Use of geometry and featural cues in landmark configurations to reorient DCD children to the VR space: A route-learning study / Uso de señales geométricas y caracterológicas en configuraciones de puntos de referencia para reorientar a los niños con TDC hacia el espacio de realidad virtual: Un estudio de aprendizaje de rutas

Abstract Background: Working memory-based spatial cognition has attracted the attention of the scientific community in navigation and reorientation projects. The dominant approach considers that spontaneous spatial navigation behavior is based merely on environmental geometry (built and natural environmental objects). In this domain, DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) motor skill orientation problems have been frequently associated with poor visuospatial cognition, while immersive VR environments encourage more repetition, allowing for faster motor skill development and recovery. Objective: This pilot study tested the functionality of an immersive VR environment with environmental geometry (rectangular arena rich in symmetry) and featural landmark cues (striped wall, flora) as a route-learning tool for children with motor skill disorders. Methods: Forty DCD children aged 5 to 8 years (20 boys and 20 girls); five (5) 3D reality modeling setups with orthogonality, symmetry, and striped walls as design parameters; and trial walk-through coordination exercises using a predefined visual pathway with different motor control conditions (daylight, darkness). Participants' path completion rate, path completion time, and walk-through satisfaction were recorded as route-learning performance variables and analyzed statistically. Results/findings: DCD children's spatial orientation was statistically shown to be more stable and robust (in path completion rates, termination time, and walk-through level of satisfaction) in a virtual 3D environment rich in orthogonality, symmetry, and featural cues as landmarks. In this compound environmental geometry setup, training functionality and immersive learning performance enjoyed an 8.16% better path completion rate, a 12.37% reduction in path completion time, and 32.10% more walk-through satisfaction than reality modeling setups poor in geometry and landmarks. The effectiveness and robustness were validated statistically. Conclusion: Children with motor skill difficulties train and learn better in virtual 3D environments that are rich in orthogonality, symmetry, and featural landmark cues.

Resumen Antecedentes: La cognición espacial basada en la memoria de trabajo ha atraído la atención de la comunidad científica en proyectos de navegación y reorientación. El enfoque dominante considera que el comportamiento espontáneo de navegación espacial se basa meramente en la geometría ambiental (objetos ambientales construidos y naturales). En este ámbito, los problemas de orientación de las habilidades motoras del TDC (Trastorno del Desarrollo de la Coordinación) se han asociado con frecuencia a una cognición visoespacial deficiente, mientras que los entornos de RV (Realidad Virtual) inmersivos fomentan una mayor repetición, lo que permite un desarrollo y una recuperación más rápidos de las habilidades motoras. Objetivo: Este estudio piloto probó la funcionalidad de un entorno de RV inmersiva con geometría ambiental (arena rectangular rica en simetría) y señales de puntos de referencia característicos (pared rayada, flora) como herramienta de aprendizaje de rutas para niños con trastornos de la habilidad motora. Métodos: Cuarenta niños con TDC de entre 5 y 8 años (20 niños y 20 niñas); cinco (5) configuraciones de modelado de realidad 3D con ortogonalidad, simetría y paredes rayadas como parámetros de diseño; y ejercicios de coordinación de recorrido de prueba utilizando una ruta visual predefinida con diferentes condiciones de control motor (luz diurna, oscuridad). Se registraron la tasa de finalización del recorrido, el tiempo de finalización del recorrido y el grado de satisfacción de los participantes como variables de rendimiento del aprendizaje de recorridos y se analizaron estadísticamente. Resultados: Se demostró estadísticamente que la orientación espacial de los niños con TDC era más estable y robusta (en tasas de finalización del camino, tiempo de finalización y nivel de satisfacción del recorrido) en un entorno 3D virtual rico en ortogonalidad, simetría y señales de características como puntos de referencia. En esta configuración de geometría ambiental compuesta, la funcionalidad del entrenamiento y el rendimiento del aprendizaje inmersivo disfrutaron de un 8,16% más de tasa de finalización de ruta, una reducción del 12,37% en el tiempo de finalización de ruta y un 32,10% más de satisfacción de recorrido que las configuraciones de modelado de realidad pobres en geometría y puntos de referencia. La eficacia y la solidez se validaron estadísticamente. Conclusiones: Los niños con dificultades motrices entrenan y aprenden mejor en entornos virtuales 3D ricos en ortogonalidad, simetría y puntos de referencia característicos.

Microplastics in marine sponges (Porifera) along a highly urbanized estuarine gradient in Santos, Brazil.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously found in environmental matrices, particularly affecting aquatic systems. While several marine species have been widely used to assess MP contamination, sponges (Porifera) are less used. The MPs contamination was assessed in the sun sponge (Hymeniacidon heliophila) along a gradient at the Santos Estuarine System (Brazil). A 14-fold difference between concentrations (particles g-1) was verified between the most (1.40 ± 0.81) and least (0.10 ± 0.12) contaminated sites, confirming the local contamination gradient. The MPs found were primarily polypropylene, small (1.2-1000 µm), fibrous, and colored. Considering total concentrations, sizes and shapes these spatial patterns were similar those previously detected in molluscs obtained in the same sites. On the other hand, they differed in polymeric composition and color categories. Such findings give important initial insights into the potential role of marine sponges as putative sentinels of MPs contamination.

Temporal variability of spatial patterns of correlations between summer rainfall and the Oceanic Niño Index in the Pampean region.

The Argentinean Pampean region is essential for global food security, known for its extensive production of soybeans, corn, and wheat. The November to January (NDJ) trimester is critical for rainfed summer crops, as precipitation during this period directly affects soil moisture and crop yields. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), particularly its Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), plays a crucial role in influencing precipitation patterns in this region. This study investigates the spatial correlation between the ONI and NDJ precipitation from 1990 to 2021 sing a 20-year sliding window approach. We conducted Pearson correlation and cluster analyses to identify regions with consistent ONI-precipitation relationships. Our findings reveal notable temporal variability, with a general decrease in correlation strength since the window 1995-2014. This decline is likely driven by changes in ENSO dynamics and the influence of other climate variability modes, highlighting the need to consider factors modulating the ONI-precipitation relationship. Notably, the addition of the strong 2015 El Niño, which exhibited inconsistent precipitation behaviour compared to previous strong El Niño events such as 1997, contributed to this weakening. While the 1997 El Niño brought widespread positive rainfall anomalies, the 2015 event was marked by weaker and even negative precipitation anomalies in part of the region. This difference mirrors similar patterns reported in other parts of South America, such as Ecuador and Coastal Peru, and may be linked to a poleward shift in the jet streams during the 2015/2016 El Niño. The results underscore the complexity of ENSO's impact on regional climate and highlight the need for adaptive agricultural planning. By enhancing the understanding of ONI-precipitation dynamics, this study aims to improve long-term climate predictions and support sustainable agricultural practices in the Pampean region.

Spatial and temporal analysis of breast cancer mortality in a state in northeastern Brazil.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm, and its global burden has become one of the most important factors jeopardizing the health of the world population, especially women. The aim of this study was to analyze mortality trends and the spatial distribution of BC in women in the capital and state of Sergipe, aiming to contribute to the implementation and improvement of strategies for the prevention and health promotion of women with BC. Trends were calculated using the Joinpoint Regression Program 5.0.2. Spatial analyses were performed using the empirical Bayesian model, thematic maps were created using QGIS 3.10.7 and Moran's I indices were calculated using TerraView 4.2.2. Between 1996 and 2022, 1384 and 3128 BC deaths were recorded in the capital and state of Sergipe, respectively. The mortality trend increased in the age groups of 45-75+ for the state of Sergipe, while in the capital, we observed stability in all age groups. The highest AAPC was 4.6213, with a 95 % confidence interval (2.16; 7.14). Univariate global Moran's I analysis indicated spatial autocorrelation during the study period. A direct relationship was found between mortality rates and the more economically developed regions.

Space-time dynamics of the dengue epidemic in Brazil, 2024: an insight for decision making.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a vector-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus transmitted to humans primarily by Aedes aegypti. The year 2024 has been a historic year for dengue in Brazil, with the highest number of probable cases ever registered. Herein, we analyze the temporal trend and spatio-temporal dynamics of dengue cases in Brazil during the first nine epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2024. METHODS: This is an ecological study, including all probable cases of dengue in Brazil during the period, carried out in two steps: time series analysis to assess the temporal trend and spatial analysis to identify high-risk clusters. RESULTS: 1,345,801 probable cases of dengue were reported. The regions with the highest increasing trend were the Northeast with an average epidemiologic week percent change (AEPC) of 52.4 (95% CI: 45.5-59.7; p < 0.001) and the South with 35.9 (95% CI: 27.7-44.5; p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increasing trend in all states, except Acre (AEPC = -4.1; 95% CI: -16.3-10; p = 0.55), Amapá (AEPC = 1.3; 95% CI: -16.2-22.3; p = 0.9) and Espírito Santo (AEPC = 8.9; 95% CI: -15.7-40.6; p = 0.5). The retrospective space-time analysis showed a cluster within the Northeast, Central-West and Southeast regions, with a radius of 515.3 km, in which 1,267 municipalities and 525,324 of the cases were concentrated (RR = 6.3; p < 0.001). Regarding the spatial variation of the temporal trend, 21 risk areas were found, all of them located in Southeast or Central-West states. The area with the highest relative risk was Minas Gerais state, where 5,748 cases were concentrated (RR = 8.1; p < 0.001). Finally, a purely spatial analysis revealed 25 clusters, the one with the highest relative risk being composed of two municipalities in Acre (RR = 6.9; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We described a detailed temporal-spatial analysis of dengue cases in the first EWs of 2024 in Brazil, which were mainly concentrated in the Southeast and Central-West regions. Overall, it is recommended that governments adopt public policies to control the the vector population in high-risk areas, as well as to prevent the spread of dengue fever to other areas of Brazil.

Occurrence of sporotrichosis in Belém, Pará, Brazil: a metaphor for unsustainable socioeconomic development.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal anthropozoonosis that has become a major public health problem in tropical countries. With that in mind, this study analyzed the relationship between this disease and demographic, socioeconomic and public health issues in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil, from 2020 to 2022. This ecological and cross-sectional study used data from the Belém Zoonosis Control Center, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Health Ministry. Descriptive and spatial analyses were performed employing significance statistical, kernel, buffer and Moran techniques. One hundred sporotrichosis cases in cats and 49 in humans were analyzed. The results showed that the individuals most affected were women (61.22 %), adults (87.76 %), with the cutaneous form (95.92 %), diagnosed histopathologically (38.78 %), still undergoing treatment (46.94 %) and that the form of contagion was through cat scratches or bites (73.47 %). The profile also showed quantitative significance of ignored data related to treatment (65.31 %) and cat presence at home (63.27 %). The disease had a non-homogeneous distribution with very high densities in Campina de Icoaraci, Águas Negras and Parque Guajará. Those neighborhoods presented a very low Living Conditions Index and precarious services and health centers. The spatial dependence between the environmental and socioeconomic studied variables evidenced the establishment of an active transmission circuit for sporotrichosis in peripheral areas of the city, related to health inequalities with an underlying possible epidemiological silence, suggesting the need for expanding One Health public policies, aiming the sustainable development.

Spatial scales of COVID-19 transmission in Mexico.

During outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, internationally connected cities often experience large and early outbreaks, while rural regions follow after some delay. This hierarchical structure of disease spread is influenced primarily by the multiscale structure of human mobility. However, during the COVID-19 epidemic, public health responses typically did not take into consideration the explicit spatial structure of human mobility when designing nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). NPIs were applied primarily at national or regional scales. Here, we use weekly anonymized and aggregated human mobility data and spatially highly resolved data on COVID-19 cases at the municipality level in Mexico to investigate how behavioral changes in response to the pandemic have altered the spatial scales of transmission and interventions during its first wave (March-June 2020). We find that the epidemic dynamics in Mexico were initially driven by exports of COVID-19 cases from Mexico State and Mexico City, where early outbreaks occurred. The mobility network shifted after the implementation of interventions in late March 2020, and the mobility network communities became more disjointed while epidemics in these communities became increasingly synchronized. Our results provide dynamic insights into how to use network science and epidemiological modeling to inform the spatial scale at which interventions are most impactful in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and infectious diseases in general.

Using Household Dietary Diversity Score and Spatial Analysis to Inform Food Governance in Chile.

This study explores how the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and spatial visualization can inform food governance in Chile, focusing on socio-demographic and geographical determinants affecting food consumption patterns. A national household database (n = 4047), including households from 2019 (n = 3967; 98.02%) and 2020 (n = 80; 1.98%), provided by the "Family Support Program of Food Self-Sufficiency" (FSPFS) of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, was analyzed. The findings revealed that Chilean vulnerable households were led mostly by women (86.6%), with an age average of 55.9 ± 15.6 years old, versus 68.9 ± 12.9 years in the case of men. The intake frequency analysis showed that dairy, fruits, and vegetables were below the recommended values in at least half of the households, and that fats and sugars were above recommended levels. Regarding the HDDS (0-189), the national average was 91.4 ± 20.6 and was significantly influenced by the number of minors in the households, water access, food access issues, and residing in the Zona Sur. Finally, the spatial visualization showed that the Zona Central had higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, while the extreme zones Norte Grande and Zona Austral showed higher intakes of fats and sugars. These findings emphasize the importance of leveraging data insights like the HDDS and spatial visualization to enhance food security and inform food governance strategies.

River flow intermittence influence biodiversity-stability relationships across spatial scales: Implications for an uncertain future.

Climate change is increasing the proportion of river networks experiencing flow intermittence, which in turn reduces local diversity (i.e., α-diversity) but enhances variation in species composition among sites (i.e., ß-diversity), with potential consequences on ecosystem stability. Indeed, the multiscale theory of stability proposes that regional stability can be attained not only by local processes but also by spatial asynchrony among sites. However, it is still unknown whether and how scale-dependent changes in biodiversity associated with river flow intermittence influence stability across spatial scales. To elucidate this, we here focus on multiple metacommunities of French rivers experiencing contrasting levels of flow intermittence. We clearly show that the relative contribution of spatial asynchrony to regional stability was higher for metacommunities of intermittent than perennial rivers. Surprisingly, spatial asynchrony was mainly linked to asynchronous population dynamics among sites, but not to ß-diversity. This finding was robust for both truly aquatic macroinvertebrates and for taxa that disperse aerially during their adult stages, implying the need to conserve multiple sites across the landscape to attain regional stability in intermittent rivers. By contrast, metacommunities of truly aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting perennial rivers were mainly stabilized by local processes. Our study provides novel evidence that metacommunities of perennial and intermittent rivers are stabilized by contrasting processes operating at different spatial scales. We demonstrate that flow intermittence enhances spatial asynchrony among sites, thus resulting in a regional stabilizing effect on intermittent river networks. Considering that climate change is increasing the proportion of intermittent rivers worldwide, our results suggest that managers need to focus on the spatial dynamics of metacommunities more than on local-scale processes to monitor, restore, and conserve freshwater biodiversity.

3D Data Processing and Entropy Reduction for Reconstruction from Low-Resolution Spatial Coordinate Clouds in a Technical Vision System.

This paper proposes an advancement in the application of a Technical Vision System (TVS), which integrates a laser scanning mechanism with a single light sensor to measure 3D spatial coordinates. In this application, the system is used to scan and digitalize objects using a rotating table to explore the potential of the system for 3D scanning at reduced resolutions. The experiments undertaken searched for optimal scanning windows and used statistical data filtering techniques and regression models to find a method to generate a 3D scan that was still recognizable with the least amount of 3D points, balancing the number of points scanned and time, while at the same time reducing effects caused by the particularities of the TVS, such as noise and entropy in the form of natural distortion in the resulting scans. The evaluation of the experimentation results uses 3D point registration methods, joining multiple faces from the original volume scanned by the TVS and aligning it to the ground truth model point clouds, which are based on a commercial 3D camera to verify that the reconstructed 3D model retains substantial detail from the original object. This research finds it is possible to reconstruct sufficiently detailed 3D models obtained from the TVS, which contain coarsely scanned data or scans that initially lack high definition or are too noisy.

Bayesian Modeling for Nonstationary Spatial Point Process via Spatial Deformations.

Many techniques have been proposed to model space-varying observation processes with a nonstationary spatial covariance structure and/or anisotropy, usually on a geostatistical framework. Nevertheless, there is an increasing interest in point process applications, and methodologies that take nonstationarity into account are welcomed. In this sense, this work proposes an extension of a class of spatial Cox process using spatial deformation. The proposed method enables the deformation behavior to be data-driven, through a multivariate latent Gaussian process. Inference leads to intractable posterior distributions that are approximated via MCMC. The convergence of algorithms based on the Metropolis-Hastings steps proved to be slow, and the computational efficiency of the Bayesian updating scheme was improved by adopting Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) methods. Our proposal was also compared against an alternative anisotropic formulation. Studies based on synthetic data provided empirical evidence of the benefit brought by the adoption of nonstationarity through our anisotropic structure. A real data application was conducted on the spatial spread of the Spodoptera frugiperda pest in a corn-producing agricultural area in southern Brazil. Once again, the proposed method demonstrated its benefit over alternatives.

Correlates of Theta and Gamma Activity during Visuospatial Incidental/Intentional Encoding and Retrieval Indicate Differences in Processing in Young and Elderly Healthy Participants.

Incidental visuospatial learning acquired under incidental conditions is more vulnerable to aging than in the intentional case. The theta and gamma correlates of the coding and retrieval of episodic memory change during aging. Based on the vulnerability of incidental coding to aging, different theta and gamma correlates could occur under the incidental versus intentional coding and retrieval of visuospatial information. Theta and gamma EEG was recorded from the frontotemporal regions, and incidental/intentional visuospatial learning was evaluated in young (25-60 years old) and elderly (60-85 years old) participants. The EEG recorded during encoding and retrieval was compared between incidental low-demand, incidental high-demand, and intentional conditions through an ANCOVA considering the patient's gender, IQ, and years of schooling as covariates. Older adults exhibited worse performances, especially in place-object associations. After the intentional study, older participants showed a further increase in false-positive errors. Higher power at the theta and gamma bands was observed for frontotemporal derivations in older participants for both encoding and retrieval. Under retrieval, only young participants had lower power in terms of errors compared with correct responses. In conclusion, the different patterns of power and coherence support incidental and intentional visuospatial encoding and retrieval in young and elderly individuals. The correlates of power with behavior are sensitive to age and performance.

Epidemiological profile of malaria in a rural community in the Amazon, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 2011.

BACKGROUND: More than 95% of malaria transmission in Brazil occurs in the Legal Amazon Region, which in 2010 recorded around 333,429 cases reported in the Epidemiological Surveillance Information System-Malaria (Sivep_malaria), presenting an annual parasitic incidence (IPA) of 13.1 cases/1000 inhabitants. METHODS: This was a descriptive study that measured the community prevalence of Plasmodium infection and its relationship with land use in Três Fronteiras District, Colniza Municipality, Mato Grosso State. Data were collected during household visits in July 2011, with blood collection from finger pricks for the preparation of thick smear slides, and completion of a standardized case notification form. A georeferenced database was analysed, with land use evaluated as categorical variables. A kernel density map was built to show the density of cases and their location. RESULTS: Of the 621 respondents, 68(11%) had Plasmodium infection: 39 (57.4%) with Plasmodium vivax, 27(39.7%) with Plasmodium falciparum and two (2.9%) with mixed infections. Among infected individuals, 49 (72.1%) were men. Cases of malaria were distributed over the district, with greater occurrence of cases per household in open areas close to the mining company and artisanal mining sites. The was a greater density of cases located in the gold mining region. CONCLUSION: Transmission of malaria in Três Fronteiras District has a heterogeneous distribution. Individuals residing in mining and timber extraction sites have increased occurrence of Plasmodium infection.

Hospitalization for malaria in the indigenous population of Roraima, in Brazil's Northern Amazon, 2008-2022.

Objectives: To examine the epidemiology of hospitalized cases of malaria in indigenous people living in the municipalities of Roraima in the northern Brazilian Amazon from 2008 to 2022. Methods: Ecological study using secondary data and spatiotemporal analyses based on thematic maps. Average rates were calculated per study period and spatiotemporal clusters were estimated from spatial statistics. Results: Of the 541 medical records, 77.08% were related to Plasmodium vivax. Higher rates were observed in municipalities in the south and center of the state. The rates increased throughout the study period. The analysis generated three clusters. Conclusions: Although Roraima has characteristics that worsen the malaria problem, no studies were found that examined the transmission of the disease in the state as a whole. This increases the importance of this study, which contributes to the discussion in the field of indigenous health.

Repeated exposure to novelty promotes resilience against the amyloid-beta effect through dopaminergic stimulation.

RATIONALE: The accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Aß) in the forebrain leads to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that individuals with a consistently cognitively active lifestyle are less vulnerable to Aß toxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that intrahippocampal Aß can impact catecholaminergic release and spatial memory. Interestingly, exposure to novelty stimuli has been found to stimulate the release of catecholamines in the hippocampus. However, it remains uncertain whether repeated enhancing catecholamine activity can effectively alleviate cognitive impairment in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to investigate whether repeated exposure to novelty could enable cognitive resilience against Aß. This protection could be achieved by modulating catecholaminergic activity within the hippocampus. METHODS: To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected mice to three different conditions-standard housing (SH), repeated novelty (Nov), or daily social interaction (Soc) for one month. We then infused saline solution (SS) or Aß (Aß1-42) oligomers intrahippocampally and measured spatial memory retrieval in a Morris Water Maze (MWM). Stereological analysis and extracellular baseline dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis were assessed in independent groups of mice. RESULTS: The mice that received Aß1-42 intrahippocampal infusions and remained in SH or Soc conditions showed impaired spatial memory retrieval. In contrast, animals subjected to the Nov protocol demonstrated remarkable resilience, showing strong spatial memory expression even after Aß1-42 intrahippocampal infusion. The stereological analysis indicated that the Aß1-42 infusion reduced the tyrosine hydroxylase axonal length in SH or Soc mice compared to the Nov group. Accordingly, the hippocampal extracellular dopamine levels increased significantly in the Nov groups. CONCLUSIONS: These compelling results demonstrate the potential for repeated novelty exposure to strengthen the dopaminergic system and mitigate the toxic effects of Aß1-42. They also highlight new and promising therapeutic avenues for treating and preventing AD, especially in its early stages.

Proximity Sensor for Measuring Social Interaction in a School Environment.

Social interactions are characterized by being very diverse and changing over time. Understanding this diversity and dynamics, as well as their emerging patterns, is of great interest from social, health, and educational perspectives. The development of new devices has been made possible in recent years by advances in applied technology. This paper presents the design and development of a novel device composed of several sensors. Specifically, we propose a proximity sensor integrated by three devices: a Bluetooth sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) unit and an accelerometer. By means of this sensor it is possible to detect the presence of neighboring sensors in various configurations and operating conditions. Profiles based on the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) exhibit behavior consistent with that reported by empirical relationships. The present sensor is functional in detecting the proximity of other sensors and is thus useful for the identification of interactions between people in relevant contexts such as schools.

Spatial dynamics of COVID-19 in São Paulo: A cellular automata and GIS approach.

This study examines the spread of COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil, using a combination of cellular automata and geographic information systems to model the epidemic's spatial dynamics. By integrating epidemiological models with georeferenced data and social indicators, we analyse how the virus propagates in a complex urban setting, characterized by significant social and economic disparities. The research highlights the role of various factors, including mobility patterns, neighbourhood configurations, and local inequalities, in the spatial spreading of COVID-19 throughout São Paulo. We simulate disease transmission across the city's 96 districts, offering insights into the impact of network topology and district-specific variables on the spread of infections. The study seeks to fine-tune the model to extract epidemiological parameters for further use in a statistical analysis of social variables. Our findings underline the critical importance of spatial analysis in public health strategies and emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions in vulnerable communities. Additionally, the study explores the potential of mathematical modelling in understanding and mitigating the effects of pandemics in urban environments.

Spatial analysis of contaminated areas in the Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador of Osasco region (SP), 2017.

Introduction: According to the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), 33% of Brazilian municipalities have faced problems with areas of contaminated soil. According to Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (State of São Paulo Environmental Company), contaminated areas are places where there is demonstrably pollution or contamination. Objective: To identify the areas and municipalities affected by contamination at fuel service stations in the Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (Occupational Health Reference Center) of Osasco region in 2017. Methods: Descriptive ecological study, carried out in the Occupational Health Reference Center of Osasco region. Data on contaminated areas were extracted from State of São Paulo Environmental Company and digital maps from Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Spatial analysis was carried out of the contamination areas, according to their classification, as well as artesian wells and service stations, using Geographic Information System tools. Results: The highest concentrations of contaminated areas with confirmed risk are found in the municipality of Osasco and headquarters of Occupational Health Reference Center. In the analysis of the Kernel Ratio, the most compromised municipalities were Osasco, Barueri and Taboão da Serra. Conclusions: Municipalities with contaminated areas with confirmed risk also have water extraction from artesian wells, with potential risk of contamination of this water by benzene. Thus, it is necessary to improve inspection and surveillance of areas with environmental liabilities, such as service stations that do not have remediation, in addition to surveillance of exposed workers.

Introdução: De acordo com o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 33% dos municípios brasileiros têm enfrentado problemas com áreas de solo contaminado. Segundo a Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo, as áreas contaminadas são locais onde há poluição ou contaminação por substâncias ou resíduos. Objetivo: Identificar as áreas e os municípios afetados por contaminação em postos de serviços de combustível na região do Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador de Osasco, no estado de São Paulo, em 2017. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo ecológico, realizado na área do Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador de Osasco. Os dados de áreas contaminadas foram extraídos da Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo, e os mapas digitais, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Foi realizada análise espacial das áreas de contaminação segundo a sua classificação, bem como de poços artesianos e postos de combustível, utilizando ferramentas de Sistemas de Informações Geográficas. Resultados: As maiores concentrações de áreas contaminadas com risco confirmado se encontram no município de Osasco, sede do Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador. Na análise da razão de Kernel, os municípios mais comprometidos foram Osasco, Barueri e Taboão da Serra. Conclusões: Os municípios com áreas contaminadas com risco confirmado possuem extração de água de poços artesianos, com potencial risco de contaminação dessa água por benzeno. Assim, é necessário melhorar a fiscalização e a vigilância das áreas com passivo ambiental, como postos de gasolina.

Are There Barriers Separating the Pink River Dolphin Populations (Inia boliviensis, Iniidae, Cetacea) within the Mamoré-Iténez River Basins (Bolivia)? An Analysis of Its Genetic Structure by Means of Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Markers.

The pink river dolphin, or bufeo, is one of the dolphins which lives in the rivers of the Orinoco and Amazon basins in South America. The Bolivian bufeo population is considered a differentiated species (Inia boliviensis) from the Amazon and Orinoco species (Inia geoffrensis). Until now, no study has completed an extensive population genetics analysis of the bufeo in Bolivian rivers. We analyzed 82 bufeos from different rivers from the Mamoré and Iténez (Guaporé) river basins for the mt control region (CR), nuclear microsatellites, and DQB-1 gene sequences to determine if the inner rapids of these Bolivian river basins have some influence on the genetic structure of this species. The first relevant result was that the genetic diversity for CR, and the microsatellites were substantially lower in the Bolivian bufeos than in the dolphins studied in other areas of the Amazon and Orinoco. However, the DQB-1 gene sequences yielded similar genetic diversity to those found in other areas. The second relevant result is the existence of some significant genetic heterogeneity among the bufeo populations within Bolivia, although in a small degree, but this differentiation is independent of the inner rapids of the Bolivian rivers we sampled. The third relevant result was the existence of significant isolation by distance for the CR, but not for microsatellites and DQB-1 gene sequences. This was related to differential gene flow capacity of females (philopatric) and males (less philopatric and more migrants) and, possibly, to different selective patterns affecting the molecular markers studied. The fourth relevant result was related to diverse demographic changes of these bufeos. At least two or three bottleneck events and one or two population expansions have occurred in the Bolivian bufeo population. The major part of these events occurred during the Pleistocene.

Spatial clusters and social inequities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage among children in Brazil / Aglomerados espaciais e desigualdades sociais na cobertura vacinal contra COVID-19 em crianças no Brasil

Abstract This study examined the spatial distribution and social inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage among children aged 5-11 in Brazil. First and second dose vaccine coverage was calculated for all Brazilian municipalities and analyzed by geographic region and deciles based on human development index (HDI-M) and expected years of schooling at 18 years of age. Multilevel models were used to determine the variance partition coefficient, and bivariate local Moran's I statistic was used to assess spatial association. Results showed significant differences in vaccine coverage rates among Brazilian municipalities, with lower coverage in the North and Midwest regions. Municipalities with lower HDI and expected years of schooling had consistently lower vaccine coverage rates. Bivariate clustering analysis identified extensive concentrations of municipalities in the Northern and Northeastern regions with low vaccine coverage and low human development, while some clusters of municipalities in the Southeast and South regions with low coverage were located in areas with high HDI-M. These findings highlight the persistent municipal-level inequalities in vaccine coverage among children in Brazil and the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine access and coverage in underserved areas.

Resumo O estudo analisou a distribuição espacial e as desigualdades sociais na cobertura vacinal para COVID-19 entre crianças de 5 a 11 anos no Brasil. As coberturas vacinais foram calculadas para os municípios brasileiros e analisadas por região geográfica e decis com base no Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH-M) e expectativa de escolaridade aos 18 anos. Modelos multiníveis foram usados ​​para determinar o coeficiente de partição da variância, e a estatística local bivariada de Moran I foi usada para avaliar a associação espacial. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas nas taxas de cobertura vacinal entre os municípios, com menor cobertura nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste. Municípios com menor IDH e anos de escolaridade esperados apresentaram menores taxas de cobertura vacinal. A análise de agrupamento bivariado identificou extensas concentrações de municípios nas regiões Norte e Nordeste com baixa cobertura vacinal e baixo desenvolvimento humano, enquanto alguns aglomerados de municípios nas regiões Sudeste e Sul com baixa cobertura localizavam-se em áreas com alto IDH-M. Essas descobertas destacam as desigualdades persistentes em nível municipal na cobertura vacinal entre crianças e a necessidade de intervenções para melhorar o acesso e a cobertura vacinal em áreas mais vulneráveis.