Scotland Project Research Articles

Leadership and management influences the outcome of wildlife reintroduction programs: findings from the Sea Eagle Recovery Project.

Wildlife reintroductions and translocations are statistically unlikely to succeed. Nevertheless, they remain a critical part of conservation because they are the only way to actively restore a species into a habitat from which it has been extirpated. Past efforts to improve these practices have attributed the low success rate to failures in the biological knowledge (e.g., ignorance of social behavior, poor release site selection), or to the inherent challenges of reinstating a species into an area where threats have already driven it to local extinction. Such research presumes that the only way to improve reintroduction outcomes is through improved biological knowledge. This emphasis on biological solutions may have caused researchers to overlook the potential influence of other factors on reintroduction outcomes. I employed a grounded theory approach to study the leadership and management of a successful reintroduction program (the Sea Eagle Recovery Project in Scotland, UK) and identify four critical managerial elements that I theorize may have contributed to the successful outcome of this 50-year reintroduction. These elements are: 1. Leadership & Management: Small, dedicated team of accessible experts who provide strong political and scientific advocacy (“champions”) for the project. 2. Hierarchy & Autonomy: Hierarchical management structure that nevertheless permits high individual autonomy. 3. Goals & Evaluation: Formalized goal-setting and regular, critical evaluation of the project’s progress toward those goals. 4. Adaptive Public Relations: Adaptive outreach campaigns that are open, transparent, inclusive (esp. linguistically), and culturally relevant.

9 Sex differences in circumferential and longitudinal strain assessed using strain encoded cardiac magnetic resonance at 3.0T: Abstract 9 Table 1

<h3>Background</h3> Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) encodes myocardial tissue displacement into the phase of the MRI image, thus allowing direct quantification of myocardial displacement at multiple cardiac phases. Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE has high spatial (3.2 mm × 3.2 mm × 8 mm) and temporal resolution (TR= 27.34 ms). We aimed to measure myocardial strain values with DENSE in healthy adults across a broad age range at 3.0 Tesla. <h3>Methods</h3> Healthy volunteers with no prior medical history or treatment were enrolled and underwent CMR at 3.0T (Magnetom Verio, Siemens healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). Mid-left ventricular short axis and horizontal long axis DENSE sequences were acquired and analysed using CIM_DENSE2D software (University of Auckland, New Zealand and Siemens Healthcare). Segmental and global myocardial circumferential (Ecc) and longitudinal (Ell) strain were obtained. <h3>Results</h3> Ecc and Ell were analysed in 77 volunteers (mean age 45 ± 18 years, 49% male) (Table 1). Mean Ecc strain was greater in women than in men. These sex-differences were mainly related to strain values in the anterior and antero-lateral LV segments. There is no difference for Ell. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Left ventricular circumferential contractility differs between men and women, and the differences were regionalised to the antero-lateral myocardial regions where LV displacement is greatest. <h3>Funding</h3> Medical Research Scotland project grant. Professor Berry was supported by a Senior Clinical Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council.

10 Sex differences in circumferential and longitudinal strain revealed by strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance in healthy volunteers at 1.5T: Abstract 10 Table 1

<h3>Background</h3> Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) encodes myocardial tissue displacement into the phase of the MRI image, thus allowing direct quantification of myocardial displacement at multiple cardiac phases. Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE has high spatial (3.2 × 3.2 × 8 mm) and temporal resolution (32.5 ms phase). We aimed to measure myocardial strain values with DENSE in healthy adults across a broad age range at 1.5 Tesla. <h3>Methods</h3> Healthy volunteers with no prior medical history (including cardiovascular health problems or medication) were enrolled and underwent CMR at 1.5T (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). Mid-left ventricular short axis and horizontal long axis DENSE sequences were obtained, and analysed using CIM_DENSE2D software (University of Auckland, New Zealand and Siemens Healthcare). Segmental and global myocardial circumferential and longitudinal strain were obtained. <h3>Results</h3> LV dimensions and circumferential strain were available for 75 volunteers (mean age 44.12 ± 17.7 years old, 48% male) (Table 1). Longitudinal strain was acquired in a subset of participants (n = 20). Mean global circumferential (Ecc) and longitudinal (Ell) strain were greater in women than in men. These differences were mainly related to strain values in the inferior, infero-lateral and antero-lateral LV segments for the circumferential strain and the apico-lateral segment for the longitudinal strain where LV displacement is greatest. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE has revealed sex differences in myocardial contractility in healthy adults. <h3>Funding</h3> Medical Research Scotland project grant. Professor Berry was supported by a Senior Clinical Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council.

24 Peak circumferential strain assessed using strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance (dense) in healthy volunteers at 1.5- and 3.0 TESLA: Abstract 24 Table 1

<h3>Background</h3> Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) is a strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) method that directly quantifies left ventricular (LV) mechanics within myocardial regions. Strain values might vary according to CMR field strength. In order to assess this possibility, we implemented strain-encoded CMR at 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla with DENSE in healthy adults. <h3>Methods</h3> Healthy volunteers without any medical history or treatment gave informed consent and underwent CMR at 1.5T (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Healthcare) and 3.0T (Magnetom Verio; Siemens Healthcare) within 24 h. The imaging protocol included balanced steady state free precession (b-SSFP) sequences for cardiac anatomy and function and strain-encoded CMR with DENSE. (CIM_DENSE2D software (University of Auckland, New Zealand; Siemens Healthcare). Global- and segmental circumferential strain was measured at the mid-ventricular level. <h3>Results</h3> Sixty five participants (31 (48%) male, mean age 44 ± 18) were included (Table 1). Mean global and regional strain values differed slightly between 1.5T and 3.0T, and these differences were mainly related to strain values in the anterior and anterolateral LV segments were LV displacement is greatest. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE provides regionally localised measurements of circumferential strain. Subtle field-strength differences were apparent for anterior/antero-lateral LV strain. <h3>Funding</h3> Medical Research Scotland project grant. Professor Berry was supported by a Senior Clinical Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council.

23 Longitudinal but not circumferential strain is associated with healthy ageing: a strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study at 3.0TESLA: Abstract 23 Table 1

Background Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) encodes myocardial tissue displacement into the phase of the MRI image permitting direct quantification of myocardial displacement at multiple cardiac phases. Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE has high spatial (3.2 mm × 3.2 mm × 8 mm) and temporal resolution (TR= 27.34 ms). We aimed to measure myocardial strain values with DENSE in healthy adults across a broad age range at 3.0Tesla. Methods Healthy volunteers with no prior medical history or treatment were enrolled and underwent CMR at 3.0T (Magnetom Verio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Mid-left ventricular short axis and horizontal long axis DENSE sequences were obtained, and analysed using CIM_DENSE2D software (University of Auckland, New Zealand and Siemens Healthcare). Segmental and global myocardial circumferential (Ecc) and longitudinal (Ell) strain were obtained with DENSE. Results 77 participants (mean (SD) age 43.0(16.9) years; range 18–78 years; 40 (52%) males;) were grouped into 3 tertiles according to age. Longitudinal strain differed according to age tertile with strain being greatest in individuals 35–55 years compared to younger or older subjects. There were no differences in Ecc according to age per tertile (Table 1). Conclusion Longitudinal myocardial strain, as revealed by strain-encoded CMR, is associated with chronological age in healthy adults. Funding Medical Research Scotland project grant. Professor Berry was supported by a Senior Clinical Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council.

Social finance in North America

After 20 years in mainstream wholesale banking, Malcolm has spent the last 20 in socially responsible finance, pioneering the Charity Bank in the UK, being a board member of INAISE, and working, latterly with the Institute for Social Banking. He is now working on a community banking project in Scotland when not watching cetaceans or cultivating a desert garden in Andalucia. In 2013, he received the CBE for services to charities and social enterprise.

Summer 2014

I attended the ICE Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop held in January. It was an informative and compelling workshop, and for me provided the additional bonus of obtaining feedback on Construction Law Quarterly One specific comment was that there ought to be more written on international issues (especially since many readers are involved in projects in the Middle East) and more written on arbitration. I have therefore devoted considerable space in this issue to providing an ‘arbitration update’ that takes in the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Japan. I have also chosen to report a case that examines how a fitness-for-purpose obligation works in circumstances where the contractor is required to follow a particular specified design code. The case has significant legal, technical, engineering and commercial implications for readers with specific sector interest in the design and construction of so-called ‘grouted connections’ in offshore wind turbine foundations. The court supported the proposition that the existence of an express warranty of fitness for purpose by the contractor can trump the obligation to comply with the specification, even though that specification may contain an error. Next we look at two cases dealing with statutory adjudication. The first, Laker Vent Engineering Ltd v. Jacobs E&amp;C Ltd is likely to be followed, discussed and debated in a number of subsequent cases. It deals with whether a general reservation of position can still allow an unhappy party to resist enforcement in circumstances where it has sought to apply the slip rule or made payment; what is the ‘site’ in the context of the exception discussed at section 105(2) of the Construction Act; and whether an adjudication relating to a project in Scotland can use the English scheme in circumstances where the governing law is that of England and Wales. The second case, University of Brighton v. Dovehouse Interiors Ltd, looked at what commences adjudication proceedings – the notice of adjudication or the referral? As readers will be aware, this issue becomes very important in the context of conclusiveness of final certificates. Finally, we end with an excellent article from David Sears QC. David looks at 199 Knightsbridge Developments Ltd v. WSP (UK) Ltd, a case which highlights the fact that it will not always be a defence to a professional negligence claim to do what others have been doing unquestioningly for some time. The case also re-emphasises the need for a designer to keep a design under review, and to advise the client whenever he or she becomes aware of new information that should lead to a revision of the design.

Facilitating independence: The benefits of a post-diagnostic support project for people with dementia

Providing support in the form of information, advice and access to services or social events is promoted as beneficial for people newly diagnosed with dementia and their families. This paper reports on key findings from an evaluation of a post-diagnostic support pilot project in Scotland addressing local service gaps, namely information provision, emotional and practical support and maintaining community links. Twenty-seven participants (14 people newly diagnosed with dementia and 13 family carers) were interviewed at two time points: T1 shortly after joining the pilot project and T2 approximately six months later, to ascertain their views on existing services and the support offered by the pilot project. A comparative thematic analysis revealed that the project facilitated increased independence (associated with increased motivation and self-confidence) of people with dementia. The project illustrates what can be achieved if resources are targeted at providing individualised post-diagnostic support, particularly where there are service delivery gaps.

Making time to care

As its name suggests, the Releasing Time to Care project in Scotland aims to eliminate inefficiency and to redirect time and resources to areas where they are most needed. The new way of working is yielding other benefits too, including improved staff morale and lower absence rates.

Performance assessment of a private finance initiative road project

Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects are designed to fund long-term infrastructure projects and public services. A typical PFI road scheme involves the public sector client (Granting Authority), the private sector partner&nbsp;–&nbsp;Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the financial lenders, the road constructor and its supply chain, technical advisers (legal, financial, technical) and the operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) company. The O&amp;M period is the longest phase of a PFI road project and shall be carried out in accordance with the requirement of the Project Agreement (PA); in accordance with all statutory requirements and Environmental Statements; in accordance with the road project's Quality Plan; and in accordance with Good Industry Practice in order to satisfy the Granting Authority Requirements. The concession period of the study project is 30 years. It is the most important phase because during this time both the service details and payment is created. The payment of the unitary fee is conditional on the SPV meeting certain ‘performance’ and ‘availability’ requirements set out in the PFI contract. The fee can be reduced if these standards are not met. This practice of ‘deductive payments’ and ‘non-performance’ is one of the main justifications for PFI which is described by the UK government as transferring O&amp;M risks to the private sector in a PFI road project. This paper reports the operational performance assessment for a PFI road project in Scotland–UK detailing physical and functional performance as the critical O&amp;M criteria. The paper also discusses the findings in the case study which are based on a longitudinal Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted between 2005–2009 years. Also, this study has proposed a conceptual framework for the O&amp;M management practice in PFI road projects in the UK, based upon a single empirical case study and the four years longitudinal study. First Published Online: 03 Apr 2013

The Centre for Mountain Studies Contributes to Sustainable Mountain Development at All Scales

Abstract The Centre for Mountain Studies (CMS) is located at Perth College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland. Since its establishment in 2000, staff and students at the CMS have been active in research and knowledge exchange activities at all scales, from the local, in Scotland, to the global. Projects in Scotland have focused mainly on estates, wild land (see below), and forests. Work across part, or all, of Europe has addressed mountain foods (see below), adaptation to climate change, large-scale regional planning, and the characterization of Europe's mountains. At the global scale, the CMS has been involved in activities relating to sustainable mountain development, global change, interdisciplinary research, and biodiversity conservation. The CMS also runs a part-time online MSc in Sustainable Mountain Development. This article summarizes some recent and ongoing activities. More information, including additional published references, is available on the CMS website.

Evidence‐based practice and teacher action‐research: a reflection on the nature and direction of ‘change’

This study was conceived as an opportunity to reflect on the place of action‐research in the contested landscape of educational change in the UK where increasing emphasis has been put on the use of evidence to drive reform. In the context of a government‐sponsored project in Scotland, this study looked at the impact of a scholarship initiative supporting classroom teachers to undertake action‐research projects on a topic of their own choice with the assistance of a mentor. Data collected from interviews with teachers and analysis of teacher action‐research reports pointed to a multi‐faceted concept of practice unfolding from individual inquiry and dialogical conversations with colleagues and university mentors. The study argues for further analysis of the use of action‐research as a means to develop teachers’ knowledge and to recover the value of collective and creative engagements in education to guide reform.

Genetic variants predicting left ventricular hypertrophy in a diabetic population: a Go-DARTS study including meta-analysis

BackgroundLeft ventricular hypertrophy has multiple aetiologies including diabetes and genetic factors. We aimed to identify genetic variants predicting left ventricular hypertrophy in diabetic individuals.MethodsDemographic, echocardiographic, prescribing, morbidity, mortality and genotyping databases connected with the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside, Scotland project were accurately linked using a patient-specific identifier. Left ventricular hypertrophy cases were identified using echocardiographic data.Genotyping data from 973 cases and 1443 non-left ventricular hypertrophy controls were analysed, investigating whether single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in previous Genome Wide Association Studies predicted left ventricular hypertrophy in our population of individuals with type 2 diabetes. Meta-analysis assessed overall significance of these single nucleotide polymorphisms, which were also used to create gene scores. Logistic regression assessed whether these scores predicted left ventricular hypertrophy.ResultsTwo single nucleotide polymorphisms previously associated with left ventricular hypertrophy were significant: rs17132261: OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.10-3.73, p-value 0.02 and rs2292462: OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.93 and p-value 2.26x10-3. Meta-analysis confirmed rs17132261 and rs2292462 were associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (p=1.03x10-8 and p=5.86x10-10 respectively) and one single nucleotide polymorphisms in IGF1R (rs4966014) became genome wide significant upon meta-analysis although was not significant in our study. Gene scoring based on published single nucleotide polymorphisms also predicted left ventricular hypertrophy in our study.Rs17132261, within SLC25A46, encodes a mitochondrial phosphate transporter, implying abnormal myocardial energetics contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy development. Rs2292462 lies within the obesity-implicated neuromedin B gene. Rs4966014 lies within the IGF1R1 gene. IGF1 signalling is an established factor in cardiac hypertrophy.ConclusionsWe created a resource to study genetics of left ventricular hypertrophy in diabetes and validated our left ventricular hypertrophy phenotype in replicating single nucleotide polymorphisms identified by previous genome wide association studies investigating left ventricular hypertrophy.

Cross-Cultural Collaboration as Community Growth and Integration: Children’s Music Projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Scotland

This paper constitutes a reflective account of inclusive approaches in two children’s music projects, both aiming to foster group creativity alongside cross-cultural awareness and understanding. The first of these projects involved sharing songs composed by children and young people from a special needs school in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a primary school choir in Edinburgh, Scotland. The second project, in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, focused on group song-writing and performance involving three groups of children from ethnically separated schools, alongside a choir from a school for children with visual impairments. On reflection, we discuss cross-cultural musical collaboration as an effective means of bringing children together across social and cultural divides in order to share new experiences while building respect for differences. We hope projects such as these may represent the first step towards the ultimate goal of encouraging and nurturing more inclusive friendships between children who might not otherwise have opportunities to interact with each other.

‘Exactly what do you mean by consistency?’ Exploring concepts of consistency and standards in Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland

Scotland, in common with many other countries internationally, has paid considerable attention to the development of assessment for learning. Currently, schools in Scotland are engaged in a major programme of curriculum and assessment reform, entitled Curriculum for Excellence. As part of the reform process, there is concern amongst practitioners, researchers and policy-makers about ‘consistency’ and ‘standards’. In this article, we explore international issues of consistency and standards through a Scottish lens. In particular, we focus on how standards, and the idea of consistency of judgements and standards, are understood and applied in practice. We draw on international research and policy, and reflect on how that evidence relates to the findings from a recent government-funded research project in Scotland, ‘Assessment at Transition’. We conclude by identifying what the different communities need to do to help build an integrated, assessment-capable system that will be sustainable in the longer term.

A genome-wide association study implicates the APOE locus in nonpathological cognitive ageing

Cognitive decline is a feared aspect of growing old. It is a major contributor to lower quality of life and loss of independence in old age. We investigated the genetic contribution to individual differences in nonpathological cognitive ageing in five cohorts of older adults. We undertook a genome-wide association analysis using 549 692 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3511 unrelated adults in the Cognitive Ageing Genetics in England and Scotland (CAGES) project. These individuals have detailed longitudinal cognitive data from which phenotypes measuring each individual's cognitive changes were constructed. One SNP--rs2075650, located in TOMM40 (translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homolog)--had a genome-wide significant association with cognitive ageing (P=2.5 × 10(-8)). This result was replicated in a meta-analysis of three independent Swedish cohorts (P=2.41 × 10(-6)). An Apolipoprotein E (APOE) haplotype (adjacent to TOMM40), previously associated with cognitive ageing, had a significant effect on cognitive ageing in the CAGES sample (P=2.18 × 10(-8); females, P=1.66 × 10(-11); males, P=0.01). Fine SNP mapping of the TOMM40/APOE region identified both APOE (rs429358; P=3.66 × 10(-11)) and TOMM40 (rs11556505; P=2.45 × 10(-8)) as loci that were associated with cognitive ageing. Imputation and conditional analyses in the discovery and replication cohorts strongly suggest that this effect is due to APOE (rs429358). Functional genomic analysis indicated that SNPs in the TOMM40/APOE region have a functional, regulatory non-protein-coding effect. The APOE region is significantly associated with nonpathological cognitive ageing. The identity and mechanism of one or multiple causal variants remain unclear.

Trends and issues in delivery of integrated catchment scale river restoration: Lessons learned from a national river restoration survey within Scotland

ABSTRACTThis paper provides data on the changing character of river restoration within one country within a single policy and legislative framework. The information gathered was based on web searches, meetings and questionnaire responses with organizations and individuals working as environmental policy developers, stakeholders and practitioners of catchment management and river restoration. The paper utilizes this information to explore generic issues promoting and constraining a move to integrated catchment scale river restoration. Catchment scale river restoration was defined as ‘any river restoration activity that singly, or in combination, restores natural catchment processes and a naturally functioning ecosystem and brings benefit or environmental services to the whole catchment and not just to the site of restoration’.The river restoration project data compiled showed that the number of projects in Scotland is on a strong upward trajectory, but the number of catchment scale projects is still limited. The data also showed a trend towards a range of underpinning reasons for river restoration. Traditionally the reasons for river restoration in Scotland have been strongly fisheries focussed, with another key driver being biodiversity conservation. Sustainable flood management and climate change adaptation are seen as emerging drivers of river restoration. In terms of the individuals interviewed, most appreciated that river restoration can bring about multiple benefits and should be underpinned by a good understanding of catchment processes.Our overall assertion based on our study is that unless there is a fundamental paradigm shift, a change in the nature and level of funding for river restoration and a single organization is given overall authority to direct river restoration. ‘business as usual’ will continue and the benefits of catchment scale river restoration will be limited. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Changing the face of the Scottish teaching profession? The experiences of refugee teachers

The Refugees Into Teaching in Scotland (RITeS) project has been funded by the Scottish government since 2006 to offer support and guidance to refugee teachers in Scotland. A research study aligned with the RITeS project took place from 2007–2008, funded by the West of Scotland Wider Access Forum. The research was managed by a multi-partner group of researchers from higher and further education institutions, local authorities and professional bodies.1 Through in-depth interviews with a sample of refugee teachers in the West of Scotland, the research project explored key differences in educational systems, curricula and pedagogies between countries of origin and Scotland. Bernstein's insights concerning educational message systems were helpful in understanding the data. This paper focuses on the findings from the interviews, analysing experience, expertise, differences and similarities and barriers faced by refugees attempting to move into teaching in Scotland, as well as exploring their hopes for the future. The paper argues for the importance of overcoming such barriers in order to enable a more linguistically and culturally diverse teaching profession in Scotland. Although the paper draws from the specific context of teaching in Scotland, it also demonstrates relevance to wider international issues of migration, diversity, and globalisation.

Rolling Out Anti-social Behaviour Families Projects in England and Scotland: Analysing the Rhetoric and Practice of Policy Transfer

In both Scotland and England, reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and building a culture of respect are key central government priorities. Accordingly, since 1997 both jurisdictions have seen the introduction of a raft of punitive legislation. Over recent years, however, there have been signs that the official ASB agenda has shifted away from a reliance on ‘enforcement measures’ towards a more balanced approach incorporating measures to address the underlying causes of problem behaviour. With their emphasis on ‘whole family’ approaches and parenting interventions, ASB family projects, pioneered by the Dundee Families Project (DFP), are seen to respond to official concerns about social exclusion and have been promoted as an effective and sustainable response to ASB. In both Scottish and English jurisdictions official endorsement of the DFP model has been marked by government-funded programmes to ‘roll out’ this concept more widely. Drawing on findings from a recent evaluation of ASB family projects operating in Scotland combined with scrutiny of evidence from a number of English studies, this article explores, in a comparative manner, the differences and similarities in the policy discourses and models of practice employed by Scottish and English projects. More specifically, we critically appraise the role played by sanctions in evoking service user engagement.

Weather radar to predict exceedances of faecal coliforms

Weather radar data have been used in a project in Scotland to develop a methodology to improve real-time predictions of faecal coliform concentrations in bathing waters. Poor bathing water quality, characterised by high faecal coliform concentrations, is primarily caused by pollutants mobilised during wet weather in river and urban drainage catchments discharging close to beaches. This paper reports on a study carried out with data for two sites in western Scotland, Irvine and Saltcoats, where good quality radar data and a high number of water quality samples exist. The analysis shows that radar data improve on rain-gauge data in their ability to predict water quality at the beach for one site and are marginally poorer than rain-gauge data at the other site. This is an innovative use of weather radar within a system for managing water quality and points the way for similar approaches to meet the challenge of the European Union's bathing water and water framework directives.