The multiplicity of epidemiological scenarios shown by Chagas Disease, derived from multiple transmission routes of the aetiological agent, occurring on multiple geo-ecobiosocial settings determines the complexity of the disease and reveal the difficulties for its control. From the first description of the link between the parasite, the vector and its domestic habitat and the disease that Carlos Chagas made in 1909, the epidemiological scenarios of the American Trypanosomiasis has shown a dynamic increasing complexity. These scenarios changed with time and geography because of new understandings of the disease from multiple studies, because of policies change at the national and international levels and because human movements brought the parasite and vectors to new geographies. Paradigms that seemed solid at a time were broken down, and we learnt about the global dispersion of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the multiplicity of transmission routes, that the infection can be cured, and that triatomines are not only a health threat in Latin America. We consider the multiple epidemiological scenarios through the different T. cruzi transmission routes, with or without the participation of a Triatominae vector. We then consider the scenario of regions with vectors without the parasite, to finish with the consideration of future prospects.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were incorporated into a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix through using screw extrusion and injection technique. The effect of different weight percent loadings of MWNTs on the morphology, mechanical, and thermal of LLDPE/MWNTs nanocomposite had been investigated. It was found that, at low concentration of MWNTs, it could uniformly disperse into a linear low-density polyethylene matrix and provide LLDPE/MWNTs nanocomposites much improved mechanical properties. Thermal analysis showed that a clear improvement of thermal stability for LLDPE/MWNTs nanocomposites increased with increasing MWNTs content.

Manganese dioxide modified glassy carbon electrode (Mn0(2)/GC) was prepared by a novel film plating/cyclic voltammetry method for the determination of H(2)0(2). A manganese film was first cathodically deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode from MnCl2 solution at the potential of-1.4 V versus Ag/ AgCl (satd. KC1), and then a well defined manganese dioxide was deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry at potential range -0.6 ~ 0.6 V, scan rate 100 mV s-1 in 0.1 mol L7¹ NaOH solution. The resulted modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of H(2)0(2). The chronoamperometric detection of H(2)0(2) was carried out at 0.6 V in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.38 containing 0.1 mol L7¹ KC1 and the linear relationship of response current on H(2)0(2) concentration was obtained in the range from 4. Ixl0~10 to lxl0~-mol L-1 with a minimum detectable concentration of 3xl0~10 mol L7¹ [S/N (signal noise ratio) = 3]. The response time of the electrode to achieve 95% of the steady-state current was < 2 s. No measurable reduction in analytical performance of the modified electrode was found by storing the electrode in ambient conditions for 30 days. This modified electrode has many advantages such as simple preparation procedure, remarkable catalytic activity, good reproducibility and long term stability of signal response during hydrogen peroxide oxidation. The deposition of manganese dioxide on the surface of GC appears to be a highly efficient method for the development of a new class of sensitive, stable and reproducible hydrogen peroxide electrochemical sensor.