEPCK, FAS, ACC and SREBP-2. Thus, HYPs modulate glycolipid metabolism possibly by activating the PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways, and regulating the gene expression of lipid metabolism-related enzymes. HYPs have potential as ingredients in functional foods due to their considerable antioxidant, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities
‘Genteel and modern’: auctioning the household belongings of the parish clergy in Georgian England
No full textThis chapter explores how and why English clergymen and their families used auction sales of household goods to both buy and sell furnishings for their parsonages and rectories. While the clergy may be representative of the wider swathe of middling buyers and sellers at auctions, the specific circumstances pertaining to the clergy -- having to give up their parsonages on moving livings -- provide us with valuable insights into the dynamics of the auction process and motivations of buyers and sellers. Using auction catalogues as well as the business records of a Hampshire auctioneer, we argue that auction sales offered up a discreet yet cost-effective conduit for clergy to dispose of their household goods on giving up a living; but also a means for them to furnish their households with decorum and taste on a budget
Molecular identification of Balantioides coli in asymptomatic pigs from Norwegian farms
Full text linkBalantioides coli is a ciliated intestinal parasite of pigs with known zoonotic potential. Although Norway maintains high biosecurity standards and restricts live animal imports, the prevalence of B. coli in Norwegian pig herds has not been formally evaluated. We investigated the occurrence of B. coli in faecal samples from 125 pigs across eight commercial farms and one research facility. Microscopic examination revealed trophozoites and cysts in 48 % of wet-mount preparations and 28 % of McMaster flotation samples. PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene identified B. coli in 70.4 % of animals, with prevalence ranging from 33 % to 100 % across farms. All four age groups tested positive, with the highest detection rate in finisher pigs (93.5 %) and the lowest in suckling piglets (16.7 %). Sequencing confirmed the identity of the PCR products, and phylogenetic analysis clustered all samples within the previously described Type II group associated with domestic pigs. No clinical signs of infection were observed, consistent with the generally asymptomatic nature of B. coli in pigs. However, its high prevalence, even under strict biosecurity measures, indicates that the parasite is endemic in Norwegian pigs. The potential impact on animal welfare and productivity remains uncertain. This initial survey provides a baseline for continued surveillance and the standardisation of detection methods to better understand the impact of Balantioides coli on animal welfare and productivity in intensive pig production systems
From escalation to emergence: NHS Forth Valley and the quiet power of transformative simulation
Full text linkBackground In 2022, National Health Service (NHS) Forth Valley, Scotland was escalated to Level 4 under the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework - triggering the highest level of oversight and engagement from the Scottish Government prior to statutory intervention. While many systems under such pressure default to compliance-driven responses, NHS Forth Valley took a different path: embracing a whole-system approach focused on leadership, culture, integration and governance. Within this, Transformative Simulation was embedded as a leadership method to support cultural and systemic renewal.
Approach A multi-professional, multi-sector delegation from the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH) visited NHS Forth Valley in early 2025 to observe simulation in practice as a leadership tool. Over two immersive days, we witnessed how simulation was used not only for education and training but also for engaging with emotionally charged challenges, enabling system-wide reflection and co-designing new models of care.
Reflections Leadership behaviours observed during the visit were marked by humility, openness and courage. Senior leaders did not simply oversee change - they participated in simulations, listened deeply and responded actively. Simulation served as both a mirror and a mechanism: surfacing cultural dynamics, enabling cross-boundary collaboration and supporting healing after organisational trauma. Transformative Simulation emerged not as a short-term intervention but as a long-term leadership framework.
Implications NHS Forth Valley’s response demonstrates that simulation, when embedded intentionally, can be a powerful lever for leadership, trust-building and transformation. Their story offers a hopeful vision of what becomes possible when leadership chooses connection over control
Predictive modelling of hybrid composite laminates buckling behaviour using finite element analysis, refined Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network Models with different data sizes
Full text linkAccurate prediction of buckling loads in composite structures is essential, as their anisotropic and inhomogeneous properties complicate structural analysis. However, traditional predictive models often face limitations such as the inclusion of statistically insignificant polynomial terms in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and poor learning performance in Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) due to unprocessed and limited data sizes. This study aimed to develop and evaluate predictive models for the buckling load of hybrid graphite/glass epoxy composite laminates using different data sizes. Two datasets were employed, comprising 27 runs generated through a Full Factorial Design (FFD) under the Design of Experiment (DOE) approach and 100 customised experimental runs. Two modelling approaches, RSM and ANN, were employed to predict the buckling load obtained from finite element analysis (FEA). The overall range of computed buckling loads was wide, spanning from 3.627 kN to 1730.8 kN, confirming the strong sensitivity of the structure to the design variables. The highest buckling loads occurred at [45, 1, 3 mm] (angle, volume fraction, thickness), and for hybrid laminates at [45, 0.5, 3 mm]. The RSM predictions produced ratios close to one when compared with FEA results, while the ANN models showed both underprediction and overprediction tendencies. The t-test results indicated no statistically significant difference between the 27 and 100 experimental runs, suggesting that model accuracy was influenced more by modelling approach and data treatment than dataset size. This study may contribute to enhancing knowledge of the buckling behaviour and failure of hybrid graphite/glass composite structures, which will help engineers design safer structures by reducing the risk of buckling
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇