Background The recent Zika virus (ZIKAV) epidemics disclosed a major public health threat and a scientific and technological (S&T) challenge. The lessons learned from the S&T response of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries are critical to inform further research and guide scientific investments. The present study aimed to assess how new S&T knowledge produced and disseminated regionally can contribute to address global health challenges. Methods Scientometric and social network analysis methods were used to assess the LAC scientific contribution and potential technological development on ZIKAV up to December 2017. ZIKAV-related publications were retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Regionally published articles were obtained from SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) and LILACS (Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean) databases. Patent registries were retrieved using Orbit Intelligence and Derwent Innovation. Records from each database were individually downloaded, integrated, standardized and analyzed. Results We retrieved 5421 ZIKAV-related publications, revealing a sharp increase from 2015 onwards. LAC countries accounted for 20% of all publications and Brazil was among the top three most central countries in the global network for ZIKAV research. A total of 274 patent families backed up by experimental evidence were retrieved. Only 5% were filed by LAC assignees, all of them based in Brazil. The largest contribution of LAC research was on the clinical manifestations of the ZIKAV infection, along with vector control, which was also the main focus of patents. Conclusions Our analysis offered a comprehensive overview of ZIKAV’s research and development and showed that (i) LAC countries had a key role in generating and disseminating scientific knowledge on ZIKAV; (ii) LAC countries have expressively contributed to research on ZIKAV clinical manifestations; (iii) the Brazilian scientific community was potentially very effective in knowledge sharing and diffusion in the ZIKAV research network; (iv) Brazil was the single LAC country filing patents, mostly represented by independent inventors and low-tech patents. The paper advocates the need for a continued interdisciplinary approach to improve LAC countries ability to prevent, prepare for and control future outbreaks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6842-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Collaborative networks are of great value for science and technology (S&T) institutions as a way of sharing, generating and disseminating new knowledge that could ultimately lead to innovations. Driven by the need to assess the contribution and effectiveness of these networks in informing S&T management, we explored the evolution and dynamics of tuberculosis scientific networks involving the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the major public health S&T Institution in Brazil. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to produce a 10-year (2005–2009, 2010–2014) retrospective longitudinal mapping of Brazilian tuberculosis research networks within the country and internationally, highlighting Fiocruz collaborations. Co-authorship analysis showed a significant expansion of collaboration in Brazil and the role of Fiocruz and other leading national institutions in maintaining connectivity, facilitating knowledge exchange and reducing network vulnerability. It also identified influential researchers that can act as information leaders and support strategic decisions. When we focused on networks inside the institution, the analysis showed a clear discontinuation between the clinical and the public health research areas, which needs specific internal policies to improve collaborations since outcomes in TB are expected to provide better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments. The approach provides evidence to support S&T management by pinpointing: key central institutions maintaining network connectivity; most influential researchers that can act as advisors/experts for investment and induction policies; key Fiocruz researchers that could improve information exchange, systems integration and innovation within the institution; opportunities for synergy between internal research groups working in complementary areas. In summary, we observed that SNA parameters proved to be a valuable tool that, along with other indicators, can strengthen knowledge platforms to support S&T management efforts.

O artigo delineou o perfil dos membros da Rede Iberoamericana de Pesquisadores em História da Psicologia (RIPeHP). Optou-se por utilizar como método principal um questionário para obtenção das informações acerca dos membros. Alguns dados foram complementados por meio da Plataforma Lattes e do Portal de información de Ciencia y Tecnología Argentino, bem como currículos disponibilizados na Internet. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os membros da RIPeHP tendem a ser pesquisadores com formação em psicologia, com doutorado e prática docente, nucleados na sua maioria em instituições localizadas nas cidades de Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá e Belo Horizonte

A necessidade de uso dos recursos naturais estimulou as mudanças de cobertura da terra, com isso, inúmeros problemas foram surgindo e houve a necessidade de estabelecer políticas de uso restritivo dos recursos como as RESEX’s. De forma a auxiliar a gestão dessas UC’s o estudo da sua vulnerabilidade se faz importante. O município de estudo foi São João da Ponta que abriga uma RESEX a nível federal. A metodologia utilizada consistiu na análise de diversas variáveis que tendem a influenciar o grau de resiliência (Altitude, Declividade, Geologia, Pedologia, Precipitação e Uso e Cobertura do solo), estas variáveis foram processadas em um ambiente SIG e em seguida utilizadas para o cálculo do Índice de Vulnerabilidade. Foram obtidos como resultados mapas temáticos para cada variável e da vulnerabilidade ambiental de São João da Ponta, a fim de demonstrar espacialmente o grau de resiliência da área e quais os fatores influenciadores. Com isso, foi possível observar que as regiões que apresentaram maior vulnerabilidade estão dentro da RESEX em virtude dos manguezais, corroborando com diversos estudos que apontam a sensibilidade desses ecossistemas e a importância da sua proteção para as comunidades tradicionais que sobrevivem deles, além da manutenção da biodiversidade do ponto de vista ecológico. Palavras-chave: RESEX. Gestão Ambiental. Erosão. Manguezais. SIG.   ANALYSIS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY OF THE CITY OF SÃO JOÃO DA PONTA, PARÁ: The use of geoprocessing in the management of conservation units ABSTRACT The need for use of stimulated natural resources as land cover changes, thus, in many problems arose and there was a need to define restrictive resource use policies as RESEX. In order to help the management of these UCs, the study of their vulnerability is important. The municipality of study was São João da Ponta, opening a RESEX at federal level. One methodology used is the analysis of several variables that affect the degree of resilience (Altitude, Slope, Geology, Pedology, Precipitation and Land Use and Coverage), these variables were processed in a GIS environment and in temporary use for the Vulnerability Index test. The results of thematic maps were selected for each variable and environmental vulnerability of São João da Ponta, an end of spatial demonstration or degree of resilience of the area and which factors influence it. Thus, it was possible to observe which regions with greater vulnerability are within RESEX due to mangroves, corroborating several studies that point to a sensitivity of these ecosystems and the importance of protection for the traditional communities that survive, besides maintaining the biodiversity of the point. from an ecological point of view. Keywords: RESEX. Environmental Management. Erosion. Mangroves. GIS.   ANÁLISIS DE LA VULNERABILIDAD AMBIENTAL DEL MUNICIPIO SÍO JOÍO DA PONTA, PARÁ: El uso del geoproceso en la gestión de unidades de conservación RESUMEN La necesidad de usar recursos naturales estimuló cambios en la cobertura de la tierra, con esto, surgieron numerosos problemas y hubo una necesidad de establecer políticas para el uso restrictivo de recursos como RESEX. Para ayudar a la gestión de estas UC, el estudio de su vulnerabilidad es importante. El municipio de estudio fue São João da Ponta, que alberga un RESEX a nivel federal. La metodología utilizada consistió en el análisis de varias variables que tienden a influir en el grado de resiliencia (altitud, declive, geología, pedología, precipitación y uso y cobertura del suelo), estas variables se procesaron en un entorno SIG y luego se utilizaron para el cálculo El Índice de Vulnerabilidad. Los mapas temáticos para cada variable y la vulnerabilidad ambiental de São João da Ponta se obtuvieron como resultados, con el fin de demostrar espacialmente el grado de resiliencia del área y cuáles son los factores que influyen. Con eso, fue posible observar que las regiones que presentaron mayor vulnerabilidad se encuentran dentro del RESEX debido a los manglares, corroborando con varios estudios que señalan la sensibilidad de estos ecosistemas y la importancia de su protección para las comunidades tradicionales que sobreviven de ellos, además del mantenimiento del biodiversidad desde un punto de vista ecológico. Palabras clave: RESEX. Gestión ambiental. Erosion. Manglares. SIG.