Open Science Journal (OSJ)
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Dynamics of heavy metals in the waters of Igarape do Quarenta: The water body that crosses the industrial hub in the brazilian amazon
Get PDFThis study aimed to characterize an important body of water that crosses the industrial pole of Manaus – Igarapé do Quarenta, in Amazonas, and to evaluate possible sources of heavy metals in these waters. It is known that the anthropic and industrial influence is very intense in these waters, which significantly increases the levels of heavy metals. Thus, six water collections were carried out in the Quarenta creek, between the months of September and November 2019, every two weeks. Samples were collected near the surface, in the middle of the stream. A metalon stick was used to aid in water collection. The samples were collected in polyethylene bottles, conditioned and transported to INPA's Environmental Chemistry laboratory, where pH and electrical conductivity were determined by potentiometry. Samples for metal analysis were acidified with nitric acid. The samples were then transported to the Water Reuse Research Laboratory at Samsung da Amazônia. The results showed that the waters of the Quarenta stream are close to neutrality (pH from 6.87 to 7.03), which contradicts the acid values characteristic of the region. The electrical conductivity values exceeded 300 µS cm 1, which places the electrolyte charge of these waters almost 20 times higher than the natural values. Among the heavy metals studied, the highest contents were for Fe and Mn, whose concentrations were higher than those established by legislation. Along the Quarenta stream, sinks of heavy metals can be seen, probably due to the phenomenon of dilution or precipitation of these materials. The PLI demonstrated that there is a large polluting load of Pb, Cd, Cu and Mn. The HCA study showed associations between Mn – Fe, Cu – Cd, Ni -Pb and Cr – Zn, which reflect biogeochemical processes being altered by anthropogenic factors. Finally, PCA informs that pH and electrical conductivity inversely influence the concentrations of Zn and Cd and that Ni is the most representative metal in the dataset
Effect of time and density of microorganisms on bioremediation of mangrove sediment with petroleum
Get PDF The application of bioremediation in mangroves has been growing and requiring optimization. This study aimed to assess the factor that has the greatest influence on bioremediation; and to correlate the variable time with the density of intercropping for the degradation of oil through a factorial design 22. For this, an experiment was set up with 7 bioreactors containing mangrove sediment, oil and microbial intercropped with natural polymers. The intercropping density and time variables were used to assess the system's behavior during the process. The experiment was collected in three stages, for analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons (HTP) and microorganism count (UFC). The answer to this process was obtained using the HTP / UCM ratio. The results shown that either time has a significant influence on the process. The R2 for the proposed model was 0.934, explaining 93.4% of the data from the bioremediation process.
Mental and psychosocial predictors of toothache in Brazilian dam rupture: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFIntroduction: The burst of Fundão's dam in Mariana, Brazil, was one of the most significant technological disasters and, for instance, may be associated with negative consequences in oral and mental health. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the toothache prevalence and the associated factors in disaster survivors. Method: This research is an observational, cross-sectional study carried out as a health household survey with the Mariana dam rupture survivors. Results: the study included 225 adults; age mean 45.5±17.8 years. In univariate analysis, the prevalence of toothache was 16.9% and was higher in women (20.1% versus 11.1%, p= 0.097) subjects with generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) (57.9% versus 25.8%, p≥0.0001), major depressive disorder (MDD) (50 versus 24.6%, p=0.003), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (26.3 versus 9%, p=0.006), a lower social support satisfaction (SSSS). Multivariate Data Analysis (MVA) results reveal how individuals dissatisfied with their oral appearance were 3.2 times more likely to present with toothaches (p=0.004, 95% CI-1.46-7.02). Of those affected by the disaster, survivors diagnosed with GAD were 2.5 times more likely to present tooth aches (p=0.019, 95% CI=1.16-5.48). Ultimately, the likelihood of an individual presenting with toothaches after the disaster rose to 4% to each point in the SSSS (p.=0.026,95% CI=1.005-1.081). Conclusion: We found that post-disaster survivors in Brazil presented with an elevated prevalence of toothache, and this oral symptom correlated with other dental impairments, anxiety disorder, and social support
Multilingual social media platform for tourist centres in Uganda
No full textTourism is an important source of revenue in Africa which has not been properly harness to generate expected income in Uganda hence the need to develop a social media app called TourIt. TourIt will showcase landscapes, rich history of ancient and cultural heritages, water bodies (lakes and rivers), wild safari expeditions, artefacts and facilitate user-centred design, interactive information-sharing, interoperability and collaboration on tourism with multi languages such as Luganda, English, Swahili, Yoruba, Ibo for now while other languages can be added as the app evolves. The app was developed using Android Studio XML for graphical user interface, Firebase for database, Java and XML for coding while Javascript handles several modules including functions in the database and automatic restoration of multiple languages were done with MBL (Memory Based Learning), CRF (Conditional Random Field) and rule expressions which were implemented in UML class of Python Programming Language with NLTK (Natural Language Tool Kit). This social media app will create and co-create tourism-based content, edit the content, rate whenever it is necessary. Comment will be done by the app on content whenever it is necessary, content can be discussed, content can be tagged and organized, content can be shared or personalized and content can be mashed with other contents so as to promote rich cultural values, natural endowment and attractive places in Uganda
The role of energy in economic transformation
Get PDFMany countries, especially in Africa are still having challenges with regards to their energy demand. Botswana, like the rest of them is not immune to these challenges. Owing to the fact that country is unable to meet its current energy demand although it has abundant coal reserves, and one of the highest solar irradiation in the world, there is a burning need to address this as energy is one of the key drivers for any economy to thrive. In its economic tranformation agenda drive, the role of the energy sector presents an opportunity for Botswana to move towards not only being self reliant and self sufficient but also become the net exporter of energy. Hence, the need to tap into all sources of energy for the benefit of the country and find more sustainable means to transforming the economy through the energy sector. The energy sectors therefore has an undoubtedly large enviromental footprint. Energy prodiction accounts for about 71 percent of global green house gas emmisons and therefore any attempt to address issues of climate change in the energy sector, there must be a full transformation of how energy is supplied and consumed and innovation is central to this transformation
Novel missense variant in SPTBN2 possibly associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 presenting as Parkinson´s disease
Get PDFSpinocerebellar ataxias are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases. There are more than 40 subtypes described so far, being spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) a rare autosomal-dominant ataxia with pure cerebellum involvement. The gene responsible is the non-erythrocyte beta 2 spectrin gene (SPTBN2), encoding β-III spectrin, highly expressed in Purkinje cells. Onset is usually before 30 years, although it ranges from infancy to 70 years. The main clinical manifestations are limb and gait ataxia (> 90%); however, some patients also show trunk ataxia, sensory deficits, abnormal eye movements, dysarthria, and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (25–90%)
Self-reported side effects after vaccination against COVID-19 in Honduras
Get PDFBackground: In December 2019, in the community of Wuhan, in Hubei, China, a series of atypical pneumonia cases with severe course was identified and the new disease was called COVID-19. By March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. Understanding SARS-CoV2 genomic allowed the scientific community to develop vaccine candidates against COVID-19. Over 41 scientific groups conducted clinical trials to prove vaccines efficiency, efficacy, and safety.Method: A cross sectional retrospective study performed in Honduras since July 21st, 2021, to December 1st, 2021. This study included the population who received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. The data were collected using an online survey using Google Forms and a QR code to make it easier for the participants to access the survey and to avoid collecting any personal data from the participants. The symptoms were self-reported. A total of 2108 participants were included in the study through the online survey.Results: The average age of the participants was 34.61±11.129 years with higher frequency of people between 20-29 years old. In 60.7% of the cases, side effects were reported after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine or in cases when only one dose was required. Only 1916 received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 38.9% of them presented side effects after that second dose. The most common side effect is pain in the injection site (49.7% and 30.7%). The most common systemic side effects are fever (34.8% and 17.5%), headache (33.5% and 19.1%) and myalgia (32.8% and 17.6%). Conclusions: The side effects reported by the population after any vaccination against COVID-19 are mainly systemic effects like fever, myalgia and headache, while the most common local side effect is pain in the injection site. The rates of side effects are higher in females, and younger participants after both doses, the differences are statistically significant
How do the leadership styles impact the performance of professional competences in Brazilian workers? Identifying mechanisms and contextual variables.
Get PDFThe study of the influence of the leadership styles on the behavior of the followers is of great relevance. Leadership is an important function of management which helps to maximize efficiency and to achieve organizational goals. Usually, the performance of followers is influenced by the performance of the leader and his or her behavior acting a job. The aim of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the impact exerted by the leadership style, if oriented by tasks or oriented by relationship/people, on the performance of 168 Brazilian leaders. Two validated and structured questionnaires were applied. All recommended ethical procedures were adopted. Using multiple linear regression, we confirmed that leadership styles influences individual performance. Depending on the way in which the team is characterized, the leadership styles will be less or more influential. In the context of heterogeneous teams, the influence of leaders tends to be predominantly task-based. A limitation of this research was the sample size. The findings have important implications for the organizational studies, leaders and organizations
Smoke exposure as a risk factor for developing pneumonia in children under five years old in Choloma, Honduras. A case control study in a public health center from July to October 2016.
Get PDFBackground: Pneumonia is the main cause of death during childhood in developing countries. The risk factors for developing pneumonia include age, preterm birth, low birth weight, malnutrition, poverty, comorbidities and environmental factors like smoke exposure. Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory tract infections, hospitalizations, severity of pneumonia and death during childhood. This study was designed to identify if the smoke exposure and type of smoke is a significant risk factor for developing pneumonia in children under five years in Choloma, Honduras.Methods: Honduras during four months since July 2016 to October 2016. The study included a total of 52 children under five years (26 cases and 26 controls) to determine if they were exposed to smoke at home and if that condition was related to development of pneumonia. Cases were selected at the time of diagnosis. The controls were selected matching the age of the cases. Data was collected through an interview. Written informed consent was requested.Results: Pneumonia was more frequent among children under two years, males, children with incomplete vaccination according to age, children with comorbidities like asthma and children from families who live in extreme poverty. Smoke exposure was more frequent among children diagnosed with pneumonia (93.3% vs 19.2%). The most common source of smoke was wood used as fuel for cooking. Smoke exposure was a significant risk factor for developing pneumonia, wood smoke, tobacco smoke and industrial smoke showed higher risk for developing pneumonia. Smoke from burning trash was more frequent among children diagnosed with pneumonia but this condition was not statistically significant.Conclusion: smoke exposure is a risk factor for developing pneumonia in this population. Wood smoke and tobacco smoke are the main sources of exposure in this population
The development of basketball players: current perspectives and future directions
Get PDFThe identification and development of talent in basketball has been seen as a dynamic and complex process. Furthermore, there are numerous factors that play an important role in the evolution of the basketball player during childhood and adolescence. In this brief review, we critically analyze the main factors to be considered in the development of young basketball players. Furthermore, it focuses on the importance of key variables considered in the talent detection process and in long-term development programs. It can be concluded that the maturational status of young basketball players should be considered in the formulation of test batteries for talent detection and in long-term development programs to ensure that potential talents are not excluded due to late maturation in relation to their pairs