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1.
  • Neves, Ana Luisa, et al. (författare)
  • Determinants of the Use of Health and Fitness Mobile Apps by Patients With Asthma : Secondary Analysis of Observational Studies
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 23:9
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background: Health and fitness apps have potential benefits to improve self-management and disease control among patients with asthma. However, inconsistent use rates have been reported across studies, regions, and health systems. A better understanding of the characteristics of users and nonusers is critical to design solutions that are effectively integrated in patients' daily lives, and to ensure that these equitably reach out to different groups of patients, thus improving rather than entrenching health inequities. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of general health and fitness apps by patients with asthma and to identify determinants of usage. Methods: A secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS observational studies was conducted using data from face-to-face visits. Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were included between November 2017 and August 2020. Individual-level data were collected, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, health status, presence of anxiety and depression, postcode, socioeconomic level, digital literacy, use of health services, and use of health and fitness apps. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the probability of being a health and fitness app user. Statistical analysis was performed in R. Results: A total of 526 patients attended a face-to-face visit in the 49 recruiting centers and 514 had complete data. Most participants were <= 40 years old (66.4%), had at least 10 years of education (57.4%), and were in the 3 higher quintiles of the socioeconomic deprivation index (70.1%). The majority reported an overall good health status (visual analogue scale [VAS] score>70 in 93.1%) and the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34.3% and 11.9%, respectively. The proportion of participants who reported using health and fitness mobile apps was 41.1% (n=211). Multivariate models revealed that single individuals and those with more than 10 years of education are more likely to use health and fitness mobile apps (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 95%CI 1.05-4.75 and aOR 1.95, 95%CI 1.12-3.45, respectively). Higher digital literacy scores were also associated with higher odds of being a user of health and fitness apps, with participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles reporting aORs of 6.74 (95%CI 2.90-17.40), 10.30 (95%CI 4.28-27.56), and 11.52 (95%CI 4.78-30.87), respectively. Participants with depression symptoms had lower odds of using health and fitness apps (aOR 0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.83). Conclusions: A better understanding of the barriers and enhancers of app use among patients with lower education, lower digital literacy, or depressive symptoms is key to design tailored interventions to ensure a sustained and equitable use of these technologies. Future studies should also assess users' general health-seeking behavior and their interest and concerns specifically about digital tools. These factors may impact both initial engagement and sustained use.
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2.
  • Amaral, Rita, et al. (författare)
  • Profiling Persistent Asthma Phenotypes in Adolescents : A Longitudinal Diagnostic Evaluation from the INSPIRERS Studies
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:3
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • We aimed to identify persistent asthma phenotypes among adolescents and to evaluate longitudinally asthma-related outcomes across phenotypes. Adolescents (13-17 years) from the prospective, observational, and multicenter INSPIRERS studies, conducted in Portugal and Spain, were included (n = 162). Latent class analysis was applied to demographic, environmental, and clinical variables, collected at a baseline medical visit. Longitudinal differences in clinical variables were assessed at a 4-month follow-up telephone contact (n = 128). Three classes/phenotypes of persistent asthma were identified. Adolescents in class 1 (n = 87) were highly symptomatic at baseline and presented the highest number of unscheduled healthcare visits per month and exacerbations per month, both at baseline and follow-up. Class 2 (n = 32) was characterized by female predominance, more frequent obesity, and uncontrolled upper/lower airways symptoms at baseline. At follow-up, there was a significant increase in the proportion of controlled lower airway symptoms (p < 0.001). Class 3 (n = 43) included mostly males with controlled lower airways symptoms; at follow-up, while keeping symptom control, there was a significant increase in exacerbations/month (p = 0.015). We have identified distinct phenotypes of persistent asthma in adolescents with different patterns in longitudinal asthma-related outcomes, supporting the importance of profiling asthma phenotypes in predicting disease outcomes that might inform targeted interventions and reduce future risk.
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3.
  • Jacome, Cristina, et al. (författare)
  • Monitoring Adherence to Asthma Inhalers Using the InspirerMundi App : Analysis of Real-World, Medium-Term Feasibility Studies
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Frontiers in Medical Technology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2673-3129. ; 3
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. InspirerMundi app aims to monitor inhaler adherence while turning it into a positive experience through gamification and social support.Objective: We assessed the medium-term feasibility of the InspirerMundi app to monitor inhaler adherence in real-world patients with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). In addition, we attempted to identify the characteristics of the patients related to higher app use.Methods: Two real-world multicenter observational studies, with one initial face-to-face visit and a 4-month telephone interview, were conducted in 29 secondary care centers from Portugal. During an initial face-to-face visit, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients took a photo of the medication (inhaler, blister, or others) using the image-based medication detection tool. Medication adherence was calculated as the number of doses taken as a percentage of the number scheduled. Interacting with the app =30 days was used as the cut-off for higher app use.Results: A total of 114 patients {median 20 [percentile 25 to percentile 75 (P25-P75) 16-36] years, 62% adults} were invited, 107 (94%) installed the app and 83 (73%) completed the 4-month interview. Patients interacted with the app for a median of 18 [3-45] days, translated on a median use rate of 15 [3-38]%. Median inhaler adherence assessed through the app was 34 [4-73]% when considering all scheduled inhalations for the study period. Inhaler adherence assessed was not significantly correlated with self-reported estimates. Median adherence for oral and other medication was 41 [6-83]% and 43 [3-73]%, respectively. Patients with higher app use were slightly older (p = 0.012), more frequently taking medication for other health conditions (p = 0.040), and more frequently prescribed long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA, p = 0.024). After 4 months, Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) scores improved (p < 0.001), but no differences between patients interacting with the app for 30 days or less were seen.Conclusions: The InspirerMundi app was feasible to monitor inhaler adherence in patients with persistent asthma. The persistent use of this mHealth technology varies widely. A better understanding of characteristics related to higher app use is still needed before effectiveness studies are undertaken.
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4.
  • Proletov, Ian, et al. (författare)
  • Primary and secondary glomerulonephritides 1.
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2385. ; 29 Suppl 3:May, s. 186-200
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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5.
  • Boulet, Anne Karine, et al. (författare)
  • Agro-ecological services delivered by legume cover crops grown in succession with grain corn crops in the Mediterranean region
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: OPEN AGRICULTURE. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 2391-9531. ; 6:1, s. 609-626
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Grain corn is the main cereal produced in Portugal. It is grown in intensive monoculture cropping systems that may have negative effects on soil quality, affecting long-term fertility and productivity, and, therefore, the sustainability of the production. A promising management practice to mitigate soil degradation is to grow winter cover crops used as green manure. This study examined the effectiveness of six legume cover crops (LCCs) species in providing agro-ecological services for grain corn systems in the Mediterranean region, specifically in terms of nutrient leaching, nutrient recycling, weed control, and soil fertility. The study was performed in Central Portugal during 2 years, and it assessed legumes/weeds dry biomass yield, their nutrients content, and soil organic matter evolution. Results show that, in general, LCC are well adapted to Mediterranean conditions, yielding large amounts of biomass (up to 8 ton/ha for some clover species). In terms of nutrient leaching mitigation, the overall N-P-K nutrient uptake was 176-20-172 kg/ha. Green manure services enabled a reduction of 35% of N, 50% of P, and 100% of mineral fertilizers for a grain corn production of 12 ton/ha. Weed control by LCC was effective only in the second year of the study and for three clover species (crimson, balansa, and arrowleaf) due to their early establishment and/or high biomass production competing with weeds. Soil fertility was not improved in the short term, LCC incorporation into the soil to a slight depletion of the soil organic matter content.
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6.
  • Boulet, Anne-Karine, et al. (författare)
  • Hydrological Processes in Eucalypt and Pine Forested Headwater Catchments within Mediterranean Region
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Water. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4441. ; 13:10
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Mediterranean headwater catchments have experienced major land-use changes in recent centuries, namely characterized by afforestation with fast-growing tree species (e.g., pine and eucalyptus). This paper investigates differences in the hydrological response of two forested catchments with distinct Pinus pinaster Aiton (PIN) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (EUC) covers over 6 hydrological years, from 2010 to 2016. The study was developed in paired catchments located in North-Central Portugal, under wet Mediterranean climate and schist bedrock. Based on rainfall and streamflow measurements, the hydrological responses were analyzed through the water-balance calculations, rainfall-runoff event analyses, and correlations between rainfall characteristics, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, overland flow, and land-cover parameters. The study period recorded a wide range of annual rainfall, between 984 and 2127 mm per years. The annual streamflow displayed greater inter-annual variation, from 208 to 1430 mm for PIN and from 217 to 1291 mm for EUC. The runoff coefficient was higher in the wettest years, with a maximum of 58% for PIN and 61% for EUC, and decreased substantially in the driest year, representing only 17% of the rainfall in PIN and 22% in EUC. Rainfall was predominant during the winter season (41%), followed by autumn (30%) and spring (24%). The streamflow displayed a seasonal behavior in both catchments, with higher runoff coefficient for EUC that for PIN. Half of the annual streamflow occurs during the winter, with the highest average runoff coefficient attained for EUC and PIN respectively being 68% and 64% of the rainfall amount. Annual evapotranspiration was relatively constant through the six years of study and showed higher average values in PIN (907 mm) than EUC (739 mm), highlighting the importance of forest type and showing that mature pine plantations lead to higher water consumption than eucalypt stands. Annual rainfall amount affects evapotranspiration rate (%), the percentage of ET increasing from 37% to 78% for PIN and from 34% to 73% for EUC between the wettest and the driest years, which raises concerns regarding the impact of climate changes on water availability in the mountain areas of the Mediterranean region.
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7.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., et al. (författare)
  • Effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions in Mitigating Flood Hazard in a Mediterranean Peri-Urban Catchment
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Water. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4441. ; 12:10
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Urbanization alters natural hydrological processes and enhances runoff, which affects flood hazard. Interest in nature-based solutions (NBS) for sustainable mitigation and adaptation to urban floods is growing, but the magnitudes of NBS effects are still poorly investigated. This study explores the potential of NBS for flood hazard mitigation in a small peri-urban catchment in central Portugal, prone to flash floods driven by urbanization and short but intense rainfall events typical of the Mediterranean region. Flood extent and flood depth are assessed by manually coupling the hydrologic HEC-HMS and hydraulic HEC-RAS models. The coupled model was run for single rainfall events with recurrence periods of 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-years, considering four simulation scenarios: current conditions (without NBS), and with an upslope NBS, a downslope NBS, and a combination of both. The model-simulation approach provides good estimates of flood magnitude (NSE = 0.91, RMSE = 0.08, MAE = 0.07, R-2 = 0.93), and shows that diverting streamflow into abandoned fields has positive impacts in mitigating downslope flood hazard. The implementation of an upslope NBS can decrease the water depth at the catchment outlet by 0.02 m, whereas a downslope NBS can reduce it from 0.10 m to 0.23 m for increasing return periods. Combined upslope and downslope NBS have a marginal additional impact in reducing water depth, ranging from 0.11 m to 0.24 m for 10- and 100-year floods. Decreases in water depth provided by NBS are useful in flood mitigation and adaptation within the peri-urban catchment. A network of NBS, rather than small isolated strategies, needs to be created for efficient flood-risk management at a larger scale.
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8.
  • Kalantari, Zahra, et al. (författare)
  • URBANIZATION DEVELOPMENT UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE : HYDROLOGICAL RESPONSES IN A PERI-URBAN MEDITERRANEAN CATCHMENT
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Land Degradation and Development. - : Wiley. - 1085-3278 .- 1099-145X. ; 28:7, s. 2207-2221
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Relatively few studies have so far investigated the hydrological impacts of urbanization in Mediterranean catchments, and particularly in peri-urban catchments experiencing relatively rapid and large changes in their land-use mosaic. This study uses data-based model simulations to investigate such impacts, with the Ribeira dos Covoes catchment in Portugal as a concrete Mediterranean peri-urban catchment example. We distinguish the impacts of urbanization from those of climatic change on the water flux partitioning and connectivity in the catchment over the period 1958-2013. Decrease in precipitation over this period has primarily driven decreases in annual runoff and actual evapotranspiration, while the urbanization development has primarily changed the relative flux partitioning and connectivity pattern in the catchment. The relative contribution of overland flow to annual and seasonal runoff has increased, keeping the absolute overland flow more or less intact, while the baseflow contribution to the stream network has decreased. Methodologically, the present simulation approach provides a relevant means for distinguishing main drivers of change in hydrological flux partitioning and connectivity under concurrent urbanization and climatic changes.
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9.
  • Kennedy, Patrick J., et al. (författare)
  • Fab-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles effectively target cancer cells expressing human CD44v6
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: Acta Biomaterialia. - : Elsevier BV. - 1742-7061 .- 1878-7568. ; 81, s. 208-218
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Targeting of CD44 isoforms containing exon v6 (CD44v6) represents a viable strategy for the therapy and/or early diagnosis of metastatic cancers of the epithelium (e.g. gastric and colorectal cancer). We developed and characterized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticles (NPs) modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and engrafted, by site-directed conjugation, with an engineered human Fab that specifically target human CD44v6 (v6 Fab-PLGA NPs). The v6 Fab-PLGA NPs displayed spherical morphology around 300 nm and were negatively charged. They strongly bound to a CD44v6-derived peptide and, more importantly, to cells that endogenously and exogenously express CD44v6, but not to non expressing cells and cells expressing the standard isoform of CD44. The v6 Fab-PLGA NPs also recognized CD44v6 in tumor sections from cells grown subcutaneously within mice. The NPs had nominal cytotoxicity at 50 mu g/mL and withstood simulated intestinal fluid exposure. Interestingly, v6 Fab-PLGA NPs cryopreserved in 10% trehalose and stored maintained specific cell binding. In conclusion, we envision NPs targeting CD44v6 as potential in vivo diagnostic agents and/or as anti-cancer agents in patients previously stratified with CD44v6(+) carcinomas. Statement of Significance The v6 Fab-PLGA NPs displayed many favorable qualities as a potential CD44v6-targeted drug and/or diagnostic delivery agent. The NPs were designed for optimal ligand orientation and for immediate administration into humans. v6 Fab-PLGA NPs strongly bound to cells that endogenously and exogenously express CD44v6, but not to non-expressing cells and cells expressing the standard isoform of CD44. Binding ability was retained after freeze-drying and long-term storage, providing evidences on the stability of Fab-functionalized NPs. These NPs can potentially be used as an in vivo diagnostic from parenteral or oral/rectal administration.
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10.
  • Pedro, Joana Reis, et al. (författare)
  • Transient gain of function of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the control of frontocortical glucose consumption in a rat model of Type-1 diabetes
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Brain Research Bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 0361-9230. ; 161, s. 106-115
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Here we aimed to unify some previous controversial reports on changes in both cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) expression and glucose metabolism in the forebrain of rodent models of diabetes. We determined how glucose metabolism and its modulation by CB1R ligands evolve in the frontal cortex of young adult male Wistar rats, in the first 8 weeks of streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes (T1D). We report that frontocortical CB1R protein density was biphasically altered in the first month of T1D, which was accompanied with a reduction of resting glucose uptake ex vivo in acute frontocortical slices that was normalized after eight weeks in T1D. This early reduction of glucose uptake in slices was also restored by ex vivo treatment with both the non-selective CB1R agonists, WIN55212−2 (500 nM) and the CB1R-selective agonist, ACEA (3 μM) while it was exacerbated by the CB1R-selective antagonist, O-2050 (500 nM). These results suggest a gain-of-function for the cerebrocortical CB1Rs in the control of glucose uptake in diabetes. Although insulin and IGF-1 receptor protein densities remained unaffected, phosphorylated GSKα and GSKβ levels showed different profiles 2 and 8 weeks after T1D induction in the frontal cortex. Altogether, the biphasic response in frontocortical CB1R density within a month after T1D induction resolves previous controversial reports on forebrain CB1R levels in T1D rodent models. Furthermore, this study also hints that cannabinoids may be useful to alleviate impaired glucoregulation in the diabetic cortex.
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11.
  • Pinto, Luís Valença, et al. (författare)
  • Assessment of NBS Impact on Pluvial Flood Regulation Within Urban Areas : A Case Study in Coimbra, Portugal
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation. - Cham : Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. - 9783030775056 ; , s. 289-312
  • Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The majority of the world population is living in urban areas. As cities expand, soil sealing increases the vulnerability of urban areas to pluvial floods, and the consequent impacts on social and economic domains. Flood mitigation typically relies on grey infrastructures, but the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can be critical to cope with increasing flood hazard driven by urbanization and climate change. By mimicking natural hydrological processes, NBS enhance water retention, infiltration and evapotranspiration through greening, leading to lower runoff and flood hazard. The effectiveness of NBS on flood mitigation is affected by several factors including the type of NBS and the biophysical characteristics of the area. Nevertheless, a relatively limited number of studies have monitored the impact of NBS, and thus the lack of knowledge is still a barrier to the widespread implementation of this approach. This chapter assesses the impact of a Green Infrastructure (GI) located in Coimbra (Portugal), which performs as a NBS for runoff management and flood hazard mitigation. The study applies the widely used Curve Number method to estimate runoff within the Quinta de São Jerónimo study site, driven by rainfall events of 2-, 5-, 10- and 20-years recurrence, based on Intensity–Duration–Frequency precipitation curves. The results show that the implemented NBS can retain runoff produced by 20-years flood, decreasing the flood peak and flood hazard in downstream urban areas. This efficiency is achieved by combining blue, green and grey elements, and proved useful to enhance urban resilience. Furthermore, the green and blue elements of the NBS provide additional ecosystem services, including environmental, social and economic benefits (co-benefits), relevant for human well-being in urban areas.
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12.
  • Pinto, Luís Valença, et al. (författare)
  • Ecosystem services and well-being dimensions related to urban green spaces - A systematic review
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Sustainable cities and society. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-6707. ; 85
  • Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Urban green spaces (UGS) supply several ecosystem services (ES) key to human wellbeing. In this article, we conducted a systematic review focused on identifying UGS's ES and wellbeing dimensions. From the 3626 articles screened, 218 were used in this review. Most studies were conducted in Europe, China, the United States of America (USA) and South Africa. Among all UGS, parks and gardens were the most investigated, with less of a focus on urban trees, forests, coastal mangroves, golf courses, roadside vegetation, and brownfields/unmanaged urban greenery. Cultural ES were the most studied, although it is well known that UGS also supply many provisioning and regulating ES. Health (mental and physical) and good social relations were the most investigated wellbeing dimensions, and food security received the least attention. Regarding the methodologies used to investigate the UGS contribution to human wellbeing, surveys, indicators, and surveys combined with statistical methods were the most common. Only a few works focusing on spatial modelling were validated, which is critical to ensure the reliability of the spatial models applied to UGS ES studies. Overall, this work identified the research gaps and future perspectives in ES and wellbeing dimensions provided by UGS, key to improving further research.
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13.
  • Razavi, Homie A., et al. (författare)
  • Hepatitis D double reflex testing of all hepatitis B carriers in low-HBV- and high-HBV/HDV-prevalence countries
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 79:2, s. 576-580
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection occurs as a coinfection with hepatitis B and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated cirrhosis, and mortality compared to hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfection. Reliable estimates of the prevalence of HDV infection and disease burden are essential to formulate strategies to find coinfected individuals more effectively and efficiently. The global prevalence of HBV infections was estimated to be 262,240,000 in 2021. Only 1,994,000 of the HBV in-fections were newly diagnosed in 2021, with more than half of the new diagnoses made in China. Our initial estimates indicated a much lower prevalence of HDV antibody (anti-HDV) and HDV RNA positivity than previously reported in published studies. Ac-curate estimates of HDV prevalence are needed. The most effective method to generate estimates of the prevalence of anti-HDV and HDV RNA positivity and to find undiagnosed individuals at the national level is to implement double reflex testing. This re-quires anti-HDV testing of all hepatitis B surface antigen-positive individuals and HDV RNA testing of all anti-HDV-positive in-dividuals. This strategy is manageable for healthcare systems since the number of newly diagnosed HBV cases is low. At the global level, a comprehensive HDV screening strategy would require only 1,994,000 HDV antibody tests and less than 89,000 HDV PCR tests. Double reflex testing is the preferred strategy in countries with a low prevalence of HBV and those with a high prevalence of both HBV and HDV. For example, in the European Union and North America only 35,000 and 22,000 cases, respectively, will require anti-HDV testing annually.
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14.
  • Razavi-Shearer, Devin M., et al. (författare)
  • Adjusted estimate of the prevalence of hepatitis delta virus in 25 countries and territories
  • 2024
  • Ingår i: JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 80:2, s. 232-242
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background & Aims: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a satellite RNA virus that requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for assembly and propagation. Individuals infected with HDV progress to advanced liver disease faster than HBV-monoinfected individuals. Recent studies have estimated the global prevalence of anti-HDV antibodies among the HBV-infected population to be 5-15%. This study aimed to better understand HDV prevalence at the population level in 25 countries/territories. Methods: We conducted a literature review to determine the prevalence of anti-HDV and HDV RNA in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals in 25 countries/territories. Virtual meetings were held with experts from each setting to discuss the findings and collect unpublished data. Data were weighted for patient segments and regional heterogeneity to estimate the prevalence in the HBV-infected population. The findings were then combined with The Polaris Observatory HBV data to estimate the anti-HDV and HDV RNA prevalence in each country/territory at the population level. Results: After adjusting for geographical distribution, disease stage and special populations, the anti-HDV prevalence among the HBsAg+ population changed from the literature estimate in 19 countries. The highest anti-HDV prevalence was 60.1% in Mongolia. Once adjusted for the size of the HBsAg+ population and HDV RNA positivity rate, China had the highest absolute number of HDV RNA+ cases. Conclusions: We found substantially lower HDV prevalence than previously reported, as prior meta-analyses primarily focused on studies conducted in groups/regions that have a higher probability of HBV infection: tertiary care centers, specific risk groups or geographical regions. There is large uncertainty in HDV prevalence estimates. The implementation of reflex testing would improve estimates, while also allowing earlier linkage to care for HDV RNA+ individuals. The logistical and economic burden of reflex testing on the health system would be limited, as only HBsAg+ cases would be screened.
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15.
  • Stanaway, Jeffrey D., et al. (författare)
  • Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: The Lancet. - 1474-547X .- 0140-6736. ; 392:10159, s. 1923-1994
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 comparative risk assessment (CRA) is a comprehensive approach to risk factor quantification that offers a useful tool for synthesising evidence on risks and risk-outcome associations. With each annual GBD study, we update the GBD CRA to incorporate improved methods, new risks and risk-outcome pairs, and new data on risk exposure levels and risk- outcome associations. Methods We used the CRA framework developed for previous iterations of GBD to estimate levels and trends in exposure, attributable deaths, and attributable disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), by age group, sex, year, and location for 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or groups of risks from 1990 to 2017. This study included 476 risk-outcome pairs that met the GBD study criteria for convincing or probable evidence of causation. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from 46 749 randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL), we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We explored the relationship between development and risk exposure by modelling the relationship between the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and risk-weighted exposure prevalence and estimated expected levels of exposure and risk-attributable burden by SDI. Finally, we explored temporal changes in risk-attributable DALYs by decomposing those changes into six main component drivers of change as follows: (1) population growth; (2) changes in population age structures; (3) changes in exposure to environmental and occupational risks; (4) changes in exposure to behavioural risks; (5) changes in exposure to metabolic risks; and (6) changes due to all other factors, approximated as the risk-deleted death and DALY rates, where the risk-deleted rate is the rate that would be observed had we reduced the exposure levels to the TMREL for all risk factors included in GBD 2017.
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16.
  • Abdelnour, Carla, et al. (författare)
  • Parsing heterogeneity within dementia with Lewy bodies using clustering of biological, clinical, and demographic data
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1758-9193. ; 14:1
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) includes various core clinical features that result in different phenotypes. In addition, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular pathologies are common in DLB. All this increases the heterogeneity within DLB and hampers clinical diagnosis. We addressed this heterogeneity by investigating subgroups of patients with similar biological, clinical, and demographic features.Methods: We studied 107 extensively phenotyped DLB patients from the European DLB consortium. Factorial analysis of mixed data (FAMD) was used to identify dimensions in the data, based on sex, age, years of education, disease duration, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of AD biomarkers, core features of DLB, and regional brain atrophy. Subsequently, hierarchical clustering analysis was used to subgroup individuals based on the FAMD dimensions.Results: We identified 3 dimensions using FAMD that explained 38% of the variance. Subsequent hierarchical clustering identified 4 clusters. Cluster 1 was characterized by amyloid-beta and cerebrovascular pathologies, medial temporal atrophy, and cognitive fluctuations. Cluster 2 had posterior atrophy and showed the lowest frequency of visual hallucinations and cognitive fluctuations and the worst cognitive performance. Cluster 3 had the highest frequency of tau pathology, showed posterior atrophy, and had a low frequency of parkinsonism. Cluster 4 had virtually normal AD biomarkers, the least regional brain atrophy and cerebrovascular pathology, and the highest MMSE scores.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there are subgroups of DLB patients with different biological, clinical, and demographic characteristics. These findings may have implications in the diagnosis and prognosis of DLB, as well as in the treatment response in clinical trials.
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17.
  • Ademuyiwa, Adesoji O., et al. (författare)
  • Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2059-7908. ; 1:4
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background: Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.Methods: Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.Results: This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.Conclusions: Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.
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18.
  • Alaoui, Abdallah, et al. (författare)
  • An Overview of Sustainability Assessment Frameworks in Agriculture
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Land. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-445X. ; 11:4
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Recent research established a link between environmental alterations due to agriculture intensification, social damage and the loss of economic growth. Thus, the integration of environmental and social dimensions is key for economic development. In recent years, several frameworks have been proposed to assess the overall sustainability of farms. Nevertheless, the myriad of existing frameworks and the variety of indicators result in difficulties in selecting the most appropriate framework for study site application. This manuscript aims to: (i) understand the criteria to select appropriate frameworks and summarize the range of those being used to assess sustainability; (ii) identify the available frameworks to assess agricultural sustainability; and (iii) analyze the strengths, weaknesses and applicability of each framework. Six frameworks, namely SAFA, RISE, MASC, LADA, SMART and public goods (PG), were identified. Results show that SMART is the framework that considers, in a balanced way, the environmental, sociocultural and economic dimensions of sustainability, whereas others focused on the environmental (RISE), environmental and economic (PG) and sociocultural (SAFA) dimension. However, depending on the scale assessment, sector of application and the sustainability completeness intended, all frameworks are suitable for the assessment. We present a decision tree to help future users understand the best option for their objective. 
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19.
  • Aliabad, Fahime Arabi, et al. (författare)
  • Investigating the Ability to Identify New Constructions in Urban Areas Using Images from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Google Earth, and Sentinel-2
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Remote Sensing. - : MDPI. - 2072-4292. ; 14:13
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • One of the main problems in developing countries is unplanned urban growth and land use change. Timely identification of new constructions can be a good solution to mitigate some environmental and social problems. This study examined the possibility of identifying new constructions in urban areas using images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), Google Earth and Sentinel-2. The accuracy of the land cover map obtained using these images was investigated using pixel-based processing methods (maximum likelihood, minimum distance, Mahalanobis, spectral angle mapping (SAM)) and object-based methods (Bayes, support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest-neighbor (KNN), decision tree, random forest). The use of DSM to increase the accuracy of classification of UAV images and the use of NDVI to identify vegetation in Sentinel-2 images were also investigated. The object-based KNN method was found to have the greatest accuracy in classifying UAV images (kappa coefficient = 0.93), and the use of DSM increased the classification accuracy by 4%. Evaluations of the accuracy of Google Earth images showed that KNN was also the best method for preparing a land cover map using these images (kappa coefficient = 0.83). The KNN and SVM methods showed the highest accuracy in preparing land cover maps using Sentinel-2 images (kappa coefficient = 0.87 and 0.85, respectively). The accuracy of classification was not increased when using NDVI due to the small percentage of vegetation cover in the study area. On examining the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods, a novel method for identifying new rural constructions was devised. This method uses only one UAV imaging per year to determine the exact position of urban areas with no constructions and then examines spectral changes in related Sentinel-2 pixels that might indicate new constructions in these areas. On-site observations confirmed the accuracy of this method.
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20.
  • Aliabad, Fahime Arabi, et al. (författare)
  • Use of Landsat 8 and UAV Images to Assess Changes in Temperature and Evapotranspiration by Economic Trees following Foliar Spraying with Light-Reflecting Compounds
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Remote Sensing. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-4292. ; 14:23
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Pistachio is an important economic crop in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. A major problem leading to a reduction in crop quality and reduced marketability is extreme air temperature in summer, which causes sunburn of pistachio leaves and fruit. A solution proposed to deal with the negative effects of high temperatures and increase water consumption efficiency in pistachio orchards is use of light-reflecting compounds. This study investigated the effect of foliar application of gypsum, sulfur, and NAX-95 (calcium-based suspension coating) to trees in a pistachio orchard (150 ha) in central Iran. The effect of these foliar products is assessed at plot scale, using control plots sprayed with calcium sulfate, based on temperature and evapotranspiration changes analyzed through remote sensing. Landsat 8 sensor images and RGB images collected by UAVs (spatial resolution of 30 m and 20 cm, respectively), on the same dates, before and after foliar spray application, were merged using the PCA method and bilinear interpolation re-sampling. Land surface temperature (LST) was then estimated using the split-window algorithm, and daily evapotranspiration using the surface energy balance algorithm for land (SEBAL) algorithm. A land use map was prepared and used to isolate pistachio trees in the field and assess weed cover, whose effect was not accounted. The results showed that temperature remained constant in the control plot between the spraying dates, indicating no environmental changes. In the main plots, gypsum had the greatest effect in reducing the temperature of pistachio trees. The plots with foliar spraying with gypsum displayed a mean tree temperature (47–48 °C) decrease of 3.3 °C in comparison with the control plots (>49 °C), leading to an average decline in evapotranspiration of 0.18 mm/day. NAX-95 and sulfur reduced tree temperature by on average 1.3 °C and 0.6 °C, respectively. Thus, gypsum is the most suitable foliar-spraying compound to lower the temperature of pistachio trees, reduce the water requirement, and increase crop productivity.
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21.
  • An, Yiming, et al. (författare)
  • Temporal changes on soil conservation services in large basins across the world
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Catena (Cremlingen. Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0341-8162 .- 1872-6887. ; 209
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Soil erosion is one of the main drivers of land degradation across the world, thus soil conservation service has received increasing attention. Limited studies have focused on it, hence this study investigates spatial and temporal patterns on soil conservation service in four large representative basins globally (i.e., Amazon, Mississippi, Yangtze, and Yellow River Basins), between 2001 and 2018. Annual soil conservation service and soil erosion rate are estimated under RUSLE framework, and temporal trends are analyzed using Mann-Kendall test. Additionally, impacts of soil erosion factors on spatial distribution of soil conservation service are assessed through fitting stepwise regressions annually and calculating the factors' contributions. Furthermore, driving factors of temporal changes are identified as climate or land cover dominated, and combined effect of both, according to Z scores from Mann-Kendall test for soil conservation service, R and C factors. Results show the Yangtze River Basin produces the highest average annual erosion rate (mean values of 133.28 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2001 and 143.21 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2018) and average soil conservation service (mean values of 2663.57 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2001 and 3126.43 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2018). Amazon River Basin yields the lowest average annual soil erosion rate (15.96 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2001 and 21.30 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2018), whereas the Mississippi River Basin produces the lowest average soil conservation service (388.48 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2001 and 730.70 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) in 2018). Over the study period, soil conservation service shows an increasing trend in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins, with average changing rates of 27.23 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) and 16.60 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively. Increasing soil conservation service is mainly driven by climate change (i.e., rainfall) and the combined effect of climate and land cover changes, but terrain conditions are the main spatial drivers.
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22.
  • Bai, Xiaohang, et al. (författare)
  • Precipitation drives the floristic composition and diversity of temperate grasslands in China
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Global Ecology and Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 2351-9894. ; 32
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Effects of environmental factors on plant diversity in temperate grasslands are of interest since experiments have found plant diversity is related to ecosystem function. Although previous studies have focused on the effects of environmental factors on plant diversity, the dominant environmental factors driving diversity differences among plant community types in temperate grasslands at regional scale remains unclear. We established 38 sampling sites (45 m x 45 m) in the main distribution areas of temperate grasslands to analyze the responses of plant community along different environmental gradients and identifies the dominant environmental factors driving the floristic composition and diversity in Inner Mongolia, China. In addition, environmental variables (annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, altitude, disturbance intensity, soil pH, soil density, soil water content, soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus, soil calcium carbonate), species diversity indices (richness, heterogeneity, evenness), functional diversity indices (abundance, evenness, divergence, dispersion) and plant biomass were analyzed. A total of 179 vascular plant species belonging to 43 families and 113 genera were recorded and classified into six plant community types (Stipa grandis community, Leymus chinensis community, Stipa capillata community, Artemisia frigida community, Cleistogenes squarrosa community, Artemisia halodendron community) based on Ward's agglomerative hierarchical clustering. According to canonical correspondence analysis and Monte Carlo permutation test, mean annual precipitation was the dominant environmental factor driving temperate grasslands, promoting species richness, heterogeneity, evenness, functional divergence and biomass. Soil organic carbon, water content and total nitrogen played positive effects on species diversity, meanwhile, mean annual temperature, altitude, grazing intensity and soil pH inhibited species diversity, functional abundance, dispersion and biomass. Furthermore, the presence of these plant communities dominated by Cleistogenes squarrosa and Artemisia halodendron indicate that grassland degradation is imminent or has already begun. In summary, our results provide evidence on the responses of composition, functional traits and biomass among different plant community types to environmental factors and demonstrate that precipitation is the dominant factors driving the floristic composition and diversity in temperate grasslands.
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23.
  • Bai, Xiaohang, et al. (författare)
  • Reducing plant community variability and improving resilience for sustainable restoration of temperate grassland
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 207
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Grassland ecosystem is important for the realization of the global sustainable development goals (e.g. Goal 15) since it provides irreplaceable services for human beings, supporting human health and sustainable development. Most studies have focused on improving grassland restoration techniques, but less attention has been paid to grassland ecosystem stability in succession. Plant community stability of temperate grassland in arid and semi-arid regions is analyzed through 38 sampling sites in Inner Mongolia, China. The degradation succession sequence of grassland is established by principal component analysis, and the species diversity and functional diversity along degradation gradient analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis. The results show that (1) functional diversity has higher explanatory power for community stability than species diversity due to the functional dispersion of plant traits; (2) climate factors rather than grazing or soil control plant community diversity and stability at regional scale; (3) the resistance of plant community does not change in degradation succession, but the trade-off effect of stability components in different plant communities differ, such as the order of trade-off effects (e.g. community resilience (ET)＞community resistance (RT)＞structural variability (St)＞functional variability (Fu) in the community dominated by Stipa grandis, RT＞ET＞St＞Fu in Leymus chinensis community, St＞ET＞Fu＞RT in Stipa capillata community, RT＞St＞Fu＞ET in Artemisia frigida community, St＞Fu＞ET＞RT in Cleistogenes squarrosa community, and Fu＞St＞RT＞ET in Artemisia halodendron community); (4) grassland ecosystem with higher diversity shows greater resilience and lower variability than those with single species, which supports the established diversity hypothesis. Furthermore, sustainable grassland restoration should reduce community variability and improve resilience. These findings highlight the response of diversity to stability in temperate grassland and provide scientific support for grassland ecosystem protection and restoration.
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24.
  • Barros, T., et al. (författare)
  • Multispectral vineyard segmentation : A deep learning comparison study
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1699 .- 1872-7107. ; 195
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Digital agriculture has evolved significantly over the last few years due to the technological developments in automation and computational intelligence applied to the agricultural sector, including vineyards which are a relevant crop in the Mediterranean region. In this work, a study is presented of semantic segmentation for vine detection in real-world vineyards by exploring state-of-the-art deep segmentation networks and conventional unsupervised methods. Camera data have been collected on vineyards using an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) equipped with a dual imaging sensor payload, namely a high-definition RGB camera and a five-band multispectral and thermal camera. Extensive experiments using deep-segmentation networks and unsupervised methods have been performed on multimodal datasets representing four distinct vineyards located in the central region of Portugal. The reported results indicate that SegNet, U-Net, and ModSegNet have equivalent overall performance in vine segmentation. The results also show that multimodality slightly improves the performance of vine segmentation, but the NIR spectrum alone generally is sufficient on most of the datasets. Furthermore, results suggest that high-definition RGB images produce equivalent or higher performance than any lower resolution multispectral band combination. Lastly, Deep Learning (DL) networks have higher overall performance than classical methods. The code and dataset are publicly available on https://github.com/Cybonic/DL_vineyard_segmentation_study.git.
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25.
  • Cadete, Raquel M., et al. (författare)
  • Exploring xylose metabolism in Spathaspora species : XYL1.2 from Spathaspora passalidarum as the key for efficient anaerobic xylose fermentation in metabolic engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: Biotechnology for Biofuels. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1754-6834. ; 9:1
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background: The production of ethanol and other fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic materials is dependent of efficient xylose conversion. Xylose fermentation capacity in yeasts is usually linked to xylose reductase (XR) accepting NADH as cofactor. The XR from Scheffersomyces stipitis, which is able to use NADH as cofactor but still prefers NADPH, has been used to generate recombinant xylose-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Novel xylose-fermenting yeasts species, as those from the Spathaspora clade, have been described and are potential sources of novel genes to improve xylose fermentation in S. cerevisiae. Results: Xylose fermentation by six strains from different Spathaspora species isolated in Brazil, plus the Sp. passalidarum type strain (CBS 10155T), was characterized under two oxygen-limited conditions. The best xylose-fermenting strains belong to the Sp. passalidarum species, and their highest ethanol titers, yields, and productivities were correlated to higher XR activity with NADH than with NADPH. Among the different Spathaspora species, Sp. passalidarum appears to be the sole harboring two XYL1 genes: XYL1.1, similar to the XYL1 found in other Spathaspora and yeast species and XYL1.2, with relatively higher expression level. XYL1.1p and XYL1.2p from Sp. passalidarum were expressed in S. cerevisiae TMB 3044 and XYL1.1p was confirmed to be strictly NADPH-dependent, while XYL1.2p to use both NADPH and NADH, with higher activity with the later. Recombinant S. cerevisiae strains expressing XYL1.1p did not show anaerobic growth in xylose medium. Under anaerobic xylose fermentation, S. cerevisiae TMB 3504, which expresses XYL1.2p from Sp. passalidarum, revealed significant higher ethanol yield and productivity than S. cerevisiae TMB 3422, which harbors XYL1p N272D from Sc. stipitis in the same isogenic background (0.40 vs 0.34 g g CDW -1 and 0.33 vs 0.18 g g CDW -1 h-1, respectively). Conclusion: This work explored a new clade of xylose-fermenting yeasts (Spathaspora species) towards the engineering of S. cerevisiae for improved xylose fermentation. The new S. cerevisiae TMB 3504 displays higher XR activity with NADH than with NADPH, with consequent improved ethanol yield and productivity and low xylitol production. This meaningful advance in anaerobic xylose fermentation by recombinant S. cerevisiae (using the XR/XDH pathway) paves the way for the development of novel industrial pentose-fermenting strains.
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26.
  • Canestraro, Carla Daniele, et al. (författare)
  • Strong inter-conduction-band absorption in heavily fluorine doped tin oxide
  • 2008
  • Ingår i: Applied Surface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-4332 .- 1873-5584. ; 255:5, s. 1874-1879
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The optical, electrical and structural properties of thin. film tin oxide (TO), F-doped tin oxide (FTO; n(F) approximate to 6 x 10(20) cm (3)) and highly F-doped tin oxide (hFTO; n(F) approximate to 10 x 10(20) cm (3)), grown by spray pyrolysis technique, are studied by atomic force microscopy, Hall effect, X-ray. fluorescence and transmission/reflection measurements. The resistivity (rho = 32 x 10 (4) Omega cm for intrinsic tin oxide) shows intriguing characteristics when F concentration n(F) is increased (rho = 6 x 10 (4) Omega cm for FTO but 25 x 10 (4) Omega cm for hFTO) whereas the carrier concentration is almost constant at high F concentration (n(c) approximate to 6 x 10(20) cm (3) for FTO and hFTO). Thus, F seems to act both as a donor and a compensating acceptor in hFTO. The high carrier concentration has a strong effect on the optical band-edge absorption. Whereas intrinsic TO has room-temperature band-gap energy of E-g approximate to 3.2 eV with an onset to absorption at about 3.8 eV, the highly doped FTO and hFTO samples show relatively strong absorption at 2-3 eV. Theoretical analysis based on density functional calculations of FTO reveals that this is not a defect state within the band-gap region, but instead a consequence of a hybridization of the F donor states with the host conduction band in combination with a band. filling of the lowest conduction band by the free carriers. This allows photon-assisted inter-conduction band transitions of the free electrons to energetically higher and empty conduction bands, producing the below-gap absorption peak.
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27.
  • Ciampa, Francesca, et al. (författare)
  • Flood Mitigation in Mediterranean Coastal Regions : Problems, Solutions, and Stakeholder Involvement
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 13:18
  • Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Flooding affects Mediterranean coastal areas, with negative impacts on regional populations and ecosystems. This paper reviews the causes and consequences of coastal flooding in European Mediterranean countries, common and advanced solutions implemented to mitigate flood risk, and the importance of stakeholder involvement in developing these solutions. Climate change, intensive urbanization, tourism, deforestation, wildfires, and erosion are the main causes of coastal flooding, leading to social and economic losses, degradation of ecosystems, and water and soil contamination due to saltwater intrusion. Various measures for mitigating urban coastal flooding have been implemented, including coastal barriers, infrastructural drainage systems, wetlands, and mobile dams. Development and implementation of such solutions should be performed in close collaboration with stakeholders, but their current engagement at the coordination and/or decision-making level does not allow full integration of local knowledge in flood mitigation projects. Various processes are used to engage stakeholders in coastal flood mitigation, but participatory approaches are required to integrate their perspectives into performance analysis of potential solutions. Such approaches would allow a balance to be reached between nature conservation, market forces, stakeholder needs, and decision-makers' priorities, resulting in development of innovative and sustainable mitigation solutions to enhance urban resilience to coastal flooding.
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28.
  • da Silva, A. Ferreira, et al. (författare)
  • Growth, Electrical and Optical Properties of SnO2:F on ZnO, Si and Porous Si Structures
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: NANOTECH CONFERENCE &amp; EXPO 2009, VOL 1, TECHNICAL PROCEEDINGS. - : CRC PRESS-TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP. - 9781439817827 ; , s. 352-
  • Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
    • In this work we have analyzed the optical absorption of the ZnO and SnO2:F (FTO) films and applied them in porous silicon light-emitting diodes. The absorption and energy gap were calculated by employing the projector augmented wave method [1] within the local density approximation and with a modeled on-site self-interaction-like correction potential within the LDA+U-S/C [2]. Experiment and theory show a good agreement when the optical absorption and optical energy gap are considered. A layer of FTO is deposited by spray pyrolysis on top of porous Si (PSi) or ZnO/(PSi) in order to make the LEDs. The morphology and roughness of the films are analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy before and after the FTO deposition. The electrical and optical properties are studied by characteristics curves J x V, and electroluminescence intensity versus bias.
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29.
  • Davids, Peter R., et al. (författare)
  • Multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary approaches to nature-based flood risk management
  • 2024
  • Ingår i: Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 2468-5844. ; 38
  • Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Nature-based solutions (NBS) can act as a valuable complement to conventional ‘grey’ infrastructure for stormwater management (e.g. dams and dikes) in reducing flood risks as these ‘green’ solutions are perceived to be more flexible and multifunctional. However, to achieve effective NBS, a multi-actor approach in developing appropriate measures for specific sites is required as NBS occupy more space than ‘grey’ infrastructure and often overlap with private land. NBS also necessitate a multidisciplinary approach, to maximise environmental, social, and economic benefits. Thus, a transdisciplinary approach is needed for the effective implementation of NBS. Viewing NBS as a boundary concept, focusing on the common ground for different disciplines and actors, can facilitate communication and provide a first step towards effective flood risk mitigation.
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30.
  • de Vries, Petrus J, et al. (författare)
  • Natural clusters of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) : new findings from the TOSCA TAND research project
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1866-1955 .- 1866-1947. ; 12:1, s. 24-24
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) have unique, individual patterns that pose significant challenges for diagnosis, psycho-education, and intervention planning. A recent study suggested that it may be feasible to use TAND Checklist data and data-driven methods to generate natural TAND clusters. However, the study had a small sample size and data from only two countries. Here, we investigated the replicability of identifying natural TAND clusters from a larger and more diverse sample from the TOSCA study.METHODS: As part of the TOSCA international TSC registry study, this embedded research project collected TAND Checklist data from individuals with TSC. Correlation coefficients were calculated for TAND variables to generate a correlation matrix. Hierarchical cluster and factor analysis methods were used for data reduction and identification of natural TAND clusters.RESULTS: A total of 85 individuals with TSC (female:male, 40:45) from 7 countries were enrolled. Cluster analysis grouped the TAND variables into 6 clusters: a scholastic cluster (reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, visuo-spatial difficulties, disorientation), a hyperactive/impulsive cluster (hyperactivity, impulsivity, self-injurious behavior), a mood/anxiety cluster (anxiety, depressed mood, sleep difficulties, shyness), a neuropsychological cluster (attention/concentration difficulties, memory, attention, dual/multi-tasking, executive skills deficits), a dysregulated behavior cluster (mood swings, aggressive outbursts, temper tantrums), and an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like cluster (delayed language, poor eye contact, repetitive behaviors, unusual use of language, inflexibility, difficulties associated with eating). The natural clusters mapped reasonably well onto the six-factor solution generated. Comparison between cluster and factor solutions from this study and the earlier feasibility study showed significant similarity, particularly in cluster solutions.CONCLUSIONS: Results from this TOSCA research project in an independent international data set showed that the combination of cluster analysis and factor analysis may be able to identify clinically meaningful natural TAND clusters. Findings were remarkably similar to those identified in the earlier feasibility study, supporting the potential robustness of these natural TAND clusters. Further steps should include examination of larger samples, investigation of internal consistency, and evaluation of the robustness of the proposed natural clusters.
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31.
  • Ehteram, Mohammad, et al. (författare)
  • Prediction of future groundwater levels under representative concentration pathway scenarios using an inclusive multiple model coupled with artificial neural networks
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Journal of Water and Climate. - : IWA Publishing. - 2040-2244 .- 2408-9354. ; 13:10, s. 3620-3643
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Groundwater (GW) plays a key role in water supply in basins. As global warming and climate change affect groundwater level (GWL), it is important to predict it for planning and managing water resources. This study investigates the GWL of the Yazd-Ardakan Plain basin in Iran for the base period of 1979-2005 and predicts for periods of 2020-2059 and 2060-2099. Lagged temperature and rainfall are used as inputs to hybrid and standalone artificial neural network (ANN) models. In this study, the rat swarm algorithm (RSA), particle swarm optimisation (PSO), salp swarm algorithm (SSA), and genetic algorithm (GA) are used to adjust ANN models. The outcomes of these models are then entered into an inclusive multiple model (IMM) as an ensemble model. In this study, the output of climate models is also inserted into the IMM model to improve the estimation accuracy of temperature, rainfall, and GWL. The monthly average temperature for the base period is 12.9 degrees C, while average temperatures for 2020-2059 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios are 14.5 and 15.1 degrees C, and for 2060-2099 they are 16.41 and 18.5 degrees C under the same scenarios, respectively. In future periods, rainfall is low in comparison with the base period. Lagged rainfall and temperature of the base period are inserted into ANN-RSA, ANN-SSA, ANN-PSO, ANN-GA, and ANN models to predict GWL for the base period. Outputs of IMM, ANN, and the five hybrid models (ANN-RSA, ANN-SSA, ANN-PSO, and ANN-GA) indicate that root mean square errors (RMSE) are 2.12, 3.2, 4.58, 6.12, 6.98, and 7.89 m, respectively, in the testing level. It is found that GWL depletion in 2020-2059 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios are 0.60-0.88 m and 0.80-1.16 m, and in 2060-2099 under the same scenarios they are 1.49-1.97 m and 1.75-1.98 m, respectively. The results highlight the need to prevent overexploitation of GW in the Ardakan-Yazd Plain to avoid water shortages in the future.
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32.
  • Eisenbeck, Nikolett, et al. (författare)
  • An international study on psychological coping during COVID-19 : Towards a meaning-centered coping style
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology. - : Elsevier. - 1697-2600 .- 2174-0852. ; 22:1
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Background/Objective: This study examined the role of different psychological coping mechanisms in mental and physical health during the initial phases of the COVID-19 crisis with an emphasis on meaning-centered coping.Method: A total of 11,227 people from 30 countries across all continents participated in the study and completed measures of psychological distress (depression, stress, and anxiety), loneliness, well-being, and physical health, together with measures of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, and a measure called the Meaning-centered Coping Scale (MCCS) that was developed in the present study. Validation analyses of the MCCS were performed in all countries, and data were assessed by multilevel modeling (MLM).Results: The MCCS showed a robust one-factor structure in 30 countries with good test-retest, concurrent and divergent validity results. MLM analyses showed mixed results regarding emotion and problem-focused coping strategies. However, the MCCS was the strongest positive predictor of physical and mental health among all coping strategies, independently of demographic characteristics and country-level variables.Conclusions: The findings suggest that the MCCS is a valid measure to assess meaning-centered coping. The results also call for policies promoting effective coping to mitigate collective suffering during the pandemic.
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33.
  • Escamilla Nacher, Marc, et al. (författare)
  • Application of the adaptive cycle and panarchy in la marjaleria social-ecological system : Reflections for operability
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Land. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-445X. ; 10:9
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The adaptive cycle and panarchy are recognised tools for resilience assessment prior to establishing new management approaches aligned with Anthropocene needs. This study used the adaptive cycle and panarchy to assess the dynamics of the social-ecological system (SES) of La Marjaleria, Spain, which experienced increasing human pressure and environmental degradation in recent decades, and developed the ‘adaptive curve’ as a novel graphical representation of system change in the presentation of the results. Based on a literature review of historical changes in La Marjaleria, a SES analysis was performed using the adaptive cycle and panarchy, following the Resilience Alliance’s Practitioners Guide. The assessment offered new insights into the social and ecological dynamics of La Marjaleria through identification of causes and consequences from a complex systems perspective. Previous land-use management in the area has generated tensions between different stakeholders and reduced environmental resilience. The systems thinking approach highlighted the complexity of change processes, offering the possibility of new routes for dialogue and understanding. The ‘adaptive curve’ developed as a method of illustrating interactions across scales in this study could be useful for synthesising the results of a panarchy analysis and supporting their interpretation, offering relevant departure points for future planning and decision-making. 
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34.
  • Evans, D. L., et al. (författare)
  • Sustainable futures over the next decade are rooted in soil science
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: European Journal of Soil Science. - : Wiley. - 1351-0754 .- 1365-2389. ; 73:1
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The importance of soils to society has gained increasing recognition over the past decade, with the potential to contribute to most of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With unprecedented and growing demands for food, water and energy, there is an urgent need for a global effort to address the challenges of climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting soil as a natural resource. In this paper, we identify the contribution of soil science over the past decade to addressing gaps in our knowledge regarding major environmental challenges: climate change, food security, water security, urban development, and ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Continuing to address knowledge gaps in soil science is essential for the achievement of the SDGs. However, with limited time and budget, it is also pertinent to identify effective methods of working that ensure the research carried out leads to real-world impact. Here, we suggest three strategies for the next decade of soil science, comprising a greater implementation of research into policy, interdisciplinary partnerships to evaluate function trade-offs and synergies between soils and other environmental domains, and integrating monitoring and modelling methods to ensure soil-based policies can withstand the uncertainties of the future. Highlights: We highlight the contributions of soil science to five major environmental challenges since 2010. Researchers have contributed to recommendation reports, but work is rarely translated into policy. Interdisciplinary work should assess trade-offs and synergies between soils and other domains. Integrating monitoring and modelling is key for robust and sustainable soils-based policymaking.
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35.
  • Ferguson, Lynnette R., et al. (författare)
  • Guide and Position of the International Society of Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics on Personalised Nutrition : Part 1 - Fields of Precision Nutrition
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics. - : S. Karger AG. - 1661-6499. ; 9:1, s. 12-27
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Diversity in the genetic profile between individuals and specific ethnic groups affects nutrient requirements, metabolism and response to nutritional and dietary interventions. Indeed, individuals respond differently to lifestyle interventions (diet, physical activity, smoking, etc.). The sequencing of the human genome and subsequent increased knowledge regarding human genetic variation is contributing to the emergence of personalized nutrition. These advances in genetic science are raising numerous questions regarding the mode that precision nutrition can contribute solutions to emerging problems in public health, by reducing the risk and prevalence of nutrition-related diseases. Current views on personalized nutrition encompass omics technologies (nutrigenomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, foodomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, etc.), functional food development and challenges related to legal and ethical aspects, application in clinical practice, and population scope, in terms of guidelines and epidemiological factors. In this context, precision nutrition can be considered as occurring at three levels: (1) conventional nutrition based on general guidelines for population groups by age, gender and social determinants; (2) individualized nutrition that adds phenotypic information about the person's current nutritional status (e.g. anthropometry, biochemical and metabolic analysis, physical activity, among others), and (3) genotype-directed nutrition based on rare or common gene variation. Research and appropriate translation into medical practice and dietary recommendations must be based on a solid foundation of knowledge derived from studies on nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. A scientific society, such as the International Society of Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics (ISNN), internationally devoted to the study of nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics, can indeed serve the commendable roles of (1) promoting science and favoring scientific communication and (2) permanently working as a 'clearing house' to prevent disqualifying logical jumps, correct or stop unwarranted claims, and prevent the creation of unwarranted expectations in patients and in the general public. In this statement, we are focusing on the scientific aspects of disciplines covering nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics issues. Genetic screening and the ethical, legal, social and economic aspects will be dealt with in subsequent statements of the Society.
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36.
  • Ferreira, Carla, 1982 (författare)
  • Digital transformation of a manufacturing firm: A matter of combining resources and strategizing in business networks
  • 2023
  • Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
    • Manufacturing firms are gradually undergoing digital transformation through starting to implement new digital technologies, and creating new offerings to meet customer needs. As no business is an island, the process of creating new digital offerings and selling these to customers involves collaboration with other actors. These actors need to develop and combine resources to successfully create value in the business network. Under these circumstances, manufacturing firms develop strategic actions to access and combine such resources. The purpose of this thesis is to understand resource combining and strategizing in business networks, as part of the process of digital transformation, from the perspective of a focal manufacturing firm interacting with customers and suppliers. This thesis relies on the Industrial Network Approach (INA), and more specifically literature on resources and strategizing, to study business relationships with regard to digital transformation and reveal the nuances and effects of characteristics of digital resources during resource combining and value creation. A single case study of a manufacturing firm undergoing the process of digital transformation, and its related business network, was conducted. By applying the case study method, details about different business relationships within the context of digital transformation were captured and analysed. The findings of this thesis show that a focal firm needs to take a variety of strategic actions when interacting with other actors, creating and consolidating elements of the business relationships. Focal firms also strive to access and combine key digital and non-digital resources. As a result of this resource combining, value can be created in the forms of flexibility, efficiency, novelty and functioning digital solutions. This thesis advances the understanding of the interplay between creating/consolidating elements of business relationships to access and combine digital resources during the process of digital transformation. Based on the intrinsic characteristics of digital resources, the forms of resource combining provided in this study offer a perspective on the opportunities, values and challenges that digitalisation presents in the ever-evolving digital business landscape.
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37.
  • Ferreira, Carla, 1982, et al. (författare)
  • Exploring the impact from digitalization on business relationships in welding manufacturing
  • 2020
  • Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
    • Digitalization has a vast impact on industry in terms of firm strategies and business models (Jocevski, et al., 2020). The aim of the paper is to explore digitalization’s impact on a firm’s business relationships and networks, including both existing supplier and customer relationships and development of new ones. The content of current relationships is explored in terms of shared activities, resources and actor interaction.   The paper is based on a case study of BETA, an industrial firm and manufacturer of welding equipment and consumables. BETA is currently developing and implementing digital technologies in their products and services. This digitalization journey does not only impact their internal process but also their business relationships. It might in turn lead to new business relationships. BETA is currently offering digital solutions to its customers, the so-called BETA Digital Solutions. Their prototype of the digital cloud platform was launched in 2018. Shortly after that, the commercialization started. By using cloud platform and IoT, BETA promises to its customers maximization of their welding productivity, quality consistence, downtime reduction, and real time information about energy and wire consumption. BETA has been working to expand its digital solutions portfolio and platform functionalities. Results of the paper regard learning points from the digitalization journey and describe the various practiced digitalized offerings and business models of BETA. The results build on the framework by Pagani & Pardo (2017) and preliminary include identification of key interfaces in business relationships in context of digitalization. As it is now and planning for next steps, on the customer side, BETA has been commercializing few digital solutions, while more advanced service offerings, with some with degrees of circularity, are still in the BETA’s roadmap and their business models are still under development. BETA’s plan is to implement a pilot/proof in a near future for these advanced service offerings and business models, in collaboration with customers. Regarding the supplier side, BETA sees the importance of supply chain management and works continuously with their current suppliers as well as develops contacts with new suppliers for digitalization solutions.
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38.
  • Ferreira, Carla S.S., et al. (författare)
  • Agricultural Land Degradation in Portugal and Greece
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Nature. - 1867-979X .- 1616-864X. ; , s. 105-137
  • Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
    • Agricultural land degradation is a global problem affecting food production and other ecosystem services worldwide such as water regulation. It is driven by unsustainable land use and management practices (e.g. intensive tillage, overuse of agrochemicals) and can be aggravated by future climate change. Land degradation is particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid areas of southern Europe, and distinct soil degradation processes impair agricultural areas in Portugal and Greece. This chapter aims to improve understanding of various degradation processes affecting agricultural land, including soil erosion, compaction, contamination, and salinity and sodicity. It summarises the scientific literature on the current status of these degradation processes in agricultural areas of Portugal and Greece and their main causes and consequences. Moreover, it provides examples of best management practices implemented to mitigate agricultural land degradation. Some degradation processes are relatively well documented (e.g. erosion), while knowledge of the spatial extent of others such as soil compaction is still limited. A better understanding of soil degradation processes and of the counter-impacts of improved agricultural management practices is critical to support decision-making and ensure long-term fertility and productivity, thereby maintaining the sustainability of agriculture.
  •  
39.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., et al. (författare)
  • Conclusions
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030775049 - 9783030775056 ; , s. 507-513
  • Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Mitigating and adapting to increasing flood risk driven by climate change and growing urbanization is still a challenge for humanity. Over the last decades, the Nature Based Solutions (NBS) approach has received increasing interest from governments, academia and society, but its implementation is still in its infancy. This volume presented an up-to-date compilation about the current knowledge on NBS regarding their potential to mitigate several types of floods recorded in different environments, the associated advantages and limitations, and the barriers affecting their wider implementation. This concluding chapter provides a synthesis of the main messages of the chapters included in this volume, and it highlights the relevant aspects that must be considered for an effective and broader application of NBS. In this regard, particular attention is given to the need to maximize their multifunctionality and to consider the transdisciplinary nature of the NBS approach.
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40.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., 1982-, et al. (författare)
  • Groundwater quality in the vicinity of a dumpsite in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Geography and Sustainability. - : Elsevier BV. - 2096-7438 .- 2666-6839. ; 4:4, s. 379-390
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Inappropriate management of municipal solid waste dumpsites is a major cause of groundwater contamination in developing countries, but the extent of the problem is not known. This study investigated groundwater quality in the vicinity of Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria, the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa. During 2020, monthly groundwater samples were collected in 17 wells and boreholes used as drinking water sources, and analysed for 20 physico-chemical parameters. Differences between sites and seasons were statistically assessed, together with changes in water quality index (WQI). The results indicated that heavy metals (Pb2+, Ni+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Cr6+), cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), total hardness and pH were the main parameters impairing water quality. Drinking water quality standards from both the World Health Organization and Nigeria government were exceeded more often in the wet season than in the dry season. Some groundwater properties were negatively correlated with distance to dumpsite (e.g., Fe2+, Pb2+, NO3−). Significant differences between sites were identified, but with no clear spatial trend. WQI varied from excellent (6%–24% of the sites over the study period) to unsuitable for drinking water purposes (12%–18%), with good quality prevailing at most sites (35%–47%). Although groundwater quality declined at 24% of the sites over 2020, the results indicated improvements compared with previous decades. Remediation strategies must be implemented to safeguard public health and the sustainability of water resources.
  •  
41.
  • Ferreira, Carla S.S., et al. (författare)
  • Impacts of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Remote Sensing of Soil and Land Surface Processes: Monitoring, Mapping, and Modeling. - : Elsevier BV. ; , s. 229-248
  • Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Soil erosion is a major degradation process affecting many regions worldwide and impairing the ability of soil to provide ecosystem services. This chapter provides a brief overview of the soil erosion processes and their susceptibility in different land uses, including agricultural, forest, and urban land, as well as different soil management practices that have been implemented to mitigate the problem. Additionally, this chapter synthesizes information regarding the use of remote sensing to support soil erosion assessments, providing examples of remote sensing data used in different studies to support soil erosion modeling.
  •  
42.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., et al. (författare)
  • Introduction : Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation. - Cham : Springer Nature. ; , s. 1-7, s. 1-7
  • Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Floods are one of the most common natural disasters affecting numerous people worldwide. Over the last years, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have gained attention as an emerging approach for flood mitigation that can complement traditional grey infrastructures. NBS provide several ecosystem services, including flood mitigation and improved water quality. Increasing political awareness and interest from the scientific community have led to the implementation of NBS worldwide. This contribution provides an overview of the concept of NBS for flood mitigation, focusing on (1) the environmental impacts of NBS, (2) the effectiveness of NBS in flood mitigation based on several case studies, and (3) the socio-economic aspects of NBS. Compiling the latest research, this book furthers our understanding of the role of NBS for flood mitigation and its relation to environmental aspects, to guide students, managers, practitioners, policy-makers, and scientists in future NBS projects.
  •  
43.
  • Ferreira, Carla Sofia Santos, et al. (författare)
  • Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation and Resilience in Urban Areas
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030775049 - 9783030775056 ; , s. 59-78, s. 59-78
  • Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Urban areas face several environmental problems and risks related to water management, such as floods and degradation of water quality, enhancing population vulnerability and threatening urban sustainability. These problems are expected to be exacerbated with increasing urbanization and climate change, which leads to higher frequency and intensity of hydrometeorological extremes. Moving towards more flood resilient cities has proven a major challenge, particularly considering the high concentration of population and economic activities and, thus, high pressure on limited available space. Nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas favour stormwater retention, infiltration, and filtration, contributing to flood mitigation and enhancement of water quality. The effectiveness of different NBS on stormwater management, however, is influenced by design and placement aspects, but a network of connected NBS elements can improve flood mitigation and enhance urban resilience. Stronger evidence of the advantages of NBS, however, is still required to overcome the current challenges and barriers impairing their wider implementation in urban areas.
  •  
44.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., et al. (författare)
  • Soil degradation in the European Mediterranean region : Processes, status and consequences
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 805
  • Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Soil, a non-renewable resource, sustains life on Earth by supporting around 95% of global food production and providing ecosystem services such as biomass production, filtration of contaminants and transfer of mass and energy between spheres. Unsustainable management practices and climate change are threatening the natural capital of soils, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where increasing population, rapid land-use changes, associated socio-economic activities and climate change are imposing high pressures on the region's shallow soils. Despite evidence of high soil susceptibility to degradation and desertification, the true extent of soil degradation in the region is unknown. This paper reviews and summarises the scientific literature and relevant official reports, with the aim to advance this knowledge by synthesizing, mapping, and identifying gaps regarding the status, causes, and consequences of soil degradation processes in the European Mediterranean region. This is needed as scientific underpinning of efforts to counteract soil degradation in the region. Three main degradation categories are then considered: physical (soil sealing, compaction, erosion), chemical (soil organic matter, contamination, salinisation), and biological. We find some degradation processes to be relatively well documented (e.g. soil erosion), while others, such as loss of biodiversity, remain poorly addressed, with limited data availability. We suggest establishment of a continuous, harmonised soil monitoring system at national and regional scale in the Mediterranean region to provide comparable datasets and chart the spatial extent and temporal changes in soil degradation, and corresponding economic implications. This is critical to support decision making and fulfilment of related sustainable development goals.
  •  
45.
  • Ferreira, Carla S. S., et al. (författare)
  • Wetlands as nature-based solutions for water management in different environments
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 2468-5844. ; 33
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Wetlands are multifunctional systems performing as nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management. This paper provides an overview of natural and constructed wetlands and their potential to support the regulation of hydrological fluxes and water quality. Wetlands can modulate peak flows by storing runoff and slowly releasing it over time, with positive impacts on soil moisture. They can also change the overall water balance by influencing evapotranspiration, infiltration, and groundwater recharge. They can enhance resilience of a catchment to floods and torrents, especially with relative low return periods (<50 years), and safeguard water availability during droughts. Wetlands may remove or reduce a number of organic and inorganic pollutants (e.g., nutrients, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides) by different physical, chemical, and biological processes developed between vegetation, microorganisms, soil/growth substrate, and water. They have proven to be efficient and effective in improving the quality of water from different sources, such as runoff from agriculture and urban areas, and domestic and industrial wastewater. The overall performance of wetlands is determined by their characteristics (e.g., size, design, type of vegetation), within-catchment position, type and amount of water and pollutants, and local conditions (e.g., climate). A focus on wetlandscape, rather than individual wetlands, is required for optimal water management and maximization of other ecosystem services.
  •  
46.
  • Ferreira, Carla, 1982, et al. (författare)
  • Supplier interfaces in digital transformation: an exploratory case study of a manufacturing firm and IoT suppliers
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing. - 0885-8624. ; 38:6, s. 1332-1344
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to characterize the interfaces between manufacturing companies and the Internet of Things (IoT) suppliers involved in their digital servitization. Design/methodology/approach: This paper builds on an explorative case study of a manufacturing firm and its IoT suppliers. This paper relies on the Industrial Network Approach to study interfaces between buying firms and their suppliers. Findings: This paper identifies three distinct types of supplier interfaces: connected, digital and digital-physical. They all contain technical resource interfaces with additional organizational and/or technical complexities that need to be managed. Connectivity, an Agile approach to software development and strong technical dependence emerged as key factors that impact the interactions between manufacturing firms and IoT suppliers and how their resources are combined. Practical implications: This paper offers managerial implications regarding the importance of internal organization (such as appropriate cross-functional teams) to manage the dynamics of collaborations required by digital technologies, maintain interactions with IoT suppliers and identify and manage interdependences between IoT suppliers. Building close relationships with suppliers of crucial infrastructure (e.g. IoT cloud platform and data security systems) can also be beneficial for manufacturing firms to reduce risks. Finally, attention should be given to IoT technology strategy, which impacts both digital and digital-physical supplier interfaces. Originality/value: In digital servitization, manufacturing firms are heavily reliant on external resources for IoT technology. Despite this, few studies have investigated the characteristics of their interfaces with IoT suppliers, how these can be managed and how resources are combined.
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47.
  •  
48.
  • Ferreira, Daniel, et al. (författare)
  • β-Amyloid and tau biomarkers and clinical phenotype in dementia with Lewy bodies
  • 2020
  • Ingår i: Neurology. - 1526-632X. ; 95:24, s. 3257-3268
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • OBJECTIVE: In a multicenter cohort of probable dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), we tested the hypothesis that β-amyloid and tau biomarker positivity increases with age, which is modified by APOE genotype and sex, and that there are isolated and synergistic associations with the clinical phenotype. METHODS: We included 417 patients with DLB (age 45-93 years, 31% women). Positivity on β-amyloid (A+) and tau (T+) biomarkers was determined by CSF β-amyloid1-42 and phosphorylated tau in the European cohort and by Pittsburgh compound B and AV-1451 PET in the Mayo Clinic cohort. Patients were stratified into 4 groups: A-T-, A+T-, A-T+, and A+T+. RESULTS: A-T- was the largest group (39%), followed by A+T- (32%), A+T+ (15%), and A-T+ (13%). The percentage of A-T- decreased with age, and A+ and T+ increased with age in both women and men. A+ increased more in APOE ε4 carriers with age than in noncarriers. A+ was the main predictor of lower cognitive performance when considered together with T+. T+ was associated with a lower frequency of parkinsonism and probable REM sleep behavior disorder. There were no significant interactions between A+ and T+ in relation to the clinical phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Alzheimer disease pathologic changes are common in DLB and are associated with the clinical phenotype. β-Amyloid is associated with cognitive impairment, and tau pathology is associated with lower frequency of clinical features of DLB. These findings have important implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring, as well as for clinical trials targeting disease-specific proteins in DLB. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that in patients with probable DLB, β-amyloid is associated with lower cognitive performance and tau pathology is associated with lower frequency of clinical features of DLB.
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49.
  • Ferreira da Silva, Eduardo, et al. (författare)
  • Heavy metal pollution downstream the abandoned Coval da Mó mine (Portugal) and associated effects on epilithic diatom communities
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 407:21, s. 5620-5636
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study examined trace-element concentrations in 39 sediment samples collected in the vicinity of the abandoned Coval da Mó mine, and evaluated the anthropogenic contaminant effects and other environmental variables in the taxonomic composition, structure and morphological changes of benthic diatom communities.The results show the existence of extremely high contamination in Pb, Zn and Cd (the mean values exceed the background values 376, 96 and 19 times, respectively) on the first 2.5 km in the water flow direction. Also Co, Cu, Mn and Ni are present in high concentrations. Dilution by relatively uncontaminated sediment reduces metal concentrations downstream, but Zn concentrations increase downstream Fílvida stream, as a result of several factors such as sewage and agriculture.To evaluate the biological effects caused by Pb, Cd and Zn, three sites were selected. In the stressed environment, near the mining area (C232), diatoms were extremely rare, however there was a slight recovery at site C79 located 2 km downstream. Fragilaria capucina var. rumpens, Fragilaria cf. crotonensis and Achnanthidium minutissimum showed abnormal valves which may be related to high levels of metals.Six km downstream, in Fílvida stream (C85), an increase in species richness and diversity was registered while the relative percentage of valve teratologies was lower. In the absence of OM, nutrients and low pH the diatom community patterns must be attributed to the metal concentration at some sites. Considering that community diversity can be affected by abiotic and biotic variables and valve deformations are caused by a small number of variables, basically metals, and acid conditions, we consider the presence of teratologies as an indication of the presence of metals.
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50.
  • Fonseca, Cesar, et al. (författare)
  • The glucose/xylose facilitator Gxf1 from Candida intermedia expressed in a xylose-fermenting industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae increases xylose uptake in SSCF of wheat straw
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Enzyme and Microbial Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-0229. ; 48:6-7, s. 518-525
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Ethanolic fermentation of lignocellulose raw materials requires industrial xylose-fermenting strains capable of complete and efficient D-xylose consumption. A central question in xylose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered for xylose fermentation is to improve the xylose uptake. In the current study, the glucose/xylose facilitator Gxf1 from Candida intermedia, was expressed in three different xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae strains of industrial origin. The in vivo effect on aerobic xylose growth and the initial xylose uptake rate were assessed. The expression of Gxf1 resulted in enhanced aerobic xylose growth only for the TMB3400 based strain. It displayed more than a 2-fold higher affinity for D-xylose than the parental strain and approximately 2-fold higher initial specific growth rate at 4 g/L D-xylose. Enhanced xylose consumption was furthermore observed when the GXF1-strain was assessed in simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) of pretreated wheat straw. However, the ethanol yield remained unchanged due to increased by-product formation. Metabolic flux analysis suggested that the expression of the Gxf1 transporter had shifted the control of xylose catabolism from transport to the NAD(+) dependent oxidation of xylitol to xylulose. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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