Abstract Surge arresters are at the forefront of protection against voltage surges. The loss of the protective effect of surge arresters imposes accidents and unplanned shutdowns on the power system. It directly affects the interruption of power supplies and imposes fines on service providers. Monitoring and diagnostics in the lightning rod field require studies and work that present the degradation behaviour of surge arresters to help develop and improve existing techniques. This paper presents the development of a laboratory with a low-energy, mobile current waveform impulse generator. It allows for conducting aging tests by applying discharges to low-voltage zinc oxide surge arresters used in the energy distribution sector. Samples of surge arresters were subjected to the discharges produced by the developed generator, and they exhibited degradation, thus showing asymmetry between the positive and negative half-cycles of leakage current.

Abstract The presented development is an intelligent diagnostic system for transformers that studied machine learning techniques to determine the operational status of these transformers. The study of these techniques is initiated by observing the quantities that define the operational behavior of large transformers, aiming to identify anomalies in their operation from data from sensors that equipment it in the functioning environment. This large power transformer has a theoretical service life of above 20 years and a low failure rate. Thus, obtaining failure values, which have their evolution monitored for large transformers, is almost nil. Therefore, a supervised machine training methodology to diagnose these cases is practically unfeasible. The study carried out with several traditional intelligent techniques can verify this. Several supervised methods (Closest Neighbor K-th Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, Radial Base Function, Decision Trees, Random Forest, Neural Network, AdaBoost, Gaussian Naive Bayes, and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis) were studied.

ABSTRACT Background: The World Health Organization recommends a market-ready, urine-based point-of-care diagnostic test for circulating cathodic antigens (CCA) to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni. This study evaluated the performance of the URINE CCA (SCHISTO) ECO TESTE® (POC-ECO), which is currently available in Brazil. Methods: Residents from eight sites with different prevalence estimates provided one urine sample for POC-ECO and one stool sample for Kato-Katz (KK) and Helmintex® (HTX) testing as an egg-detecting reference for infection status. Results: None of the study sites had significantly higher POC-ECO accuracy than KK. Conclusions: POC-ECO is not currently recommended in Brazilian schistosomiasis elimination programs.

Abstract We evaluate how the concentrations of inorganic nutrients and chlorophyll a vary in a heterogeneous area (Equatorial SW Atlantic), covering a gradient from stations closer to the coast to others more distant associated or not with turbid-zone reefs. Vertical temperature (27.9 ± 0.10 °C; mean ± standard deviation) and salinity (36.2 ± 0.14) profles showed that the water column is well mixed (0-30 m depth). The oligotrophic condition was marked by low concentrations of phosphate (0.30 ± 0.22 µM) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (0.64 ± 0.74 µM). Moreover, dissolved reactive silicon (DSi) was low in most samples (< 2.0 µM), but higher (>10 µM) in nearshore stations, probably related to continental runoff and/or resuspension of the bottom sediments. The pelagic phytoplankton biomass indicated that chlorophyll a (0.25 ± 0.08 µg L-1) was low, positively correlated with light and negatively correlated with nutrients, indicating possible phytoplankton uptake. Chlorophyll a concentrations were lower in stations closer to the coast and higher in some stations near the reefs, indicating that the latter could be more prone to phytoplankton development and depletion of nutrients, especially DSi. Therefore, although oligotrophy is present along this coast, we found some unexpected heterogeneity of nutrient and chlorophyll a distributions, which were probably infuenced by benthic-pelagic coupling due to the presence of extensive reefs, sponge gardens (18-30 m depth), and the proximity to the coast. These results highlight the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of ocean productivity, especially in lesser known low-latitude areas, which showed distinct nutrient and chlorophyll a levels related to the occurrence of tropical reefs that are capable of supporting important fsh stocks and unique biological communities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap and recommendations for elimination of schistosomiasis were recently updated. With significant reductions in the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis infections worldwide, there is a need for more sensitive diagnostic methods. There are a few remaining transmission hotspots in Brazil, although low endemicity settings comprise most of the endemic localities. For the latter, serology may represent a tool for population screening which could help eliminate transmission of schistosomiasis. Here, we review serology tests currently available in Brazil from both public health and private laboratories: immunofluorescent antibody tests (IFATs) on adult worm sections and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with soluble egg and adult worm antigens. Both in-house and commercially available tests have received less than adequate performance evaluations. Our review of immediate basic and operational research goals may help identify local adjustments that can be made to improve control interventions aimed at elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem. WHO (WHO updated worldwide methods localities latter Here laboratories IFATs (IFATs enzymelinked enzyme linked ELISAs (ELISAs antigens inhouse house evaluations problem

Abstract Anthropogenic disturbances affecting forest areas can increase disease prevalence and susceptibility in several species of arboreal mammals, such as sloths. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the most common conditions in body systems of free-ranging sloths admitted at the Wildlife Triage and Rehabilitation Center of Amazonas of the Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. A total of 227 individuals (139 retrospective cases from 2015 to 2019, and 88 prospective cases from July 2020 to July 2021) were evaluated over a six-year period. Cases from the genus Bradypus showed involvement of the following body systems: 44% respiratory, 29% integumentary, 15% musculoskeletal, 5% digestive, 3% visual, 2% auditory, 1% circulatory and 1% genitourinary, while that distribution in the genus Choloepus was: 39% musculoskeletal, 27% integumentary, 19% respiratory, 9% digestive, 3% circulatory, 1% visual, 1% auditory and 1% genitourinary. The results reveal significant differences between the condition detected and the genus (Bradypus and Choloepus), age and case outcome. These results can provide data for future investigations of sloth diseases, confirming lesions, as well as motivating and suggesting adequate management methods.

Resumo Distúrbios antrópicos que afetam áreas florestais podem aumentar a prevalência de afecções e a suscetibilidade às doenças em diversas espécies de mamíferos arborícolas, como as preguiças. Desta forma, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as condições mais comuns nos sistemas orgânicos de preguiças de vida livre admitidas no Centro de Triagem e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres do Amazonas. Um total de 227 indivíduos (139 casos retrospectivos de 2015 a 2019 e 88 casos prospectivos de julho de 2020 a julho de 2021) foram avaliados durante um período de seis anos. Para o gênero Bradypus foram diagnosticadas 44% de afecções do sistema respiratório, 29% tegumentar, 15% musculoesquelético, 5% digestório, 3% visual, 2% auditivo, 1% circulatório e 1% genitourinário. Por sua vez, para o gênero Choloepus foram detectadas 39% de afecções do sistema musculoesquelético, 27% tegumentar, 19% do sistema respiratório, 19% do sistema respiratório, 9% digestório, 3% circulatório, 1% visual, 1% auditivo e 1% genitourinário. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas na prevalência da afecção e gênero das preguiças (Bradypus e Choloepus), a faixa etária e desfecho do caso. Esses resultados podem fornecer subsídios para investigar as doenças de preguiças, confirmando afecções, motivo e sugerir métodos adequados de manejo.

Resumen En la actual era de la migración, los suburbios de muchas ciudades canadienses se están convirtiendo en importantes puertos de entrada para nuevos inmigrantes de todo el mundo. Esto ha generado un crecimiento en la diversidad cultural, étnica y racial en los suburbios que refleja los patrones de la migración global. En Vancouver, Canadá, la creciente “suburbanización” de los inmigrantes está configurando paisajes sociales, culturales, económicos y políticos en estas áreas. A través de entrevistas con 60 informantes clave se explora el asentamiento de inmigrantes mexicanos en Burnaby, Surrey y Abbotsford, comunidades canadienses de rápido crecimiento y destinos populares entre dicha población. Los hallazgos revelan que los inmigrantes mexicanos que viven en los suburbios de Vancouver enfrentan numerosas barreras, entre ellas la falta de acceso a viviendas asequibles para alquilar o comprar, la falta de información sobre los servicios de asentamiento y la dificultad para obtener un empleo aceptable.

Abstract In the current age of migration, suburbs in many Canadian cities are becoming important ports of entry for new immigrants from around the world. This has led to a growth in cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity in the suburbs reflecting global migration patterns. In Vancouver, Canada, the growing “suburbanization” of immigrants is shaping social, cultural, economic, and political landscapes in these areas. Through interviews with 60 key informants, we explore the settlement of Mexican immigrants in Burnaby, Surrey, and Abbotsford, fast-growing Canadian communities, and popular destinations for Mexican immigrants. The findings reveal that Mexican immigrants living in the suburbs of Vancouver face numerous barriers, including lack of access to affordable housing to rent or buy, lack of information on settlement services, and difficulty securing acceptable employment.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the assistance provided by the teleconsultation service in the San Pablo Clinic Network (RCSP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on the specialty of gastroenterology. The study: Descriptive study. Data from the Electronic Medical Records System and the RCSP administrative system were reviewed. Results: The RCSP includes 8 locations (5 in Lima). Between April 2020 and December 2021, 1,156,253 visits were made (6.6% of these by teleconsultation). The specialties with the most teleconsultations were internal medicine and endocrinology, and the specialties with the most face-to-face consultations were gynecology-obstetrics and traumatology. Gastroenterology was the ninth most frequent specialty in teleconsultation and the fifth in face-to-face consultation. The most frequent diagnoses of this specialty, both for face-to-face consultation and teleconsultation, were dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease Conclusion: The implementation of the teleconsultation service in the RCSP is reported. In addition, lessons learned in this process are provided.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir las atenciones del servicio de teleconsulta en la Red de Clínicas San Pablo (RCSP) durante la pandemia por COVID-19, con énfasis en la especialidad de gastroenterología. El estudio: Estudio descriptivo. Se revisaron los datos del Sistema de Historias Clínicas Electrónicas y el sistema administrativo de la RCSP. Hallazgos: La RCSP incluye 8 sedes (5 en Lima). Entre abril 2020 y diciembre 2021, se realizaron 1 156 253 atenciones (6,6% de estas por teleconsulta). Las especialidades con más teleconsultas fueron medicina interna y endocrinología. Las especialidades con más consultas presenciales fueron gineco-obstetricia y traumatología. Gastroenterología fue la novena especialidad más frecuente en teleconsulta y la quinta en consulta presencial. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes de esta especialidad, tanto para consulta presencial como teleconsulta, fueron dispepsia y enfermedad del reflujo gastroesofágico Conclusión: Se reporta la implementación del servicio de teleconsulta en la RCSP. Además, se brindan lecciones aprendidas en este proceso.

ABSTRACT Background The World Health Organization recommends reliable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing to eliminate schistosomiasis. Lateral flow immunoassay that detects schistosome circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) in urine to establish prevalence thresholds for intervention in endemic areas is recommended. Stored urine may be useful if surveying at-risk populations is delayed or interrupted by unforeseen circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the manufacturer’s claim that Schistosoma mansoni infection can be reliably diagnosed in urine samples stored at -20°C for one year. Methods Two-hundred-forty-two subjects from an endemic site in Brazil provided one urine sample each for testing with URINE CCA (SCHISTO) ECO TESTE® (POC-ECO) and one stool sample each for testing with Kato-Katz (KK) and Helmintex® (HTX) as a robust reference standard for infection status. At least 2 ml of urine from each participant was stored at -20°C; after one year, 76 samples were randomly selected for POC-ECO retesting. Results: The POC-ECO agreement between freshly collected and stored urine was inadequate considering trace results as positive (Cohen’s kappa coefficient κ = 0.08) and negative (κ = 0.36). POC-ECO accuracy was not significantly greater than that of routine KK (54%; 95% confidence interval: 42.1%-65.5%). Conclusions The precision and accuracy of POC-ECO have to be optimized in both freshly collected and stored urine before it can be recommended for use in control programs in Brazil.

RESUMO Breve panorama dos atropelamentos de fauna na Estrada Parque Serra da Macaca (SP-139), estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As fatalidades de animais silvestres nas rodovias, decorrentes de colisões com veículos automotores, constitui grave ameaça à conservação de diversas espécies de vertebrados terrestres em todo o mundo. Entretanto, além do impacto negativo causado pelos atropelamentos, existem também implicações socioeconômicas muito sérias advindas desse tipo de conflito. O presente estudo teve como objetivo qualificar e quantificar os atropelamentos de fauna ocorridos na Estrada Parque Serra da Macaca (SP-139), desde a conclusão das suas obras de revitalização - no ano de 2015 - em um trecho de 33 km que atravessa o Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (PECB), assim como delimitar localmente os principais fatores predisponentes. As análises ecológicas foram geradas pela combinação dos registros catalogados pelo serviço de fiscalização da Fundação Florestal com as amostras coletadas em campo. Na contagem total, detectou-se a perda de 80 indivíduos pertencentes a 27 espécies, em um período aproximado de três anos. O grupo dos répteis foi o mais afetado, seguido pelos mamíferos. Uma parte significativa dos animais não pôde ser reconhecida ao nível de espécie, visto que a identificação foi realizada com base na morfologia dos caracteres externos e muitas das carcaças estavam dilaceradas. Constatou-se que as variações temporais das fatalidades estão ligadas principalmente à intensidade de tráfego na via, e à resposta diferencial da herpetofauna aos estímulos da sazonalidade.

ABSTRACT Fatalities involving wildlife on roads and highways due to collisions with automotive vehicles represent a severe threat to the conservation of several species of terrestrial vertebrates throughout the world. However, in addition to the negative impact caused by collisions, there are also serious social and economic implications that arise from this situation. This study aims at qualifying and quantifying the collisions with fauna in the Serra da Macaca Park Road (SP-139), since the end of the revitalization work that the road was underwent - in 2015 - over a stretch of 33 km that crosses the Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (PECB), as well as identifying the predisposing factors that lead to such accidents. The ecological analyses were generated by a combination of the records kept by the fiscalization service of the Fundação Florestal and samples collected in the field. In total, the loss of 80 individuals belonging to 27 species was recorded over an estimated period of three years. Reptiles were the most affected group, followed by mammals. A significant part of the animals was unable to be recognized to the species level, since the taxonomic identification was conducted based on the morphology of the external characteristics and several of the carcasses were completely dilacerated. We identified that the temporal variations in the fatalities are related mainly to the intensity of the traffic in the road and to the differential response of herpetofauna to the stimuli of seasonality.

Resumo: As rodovias, apesar de exercerem um papel fundamental na economia, instauram ou agravam processos de fragmentação florestal e levam à perda de habitat. Atuam como filtros e barreiras, dificultando a movimentação animal. As passagens de fauna buscam restabelecer a conectividade na paisagem. Geralmente, após serem implantadas procede-se à avaliação do seu funcionamento. Nesse artigo nós apresentamos os resultados de um monitoramento do uso das passagens inferiores de fauna da Estrada Parque Serra da Macaca (SP-139), que atravessa o Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho. As passagens inferiores, representadas por pontes e galerias hidráulicas, foram concebidas através do licenciamento das obras de revitalização do trecho rodoviário. Armadilhas fotográficas foram instaladas no interior de todas as estruturas, e as amostragens sistemáticas ocorreram por meio de quatro expedições a campo, com um esforço amostral de 10 dias cada, entre março de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019. Os rastros encontrados no perímetro das estruturas de transposição também foram considerados. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste T de Student bicaudal, para verificar a diferença de riqueza entre as passagens inferiores com tipos distintos de margens. As diferenças de abundância foram analisadas pelo teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. O diagrama de Whittaker foi gerado pela ordenação das espécies, a partir das mais comuns para as mais raras, enquanto a diversidade de espécies foi estimada pelo índice de Simpson (1 - D). O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi empregado para estudar a interação entre a diversidadade e a variação de altitude. Detectamos uma riqueza de 16 espécies de tetrápodes terrestres e não houve diferença significativa entre as passagens com margens secas e alagadas. Cuniculus paca foi a espécie mais abundante. Altitudes mais elevadas concentraram as maiores diversidades. Concluímos que as passagens inferiores alocadas em APPs de curso d’água são essenciais para manter o fluxo da fauna sob a rodovia.

Abstract: Roads, despite playing a key role in economy, begin or aggravate processes of forest fragmentation and lead to several species losing their natural habitats, acting as filters and barriers that impose challenges to animal locomotion. Wildlife crossings seek to reestablish the connectivity of the landscape. In general, after being installed, these passages need to be evaluated regarding their functioning. In this study, we present the results of monitoring the underpasses on Serra da Macaca Park Road (SP-139), which crosses Carlos Botelho State Park. The underpasses, constituted by bridges and culverts, were constructed after a license obtained to restore this section of the road. Camera traps were installed inside all crossing structures, and systematic samples were obtained through four field expeditions, with sampling efforts of 10 days each, between March 2018 and February 2019. The footprints found around the intersection structures were also considered. A two-sided Student’s t-test was applied to verify differences in richness between the underpasses that have distinct types of margins. Differences in abundance were analyzed through the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. A Whittaker diagram was generated according to the order of the species, from the most common to the rarest, while their diversity was estimated through Simpson’s Diversity Index (1 - D). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to study the interaction between diversity and altitude variation. We observed a richness of 16 species of terrestrial tetrapods, without any statistically significant differences between underpasses with dry or flooded margins. Cuniculus paca was the most abundant species, and higher altitudes presented the most diversity. We concluded that the underpasses located inside Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs) of watercourses are essential to maintain the flow of animals beneath the road.

Resumo Este artigo busca estudar as instituições angolanas de Poder Local, comparando-as com o que se tem a respeito do Poder Local no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. O Poder Local está explícito na Constituição angolana de 2010, e implícito no texto constitucional brasileiro, quando eleva o Município a ente federativo e estabelece formas participativas de exercício do poder político em âmbito local. Porém, não basta apenas o reconhecimento formal do Poder Local, é preciso desenvolver uma cultura participativa, ainda incipiente em ambos os países.

Abstract This paper study the Angolan institutions of Local Government, comparing them with what has to do with Local Government in the Brazilian legal system. Local Power is explicit in the 2010’ Angola Constitution, and implicit in the Brazilian constitutional text, when it elevates the Municipality to a federative entity and establishes participatory forms of exercise of political power at the local level. However, not only formal recognition of Local Government is enough, it is necessary to develop a participatory culture, still incipient in both countries

Resumo A pesquisa procura analisar o Poder Local em Angola, país situado na África Subsaariana, e as instituições que o integram, reconhecidas explicitamente na Constitução da República de Angola de 2010. Entretanto, o Poder Local e as instituições descentralizadas e participativas que o compõem necessitam muito mais do que o seu reconhecimento formal. É preciso desenvolver instituições políticas participativas. E esse é o grande desafio da governação local democrática angolana neste século XXI.

Abstract The research seeks to analyze Local Government in Angola, a sub-Saharan African country, and its constituent institutions, explicitly recognized in the 2010’ Angola Constitution. However, is known that Local Government and the decentralized and participatory institutions that compose it require much more than its formal recognition in constitutional and legal texts. It is necessary to develop participatory political institutions. And this is the great challenge of democratic local governance in Angolan in this 21st century.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is the causative agent of abdominal angiostrongyliasis, a zoonotic infection that may produce severe eosinophilic enterocolitis or hepatitis in humans. Parasites are usually not released in stools and serology has an important role in diagnosis. Since cross-reactivity is demonstrated between A. costaricensis and another metastrongylid worm, A. cantonensis, we tested heterologous recombinant galectin as a probe in an immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test (ICT-RDT) for detection of anti-A. costaricensis antibodies. Almost all (11/12) positive control sera from A. costaricensis infected patients were positive at ICT RDT. These are preliminary indications that r-galectin ICT-RDT is useful for diagnosing A. costaricensis infection.