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National levels of personal health-care access and quality can be approximated by measuring mortality rates from causes that should not be fatal in the presence of effective medical care (ie, amenable mortality). Previous analyses of mortality amenable to health care only focused on high-income countries and faced several methodological challenges. In the present analysis, we use the highly standardised cause of death and risk factor estimates generated through the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to improve and expand the quantification of personal health-care access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015. We mapped the most widely used list of causes amenable to personal health care developed by Nolte and McKee to 32 GBD causes. We accounted for variations in cause of death certification and misclassifications through the extensive data standardisation processes and redistribution algorithms developed for GBD. To isolate the effects of personal health-care access and quality, we risk-standardised cause-specific mortality rates for each geography-year by removing the joint effects of local environmental and behavioural risks, and adding back the global levels of risk exposure as estimated for GBD 2015. We employed principal component analysis to create a single, interpretable summary measure–the Healthcare Quality and Access (HAQ) Index–on a scale of 0 to 100. The HAQ Index showed strong convergence validity as compared with other health-system indicators, including health expenditure per capita (r=0·88), an index of 11 universal health coverage interventions (r=0·83), and human resources for health per 1000 (r=0·77). We used free disposal hull analysis with bootstrapping to produce a frontier based on the relationship between the HAQ Index and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a measure of overall development consisting of income per capita, average years of education, and total fertility rates. This frontier allowed us to better quantify the maximum levels of personal health-care access and quality achieved across the development spectrum, and pinpoint geographies where gaps between observed and potential levels have narrowed or widened over time. Between 1990 and 2015, nearly all countries and territories saw their HAQ Index values improve; nonetheless, the difference between the highest and lowest observed HAQ Index was larger in 2015 than in 1990, ranging from 28·6 to 94·6. Of 195 geographies, 167 had statistically significant increases in HAQ Index levels since 1990, with South Korea, Turkey, Peru, China, and the Maldives recording among the largest gains by 2015. Performance on the HAQ Index and individual causes showed distinct patterns by region and level of development, yet substantial heterogeneities emerged for several causes, including cancers in highest-SDI countries; chronic kidney disease, diabetes, diarrhoeal diseases, and lower respiratory infections among middle-SDI countries; and measles and tetanus among lowest-SDI countries. While the global HAQ Index average rose from 40·7 (95% uncertainty interval, 39·0–42·8) in 1990 to 53·7 (52·2–55·4) in 2015, far less progress occurred in narrowing the gap between observed HAQ Index values and maximum levels achieved; at the global level, the difference between the observed and frontier HAQ Index only decreased from 21·2 in 1990 to 20·1 in 2015. If every country and territory had achieved the highest observed HAQ Index by their corresponding level of SDI, the global average would have been 73·8 in 2015. Several countries, particularly in eastern and western sub-Saharan Africa, reached HAQ Index values similar to or beyond their development levels, whereas others, namely in southern sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia, lagged behind what geographies of similar development attained between 1990 and 2015. This novel extension of the GBD Study shows the untapped potential for personal health-care access and quality improvement across the development spectrum. Amid substantive advances in personal health care at the national level, heterogeneous patterns for individual causes in given countries or territories suggest that few places have consistently achieved optimal health-care access and quality across health-system functions and therapeutic areas. This is especially evident in middle-SDI countries, many of which have recently undergone or are currently experiencing epidemiological transitions. The HAQ Index, if paired with other measures of health-system characteristics such as intervention coverage, could provide a robust avenue for tracking progress on universal health coverage and identifying local priorities for strengthening personal health-care quality and access throughout the world. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Exclusive breast milk is the diet recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) until 6 months of age. However, breastfeeding has the potential of transferring certain toxic chemicals from the mother to the infant. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical used as a monomer in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Information on BPA concentration in the breast milk of lactating mothers is very limited; thus, this study aimed to determine the concentration of BPA in the colostrum of 64 post-partum women at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in South Brazil. The results showed that all the breast milk samples contained a high concentration of BPA with a median value of 34.18 ng/mL. Furthermore, the concentration of BPA in mothers was influenced by the consumption of foods packaged in plastic packaging, especially when the plastic is heated ( p  = 0.0182). The total daily intake of BPA in breastfed infants was 19.5 µg/kg/day and 28.5 µg/kg/day was recorded at the 95th percentile of body weight per day, which is higher than the maximum daily intake estimated by the European Authority of Food Safety. These data showed a high concentration of BPA in the breastmilk of the lactating mothers which might be through the use of plastic containers as food/drink packages. This is of public health importance as the high concentration of BPA in their breast milk can be an indicator of potentially serious health problems in these mothers and much more in the babies breastfed with BPA-contaminated breast milk. Graphical abstract

This study investigated soil clay mineralogy of mangrove forests along the Brazilian coast in eight regions of different environmental characteristics, with a focus on the crystallochemical features and genesis of 2:1 phyllosilicates. Samples from two different depths (0–30 and 60–90 cm) and two clay size fractions (<2 and <0.2 μm) were studied. The analytical tools used were X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (TEM‐EDS). A complex assemblage was found in both fractions, including high proportions of kaolinite, illite (Fe‐illite/glauconite), and smectite (Fe‐beidellite, Fe‐montmorillonite), minor amounts of gibbsite and quartz, and traces of K‐feldspar, halloysite, and amphibole crystals (TEM‐EDS data). Evidence of illite–smectite and possibly kaolinite–smectite mixed‐layer phases was found in the <0.2‐μm fraction. An authigenic transformation process likely taking place, from kaolinite to Fe‐illite/glauconite, through transitory kaolinite–smectite and illite–smectite phases. The reaction is triggered by high Fe activity in solution generated by dissolution of Fe oxides and pyrite present in the sediment, at approximately neutral pH and high salt content in the water. Smectite illitization takes place by substitution of Al3+ for Si4+ in the tetrahedral sheet, of Fe and Mg2+ for Al3+ in the octahedral sheet, and progressive Fe reduction, all of which produces an increase in the layer charge and K uptake. The sequential nature of the transformation (kaolinite–smectite–illite) suggests a solid‐state transformation process. Two unusual kaolinite‐rich mangroves were found, indicating low reactivity or high deposition rate of continental sediments of soils derived from the Barreiras Group, dominated by kaolinite.

Management of coastal groundwater must take account of the complex hydrological processes and uncertainties associated with this environment. Regular evaluation of mechanisms, parameters and boundary conditions is required to understand groundwater flow and to develop a robust conceptual model. In certain conditions, as in tropical regions, due to the high intensity and variability of natural drivers (precipitation, evapotranspiration), a comprehensive hydrogeological characterization may be needed. Data on transient recharge, tide-driven fluctuations of groundwater receptors (seas, rivers) and the activation status of drainage networks may need to be updated recurrently, as they likely influence groundwater balance. Numerical models are applied at various phases of a hydrogeological investigation to elucidate preliminary conceptual models and to guide the field characterization. Those models provide a quantitative framework for synthesizing field information and verifying mechanisms readily contributing to a cost-effective decision-making process. This article presents a systematic hydrogeological characterization of a coastal basin in a tropical region of southern Brazil that is affected by intensive precipitation and ocean tides; precipitation is the main process driving groundwater flow, although head variations at the boundaries affect a spatiotemporal distribution of the water table. A set of numerical experiments is deployed to test the understanding of natural processes and to assist additional field campaigns. The hierarchy of hydrogeological processes is evaluated over different scales, to eliminate less sensitive mechanisms. By presenting the detailed setup information on model development, the applications are demonstrated and limitations are discussed in light of the available field data and specific research objectives.

The Itajaí Basin located in the southern border of the Luís Alves Microplate is considered as a peripheral foreland basin related to the Dom Feliciano Belt. It presents an excellent record of the Ediacaran period, and its upper parts display the best Brazilian example of Precambrian turbiditic deposits. The basal succession of Itajaí Group is represented by sandstones and conglomerates (Baú Formation) deposited in alluvial and deltaic-fan systems. The marine upper sequences correspond to the Ribeirão Carvalho (channelized and non-channelized proximal silty-argillaceous rhythmic turbidites), Ribeirão Neisse (arkosic sandstones and siltites), and Ribeirão do Bode (distal silty turbidites) formations. The Apiúna Formation felsic volcanic rocks crosscut the sedimentary succession. The Cambrian Subida leucosyenogranite represents the last felsic magmatic activity to affect the Itajaí Basin. The Brusque Group and the Florianópolis Batholith are proposed as source areas for the sediments of the upper sequence. For the lower continental units the source areas are the Santa Catarina, São Miguel and Camboriú complexes. The lack of any oceanic crust in the Itajaí Basin suggests that the marine units were deposited in a restricted, internal sea. The sedimentation started around 600 Ma and ended before 560 Ma as indicated by the emplacement of rhyolitic domes. The Itajaí Basin is temporally and tectonically correlated with the Camaquã Basin in Rio Grande do Sul and the Arroyo del Soldado/Piriápolis Basin in Uruguay. It also has several tectono-sedimentary characteristics in common with the African-equivalent Nama Basin.

The prevalence of marine debris is a worldwide issue, especially in coastal areas. Half of the Brazilian population live within 200 km of the coast and generate large amounts of garbage, which is not always sent to an appropriate destination. This study aims to assess patterns of spatial variability and composition of marine debris in the beaches of Florianópolis, an important tourist destination in Brazil. Biological aspects were also assessed. Five beaches were sampled twice, and abundances of litter ranging from 12.8 to 498 items/100 m2 were found, depending on location and time of sampling. Plastic items accounted for almost 90% of the material collected. Only 5% of the items collected showed biological encrustations, suggesting that most items had a local origin. A weak negative correlation was found between the number of items and the number of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) open burrows. These results can be used for management purposes and to make comparisons with other coastal cities.

Abstract Climate change exacerbates natural disasters, primarily driven by environmental degradation, which leads to the reduction of available ecosystem services (ES). In this context, a comparative analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) and hydrological significance (HS) over a 30-year period was conducted to assess the loss of services in the Cubatão River Basin – SC, focusing on flood control. A matrix-based calculation was employed, integrating slope, transmissivity, soil texture, land use and cover, and the topographic wetness index to determine the hydrological significance of the study area. The urban area doubled in size (1992: 7.82% – 2022: 15.53%), while natural areas decreased by 5.3%. These natural areas, which still comprise over 50% of the territory, exhibit “Good” hydrological significance, covering nearly 40% of the total area and providing more than 15 ES. However, despite this favorable hydrological condition, the southern bay of Florianópolis suffered losses exceeding BRL 40 million in natural disasters of climatic and hydrological origin, in 2008. These findings highlight that, even with adequate hydrological performance, flooding events remain a threat. Thus, urban expansion planning, guided by municipal master plans that evaluate ES and the conservation of key areas for flood control, is essential to ensure social, economic, and environmental security. Resumo A mudança climática intensifica desastres naturais, resultantes da degradação do meio ambiente, que leva a diminuição de serviços ecossistêmicos (SE) disponíveis. Nesse contexto, foi feito um comparativo do uso e ocupação do solo e a significância hídrica (SH) num intervalo de 30 anos, a fim de determinar a perda de serviços na Bacia do Rio Cubatão – SC para controle de inundação. Para isso, um cálculo matricial considerando declividade, transmissividade e textura de solo, uso e ocupação de solo e índice topográfico de umidade, definiram a significância hídrica da área de estudo. A malha urbana dobra de tamanho (1992: 7.82% - 2022: 15.53%), enquanto as áreas naturais mostram uma diminuição de 5.3%. Essas, representam mais 50% da área, com significância hídrica de classe “Boa” representando quase 40% da área total, além de oferecerem mais de 15 SE. Ainda assim, a baía sul de Florianópolis, teve uma perda de mais de R$40 mi por conta de desastres naturais de origem climática e hídrica, em 2008. Conclui-se então que, mesmo com uma boa qualidade da SH, casos de inundação ainda acontecem. Portanto, planejar a expansão urbana através de Planos Diretores das Cidades que avaliem provisão de SE e conservação de áreas chave para controle de inundação, são importantes para garantir segurança social, econômica e ambiental.

Analyzing the effect of individual participants on collaborative governance processes in environmental management has been elusive due to lack of theoretical frameworks and data limitations. This study uses pattern matching to contrast identity theory with original data from 7 individuals participating in waste management and urban agriculture collaboration in Florianópolis, Brazil. What started as a self-organized initiative to manage an environmental problem, due to precarious waste management services, was scaled up to a citywide policy. Findings demonstrate that as the collaboration evolved over time, individual participants in municipal government transitioned between roles, organizations, and departments which affected their influence on the collaboration according to two transition styles: integrators (overlapping different roles) and segmenters (aligning roles with contexts without ambiguity). While the integrator-style participants were key to increasing sectoral diversity during the activation stage of the collaboration to produce innovative actions, segmenters contributed to formalizing the collaboration with appropriate institutional designs. However, the success of the collaboration after the institutionalization stage depended on the individual transition style and the power of municipal agents to have agency for influencing the collaboration. These findings have implications for adapting collaborative settings to respond to contextual changes that involve urban environmental issues.

Pelotas Basin has the largest gas hydrate occurrence of the Brazilian coast. The reserves are estimated in 780 trillion cubic feet, covering an area of 45,000 km 2 . In this work we apply spectral decomposition technique in order to better understand a gas hydrate deep water system, performing a continuous time–frequency analysis of seismic trace, where frequency spectrum is the output for each time sample of the seismic trace. This allows a continuous analysis on the effects of the geologic structures and lithology over frequency content of the seismic wave. Spectral anomalies found were interpreted as variations of hydrates concentration inside the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone (GHSZ), as well free gas accumulations beneath and Below the GHSZ and gas chimneys. We concluded that this technique has a good potential to assist seismic study of structures associated with gas hydrates accumulations.

During the last several decades, the diversification of economic activities has become a paramount policy for nations and cities with heavy dependence on a single economic driver. Particularly island economies, relying mainly on tourism income, are among the most vulnerable ones to the shocks of global financial crises. In the recent years, some of these tourist islands had attempts to diversify their economic activities by moving towards a knowledge and innovation economy. This paper places one of these islands—Florianópolis, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina—under the microscope to address the question of ‘what it takes to transform a tourist island into an innovation capital’. In order to tackle this question, the study examines economic, social, spatial, and governance conditions and performances, along with the plans and processes of Florianópolis in moving towards an internationally recognized smart innovation island. The methodologic approach includes systematic review of the literature and qualitative analysis of the key development domains of Florianópolis through the lens of knowledge-based urban development. The results of this study provide insights into how to transform a resource-based economy into a knowledge-based one—by disclosing the transition journey of Florianópolis, including progress, challenges, and the new path creation processes. The findings are particularly useful for tourist islands that are aiming for an aspiring knowledge-based urban development and smart city transformation.