Percorrer por autor "Rodrigues, Ana"
A mostrar 1 - 3 de 3
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- Constructed wetland: multi-functional benefits of an ecological engineered systemPublication . Ojediran, Adetunji; Pereira, Sofia; Rosa-Santos, Paulo; Rodrigues, Ana; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.Introduction and aim: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are engineered systems inspired by natural wetlands and commonly used for decentralized wastewater treatment. Although their efficiency in pollutant removal is well recognized, other ecosystem services they provide are often overlooked. This work highlights these broader multifunctional benefits through a real-scale horizontal subsurface flow CW (HSSF-CW) operating at a tourism facility in northern Portugal. Results and discussion: System has shown stable long-term operation, providing a reliable basis to explore additional ecosystem services beyond conventional wastewater treatment. Carbon sequestration is being assessed through biomass accumulation and carbon retention in the substrate. Energy recovery is under evaluation using microbial fuel cell integration Harvested plant biomass is being tested for composting and soil amendment, supporting nutrient recycling within the system. The treated effluent demonstrates potential for safe water reuse in irrigation, promoting circular water use on site. Treatment performance is being enhanced using photocatalytic and nanostructured filter modules. Future research would be advanced system optimization and modeling. Conclusion: Recognizing other broader functions of CWs is essential to repositioning them as more than just wastewater treatment technology but rather as multifunctional ecosystem systems that they are.
- Microbial fuel cells’ integration in constructed wetlands: a mini-reviewPublication . Ojediran, Adetunji; Pereira, Sofia; Rosa-Santos, Paulo; Rodrigues, Ana; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.Introduction: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are sustainable wastewater treatment systems leveraging natural processes to remove pollutants. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) enhance CWs by converting organic matter into bioelectricity via electroactive bacteria [1]. Integrating MFCs with CWs creates hybrid systems that improve treatment efficiency and generate renewable energy. The CW-MFC’s performance factors include design setup, water quality, electrochemical conditions, microbial activity, plant type, and environmental parameters. The synergy between CWs and MFCs aligns with circular economy goals, offering decentralized solutions for water and energy sustainability. This review aims to establish a foundation for advancing CW-MFC systems in sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Conclusion: CW-MFC systems combine sustainable wastewater treatment with renewable energy generation, achieving high pollutant removal and modest power output. Overcoming key barriers—such as low energy yields, electrode fouling, and scalability—requires innovation in materials and hybrid designs (e.g., solar integration) to complement output power. Future efforts should focus on long-term field trials, standardized evaluation, and socioeconomic viability. CW-MFCs hold strong potential as decentralized solutions aligned with SDGs 6, 11, and 13.
- Prostate cancer progression: a scoping review, pharmacoeconomic assessment, and evaluation of quality of lifePublication . Dinis de Sousa, Rute; Zagalo, Daniela Mariana; Gouveia, Miguel; Gomes, Luís; Santos Dias, José; Mansinho, André; Santos, Susana; Mariano, José; Canhão, Helena; Rodrigues, AnaAIMS/BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Progression from non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) to metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) significantly worsens health-related quality of life (HRQoL), increases mortality, and raises healthcare costs. This study assessed the impact of avoiding or delaying progression to mCRPC on HRQoL, mortality, and economic outcomes, incorporating patients' lived experiences and unmet needs. METHODS: Three complementary studies were conducted. Study 1 was a scoping review of HRQoL and functional outcomes across disease stages, analyzing 56 studies (27 RCTs, 29 observational). Study 2 used a pharmacoeconomic survival-partition model of apalutamide, calibrated for the Portuguese healthcare system, to estimate utility gains, mortality impacts, and healthcare costs associated with delaying progression (excluding drug costs). Study 3 comprised two virtual focus groups (n?=?5) exploring patient experiences, including symptom burden, psychological impact, daily life disruption, coping strategies, and care-related unmet needs. RESULTS: High-risk nmCRPC patients had higher HRQoL and better function than mCRPC patients. Symptomatic mCRPC had the lowest HRQoL (EQ-5D 0.63-0.90 vs 0.85-0.86; FACT-P 93-123 vs 109-121). Delaying progression yielded an estimated utility gain of 0.192, reduced annual mortality (0.1% vs 19.1%), and 4.4-fold lower healthcare costs. Focus groups confirmed greater physical symptoms, emotional distress, and social disruption in mCRPC, while nmCRPC experiences centered on monitoring and uncertainty. Patients identified gaps in supportive care, including psychosocial, sexual, and functional needs. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying progression from nmCRPC to mCRPC confers substantial HRQoL, survival, and economic benefits. Patient perspectives highlight gaps in supportive care and the value of early targeted interventions. LIMITATIONS: Small qualitative sample, reliance on baseline HRQoL without longitudinal adjustment, heterogeneity across studies, and exclusion of nmCRPC treatment costs may limit generalizability and precision.