The interactions among hydrogeomorphic features of large lowland rivers regulate the spatio‐temporal fluvial dynamics and influence the occurrence and understanding of the ecological patterns in these systems. We studied the hydrogeomorphic features that explain the fluvial dynamics of the Paraná River floodplain and investigated the usefulness of NDVI patterns in summarizing these dynamics. Information layers related to elevation, drainage network, geomorphic units, runoff dynamics, and NDVI patterns of the study area were generated from multi‐source remote sensing data and fieldwork measurements. All these layers were integrated and analysed in a GIS environment, and the statistical association among them was corroborated. In our study area, the interaction among hydrogeomorphic features determined a centrifugal flooding pattern through which inundation occurs when water from remote courses, fluvial lakes, and secondary tributaries reaches the main channel. The areas closest to the main channel are flooded only when it overflows. Five NDVI patterns statistically different in terms of their means and standard deviations were identified and characterized. These NDVI patterns were significantly associated with elevation, geomorphic units, and runoff dynamics, highlighting their usefulness to characterize the fluvial dynamics and support understanding of the ecological patterns. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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In this article we describe the decision making process used to choose the best alternative for bringing under control an epidemic of meningococcal C disease, which occurred in Galicia in 1996. In the decision making process, we used a methodology which consisted on the identification and definition of a problem, in order to identify alternative solutions and to select one, and finally implement and evaluate it. The health problem was detected studying the data obtained from a survey conducted following an outbreak of meningococcal C disease in february 1995 and from the active epidemiological surveillance system created thereafter. Because this was a new, complex and severe problem, with far-reaching social consequences, critical for our organization, and with long-term implications, and because it was considered important to take the decision as objectively as possible and to clearly explain it, the methodology chosen to solve the problem was a non-programmed, multicriteria making decision process, carried out by a working group using a criterion weighting approach. This working group was created within the General Directorate of Public Health, composed of specialist and of people responsible for the different areas involved. The working group put into practice the different steps of the methodology. The assessment criteria and their respective weights were: effect (efficacy measured by the number of cases we could have prevented if the alternatives were applied in the previous season) 40%; cost (in millions of pesetas) 15%; acceptability (acceptance of and response to each strategy from different groups: general population, health care professionals, other Administrations with competency in Public Health) 30%; and coherence (adherence to the currently accepted strategies for disease control in other countries)15%. When these criteria were applied to the ten alternatives considered, a score was obtained for each one of them. The highest scoring alternative corresponded to the massive vaccination of the total population of Galicia between 18 months and 19 years of age.

O cadastro é a base do sistema de administração territorial de um país, contém o registro dos distintos interesses sobre o território nacional, descreve geometricamente os imóveis e interopera com outros registros. Normalmente cobre o território continental e se detém ao limite legal marítimo, não obstante, as empresas e os governos precisam de dados e/ou informação referidas aos direitos, restrições e responsabilidades também no ambiente marinho. Na América do Sul a administração destes interesses não foi ainda unificada ou padronizada, muito menos registrada em um sistema de informação geográfica de referência único oficial nacional. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é contribuir com a modelagem de um Cadastro Marinho (CM) e desenvolver um protótipo de Sistema de Informação Marinha - SIM para sua implementação, previamente à disponibilização de uma infraestrutura de dados espaciais marinha. O SIM foi desenvolvido sob uma estrutura que responde às necessidades de sistematizar informações para o CM ao vincular os dados temáticos a uma saída gráfica para visualizar dados abertos na Argentina, Brasil e Uruguai. Garante a interoperabilidade a partir do estabelecimento de padrões comuns e pode ser o responsável pelo cadastro e pelas atividades de monitoramento do ambiente marinho. Foi construído em JavaScript, com o auxílio de bibliotecas open source como a LeafletJS e suas extensões. Os resultados deste trabalho dão diretrizes para o estabelecimento do marco legal relevante associado a este empreendimento no que se refere ao delineamento da institucionalidade responsável pela estruturação de um CM sob padrões internacionais.