Evolution and epidemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil

AbstractBrazil currently has one of the fastest growing SARS-CoV-2 epidemics in the world. Due to limited available data, assessments of the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on virus transmission and epidemic spread remain challenging. We investigate the impact of NPIs in Brazil using epidemiological, mobility and genomic data. Mobility-driven transmission models for São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities show that the reproduction number (Rt) reached below 1 following NPIs but slowly increased to values between 1 to 1.3 (1.0–1.6). Genome sequencing of 427 new genomes and analysis of a geographically representative genomic dataset from 21 of the 27 Brazilian states identified >100 international introductions of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. We estimate that three clades introduced from Europe emerged between 22 and 27 February 2020, and were already well-established before the implementation of NPIs and travel bans. During this first phase of the epidemic establishment of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, we find that the virus spread mostly locally and within-state borders. Despite sharp decreases in national air travel during this period, we detected a 25% increase in the average distance travelled by air passengers during this time period. This coincided with the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from large urban centers to the rest of the country. In conclusion, our results shed light on the role of large and highly connected populated centres in the rapid ignition and establishment of SARS-CoV-2, and provide evidence that current interventions remain insufficient to keep virus transmission under control in Brazil.One Sentence SummaryJoint analysis of genomic, mobility and epidemiological novel data provide unique insight into the spread and transmission of the rapidly evolving epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

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Evolution and epidemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil

Science ◽

10.1126/science.abd2161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 369 (6508) ◽

pp. 1255-1260 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Darlan S. Candido ◽

Ingra M. Claro ◽

Jaqueline G. de Jesus ◽

William M. Souza ◽

Filipe R. R. Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproduction Number ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Transmission Model ◽

Virus Spread ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Genomic Dataset ◽

Evolutionary Trajectories ◽

Nonpharmaceutical Interventions ◽

The Impact ◽

Traveled Distances

Brazil currently has one of the fastest-growing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemics in the world. Because of limited available data, assessments of the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on this virus spread remain challenging. Using a mobility-driven transmission model, we show that NPIs reduced the reproduction number from >3 to 1 to 1.6 in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Sequencing of 427 new genomes and analysis of a geographically representative genomic dataset identified >100 international virus introductions in Brazil. We estimate that most (76%) of the Brazilian strains fell in three clades that were introduced from Europe between 22 February and 11 March 2020. During the early epidemic phase, we found that SARS-CoV-2 spread mostly locally and within state borders. After this period, despite sharp decreases in air travel, we estimated multiple exportations from large urban centers that coincided with a 25% increase in average traveled distances in national flights. This study sheds new light on the epidemic transmission and evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Brazil and provides evidence that current interventions remain insufficient to keep virus transmission under control in this country.

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Assessing the Impact of Corporate Governance on Non-Performing Loans: Empirical Analysis of the Listed Commercial Banks of Pakistan

Global Social Sciences Review ◽

10.31703/gssr.2019(iv-iii).24 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol IV (III) ◽

pp. 188-196

Author(s):

Ihtesham Khan ◽

Muhammad Ilyas ◽

Shehzad Khan

Keyword(s):

Corporate Governance ◽

Banking Industry ◽

Annual Reports ◽

Governance System ◽

Nonperforming Loans ◽

Time Period ◽

Corporate Governance System ◽

The Impact ◽

Code Compliance

Financial crisis shows the ambiguous role of the corporate governance system. Hence, the main purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of corporate governance on Non-performing loans of the banking industry of Pakistan. The time period selected from 2006 to 2016 and source of data is annual reports of respective banks and the World Bank. In order to explain the relationship between the governance system and non-performing loans used descriptive, correlational and panel data analyses. The results revealed a negative and significant effect of corporate governance on nonperforming loans of sample firms of the study. Therefore, suggested for the banking industry of Pakistan to implement and make sure their reports according to corporate governance code compliance to control non-performing loans.

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Sustainability of urbanization processes in the digital environment: food security factors

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum ◽

10.31648/aspal.6819 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 283-294

Author(s):

Rasul Anvar Balayev ◽

Natig Sarhad Mirzayev ◽

Hafiz Maharram Bayramov

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Food Security ◽

Average Distance ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Digital Environment ◽

Fresh Milk ◽

Fresh Food ◽

Business Entities ◽

The Impact

Motives: The article examines the potential of the digital environment in the sustainable supply of fresh food to the big city. Urbanization is a difficult process to manage, and adapting it to the demands of sustainable development requires the search for the new opportunities and ways. In this context, it is highly probable to use the opportunities provided by the digital environment through the Internet, digital technologies and devices, or other digital means. The place and role of ensuring food security in cities and the sustainability of urbanization processes have been little studied. Aim: It is expedient to assess the role of the suburban zone and the zone of transportation of these products to the city in the provision of large cities with fresh food products in terms of sustainable development of urbanization zones. Results: Research and calculations conducted on the example of the Baku agglomeration (Azerbaijan) have provided an opportunity to comment on the impact of food security factors on the sustainability of urbanization processes in the digital environment. To determine the changes in the transportation zone of fresh milk to this agglomeration, we calculated the proposed “weighted average distance of transportation” indicator. It was revealed that the formation of the digital environment in the agricultural production business entities is faster in the areas located closer to the Baku agglomeration.

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Meal fatty acids and postprandial vascular reactivity

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst0350451 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 451-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

K.G. Jackson ◽

C.K. Armah ◽

A.M. Minihane

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Vascular Reactivity ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Postprandial Lipaemia ◽

Fasted State ◽

Important Target ◽

Time Period ◽

The Impact ◽

Progression Of Atherosclerosis

With increasing recognition of the pivotal role of vascular dysfunction in the progression of atherosclerosis, the vasculature has emerged as an important target for dietary therapies. Recent studies have indicated that chronic fatty acid manipulation alters vascular reactivity, when measured after an overnight fast. However, individuals spend a large proportion of the day in the postprandial (non-fasted) state. Several studies have shown that high fat meals can impair endothelial function within 3–4 h, a time period often associated with peak postprandial lipaemia. Although the impact of meal fatty acids on the magnitude and duration of the postprandial lipaemic response has been extensively studied, very little is known about their impact on vascular reactivity after a meal.

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Reassessing the Impact of Risk Management Capabilities on Firm Value: A Stakeholders Perspective

Sukkur IBA Journal of Management and Business ◽

10.30537/sijmb.v6i2.282 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Asad Khan ◽

Muhammad Ibrahim Khan ◽

Niaz Ahmed Bhutto

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Value Creation ◽

Firm Value ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Financial Firms ◽

Management Capability ◽

Time Period ◽

Management Capabilities ◽

The Impact

Despite the pivotal role of risk management very limited research is carry out on the issue of firm’s risk management capability and value creation. This study aims to analyze the impact of firms risk management capabilities on firm performance and cost. Using panel data technique a sample of 301 non financial firms was analyzed for the time period on five years starting from 2011 to 2015. We assert that effective risk capabilities have positive impact on all stakeholders. The effective risk management capabilities guarantee more resilience to exogenous and endogenous risks. Our findings will have a significant impact on existing literature, by extending the existing knowledge of firm’s risk management capabilities into the domain of diverse stakeholders and resources adjustment.

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Delayed Leidenfrost phenomenon during impact of elastic fluid droplets

Proceedings of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspa.2020.0556 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 476 (2243) ◽

pp. 20200556

Author(s):

Purbarun Dhar ◽

Soumya Ranjan Mishra ◽

Ajay Gairola ◽

Devranjan Samanta

Keyword(s):

Weber Number ◽

Polymer Concentration ◽

Time Period ◽

Increasing Trend ◽

Viscoelastic Effects ◽

Critical Weber Number ◽

Leidenfrost Temperature ◽

Elastic Fluids ◽

The Impact

This article highlights the role of non-Newtonian (elastic) effects on the droplet impact phenomenon at temperatures considerably higher than the boiling point, especially at or above the Leidenfrost regime. The Leidenfrost point (LFP) was found to decrease with an increase in the impact Weber number (based on the velocity just before the impact) for fixed polymer (polyacrylamide) concentrations. Water droplets fragmented at very low Weber numbers (approx. 22), whereas the polymer droplets resisted fragmentation at much higher Weber numbers (approx. 155). We also varied the polymer concentration and observed that, up to 1000 ppm, the LFP was higher than that for water. This signifies that the effect can be delayed by the use of elastic fluids. We have shown the possible role of elastic effects (manifested by the formation of long lasting filaments) during retraction in the increase of the LFP. However, for 1500 ppm, the LFP was lower than that for water, but had a similar residence time during the initial impact. In addition, we studied the role of the Weber number and viscoelastic effects on the rebound behaviour at 405°C. We observed that the critical Weber number up to the point at which the droplet resisted fragmentation at 405°C increased with the polymer concentration. In addition, for a fixed Weber number, the droplet rebound height and the hovering time period increased up to 500 ppm, and then decreased. Similarly, for fixed polymer concentrations like 1000 and 1500 ppm, the rebound height showed an increasing trend up to certain a certain Weber number and then decreased. This non-monotonic behaviour of rebound heights was attributed to the observed diversion of the rebound kinetic energy to rotational energy during the hovering phase. Finally, a relationship between the non-dimensional Leidenfrost temperature and the associated Weber and Weissenberg numbers is developed, and a scaling relation is proposed.

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Rural Urban Classification (RUC) and its impact on funding pattern for urban development in the context of Indian cities

International Journal of Engineering & Technology ◽

10.14419/ijet.v7i1.4.9031 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1.4) ◽

pp. 20

Author(s):

Sourovee Dutta ◽

Madhumita Roy

Keyword(s):

Urban Development ◽

Master Plan ◽

Preparation Process ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Indian Context ◽

Urban Classification ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Impact ◽

Indian Cities

This paper attempts to assess the impact of existing Rural-Urban Classification (RUC) on distribution of development funds among different realms of a settlement in Indian context. The paper questions upon the existing parameters of Census definitions for ‘Urban’ and ‘Rural’ and how it is affecting the ‘Master Plan Preparation Process’ for cities. Further, it indicates the role of RUC for creating disparity in distribution of various Government development funds among settlements, by discussing ten diverse contexts of the country. Due to census definition of settlement classification in a dichotomous fashion, all these developmental schemes are being applicable to Statutory Towns only, the Census Towns are completely ignored, especially the peripheral settlements around major urban centers. The paper seeks to analyze the interrelationship between present funding pattern and degree of urbanization in the selected cases, if exists at all. The paper concludes with a framework to establish a relationship between funding pattern and urbanization and develops an approach towards restructuring the settlement classification, where in the future, the Peri-Urban realms / Census Towns can be considered under urban development schemes, can undergo planned urbanization and as a result, disparity in terms of development can be minimized in the country.

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Frequency of Dental Caries in Four Historical Populations from the Chalcolithic to the Middle Ages

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2011/519691 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A.-M. Grimoud ◽

S. Lucas ◽

A. Sevin ◽

P. Georges ◽

O. Passarrius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Ages ◽

Food Access ◽

Middle Age ◽

Population Sample ◽

Historical Period ◽

South West ◽

Time Period ◽

Carious Lesions ◽

The Impact

The majority of dental carie studies over the course of historical period underline mainly the prevalence evolution, the role of carbohydrates consumption and the impact of access to dietary resources. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare population samples from two archaeological periods the Chacolithic and Middle Age taking into account the geographical and socio economical situation. The study concerned four archaelogical sites in south west France and population samples an inlander for the Chalcolithic Age, an inlander, an costal and urban for the Middle Age. The materials studied included a total of 127 maxillaries, 103 mandibles and 3316 teeth. Data recorded allowed us to display that the Chalcolithic population sample had the lowest carie percentage and the rural inlander population samples of Middle Age the highest; in all cases molars were teeth most often affected. These ones differences could be explained according to time period, carious lesions were usually less recorded in the Chalcolithic Age than the Middle because of a lesser cultivation of cereals like in les Treilles Chacolithic population sample. In the Middle Age population samples, the rural inland sample Marsan showed the highest frequency of caries and ate more cereal than the coastal Vilarnau and the poor urban St Michel population samples, the first one ate fish and Mediterranean vegetal and fruits and the second one met difficulties to food access, in both cases the consumption of carbohydrates was lesser than Marsan population sample who lived in a geographical land convice to cereals cultivation.

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Exponential Organizations Hypergrowth Strategies and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Firm Size and Marketing Spending

Regular issue - International Journal of Management and Humanities ◽

10.35940/ijmh.g1262.035721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (7) ◽

pp. 112-121

Author(s):

Hamza Tubaishat* ◽

◽

Refaat Faouri ◽

Hussam Alshammari ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Firm Performance ◽

Firm Size ◽

Business Models ◽

International Markets ◽

Time Period ◽

Fixed Assets ◽

Marketing Spending ◽

The Impact ◽

Moderating Role

With the increasing concerns of hypergrowth in order to compete in the international markets and survive, this study aids all firms in various industries, entrepreneurs and decision makers and draw their attention to business models and hypergrowth strategies that are applied by the fast-growing firms in the world. This study investigates the impact of hypergrowth strategy- leveraging assets that developed by Salim, (2014) and firm performance in exponential organizations; The sample size tested constituted of (34) exponential organizations form the fortune 500 and multiple regressions via Stata version 15 was applied for the time period of (2016-2019). Preliminary analysis was conducted to check the assumptions related to the regression models which include unit root, autocorrelation, residuals normality and heteroskedasticity issues. The results showed significant positive relationships between Growth in Fixed Assets (leveraging Assets strategy) and firm performance measured by ROA and ROE whereas, the moderating role of marketing spending and firm size showed insignificant impact in the relationship.

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