Digital Commons Network^™

Variation In Corneal Biomechanical Properties Following Continuous Cross-Linking Treatment, Chenhao Zhao, Xinyu Yao, Yewei Zhao, Hongjiang Wu, Xuanya Tong, Daniela Oehring, Lan Yang, Xiaofei Zhou, Ying Li, Yanjie Shen, Yufeng Ye, Shihao Chen, Jia Qu, Qinmei Wang, Ahmed Elsheikh, Fangjun Bao

School of Health Professions

Background: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transepithelial accelerated corneal cross-linking (transEpi ACXL) when applied separately or combined with phototherapeutic keratectomy (transPTK ACXL) in keratoconic eyes using biomechanical parameters. Methods: The study included eyes with progressive keratoconus treated with either continuous transEpi ACXL or transPTK ACXL with 6 months follow-up. The following parameters were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively: biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP), maximum and mean keratometry (K _max and K _m), minimum and central corneal thickness (MCT and CCT), corneal coma, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), deformation amplitude ratio at 2 mm nasal/temporal (DAR2), …

Advancing Fish Tissue Reference Material Development For Ag Nanoparticles Through A Perfusion Approach, Nathaniel J. Clark, Robert Clough, Adam Laycock, Rachel Smith, Richard D. Handy

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

There is a regulatory need for reliable methods to quantify nanoparticles in biological samples for the hazard assessment and bioaccumulation potential of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a promising technique, but its application is hindered by the lack of validated sample preparation procedures (e.g., solubilisation) and suitable biological reference materials. This study aimed to develop an in-house biological reference material for ENMs to support analytical method validation. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were introduced into rainbow trout via cardiac perfusion, with the gills and liver collected as target tissues. Tissues were homogenised using a …

Exploration Of Radiotherapy-Related Insufficiency Fractures In Gynaecological Cancer: A Service Evaluation Report, Vicki Hands

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Dementia Knowledge Levels Among Adolescents In England, Esra Hassan, Ben Hicks, Naji Tabet, Nicolas Farina

Peninsula Medical School

Objectives: Raising awareness of dementia in the general public is a key dementia policy. Adolescents are one population whose levels of dementia knowledge we have little understanding about. In this cross-sectional survey study, we aimed to capture the level of dementia knowledge in adolescents from different socio-demographic groups and to explore the factors associated with adolescents’ dementia knowledge. Method: We recruited 1,371 adolescents aged 11-18 years across England. Adoeslescents were asked to complete a survey that included dementia knowledge items from the The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey. Descriptive statistics, a logistic regression, and cross-tabulations were used to explore …

Aberrant Recruitment Of The Striatum And Insula Is Associated With Recalling And Suppressing Fatigue- And Anger-Related Memories In People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Katharine Rimes, Vincent Giampietro, Trudie Chalder, Roland Zahn, Sean Fallon

School of Psychology

Research suggests that people with chronic fatigue syndrome tend to suppress emotions more than healthy individuals. However, whether there are also changes in the neural substrates of emotional regulation in people with chronic fatigue syndrome remain unexplored. Specifically, it is unclear whether there is a neural delineation in how fatigue and anger-related memories are recalled or supressed in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. This study investigated this hypothesis using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We compared blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes between people with chronic fatigue syndrome (N=20) and matched controls (N= 20) during a novel task that involved the recall …

What Is The Contribution Of Thermal Selection To The Maintenance Of A Shell Color Cline In Littorina Saxatilis?, Ramón Vigo, Sarah L.Y. Lau, Juan Gefaell, Juan Galindo, Gray A. Williams, Manuela Truebano, Emilio Rolán-Alvarez

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The study of clines, or geographical variations of a given trait, can help understand how the interactions of genetics and local environments determine phenotypic diversity. The marine snail Littorina saxatilis (Olivi, 1792) exhibits a gradual change in the relative frequencies of shell color morphs across populations in the estuary system of the Rias Baixas (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). A consistent pattern of distribution occurs across these four Rias, with the interior, sheltered regions dominated by a light fawn-like morph (fulva), and the exterior, wave-exposed locations by a darker lineated morph (lineata). Measurements of rock surface temperature along one of the …

Sex And Gender Bias In Major Trauma Care: A Scoping Review, A. Ghika-Nanchen, L. Marzorati, A. Merra, C. Girardello, P. Truong, P. N. Carron, T. Nutbeam, C. Clair, F. X. Ageron

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Sex/gender bias have been well-documented in clinical medicine. However, few studies have assessed sex/gender disparities specifically in major trauma care. This scoping review aims to explore sex and gender-based differences in the emergency management of severely injured patients. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in the following electronic databases: Medline Ovid ALL, Embase, CINAHL with Full Text, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with search criteria including keywords and mesh terms: gender, sex, major trauma, wounds and injuries. Three reviewers conducted the article selection. Results: Seventy-four full-text articles were included in the study. …

Autistic Traits And Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study Of Themes, Intentionality, And Temporal Focus, Leilani Forby, Farid Pazhoohi, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then …

Sars-Cov-2 Nonspike Structural Proteins Hijack Mucosa Epithelial Cell Fate, Yan Gao, Lucas Lacerda Souza, Hong Soon Kang, Zehan Li, Juan Carlos Hernandez-Guerrero, Fábio Abreu Alves, Wei Zhang, Vikram Sharma, Sally Hanks, Jinhua Yu, Christopher Tredwin, Anton M. Jetten, Ciro Dantas Soares, Bing Hu

Peninsula Dental School

COVID-19 patients readily present with severe epithelial damage, such as tissue ulceration and erosion, along with disrupted tissue repair, in multiple organs. The mucous membranes of the lung alveoli [1, 2], gastrointestinal tract [3, 4], nasal [5] and oral cavity [6, 7] are the primary targets of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infected epithelium triggers a dysregulated immune response that further damages tissues and organs [8, 9–10]. Increasing evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause direct damage to epithelial cells and fibroblasts [11, 12–13]. Here, we report that the mucosa epithelia of COVID-19 patients can undergo cellular dedifferentiation before any …

Conquering Today's Health Paradox With The Power Of Heal - An Expert Consensus Report Plus Research Priorities And Policymaker Roadmap, Katharina C Wirnitzer, Mohamad Motevalli, Derrick R Tanous, Clemens Drenowatz, Maximilian Moser, Holger Cramer, Thomas Rosemann, Karl-Heinz Wagner, Andreas Michalsen, Beat Knechtle, Zlatko Fras, Adilson Marques, Nataša Fidler Mis, Fatima C Stanford, Christian Schubert, Nandu Goswami, Claus Leitzmann, Per Morten Fredriksen, Gerhard Ruedl, Rodrigo A Lima, Christian Kessler, Michael Jeitler, Naim A Khan, Hassan Joulaei, Maryam Fatemi, Karl W Kratky, Kara K Palmer, Bernd Haditsch, Boštjan Jakše, Walter Kofler

School of Health Professions

BACKGROUND: Despite growing scientific evidence and health guidelines, the global health paradox persists, with rising lifestyle-related diseases and escalating healthcare costs exposing the inadequacy of current efforts.

OBJECTIVE: Three multidisciplinary congresses were held to generate evidence-based conclusions aimed at addressing the global health paradox.

METHODS: A total of 58 experts from 62 entities participated in the international research and knowledge-exchange panels. Experts reviewed the latest findings to develop practical strategies and identify key research and policy priorities, focusing on the Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL) approach.

RESULTS CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The expert consortium endorsed a 33 evidence-based consensual-statement policy …

High-Capacity Nations Can Unlock Momentum For Quality Marine Protection, Fabio Favoretto, Joy A. Kumagai, Catalina López-Sagástegui, Deirdre Brannigan, Alex Driedger, Jennifer Sletten, Claire Colegrove, Timothe Vincent, Virgil Zetterlind, Paolo Guidetti, Octavio Aburto-Oropeza

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Summary.Highly and fully protected marine protected areas (HF-MPAs) deliver the strongest ecological outcomes, yet they cover just 3.8% of the ocean, and annual gains have stalled. We combine ProtectedSeas regulatory classifications with coastal habitat maps for corals, mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes to track HF-MPAs and minimally/lightly protected MPAs (ML-MPAs) from 2000 to 2025 and overlay results with governance-based enabling conditions. HF-MPAs remain rare even in high-capacity countries that host most mapped coastal habitats and 39% of the global upgrade gap. Upgrading ML-MPAs in this small cohort—especially in overseas territories—offers immediate habitat protection gains and a visible pathway toward 30 × …

Science Challenges And Solutions To Support Implementation Of The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, Claire L. Szostek, Angus Atkinson, Victor Martinez-Vicente, Ana M. Queirós, Peter I. Miller, Kerry L. Howell, Rebecca C. Millington, Susan Kay, Matthew Faith, Karen Tait, Elizabeth Talbot, Andrew Rees, Chris Lyal, Jeff Ardron, Matthew Frost

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement provides a new opportunity to consolidate and achieve global marine environmental goals. Here we focus on how science and technology will support its implementation. We provide an overview of existing scientific knowledge and methods that are scalable to Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Reviewing data gaps, challenges and opportunities, we outline solutions and a roadmap focused on enhancing resources and capacity.

Assessment Of Enforcement Strategy Highlights Opportunities For More Effective Deterrence In A Large-Scale No-Take Mpa, Chris Kerry, Claire Collins, Lasuni Gule Godage, Oliver S. Ashford, Kristian Metcalfe, Sam B. Weber, Tom B. Letessier

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to fisheries sustainability, global food security, and biodiversity conservation. Many regions rely on patrol-based enforcement to promote compliance, yet the effectiveness of such strategies in deterring IUU activity remains underexplored. In this study, we employed a mixed-methods approach to assess the impact of management and policy decisions on illegal fishing within the Chagos Archipelago marine protected area (MPA). This MPA has maintained near-continuous patrols since its implementation in 2010, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate the influence of patrolling on illegal fishing deterrence. First, we analyzed semi-structured interviews with fishers …

Using 2d Lidar To Investigate Swash-Level Gravel Barrier Dynamics, Robert Jones, Nieves Valiente, Chris Blenkinsopp, Mark Davidson

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

Pulpal Chamber Floor Thickness Of First Molars In A Black South African Sample, Marisca Meyer, Casper Jonker, Sandeepa Singh, Federico Foschi, Anna Catherina Oettlé

Peninsula Dental School

Background/Objectives: Root canal procedures on multi-rooted teeth, including first molars, depend on experience, tactile perception, and anatomical knowledge to avoid perforation in the furcation region. Studies using various methodologies and populations have reported discrepant findings on pulpal floor thickness. No study using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), the gold standard, has been conducted on a Black South African sample to evaluate pulpal floor thickness. Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive,quantitative study, Micro-CT scans of 91 maxillary and 77 mandibular first molars were reconstructed in 3D and oriented according to a reference plane along the cemento-enamel junction using Avizo software. Measurements were taken from …

Periodontal Disease And Its Association With Porphyromonas Gingivalis: Current Understanding Of Microbial Dysbiosis, Immunopathology And Immune Evasion, Samantha Robins, Alex Strachan, Vehid Salih, Andrew Foey

Peninsula Dental School

Porphyromonas gingivalis is described as a keystone pathogen associated with periodontal disease (PD), which exhibits enhanced representation upon microbial dysbiosis in such a chronic inflammatory disease. This oral pathogen drives and contributes to a dysregulated immune response, resulting in stages of aggressive destructive immune activation and inflammation punctuated by immune suppression, which underlies the relapsing–remitting nature of this disease. The understanding of key mechanisms and balance between protective innate, adaptive immune responses and dysregulated responses, linked to changes in the oral mucosal microbial environment, will afford researchers the potential to manipulate oral mucosal environments for clinical benefit. This review focuses …

Wnt/Β -Catenin Signalling Shapes Macrophage Behaviour During Injury And Repair In The Mouse Submandibular Gland, Araz Ahmed, Suveer Sachdeva, Simon Whawell, Isabelle Miletich

Peninsula Dental School

Xerostomia, the subjective sensation of dry mouth, is a debilitating consequence of head and neck radiotherapy and autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome. It severely impairs oral health and quality of life by promoting mucosal ulceration, infection, malnutrition, and speech difficulties, yet effective regenerative treatments remain limited. Macrophages have recently emerged as critical regulators of salivary gland repair through their roles in coordinating inflammation, fibrosis, and epithelial regeneration; however, the molecular mechanisms governing macrophage activation and function in the injured salivary gland remain poorly defined. The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is a key regulator of inflammation and tissue homeostasis across multiple …

Individual Differences In Alexithymia Modulate Cognition-Emotion Interactions In Daily Life Ongoing Experiences, Anqi Lei, Md Faysal, Louis Chitiz, Raven Wallace, Samyogita Hardikar, Brontë Mckeown, Jonathan Smallwood, Elizabeth Jefferies, Robert Leech, Nerissa Ho

School of Psychology

Individual differences modulate our thoughts and emotional experiences, yet how thought and emotion interact in daily life remains largely unclear. We leverage alexithymia, a trait reflecting atypical emotional awareness, to reveal these interactions in naturalistic settings. Using multi-dimensional experiencesampling via smartphones, we captured moment-to-moment thought patterns and concurrent affective states (valence, arousal, stress) in people’s daily life (N = 190 undergraduate students, age range = 18 to 36, 159 females). Using Principal Component Analysis and Linear Mixed Models, we identified four thought dimensions that relate differently to these affective states: future-self orientation, intrusive distraction, sensory engagement, and task-focus. Alexithymia modulated …

Finding Our Tempo: Exploring Embodied Synchrony Through Full-Body Play In Children, Sena Beste Ercan, Belén González Mateo, Olga Galí Pérez, Gray Atherton, Liam Cross, Narcís Parés

School of Psychology

This study advances the design of timing-sensitive, full-body interactive experiences supporting both collaboration and individual agency in children’s group play. We investigate how temporal structuring within an improved version of a full-body interactive system influences behavioral and perceived synchrony among children aged 9–10. Prior research has often focused on dyads, required human facilitation, or neglected relationship between perceived and actual synchrony. Addressing these gaps, we conducted a multi-user study comparing synchronous and asynchronous interaction modes using system-logged behavioral data and self-reports. Results demonstrate the synchronous condition fosters higher user performance, tighter temporal coordination, and stronger perceptions of shared movement. In …

Tidal Modulation Of Topographic Eddies Drives Marine Megafauna Aggregations, Harvey Cairns, Daniel Conley, Philip Hosegood, Christopher Stokes

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Hanifaru Bay, in Baa Atoll, Maldives, is globally recognised for hosting the largest known feeding aggregations of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi). These aggregations are spatially and temporally discrete, often associated with flood tides, and are thought to result from hydrodynamic processes that elevate zooplankton concentrations. This study investigates the role of flow-topography interactions, specifically around the small headland-like feature in the bay’s inlet (the ‘nodule’), in creating conditions conducive to these feeding events.A Delft3D hydrodynamic model of Baa Atoll was developed to simulate tidal flows within the bay, with high-resolution mesh focusing on Hanifaru Bay. Calibration and validation against …

Global Evidence For The Ecological Effects Of Greening Of Grey Infrastructure: A Systematic Review Protocol, Jessica R. Allen, Louise B. Firth, Melanie J. Bishop, Katherine A. Dafforn, Ferrante Grasselli, Mick E. Hanley, Antony M. Knights, Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Abigail Mcquatters-Gollop, Kathryn A. O’Shaughnessy, Francesca Porri, Rebecca K. Smith, Elisabeth M.A. Strain, Anaëlle J. Lemasson

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

BackgroundThe presence of artificial structures in our marine environments is increasing rapidly, with negative impacts for biodiversity. Greening of grey infrastructure (GGI) - an eco-engineering method applied to the marine context - aims to increase the ecological value of traditional grey infrastructure, while still allowing it to perform its primary human-centric function. GGI is a rapidly increasing field of research, being tested and implemented worldwide by academics, private practitioners, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), amongst others, using a variety of methods. Outcomes vary widely, and results are communicated across a range of peer-reviewed and grey literature, rendering the evidence base for …

Devaluation Insensitivity Of Event Related Potentials Associated With Food Cues, Thomas D. Sambrook, Andy J. Wills, Ben Hardwick, Jeremy Goslin

School of Psychology

Eating in the absence of hunger represents a failure of homeostatic mechanisms responsible for energy balance and is a cause of obesity. The pervasive presence of food cues in the modern environment may play a role in this phenomenon. The present study used the technique of satiety-specific selective devaluation to investigate eating in the absence of hunger in the context of a reinforcement learning task. While participants’ performance on the task suggested that food on which they had sated no longer held value for them, event related potentials following images of the food were unaffected by the devaluation. Food cues …

Unilateral Online Ultrasound Stimulation Of Early Visual Cortex Suppresses Responses To Contralateral Visual Stimuli, Suraya Dunsford, Keith Murphy, Ema Darrieutort, Elsa Fouragnan, Giorgio Ganis

School of Psychology

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) shows great promise for inducing neuroplastic changes that persist long after stimulation. Evidence of stimulation-locked (online) neural changes would enable the development of closed-loop application of TUS. However, such responses have been difficult to distinguish from coincident neural activity caused by auditory and somatosensory effects of TUS.

METHODS: To dissociate genuine online neuromodulatory effects from peripheral confounds, we leveraged the contralateral retinotopic organization of the early visual cortex in nineteen subjects. Using a hemifield visual stimulation paradigm combined with high-precision, functional MRI-guided TUS, we applied TUS to the left early visual cortex while participants viewed …

Influence Of Exercise Training On Nitric Oxide Pathways And Their Physiological Effects, Jonas Benjamim, Stephen J Bailey, Leonardo Da Silva Gonçalves, Mia Burleigh, Mario Siervo, Andrew R Coggan, Raúl Bescos

School of Health Professions

Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical signalling molecule in cardiovascular, metabolic, and muscular function. Endogenous NO production occurs via two primary metabolic pathways: 1) the classical nitric oxide synthases (NOS) pathway, and 2) the alternative (nitrate-nitrite-NO) pathway, in which inorganic nitrate (NO 3 -) is sequentially reduced to nitrite (NO 2 -) and other NO intermediates (e.g., S-nitrosothiol). The latter pathway relies heavily on the oral microbiota, which catalyze the two-electron partial reduction of NO 3 - to NO 2 -, which is influenced by oral physiology, microbial composition and salivary flow. While the role of exercise training in enhancing …

A Manifesto For Plant Science Education, Elizabeth Alvey, Andrea Paterlini, Mary E. Williams, Mia E. Cerfonteyn, Samantha Dobbie, Steven Dodsworth, Sonja D. Dunbar, Lauren R. Headland, Anastasia Kolesnikova, Pankaj Kumar, Silvia Manrique, Catherine Mansfield, Sebastian Stroud, Shannon Woodhouse, Hailey Ashton, Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso, Emily Breeze, Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, Chana P. Chetariya, Beth C. Dyson, Alec Forsyth, Beatriz Gonçalves, Camila Gonzalez, Daniel M. Jenkins, Joanna Kacprzyk, Kirsten Knox, George R. Littlejohn, Sara Lopez-Gomollon, Enrique López-Juez, Claudia Martinho

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Societal Impact Statement: Plants provide oxygen, food, shelter, medicines and environmental services, without which human society could not exist. Tackling pressing and global challenges requires well-trained plant scientists and plant-aware individuals. This manifesto provides a practical evidence-based vision to strengthen plant science education, focused on five strategic priorities. It is relevant to all stakeholders within plant science and beyond: from frontline educators to institutional leaders; from commercial or charitable professionals to entrepreneurs and donors; from individual community members to their legislative representatives. Strengthening plant science education demands concrete actions from all stakeholders, ultimately to the benefit of us all. Summary: …

Systematic, Bibliographic And Statistical Aspects On Multi Generation Recycled Concrete Materials Research: A Review, Henrique Comba Gomes, Maozhou Meng, Katie Jones, William Vevers, Aissa Bouaissi, Boksun Kim

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

This article aimed to review the current literature related to the topic of multiple generation recycled concrete materials considering systematic, bibliographic and statistical aspects. The review was conducted from an adaptation from the systematic review for engineering and experiments (SREE) method. Papers wrote in English with scientific relevance, title and abstract full aligned with the topic were selected from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Bibliographic aspects highlighted the research novelty, the quality of research and prominence for future works. The systematic review aimed to provide insights in the literature concerning multiple recycling concrete materials. Some of the main aspects …

The Impact Of Face Masks On Social Perception Is Age-Dependent, Farid Pazhoohi, Maryam Rostami-Aghoui, Sepide Pazhouhi, Keina Aoki, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

Human faces are critical for social communication, enabling individuals to make rapid judgments about traits like trustworthiness and competence. Previous research suggests that face masks can enhance perceptions of trustworthiness and, to a lesser extent, competence, although findings on competence are more variable and context-dependent. Additionally, age-related facial cues influence social judgments, with older and younger faces being evaluated differently. This research examined the impact of face masks on perceptions of trustworthiness and competence across two age groups: young adults (Study 1) and old adults (Study 2). Study 1 revealed that face masks increased perceptions of trustworthiness and competence for …

Micro-Refuges Or Ecological Traps: Context-Dependent Effects Of Rock Pools On Intertidal Biodiversity Across Latitudes, Louise B. Firth, Andrea Desiderato, Antony M. Knights, J. David Aguirre, Juan C. Astudillo, Juan C. Azofeifa-Solano, David T. Bilton, Su Yin Chee, Hartvig C. Christie, Ronaldo A. Christofoletti, Amelia Curd, Katherine A. Dafforn, Megan N. Dethier, Yun Wei Dong, Gabin Droual, Stanislas F. Dubois, Free Espinosa, Ally J. Evans, Andy Foggo, Stephen J. Hawkins, Mick E. Hanley, Ben P. Harvey, Eliza Heery, Seokwoo Hong, Amanda R. Hsiung, Tommy T.Y. Hui, Mar Humet, Katrin Iken, Soniya B. Jethva

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

AimWe investigated how local-scale environmental heterogeneity influences biodiversity patterns across broad biogeographic gradients, using intertidal microhabitats as a model system within one of the most environmentally stressful ecosystems on Earth.LocationIntertidal habitats at 26 locations (two rocky shore sites per location) across six continents, spanning 98° of latitude (38°S to 60°N).Time Period2019–2022.Major Taxa StudiedAlgae, sessile and mobile invertebrates.MethodsWe compared biodiversity and thermal environments across contrasting microhabitats (rock pools and adjacent emergent rock) along a latitudinal gradient, sampling during environmentally ‘milder’ and ‘harsher’ periods. Biodiversity was quantified using multiple richness metrics (mean, total, unique taxa) and functional diversity.ResultsMicrohabitat differences strongly influenced biodiversity …

Modeling Spasticity: A Systematic Review, Gaby Gonzalez Chan, Jonathan Marsden, Alexander Besinis, Pablo Borja, Hilary Gunn

School of Health Professions

Spasticity, a type of hypertonia characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone, is associated with damage to the brain and/or spinal cord in different neurological conditions. However, secondary non-neurological factors, such as soft tissue changes, can complicate the assessment and differentiation of the underlying causes. Accurate assessment is crucial for effective treatment planning, with clinicians relying on passive movement to grade the ‘feel’ of the spastic limb. This review aims to identify and evaluate the feasibility of spasticity models or simulations for clinical teaching. Models based on human spastic limbs were examined, with no restrictions on specific conditions or …

Does Increasing Human Impact Across The Holocene Result In Simplification Of Vegetation Composition And Diversity Across Europe? A Pollen-Based Spatio-Temporal Approach, Caterina Röhm, Maria Antonia Serge, Ralph Fyfe, François Gillet, Laurent Marquer, Agnès Lagnoux, Thierry Klein, Didier Galop, Florence Mazier

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Land use and climate change are the primary drivers of current biodiversity loss, but have had different impacts on biodiversity across the Holocene epoch. To enhance our understanding of current changes in diversity and its impact on ecosystem functions, knowledge of long-term interactions between vegetation diversity, land use change, and climatic change is crucial. Grid-cell estimates of quantified regional vegetation cover (RV_est) based on pollen data from 1607 sites across Europe, transformed using the REVEALS (Regional Vegetation Estimates from Large Sites) model, have been used to explore spatiotemporal changes in vegetation and regional diversity during the Holocene (25 …