An assessment of the economic impact of climate change on the coastal and human settlements, tourism and transport sectors in Barbados

This report analyses the coastal and human settlements, tourism and transport sectors in Barbados to assess the potential economic impact of climate change on the sectors. The fundamental aim of this report is to assist with the development of strategies to deal with the potential impact of climate change on Barbados. Some of the key anticipated manifestations of climate change for the Caribbean include elevated air and sea-surface temperatures, sea-level rise, possible changes in extreme events and a reduction in freshwater resources. The economic impact of climate change on the three sectors was estimated for the A2 and B2 IPCC scenarios until 2050 (tourism and transport sectors) and 2100 (coastal and human settlements sector). An exploration of various adaptation strategies was also undertaken for each sector using standard evaluation techniques. The analysis has shown that based upon exposed assets and population, SLR can be classified as having the potential to create potential catastrophe in Barbados. The main contributing factor is the concentration of socioeconomic infrastructure along the coastline in vulnerable areas. The A2 and B2 projections have indicated that the number of catastrophes that can be classified as great is likely to be increased for the country. This is based upon the possible effects of the projected unscheduled impacts to the economy both in terms of loss of life and economic infrastructure. These results arise from the A2 and B2 projections, thereby indicating that growth in numbers and losses are largely due to socioeconomic changes over the projection period and hence the need for increased adaptation strategies. A key adaptation measure recommended is for the government of Barbados to begin reducing the infrastructure deficit by continuously investing in protective infrastructure to decrease the country’s vulnerability to changes in the climate. With regard to the tourism sector, it was found that by combining the impacts due to a reduction in tourist arrivals, coral reef loss and SLR, estimated total economic impact of climate change is US $7,648 million (A2 scenario) and US $5,127 million (B2 scenario). An economic analysis of the benefits and costs of several adaptation options was undertaken to determine the cost effectiveness of each one and it was found that four (4) out of nine (9) options had high cost-benefit ratios. It is therefore recommended that the strategies that were most attractive in terms of the cost-benefit ratios be pursued first and these were: (1) enhanced reef monitoring systems to provide early warning alerts of bleaching events; (2) artificial reefs or fish-aggregating devices; (3) development of national adaptation plans (levee, sea wall and boardwalk); (4) revision of policies related to financing carbon neutral tourism; and (5) increasing recommended design wind speeds for new tourism-related structures. The total cost of climate change on international transportation in Barbados aggregated the impacts of changes in temperature and precipitation, new climate policies and SLR. The impact for air transportation ranges from US$10,727 million (B2 scenario) to US$12,279 million (A2 scenario) and for maritime transportation impact estimates range from US$1,992 million (B2 scenario) to US$2,606 million (A2 scenario). For international transportation as a whole, the impact of climate change varies from US$12,719 million under the B2 scenario to US$14,885 million under the A2 scenario. Barbados has the institutions set up to implement adaptive strategies to strengthen the resilience of the existing international transportation system to climate change impacts. Air and sea terminals and facilities can be made more robust, raised, or even relocated as need be, and where critical to safety and mobility, expanded redundant systems may be considered.

Desenvolvimento de um sistema de posicionamento automático para painéis fotovoltaicos

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Análise de custo-efetividade de métodos preventivos para superfície oclusal de acordo com o risco de cárie: resultados de um ensaio clínico controlado

This study presents the results of a cost-effectiveness analysis in a controlled clinical trial on the effectiveness of a modified glass ionomer resin sealant ( Vitremer, 3M ESPE) and the application of fluoride varnish (Duraphat, Colgate) on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars in children 6-8 years of age (N = 268), according to caries risk (high versus low). Children were examined semiannually by the same calibrated dentist for 24 months after allocation in six groups: high and low risk controls (oral health education every three months); high and low risk with varnish (oral health education every three months + varnish biannually); and high and low risk with sealant (oral health education every three months + a single application of sealant). Economic analysis showed that sealing permanent first molars of high-risk schoolchildren showed a C/E ratio of US$ 119.80 per saved occlusal surface and an incremental C/E ratio of US$ 108.36 per additional saved occlusal surface. The study concluded that sealing permanent first molars of high-risk schoolchildren was the most cost-effective intervention.

Population Dynamics of Lepidoptera Pests in Eucalyptus urophylla Plantations in the Brazilian Amazonia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Predição genômica utilizando painéis de marcadores moleculares com diferentes densidades, em bovinos da raça Nelore

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Accuracy of genotype imputation in Nelore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

BIOMOLECULES EXTRACTED BY ATPS: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

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

Outros benefícios do exercício físico para o hipertenso

Aerobic exercise has been suggested as a non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension, and the previous paper of this set demonstrated some of the physiological responses induced by exercise. It has been shown an increment on expenditures for appropriate hypertension management in both, public and private services, which reinforces the inclusion of preventive programs to reduce healthcare costs. However, little is known about physical exercise cost-effectiveness for hypertensive patients. There are several interventions like a simple doctor/dietitian counselling in order to change life style, wed-based nutrition program, pharmacological treatment and assisted or non-assisted physical exercise program that evaluate the costs savings. We have shown that regular exercise (combined or not with another diet counselling and antihypertensive treatment) may effectively contribute to reduce the health care costs (up to -38%). Also, we have shown that exercise improves body composition and lipid profile which are important risk factors to development of cardiovascular disease. So, exercise can lead to significant reduction in blood pressure medication use and, therefore, it causes cost savings, justifying the implementation of exercise programs in all healthcare units.

Preoperative therapy restores ventilatory parameters and reduces length of stay in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization

Introduction: The frequency of surgical procedures has increased steadily in recent decades, including the myocardial revascularization.Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of physiotherapy in the preoperative period of cardiac surgery in relation to the reduction of hospital stay, changes in lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength.Methods: We conducted a prospective study with patients undergoing myocardial revascularization, the Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)/Botucatu - SP. We evaluated 70 patients of both genders, aged between 40 and 75 years, subdivided into two groups: group I - 35 patients of both genders, who received a written protocol guidance, breathing exercises and respiratory muscle training in the preoperative period and group II - 35 patients of both genders, who received only orientation of the ward on the day of surgery. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of UNESP /Botucatu - SP.Results: Maximal inspiratory pressure in third postoperative day and fifth postoperative day and significant difference between groups, being better for the intervention group. Expiratory pressure was significant in fifth postoperative day in the intervention group compared to controls. The difference of length of hospital stay in the postoperative was found between the groups with shorter hospital stay in the group receiving preoperative therapy.Conclusion: Physical therapy plays an important role in the preoperative period, so that individuals in the intervention group more readily restored the parameters evaluated before surgery, in addition, there was a decrease in the time of the postoperative hospital stay. Thus, it is thought the cost-effectiveness of a program of preoperative physiotherapy.

A label-free impedimetric immunosensor for direct determination of the textile dye Disperse Orange 1

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

Biomolecules extracted by ATPs: practical examples

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

Avaliações farmacoeconômicas em vigilância de medicamentos

The study aimed to identify pharmacoeconomic studies in pharmacovigilance and to observe the economic outcomes in post-marketing surveillance. Therefore, a bibliographic survey was performed in databases Lilacs, PubMed/ Bireme. The search strategy was done by using scientific health descriptors [ "adverse drug reaction reporting systems " OR " medication errors " OR "product surveillance, postmarketing" OR " sentinel surveillance" ] AND [ " cost-benefit analysis" OR "cost efficiency analysis " OR " costs and cost analysis " OR " hospital costs " OR " cost-effectiveness " OR " cost-effectiveness evaluation " OR " drug costs " ]. Manuscripts published in the last 10 years were selected. We chose 13 articles, of which 12 corresponded to cost-benefit analysis and only one to cost-effectiveness assessment. In only one study there was no economy, all the other ones generated savings, ranging from 13.7 to 30% in spending valued service. Surveillance actions were: continuing education; active search through tracking devices and / or implementation of round; teamwork and multidisciplinary deployment; computerized security services management, enabling traceability of information and alerts. The results of the proposed actions have led to the prevention of adverse drug reactions, to decline of risks to the patient, to the reduction of inappropriate prescriptions, as well as the length of hospital stay spending valued service. Surveillance actions were: continuing education; active search through tracking devices and / or implementation of round; teamwork and multidisciplinary deployment; computerized security services management, enabling traceability of information and alerts. The results of the proposed actions have led to the prevention of adverse drug reactions, to decline of risks to the patient, to the reduction of inappropriate prescriptions, as well as the length of hospital stay

Comunicação pública, transparência e políticas públicas: avaliação de informações em portais brasileiros de governo

An expansion of the professional field of Public Relations can be seen nowadays, influenced by factors such as the increasing use of information and communications technologies for the dissemination of information on public management and the potential creation of dialogue between government and citizens. Despite this trend, there is still a need for specific knowledge about normative aspects of public communication generated by governments on the internet and its role in the fulfillment of the right to information. This article offers a contribution to fulfill the gap of guidelines and standards for professional performance. It describes the results of empirical research which identified the potential contribution of government web portals of the main cities of São Paulo, in the southeastern Brazil, to the strengthening of citizenship, considered in its dimension of exercising the right to information about public policies, particularly those which have an impact on education. The depth and breadth of information were investigated according with twelve categories of evaluation: history; diagnoses; goals; goals; resources and current actions; planned resources and actions; efficiency; effectiveness; impact; cost-effectiveness; user satisfaction; and equity. The data found on the analyzed portals correspond to the average of 11% of which was considered, under the theoretical-methodological context of the research, as information necessary to comprise the full characterization of a public policy in relation to the categories of assessment. Opportunities to improve government web portals were detected, for which we suggest communication management strategies.

Avaliação da eficácia dos biocurativos em ratos wistar com lesões de pele causadas por queimaduras

Accidents caused by thermal, chemical, electrical or radioactive agents cause skin lesions causing burns of varying degrees. The therapeutic approach aims to restore damaged tissues and involves a wide range of products on the market. This study aims to evaluate the use of biological dressing, biotech product developed at the Blood Center of Botucatu / UNESP obtained from fresh frozen plasma or platelet concentrate with in vitro addition of thrombin and calcium gluconate. This addition in the platelet concentrate, intended to release the active growth factors of the platelets granules on the healing process. The study of the effectiveness of Platelet Gel home made in Wistar rats was established, in agreement with scald burns, comparing efficacy and cost of Platelet Gel with usual hospital -based treatment collagenase + chloramphenicol plus cost analysis through pharmacoeconomics. We used 25 Wistar rats were divided into 3 treatment groups: Group A, Collagenase + Chloramphenicol; Group B, Platelet Gel and C, control. The products were applied every other day for 30 days in animals. In group A, there was the presence of erythema and crust in all animals. The exudates was indentified 2/10 animals. For the Group B, we observed the presence of erythema and crust at all and no presence of exudates. In group C all the animals showed erythema with no presence of exudates and scab occurred in 1/10. Statistical analysis showed significant difference ( p < 0.0 ) for crust formation between Groups B and C. In the histological analysis, group A showed a slight amount of blood vessels and collagen fibers, moderate amounts of macrophages and fibroblasts was observed while B and C groups showed moderate amounts of blood vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts and discreet presence of collagen fibers. The re-epithelialization occurred in most animals of all groups without significant statistical differences. For the aspects of pharmacoeconomics, the platelet gel presented a better cost - effectiveness in relation to treatment based on collagenase / chloramphenicol. In light of the ethical aspects of the raw material is the result of spontaneous blood donation, the proposal should have biological dressings productions the responsibility of public blood transfusion centers for free distribution. This may point to the production chain of Brazilian blood banks like special blood components for use no intravenous.

Avaliação dos protocolos de diagnóstico e de controle da hiperglicemia materna: impacto na prevalência de Diabetes Melito Gestacional (DMG) e de Hiperglicemia Gestacional Leve (HGL) e nos resultados perinatais

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB