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On January 25, 2019, the state of Minas Gerais (MG) in Brazil witnessed yet another disaster involving the collapse of a mining tailings dam. The disaster occurred in the municipality of Brumadinho, belonging to VALE S.A. One of the activities most affected by the disaster was fishing, which suffered from the immediate death of fish, limitations on the use of water resources and uncertainty about the quality of fish for consumption. In addition, this environmental disaster may have caused socio-environmental and economic impacts, severely damaging the region's riverside community and professional artisanal fishermen. This study was carried out with the fishing community and sought to assess their social vulnerability. In order to characterize the activity and identify possible damage, semi-structured interviews were conducted in May 2022. To analyze the qualitative data, the "RAPFISH" method was adapted, considering the following dimensions: 1- social, 2- perception of environmental risk and health, 3- economic, 4- management and technology, and 5- professional organization and governance. The results showed that the fishing communities have managed to maintain and improve their conditions in some of the dimensions considered, but still present situations of social vulnerability. They indicated that fishing is fundamental to family livelihoods and continues to be practiced regardless of the community's perception of risk. However, raising awareness about fish quality, marketing and consumption after the disaster requires more information and monitoring. Our approach was able to show that, among the five components, the social, environmental and economic dimensions are priorities for planning future actions. [Display omitted] • Artisanal fishermen have increased their vulnerability following the mining disaster. • Fishermen have suffered economic losses related to the possible contamination of fish by mine waste. • RAPFISH method adapted to assess post-disaster effects in Brumadinho. • Social vulnerability is particularly represented by low levels of education. • Artisanal fishing is of great social, economic and cultural importance to the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is characterized by a low water precipitation rate, with strong impact on crop productivity, threatening global food production. In this context, the use of soil amendments, such as superabsorbent hydrogels constitute a potential technology for better water use efficiency and higher crop yields. In this work, we synthesised cellulose-based hydrogels, characterized their physical and functional properties, evaluated their impact on the environment, and their potential to be used as a soil amendments. The hydrogel showed pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and conductivity below 10.0 µS cm-1. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed a low intensity peak in the crystallinity region, which was supported by the low crystallinity index (27.3% ± 0.6) verified by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The swelling capacity reached more than 200 g of water, the hydrogel showed good resistance to osmotic pressure and high thermostability, which favours the application in hot and arid areas. In addition, no potentially hazardous compound was detected, nor was there any adverse effect on soil microorganisms. Further, the hydrogel was found to be safe for use during seed sowing and for promoting seedling development. In the greenhouse pot experiment, the hydrogels showed a significant increase in maize shoot and root biomass, demonstrating their ability to contribute to the overall water holding capacity of the soil, thereby influencing nutrient availability for more efficient plant growth. In conclusion, the superabsorbent hydrogel exhibited promising characteristics for use as a soil amendment, scalability potential and constitutes a sustainable alternative for agricultural applications. [Display omitted] • Cellulose-based superabsorbent hydrogels presented neutral pH and low conductivity. • Synthetized hydrogels did not release hazardous compounds after degradation. • Hydrogels showed significant increase in maize shoot and root biomass. • Hydrogels showed ability to contribute to soil water holding capacity. • Hydrogels affected nutrient availability for efficient plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of studies have shown that body fat and inflammation are associated with age-related changes in body muscle composition. However, most of these studies did not control for potential confounders. The aim was to determine whether there is an association between body fat and inflammatory cytokines with muscle mass/strength decline in community-dwelling older adults. Anthropometric, physical and functionality variables were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by the MNA form. Dynapenia was assessed with handgrip strength on the dominant hand using a dynamometer. Sarcopenia was determined using adapted criteria from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). Inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in plasma using a multiplex assay. Associations to muscle mass/strength decline were analyzed using a multinominal logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. We recruited a convenience sample of 311 adults aged 60 years or older. Most of subjects were sufficiently active females with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 64–74 years), whereas about a half (46.3%) were at risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of dynapenia was 38.3%, whereas sarcopenia was 13.2%. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that relative fat mass index is independently associated with sarcopenia. Loss of strength was independently associated only with female sex, lower physical activity, worse nutrition and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, whereas female sex, an insufficiently active lifestyle and relative fat mass index were the key determinants of sarcopenia. These findings highlight the importance of physical activity and healthy diet as effective interventions to prevent muscle mass/strength decline, and points to IL-10/TNF-α ratio and body fat as independently associated factors for dynapenia and sarcopenia, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate how cold ischemia time (CIT) interferes with liver graft function in the first 7 days after surgery for Custodiol (HTK) preserved organs. This retrospective observational study analyzed the medical records of 38 transplantation patients at Hospital Leforte Liberdade, São Paulo, in 2018. The study population was divided into 2 groups (group A, CIT < 8 hours; group B, CIT > 8 hours). Postoperative parameters—such as international normalized ratio, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, creatinine, red blood cell transfusion, need for hemodialysis, use of vasoactive drugs, endotracheal intubation time, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and length of hospital stay—were compared. Group A (CIT < 8 hours) presented less need for red blood cell transfusions (odds ratio 0.29; confidence interval 0.06-0.98; P =.04), had a shorter hospital stay (P =.024), and had lower levels of total bilirubin (P =.05) and GGT (P =.05) in the first 7 postoperative days. The other variables showed no statistically significant difference. In livers preserved with Custodiol, CIT > 8 hours generated higher levels of total bilirubin and GGT in the postoperative period, in addition to higher hospital costs; greater need for red blood cell transfusions; and longer hospitalization, including longer stays in the ICU. • Cold ischemia time interferes with liver graft function in the postoperative period. • Custodiol impacts graft function in prolonged cold ischemia time. • Custodiol and higher levels of total bilirubin and GGT in the postoperative period are discussed. • Longer hospitalization according to cold ischemia time and Custodiol preservation are investigated. • There is a greater need for red blood cell transfusions in prolonged cold ischemia time with HTK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract -European firms are under pressure from regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to identify suitable strategic approaches to reducing carbon emissions, as having such strategies has become an increasingly important business issue. In this context, the literature on the link between financial performance and environmental performance has not obtained conclusive results and the role of debt has not been considered yet. This study analyzed the impact of firms' reductions of carbon emissions on the financial leverage of all listed firms included in the main stock index of 16 European countries by using panel data regression analysis. The carbon risk and tangibility of capital expenditures were found to be the primary drivers of the use of financial debt. The results showed that the general positive impact of carbon emissions on financial debt that was induced by the role of emissions as an indicator of activity was mitigated by firms' carbon environmental performance. Thus, a better carbon performance allowed industrial firms to obtain more long-term financial debt to finance their relevant environmental investments. Highlights • Reductions in carbon emissions impacted on the financial leverage of European listed firms. • Financing was a critical factor for manufacturing firms to reach a low-carbon economy. • Carbon risk and tangibility of capital expenditures addressed the use of financial debt. • Reducing information asymmetry facilitated access to credit for emitters with better CEP. • Less debt was required when the environmental costs were rewarded with higher operating income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Heavy metals in urban soils may impose a threat to public health and may negatively affect urban tree viability. Vegetation spectroscopy techniques applied to bio-indicators bring new opportunities to characterize heavy metal contamination, without being constrained by laborious soil sampling and lab-based sample processing. Here we used Tilia tomentosa trees, sampled across three European cities, as bio-indicators i) to investigate the impacts of elevated concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on leaf mass per area (LMA), total chlorophyll content (Chl), chlorophyll a to b ratio (Chla:Chlb) and the maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm); and ii) to evaluate the feasibility of detecting Cd and Pb contamination using leaf reflectance spectra. For the latter, we used a partial-least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to train spectral-based models for the classification of Cd and/or Pb contamination. We show that elevated soil Pb concentrations induced a significant decrease in the LMA and Chla:Chlb, with no decrease in Chl. We did not observe pronounced reductions of Fv/Fm due to Cd and Pb contamination. Elevated Cd and Pb concentrations induced contrasting spectral changes in the red-edge (690–740 nm) region, which might be associated with the proportional changes in leaf pigments. PLS-DA models allowed for the classifications of Cd and Pb contamination, with a classification accuracy of 86% (Kappa = 0.48) and 83% (Kappa = 0.66), respectively. PLS-DA models also allowed for the detection of a collective elevation of soil Cd and Pb, with an accuracy of 66% (Kappa = 0.49). This study demonstrates the potential of using reflectance spectroscopy for biomonitoring of heavy metal contamination in urban soils. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Cd and Pb pollution in urban soils reduces the leaf mass per area of Tilia trees. • Soil Cd and Pb pollution reduces the leaf chlorophyll a to b ratio of Tilia trees. • Soil Cd and Pb pollution alters leaf spectral properties in the red-edge region. • PLS-DA models based on leaf spectra allow for the detection of Cd and Pb pollution. Applying leaf reflectance spectroscopy to urban trees allows for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution and the classification of pollutants in urban soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To determine the cost-effectiveness ratio of different courses of action for the diagnosis of Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy in Colombia. Methods The cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from the Colombian health system perspective. Decision trees were constructed, and different courses of action were compared considering the following tests: immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot (WB), multiplex polymerase chain reaction, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and the complete sequencing of the dystrophin gene. The time horizon matched the duration of sample extraction and analysis. Transition probabilities were obtained from a systematic review. Costs were constructed with a type-case methodology using the consensus of experts and the valuation of resources from consulting laboratories and the 2001 Social Security Institute cost manual. Deterministic sensitivity and scenario analyses were performed with one or more unavailable alternatives. Costs were converted from Colombian pesos to US dollars using the 2014 exchange rate. Results In the base case, WB was the dominant strategy, with a cost of US $419.07 and a sensitivity of 100%. This approach remains the dominant strategy down to a 98.2% sensitivity and while costs do not exceed US $837.38. If WB was not available, IHC had the best cost-effectiveness ratio, followed by MLPA and sequencing. Conclusions WB is a cost-effective alternative for the diagnosis of patients suspected of having Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy in the Colombian health system. The IHC test is rated as the second-best detection method. If these tests are not available, MLPA followed by sequencing would be the most cost-effective alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Today artisanal fishers working in Natura 2000 coastal protected sites face two major types of change: in marine resources, and the governance of their professions. Such transformations affect fishers' livelihoods, identities and traditions, yet little is known about how these professionals elaborate on these changes – i.e., as continuities or discontinuities - in the narratives they produce as a group. Interviews and focus-groups with artisanal fishers and shellfish harvesters (n = 36) from the Portuguese Southwest coast were subjected to a two-step analysis. First, a textual analysis with Iramuteq helped select the themes directly related to marine resources and governance. Second, three main narratives - on algae, barnacles and fish - were reconstructed. These were then explored regarding: (1) narrative formats (stability, regressive, progressive, mixed); (2) whether/how these formats elaborated changes as continuities or discontinuities; (3) the roles attributed to Self and Others, and whether and how these legitimized the laws, opening avenues for change; and (4) whether narratives were unified or fragmented. This study illustrates how transformations are presented through various combinations of narrative formats, sometimes mobilized to resist and other times to legitimate legal institutional change. It shows how institutional change can be integrated into local narratives as a positive contribution through a process that implies re-constructing the collective identity and local traditions. Through a narrative approach, this paper offers an integrated examination of fishers' concerns towards their professions and the laws regulating them, and provides useful insight into how and when marine governance is more/less likely to be legitimized. Highlights • Artisanal fishers in Natura 2000 sites face ecological and governance changes. • An integrated narrative approach elucidates how they make sense of such changes. • Three narratives are characterized by formats, functions, and unity/fragmentation. • The analysis also examines how past-present changes are elaborated as dis-continuities. • These illustrate when/how marine governance is more/less likely to be legitimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world’s population gets increasingly more urban, the preservation of urban green spaces becomes an important issue in the political agenda worldwide. These spaces may mitigate the negative environmental impacts of urbanisation and improve quality of life. Aiming to increase knowledge in urban biodiversity we compared the diversity of vascular plants and soil microbial communities (fungi and bacteria) in two contrasting typologies of urban green spaces (public gardens and remnant forests) in the city of Coimbra (Portugal). We found 252 taxa of vascular plants of which 58% were native and 42% exotic. Although overall diversity indices were similar in both typologies of green spaces, species richness and percentage cover of native taxa were significantly higher in forests than in gardens. Overall, plant communities in the two typologies of green spaces were distinct. We found high variability among gardens, which is consistent with vegetation in gardens being determined by man rather than by competitive or successional processes. Interestingly, the disparity between gardens and forests was also visible for both bacterial and fungal communities indicating an association between above and below-ground communities. We showed that, due to their origin, remnant forests harbour plant taxa with high conservation and ecological values. It also showed that gardens have higher percentage of exotic species, which led us to conclude that native plant species should be given more emphasis in these spaces. City planners should promote urban development by incorporating an ecological perspective into their management plans to enhance human health and global environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we develop an accurate sensor model for inductive loop detectors which are commonly used in traffic management systems. The model is based on rectangular coils and can be readily used for the analysis of vehicle inductive signatures, but it can be easily extended to other applications such as eddy-current non-destructive testing, magnetic resonance or induction heating. Our proposed model considers both flat and non-flat vehicle profiles and exhibits better performance than the standard approach under all the tested scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers report that people older than 60 years old could benefit from easier access to information by using technologies. However, they have been marginalized from the digital inclusion process. The main reason is that the development of devices and interfaces does not consider particularities that allow its use by this range of senior users. Mobile devices with touch screens have the potential to solve these problems. It is because interactions based on touch are more intuitive, regardless of age. However, the use rate of tactile devices for the elderly is considered low compared to other age groups, because they tend to use their mobile phones for relatively limited purposes. The aim of this study is, through interviews and specific tasks encourage the use of technology by those who have not demonstrated the receptive to the devices, and verify the existence of motivations to use a schedule on a tactile device. The results provide insights for developing a schedule application, and evidence that even the senescent people, who often have hesitation about mobile devices, after the conclusion of a task supported by specialists became receptive to such technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to evaluate the ability of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to enhance Zea mays growth in an agricultural P-deficient soil. Five strains were screened for their ability to solubilize P and to produce plant growth promoting (PGP) substances. The best P-solubilizing strains Rhodococcus sp. EC35 (B1), Pseudomonas sp. EAV (B2) and Arthrobacter nicotinovorans EAPAA (B3) were inoculated in maize plants growing in P-deficient soils without P fertilization and amended with soluble (KH 2 PO 4 ) and with tricalcium phosphate (TCP). The inoculated PSB were monitored in soil by DGGE. PSB enhanced maize biomass production in all P-treatments. In soils without P fertilization, bacterial inoculation increased P concentration in roots and shoots and plant dry biomass (ca. 20%). In soils amended with soluble P, strain B2 was the bacteria that better performed improving root and shoot biomass by 102% and 63%, respectively. In soils amended with TCP, plant biomass was also enhanced by bacterial inoculation as well as P accumulation in plant tissues (B3 and BM – mixed inoculation). Plant growth enhancement seems to be related not only to P solubilization but also to other PGP traits, like indol-3-acetic acid and ACC-deaminase activity. DGGE profiles allowed to confirm the presence of PSB in maize rhizosphere after 45 days. This work clearly indicates that inoculated PSB have great potential to be used as biofertilizers in P-deficient soils, especially strains Pseudomonas sp. EAV and A. nicotinovorans EAPAA since both highly increased P availability in soils and promoted maize growth, constituting an attractive alternative to the phosphatic fertilizers amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to disentangle the determinants of the adoption of renewable energy support policies in developing and emerging countries. By analyzing policies already implemented in industrialized countries, we focus on the diffusion but not the invention of climate-relevant policies. We look at four different types of policies (renewable energy targets, feed-in tariffs, other financial incentives and framework policies) and consider both domestic factors and international diffusion mechanisms utilizing a discrete-time events history model with a logit link on a self-compiled dataset of grid-based electricity policy adoption in 112 developing and emerging countries from 1998 to 2009. In general, we find stronger support for the domestic determinants of policy adoption, but also substantial influence of international factors. Countries with a larger population and more wealth have a higher probability of adopting renewable energy policies. Only in some specific cases do natural endowments for producing renewable energy encourage governments to adopt policies, and hydro power resources even correlate negatively with the adoption of targets. Among the international determinants, emulation from colonial peers and membership within the EU seem to facilitate policy adoption. International climate finance is less relevant, as the Global Environmental Facility and the Clean Development Mechanism may only increase the adoption of frameworks and targets, but they have no influence on tariffs and incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Inoculation with ECM fungi at nursery stage enhanced Q. rubra field performance. [•] Tree height was one of the parameters most influenced by the fungal association. [•] Most of the inoculated fungi persisted in the root system 2-yr after transplantation. [•] The ECM fungal community established differed in the inoculated and control plots. [•] Forest reclamation can be optimized by inoculating with ECM fungi at nursery stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Environmental agreements often institutionalize country groups with different commitments. [•] Such groups may create incentives or socialization effects that affect future negotiations. [•] We analyze implications of such groups on negotiation dynamics in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. [•] The division between Annex I and non-Annex I has influenced negotiation behavior. [•] It has amplified the divide between developing and industrialized countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerobic granular sludge (AGS) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) adapted to salinity (12 g L−1 NaCl) was operated under alternating anaerobic-aerobic conditions for the treatment of synthetic saline wastewater containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), namely 17β–estradiol (E2), 17α–ethinylestradiol (EE2) and bisphenol-A (BPA). The SBR was intermittently fed with the EDCs at 2 mg L−1 of each compound. E2 was completely biodegraded, with 60–80% removal attained anaerobically and the remaining quickly consumed under aeration. EE2 was sorbed onto the granular sludge biomass in the anaerobic period, but it was desorbed in subsequent cycles even when the compound was not supplied to the reactor. BPA removal was poor but improved after bioaugmentation with an EDCs degrading bacteria. EDCs shock loads did not significantly affect the COD removal nor the activity of ammonium- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (AOB and NOB, respectively). In contrast, the activity of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) was affected, implying a decrease in P removal within the aerobic phase. AGS core microbiome grouped most bacteria belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria, followed by Bacteroidetes. The microbial profile showed that the introduction of the EDCs mixture increased the relative abundance of Chryseobacterium and Flavobacterium. AOB and NOB species were detected in the AGS biomass, with the latter showing lower relative abundance. Different PAOs, such as Rhodocyclus , Tetrasphaera and Gemmatimonas , were also part of the microbial community, but the addition of EDCs decreased significantly the relative abundance of Rhodocyclus. High microbial diversity was sustained over reactor operation, with the main bacterial groups responsible for nutrients and EDCs removal preserved in the AGS system. The results pointed to the maintenance of a core microbiome over reactor operation that may be related to the stability of the AGS process during EDCs loading. [Display omitted] • Degradation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (E2, EE2 and BPA) by AGS was assessed. • High degradation was observed for E2, which mainly occurred anaerobically. • EE2 was not biodegraded, being adsorbed and desorbed during the successive cycles. • BPA biodegradation was enhanced upon bioaugmentation with a specialized strain. • Stable COD and NH 4 + removal despite EDCs shock loads, while P removal was impaired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Excess nutrient loading is a major environmental problem that greatly affects the community structure and ecosystem function of rivers and estuaries. Human activities have greatly intensified the delivery of nutrients to aquatic environments causing eutrophication in many European waters. To evaluate whether different nitrogen regimes affect the N contents of sediments and macrophytes, two Portuguese estuaries with different intensities of land use in their watersheds — Mondego and Mira — were studied. We measured N concentrations in water, plant aboveground biomass and leaf N and C concentrations in Spartina maritima, Halimione portulacoides, and Zostera noltii; N and C concentrations were also measured both in the bare sediment and in sediment directly beneath plant canopies. The different intensity of land use practices did not consistently result in differences among nitrogen-related variables in Mondego and Mira estuaries. Concentrations of DIN in water were rather high compared to most other estuaries elsewhere. There was no difference in nitrate concentrations in the water column, but ammonium and dissolved organic N concentrations were higher in Mondego than in Mira. Aboveground biomass of H. portulacoides and Z. noltii was greater in Mondego, but not that of S. maritima. %N in the sediments beneath S. maritima and H. portulacoides and in the leaves of H. portulacoides was larger in Mondego than in Mira, but these effects were not observed for other variables and were of small magnitude. The links between N in plants and in ambient water and sediment were also hard to interpret. % N in leaves was positively related to N content of sediments and to nitrate concentration in the water column, but was inversely related to ammonium concentration in water. We conclude that Mondego and Mira estuaries are quite well-enriched in nitrogen, and that it is not evident that they differ in the level of nitrogen enrichment. Because marsh plants in Mondego and Mira are likely N-saturated, it is unlikely to think that nitrogen concentrations or contents in water, plants, or sediment can well serve as sentinels for nitrogen enrichment, as internal pools and processes are either full or N-replete. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zn accumulation in Solanum nigrum grown in naturally contaminated soil in the presence of different types of organic amendments was assessed. Under the same conditions, the response of the plant to inoculation with two different isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices) was also evaluated. S. nigrum grown in the non-amended soil always presented higher Zn accumulation in the tissues, with the addition of amendments inducing reductions of up to 80 and 40%, for manure and compost, respectively, and enhancing plant biomass yields. The establishment of S. nigrum in the Zn contaminated soil combined with the application of amendments led to a 70–80% reduction in the amount of Zn leached through the soil. The use of S. nigrum in combination with manure appeared as an effective method for reducing the effects of soil contamination, diminishing Zn transfer to other environmental compartments via percolation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vertical profiles of C, N, δ 15N and Pb were measured in the Mondego and Mira estuaries as markers that conveyed notions as to the relative influence of anthropogenic influence over the past decades. Recent carbon changes in both estuaries may reflect changes in estuarine productivity, probably as a consequence of sediment reworking and erosion, and also of losses in salt marsh area and dwarf eelgrass beds. δ 15N values began to diverge considerably before the %C and %N and were higher in Mondego. δ 15N signatures detected N enrichment at relatively low rates, and indicated that Mondego received more enriched N than Mira. Lead concentrations differed between estuaries, with higher concentrations in Mondego. The secular increase in %N, Pb, and δ 15N signatures was significantly related to human density in the watersheds of the estuaries and were sensitive indicators of anthropogenic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Zn tissue accumulation in Solanum nigrum grown in a non-contaminated and a naturally contaminated Zn matrix and the effect of inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on metal uptake were assessed. S. Nigrum grown in the contaminated soil always presented higher Zn accumulation in the tissues, accumulating up to 1622mg Zn kg−1. The presence of both Glomus claroideum and Glomus intraradices enhanced the uptake and accumulation of Zn by S. Nigrum (up to 83 and 49% higher Zn accumulation, respectively). The main deposits of the metal were found in the intercellular spaces and in the cell walls of the root tissues, as revealed by autometallography, with the inoculation with different AMF species causing no differences in the location of Zn accumulation. These findings indicate that S. Nigrum inoculated with selected heavy metal tolerant AMF presents extracting and accumulating capacities, constituting a potentially suitable remediation method for Zn polluted soils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study of young adults living in a relatively deprived metropolitan area in Sweden. The analysis of interview data yielded four separate types of neighbourhood discourses, each related to a major hegemonic ‘discourse of the problematic area’. The discursive model was used to disclose different patterns of vulnerability, at both the individual and the community level. The discourses are suggested to function as mechanisms through which the spatial context, defined in structural and relational terms, could be linked to health and well-being. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the impact of environmental performance on firms' stock prices, considering the moderating effect of the green and innovative environmental context by country. Renewable energy policies, green technologies, and foreign trade form this environmental context of interest for the reduction of carbon emissions. Using a sample of 2638 firm-year observations for the firms listed in the main stock index of 16 European countries over the period of 2005–2017, we find that environmental performance is value-relevant, except during the worst years of a crisis, when it is not significant. Two elements of the green technological framework, namely, renewable energy policies and the potential transmission effect of technology through foreign trade, are valued by investors as offsetting factors of the positive effect exerted by carbon performance on the firm's value. This is consistent with the slow and costly adoption of greener technologies. However, registered green patents appear to be a turning point, showing a significant positive effect on the relationship between firms' environmental performances and their market values. Again, the crisis period interferes with deepening the negative effect of renewable energy policies and cancelling out the effect of green patents and foreign trade. On one hand, our results highlight the market's role in making inefficiencies visible and showing the potential future losses of green and innovative policies; on the other hand, the hampering interference of crisis periods must be considered by policymakers. • Environmental performance (EP) positively affects stock prices in European countries. • Renewable energy, green patents, and foreign trade can moderate this effect. • During the financial crisis, the effect of EP on prices is negative or non-significant. • The market plays a role in assessing firms' EP in their green technological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the management process of the Arte Xávega related to the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Portuguese artisanal fishing regulation. This study looks at a formal normativity and seeks to discern how it is achieved. The methodology is based on the analysis of European and national legal documents collected until 2017 and mobilises a reticular approach, which directs our gaze at the complex interactions guided by contingency and heterogeneity. It is argued that the local governance of the Arte Xávega is a highly wide-ranging and diverse process and simultaneously a local and global one through which diverse types of appropriations and translations occur. Throughout this interconnected process between different actors and scales as they seek to implement policies, the different actors' interests are re-represented and re-ordered in the national legislation and norms. Considering this perspective, governance of artisanal fishing is highly contested and unpredictable, shaped by tensions, negotiations, and entangled networks crossing national and transnational scales and perceptions. • The Arte Xávega mobilises an interinstitutional network constituted by different or even conflicting interests and agendas. • The Arte Xávega regulation was analysed as resulting from the interaction between human and non-human actors. • The institutional frameworks and policy discourses can be understood through a reticular analysis of its implementation. • Small-scale fisheries regulatory policies reveal entangled networks crossing global and local scales and agents. • The concepts of heterogeneous, hybrid network and translation can contribute to a more effective process of governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceleration sensors are a viable option for monitoring gait patterns and its application on monitoring falls and risk of falling. However the literature still lacks prospective studies to investigate such risk before the occurrence of falls. To investigate features extracted from accelerometer signals with the purpose of predicting future falls in individuals with no recent history of falls. In this study we investigate the risk of fall in active and healthy community-dwelling living older persons with no recent history of falls, using a single accelerometer and variants of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. A prospective study was conducted with 74 healthy non-fallers older persons. After collecting acceleration data from the participants at the baseline, the occurrence of falls (outcome) was monitored quarterly during one year. A set of frequency features were extracted from the signal and their ability to predict falls was evaluated. The best individual feature result shows an accuracy of 0.75, sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.76. A fusion of the three best features increases the sensitivity to 0.86. On the other hand, the cut-off points of the TUG seconds, often used to assess fall risk, did not demonstrate adequate sensitivity. The results confirms previous evidence that accelerometer features can better estimate fall risk, and support potential applications that try to infer falls risk in less restricted scenarios, even in a sample stratified by age and gender composed of active and healthy community-dwelling living older persons. • Investigate features to be used in predicting future falls in non-fallers older persons. • Study different sources of signals and compare them with the accelerometer features. • Present evidence that accelerometer features have higher sensitivity than TUG seconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]