Resumo: A questão da relevância política atual da Teoria Crítica aponta para um problema mais profundo: o da relação fundamental entre a Teoria Crítica e a política. O status de seu relacionamento deve ser considerado complicado. A política, diz um julgamento amplamente difundido, não tem lugar no cosmos da Teoria Crítica: ali onde poderia ou deveria estar o lugar para uma análise teoricamente refletida da política, segundo a reprovação repetidamente ouvida (por exemplo, Howard 2000), ali há uma lacuna no centro da histórica “Escola de Frankfurt” (Wiggershaus 1995; Jay 1973) em torno de Max Horkheimer e Theodor W. Adorno. A seguir, não queremos apenas atestar outro “déficit de política” na Teoria Crítica “clássica”, mas sim, por um lado, medir a relação exata com o objeto da política e, por outro lado, lançar um olhar sobre o estado atual da teoria, que se mostra bastante diverso. Perguntar se e como uma Teoria Crítica da política é possível hoje porém não significa meramente refletir sobre os desenvolvimentos atuais. Estamos convencidos de que esta importante tarefa precisa primeiro de uma base teórica para poder explorar todo o potencial da abordagem. Nesse sentido, é necessário explorar como, nas atuais circunstâncias, a programática clássica da Teoria Crítica pode ser vinculada à política. Para lançar luz sobre os problemas com os quais o pensamento contemporâneo sobre a possibilidade e a forma de uma Teoria Crítica da política é confrontado, começaremos abordando com algum detalhe a questão do lugar da política na Teoria Crítica e a política dos teóricos críticos, para na sequência delinear cinco níveis teóricos (teoricidade, aspiração, programática, metodologia teórica, núcleo temporal) e três caminhos principais (aprofundamento, reorientação e retorno) com base em abordagens atuais.

Abstract: The question of the contemporary political relevance of Critical Theory points to a deeper problem: the fundamental relationship between Critical Theory and politics. Their relationship status has to be regarded as complicated. Politics, so a widespread judgement goes, has no place in the cosmos of Critical Theory: where the place for a theoretically reflected analysis of politics could or should be, so the repeatedly heard reproach (for example, Howard 2000), there is a gap in the center of the historical “Frankfurt School” (Wiggershaus 1995, Jay 1973) around Max Horkheimer and Theodor W. Adorno. In the following, we do not merely want to attest another “politics deficit” to “classical” Critical Theory, but rather, on the one hand, to measure the exact relationship to the object of politics, and on the other hand, to take a look at the current state of theory, which proves to be quite diverse. To ask whether and how a Critical Theory of politics is possible today does not, however, mean merely reflecting on current developments. This important task, we are convinced, first needs a theoretical foundation in order to be able to exploit the full potential of the approach. Accordingly, it is necessary to explore how, under current circumstances, the classical programmatic of Critical Theory can be linked to politics. In order to shed light on the problems with which contemporary thinking about the possibility and form of a Critical Theory of politics is confronted, we will begin by addressing the question of the place of politics in Critical Theory and the politics of critical theorists in some detail, and outline five theoretical levels (theoricity, aspiration, programmatic, theoretical methodology, temporal core) and three major paths (deepening, reorientation and return) on the basis of current approaches subsequently.

Resumen: La cuestión de la relevancia política actual de la Teoría Crítica apunta a un problema más profundo: el de la relación fundamental entre la Teoría Crítica y la política. El status de su relación debe considerarse complicado. La política, dice un juicio ampliamente sostenido, no tiene lugar en el cosmos de la Teoría Crítica: allí donde podría o debería ser el lugar para un análisis teóricamente reflejado de la política, según el reproche escuchado repetidamente (por ejemplo, Howard 2000), hay un brecha en el corazón de la histórica “Escuela de Frankfurt” (Wiggershaus 1995; Jay 1973) alrededor de Max Horkheimer y Theodor W. Adorno. A continuación, no queremos simplemente apuntar otro “déficit de política” en la Teoría Crítica “clásica”, sino, por un lado, medir la relación exacta con el objeto de la política y, por otro lado, echar un vistazo en el estado actual de la teoría, que resulta ser bastante diferente. Sin embargo, preguntar si y cómo es posible una Teoría Crítica de la política hoy no significa simplemente reflexionar sobre los desarrollos actuales. Estamos convencidos de que esta importante tarea necesita primero una base teórica para poder explotar todo el potencial del enfoque. En este sentido, es necesario explorar cómo, en las circunstancias actuales, la programática clásica de la Teoría Crítica puede vincularse a la política. Para arrojar luz sobre los problemas con los que se enfrenta el pensamiento contemporáneo sobre la posibilidad y la forma de una Teoría Crítica de la política, comenzaremos por abordar con cierto detalle la cuestión del lugar de la política en la Teoría Crítica y la política de los teóricos críticos, para luego delinear cinco niveles teóricos (teorecidad, aspiración, programática, metodología teórica, núcleo temporal) y tres caminos principales (profundización, reorientación y retorno) basados en enfoques actuales.

RESUMO A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de morte nas Américas, e a pressão arterial elevada é responsável por mais de 50% dos casos de DCV. Nas Américas, mais de um quarto das mulheres adultas e quatro de cada dez homens adultos têm hipertensão arterial, sendo que diagnóstico, tratamento e controle estão abaixo do ideal. Em 2021, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) divulgou uma atualização das diretrizes para o tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial em adultos. Esta publicação ressalta o papel facilitador da iniciativa Global HEARTS da OMS e da iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para catalisar a implementação dessas diretrizes, oferece recomendações específicas de políticas para sua implementação e enfatiza a necessidade de uma abordagem estratégica abrangente para o controle da hipertensão arterial. Os autores clamam para que tanto as pessoas que advogam pela Saúde, quanto as autoridades responsáveis, priorizem a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão arterial como forma de melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar das populações e reduzir as disparidades de saúde cardiovascular dentro das populações das Américas e entre elas.

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an overarching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas.

RESUMEN Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es la causa de más del 50% de ellas. En la Región, más de una cuarta parte de las mujeres adultas y cuatro de cada diez hombres adultos tienen hipertensión y su diagnóstico, tratamiento y control son deficientes. En el 2021, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) publicó directrices actualizadas sobre el tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión en personas adultas. En este artículo se destaca el papel facilitador de la iniciativa mundial HEARTS de la OMS y la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para catalizar la implementación de estas directrices, a la vez que se proporciona asesoramiento específico sobre políticas para dicha implementación y se destaca la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque estratégico general para el control de la hipertensión. Los autores instan a quienes abogan por la salud y a los responsables de las políticas a priorizar la prevención y el control de la hipertensión para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de la población, y a reducir las disparidades de salud en relación con las enfermedades cardiovasculares dentro de la población y entre las poblaciones de la Región de las Américas.

RESUMO A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de morte nas Américas, e a pressão arterial elevada é responsável por mais de 50% dos casos de DCV. Nas Américas, mais de um quarto das mulheres adultas e quatro de cada dez homens adultos têm hipertensão arterial, sendo que diagnóstico, tratamento e controle estão abaixo do ideal. Em 2021, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) divulgou uma atualização das diretrizes para o tratamento medicamentoso da hipertensão arterial em adultos. Essa publicação ressalta o papel facilitador da iniciativa Global HEARTS da OMS e da iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para catalisar a implementação dessas diretrizes, oferece recomendações específicas de políticas para sua implementação e enfatiza a necessidade de uma abordagem estratégica abrangente para o controle da hipertensão arterial. Os autores clamam para que tanto as pessoas que advogam pela Saúde, quanto as autoridades responsáveis, priorizem a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão arterial como forma de melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar das populações e reduzir as disparidades de saúde cardiovascular dentro das populações das Américas e entre elas.

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and raised blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. In the Americas over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension and the diagnosis, treatment and control are suboptimal. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. This policy paper highlights the facilitating role of the WHO Global HEARTS initiative and the HEARTS in the Americas initiative to catalyze the implementation of this guideline, provides specific policy advice for implementation, and emphasizes that an over-arching strategic approach for hypertension control is needed. The authors urge health advocates and policymakers to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension to improve the health and wellbeing of their populations and to reduce CVD health disparities within and between populations of the Americas.

RESUMEN Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es la causa de más del 50% de ellas. En la Región, más de una cuarta parte de las mujeres adultas y cuatro de cada diez hombres adultos tienen hipertensión y su diagnóstico, tratamiento y control son deficientes. En el 2021, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) publicó directrices actualizadas sobre el tratamiento farmacológico de la hipertensión en personas adultas. En este artículo se destaca el papel facilitador de la iniciativa mundial HEARTS de la OMS y la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para catalizar la implementación de estas directrices, a la vez que se proporciona asesoramiento específico sobre políticas para dicha implementación y se destaca la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque estratégico general para el control de la hipertensión. Los autores instan a quienes abogan por la salud y a los responsables de las políticas a priorizar la prevención y el control de la hipertensión para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de la población, y a reducir las disparidades de salud en relación con las enfermedades cardiovasculares dentro de la población y entre las poblaciones de la Región de las Américas.

BACKGROUND: In South Africa, initiating and managing insulin in primary care for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) is a major challenge. To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) developed the Tshwane Insulin project (TIP) intervention AIM: To determine internal and external factors, either facilitators or barriers, that could influence the implementation of the TIP intervention and propose strategies to ensure sustainability SETTING: Tshwane District, Gauteng province, South Africa METHODS: We used the SWOT framework to qualitatively analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats influencing the implementation of the TIP intervention. Four field researchers and three managers from the TIP team participated in an online group discussion. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers (HCPs) (seven nurses, five doctors) and patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 13 RESULTS: Regardless of the identified weaknesses, the TIP intervention was accepted by PLWD and HCPs. Participants identified strengths including app-enabled insulin initiation and titration, pro-active patient follow-up, patient empowerment and provision of glucose monitoring devices. Participants viewed insulin resistance and the attitudes of HCPs as potential threats. Participants suggested that weaknesses and threats could be mitigated by translating education material into local languages and using the lived experiences of insulin-treated patients to address insulin resistance. The procurement of glucose monitoring devices by national authorities would promote the sustainability of the intervention CONCLUSION: Our findings may help decision-makers and health researchers to improve insulin management for PLWD in resource-constrained settings by using telehealth interventions

Exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles have recently been receiving global attention, due to potential human health effects associated with exposure to emitted pollutants. In addition, a link has recently been established between unburnt hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from diesel engines and photochemical smog. Despite being present at very low concentrations in the exhaust, these HCs may act as precursors in the formation of photochemical smog pollution. While short-chain HCs are easier to characterise and have been successfully reduced in many developed cities, longer chain HCs, most likely arising from diesel exhaust emissions, have been poorly quantified to date, and a limited range of HCs from this source has been studied. In this study, transient cycle tests were conducted to collect exhaust emissions from a Euro 3 compliant, 1.6 L test engine fuelled with three diesel fuels; a highly paraffinic fuel, a South African market fuel and a European reference fuel. Portable denuder samplers were used to collect the emissions and analysis was done by thermal desorption-comprehensive 2D gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC x GC-TofMS). The South African market diesel had the greatest n-alkane emissions, with greater emissions observed in the earlier phases (low and medium phase) of the WLTC test cycle. The total n-alkane emissions for this fuel ranged from 34.80 mg/km - 282.67 mg/km from the low to the extra-high phase. The paraffinic diesel had the second highest n-alkane emissions with the total emissions ranging from 35.43 mg/km - 164.99 mg/km. The European reference diesel had the lowest n-alkane emissions amongst the three fuels, with the total emissions ranging from 22.46 mg/km - 82.56 mg/km. Substituted alkyl-benzenes were also detected in the gas phase emissions from each fuel, however only semi-quantitative analysis of these compounds was conducted. The results showed that long-chain HCs were present at easily detectable concentrations in diesel engine exhaust emissions, which is critical in understanding their contribution to photochemical ozone and informing appropriate mitigation and management strategies.

Abstract: Woody plant encroachment (WPE) is reshaping the physiognomy of grasslands and savannahs worldwide. At the same time, this habitat conversion is accelerating the loss of associated biodiversity. In general, studies on WPE have focused on abiotic factors, singly or in combination, that trigger this phenomenon. Despite its ecological relevance, very few studies have tackled the effects of WPE-spurred habitat transformation on animal species dependent on relatively open areas such as grasslands and savannas for survival. We studied a relict and almost extinct population of large, herbivorous guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in the Gran Chaco region, Santa Cruz department, Bolivia. We tested whether guanacos were using habitats (at particular and distinct stages of WPE) in relation to their availability. Although this species is considered a generalist herbivore. We tested variation in habitat use focusing on two spatial scales. First, at the landscape level, we performed aerial surveys. Second, at the fine scale, we tracked six groups of guanacos for twenty months and documented the various habitats used within their approximate home ranges. At both scales, we performed a Manly-Chesson’s index referring to the standardised proportional use of each habitat divided by the proportional availability of each, with the values for all habitats summing to 1. An index value < 1 or > 1 suggests, respectively, that a habitat is avoided or selected. We found a disproportionate use of open vegetation (scrubland and grassland) by guanacos in relation to habitat availability at both scales. In addition, the current distribution range of the species is restricted to less than 800 km2 of the approximately 3,000 km² potentially available in 1998. We confirmed a contraction between 1996 and 2006 in the distribution of the local Chacoan guanaco population from the area where guanacos were first monitored towards the Kaa-Iya National Park border. Our results showed that guanacos are restricted to relatively open areas. Furthermore, the observed reduction in the area previously occupied by the species could be the beginning of a distributional shift and potential loss of the guanaco’s geographic range due to habitat replacement. The latter was also reflected in a previous dietary study of this population we found that guanacos largely consumed the native grass A. mendocina (Poaceae), which has shrunk in distribution by 90 % in this region over a 40 year period and is gradually being replaced by an invasive forb, Lippia sp. Therefore, if the overall purpose on evaluating habitat use is to understand the basic requirements to sustain this population of guanacos, we need to highlight the poor quality and acute regression of the current preferred habitat. In this case, habitat structure can have a profound effect on the success of the guanaco population recovery and its long-term establishment. Therefore, we urge researchers and decision makers to look beyond the more direct human-induced pressures on the species, such as hunting, competition with domestic livestock and agricultural development and consider the importance of WPE as a direct driver for habitat loss.

Resumen: El incremento de la vegetación arbustiva está reformando la fisonomía de los pastizales y sabanas a lo largo del mundo y acelerando la pérdida de la biodiversidad. En general, los estudios sobre arbustización se han focalizado en factores abióticos, actuando tanto en forma individual como combinados, que han disparado el fenómeno. A pesar de su relevancia ecológica, muy pocos estudios han enfrentado los efectos derivados de la transformación del hábitat vía arbustización, sobre especies dependientes, para su supervivencia, de áreas relativamente abiertas, tales como pastizales o sabanas. Nosotros estudiamos una población relictual y casi extinta de un gran herbívoro, el guanaco Lama guanicoe en la región del Gran Chaco en Bolivia. Allí pusimos a prueba la hipótesis de que los guanacos están usando hábitats (en diferentes estados de arbustización) con relación a su disponibilidad. Además evaluamos la prueba la variación en el uso del hábitat enfocado a dos escalas espaciales. Primero, a nivel de paisaje, a partir de reconocimientos aéreos. Segundo, a una escala fina, seguimos en el campo 6 grupos de guanacos durante 20 meses y registramos su uso de hábitat dentro de sus ámbitos de hogar aproximados. Para ambas escalas, aplicamos el índice de Manly-Chesson. Un valor del índice < 1 o >1 sugiere que el hábitat es evitado o seleccionado, respectivamente. Encontramos que los guanacos usan la vegetación abierta (matorral y pastizal) en forma desproporcionada en relación con la disponibilidad de los hábitats para ambas escalas de abordaje. Además, que la actual distribución geográfica de la especie está restringida a menos de 800 km2 de los ca. 3,000 km² potencialmente disponibles en 1998. Confirmamos una retracción, entre 1996 y 2006 en la distribución del guanaco chaqueño a partir del área donde fue monitoreado por primera vez hacia el límite del Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya. Nuestros resultados mostraron que los guanacos están restringidos a las áreas relativamente más abiertas. Además, que la reducción observada en el área previamente ocupada por la especie podría constituir el comienzo de un cambio distribucional y una potencial pérdida de rango geográfico para el guanaco, debido al reemplazo de hábitat. Esto último sumado a que la gramínea nativa Aristida mendocina (Poaceae), especie preferida en la dieta del guanaco chaqueño, está siendo gradualmente reemplazada por una leñosa invasora, Lippia sp. Por lo tanto, si el propósito global de la evaluación del uso de hábitat es comprender los requerimientos básicos para sostener esta población de guanacos, necesitamos destacar la pobre calidad y aguda regresión de su hábitat preferido contemporáneo. En este caso, la estructura del hábitat puede tener un profundo efecto sobre el éxito de la recuperación de la población de guanaco y su sostenibilidad a largo plazo. Por lo tanto, urgimos a los investigadores y gestores a considerar la importancia de la arbustización como un factor directo conducente a la pérdida de hábitat y una amenaza inminente a la biodiversidad regional.

Resumo As alterações na qualidade da madeira das árvores de Eucalyptus causadas pela fertilização e disponibilidade hídrica podem influenciar as características da biomassa e do carvão vegetal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características da madeira e do carvão vegetal de Eucalyptus grandis sob o efeito da fertilização com potássio e sódio (controle; 4,5 kmol ha-1 de KCl e 4,5 kmol ha-1 de NaCl) e disponibilidade hídrica (100% e 63% das chuvas, com exclusão artificial por lonas em polietileno). Árvores de Eucalyptus de cada tratamento de fertilização x disponibilidade hídrica, com cinco anos de idade, foram cortadas e obtidas amostras, na altura do DAP para a caracterização energética e física da biomassa e do carvão vegetal. A aplicação da fertilização com K e Na não influenciou as características energéticas e físicas da biomassa e do carvão vegetal. A exclusão parcial da água da chuva na plantação florestal de Eucalyptus grandis promoveu alterações nas características da biomassa e do carvão vegetal, com redução do teor de cinzas, aumento da densidade da madeira e do carvão vegetal e rendimento gravimétrico do carvão vegetal.

Abstract Changes in the wood quality of Eucalyptus trees caused by fertilization and water availability may influence the characteristics of biomass and charcoal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of potassium and sodium fertilization (control; 4.5 kmol ha-1 of KCl and 4.5 kmol ha-1 of NaCl) and water availability (100% and 63% rainfall with artificial exclusion) on the energetic and physical characteristics of biomass and charcoal. Eucalyptus trees of each fertilization x water availability treatments, at five years old, were cut down and the samples were taken at the DBH for the energetic and physical characterization of biomass and charcoal. The application of fertilization with K and Na did not influence the energetic and physical characteristics of biomass and charcoal. The partial exclusion of rainwater in the Eucalyptus grandis forest plantation promoted changes in the characteristics of biomass and charcoal, with reduction of ash content, and increase of wood and charcoal density and the charcoal gravimetric yield.

La superposición en el uso de recursos entre el ganado bovino y los herbívoros silvestres tiene implicaciones para la conservación, particularmente si el alimento es limitado. El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar las dietas de un herbívoro silvestre y uno doméstico que viven en simpatría en comunidades vegetales degradadas por la invasión leñosa. Las muestras de heces de ambas especies fueron sometidas a análisis microhistológicos, siendo este trabajo el primer estudio que describe y compara la dieta de guanacos simpátricos con el ganado en la región de Chaco. Encontramos una riqueza relativamente alta de 53 especies de plantas en las dietas de ambos herbívoros, donde 4 especies fueron exclusivas en la dieta del ganado. Se observó una separación clara entre las dietas de guanaco y ganado en dos niveles usando el análisis de similitud (ANOSIM): a) nivel de especie (r = 0.52, p = <0.0001) y b) a nivel de grupo ecológico (r = 0.3312, p = <0.001). El ganado parece forrajear sobre todo en las especies leñosas coloniales principalmente responsables de la reducción de áreas abiertas, mientras que la dieta del guanaco incluye más la gramínea nativa, cuya perdida está caracterizando la reducción de las sabanas chaqueñas. Nuestro estudio plantea preguntas para futuras investigaciones que podrían formar elementos básicos de futuros planes de conservación para esta población de guanacos y otras especies aún existentes en el área de estudio.

Overlap in resource use between cattle and wild herbivores have implications for conservation, particularly if food is limited. The aim of this paper is to investigate the diets of a wild and a domestic herbivore living in sympatry in plant communities degraded by woody encroachment. Dung samples from both species were subjected to microhistological analysis, making of this work the first study describing and comparing the diet of sympatric guanacos and cattle in the Chaco region. We found a relatively high richness of 53 plant species in the diets of both herbivores, and 4 species were exclusive to cattle. A clear separation between the diets of guanaco and cattle was observed at two levels using analysis of similarity (ANOSIM): a) species level (r=0.52, p=<0.0001) and b) at ecological group level (r= 0.3312, p=<0.001). Cattle appear to forage mostly on the colonial woody species mainly responsible for the reduction of open areas while guanaco diets include more of the native grass most characteristic of the shrinking Chacoan savannahs. Our study raises questions for further research that could form core elements of future conservation plans for the guanaco population in the study area and beyond.

RESUMO Os estímulos provocados na atividade cambial das plantas pelas condições climáticas promovem significativas alterações no incremento em diâmetro do tronco e nas características do lenho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência das variáveis climáticas na taxa de crescimento em diâmetro do tronco e na densidade do lenho de árvores de Eucalypttis grandis em diferentes classes de área basal. Foram selecionadas 25 árvores de eucalipto, de acordo com a distribuição de área basal, com 22 meses de idade onde foram instaladas faixas dendrométricas a 1,30 metros (DAP) para o monitoramento do incremento em diâmetro do tronco a cada 14 dias, em um período de 26 meses. Após o período de medição do incremento, as árvores foram derrubadas e retirados discos de lenho no DAP para a determinação dos perfis radiais de densidade aparente por microdensitometria de raios x e posterior re-escala dos valores médios a cada 14 dias. Variáveis climáticas referentes ao período de monitoramento foram obtidas e agrupadas a cada 14 dias. Na avaliação do incremento do tronco o efeito das variáveis climáticas foi determinado pela ocorrência de períodos de máximo e mínimo crescimento, estando relacionados com a precipitação, temperatura média e umidade relativa do ar. A re-escala dos valores de densidade do lenho, aplicando-se o crescimento radial do tronco das árvores mensurado com precisão com dendrômetros de aço, permitiu determinar a relação das pequenas mudanças de densidade do lenho e o efeito das variações climáticas e da taxa de incremento do tronco das árvores de eucalipto, constatando-se uma alta sensibilidade da densidade do lenho em relação a variação dos níveis de precipitação.

ABSTRACT Climatic conditions stimulates the cambial activity of plants, and cause significant changes in trunk diameter growth and wood characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of climate variables in the diameter growth rate of the stem and the wood density of Eucalyptus grandis trees in different classes of the basal area. A total of 25 Eucalyptus trees at 22 months of age were selected according to the basal area distribution. Dendrometer bands were installed at the height of 1.30 meters (DBH) to monitor the diameter growth every 14 days, for 26 months. After measuring growth, the trees were felled and wood discs were removed at the DBH level to determine the radial density profile through x-ray microdensitometry and then re-scale the average values every 14 days. Climatic variables for the monitoring period were obtained and grouped every 14 days. The effect of the climate variables was determined by maximum and minimum growth periods in assessing trunk growth. These growth periods were related with precipitation, average temperature and relative air humidity. The re-scaled wood density values, calculated using the radial growth of the tree trunks measured accurately with steel dendrometers, enabled the determination of the relationship of small changes in wood density and the effect of the climatic variations and growth rate of eucalyptus tree trunks. A high sensitivity of the wood density to variation in precipitation levels was found.

In 2015, UNAIDS launched the 90-90-90 targets aimed at increasing the number of people infected with HIV to become aware of their status, access antiretroviral therapies and ultimately be virally suppressed. To achieve these goals, countries may need to scale up point-of-care (POC) testing in addition to strengthening central laboratory services. While decentralising testing increases patient access to diagnostics, it presents many challenges with regard to training and assuring the quality of tests and testing. To ensure synergies, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine held a series of consultations with countries with an interest in quality assurance and their implementing partners, and agreed on an external quality assessment (EQA) programme to ensure reliable results so that the results lead to the best possible care for HIV patients. As a result of the consultations, EQA International was established, bringing together EQA providers and implementers to develop a strategic plan for countries to establish national POC EQA programmes and to estimate the cost of setting up and maintaining the programme. With the dramatic increase in the number of proficiency testing panels required for thousands of POC testing sites across Africa, it is important to facilitate technology transfer from global EQA providers to a network of regional EQA centres in Africa for regional proficiency testing panel production. EQA International will continue to identify robust and cost-effective EQA technologies for quality POC testing, integrating novel technologies to support sustainable country-owned EQA programmes in Africa.

Women charged with murder or attempted murders of children are usually sent for forensic psychiatric evaluation. In South Africa research and literature on this population is scarce. A case series was studied of forensic files of 32 females charged with murder or attempted murder of children. These files contained information on such females. The forensic psychiatric observation was mainly to establish whether a psychiatric diagnosis could be made, and whether they were triable and accountable. Files from 01 Jan 1990 to 31 Dec 2010 (21 years) were obtained of cases observed in Weskoppies Hospital. The aim of describing this case series was to attempt to find a psychiatric profile of such cases, as well as to find other information for example, demographics. The findings, after forensic observation regarding their ability to follow court proceedings and their ability to contribute meaningfully to their defence (trialability) as well as their ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and their ability to act in accordance with the said appreciation (accountability) at the time of the alleged offence were also reported. This information could contribute to making medical practitioners and mental health care workers aware of risk factors involving such cases and to encourage them to enquire about these risk factors.

The type specimen of Australopithecus sediba (MH1) is a late juvenile, prompting some commentators to suggest that had it lived to adulthood its morphology would have changed sufficiently so as to render hypotheses regarding its phylogenetic relations suspect. Considering the potentially critical position of this species with regard to the origins of the genus Homo, a deeper understanding of this change is especially vital. As an empirical response to this critique, a developmental simulation of the MH1 cranium was carried out using geometric morphometric techniques to extrapolate adult morphology using extant male and female chimpanzees, gorillas and humans by modelling remaining development. Multivariate comparisons of the simulated adult A. sediba crania with other early hominin taxa indicate that subsequent cranial development primarily reflects development of secondary sexual characteristics and would not likely be substantial enough to alter suggested morphological affinities of A. sediba. This study also illustrates the importance of separating developmental vectors by sex when estimating ontogenetic change. Results of the ontogenetic projections concur with those from mandible morphology, and jointly affirm the taxonomic validity of A. sediba.