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| 2. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(författare)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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| 3. |
- Barack, Leor, et al.
(författare)
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Black holes, gravitational waves and fundamental physics : a roadmap
- 2019
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Ingår i: Classical and quantum gravity. - : IOP Publishing. - 0264-9381 .- 1361-6382. ; 36:14
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The grand challenges of contemporary fundamental physics dark matter, dark energy, vacuum energy, inflation and early universe cosmology, singularities and the hierarchy problem all involve gravity as a key component. And of all gravitational phenomena, black holes stand out in their elegant simplicity, while harbouring some of the most remarkable predictions of General Relativity: event horizons, singularities and ergoregions. The hitherto invisible landscape of the gravitational Universe is being unveiled before our eyes: the historical direct detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of scientific exploration. Gravitational-wave astronomy will allow us to test models of black hole formation, growth and evolution, as well as models of gravitational-wave generation and propagation. It will provide evidence for event horizons and ergoregions, test the theory of General Relativity itself, and may reveal the existence of new fundamental fields. The synthesis of these results has the potential to radically reshape our understanding of the cosmos and of the laws of Nature. The purpose of this work is to present a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the relevant fields of research, summarize important open problems, and lay out a roadmap for future progress. This write-up is an initiative taken within the framework of the European Action on 'Black holes, Gravitational waves and Fundamental Physics'.
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| 4. |
- Feigin, Valery L., et al.
(författare)
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Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990–2016 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
- 2019
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Ingår i: Lancet Neurology. - : Elsevier. - 1474-4422 .- 1474-4465. ; 18:5, s. 459-480
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Neurological disorders are increasingly recognised as major causes of death and disability worldwide. The aim of this analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 is to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date estimates of the global, regional, and national burden from neurological disorders.Methods: We estimated prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]) by age and sex for 15 neurological disorder categories (tetanus, meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, brain and other CNS cancers, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases, idiopathic epilepsy, migraine, tension-type headache, and a residual category for other less common neurological disorders) in 195 countries from 1990 to 2016. DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, was the main method of estimation of prevalence and incidence, and the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) was used for mortality estimation. We quantified the contribution of 84 risks and combinations of risk to the disease estimates for the 15 neurological disorder categories using the GBD comparative risk assessment approach.Findings: Globally, in 2016, neurological disorders were the leading cause of DALYs (276 million [95% UI 247–308]) and second leading cause of deaths (9·0 million [8·8–9·4]). The absolute number of deaths and DALYs from all neurological disorders combined increased (deaths by 39% [34–44] and DALYs by 15% [9–21]) whereas their age-standardised rates decreased (deaths by 28% [26–30] and DALYs by 27% [24–31]) between 1990 and 2016. The only neurological disorders that had a decrease in rates and absolute numbers of deaths and DALYs were tetanus, meningitis, and encephalitis. The four largest contributors of neurological DALYs were stroke (42·2% [38·6–46·1]), migraine (16·3% [11·7–20·8]), Alzheimer's and other dementias (10·4% [9·0–12·1]), and meningitis (7·9% [6·6–10·4]). For the combined neurological disorders, age-standardised DALY rates were significantly higher in males than in females (male-to-female ratio 1·12 [1·05–1·20]), but migraine, multiple sclerosis, and tension-type headache were more common and caused more burden in females, with male-to-female ratios of less than 0·7. The 84 risks quantified in GBD explain less than 10% of neurological disorder DALY burdens, except stroke, for which 88·8% (86·5–90·9) of DALYs are attributable to risk factors, and to a lesser extent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (22·3% [11·8–35·1] of DALYs are risk attributable) and idiopathic epilepsy (14·1% [10·8–17·5] of DALYs are risk attributable).Interpretation: Globally, the burden of neurological disorders, as measured by the absolute number of DALYs, continues to increase. As populations are growing and ageing, and the prevalence of major disabling neurological disorders steeply increases with age, governments will face increasing demand for treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for neurological disorders. The scarcity of established modifiable risks for most of the neurological burden demonstrates that new knowledge is required to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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| 5. |
- de Brito, Almir Nunes, et al.
(författare)
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Tidal exchange in a choked coastal lagoon : A study of Mundaú Lagoon in northeastern Brazil
- 2018
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Ingår i: Regional Studies in Marine Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-4855. ; 17, s. 133-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Changes in the inlet morphology of choked coastal lagoons often restrict the water exchange with the sea, making them vulnerable to pollution events and eutrophication processes. In this study, the importance of tides for the water exchange was investigated in Mundaú Lagoon, which is a choked lagoon located in northeastern Brazil that has a very dynamic inlet and channel system. The analysis was carried out for critical scenarios during the dry season when the river flow to the lagoon decreases markedly. The concepts of integrated flushing time and spatially distributed residence time scales were applied using a Lagrangian particle tracking approach coupled with a hydrodynamic model. The flushing time of Mundaú Lagoon was estimated to be 12.6 days during neap tide and 5.7 days during spring tide, including a return flow factor. Employing an e-folding form, the corresponding value was calculated to be 64 and 54 days for particles allowed and not allowed to return to the lagoon, respectively. The spring tides were responsible for the most pronounced water exchange in the Mundaú Lagoon. Different particles release times displayed the effect of the initial tidal conditions on the flushing time; lower exchange times were estimated for releases during ebb tides and spring tides. The integrated estimation of the water exchange when imposing a scenario of most frequent wind conditions indicated a considerable delay caused by this forcing, increasing the flushing time up to 23 days. Another observed effect of the wind was a spatial redistribution of the tidal exchange in the lagoon into different zones with similar residence time.
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| 6. |
- Nunes De Brito Junior, Almir, et al.
(författare)
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A STUDY ON THE WATER EXCHANGE IN MUNDAÚ LAGOON, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL DURING THE DRY SEASON
- 2017. - 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Coastal Dynamics 2017. ; , s. 1251-1260
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Changes in the inlet morphology of choked coastal lagoons often restrict the water exchange with the sea, making them vulnerable to pollution release and eutrophication processes. In this study, the role of tides for the water exchange was investigated in a choked lagoon for critical scenarios during the low river flow season. Both an integrated and spatially distributed approach were employed using Lagrangian tracking of particles. The spring tides were responsible for the most pronounced water exchange and the spatially distributed approach identified different zones with similar water exchange characteristics. The tide action was primarily limited to the southern portion of the lagoon presenting a zone with rapid exchange times, whereas the other parts involved lower exchange and consequently long renewal times making it a more vulnerable area to different types of pollution releases.
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| 7. |
- Nunes De Brito Junior, Almir, et al.
(författare)
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MORPHOLOGICAL MODELING OF TIDAL INLET EVOLUTION: AN APPLICATION TO MUNDAÚ INLET, BRAZIL
- 2019
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Ingår i: Coastal Sediments 2019. - : WORLD SCIENTIFIC. - 9789811204494
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this study was to develop a morphological model for long-term inlet evolution to be applied using a minimum amount of input data and requiring low computational costs. The model was implemented numerically and then validated for a real inlet application: Mundaú inlet (northeastern Brazil), a dynamic inlet with a marked freshwater seasonality and alongshore sand transport, reduced by reef sheltering. The model performance was verified, over a total period of 11 years, comparing the simulated inlet width with Landsat and Google Earth images. The simulated inlet channel morphology presented a satisfactory agreement with observations. With the low computational costs, the developed model represented a reliable approach with demonstrated potential to be applied in the quantitative assessment of inlet evolution over long time periods.
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| 8. |
- Silva, Jose Luis, et al.
(författare)
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X‑ray Photoelectron Fingerprints of High-Valence Ruthenium−Oxo Complexes along the Oxidation Reaction Pathway in an Aqueous Environment
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1948-7185 .- 1948-7185. ; 10:24, s. 7636-7643
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent advances in operando-synchrotron-based X-ray techniques are making it possible to address fundamental questions related to complex proton-coupled electron transfer reactions, for instance, the electrocatalytic water splitting process. However, it is still a grand challenge to assess the ability of the different techniques to characterize the relevant intermediates, with minimal interference on the reaction mechanism. To this end, we have developed a novel methodology employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in connection with the liquid-jet approach to probe the electrochemical properties of a model electrocatalyst, [RuII(bpy)2(py)-(OH2)]2+, in an aqueous environment. There is a unique fingerprint of the extremely important higher-valence ruthenium−oxo species in the XPS spectra along the oxidation reaction pathway. Furthermore, a sequential method combining quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics is used to illuminate the underlying physical chemistry of such systems. This study provides the basis for the future development of in-operando XPS techniques for water oxidation reactions.
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| 9. |
- Wilder-Smith, Annelies, et al.
(författare)
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ZikaPLAN : addressing the knowledge gaps and working towards a research preparedness network in the Americas
- 2019
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Zika Preparedness Latin American Network (ZikaPLAN) is a research consortium funded by the European Commission to address the research gaps in combating Zika and to establish a sustainable network with research capacity building in the Americas. Here we present a report on ZikaPLAN`s mid-term achievements since its initiation in October 2016 to June 2019, illustrating the research objectives of the 15 work packages ranging from virology, diagnostics, entomology and vector control, modelling to clinical cohort studies in pregnant women and neonates, as well as studies on the neurological complications of Zika infections in adolescents and adults. For example, the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS) has set up more than 10 clinical sites in Colombia. Through the Butantan Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial, we have access to samples of 17,000 subjects in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil. To address the lack of access to clinical samples for diagnostic evaluation, ZikaPLAN set up a network of quality sites with access to well-characterized clinical specimens and capacity for independent evaluations. The International Committee for Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Tools was formed with global representation from regional networks conducting birth defects surveillance. We have collated a comprehensive inventory of resources and tools for birth defects surveillance, and developed an App for low resource regions facilitating the coding and description of all major externally visible congenital anomalies including congenital Zika syndrome. Research Capacity Network (REDe) is a shared and open resource centre where researchers and health workers can access tools, resources and support, enabling better and more research in the region. Addressing the gap in research capacity in LMICs is pivotal in ensuring broad-based systems to be prepared for the next outbreak. Our shared and open research space through REDe will be used to maximize the transfer of research into practice by summarizing the research output and by hosting the tools, resources, guidance and recommendations generated by these studies. Leveraging on the research from this consortium, we are working towards a research preparedness network.
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