Indicators for the assessment of social resilience in flood-affected communities – A text mining-based methodology

This work turns the social resilience concept into a practical and tangible set of dimensions and indicators for social resilience assessment. It further provides an analysis of the social resilience concept in the context of flood risk governance. Floods are a worldwide recurring phenomenon that causes severe social, economic and environmental losses. In the context of global change, it is very difficult to accurately predict extreme events that may increase disaster frequency; hence the implementation of social resilience is essential to lessen the losses. Indeed, the right balance between natural and social factors and indicators is yet to be found. Social resilience has been debated extensively for decades, both in scientific and political contexts. It has been a concern in disaster risk reduction and risk governance fields, both of which have strived to implement it. The enlarged conceptual discussion regarding this topic has resulted in some indicator-based assessments that hardly reflect the conceptual discussion developed so far. These indicator-based approaches still lack accurate inclusion of social dynamics and the capacity to learn from experience. In order to contribute to a comprehensive approach (concept and methods) for assessing social resilience to floods, the evolutionary resilience concept (Davoudi, Simin; Shaw, Keith; Haider, L. Jamila; Quilnlan, Allyson E; Petterson, Garry D.; Wilkinson, Cathy; Fünfgeld, Hartmut; McEvoy, Darryn; Porter, 2012) was considered as a reference in this work, as it can include dimensions that are difficult to evaluate (non-static time and learning-capacity in multi-dimensional systems). This work addresses the challenge of a conceptual overview of social resilience to include key factors and indicators. Our methodology uses text mining, experts' surveys and bibliography reviews to generate an indicators database. The contribution of this article to the scientific debate on social resilience assessment is twofold. First, the key-concepts, words and expressions in this field are identified, which provides the basis to build a comprehensive and coherent analytical framework. Secondly, an original indicators database is proposed in line with that framework. The results of a text mining-based methodology and an online survey, involving experts from different countries, show that four of the six dimensions of the indicators database refer to social aspects of risks (Individuals, Society, Governance, and Built Environment), while the remaining two refer to the Environment and Disaster. The results obtained so far suggest the need for a next step aiming to validate the dimensions and the indicators of this database through its application to real case studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Activity of water in aqueous systems; A frequently neglected property

In this critical review, the significance of the term ‘activity’ is examined in the context of the properties of aqueous solutions. The dependence of the activity of water(ℓ) at ambient pressure and 298.15 K on solute molality is examined for aqueous solutions containing neutral solutes, mixtures of neutral solutes and salts. Addition of a solute to water(ℓ) always lowers its thermodynamic activity. For some solutes the stabilisation of water(ℓ) is less than and for others more than in the case where the thermodynamic properties of the aqueous solution are ideal. In one approach this pattern is accounted for in terms of hydrate formation. Alternatively the pattern is analysed in terms of the dependence of practical osmotic coefficients on the composition of the aqueous solution and then in terms of solute–solute interactions. For salt solutions the dependence of the activity of water on salt molalities is compared with that predicted by the Debye–Hückel limiting law. The analysis is extended to consideration of the activities of water in binary aqueous mixtures. The dependence on mole fraction composition of the activity of water in binary aqueous mixtures is examined. Different experimental methods for determining the activity of water in aqueous solutions are critically reviewed. The role of water activity is noted in a biochemical context, with reference to the quality, stability and safety of food and finally with regard to health science.

Exopolysaccharide production by the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii Mo169 using fruit pulp waste as the sole carbon source

project LA/P/0140/202019 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy – i4HB. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)A sugar-rich apple pulp waste generated from fruit processing for juice production was used as the sole carbon source for the cultivation of Alteromonas macleodii Mo169, a marine bacterium known for its EPS-secreting ability. The strain efficiently utilized the glucose and fructose present in the apple pulp waste, reaching biomass and EPS production of 9.20 ± 0.61 and 3.51 ± 0.08 g L−1, respectively, in 24-hour bioreactor cultivation. Two high molecular weight (Mw) fractions (1.7 ± 0.0 and 0.74 ± 0.0 MDa) were detected in the sample recovered from the cell-free supernatant by dialysis. The compositional analysis revealed the presence of glucose (31.1 ± 0.2 mol%), arabinose (23.9 ± 0.1 mol%), mannose (17.3 ± 0.1 mol%), glucosamine (10.3 ± 0.5 mol%), galactose (8.7 ± 0.0 mol%) and galacturonic acid (8.7 ± 0.0 mol%), as well as a high content in sulphate (6.0 ± 0.5 wt%). Given the presence of a high Mw polysaccharide in the apple pulp waste, probably pectin, a fraction of the detected sugar monomers might be attributed to that polymer, which was recovered together with A. macleodii Mo169 EPS. Concomitant with EPS synthesis, there was a viscosity build-up in the cultivation broth, which developed a shear-thinning fluid behaviour not observed in the initial medium. Therefore, this study demonstrates that apple pulp waste can be efficiently converted into a novel polysaccharide by A. macleodii Mo169 in a sustainable bioprocess. Moreover, the EPS sugar and acyl composition, together with its good thickening capacity, render the biopolymer of interest for use in several applications.publishersversionpublishe

Gellan-gum based bilayered scaffolds for application in osteochondral tissue engineering

Publicado em "Journal ofTissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine", vol. 7, supp. 1 (2013)Bilayered scaffold and cellular strategies are currently applied to solve the challenging problem of osteochondral defects. In this study, several formulations of Gellan gum were developed to fabricate different scaf- folds possessing a cartilage-like layer and a bone-like layer. The bone- like layers were obtained by low acyl Gellan gum (LAGG) at 2 wt% and different amounts of hydroxyapatite powders (HAp) (5,10,15 and 20wt%). The cartilage-like layers were obtained by preparing LAGG formulation at 2wt% and formulations of LAGG at 2wt% and high acyl Gellan gum (HAGG) at 0.75wt% at a ratio of 75:25(v%). The visco- elastic measurements were performed using a TRITEC8000B DMA to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the bilayered scaffolds. The effect of the incorporation of different amount of HAp within the bone- like layer on the mechanical properties of the scaffolds was also investi- gated. Degradation and water uptake studies were performed by soak- ing the scaffolds in a phosphate buffered saline solution (pH 7.4) up to 30 days. The bilayered scaffolds were investigated by stereo microscope to evaluate the interface between both layers. The cytotoxicity of the bilayered scaffolds was investigated in vitro using a L929 cell line. In vi- tro studies regarding adhesion, encapsulation and viability of human chondrocytes (cartilage-like layer) and human osteoblasts (bone-like layer) cultured in the bilayered scaffolds were also carried by perform- ing SEM analysis and Live/Dead assays

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies in meniscus lesions

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to address tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies applied to the meniscus, specifically (1) clinical applications, indications, results, and pitfalls and (2) the main trends in research assessed by evaluation of preclinical (in vivo) studies. Methods: Three independent reviewers performed a search on PubMed, from 2006 to March 31, 2011, using the term “meniscus” with all of the following terms: “scaffolds,” “constructs,” “cells,” “growth factors,” “implant,” “tissue engineering,” and “regenerative medicine.” Inclusion criteria were English language–written, original clinical research (Level of Evidence I to IV) and preclinical studies of TERM application in knee meniscal lesions. Reference lists and related articles on journal Web sites of selected articles were checked until prepublication for potential studies that could not be identified eventually by our original search. The modified Coleman Methodology score was used for study quality analysis of clinical trials. Results: The PubMed search identified 286 articles (a similar search from 2000 to 2005 identified 161 articles). Non–English-language articles (n 9), Level V publications (n 19), in vitro studies (n 118), and 102 studies not related to the topic were excluded. One reference was identified outside of PubMed. Thirty-eight references that met the inclusion criteria were identified from the original search. On the basis of our prepublication search, 2 other references were included. A total of 9 clinical and 31 preclinical studies were selected for further analysis. Of the clinical trials, 1 was classified as Level I, 2 as Level II, and 6 as Level IV. Eight referred to acellular scaffold implantation for partial meniscal replacement, and one comprised fibrin clot application. The mean modified Coleman Methodology score was 48.0 (SD, 15.7). Of the preclinical studies, 11 original works reported on studies using large animal models whereas 20 research studies used small animals. In these studies the experimental design favored cell-seeded scaffolds or scaffolds enhanced with growth factors (GFs) in attempts to improve tissue healing, as opposed to the plain acellular scaffolds that were predominant in clinical trials. Injection of mesenchymal stem cells and gene therapy are also presented as alternative strategies. Conclusions: Partial meniscal substitution using acellular scaffolds in selected patients with irreparable loss of tissue may be a safe and promising procedure. However, there is only 1 randomized controlled study supporting its application, and globally, many methodologic issues of published trials limit further conclusions. We registered a different trend in preclinical trials, with most considering augmentation of scaffolds by cells and/or GFs, as opposed to the predominantly acellular approach in clinical trials. Different TERM approaches to enhance meniscal repair or regeneration are in preclinical analysis, such as the use of mesenchymal stem cells, gene therapy, and GFs alone or in combination, and thus could be considered in the design of subsequent trials. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies

The effect of magnetic stimulation on the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human stem cells derived from the adipose tissue (hASCs)

The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) towards the musculoskeletal tissues has been the focus of many studies, regarding MNPs ability to promote and direct cellular stimulation and orient tissue responses. This is thought to be mainly achieved by mechano-responsive pathways, which can induce changes in cell behavior, including the processes of proliferation and differentiation, in response to external mechanical stimuli. Thus, the application of MNP-based strategies in tissue engineering may hold potential to propose novel solutions for cell therapy on bone and cartilage strategies to accomplish tissue regeneration. The present work aims at studying the influence of MNPs on the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs). MNPs were incorporated in hASCs and cultured in medium supplemented for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Cultures were maintained up to 28 days with/without an external magnetic stimulus provided by a magnetic bioreactor, to determine if the MNPs alone could affect the osteogenic or chondrogenic phenotype of the hASCs. Results indicate that the incorporation of MNPs does not negatively affect the viability nor the proliferation of hASCs. Furthermore, Alizarin Red staining evidences an enhancement in extracellular (ECM) mineralization under the influence of an external magnetic field. Although not as evident as for osteogenic differentiation, Toluidine blue and Safranin-O stainings also suggest the presence of a cartilage-like ECM with glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans under the magnetic stimulus provided. Thus, MNPs incorporated in hASCs under the influence of an external magnetic field have the potential to induce differentiation towards the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages.This research was supported by Project PEst-C/SAU/LA0026/2013/; NORTE-01-0124-FEDER-000020 under ON.2SR&TD Integrated Program; 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS

Cork oak forests soil bacteria: potential for sustainable agroforest production

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are in increasing demand due to their role in promoting sustainable practices, not only in agriculture but also in forestry. Keeping in mind the future application of PGPR for increasing cork oak sustainability, the aim of this study was to find cork oak PGPR isolates with increased nutrient solubilisation traits, able to promote root morphological changes and/or antagonize cork oak bark phytopathogens. Soils from three cork oak forests with distinct bioclimates (humid, semi-humid and semi-arid) were used for isolating bacteria. From the 7634 colony-forming units, 323 bacterial isolates were biochemically assayed for PGPR traits (siderophores production, phosphate solubilizing and organic acids production), and 51 were found to display all these traits. These PGPR were able to induce root morphological changes on Arabidopsis thaliana, like suppression of primary root growth, increase of lateral roots or root hairs formation. However, the most proficient PGPR displayed specific ability in changing a single root morphological trait. This ability was related not only to bacterial genotype, but also with the environment where bacteria thrived and isolation temperature. Bacteria from semi-arid environments (mainly Bacillus megaterium isolates) could hold a promising tool to enhance plant development. Other isolates (Serratia quinivorens or B. cereus) could be further explored for biocontrol purposes.This work was supported by FEDER funds through COMPETE (Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade) and by national funds by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) in the framework of the projects SuberControl (PTDC/ASP-SIL/28635/2017), BioISI (UIDB/04046/2020) and CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020)