Properties of Multisymplectic Manifolds

This lecture is devoted to review some of the main properties of multisymplectic geometry. In particular, after reminding the standard definition of multisymplectic manifold, we introduce its characteristic submanifolds, the canonical models, and other relevant kinds of multisymplectic manifolds, such as those where the existence of Darboux-type coordinates is assured. The Hamiltonian structures that can be defined in these manifolds are also studied, as well as other important properties, such as their invariant forms and the characterization by automorphisms.Comment: 10 pp. Changes in Sections 5 and 7 (where brief guides to the proofs of theorems have been added). Lecture given at the workshop on {\sl Classical and Quantum Physics: Geometry, Dynamics and Control. (60 Years Alberto Ibort Fest), Instituto de Ciencias Matem\'aticas (ICMAT)}, Madrid (Spain), 5--9 March 201

The effect of social relationships on survival in elderly residents of a Southern European community: a cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Comparative evidence regarding the effects of social relationships on mortality in Mediterranean communities will increase our knowledge of their strengths and the ways in which they influence longevity across cultures. Men and women may benefit differently from social relationships because of cultural differences in gender roles. Psychosocial mechanisms such as social support, which may explain the effects of social networks, may also vary by culture.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Detailed information on the social relationships of a representative sample of 1,174 community-dwelling older adults was collected in Leganés, a city in central Spain. Mortality over a 6-year follow-up period was ascertained. Information on socio-demographic, health and disability variables was also collected. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted separately for men and women and for the combined sample.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Having a confidant was associated with a 25% (95% CI 5–40%) reduction in the mortality risk. The hazard ratio for lack of social participation was 1.5 (95% CI 1.3–1.7). Being engaged in meaningful roles protected against mortality, while receipt of emotional support did not affect survival. These results were comparable for men and women. Having contact with all family ties was associated with reduced mortality only in men. Structural aspects of social networks make a unique contribution to survival, independently of emotional support and the role played in the lives of significant others.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this elderly Southern European population, the beneficial effects of social networks, social participation, engagement in the life of significant others and having a confidant call for public policies that foster intergenerational and community exchanges.</p

Eco-bio-social determinants for house infestation by non-domiciliated Triatoma dimidiata in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Background Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease of major importance in the Americas. Disease prevention is mostly limited to vector control. Integrated interventions targeting ecological, biological and social determinants of vector-borne diseases are increasingly used for improved control. Methodology/principal findings We investigated key factors associated with transient house infestation by T. dimidiata in rural villages in Yucatan, Mexico, using a mixed modeling approach based on initial null-hypothesis testing followed by multimodel inference and averaging on data from 308 houses from three villages. We found that the presence of dogs, chickens and potential refuges, such as rock piles, in the peridomicile as well as the proximity of houses to vegetation at the periphery of the village and to public light sources are major risk factors for infestation. These factors explain most of the intra-village variations in infestation. Conclusions/significance These results underline a process of infestation distinct from that of domiciliated triatomines and may be used for risk stratification of houses for both vector surveillance and control. Combined integrated vector interventions, informed by an Ecohealth perspective, should aim at targeting several of these factors to effectively reduce infestation and provide sustainable vector control

Prevalência de acidentes de trânsito auto-referidos em Rio Branco, Acre

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de acidentes de trânsito auto-referidos e identificar fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado de setembro de 2007 a agosto de 2008, nas zonas urbana e rural de Rio Branco, AC. Foram analisados dados referentes aos adultos (18 a 96 anos, n = 1.516) do inquérito Saúde e Nutrição de Adultos e Crianças de Rio Branco, obtidos em entrevistas domiciliares. As relações entre acidente de trânsito auto-referido e variáveis socioeconômicas e comportamentais foram analisadas por meio de razões de prevalência e intervalos de 95% de confiança; foi efetuada análise de regressão múltipla de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de acidente de trânsito auto-referido foi de 36%. Na análise de Poisson, os indivíduos do sexo masculino (RP=1,45 e IC95%: 1,12;1,87), que relatavam consumo de bebida alcoólica (RP=1,25 e IC95%: 0,97;1,62), com renda acima de cinco salários mínimos (RP=1,88 e IC95%: 1,25;2,83), idade entre 18 e 25 anos (RP=1,45 e IC95%: 1,02;2,05) apresentaram maior probabilidade de referir envolvimento em acidente de trânsito. As variáveis idade e escolaridade mostraram associação inversa com o desfecho, enquanto renda apresentou associação positiva, todas elas com tendência significativa. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência dos acidentes de trânsito auto-referidos aponta risco mais elevado para homens, com renda mais elevada, menor escolaridade e que ingerem bebida alcoólica, os quais devem ser alvo das campanhas preventivas.OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de accidentes de tránsito auto-referidos e identificar factores asociados. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de base poblacional realizado de septiembre de 2007 a agosto de 2008, en las zonas urbana y rural de Rio Branco, Norte de Brasil. Se analizaron datos referentes a los adultos (18 a 96 años, n=1.516) de la Pesquisa Salud y Nutrición de Adultos y Niños de Rio Branco, obtenidos en entrevistas domiciliares. Las relaciones entre accidente de tránsito auto-referido y variables socioeconómicas y conductuales fueron analizadas por medio de tasas de prevalencia e intervalos de 95% de confianza. El análisis multivariado fue efectuado por medio de la regresión de Poisson. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de accidente de tránsito auto-referido fue de 36%. En el análisis multivariado, los individuos del sexo masculino (RP 1,45 e IC95%: 1,12;1,87), que relataban consumo de bebida alcohólica (RP 1,25 e IC95%: 0,97;1,62), con renta superior a cinco salarios mínimos (RP 1,88 e IC95%: 1,25;2,83), edad entre 18 y 25 años (RP 1,45 e IC95%: 1,02;2,05) presentaron mayor probabilidad de referir envolvimiento en accidente de tránsito. Las variables edad y escolaridad mostraron asociación inversa con el resultado, mientras que renta presentó asociación positiva, todas ellas con tendencia significativa. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de los accidentes de tránsito auto-referidos, señalan riesgo más elevado para hombres, con renta más elevada, menor escolaridad y que ingieren bebida alcohólica, siendo ellos el blanco de las campañas preventivas.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported traffic accidents and identify associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based study carried out from September 2007 to August 2008, in the urban and rural zones of Rio Branco (Northern Brazil). Data referring to adults (aged 18 to 96 years, n = 1,516) of the inquiry Health and Nutrition of Adults and Children of Rio Branco, obtained in home interviews, were analyzed. The relations between self-reported traffic accident and socioeconomic and behavior variables were analyzed by means of prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals; Poisson regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported traffic accident was 36%. In the Poisson analysis, male individuals (PR= 1.45 and 95% CI: 1.12;1.87) who reported alcohol consumption (PR= 1.25 and 95%CI: 0.97;1.62), with income above five minimum wages (PR= 1.88 and 95%CI: 1.25;2.83), aged between 18 and 25 years (PR= 1.45 and 95%CI: 1.02;2.05), presented higher probability of reporting involvement in traffic accidents. The variables age and level of schooling had inverse association with the outcome, while income had a positive association, all of them with significant tendency. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported traffic accidents shows higher risk for men with higher income, lower level of schooling and who ingest alcoholic beverages. They should be the target of prevention campaigns

Microbiological Implications of Periurban Agriculture and Water Reuse in Mexico City

BACKGROUND: Recycled treated or untreated wastewater represents an important health challenge in developing countries due to potential water related microbiological exposure. Our aim was to assess water quality and health implications in a Mexico City periurban agricultural area. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A longitudinal study in the Xochimilco wetland area was conducted, and 42 sites were randomly selected from 211, including irrigation water canals and effluents of treatment plants. Sample collection took place during rainy and dry seasons (2000-2001). Microbiological parameters (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, streptococci/enterococci, and bacteria other than Vibrio grown on TCBS), Helicobacter pylori, and physicochemical parameters including trihalomethanes (THM) were determined. Fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are appropriate indicators of human or animal fecal contamination. Fecal coliform counts surpass Mexican and World Health Organization irrigation water guidelines. Identified microorganisms associated with various pathologies in humans and domestic animals comprise Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp; H. pylori was also present in the water. An environmental characteristic of the canal system showed high Total Organic Carbon content and relatively low dissolved oxygen concentration; residual chlorine as a disinfection control is not efficient, but THMs do not represent a problem. During the rainy season, temperature and conductivity were higher; in contrast, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and residual chlorine were lower. This is related with the continuous load of feces from human and animal sources, and to the aquatic systems, which vary seasonally and exhibit evidence of lower water quality in effluents from treatment plants. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a need for improvement of wastewater treatment systems, as well as more efficient monitoring, regulation, and enforcement procedures for wastewater disposal into bodies of water

Elemental composition of vegetables cultivated over coal-mining waste

ABSTRACT We assessed elemental composition of the liver in mice subjected to one-time or chronic consumption of the juice of vegetables cultivated in a vegetable garden built over deposits of coal waste. Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Beta vulgaris L. (beet), Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (kale) were collected from the coal-mining area and from a certified organic farm (control). Elemental composition was analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Concentrations of Mg, S, and Ca of mice subjected to one-time consumption of broccoli and concentrations of these same elements plus Si of mice receiving kale were higher in the coal-mining area. Concentrations of P, K, and Cu were increase after chronic consumption of lettuce from the coal-mining area, whereas the levels of Si, P, K, Fe, and Zn were higher in the group consuming kale from the coal-mining area. Our data suggests that people consuming vegetables grown over coal wastes may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since these plants contain both essential and toxic metals in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good

Global landscape review of serotype-specific invasive pneumococcal disease surveillance among countries using PCV10/13: The pneumococcal serotype replacement and distribution estimation (PSERENADE) project

Serotype-specific surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is essential for assessing the impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV10/13). The Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) project aimed to evaluate the global evidence to estimate the impact of PCV10/13 by age, product, schedule, and syndrome. Here we systematically characterize and summarize the global landscape of routine serotype-specific IPD surveillance in PCV10/13-using countries and describe the subset that are included in PSERENADE. Of 138 countries using PCV10/13 as of 2018, we identified 109 with IPD surveillance systems, 76 of which met PSERENADE data collection eligibility criteria. PSERENADE received data from most (n = 63, 82.9%), yielding 240,639 post-PCV10/13 introduction IPD cases. Pediatric and adult surveillance was represented from all geographic regions but was limited from lower income and high-burden countries. In PSERENADE, 18 sites evaluated PCV10, 42 PCV13, and 17 both; 17 sites used a 3 + 0 schedule, 38 used 2 + 1, 13 used 3 + 1, and 9 used mixed schedules. With such a sizeable and generally representative dataset, PSERENADE will be able to conduct robust analyses to estimate PCV impact and inform policy at national and global levels regarding adult immunization, schedule, and product choice, including for higher valency PCVs on the horizon