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Mato Grosso (MT) state, the agricultural giant of Brazil, owes its success to the long rainy season that has allowed for the extensive adoption of double cropping, elevating the region to one of the world’s leading grain producers. However, recent studies warn of the adverse impacts of deforestation and climate variability, which are causing a decrease in rainfall and a delay in the rainy season onset. These changes pose significant threats to both ecosystems and intensive agriculture. To assess these threats, we compared past and present rainfall and rainy season duration in MT and conducted robust climate projections using climate simulations forced by realistic deforestation scenarios. Our analysis of observed rainfall data from the past four decades and Community Earth System Model simulations affirmed a worrying trend of decreasing rainfall volumes, delayed rainy season onset, and shorter rainy season length. Climate projections indicate that this pattern will intensify, with onsets expected in late October and rainy season durations shorter than 200 d by mid-century. These findings underscore the potential impact on MT’s double-cropping system, a cornerstone of the region’s agricultural success, and emphasize the urgent need for sustainable large-scale agricultural practices and strategic interventions by regional decision-makers to mitigate agricultural losses and ecosystem degradation.

The physical hydroclimate system of the Amazon functions on several spatial and temporal scales. Large-scale processes control the main seasonal patterns of atmospheric circulation and rainfall. Seasonal variability in solar forcing, associated with the low rainforest albedo, provides energy for continental heating, convection, and the onset of the South American monsoon. Mesoscale processes cause localized circulations such as river breeze and deforestation breeze. We assessed the impact of different deforestation scenarios for the mid-century last decade rainy season. Here we describe a yet unreported synoptic-scale circulation that delays the rainy season onset in southern Amazonia. This model-predicted circulation is driven by extensive (ca. 40%) deforestation patterns and may last as long as two months. This persistent anomalous circulation may result in a rainy season onset delay of 30–40 d compared to the historical period. Like other synoptic-scale phenomena, differences in surface heating drive this circulation. Given the unabated deforestation trends, the consequences for local ecosystems, agriculture, and power generation of delayed rainy season onset associated with this circulation may be difficult to revert.

Summary: Background: There are concerns that the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) in children and adolescents could potentially be harmful to health. Understanding the extent of use of these devices is crucial to informing public health policy. We aimed to synthesise the prevalence of ENDS or ENNDS use in children and adolescents younger than 20 years. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we undertook an electronic search in five databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and Wiley Cochrane Library) from Jan 1, 2016, to Aug 31, 2020, and a grey literature search. Included studies reported on the prevalence of ENDS or ENNDS use in nationally representative samples in populations younger than 20 years and collected data between the years 2016 and 2020. Studies were excluded if they were done in those aged 20 years or older, used data from specialist panels that did not apply appropriate weighting, or did not use methods that ensured recruitment of a nationally representative sample. We included the most recent data for each country. We combined multiple national estimates for a country if they were done in the same year. We undertook risk of bias assessment for all surveys included in the review using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (by two reviewers in the author list). A random effects meta-analysis was used to pool overall prevalence estimates for ever, current, occasional, and daily use. This study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020199485. Findings: The most recent prevalence data from 26 national surveys representing 69 countries and territories, with a median sample size of 3925 (IQR 1=2266, IQR 3=10 593) children and adolescents was included. In children and adolescents aged between 8 years and younger than 20 years, the pooled prevalence for ever (defined as any lifetime use) ENDS or ENNDS use was 17·2% (95% CI 15–20, I2=99·9%), whereas for current use (defined as use in past 30 days) the pooled prevalence estimate was 7·8% (6–9, I2=99·8%). The pooled estimate for occasional use was 0·8% (0·5–1·2, I2=99·4%) for daily use and 7·5% (6·1–9·1, I2=99·4%) for occasional use. Prevalence of ENDS or ENNDS use was highest in high-income geographical regions. In terms of study quality, all surveys scored had a low risk of bias for the sampling frame used, due to the nationally representative nature of the studies. The most poorly conducted methodological feature of the included studies was subjects and setting described in detail. Few surveys reported on the use of flavours or types of ENDS or ENNDS. Interpretation: There is significant variability in the prevalence of ENDS and ENNDS use in children and adolescents globally by country income status. These findings are possibly due to differences in regulatory context, market availability, and differences in surveillance systems. Funding: World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

BackgroundThis systematic review described the association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) use among non-smoking children and adolescents aged MethodsWe searched five electronic databases and the grey literature up to end of September 2020. Prospective longitudinal studies that described the association between ENDS/ENNDS use, and subsequent tobacco use in those aged < 20 years who were non-smokers at baseline were included. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess risk of bias. Data were extracted by two reviewers and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. We generated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) describing associations between ENDS/ENNDS and tobacco use.FindingsA total of 36 publications met the eligibility criteria, of which 25 were included in the systematic review (23 in the meta-analysis) after exclusion of overlapping studies. Sixteen studies had high to moderate risk of bias. Ever users of ENDS/ENNDS had over three times the risk of ever cigarette use (ARR 3·01 (95% CI: 2·37, 3·82; pConclusionThere is an urgent need for policies that regulate the availability, accessibility, and marketing of ENDS/ENNDS to children and adolescents. Governments should also consider adopting policies to prevent ENDS/ENNDS uptake and use in children and adolescents, up to and including a ban for this group.

Water stress and conflict can emerge in regions with high water demand, making effective water resource management crucial for regional water security. This case study presents a comprehensive analysis of the hydroclimate behavior in Western Bahia, Brazil, and describes the development, evaluation, and operationalization of a hydroclimatic forecast system that forecasts minimum annual discharges, water stress levels, and rainy season onset, aiming to support decision-making, improve the regional governance of water resources, and improve water security. Western Bahia has experienced water stress in recent years, leading to a reduction in the amount of water in highly stressed regions like the Grande basin. The water scarcity issue may extend to other basins, as evidenced by lower streamflow values observed in the Corrente basin. To address this challenge, hydroclimatic forecasts were developed. The minimum discharge forecasts delivered a relative mean absolute error of 16.5%–27.8% on average for the study region. When combined with water stress forecasts, both provided valuable information for decision-making. Our rainy season onset forecasts had a mean absolute error of 15–20 days for two months' lead time and captured the region's west–east gradient of rainy season behavior. These combined hydroclimatic forecasts have the potential to enhance water security and support decision-making in Western Bahia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: New materials are developed all the time to better suit the patients' needs, such as flexible injectable thermoplastic resins that provide more esthetics to patients using removable partial dentures. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the color change, microhardness and flexural strength of an experimental flexible acrylic resin under the influence of thermocycling. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted in Aracatuba Dental School, UNESP University. Two types of samples were made, 30 in circular format (3×10 mm) for color and microhardness tests, and 60 in rectangular format (64×10×3.3 mm) for the flexural strength test. The samples were divided into three groups (n=10), one of the experimental flexible resin tested, one with a flexible resin already marketed (Sorriflex), and a control group of a conventional thermopolymerisable acrylic resin (Lucitone). After the preparation, color, microhardness and flexural strength readings were taken, initially and after 2000 thermocycling cycles. The obtained data was submitted to analysis of variance ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s test when necessary. Results: All resins presented a clinically acceptable color variation (ΔE), with no significant difference between resin type (p>0.05). There was a difference in the hardness of resins in ascending order (Sorriflex, experimental and Lucitone) and the hardness increased after thermocycling (p

In the past. enviromental management in Indonesia had always been handled by central government. With the wave of reforms and the implementation of decentralisation policy, local governments are now challenged to manage and tackle environmental problems on their own. In line with this current policy change and situation, the city council of Palembang has enacted Local Act (Perda) No.1 of 1999 and established Local Environmental Control Agency (Bapedalda). The main task of Bapedalda is to control environmental hazards and maintain a good level of environment conditions. Findings from this preliminary study show that environmental problems might become more serious with the decentralization policy as most of local governments does not have adequate attention to the environmental degradations. In The case of Palembang, although Bapedalda has a good potential in terms of human resources, technology, and budget, many of the local environmental problems cannot be 4nanaged properly. The function of Bapedalda is still impeded by lack of commitment among the local top authority, development policy that is concerned more on industry and economic aspects, and lack of public support and participation on environment preservation due to negative cultural attitude. In the near future, there are some strategies to be taken by Bapedalda, namely: 1) to set up a standard for environment quality and to identify the main sources of pollutions, 2) to build close cooperation with other local agencies and to improve skills in environment management, and 3) to improve public participation in environment management.

Summary: Background: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has mobilised efforts among 180 parties to combat the global tobacco epidemic. This study examined the association between highest-level implementation of key tobacco control demand-reduction measures of the WHO FCTC and smoking prevalence over the treaty's first decade. Methods: We used WHO data from 126 countries to examine the association between the number of highest-level implementations of key demand-reduction measures (WHO FCTC articles 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14) between 2007 and 2014 and smoking prevalence estimates between 2005 and 2015. McNemar tests were done to test differences in the proportion of countries that had implemented each of the measures at the highest level between 2007 and 2014. Four linear regression models were computed to examine the association between the predictor variable (the change between 2007 and 2014 in the number of key measures implemented at the highest level), and the outcome variable (the percentage point change in tobacco smoking prevalence between 2005 and 2015). Findings: Between 2007 and 2014, there was a significant global increase in highest-level implementation of all key demand-reduction measures. The mean smoking prevalence for all 126 countries was 24·73% (SD 10·32) in 2005 and 22·18% (SD 8·87) in 2015, an average decrease in prevalence of 2·55 percentage points (SD 5·08; relative reduction 10·31%). Unadjusted linear regression showed that increases in highest-level implementations of key measures between 2007 and 2014 were significantly associated with a decrease in smoking prevalence between 2005 and 2015). Each additional measure implemented at the highest level was associated with an average decrease in smoking prevalence of 1·57 percentage points (95% CI −2·51 to −0·63, p=0·001) and an average relative decrease of 7·09% (−12·55 to −1·63, p=0·011). Controlling for geographical subregion, income level, and WHO FCTC party status, the per-measure decrease in prevalence was 0·94 percentage points (−1·76 to −0·13, p=0·023) and an average relative decrease of 3·18% (−6·75 to 0·38, p=0·079). This association was consistent across all three control variables. Interpretation: Implementation of key WHO FCTC demand-reduction measures is significantly associated with lower smoking prevalence, with anticipated future reductions in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. These findings validate the call for strong implementation of the WHO FCTC in the WHO's Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2013–2020, and in advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3, setting a global target of reducing tobacco use and premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by a third by 2030. Funding: Health Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute.

The last decade has seen unprecedented achievements in global tobacco control. These include the entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and 179 states, as well as the European Union, becoming Parties to the Treaty,leading to an increased global cognizance of the negative health and economic impact of tobacco use. Governments around the world continue to adopt and implement effective tobacco control strategies and financial contributions from major philanthropies have increased the levels of financial support for tobacco control efforts in low- and middle-income countries. The UN high-level summit on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in 2011 and the 2015 adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which NCDs and acceleration of implementation of WHO FCTC are included as specific targets, represent an increased global recognition of the need to address tobacco use prevalence as a key element of NCD interventions...

Zaprionus indianus is a dipteran (Drosophilidae) with a wide distribution throughout the tropics and temperate Palearctic and Nearctic regions. There have been proposals to reclassify the genus Zaprionus as a subgenus or group of the genus Drosophila because various molecular markers have indicated a close relationship between Zaprionus species and the immigrans-Hirtodrosophila radiation within Drosophila. These markers, together with alloenzymes and quantitative traits, have been used to describe the probable scenario for the expansion of Zaprionus indianus from its center of dispersal (Africa) to regions of Asia (ancient dispersal) and the Americas (recent dispersal). The introduction of Z. indianus into Brazil was first reported in 1999 and the current consensus is that the introduced flies came from high-latitude African populations through the importation of fruit. Once in Brazil, Z. indianus spread rapidly throughout the Southeast and then to the rest of the country, in association with highway-based fruit commerce. These and other aspects of the evolutionary biology of Z. indianus are addressed in this review, including a description of a probable route for this species' dispersal during its recent expansion.

The fruit flies Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa are included in the mulleri complex of the mulleri subgroup and Repleta group. Although there is no demonstration that interspecific crosses between them occur in nature, they intercross in the laboratory in both cross directions. Previous data have shown the occurrence of nucleolar dominance in interspecific hybrids of some species in the mulleri complex. We investigated nucleolar dominance in D. mulleri/D. navojoa hybrids using the transcription profiles of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region. The results showed that the ribosomal cistrons present in the X chromosome and in the microchromosome of D. navojoa are exclusively or preferentially transcribed in these hybrids depending on the cross direction, denoting the complete or partial nucleolar dominance of this species over D. mulleri.

The association between current smoking and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression remains uncertain. We aim to provide up-to-date evidence of the role of cigarette smoking in COVID-19 hospitalisation, severity and mortality. On 23 February 2022 we conducted an umbrella review and a traditional systematic review via PubMed/Medline and Web of Science. We used random-effects metaanalyses to derive pooled odds ratios of COVID-19 outcomes for smokers in cohorts of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infected individuals or COVID-19 patients. We followed the Metaanalysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guidelines. PROSPERO: CRD42020207003. 320 publications were included. The pooled odds ratio for current versus never or nonsmokers was 1.08 (95% CI 0.98-1.19; 37 studies) for hospitalisation, 1.34 (95% CI 1.22-1.48; 124 studies) for severity and 1.32 (95% CI 1.20-1.45; 119 studies) for mortality. Estimates for former versus never-smokers were 1.16 (95% CI 1.03-1.31; 22 studies), 1.41 (95% CI: 1.25-1.59; 44 studies) and 1.46 (95% CI 1.31-1.62; 44 studies), respectively. Estimates for ever- versus never-smokers were 1.16 (95% CI 1.05-1.27; 33 studies), 1.44 (95% CI 1.31-1.58; 110 studies) and 1.39 (95% CI 1.29-1.50; 109 studies), respectively. We found a 30-50% excess risk of COVID-19 progression for current and former smokers compared with neversmokers. Preventing serious COVID-19 outcomes, including death, seems the newest compelling argument against smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As new findings on public health implications of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use emerge, its surveillance remains of utmost importance. This study examined the latest state of e-cigarette use in youth in 17 European study sites (i.e. 16 countries and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Methods This was an observational study. Cross-sectional data on students aged 11–17 years from the latest available GYTS round completed in 17 study sites were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence of e-cigarette use by sex and pocket money. Panel GYTS data from five countries were used for the trend analyses. All analyses were weighted to account for the survey design and non-response. Results Compared to 2014, the age-adjusted prevalence of e-cigarette use more than doubled in Georgia and Italy, and nearly doubled in Latvia. Significantly more male than female students aged 11–17 years reported use of e-cigarettes, with little to no confounding by age, grade and pocket money across countries. Youth with medium or higher amount of pocket money was 20–200% more likely to use e-cigarettes than those with fewer to no pocket money in 14 study sites. Discussion As e-cigarette use is becoming widespread throughout the world, there is variation in use among and between countries. Expanded and consistent surveillance of e-cigarette use by all World Health Organization member states is essential to generate data on the extent and correlates of youth e-cigarette use for evidence-based planning and evaluation of the electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems national and global control programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: This systematic review described the association between electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) use among non-smoking children and adolescents aged <20 years with subsequent tobacco use. Methods: We searched five electronic databases and the grey literature up to end of September 2020. Prospective longitudinal studies that described the association between ENDS/ENNDS use, and subsequent tobacco use in those aged < 20 years who were non-smokers at baseline were included. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess risk of bias. Data were extracted by two reviewers and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. We generated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) describing associations between ENDS/ENNDS and tobacco use. Findings: A total of 36 publications met the eligibility criteria, of which 25 were included in the systematic review (23 in the meta-analysis) after exclusion of overlapping studies. Sixteen studies had high to moderate risk of bias. Ever users of ENDS/ENNDS had over three times the risk of ever cigarette use (ARR 3·01 (95% CI: 2·37, 3·82; p<0·001, I2: 82·3%), and current cigarette use had over two times the risk (ARR 2·56 (95% CI: 1·61, 4·07; p<0·001, I2: 77·3%) at follow up. Among current ENDS/ENNDS users, there was a significant association with ever (ARR 2·63 (95% CI: 1·94, 3·57; p<0·001, I2: 21·2%)), but not current cigarette use (ARR 1·88 (95% CI: 0·34, 10·30; p = 0·47, I2: 0%)) at follow up. For other tobacco use, ARR ranged between 1·55 (95% CI 1·07, 2·23) and 8·32 (95% CI: 1·20, 57·04) for waterpipe and pipes, respectively. Additionally, two studies examined the use of ENNDS (non-nicotine devices) and found a pooled adjusted RR of 2·56 (95% CI: 0·47, 13·94, p = 0.035). Conclusion: There is an urgent need for policies that regulate the availability, accessibility, and marketing of ENDS/ENNDS to children and adolescents. Governments should also consider adopting policies to prevent ENDS/ENNDS uptake and use in children and adolescents, up to and including a ban for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anuario do Instituto de Geociencias is the property of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Geociencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: New materials are developed all the time to better suit the patients' needs, such as flexible injectable thermoplastic resins that provide more esthetics to patients using removable partial dentures. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the color change, microhardness and flexural strength of an experimental flexible acrylic resin under the influence of thermocycling. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted in Aracatuba Dental School, UNESP University. Two types of samples were made, 30 in circular format (3x10 mm) for color and microhardness tests, and 60 in rectangular format (64x10x3.3 mm) for the flexural strength test. The samples were divided into three groups (n=10), one of the experimental flexible resin tested, one with a flexible resin already marketed (Sorriflex), and a control group of a conventional thermopolymerisable acrylic resin (Lucitone). After the preparation, color, microhardness and flexural strength readings were taken, initially and after 2000 thermocycling cycles. The obtained data was submitted to analysis of variance ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test when necessary. Results: All resins presented a clinically acceptable color variation (ΔE), with no significant difference between resin type (p>0.05). There was a difference in the hardness of resins in ascending order (Sorriflex, experimental and Lucitone) and the hardness increased after thermocycling (p<0.05). For the flexural strength, the only difference was related to the type of resin, the acrylic resin presented higher value with respect to the thermoplastic resins. Conclusion: We conclude that the tested experimental resin has properties similar to those found in the market, presenting the advantage of greater surface hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the adhesion of Streptococcus sanguinis to the surface of interim prostheses that were treated or not treated with a light‐activated glaze, and subjected or not subjected to a thermocycling procedure. Methods: 36 specimens of each resin were divided into 4 groups: heat‐activated acrylic resin; chemically‐activated acrylic resin; bis‐acryl composite resin (Protemp; 3M ESPE); and bis‐GMA (Charisma; Heraeus Kulzer). Half of the specimens underwent application of glaze and the other half underwent mechanical polishing. Specimens were randomly distributed into groups (N = 9) with and without thermocycling (2000 cycles). Surface energy, roughness and microbiological analyses were performed. Results: Groups treated with glaze showed lower roughness when compared with the same groups without glaze treatment, before and after thermocycling, except for the bis‐acryl groups after thermocycling. Surface energy values were higher in the groups treated with glaze, except the bis‐acryl group before and after thermocycling. After thermocycling, the values of bacterial adhesion decreased numerically, with the exception of the chemically‐activated acrylic resin group treated with glaze and the heat‐activated acrylic resin group without glaze treatment. Conclusion: The application of glaze and the thermocycling do not influence, in a statistically significant manner, the bacterial adhesion on polymer surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year, tobacco use causes approximately 7 million deaths worldwide, including approximately 6 million among tobacco users and an estimated 890,000 among nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke (1). Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of disease globally and has been determined to cause adverse health outcomes such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and multiple types of cancer, including lung cancer (2-4). Approximately 80% of the world's 1.1 billion tobacco smokers reside in low- and middle-income countries (4). Some persons do not fully understand the health risks associated with tobacco smoking (5-9), and studies have indicated that increasing knowledge about the adverse health effects of smoking can contribute to decreases in smoking, increases in cessation attempts, and increases in successful cessation (3,7,10). CDC analyzed 2008-2016 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data from 28 countries to assess tobacco smoking prevalence, quit attempts, and knowledge about tobacco smoking risks among persons aged ≥15 years. Across countries, the median prevalence of tobacco smoking was 22.5%, and a median of 42.5% of tobacco smokers had made a quit attempt in the preceding 12 months. The median prevalences of knowing that tobacco smoking causes stroke, heart attack, and lung cancer were 73.6%, 83.6%, and 95.2%, respectively. Implementation of proven tobacco control interventions, including strategies that increase knowledge about the health risks posed by tobacco use, might help to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related disease, including heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer (3-5)., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.