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This paper discusses the development and initial trials of a readiness assessment methodology intended to support more informed, ethical and effective processes of project development and stakeholder engagement within an evolving and increasingly challenging context of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) in England and Wales. In particular, it considers how and to what extent this approach to readiness assessment can be considered an example of social innovation. Drawing on scholarship about social innovation, the paper also considers challenges within the design and implementation of readiness assessment processes. In turn, this supports an exploration of obstacles to and limitations of social innovation, particularly in the context of far‐reaching social‐ecological change.

Aberrant extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling contributes to muscle degeneration and weakness in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). ADAMTS-5, a secreted metalloproteinase with catalytic activity against versican, is implicated in myogenesis and inflammation. Here, using the mdx mouse model of DMD, we report increased ADAMTS-5 expression in dystrophic hindlimb muscles, localized to regions of regeneration and inflammation. To investigate the pathophysiological significance of this, 4-week-old mdx mice were treated with an ADAMTS-5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) or IgG2c (IgG) isotype control for 3 weeks. ADAMTS-5 mAb treatment did not reduce versican processing, as protein levels of the cleaved versikine fragment did not differ between hindlimb muscles from ADAMTS-5 mAb or IgG treated mdx mice. Nonetheless, ADAMTS-5 blockade improved ex vivo strength of isolated fast extensor digitorum longus, but not slow soleus, muscles. The underpinning mechanism may include modulation of regenerative myogenesis, as ADAMTS-5 blockade reduced the number of recently repaired desmin positive myofibers without affecting the number of desmin positive muscle progenitor cells. Treatment with the ADAMTS-5 mAb did not significantly affect markers of muscle damage, inflammation, nor fiber size. Altogether, the positive effects of ADAMTS-5 blockade in dystrophic muscles are fiber-type-specific and independent of versican processing.

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Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is one of the most widely grown forage grasses in temperate agriculture. In order to maintain and increase its usage as forage in livestock agriculture, there is a continued need for improvement in biomass yield, quality, disease resistance, and seed yield. Genetic gain for traits such as biomass yield has been relatively modest. This has been attributed to its long breeding cycle, and the necessity to use population based breeding methods. Thanks to recent advances in genotyping techniques there is increasing interest in genomic selection from which genomically estimated breeding values are derived. In this paper we compare the classical RRBLUP model with state-of-the-art machine learning techniques that should yield themselves easily to use in GS and demonstrate their application to predicting quantitative traits in a breeding population of L. perenne. Prediction accuracies varied from 0 to 0.59 depending on trait, prediction model and composition of the training population. The BLUP model produced the highest prediction accuracies for most traits and training populations. Forage quality traits had the highest accuracies compared to yield related traits. There appeared to be no clear pattern to the effect of the training population composition on the prediction accuracies. The heritability of the forage quality traits was generally higher than for the yield related traits, and could partly explain the difference in accuracy. Some population structure was evident in the breeding populations, and probably contributed to the varying effects of training population on the predictions. The average linkage disequilibrium between adjacent markers ranged from 0.121 to 0.215. Higher marker density and larger training population closely related with the test population are likely to improve the prediction accuracy.

Background Sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ) is a highly nutritious tannin-containing forage legume. In the diet of ruminants sainfoin can have anti-parasitic effects and reduce methane emissions under in vitro conditions. Many of these benefits have been attributed to condensed tannins or proanthocyanidins in sainfoin. A combination of increased use of industrially produced nitrogen fertilizer, issues with establishment and productivity in the first year and more reliable alternatives, such as red clover led to a decline in the use of sainfoin since the middle of the last century. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in sainfoin due to its potential beneficial nutraceutical and environmental attributes. However, genomic resources are scarce, thus hampering progress in genetic analysis and improvement. To address this we have used next generation RNA sequencing technology to obtain the first transcriptome of sainfoin. We used the library to identify gene-based simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results One genotype from each of five sainfoin accessions was sequenced. Paired-end (PE) sequences were generated from cDNA libraries of RNA extracted from 7 day old seedlings. A combined assembly of 92,772 transcripts was produced de novo using the Trinity programme. About 18,000 transcripts were annotated with at least one GO (gene ontology) term. A total of 63 transcripts were annotated as involved in the tannin biosynthesis pathway. We identified 3786 potential SSRs. SNPs were identified by mapping the reads of the individual assemblies against the combined assembly. After stringent filtering a total of 77,000 putative SNPs were identified. A phylogenetic analysis of single copy number genes showed that sainfoin was most closely related to red clover and Medicago truncatula , while Lotus japonicus , bean and soybean are more distant relatives. Conclusions This work describes the first transcriptome assembly in sainfoin. The 92 K transcripts provide a rich source of SNP and SSR polymorphisms for future use in genetic studies of this crop. Annotation of genes involved in the condensed tannin biosynthesis pathway has provided the basis for further studies of the genetic control of this important trait in sainfoin.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is an important component of low input pasture systems and can form effective associations with both nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium and phosphate-scavenging arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Understanding the genetic control of plant-AM interactions will allow clover breeders to develop genetic markers for selection of phenotypes favourable to AM symbiosis.Clover is normally an out-breeding species. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) developed from inbred lines of clover are ideal candidates for genetic studies since important agronomic traits are fixed. Four closely-related NILs provided plant material withcontrasting phenotypes when inoculated with AMF Glomus mosseae. Seed-grown and clonal plants of these closely-related NILs were used to study gene expression associated with AM colonization and functioning. In order to relate plant phenotype responses specifically to changes in phosphorus availability, and ultimately to gene expression, a nutrient flowing culture system was developed in which nutrient application was constant and could be controlled. The only consistent phenotypic response discovered was a decrease in root production in response to AMF colonisation.Differential display demonstrated differences in gene expression in both leaves and roots of clover with and without AMF. These genes were mainly down-regulated in AMF plants and three were identified from a range of NILs under varying P concentrations. More apparent differences in gene expression were found in roots than in leaves, and in low rather than high AMF colonising lines. In total, 45 sequences were identified and cloned; 30 from leaves and 15 from roots. Sixteen sequences had homology with known genes, including protochlorophyllide oxido reductase and leghaemoglobin. The majority corresponded to ESTs from model legumes and from studies such as colonisation with AMF or Rhizobium, and phosphate or nitrogen starvation experiments. Six sequences were not found on any database, indicating that these corresponded to undiscovered genes either expressed or suppressed in AM white clover.

'They're moving from Australia to global markets where they've got unique advantages' \"They're moving from Australia to global markets where they've got unique advantages and a competitive edge in financial structuring. That's going to add to deal flow momentum, which the market is pretty supportive of,\" Mr [Sean Fenton] said. \"The return of bonus fees is a big plus, and it's going to provide a big boost to Macquarie's earnings.\"

'They're moving from Australia to global markets where they've got unique advantages' \"They're moving from Australia to global markets where they've got unique advantages and a competitive edge in financial structuring. That's going to add to deal flow momentum, which the market is pretty supportive of,\" Mr [Sean Fenton] said. \"The return of bonus fees is a big plus, and it's going to provide a big boost to Macquarie's earnings.\"

Acute Kidney Disease (AKD) commonly affects disadvantaged populations in low-resourced areas with poor access to kidney care. Here, barriers to management include a lack of AKD education alongside an inability to measure serum creatinine (SCr) to identify kidney disease. The Kidney Care Network (KCN) is a service improvement initiative which aims to implement a novel strategy for the management of AKD into routine clinical care in low- and low-middle income countries (LLMICs). The strategy includes the development of a scoring system to screen patients for risk of AKD and the use of a device to measure SCr at the point-of-care (POC). This approach is underpinned by dedicated AKD training activities for healthcare workers providing front line clinical care. We report feasibility in the implementation of the KCN approach in adults in 4 LLMICs. Between 2018–2020, 4311 patients at project sites in Bolivia, Brazil, Nepal, and South Africa were deemed at risk of kidney disease and underwent SCr testing, predominantly with the POC device. AKD was identified in 2922 (67.8%) patients. AKD was most commonly due to infections and hypovolemia, and as such was treatable by relatively simple means. Most patients with AKD were treated at the site of patient presentation, including rural primary healthcare facilities, and with early AKD identification the need for kidney replacement therapy was low. In-hospital mortality was only 2.9% and follow-up occurred at 3 months in 1865 (62.3%) patients discharged post AKD diagnosis. Hence, we show the KCN approach is a feasible and effective mechanism for improving AKD management in LLMICs.