Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:04:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao-marcos-andre-matos.pdf: 725697 bytes, checksum: e2fcb1b4531591c5a4eeebc3b47ca54f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-12-20 / The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological and molecular profile of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in long distance truck drivers in Brazil. From October 2005 to 2006, 641 individuals were interviewed on sociodemographic and risk factors, and blood samples were collected to test for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti- HBs and anti-HBc) by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg positive samples were submitted to HBV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A global prevalence of HBV was 18.9% (95% CI: 15.9-22.2): 16 were HBsAg positive, 117 anti-HBc total and 69 anti-HBs. Thirty truck drivers were anti- HBs only, suggesting vaccination against hepatitis B. Length of profession above 20 years, time away from home more than 15 days and history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were independently associated to HBV positivity by multivariate analysis. Among HBsAg-positive truck drivers, one (6.2%) were HBeAg reactive, nine (56.25%) anti-HBe positive and the rest negative for both markers. HBV DNA was detected in nine samples of the HBsAg-positive individuals, being identified the genotype A (22.2%), D (55.6%) and F (22.2%). These findings ratify the high risk of hepatitis B infection in truck drivers, and highlight the importance of public health politics addressed to this group whom presents characteristics which may favour HBV acquiring and it dissemination. / O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o perfil soroepidemiológico e molecular da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B em caminhoneiros de rota longa no Brasil. De outubro de 2005 a outubro de 2006, 641 indivíduos foram entrevistados sobre dados sócio-demográficos e fatores de risco, e coletadas amostras sanguíneas para detecção dos marcadores sorológicos do HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBs e anti-HBc) pelo ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). As amostras HBsAg reagentes foram submetidas a detecção do DNA viral pela reação da polimerase em cadeia (PCR) e genotipadas pela análise do polimorfismo de comprimento dos fragmentos de restrição (RFLP). A prevalência global para os marcadores da infecção pelo HBV foi de 18,9% (IC 95%: 15,9-22,2): 16 eram HBsAg positivos, 117 anti-HBc total e 69 anti-HBs. Trinta caminhoneiros apresentaram positividade isolada ao anti-HBs, evidenciando imunidade contra hepatite B. Tempo de profissão acima de 20 anos, tempo de permanência fora do lar superior a 15 dias e história de doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) foram fatores independentemente associados à positividade ao HBV pela análise multivariada. Dentre os caminhoneiros HBsAg reagentes, um (6,2%) apresentou reatividade ao HBeAg, nove (56,2%) ao anti-HBe e o restante negativo para ambos os marcadores. HBV DNA foi detectado em nove amostras de indivíduos HBsAg reagentes, sendo identificados os genótipos A (22,2%), D (55,6%) e F (22,2%). Os resultados deste estudo ratificam o risco elevado da população caminhoneira para infecção pelo HBV, e apontam para a necessidade de políticas públicas de saúde voltadas para este grupo, que apresenta características que favorecem a aquisição e disseminação do vírus da hepatite B.

Presently, heavy-duty trucks are responsible for approximately 25% of global CO2 emissions. Although the world seems to incline towards the transport sector's electrification, the electrification of long-range freight trucks is profoundly challenging. The dominant disincentives are the required infrastructure, cost/size of batteries, limited mileage, and long charging sessions. However, despite the efforts to reduce emissions, current trends indicate that these continue to rise, mostly because of the continually increasing freight transit. Regional economies are heavily dependent on the latter. Thus, the imminent depletion of fossil fuels and the emerging environmental issues are disquieting aspects for the sustainability of this crucial sector. This thesis focuses on the possible alternative powertrain/drivetrain solutions for heavy-duty, long-range freight trucks in conjunction with sustainable energy carriers for the transportation sector overall. In terms of viable fuelling alternatives, the following are being reviewed: Electric Power, Bio-Fuels, and Synthetic Fuels, along with their current status, advantages, disadvantages and future prospects. In terms of powertrain/drivetrain alternatives, the following are being theoretically and critically evaluated and compared against a direct drive conventional Diesel engine truck (25.2% wheel efficiency): Battery Electric, Electric powered with overhead cables or underground conductive coils, combined Gas Turbine/Stirling Engine Hybrid Electric in series, combined Diesel engine/Stirling engine Hybrid Electric in series, and Diesel engine Hybrid Electric in series.  It is concluded that the best scenario for future freight trucks, is the use of an electric drivetrain/powertrain in conjunction with overhead powering cables along the highways. However, due to uncertainties in the universal realization of such infrastructure, to ensure uninterrupted transportation of goods, a plausible transitional solution could be the use of a Diesel engine/Stirling engine Hybrid Electric in series technology. This could reduce emissions/consumption by a factor of 2.4 (60% wheel efficiency). For the case of Gas turbine/Stirling engine and Diesel engine (both) Hybrid Electric in-series arrangements, this factor drops to 1.7 and 1.4 (42.9% and 34.3% wheel efficiency), respectively. Furthermore, this can be a clean and sustainable solution if biofuels are employed as the prime energy carriers. Such an approach is future-proof for use with overhead cables, since the suggested powertrain is electric, rendering a freight truck as a very versatile heavy-duty, long-range vehicle. Electro-fuels are not considered as a viable option due to their inefficient formulation, elevated costs, and problematic handling (Hydrogen).