The IGBP/IGAC SAFARI-92 field experiment: Background and overview

The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGBP/IGAC) Southern Africa Fire-Atmosphere Research Initiative (SAFARI-92) field experiment was conducted in the 1992 dry season in southern Africa. The objective of the experiment was a comprehensive investigation of the role of vegetation fires, particularly savanna fires, in atmospheric chemistry, climate, and ecology. During SAFARI-92 experimental fires were conducted in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and at some sites in Zambia, in order to study fire behavior and trace gas and aerosol emissions. Regional studies on atmospheric chemistry and meteorology showed that vegetation fires account for a substantial amount of photochemical oxidants and haze over the subcontinent, and that the export of smoke-laden air masses contributed strongly to the ozone burden of the remote atmosphere in the southern tropical Atlantic region. The relationships between fire, soil moisture status, and soil trace gas emissions were investigated for several climatically and chemically important gases. Remote sensing studies showed that advanced very high resolution radiometer/local area coverage (AVHRR/LAC) imagery was valuable for fire monitoring in the region and in combination with biomass models could be used for the estimation of pyrogenic emissions

Estudo de prevalência de depressão e síndrome cerebral orgânica na população de idosos, Brasil Prevalence of depression and organic cerebral syndrome in the elderly population (Brazil)

São apresentados dados de um estudo de prevalência de síndrome cerebral orgânica e depressão em uma população de idosos em três distritos da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, assim como discutem aspectos metodológicos relacionados com a confiabilidade interavaliadores e teste-reteste e estabelecimento do ponto de corte do instrumento utilizado (BOAS). As taxas de prevalência de síndrome cerebral orgânica variaram de 5,9%, 9,8% e 29,8% entre os distritos estudados, enquanto as taxas de Depressão variaram de 20,9%, 23,0% e 36,8%. Foram ainda calculadas as taxas de prevalência corrigidas pelos dados de sensibilidade e especificidade para ambos os diagnósticos. São discutidos os fatores associados com tais diferenças, tomando como referência a literatura nacional e internacional.<br>Data from a prevalence study of Organic Cerebral Syndrome and Depression in an elderly population living in three boroughs of Rio de Janeiro city are presented. The methodological issues related to interrater and test-retest reliability are discussed and the cut-off point for the instrument adapted (BOAS) established. The prevalence rates in the three boroughs were found, respectively, to be: 5.9%, 9.8% and 29.8% for Organic Cerebral Syndrome and 20.9%, 23.0% and 36.8% for Depression. The prevalence rats have been adjusted using information on sensitivity and specificity for both diagnoses. Aspects of these differences are discussed in the light of national and international literature