Tropical Climate Countries Research Articles

Anthropometric Profile and Rate of Sweating in Women Soccer Athletes

Soccer is a sport that arouses most interest in young people, adults and elderly of both sexes. Soccer requires intense energy expenditure during practice, games and competitions, including quick race, explosion, endurance training, jumping, strength and flexibility exercises. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric profile and determine sweating rate (SR) and risk of dehydration percentage in women Soccer athletes. Anthropometric data was collected regarding weight, height and three skinfolds, and from these the body mass index and body fat percentage were calculated. 15 Soccer players female, who had averaged 26.1 (2.9) years, 61.8 (8.0) kg and 162.2 (5.1) cm participated. The BMI was 23.5 (3.1) kg/m2 and 28.5% G (3,7), classifying them as eutrophic with body fat excess. The hydration status after competitive training, we obtained SR 0.3 (0.1) L/h and Water Déficit (WD) 0.5% (0.2)%. Thus, despite the low risk of dehydration rehydration no specific recommendations were found, and shall remain the guidance of weighing before and after to situation water monitoring, in view of the adverse weather conditions for the competitive practice in a tropical climate country.

Influence of transport Layer on Transient Suction Distribution in a Two-Layered Slope

Residual soil slope failure due to rainfall infiltration is one of geotechnical hazards receiving much attention in many tropical climate countries. The infiltrating water eliminates matric suction in the residual soil slope and results in slope failure. A capillary barrier is used to prevent excessive rainfall infiltration and preserve matric suction in the residual soil slope and hence prevent rainfall-induced slope failure. A numerical study to examine the performance of a transport layer in a two-layered slope using capillary barrier principle was presented in this paper. Material properties of tropical residual soils consisting of Grade V (silty gravel) and Grade VI (sandy silt) were used and modelled a two-layered slope. These material properties were obtained from representative soil sample of Balai Cerapan slope in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru campus. A granite chips (Gravel) was also incorporated to act as a transport layer in the numerical model. The simulated slope model was then subjected to three different rainfall intensities of 9 mm/h (rainfall 1), 22 mm/h (rainfall 2) and 36 mm/h (Rainfall 3) representing short, medium and high intensity rainfalls, respectively. A total of six numerical schemes were performed by restricting the thickness of the transport layer to 0.1 m. However, to assess the effect of the transport layer thickness on suction distribution; the thickness was increased to 0.2 m. The results of the study show that inclusion of gravelly transport layer enables the top layer of fine sandy silt residual soil to retain the infiltrating water as a result of capillary break developed at the interface and also divert it above the interface towards the direction of the toe of the slope. Similarly the transport layer is found to be effective in preventing water breakthrough occurrence into the underlying coarser soil layer of the two-layered slope, especially when the thickness of the transport layer is optimum.

The effects of intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan in chronic haemodialysis patients in a tropical climate country.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease is an emerging problem in the majority Muslim countries. Despite the uncertainties of the risks involved, some Muslim patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis choose to observe intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan. This study aims to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting in haemodialysis patients residing in a tropical climate country.MethodsThis prospective cross sectional study recruited Muslim patients on regular haemodialysis from three haemodialysis centres in Kuala Lumpur from 15th July 2011 to 29th August 2011. Patients who fasted for any number of days were included (n = 35, 54% female, age 54±11 years). 89% of patients fasted for more than 15 days and 49% were diabetics. Dialysis parameters and blood samples were obtained one week prior to Ramadan and during the last week of Ramadan. The differences in dialysis parameters and biochemical values pre- and end-Ramadan were examined using paired t-test.ResultsBoth pre- and post-dialysis weight were significantly decreased during Ramadan fasting compared to the month prior (p = <0.001). There was a significant decrease in the amount of ultrafiltration (p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in dry weight, inter-dialytic weight gain, mean urea reduction ratio or blood pressure measurements comparing pre- and end of Ramadan fasting. There was a significant increase in serum albumin level (p = 0.006) and decrease in serum phosphate level (p = 0.02) at the end of Ramadan.ConclusionRamadan fasting is associated with reduced weight, improved serum albumin and phosphate level in our population of haemodialysis patients. A larger multi-centre study will allow us to understand more about the effects of fasting in this population.

The Influence of Water Content Variations on Friction Capacity of Piles in Expansive Soil

Seasonal change in tropical climate countries like Indonesia causes variations in soil moisture content. On expansive soil, this condition influences the soil moisture content in the upper few meters, which is generally termed as the active zone. The water content variation induces the changes in physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil and these changes have an impact to the friction capacity of piles. The main objectives of this research are to investigate the influence of water content variations on friction capacity of concrete and steel piles. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted considering the water content variations and pile material. A pile model made of concrete and steel was penetrated to soil sample which was placed in a cylindrical tube. This tube has a diameter about 15 times the diameter of the pile model. The pile model was loaded to failure to investigate the friction capacity. Based on the results from laboratory testing, it can be concluded that the change of water content have a great impact to friction capacity of piles. Friction capacity of concrete and steel piles has decreased up to eight and nine times from drying condition to wetting condition. The results also showed that pile material influenced the friction capacity which steel pile had higher friction capacity than concrete pile.

Assessment on Passive Cooling Techniques to Improve Steel Roof Thermal Performance in Hot Tropical Climate

In African hot tropical climate countries, due to climate and the unsuitability of construction materials, building’s indoor environment remains over the thermal comfort acceptable limit over long periods of time during the year. Among the building envelope components, roof is a critical part that is highly susceptible to solar radiation. Solutions like passive cooling and low energy consumption systems are not explored enough in those countries. These techniques and systems can be used to meet a large part of the cooling needs and reduce the overheating period in buildings, but their applicability depends on the climate zone. In this paper, investigations were conducted to determine their potential to improve steel roof performance for free running buildings under tropical climatic conditions. The case studies are two configurations (with and without attic) of typical steel roof in Burkina Faso. Using dynamic simulation, we have evaluated the impacts of radiant barrier, insulation, cool paint and ventilation for two configuration of roofing. For both configurations, high reflective solutions perform very well. It also appears that the attic case due to its actual configuration (shape and design) and to the climate conditions ventilation does not perform very well. These results can help building actors during the design process.

Preliminary Study of CST in Malaysia based on Field Optical Efficiency

Solar is one of the many sources of renewable energy, and Concentrating Solar Tower (CST) is one of the most potential technologies in extracting solar energy. Thermal efficiency of CST is high and suitable to be implemented in a tropical climate country such as Malaysia which is located between at 10 to 70 North latitude and 1000 to 1200 east longitude. Further, Malaysia's direct normal irradiation (DNI) in tropical climate is almost constant throughout a year with the irradiation around 1500 to 2000 kWh/m2. Therefore the aim of this paper is to mathematically calculate the CST field layout in Malaysia in term of thermal efficiency based on cosine efficiency, atmosphere efficiency and mirror efficiency. The preliminary result from this paper shows Malaysia is a suitable location to develop CST with average of atmospheric transmittance efficiency and cosine efficiency of 94% and 63% respectively and the overall optical field efficiency is 52%. In addition, the atmospheric transmittance and cosine efficiency has high value but the efficiency gradually decreases whenever the distance increases. Nevertheless further investigation in term of solar irradiation and raining pattern in Malaysia is needed.

Influence of climate conditions on aflatoxin M1 contamination in raw milk from Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in milk is a potential risk for animal and human health. The occurrence of AFM1 in raw milk from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in different climate conditions was evaluated. A total of 129 milk samples were collected from dairy farms in three distinct periods (dry period, transition period and rainy period), and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) as screening test. Samples with AFM1 at concentrations above 0.05 μg/L were analyzed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) as confirmatory method. All the analyzed samples showed contamination with AFM1. In the three periods, AFM1 was detected at concentrations below the permitted limit of 0.50 μg/L in milk, according to the Brazilian legislation, and 18 samples (13.95%) showed contamination with AFM1 above the permitted limit of 0.05 μg/L established by Codex Alimentarius and European Commission. Milk contamination with AFM1 was significantly affected by climatic conditions, and the highest values were verified in dry period. The AFM1 contamination was lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) estimated for Latin America, indicating that milk from this region is safe for human consumption. Control measures to monitor AFM1 in milk are mandatory in tropical climate countries especially in dry periods.

A review on predicted mean vote and adaptive thermal comfort models

This paper presents a literature review of the Fanger’s predicted mean vote and adaptive thermal comfort models developed in different buildings and climates. An important premise of this paper is the fact that Fanger’s model underestimates the thermal impression in the actual case and thus is no longer valid for use in certain climates. As a consequence, many researchers have developed adaptive models from field studies for different climates and countries. However, there is still no adaptive model that can be applied in designing air-conditioning systems for different buildings in all tropical climate countries. Based on this comprehensive review, an internationally recognized adaptive model is needed to achieve better thermal conditions in a variety of buildings such as hospitals, offices, factories, lecture halls, museums, hotels and libraries in the tropics. Practical application: The new conclusions from the comprehensive review on an adaptive thermal comfort model in buildings in the tropics could be used as an important guide for building service engineers and researchers. Their intentions are to minimize energy usage in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings such as hospitals, offices and lecture halls operating in the tropics while maintaining an acceptable thermal comfort level and thus improving the performance and well-being of the occupants.

Índice fuzzy de conforto térmico para frangos de corte

A estimativa de conforto térmico na avicultura moderna é importante para que sistemas de climatização possam ser acionados no tempo correto, diminuindo perdas e aumentando rendimentos. Embora a literatura corrente apresente alguns índices de conforto térmico, que são aplicados para essa estimativa, estes são baseados apenas em condições do ambiente térmico e não consideram fatores importantes inerentes aos animais, tais como genética e capacidade de aclimatação, provendo, geralmente, uma estimativa inadequada do conforto térmico das aves. Este trabalho desenvolveu o Índice Fuzzy de Conforto Térmico (IFCT), com o intuito de estimar o conforto térmico de frangos de corte, considerando que o mecanismo usado pelas aves para perda de calor em ambientes fora da zona termoneutra é a vasodilatação periférica, que aumenta a temperatura superficial, e que pode ser usada como indicador do estado de conforto. O IFCT foi desenvolvido a partir de dois experimentos, que proporcionaram 108 cenários ambientais diferentes. Foram usadas imagens termográficas infravermelhas, para o registro dos dados de temperaturas superficiais das penas e da pele, e o grau de empenamento das aves. Para os mesmos cenários de ambiente térmico observados nos experimentos, foram comparados os resultados obtidos usando o IFCT e o Índice de Temperatura e Umidade (ITU). Os resultados validaram o IFCT para a estimativa do conforto térmico de frangos de corte, sendo específico na estimativa de condições de perigo térmico, usual em alojamentos em países de clima tropical. Essa característica é desejável em modelos que estimem o bem-estar térmico de frangos de corte, pois situações classificadas como perigo acarretam no dispêndio de recursos para evitar perdas produtivas.

Evaluation of landfill gas production and emissions in a MSW large-scale Experimental Cell in Brazil

Landfill gas (LFG) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are an important environmental concern in Brazil due to the existence of several uncontrolled disposal sites. A program of laboratory and field tests was conducted to investigate gas generation in and emission from an Experimental Cell with a 36,659-ton capacity in Recife/PE – Brazil. This investigation involved waste characterisation, gas production and emission monitoring, and geotechnical and biological evaluations and was performed using three types of final cover layers. The results obtained in this study showed that waste decomposes 4–5 times faster in a tropical wet climate than predicted by traditional first-order models using default parameters. This fact must be included when considering the techniques and economics of projects developed in tropical climate countries. The design of the final cover layer and its geotechnical and biological behaviour proved to have an important role in minimising gas emissions to the atmosphere. Capillary and methanotrophic final cover layers presented lower CH 4 flux rates than the conventional layer.

Radiological emergencies in a tropical climate country: Developing a multi-criteria decision tool

One of the permanent concerns in the international scenario is the study of the consequences of nuclear and radiological accidents and other events that lead to the contamination of the environment and the exposure of members of the public as a consequence of this contamination. Decision-making in such situations need to be based in solid technical criteria but must also take into account the actual prevailing circumstance in order to reach optimized measures to protect people and the environment. The Multi-criteria Analysis Method is already being used for similar applications in some European countries but it is necessary that the criteria are established taking in account economic, social and climatic aspects that can affect the selection of protective measures applicable to specific regions, and the selection of the different weights to be associated to the different criteria that are to be applied to different social-politic environments. The present work describes the developments to support the decision making process for the implementation of protective measures to protect the public in situations of radiological accidents in Brazil, the steps already developed and the current status of the system under development, discusses the difficulties found and stresses the needs for future developments.

Radioecological risk assessment in tropical climate countries

Since the 90’s the relevance of considering environmental aspects in development industrial activities has been steadily growing. The anthropocentric philosophy of radiological protection has been questioned and research and development on ecological risk assessment has now an import role in overall risk assessment procedures. However, most development up to now has focused temperate climate country biota and cannot be directly applied to tropical climate countries, due to the very different environmental characteristics and biodiversity. A preliminary survey focusing the area surrounding the Brazilian nuclear power plant site has shown that very few of the ICRP’s reference animals and plants can be used to characterize environmental protection in tropical climate areas. The development of such lists and all the research needed on parameter values to fulfill a risk assessment procedure would be extremely expensive, and more pragmatic approaches are needed to turn the process reliable in a more global way.

Treatment of severe chromoblastomycosis with itraconazole and 5-flucytosine association

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic human melanized fungi infection of the subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic inoculation of a specific group of dematiaceous fungi through the skin, often found in barefooted agricultural workers, in tropical and subtropical climate countries. We report the case of a male patient presenting a slow-growing pruriginous lesion on the limbs for 20 years, mistreated over that time, which was diagnosed and successfully treated as chromoblastomycosis. Besides the prevalence of this disease, treatment is still a clinical challenge.

Analyses of heat recovery devices in the HVAC system in an operating theatre in the tropics

The air-conditioning system is the major electricity consumption for the non-domestic buildings. A significant part of energy savings can be achieved if heat recovery technologies such as run-around coils, plate-to-plate heat exchangers, heat recovery wheels and heat pipe heat exchangers are incorporated into the ACMV system of these buildings. Non-domestic buildings, such as hospitals, expense even more energy as the supply of fresh air into the space is deemed necessary. For example, air must be changed at least 25 times hourly and recirculation of RA is prohibited for the operating theatres. Therefore, an operating theatre of a hospital in a tropical climate country was chosen for this research. The performance of the existing air-conditioning system has been thoroughly studied to investigate the potential in energy savings in the building. The transient system simulation program (TRNSYS) was used to analyse the air-conditioning system incorporated with heat recovery devices. Generally, there are eight heat recovery systems analysed using TRNSYS, which divided into two groups: the heat recovery ventilating system and heat recovery dehumidification system. The energy savings, payback period, dehumidification enhancement, stability of indoor air conditions and preventing the cross contamination, for each of the systems, were analysed in comparison to each other. Based on this study, it is recommended that the heat recovery systems should be installed to enhance moisture removal and reduce energy usage of HVAC system operating in hospitals. Practical application: The good amount of technical information of real application conducted on heat recovery devices installed in HVAC systems in operating theatres in the tropics could be used as a comprehensive guide for building services engineers and researchers who are intending to apply heat recovery devices as ‘coolness’ recovery and dehumidification devices in HVAC systems operating in tropical countries.

Feasibility study of an ice slurry-cooling coil for HVAC and R systems in a tropical building

Abstract The study applies the software Transient Systems Simulation Program (TRNSYS) to estimate the air conditions as well as the energy consumption of a typical library located in a tropical climate country. The simulation uses Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data for Kuala Lumpur as the research site, which is the Dentistry library in University of Malaya is located in Kuala Lumpur. The current HVAC and R systems of the library are found to be inherently energy-inefficient and potentially improvable with an ice slurry-cooling coil. The impact on energy consumption and space thermal comfort of a custom-built AHU with an ice slurry-cooling coil incorporated in the HVAC and R systems is simulated in comparison to the baseline system. Based on this investigation, it is recommended that an ice slurry-cooling coil could be incorporated in tropical climate HVAC and R systems for improvement in energy management and dehumidification enhancement.

As Inundações e Memória Social: Algumas Medidas De Prevenção e Controlo da Biodegradação Dos Documentos e Arquivos (Floods and Social Memory: Some Measures for the Protection and Control of Biodegradation in Records and Archives)

This paper is written in Portuguese. It identifies common problems related to preventing and dealing with disasters in underdeveloped countries in tropical climates. Professional and trained staff are key to dealing with disasters, such as the effects of floods (moisture, water infiltration and biodegradations) caused by nature and human action. The paper contributes some strategies that could be used to fight the consequences of disasters threatening governmental and photographic records, microfilms and films. It is the opinion of the writer that every small action in this area is important, if done in scientific ways. ESARBICA Journal Vol.23 2004: 93-105

Terapêutica no carcinoma de células escamosas cutâneo em gatos

O carcinoma de células escamosas é uma neoplasia cutânea de grande relevância em países de clima tropical como o Brasil, uma vez que a exposição crônica à radiação ultravioleta é um dos fatores importantes para o desenvolvimento da doença. Esta revisão tem por objetivo discorrer sobre alternativas de tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos, com ênfase à terapia fotodinâmica. A escolha da modalidade terapêutica deve ser estabelecida de acordo com o estadiamento do tumor, o estado geral do paciente, a colaboração do proprietário e a disponibilidade de equipamentos e fármacos. A precocidade no diagnóstico tem efeito fundamental no prognóstico.

Landfill leachate treatment by an experimental subsurface flow constructed wetland in tropical climate countries

Municipal leachate was treated in an experimental unit of constructed wetlands of subsurface flow type. The parameters studied were organics (BOD and COD), solids and heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Pb). Using two types of emergent plants of Scirpus globulosus and Eriocaulon sexangulare, more than 80% removal was achieved for all the parameters. E. sexangulare removed organics and heavy metals better than Scirpus globulosus. A higher concentration of heavy metals in the influent did not change the removal efficiency.

Appropriate water supply and sanitation technology for developing countries in tropical monsoon climates

In the past, the water supply and sewage services for the urban regions of developing countries have been provided, in the main, only for the more affluent areas of these cities. This paper, dealing especially with those countries with tropical monsoon climates, advocates the construction of more comprehensive systems.

Fecal coliforms as indicators in tropical waters: A review

Nowhere is the importance of accurate determination of recent human fecal contamination greater than in the tropics. The diversity of waterborne diseases and their severity is greatest in tropical environments. Since most of the countries in tropical climates are underdeveloped, with large populations that are undernourished, ill‐housed, with poor medical services, waterborne diseases may have a much greater effect on public health in the tropics than in temperate areas. Universally, tropical areas accept water maximum contaminant levels developed by temperate nations, despite the obvious differences in tropical climates. High densities of total and fecal coliform bacteria have been detected in pristine streams and in groundwater samples collected from many tropical parts of the world, even in epiphytic vegetation 10 m above ground in the rain forest of Puerto Rico. Nucleic acid (DNA) analyses of Escherichia coli from pristine tropical environs has indicated that they are identical to clinical isolates of E. coli. Many tropical source waters have been shown to have enteric pathogens in the complete absence of coliforms. Diffusion chamber studies with E. coli at several tropical sites reveal that this bacterium can survive indefinitely in most freshwaters in Puerto Rico. An evaluation of methods for the enumeration of fecal coliforms showed that currently used media have poor reliability as a result of large numbers of false positive and false negative results when applied to tropical water samples. Total and fecal coliform bacteria are not reliable indicators of recent biological contamination of waters in tropical areas. Fecal streptococci and coliphages in tropical waters violate the same underlying assumptions of indicator assays as the coliforms. Anaerobic bacteria like Bifidobacterium spp. and Clostridium perfringens show some promise in terms of survival, but not in ease of enumeration and media specificity. The best course at present lies in using current techniques for direct enumeration of pathogens by fluorescent staining and nucleic acid analysis, and developing tropical maximum contaminant levels for certain resistant pathogens in tropical waters.