Decennial comparison of changes in social vulnerability: a municipal analysis in support of risk management

The concept of Social Vulnerability (SV) is characterized and distinguished by its complexity and multidisciplinarity. This concept takes into account the specific characteristics of the individual and his social and economic relations, as well as the physical environment where he is inserted. These differentiating characteristics make Social Vulnerability (SV) an indispensable work tool in the process of characterizing and understanding the degree of exposure of communities, as well as evaluating their capacity for resilience and recovery from hazardous events. This paper presents a comparison between the SV performed in 2008 with the results obtained in 2017 for the 278 municipalities of mainland Portugal. The methodology was based on the work developed by the Center for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, which is distinguished by the fact that SV is composed of two components: Criticity and Support Capability. The analysis of SV and its components was done using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) starting from an initial set of 235 variables (90 for Criticality and 145 for Support Capability). With respect to Criticality, the results point out the importance of factors related to the economic condition, employment and factors related to the disadvantaged population and risk groups. Support Capability is strongly influenced by the population density and the most relevant factors for the final results are those related to civil protection response, economic and environmental dynamism and logistic and service capacity. Regarding the SV spatial distribution, the highest values are located mainly in the central and northern parts of the country, with emphasis on the Douro river valley and surrounding municipalities; also a general decrease of SV was recorded in the southern regions from 2008 to 2017.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decrease in Bone Mass in Women After Liver Transplantation: Associated Factors

AbstractBackgroundIn the future, an increasing number of female liver transplant recipients will reach the climacteric with osteoporosis as a common complication. We evaluated the factors associated with decreased bone mass among women after liver transplantation.MethodsA prospective, cross-sectional study of 23 outpatient transplant recipients followed from February 2009 to March 2010 included women of age ≥35 years after liver transplantations ≥1 year prior. We recorded patient histories, liver enzyme levels, as well as bone mineral densities measured at the lumbar spine and femur. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test, simple odds ratio (OR), and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.ResultsThe mean patient age was 52.5 ± 11 years with 30.4% premenopausal, and 69.6% perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Approximately 21% showed osteoporosis and 35%, a low bone mass. Postmenopausal women: OR 69.0 (95% CI 2.89–1647.18; P < .0001), aged ≥49 years: OR 13.33 (95% CI 1.78–100.15; P = .0123) and receiving a transplant after 44 years of age: OR 49.50 (95% CI 3.84–638.43; P < .0001) were associated with a lower bone mass. Having undergone transplantation for more than 5.8 years lowered the risk of bone mass change: OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.02–0.78; P = .0361). Clinical and laboratory variables, including corticosteroid use, were not associated with decreased bone mass.ConclusionUnderstanding the prevalence and factors associated with osteoporosis among female liver transplant recipients is important to enhance the strategies to diagnose and treat these women, seeking to improve their quality of life

A design model for fibre reinforced concrete beams pre-stressed with steel and FRP bars

This paper presents a design oriented model to determine the moment-curvature relationship of elements of rectangular cross section failing in bending, made by strain softening or strain hardening fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and reinforced with perfectly bonded pre-stressed steel and fibre reinforced polymeric (FRP) bars. Since FRP bars are not affected by corrosion, they have the minimum FRC cover thickness that guaranty proper bond conditions, while steel bars are positioned with a thicker FRC cover to increase their protection against corrosion. Using the moment-curvature relationship predicted by the model in an algorithm based on the virtual work method, a numerical strategy is adopted to evaluate the load-deflection response of statically determinate beams. The predictive performance of the proposed formulation is assessed by simulating the response of available experimental results. By using this model, a parametric study is carried out in order to evaluate the influence of the main parameters that characterize the post cracking behaviour of FRC, and the prestress level applied to FRP and steel bars, on the moment-curvature and load-deflection responses of this type of structural elements. Finally the shear resistance of this structural system is predictedThe study reported in this paper is part of the research program "DURCOST - Innovation in reinforcing systems for sustainable prefabricated structures of higher durability and enhanced structural performance" supported by FCT, PTDC/ECM/105700/2008. The second and forth authors acknowledge the research grant under the project QREN number 3456 "PONTALUMIS", while the third author acknowledges the support provided by FCT Grant SFRH/BD/71934/2010

Urinary Incontinence Among Climateric Brazilian Women: Household Survey

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and its associated factors in perimenopause women using a population-based household survey. Methods. A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional population-based study with secondary analysis of a population-based household survey on perimenopause and menopause was conducted among women living in the city of Campinas, Brazil. Through a sampling process, 456 women between 45 and 60 years old were selected. Complaints of urinary incontinence and related risk factors, such as age, socioeconomic status, education level, race, parity, smoking habits, body mass index, previous gynecological surgeries, menopausal status, and hormonal replacement therapy were explored. Data were collected through home interviews using an adapted version of the structured pre-tested questionnaire elaborated by the International Health Foundation, International Menopause Society and the American Menopause Society. Statistical analysis were performed using prevalence rates (CI 95%). Results. Thirty-five percent of the interviewees referred stress urinary incontinence. None of the sociodemographic factors studied was associated to the risk of urinary incontinence. In addition, parity did not significantly change the risk of urinary incontinence. Other factors, such as previous gynecological surgeries, body mass index, and smoking habits, were not associated with the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence. Also, menopausal status and hormonal replacement therapy did not change the risk of stress urinary incontinence. Conclusion. Though there was a high prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among perimenopause women, there was not found any associations with sociodemographic and reproductive factors.355428435Bortolotti, A., Bernardini, B., Colli, E., Di Benedetto, P., Giocoli Nacci, G., Landoni, M., Prevalence and risk factors for urinary incontinence in Italy (2000) Eur Urol, 37, pp. 30-35Brown, J.S., Grady, D., Ouslander, J.G., Herzog, A.R., Varner, R.E., Posner, S.F., Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated risk factors in postmenopausal women (1999) Obstet Gynecol, 94, pp. 66-70. , Hert & Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) Research GroupBurgio, K.L., Mathews, K.A., Engel, B.T., Prevalence, incidence and correlates of urinary incontinence in healthy, middle-aged women (1991) J Urol, 146, pp. 1255-1259Comportamento sexual da população brasileira e percepção sobre o HIV/AIDS: Relatório final de pesquisa (1999), pp. 34-37. , Centro Brasileiro de Análise e Planejamento (CEBRAP), Ministério da Saúde-SPS-CNDST/HIV/AIDS. São PauloChiarelli, P., Brown, W., Mc Elduf, F.P., Leaking urine: Prevalence and associated factors in Australian women (1999) Neurourol Urodyn, 18, pp. 567-577Elving, L.B., Foldspang, A., Lam, G.W., Mommsen, S., Descriptive epidemiology of urinary incontinence in 3100 women age 30-59 (1989) Scand J Urol Nephrol, 125 (SUPPL.), pp. 37-43Fantl, J.A., Cardozo, L., Mc Clish, D.K., Estrogen therapy in the management of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women: A meta-analisys (1994) Obstet Gynecol, 83, pp. 12-18. , First report of the Hormones and Urogenital Therapy CommiteeFantl, J.A., Bump, R.C., Robinson, D., Efficacy of estrogen supplementation in the treatment of urinary incontinece (1996) Obstet Gynecol, 88, pp. 745-749Guarisi, T., Pinto-Neto, A.M., Costa-Paiva, L.H.S., Pedro, A.O., Faúndes, A., Sintomas urinários e genitais em mulheres climatéricas (1998) J Bras Ginecol, 108, pp. 125-130Jaszmann, L., Epidemiology of climateric and postclimateric complaints (1973), pp. 22-24. , Van Keep PA, Lauritzen C, editors. Ageing and estrogens: front hormone research. Basel: KargerLaurenti, R., Mello-Jorge, M.L.P., Lebrão, M.L., Gotlieb, S.L.D., População: Recenseamento e estimativas (1987) Estatística de saúde., pp. 9-38. , editors. 2a ed. São Paulo: EPUMendonça, M., Reis, R.V., Macedo, C.B.M.S., Barbosa, K.S.R., Prevalência da queixa de incontinência urinária de esforço em pacientes atendidas no serviço de ginecologia do Hospital Júlia Kubitschek (1997) J Bras Ginecol, 107, pp. 153-155Moller, L.A., Lose, G., Jorgensen, T., The prevalence and bothersomeness of lower urinary tract symptons in women 40-60 years of age (2000) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 79, pp. 298-305Thom, D.H., Brown, J.S., Reproductive and hormonal risk factors for urinary incontinence in later life: A review of the clinical and epidemiologic literature (1998) J Am Geriatr Soc, 46, pp. 1411-1417Van Geelen, J.M., Van de Weijer, P.H., Arnolds, H.T., Urogenital symptons and resulting discomfort in noninstitutionalized Dutch women aged 50-75 years (2000) Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct, 11, pp. 9-14Von Mühlen, D.G., Kritz-Silverstein, D., Barret-Connor, E., A community based study of menopause symptoms and estrogen replacement in older women (1995) Maturitas, 22, pp. 71-78Wilbur, J., Miller, A.M., Montgomery, A., Chandler, P., Sociodemographic characteristics, biological factors, an symptom reporting in midlife women (1998) Menopause, 5, pp. 43-5

Mayaro Fever Virus, Brazilian Amazon

In February 2008, a Mayaro fever virus (MAYV) outbreak occurred in a settlement in Santa Barbara municipality, northern Brazil. Patients had rash, fever, and severe arthralgia lasting up to 7 days. Immunoglobulin M against MAYV was detected by ELISA in 36 persons; 3 MAYV isolates sequenced were characterized as genotype D

Sensor based on β - NiOx hybrid film/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite electrode for groundwater salinization inspection

The enrichment of groundwater with different nutrients (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, CO32−, among others) triggers the salinization of the aquifer and makes it inappropriate for many purposes. In this work, we developed a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor, based on Ni-inorganic films electrosynthetized in situ onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite paste electrode (MWCNE), which allows the early detection of salinization. The working sensor (β-NiOx/MWCNE) was derivatized from nickel hexacyanoferrate modified electrode in strong alkaline medium (pH = 12), producing a hybrid film composed by β-Ni(OH)2 and β-NiO(OH). The electrochemical properties, morphology and chemical composition of the formed β-NiOx thin films were evaluated by voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. The developed β-NiOx/MWCNE sensor was highly sensitive to the presence of Na+ cation by ion-exchange, and the increase of Na+ concentration in the range 4.46 × 10−7 to 4.93 × 10−6 mol L−1 inhibited linearly the reversible electrochemical signal of the device, allowing to determine trace concentrations of this ion (LOD = 9.86 × 10−8 mol L−1) with high correlation coefficient of the data (r = 0.999) and suitable precision/reproducibility of the measurements (RSD < 9%). Using Na+ as salinization marker and β-NiOx/MWCNE as electroanalytical device, we found evidences of groundwater salinization in Grossos, a Brazil coast city, whose inhabitants have hypertension above the national average. The attained results were comparable to those obtained by the standard methods for Na+ analysis (percentage error ranging from 0.5 to 1.6%), confirming the accuracy of the proposed electroanalytical platform.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio