http://hdl.handle.net/1893/29854 Electronic copies of Biological and Environmental Sciences working papers. 2026-09-25T08:44:22Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/37713 Title: The effect of host population genetic diversity on variation in metrics of parasite success Author(s): Paplauskas, Sam; Duthie, Brad; Tinsley, Matthew Abstract: Conventional wisdom suggests that populations with lower levels of genetic diversity are at a greater risk of the more harmful effects of disease. However, previous attempts to qualify this proposition have focused on measuring the mean, rather than the variability, in metrics of parasite success. Since the ability of host population genetic diversity to limit the spread of disease requires some specificity between hosts and parasites, and the benefits of host population genetic diversity in resistance to infection may depend on the respective parasite population genetic diversity, we propose a diversity-uncertainty model which predicts that the mean and variability in parasite success depend on a combination of host range and parasite population genetic diversity. By re-analyzing a dataset combining 48 studies collected by previous meta-analyses, we show that the effect of host population genetic diversity reduces the mean success of single-host, but not host generalist, parasites. We find evidence for our original hypothesis that the variability of parasite success depends on a combination of host population genetic diversity, parasite population genetic diversity and host range. Together, these results challenge conventional wisdom and have important implications for how genetic diversity can be better managed in host populations. 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/37316 Title: Evidence review to support the development of a Wellbeing Economy strategy in Scotland Author(s): McCartney, Gerry; Hill O'Connor, Clemmie; Laughlin, Sue; Robertson, Anthony; Bunse, Lukas; Crighton, Matthew; McLeod, Ailenn; Cochrane, Phoebe; Stuart, Francis; Black, Iain; McMaster, Robert Abstract: First paragraph: The Scottish Government published its 10-year National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) in 2022. The NSET set out an ambition to create a Wellbeing Economy, but NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) who advocate for a Wellbeing Economy and environmental sustainability were critical both of the contents of the NSET, and the process used to create it. This paper seeks to provide a review of evidence to better inform the future development of economic strategy in Scotland, and rebalance the advice the original NSET was based upon, such that it might have a better chance of realising a Wellbeing Economy in the future. 2025-01-03T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/29860 Title: Geo-Archaeological Assessment of Foundation Fills, Kasthamandap, Nepal Author(s): Simpson, Ian A; Kelly, Lois; Kinnaird, Tim; Graham, Callum; Coningham, Robin; Davis, Chris; Acharya, Kosh; Kunwar, Ram; Mirnig, Nina Abstract: First paragraph: On 25th April 2015 at 11.56 the Gorkha earthquake, magnitude 7.8, struck Nepal resulting in widespread devastation, loss of life and disruption of livelihoods in the Kathmandu Valley (Coningham et al., 2015). This human and cultural disaster had far-reaching social consequences and destroyed or substantially damaged the seven sites of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). This aspect of the disaster is universally significant as these sites are 'exceptional testimony to the traditional civilisations of the Kathmandu Valley’ and contribute significantly to the understanding of South Asian cultural heritage more broadly (UNESCO, 2017). The loss and damage of these sites also has great local significance, as worship in these living monuments is an important part of local daily religious practices in Nepali cultural and fundamental to the lives of thousands. 2019-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/29859 Title: Geochronologies from the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site: Optically Stimulated Luminescence measurement of monument foundation sediments and radiocarbon measurement of timbers Author(s): Kinnaird, Tim C; Simpson, Ian A Abstract: Nepal was struck by two major earthquakes on the 25th April and the 12th May 2015, which devastated large areas of the county, with substantial loss of life and livelihoods, and destroying both rural and urban infrastructure and property. The earthquakes and associated aftershocks damaged and destroyed much of Nepal’s unique cultural heritage, including monuments within the Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Universal Outstanding Value. These damaged monuments are currently subject to a major program of consultation, reconstruction and conservation. As part of this, geoarchaeological investigations are underway on the foundation sediments of the collapsed monuments within the damaged Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka and Bhaktapur and the temple complex of Pashupati. This report summaries: a) the OSL investigations on foundation sediments to the Changu Narayan and Vatsala Temples (Bhaktapur) and Jaisideval, Kathamandap, Pashupati and Trailokya Mohan Temples (Kathmandu; Table 1).; b) the radiocarbon measurements from timbers salvanged from the Kasthsmandap monument. 2019-05-01T00:00:00Z