Spatial spillovers and political coordination in public health provision

We estimate the impact of the main unconditional federal grant (Fundo de Participaçãodos Municípios - FPM) to Brazilian municipalities as well as its spillover from the neighboring cities on local health outcomes. We consider data from 2002 to 2007 (Brollo et al, 2013) and explore the FPM distribution rule according to population brackets to apply a fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) using cities near the thresholds. In elasticity terms, we nd a reduction on infant mortality rate (-0.18) and on morbidity rate (- 0.41), except in the largest cities of our sample. We also nd an increase on the access to the main program of visiting the vulnerable families, the Family Health Program (Programa Sa ude da Família - PSF). The e ects are stronger for the smallest cities of our sample and we nd increase: (i) On the percentage of residents enrolled in the program (0.36), (ii) On the per capita number of PSF visits (1.59), and (iii) On the per capita number of PSF visits with a doctor (1.8) and nurse (2). After we control for the FPM spillover using neighboring cities near diferent thresholds, our results show that the reduction in morbidity and mortality is largely due to the spillover e ect, but there are negative spillover on preventive actions, as PSF doctors visits and vaccination. Finally, the negative spillover e ect on health resources may be due free riding or political coordination problems, as in the case of the number of hospital beds, but also due to to competition for health professionals, as in the case of number of doctors (-0.35 and -0.87, respectively), specially general practitioners and surgeons (-1.84 and -2.45).

Semiparametric modeling of the spatial distribution of occupational accident risk in the casual labor market, Piracicaba, southeast Brazil

The objective of this study was to estimate the spatial distribution of work accident risk in the informal work market in the urban zone of an industrialized city in southeast Brazil and to examine concomitant effects of age, gender, and type of occupation after controlling for spatial risk variation. The basic methodology adopted was that of a population-based case-control study with particular interest focused on the spatial location of work. Cases were all casual workers in the city suffering work accidents during a one-year period; controls were selected from the source population of casual laborers by systematic random sampling of urban homes. The spatial distribution of work accidents was estimated via a semiparametric generalized additive model with a nonparametric bidimensional spline of the geographical coordinates of cases and controls as the nonlinear spatial component, and including age, gender, and occupation as linear predictive variables in the parametric component. We analyzed 1,918 cases and 2,245 controls between 1/11/2003 and 31/10/2004 in Piracicaba, Brazil. Areas of significantly high and low accident risk were identified in relation to mean risk in the study region (p < 0.01). Work accident risk for informal workers varied significantly in the study area. Significant age, gender, and occupational group effects on accident risk were identified after correcting for this spatial variation. A good understanding of high-risk groups and high-risk regions underpins the formulation of hypotheses concerning accident causality and the development of effective public accident prevention policies.

Spatial Assessment of Indices for Characterizing the Erosive Force of Rainfall in El Salvador Republic

Soil erosion data in El Salvador Republic are scarce and there is no rainfall erosivity map for this region. Considering that rainfall erosivity is an important guide for planning soil erosion control practices, a spatial assessment of indices for characterizing the erosive force of rainfall in El Salvador Republic was carried out. Using pluviometric records from 25 weather stations, we applied two methods: erosivity index equation and the Fournier index. In all study area, the rainiest period is from May to November. Annual values of erosivity index ranged from 7,196 to 17,856 MJ mm ha(-1) h(-1) year(-1) and the Fournier index ranged from 52.9 to 110.0 mm. The erosivity map showed that the study area can be broadly divided into three major erosion risk zones, and the Fournier index map was divided into four zones. Both methods revealed that the erosive force is severe in all study area and presented significant spatial correlation with each other. The erosive force in the country is concentrated mainly from May to November.

Geostatistical analysis of the spatial distribution of Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton cultivated under crop rotation

The spatial distribution of Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton cultivated in crop rotation with sorghum-peanut-velvetbean was studied using geostatistics. The experimental field, which had been continuously cropped with cotton for 20 years, comprised two 32 x 48 m-grids, each divided in sixty-four 4 x 6 in sampling plots. For all crops, 300 cm(3) soil samples were taken at the center of each plot at crop germination (Pi) and again at harvest (Pf), from which the numbers of nematodes were determined. The results revealed that the spatial distribution of R. reniformis was highly aggregated and with the aid of geostatistical techniques the nematode intensities were mapped and the risk areas accurately identified. Consequently, geostatistics is here considered a useful tool for planning nematode control strategies, particularly in precision agriculture.

Spatial analysis of the distribution of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and losses in maize crop productivity using geostatistics

A lagarta-do-cartucho, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), é uma das principais pragas do milho nas Américas. O estudo de sua distribuição espacial é fundamental para a utilização de estratégias de controle, otimização de técnicas de amostragens, determinação de danos econômicos e incorporação de um programa de agricultura de precisão. em uma área cultivada com milho foram realizadas amostragens com intervalo semanal, correspondendo ao estádio vegetativo que compreende desde a germinação até o pendoamento. Foram amostradas 10 plantas ao acaso por parcela, no total de 2000 plantas em cada amostragem. A produtividade foi obtida através da colheita de todas as parcelas que eram pesadas separadamente no campo e em cada parcela foram coletadas 15 espigas aleatoriamente para estimar o comprimento e o diâmetro médio. As análises espaciais, utilizando geoestatística, mostraram que o modelo esférico apresentou o melhor ajuste às lagartas pequenas. À medida que as lagartas foram se desenvolvendo sua distribuição foi tornando aleatória, representada por um modelo ajustado por uma reta, não tendo sido detectado nenhum tipo de dependência espacial nos pontos de amostragem. A produtividade e o diâmetro e comprimento da espiga foram descritos por modelos esféricos, indicando uma variabilidade espacial nos parâmetros de produtividade na área cultivada. A geoestatística mostrou-se promissora para a aplicação de métodos precisos no controle integrado de pragas.

Geostatistical characterization of the spatial distribution of Xylella fastidiosa sharpshooter vectors on citrus

A distribuição espacial das espécies de cigarrinhas (Dilobopterus costalimai Young, Acrogonia sp. e Oncometopia facialis Signoret), vetoras da Xylella fastidiosa, agente causal da Clorose Variegada dos Citros, foi estudada com o uso da geoestatística. As avaliações foram feitas em um pomar comercial de laranja 'Pêra' (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb.), objetivando estabelecer meios para melhor controle dos vetores e da doença. O monitoramento da ocorrência das cigarrinhas no pomar foi feito através de amostragens mensais, utilizando-se armadilhas adesivas amarelas de 3 x 5, distribuídas uniformemente em 50 pontos na área, dispostas em laranjeiras à altura de 1,5 m do solo e substituídas mensalmente. Acrogonia sp. foi a espécie prevalente nas amostragens. Os resultados possibilitaram ajustar modelos aos semivariogramas da distribuição espacial das três espécies no pomar estudado. Durante os três anos consecutivos de amostragem, as populações de Acrogonia sp., D. costalimai e O. facialis apresentaram modelos de distribuição agregada somente nos meses de verão, inverno e primavera, respectivamente, mostrando a necessidade de monitoramento constante desses vetores para reduzir a sua população em épocas favoráveis ao seu desenvolvimento. Através de parâmetros geoestatísticos foi possível calcular a área de agregação das cigarrinhas no pomar. A espécie Acrogonia sp. apresentou área média de agregação de 15.760 m², enquanto para O. facialis e D. costalimai foi possível constatar áreas médias de agregação de 11.555 m² e 10.980 m², respectivamente. Esses resultados indicaram que para um levantamento seguro de cigarrinhas é necessário pelo menos dispor de uma armadilha por hectare.

Experimental Active Vibration Control in Truss Structures Considering Uncertainties in System Parameters

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Possible causes of spatial variability in Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) and its parasitoid populations in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Based on the large data set stored in some sugarcane mills regarding the biological control programme of Diatraea saccharalis using the parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and tachinid flies, the aim of the present study was to determine whether sugarcane varieties, number of cuts and plant ages are major determinants in promoting spatial variability in D. saccharalis, C. flavipes and tachinid fly populations in sugarcane fields in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). The data set used to support this study was provided by the Sao Joao and Barra sugarcane mills. Coefficient of variation was adopted as a measure of the spatial variability of population density. Spatial variability was estimated for the total density of D. saecharalis (parasitized + unparasitized larvae), and also for D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by tachinids and by C. flavipes. Statistical analysis revealed that the spatial variation in D. saccharalis populations was influenced by the number of cuts and by plant ages in the Barra and Sao Joao Mills, respectively. Similar results were obtained for D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by tachinids; however, in the Sao Joao Mill, the spatial variability of these populations was also influenced by the different number of varieties. Finally, considering D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by C. flavipes, no significant regressions with any of the three categories were observed for both sugarcane mills. The multitrophic implications for this agricultural system are also discussed.

Temporal patterns of parasitism in Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) populations at different spatial scales in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Biological control of Diatraea saccharalis is regarded as one of the best examples of successful classical biological control in Brazil. Since the introduction of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes, from Pakistan at the beginning of the 1970s, decrease in D. saccharalis infestation in sugarcane fields has been attributed to the effectiveness of this agent. Recently, the native Tachinidae fly parasitoids (Lydella minense and Paratheresia claripalpis) have also been implicated in this success. However, quantitative data confirming the actual contribution of these agents to the control of D. saccharalis are rather limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the interactions between D. saccharalis and its parasitoids, emphasizing the temporal patterns of parasitism. To investigate this question, a large data set comprising information collected from two sugarcane mills located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil (Barra and Sao Joao sugarcane mills), was analysed. Basically, the data set contained monthly information about the number of D. saccharalis larvae and their parasitoids in each sample (man-hour per sample), the sugarcane varieties cultivated, the age of the sugarcane plants (only at the Sao Joao sugarcane mill) as well as the sugarcane cut at sampling time. The data were collected from March 1984 to March 1997 and from May 1982 to December 1996 for the Barra and Sao Joao sugarcane mills, respectively. Temporal inverse density-dependent parasitism was predominant for both parasitoid species with respect to all spatial scales. Although the temporal pattern of parasitism was not directly density dependent, it was evident that the tachinids and C. flavipes presented positive numerical responses according to variations in D. saccharalis densities through time.

The role of vision in Parkinson's disease locomotion control: Free walking task

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Spatial expression of two anti-inflammatory mediators, annexin 1 and galectin-1, in nasal polyposis

Background There is renewed interest in the role played by specific counter-regulatory mechanisms to control the inflammatory host response, poorly investigated in human pathology. Here, we monitored the expression of two anti-inflammatory mediators, annexin 1 and galectin-1, and assessed their potential link to glucocorticoids' (GCs) effective control of nasal polyposis (NP).Methods Total patterns of mRNA and protein expression were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting analyses, whereas ultrastructural immunocytochemistry was used for spatial localization and quantification of each mediator, focusing on mast cells, eosinophils and epithelial cells.Results Up-regulation of the annexin 1 gene, and down-regulation of galectin-1 gene, was detected in polypoid tissue compared with nasal mucosa. Patient treatment with betamethasone augmented galectin-1 protein expression in polyps. At the cellular level, control mast cells and eosinophils displayed higher annexin 1 expression, whereas marked galectin-1 immunolabelling was detected in the granule matrix of mast cells. Cells of glandular duct epithelium also displayed expression of both annexin 1 and galectin-1, augmented after treatment.Conclusion Mast cells and epithelial cells appeared to be pivotal cell types involved in the expression of both annexin 1 and galectin-1. It is possible that annexin 1 and galectin-1 could be functionally associated with a specific mechanism in NP and that GC exert at least part of their beneficial effects on the airway mucosa by up-regulating, in a specific cell target fashion, these anti-inflammatory agonists.

Strategy to detect ground control in digital images

The identification of ground control on photographs or images is usually carried out by a human operator, who uses his natural skills to make interpretations. In Digital Photogrammetry, which uses techniques of digital image processing extraction of ground control can be automated by using an approach based on relational matching and a heuristic that uses the analytical relation between straight features of object space and its homologous in the image space. A build-in self-diagnosis is also used in this method. It is based on implementation of data snooping statistic test in the process of spatial resection using the Iterated Extended Kalman Filtering (IEKF). The aim of this paper is to present the basic principles of the proposed approach and results based on real data.

Density and spatial distribution of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and Atta laevigata colonies (Hym., Formicidae) in Eucalyptus spp. forests

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Postural control in children: Coupling to dynamic somatosensory information

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the coupling between dynamic somatosensory information and body sway is similar in children and adults. Thirty children (4-, 6-, and 8-year-olds) and 10 adults stood upright, with feet parallel, and lightly contacting the fingertip to a rigid metal plate that moved rhythmically at 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 Hz. Light touch to the moving contact surface induced postural sway in all participants. The somatosensory stimulus produced a broadband frequency response in children, while the adult response was primarily at the driving frequency. Gain, as a function of frequency, was qualitatively the same in children and adults. Phase decreased less in 4-year-olds than other age groups, suggesting a weaker coupling to position information in the sensory stimulus. Postural sway variability was larger in children than adults. These findings suggest that, even as young as age 6, children show well-developed coupling to the sensory stimulus. However, unlike adults, this coupling is not well focused at the frequency specified by the somatosensory signal. Children may be unable to uncouple from sensory information that is less relevant to the task, resulting in a broadband response in their frequency spectrum. Moreover, higher sway variability may not result from the sensory feedback process, but rather from the children's underdeveloped ability to estimate an internal model of body orientation.

Spatial pattern of parasitism in Diatraea saccharalis Fab. (Lep., Crambidae) populations at two different spatial scales in sugarcane fields in Brazil

The biological control of Diatraea saccharalis is regarded as one of the best examples of successful classical biological control in Brazil. Since the introduction of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes, the decrease in D. saccharalis infestation in sugarcane fields has been attributed to the effectiveness of this agent. Native Tachinidae fly parasitoids (Lydella minense and Paratheresia claripalpis) have also been implicated in the success. Quantitative data confirming the actual contribution of these agents to the control of D. saccharalis are, however, rather scant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial pattern of parasitism of these parasitoids in D. saccharalis populations at two large spatial scales (fields and zones). To investigate this subject, a large data set comprising information collected from a sugarcane mill located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil (São João sugarcane mill) was analysed. When regressions between the proportion parasitism against host density were computed, the percentage of significant regressions with either a positive or a negative slope was very small at both spatial scales for both parasitoid species. Regressing the densities of tachinid-parasitized hosts against host densities per field showed that these parasitoids presented a 'moderate aggregative' response to host densities, as 53.33% of the regressions were positively significant. Cotesia flavipes was 'weakly aggregated' on host densities at the field level, because only 33.33% of the regressions were positively significant. At the zone level, neither aggregative nor spatial proportion parasitism responses were evident for either parasitoid species due to the small percentage of significant regressions computed.