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Cropland ammonia (NH3) emission is a critical driver triggering haze pollution. Many agricultural policies were enforced in past four decades to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency while maintaining crop yield. Inadvertant reductions of NH3 emissions, which may be induced by such policies, are not well evaluated. Here, we quantify the China's cropland-NH3 emission change from 1980 to 2050 and its response to policy interventions, using a data-driven model and a survey-based dataset of the fertilization scheme. Cropland-NH3 emission in China doubled from 1.93 to 4.02 Tg NH3-N in period 1980-1996, and then decreased to 3.50 Tg NH3-N in 2017. The prevalence of four agricultural policies may avoid ~3.0 Tg NH3-N in 2017, mainly located in highly-fertilized areas. Optimization of fertilizer management and food consumption could mitigate three quarters of NH3 emission in 2050 and lower NH3 emission intensity (emission divided by crop production) close to the European Union and the United States. Our findings provide an evidence on the decoupling of cropland-NH3 from crop production in China, and suggest the need to achieve cropland-NH3 mitigation while sustaining crop yields in other developing economies.

Cropland ammonia (NH3) emission is a critical driver triggering haze pollution. Many agricultural policies were enforced in past four decades to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency while maintaining crop yield. Inadvertant reductions of NH3 emissions, which may be induced by such policies, are not well evaluated. Here, we quantify the China's cropland-NH3 emission change from 1980 to 2050 and its response to policy interventions, using a data-driven model and a survey-based dataset of the fertilization scheme. Cropland-NH3 emission in China doubled from 1.93 to 4.02 Tg NH3-N in period 1980-1996, and then decreased to 3.50 Tg NH3-N in 2017. The prevalence of four agricultural policies may avoid ~3.0 Tg NH3-N in 2017, mainly located in highly-fertilized areas. Optimization of fertilizer management and food consumption could mitigate three quarters of NH3 emission in 2050 and lower NH3 emission intensity (emission divided by crop production) close to the European Union and the United States. Our findings provide an evidence on the decoupling of cropland-NH3 from crop production in China, and suggest the need to achieve cropland-NH3 mitigation while sustaining crop yields in other developing economies.

This work aims to optimize and assess the potential use of lipid nanoparticles, namely nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), as drug delivery systems of rifapentine (RPT) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). A Box-Behnken design was used to increase drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) of RPT-loaded NLCs. The optimized nanoparticles were fully characterized, and their effect on cell viability was assessed. The quality-by-design approach allowed the optimization of RPT-loaded NLCs with improved EE and LC using the minimum of experiments. Analyses of variance were indicative of the validity of this model to optimize this nanodelivery system. The optimized NLCs had a mean diameter of 242 ± 9 nm, polydispersity index <0.2, and a highly negative zeta potential. EE values were higher than 80%, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis enabled the confirmation of the efficient encapsulation of RPT. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed spherical nanoparticles, uniform in shape and diameter, with no visible aggregation. Stability studies indicated that NLCs were stable over time. No toxicity was observed in primary human macrophage viability for nanoparticles up to 1000 µg mL-1. Overall, the optimized NLCs are efficient carriers of RPT and should be considered for further testing as promising drug delivery systems to be used in TB treatment. ; This work received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE POCI-01-0145-FEDER-30624) and National Funds (FCT, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through project PTDC/BTM-MAT/30624/2017.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a devastating disease and more people have died of TB than any other infectious diseases throughout the history. The current therapy consists of a multidrug combination in a long-term treatment, being associated with the appearance of several adverse effects. Thus, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed using mannose as a lectin receptor ligand conjugate for macrophage targeting and to increase the therapeutic index of rifampicin (RIF). The developed SLNs were studied in terms of diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC). Morphology, in vitro drug release and differential scanning calorimetry studies, macrophage uptake studies, cell viability and storage stability studies were also performed. The diameter of the SLNs obtained was within the range of 160–250 nm and drug EE was above 75%. The biocompatibility of M-SLNs was verified and the internalization in macrophages was improved with the mannosylation. The overall results suggested that the developed mannosylated formulations are safe and a promising tool for TB therapy targeted for macrophages. ; The authors also thank the CNPq Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil for the Doctoral fellowship 246514/2012–4 and FCT for the PostDoctoral fellowship SFRH/BPD/99124/2013. SCL thanks Operac¸ão NORTE-01–0145-FEDER-000011 for her investigator contract. This work received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds) and National Funds [FCT/MEC, Fundac¸ão para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Educac¸ão e Ciência] under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 UID/MULTI/04378/2013 – POCI/01/0145/FEDER/ 007728. This work was financed by FEDER – Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020 [NORTE-01–0145-FEDER-000012], and by Portuguese funds through FCT – Fundac¸ão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovac¸ão in the framework of the project "Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences" [POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007274].

The reduction of ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a key objective for air pollution control policies in the UK and elsewhere. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been identified as a major contributor to adverse human health effects in epidemiological studies and underpins ambient PM2.5 legislation. As a range of emission sources and atmospheric chemistry transport processes contribute to PM2.5 concentrations, atmospheric chemistry transport models are an essential tool to assess emissions control effectiveness. The EMEP4UK atmospheric chemistry transport model was used to investigate the impact of reductions in UK anthropogenic emissions of primary PM2.5, NH3, NOx, SOx or non-methane VOC on surface concentrations of PM2.5 in the UK for a recent year (2010) and for a future current legislation emission (CLE) scenario (2030). In general, the sensitivity to UK mitigation is rather small. A 30 % reduction in UK emissions of any one of the above components yields (for the 2010 simulation) a maximum reduction in PM2.5 in any given location of ∼ 0.6 µg m−3 (equivalent to ∼ 6 % of the modelled PM2.5). On average across the UK, the sensitivity of PM2.5 concentrations to a 30 % reduction in UK emissions of individual contributing components, for both the 2010 and 2030 CLE baselines, increases in the order NMVOC, NOx, SOx, NH3 and primary PM2.5; however there are strong spatial differences in the PM2.5 sensitivities across the UK. Consequently, the sensitivity of PM2.5 to individual component emissions reductions varies between area and population weighting. Reductions in NH3 have the greatest effect on area-weighted PM2.5. A full UK population weighting places greater emphasis on reductions of primary PM2.5 emissions, which is simulated to be the most effective single-component control on PM2.5 for the 2030 scenario. An important conclusion is that weighting corresponding to the average exposure indicator metric (using data from the 45 model grids containing a monitor whose measurements are used to calculate the UK AEI) further increases the emphasis on the effectiveness of primary PM2.5 emissions reductions (and of NOx emissions reductions) relative to the effectiveness of NH3 emissions reductions. Reductions in primary PM2.5 have the largest impact on the AEI in both 2010 and the 2030 CLE scenario. The summation of the modelled reductions to the UK PM2.5 AEI from 30 % reductions in UK emissions of primary PM2.5, NH3, SOx, NOx and VOC totals 1.17 and 0.82 µg m−3 for the 2010 and 2030 CLE simulations, respectively (not accounting for non-linearity).

Cape Verdean governments have intensified the investment on the National Reproductive Health Program, aiming to provide universal and qualified services, especially to the youngest people. Nevertheless, data suggest that some health challenges remain in this group (e.g., high rates of early/unplanned pregnancies, illegal abortions, sexual risk behaviors). In this paper, we present a protocol of a community-based social prescribing and digital intervention to promote wellbeing and quality of life across the life course of young Cape Verdeans, with a specific focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) related behaviors. The intervention program, to be developed in three years, will follow an Intervention Mapping approach, namely regarding needs assessment and study's protocol. The program's implementation and evaluation will occur simultaneously. The main expected result is the development of a sustainable training program implemented in coproduction with Cape Verdeans from Mindelo (in São Vicente island), with replicable potential in other Cape Verdean regions. The intervention will contribute to SRH-related literacy through the digital health literacy materials and to quality of life across the young's life course. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Abstract: In order to obtain a wide-range magnetoelectric (ME) response on a ME nanocomposite that matches industry requirements, Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.92 (Terfenol-D)/CoFe2O4/P(VDF-TrFE) flexible films were produced by solvent casting technique and their morphologic, piezoelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties investigated. The obtained composites revealed a high piezoelectric response (≈-18 pC.N-1) that is independent of the weight ratio between the fillers. In turn, the magnetic properties of the composites were influenced by the composite composition. It was found that the magnetization saturation values decreased with increasing CoFe2O4 content (from 18.5 to 13.3 emu.g-1) while the magnetization and coercive field values increased (from 3.7 to 5.5 emu.g-1 and from 355.7 to 1225.2 Oe, respectively) with increasing CoFe2O4 content. Additionally, those films showed a wide-range dual-peak ME response at room temperature with the ME coefficient increasing with weight content of Terfenol-D, from 18.6 mV.cm-1.Oe-1 to 42.3 mV.cm-1.Oe-1. ; FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia—for financial support in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and under project PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014. Pedro Martins, Silvia Reis and Marco Silva also acknowledge support from FCT (SFRH/BPD/96227/2013, SFRH/BDE/406 and SFRH/BD/70303/2010 grants, respectively). The authors acknowledge funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including the FEDER financial support). Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK program is also acknowledged. The authors thank INL, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal, for offering access to their instruments and expertise ...

The reduction of ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is a key objective for air pollution control policies in the UK and elsewhere. Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 has been identified as a major contributor to adverse human health effects in epidemiological studies and underpins ambient PM 2.5 legislation. As a range of emission sources and atmospheric chemistry transport processes contribute to PM 2.5 concentrations, atmospheric chemistry transport models are an essential tool to assess emissions control effectiveness. The EMEP4UK atmospheric chemistry transport model was used to investigate the impact of reductions in UK anthropogenic emissions of primary PM 2.5 , NH 3 , NO x , SO x or non-methane VOC on surface concentrations of PM 2.5 in the UK for a recent year (2010) and for a future current legislation emission (CLE) scenario (2030). In general, the sensitivity to UK mitigation is rather small. A 30 % reduction in UK emissions of any one of the above components yields (for the 2010 simulation) a maximum reduction in PM 2.5 in any given location of ∼ 0.6 µg m −3 (equivalent to ∼ 6 % of the modelled PM 2.5 ). On average across the UK, the sensitivity of PM 2.5 concentrations to a 30 % reduction in UK emissions of individual contributing components, for both the 2010 and 2030 CLE baselines, increases in the order NMVOC, NO x , SO x , NH 3 and primary PM 2.5 ; however there are strong spatial differences in the PM 2.5 sensitivities across the UK. Consequently, the sensitivity of PM 2.5 to individual component emissions reductions varies between area and population weighting. Reductions in NH 3 have the greatest effect on area-weighted PM 2.5 . A full UK population weighting places greater emphasis on reductions of primary PM 2.5 emissions, which is simulated to be the most effective single-component control on PM 2.5 for the 2030 scenario. An important conclusion is that weighting corresponding to the average exposure indicator metric (using data from the 45 model grids containing a monitor whose measurements are used to calculate the UK AEI) further increases the emphasis on the effectiveness of primary PM 2.5 emissions reductions (and of NO x emissions reductions) relative to the effectiveness of NH 3 emissions reductions. Reductions in primary PM 2.5 have the largest impact on the AEI in both 2010 and the 2030 CLE scenario. The summation of the modelled reductions to the UK PM 2.5 AEI from 30 % reductions in UK emissions of primary PM 2.5 , NH 3 , SO x , NO x and VOC totals 1.17 and 0.82 µg m −3 for the 2010 and 2030 CLE simulations, respectively (not accounting for non-linearity).

The reduction of ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is a key objective for air pollution control policies in the UK and elsewhere. Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 has been identified as a major contributor to adverse human health effects in epidemiological studies and underpins ambient PM 2.5 legislation. As a range of emission sources and atmospheric chemistry transport processes contribute to PM 2.5 concentrations, atmospheric chemistry transport models are an essential tool to assess emissions control effectiveness. The EMEP4UK atmospheric chemistry transport model was used to investigate the impact of reductions in UK anthropogenic emissions of primary PM 2.5 , NH3, NOx, SOx or non-methane VOC on surface concentrations of PM 2.5 in the UK for a recent year (2010) and for a future current legislation emission (CLE) scenario (2030). In general, the sensitivity to UK mitigation is rather small. A 30g% reduction in UK emissions of any one of the above components yields (for the 2010 simulation) a maximum reduction in PM 2.5 in any given location of g1/4 g0.6gμggmg'3 (equivalent to g1/4 g6g% of the modelled PM 2.5 ). On average across the UK, the sensitivity of PM 2.5 concentrations to a 30g% reduction in UK emissions of individual contributing components, for both the 2010 and 2030 CLE baselines, increases in the order NMVOC, NOx, SO x, NH3 and primary PM 2.5 ; however there are strong spatial differences in the PM 2.5 sensitivities across the UK. Consequently, the sensitivity of PM 2.5 to individual component emissions reductions varies between area and population weighting. Reductions in NH3 have the greatest effect on area-weighted PM 2.5 . A full UK population weighting places greater emphasis on reductions of primary PM 2.5 emissions, which is simulated to be the most effective single-component control on PM 2.5 for the 2030 scenario. An important conclusion is that weighting corresponding to the average exposure indicator metric (using data from the 45 model grids containing a monitor whose measurements are used to calculate the UK AEI) further increases the emphasis on the effectiveness of primary PM 2.5 emissions reductions (and of NOx emissions reductions) relative to the effectiveness of NH3 emissions reductions. Reductions in primary PM 2.5 have the largest impact on the AEI in both 2010 and the 2030 CLE scenario. The summation of the modelled reductions to the UK PM 2.5 AEI from 30g% reductions in UK emissions of primary PM 2.5 , NH3, SOx, NOx and VOC totals 1.17 and 0.82gμggmg'3 for the 2010 and 2030 CLE simulations, respectively (not accounting for non-linearity).

The reduction of ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a key objective for air pollution control policies in the UK and elsewhere. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been identified as a major contributor to adverse human health effects in epidemiological studies and underpins ambient PM2.5 legislation. As a range of emission sources and atmospheric chemistry transport processes contribute to PM2.5 concentrations, atmospheric chemistry transport models are an essential tool to assess emissions control effectiveness. The EMEP4UK atmospheric chemistry transport model was used to investigate the impact of reductions in UK anthropogenic emissions of primary PM2.5, NH3, NOx, SOx or non-methane VOC on surface concentrations of PM2.5 in the UK for a recent year (2010) and for a future current legislation emission (CLE) scenario (2030). In general, the sensitivity to UK mitigation is rather small. A 30 % reduction in UK emissions of any one of the above components yields (for the 2010 simulation) a maximum reduction in PM2.5 in any given location of ∼ 0.6 µg m−3 (equivalent to ∼ 6 % of the modelled PM2.5). On average across the UK, the sensitivity of PM2.5 concentrations to a 30 % reduction in UK emissions of individual contributing components, for both the 2010 and 2030 CLE baselines, increases in the order NMVOC, NOx, SOx, NH3 and primary PM2.5; however there are strong spatial differences in the PM2.5 sensitivities across the UK. Consequently, the sensitivity of PM2.5 to individual component emissions reductions varies between area and population weighting. Reductions in NH3 have the greatest effect on area-weighted PM2.5. A full UK population weighting places greater emphasis on reductions of primary PM2.5 emissions, which is simulated to be the most effective single-component control on PM2.5 for the 2030 scenario. An important conclusion is that weighting corresponding to the average exposure indicator metric (using data from the 45 model grids containing a monitor whose measurements are used to calculate the UK AEI) further increases the emphasis on the effectiveness of primary PM2.5 emissions reductions (and of NOx emissions reductions) relative to the effectiveness of NH3 emissions reductions. Reductions in primary PM2.5 have the largest impact on the AEI in both 2010 and the 2030 CLE scenario. The summation of the modelled reductions to the UK PM2.5 AEI from 30 % reductions in UK emissions of primary PM2.5, NH3, SOx, NOx and VOC totals 1.17 and 0.82 µg m−3 for the 2010 and 2030 CLE simulations, respectively (not accounting for non-linearity).

Scientific investigations have progressively refined our understanding of the influence of the environment on human health, and the many adverse impacts that human activities exert on the environment, from the local to the planetary level. Nonetheless, throughout the modern public health era, health has been pursued as though our lives and lifestyles are disconnected from ecosystems and their component organisms. The inadequacy of the societal and public health response to obesity, health inequities, and especially global environmental and climate change now calls for an ecological approach which addresses human activity in all its social, economic and cultural complexity. The new approach must be integral to, and interactive, with the natural environment. We see the continuing failure to truly integrate human health and environmental impact analysis as deeply damaging, and we propose a new conceptual model, the ecosystems-enriched Drivers, Pressures, State, Exposure, Effects, Actions or 'eDPSEEA' model, to address this shortcoming. The model recognizes convergence between the concept of ecosystems services which provides a human health and well-being slant to the value of ecosystems while equally emphasizing the health of the environment, and the growing calls for 'ecological public health' as a response to global environmental concerns now suffusing the discourse in public health. More revolution than evolution, ecological public health will demand new perspectives regarding the interconnections among society, the economy, the environment and our health and well-being. Success must be built on collaborations between the disparate scientific communities of the environmental sciences and public health as well as interactions with social scientists, economists and the legal profession. It will require outreach to political and other stakeholders including a currently largely disengaged general public. The need for an effective and robust science-policy interface has never been more pressing. Conceptual models can facilitate this by providing theoretical frameworks and supporting stakeholder engagement process simplifications for inherently complex situations involving environment and human health and well-being. They can be tools to think with, to engage, to communicate and to help navigate in a sea of complexity. We believe models such as eDPSEEA can help frame many of the issues which have become the challenges of the new public health era and can provide the essential platforms necessary for progress.

A need for multi-functional assessment tools evaluating trade-offs and co-benefits for various types of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) has been increasingly identified in recent years. Methodologically, concepts for a tool are presented which include quantifying the demand and potential for NBS to enhance ecosystem service (ES) provision, and linking ESs to readily quantifiable and legislatively-relevant environmental quality indicators (EQIs). The objective of tool application is to identify optimal NBS placement across a diverse set of socio-environmental indicators, whilst also incorporating issues of relative location of areas of implementation and benefit accrual. Embedded within the tool is the importance of evaluating outcomes in terms of economic benefits and of sustainable development goals. The concepts are illustrated with simplified examples, relating to the case of implementing urban forestry as an exemplar NBS. By summarising the knowledge base it is demonstrated that benefits of NBS are substantially scale-dependent in two main respects; those of extent and proximity to receptors. Evaluation tools should be capable of quantifying scale-dependence. The substantive importance of these considerations and how their dynamics vary between indicators and services is illustrated graphically through schematic functions. When developed, the tool should be used as a focus for consultation and co-design to pinpoint the size of NBS necessary to achieve a sufficient level of benefit for a particular receptor. This could be measured against target levels of benefit for each indicator, distinguishing between primary intended outcomes and those co-benefits or trade-offs that are secondary or unintended.

Scientific investigations have progressively refined our understanding of the influence of the environment on human health, and the many adverse impacts that human activities exert on the environment, from the local to the planetary level. Nonetheless, throughout the modern public health era, health has been pursued as though our lives and lifestyles are disconnected from ecosystems and their component organisms. The inadequacy of the societal and public health response to obesity, health inequities, and especially global environmental and climate change now calls for an ecological approach which addresses human activity in all its social, economic and cultural complexity. The new approach must be integral to, and interactive, with the natural environment. We see the continuing failure to truly integrate human health and environmental impact analysis as deeply damaging, and we propose a new conceptual model, the ecosystems-enriched Drivers, Pressures, State, Exposure, Effects, Actions or 'eDPSEEA' model, to address this shortcoming. The model recognizes convergence between the concept of ecosystems services which provides a human health and well-being slant to the value of ecosystems while equally emphasizing the health of the environment, and the growing calls for 'ecological public health' as a response to global environmental concerns now suffusing the discourse in public health. More revolution than evolution, ecological public health will demand new perspectives regarding the interconnections among society, the economy, the environment and our health and well-being. Success must be built on collaborations between the disparate scientific communities of the environmental sciences and public health as well as interactions with social scientists, economists and the legal profession. It will require outreach to political and other stakeholders including a currently largely disengaged general public. The need for an effective and robust science-policy interface has never been more pressing. Conceptual models can facilitate this by providing theoretical frameworks and supporting stakeholder engagement process simplifications for inherently complex situations involving environment and human health and well-being. They can be tools to think with, to engage, to communicate and to help navigate in a sea of complexity. We believe models such as eDPSEEA can help frame many of the issues which have become the challenges of the new public health era and can provide the essential platforms necessary for progress. Crown