Avaliação geoquímica de ambientes contaminados pela extracção mineira, em duas distintas regiões geológicas e climáticas

Avaliação geoquímica de ambientes contaminados pela extracção mineira em duas distintas regiões geológicas e climáticas. O objectivo do presente trabalho consiste na caracterização biogeoquímica de duas áreas mineiras distintas, a mina de São Domingos (Portugal) e a Bacia do Paraopeba (Brasil) e suas componentes geológicas (solos, sedimentos, água intersticial e coluna de água). Devido à ocorrência dos metais sob distintas formas minerais, óxidos de ferro na Bacia do Paraopeba e sulfuretos maciços em S. Domingos, as características geoquímicas do meio e a solubilidade/biodisponibilidade dos elementos metálicos apresentam diferenças acentuadas, tendo como consequência distintos impactos ambientais. A especiação dos elementos metálicos constitui importante ferramenta para a monitorização da poluição ambiental em regiões mineiras. A mobilidade, biodisponibilidade e ecotoxicidade dos metais depende da sua proporção nas diferentes fases minerais ou orgânicas às quais está associado, variando em função das condições químicas do meio, clima e natureza das rochas parentais. A análise das diversas formas químicas forneceu ferramenta imprescindível para o conhecimento das medidas de recuperação/reabilitação a adoptar; ### ABSTRACT: Geochemical evaluation of contaminated environments by mining in two distinct geological and climatic regions The aim of this work is the biogeochemical characterization of two distinct mining areas, São Domingos mine (Portugal) and Paraopeba Basin (Brazil) and their geological components (soil, sediment, pore water and water column). Due to the occurrence of metals in different mineralogical forms, iron oxides in Paraopeba Basin and massive sulphides in S. Domingos, the geochemical characteristics of the environment and the solubility/bioavailability of metals are markedly different, resulting in distinct environmental impacts. The speciation of metallic elements is an important tool for monitoring environmental pollution in mining areas. The mobility, bioavailability and ecotoxicity of metals depend on their proportion in different mineral or organic phases, varying in accordance of the chemical conditions of the environment, the climate and the nature of the parent rock. The analysis of the chemical forms of metals provide indispensable tool for the knowledge of the rehabilitation and recovery measures to use in degraded areas

Caracterização dos riscos ambientais de materiais contaminados na planície aluvionar de uma unidade metalúrgica no Estado de Minas Gerais (Brasil)

A ocorrência antrópica de metais em meio natural relaciona-se maioritariamente com a existência e funcionamento de actividades industriais. A unidade metalúrgica de Três Marias da Votorantim Metais S.A., localizada no estado Brasileiro de Minas Gerais, produz ligas de zinco desde o final dos anos 60. Ao longo dos seus anos de funcionamento tem provocado diversos impactos ambientais na sua envolvente, nomeadamente nos solos, sedimentos e na qualidade da água. A caracterização geoquímica da zona revelou uma elevada contaminação em metaloides e metais pesados (cádmio, crómio, cobre, manganês, níquel, chumbo e zinco) e arsénio, muito acima dos níveis críticos e com elevada biodisponibilidade. Este estudo tem como objectivo avaliar e discutir a extensão da contaminação na zona aluvionar do córrego Consciência, afluente do rio São Francisco, através da análise geoquímica da planície aluvionar e da coluna de água, de forma a avaliar qual a técnica (s) de remediação ambiental mais adequada para implementação na zona; Characterization of the Environmental Risks of Contaminated Materials in the Flood Pain of a Metallurgical Unit in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil) ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic occurrence of metals in a natural environment is mainly related to the existence and functioning of industrial activities. The Três Marias metallurgical unit of Votorantim Metais S.A., located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, has been producing zinc alloys since the late 1960's. Throughout all the years of operation it implemented several negative environmental impacts in its surroundings, namely in the soils, sediments and water column. The geochemical characterization of the zone revealed a high contamination in heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc) and arsenic, above the critical levels with a high bioavailability. This study aims to evaluate and discuss the extent of contamination in the alluvial zone of Consciência river, a tributary of the São Francisco river, through the geochemical analysis of the alluviums and water column, in order to evaluate the most appropriate environmental remediation technique(s) to Implement in the area

Gender equality related to gender differences in life expectancy across the globe gender equality and life expectancy

Life expectancy (LE) depends on the wider determinants of health, many of which have gendered effects worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether gender equality was associated with LE for women and men and the gender gap in LE across the globe. Gender equality in 156 countries was estimated using a modified global gender gap index (mGGGI), based on the index developed by the World Economic Forum between 2010 and 2021. Linear regression was used to investigate the association between the mGGGI and its economic, political, and education subindices and the gender gap in LE and women and men's LE. Overall, the mGGGI increased from 58% in 2010 to 62% in 2021. Globally, changes in the mGGGI and its economic and political subindexes were not associated with changes in the gender gap in LE or with LE for women and men between 2010 and 2020. Improvements in gender equality in education were associated with a longer LE for women and men and widening of the gender gap in LE. In 2021, each 10% increase in the mGGGI was associated with a 4.3-month increase in women's LE and a 3.5-month increase in men's LE, and thus with an 8-month wider gender gap. However, the direction and magnitude of these associations varied between regions. Each 10% increase in the mGGGI was associated with a 6-month narrower gender gap in high-income countries, and a 13- and 16-month wider gender gap in South and Southeast Asia and Oceania, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, respectively. Globally, greater gender equality is associated with longer LE for both women and men and a widening of the gender gap in LE. The variation in this association across world regions suggests that gender equality may change as countries progress towards socioeconomic development and gender equality

Women's representation in clinical trials of patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Sex and gender differences in chronic kidney disease (CKD), including epidemiology and response to treatment, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate how women are represented in CKD clinical trials and whether sex- and gender-disaggregated outcomes were reported. METHODS: Clinical trials on CKD were identified from ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomised, phase 3/4 trials with ≥100 participants were selected to quantify women's representation among participants by computing the participation:prevalence ratio (PPR) and investigating whether sex-disaggregated analyses had been performed. RESULTS: In total, 192 CKD trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and published between 1995 and 2022 were included. Overall, women accounted for 66 875 (45%) of the 147 136 participants. Women's participation in clinical trials was lower than their representation in the underlying CKD population globally (55%). The PPR was 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.72–0.78), with no significant variation irrespective of mean age, CKD stage, dialysis, location, type of intervention or funding agency. A total of 39 (20%) trials reported sex-disaggregated efficacy outcomes and none reported sex-disaggregated safety outcomes. CONCLUSION: Women's participation in CKD clinical trials was lower than their representation in the underlying CKD population. Sex-disaggregated efficacy and safety outcomes were rarely reported. Improving women's enrolment into clinical trials is crucial to enable sex- and gender-disaggregated analysis and thus identify potential differences in treatment response between women and men

Women's representation in clinical trials of patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Sex and gender differences in chronic kidney disease (CKD), including epidemiology and response to treatment, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate how women are represented in CKD clinical trials and whether sex- and gender-disaggregated outcomes were reported. METHODS: Clinical trials on CKD were identified from ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomised, phase 3/4 trials with ≥100 participants were selected to quantify women's representation among participants by computing the participation:prevalence ratio (PPR) and investigating whether sex-disaggregated analyses had been performed. RESULTS: In total, 192 CKD trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and published between 1995 and 2022 were included. Overall, women accounted for 66 875 (45%) of the 147 136 participants. Women's participation in clinical trials was lower than their representation in the underlying CKD population globally (55%). The PPR was 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.78), with no significant variation irrespective of mean age, CKD stage, dialysis, location, type of intervention or funding agency. A total of 39 (20%) trials reported sex-disaggregated efficacy outcomes and none reported sex-disaggregated safety outcomes. CONCLUSION: Women's participation in CKD clinical trials was lower than their representation in the underlying CKD population. Sex-disaggregated efficacy and safety outcomes were rarely reported. Improving women's enrolment into clinical trials is crucial to enable sex- and gender-disaggregated analysis and thus identify potential differences in treatment response between women and men

Influence of Student Selected Components on Medical Career Choice

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background and aims: Student selected components (SSC) offer a privileged opportunity for students to gain a deeper insight into areas of their personal interest, including potential careers. How different SSC programmes influence future career choice remains uncertain. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) how SSC programmes in British medical schools offer career exploration and (2) whether the experience of SSCs during medical school influences medical career choice. Methods: Two online surveys were sent to SSC leads in medical schools and to Foundation Year 2 doctors in the UK. This information was complemented with data available on medical school websites. Results and conclusions: A wide diversity of SSCs programmes is provided by medical schools across the UK, with variable compliance with GMC recommendations regarding career exploration. SSCs seem to play a paramount role in shaping career preferences during medical school and to exert a powerful influence on future career decisions. Therefore, it is imperative to design SSC programmes that allow students to explore several career pathways, including both medical and alternative careers, so that they can make informed decisions and hence avoid the detrimental consequences of inadequate career choices.</ns4:p

Géneros da paisagem: o lugar da paisagem na fotografia documental

A partir de reflexões sobre o conceito de paisagem na fotografia e do lugar do documentário procura-se com esta pesquisa desenvolver um trabalho assente em bases teóricas sobre o conceito de paisagem, a narrativa na fotografia documental, juntamente com um registo fotográfico do espaço doméstico, onde as ideias de lugar, tempo, memória, identidade, funcionalidade vs simbolismo são os pontos relevantes para o discurso reflexivo levantado pelas imagens. Dada a ambiguidade do conceito de paisagem e das suas funções nas diferentes áreas pelas quais é explorado, pretende-se, neste projecto, analisar as rupturas conceptuais e consequentes transformações às quais foi sujeito, de uma maneira geral e a evolução que sofreu, ao longo das últimas décadas, passando de um estatuto de género ao de médium para a construção das mais diversas abordagens, na fotografia em particular. Nesta perspectiva, a relação entre a pesquisa efectuada e a narrativa visual apresentada resulta como uma possibilidade de interpretação assente no campo discursivo do qual o conceito de paisagem é objecto de estudo.From the reflections upon the the concept of landscape and the place of documentary on photography, this research seeks to elaborate a theoretical work based on landscape and its narrative through documental photography, together with a photographic approach of the domestic space where time, memory, function vs symbolism are the main points to the reflective speech raised by the images. Given the ambiguity of the concept of landscape and the different areas on which it is exploited, we intend in this project, to analyze the conceptual ruptures and consequent changes that have ocurred in general, and the evolution that has, over the decades, transformed its meaning from status to a medium for the construction of many different approaches, in photography particularly. In this perspective, the relationship between the research conducted and its visual narrative results as a possible interpretation based on the discursive field from which the concept of landscape is a subject of study