Explore the vast range of titles available.

Abstract The present study analyzed trends in premature mortality from Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) between 1990 and 2019, the projections up to 2030, and the risk factors (RFs) attributable to these diseases in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and the analysis of the burden of premature mortality due to NCDs were used for nine CPLP countries, applying age-standardized rates, using RStudio. Portugal, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Guinea Bissau showed declining premature mortality rates caused by NCDs, while East Timor, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mozambique showed an increase in rates. Projections indicate that none of the countries is expected to achieve the goals of reducing premature mortality due to NCDs by one third by 2030. The attributable burden of disease showed that the most important RFs in 2019 were: high systolic blood pressure (SBP), tobacco, dietary risks, high body mass index (BMI), and air pollution. It can therefore be concluded that there are profound differences in the burden of NCDs among the countries, with better results in Portugal and Brazil, and that no CPLP country is likely to reach the NCD reduction target by 2030. Resumo Foram analisadas tendências da mortalidade prematura por doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) entre 1990 e 2019, as projeções até 2030 e os fatores de risco atribuíveis a estas doenças na Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP). Utilizou-se estimativas do estudo Carga Global de Doenças e análise da carga de mortalidade prematura por DCNT para nove países da CPLP, utilizando taxas padronizadas por idade, usando-se RStudio. Portugal, Brasil, Guiné Equatorial, Angola e Guiné Bissau apresentam taxas de mortalidade prematura por DCNT em declínio e; Timor Leste, Cabo Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe e Moçambique apresentaram aumento das taxas. As projeções indicam que nenhum dos países deverá atingir as metas de redução em um terço da mortalidade prematura por DCNT até 2030. A carga de doença atribuível mostrou que os fatores de riscos mais importantes em 2019 foram: pressão arterial sistólica elevada, tabaco, riscos dietéticos, índice de massa corporal elevado e poluição do ar. Conclui-se pelas profundas diferenças na carga de DCNT entre os países, com melhores resultados em Portugal e Brasil e que nenhum país do CPLP deverá atingir a meta de redução das DCNT até 2030.

Several studies report the incidence of traumatic experiences in community and clinical samples, and substantial research demonstrates the impact of traumatic events on mental health and suicidal behavior, but this area remains unexplored in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLC). Thus, this study aims to (1) describe traumatic experiences, mental health levels and suicidal behavior among individuals from Portugal, Brazil and African Countries with Portuguese as an Official Language (ACPOL); (2) assess correlations between traumatic experiences and mental health and suicidal behavior; and (3) assess the impact of exposure to a traumatic event on mental health and suicidal behavior. The measurement instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, Brief Trauma Questionnaire, Brief Symptoms Inventory-18, and the Portuguese version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. ACPOL participants reported greater impact of war, Portuguese participants reported greater impact of disasters, and Brazilian participants reported greater impact of psychological and sexual abuse, assault, and death of a family member. Brazilian participants showed the worst levels of mental health and suicidal thoughts. Strong correlations were found between traumatic experiences and mental health levels and suicidal behavior. Traumatic experiences contributed to the explanation of mental health levels and probability of committing suicide.

The Guiana Shield is an ancient geological formation located in the northern part of South America, covering an area of one million square kilometres. Despite its hostile environment, it is home to many unusual and highly specialized plants and animals, which constitute a rich area of biodiversity. Chapters in this book include hydrology, nutrient cycling, forest phenology, insect-plant interactions, forest microclimate, plant distributions, forest dynamics and conservation and management of flora and fauna. It provides a comprehensive and detailed review of the ecology, biology and natural history of the forests of the area.

The loss of biological diversity has become an increased concern over recent years and is now enshrined in international conventions. Most biodiversity in fact occurs in the soil. Soil organisms (especially bacteria, fungi and soil invertebrates) play a major role in the formation of soil structure and are primary agents of decomposition and are drivers of nutrient cycling, and hence agricultural production.This book reviews soil biodiversity in one of the key biodiversity hotspots of the world, i.e. the Amazon and nearby regions of Brazil. It covers both the tropical savannah and rain forests . The work reported is based on a project \"Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below-Ground Biodiversity\", executed by TSBF-CIAT with co-financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The book represents a major contribution to the literature and will interest those in biodiversity conservation, soil science and ecology and biodiversity conservation.

Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is predominantly a rural and agricultural phenomenon. The large majority of all poor are farmers and herders, therefore as long as the poor remain smallholders, alleviation of poverty remains an agricultural task. African Smallholders documents the farm-level effects of agricultural policies, focusing on a variety of themes including micro-credit, infrastructure, cash crop production and food security. To deepen our understanding of agricultural development it discusses staple food production in sub-Saharan Africa and its response to changing geo-political, macro-economic and agricultural policy. It is a useful resource for all those researching or involved with food security, agricultural and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa.

This book examines the destinations and sites that are being created for tourists, as well as for local people within an urban regeneration context, with a particular focus on tourism's relationship to urban regeneration and cultural development. It examines the impact of such developments on a local sense of place, heritage and identity. It examines how far, arts and artistic quality/integrity is compromised by being used as a tool for regeneration. It examines if global/local debates can be resolved within the context of regeneration, and how. These issues and others are exemplified using a number of international case studies in North and South America, as well as in Europe and the UK. Chapter 1 examines the issues and problems inherent in implementing urban regeneration projects and highlights the increasingly important role that culture and tourism play in the process. Chapter 2 examines the increasingly important role of creativity in urban regeneration. Chapter 3 examines the regeneration of new or less familiar areas of cities, and their development for tourism purposes. Chapter 4 examines mixed-use developments in city fringe areas, especially those with culturally diverse or ethnic populations. Chapter 5 examines the development of ethnoscapes or those areas of cities with a high concentration of ethnic minorities, and analyses the way in which multiculturalism has become an increasingly attractive selling point for city tourism. Chapter 6 examines some of the difficulties of interpreting and commemorating spaces of dissonant heritage in black heritage sites in New Jersey, USA. Chapter 7 examines the complexities that exist within large-scale, mixed-use development projects through the example of the newly developed Waterfront City of Odaiba in Tokyo, Japan. Chapter 8 examines the role of major sporting events in urban regeneration, tourism development, image enhancement and social inclusion. Chapter 9 examines the role of the Olympic Games in the regeneration of U.S. cities. Chapter 10 examines the role of the cultural industries in the regeneration of former industrial cities, focusing in particular on Lowell, Massachusetts in New England, USA. Chapter 11 examines how Chicago, a city in the USA that previously was dependent on the manufacturing industry, has sought to improve its economic position and raises its national and international profile via locally-driven strategies focused on facilitating the physical, economic and cultural restructuring of its downtown area. Chapter 12 examines the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, USA, as an example of a project that has been largely successful due to charismatic leadership, dynamic fund-raising campaigns and coordinated public and private partnerships. Chapter 13 examines the problems and the potential benefits of waterfront developments in the context of regeneration. Chapter 14 examines the changing role of dockland cities and urban regeneration strategies, focusing in particular on case studies of Liverpool and Cardiff in the UK. Chapter 15 examines the use of interpretative planning in the context of Recife, Brazil. In conclusion, the richness, creativity, innovation and ambition of regeneration projects is indicated in a wide range of contexts. But cultural, tourism or urban development, cannot compensate for economic decline, environmental decay or social unrest. They can only alleviate some of the problems and tensions, and give new hope to cities. It would be misguided to suggest that there could be a 'checklist' for all cities hoping to embark on a 'successful' regeneration scheme, especially given that similar schemes can easily fail in different contexts. However, several factors seem to emerge as being rather critical to the future of regeneration. Whatever the context - be it Europe, the USA, Asia, Australasia - the issues and dilemmas surrounding cultural regeneration are broadly similar. Pessimists might conclude that regeneration is just another 'flash-in-the-pan' phenomenon that has helped to plug the gaps in economic and social decline. However, it is argued that within the academic/practitioner community, there is excitement, dynamism and great hope in the future for the phenomenon of regeneration.

Many international forums have identified the need for comprehensive, scientific methods for the pre-release testing and post-release monitoring of transgenic plants to ensure their environmental safety and sustainable use. In response to this requirement, a GMO Guidelines Project was established under the aegis of the International Organization for Biological Control, to develop biosafety testing guidelines for transgenic plants. This second volume focuses on transgenic cotton in Brazil and addresses both environmental and agricultural impacts. It draws out some general risk assessment guidelines and demonstrates the need for case-by-case analysis.

Heritage tourism is tied to myth making and stories; creative content that can be shared, stored, combined and manipulated, but that depends on a unique cultural or natural history. A significant section of the wider phenomenon that is cultural tourism, heritage tourism is a demand-driven industry that continues to be a subject of heated debate in academic circles.Beginning with an overview of the subject, this book considers the conservation and revitalization of heritage destinations, as well as the role local communities have in supporting an attraction. It then discusses product development and communication around the world, using new techniques such as social media and examples from food tourism and sporting events, before a final section reviews the planning and institutionalisation of heritage spaces. A timely conclusion subsequently considers the implications of developments such as globalisation, technological improvement and climate change upon these unique destinations. A valuable addition to the literature, this book is the first to bridge the gap between theory and practice, including the latest research and international case studies for researchers and practitioners in tourism and destination management.

Fluoride pollution is a problem in all industrialized countries. The topic of fluorides in medicine and agriculture, and fluoridation of public water supplies is one that has attracted much controversy. This book aims to review the research findings, and provide a comprehensive reference on the effects of fluorides on plants and animals. It also includes information on conducting field surveys, establishing air quality criteria and standards, and the problems associated with fluoride analysis in air, water, soil and vegetation.

This volume reports on the productivity impacts of varietal improvement research conducted at a number of international centres affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Such centres have been at the forefront of a 40-year effort to breed new varieties of the world’s staple food crops. The volume is the main product of a study initiated and supported by the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (now Standing Panel on Impact Assessment) of the CGIAR. Descriptive data and econometric models are used to evaluate the impact of research on eleven crops and in three country case studies (Brazil, China and India).