Favorable Environmental Factors Research Articles

La prostatectomie radicale robotique ambulatoire. Une chirurgie de l’avenir ? À propos d’un cas

Robotics and ambulatory are modern applications of surgery. This case study proves the feasibility of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy as an outpatient procedure. This report highlights the first, half-day, robotic prostatectomy performed on a 57-year-old man with localized prostate cancer. This operation was proposed to the subject because of his excellent physical condition and favorable environmental factors. He chose to undergo the surgery voluntarily. He underwent a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. Target-controlled infusion propofol was used in perioperative sedation and analgesia. Postoperative evaluation criteria was made with the Visual Analog Scale of Pain Intensity (VASPI), Chung score and a patient satisfaction survey. No perioperative or postoperative complications were reported. Blood loss was low (75 mL). The patient stayed less than 12 hours in the ambulatory unit thanks to a rapid recovery. The patient returned home after reporting a Chung score of 10. No hospital readmission was necessary. Functional results were: a bowel movement on day 1, back to work on day 2, normal urinary continence on day 8, a correct erectile function on day 9. Oncological results revealed negative surgical margins for cancer and PSA postoperative<0.03 ng/mL. Ambulatory robotic radical prostatectomies can be performed on voluntarily-selected patients without affecting the high quality of urological surgery outcomes.

Cultivar studies of broomcorn millet in terns of agri-environmental stability and plasticity

Ecological plasticity reflects the ability of a cultivar to effectively use favorable environmental factors for consistently high performance. In order to reduce the negative impact of weather conditions, peculiarities of adaptive variability of grain yield formation of modern millet cultivars by environmental parameters were established. Methods. The experiments were carried out according to a multifactor model by the split plot method in stationary grain-fallow-row crop rotation in the Laboratory of Plant Production and Cultivar Studies of the Plant Production Institute nd. a V. Ya. Yuryev NAAS. Predecessors were soybean and sugar beet in 2008-2012. The millet cultivars Kharkovskoye 57 (the standard during the trial establishment), Konstantinovskoe and Vitrylo were investigated. The sowing method was row planting with the inter-row spacing of15 cm. The seeding rate was 3. 000.000 pcs./ha. Results. The maximum performance in all the cultivars was obtained in 2011. On average, it varied between 3.14 t/ha - 3.27 t/ha. Among the cultivars the maximum average yield across the years (3.00 t/ha) as well as the positive genotypic effect (0.27 t/ha) were obtained in the cultivar Vitrylo. The evaluation of agronomic stability of millet growing showed that all the cultivars were economically valuable with As = 91.3 % (the average across the cultivars). In terms of the sum of ranks for all parameters of the genotypic effect the cultivar Kharkovskoye 57 (7) was the first followed by Konstantinovskoye (9), and Vitrylo (11) rounded out the group (11). The cultivar Konstantinovskoe (6) was the best in terms of plasticity followed by Vitrylo (8) and Kharkovskoye 57 (11). Conclusions. Analysis of the yield capacity of the millet cultivars revealed that the millet cultivar Vitrylo was valuable in terms of the average yield across the years (3.00 t/ha), homeostacity (3.45 t/ha) and agronomic stability (As = 91.3 %). But the rank analysis of valuableness of the cultivars demonstrated that Vitrylo was inferior to Konstantinovskoye in terms of the grain quality - protein and starch contents. The standard cultivar Kharkovskoye 57 was valuable in terms of carotenoid content and genetic potential.

Quantitative genetic parameters of agronomic and quality traits in a global germplasm collection reveal excellent breeding perspectives for Jatropha curcas L.

AbstractJatropha curcas L. (jatropha) is an undomesticated plant, which has received great attention in recent years for its potential in biofuel production and in greening and rehabilitation of wastelands. Yet the absence of improved cultivars and the lack of agronomic knowledge are limiting factors for successful jatropha cultivation. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the perspectives of a worldwide jatropha breeding program and specifically to (i) estimate variance components and heritabilities for agronomic and quality traits in the early phase of cultivation; (ii) assess phenotypic and genetic correlations among those traits; and (iii) discuss strategies for breeding high yielding jatropha cultivars. Data on various traits was collected from 375 jatropha genotypes, which were tested at seven locations during the first 3 years of growth. The accumulated seed yields and the seed yields per harvest year differed significantly among the testing locations. The estimates of genetic and genotype‐by‐environment interaction variances were significant and estimates of heritabilities were high for all yield parameters. The estimates of genetic correlations indicated a strong association among yield parameters. Oil yield was strongly correlated with seed yield and only weakly with oil content in seeds. The perspectives of a jatropha breeding program are excellent. Improved cultivars, definition of favorable environmental factors and refinement of agronomic management practices are needed to secure sustainable jatropha cultivation.

A Study of Challenges Faced By E-commerce Companies in India and Methods Employed to Overcome Them

The research “A study of challenges faced by E-commerce companies in India and methods employed to overcome them” is to determine the challenges faced by e-commerce companies in India and measure employed by them to overcome these challenges. E-commerce is quickly becoming the most accepted means of doing business in this world. Day by day more and more consumers are choosing to buy various things online for daily groceries to very rare and expensive items. As more and more consumers move to online purchasing more and more service providers are emerging in this field. But, e-commerce from the very beginning has been a very difficult and loss making sector due to its nascent stage and lack of favourable environmental factors in order to do business.

A Comparison Of Sickle Cell Anemia Between Patients From Nigeria and The United States

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is among the most common monogenetic diseases worldwide and environmental and genetic factors are thought to contribute to variations in clinical presentation. We conducted a study to compare clinical and laboratory features between 214 SCA patients from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and 200 SCA patients from the University of Illinois at Chicago, U.S. between the ages of 11 and 30 years old. Laboratory and clinical data were collected from clinic visits and comparisons between the two cohorts were adjusted for age, gender, and hydroxyurea use.SCA patients from Nigeria had lower median body weight, height, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure (Table 1). Proportions of hydroxyurea use and vaccinations for streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A were lower in SCA patients from Nigeria. Hematological indices showed that SCA patients from Nigeria had lower median values for hemoglobin F (HbF) percent, hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume but platelet and white blood cell counts were not significantly different compared to SCA patients from the U.S. In the white blood cell differential, lower granulocyte counts and higher lymphocyte and monocyte counts were observed in SCA patients from Nigeria. [Display omitted] The proportion of patients with a history of ≥ 3 vaso-occlusive pain episodes requiring medical attention per year were similar between the Nigerian and U.S. cohorts but the proportions with histories of stroke, acute chest syndrome and > 5 lifetime transfusions were lower in the Nigerian versus U.S. cohort. On logistic regression analysis, male gender was independently associated with vaso-occlusive crises ≥ 3 per year in the Nigerian cohort (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.4, p=0.04) and lower HbF concentration was associated with this pain category in the U.S. cohort (Hb F 1% decrement OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0 – 1.1, p=0.02). A higher white blood cell count was independently associated with stroke history in both the Nigerian and U.S. cohorts (Nigeria: OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0 - 1.3, p=0.03; US: OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 – 1.3, p=0.003). Additionally, a lower HbF concentration was independently associated with stroke history in the Nigerian cohort (Hb F 1% decrement OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.2 – 0.9, p=0.03).The lower height and low proportions of vaccination among the Nigerian SCA patients point to the need for improved nutrition and vaccination strategies, and the low utilization of hydroxyurea therapy highlights the need to investigate the appropriateness of this agent in the African context. On the other hand, the higher values for BMI and blood pressure in the UIC compared to Nigerian SCA patients parallel similar findings in non-sickle cell cohorts and raises the possibility that life-style factors may contribute to the higher rate of stroke in the UIC cohort. Whether the lower rate of complications in general in the Nigerian SCA patients reflects higher early mortality versus favorable genetic or environmental factors deserves further investigation. In summary, our study found both differences and similarities between patients with SCA from Nigeria and the U.S. and a better understanding of the genetic and environmental contributions may help guide future therapies for SCA in both settings. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Three decades of research at Flakaliden advancing whole-tree physiology, forest ecosystem and global change research

Nutrient supply often limits growth in forest ecosystems and may limit the response of growth to an increase in other resources, or to more favorable environmental factors such as temperature and soil water. To explore the consequences and mechanisms of optimum nutrient supply for forest growth, the Flakaliden research site was established in 1986 on a young Norway spruce site with nutrient-poor soil. This special section on research at Flakaliden presents five papers that explore different facets of nutrition, atmospheric CO2 concentration, [CO2], and increased temperature treatments, using the original experiment as a base. Research at Flakaliden shows the dominant role of nutrition in controlling the response of growth to the increased photosynthesis promoted by elevated [CO2] and temperature. Experiments with whole-tree chambers showed that all treatments (air temperature warming, elevated [CO2] and optimum nutrition) increased shoot photosynthesis by 30-50%, but growth only increased with [CO2] when combined with the optimum nutrition treatment. Elevated [CO2] and temperature increased shoot photosynthesis by increasing the slope between light-saturated photosynthesis and foliar nitrogen by 122%, the initial slope of the light response curve by 52% and apparent quantum yield by 10%. Optimum nutrition also decreased photosynthetic capacity by 17%, but increased it by 62% in elevated [CO2], as estimated from wood δ(13)C. Elevated air temperature advanced spring recovery of photosynthesis by 37%, but spring frost events remained the controlling factor for photosynthetic recovery, and elevated [CO2] did not affect this. Increased nutrient availability increased wood growth primarily through a 50% increase in tracheid formation, mostly during the peak growth season. Other notable contributions of research at Flakaliden include exploring the role of optimal nutrition in large-scale field trials with foliar analysis, using an ecosystem approach for multifactor experiments, development of whole-tree chambers allowing inexpensive environmental manipulations, long-term deployment of shoot chambers for continuous measurements of gas exchange and exploring the ecosystem response to soil and aboveground tree warming. The enduring legacy of Flakaliden will be the rich data set of long-term, multifactor experiments that has been and will continue to be used in many modeling and cross-site comparison studies.

Modeling of the invasion and development of the pelagic communities of fouling organisms in the ocean

The results of the modeling of the origin and development of the oceanic fouling biocenoses in the pelagic zone are presented. The models are relatively simple, but they are characterized by major peculiarities of the natural communities. The fouling communities are model objects to study the appearance and development of biological systems, invasions of hydrobionts, application of the bioindicator species, etc. The presented models take into account the most important interactions of the main fouling species (Lepadidae crustaceans are the dominating species) in typical regions and depths for such invasion and at the favorable abiotic environmental factors that are comparatively stable. The interaction between the meroplanktonic larvae of Lepas and Conchoderma (Lepadidae), represented by C. virgatum, L. anatifera, L. anserifera, and L. hillii, and the most widespread predators (crabs Planes minutus and the fish species) is modeled as the system of differential equations. In particular, the model covers the dynamics of colonies of fouling species, the “attractiveness” of these colonies to other fouling species, and the feeding rates of the predators consuming both the fouling species and associated fauna. The computing experiments showed that the population density changed markedly in the different age groups of Lepas and Conchoderma. The predator stress on Conchoderma was significantly higher than that on Lepas. The “attractiveness” of the biofouling organisms to cypris larvae and predators keeping near the substrate has a major impact on their density dynamics. The models showed that the crabs and especially fish had the strongest effect on the biocenoses of oceanic biofouling communities, limiting the population density of fouling species. When the presence of fish was excluded from the model, the abundance of Conchoderma increased rapidly and became similar to the abundance of Lepas. The model showed that the most important factors limiting the oceanic fouling are the settling rate of Lepadidae larvae to the substrate, “attractiveness” of the fouling organisms to predators, and the consumption of these animals by the predators. The models are in good correlation with experimental data of oceanographic buoy areas. Usage of the mathematical models for forecasting and assessing the invasion rates of biofouling organisms and the further development of their biocenoses is very promising and cannot be totally replaced by the other research methods. Analogous models can be developed for other communities and marine environments, for example, for the forecasting of hydrobiont invasions into the marine and freshwater bodies of Russia.

Sex ratio patterns and fertility of Hamatocaulis vernicosus (Mitt.) Hedenäs at different spatial scales

For obscure reasons, sporophytes of the dioicous Hamatocaulis vernicosus are currently unknown in France. With the aim of understanding this failure of sporophyte production we investigated (1) sexual phenology, (2) sex ratio pattern at different spatial scales, (3) limitation of sporophyte formation by the availability of only one sex, (4) limitation of sporophyte formation caused by the distance between male and female, (5) location of sporophytes and (6) the consevation implications of this failure of sporophyte production. Principal results show that phenology cannot explain the failure of sporophyte production. At the regional scale, sporophyte formation is prevented by the fact that several mountain ranges have single-sex populations. The production of spore capsules relies on a strict combination of factors at the local scale: occurrence of sexually expressed mixed-sex colonies, a short distance between male and female individuals and favourable environmental factors (light grazing, high water table). In the Massif Central of France spore production is unlikely because of current unfavourable conditions. Fertility patterns appeared useful in a conservation context.

Older adults’ transportation walking: a cross-sectional study on the cumulative influence of physical environmental factors

BackgroundThe physical environment may play a crucial role in promoting older adults’ walking for transportation. However, previous studies on relationships between the physical environment and older adults’ physical activity behaviors have reported inconsistent findings. A possible explanation for these inconsistencies is the focus upon studying environmental factors separately rather than simultaneously. The current study aimed to investigate the cumulative influence of perceived favorable environmental factors on older adults’ walking for transportation. Additionally, the moderating effect of perceived distance to destinations on this relationship was studied.MethodsThe sample was comprised of 50,685 non-institutionalized older adults residing in Flanders (Belgium). Cross-sectional data on demographics, environmental perceptions and frequency of walking for transportation were collected by self-administered questionnaires in the period 2004-2010. Perceived distance to destinations was categorized into short, medium, and large distance to destinations. An environmental index (=a sum of favorable environmental factors, ranging from 0 to 7) was constructed to investigate the cumulative influence of favorable environmental factors. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were applied to predict probabilities of daily walking for transportation.ResultsFor short distance to destinations, probability of daily walking for transportation was significantly higher when seven compared to three, four or five favorable environmental factors were present. For medium distance to destinations, probabilities significantly increased for an increase from zero to four favorable environmental factors. For large distance to destinations, no relationship between the environmental index and walking for transportation was observed.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the presence of multiple favorable environmental factors can motivate older adults to walk medium distances to facilities. Future research should focus upon the relationship between older adults’ physical activity and multiple environmental factors simultaneously instead of separately.

Study on the Wind Environment of the Architecture Communities: Traditional Typical Min Nan Human Settlements’ Case

In contrast to the modern urban planning, which can be done in short period in terms of the spatial qualified design, the traditional tribe needs longer period in terms of the villagers’ sense of community. The selection of location, planning, and construction reveals the wisdom of the former people’s use of the resourceful life experience. First, the paper employs PHOENICS to simulate the wind environments of two most representative patterns of rural settlements in the southern area of Southern Fujian, China. This was made to compare the different conditions caused by settlements of various architectural groups. Second, the engineering and construction aspects of settlements—such as the width of roads and building structures—will be further analyzed and examined as case study in attempt to discover the favorable environmental factors for generating winds as well as the construction dimension of the settlement, such as the road width and the architectural design. Finally, the paper tends to conclude with an energy conservation strategy applied to the construction of modern communities which has low density and small group buildings.

Prevalence and characters of Entamoeba histolytica infection in Saudi infants and children admitted with diarrhea at 2 main hospitals at south Jeddah: a re-emerging serious infection with unusual presentation

In this study, Entamoeba histolytica had high prevalence and unusual presentation by affecting high proportion of infants under 1 year; severe clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings that were known to be usually encountered in invasive amebiasis as significant leukocytosis for age, neutrophilic leukocytosis for age, and positive C-reactive protein were found among more than 50% of admitted Saudi infants and children with E. histolytica infection in our locality. E. histolytica can be a re-emerging serious infection when it finds favorable environmental conditions and host factors which are mainly attributed to inadequate breastfeeding in this study. This may occur in any other area of the world with the same risk factors, so we must be ready to tackle it with effective and more powerful preventive measures.

Limnological Study on two High Altitude Himalayan Ponds, Badrinath, Uttarakhand

Present study has been done on two high altitude Himalayan ponds situated near the Badrinath temple, Uttarakhand (India). During the investigation physico-chemical and biological analysis (Phytoplankton & Zooplankton) were carried out at two selected sites one in each pond. A total 131species of phytoplankton and 51 species of zooplankton were encountered from both the ponds. Among phytoplankton, class Cyanophyceae was the most dominant whereas, among zooplankton Rotifera was the dominant class during the study period. Most of the phytoplankton and zooplankton species recorded from both the water bodies are indicators of higher trophic status. Physico-chemical features of ponds showed the nutrient rich water of both the ponds. Presence of various planktonic species and higher trophic status of both the ponds at high altitude showed the impact of high anthropogenic pressure as well as favourable environmental factors like temperature. Also, the impact of global warming on micro flora and fauna present in water bodies situated at high altitude has been discussed. Present study is preliminary work on these two ponds which will provide the baseline data for the further studies. Some further studies required to establish the importance of various environmental factors which are responsible for the growth of more planktonic species at higher altitudes.

Epidemiological, genetic and epigenetic aspects of the research on healthy ageing and longevity

Healthy ageing and longevity in humans result from a number of factors, including genetic background, favorable environmental and social factors and chance.In this article we aimed to overview the research on the biological basis of human healthy ageing and longevity, discussing the role of epidemiological, genetic and epigenetic factors in the variation of quality of ageing and lifespan, including the most promising candidate genes investigated so far. Moreover, we reported the methodologies applied for their identification, discussing advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and possible solutions that can be taken to overcome them. Finally, we illustrated the recent approaches to define healthy ageing and underlined the role that the emerging field of epigenetics is gaining in the search for the determinants of healthy ageing and longevity.

Distribution patterns of medicinal plants along an elevational gradient in central Himalaya, Nepal

This study aimed to compare the distribution patterns and trends of plant parts used among different groups of medicinal plants, geographical regions, and between medicinal plants and all vascular plants. We used the published sources for elevation records of 2,331 medicinal plant species to interpolate presence between minimum and maximum elevations and estimated medicinal plant richness for each 100-m elevational band. Monte Carlo simulations were used to test whether differences in elevational distribution between different groups of medicinal plants were significant. Total number of medicinal plants as well as different groups showed unimodal relationship with elevation. The elevational distributions of medicinal plants significantly differ between regions and between medicinal plant groups. When comparing the richness of all medicinal plants to all vascular plants, Monte Carlo simulations indicated that the numbers of medicinal plants are higher than expected at low elevations. The highest richness of medicinal plants at low elevation could be possibly due to favorable environmental factors such as high temperature, rainfall, sunlight or due to higher density of human population and thus higher pressure on use of any plants in lower elevations.

Widowhood, illegitimacy, marital reproduction and female longevity in a rural Spanish population

Using data from parish and civil registers in a rural community in northwest Spain (Los Nogales), family reconstitution provided 1502 complete reproductive histories, of which 584 corresponded to first marriages of women dying after their 50th birthday. A homogeneous sample consisting of women married in the period 1877–1899 ( N = 311) provided information concerning their reproductive performance, including ages at first and last maternity and number of children born alive and surviving, which was related to the mother's post-menopausal longevity, also considering premarital fertility and her marital status (widow/married). The results obtained indicate that mothers with a lower proportion of children dying before the first birthday and the age of 15 (mainly males) have a greater post-reproductive longevity. Moreover, women with a more protracted end to their reproductive period and greater fertility live for more years beyond their 50th birthday. These results do not prove a causality between maternal longevity and more successful reproduction; instead, they are indicative of a holistic condition of health. A wide spectrum of favorable biological and environmental factors will have positive consequences for a woman's life trajectory, affecting both her reproductive performance and her own likelihood of surviving.

Interrelation among coral reef and sea-grass habitats in the Gulf of Mannar

The Gulf of Mannar consists of ecologically sensitive important habitats such as: coral reef and seagrass. Though each has its own function and importance, two are closely interrelated and supporting each others in function. The majority of the reefs are formed around the 21 islands, while vast sea grass beds are seen in the shoreward side of each islands. In most cases the sea grasses bordering the coral reefs play important role in limiting sedimentation on the coral reefs and help in protection. The coral reefs help in controlling erosion of islands and thereby protecting destruction. These habitats are highly productive and so economically important. The physical, chemical and biological data collected from Manoli Island of Mandapam group of the Gulf of Mannar clearly reveal the interrelationship in enhancing the associated resources, particularly fishes and other invertebrates due to constant supply of nutrients and other favourable environmental factors. The ‘transient’ coral and seagrass associated fishes use these habitats for shelter, food and breeding. During windy and turbulent period in the Gulf of Mannar (April to August), the water is highly turbid and most dense seagrass beds are disturbed because of strong wave action and this period the nearby reefs act as major shelter point to the associated fish resources of seagrass areas. The ecological and economical use of these two important habitats stresses the need for their proper conservation and management to sustain the benefits. Key words: Gulf of Mannar, interrelation among coral reef and sea-grass habitats, physical, chemical and biological data.

Nitrogen fixation in biological soil crusts from the Tengger desert, northern China

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are the primary source of soil nitrogen in dry areas. We investigated the nitrogenase activity of three BSC types from the Tengger desert in responses to stimulated precipitation, temperature, and irradiance intensity. In addition, potential seasonal nitrogen fixation by BSCs was estimated using meteorological records. The nitrogenase activity of BSCs ranged from 2.6 to 16.6 mmol m−2 h−1 in this desert, and nitrogenase activity was significantly dependent on crust type, precipitation, and temperature, but not on irradiance. Cyanobacterial–algal crusts showed the highest nitrogenase activity (16.6 mmol m−2 h−1), followed by lichen crusts (6.9 mmol m−2 h−1), and moss crusts (2.6 mmol m−2 h−1). Cyanobacterial–algal crusts demonstrated maximum nitrogenase activity with 1.54 mm of precipitation, while the maximum activity for lichen and moss crusts occurred at 1.83 mm and 0.65 mm, respectively. The optimum temperature for nitrogenase activity ranged from 15 to 30 °C. Based on meteorological data, the potential nitrogen input was estimated to be 3.7–13.2 g m−2 a−1, and the high nitrogen fixation in this region resulted from the perfect match of optimum climate to the favorable environmental factors for BSC nitrogenase activity. This study demonstrated that BSCs are the main nitrogen input source in this temperate desert ecosystem. In particular, cyanobacterial–algal crusts, which are the first colonizers of the desert ecosystem, may mediate the majority of nitrogen fixation to facilitate soil nitrogen accumulation in these infertile soils.

Yellow fever vectors’ surveillance in three satellite communities of Enugu Municipality, Nigeria

Outbreaks of yellow fever have continued to occur in various parts of Nigeria. Between 1985 and 2000, sporadic outbreaks have plagued some parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Lagos and Benue States of Nigeria. In addition to favourable environmental factors encouraging the development and spread of the viraemia, there is preponderance of Aedes mosquito vector populations, animal reservoir hosts and high number of non-immune human populations, which do not easily render themselves to vector and environmental management strategies. Regular vector surveillance to detect warning signs posed by vector activities and regular immunization of non-immune human populations have remained a reliable method of abating yellow fever outbreaks. In consequence, yellow fever vectors surveillance has been undertaken in three satellite villages (Obe, Nkalagu and Uwani-Uboji) of Enugu Municipality. Four immunized volunteers were used to collect adult vectors, while locally adapted CDC (Centre for Disease Control) ovitraps were used to collect their eggs. Also, house inspection to detect the breeding index of vector populations in and around the houses was undertaken. Results of house inspections in the three communities showed that out of sixty (60) houses visited, 385 containers were found with water, 221 (57.6%) water containers had Aedes larvae with Uwani-Uboji and Obe communities having 83.5% and 53.8% of their water containers with Aedes larvae. For the ovitraps, Nkalagu had an average of 22 eggs per trap. There were high numbers of Aedes africanus adults in the human bait collections at Obe and Uwani-Uboji communities. Aedes albopictus was amongst other mosquito species collected.

Avaliação de medidas de controle da esquistossomose mansoni no Município de Sabará, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 1980-2007

Schistosomiasis control programs in Brazil have helped reduce prevalence and the severe forms of the disease, but have failed to prevent new foci from appearing, especially on the periphery of large cities. The current article aims to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis and the presence of intermediates hosts for Schistosoma mansoni in the district of Ravena, Municipality of Sabará, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 27 years after implementing water treatment and specific treatment for infected individuals. Ravena responded positively to schistosomiasis control measures, with a prevalence of 2.5%. However, the district remains a potential risk area, since it displays favorable environmental and ecological factors for maintenance of the disease. For the prevalence rates to continue low, it will be necessary to invest in sanitation and health education, in addition to treatment of infected individuals.

Geography of Venture Capital Financing in Canada

It is evident from the history of the world that clustering of economic activities (emergence of ancient civilisations, agricultural revolution, industrial revolutions, economic changes during the 2 world wars, and present day globalisation process) takes place in different parts of the world, which mainly depends on the favourable environmental factors. This is true even in the case of venture capital financing, globally as well as with in each region in a country too. Though the North American region is leading with 59 % of the amount raised and 35 % of the amount invested globally (GPE 2006), the share of Canada is only 0.91% and 0.51% respectively (GPE 2006). This clustering is even happening between the regions too, 41% of the investment is in Ontario, 39 % in Quebec, and 11 % in British Columbia, and remaining 8 % is towards other regions in 2005. This clustering has significance in shaping the pattern of regional economic development. This article tries to analyse this clustering of venture capital financing activity in Canada for a period of 13 years (1993-2005), and tries to find out the Venture Capital Development Index of different regions for the last three years (2003-2005). <b>TOPICS:</b>Private equity, developed, quantitative methods