University of Exeter

About: University of Exeter is a education organization based out in Exeter, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 15820 authors who have published 50650 publications receiving 1793046 citations. The organization is also known as: Exeter University & University of the South West of England.

Maintaining group memberships: Social identity continuity predicts well-being after stroke

Abstract: A survey study of patients recovering from stroke (N = 53) examined the extent to which belonging to multiple groups prior to stroke and the maintenance of those group memberships (as measured by the Exeter Identity Transitions Scales, EXITS) predicted well-being after stroke. Results of correlation analysis showed that life satisfaction was associated both with multiple group memberships prior to stroke and with the maintenance of group memberships. Path analysis indicated that belonging to multiple groups was associated with maintained well-being because there was a greater likelihood that some of those memberships would be preserved after stroke-related life transition. Furthermore, it was found that cognitive failures compromised well-being in part because they made it hard for individuals to maintain group memberships post-stroke. These findings highlight the importance of social identity continuity in facilitating well-being following stroke and, more broadly, show the theoretical contribution that a social identity approach to mental health can make in the context of neuropsychological rehabilitation.

Ingestion of Nanoplastics and Microplastics by Pacific Oyster Larvae

Abstract: Plastic debris is a prolific contaminant effecting freshwater and marine ecosystems across the globe. Of growing environmental concern are “microplastics”and “nanoplastics” encompassing tiny particles of plastic derived from manufacturing and macroplastic fragmentation. Pelagic zooplankton are susceptible to consuming microplastics, however the threat posed to larvae of commercially important bivalves is currently unknown. We exposed Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae (3–24 d.p.f.) to polystyrene particles spanning 70 nm-20 μm in size, including plastics with differing surface properties, and tested the impact of microplastics on larval feeding and growth. The frequency and magnitude of plastic ingestion over 24 h varied by larval age and size of polystyrene particle (ANOVA, P < 0.01), and surface properties of the plastic, with aminated particles ingested and retained more frequently (ANOVA, P < 0.01). A strong, significant correlation between propensity for plastic consumption and plastic load pe...

Effector-Mediated Suppression of Chitin-Triggered Immunity by Magnaporthe oryzae Is Necessary for Rice Blast Disease

Abstract: Plants use pattern recognition receptors to defend themselves from microbial pathogens. These receptors recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate signaling pathways that lead to immunity. In rice (Oryza sativa), the chitin elicitor binding protein (CEBiP) recognizes chitin oligosaccharides released from the cell walls of fungal pathogens. Here, we show that the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae overcomes this first line of plant defense by secreting an effector protein, Secreted LysM Protein1 (Slp1), during invasion of new rice cells. We demonstrate that Slp1 accumulates at the interface between the fungal cell wall and the rice plasma membrane, can bind to chitin, and is able to suppress chitin-induced plant immune responses, including generation of reactive oxygen species and plant defense gene expression. Furthermore, we show that Slp1 competes with CEBiP for binding of chitin oligosaccharides. Slp1 is required by M. oryzae for full virulence and exerts a significant effect on tissue invasion and disease lesion expansion. By contrast, gene silencing of CEBiP in rice allows M. oryzae to cause rice blast disease in the absence of Slp1. We propose that Slp1 sequesters chitin oligosaccharides to prevent PAMP-triggered immunity in rice, thereby facilitating rapid spread of the fungus within host tissue.

Ecological gradients, subdivisions and terminology of north‐west European mires

Abstract: Summary 1 The historical development of mire ecology and terminology is reviewed in relation to evolving concepts and perceptions, and the diverse schools and traditions of vegetation and habitat description and research. 2 Most ecological and floristic variation within north-west European mire vegetation is accounted for by three ecological gradients: the acid base-poor vs. neutral, base- and bicarbonate-rich gradient; the gradient in fertility related to availability of the limiting nutrient elements N and P; and the water level gradient. EAects of salinity and the spring‐flush‐fen gradients are of more local significance, usually easily recognized. Land use is an important additional factor. 3 The mineral-soil-water limit between ombrotrophic and minerotrophically influenced sites is not sharp, and cannot be related to consistent diAerences in either vegetation or water chemistry. It should be abandoned as a general main division within mires. 4 The most important natural division is between ‘bog’, with pH generally 6.0, high Ca 2a and HCO3 ‐ , vegetation rich in dicotyledonous herbs and ‘brown mosses’. This division is reflected in a bimodal distribution of pH. 5 The terms oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic should refer only to nutrient richness (fertility, mainly N and P), not to base richness (metallic cations and pH). 6 It is recommended that ‘mire’ should embrace both wetlands on peat and related communities on mineral soils, that ‘bog’ (unqualified) should encompass both ombrotrophic and weakly minerotrophic mires, including ‘bog woodland’, and that ‘fen’ should be restricted to base-rich mires but include both herbaceous and wooded vegetation (‘fen carr’). 7 Definitions are given for a range of broadly defined categories that should cover most vegetation types commonly encountered. The relation of these to British national vegetation classification types and to major units in European phytosociology is outlined.

Ti–6Al–4V triply periodic minimal surface structures for bone implants fabricated via selective laser melting

Abstract: Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures have already been shown to be a versatile source of biomorphic scaffold designs. Therefore, in this work, Ti–6Al–4V Gyroid and Diamond TPMS lattices having an interconnected high porosity of 80–95% and pore sizes in the range of 560–1600 μm and 480–1450 μm respectively were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) for bone implants. The manufacturability, microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices were evaluated. Comparison between 3D micro-CT reconstructed models and original CAD models of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices shows excellent reproduction of the designs. The as-built Ti–6Al–4V struts exhibit the microstructure of columnar grains filled with very fine and orthogonally oriented α′ martensitic laths with the width of 100–300 nm and have the microhardness of 4.01±0.34 GPa. After heat treatment at 680 °C for 4 h, the α′ martensite was converted to a mixture of α and β, in which the α phase being the dominant fraction is present as fine laths with the width of 500–800 nm and separated by a small amount of narrow, interphase regions of dark β phase. Also, the microhardness is decreased to 3.71±0.35 GPa due to the coarsening of the microstructure. The 80–95% porosity TPMS lattices exhibit a comparable porosity with trabecular bone, and the modulus is in the range of 0.12–1.25 GPa and thus can be adjusted to the modulus of trabecular bone. At the same range of porosity of 5–10%, the moduli of cortical bone and of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices are in a similar range. Therefore, the modulus and porosity of Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices can be tailored to the levels of human bones and thus reduce or avoid “stress shielding” and increase longevity of implants. Due to the biomorphic designs, and high interconnected porosity and stiffness comparable to human bones, SLM-made Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices can be a promising material for load bearing bone implants.