| 1. |
- Escala-Garcia, Maria, et al.
(author)
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A network analysis to identify mediators of germline-driven differences in breast cancer prognosis
- 2020
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In: Nature Communications. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2041-1723. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Identifying the underlying genetic drivers of the heritability of breast cancer prognosis remains elusive. We adapt a network-based approach to handle underpowered complex datasets to provide new insights into the potential function of germline variants in breast cancer prognosis. This network-based analysis studies similar to 7.3 million variants in 84,457 breast cancer patients in relation to breast cancer survival and confirms the results on 12,381 independent patients. Aggregating the prognostic effects of genetic variants across multiple genes, we identify four gene modules associated with survival in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and one in ER-positive disease. The modules show biological enrichment for cancer-related processes such as G-alpha signaling, circadian clock, angiogenesis, and Rho-GTPases in apoptosis.
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| 2. |
- Juma, B., et al.
(author)
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Analysis of rainfall extremes in the Ngong River Basin of Kenya : Towards integrated urban flood risk management
- 2020
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In: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. - : Elsevier. - 1474-7065 .- 1873-5193.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Extreme rainfall events are a major cause of highly disruptive flooding in small urban watersheds with limited flood risk management systems. In the Ngong River Basin of Kenya, such floods affect more than 0.5 Million residents within the Kibera informal settlements of Nairobi. However, there is paucity of information about the characteristics of the extreme rainfalls to support flood risk management. This study investigated the best-fit probability distribution models for the extreme rainfalls of the Ngong Basin using Block Maxima approach as a basis for anticipatory flood risk management. Daily rainfall data for the period between 1968 and 2017 were acquired from the existing two rainfall stations to support the analysis at monthly, seasonal and annual timescales. The Gamma, Pearson Type III, Gumbel and Generalized Extreme Value distributions were selected and applied to each timescale. Parameters of the distributions were determined using the Maximum-Likelihood estimator. The validity of the fitted probability models was tested using the Kolomogorov- Smirnov, Anderson-Darling and Cramer von Misses measures for Goodness of Fit. The best-fit probability distributions were subsequently used to establish the rainfall frequencies and return levels at annual timescales. The results show that Pearson Type III provided the best fit at monthly timescales during the dry spell months, while the Generalized Extreme Value distribution provided best results during the wet periods. At seasonal timescales, the Gamma distribution was noted to be the best-fit model. The return levels developed could essentially support the design of urban flood control structures for appropriate flood risk management.
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| 3. |
- Mulligan, Joe, et al.
(author)
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Hybrid infrastructures, hybrid governance : New evidence from Nairobi (Kenya) on green-blue-grey infrastructure in informal settlements "Urban hydroclimatic risks in the 21st century: Integrating engineering, natural, physical and social sciences to build resilience"
- 2020
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In: Anthropocene. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 2213-3054. ; 29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In expanding informal neighborhoods of cities in sub-Saharan Africa, sustainable management of storm and wastewater drainage is fundamental to improving living conditions. Planners debate the optimal combination between "green" or natural infrastructure, traditional "grey" infrastructure, and "blue" infrastructure, which mimics natural solutions using artificial materials. Many advocate for small-scale, niche experiments with these approaches in informal settings, in order to learn how to navigate the intrinsic constraints of space, contested land tenure, participation, and local maintenance. This paper reports the benefits and limitations of implementing and managing local green, blue and grey infrastructure solutions in an urban informal setting. We studied ten completed public space projects that featured urban drainage infrastructure in the informal neighborhood of Kibera, Nairobi. The analysis drew from ten surveys with project designers and seven semi-structured interviews with site managers. The studied spaces featured different combinations of green, grey, and blue drainage infrastructure that have evolved over years of operation, maintenance, and change in the settlement. All projects featured participation in design, mixed design methods, hybrid infrastructure, and community governance models with potential to interact successfully with municipal actors. Results show that involvement in the co-development of small-scale green infrastructure changed people's valuation, perception, and stewardship of nature-based systems and ecosystem services. These results have implications for the larger scale adoption, integration, and management of urban drainage infrastructure. They also suggest that hybrid systems of infrastructure and governance constitute a resilient approach to incremental and inclusive upgrading.
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