scholarly journals A Methodological Assessment Based on a Systematic Review of Circular Economy and Bioenergy Addressed by Education and Communication

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4273
Author(s):  
Alejandro Carbonell-Alcocer ◽  
Juan Romero-Luis ◽  
Manuel Gertrudix
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Publish Or Perish ◽  
Agents Of Change ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
Methodological Assessment ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
Meta Analyses

The circular economy and bioenergy are essential strategies for combatting climate change. In the last 10 years, there has been an increase in research on this subject by different disciplines. Educational and communication approaches may prompt a change to make citizens agents of change in the environmental struggle. Therefore, evaluating their level of methodological formalisation allows the identification of characteristics of the research carried out, and to ascertain where academic studies in these disciplines are aimed. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, literature from 2009 to 2019 was identified on the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar, using Publish or Perish software to obtain it. A qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the results was carried out, using cluster analysis and statistic percentages, and comparing column proportions. The analysis of the articles (n = 74) focused on collection techniques, data typology, characteristics of samples and analysis techniques, and showed that the majority were descriptive, oriented toward presenting proposals on educational intervention, with small samples and basic analytical techniques. Despite consistency in the corpus of the research, it is concluded that the studies had a low level of methodological formalisation, which indicates it they were generally related to exploratory research with limited scope, addressing a limited part of the object of study.

Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (33) ◽  
pp. 4092-4111
Author(s):  
Mikael A. de Souza ◽  
Larissa da Silva ◽  
Maria A. C. dos Santos ◽  
Márcia J. F. Macêdo ◽  
Luiz J. Lacerda-Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Natural Insecticides ◽  
Methods Analytical ◽  
Meta Analyses

The Aedes aegypti is responsible for the transmission of arboviruses, which compromise public health. In the search for synthetic product alternatives, essential oils (OEs) have been highlighted by many researchers as natural insecticides. This systematic review (SR) was performed according to PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and its objective was to evaluate studies addressing OEs with larvicidal properties against Ae. aegypti, through electronic database searches (Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo), covering an overview of the plant sources OEs, which plant parts were used, the extraction methods, analytical techniques, major and/or secondary constituents with greater percentages, as well as the LC50s responsible for larval mortality. Following study analysis, plants distributed across 32 families, 90 genera and 175 species were identified. The Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, Asteraceae, Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lauraceae families obtained the highest number of species with toxic properties against larvae from this vector. Practically all plant parts were found to be used for OE extraction. Hydrodistillation and steam distillation were the main extraction methods identified, with GC-MS/GC-FID representing the main analytical techniques used to reveal their chemical composition, especially of terpene compounds. In this context, OEs are promising alternatives for the investigation of natural, ecologically correct and biodegradable insecticides with the potential to be used in Ae. aegypti control programs.

scholarly journals Urban Living Labs, Circular Economy and Nature-Based Solutions: Ideation and Testing of a New Soil in the City of Turin Using a Multi-stakeholder Perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Sveva Ascione ◽  
Federico Cuomo ◽  
Nicole Mariotti ◽  
Laura Corazza
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Urban Living ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
The City

AbstractIn the attempt to foster circular economy (CE), cities are increasingly adopting urban living labs (ULLs) as sites of co-production aimed at testing alternative solutions based on the reuse of products, reduction of consumption and recycling of materials. Taking this perspective, our study adopts an exploratory research design to discover the pragmatic implications emerging from a case study. The City of Turin joined proGIreg, a European project that entails the regeneration of former industrial districts by means of nature-based solutions (NBS). Ranging from aquaponics to green roofs, seven NBS have been experimented in Turin, which rely on the use of natural systems to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges efficiently and sustainably. Among them, the most promising is related to the production and test of the ‘new soil’, a blend obtained by mixing earth materials coming from construction sites with compost, zeolites and mycorrhizae. The case herein presented is interesting to analyse for the multi-stakeholder management setting used, where public institutions, private companies, research institutions, citizens and associations collaborated in the co-creation and testing phase of the NBS. Consequently, the data collected through participant observation and direct interviews allow researchers to describe multi-stakeholders’ dynamics and how they work. Thus, this paper narrates a micro-contextual experience while providing a critique. Results include an analysis of the unique combination of different stakeholders, which strongly impacted on the management and the effectiveness of the entire project. By consequence, the paper offers both theoretical contributions to the relational branch of stakeholder theory and practical evidence in demonstrating the importance of the relational branch of the theory over a more traditional transactional view.

scholarly journals Digital Interventions for Psychological Comorbidities in Chronic Diseases—A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Marta Maisto ◽  
Barbara Diana ◽  
Sonia Di Tella ◽  
Marta Matamala-Gomez ◽  
Jessica Isbely Montana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Digital Contents ◽  
Psychological Comorbidities ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analyses

Chronic diseases represent one of the main causes of death worldwide. The integration of digital solutions in clinical interventions is broadly diffused today; however, evidence on their efficacy in addressing psychological comorbidities of chronic diseases is sparse. This systematic review analyzes and synthesizes the evidence about the efficacy of digital interventions on psychological comorbidities outcomes of specific chronic diseases. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were considered and either depression or anxiety had to be assessed to match the selection criteria. Of the 7636 identified records, 17 matched the inclusion criteria: 9 digital interventions on diabetes, 4 on cardiovascular diseases, 3 on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and one on stroke. Of the 17 studies reviewed, 14 found digital interventions to be effective. Quantitative synthesis highlighted a moderate and significant overall effect of interventions on depression, while the effect on anxiety was small and non-significant. Design elements making digital interventions effective for psychological comorbidities of chronic diseases were singled out: (a) implementing a communication loop with patients and (b) providing disease-specific digital contents. This focus on “how” to design technologies can facilitate the translation of evidence into practice.

Zero Waste Strategy for a Green Campus

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gislaine Ap. Moreira ◽  
Emilia Wanda Rutkoskwi
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Zero Waste ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Sustainability Issue ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Green Campus

When adopting the zero waste strategy for the implementation of waste management measures at a Higher Education Institution, the commitment in the institution is of fundamental importance, not only with solid waste, but with the sustainability issue under a circular economy perspective, which should gradually be incorporated to the different programs and routine actions from universities. Several directions can be taken in the construction of this path so that universities are managed under the sustainability’s premises. In this article, the zero waste strategy for implementation of a circular economy program will be analyzed as a way to consolidate the process Green Campus. A qualitative and exploratory research was undertaken on green campus and zero waste strategies, mainly in universities. Although there is still a limited number of universities committed to zero waste actions, it was possible to appoint the benefits when implementing institutional programs related to sustainability and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Geochemical analysis of small samples: Micro-analytical techniques for the nineties and beyond

1995 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive R. Neal ◽  
Jon P. Davidson ◽  
Kevin D. McKeegan
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Geochemical Analysis

scholarly journals STATURE ESTIMATE OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY THROUGH SEGMENTAL MEASURES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Alves Lamounier ◽  
Nathália Macedo Marteletto ◽  
Cristina Amaral Calixto ◽  
Marcia Reimol de Andrade ◽  
Jacqueline Domingues Tibúrcio
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Actual Height ◽  
Meta Analyses

ABSTRACT Objective: To review studies that evaluate the correspondence between the estimate height via segmental measures and the actual height of children with cerebral palsy. Data sources: Systematic literature review between 1995–2018, guided by the PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), in PubMed, BVS, MEDLINE and Lilacs databases. The descriptors, connected by the AND Boolean Operators, were: anthropometry, cerebral palsy, child and body height. The research comprised papers in Portuguese, English and Spanish, with Qualis-CAPES equal or superior to B3 that addressed the question: “Is there any correlation between estimate height by equations and direct height measures in children with cerebral palsy?” 152 studies were recovered and seven were selected. Their methodological quality was assessed by the scale of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data synthesis: Most studies showed no correspondence between estimated and real height. Studies that showed coincidence of the measures contain limitations that could jeopardize the results (sample losses, small samples and exclusion of patients with severe contractures, scoliosis and severe cerebral palsy). Japanese researchers developed an equation which harmoniously aligns the statures; the study comprised only Japanese patients, though. Conclusions: Given the importance of accuracy in height measures to evaluate infant health, it is crucial to carry out more researches in order to safely establish an association between both estimate and real statures. The development of anthropometric protocols, emerged from such researches, would benefit the follow-up of children with severe psychomotor disabilities.

scholarly journals USE OF SMARTPHONE AND VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY GLASSES IN MATHEMATICS CLASSES

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Dynamic Visualization ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Mathematical Concepts ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Object Of Study

The present work presents a research carried out with 6th and 7th grade students of Elementary School II at Escola Municipal Mon. Walfredo Gurgel Alto do Rodrigues/RN, aiming to encourage the use of materials such as Ruler and Square in Mathematics classes and to know your opinion about the use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality glasses. This aimed at a reflective analysis of how the inclusion of technologies in education can enhance learning when the use of multimedia resources that help in understanding mathematical concepts or that enable a dynamic visualization of the object of study are encouraged. She seeks to know what the contribution of this device to the teaching and learning process of Mathematics. Methodologically, the work is characterized as an exploratory research of qualitative and quantitative nature, with a bias towards a case study, with data collected through a semi-structured questionnaire with 102 students. We can count on an interdisciplinary planning to present the programmed contents with more meaning. The results were analyzed based on the research instruments and the testimonies of the students, in addition to a brief study on information and communication technologies applied to learning. Thus, the data are organized in graphs where the research findings are expressed.

Micromammals and the Late Quaternary of southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Avery
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Pinnacle Point ◽  
Human Movements ◽  
Geographical Scale ◽  
Land Mammal

Abstract Improvements in excavation methods, dating, analytical techniques and statistical applications have all led to a substantial increase in recoverable environmental evidence from micromammals. Because these animals are so small the information they provide is on a smaller geographical scale than that afforded by most other lines of evidence. However, with increasing amounts of data and greater interpretational precision in all spheres, the chances are improving of being able to mesh information from different scales. Blombos, Pinnacle Point and Klasies River on the southern coast of South Africa have clearly demonstrated that micromammalian data can contribute to multidisciplinary interpretations of past conditions, in this case during MIS 5 and 6. Little attention has been paid to the generally small samples from Iron Age sites but the presence of the House rat Rattus rattus may provide important information about human movements and may also contribute to our understanding of the Anthropocene once this has been formally defined. Micromammals have not yet been used as chronostratigraphic indicators in southern Africa but it may be possible to develop biochronologies using them and to incorporate this material into African Land Mammal Ages.

scholarly journals The Role of DNA Degradation in the Estimation of Post-Mortem Interval: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Tozzo ◽  
Salvatore Scrivano ◽  
Matteo Sanavio ◽  
Luciana Caenazzo
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Dna Degradation ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Meta Analyses

The determination of the post-mortal interval (PMI) is an extremely discussed topic in the literature and of deep forensic interest, for which various types of methods have been proposed. The aim of the manuscript is to provide a review of the studies on the post-mortem DNA degradation used for estimating PMI. This review has been performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the PRISMA Guidelines. Several analytical techniques have been proposed to analyse the post-mortem DNA degradation in order to use it to estimate the PMI. Studies focused mainly on animal models and on particular tissues. The results have been mixed: while on the one hand literature data in this field have confirmed that in the post-mortem several degradation processes involve nucleic acids, on the other hand some fundamental aspects are still little explored: the influence of ante and post-mortem factors on DNA degradation, the feasibility and applicability of a multiparametric mathematical model that takes into account DNA degradation and the definition of one or more target organs in order to standardize the results on human cases under standard conditions.

scholarly journals Individual patient data meta-analysis of delayed gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving versus pylorus-resecting pancreatoduodenectomy

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Probst ◽  
U Klaiber ◽  
S Seide ◽  
M Kawai ◽  
I Matsumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Emptying ◽  
Delayed Gastric Emptying ◽  
Individual Patient Data ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
International Study ◽  
Postoperative Outcome ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Individual Patient Level ◽  
Quantitative Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Objective Some studies have indicated that resecting the pylorus during partial pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) may lead to reduced delayed gastric emptying (DGE). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed conflicting results regarding superiority of pylorus-resecting PD (prPD) compared to the pylorus-preserving procedure (ppPD). The aim of this individual patient data meta-analysis was to investigate risk factors on an individual patient level which may explain the observed differences between the existing RCTs. Methods RCTs comparing ppPD and prPD were searched systematically in MEDLINE, Web of Science and CENTRAL. Individual patient data (IPD) from existing RCTs were included. The primary endpoint was DGE according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) adjusted for age, sex and body-mass-index (BMI). The meta-regression model was applied to the IPD of the RCTs. Mixed effects models were applied to perform meta-analyses. Results IPD from 418 patients (three RCTs) were used for quantitative synthesis. There was no significant statistical difference between ppPD and prPD regarding DGE adjusted for age, sex and BMI (OR 0.72; 95%-CI: 0.41 to 1.22) and DGE grade (RR 1.01; 95%-CI: 0.64 to 1.57). Regarding other relevant perioperative and postoperative outcome parameters, there were also no significant differences among the two techniques. Conclusion This IPD meta-analysis comparing preservation and resection of the pylorus during PD confirmed that the resection of the pylorus is not superior to the pylorus-preserving procedure regarding DGE. The pylorus should therefore be preserved whenever possible. Further RCT are futile, because their results are unlikely to change the pooled estimate for DGE.

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