| 1. |
- Currie, Mags, et al.
(författare)
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Understanding the response to Covid-19 : exploring options for a resilient social and economic recovery in Scotland’s rural and island communities
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This research considered the impacts of Covid-19 on rural and island communities, how resiliently they have responded; and the most effective ways forward for their recovery. Our research approach involved: interviewing people in key rural sectors then producing a map to identify factors of resilience. This map was used to identify case study communities. Interviews were undertaken in these communities to understand local perspectives.Rural and island communities have been vulnerable to the impacts of Covid. Specific factors that have increased their vulnerability include reliance on limited employment sectors, being located far from centralised services (e.g. hospitals), limited digital connectivity; and an ageing population. Communities with a more resilient response had some or all of the following features: a strong sense of community; community organisations and local businesses that have been responsive to local needs; the existence of strategic partnerships between community organisations and the public/private sector; and good digital connectivity.Covid-19 has brought rural vulnerabilities into sharp focus and these vulnerabilities are often connected. Strategic and joined-up partnerships between community, public and private sector organisations will remain important, as well as novel and flexible funding mechanisms to enable place-based and context-specific responses.This research highlighted nine actions that would assist rural and island communities to thrive in the future. These include: 1. Building on existing and new partnerships and supporting anchor organisations 2. Capitalising on and rewarding community spirit 3. Encouraging and supporting young people to move to rural and island communities 4. Retaining and enhancing digital connectivity opportunities 5. Supporting adaptable local businesses 6. Strategic partnerships with deliver place-based solutions 7. Continue to support diversification of the rural economy 8. Enhancing the knowledge base on local-regional vulnerabilities 9. Retaining a flexible, targeted and responsive approach to financial support.
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| 2. |
- Currie, Margaret, et al.
(författare)
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Understandings and applications of rural community resilience amongst Scottish stakeholders : introducing dual discourses
- 2022
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Ingår i: Community Development. - : Routledge. - 1557-5330 .- 1944-7485.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper considers understandings and applications of community resilience deployed by multiple stakeholders in rural Scotland. By exploring what stakeholders think rural community resilience means in theory and practice, we enhance existing understandings of the concept. Scottish policy has shifted towards neoliberalism and community empowerment, with the Government encouraging communities to play a proactive role in enhancing their own resilience. For this to occur successfully, we argue that it is important to understand the perspectives of multiple stakeholders in how they conceptualize community resilience, identify what practical factors they believe enhance community resilience, and provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which community resilience can be delivered. Drawing on data collected from focus groups and in-depth, semi-structured interviews, we question what resilience means and what factors can facilitate it in practice. We find that by examining the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, dual discourses of resilience emerge: the emergency which reflects the policy focus on short-term damage reduction, and the everyday which reflects the desire for more long-term adaptive capacities developing in response to gradual change in rural communities. We conclude that the discourse which stakeholders predominantly align with will affect how they understand, adopt, and practice the concept.
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| 3. |
- Glass, Jayne, et al.
(författare)
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Facilitating local resilience : case studies of place-based approaches in rural Scotland
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This report explores the extent to which place-based approaches can deliver positive economic and social outcomes in Scotland’s rural areas and small towns. We studied five case studies of place-based approaches in rural Scotland:1. Tackling the climate emergency in Callander2. Strengthening Communities in the Western Isles3. A Heart for Duns: the changing role of a local development trust4. Partnership working for place-based policy: lessons from Initiative at the Edge5. Land reform policy and transformational community changePlace-based approaches in rural Scotland have enabled community capacity building, community ownership/management of land and assets, and partnership-working to deliver local outcomes and services. A flexible national and regional place-based policy framework can be supportive of local place-based approaches, but should acknowledge different local circumstances, assets and needs, and the lived experiences of local people.Place-based approaches require financial and other development support/advice in the early stages. This might be particularly in relation to locally-led community planning to address place-based needs, acquiring local community assets and creating links between local actors and broader regional/national policy processes. More flexible place-based policy frameworks should be developed at national and regional level which facilitate cross-sectoral working, break down silos and encourage collaboration between different actors and governance levels (including communities and local authorities).The research identifies four recommendations to enhance rural place-based approaches:1. Long-term, flexible investment in place-based approaches is needed to ensure the delivery of solutions rooted in community needs and local action.2. Communities need to be able to operate with a degree of autonomy to increase competence, capacity and confidence at the local level.3. This local autonomy needs support from national/regional levels over the long-term, by transferring resources, ensuring that the voices and experiences of communities are heard, and working in (equal) partnership across governance levels.4. There is a need for mechanisms by which the key features and requirements of national and regional policy are translated into something tangible and relevant at the local level.
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| 4. |
- Glass, Jayne, et al.
(författare)
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Mountains and Scotland’s communities
- 2015
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Ingår i: The Geographer. - : Royal Scottish Geographical Society. ; Autumn, s. 21-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 5. |
- Glass, Jayne, et al.
(författare)
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Translating community resilience theory into practice : A deliberative Delphi approach
- 2022
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Ingår i: Sociologia Ruralis. - : Wiley Blackwell. - 0038-0199 .- 1467-9523.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the availability of important theoretical insights that could enhance the resilience of rural communities to complex challenges, there is a paucity of guidance on how to apply these insights in practice. This paper therefore presents and assesses a deliberative research process using the Delphi technique to elicit expert knowledge from 22 academics, community practitioners and policy makers working in roles related to community resilience delivery in rural Scotland. The participants co-produced an operational framework for community resilience, with support from researchers who facilitated the three-stage, interactive process. The methodology enabled participants to work together in an iterative and inclusive manner, culminating in the collective development of a conceptual framework consisting of eight resilience-enabling factors and corresponding criteria for monitoring change, which can be used to plan practical action and provide feedback to enable ongoing adaptation. The process also produced an in-depth understanding of participants’ perceptions of rural community resilience, identified key factors that enable or impede rural community resilience, analysed the potential to assess community resilience, and explored scale-related issues. The paper explores the implications of this framework for those working to make rural communities more resilient and reflects on the benefits and wider application of this type of research approach for developing shared understandings of complex concepts.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hao, Meng-Shu, et al.
(författare)
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Structural and biochemical analysis of family 92 carbohydrate-binding modules uncovers multivalent binding to β-glucans
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 15:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are non-catalytic proteins found appended to carbohydrate-active enzymes. Soil and marine bacteria secrete such enzymes to scavenge nutrition, and they often use CBMs to improve reaction rates and retention of released sugars. Here we present a structural and functional analysis of the recently established CBM family 92. All proteins analysed bind preferentially to β−1,6-glucans. This contrasts with the diversity of predicted substrates among the enzymes attached to CBM92 domains. We present crystal structures for two proteins, and confirm by mutagenesis that tryptophan residues permit ligand binding at three distinct functional binding sites on each protein. Multivalent CBM families are uncommon, so the establishment and structural characterisation of CBM92 enriches the classification database and will facilitate functional prediction in future projects. We propose that CBM92 proteins may cross-link polysaccharides in nature, and might have use in novel strategies for enzyme immobilisation.
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| 8. |
- Hao, Meng-Shu, et al.
(författare)
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Structural and biochemical analysis of family 92 carbohydrate-binding modules uncovers multivalent binding to β-glucans
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723 .- 2041-1723. ; 15:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are non-catalytic proteins found appended to carbohydrate-active enzymes. Soil and marine bacteria secrete such enzymes to scavenge nutrition, and they often use CBMs to improve reaction rates and retention of released sugars. Here we present a structural and functional analysis of the recently established CBM family 92. All proteins analysed bind preferentially to β−1,6-glucans. This contrasts with the diversity of predicted substrates among the enzymes attached to CBM92 domains. We present crystal structures for two proteins, and confirm by mutagenesis that tryptophan residues permit ligand binding at three distinct functional binding sites on each protein. Multivalent CBM families are uncommon, so the establishment and structural characterisation of CBM92 enriches the classification database and will facilitate functional prediction in future projects. We propose that CBM92 proteins may cross-link polysaccharides in nature, and might have use in novel strategies for enzyme immobilisation.
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| 9. |
- Li, He, D.Sc, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Family 92 carbohydrate-binding modules specific for β-1,6-glucans increase the thermostability of a bacterial chitinase
- 2023
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Ingår i: Biochimie. - : Elsevier BV. - 0300-9084 .- 1638-6183. ; 212, s. 153-160
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In biomass-processing industries there is a need for enzymes that can withstand high temperatures. Extensive research efforts have been dedicated to finding new thermostable enzymes as well as developing new means of stabilising existing enzymes. The attachment of a stable non-catalytic domain to an enzyme can, in some instances, protect a biocatalyst from thermal denaturation. Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are non-catalytic domains typically found appended to biomass-degrading or modifying enzymes, such as glycoside hydrolases (GHs). Most often, CBMs interact with the same polysaccharide as their enzyme partners, leading to an enhanced reaction rate via the promotion of enzyme-substrate interactions. Contradictory to this general concept, we show an example of a chitin-degrading enzyme from GH family 18 that is appended to two CBM domains from family 92, both of which bind preferentially to the non-substrate polysaccharide β-1,6-glucan. During chitin hydrolysis, the CBMs do not contribute to enzyme-substrate interactions but instead confer a 10–15 °C increase in enzyme thermal stability. We propose that CBM92 domains may have a natural enzyme stabilisation role in some cases, which may be relevant to enzyme design for high-temperature applications in biorefinery.
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| 10. |
- Lu, Zijia, et al.
(författare)
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A polysaccharide utilization locus from Chitinophaga pinensis simultaneously targets chitin and β-glucans found in fungal cell walls
- 2023
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Ingår i: mSphere. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 2379-5042.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In nature, complex carbohydrates are rarely found as pure isolated polysaccharides. Instead, bacteria in competitive environments are presented with glycans embedded in heterogeneous matrices such as plant or microbial cell walls. Members of the Bacteroidota phylum thrive in such ecosystems because they are efficient at extracting nutrients from complex substrates, secreting consortia of synergistic enzymes to release metabolizable sugars. Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are used to target enzymes to substrates, enhancing reaction rate and product release. Additionally, genome organizational tools like polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) ensure that the appropriate set of enzymes is produced when needed. In this study, we show that the soil bacterium Chitinophaga pinensis uses a PUL and several CBMs to coordinate the activities of enzymes targeting two distinct polysaccharides found in fungal cell walls. We describe the enzymatic activities and carbohydrate-binding behaviors of components of the fungal cell wall utilization locus (FCWUL), which uses multiple chitinases and one β-1,3-glucanase to hydrolyze two different substrates. Unusually, one of the chitinases is appended to a β-glucan-binding CBM, implying targeting to a bulk cell wall substrate rather than to the specific polysaccharide being hydrolyzed. Based on our characterization of the PUL’s outer membrane sensor protein, we suggest that the FCWUL is activated by β-1,3-glucans, even though most of its enzymes are chitin-degrading. Our data showcase the complexity of polysaccharide deconstruction in nature and highlight an elegant solution for how multiple different glycans can be accessed using one enzymatic cascade.
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| 11. |
- Lu, Zijia, et al.
(författare)
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Multiple enzymatic approaches to hydrolysis of fungal β-glucans by the soil bacterium Chitinophaga pinensis
- 2023
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Ingår i: The FEBS Journal. - : Wiley. - 1742-464X .- 1742-4658. ; 290:11, s. 2909-2922
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The genome of the soil Bacteroidota Chitinophaga pinensis encodes a large number of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) with noteworthy features and potentially novel functions. Several are predicted to be active on polysaccharide components of fungal and oomycete cell walls, such as chitin, β-1,3-glucan and β-1,6-glucan. While several fungal β-1,6-glucanase enzymes are known, relatively few bacterial examples have been characterised to date. We have previously demonstrated that C. pinensis shows strong growth using β-1,6-glucan as the sole carbon source, with the efficient release of oligosaccharides from the polymer. We here characterise the capacity of the C. pinensis secretome to hydrolyse the β-1,6-glucan pustulan and describe three distinct enzymes encoded by its genome, all of which show different levels of β-1,6-glucanase activity and which are classified into different GH families. Our data show that C. pinensis has multiple tools to deconstruct pustulan, allowing the species' broad utility of this substrate, with potential implications for bacterial biocontrol of pathogens via cell wall disruption. Oligosaccharides derived from fungal β-1,6-glucans are valuable in biomedical research and drug synthesis, and these enzymes could be useful tools for releasing such molecules from microbial biomass, an underexploited source of complex carbohydrates.
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| 12. |
- Mc Morran, Rob, et al.
(författare)
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Large-scale land acquisition for carbon : opportunities and risks. A SEFARI Special Advisory Group Final Report
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Interest in carbon markets has increased rapidly in recent months, leading to new market opportunities and interest in acquiring land to invest in natural capital, typically through tree planting and restoration of degraded peatland habitats. However, the extent to which natural capital investment is driving transactions is unclear, with owners and purchasers potentially influenced by many factors. There is also uncertainty around how large-scale land acquisitions might interact with post-Brexit policies under development across the UK and the interests of rural communities. In response to this, we conducted an evidence review and convened more than 60 experts from policy, investment, third sector, research, land management and rural communities to identify and critically assess options for policy and practice to pre-empt and address trade-offs and challenges.
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| 13. |
- Mc Morran, Rob, et al.
(författare)
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Review of the effectiveness of current community ownership mechanisms and of options for supporting the expansion of community ownership in Scotland
- 2018
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This report presents the findings of research commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission to review the effectiveness of community ownership mechanisms and options for simplifying or improving these mechanisms to enable and support the expansion of community ownership in Scotland.This included reviewing processes relating to negotiated sales or transfers of land and/or assets to communities, as well as legislative mechanisms including the Community Right to Buy (CRtB), Crofting Community Right to Buy, the Transfer of Crofting Estates (Scotland) Act 1997 and Asset Transfer measures under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
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| 14. |
- McMorran, Rob, et al.
(författare)
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Review of International Experience of Community, Communal and Municipal Ownership of Land
- 2020
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Community landownership in Scotland is generally understood as ownership of title to land and/or assets by a community body, linked to a defined geographic community. It is a relatively distinct category of landownership, regarded as different to public ownership of land (e.g. by government agencies and non-departmental public bodies). In contrast, the interpretation of ‘community’ or ‘communal’ ownership of land varies in other countries and is often less clearly distinguished from public ownership. Municipal ownership as a form of state ownership where the land is owned by municipal bodies (e.g. communes) at different scales, is also relevant due to the high level of community control. Communal or municipal rights to land are relatively common globally and across much of Europe, with a growing, statutory recognition of rural communities as collective owners of land. This research was commissioned to provide an overview of relevant forms of community, communal and municipal landownership in other countries, and suggest how lessons from international experiences could be applicable in Scotland.
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| 15. |
- Micah, Angela E., et al.
(författare)
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Tracking development assistance for health and for COVID-19 : a review of development assistance, government, out-of-pocket, and other private spending on health for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2050
- 2021
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Ingår i: The Lancet. - : Elsevier. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 398:10308, s. 1317-1343
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The rapid spread of COVID-19 renewed the focus on how health systems across the globe are financed, especially during public health emergencies. Development assistance is an important source of health financing in many low-income countries, yet little is known about how much of this funding was disbursed for COVID-19. We aimed to put development assistance for health for COVID-19 in the context of broader trends in global health financing, and to estimate total health spending from 1995 to 2050 and development assistance for COVID-19 in 2020. Methods We estimated domestic health spending and development assistance for health to generate total health-sector spending estimates for 204 countries and territories. We leveraged data from the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database to produce estimates of domestic health spending. To generate estimates for development assistance for health, we relied on project-level disbursement data from the major international development agencies' online databases and annual financial statements and reports for information on income sources. To adjust our estimates for 2020 to include disbursements related to COVID-19, we extracted project data on commitments and disbursements from a broader set of databases (because not all of the data sources used to estimate the historical series extend to 2020), including the UN Office of Humanitarian Assistance Financial Tracking Service and the International Aid Transparency Initiative. We reported all the historic and future spending estimates in inflation-adjusted 2020 US$, 2020 US$ per capita, purchasing-power parity-adjusted US$ per capita, and as a proportion of gross domestic product. We used various models to generate future health spending to 2050. Findings In 2019, health spending globally reached $8. 8 trillion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 8.7-8.8) or $1132 (1119-1143) per person. Spending on health varied within and across income groups and geographical regions. Of this total, $40.4 billion (0.5%, 95% UI 0.5-0.5) was development assistance for health provided to low-income and middle-income countries, which made up 24.6% (UI 24.0-25.1) of total spending in low-income countries. We estimate that $54.8 billion in development assistance for health was disbursed in 2020. Of this, $13.7 billion was targeted toward the COVID-19 health response. $12.3 billion was newly committed and $1.4 billion was repurposed from existing health projects. $3.1 billion (22.4%) of the funds focused on country-level coordination and $2.4 billion (17.9%) was for supply chain and logistics. Only $714.4 million (7.7%) of COVID-19 development assistance for health went to Latin America, despite this region reporting 34.3% of total recorded COVID-19 deaths in low-income or middle-income countries in 2020. Spending on health is expected to rise to $1519 (1448-1591) per person in 2050, although spending across countries is expected to remain varied. Interpretation Global health spending is expected to continue to grow, but remain unequally distributed between countries. We estimate that development organisations substantially increased the amount of development assistance for health provided in 2020. Continued efforts are needed to raise sufficient resources to mitigate the pandemic for the most vulnerable, and to help curtail the pandemic for all. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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| 16. |
- Thomson, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of diversity of ownership scale on social, economic and environmental outcomes : Exploration and case studies CR/2014/19
- 2016
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This research report was commissioned by the Scottish Government to offer some insights into the local impacts of differing scales of rural land ownership in Scotland on social, economic and environmental outcomes.The study considered three case study pairs of parishes, each comprising a parish dominated by one or more large land owners and a nearby comparator parish that had historically been dominated by one or more large land owners but is no longer, due to ownership fragmentation at some point.The findings were intended to inform both the on-going development of Scotland's land reform policy and deliberations over the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at the time of publication.
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