179566 research outputs found
Sort by
Review article: AntArchitecture – building an age–depth model from Antarctica's radiostratigraphy to explore ice-sheet evolution
No full textRadio-echo sounding (RES) has revealed an internal architecture within both the West and East Antarctic ice sheets that records their depositional, deformational and melting histories. Crucially, RES-imaged internal-reflecting horizons, tied to ice-core age–depth profiles, can be treated as isochrones that record the age–depth structure across the Antarctic ice sheets. These enable the reconstruction of past climate and ice dynamical processes on large scales, which are complementary to but more spatially extensive than commonly used proxy records (e.g. former ice limits constrained by cosmogenic dating or offshore sediment sequences) around Antarctica. We review the progress towards building a pan-Antarctic age–depth model from these data by first introducing the relevant RES datasets that have been acquired across Antarctica over the last 6 decades (focussing specifically on those that detected internal-reflecting horizons) and outlining the processing steps typically undertaken to visualise, trace and date (by intersection with ice cores or modelling) the RES-imaged isochrones. We summarise the scientific applications for which Antarctica's internal architecture has been used to date and present a pathway to expanding Antarctic radiostratigraphy across the continent to provide a benchmark for a wider range of investigations: (1) identification of optimal sites for retrieving new ice-core palaeoclimate records targeting different periods; (2) reconstruction of surface mass balance on millennial or historical timescales; (3) estimation of basal melting and geothermal heat flux from radiostratigraphy and comprehensive mapping of basal-ice units to complement inferences from other geophysical and geological methods; (4) advancement of the knowledge of volcanic activity and fallout across Antarctica; and (5) refinement of numerical models that leverage radiostratigraphy to tune time-varying accumulation, basal melting and ice flow, firstly to reconstruct past behaviour and then to reduce uncertainties in projecting future ice-sheet behaviour
Studies based on health administrative data regarding rare outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease significantly underestimate the true risk - the importance of specificity
No full textBACKGROUND: Health administrative data (HAD) have significantly increased our knowledge of rare outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as cancer and mortality. We aimed to assess the information bias imposed by misclassification of the IBD diagnosis in HAD studies by performing quantitative bias analysis (QBA).DESIGN: In a narrative review, we identified pediatric-onset IBD (PIBD) HAD studies assessing cancer risk in which the PIBD case identification was based on published validation studies. We then performed QBA to adjust for non-differential exposure misclassification using the sensitivity and specificity values from country or region-specific validation studies.RESULTS: We present QBA on four recent studies reporting on cancer outcomes. Generally, we found the reported cancer risks biased towards the null. In the most extreme example, the relative risk changed from 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-3.4) to 5.8 (95%CI: 2.5-13.7) after bias adjustment. The risk difference for this example rose from 1.0% (95%CI: 0.1-1.9) to 3.8% (95%CI: 1.4-7.9) after bias adjustment.CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that most HAD-based studies on rare long-term consequences of IBD significantly underestimate the true risk of the outcomes. These results can be extrapolated to other HAD-based studies with imperfect specificity of the case assertion algorithms.</p
Curricula May Not Apply: “Abnormal” Exceptions Speak Back to the Curriculum
No full textIntroduction: Developing antiableist psychology curricula requires a system-wide approach that promotes inclusion and values knowledge at all levels. As a collective of autistic researchers, we explored how current curriculum structures impede inclusiveness.Statement of the Problem: Both historically and currently within research, neurodivergent psychology is largely segregated under abnormal psychology. This segregation pervades into teaching, where educators position Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic, and Abled (WEIRDA) psychology as human psychology, implicitly excluding others from humanity.Literature Review: Literature highlights that psychology centers on a medical model view of neurodivergence, a perspective at odds with the views of neurodivergent people. Understanding neurodivergence only regarding how these groups differ from WEIRDA norms reinforces stereotypes and understandings of neurodivergent people.Teaching Implications: Consideration of neurodiversity within psychology curricula should be updated in line with neurodiversity-affirming research, with WEIRDA psychology named accurately. The voices of neurodivergent staff/students should be reflected in curriculum content. Neurotypical and neurodivergent psychology should be addressed together within topics.Conclusion: Positioning WEIRDA psychology as human psychology directly opposes the aims of an antiableist psychology curriculum. We recommend actionable steps to reduce the exclusion and segregation of marginalized voices and, therefore, support meaningful change
Hypoxia induces histone clipping and H3K4me3 loss in neutrophil progenitors resulting in long-term impairment of neutrophil immunity
No full textThe long-term impact of systemic hypoxia resulting from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on the function of short-lived innate immune cells is unclear. We show that patients 3-6 months after recovering from ARDS have persistently impaired circulating neutrophil effector functions and an increased susceptibility to secondary infections. These defects are linked to a widespread loss of the activating histone mark H3K4me3 in genes that are crucial for neutrophil activities. By studying healthy volunteers exposed to altitude-induced hypoxemia, we demonstrate that oxygen deprivation alone causes this long-term neutrophil reprogramming. Mechanistically, mouse models of systemic hypoxia reveal that persistent loss of H3K4me3 originates in proNeu and preNeu progenitors within the bone marrow and is linked to N-terminal histone 3 clipping, which removes the lysine residue for methylation. Thus, we present new evidence that systemic hypoxia initiates a sustained maladaptive reprogramming of neutrophil immunity by triggering histone 3 clipping and H3K4me3 loss in neutrophil progenitors.</p
Walking on the tightrope: the shared roles of the bridging pericytes in the brain.
No full textThe vasculature of the central nervous system (CNS) is a highly specialized structure that delivers oxygen and nutrients to energy-demanding neural cells while protecting them from the toxicity of blood-borne substances. Pericytes, located alongside microvessels, coordinate with endothelial cells to maintain the integrity of the blood-CNS barriers and to regulate vascular responses to neural activity. Pericytes extend processes that typically wrap around or align the endothelial cells, remaining embedded within the vascular basement membrane. Occasionally, however, some of these processes detach and form bridges between separate capillaries. These bridging structures are the focus of ongoing debate. While some studies propose they serve as tunneling nanotubes mediating neurovascular coupling, others argue they may be remnants of vascular regression or involved in the process of pericyte migration. In this review, we aim to clarify these varying interpretations of bridging pericyte processes and provide a unified understanding to guide future research. We discuss their reported roles in both CNS health and disease, highlighting their potential significance in vascular aging and rejuvenation
Diagnostic Underuse and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Hospitalized Children in a National Referral Hospital in Kenya: A Five-Year Retrospective Study:Antibiotics
No full textBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, with children in low- and middle-income countries bearing a disproportionate burden. Data on resistance patterns and diagnostic practices in pediatric populations remain limited. This study evaluated diagnostic utilization and AMR among children hospitalized with bacterial infections at a national referral hospital in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric inpatients (0–12 years) admitted with bacterial infections between 2017 and 2021. Patient records were identified using ICD-10 codes and reviewed for diagnostic testing and antimicrobial susceptibility. Descriptive statistics were conducted to show infection counts, diagnostic testing, and resistance outcomes. Results: Among 1608 patients, 1009/1608 (63%) were infants under one year. Culture was conducted in 640/1608 (40%) and antimicrobial sensitivity testing in 111/640 (17%) patients. Gastroenteritis (46%) was the most common infection and blood the most frequently collected specimen (31%). Of 1039 cultured specimens, 896/1039 (86%) showed no growth. The most commonly isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae 19/128 (15%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (13%, 17/128), and Enterococcus faecium (13%, 16/128). Notably, K. pneumoniae showed 100% resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, suggestive of ESBL production. Among the tested samples, 92/128 (72%) had MDROs, and 26/92 (28%) were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Among the patients tested, 84/111 (76%) had MDROs, of which 25/84 (30%) were XDR. Children under 5 years had higher odds (OR = 5.84, 95% CI: 1.17-38.21) of having MDRO infections, as well as those with multiple admissions (OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.06–20.34). Further, increasing age was inversely associated with MDRO presence. The odds of MDRO infection decreased by 24% for every year increase in age (aOR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60–0.93; p = 0.006). Conclusions: The findings highlight the limited diagnostic use and a high burden of MDROs and XDR infections in hospitalized children. Strengthening diagnostic capacity and pediatric antimicrobial stewardship is urgently needed in such settings
Multimodal deep learning enables forest height mapping from patchy spaceborne LiDAR using SAR and passive optical satellite data
No full textAccurate estimation of forest height plays a pivotal role in mapping carbon stocks from space. Spaceborne LiDARs give accurate spot estimates of forest canopy height, but sample only a tiny fraction of the landscape. The gaps must therefore be filled using other satellite remote sensing data. Although several studies have employed machine learning methods to produce wall-to-wall forest height maps, they have generally overlooked the distinct characteristics of various remote sensing data sources and have not fully exploited the potential benefits of multisource remote sensing integration. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning framework termed the multimodal attention remote sensing network (MARSNet) to extrapolate dominant heights derived from Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), using Sentinel-1 C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2 (PALSAR-2) data, and Sentinel-2 passive optical data. MARSNet comprises separate encoders for each remote sensing data modality to extract multi-scale features, and a shared decoder to fuse the features and estimate height. Using individual encoders for each remote sensing data source avoids interference across modalities and extracts distinct representations. To focus on the useful information from each dataset, we reduce the prevalent spatial and layer redundancies in each remote sensing data by incorporating the extended spatial and layer reconstruction convolution (ESLConv) modules in the encoders. MARSNet achieves good performance in estimating dominant height, with a R2 of 0.62 and RMSE of 2.82 m on test data, outperforming the widely used random forest (RF) approach which attained an R2 of 0.55 and RMSE of 3.05 m using the same layers. We demonstrate the efficacy of the MARSNet modules and the expansion of data sources for improving dominant height estimation through network ablation studies and data ablation studies. Finally, we apply the trained MARSNet model to generate wall-to-wall maps at 10 m resolution for Jilin province, China. Through independent validation using field measurements, MARSNet demonstrates an R2 of 0.54 and RMSE of 3.76 m, compared to 0.39 and 4.37 m for the RF baseline model. Additionally, MARSNet effectively mitigates the common tendency of RF models to overestimate in low height areas and underestimate in high canopy areas (low sensitivity). Our research demonstrates the effectiveness of a multimodal deep learning approach fusing GEDI with SAR and passive optical imagery for enhancing the accuracy of high-resolution dominant height estimation. This method shows promise for enabling accurate large-scale forest height mapping in areas where high-quality ground data are available, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of global forest structure and carbon stocks.</p
Chromatin state dynamics of autosomes and the B chromosome during spermatogenesis in Pseudococcus viburni
No full textThe mealybug Pseudococcus viburni is a plant-feeding insect with a non-Mendelian genetic system known as paternal genome elimination (PGE). In PGE, males eliminate their paternally inherited chromosomes during meiosis, transmitting only the maternal genome to the next generation. This involves genome-wide imprinting, where paternal chromosomes are heterochromatinised in embryogenesis and throughout adulthood. In this species, a non-essential B chromosome can escape paternal genome elimination, thereby enhancing its transmission rate to the next generation. Previous studies show that the B chromosome escapes elimination by changing its chromatin compaction during meiosis to resemble that of maternal chromosomes. Although the exact mechanism underlying this change is poorly understood. Here we investigated histone methylation and acetylation modifications, as well as the Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1), to characterise differences between maternal, paternal and B chromosomes during male meiosis of P. viburni. Maternal and paternal chromosomes show distinct histone modification patterns, with marks associated with euchromatin present on maternal chromosomes and marks associated with heterochromatin present on paternal chromosomes. We then identified key histone modification changes that coincide with chromatin remodelling of the B chromosome, which allows it to segregate with maternal chromosomes. In addition, we showed that these chromatin modifications occur regardless of the parental origin of the B chromosome. Overall, our findings support the role of histone modifications for proper chromosome segregation during meiosis in mealybugs and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the B chromosome exploits PGE for its preferential transmission
Student Mental Health: Building Cultures of Wellbeing in Schools and Universities
Get PDFIncreasingly, wellbeing is being reframed not as a side issue but as part of the wider challenges of our age, ecological, social, and civic. Human wellbeing is inseparable from the health of ecosystems, while public and occupational health frameworks emphasise the need to address both individuals and the environments in which they live and work (Cousquer et al., 2025). Taken together, these perspectives provide a roadmap for moving from crisis response to cultures of flourishing
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Edinburgh Research Explorer? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!