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Although some recent papers have explored the impacts of external debt on environmental sustainability, the impacts of external debt on the load capacity factor (LCF) have been ignored. In this regard, this work aims to examine the influence of renewable energy, FDI, and external debt on the LCF in Brazil over the period 1970–2021; this indicator implies the country's strength to promote the population based on current lifestyles. This paper uses the novel augmented autoregressive distributive lag (A-ARDL) technique. The findings from the A-ARDL show that renewable energy positively influenced ecological sustainability by promoting the LCF by 0.451% in the short run and 0.038% in the long run. In addition, the findings show that an increase in the rent of natural resources promotes the LCF. In contrast, the outcomes illustrate that an increase in the external debt led to an adverse impact on ecological sustainability by decreasing the level of LCF by 0.093% in the short run and 0.162% in the long run. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that FDI negatively affects the ecological sustainability quality by reducing the LCF in the country. The study provides beneficial recommendations to policymakers in Brazil for achieving sustainable development in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern digital technologies have the great potential to improve the sustainability of fish farming in artisanal fisheries. However, in spite of the popularity of these technologies for fish farming in other parts of the world, Brazil still lags behind. To fill this gap, this study has conducted the first field study in implementing the IoT sensor technologies in Southern Brazil and documents the experiences in this paper. More specifically, it discusses developing sustainable artisanal fisheries infrastructure using these technologies with reference to southern Brazil, where the study explores the use of sensor technology in aquaculture and its effectiveness in reducing waste and improving productivity. The overarching goal of the project is to demonstrate how simple data collection using IoT sensors and its analysis can support artisanal freshwater fish farms in Brazil and beyond to increase production, reduce waste, and thereby improve their sustainability. The pilot implementation of these technologies has demonstrated the potential of increasing the productivity of the artisanal fisheries, reducing waste (e.g., loss of farmed fish, optimised feeding to reduce waste of feeds), and improving the sustainability of aquaculture. This paper documents the valuable firsthand experiences of selecting, adapting, and implementing the IoT sensor technologies with close cooperation from local research institutions and artisanal fish farmers. The paper describes the different implementation stages and use interviews with stakeholders as a testimony of the effectiveness of the IoT technology adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a brief yet comprehensive comparative analysis of historical and contemporary racial authoritarian violence in the United States and Brazil. Utilizing Black feminist historian and literary scholar Saidiya Hartman's theorization of the "afterlife of slavery" and Michael Dawson's linked fate, I examine how the processes of racialization and the racial logics of subordination have and continue to shape the contours of Black life in the United States and in Brazil. Moreover, in this work, I interrogate the afterlife of George Floyd and the afterlives of Black Brazilian victims and survivors of racial authoritarian violence; the political, transnational, and symbolic impacts of Floyd's death; and Diasporic understandings of linked fate on racial authoritarian violence between Black communities in the United States and in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite remote sensing data expedite crop yield estimation, offering valuable insights for farmers' decision making. Recent forecasting methods, particularly those utilizing machine learning algorithms like Random Forest and Artificial Neural Networks, show promise. However, challenges such as validation performances, large volume of data, and the inherent complexity and inexplicability of these models hinder their widespread adoption. This paper presents a simpler approach, employing linear regression models fitted from vegetation indices (VIs) extracted from MODIS sensor data on the Terra and Aqua satellites. The aim is to forecast cotton yields in key areas of the Brazilian Cerrado. Using data from 281 commercial production plots, models were trained (167 plots) and tested (114 plots), relating seed cotton yield to nine commonly used VIs averaged over 15-day intervals. Among the evaluated VIs, Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Triangular Vegetation Index (TVI) exhibited the lowest root mean square errors (RMSE) and the highest determination coefficients (R2). Optimal periods for in-season yield prediction fell between 90 and 105 to 135 and 150 days after sowing (DAS), corresponding to key phenological phases such as boll development, open boll, and fiber maturation, with the lowest RMSE of about 750 kg ha−1 and R2 of 0.70. The best forecasts for early crop stages were provided by models at the peaks (maximum value of the VI time series) for EVI and TVI, which occurred around 80–90 DAS. The proposed approach makes the yield predictability more inferable along the crop time series just by providing sowing dates, contour maps, and their respective VIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between culture and the individual is a central focus of social scientific research. This paper examines motivations that mediate between shared culture norms and individual actions. Inspired by the works of Leon Festinger and Melford Spiro, we posit that social network conformation (the perceived adherence of one's social network with norms) and internalization of cultural norms (incorporation of cultural models with the self-schema) will differentially shape behavior (cultural consonance) depending on the domain and individual characteristics. For the domain of gender roles among Brazilian men, religious affiliation results in different configurations of the individual and culture. Our findings suggest that, due to changing and competing cultural models, religious men are compelled to reflexively "think" about what masculinity means to them, rather than subconsciously conform to social (hegemonic) expectations. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the impetus of culturally informed behaviors and, in doing so, provides a methodological means for measuring and interpreting such motivations, an important factor in the relationship between culture and the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper augments the sparse literature on the inflationary impact of foreign debt in Brazil while addressing methodological caveats in previous studies. We depart from the linearity assumption and employ two nonlinear techniques: the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model and a Markov Switching Regression (MSR) to investigate the connection between foreign debt and inflation within a multivariate framework. The analyses consider the presence of structural breaks via assessing variable stationarity using the Zivot and Andrew unit root test and incorporating a residual-based cointegration test proposed by Gregory and Hansen. Additionally, we apply a multiple structural breakpoints test by Bai and Perron to determine the presence of structural breaks in the impact of foreign debt on inflation. Our findings robustly indicate that the domestic money supply has a statistically significant positive effect, while the nominal effective exchange rate has a negative effect on inflation in both the short and long run. The NARDL model reveals that only positive changes in foreign debt have a statistically significant negative effect on inflation in the short run, whereas both positive and negative foreign debt changes significantly affect inflation in the long run. The results from the MSR model are generally consistent with those of the NARDL model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gaps observed in entities' traditional reports and accounts led to the emergence of the integrated report (IR), which includes several content elements, namely the component relating to risks and opportunities. Within this scope, the specific risks that may affect an organization's capacity to create value are disclosed, among others, which is information of interest to the different stakeholders. This paper aims to identify the explanatory factors that influence the disclosure of risks in IRs. For this purpose, the IRs of entities listed on the Brazilian stock exchange for the year 2020 were assessed. The study was based on the explanatory theories of risk disclosure usually found in the literature, namely, the legitimacy, the agency, the signaling, and the upper echelon theories. Linear regression models were used with the disclosure rates of different types of risk as dependent variables. The size, profitability, indebtedness, independence, and gender diversity in the board of directors (BD), audit, and activity sector comprised the selected explanatory factors. Associations were found between some of the types of risks disclosed and the size of the entity, the existence of an audit, the independence of the BD, and the activity sector. The paper contributes to the literature about the explanatory factors of risk disclosure by exploring its analysis with different typologies and attributes, having the IR as a source of information, which is still little explored. The scientific contribution encompasses proposing a new risk analysis model in the IR. The innovative elements also comprise the classification of risks related to sustainable development (SD), including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1973, the National Rabies Program was created in Brazil through an agreement between the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. Since its beginning, it developed integrated action through access to free post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people at risk, dog vaccination campaigns, a joint surveillance system, and awareness. This study aims to describe human rabies in Brazil under the One Health perspective in recent decades, including achievements in the control of dog-mediated cases and challenges in human cases transmitted by wild animals. This paper also explores possible drivers of human rabies in the Northeast Region with half of the cases. The first part of this study was descriptive, presenting data and examples by periods. Statistical analysis was performed in the last period (2010–2022) to explore possible drivers. Dog-mediated human cases decreased from 147 to 0, and dog cases decreased from 4500 to 7. A major challenge is now human cases transmitted by wild animals (bats, non-human primates, and wild canids). Most current human cases occur in municipalities with a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest biome and a Gini index higher than 0.5. In the multivariable analysis, an association with temperature was estimated (OR = 1.739; CI95% = 1.181–2.744), and primary healthcare coverage (OR = 0.947; CI95% = 0.915–0.987) was identified as a protector. It is possible to significantly reduce the number of dog-mediated human rabies cases through the efforts presented. However, Brazil has wildlife variants of the rabies virus circulating. The association of human cases with higher temperatures in the Northeast is a concern with climate change. To reduce human cases transmitted by wild animals, it is important to continue distributing free PEP, especially in remote at-risk areas in the Amazon Region, and to increase awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Culex has 817 species subdivided into 28 subgenera. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, being most abundant in countries with a tropical climate. Understanding the ecology and diversity of viruses circulating in the species of this genus is important for understanding their role as arbovirus vectors in Brazil. To conduct an integrative review to identify the importance of the Culex genus as arbovirus vectors in Brazil. A search was carried out for scientific papers in the PubMed, BVSalud, Patuá-IEC and International Catalogue of Arboviruses: including certain other viruses of vertebrates databases. 36 publications describing arbovirus detections in Culex mosquitoes collected in the field in Brazil were evaluated. A total of 42 arbovirus species were detected, as well as studies analyzing the vector competence of C. quinquefasciatus for the transmission of four different arboviruses. The study of the Culex genus and its role as a vector of arboviruses in Brazil is essential for understanding transmission cycles, with the main aim of reducing cases of human infection. Thus, entomovirological surveillance guides the implementation of actions to detect circulating arboviruses among vectors to anticipate measures aimed at preventing or reducing the risk of arbovirus outbreaks in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study is to describe the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)-producing MβL among Brazilian isolates and the frequency of blaSPM-1 in MβL-PA-producing isolates. From January 2009 to August 2023, we carried out an investigation on this subject in the internet databases SciELO, PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS. A total of 20 papers that met the eligibility requirements were chosen by comprehensive meta-analysis software v2.2 for data retrieval and analysis by one meta-analysis using a fixed-effects model for the two investigations. The prevalence of MβL-producing P. aeruginosa was 35.8% or 0.358 (95% CI = 0.324–0.393). The studies' differences were significantly different from one another (x2 = 243.15; p < 0.001; I2 = 92.18%), so they were divided into subgroups based on Brazilian regions. There was indication of asymmetry in the meta-analyses' publishing bias funnel plot; so, a meta-regression was conducted by the study's publication year. According to the findings of Begg's test, no discernible publishing bias was found. blaSPM-1 prevalence was estimated at 66.9% or 0.669 in MβL-PA isolates (95% CI = 0.593–0.738). The analysis of this one showed an average heterogeneity (x2 = 90.93; p < 0.001; I2 = 80.20%). According to the results of Begg's test and a funnel plot, no discernible publishing bias was found. The research showed that MβL-P. aeruginosa and SPM-1 isolates were relatively common among individuals in Brazil. P. aeruginosa and other opportunistic bacteria are spreading quickly and causing severe infections, so efforts are needed to pinpoint risk factors, reservoirs, transmission pathways, and the origin of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19 pandemic, concern arose for those who might be at higher risk of a worse COVID-19 prognosis, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF). In this context, we evaluated the features of hospitalized patients with CF due to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Brazil and we also performed a systematic review including all the studies published from the beginning of the first case of COVID-19 (17 November 2019) to the date of this search (23 May 2022) which included, concomitantly, patients with CF and COVID-19 in the worldwide population. In our Brazilian data, we evaluated the period from December 2019 to March 2022, and we included 33 demographical and clinical patients' features. We classified the patients into groups: (G1) SARI due to another viral infection than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (23; 5.4%), (G2) SARI due to an unknown etiological agent (286; 67.1%), and (G3) SARI due to SARS-CoV-2 infection (117; 27.5%). The individuals in G3 tended to be older, especially over 50 years old, and presented a higher prevalence of dyspnea, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) <95%, and cardiopathy. The highest prevalence for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment (52; 44.4%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (29; 24.8%) was for patients in G3. Almost half of the patients in G3 died (51; 43.6%); in contrast, none in G1 died. However, we observed 43 (15.0%) deaths in G2. In addition, 12 (4.2%) and one (0.9%) death not associated with SARI occurred, respectively, in the G2 and G3. The patients who died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection had a higher frequency of SpO2 <95% (46; 90.2%), ICU treatment (34; 66.7%), and invasive mechanical ventilation (27; 52.9%) when compared to those who recovered. The systematic review comprised a total of 31 papers published as observational studies. These studies comprised 661,386 patients in total, including children, adults, and elderly age groups. However, only 19,150 (2.9%) patients were diagnosed with CF and, from these patients, 2523 (0.4%) were diagnosed with both CF and COVID-19. It was observed that the most common outcome was the need for hospitalization (n = 322 patients with CF), and the need for oxygen support (n = 139 patients with CF). One hundred patients with CF needed intensive care units, fifty patients needed non-invasive mechanical ventilation support, and only three patients were described as receiving invasive mechanical ventilation support. Deaths were described in 38 patients with CF. Importantly, lung-transplanted patients with CF represented an increased risk of death in one publication; in accordance, another study described that lung transplantation and moderate to severe lung disease were independent risk factors for severe outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast with the literature, in conclusion, Brazilian patients in G3 presented a severe phenotype, even though most of the other studies did not observe worse outcomes in patients with CF and COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Sugarcane would not be enough to meet the ethanol targets set for Brazil Corn ethanol may be an attractive secondary feedstock to help supply the demand In Brazil, sugarcane ethanol has more advantages when compared to corn ethanol Ethanol production in Brazil started in the early 1930s due to laws created by the Brazilian government. However, ethanol production only increased significantly with the National Program of Ethanol implementation in 1975. This program was another action taken by the Brazilian government aiming to provide conditions for the development of the ethanol industry in the country. With the program, it was possible to achieve significant progress; however, it finished in the mid-1980s. Currently, ethanol is produced on a large scale by more than 300 sugarcane mills all over the country. In 2016, the Brazilian government provided another incentive for ethanol production by creating the RenovaBio Program, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Besides the environmental aspect, Brazil's ethanol industry needs to develop to supply future biofuel demand. According to the forecast provided in this paper, and considering technical, economic, and environmental aspects regarding the Brazilian ethanol industry, the current and only feedstock used is likely to be insufficient. Thus, the ethanol produced from corn would be an attractive secondary feedstock to complement sugarcane ethanol as the primary feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze organisations' behaviour in the Industrial Symbiosis implementation process in the Circular Economy Pilot Project, in Brazil from the actors' perception. We conducted an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach to attain the research objective. The data collection involved in depth interviews with eighteen actors. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. The study results in show a still incipient industrial symbiosis network, with few connections between industrial actors, based on bilateral exchanges of materials, water and energy. From the analysis, it was possible to identify the elements that influence the behaviour of organisations. When it comes to exogenous elements, it is clear that laws and sanctions are the ones that most determine organisational action. However, this pressure is still focused on the traditional and unidirectional model of production processes. Economic viability was identified as a primary factor for the objective elements of organisational action. Regarding the subjective elements, it was found that there was already an interaction before the project between some companies, especially those from automotive sector. With the project's initiative, this social interaction was intensified, including between companies from different sectors. Regarding the barriers, we found the absence of governmental actions, unavailability of time and involvement of the managers to fully participate in the project, high cost of waste disposal versus the cost of investment and, discontinuity of actions. Overall, the study indicates that the project increased the institutional capacity of the region to develop industrial symbiosis, as it advanced in sharing new knowledge, promoted more significant interaction between organisations and identified business opportunities for companies. However, it appears that the project's continuity will be conditioned to improve some aspects of the governance structure, regulatory framework and collective engagement. These results can be helpful for researchers studying this topic and managers in Brazil and other emerging countries in Latin America, as well as, policymakers involved in public policies aimed to enable the transition to a circular e more sustainable model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populism has been at the center of recent debates in political science and international relations scholarship. Recognized as a contested concept and framed as a new global phenomenon, populism emerged in the context of liberal democracies, where political actors inflate social antagonisms by putting the people against the elite. Facing a global health crisis where a sense of threat, uncertainty, and emergency has pushed normal politics into the realm of politics of crisis, populists have actively engaged in creating a spectacularization of failure—of science, institutions, experts, governments—vis-à-vis the new Coronavirus, and in creating doubts about and devaluing scientists, experts and governments. Issues such as mask mandates, lockdown measures, compulsory vaccination, medicine effectiveness, and vaccine certificates became politicized. That is, they have been taken from normal politics and made contingent and controversial in order to deepen already existing political divisions and polarization. Exploring the case of Germany and Brazil, we will show how populists tried to use the pandemic to forge divisions between the people and the elite (represented by scientists, health experts, and the press). This conceptual-empirical paper wishes to make a contribution to the debate on how populists brought scientific public health issues into their black-and-white, antagonistic vision of society and hence instrumentalized COVID-19 for their own political gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As circularity is momentous, waste-picker communities all around the world are getting noticed. Brazil is at the forefront of waste-picker community inclusion, recognizing, by law, waste-pickers as professionals who must be part of waste management. This level of institutionalization is the result of a political struggle within the national waste policy network over more than twenty years. Understanding these political relations is key to recognising the role of waste-pickers and making the case for justice in the circularity discourse and practices. This research presents the result of an extended case study of over seven years duration conducted by the author on the community of Jardim Gramacho, in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. Building upon the policy network theory, this paper first maps the policy community and the issue network of waste governance. Second, through a thematic analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews, core themes are identified. These themes depict the waste-picker community beyond a paternalistic reading recognizing their agency and identifying a plurality of roles waste-pickers are playing in the waste policy community, among them the role of institutional stewards. In the conclusion, a research agenda is outlined, highlighting the need for transdisciplinarity in doing research with waste-pickers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to present aspects related to corporate governance, organisational resilience and sustainable practices developed by Brazilian companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodological strategy included documentary research to identify sustainability reports published by companies listed on the Ibovespa index, which were examined through the content analysis technique. The results allowed light to be shed on opportunities for improvement concerning sustainability and corporate governance. Regarding organisational resilience, risk management is central for the development of sustainability practices by organisations. The support to society related to the COVID-19 pandemic was evidenced mainly through the donation of financial resources, equipment and hospital supplies. Practices related to reducing energy consumption and minimising waste generation were those most associated with environmental aspects. The actions identified were mapped according to their relations with the SDGs. Managers can benefit from the information presented in this study to enhance organisational sustainability and resilience, while researchers can use it as a starting point for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 outbreak caused several negative effects in industries of all sizes and in all parts of the world, leading academic and practitioners to ask whether organizations could have been better prepared to face disruptive situations. This paper aims to analyze business continuity practices performed by Brazilian industries. A survey was conducted with academics who work in the field of organizational resilience and business continuity and are familiar with the reality of Brazilian companies in the industrial sector. The participants assessed 16 practices (P) proposed by the ISO 22301:2020, considering two categories: large industries (LI) and small and medium-sized industries (SMI). Data analysis was performed using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, frequency analysis, Fuzzy TOPSIS and sensitivity analysis. For LIs, P4 (leaders conduct periodic critical analyses of practices) was considered the practice with the best application rate, while for SMIs, P2 (understand stakeholders' needs and expectations, and use information in business continuity management) was chosen. In all scenarios tested for LIs and SMIs, P8 (well-structured systematic processes to analyze the impact of abnormal situations on their business and the potential risks of a disruption) and P16 (periodic audits of their business continuity management activities to identify opportunities for improvement, and information record) are in the bottom quartile. When compared to LIs in the Brazilian context, SMIs exhibit more profound deficiencies in terms of applying business continuity practices. The findings of this study can be of great value to assist managers in improving organizational resilience. Organizations should be better prepared to face future disruptive events, whether biological, social, technological, or economic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of animals are killed on roads annually due to collisions with vehicles, particularly medium–large mammals. Studies on mammal road-kill flourished in Brazil in the last decade and an assessment of research on road-kill impacts at a country level will help define science-based conservation strategies. In this study, we used the compiled scientific literature to provide the state of knowledge on medium and large-sized mammals killed by road traffic in Brazil, their conservation status, and an approximation of the road-kill magnitude. We reviewed a total of 62 scientific papers that reported road-kill data accounting for 11.817 individuals. Of the 102 species of medium–large mammals found in the IUCN list, more than half (n = 62; 61%) were recorded as road-kill on Brazilian roads. The Carnivora order comprises over a quarter (n = 23; 37%) of the total road-killed species. A total of 9 species (14.5%) were classified as threatened, with a further 10 (16%) as Near Threatened. Over half of the road-killed species (n = 33, 53%) showed declining population trends according to their IUCN conservation status. Our extrapolation of the results for the entire Brazilian paved road network showed that the number of medium–large road-killed mammals can reach almost 9 million yearly (maximum 8.7 million; mean 1.3 million), representing a biomass of more than 10000 tons. The highest roadkill rates were recorded for common generalists and least concern species, although there were also threatened and near threatened species within the top 15 highest road-kill rates. The declining population trends found for most species reflect serious conservation concerns, since there is a lack of information on the mortality effects at population levels. Our results suggest that medium–large mammals are severally affected by road mortality in Brazil. More investigations are needed at local and abundance population levels, in a way that allows the inclusion of road network as an important threat for target species impacted by road-kill in the national territory, in order to develop adequate plans to mitigate those impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on degrowth has suffered from only engaging with normative ideas. More recently the degrowth debate has started moving from a normative perspective to close the wide gap that has existed between normative ideas and is analysing how to link ideas to the institutional and cultural environment that shapes practices. To address this challenge, we draw on the work of Pierre Bourdieu in order to examine transformations in the habitus and forms of capital of those who decide to move into sustainable entrepreneurship through permaculture in Brazil. Permaculture represents a vibrant alternative to industrial food production and addresses fundamental contemporary social problems, such as increasing inequalities, climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The article explores the challenges faced and respective responses of those who decide to change their relationships with nature and society by becoming permaculture entrepreneurs (PEs). The paper shows that, when entering the permaculture universe, individuals start critically examining their values and ways of living, which leads to a disengagement from dominant patterns of behaviour and social expectations in order to pursue sustainable lifestyles and thereby develop an ecological habitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passenger flows among cities, at both the domestic and international levels and in different countries and regions, have been studied for forecasting purposes. This paper seeks not a forecasting mechanism, but to understand, by analyzing passenger origins and destinations by Brazilian sub-region, how Brazil's domestic air passenger network links have evolved. Using income, population, and fare price as inputs, and seats sold as output, air link performance is examined by data envelopment analysis to discuss the regional link of domestic passenger traffic in Brazil and its dynamics, considering two specific years. The findings indicate that, although the highest passenger flow density is concentrated in Brazil's Southeast region, performance by emerging origins and destinations (O-Ds), such as those connecting the Northeast, display more substantial strength indices and advances (Malmquist analysis). The analysis of specific links was also important, which showed that important Brazilian airports are not necessarily more competent in generating trips. The Catch-Up indicator for innovation reveals the weak point in Brazil's air transport network. Although some airports enjoy strong networkability, they do not correspond in passenger origin or destination strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way we produce food is at the heart of some of the current main global challenges. We are witnessing increasing social inequalities and the accentuation of hunger around the world, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. At the same time, malnutrition and effects of climate change are endangering both the health of people and nature, putting life and the planet itself at risk. In general, specialists agree that the solutions to the current crisis involve the transformation of hegemonic food production chains (globalized and industrialized) and the strengthening of more territorialized food systems. The present paper reflects on how the territorial approach (extensively promoted by the State in Latin America countries in the 21st century) can be collaboratively used to create territorial food markets that are more autonomous, sustainable, and connected with nature and territorial resources. Our hypothesis is that territorial development reinforces more sustainable food systems that increase the resilience of territories facing the current challenges of rural development. The methodology involves a thematic and selective literature review, the analysis of secondary indicators, and conducting online interviews. Our analysis focused on Latin America, one of the most advanced areas in territorial development policies. We situated our research in the Borborema Territory (Paraíba, Brazil), which is a significant case study for understanding the dynamics of territorialization (and deterritorialization) of agroecological production systems that are geared towards family farming. It is also, in our opinion, a concrete case that suggests how territorialized and more localized food systems show greater resilience in the face of adversity, which can be observed in the territorial actors' ability to react to deterritorialization drivers that are emphasised in periods of crisis. Our main findings suggest that territorial development, by placing territory, resources, and territorial actors and institutions at the core of rural development strategies, reinforces territorialized food systems centred in small circuits of production–consumption. These alternative food systems not only contribute to social and environmental sustainability but enhance territorial development by expanding opportunities for territorial actors by diversifying the territorial economy and creating more crisis-resilient territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat to all of us. It has caused an unprecedented shock to the world's economy, and it has interrupted the lives and livelihood of millions of people. In the last two years, a large body of literature has attempted to forecast the main dimensions of the COVID-19 outbreak using a wide set of models. In this paper, I forecast the short- to mid-term cumulative deaths from COVID-19 in 12 hard-hit big countries around the world as of 20 August 2021. The data used in the analysis were extracted from the Our World in Data COVID-19 dataset. Both non-seasonal and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA and SARIMA) were estimated. The analysis showed that: (i) ARIMA/SARIMA forecasts were sufficiently accurate in both the training and test set by always outperforming the simple alternative forecasting techniques chosen as benchmarks (Mean, Naïve, and Seasonal Naïve); (ii) SARIMA models outperformed ARIMA models in 46 out 48 metrics (in forecasting future values), i.e., on 95.8% of all the considered forecast accuracy measures (mean absolute error [MAE], mean absolute percentage error [MAPE], mean absolute scaled error [MASE], and the root mean squared error [RMSE]), suggesting a clear seasonal pattern in the data; and (iii) the forecasted values from SARIMA models fitted very well the observed (real-time) data for the period 21 August 2021–19 September 2021 for almost all the countries analyzed. This article shows that SARIMA can be safely used for both the short- and medium-term predictions of COVID-19 deaths. Thus, this approach can help government authorities to monitor and manage the huge pressure that COVID-19 is exerting on national healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure of tailings dams causes ecological damage and economic loss and can cause casualties. The simulation of the tailings' spill path in the event of tailings dam failures (TDFs) can mitigate the risk by the provision of spatial information for disaster prevention and preparedness. In order to close the gap between basic one-dimensional spill-path routing models and complex numerical models, this paper examines an empirical model based on the freely available Laharz model. The model incorporates a tailings-specific planimetric area regression from the literature to describe the spatial extent of tailings flows based on the released volume. By providing information about affected residents and infrastructure, such a model can be used for preliminary risk evaluation. The model was validated against the TDF in Brumadinho (2019) and reached hit rates of over 80%, critical success indices of approximately 60% and false alarm ratios of roughly 30%. The latter is particularly evident in the overestimation of the lower part of the tailings flow. The risk assessment identified 120 affected residents, 117 destroyed buildings (109 reported) and several kilometres of affected roads (1.9 km) and railway (2.75 km). However, the OpenStreetMap-based part of the risk assessment inherits some uncertainties to be investigated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I hope to shed light on the social and institutional transformation processes in Brazil in the 21st century, contrasting what can be understood as two populist waves. The first is the one led by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as a left-wing leader whose government has been internationally recognized for implementing distributive economic policies (inclusion of the poorest majority) and inclusive social policies (inclusion of racial and sexual minorities). The second is the right-wing wave led by Jair Bolsonaro, internationally recognized, but rather for embracing a discourse contrary to the inclusive practices adopted by their predecessor. Thus, the question I want to answer is: How can the same concept fit into such different phenomena? My hypothesis is that we are facing two patterns of representative relations. An inclusive one that aims to expand the number of groups that can be properly represented within the political collectivity, increasing its pluralism, and an exclusive one that aims to restrict them, shortening the plurality of groups and identities that forms the people. In both, the theme of racial and sexual minorities becomes a priority. Through this discussion, I want to emphasize the substantive and existential quality of the differences between these two representative patterns that are sometimes neglected or reduced by those who use the concept of populism to attribute some kind of symmetry or ideological convergence between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the transition to electric cars in Brazil. The country has been successful to reduce its carbon footprint using biofuels, but it is facing a dilemma in vehicle electrification. It cannot shift abruptly to battery electric vehicles, as current consumers are unable to afford them and investment in recharging infrastructure is uncertain. However, it has a significant manufacturing base, and it cannot isolate itself from global industrial trends. This study relies on the inductive case study method, identifying the core green technologies in vehicle electrification and extrapolating their trends, to explain how the transition process is feasible. The emergence of a dominant design (set of core technologies defining a product category and adopted by the majority of players in the market) in small and affordable segments is essential for the diffusion of electric cars in developing countries. Biofuel hybrid technologies may support the transition. The Brazilian industry can engage in electric vehicle development by designing small cars based on global architectures, targeting consumers in emerging markets. The article contributes by using a dominant design core technologies framework to explain and map the transition to electric vehicles in developing countries, supporting academic research, government, and industry planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate Sustainability Reporting provides essential data for academic and empirical research on sustainability and the still-growing adoption of the circular economy by companies. Despite the wide attention that the circular economy receives from the academy, a systematization and hierarchy of the strategies that embrace the sustainable circular economy are still necessary. In addition, there is a limitation of research on the analysis of Corporate Sustainability Reporting in emerging economies. In this study, fifty sustainable circular economy strategies emerged from a systematic literature review, arranged among nine categories. The differential of the identified strategies is the expansion of strategies for a sustainable circular economy vision. Then, 51 Corporate Sustainability Reporting from 17 multinational companies operating in Brazil in 2016, 2018 and 2020 were analyzed to identify companies' adoption of these strategies. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting analysis results suggest that companies operating in Brazil are directing significant efforts toward a sustainable circular economy. Based on these two results and the theory of business process management, we proposed the Business Process for Sustainable Circular Economy framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the connection of internal control environment to sustainable development goals to curb fraud in Brazil. We drew on the interpretivist and constructivist perspectives with discourse analysis. Data corpus consists of interviews of 20 respondents who are external auditors, internal auditors, and employees of the controller's department of an organization of ecommerce and archival documents. Results did not find any significant relationship between the connection of internal control functions (ICF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inasmuch as the connection of ICF to efficiency is tied to policies in compliance with standards, management tone, roles of enforcement, accountability, and adherence and obedience of rules. Triangulating SDG-16 with the dimensions of the control environment, fraud manifests mainly as a result of lack of commitment to integrity and values, as well as ineffectiveness of monitoring functions. This study concludes for the building of effective, accountable and even institutions with the embedding monitoring functions to sustain development goals. Since ex ante literatures examined the conceptual framework in isolation, this study connects it to sustainable development goals. Finally, this study signals an implication in the internal control literature as it clarifies the scientific theories and practical baseline of internal control environment to the policymakers, practitioners, and academia in view of the way forward on the connection of ICF to the SDG in the fight against corporate frauds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), cold waves and occurrence of frosts in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during the winter quarter. Research on this topic can assist different spheres of society, such as public health and agriculture, since cold waves can influence and/or aggravate health problems and frosts can inflict economic losses especially in the agricultural sector. For the purpose of this paper, cold wave is considered as the event in which the daily average surface air temperature was at least two standard deviations below the average value of the series on the day and for two consecutive days or more. The data on the average air temperature and frost occurrences are provided by the Company of Agricultural Research and Rural Extension of Santa Catarina/Center for Environmental Information and Hydrometeorology (EPAGRI/CIRAM). The AAO was subjected to statistical analysis using significance tests for the averages (Student's t-test) and variances (F-test) with a significance level of α = 5%. The results show that cold waves are unevenly distributed in the agroecological zones of Santa Catarina. It is found that the AAO is associated with the occurrence of frosts (in the agroecological zones represented by the municipalities of Itajaí and São José) in the state of Santa Catarina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development (SD) in higher education has occupied the agenda over recent decades. Higher education institutions make efforts to promote sustainability in education, curriculum, research, outreach, and campus operations. This article aims to analyze the level of implementation of sustainability in higher education in the Amazon. The specific objectives of this paper are to identify the curriculum greening (CG) characteristics in institutional development plans (IDPs) and to analyze the perceptions of students from a higher education institution in the Amazon region about sustainability. It follows a qualitative approach, with documentary research and questionnaires applied to students. Analysis content was used in the data analysis. The main findings are the presence of some CG characteristics in institutional documents that were analyzed as a commitment to the transformation of society–nature relations, contextualization, disciplinary order, democracy, theory and practice, students as knowledge protagonists, cognitive aspects, alternative scenarios, and methodological adequacy. The results show that commitment to sustainability cannot just be a declaration of good intentions. It is essential to discuss the ways of implementing sustainability in the academic environment, as it implies changes in epistemological, political, and social conceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decades, new psychoactive substances (NPSs) have established a new pattern of drug synthesis and distribution. These compounds brought with them several challenges, including their analytical determination by known methodologies, the uncertainty of their toxicological effects, and the possible approaches used for control. In Brazil, the control of NPS started with a nominal list of proscribed compounds. But the variety of substances was so large that other strategies were implemented. Generic legislation was created as several groups began to emerge, such as phenethylamines, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids. The legislation also began to include salts and isomers of all listed substances and precursor chemical ingredients or plants that may be used to produce them. Those substances are known for the unpredictability of their effects, causing a wide range of symptoms, including seizures, aggression, and acute psychosis. Users under effect represent a high risk for themselves and others. In this study, we present an overview of the timeline in which NPSs were detected in Brazilian territory and the legislative approaches. A complete literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, the World Wide Web and Brazilian governmental websites employing relevant keywords such as NPS, legislation, and Brazil. Even with the high volume of legislative measures, the race against NPS intoxication cases and apprehensions continues to be fierce. There are limitations in the process of detection, identification, and prohibition of the substances in the country that demand a multifactorial approach, stronger public health measures, scientific research, as well as harm reduction strategies. Nevertheless, the Brazilian scenario on NPS arrival reflects a worldwide problem faced by many countries. In conclusion, it is stated that the use of multiple legislative strategies such as prohibition lists and generic controls can provide for better regulation of the NPS problem. However, this issue needs to be addressed by multiple organizations, including police departments and the public health system, and that effort needs to be coordinated and standardized for all Brazilian Federal states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the financial and operational approach to land regularization and financing used in Brazil by an innovative private social enterprise in order to demonstrate that the approach widens the concept fit-for-purpose land regularization to include fit-for-purpose land financing, with relevance for wider efforts in informal settlement regularization and upgrading. In this approach, the enterprise acts as a coordinator and broker to organize the residents of informal settlements to regularize their settlements by negotiating buyouts of the underlying private owners at discounted values, handling titling and registration of the occupants, and coordinating with municipal governments to provide infrastructure. The analysis of parcel-level repayment and price data provides evidence of the sustainability of the business model and increase of property values of the regularized parcels. The results presented from the enterprise's own repayment data demonstrate that under (non-pandemic) historical conditions residents are largely able to pay an affordable monthly payment over 7--10 years to the enterprise for the service to purchase the plots and maintain the enterprise. In operation since 2001, the enterprise has regularized over 20,000 parcels in more than 30 settlements, primarily in the cities of Sao Paolo and Curitiba in Brazil. The approach suggests that it could be widely replicable and add to the set of options for regularizing informal settlements, especially when purchase of private land is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of symptoms for more than three months following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is referred to as "Long COVID". To gain a deeper understanding of the etiology and long-term progression of symptoms, this study aims to analyze the prevalence of Long COVID and its associated factors in a cohort of Brazilian adults and elders, twelve months after hospital discharge. An observational, prospective, and follow-up study was performed with a cohort of adults and older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Twelve months after hospital discharge, patients answered a phone questionnaire about the persistence of symptoms after three levels of exposure to COVID-19's acute phase (ambulatory, medical ward, and intensive care unit). According to the characteristics of participants, the prevalence of Long COVID-19 was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. We analyzed data from 1822 participants (980 adults [≥18–<60 years] and 842 older people [≥60 years]) across three exposure levels. The overall Long COVID prevalence was 64.2%. Long COVID was observed in 646 adults (55%; of which 326 were women) and 523 older people (45%; of which 284 were women). Females had a higher prevalence of long-term symptoms (52%) compared with men. The most common post-COVID-19 conditions in the 12-month follow-up were neurological (49.8%), followed by musculoskeletal (35.1%) and persistent respiratory symptoms (26.5%). Male individuals were less likely to develop Long COVID (aOR = 0.50). Other determinants were also considered risky, such as the presence of comorbidities (aOR = 1.41). Being an adult and having been hospitalized was associated with the development of Long COVID. The risk of developing Long COVID was twice as high for ward patients (aOR = 2.53) and three times as high for ICU patients (aOR = 3.56) when compared to non-hospitalized patients. Presenting clinical manifestations of digestive (aOR = 1.56), endocrine (aOR = 2.14), cutaneous (aOR = 2.51), musculoskeletal (aOR = 2.76) and psychological systems (aOR = 1.66) made adults more likely to develop Long COVID. Long COVID was present in a large proportion of people affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Presence of Long COVID symptoms displayed a dose–response relationship with the level of disease exposure, with a greater prevalence of symptoms associated with the severe form in the acute period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Those responsible for elite and youth athletes are increasingly aware of the need to balance the quest for superior performance with the need to protect the physical and psychological wellbeing of athletes. As a result, regular assessment of risks to mental health is a common feature in sports organisations. In the present study, the Brazil Mood Scale (BRAMS) was administered to 898 athletes (387 female, 511 male, age range: 12–44 years) at a leading sports club in Rio de Janeiro using either "past week" or "right now" response timeframes. Using seeded k-means cluster analysis, six distinct mood profile clusters were identified, referred to as the iceberg, surface, submerged, shark fin, inverse iceberg, and inverse Everest profiles. The latter three profiles, which are associated with varying degrees of increased risk to mental health, were reported by 238 athletes (26.5%). The prevalence of these three mood clusters varied according to the response timeframe (past week > right now) and the sex of the athletes (female > male). The prevalence of the iceberg profile varied by athlete sex (male > female), and age (12–17 years > 18+ years). Findings supported use of the BRAMS as a screening tool for the risk of psychological issues among athletes in Brazilian sports organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study undertakes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of red and white wine production in Brazil, focusing on a leading winery in the Serra Gaúcha region. Given the notable lack of similar research in this area, our study employs LCA methodologies to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the winery stage. Our results indicate that although white wine generally exhibits a lower environmental impact than red wine, the specific impacts differ substantially across various environmental categories, highlighting the necessity for context-specific assessments. We also find that electricity consumption, sugar usage, and liquid CO2 production are the primary drivers of environmental impacts, especially in toxicity-related categories. Moreover, our research critically examines the suitability of the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) within the Brazilian context and proposes a revised set of impact categories. This revision enhances the accounted impacts from 55% in the existing PEFCR 2.0 to 80% in our recommended framework, suggesting the need for more tailored environmental impact assessment tools in regional settings. Through these findings, our study not only addresses a significant gap in LCA research within the Brazilian wine industry but also sets the stage for improved environmental management practices across Brazilian wine industries. These enhancements are crucial for aligning local production processes with global sustainability standards and advancing the environmental stewardship of the wine sector in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental education is essential in the diffusion of the ethics, values, and skills that are critical to sustainable transformations. This paper presents the experience of non-formal environmental education approaches held in schools in the Petrópolis region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 1997–2016. This paper adds to the literature on the relevant approaches and effectives of non-formal environmental education, especially in the vulnerable areas of low and middle-income regions that face critical environmental challenges. Specifically, to set up the context, this paper intends to firstly convey the commonly identified environmental sustainability challenges that the communities of the Petrópolis region are facing. Secondly, this report aims to convey key insights on how non-formal environmental education practices can strengthen gardening skills, environmental ethics, and sustainable food practices. These approaches have the potential to enhance the capacity of students toward sustainable transformations through encouraging them to be engaged with local social-environmental challenges. This paper adds new insights to the growing literature on non-formal environmental education, and it is hoped to inspire new educational approaches among sustainability educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic and subeconomic concentrations of Sn, In, rare earth elements (REE), Ta, and Nb are known in Central Brazil, in the Goias Tin Province. The Sn-P enriched albitites studied in this paper occur in sharp contact with peraluminous granites of the Aurumina Suite (2.0-2.17 Ga) and schists of the Archean to Paleoproterozoic Ticunzal Formation, as dikes or lenses from late-stage magma of the peraluminous magmatism, probably in granite cupolas. Geological, petrological, and isotopic studies were conducted. The albitites consist of albite, quartz, cassiterite, apatite, K-feldspar, and muscovite, and have magmatic texture, such as alignment of albite laths, and snowball texture in quartz, apatite, and cassiterite. They are enriched in Na2O, P2O5, Sn, Ta, and Nb (Ta > Nb), and depleted in CaO, K2O, TiO2, MgO, Sr, Ba, Th, and REE. 40Ar/39 Ar in muscovite gave a plateau age of 1996.55 ± 13 Ma, interpreted as approaching the crystallization age. Oxygen isotope data in albite-cassiterite pairs resulted in an equilibrium temperature of 653-1016 °C and isotopic fluid composition of 8.66-9.7^oo. They were formed by crystallization of a highly evolved and sodic granitic magma. This study has implications for Central Brazil's economic potential and offers better understanding of tin behavior in rare, evolved peraluminous granitic magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the design, sampling methods, and data collection procedures, with particular focus on dietary data, used for the 2015 Health Survey of São Paulo (Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo, 2015 ISA-Capital) with Focus in Nutrition Study (2015 ISA-Nutrition). The ISA is a household cross-sectional, population-based survey that uses complex, stratified, multistage sampling to create a representative sample of residents from urban São Paulo, Brazil. The 2015 ISA-Nutrition comprised a sub-sample of the 2015 ISA-Capital and intended to include 300 adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years), 300 adults (aged 20 to 59 years), and 300 older adults (aged ≥60 years). From February 2015 to February 2016,1737 individuals answered the first 24-h dietary recall (24HR), and 901 individuals consented to have their blood sample collected, to undergo anthropometric and blood pressure assessment, and to answer the second 24HR. The 2015 ISA-Nutrition aims to evaluate lifestyle-related modifiable factors in São Paulo's residents, as well as their association with biochemical and genetic markers, and environmental aspects related to cardiometabolic risk factors. This paper concludes that 2015 ISA-Nutrition may provide valuable insights into the cardiometabolic risk factors in a big city in an upper middle-income country and contribute to the formulation of health and nutritional policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With its abundance of renewable energy potentials, not only for hydropower and bioenergy, but also for wind and solar, Brazil provides good prospects for a carbon neutral energy system. The role of an enhanced coupling of the power, heat and transport sectors in such systems is not yet fully understood. This paper analyses the least-cost composition and operation of a fully renewable power supply system as part of a carbon neutral energy supply in Brazil. It relies on the application of the high-resolution energy system model REMix. Our analysis reveals that the expansion of wind and solar power is more cost-efficient than the construction of additional hydroelectric plants. This is favoured because the existing hydroelectric plants offer large capacity of dispatchable power to compensate for fluctuations, and thus no additional storage is necessary. Furthermore, the REMix analysis indicates that varying shares of solar and wind power technologies as well as the spatial distribution of power generation have only a small influence on supply costs. This implies that the transformation strategy in Brazil can be primarily based on other criteria such as regional development, public acceptance, environmental impact or industrial policy without major impacts on system costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, after signing several traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties without ratifying them, recently shifted towards a different type of bilateral investment agreement, i.e., Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements. Two claims have been made in the literature regarding the transition from traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties to Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements—Claim #1: The non-ratification of the traditional BITs has not harmed Foreign Direct Investment into Brazil, a claim which puts into question the purpose of Bilateral Investment Treaties. Claim #2: While Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements avoid some of the problems of traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties, on balance they are less effective than traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties would have been. We examine the two claims from an empirical economic point of view. We build on the literature about Brazil's position vis-à-vis Bilateral Investment Treaties, which must be viewed by an amalgamation of (i) a historical legacy; (ii) domestic initiatives, and (iii) a particular U-turn in the political debate. Using empirical evidence on Foreign Direct Investment effects of Bilateral Investment Treaties, the following conclusions emerge: With regard to claim #1, empirical evidence in general as well as specific to Brazil suggests that Brazil has forgone Foreign Direct Investment by not ratifying traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties. Concerning claim #2, while Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements include alternative dispute settlement mechanisms, which aim at a better compliance of states with the Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements' rules, rather than the compensation of foreign investors, the lower stringency of the State–State dispute settlement mechanism compared to Investor–State dispute settlement mechanism makes Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements less effective. Yet, this weakening effect must be weighed against the effects on Foreign Direct Investment from innovative clauses in Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Agreements, which are absent in many traditional Bilateral Investment Treaties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axiidea housed in the collection of the Museu de Oceanografia Prof. Petrônio Alves Coelho, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (MOUFPE) were studied. This collection contains 66% of the total diversity of axiideans recorded from the continental shelf of the Brazilian coast. The species are listed by family and genus as follows: Axiidea: Axiidae (Axiopsis, Axiorygma, Calaxius, Coralaxius, Manaxius, Paraxiopsis), Callianassidae (Cheramoides), Callichiridae (Callichirus, Corallianassa, Lepidophthalmus, Neocallichirus), Ctenochelidae (Ctenocheles, Ctenocheloides, Dawsonius, Gourretia), Micheleidae (Marcusiaxius, Meticonaxius). Details on the biology and taxonomy of some of these species are given. In addition, certain poorly documented species are now better understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a 50% possibility that global temperatures will have risen by more than 5 °C by the year 2100. As demands on Earth's systems grow more unsustainable, human security is clearly at stake. This narrative review provides an overview and synthesis of findings in relation to climate change, air pollution, and human health within the Global South context, focusing on case study geographic locations in South Africa and Brazil. Two case study regions—the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere region of South Africa and the Amazon region of Brazil—were the subjects of PubMed literature searches. Technical reports, policy briefs, and grey literature were also narratively synthesized. The burning of wood for fuel, as witnessed in Agincourt, and forest fires, such as those seen in the Amazon rainforest, release air pollutants such as methane and black carbon, which are strong short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) which fuel climate change and adversely affect human health. SLCPs have a brief lifetime in the atmosphere, but they frequently have a far larger potential for global warming than carbon dioxide (CO2). Most air pollution in geographic case study areas, that are home to human settlements, is due to the burning of wood and other biomasses that are pollutants. These areas are seen to be important for climate and health responses, and if constructive action is taken to switch to other modes of electricity generation (such as solar power) and the prevention of deforestation, the worst of the impacts may still be mitigated in these regions. Authorities should also establish a monitoring strategy for air quality, as well as enforce air quality regulations that safeguard public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a scoping review on mapping the use of digital tools to assess food consumption in Brazil. Searches were carried out in nine electronic databases (Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Ovid, Free Medical Journal and Crossref) to select studies published from October 2020 to December 2023. This review identified forty-eight digital tools in the 94 publications analyzed, the most frequent being web-based technologies (60%) and mobile devices (40%). Among these studies, 55% (n = 52) adopted a population-based approach, while 45% (n = 42) focused on specific regions. The predominant study design observed was cross-sectional (n = 63). A notable trend observed was the increasing frequency of validation studies in recent years. Although the use of digital tools in the assessment of food consumption in Brazil has grown in recent years, studies did not describe the process of creating and validating the tools, which would contribute to the improvement of data quality. Investments that allow the expansion of the use of the internet and mobile devices; the improvement of digital literacy; and the development of open-access tools, especially in the North and Northeast regions, are challenges that require a concerted effort towards providing equal opportunities, fostering encouragement, and delving deeper into the potential of digital tools within studies pertaining to food consumption in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we contend that understanding Brazil's current communicative landscape requires a closer examination of the relevance of legacy media outlets, challenging the widely accepted "traditional media bypass" thesis, which posits that social media platforms have overtaken traditional media as the primary influencers of political discourse, an argument often used to explain the rise of extreme-right ideologies across different national contexts. In order to test the association between voting preferences and the use of different types of media, we employ logistic regression analysis using data from a recent survey that includes numerous questions about the information and media consumption habits of Brazilian voters. Our findings highlight that legacy media, particularly broadcast TV channels like Globo, Record, and SBT, remain dominant in Brazil as sources of political information. Contrary to the bypass thesis, Bolsonaro's supporters, while favoring social media, also consume significant amounts of legacy media. Analysis reveals stark differences in media preferences between the supporters of different political candidates, challenging the notion of an exclusive reliance on social media by right-wing supporters. The data also indicate nuanced media consumption habits, such as a preference for certain TV channels and fact-checking behaviors, underscoring the complex interplay between legacy and social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maritime transportation sector (MTS) is undertaking a major global effort to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), e.g., sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and the concentration of particulates in suspension. Substantial investment is necessary to develop alternative sustainable fuels, engines, and fuel modifications. The alternative fuels considered in this study include liquified natural gas, nuclear energy, hydrogen, electricity, and biofuels. This paper focuses on biofuels, in particular fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), a serious partial alternative in MTS. There are some drawbacks, e.g., biofuels usually require land necessary to produce the feedstock and the chemical compatibility of the resulting biofuel with current engines in MTS. The demand for sustainable feedstock production for MTS can be overcome by using cellulose-based and agroforestry residues, which do not compete with food production and can be obtained in large quantities and at a reasonably low cost. The compatibility of biofuels with either bunker fuel or diesel cycle engines can also be solved by upgrading biofuels, adjusting the refining process, or modifying the engine itself. The paper examines the possibilities presented by biofuels, focusing on FPBO in Brazil, for MTS. The key issues investigated include FPBO, production, and end use of feedstocks and the most promising alternatives; thermal conversion technologies; potential applications of FPBO in Brazil; sustainability; biofuels properties; fuels under consideration in MTS, challenges, and opportunities in a rapidly changing maritime fuel sector. Although the focus is on Brazil, the findings of this paper can be replicated in many other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis worldwide. Originally identified in epidemics associated with flooding in Asia, it nowadays shows very distinct genetic and epidemiological patterns. While HEV genotypes (HEV-) 1 and 2 are associated with the original outbreaks (waterborne diseases), HEV-3 and HEV-4 present a zoonotic pattern (associated with consumption of meat from infected animals), HEV-5 and 6 have been found only in wild boar in Japan, and HEV-7 and 8 have been detected in camels and dromedary seldom affecting humans. Brazil, with a precarious sanitary structure and being an important world meat producer, was the focus of this study in order to identify patterns of occurrence of HEV. After reviewing scientific studies, it was identified that the only genotype found in Brazil is HEV-3 and the area where there were more reports was the South region of the country. This is the region that produces more pork. These results indicate that HEV-3 is widespread in the country and sanitary surveillance is essential in the national production of pigs, as well as the implementation of monitoring protocols in hospitals. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with diverse socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, also being the fourth largest pig producer in the world. The aim of the present systematic review was to collect and summarize all HEV published data from Brazil (from 1995 to October 2020) performed in humans, animals, and the environment, in a One Health perspective. A total of 2173 papers were retrieved from five search databases (LILACs, Mendeley, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) resulting in 71 eligible papers after application of exclusion/inclusion criteria. Data shows that HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) was the only retrieved genotype in humans, animals, and environment in Brazil. The South region showed the highest human seroprevalence and also the highest pig density and industry, suggesting a zoonotic link. HEV-1 and 2 were not detected in Brazil, despite the low sanitary conditions of some regions. From the present review we infer that HEV epidemiology in Brazil is similar to that of industrialized countries (only HEV-3, swine reservoirs, no waterborne transmission, no association with low sanitary conditions). Hence, we alert for the implementation of HEV surveillance systems in swine and for the consideration of HEV in the diagnostic routine of acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China currently has the largest population in the world and is currently experiencing rapid economic and urban growth, becoming the world's number one pork and poultry consumer. In order to meet this growing demand for meat, China has increased its demand for soybeans to produce chicken and pork. It has imported soybeans from the United States, Brazil, and Argentina, while keeping its soybean production for direct human consumption stable at home. Brazil has become the largest soybean exporter to China, and, in response specifically to Chinese demand, has become the second largest producer of soybeans in the world. This has changed land use in Brazil, particularly in its central plateau. In this paper, we indicate how these two countries, telecoupled by trade in soybeans, are depending on each other as they try to balance environmental and economic objectives. Brazil, as a sending system, has created pressures on its natural ecosystems, which have led to losses particularly in the Cerrado biome and its ecotones in the Amazon's tropical moist forest biome. China, as a receiving system, has created a land asset important to regenerating its lost natural systems (e.g., forest cover areas). Both countries have different property rights regimes, which have created distinct circumstances in which they are to protect or regenerate their natural ecosystems. Throughout this paper, we analyze how both countries have dealt with the lure offered by the soybean commodity trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower is the leading renewable source of electricity generation and a low emission energy source. In order to be developed sustainably, it is important that its costs and benefits are adequately set and distributed. Different mechanisms, such as royalties, can be used for this purpose. Governments have usually kept hydropower royalty rates low, without internalizing negative externalities. This strategy is inefficient because it leads to larger electricity production and consumption, and hence exacerbates environmental impacts. This paper reviews the criteria proposed and used to set hydropower royalties. It also compares practices of the four main hydropower producers in the world: China, Brazil, Canada and the United States. Results show that royalty rates and distribution policies are determined in an arbitrary and unsystematic manner, but also that water use is usually undervalued. In order to encourage the development of this key renewable resource, in a sustainable and responsible way, national and international efforts should be made to rationalize and harmonize hydropower royalty rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite huge differences in population, household income and development levels, Australia and Brazil have some temporal convergences in their water governance systems. Over the last 20 years, both countries have significantly reformed their water policies and practices by introducing a legal foundation for more integrated and participatory catchment/basin management based on the best information available. A critical test of any water reform is how effective it is in meeting the challenges of extreme and unpredictable conditions of drought and floods, which are expected to increase under climate changes scenarios. This paper compared the contemporary water governance frameworks of Australia and Brazil in relation to three elements of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): integration, participation, and information/knowledge. We focused on insights from Brazil's recent drought and Australia's fluctuating water crises to derive lessons and recommendations for future changes. Among the main recommendations, we stress the need for both systems to improve effective participation and to embrace a more comprehensive approach to cope with water scarcity in future scenarios. Furthermore, water related decisions should be based on a transparent and well informed process, and take into account the lessons from similar situations worldwide in order to avoid unnecessary or ineffective measures. As demonstrated in the Australian case during the Millennium Drought, the most effective initiatives were those involving government, the private sector and society to achieve a more sustainable consumption pattern in all sectors. There is much to learn from the Brazilian and Australia experiences in water reforms and crises, but it is imperative to understand the social, economic and environmental context within which these took place. Continuing to develop the capacity and willingness of researchers and policy makers to work together can make an important contribution towards meeting the growing and spreading challenges in water resource management around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion and deposition mechanisms play a crucial role in the sustainability of both existing reservoirs and newly planned projects. Soil erosion is one of the most important factors influencing sediment transport yields, and, in the context of existing reservoirs, the surrounding watersheds supply both runoff and sediment yield to the receiving water body. Therefore, appropriate land management strategies are needed to minimize the influence of sediment yields on reservoir volume and, hence, the capacity of power generation. In this context, soil erosion control measures such as buffer strips may provide a practical and low-cost option for large reservoirs, but need to be tested at the catchment scale. This paper represents a study case for the Itumbiara hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Brazil. Four different scenarios considering radially planted buffer strips of Vetivergrass with widths of 20 m, 40 m, 100 m and 200 m are analyzed. A semi-distributed hydrological model, SWAT, was used to perform the simulations. Results indicate a reduction of sediments transported to the reservoir of between 0.2% and 1.0% per year is possible with buffer strip provision, and that this reduction, over the life of Itumbiara HPP, may prove important for lengthening the productivity of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments contain and are part of a wide range of interconnected complex systems, including infrastructures and services. Rapid and often uncontrolled urbanization triggers distributive inequities and environmental injustices, posing urgent and interconnected challenges that demand inter- and transdisciplinary solutions. Despite architecture's commitment to 'sustainability', its central role in urban systems and their dynamics as well as the discipline's intersections with other disciplines remain relatively little explored. In this contribution, we focus on the water–energy–sanitation (WES) nexus in Brazil, drawing from transdisciplinary workshops, scoping reviews, and systems mapping. We propose a framework for the analysis of urban nexuses. This framework builds on transdisciplinary systems mapping for the identification of nexus components, nodes, and their interconnections. Our findings indicate that a nexus perspective allows us to identify challenges in urban nexuses, productive intersections with the knowledge and approaches from other disciplines, and possible solutions in collaboration with non-academic stakeholders. We advocate for an expanded professional field and a redefined sense of responsibility within the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]