Addendum to “Absorption of a massive scalar field by a charged black hole”

In [1] we studied the absorption cross section of a scalar field of mass m impinging on a static black hole of mass M and charge Q. We presented numerical results using the partial-wave method, and analytical results in the high- and low-frequency limit. Our low-frequency approximation was only valid if the (dimensionless) field velocity v exceeds vc=2πMm. In this addendum we give the complementary result for v≲vc, and we consider the possible physical relevance of this regime

The Tourism Industry and Plastic Waste Policies - Comparative Perspectives from the Portuguese Experience

This paper investigates the correlations between the tourism industry and plastic waste. It starts by evidencing that increase in tourism is likely to enhance the volume and improper destination of waste, including plastic, which has become a major environmental concern in touristic cities. The paper suggests that, on the other hand, negative environmental impact caused by plastic may disincentivize tourism, due to pollution in beaches and seas. As tourism grew in Portugal, the country experienced an increase in plastic waste and has taken measures to deal with the problem. Portugal passed federal legislation to ban single-use plastic tableware as of 2020. Companies, NGOs, and the government are also joining forces to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling initiatives. These are examples to follow as the European Union and internationally-recognized NGOs, such as WWF, put fighting plastic waste as one of the main goals to cities’ environmental sustainability in the forthcoming decades

Chaos and Energy Redistribution the Nonlinear Interaction of Two Spatio-Temporal Wave Triplets

In this paper we examine the spatio-temporal dynamics of two nonlinearly coupled wave triplets sharing two common modes. Our basic findings are the following. When spatial dependence is absent, the homogeneous manifold so obtained can be chaotic or regular. If chaotic, it drives energy diffusion from long to small wavelengths as soon as inhomogeneous perturbations are added to the system. If regular, one may yet have two distinct cases: (i) energy diffusion is again present if the inhomogeneous modes are linearly unstable and triplets are effectively coupled; (ii) energy diffusion is absent if the inhomogeneous modes are linearly stable or the triplets are uncoupled.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Physica D (1997

Nonintegrable Interaction of Ion-Acoustic and Electromagnetic Waves in a Plasma

In this paper we re-examine the one-dimensional interaction of electromagnetic and ion acoustic waves in a plasma. Our model is similar to one solved by Rao et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 26, 2488 (1983)) under a number of analytical approximations. Here we perform a numerical investigation to examine the stability of the model. We find that for slightly over dense plasmas, the propagation of stable solitary modes can occur in an adiabatic regime where the ion acoustic electric field potential is enslaved to the electromagnetic field of a laser. But if the laser intensity or plasma density increases or the laser frequency decreases, the adiabatic regime loses stability via a transition to chaos. New asymptotic states are attained when the adiabatic regime no longer exists. In these new states, the plasma becomes rarefied, and the laser field tends to behave like a vacuum field.Comment: 19 pages, REVTeX, 6 ps figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Surface boundary layer characteristics over caatinga vegetation in tropical semiarid region of N-E Brazil

Some characteristic features of the atmospheric surface layer over a tropical semiarid station Petrolina (9.9◦S, 40.22◦W, 365.5 m) in N-E Brazil, are investigated, using data collected from a micrometeorological tower of 9 m height. This study utilizes the wind, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) data obtained for the month of July 2004. The diurnal variation of mean parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and CO2 are studied. Turbulent statistics are computed using the eddy correlation technique, and are studied under the framework of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory with results compared with other experimental studies reported in the literature

Correlation of mixed lymphocyte culture with chronic graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mixed lymphocyte culture as a predictive assay of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We studied 153 patients who received a first bone marrow transplantation from human leukocyte antigen-identical siblings. Acute GVHD was observed in 26 of 128 (20.3%) patients evaluated and chronic GVHD occurred in 60 of 114 (52.6%). One-way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) assays were performed by the standard method. MLC results are reported as the relative response (RR) from donor against patient cells. The responses ranged from -47.0 to 40.7%, with a median of 0.5%. The Kaplan-Meier probability of developing GVHD was determined for patients with positive and negative MLC. There was no significant difference in incidence of acute GVHD between the groups studied. However, the incidence of chronic GVHD was higher in recipients with RR >4.5% than in those with RR 4.5%), 2.9 for those who received peripheral blood progenitor cells as a graft, and 2.2 for patients who developed previous acute GVHD. MLC was not useful for predicting acute GVHD, but MLC with RR >4.5% associated with other risk factors could predict the development of chronic GVHD, being of help for the prevention and/or treatment of this late complication.56757

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

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta : Coleoptera) in the Brazilian Cerrado : current state of knowledge

Besouros pertencentes à superfamília Scarabaeoidea ocupam habitats variados, possuem hábitos alimentares diversifi cados, desempenham importante papel ecológico e diversas espécies apresentam importância agrícola. No entanto, estudos com esse grupo na região do Cerrado são escassos. Nesta revisão realizou-se um levantamento dos artigos publicados nos últimos 30 anos a respeito dos Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado. Foram recuperados 64 artigos, realizados em nove unidades da federação, que focavam quatro temas principais espécies praga, aspectos bioecológicos, biodiversidade e importância ecológica, e técnicas e metodologias de coleta de Scarabaeoidea. Os resultados desta revisão indicam que poucos estudos foram realizados com os Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado brasileiro nas últimas décadas frente à importância e diversidade desse grupo de insetos.Beetles belonging to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea occupy different habitats, present feeding habits diversifi ed, play an important ecological role and several species have agricultural importance. However, studies with this group in the Brazilian Cerrado are scarce. In this review we carried out a survey of scientifi c articles published in the past 30 years concerning Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado. Were found 64 studies in nine Brazilian states. The studies focused on four main topics: pest species, bioecology, biodiversity and ecological importance, techniques and methodologies for collecting Scarabaeoidea. The results of this review indicate that few studies have been conducted with Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado in recent decades compared to the importance and diversity of this group of insects

Space-time inhomogeneity, anisotropy and gravitational collapse

We investigate the evolution of non-adiabatic collapse of a shear-free spherically symmetric stellar configuration with anisotropic stresses accompanied with radial heat flux. The collapse begins from a curvature singularity with infinite mass and size on an inhomogeneous space-time background. The collapse is found to proceed without formation of an even horizon to singularity when the collapsing configuration radiates all its mass energy. The impact of inhomogeneity on various parameters of the collapsing stellar configuration is examined in some specific space-time backgrounds.Comment: To appear in Gen. Relativ. Gra