The EU and US : friends or rivals

As boas relações entre a União Europeia e os EUA são essenciais para a estabilidade global. Mas as actuais relações transatlânticas permanecem constrangidas sobretudo como resultado da guerra no Iraque e da abordagem unilateral da primeira administração George W. Bush. As divergências entre UE-EUA têm aumentado nas áreas políticas e estratégicas bem como nas áreas económicas e sociais. Uma das maiores divergências incide sobre a governação global e sobre o papel atribuído à ONU e a outras instituições multilaterais. Também existe um elevado grau de anti-americanismo (ou de oposição às políticas da administração Bush) na Europa, e de ressentimento para com a Europa (ou melhor, para com a França e Alemanha) nos EUA. A UE não tem ideia de como lidar com a única superpotência mundial. Normalmente prefere- se o bilateral aos canais europeus. Mas as actuais estruturas UE-EUA não permitem uma discussão séria sobre muitas destas diferenças. Nem a OTAN é uma estrutura adequada para um diálogo estratégico transatlântico, como o chanceler Schroeder referiu na Conferencia Wehrkunde, em Munique, em Janeiro de 2005

Possible ring material around centaur (2060) Chiron

We propose that several short duration events observed in past stellar occultations by Chiron were produced by rings material. From a reanalysis of the stellar occultation data in the literature we determined two possible orientations of the pole of Chiron's rings, with ecliptic coordinates l=(352+/-10) deg, b=(37+/-10) deg or l=(144+/-10) deg, b=(24+/-10) deg . The mean radius of the rings is (324 +/- 10) km. One can use the rotational lightcurve amplitude of Chiron at different epochs to distinguish between the two solutions for the pole. Both imply lower lightcurve amplitude in 2013 than in 1988, when the rotational lightcurve was first determined. We derived Chiron's rotational lightcurve in 2013 from observations at the 1.23-m CAHA telescope and indeed its amplitude is smaller than in 1988. We also present a rotational lightcurve in 2000 from images taken at CASLEO 2.15-m telescope that is consistent with our predictions. Out of the two poles the l=(144+/-10) deg, b=(24+/-10) deg solution provides a better match to a compilation of rotational lightcurve amplitudes from the literature and those presented here. We also show that using this preferred pole, Chiron's long term brightness variations are compatible with a simple model that incorporates the changing brightness of the rings as the tilt angle with respect to the Earth changes with time. Also, the variability of the water ice band in Chiron's spectra in the literature can be explained to a large degree by an icy ring system whose tilt angle changes with time and whose composition includes water ice, analogously to the case of Chariklo. We present several possible formation scenarios for the rings from qualitative points of view and speculate on the reasons why rings might be common in centaurs. We speculate on whether the known bimodal color distribution of centaurs could be due to presence of rings and lack of them

Differences between remaining ability and loss of capacity in maximum aerobic impairment

In the evaluation of exercise intolerance of patients with respiratory diseases the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) have proposed similar classifications for rating aerobic impairment using maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) normalized for total body weight (ml min-1 kg-1). However, subjects with the same VO2max weight-corrected values may have considerably different losses of aerobic performance (VO2max expressed as % predicted). We have proposed a new, specific method for rating loss of aerobic capacity (VO2max, % predicted) and we have compared the two classifications in a prospective study involving 75 silicotic claimants. Logistic regression analysis showed that the disagreement between rating systems (higher dysfunction by the AMA/ATS classification) was associated with age >50 years (P<0.005) and overweight (P = 0.04). Interestingly, clinical (dyspnea score) and spirometric (FEV1) normality were only associated with the VO2max, % predicted, normal values (P<0.01); therefore, in older and obese subjects the AMA/ATS classification tended to overestimate the aerobic dysfunction. We conclude that in the evaluation of aerobic impairment in patients with respiratory diseases, the loss of aerobic capacity (VO2max, % predicted) should be used instead of the traditional method (remaining aerobic ability, VO2max, in ml min-1 kg-1).63964

Granuloma anular perfurante simulando tubercúlide pápulo-necrótica

A case is reported of a patient presenting lymph node tuberculosis and cutaneous lesions resembling papulonecrotic tuberculid, but histologically compatible with perforating granuloma annulare and which responded satisfactorily to antituberculous therapy. This is probably one of the first reports of the association of perforating granuloma annulare and tuberculosis, and it is important therefore to highlight the relevance of this disorder in the differential diagnosis of papulonecrotic tuberculid and to raise the hypothesis that this entity should also be considered to be a variant of tuberculid.Os autores relatam o caso de uma paciente com tuberculose ganglionar e lesões cutâneas clinicamente sugestivas de tubercúlide pápulo-necrótica, porém com histopatologia compatível com granuloma anular perfurante, e que apresentaram melhora após tratamento para a tuberculose. Trata-se, possivelmente, de um dos primeiros relatos da associação de granuloma anular perfurante com tuberculose, salientando a importância desta entidade no diagnóstico diferencial da tubercúlide pápulo-necrótica e levantando a possibilidade da mesma ser considerada, também, uma variante de tubercúlide.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of DermatologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Dermatology and PathologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of PathologyUNIFESP, Department of DermatologyUNIFESP, Department of Dermatology and PathologyUNIFESP, Department of PathologySciEL

Is asteroid 2002NY40 a rubble pile gravitationally disrupted

The existence of meteoroid streams containing meter-sized meteoroids capable of produc- ing meteorites after atmospheric interaction was pro- posed quite recently [1]. Their existence has important implications because they can be naturally delivering to the Earth different types of rock-forming materials from Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHA). The recent identification of Near Earth Object (NEO) asteroid 2002NY40 as source of meteorite- dropping bolides [2] opens new questions on the na- ture of this asteroid, and the physical process that originated the fireballs detected in 2006 August. Two of the fireballs exhibited a clear similarity with the orbit of 2002NY40, while a third meteoroid was hav- ing an orbit close to NEO 2004NL8. In fact, these five bodies would be related by the close similarity among their orbits (Figure 1, and Table 3 of [1]). We try to focus here on the possible origin of this complex of bodies on the basis of our present (little) knowledge on the structure and orbital evolution of asteroids 2002NY40 and 2004NL8

Occupational Exposure And Occurrence Of Pneumoconioses In Campinas, Brazil, 1978-2003 [exposição Ocupacional E Ocorrência De Pneumoconioses Na Região De Campinas (sp) Brasil, 1978-2003]

Objective: To develop and consolidate a comprehensive database on the occurrence of pneumoconioses in an industrialized region of Brazil, with a special focus on the activities most frequently related to these diseases. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in order to gather data on cases of pneumoconioses treated at the outpatient clinic of the State University at Campinas Hospital das Clínicas between 1978 and 2003. Individuals diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, based on their occupational history and on chest X-ray findings of abnormalities consistent with interstitial lung disease involving the parenchyma, in accordance with the 1980 and 2000 recommendations of the International Labour Organization, were included in the study. Results: A total of 1147 cases of pneumoconiosis were identified (1075 in males and 72 in females): 1061 cases of silicosis (92.5%); 51 cases of mixed-dust pneumoconiosis (4.45%); 15 cases of asbestosis (1.31%); 13 cases of phosphate rock-related pneumoconiosis (1.13%); and 7 cases of other types of pneumoconiosis (0.6%), including those related to exposure to coal, graphite and hard metals. The most common chest X-ray findings were 1/0, 1/1 or 1/2 profusion and small regular opacities (p, q or r), although 192 patients (16.74%) presented large opacities. There has been a substantial decline in the occurrence of the disease since the 1990s, and the duration of exposure was typically shorter than that observed in a study conducted in the United States. Conclusions: Our findings have been compiled into a comprehensive database for the investigation of pneumoconiosis in an industrialized area of Brazil. These data make it possible to conduct follow-up studies and develop health policies related to occupational respiratory disorders.346367372Corn JK. Historical aspects of industrial hygiene - II. Silicosis. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1980;41(2):125-33(2002) Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica. NIOSH hazard review, , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthRosenman, K.D., Reilly, M.J., Henneberger, P.K., Estimating the total number of newly-recognized silicosis cases in the United States (2003) Am J Ind Med, 44 (2), pp. 141-147(2003) Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report, 2002, , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFinkelstein, M.M., Silicosis surveillance in Ontario from 1979 to 1992 (1995) Scand J Work Environ Health, 21 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 55-57Algranti E. Epidemiologia das doenças ocupacionais respiratórias no Brasil. In: Menezes AM. Epidemiologia das doenças respiratórias. Rio de Janeiro: Revier2001. p.119-43International Labour Office. Guidelines for the Use of ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconiosis. Occupational Safety and Health Series n. 22 (rev). Genebra: ILO2000Valiante, D.J., Rosenman, K.D., Does silicosis still occur? (1989) JAMA, 262 (21), pp. 3003-3007Mulloy, K.B., Coultas, D.B., Samet, J.M., Use of chest radiographs in epidemiological investigations of pneumoconioses (1993) Br J Ind Med, 50 (3), pp. 273-275Morrone, L.C., Epidemiologia da silicose no estado de São Paulo. Rev Bras (1980) Saúde Ocup, 8 (1), pp. 6-30Nogueira, D.P., Certain, D., Brolio, R., Garrafa, N.M., Shibata, H., Ocorrência de silicose entre trabalhadores da indústria cerâmica da cidade de Jundiaí, SP (Brasil). (1981) Rev Saúde Pública, 15 (3), pp. 263-271Bagatin, E., Jardim, J.R., Nery, L.E., Capitani, E.M., Marchi, E., Sabino, M.O., Ocorrencia de silicose pulmonar na regiao de Campinas - SP (1995) Jornal De Pneumologia, 21 (1), pp. 17-26Oliveira, J.I., (1998) Prevalência da silicose entre os trabalhadores das indústrias cerâmicas do município de Pedreira, , SP, thesis, Campinas: Universidade Estadual de Campinas;Algranti, E., Mendonça, E.M., DeCapitani, E.M., Freitas, J.B., Silva, H.C., Bussacos, M.A., Non-malignant asbestos-related diseases in Brazilian asbestos-cement workers (2001) Am J Ind Med, 40 (3), pp. 240-254Bagatin, E., Neder, J.A., Nery, L.E., Terra-Filho, M., Kavakama, J., Castelo, A., Non-malignant consequences of decreasing asbestos exposure in the Brazil chrysotile mines and mills (2005) Occup Environ Med, 62 (6), pp. 381-389Prowse, K., Allen, M.B., Bradbury, S.P., Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary impairment in male and female subjects with pottery workers' silicosis (1989) Ann Occup Hyg, 33 (3), pp. 375-38

Possible effects on avionics induced by terrestrial gamma-ray flashes

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are impulsive (intrinsically sub-millisecond) events associated with lightning in powerful thunderstorms. TGFs turn out to be very powerful natural accelerators known to accelerate particles and generate radiation up to hundreds of MeV energies. The number ratio of TGFs over normal lightning has been measured in tropical regions to be near 10−4. We address in this Article the issue of the possible susceptibility of typical aircraft electronics exposed to TGF particle, gamma ray and neutron irradiation. We consider possible scenarios regarding the intensity, the duration, and geometry of TGFs influencing nearby aircraft, and study their effects on electronic equipment. We calculate, for different assumptions, the total dose and the dose-rate, and estimate single-event-effects. We find that in addition to the electromagnetic component (electrons/positrons, gamma rays) also secondary neutrons produced by gamma-ray photo production in the aircraft structure substantially contribute to single-event effects in critical semiconductors components. Depending on the physical characteristics and geometry, TGFs may deliver a large flux of neutrons within a few milliseconds in an aircraft. This flux is calculated to be orders of magnitude larger than the natural cosmic-ray background, and may constitute a serious hazard to aircraft electronic equipment. We present a series of numerical simulations supporting our conclusions. Our results suggest the necessity of dedicated measurement campaigns addressing the radiative and particle environment of aircraft near or within thunderstorms

Comparative study on myelotoxic and antineoplastic action of Synadenium umbellatum, Vitis vinifera and Resveratrol

Cancer is one of the pathologies that most challenge medicine, not only because of the complexity of its development, but also because of the difficulty of treatment that is not always effective. Due to the significant toxicity and adverse effects profile presented by the main chemotherapeutic agents used to treat neoplasm, there is a constant interest in the search for new drugs that may be a more effective alternative. Therefore, the search for new compounds of plant origin becomes an interesting tool for the discovery of drugs with antitumor activity. Synadenium umbellatum is a plant native to tropical Africa known as “cola-nota”, “hazel”, “cancerous”, “miraculous”, among others. The plant is used by the Brazilian population as having anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antineoplastic properties, among others. However, the literature is lacking on reports of the toxicity of Synadenium umbellatum macerate. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in different plant species, mainly in grape species (Vitis) and their seeds. Vitis vinifera is a species of grape easily found in several regions, also containing a high concentrations of phenolic compounds, including resveratrol in its fruits, leaves and seeds. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the myelotoxicity of macerate, extract and resveratrol and their antitumor activity in Balb/c mice with Ehrlich tumor. The hematological evaluation was obtained by flow cytometry and the tumors were measured using a pachymeter and the tumor masses by means of weighing. No statistically significant difference was observed between results from the control group and the treatment groups. It was concluded that macerate, crude extract and resveratrol did not demonstrate a myelotoxic effect and did not cause a decrease in tumor mass1928086sem informaçã