Search results

This paper is a systematic review of studies that used multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to address plastic waste management. A literature search for scientific articles in online databases (Web of Science and Scopus) enabled us to identify 20 relevant papers from 2008 to 2021, spanning case studies in three continents. These studies focus on: plastics as a resource (material), plastics as a product (reverse logistics), and plastics as a problem (pollution). Content analysis methodology was used, with the focus being on how the authors used MCDA for managing plastic waste, which has relevance for researchers and practitioners. Alternative solutions were found for the selection of disposal methods for almost all types of plastic categorized in this review. The most popular method was AHP, followed by TOPSIS, outranking methods, MAUT/MAVT and simple weighted sums, with some studies including more than one method. The choice of criteria spanned operational (mostly), but also environmental and economic aspects to evaluate the alternatives. Less frequently, one finds criteria related to social, managerial, and political aspects. The weighting of the criteria was performed mainly by consulting experts, followed by decision makers. Representatives of the affected population or other stakeholders have been consulted only on a few occasions. The authors of the studies consider their application of MCDA was successful, highlighting mainly the importance of being able to encompass different dimensions in the evaluation of the alternatives and the transparency of the process. In most cases, a winning alternative emerged clearly, which sometimes was a combination of multiple strategies. We also report other recommendations of these authors concerning marine and terrestrial plastic waste management.

Funding: Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada. ; Variation in circulus spacing on scales of wild Atlantic salmon is indicative of changes in body length growth rate. We analyzed scale circulus spacing during the post‐smolt growth period for adult one sea‐winter salmon (n = 1947) returning to Scotland over the period 1993‐2011. Growth pattern of scales was subjectively and visually categorized according to the occurrence and zonal sequence of three inter‐circulus spacing criteria ("Slow", "Fast" and "Check" zones). We applied hierarchical time‐series cluster analysis to the empirical circulus spacing data, followed by post hoc analysis of significant changes in growth patterns within the identified 20 clusters. Temporal changes in growth pattern frequencies showed significant correlation with sea surface temperature anomalies during the early months of the post‐smolt growth season and throughout the Norwegian Sea. Since the turn of millennium, we observed: (i) a marked decrease in the occurrence of continuous Fast growth, and increased frequencies of fish showing (ii) an extended period of initially Slow growth, and (iii) the occurrence of obvious growth Checks, or hiatuses. These changes in post‐smolt growth pattern were manifest also in decreases in the mean body length attained by the ocean midwinter, as sea surface temperatures have risen. ; Publisher PDF ; Peer reviewed

Os avanços tecnológicos necessitam que as empresas sejam mais flexíveis e dinâmicas, possuindo capacidade de aprender e inovar para serem competitivas. Dada a inovação como algo novo, há a necessidade de se realizar estudos de anterioridade tecnológica antes do início das pesquisas, pois assim é possível conhecer as tecnologias existentes e desenvolver algo com potencial mercadológico. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo foi investigar os estudos de anterioridade tecnológica das patentes relacionadas a kits de diagnóstico para leishmaniose. Caracterizada como qualitativa e descritiva, a pesquisa foi baseada em dados secundários obtidos a partir de estratégias de buscas no banco de patentes Thomson Innovation, que possui uma vasta cobertura de patentes em todo o mundo e reúne ferramentas essenciais para a análise de propriedades intelectuais. Os resultados demonstraram que dos 44 documentos recuperados, 26 citaram ou foram citados por outros estudos. Das 412 citações realizadas,76% referem-se à Non-patents, principalmente artigos científicos, e 24% à Backwards, ou seja, patentes. Das Backwards, 53% referem-se a citações de invenções dos próprios países, demonstrando uma aproximação regional. Com relação à Forward, apenas 3 tecnologias foram referenciadas por estudos posteriores, o que pressupõe a importância dessas tecnologias para a evolução da ciência. Assim, evidenciou-se a relevância da anterioridade tecnológica, que vem sendo utilizada na realização de mapeamentos tecnológicos precedentes e no subsídio de estudos futuros.

7‐11 November 2010, Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow, UK

Abstract Environmental changes bring challenges to the governance of water resources in the Paulista Macrometropolis. In this context, adaptive governance and the articulation of actors in networks are strategies for coping with this type of situation. This article analyzes water governance in the Paraíba Valley in light of the challenges posed by the 2013-2015 water crisis. Objective is to analyze the network of actors, exploring ways for greater participation of civil society in socioecological adaptation actions. The method used was Social Network Analysis. The conclusion is that there is a mismatch between civil society and the state to negotiate positions. The paper identifies opportunities for enhancing connections between civil society and academia and broadening engagement and cooperation with a focus on adaptive water governance.

Abstract Environmental changes bring challenges to the governance of water resources in the Paulista Macrometropolis. In this context, adaptive governance and the articulation of actors in networks are strategies for coping with this type of situation. This article analyzes water governance in the Paraíba Valley in light of the challenges posed by the 2013-2015 water crisis. Objective is to analyze the network of actors, exploring ways for greater participation of civil society in socioecological adaptation actions. The method used was Social Network Analysis. The conclusion is that there is a mismatch between civil society and the state to negotiate positions. The paper identifies opportunities for enhancing connections between civil society and academia and broadening engagement and cooperation with a focus on adaptive water governance.

The rare earth elements (REE) along with iron and manganese distribution in ochre-precipitates and wetland soils in a passive system for acid mine drainage treatment (Jales, Portugal) was studied. The results obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis showed a higher incorporation of the light REE (particularly La and Ce) by the ochre-precipitates resulting from the mine water-limestone interaction. These fluffy materials influence the entrance of the first wetland where a correlation between Fe and La and Ce was found. Then Mn phases appear to play a more important role controlling REE distribution in the remaining area of the wetland soils. ; Thanks to EDM (Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A.) for providing access to the water treatment plant, and to the staff of the Portuguese Research Reactor (RPI) of CTN/IST. C2TN authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT (the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation) support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013. This work is co-funded by European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, based on COMPETE 2020 (Programa Operacional da Competitividade e Internacionalização), project ICT (UID/GEO/04683/2013) with reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007690 and national funds provided by FCT. ...