ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemiology of tobacco use and nicotine dependence in a sample of truck drivers in Brazil. METHODS Between 2015 and 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 624 truck drivers who operate on the BR-050 highway in Brazil. Participants were interviewed about sociodemographic data, occupational characteristics, mental health, behavioral data, and tobacco use. Then, the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) was used to verify nicotine dependence in smoking truck drivers. Logistic regression and linear regression were also used to verify factors associated with tobacco use in the previous 30 days and nicotine dependence scores, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of tobacco use among truck drivers was 21.1% (n = 132;95%CI: 18.1–24.5). Of the total number of smokers who responded to the FTND (n = 118; 89.4%), most had high/very high nicotinic dependence (68.6%; 95%CI: 59.8–76.3). Tobacco use was associated with absence of religion (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.60; 95%CI: 1.35–5.01), employment relationship of the contract (AOR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.26–3.13); > 12 hours daily working time (AOR = 1.80; 95%CI: 1.09–2.98) and alcohol use in the previous 30 days (AOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.86–4.57). Irregular physical activity was associated with higher scores of nicotine dependence (β = 1.87; 95%CI: 0.55–3.19). CONCLUSION The results showed a high prevalence of tobacco use and high/very high nicotine dependence among the truck drivers.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemiology of tobacco use and nicotine dependence in a sample of truck drivers in Brazil. METHODS Between 2015 and 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 624 truck drivers who operate on the BR-050 highway in Brazil. Participants were interviewed about sociodemographic data, occupational characteristics, mental health, behavioral data, and tobacco use. Then, the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) was used to verify nicotine dependence in smoking truck drivers. Logistic regression and linear regression were also used to verify factors associated with tobacco use in the previous 30 days and nicotine dependence scores, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of tobacco use among truck drivers was 21.1% (n = 132;95%CI: 18.1–24.5). Of the total number of smokers who responded to the FTND (n = 118; 89.4%), most had high/very high nicotinic dependence (68.6%; 95%CI: 59.8–76.3). Tobacco use was associated with absence of religion (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.60; 95%CI: 1.35–5.01), employment relationship of the contract (AOR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.26–3.13); > 12 hours daily working time (AOR = 1.80; 95%CI: 1.09–2.98) and alcohol use in the previous 30 days (AOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.86–4.57). Irregular physical activity was associated with higher scores of nicotine dependence (β = 1.87; 95%CI: 0.55–3.19). CONCLUSION The results showed a high prevalence of tobacco use and high/very high nicotine dependence among the truck drivers.

Abstract The mineral exploration activity consists of a set of successive stages that are interdependent on each other, in which the main goal is to discover and subsequently evaluate a mineral deposit for the feasibility of its extraction. This process involves setting the shape, dimensions and grades for eventual production. Geological modeling determines the orebody's possible format in subsoil, which can be done by two approaches: vertical sections (deterministic methods) or geostatistical methods. The latter approach is currently being preferred, as it is a more accurate alternative and therefore, more reliable for establishing the physical format of orebodies, especially in instances where geologic boundaries are soft and/or with widely spaced sample information. This study uses the concept of indicator kriging (IK) to model the geologic boundaries of a limestone deposit located at Indiara city, Goiás State, Brazil. In general, the results indicated a good adherence in relation to samples. However, there are reasonable differences, particularly in lithological domains with a small number of samples in relation to the total amount sampled. Therefore, the results showed that there is a need for additional sampling to better delineate the geological contacts, especially between carbonate and non-carbonate rocks. Uncertainty maps confirmed this necessity and also indicated potential sites for future sampling; information that would not be obtained by usage of deterministic methods.