Urban mobility trends and climate change: sustainability policies in the parking industry.

The concern to create cleaner and more ecosystem-friendly production processes has extended to the parking sector in Spain. Since the creation of the multi-level institutional framework for sustainable mobility management (mainly composed of the Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Plan 2012-2024, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, Law 9/2006, and Law 9/2017), environmental considerations, including sustainable management certificates, have occupied a privileged place in public procedures for the management of parking structures and regulated surface parking facilities. Although there have been previous academic studies on the design and implementation of SUMPs and the growth of the parking sector, this article is novel in that it analyzes the market concentration of the parking sector in a scenario where climate change policies are crucial and the importance of sustainability certificates takes on a new meaning. Therefore, the objective of this article is to analyze whether the growing importance of environmental aspects has led to an increase in the concentration level of the parking sector in Spain. For this purpose, several concentration and stability indices are calculated. The results show that, although there are additional factors, the certification of a cleaner activity is relevant in the process of public tenders in the sector, which has served to strengthen the dominance of the most prominent companies in the sector that are in possession of environmental certificates. This shows that environmental policies can also have negative effects on the market, so the results of this analysis are of great value to policymakers.

Visceral Leishmaniasis Associated with HIV Coinfection in Pará, Brazil.

Introduction: Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis of great importance to public health due to its epidemiological diversity, with emphasis on the possibility of aggravation by coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective: The aim was to study the epidemiological characteristics of VL cases associated with HIV coinfection in Pará. Methods. Reported cases of VL from January 2006 to December 2016 were investigated. A descriptive epidemiological method related to age, gender, area of residence and coinfection with HIV was used. To calculate variance and test equity, the F-test (Fisher) was performed. To observe the influence of one aspect on another, the chi-square was used to verify if there was dependence or independence between the variables. Results: A total of 1171 cases of VL were reported during the study period. There was an annual mean of LV of 94.9, with a statistical difference (p<0.05) between age groups, with the highest number of cases being observed in children aged 1 to 4 years (27.16%). Males and the urban area had a higher number of cases. There were 57 cases of VL/HIV coinfection, with emphasis on the year 2013 and the municipality of Santarém, which had the highest number of cases. During the ten years studied, there was a correlation between coinfection VL/ HIV, with significant differences between patients with and without HIV who contracted VL (p<0.001). Conclusion: The data reveal the endemic nature of VL in the region, with a high percentage of infection in children living in urban areas. Although the studied region is not identified as a predominant area of HIV cases, this study showed a high annual average (10.3) of cases of VL/HIV coinfection being the first time that cases of VL/HIV coinfection were reported in the Mesoregion of the Lower Amazon and Southwest Pará.

Determinantes das irregularidades na gestão pública municipal: o caso dos municípios do estado de São Paulo / Determinantes de las irregularidades en la gestión pública municipal: el caso de los municipios del estado de São Paulo / Determinants of irregularities in municipal public management: the case of municipalities in the state of São Paulo

Resumo O controle externo municipal exercido pelos Tribunais de Contas permite, por meio da divulgação dos relatórios de auditoria, conhecer as irregularidades encontradas nas contas dos governos municipais. Elas têm sido analisadas empiricamente, do ponto de vista de sua classificação em termos de gravidade, mas poucos são os estudos que visam identificar os fatores que influenciam tais falhas. Constatada essa lacuna, o principal objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores que possam influenciar lapsos na gestão pública municipal apontados pela auditoria do Tribunal de Contas. Este artigo contribui para aprofundar a pesquisa em torno desse tema e para a melhoria da gestão nos municípios. Trata-se de uma análise exploratória, baseada em modelos econométricos para dados em painel. A amostra inclui 179 municípios paulistas, com dados relativos aos anos de 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 e 2019. Os resultados sugerem que as recomendações e as determinações do Tribunal de Contas, bem como lacunas nos controles internos, influenciam irregularidades em municípios pequenos, médios e grandes. O volume de transferências legais e constitucionais recebidas influenciam os municípios pequenos e médios, ao passo que o produto interno bruto (PIB) municipal tem influência nos municípios médios.

Resumen El control municipal externo que ejercen los Tribunales de Cuentas permite, a través de la divulgación de informes de auditoría, conocer las irregularidades encontradas en las cuentas de los gobiernos municipales. Estas han sido analizadas empíricamente, desde el punto de vista de su clasificación en términos de gravedad, pero existen pocos estudios que tengan como objetivo identificar los factores que influyen en tales fallas. Verificada esta brecha, el objetivo principal de este estudio es identificar factores que puedan influir en las fallas en la gestión pública municipal señalados por la auditoría del Tribunal de Cuentas. Este artículo contribuye a profundizar en la investigación sobre este tema y a mejorar la gestión en los municipios. Se trata de un análisis exploratorio, basado en modelos econométricos para datos de panel. La muestra incluye 179 municipios de São Paulo, con datos de los años 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 y 2019. Los resultados sugieren que las recomendaciones y determinaciones del Tribunal de Cuentas, así como las lagunas en los controles internos, influyen en las irregularidades en los municipios, pequeños, medianos y grandes. El volumen de transferencias legales y constitucionales recibidas influye en los municipios pequeños y medianos, mientras que el producto interno bruto (PIB) municipal influye en los municipios medianos.

Abstract The municipal external control exercised by the Courts of Accounts reveals the irregularities found in the accounts of municipal governments through the disclosure of audit reports. They have been empirically analyzed from the point of view of their classification in terms of severity, but few studies aim to identify the factors that influence such failures. Having verified this gap, the main objective of this study is to identify factors that may influence lapses in municipal public management pointed out by the audit of the Court of Accounts. This article contributes to further research on this topic and to improving management in municipalities. This is an exploratory analysis based on econometric models for panel data. The sample includes 179 municipalities in São Paulo, with data for 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The results suggest that the recommendations and determinations of the Court of Accounts and gaps in internal controls influence irregularities in small, medium, and large municipalities. The volume of legal and constitutional transfers received influences small and medium-sized municipalities, while the municipal gross domestic product (GDP) influences medium-sized municipalities.

Does waiting times decrease or increase operational costs in short and long-term? Evidence from Portuguese public hospitals.

The Portuguese National Health System is composed of all public entities offering health services. There has been a successive increase in expenditure in recent years due to various factors that have contributed to a high degree of uncertainty about the evolution of operating costs in Public Business Hospitals. This research's main objective is to study the relationship between operational costs and waiting times as well as costs with healthcare professionals and waiting times in both external consultations and hospital surgeries. Furthermore, we will empirically assess the presence of U-shaped behaviour in both of these two relationships. We have included a sample of 38 hospitals considered in the Portuguese National Health System. We also included, in our analysis, five groups of public business hospitals, according to the Administrative Central Agency of Portugal's Health Service, considering the period between January 2015 and December 2019. To validate the two relationships proposed, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag panel model was used. This study highlights that longer waiting times for external consultation and surgery significantly affect hospital costs and suggest that longer waiting times do not merely increase absence rates. The study also proves that there are long-term effects that last beyond the short-term waiting period.

Analysis of the New Kuznets Relationship: Considering Emissions of Carbon, Methanol, and Nitrous Oxide Greenhouse Gases-Evidence from EU Countries.

Decreased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are urgently needed in view of global health threat represented by climate change. The goal of this paper is to test the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, considering less common measures of environmental burden. For that, four different estimations are done, one considering total GHG emissions, and three more taking into account, individually, the three main GHG gases-carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane gas (CH4)-considering the oldest and most recent economies adhering to the EU27 (the EU 15 (Old Europe) and the EU 12 (New Europe)) separately. Using panel dynamic fixed effects (DFE), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques, we validate the existence of a U-shaped relationship for all emission proxies considered, and groups of countries in the short-run. Some evidence of this effect also exists in the long-run. However, we were only able to validate the EKC hypothesis for the short-run in EU 12 under DOLS and the short and long-run using FMOLS. Confirmed is the fact that results are sensitive to models and measures adopted. Externalization of problems globally takes a longer period for national policies to correct, turning global measures harder and local environmental proxies more suitable to deeply explore the EKC hypothesis.

A Two-Stage DEA Model to Evaluate the Technical Eco-Efficiency Indicator in the EU Countries.

This paper evaluates the evolution of eco-efficiency for the 27 European Union (EU) countries over the period 2008-2018, provided the traditional high concerns of the EU concerning the economic growth-environmental performance relationship. The EU has triggered several initiatives and regulations regarding environmental protection over the years, but as well the Sustainable Development Goals demand it. Under this setting, we conduct a two-stage analysis, which computes eco-efficiency scores in the first stage for each of the pairs EU 27-year, through the nonparametric method data envelopment analysis (DEA), considering the ratio GDP per capita and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the second stage, scores are used as a dependent variable in the proposed fractional regression model (FRM), whose determinants considered were eight pollutants (three greenhouse gases and five atmospheric pollutants). CO2/area and N2O/area effects are negative and significant, improving the eco-efficiency of the EU 27 countries. When the efficient European countries are excluded from the estimations, the results evidence that CO2/area and CH4/area decrease the DEA score. The country with the lowest GHG emissions and pollutant gases was Ireland, being the country within the considered period that mostly reduced emissions, particularly SOx and PM10, increasing its score.

The driving forces of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from South Latin American countries and their impacts on these countries' process of decoupling.

An extensive decomposition analysis was used to research the primary driving forces behind energy-related carbon dioxide emissions per capita for the period 1993 to 2017 in a panel of South American countries. Evidence was found that the effect of per capita renewable productivity was challenging and compromised in South Latin American countries. Decoupling changed from a weak state to a strong decoupling state after the Kyoto protocol. When we remove the renewable productivity per capita effect, the results show that the state of strong decoupling was mainly achieved due to a group of economic drivers, with the negative changes in energy intensity, and in the gross domestic investment, proving to be the most significant contributors to decreasing CO2 emission per capita.

Physical-mechanical characterization of two amazon woods coming from the second cutting cycle.

Due to changes in the Amazon forest dynamics after the first cutting cycle, non exploited species become dominant in the forest. The lack of technological knowledge makes it hard to commercialize these woods, making the understanding of their physical-mechanical properties a fundamental step to properly define their applications. This study aimed to characterize physically and mechanically the wood of Pseudopiptadenia psilostachya and Eschweilera ovata from the second cutting cycle of the Tapajós National Forest, intending to commercially promote and to identify usages for them, as well as to evaluate the viability of replacement of highly commercialized species. The tests were performed accordingly to the Brazilian standard NBR 7190. P. psilostachya, presented bulk density of 0.683 g.cm-3, medium levels of shrinkage and anisotropy, as well as medium hardness (7366 N) and high strength on compression parallel to grain (71.63 MPa) and on static bending (103.9 MPa). It was generally superior to Euxylophora paraensis, but inferior when compared to Bagasssa guianensis and Apuleia leiocarpa, with possibilities to replace these three species. E. ovata, on the other hand, presented bulk density of 0.798 g.cm-3, high shrinkage and anisotropy values, but high values for hardness (12089 N) and strength on compression parallel to grain (68.67 MPa) and on static bending (127.1 MPa). This species exhibited, in general, similarities with Mezilaurus itauba, although it is a little inferior in relation to Hymenaea sp. and Astronium lecointei. Both species, P. psilostachya and E. ovata fit in the highest strength class described on the Brazilian Standard NBR7190, C60. By means of the results found, it was concluded that although the species studied were unknown, they presented timber with enough quality to replace some Amazon timber species widely commercialized on both national and international market.

Left atrium and pulmonary artery compression due to aortic aneurysm causing heart failure symptoms.

Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) are mostly asymptomatic and TAA is rarely related to heart failure (HF). We report the case of an 80-year-old female patient, with type A TAA without dissection, with right pulmonary artery and left atrium compression, who presented with HF, preserved ejection fraction and acute pulmonary edema.

Efficiency in the European agricultural sector: environment and resources.

This article intends to compute agriculture technical efficiency scores of 27 European countries during the period 2005-2012, using both data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) with a generalized cross-entropy (GCE) approach, for comparison purposes. Afterwards, by using the scores as dependent variable, we apply quantile regressions using a set of possible influencing variables within the agricultural sector able to explain technical efficiency scores. Results allow us to conclude that although DEA and SFA are quite distinguishable methodologies, and despite attained results are different in terms of technical efficiency scores, both are able to identify analogously the worst and better countries. They also suggest that it is important to include resources productivity and subsidies in determining technical efficiency due to its positive and significant exerted influence.

Advanced scoring method of eco-efficiency in European cities.

This paper analyzes a set of selected German and French cities' performance in terms of the relative behavior of their eco-efficiencies, computed as the ratio of their gross domestic product (GDP) over their CO2 emissions. For this analysis, eco-efficiency scores of the selected cities are computed using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique, taking the eco-efficiencies as outputs, and the inputs being the energy consumption, the population density, the labor productivity, the resource productivity, and the patents per inhabitant. Once DEA results are analyzed, the Malmquist productivity indexes (MPI) are used to assess the time evolution of the technical efficiency, technological efficiency, and productivity of the cities over the window periods 2000 to 2005 and 2005 to 2008. Some of the main conclusions are that (1) most of the analyzed cities seem to have suboptimal scales, being one of the causes of their inefficiency; (2) there is evidence that high GDP over CO2 emissions does not imply high eco-efficiency scores, meaning that DEA like approaches are useful to complement more simplistic ranking procedures, pointing out potential inefficiencies at the input levels; (3) efficiencies performed worse during the period 2000-2005 than during the period 2005-2008, suggesting the possibility of corrective actions taken during or at the end of the first period but impacting only on the second period, probably due to an increasing environmental awareness of policymakers and governors; and (4) MPI analysis shows a positive technological evolution of all cities, according to the general technological evolution of the reference cities, reflecting a generalized convergence of most cities to their technological frontier and therefore an evolution in the right direction.

A new LDMI decomposition approach to explain emission development in the EU: individual and set contribution.

This study breaks down carbon emissions into six effects within the current 28 European Union (EU) countries group, thereafter, they are divided into two different groups (the first 15 countries (EU-15) and the last 13 entering the EU (EU13)). Country-specific highlights are also examined. It analyses the evolution of the effects using a data span that runs from 1990 to 2014, to determine which of them had more impact on the intensity of emissions, while also breaking down the complete period into two distinct periods (before the Kyoto protocol (1990-2004) and after Kyoto (2005-2014)). In order to add more knowledge to the current literature, both the additive and multiplicative decomposition techniques were used to examine carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the selected six components: carbon intensity, fossil fuel consumption, energy intensity, oil imports intensity, oil dependence, and population effect. Results point to different adapting velocities for Kyoto targets and necessary compromises. The different velocities were translated into different positive and negative impacts in the change of behavior of CO2 emissions throughout Europe. A stress in the fluctuations in CO2 variations before and after Kyoto and between the two different groups of EU countries could be noticed. Moreover, energy intensity and per capita dependence of oil products were identified as the major responsible components for the total and negative changes of emissions in recent years. A decrease in total changes of emissions is observed due to the fossil fuel energy consumption effect and total petroleum products effects. It is possible to infer from here that increased renewable capacity is contributing in a positive way to eco-efficiency, and should therefore be accounted for in national policymakers' decisions in the strongest way possible. Results also seem to indicate that per capita dependence of oil products has decreased, despite oil imports intensity constancy and increased renewable capacity, however, with clear heterogeneous effects, worthy of consideration when defining policies.

Growth ring analysis of Euxylophora paraensis through x-ray microdensitometry / Análise dos anéis de crescimento de Euxylophora paraensis por meio da microdensitometria de raios-x

ABSTRACT: Euxylophora paraensis Huber - Rutaceae, popularly known as yellow heart, is a species with a low-density population that has suffered intense exploitation in recent decades. This has led to its inclusion in the IBAMA list of endangered species. This study aimed to evaluate the existence of growth rings and their annuity in five trees of Euxylophora paraensis through the x-ray microdensitometry technique, as well as to compare them using the classical method. Application feasibility of this technique can be deepened through future, broader dendroecological studies, which may better elucidate the understanding of the species population dynamics and promote more sustainable uses. Wood disks were collected from the base of five 29-year-old trees from a planting site in the Curua-Una Experimental Station, located in Prainha, Pará State, Brazil. Samples were polished and sanded for the x-ray microdensitometric analysis. Values of minimum, average, and maximum density (0.581, 0.84, and 1.077gcm-3, respectively) were obtained. There was a significant difference in density between the studied trees. Growth rings boundaries, through densitometric pith-bark profile are demarcated by fibrous zones, with density variation between the early wood and late wood. This study concludes that the growth rings of the studied species are distinct and annual, validating the technique used.

RESUMO: Euxylophora paraensis Huber - Rutaceae, popularmente conhecida como pau amarelo, é uma espécie com baixa densidade populacional e que sofreu intensa exploração nas últimas décadas. Isso levou à sua inclusão na lista do IBAMA de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar a existência e anuidade dos anéis de crescimento de cinco árvores de Euxylophora paraensis, por meio da técnica de microdensitometria de Raio-x, e comparar com o uso do método clássico. A viabilidade da aplicação dessa técnica poderá ser aprofundada por meio de futuros estudos dendroecológicos mais amplos, que poderão melhor elucidar a compreensão da dinâmica populacional da espécie e promover usos mais sustentáveis. Coletou-se discos do lenho da base de cinco árvores, provenientes de plantio, na Estação experimental de Curua-Una, em Prainha - PA, com então 29 anos de idade. As amostras foram plainadas e polidas, visando a análise microdensitometrica de raios x. Foram obtidos valores de densidade mínimos, médios e máximos (respectivamente 0,581, 0,84 e 1,077gcm-3). Houve diferença significativa na densidade entre as árvores estudadas. Verificou-se, por meio do perfil densitométrico no sentido medula-casca, limites dos anéis de crescimento por zonas fibrosas, com variação da densidade entre o lenho inicial e tardio. Verifica-se que os anéis de crescimento da espécie estudada são distintos e anuais, validando a técnica utilizada.