Evolution of Chagas’ disease in Brazil. Epidemiological perspective and challenges for the future: a critical review

Aims: This paper aimed to provide a critical review of the evolution of Chagas’ disease in Brazil, its magnitude, historical development and management, and challenges for the future. Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar and throughout collected articles’ references. Narrative analysis was structured around five main themes identified: vector transmission, control program, and transfusion, oral and congenital transmission. Results: In Brazil, the Chagas’ disease Control Program was fully implemented in the 1980s, when it reached practically all the endemic areas, and in 1991, the Southern Cone Initiative was created, aiming to eliminate the disease transmission through eliminating the Triatoma infestans and controlling blood banks. As a result, the prevalence of chagasic donors in blood banks reduced from 4.4% in the 80s to 0.2% in 2005. In 2006, PAHO certified the interruption of transmission of Chagas’ disease through this vector in Brazil. However, there are still challenges, such as the domiciliation of new vector species, the need for medical care of the infected individuals, the prevention of alternative mechanisms of transmission, the loss of political concern regarding the disease and, the weakening of the control program. Conclusion: Despite the progress towards control, there are still many challenges ahead to maintain and expand such control and minimise the risk of re-emergence

Allowable Load Assessment in Metal-Composite Double-Lap Joint / Avaliação de Carga Permitida em Junta de Dupla Folga Metal-Composto

This work consists of evaluating the tensile and compression static allowable stress of a hybrid (metal-composite) riveted joint. The analyzed joint is composed by two sheets of 2014 – T6 aluminium alloy and a T300/5208 Graphite/Epoxy quasi-isotropic laminate, which were joined by twelve Lockbolt Swaged Collar rivets titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V annealed. The joint was analyzed through a computational model developed using the Finite Element Method (FEM), with the fasteners modelled through the Multi - Springs technique. This method was widely used to simulate the mechanical behaviour metal-metal and composite-composite parts of the joint. It is validated comparing its results with analytical results of metallic joints available in the literature. Through this model, both the allowable load and its distribution in the fasteners of the joint were determined. Since the evaluated joint is subjected to double shear and, therefore, has no eccentricities, the presence of secondary bending was not observed, the bearing and bypass loads were the most relevant in evaluating the allowable loads of the joint. The load distribution in the joint and its components’ safety margin was determined, with the laminate being the limiting component of the allowable load

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

The rapid atmospheric monitoring system of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Observatory is a facility built to detect air showers produced by cosmic rays above 10(17) eV. During clear nights with a low illuminated moon fraction, the UV fluorescence light produced by air showers is recorded by optical telescopes at the Observatory. To correct the observations for variations in atmospheric conditions, atmospheric monitoring is performed at regular intervals ranging from several minutes (for cloud identification) to several hours (for aerosol conditions) to several days (for vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, and humidity). In 2009, the monitoring program was upgraded to allow for additional targeted measurements of atmospheric conditions shortly after the detection of air showers of special interest, e. g., showers produced by very high-energy cosmic rays or showers with atypical longitudinal profiles. The former events are of particular importance for the determination of the energy scale of the Observatory, and the latter are characteristic of unusual air shower physics or exotic primary particle types. The purpose of targeted (or 'rapid') monitoring is to improve the resolution of the atmospheric measurements for such events. In this paper, we report on the implementation of the rapid monitoring program and its current status. The rapid monitoring data have been analyzed and applied to the reconstruction of air showers of high interest, and indicate that the air fluorescence measurements affected by clouds and aerosols are effectively corrected using measurements from the regular atmospheric monitoring program. We find that the rapid monitoring program has potential for supporting dedicated physics analyses beyond the standard event reconstruction

EVOLUÇÃO DA CONDUTA AMBIENTAL DE EMPRESAS SIDERÚRGICAS BRASILEIRAS SOB A ÓPTICA DOS RELATÓRIOS DE EVIDENCIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

This work analyzes the evolution of environmental conduct amongst Brazilian steel companies which have published their accountancy reports concerning the financial years from 2000 to 2004. In global markets, the steel company’s market structure suffers great environmental pressure exerted by different stakeholders. On the same hand, the social and environmental disclosure is important to the decision making process. The research was prepared with evidence collected from the firms’ accountancy reports published by Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission using the disclosure-scoring measure methodology developed by Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003). The results demonstrate that most companies prefer to report quantitative information when they improve their environmental conduct. The research concludes that steel companies have increased their environmental responsibilities as times goes by.O artigo analisa a evolução da conduta ambiental das empresas siderúrgicas brasileiras, referentes aos exercícios sociais de 2000 a 2004. Parte-se da hipótese de que a indústria siderúrgica está sujeita a fortes pressões ambientais, ditadas principalmente pelos stakeholders, e que as informações de cunho sócio-ambiental são relevantes no processo decisório. A pesquisa foi elaborada a partir de evidências coletadas nas demonstrações contábeis das empresas divulgadas à Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM). A técnica de quantificação foi desenvolvida por Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003) e baseia-se no disclosure-scoring measure. A análise das evidenciações da conduta ambiental de cada uma das siderúrgicas pertencentes à amostra permitiu verificar que a medida que as empresas melhoram sua conduta ambiental existe uma tendência crescente em apresentar informações quantitativas. Conclui-se, a partir dos indicadores de evidenciação analisados, que ocorreu uma evolução nas condutas conduzindo a um incremento na responsabilidade ambiental na indústria siderúrgica brasileira

EVOLUÇÃO DA CONDUTA AMBIENTAL DE EMPRESAS SIDERÚRGICAS BRASILEIRAS SOB A ÓPTICA DOS RELATÓRIOS DE EVIDENCIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

This work analyzes the evolution of environmental conduct amongst Brazilian steel companies which have published their accountancy reports concerning the financial years from 2000 to 2004. In global markets, the steel company’s market structure suffers great environmental pressure exerted by different stakeholders. On the same hand, the social and environmental disclosure is important to the decision making process. The research was prepared with evidence collected from the firms’ accountancy reports published by Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission using the disclosure-scoring measure methodology developed by Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003). The results demonstrate that most companies prefer to report quantitative information when they improve their environmental conduct. The research concludes that steel companies have increased their environmental responsibilities as times goes by.O artigo analisa a evolução da conduta ambiental das empresas siderúrgicas brasileiras, referentes aos exercícios sociais de 2000 a 2004. Parte-se da hipótese de que a indústria siderúrgica está sujeita a fortes pressões ambientais, ditadas principalmente pelos stakeholders, e que as informações de cunho sócio-ambiental são relevantes no processo decisório. A pesquisa foi elaborada a partir de evidências coletadas nas demonstrações contábeis das empresas divulgadas à Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM). A técnica de quantificação foi desenvolvida por Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003) e baseia-se no disclosure-scoring measure. A análise das evidenciações da conduta ambiental de cada uma das siderúrgicas pertencentes à amostra permitiu verificar que a medida que as empresas melhoram sua conduta ambiental existe uma tendência crescente em apresentar informações quantitativas. Conclui-se, a partir dos indicadores de evidenciação analisados, que ocorreu uma evolução nas condutas conduzindo a um incremento na responsabilidade ambiental na indústria siderúrgica brasileira

EVOLUÇÃO DA CONDUTA AMBIENTAL DE EMPRESAS SIDERÚRGICAS BRASILEIRAS SOB A ÓPTICA DOS RELATÓRIOS DE EVIDENCIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

This work analyzes the evolution of environmental conduct amongst Brazilian steel companies which have published their accountancy reports concerning the financial years from 2000 to 2004. In global markets, the steel company’s market structure suffers great environmental pressure exerted by different stakeholders. On the same hand, the social and environmental disclosure is important to the decision making process. The research was prepared with evidence collected from the firms’ accountancy reports published by Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission using the disclosure-scoring measure methodology developed by Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003). The results demonstrate that most companies prefer to report quantitative information when they improve their environmental conduct. The research concludes that steel companies have increased their environmental responsibilities as times goes by.O artigo analisa a evolução da conduta ambiental das empresas siderúrgicas brasileiras, referentes aos exercícios sociais de 2000 a 2004. Parte-se da hipótese de que a indústria siderúrgica está sujeita a fortes pressões ambientais, ditadas principalmente pelos stakeholders, e que as informações de cunho sócio-ambiental são relevantes no processo decisório. A pesquisa foi elaborada a partir de evidências coletadas nas demonstrações contábeis das empresas divulgadas à Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM). A técnica de quantificação foi desenvolvida por Al-Tuwaijri et al (2003) e baseia-se no disclosure-scoring measure. A análise das evidenciações da conduta ambiental de cada uma das siderúrgicas pertencentes à amostra permitiu verificar que a medida que as empresas melhoram sua conduta ambiental existe uma tendência crescente em apresentar informações quantitativas. Conclui-se, a partir dos indicadores de evidenciação analisados, que ocorreu uma evolução nas condutas conduzindo a um incremento na responsabilidade ambiental na indústria siderúrgica brasileira

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 6–13 years—alarming increase in obesity in Cracow, Poland

This study in children aged 6–13 years (n = 1,499) was performed between October 2008 and March 2009. Height and weight measurements were taken to calculate BMI. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined by means of IOTF cut-offs with respect to age. Alarming is the fact that the percentage of obese children in Cracow increased dramatically from 1.04% in boys and 0.20% in girls in 1971 to 7% in boys and 3.6% in girls in 2009. In this report, a higher percentage of overweight boys was observed in rural boys (28.14%) than in urban ones (27.31%). Obesity was identified in an almost twice as high percentage of urban boys (7.78%) as in rural ones (3.52%). A higher percentage of overweight girls was registered in rural areas (16.49%) than in urban ones (16.09%). Obesity was prevailing in rural girls (4.12%) relative to their urban counterparts (3.44%). The highest number of overweight urban boys was diagnosed in the group of 12-year-olds (n = 48) and rural boys in the group of 10-year-olds (n = 39), as well as in urban girls aged 11 (n = 17) and rural girls aged 9 (n = 9). The highest number of obesity was observed in rural boys aged 12 (n = 3) and in urban boys aged 9 and 10 (n = 9 in both groups). In the group of girls, obesity prevailed in urban 9-year-olds (n = 5) and in rural 7-year-olds (n = 5). Conclusions: Overweight and obesity affect boys almost twice as frequently as girls. Obesity is twice as frequent in urban boys as in their rural peers