179566 research outputs found
Sort by
snRNA-seq stratifies multiple sclerosis patients into distinct white matter glial responses
Get PDFPoor understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of clinical and genetic heterogeneity in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) has hindered the search for new effective therapies. To address this gap, we analyzed 632,000 single-nucleus RNA sequencing profiles from 156 brain tissue samples of MS and control donors to examine inter- and intra-donor heterogeneity. We found distinct cell type-specific gene expression changes between MS gray and white matter, highlighting clear pathology differences. MS lesion subtypes had different cellular compositions but surprisingly similar cell-type gene expression patterns both within and across patients, suggesting global changes. Most gene expression variability was instead explained by patient effects, allowing us to stratify patients and describe the different pathological processes occurring between patient subgroups. Future mapping of these brain molecular profiles with blood and/or CSF profiles from living MS patients will allow precision medicine approaches anchored in patient-specific pathological processes.</p
Start 'em young, treat 'em right:How horses' early life experiences can set them up for success in life
No full textAt what age is a horse ready to be trained and ridden? The answer to this question—which has long been debated—has become more complex in recent years as concerns that were historically based almost solely on horses' physical capacity have been replaced by a growing emphasis on their mental welfare. At a workshop held at the Jockey Club, Newmarket and co-hosted by Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust and the Graf Lehnsdorff Institute for Equine Science, this subject was discussed with a wide range of stakeholders
Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action
No full textGlobal nickel demand is projected to double by 2050 to support low-carbon technologies and renewable energy production. However, biomass carbon emissions from clearing vegetation for nickel mining are rarely included in corporate sustainability reports or considered in mineral sourcing decisions. Here, we compiled data for 481 nickel mines and undeveloped deposits to show that the footprint of nickel mining could be 4 to 500 times greater than previously reported (depending on the mine site), and thus the environmental impacts of nickel products, including batteries, have been underestimated to date. We found large variation in biomass losses among mines, and, in many cases, these unaccounted carbon emissions were significant relative to other Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from nickel extraction and processing. Reporting emissions from biomass losses from mining is key for strategic decision making on where to source nickel needed for effective climate action.</p
Enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity in agrivoltaics through habitat-enhancing strategies
No full textAgrivoltaics offers a promising solution to the dual challenge of ensuring food security and expanding renewable energy infrastructure while optimising land use and bolstering climate resilience. This study addresses a research gap by evaluating habitat-enhancing strategies for agrivoltaics. Using the InVEST modelling framework, the effectiveness of these strategies on key ecosystem services - carbon storage, sediment retention, water retention, and pollinator supply – was assessed. Fifty-one utility-scale solar farms in North-Eastern Germany served as a hypothetical case study to analyse the potential ecosystem service benefits between habitat-enhanced and conventional farming practices in agrivoltaics. The Mini and Midi scenarios, aligned with the German agrivoltaic standard, integrated up to 15 % of habitat-enhancing elements in the field, while Maxi incorporated 22 %. Eco-Horticulture and Agriforst Orchard explored agricultural diversification by combining annual and perennial crops with habitat-enhancing features. Model results revealed significant ecosystem service gains compared to conventional farming practices: a 33–88 % increase in pollinator supply, 9–22 % in water retention, 7.5–20 % in sediment retention, and up to 8 % in carbon storage. Notably, the diversification approaches demonstrated exceptional potential to enhance biodiversity while providing income diversification for farmers. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers to scale agrivoltaics in line with countries’ biodiversity targets and inform future agrivoltaic standards, balancing renewable energy deployment, land use efficiency and biodiversity conservation, aligned with multiple SDGs. Integrating habitat-enhancing features in agrivoltaics could improve the aesthetic appeal of solar infrastructure, fostering public acceptance. Further field studies are recommended to validate outcomes in agrivoltaic-specific microclimatic conditions and refine strategies to local contexts.</p
(How) does the number of followers impact the success of influencer marketing? A construal level perspective
No full textPrior research disagrees on how a social media influencer’s (SMI’s) following affects their persuasiveness, evidencing different moderators and mediators. This research offers a holistic explanation by showing when SMIs with lesser vs. greater followers can be more effective. Specifically, an SMI’s followers cues social distance, and, in turn, influence construal level, such that they are perceived as closer (vs. further) from oneself. Moreover, we introduce message diagnosticity (e.g., brand tagging; media channel) as a form of hypothetical distance; matching SMI social distance and diagnosticity influences persuasiveness. Secondary data and three experiments support our proposed matching process. Self-brand connection mediates
The Partner Modelling Questionnaire:A validated self-report measure of perceptions toward machines as dialogue partners
Get PDFRecent work has looked to understand user perceptions of speech agent capabilities as dialogue partners (termed partner models), and how this affects user interaction. Yet, partner model effects are currently inferred from language production as no metrics are available to quantify these subjective perceptions more directly. Through three phases of work, we develop and validate the Partner Modelling Questionnaire (PMQ): an 18-item self-report semantic differential scale designed to reliably measure people’s partner models of non-embodied speech interfaces. Through confirmatory factor analysis, we confirm that the PMQ scale consists of three factors: communicative competence and dependability, human-likeness in communication, and communicative flexibility. Our studies show that the measure consistently demonstrates good internal reliability, strong test-retest reliability over 4- and 12-week intervals, and predictable convergent/divergent validity. Based on our findings, we discuss the multidimensional nature of partner models, whilst identifying key future research avenues that the development of the PMQ facilitates. Notably, this includes the need to identify the activation, sensitivity, and dynamism of partner models in speech interface interaction
An integrative taxonomic approach to describe Andricus pseudomultiplicatus sp. nov. and establish new synonymies in Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini)
Get PDFAn examination of type and non-type material deposited in various European scientific collections concludes that the sexual generation of Andricus truncicolus (Giraud, 1859), recently discovered through laboratory experiments and herein confirmed by molecular data, is synonymous with Andricus multiplicatus Giraud, 1859; the latter name becomes a junior synonym. We demonstrate that previously published phylogenetic analyses did not group these two taxa together due to morphological misidentification of the sexual form. We show that the mistakenly identified taxon is a species new to science, described herein as Andricus pseudomultiplicatus sp. nov. along with illustrations, diagnosis, host associations, distribution, biology and molecular data. We also provide multi-locus molecular evidence to support the previously published lifecycle closure and synonymisation of Andricus conificus (Hartig, 1843) and Andricus cydoniae Giraud, 1859
Exploring the application of the capability approach to the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples:A scoping review
Get PDFThis scoping review synthesizes existing literature on the application of the capability approach (CA) to address the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across the globe. Academic and grey literature searches led to the identification of 20 papers for inclusion in the review. Findings reveal a growing interest in applying the CA to Indigenous health and well-being research, highlighting its potential to guide interventions and policies. The included studies indicate that the CA has been applied to individual capabilities such as facilitating access to services and collective capabilities linked to identity and traditional knowledge preservation. A key finding across the reviewed literature is the importance of incorporating Indigenous values into defining programmes and policies aimed at improving Indigenous Peoples' well-being. The review underscores the varied application of the CA by researchers aligning with the position of either Sen or Nussbaum, leading to contrasting methodological approaches. Results underscore the CA's potential as a culturally sensitive framework for participatory and locally embedded development of well-being interventions and policies.</p
A theology of inevitable climate change
Get PDFThis paper takes as its premise that climate change is now inevitable. From that beginning, it starts to work out how we can think about hope, environmental work, and pragmatic responses in light of theology and ecological science. Drawing on the resources of paleoclimate and restoration ecology, this paper offers theologically inspired pragmatic suggestions around migration, systemic change, and personal responsibility. It ends exploring the notion of hope in light of our failure to prevent climate change
Unpacking the money-distance nexus:Mapping the spatial configuration of exogenous entrepreneurial finance across UK entrepreneurial ecosystems
Get PDFAttention is now increasingly being drawn to the interconnectedness of different entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). Consequently, from a theoretical viewpoint EEs are increasingly being viewed from a multi-scaler rather than a mono-scaler perspective. This paper examines the spatial financial interlinkages between places and different forms and stages of entrepreneurial finance. Using a unique real-time data source of equity investments from Crunchbase, we investigate the composition of entrepreneurial finance across 30 different UK spatial locations. The core focus of the work is to uncover the composition of equity deals in terms of non-indigenous international investors and how space plays a role in influencing the prevalence of these extra-local investment deals. A novel dimension of the study is to test the “distance effects'' encountered by locations in terms of their spatial proximity to the UK’s major international hub for entrepreneurial finance: London. We found that the probability of attracting international investors varies significantly across different funding stages with late-stage ventures showing a much higher propensity to attract international investors. By unpacking the “money-distance nexus” a core finding is that proximity to London is crucial for receiving external funding from international investors. Policy implications for less advantageous EEs focus on strategies for leveraging extra-local investment
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!