A5073920647- Coastal and Marine Management
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine and Offshore Engineering Studies
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- Maritime Transport Emissions and Efficiency
- Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Marine animal studies overview
- Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Coastal and Marine Dynamics
- Ocular and Laser Science Research
- Aquatic and Environmental Studies
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
- Global Energy and Sustainability Research
Cardiff University
2023-2025
Heriot-Watt University
2010-2024
University of Hull
2023-2024
University of Cambridge
2022
Background: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss is crucial in eye diseases like glaucoma. Axon damage and dendritic degeneration precede death, detectable within optical coherence tomography (OCT) resolution, indicating their correlation with neuronal degeneration. The purpose of this study to evaluate the changes early retinal Methods: detection axotomised explants was completed six C57BL/6J mice. OCT images were acquired up 120 min from enucleation. A grey-level co-occurrence-based texture...
Thousands of artificial ('human-made') structures are present in the marine environment, many at or approaching end-of-life and requiring urgent decisions regarding their decommissioning. No consensus has been reached on which decommissioning option(s) result optimal environmental societal outcomes, part, owing to a paucity evidence from real-world case studies. To address this significant challenge, we asked worldwide panel scientists provide expert opinion. They were identify characterise...
The progressive and irreversible degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) their axons is the major characteristic glaucoma, a leading cause blindness worldwide. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) cofactor metabolite redox reaction critical for neuronal survival. Supplementation with nicotinamide (NAM), precursor NAD, can confer neuroprotective effects against glaucomatous damage caused by an age-related decline NAD or mitochondrial dysfunction, reflecting high metabolic activity...
Abstract This study is about the quantification and validation of BDNF levels in mouse serum plasma using a sensitive immunoassay. While are readily detectable human serum, functional implications these measurements unclear as released from blood platelets main contributor to BDNF. As do not contain BDNF, this confounding factor absent mouse. Accordingly, were found be indistinguishable at 9.92 ± 1.97 pg/mL for 10.58 2.43 ( p = 0.473). These approximately thousand times lower than those...
In humans and other primates, blood platelets contain high concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor due to the expression BDNF gene in megakaryocytes. By contrast, mice, typically used investigate impact CNS lesions, have no demonstrable levels platelets, their megakaryocytes do not transcribe significant Bdnf gene. Here, we explore potential contributions platelet with two well-established lesion models, using 'humanized' mice engineered express under control a...
Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key international transition efforts and the move toward net zero. For many nations, this requires decommissioning of hundreds oil gas infrastructure in marine environment. Current international, regional national legislation largely dictates that structures must be completely removed at end-of-life although, increasingly, alternative options are being promoted implemented. Yet, a paucity real-world case studies describing impacts on...
As part of ongoing commitments to produce electricity from renewable energy sources in Scotland, Orkney waters have been targeted for potential large-scale deployment wave and tidal converting devices. has a well-developed infrastructure supporting the marine industry; recently enhanced by construction additional piers. A major concern industries is biofouling on submerged structures, including converters measurement instrumentation. In this study, instrumentation were surveyed characterise...
In the North-east (NE) Atlantic, most intertidal fucoids and warm-temperate kelps show unique low-latitude gene pools matching long-term climatic refugia. For cold-temperate data are scarcer despite their cultural, ecological economic significance. Here we test whether amphi-Atlantic range of Laminaria digitata is derived from past glacial survival (and vicariance) in both NE North-west (NW) Atlantic refugia (as suggested by niche modelling), or post-glacial (re)colonization low mtDNA...
A novel system was developed to deploy settlement panels monitor biofouling growth in situ and evaluate antifouling coatings at depths representative of operational conditions full-scale marine renewable energy devices. Biofouling loading, species diversity, succession were assessed ranging from 25-40 m four tests sites Orkney (UK) featuring extreme wave tidal current exposure more sheltered conditions. Evaluations carried out over a period 8 months with intermediate retrieval samples after...
ABSTRACT Temperature extremes are predicted to intensify with climate change. These rapidly emerging as a powerful driver of species distributional changes the capacity disrupt functioning and provision services entire ecosystems, particularly when they challenge ecosystem engineers. The subsequent search for robust framework forecast consequences these mostly ignores within‐species variation in thermal sensitivity. Such can be intrinsic, but also reflect interactions. Intertidal mussels...
Amphiboreal taxa are often composed of vicariant phylogroups and species complexes whose divergence phylogeographic affinities reflect a shared history chronic isolation episodic trans-Arctic dispersal. Ecological filters shifting selective pressures may also promote sweeps, niche shifts ecological speciation during colonization, but these seldom considered at biogeographical scales. Here we integrate genetic data Ecologic Niche Models (ENMs) to investigate the historical biogeography...
Abstract Wave energy has the potential to contribute in transition decarbonized electricity generation. Extracting wave might be expected have ecological impacts on rocky shore intertidal communities where exposure is one of most important factors determining species structure and composition. With global climatic change, coastal predicted increase with greater significant height. The wave-exposed west coast Orkney, Scotland, UK, site pre-commercial device testing. Surveys 39 sites along...
Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key international transition efforts and the move toward net zero. For many nations, this requires decommissioning of hundreds oil gas infrastructure in marine environment. Current international, regional national legislation largely dictates that structures must be completely removed at end-of-life although, increasingly, alternative options are being promoted implemented. Yet, a paucity real-world case studies describing impacts on...
Marine habitats are being targeted for the extraction of offshore renewable energy (ORE) as part drive to decarbonise electricity generation. Unmanaged biofouling impacts ORE devices and infrastructure by elevating drag forces, increasing weight, accelerating corrosion, leading decreased performance survivability, extending costly periods maintenance. deployments in high tidal flow locations providing opportunities study unique these habitats. In this study, surveys numerous associated...
The success of the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry is dependent upon maximising capture and minimising down-time. Device performance negatively impacted by growth fouling organisms, leading to reduced efficiency reliability; anti-fouling strategies are costly time consuming. Biofouling also reduces accuracy data buoys sensors used assess hydrodynamic resource device performance. While biofouling has been a recognised problem for centuries, deployment MRE devices creates several unique...
Abstract A new record of an individual the invasive sea squirt, Styela clava , is reported from Scapa Flow in Orkney, Scotland. This represents a 1.54° latitudinal extension (168 km) previous northern-most UK waters. Diver surveys hard substrates immediate area, part local biosecurity protocols, did not find any additional individuals. Possible transport vectors, likelihood established reproductively active population, and implications to biodiversity are discussed.
Thousands of artificial ('human-made') structures are present in the marine environment, many at or approaching end-of-life and requiring urgent decisions regarding their decommissioning. No consensus has been reached on which decommissioning option(s) result optimal environmental societal outcomes, part, owing to a paucity evidence from real-world case studies. To address this significant challenge, we asked worldwide panel scientists provide expert opinion. They were identify characterise...