Hazard assessment of storm events for the battery, New York

The environmental and socio-economic importance of coastal areas is widely recognized, but at present these areas face severe weaknesses and high-risk situations. The increased demand and growing human occupation of coastal zones have greatly contributed to exacerbating such weaknesses. Today, throughout the world, in all countries with coastal regions, episodes of waves overtopping and coastal flooding are frequent. These episodes are usually responsible for property losses and often put human lives at risk. The floods are caused by coastal storms primarily due to the action of very strong winds. The propagation of these storms towards the coast induces high water levels. It is expected that climate change phenomena will contribute to the intensification of coastal storms. In this context, an estimation of coastal flooding hazards is of paramount importance for the planning and management of coastal zones. Consequently, carrying out a series of storm scenarios and analyzing their impacts through numerical modeling is of prime interest to coastal decision-makers. Firstly, throughout this work, historical storm tracks and intensities are characterized for the northeastern region of United States coast, in terms of probability of occurrence. Secondly, several storm events with high potential of occurrence are generated using a specific tool of DelftDashboard interface for Delft3D software. Hydrodynamic models are then used to generate ensemble simulations to assess storms' effects on coastal water levels. For the United States’ northeastern coast, a highly refined regional domain is considered surrounding the area of The Battery, New York, situated in New York Harbor. Based on statistical data of numerical modeling results, a review of the impact of coastal storms to different locations within the study area is performed

EzrA Contributes to the Regulation of Cell Size in Staphylococcus aureus

EzrA is a negative regulator of FtsZ in Bacillus subtilis, involved in the coordination between cell growth and cell division and in the control of the cell elongation–division cycle. We have now studied the role of the Staphylococcus aureus homologue of the B. subtilis EzrA protein and shown that it is not essential for cell viability. EzrA conditional and null mutants have an overall increase of the average cell size, compared to wild type strains. In the larger ezrA mutant S. aureus cells, cell division protein FtsZ and the cell wall synthesizing Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs) are not properly localized. This suggests that there may be a maximum cell diameter that allows formation of a Z-ring capable of recruiting the other components of the divisome and of driving cytokinesis. We propose that the major role of EzrA in S. aureus is in cell size homeostasis

Hydrodynamic Model Ensembles for Climate Change Projections in Estuarine Regions

In the current context of climate change, understanding the effects of the changing conditions on estuaries is of utmost importance to protect populations and ecosystems. Given the diversity of impacts depending on the region, there is a need for local and dedicated studies to understand and mitigate the risks. Numerical models can provide forecasts of extreme floods and sea-level rise (SLR). However, they can present inaccuracies. In this work, the ensemble technique was applied to improve the numerical modeling forecasting for estuaries by considering scenarios of extreme river flow discharges (EFDs) and SLR scenarios for 2050 and 2100. The simulations were performed for two different estuarine regions in northern Portugal, and the superensemble was constructed with the results of two different numerical models. The results differed per estuary, highlighting the importance of a local approach. For the Douro estuary dynamics, the results showed that for the EFD, the effects of the SLR were not noticeable, indicating that, in this estuary, the river component was more important than the maritime component. In contrast, the Minho estuary dynamics were found to be affected by the SLR along the whole estuarine region, indicating a maritime influence and a worsening of the flood conditions for future scenarios

Detection of coronavirus-2 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in conjunctival swabs from patients with severe form of Coronavirus disease 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To test conjunctival swabs from patients with laboratory-confirmed severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). METHODS: Fifty conjunctival swabs were collected from 50 in-patients with laboratory-confirmed severe forms of COVID-19 at the largest teaching hospital and referral center in Brazil (HCFMUSP, São Paulo, SP). The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 on rRT-PCR with the primers and probes described in the CDC protocol which amplify the region of the nucleocapsid N gene (2019_nCoV_N1 and 2019_nCoV_N2) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and compared with naso/oropharyngeal swabs collected within 24 hours of the conjunctival swabs. RESULTS: Five conjunctival samples (10%) tested positive (amplification of the N1 and N2 primer/probe sets) while two conjunctival samples (4%) yielded inconclusive results (amplification of the N1 primer/probe set only). The naso/oropharyngeal swabs were positive for SARS-CoV-2 on rRT-PCR in 34 patients (68%), negative in 14 (28%) and inconclusive in 2 (4%). The 5 patients with positive conjunctival swabs had positive (n=2), negative (n=2) or inconclusive (n=1) naso/oropharyngeal swabs on rRT-PCR. Patients with negative or inconclusive naso/oropharyngeal swabs had the diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by previous positive rRT-PCR results or by serology. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to present conjunctival swab rRT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 in a Brazilian population. In our sample of 50 patients with severe forms of COVID-19, 10% had positive conjunctival swabs, most of which were correlated with positive naso/oropharyngeal rRT-PCR results

Hazard assessment of storm events for the portuguese northern coast

Coastal zones currently face severe weaknesses and are subject to high-risk situations. Tropical storm events can contribute to the occurrence of these high-risk situations by causing storm surges with high water levels and, consequently, episodes of wave-overtopping and coastal flooding. This work considers a series of storm scenarios and analyzes their impacts through numerical modelling. Firstly, historical storm tracks and intensities are characterized for the Portuguese northern coast in terms of probability of occurrence. Secondly, several storm events with a high potential of occurrence are generated using a specific tool of the DelftDasboard interface for Delft3D software. Hydrodynamic models are then used to generate an ensemble of simulations to assess the storms? effects on coastal water levels. Based on the statistical data of the numerical modeling results, a synthesis of the coastal storms? impacts at different locations within the study area is performed. Depending on the storm category, surge heights can reach 1.10 meters above tide levels under simulated conditions on the Portuguese northwestern coast.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinantes do índice de transparência municipal em Portugal (2013 a 2017)

A transparência assenta na disponibilização de informação sobre a gestão, sendo imprescindível a uma boa governação pública. Dada a divulgação do Índice de Transparência Municipal (ITM) relativo aos anos de 2013 a 2017, a presente investigação tem como objetivo estudar as determinantes que influenciam este índice, naquele período. Para a realização do estudo utilizaram-se dados dos 308 municípios portugueses, sendo o valor do ITM a variável que se pretende explicar. Para a respetiva análise, recorreu-se à análise estatística via modelos de regressão linear múltipla com dados em painel. Como principal conclusão da investigação realizada retira-se que as variáveis despesa efetiva per capita, taxa de população idosa e percentagem de abstenção, demonstraram ser determinantes do índice de transparência municipal para os anos em análise. O presente estudo pretende contribuir para o conhecimento no âmbito da transparência dos governos locais em Portugal

EsCo-Ensembles : ensembles de modelos hidrodinámicos aplicados en áreas estuarinas y costeras

Ponencia presentada en: XII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Santiago de Compostela entre el 19 y el 21 de octubre de 2022.[EN]Numerical models are essential tools for simulating the hydromorphodynamics of aquatic systems, making it possible to anticipate and predict the effects of anthropogenic interventions, extreme events and climatic changes, and promoting effective and integrated coastal management. However, the results of the models present uncertainties related to errors and inaccuracies in the analysis of the results and in the initial and forcing conditions. Given the need to have accurate forecasts, it is crucial to implement new solutions to avoid such errors. The main objective of the EsCo-Ensembles project is to apply the ensemble technique to improve forecasts in estuarine areas. Two numerical models were chosen to represent the hydromorphodynamics of two Portuguese estuaries considering various historical scenarios. The models’ results were combined using a weighted average, showing that the best forecast results were obtained for ensembles built with techniques that consider the predictive capacities of the individual models. The ensemble technique will be applied to predict future states associated with predicted sea level rise and extreme situations. Preliminary results show an aggravation of the flood level associated with extreme events in the Duero estuary due to the configuration of the mouth, but with little effect of the sea level rise. However, in the Miño estuary, a clear effect of the sea level rise along the estuary has been observed, with a reduction in velocities and increased flood areas.[ES]Los modelos numéricos son herramientas imprescindibles para simular la hidromorfodinámica de los sistemas acuáticos, permitiendo anticipar y prever los efectos de intervenciones antropogénicas, eventos extremos y alteraciones climáticas, y promoviendo una gestión costera eficaz e integrada. Sin embargo, los resultados de los modelos presentan incertidumbres relacionadas con errores e imprecisiones en el análisis de los resultados y en las condiciones iniciales y de forzamiento. Dada la necesidad de tener pronósticos precisos, es crucial implementar nuevas soluciones para evitar tales errores. El principal objetivo del proyecto EsCo-Ensembles es aplicar la técnica de ensembles para mejorar las previsiones en zonas estuarinas. Se escogieron dos modelos numéricos que simularon la hidromorfodinámica de dos estuarios portugueses considerando diversas condiciones históricas. Los resultados de los modelos se combinaron utilizando una media ponderada, demostrando que los mejores resultados de previsión se obtuvieron para ensembles construidos con técnicas que consideran las capacidades predictivas de los modelos individuales. La técnica de ensembles será aplicada para prever estados futuros asociados con la elevación del nivel del mar prevista y situaciones extremas. Resultados preliminares demuestran un agravamiento del nivel de inundación asociado con eventos extremos en el estuario del Duero debido a la configuración de la desembocadura, pero con poco efecto de la subida del mar. Sin embargo, en el estuario del Miño se ha observado un efecto claro de la subida del nivel del mar a lo largo del estuario, disminuyendo las velocidades y aumentando las zonas de inundación.Esta investigación fue financiada por el Fondo Estratégico UIDB/04423/2020 y UIDP/04423/2020 a través de fondos nacionales de la FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia y del Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER). También ha sido bastosfinanciado por el proyecto EsCo-Ensembles (PTDC/ECIEGC/30877/2017), FCT, NORTE 2020, Portugal 2020 y la UE (FEDER)

ACTITUDES DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE ENFERMERÍA DELANTE DE LAS ENFERMEDADES TRANSMISIBLES

Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa que objetivou identificar as atitudes de acadêmicos de Enfermagem frente às doenças transmissíveis e às pessoas com estes agravos e reconhecer como a disciplina Enfermagem em Doenças Transmissíveis do curso de graduação da Universidade de São Paulo influencia este processo. Situações hipotéticas foram apresentadas antes (2006) e depois (2010) da disciplina para os alunos refletirem; esses registraram sua percepção por escrito, resultando em 69 registros em cada um dos momentos de reflexão. Na análise dos dados foram identificadas as seguintes categorias: medo, preconceito, raiva, tristeza, vergonha, preocupação, insegurança, assistência, curiosidade, esperança e tranquilidade. Os conhecimentos veiculados na disciplina de doenças transmissíveis foram importantes para mobilizar os comportamentos dos estudantes quanto aos preconceitos e aos estigmas. Ademais, o conteúdo teórico prático foi capaz de instrumentalizar os acadêmicos para compreenderem essas doenças como agravos passíveis de tratamento e de acompanhamento por parte da equipe de enfermagem.Es una investigación cualitativa cuyo objetivo fue identificar las actitudes de académicos de Enfermería delante de enfermedades transmisibles y a las personas con estes agravios así como reconocer cómo la disciplina Enfermería en Enfermedades Transmisibles del curso de graduación de la Universidad de São Paulo influencía este proceso. Situaciones hipotéticas fueron presentadas antes (2006) y después (2010) de la disciplina para los alumnos reflexionaren. Ellos registraron su percepción por escrito, resultando en 69 registros en cada uno de los momentos de reflexión. En el análisis de los datos, fueron identificadas las siguientes categorías: miedo, prejuicio, ira, tristeza, verguenza, preocupación, inseguridad, asistencia, curiosidad, esperanza y tranquilidad. Los conocimientos trabajados en la disciplina de enfermedades transmisibles fueron importantes para movilizar los comportamientos de los estudiantes cuanto a los prejuicios y a los estigmas. Además, el contenido teórico práctico fue capaz de instrumentalizar los académicos para comprenderen esas enfermedades como agravios pasibles de tratamiento y de acompañamiento por parte del equipo de Enfermería.This qualitative research aimed to identify the attitudes of undergraduate Nursing students regarding transmissible diseases and the people who have them, and to recognize how the Nursing with Transmissible Diseases course in the University of São Paulo’s undergraduate nursing course influences this process. Hypothetical situations were presented before (2006) and after (2010) the course for the students to reflect on. The students recorded their perceptions in writing, resulting in 69 records for each point (2006 and 2010). On analysis of the data, the following categories were identified: fear, prejudice, anger, sadness, shame, worry, insecurity, care, curiosity, hope and calm. The knowledge conveyed in the transmissible diseases course was important in mobilizing the students’ behaviors regarding prejudice and stigma. Further, the theoretical-practical content was able to instrumentalize the students to understand these illnesses as harm which may be treated and monitored by the nursing team

INTERAÇÕES MEDICAMENTOSAS NA FARMACOTERAPIA PRESCRITA A IDOSOS RESIDENTES EM UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA BRASILEIRA

Objetivo desse artigo foi caracterizar as interações medicamentosas observadas na farmacoterapia prescrita para idosos residentes em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico, desenvolvido no sul do Brasil, incluindo 111 idosos, com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado, constituído de variáveis sócio-demográficas, problemas de saúde e medicamentos utilizados. As interações medicamentosas foram analisadas e ordenadas de acordo com a gravidade de ocorrência. O número de medicamentos utilizados variou de 1 a 13, com média de uso de 4,9 + 2,3 medicamentos por idoso. As classes farmacológicas mais empregadas foram: sistema cardiovascular (33.1%) e sistema nervoso central (26.7%). Em 40 (36%) das prescrições foram observadas 99 interações medicamentosas. As de gravidade consideradas moderadas foram as mais frequentes (64,9%). Os resultados refletem uma necessidade de monitoramento da farmacoterapia com vistas a prevenir problemas de saúde evitáveis decorrentes do uso de medicamentos