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The meso multiple in energy and climate research: how different social sciences treat the in-betweenness between the micro and macro
No full textThe traditional choice of either focussing on individualism (the ‘micro’) or holism (the ‘macro’) when considering social change, is seen as an increasingly unhelpful dualism. As such, the ‘meso’, occupying or connecting the space between the micro and macro, is being increasingly invoked in Social Science research on energy and climate. This paper reviews how different Social Science fields (on energy and climate) theoretically approach the meso. We found four different versions of the meso being enacted. The Micro-leaning and Macro-leaning versions of the meso work in this middle ground, but are pulled towards their ontological roots in the micro or macro respectively. We illustrate these by discussing: how the Pro-environmental Behaviour field's meso work is grounded in individualistic assumptions; and, how the Transitions field's meso work focuses on ideas of system organisation. In contrast, we found our other two versions of the meso to lean much less towards the micro or macro. These are the Implicit-meso and Explicit-meso versions, which sit resolutely in the middle ground, but differ in their presentation. The Implicit-meso is illustrated by the Social Practices field, which uses a unit of analysis that accounts for both micro and macro, but yet is neither micro nor macro; and, the Explicit-meso is illustrated by the Scale and Place field, which has established a consistent theoretical unit that enables a bridge between micro and macro thinking. We call for more transparent and reflexive discussion from researchers on the version(s) of the meso that they are enacting.</p
‘Such a lot of bother’: Qualitative results of a home trial of a wearable electronic vision enhancement system for people with age‐related macular degeneration
No full textPurpose: Wearable electronic low vision enhancement systems (wEVES) improve visual function but are not widely adopted by people with vision impairment. Here, qualitative research methods were used to investigate the usefulness of wEVES for people with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) after an extended home trial.MethodsFollowing a 12‐week non‐masked randomised crossover trial, semi‐structured interviews were completed with 34 participants with AMD, 64.7% female, mean age 80.2 (±6.0) years, mean distance visual acuity 0.81logMAR (±0.32). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Four themes were developed: (i) early positivity and potential; (ii) you're not good enough: performance barriers of the device; (iii) you're annoying: practicality barriers of the device and (iv) we can fix this together. First, participants expressed joy in an aesthetically appealing device perceived as potentially enabling, different and complementary to their current solutions. Imagined usefulness included not only reading, shopping and television but also resuming abandoned hobbies. The second theme captured performance barriers that restricted numerous activities but were most acutely noted with manipulation tasks. Barriers included image quality, screen size and short‐lived adverse effects. The third theme conveyed the multiple practical challenges that caused annoyance, preventing imagined usage even when performance appeared superior to other solutions. Slow start‐up times and the inability to use wEVES dynamically prevented integration within users' lifestyles. The final theme reflected that wEVES remained a desirable concept, but future iterations require inclusive design methodology to ensure development is directed by consumers' needs.Conclusions: Performance and practicality barriers limit the usefulness of a device initially seen as desirable. Current devices do not align with users' requirements for flexible use, even when performance is good. Improvements in technology may solve performance barriers, but these changes must be inclusively designed and evaluated to ensure the device integrates more successfully into the lives of users with AMD.</p
Modulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling as a novel strategy for macrophage-based prostate cancer immunotherapy
No full textProstate cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with various treatment modalities available for clinically localized cases, including active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, and radiotherapy. Despite advancements in diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion biopsy, prostate cancer-associated mortality remains high. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment avenue, with innovative approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cell therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and low genomic complexity of prostate cancer present significant challenges.TLR4 plays a critical role in immune regulation, with both agonists and antagonists showing therapeutic potential in vaccine adjuvants and cancer immunotherapy. This study explored the role of novel synthetic TLR4 modulators (FP20 glycosylated agonists and FP7/FP12 antagonists) in modulating macrophage-mediated immune responses and prostate cancer cell fate. Findings from this study demonstrated that glyco-FP20 derivatives activated TLR4/ Myeloid Differentiation Primary-Response Protein 88 (MyD88) and TLR4/TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) signaling pathways in Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics (THP)-1-derived macrophages, leading to M1 macrophage polarization. In addition, these compounds induced proinflammatory cytokine release and promoted gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis in THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, results demonstrated that conditioned media from FP20-stimulated M1 macrophages induced a significant reduction in cancer cell viability and cell cycle inhibition in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Further analysis of cell cycle inhibition demonstrated that this is associated with induction of senescence in PC-3 prostate cancer cells.Conversely, TLR4 antagonists FP7 and FP12 exhibited anticancer properties by inhibiting prostate cancer cell viability and cell cycle progression, highlighting their potential to suppress TLR4-driven tumorigenic signaling. The results suggest that FP20 glycosylated derivatives could be developed as immunostimulatory agents for macrophage-based cancer immunotherapy, while FP7 and FP12 offer promising therapeutic strategies to counteract TLR4-mediated tumor progression. Together, these findings provide novel insights into the dual role of TLR4 modulators in prostate cancer treatment, supporting their further investigation as potential immunotherapeutic agents.</p
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework
No full textThe MEL Framework was developed by the Strategic Planning and Performance (SP&P) Team at Anglia Ruskin University to provide a structured and systematic approach to programme monitoring, evaluation, and organisational learning. It ensures interventions align with ARU's strategic priorities, fostering accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, in line with Office for Students (OfS) Standards of Evidence and international best practice.</p
Building capacity in the academic general practice research workforce
No full textGeneral practice provides most of primary care in the UK and is the cornerstone of the NHS, with well over a million GP consultations occurring each working day. Lord Darzi’s recent review of the NHS in England recommended three key policy shifts: from hospital to community care; analogue to digital; and treatment to prevention. Globally, healthcare systems are recognising the importance of a strong general practice foundation to provide efficient and cost-effective health care to populations...</p
Neurolaw: Legal Impacts of Neurotechnology
No full textThe headlong advancement of Neurotechnology brings countless benefits to humanity across a wide range of areas. However, alongside these benefits, the potential of Neurotechnology to violate human rights has also been growing. Harmonizing Techno-scientific development with respect for human dignity is a crucial challenge nowadays, given that we are facing advances whose impacts may not only increase inequality among human beings but may also be irreversible.</p
Memory
No full textThis chapter explores the role of memory as a foundational pillar of transitional justice, focusing on its critical function in addressing past atrocities and fostering societal healing. In Latin America, memory has been instrumental in acknowledging human rights violations and preserving the experiences of victims of state violence. The chapter examines how digital technologies have transformed memory processes by enabling the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of historical evidence. It critically evaluates both the opportunities and challenges posed by digital platforms, such as their potential for democratizing access to memory and the risks of manipulation or exclusion, especially concerning marginalized groups. The chapter also discusses ethical concerns, including data privacy and the commodification of personal testimonies. By analyzing the intersection of memory and technology, this chapter underscores the need for inclusive and secure approaches to digital memory in transitional justice frameworks, ensuring that the diverse narratives of victims are preserved and honored.</p
Potential predation of a barred grass snake Natrix helvetica by a brown rat Rattus norvegicus, with a link to video evidence
No full textThe barred grass snake Natrix helvetica is a medium-sized snake species typically growing to 150 cm in length andfound throughout north-western Europe (Speybroeck et al., 2016). The brown rat Rattus norvegicus is a very widespread and highly adaptable mammal exploiting a wide range of food resources, especially cereals and their products. However, R. norvegicus may consume meat opportunistically and has been observed eating live snakes (Swanson, 1952; Fitch, 1963; Hummer & Tolley, 2008; Reynolds et al., 2023).</p
Emerging priorities in terrestrial herbivory research in the Arctic
No full textHerbivores are an integral part of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems, driving ecosystem functioning and sustaining local livelihoods. In the context of accelerated climate warming and land use changes, understanding how herbivores contribute to the resilience of Arctic socio-ecological systems is essential to guide sound decision-making and mitigation strategies. While research on Arctic herbivory has a long tradition, recent literature syntheses highlight important geographical, taxonomic, and environmental knowledge gaps on the impacts of herbivores across the region. At the same time, climate change and limited resources impose an urgent need to prioritize research and management efforts. We conducted a horizon scan within the Arctic herbivory research community to identify emerging scientific and management priorities for the next decade. From 288 responses received from 85 participants in two online surveys and an in-person workshop, we identified 8 scientific and 8 management priorities centred on (a) understanding and integrating fundamental ecological processes across multiple scales from individual herbivore–plant interactions up to regional and decadal scale vegetation and animal population effects; (b) evaluating climate change feedbacks; and (c) developing new research methods. Our analysis provides a strategic framework for broad, inclusive, interdisciplinary collaborations to optimise terrestrial herbivory research and sustainable management practices in a rapidly changing Arctic.</p
Cohered model of adopting electric vehicle fleets in the East of England
No full textThere is limited research on effective electric vehicle (EV) fleet adoption for businesses to achieve decarbonisation of transport. This study applies cohered emergent theory to propose a model for adopting electric commercial vehicles to decarbonise vehicle fleet operations. We employed action research and used a mixed-methods approach to gather data from six different commercial vehicle fleet operating companies in the East of England. We modelled the quantitative data to forecast fuel cost-savings for the companies to switch their internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs. We complemented the quantitative insights with the thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with the fleet operators and feedback from the consuming public actors to explain how fleet operating companies can adopt EVs to generate cost-savings, reduce carbon footprint and potentially improve their operations. The study’s theoretical cohered EV adoption model offers useful insights for researchers and managers to consider decarbonising business transportation. Policy implications are discussed.</p
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