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Ensuring Access to Safe and Nutritious Food for All Through the Transformation of Food Systems
Évaluation de l'impact du changement climatique sur la défoliation de l'épinette noire par la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette
Les modèles écologiques actuels prévoient de profonds effets des changements climatiques sur les régimes de perturbations naturelles des forêts. La tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette (Choristoneura fumiferana) (TBE) est le principal insecte défoliateur dans l'est de l'Amérique du Nord. Les épidémies de TBE ont un impact majeur sur la structure et la fonction de la forêt boréale canadienne puisque la défoliation entraîne une diminution de la croissance des arbres, une augmentation de la mortalité et une baisse de la productivité forestière. Les épidémies de TBE sont devenues plus sévères au cours du dernier siècle à cause des changements climatiques; cependant, nous savons peu de choses sur la manière dont l'effet intégré du climat et du TBE modifie la croissance des espèces hôtes. Nous évaluons ici comment l’interaction entre le climat et la gravité de l'épidémie affecte la croissance de l'épinette noire (Picea mariana) pendant l'épidémie de TBE qui a eu lieu entre 1968-1988 et 2006-2017. Nous avons compilé des séries dendrochronologiques (2271 arbres), des données de sévérité de l'épidémie (estimée par la défoliation aérienne observée) et des données climatiques pour 164 sites au Québec, Canada. Nous avons utilisé un modèle linéaire à effets mixtes pour déterminer l'impact des paramètres climatiques, de la défoliation cumulative (des cinq années précédentes) et de leur effet couplé sur la croissance en surface terrière. À la gravité maximale de l'épidémie, la croissance en surface terrière de l'épinette noire a été réduite de 14 à 18 % sur les cinq années en raison de l'effet TBE. Cette croissance a été affectée par le climat : des températures minimales estivales précédentes plus élevées et un indice d'humidité climatique estival plus élevé ont réduit la croissance de 11 % et 4 % respectivement. En revanche, l'effet négatif de la défoliation a été atténué de 9% pour une température minimale plus élevée au printemps précédent et de 7% pour une température maximale plus élevée l'été précédent. Cette étude améliore notre compréhension des effets combinés de la TBE et du climat et aide à prévoir les dommages futurs causés par cet insecte dans les peuplements forestiers afin de soutenir la gestion durable des forêts. Nous recommandons également que les projections des écosystèmes dans la forêt boréale incluent plusieurs classes de défoliation de la TBE et plusieurs scénarios climatiques
Corporate Social Responsibility: the institutionalization of ESG
Understanding the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on firm performance as it relates to industries reliant on technological innovation is a complex and perpetually evolving challenge. To thoroughly investigate this topic, this dissertation will adopt an economics-based structure to address three primary hypotheses. This structure allows for each hypothesis to essentially be a standalone empirical paper, unified by an overall analysis of the nature of impact that ESG has on firm performance. The first hypothesis explores the evolution of CSR to the modern quantified iteration of ESG has led to the institutionalization and standardization of the CSR concept. The second hypothesis fills gaps in existing literature testing the relationship between firm performance and ESG by finding that the relationship is significantly positive in long-term, strategic metrics (ROA and ROIC) and that there is no correlation in short-term metrics (ROE and ROS). Finally, the third hypothesis states that if a firm has a long-term strategic ESG plan, as proxied by the publication of CSR reports, then it is more resilience to damage from controversies. This is supported by the finding that pro-ESG firms consistently fared better than their counterparts in both financial and ESG performance, even in the event of a controversy. However, firms with consistent reporting are also held to a higher standard than their nonreporting peers, suggesting a higher risk and higher reward dynamic. These findings support the theory of good management, in that long-term strategic planning is both immediately economically beneficial and serves as a means of risk management and social impact mitigation. Overall, this contributes to the literature by fillings gaps in the nature of impact that ESG has on firm performance, particularly from a management perspective
Rotational and Dilational Reconstruction in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Moir\'e Bilayers
Lattice reconstruction and corresponding strain accumulation play a key role
in defining the electronic structure of two-dimensional moir\'e superlattices,
including those of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Imaging of TMD
moir\'es has so far provided a qualitative understanding of this relaxation
process in terms of interlayer stacking energy, while models of the underlying
deformation mechanisms have relied on simulations. Here, we use interferometric
four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy to quantitatively
map the mechanical deformations through which reconstruction occurs in
small-angle twisted bilayer MoS2 and WSe2/MoS2 heterobilayers. We provide
direct evidence that local rotations govern relaxation for twisted
homobilayers, while local dilations are prominent in heterobilayers possessing
a sufficiently large lattice mismatch. Encapsulation of the moir\'e layers in
hBN further localizes and enhances these in-plane reconstruction pathways,
suppressing out-of-plane corrugation. We also find that extrinsic uniaxial
heterostrain, which introduces a lattice constant difference in twisted
homobilayers, leads to accumulation and redistribution of reconstruction
strain, demonstrating another route to modify the moir\'e potential.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figure
Computertomographie-basierte Bestimmung von Aortenklappenkalk und seine Assoziation mit Komplikationen nach interventioneller Aortenklappenimplantation (TAVI)
Background: Severe aortic valve calcification (AVC) has generally been recognized as a key factor in the occurrence of adverse events after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). To date, however, a consensus on a standardized calcium detection threshold for aortic valve calcium quantification in contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) is still lacking. The present thesis aimed at comparing two different approaches for quantifying AVC in CTA scans based on their predictive power for adverse events and survival after a TAVI procedure.
Methods: The extensive dataset of this study included 198 characteristics for each of the 965 prospectively included patients who had undergone TAVI between November 2012 and December 2019 at the German Heart Center Berlin (DHZB). AVC quantification in CTA scans was performed at a fixed Hounsfield Unit (HU) threshold of 850 HU (HU 850 approach) and at a patient-specific threshold, where the HU threshold was set by multiplying the mean luminal attenuation of the ascending aorta by 2 (+100 % HUAorta approach). The primary endpoint of this study consisted of a combination of post-TAVI outcomes (paravalvular leak ≥ mild, implant-related conduction disturbances, 30-day mortality, post-procedural stroke, annulus rupture, and device migration). The Akaike information criterion was used to select variables for the multivariable regression model. Multivariable analysis was carried out to determine the predictive power of the investigated approaches.
Results: Multivariable analyses showed that a fixed threshold of 850 HU (calcium volume cut-off 146 mm3) was unable to predict the composite clinical endpoint post-TAVI (OR=1.13, 95 % CI 0.87 to 1.48, p=0.35). In contrast, the +100 % HUAorta approach (calcium volume cut-off 1421 mm3) enabled independent prediction of the composite clinical endpoint post-TAVI (OR=2, 95 % CI 1.52 to 2.64, p=9.2x10-7). No significant difference in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was observed for either of the approaches.
Conclusions: The patient-specific calcium detection threshold +100 % HUAorta is more predictive of post-TAVI adverse events included in the combined clinical endpoint than the fixed HU 850 approach. For the +100 % HUAorta approach, a calcium volume cut-off of 1421 mm3 of the aortic valve had the highest predictive value.Hintergrund: Ein wichtiger Auslöser von Komplikationen nach einer Transkatheter-Aortenklappen-Implantation (TAVI) sind ausgeprägte Kalkablagerung an der Aortenklappe. Dennoch erfolgte bisher keine Einigung auf ein standardisiertes Messverfahren zur Quantifizierung der Kalklast der Aortenklappe in einer kontrastverstärkten dynamischen computertomographischen Angiographie (CTA). Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht, inwieweit die Wahl des Analyseverfahrens zur Quantifizierung von Kalkablagerungen in der Aortenklappe die Prognose von Komplikationen und der Überlebensdauer nach einer TAVI beeinflusst.
Methodik: Der Untersuchung liegt ein umfangreicher Datensatz von 965 Patienten mit 198 Merkmalen pro Patienten zugrunde, welche sich zwischen 2012 und 2019 am Deutschen Herzzentrum Berlin einer TAVI unterzogen haben. Die Quantifizierung der Kalkablagerung an der Aortenklappe mittels CTA wurde einerseits mit einem starren Grenzwert von 850 Hounsfield Einheiten (HU) (HU 850 Verfahren) und andererseits anhand eines individuellen Grenzwertes bemessen. Letzterer ergibt sich aus der HU-Dämpfung in dem Lumen der Aorta ascendens multipliziert mit 2 (+100 % HUAorta Verfahren). Der primäre klinische Endpunkt dieser Dissertation besteht aus einem aus sechs Variablen zusammengesetzten klinischen Endpunkt, welcher ungewünschte Ereignisse nach einer TAVI abbildet (paravalvuläre Leckage ≥mild, Herzrhythmusstörungen nach einer TAVI, Tod innerhalb von 30 Tagen, post-TAVI Schlaganfall, Ruptur des Annulus und Prothesendislokation). Mögliche Störfaktoren, die auf das Eintreten der Komplikationen nach TAVI Einfluss haben, wurden durch den Einsatz des Akaike Informationskriterium ermittelt. Um die Vorhersagekraft von Komplikationen nach einer TAVI durch beide Verfahren zu ermitteln, wurde eine multivariate Regressionsanalyse durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse: Die multivariaten logistischen Regressionen zeigen, dass die Messung der Kalkablagerungen anhand der HU 850 Messung (Kalklast Grenzwert von 146 mm3) die Komplikationen und die Überlebensdauer nicht vorhersagen konnten (OR=1.13, 95 % CI 0.87 bis 1.48, p=0.35). Die nach dem +100 % HUAorta Verfahren (Kalklast Grenzwert von 1421 mm3) individualisierte Kalkmessung erwies sich hingegen als sehr aussagekräftig, da hiermit Komplikationen nach einer TAVI signifikant vorhergesagt werden konnten (OR=2, 95 % CI 1.52 bis 2.64, p=9.2x10-7). In Hinblick auf die postoperative Kaplan-Meier Überlebenszeitanalyse kann auch mit dem +100 % HUAorta Verfahren keine Vorhersage getroffen werden.
Fazit: Aus der Dissertation ergibt sich die Empfehlung, die Messung von Kalkablagerungen nach dem +100 % HUAorta Verfahren vorzunehmen, da Komplikationen wesentlich besser und zuverlässiger als nach der gängigen HU 850 Messmethode vorhergesagt werden können. Für das +100 % HUAorta Verfahren lag der optimale Kalklast Grenzwert bei 1421 mm3
Anuário científico da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa - 2021
É com grande prazer que apresentamos a mais recente edição (a 11.ª) do Anuário Científico da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa. Como instituição de ensino superior, temos o compromisso de promover e incentivar a pesquisa científica em todas as áreas do conhecimento que contemplam a nossa missão. Esta publicação tem como objetivo divulgar toda a produção científica desenvolvida pelos Professores, Investigadores, Estudantes e Pessoal não Docente da ESTeSL durante 2021. Este Anuário é, assim, o reflexo do trabalho árduo e dedicado da nossa comunidade, que se empenhou na produção de conteúdo científico de elevada qualidade e partilhada com a Sociedade na forma de livros, capítulos de livros, artigos publicados em revistas nacionais e internacionais, resumos de comunicações orais e pósteres, bem como resultado dos trabalhos de 1º e 2º ciclo. Com isto, o conteúdo desta publicação abrange uma ampla variedade de tópicos, desde temas mais fundamentais até estudos de aplicação prática em contextos específicos de Saúde, refletindo desta forma a pluralidade e diversidade de áreas que definem, e tornam única, a ESTeSL. Acreditamos que a investigação e pesquisa científica é um eixo fundamental para o desenvolvimento da sociedade e é por isso que incentivamos os nossos estudantes a envolverem-se em atividades de pesquisa e prática baseada na evidência desde o início dos seus estudos na ESTeSL. Esta publicação é um exemplo do sucesso desses esforços, sendo a maior de sempre, o que faz com que estejamos muito orgulhosos em partilhar os resultados e descobertas dos nossos investigadores com a comunidade científica e o público em geral. Esperamos que este Anuário inspire e motive outros estudantes, profissionais de saúde, professores e outros colaboradores a continuarem a explorar novas ideias e contribuir para o avanço da ciência e da tecnologia no corpo de conhecimento próprio das áreas que compõe a ESTeSL. Agradecemos a todos os envolvidos na produção deste anuário e desejamos uma leitura inspiradora e agradável.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Forested buffers in agricultural landscapes : mitigation effects on stream–riparian meta-ecosystems
Stream–riparian meta-ecosystems are strongly connected through exchanges of
energy, material and organisms. Land use can disrupt ecological connectivity by
affecting community composition directly and/or indirectly by altering the instream
and riparian habitats that support biological structure and function. Although
forested riparian buffers are increasingly used as a management intervention, our
understanding of their effects on the functioning of stream–riparian metaecosystems
is limited. This study assessed patterns in the longitudinal and lateral
profiles of streams in modified landscapes across Europe and Sweden using a pairedreach
approach, with upstream unbuffered reaches lacking woody riparian
vegetation and with downstream reaches having well-developed forested buffers.
The presence of buffers was positively associated with stream ecological status as
well as important attributes, which included instream shading and the provision of
suitable habitats for instream and riparian communities, thus supporting more
aquatic insects (especially EPT taxa). Emergence of aquatic insects is particularly
important because they mediate reciprocal flows of subsidies into terrestrial systems.
Results of fatty acid analysis and prey DNA from spiders further supported the
importance of buffers in providing more aquatic-derived quality food (i.e. essential
fatty acids) for riparian spiders. Findings presented in this thesis show that buffers
contribute to the strengthening of cross-ecosystem connectivity and have the
potential to affect a wide range of consumers in modified landscapes
TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFORTFUL FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCES: USING INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS IN FUNDRAISING RESEARCH
Physical-activity oriented community fundraising has experienced an exponential growth in popularity over the past 15 years. The aim of this study was to explore the value of effortful fundraising experiences, from the point of view of participants, and explore the impact that these experiences have on people’s lives. This study used an IPA approach to interview 23 individuals, recognising the role of participants as proxy (nonprofessional) fundraisers for charitable organisations, and the unique organisation donor dynamic that this creates. It also bought together relevant psychological theory related to physical activity fundraising experiences (through a narrative literature review) and used primary interview data to substantiate these. Effortful fundraising experiences are examined in detail to understand their significance to participants, and how such experiences influence their connection with a charity or cause. This was done with an idiographic focus at first, before examining convergences and divergences across the sample. This study found that effortful fundraising experiences can have a profound positive impact upon community fundraisers in both the short and the long term. Additionally, it found that these experiences can be opportunities for charitable organisations to create lasting meaningful relationships with participants, and foster mutually beneficial lifetime relationships with them. Further research is needed to test specific psychological theory in this context, including self-esteem theory, self determination theory, and the martyrdom effect (among others)
Epilepsy Mortality: Leading Causes of Death, Co-morbidities, Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention
a reuptake inhibitor selectively prevents seizure-induced sudden death in the DBA/1 mouse model of sudden unexpected ... Bilateral lesions of the fastigial nucleus prevent the recovery of blood pressure following hypotension induced by ..
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