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This essay explores the relationship between representations of violence in some contemporary Brazilian films and its very material presence in Brazilian everyday life. It argues that the current emphasis on the portrayal of brutality in Brazilian films is more than a marketing strategy implemented to boost sales. The Brazilian audience deserves special attention because the violence depicted in Brazilian cinema carries a particular meaning for Brazilian spectators. It dialogues with – and cannot be interpreted and understood separate from – other images and instances of aggression that permeate Brazil. Brazilian audiences form what Stanley Fish calls an “interpretive community”, as their sense-making of these films also derives from their shared current collective and individual experiences of violence. Important evidence of this communal interpretive experience is the fact that Brazilian cinema has helped to foster a public debate about violence in most urban centers. Moreover, as the essay shows, film ...

Bioceramics are widely used as grafts for orthopedic and dental applications, as well as porous scaffolds for tissue engineering and bioactive coatings on metals. Because of its similarity with bone mineral composition and surface reactivity, synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) can be used as bone grafts and as drug delivery system. Substituted apatites have been researched and designed by changig structure, crystallinity and surface charge distribution of the material in order to optimize its performance in vivo. In the present work, a novel nanostructured hydroxyapatite partially substituted with niobium was obtained. The powders were synthesized by a patented aqueous precipitation method. The green powders showed an anomalous fibrous morphology, with wires and aggregates of nanoparticles, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After heat treatment, the particle size was estimated to lay between 20nm and 40nm. The characterization of the material was performed by SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analyses. The element niobium was identified by XRF analyses of the produced powder, which was previously characterized by FTIR and XRD, as a single phase: HAp.

O presente artigo destaca a importância de áreas naturais do Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça, borda Oeste do Quadrilátero Ferrífero - MG, enfatizando a interpretação como mecanismo imprescindível para "saber olhar" a paisagem e entorno, através da contemplação e análise. Acessível a partir do bairro Jardim Canadá, o Parque Estadual, foi criado originariamente em 27 de setembro de 1994, com 3.900 hectares e abrangendo parte de quatro municípios. A região do Quadrilátero Ferrífero - QF localizada no sul da cadeia do Espinhaço, área de paisagens de transição entre importantes biomas, encontra-se no divisor de águas entre as bacias do Rio Doce e São Francisco, evidenciando um potencial ecológico, geológico e hídrico indescritível. No QF, a formação da mata atlântica, denominada floresta estacional semidecidual predomina a leste e sul, principalmente em áreas de drenagem e vales, oferecendo a população da RMBH consideráveis mananciais de abastecimento público. Já no oeste e norte, a ocorrência é de cerrado strictu sensu, campo-cerrado, cerradão e os campos rupestres das áreas de "canga". Estes ambientes específicos, da canga (itabiritos) encontrados no Brasil apenas na Serra dos Carajás, Pará e no QF, se caracterizam pela insustentabilidade da atividade de mineração. As "cangas" ou "ilhas de ferro" são formações ferríferas bandadas formadas por placas alternadas de sílica e ferro, comuns em cristas e encostas. A "canga" é uma rocha ferruginosa com cerca de 30 a 50 metros de profundidade que se sobrepõe ao minério-de-ferro e por isso compõe como um dos ecossistemas mais peculiares e ameaçados. A Serra do Rola Moça apresenta diversidades de paisagens geológicas apropriadas turisticamente inaugurando novas possibilidades e perspectivas.

Background Prevention and optimal management of hypertension in the general population is paramount to the achievement of the World Heart Federation (WHF) goal of reducing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality by 25% by the year 2025 and widespread access to good quality antihypertensive medicines is a critical component for achieving the goal. Despite research and evidence relating to other medicines such as antimalarials and antibiotics, there is very little known about the quality of generic antihypertensive medicines in low-income and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical equivalence (percentage of active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) of generic antihypertensive medicines available in the retail market of a developing country. Methods An observational design will be adopted, which includes literature search, landscape assessment, collection and analysis of medicine samples. To determine physicochemical equivalence, a multistage sampling process will be used, including (1) identification of the 2 most commonly prescribed classes of antihypertensive medicines prescribed in Nigeria; (2) identification of a random sample of 10 generics from within each of the 2 most commonly prescribed classes; (3) a geographical representative sampling process to identify a random sample of 24 retail outlets in Nigeria; (4) representative sample purchasing, processing to assess the quality of medicines, storage and transport; and (5) assessment of the physical and chemical equivalence of the collected samples compared to the API in the relevant class. In total, 20 samples from each of 24 pharmacies will be tested (total of 480 samples). Discussion Availability of and access to quality antihypertensive medicines globally is therefore a vital strategy needed to achieve the WHF 25×25 targets. However, there is currently a scarcity of knowledge about the quality of antihypertensive medicines available in developing countries. Such information is important for enforcing and for ensuring the quality of antihypertensive medicines.

Background Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the eighth-leading cause of death worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries sharing a disproportionate number of fatalities. African countries, like Rwanda, carry a higher burden of these fatalities and with increased economic growth, these numbers are expected to rise. We aim to describe the epidemiology of RTIs in Kigali Province, Rwanda and create a hotspot map of crashes from police data. Methods Road traffic crash (RTC) report data from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 was collected from Kigali Traffic Police. In addition to analysis of descriptive data, locations of RTCs were mapped and analyzed through exploratory spatial data analysis to determine hotspots. Results A total of 2589 of RTCs were reported with 4689 total victims. The majority of victims were male (94.7 %) with an average age of 35.9 years. Cars were the most frequent vehicle involved (43.8 %), followed by motorcycles (14.5 %). Motorcycles had an increased risk of involvement in grievous crashes and pedestrians and cyclists were more likely to have grievous injuries. The hotspots identified were primarily located along the major roads crossing Kigali and the two busiest downtown areas. Conclusions Despite significant headway by the government in RTC prevention, there continue to be high rates of RTIs in Rwanda, specifically with young males and a vulnerable road user population, such as pedestrians and motorcycle users. Improvements in police data and reporting by laypersons could prove valuable for further geographic information system analysis and efforts towards crash prevention and targeting education to motorcycle taxis could help reduce RTIs in a severely affected population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a qualitative study to identify commonalities and differences in reasoning processes between these groups.Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study based on transcriptions of physicians and statisticians conceptualizing clinical cases and clinical research questions. Interviews were carried out with nine statisticians and sixteen physicians contacted virtually. The main outcome measures were emerging themes that were common to both expert groups.Results: Both groups used conceptual models -although different models- during their reasoning processes, but their concepts were not common between the groups complicating the exchange of information. Both groups were unaware that their specialty language was frequently inaccessible to non-specialists or specialists from other fields, which leads to communication difficulties. These difficulties were broadly classified into translational problems of field-specific terms and concepts. Field-specific terms would sometimes lead to misinterpretations while the translation of field-specific concepts often leads to content loss.Conclusions: The use of field-specific terms and concepts can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Teams would benefit from taxonomies containing terms that can be understood by specialists from both disciplines

OBJETIVO: Analisar a distribuicao espacial da mortalidade juvenil por homicidio para o sexo masculino no Municipio de Foz do Iguacu (Estado do Parana), situado na triplice fronteira Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina, no periodo de 2000 a 2007. METODOS: Os dados foram obtidos no Sistema de Informacoes sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e no Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE). Os programas ArcGIS® 9.2 e GeoDaTM foram utilizados para analisar 873 obitos distribuidos em 11 areas de expansao demografica (AEDs). RESULTADOS: Constatou-se uma autocorrelacao espacial negativa (I = -0,3563; P = 0,0250), demonstrando altas taxas de homicidio em todas as AEDs, mas dissimilares entre si. Dentre 14 diferentes indicadores socioeconomicos, a ocupacao no setor informal e a ocupacao no setor formal apresentaram autocorrelacao espacial negativa (I = -0,2574; P = 0,0360) e positiva (I = 0,2574; P = 0,0310), respectivamente, indicando que quanto maior o numero de empregos informais em uma determinada AED menor a taxa de homicidios nas AEDs vizinhas. Identificaram-se nesse estudo altas taxas de homicidios juvenis, ocupacao informal e importacao de homicidios juvenis de outras AEDs para a AED 6, proxima a fronteira com o Paraguai. CONCLUSOES: A elevada taxa de homicidios de jovens em algumas regioes do municipio e influenciada pelo alto grau de ocupacao informal, indicando um grave problema social, que e o desemprego associado a falta de qualificacao profissional.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a distribuição espacial da mortalidade juvenil por homicídio para o sexo masculino no Município de Foz do Iguaçu (Estado do Paraná), situado na tríplice fronteira Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina, no período de 2000 a 2007. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram obtidos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e no Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Os programas ArcGIS® 9.2 e GeoDaTM foram utilizados para analisar 873 óbitos distribuídos em 11 áreas de expansão demográfica (AEDs). RESULTADOS: Constatou-se uma autocorrelação espacial negativa (I = -0,3563; P = 0,0250), demonstrando altas taxas de homicídio em todas as AEDs, mas dissimilares entre si. Dentre 14 diferentes indicadores socioeconômicos, a ocupação no setor informal e a ocupação no setor formal apresentaram autocorrelação espacial negativa (I = -0,2574; P = 0,0360) e positiva (I = 0,2574; P = 0,0310), respectivamente, indicando que quanto maior o número de empregos informais em uma determinada AED menor a taxa de homicídios nas AEDs vizinhas. Identificaram-se nesse estudo altas taxas de homicídios juvenis, ocupação informal e importação de homicídios juvenis de outras AEDs para a AED 6, próxima à fronteira com o Paraguai. CONCLUSÕES: A elevada taxa de homicídios de jovens em algumas regiões do município é influenciada pelo alto grau de ocupação informal, indicando um grave problema social, que é o desemprego associado à falta de qualificação profissional.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of juvenile homicide mortality for males in the city of Foz do Iguaçu (state of Paraná), located in the Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina tri-border area, between 2000 and 2007. METHODS: The data were obtained from the Ministry of Health's Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute (IBGE). Spatial analysis of 873 deaths distributed in 11 demographic expansion areas (AEDs) was performed using ArcGIS® 9.2 and GeoDaTM software. RESULTS: A negative spatial autocorrelation was observed (I = -0.3563; P = 0.0250), indicating high, but dissimilar, homicide rates in all AEDs. Of 14 socioeconomic indicators analyzed, a negative (I = -0.2574; P = 0.0360) and positive (I = 0.2574; P = 0.0310) spatial autocorrelation was recorded for informal and formal work, respectively, indicating that the higher the number of informal jobs in a specific AED, the lower the homicide rate in neighboring AEDs. We identified a high rate of juvenile homicides, informal jobs, and importation of juvenile homicide victims from other AEDs into AED 6, located near the Paraguayan border. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of juvenile homicides in some areas of Foz do Iguaçu is influenced by the high rate of informal occupations. This points to a serious social problem; namely, unemployment associated with lack of professional training.

This study proposes a hydrothermal process to produce monetite and zinc-doped calcium phosphate coatings with different (Ca+Zn)/P molar ratios, in an attempt to incorporate zinc benefits on bone formation to hydroxyapatite precursors. The method consists of coating niobium and titanium substrates in an aqueous solution rich in (PO4)3-and calcium (Ca)2+ions under specific conditions (pH ≡ 3.7, 80°C). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed to characterize the coatings. From XRD analysis, we concluded that substitution of Ca by Zn was feasible up to 15% mol Zn, and the new phase obtained was parascholzite (JCPDS-01-086-2372).

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized by preparing an aqueous solution comprising 0.5M Ca(OH)2, 0.3M H3PO4 and 1M CH3CHCO2HOH (lactic acid) at pH of 3.7. KOH was added to the solution until pH=12 was reached, to precipitate hydroxyapatite. The incubation time ranged from 24 to 88 hours and the precipitates were then filtered on filter paper with the aid of a vacuum pump. The powders were synthesized with and without PVP addition. The powders were then sintered at 1100°C. Sintered and non sintered powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun (FEG-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to assess particles morphology. Structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffractometry with Rietveld refinement. Albumin adsorption experiments were carried out on the powders with the aid of UV-VIS spectrometry. The results showed that the samples produced in the presence of PVP showed smaller particles when compared to non-dispersed samples. Albumin adsorption was more effective on the powders synthesized with dispersant.

Hydroxyapatite scaffolds have been being produced by a wide range of processes. The optimun material to be used as bone graft has to be partially resorbable, with resorption rates similar to new bone formation ones. The samples must have porosity compatible with tissue ingrowth. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate ceramics are good choices for designing such materials. In the present study, polymeric sponges were coated with hydroxyapatite and sintered. The method consists of coating polyurethane sponges substrates in an aqueous solution rich in phosphate (PO4)3-and calcium (Ca)2+ions. The solution is composed by 0.5M Ca(OH)2, 0.3M H3PO4and 1M CH3CHCO2HOH (lactic acid) at pH of 3.7. The sponges were immersed in a beaker with the solution and heated up to 80°C to precipitate monetite on the sponge. Continuous and adherent coatings were formed on the surface of sponges interconections. These coatings were characterised by X-ray diffractometry and the only identified phase was monetite. The substrates were converted to hydroxyapatite in an alkali solution.The total conversion from monetite to hydroxyapatite was confirmed by XRD analyses. The struts were heat treated in order to eliminate the organic sponge and sinter the scaffolds. After sintering, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate were identified on the struts. Optical microscopy revealed the morphology of the struts, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the precipitates morphology. The method showed to be efficient in the production of porous scaffolds.

OSWALD de Andrade's anthropophagical cultural project has been the subject of much intellectual debate since May 1st, 1928, when his Manifesto Antropofago was published in the first issue of the Revista de Antropofagia in Sao Paulo. The manifesto outlined the ideas that were the focus of the Semana de Arte Moderna in Sao Paulo in 1922, when several Brazilian intellectuals demanded a revaluation and reshaping of Brazilian national identity based on the metaphor derived from the cannibalistic act. As Andrade was one of the leading figures of Brazilian modernismo, it is not surprising that his work has been discussed primarily within the context of that movement. Andrade's Manifesto Antropofago, which was very much in line with the avant-garde European manifestos of the time, was a powerful intellectual declaration that stated, among other things, that Brazil was still culturally colonized and that it was time to do away with such a mentality of dependence. In this context, his text invokes the image of the primitive cannibal and uses it as a symbol of resistance against the colonizing Portuguese culture. He writes against the nineteenth century romantics who idealized the figure of the good savage, creating the image of an innovative, revolutionary savage. The overt and, at times, humorous condemnation of colonization, the critical emphasis on Brazilian intellectual dependence, the debunking of official historical discourse, and ultimately the proposition to value the margins and repel the centers, are some of the elements that allow us to read the Antropofagia project, as revealed in Andrade's Manifesto Antropofago, as well as in his earlier Manifesto da Poesia Pau-Brasil (1924) and in his poetry, not only through the lenses of modernismo, but also as an example of what is now considered post-colonial thought. Indeed, a great deal of Andrade's work can be interpreted from a postcolonial perspective. In other words, Andrade's concept of Antropofagia can be understood on the basis of its ideological positioning towards a historical and cultural colonization, rather than merely in the context of the ideas of the time period in which it was articulated as a cultural discourse. The notion of cultural cannibalism itself, if interpreted as the appropriation of dominant and hegemonic cultures by subordinated or marginal groups, reveals a post-colonial impetus, in that it proposes re-readings of power relations that give emphasis to the agency implicated in cultural change. Additionally, cultural cannibalism has an empowering connotation beyond the concepts of borrowing, acquisition, and assimilation. The image of violence, which it embodies--and, in the case of Andrade's work, simultaneously subverts because it exposes the colonizer's brutality--makes it an act of possession (or re-possession), which inverts fallacious views of civilization and savagery, cultural superiority and inferiority, and originality and imitation, thus empowering the peripheral post-colonial culture. The importance of the idea of cannibalism in the colonial Americas is well-known. It was a mark of difference outlined within a judgmental system of values that favored the European cultural framework and ignored and disrespected the native peoples' traditions. Anthropophagy was synonymous with savagery, violence, and paganism. Including it in the discussion of colonization at the time automatically evokes notions of right and wrong, and/or civilization and backwardness. These critical constructions came from the perspective of the explorers, due to their positions of power and ideological motivations. Cannibalism prevented the Europeans from identifying with the Amerindians, as the mention of its existence intensified the former group's level of perception of the latter's alterity. The natives were seen not only as exotic, but as dangerous and inhumane as well. Since cannibalism was often attached to notions of monstrosity--whether cannibals or not--the natives were repeatedly portrayed as cruel, godless savages, who posed a threat to the explorers. …

Introduction Breast cancer remains an important public health problem that is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in developing countries. Objective To analyze the socioeconomic and access disparities related to breast cancer mortality in 399 cities in the state of Parana, Brazil. Methods Ecological, descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the Mortality Information System from 2009 to 2012 in the state of Parana. Breast cancer mortality rate was calculated considering the mortality cases and women population of each municipality, both based on women older than 20 years old. Moran global and local analyses were used to verify the presence of spatial autocorrelation and spatial regression modeling (Spatial Lag-SAR) with the purpose of analyzing the association between socioeconomic indicators, access and mortality rates for breast cancer. Results Significant positive spatial autocorrelation was found for breast cancer mortality rates (I = 0.5432, p = 0.001). In the spatial regression analysis, the model explained 61% of the variance of the mortality rates for breast cancer. The mortality rate for breast cancer was negatively associated with the illiteracy rate (Coefficient = -0.0279) and positively associated with the access index (Coefficient = 12.9525). Conclusion The lower illiteracy rate has not been sufficient to reduce the specific mortality rate by breast cancer, and the higher the score of accessibility to cancer services, the higher the specific mortality due to breast cancer. The results show that in the state of Parana, the problem is not related to a lack of education of the patients or the distance walked, but rather with the organization of services. These conclusions have important political implications on the organization and quality of the services provided for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the state of Parana.

No contexto sociopolítico brasileiro atual, é cada vez mais comum a submissão de comunidades e populações camponesas à realidade dos grandes centros urbanos. Esta é também a realidade de Ribeirão do Eixo, localidade rural do município de Itabirito, eixo sul de expansão urbana da Grande BH. Esta proximidade dos dois importantes polos urbanos é ampliada pela pressão do tráfego rodoviário da BR-040, por empreendimentos imobiliários, industriais e minerários, que contribuem demasiadamente para a perda da identidade local e descaracterização da paisagem natural, gerando expectativas fora daquela realidade, desvalorizando-a. A região espera pela definitiva preservação das Serras da Moeda e das Serrinhas, implantação de uma estrada parque entre as regiões do Pico e da Fábrica e um posto de fiscalização da Polícia Ambiental em conjunto com IEF, gestor de duas unidades de conservação na área. Além da importância ambiental, a região é detentora de paisagens culturais singulares ligadas à época do Brasil Colônia, principalmente aos primórdios auríferos. Neste sentido, o presente estudo propõe intervenções pautadas em princípios de identidade, sustentabilidade, agroecologia, ecoturismo, ruralidade e cultura que contribuam para a ressignificação e devida valorização ambiental e cultural da localidade por todos que nela vivem, trabalham, ou apenas passam períodos.

S. saponaria L. is a Brazilian native arboreal species, with relevant ecological importance in the recovery of degraded and marginal areas. The objectives of the present study were to characterize morphometrically Sapindus saponaria L. seeds, to extract and to quantify oil content, establish the percent composition of fatty acids; to describe their different post-seminal stages; to describe the different post-seminal stages, as well as to evaluate the germinative performance of the seeds as a function of different treatments to overcome dormancy. Seeds were evaluated as to water content and biometric length and width. The extraction and quantification of the seed oil was obtained by the solvent extraction method using the Soxhlet extractor system. Regarding the post-seminal development, some processes triggered during growth and development of the seedlings were evaluated. The treatments for dormancy overcoming were: mechanical scarification, chemical scarification with sulfuric acid for 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes, immersion in hot water (80 ºC) until reaching room temperature, immersion in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hours and intact seeds (control). The seeds were evaluated for germination, velocity, medium time, synchrony and germination uncertainty. The design was a completely randomized design with four replicates of 25 seeds per treatment. The seeds present on average 10.3 mm in length and 10.2 mm in width with hygene-cryptocoledonar germination. The oil content found in the seeds was 7.25%, most of which was composed of unsaturated fatty acids (78.9%). The highest values of germination occur when the seeds are immersed in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes.

The aim of this study was to determine the cardinal temperatures for germinating colubrina seeds, verify isothermal velocity variation based on the transition state model and calculate the ΔH≠ variation as a function of temperature. Seeds were incubated at constant temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 oC and alternating temperature from 20-30 oC in an 8-hour photoperiod. The variables analyzed were: G, PC, IVG, TMG, VMG, Fi, U, Z, CR, CPA, MSR and MSP. Arrhenius equation was linearized by logarithmic transformation, producing the graph of -RlnV × 1/T from the experimental values of velocity. A net enthalpy change (Delta H≠) in relation to temperature was represented by the expression: Delta H≠ = [RT(Theta – T) × (Tm + TM)]/[(T – Tm) × (TM – T)]. The logarithm regression of the reaction rate on the reciprocal of the temperature fit best to the quadratic model. The distribution of Delta H≠ with asymptotes close to Tm and TM indicated that the processes that occurred in the supra-optimal temperature range were of a different nature from those that occurred in the infra-optimal temperature range. The data showed |Delta H≠| < 12 Kcal/mol in the optimal range and |Delta H≠| > 30 Kcal/mol for temperatures of 10, 15 and 35 oC. The minimum and maximum temperature limits were 10 and 35 oC, respectively. Germination speed was related to temperature in a curvilinear manner. The germination process was endergonic and only occurred when energy was ≥ -38.35 Kcal/mol and ≤ 32.42 Kcal/mol.

O projeto desenvolvido enfocou a aplicação da difração de raios-X e método de Rietveld (DRX-Rietveld) na caracterização e quantificação do Cimento Portland, constituindo-se em contribuição pioneira sobre o tema em âmbito nacional. Foram estudadas amostras de pozolanas naturais e artificiais, subprodutos industriais de grande disponibilidade na indústria nacional, tais como escórias de alto-forno provenientes das siderúrgicas e cinzas volantes das termelétricas. Adicionalmente, foram estudadas amostras dos componentes utilizados para composição de cimentos laboratoriais, tais como clínqueres, calcários e fosfogesso, e por fim, cimento Portland com adições, preparados em laboratório. Também foram realizados ensaios para acompanhamento da hidratação do cimento Portland com uso da difração de raios-X e método de Rietveld. O cimento Portland é o material composto de clínquer, gesso e eventuais adições, tais como calcário, pozolanas e escórias. O clínquer de cimento Portland é o material sinterizado e peletizado, resultante da calcinação de uma mistura adequada de calcário e argila e, eventualmente, de componentes corretivos. O método de Rietveld, foi introduzido por Hugo Rietveld em 1969, tendo em base a simulação de todo o perfil difratométrico a partir de parâmetros estruturais das fases constituintes, permitindo refinar parâmetros de natureza instrumental e cristalográfica. A comparação do difratograma calculado com o observado e redução das diferenças através do método de mínimos quadrados permitem a obtenção de resultados quantitativos. Para desenvolvimento do projeto foram utilizadas técnicas analíticas tradicionais como apoio à difração de raios-X, tais como a microscopia óptica de luz transmitida, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV-EDS), fluorescência de raios-X (FRX) e o calorímetro de condução. DRX-Rietveld apresentou-se como uma técnica de quantificação de elevada reprodutibilidade com vantagens de cunho técnico e logístico. As condições instrumentais e de coleta de difratogramas foram avaliadas, onde se verificou que a condição adequada para a obtenção de resultados de proporções de fases coerentes e em tempo reduzido pode ser obtida com coletas realizadas em 20s/passo, levando desta forma 10 minutos para sua realização, quando considerado o uso de detetores sensíveis a posição. Fendas divergentes automáticas e fixas testadas apresentaram resultados muito similares, validando a técnica nas diferentes condições. A redução no tempo de análise constitui um fator importante da técnica visando atender os interesses da indústria do cimento. A técnica estudada se mostrou adequada para a quantificação de componentes do cimento Portland tais como o calcário, materiais pozolânicos e escórias de alto-forno, e principalmente cimentos com estas adições. Com DRX-Rietveld foi possível avaliar as proporções das fases do clínquer, calcário e gipsita, e com a utilização de um padrão interno, a técnica possibilitou a quantificação de compostos com fase amorfa, o que é de grande importância para a correlação com as propriedades físico-mecânicas destes materiais. Resultados das proporções de calcário na quantificação dos cimentos apresentaram elevada correlação com as proporções dosadas em sua composição (R2=0,96-0,99), o que também foi observado com relação às proporções de fosfogesso dosadas (R2=0,99-1,0). Boas correlações também foram obtidas entre as proporções de cinzas volante e escória adicionadas nas amostras e os valores obtidos por DRX-Rietveld (R2=0,97-0,99 para cinza volante; R2=0,97 para escória). Ensaios DRX aplicados à uma pasta de cimento Portland mostraram-se adequados para o estudo quantitativo de cimentos hidratados e também para o acompanhamento das reações de hidratação. A técnica possibilitou a quantificação dos compostos hidratados como etringita, portlandita e C-S-H, o que foi aferido através de ensaios para determinação de calor de hidratação, mostrando resultados de refinamento confiáveis. The project has focused on the application of X-ray diffraction and Rietveld method (XRD-Rietveld) on the characterization and quantification of Portland cement, and represents a pioneer scientific contribution on the theme in Brazil. Natural and artificial pozzolans, and also industrial byproducts that are highly available in the Brazilian industry were studied, as the blast furnace slags from steel works and fly ash from power stations. Furthermore components of laboratorial cements were studied, as clinker, limestone, gypsum, and finally the Portland cement with additions, prepared in laboratory. Hydration studies to follow the reactions in a cement paste were also performed using XRD-Rietveld. The Portland cement is composed by clinker, gypsum and fillers, as limestone, pozzolan and slags. Portland cement clinker is the sintered and pelletized product from calcination of an adequate mix of limestone and clay and minor corrective materials. The Rietveld method was introduced by Hugo Rietveld in 1969 and is based on the simulation of the whole diffraction spectrum from the components structural data, allowing for refining instrumental and crystallographic parameters. Quantitative values are obtained by comparing the calculated and actual diffractograms and minimizing differences mathematically through a least squares method. To develop the project several analytical traditional techniques were used with XRD: optical microscopy, electronic microscopic (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and calorimeter. XRD-Rietveld presented as a high reproducibility technique with technical and logistics advantages. The evaluation of the instrumental conditions showed that to obtain a good quantitative result in reduced time were with a scan with 20s/step, a 10 minutes scan, possible with position sensitive detectors. Automatic (ADS) and fixed divergent slits (FDS) were tested, validating the technique in both conditions. The reduction in the time of analysis is very important to follow the cement industry interests on quality control. The technique was considered adequate to be applied on the quantification of Portland cement components such as limestone, pozzolanic materials and blast-furnace slags. With XRD-Rietveld, was possible to evaluate the clinker phases, limestone and gypsum, and using an internal standard, the technique lead to the quantification of compounds with amorphous phases, that is very important to correlate with the physic- mechanical properties of these materials. Results of limestone proportions in the quantification of cements presents a high correlation with the proportions added in the cement composition (R2=0,96-0,99), what was also observed in the case of gypsum added (R2=0,99-1,0). Good correlations were also obtained between the fly ash and slags proportions in the samples and XRD-Rietveld obtained values (R2=0,97-0,99 to fly ash; R2=0,97 to slag). XRD experiments applied to Portland cement paste were adequate to the quantitative analysis of hydrated cements and also to follow the hydration reactions. The technique permitted the quantification of hydration compounds such as ettringite, portlandite and C-S-H, that was confirmed using the calorimeter, showing good refinement results.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability globally disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries where increasing injury rates are compounded by limited quality care. The objective of this study is to describe quality of care for TBI patients who presented to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania. We evaluated a prospective quality improvement TBI registry that enrolled consecutive patients with acute TBI. Descriptive statistics and qualitative comparative analysis was performed. Overall, 893 TBI patients were enrolled during the study period, with a mean age of 32.1 years and who were mostly (80%) male. 12.9% suffered severe TBI (GCS9). Most injuries were road traffic (66%) especially motorcyclists (49%) and 26.8% were alcohol related. One intubation occurred, and 22.9% of hypoxic patients received oxygen. Severe TBI mortality was 47%. TBI affects men 15-45 years old in traffic crashes with high mortality for severe TBI (47%) patients. Care addressing secondary injury, hypoxemia, and hypotension is limited.

The C3A crystalline structure in Portland clinkers is basically determined by the incorporation of alkali-oxides and is also function of the cooling rate, both actions have a combined effect on the changes in reactivity of clinkers. Industrial clinkers have been found to contain cubic or orthorhombic forms of aluminate, alone or in combination; the monoclinic modification has not been observed. The aim of this research is to evaluate the different polymorphs of C3A present on industrial clinkers produced with different amounts of sodium and potassium oxide in the raw mix. The optical microscopy was useful to distinguish the different kinds of C3A based on their crystal features. The SEM (scanning electron microscopy)-EDS analysis was used on the chemical characterization of the C3A. An accurate quantification of the phases, including proportions of C3A polymorphs, could be achieved using X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement. The quantification was confirmed by chemical selective dissolution applied in samples for which the refinement indicated almost only one type of C3A polymorph. Finally, correlations between alkalies contents, Na2O and CaO for white cement clinker and K2O and CaO for grey clinker suggest partial substitution of CaO and incorporation of Na2O or K2O in the vacant site of the cubic C3A leading to the formation of the orthorhombic phase.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Existen relatos del empleo del tampon sanguineo peridural en pacientes Testigos de Jehova, utilizando un sistema cerrado que permite que se pueda recoger sangre y la inyeccion en el espacio peridural, sin perdida de continuidad. El objetivo de este relato es presentar dos casos de pacientes Testigos de Jehova que presentaron cefalea despues de anestesia subaracnoidea y que fueron tratados con tampon sanguineo peridural con un sistema cerrado de transfusion de sangre venoso para el espacio peridural. Los casos acontecieron en hospitales de dos diferentes ciudades. RELATO DE LOS CASOS: Un paciente del sexo masculino, de 21 anos, y una paciente del sexo femenino, de 32 anos, presentaron cefalea pos-raquianestesia para cirugia ambulatorial. Como los pacientes eran Testigos de Jehova, el tampon sanguineo fue realizado con un sistema cerrado. El sistema fue preparado en condiciones esteriles, utilizandose los siguientes materiales: dos equipos de suero cortados en segmentos de 60 cm, una conexion de dos vias, una llave de tres vias y una jeringa de 20 ml. El sistema fue montado de manera que pudiera permitir una conexion con la aguja de la venopuncion (20G), una conexion a la llave de tres vias, siendo que a las otras dos vias fueron conectados una jeringa de 20 ml y el otro segmento del equipo de suero, que seria conectado a la aguja de peridural. Con los pacientes posicionados en decubito lateral izquierdo fue hecha la anti-sepsia de la region lumbar y del miembro superior derecho en la region escogida para la venopuncion. Inicialmente fue hecha puncion peridural en el espacio L2-L3, con aguja 17G, siendo que la misma fue mantenida fija y el equipo de suero conectado a ella. A seguir fue hecha venopuncion con la aguja conectada a la otra extremidad del equipo de suero con el direccionamento de la llave de tres vias en el sentido de la vena para la jeringa. Fueron aspirados 15 ml de sangre. Con el redireccionamento de la llave en el sentido de la jeringa para la aguja de peridural fueron inyectados los 15 ml de sangre. CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes Testigos de Jehova, que rehuyen al tratamiento clinico, la inyeccion de sangre autologa podra ser hecha con la tecnica presentada, despues de la debida informacion al paciente y su consentimiento.

O presente trabalho realizado exclusivamente para o II Seminário de Turismo e Sustentabilidade da Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, em setembro de 2017 procura descrever o patrimônio geológico enquanto paisagem de aproximações, distanciamentos e reaproximações. A paisagem geológica é o legado de informações históricas e ecológicas entre o tempo da terra e o tempo do homem. Neste contexto, o turismo geológico, ou geoturismo tem o cunho pedagógico de didatizar informações e patrimônios geomorfológicos disponíveis em diferentes paisagens pelo planeta Terra. Entende-se assim que o ensino de ecologia, geografia, e história podem contribuir efetivamente para o entendimento da história do planeta contribuindo efetivamente para a preservação dos territórios, paisagens e patrimônios que devido à sua geológica tem se degradado amplamente no âmbito das relações capitalistas de mercado. Por último, com base nos impactos humanos sobre a crosta terrestre debate o conceito de antropoceno, que futuramente será uma idade geológica dedicada exclusivamente à história dos agrupamentos humanos e de seus múltiplos impactos sobre a Terra.

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of cement process materials has grown beyond its roots in the laboratory to become an important tool for process control. Combined with its partners, i.e., X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and controlled neutron analysis (CNA), these techniques can provide valuable process control information, i.e., essentially “new eyes”, to guide process control decisions. Important developments in XRD analyzers have decreased analysis time from hours to minutes to provide quick results that enable timely process control decisions. XRD phase analysis can provide information to optimize combustion control and mix chemistry, cooler operation, and additive mixtures in finish cement. This paper will provide an overview of all the XRF/XRD applications and then focus on the XRD process control opportunities.

Background Mortality rates amongst ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients remain high, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors related with delays in the treatment of STEMI patients to support a strategic plan toward structural and personnel modifications in a primary hospital aligning its process with international guidelines. Methods and Findings The study was conducted in a primary hospital localized in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. We utilized a qualitative and quantitative integrated analysis including on-site observations, interviews, medical records analysis, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and System Dynamics Modeling (SD). Main cause of delays were categorized into three themes: a) professional, b) equipment and c) transportation logistics. QCA analysis confirmed four main stages of delay to STEMI patient’s care in relation to the ‘Door-in-Door-out’ time at the primary hospital. These stages and their average delays in minutes were: a) First Medical Contact (From Door-In to the first contact with the nurse and/or physician): 7 minutes; b) Electrocardiogram acquisition and review by a physician: 28 minutes; c) ECG transmission and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Center team feedback time: 76 minutes; and d) Patient’s Transfer Waiting Time: 78 minutes. SD baseline model confirmed the system’s behavior with all occurring delays and the need of improvements. Moreover, after model validation and sensitivity analysis, results suggested that an overall improvement of 40% to 50% in each of these identified stages would reduce the delay. Conclusions This evaluation suggests that investment in health personnel training, diminution of bureaucracy, and management of guidelines might lead to important improvements decreasing the delay of STEMI patients’ care. In addition, this work provides evidence that SD modeling may highlight areas where health system managers can implement and evaluate the necessary changes in order to improve the process of care.

Background Trends in the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction in sub-Saharan Africa have not been well described, despite growing recognition of the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health Archive, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and conducted reference and citation analyses. Inclusion criteria were: observational studies, studies that reported incidence or prevalence of acute myocardial infarction, studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, and studies that defined acute myocardial infarction by EKG changes or elevation of cardiac biomarkers. Studies conducted prior to 1992 were excluded. Two independent reviewers analyzed titles and abstracts, full-texts, and references and citations. These reviewers also performed quality assessment and data extraction. Quality assessment was conducted with a validated scale for observational studies. Findings Of 2292 records retrieved, seven studies met all inclusion criteria. These studies included a total of 92,378 participants from highly heterogeneous study populations in five different countries. Methodological quality assessment demonstrated scores ranging from 3 to 7 points (on an 8-point scale). Prevalence of acute myocardial infarction ranged from 0.1 to 10.4% among the included studies. Interpretation There is insufficient population-based data describing the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction in sub-Saharan Africa. Well-designed registries and surveillance studies that capture the broad and diverse population with acute myocardial infarction in sub-Saharan Africa using common diagnostic criteria are critical in order to guide prevention and treatment strategies. Registration Registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) Database #CRD42012003161.

NaNbO3 was synthesized by two different routes, one using metallic niobium powder, and another using niobium oxide (Nb2 O5 ) powder. In both routes an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was used to hydrothermally treating the powders. In the first approach, the solution concentrations were 3M, 1M, and 0.5M. The second route used solution concentrations of 10M and 12.5M. After the hydrothermal treatments, the powders were heat treated in order to synthesize NaNbO3 . The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement. The phases were identified by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement. It was observed that the molar concentrations of the solutions had opposing effects for each route. An antiferroelectric phase was found in both routes. In the niobium metallic route, a ferroelectric phase was also synthesized. This study proves that piezoelectric NaNbO3 can be obtained after alkali treatment of both Nb and Nb2 O5. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 979-985, 2016.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries (RTI) are a major public health epidemic killing thousands of people daily. Low and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, have the highest annual rates of road traffic fatalities. In order to improve road safety, this study mapped road traffic fatalities on a Brazilian highway to determine the main environmental factors affecting road traffic fatalities. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Four techniques were utilized to identify and analyze RTI hotspots. We used spatial analysis by points by applying kernel density estimator, and wavelet analysis to identify the main hot regions. Additionally, built environment analysis, and principal component analysis were conducted to verify patterns contributing to crash occurrence in the hotspots. Between 2007 and 2009, 379 crashes were notified, with 466 fatalities on BR277. Higher incidence of crashes occurred on sections of highway with double lanes (ratio 2∶1). The hotspot analysis demonstrated that both the eastern and western regions had higher incidences of crashes when compared to the central region. Through the built environment analysis, we have identified five different patterns, demonstrating that specific environmental characteristics are associated with different types of fatal crashes. Patterns 2 and 4 are constituted mainly by predominantly urban characteristics and have frequent fatal pedestrian crashes. Patterns 1, 3 and 5 display mainly rural characteristics and have higher prevalence of vehicular collisions. In the built environment analysis, the variables length of road in urban area, limited lighting, double lanes roadways, and less auxiliary lanes were associated with a higher incidence of fatal crashes. CONCLUSIONS: By combining different techniques of analyses, we have identified numerous hotspots and environmental characteristics, which governmental or regulatory agencies could make use to plan strategies to reduce RTI and support life-saving policies. Language: en

Introduction Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze time trends in overall mortality from breast cancer in Brazil, Brazilian regions and States. Methods This is an exploratory study, of the time series of deaths from breast cancer contained in the Mortality Information System (SIM), of women living in Brazil, Brazilian regions and States, from 1996 to 2013. For the trend analysis, the polynomial regression model was used, and a significant trend was considered when the estimated model obtained a p value

The Brazilian cement industry produced 64 million tons of cement in 2012, with noteworthy contribution of CP-II (slag), CP-III (blast furnace) and CP-IV (pozzolanic) cements. The industrial pole comprises about 80 factories that utilize raw materials of different origins and chemical compositions that require enhanced analytical technologies to optimize production in order to gain space in the growing consumer market in Brazil. This paper assesses the sensitivity of mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction associated with cluster analysis to distinguish different kinds of cements with different additions. This technique can be applied, for example, in the prospection of different types of limestone (calcitic, dolomitic and siliceous) as well as in the qualification of different clinkers. The cluster analysis does not require any specific knowledge of the mineralogical composition of the diffractograms to be clustered; rather, it is based on their similarity. The materials tested for addition have different origins: fly ashes from different power stations from South Brazil and slag from different steel plants in the Southeast. Cement with different additions of limestone and white Portland cement were also used. The Rietveld method of qualitative and quantitative analysis was used for measuring the results generated by the cluster analysis technique.

Background Road traffic injuries (RTI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Further investigations of the high risk areas for RTIs in LMIC are needed to guide improvements in road safety planning. This study aims to provide a built environmental analysis of road traffic crash hotspots within Moshi, Tanzania. Methods After ethical and police permission, Moshi police data was collected and descriptive statistics were tabulated. Hotspots were identified through spatial analysis and relevant patterns in environmental characteristics determined using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Results 36 Hotspots were identified. QCA revealed 40% of crash sites were found on local roads, without night lighting and had increased motorcycle density. A further 26% of hotspots were located on paved narrow roads and 13% of hotspots were described as unpaved roads with uneven roadside areas. Roadside unevenness was more predominate in low risk sites, (High risk n = 7 (46.7%), Low risk n = 19, 90.5%, p = 0.01). Both low and high risk sites had minimal signage (High risk n = 1 (6.7%), low risk n = 6 (28.6%) and all had informal pedestrian pathways (High risk n = 15 (100%), low risk n = 21 (100%) . Conclusions In Moshi, Tanzania hotspots were associated with roadside dangers, lack of night lighting, informal pedestrian pathways, and increased traffic density but overall there was little variability between the low and high risk sites suggesting hazardous road conditions exist throughout the area. Our findings suggest overall improvement in municipal infrastructure, including structural improvements, signage and enforcement are needed to help reduce road traffic injury burden.

To analyze the spatial distribution of juvenile homicide mortality for males in the city of Foz do Iguaçu (state of Paraná), located in the Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina tri-border area, between 2000 and 2007.The data were obtained from the Ministry of Health's Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute (IBGE). Spatial analysis of 873 deaths distributed in 11 demographic expansion areas (AEDs) was performed using ArcGIS® 9.2 and GeoDaTM software.A negative spatial autocorrelation was observed (I = -0.3563; P = 0.0250), indicating high, but dissimilar, homicide rates in all AEDs. Of 14 socioeconomic indicators analyzed, a negative (I = -0.2574; P = 0.0360) and positive (I = 0.2574; P = 0.0310) spatial autocorrelation was recorded for informal and formal work, respectively, indicating that the higher the number of informal jobs in a specific AED, the lower the homicide rate in neighboring AEDs. We identified a high rate of juvenile homicides, informal jobs, and importation of juvenile homicide victims from other AEDs into AED 6, located near the Paraguayan border.The high rate of juvenile homicides in some areas of Foz do Iguaçu is influenced by the high rate of informal occupations. This points to a serious social problem; namely, unemployment associated with lack of professional training.