It was founded in 1996 and named after Fernando Pessoa, a famous Portuguese writer and poet..
Cognitive Training (CT) is proposed to improve cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), but its effect on objective cognition remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023426761) aimed to examine the efficacy of CT on objective CRCI using neuropsychological tests categorised into cognitive domains following international classifications. Secondary objectives were to assess CT effects on self-reported variables. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library (last search in May 2024). Controlled trials performing CT and reporting neuropsychological outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB-2 and certainty of evidence with the GRADE approach. Hedges’ g at post-intervention was the primary outcome of the multivariate meta-analysis, calculated as the standardized mean difference between groups at post-intervention. Hedges´ g at pre-intervention was included as a fixed covariate. Fifteen studies were included in the systematic review and 12 in the meta-analysis (control group n = 507; intervention group n = 578). The meta-analysis showed a small, significant effect of CT on executive functioning (Hedges’ g = 0.15, 95
Implementing sustainability-oriented strategies within the nonprofit sector is often framed through corporate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) frameworks, yet the unique institutional logic of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) demands a more nuanced conceptualization. This study investigates the processes and determinants of sustainable value creation in NPOs, adopting an integrated theoretical framework that dynamically combines Stakeholder Theory, the Resource-Based View, and Institutional Theory. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a thematic synthesis of 60 high-impact papers with confirmatory guided interviews with representatives from eight diverse NPOs. Five core categories of sustainable value creation processes were identified: strategic management, operational management, financial resources management, human capital development, and systemic integration of sustainability. Furthermore, the study identifies 25 determinants formally classified into micro (individual agency), meso (organizational structure), and macro (institutional environment) levels. The findings demonstrate tensions between internal leadership agency and external structural constraints, highlighting the challenges associated with the lack of tailored sustainability tools. It is argued that sustainability in NPOs is a fluid, emergent process defined by mission-driven legitimacy rather than financial materiality. This research provides a diagnostic foundation for assessing ESG readiness and emphasizes the need for reflexive, context-sensitive management tools that align sustainability with the unique nonprofit ethos.
Universities have significant carbon emissions impact and face pressure to cut their operational carbon emissions around the world. This leads to growing interest of the academic and practice community in effective pathways for carbon reduction within higher education. In this context, the aim of the research is to investigate the strategies for decarbonising university operations and challenges being faced. Drawing from a mixed-method approach, a review of case studies, and a survey involving Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in nearly 40 countries, it explores the interconnectedness of awareness, cultural and political dimensions, internal institutional structures, and technical approaches in achieving decarbonisation goals. The findings underscore awareness initiatives that enhance understanding of decarbonisation among educators and students in universities, and communities. The case studies as a review of experiences from diverse geographical regions illustrate varying strategies for carbon emissions reduction in HEIs, underscoring the adaptability of decarbonisation efforts across contexts. Additionally, cultural and political factors emerge as key determinants, requiring tailored strategies to navigate diverse contexts and garner public support. Finally, institutional structures, including financial constraints and regulatory barriers, and ageing infraestructure are identified as key barriers to effective decarbonisation efforts. The novelty of the paper resides on the fact that it highlights the need for integrating decarbonisation goals into institutional governance and planning mechanisms is essential for achieving long-term goal of net zero carbon and aligning with the global UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study advocates for a holistic approach that considers social, economic, environmental and institutional dimensions in advancing decarbonisation within HEIs, rather than treating emissions as a purely technical issue. The effectiveness of decarbonisation measures is dependent on breaking down chronic structural and financial factors in the implementation, and is substantially supported by institutional practices that promote the engagement of all stakeholders and an open, transparent measurement of its impact. By addressing barriers, HEIs can pave the way for a sustainable and low carbon future while serving as catalysts for broader societal change.
Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems have become increasingly relevant as aging populations intensify the demand for technologies that promote autonomy, safety, and quality of life. However, the widespread adoption of audiovisual sensing in smart homes raises critical concerns regarding data protection, privacy, and user trust. Ensuring secure processing while maintaining accurate activity recognition remains a key challenge. This work introduces DistSense, a distributed Peer-to-Peer (P2P) system designed to enhance activity detection in domestic environments through collaborative inference among intelligent audiovisual sensors. DistSense prioritizes privacy by performing local processing, sharing only high-level events, and leveraging distributed ledger mechanisms to ensure data integrity and auditability and support cross-device validation. This collaborative strategy reduces false positives caused by occlusions, illumination variability, and acoustic noise. To assess the system, functional tests were conducted for each module, followed by two use cases evaluated in both simulated and real edge hardware environments. The trained models achieved 88% accuracy for audio and 80% for video, and the system demonstrated effective performance in detecting daily activities and domestic hazards under varying noise conditions. Results indicate that DistSense successfully balances security, user acceptance, and inference robustness, positioning it as a viable solution for privacy-preserving activity monitoring in smart home contexts.
The present letter proposes the implementation of Vernier-effect harmonics through the virtualization of different reference cavities. A Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), actuated by a piezoelectric transducer (PZT), was employed as the sensing element. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the dynamic range was investigated for both the individual interferometer and the implementation of the Virtual Vernier effect. A sensitivity of (8 +/- 0.05)x10(-3) nm/nm was achieved for the single sensor measurement. Considering the implementation of the Vernier effect, the following sensitivities were obtained: (65.6 +/- 0.08)x10(-3) nm/nm for the fundamental, (132 +/- 1)x10-3 nm/nm for the first harmonic, and (192 +/- 1)x10(-3) nm/nm for the second harmonic. Furthermore, a maximum dynamic range of 11.25 mu m and a maximum resolution of 5 pm were achieved. This study highlights the advantages of simultaneously measuring both a single sensor cavity and a harmonic of the Virtual Vernier effect, in order to achieve large dynamic ranges along with high resolution.
