Reviews Section
In: Community development journal, Band 35, Heft 4, S. 428-439
ISSN: 1468-2656
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In: Community development journal, Band 35, Heft 4, S. 428-439
ISSN: 1468-2656
The development of food production in cities has raised some important questions about the governance of these activities and the role of city-regions. In this paper through four European case studies– Bristol (UK), Ghent (Belgium), Vigo (Spain), and Zurich (Switzerland) –we consider the ways in which food is governed at the city level. Our case studies demonstrate the role played by citizens in urban food and the challenges this brings to city-region governance. Through horizontal networking, being inspirational to other cities and citizens,communicating their demands and successes very clearly, urban food activists have raised significant questions about how cities are governed. Using the creation of localized identities, which are inclusive and embracing but rooted in their city, these food activists are looking to a future controlled by a democratic impulse rather than the technocracy of professional city managers. This paper uses a range of Weberian influenced theory to explore the topic of urban agriculture not as one simply about environmental performance but of the construction of new civic identities.
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The development of food production in cities has raised some important questions about the governance of these activities and the role of city-regions. In this paper through four European case studies– Bristol (UK), Ghent (Belgium), Vigo (Spain), and Zurich (Switzerland) –we consider the ways in which food is governed at the city level. Our case studies demonstrate the role played by citizens in urban food and the challenges this brings to city-region governance. Through horizontal networking, being inspirational to other cities and citizens, communicating their demands and successes very clearly, urban food activists have raised significant questions about how cities are governed. Using the creation of localized identities, which are inclusive and embracing but rooted in their city, these food activists are looking to a future controlled by a democratic impulse rather than the technocracy of professional city managers. This paper uses a range of Weberian influenced theory to explore the topic of urban agriculture not as one simply about environmental performance but of the construction of new civic identities.
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In: Journal of the International AIDS Society, Band 15, Heft S4, S. 1-1
ISSN: 1758-2652
BackgroundThe significant decrease in mortality has resulted in a large number of individuals aged over 50 living with HIV infection. Additionally, the coexistence of certain pathologies suggests premature aging. In this scenario, the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue is yet to be explored.MethodsCross‐sectional observational study to evaluate the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue and to explore the possible differences between genders in a sample of 100 HIV‐1 infected subjects diagnosed at least 15 years ago. The survey assessed questions/comments made by the patient, questions/comments made by the physician and patients' interest in obtaining more information than was provided. Number of patients and percentages were given and compared using the w2 or Fisher exact test (as appropriate).ResultsParticipants were 60 men and 40 women, diagnosed with HIV infection a median (IQ) of 18 (15.7–21) years ago, who had a nadir CD4 and CD4 cell count at the study entry of 172 (95–272) and 543 (403–677), respectively. Eighty percent of the subjects had VL <25 copies and 42% were HCV/HIV co‐infected (31 subjects with low fibrosis stage). The infection route had been mainly intravenous drug use (37%) and MSM (32%). Men and women had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Sixty‐two percent of the participants acknowledged asking their physicians about aging‐associated symptoms (58% men vs 66% women; p=0.50), 48% reported that their physicians had provided information without having been asked (48% men vs 55% women; p=0.51) and 75% confirmed that they would like to have more information about aging‐associated symptoms (22% men vs 80% women; p<0.001).ConclusionsAround half of the men and women interviewed had discussed aging‐associated symptoms with their physician. However, this seemed insufficient for four‐fifths of the women, who would have liked to have obtained more information about aging.
In: Journal of the International AIDS Society, Band 15, Heft S4
ISSN: 1758-2652
BackgroundHealth beliefs are an important factor in the maintenance of an adherent behaviour. However, specific interventions based on the modification of health beliefs to promote adherence have not been applied in naïve HIV‐infected subjects.MethodsProspective randomized 48‐week study to evaluate the efficacy of a psychoeducative intervention based on health beliefs to promote adherence in a sample of naïve HIV‐1‐infected men who started antiretroviral therapy. Participants were randomized to follow three intervention visits to promote adherence with the use of projective drawing techniques, Life‐steps and Motivational interview (Intervention Group; GI) or to continue with the routine care (Control Group; GC). Adherence was assessed through self‐report and drug plasma levels. Mann‐Whitney nonparametric test, w2 or Fisher exact test were used to compare variables.ResultsParticipants were 40 men with a median (IQ) age of 35.2 (30.2–44.8) years, CD4 cell count at the study entry of 316 (229–539) cells/mm3 and HIV‐RNA VL of 65.000 (22.500–250.000) copies. The infection route had been mainly MSM (90%). QD and BID ARV therapy was prescribed in 29 (72.5%) and 11 (27.5%) subjects. Seven patients (2 in GI; 5 in GC) were lost to follow‐up. At week 48, 100% of subjects in GI and 60% in GC had 100% adherence (p=0.01). In GC, 26% and 14% of subjects had ≥95% and <95% adherence, respectively. No differences were found in adherence regarding QD or BID therapy. All subjects except for 3 had VL <25 copies at week 48.ConclusionsHigh adherence was observed in the majority of this group of naïve HIV‐infected men who initiated their first antiretroviral therapy. However, all subjects following the intervention had 100% adherence after one year of follow‐up. A psychoeducative intervention based on the modification of health beliefs may be a useful strategy to promote adherence in naïve HIV‐infected patients.
Social-ecological network (SEN) concepts and tools are increasingly used in human-environment and sustainability sciences. We take stock of this budding research area to further show the strength of SEN analysis for complex human-environment settings, identify future synergies between SEN and wider human-environment research, and provide guidance about when to use different kinds of SEN approaches and models. We characterize SEN research along a spectrum specifying the degree of explicit network representation of system components and dynamics. We then systematically review one end of this spectrum, what we term 'fully articulated SEN' studies, which specifically model unique social and ecological units and relationships. Results show a larger number of papers focus on methodological advancement and applied ends. While there has been some development and testing of theories, this remains an area for future work and would help develop SENs as a unique field of research, not just a method. Authors have studied diverse systems, while mainly focusing on the problem of social-ecological fit alongside a scattering of other topics. There is strong potential, however, to engage other issues central to human-environment studies. Analyzing the simultaneous effects of multiple social, environmental, and coupled processes, change over time, and linking network structures to outcomes are also areas for future advancement. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of (fully articulated) SEN research, a necessary step that can help scholars develop comparable cases and fill research gaps.
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In: Environmental science and pollution research: ESPR, Band 23, Heft 7, S. 6919-6933
ISSN: 1614-7499
In: Health and Technology, Band 10, Heft 2, S. 385-390
ISSN: 2190-7196
The peculiar optical response of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with metallic nanoparticles can be employed to develop optical sensing materials. These nanocomposites may work in an ample range of temperatures, showing good linearity and high sensitivity. Plasmon resonances of the metallic nanoparticles produce interesting effects on the optical response by affecting the effective refractive index of PDMS. The high resonant response leads to a number of different configurations of optical filters and phase devices whose resonant frequency depends on the chosen nanoparticle. Moreover, the wavelength can be tuned up by external manufacturing conditions such as nanoparticle size or fill factor, and by working parameters such as temperature. This work develops the theoretical background required for the design of these structures, and evaluates the adequate dimensional and doping ranges for device optimization. ; This work was supported by Spanish Government RETOS Program grant no. TEC2013-47342-C2-R and no. TEC2013-50138-EXP, the R&D Program SINFOTON S2013/MIT-2790 of the Comunidad de Madrid, and the European COST Action IC1208.
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Microcapsules are a key class of microscale materials with applications in areas ranging from personal care to biomedicine, and with increasing potential to act as extracellular matrix (ECM) models of hollow organs or tissues. Such capsules are conventionally generated from non-ECM materials including synthetic polymers. Here, we fabricated robust microcapsules with controllable shell thickness from physically- and enzymatically-crosslinked gelatin and achieved a core-shell architecture by exploiting a liquid-liquid phase separated aqueous dispersed phase system in a one-step microfluidic process. Microfluidic mechanical testing revealed that the mechanical robustness of thicker-shell capsules could be controlled through modulation of the shell thickness. Furthermore, the microcapsules demonstrated environmentally-responsive deformation, including buckling by osmosis and external mechanical forces. A sequential release of cargo species was obtained through the degradation of the capsules. Stability measurements showed the capsules were stable at 37 {\deg}C for more than two weeks. Finally, all-aqueous liquid-liquid phase separated and multiphase liquid-liquid phase separated systems were generated with the gel-sol transition of microgel precursors. These smart capsules are promising models of hollow biostructures, microscale drug carriers, and building blocks or compartments for active soft materials and robots. ; Cambridge Trust (Y.X.; B.L.), the Jardine Foundation (Y.X.), Trinity College Cambridge (Y.X.), Peterhouse College Cambridge (T.C.T.M.), the Swiss National Science Foundation (T.C.T.M.), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (K.L.S.), the Schmidt Science Fellowship program in partnership with the Rhodes Trust (K.L.S.), St John's College Cambridge (K.L.S.), China Scholarship Council (H.Z.; B.L.), EPSRC Cambridge NanoDTC (EP/037221/1; A.P.M.G.), the Newman Foundation (T.P.J.K.), the Wellcome Trust (T.P.J.K.), and the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) through the ERC grant PhysProt (agreement n◦ 337969; T.P.J.K.).
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In: Current anthropology, Band 33, Heft 4, S. 451-454
ISSN: 1537-5382
2MASS J20395358+4222505 is an obscured early B supergiant near the massive OB star association Cygnus OB2. Despite its bright infrared magnitude (Ks = 5.82) it has remained largely ignored because of its dim optical magnitude (B = 16.63, V = 13.68). In a previous paper, we classified it as a highly reddened, potentially extremely luminous, early B-type supergiant. We obtained its spectrum in the U, B and R spectral bands during commissioning observations with the instrument MEGARA at the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. It displays a particularly strong Hα emission for its spectral type, B1 Ia. The star seems to be in an intermediate phase between supergiant and hypergiant, a group that it will probably join in the near (astronomical) future. We observe a radial velocity difference between individual observations and determine the stellar parameters, obtaining Teff = 24 000 K and log gc = 2.88 ± 0.15. The rotational velocity found is large for a B supergiant, v sin i = 110 ± 25 kms−1. The abundance pattern is consistent with solar, with a mild C underabundance (based on a single line). Assuming that J20395358+4222505 is at the distance of Cyg OB2, we derive the radius from infrared photometry, finding R = 41.2 ± 4.0 R⊙, log(L/L⊙) = 5.71 ± 0.04 and a spectroscopic mass of 46.5 ± 15.0 M⊙. The clumped mass-loss rate (clumping factor 10) is very high for the spectral type, M˙ = 2.4 × 10−6 M⊙ a−1. The high rotational velocity and mass-loss rate place the star at the hot side of the bi-stability jump. Together with the nearly solar CNO abundance pattern, they may also point to evolution in a binary system, J20395358+4222505 being the initial secondary. © 2022 The Author(s). ; SS-D and AH acknowledge support from the Spanish Government Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación through grants PGC-2018-091 3741-B-C22 and CEX2019-000920-S and from the Canarian Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI), of the Canary Islands Government, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under grant with reference ProID2020010016. MG and FN acknowledge financial support through Spanish grant PID2019-105552RB-C41 (MINECO/MCIU/AEI/FEDER) and from the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) through the Unidad de Excelencia 'María de Maeztu'-Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA) project No. MDM-2017-0737. SRB acknowledges support by the Spanish Government under grants AYA2015-68012-C2-2-P and PGC2018-093741-B-C21/C22 (MICIU/AEI/FEDER, UE). SRA acknowledges funding support from the FONDECYT Iniciación project 11171025 and the FONDECYT Regular project 1201490. JIP acknowledges finantial support from projects Estallidos6 AYA2016-79724-C4 (Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad), Estallidos7 PID2019-107408GB-C44 (Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion), grant P18-FR-2664 (Junta de Andalucía), and grant SEV-2017-0709 'Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa Program' (Spanish Science Ministry). AGP, SP, AG-M, JG and NC acknowledge support from the Spanish MCI through project RTI2018-096188-B-I00. ; Peer reviewed
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GRB 160821B is a short duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected and localized by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in the outskirts of a spiral galaxy at z = 0.1613, at a projected physical offset of 16 kpc from the galaxy's center. We present X-ray, optical/nIR, and radio observations of its counterpart and model them with two distinct components of emission: a standard afterglow, arising from the interaction of the relativistic jet with the surrounding medium, and a kilonova, powered by the radioactive decay of the sub-relativistic ejecta. Broadband modelling of the afterglow data reveals a weak reverse shock propagating backward into the jet, and a likely jet-break at 3.5 d. This is consistent with a structured jet seen slightly off-axis (theta(view) similar to theta(core)) while expanding into a low-density medium (n approximate to 10(-3) cm(-3)). Analysis of the kilonova properties suggests a rapid evolution towards red colours, similar to AT2017gfo, and a low-nIR luminosity, possibly due to the presence of a long-lived neutron star. The global properties of the environment, the inferred low mass (M-ej less than or similar to 0.006 M-circle dot) and velocities (v(ej) greater than or similar to 0.05c) of lanthanide-rich ejecta are consistent with a binary neutron star merger progenitor.© 2019 The Authors. ; Partial support of the DCT was provided by Discovery Communications. LMI was built by Lowell Observatory using funds from the National Science Foundation (AST-1005313). The work is partly based on the observations made with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), installed in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, in the island of La Palma. ET acknowledges financial support provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through HST-GO14357, HST-GO14087, HST-GO14607, and HST-GO14850 grants from the Space Telescope Science Institute, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Incorporated. AJCT, YDH e IM acknowledge financial support from the State Agency for Research of the Spanish MCIU through the 'Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa' award for the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (SEV-2017-0709). The development of CIRCE at GTC was supported by the University of Florida and the National Science Foundation (grant AST-0352664), in collaboration with IUCAA. RSR acknowledges support by Italian Space Agency (ASI) through the Contract no. 2015-046-R.0 and by AHEAD the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme under the AHEAD project (grant agreement no. 654215). YDH also acknowledges the support by the program of China Scholarships Council (CSC) under the grant no. 201406660015. JBG acknowledges the support of the Viera y Clavijo program funded by ACIISI and ULL. GN and AT acknowledge funding in the framework of the project ULTraS (ASI-INAF contract no. 2017-14-H.0). GR acknowledges the support of the University of Maryland through the Joint Space Science Institute Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship. ; Peer reviewed
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The European Union (EU) has recently published its first list of invasive alien species (IAS) of EU concern to which current legislation must apply. The list comprises species known to pose great threats to biodiversity and needs to be maintained and updated. Horizon scanning is seen as critical to identify the most threatening potential IAS that do not yet occur in Europe to be subsequently risk assessed for future listing. Accordingly, we present a systematic consensus horizon scanning procedure to derive a ranked list of potential IAS likely to arrive, establish, spread and have an impact on biodiversity in the region over the next decade. The approach is unique in the continental scale examined, the breadth of taxonomic groups and environments considered, and the methods and data sources used. International experts were brought together to address five broad thematic groups of potential IAS. For each thematic group the experts first independently assembled lists of potential IAS not yet established in the EU but potentially threatening biodiversity if introduced. Experts were asked to score the species within their thematic group for their separate likelihoods of i) arrival, ii) establishment, iii) spread, and iv) magnitude of the potential negative impact on biodiversity within the EU. Experts then convened for a 2-day workshop applying consensus methods to compile a ranked list of potential IAS. From an initial working list of 329 species, a list of 66 species not yet established in the EU that were considered to be very high (8 species), high (40 species) or medium (18 species) risk species was derived. Here, we present these species highlighting the potential negative impacts and the most likely biogeographic regions to be affected by these potential IAS.
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The European Union (EU) has recently published its first list of invasive alien species (IAS) of EU concern to which current legislation must apply. The list comprises species known to pose great threats to biodiversity and needs to be maintained and updated. Horizon scanning is seen as critical to identify the most threatening potential IAS that do not yet occur in Europe to be subsequently risk assessed for future listing. Accordingly, we present a systematic consensus horizon scanning procedure to derive a ranked list of potential IAS likely to arrive, establish, spread and have an impact on biodiversity in the region over the next decade. The approach is unique in the continental scale examined, the breadth of taxonomic groups and environments considered, and the methods and data sources used. International experts were brought together to address five broad thematic groups of potential IAS. For each thematic group the experts first independently assembled lists of potential IAS not yet established in the EU but potentially threatening biodiversity if introduced. Experts were asked to score the species within their thematic group for their separate likelihoods of i) arrival, ii) establishment, iii) spread, and iv) magnitude of the potential negative impact on biodiversity within the EU. Experts then convened for a 2-day workshop applying consensus methods to compile a ranked list of potential IAS. From an initial working list of 329 species, a list of 66 species not yet established in the EU that were considered to be very high (8 species), high (40 species) or medium (18 species) risk species was derived. Here, we present these species highlighting the potential negative impacts and the most likely biogeographic regions to be affected by these potential IAS.
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