Activity In Brazil Research Articles

Forensic geology and gold traceability: a case study from the Yanomami Indigenous Land

Gold provenance determination is a key forensic challenge in combating illegal mining and associated crimes. This study aims to assess the traceability of gold extracted from illegal mining activities in Brazil by applying a multi-analytical geochemical approach. We employed X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe analysis, scanning electron microscopy and grain-scale compositional mapping to analyse gold samples sourced from artisanal and small-scale mining within the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. To evaluate the impact of post-extraction processes on geochemical signatures, gold samples underwent partial melting and were subsequently reanalysed focusing on their potential for traceability. The results obtained from the melted samples were compared with gold sponges and ingots of unknown origin, seized during Brazilian Federal Police operations in airports far from our target area, to determine whether their geochemical fingerprints could be matched to known deposits. The findings indicate that different genetic types of gold can be distinguished based on specific elemental distribution patterns. The geochemical signatures of key minor and trace elements, such as Ag, Hg, Bi, Mo and Co, remained detectable, allowing for the traceability of samples throughout the production process. Bismuth, in particular, demonstrated mineralogical resilience, maintaining the consistent Au/Bi ratio even after amalgamation and melting, reinforcing its potential as a geochemical marker for provenance determination. Furthermore, we revealed that the gold sponge samples likely originated from the northeastern domain of the Yanomami Territory, with the Mutum deposit being the most probable source. These findings highlight the effectiveness of accessible analytical techniques in establishing the traceability of illegally mined gold, as a tool for strengthening regulatory enforcement in the gold supply chain.

Developing sustainable entrepreneurial finance ecosystems in an emerging market context: the role of keystone actors in managing competing institutional logics

ABSTRACT Emerging sustainable enterprises thrive when they have access to a conducive environment. While sustainable entrepreneurial finance ecosystems (SEFE) have received growing interest, a lack of understanding remains concerning how they operate in emerging market economies, and how the varied logics of different actors drive or inhibit the necessary development. To address this research gap, we draw on in-depth qualitative research with key ecosystem actors in Brazil. We apply a pattern-matching approach to thematically examine how different actors converge under the operational lens of their different sustainability and commercial institutional logics. The findings reveal that Brazil’s nascent SEFE requires significant ongoing support. Drawing from systems ecology, we develop an institutional logic (IL) theory by introducing the concept of “keystone actors” to account for the intermediary boundary-spanning practices, which allow us to combine finance, business and policy actors’ sustainability and commercial market logics necessary to provide effective support mechanisms to unlock sustainable entrepreneurship. We conclude that financing sustainable entrepreneurship in emerging economies necessitates multi-level support in the form of keystone actors holding the ecosystem together while cultivating capabilities to harmonize logics. This process can ensure that sustainable entrepreneurship moves from “buzzword status” to a valid, systemic concept for SEFE in emerging market contexts.

Is low carbon energy consumption sufficient for a sustainable environment in BRICS economies? Evidence from novel Fourier asymmetric CS-ARDL

Sustainable economic growth and limiting environmental degradation are increasingly crucial for countries, as there has been a significant shift in ecological balance since the Industrial Revolution. Economic activities in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) also expand the ecological footprint while reducing biocapacity. To support these economies in meeting their environmental commitments, this research spotlights the influences of income growth, low-carbon energy consumption, and urbanization on the Load Capacity Factor. However, it is worth noting that previous papers have assumed a linear association between cleaner energy and environmental quality, often ignoring the implications of fluctuations in low-carbon energy consumption, such as the combination of renewables and nuclear energy, on ecological sustainability. Therefore, by introducing a sophisticated “Fourier Asymmetric Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag” model, this paper aims to address this gap by including disaggregated positive and negative shocks in low-carbon energy use and integrating the Fourier terms to account for possible structural shifts. Furthermore, the study tests the LCC hypothesis. The findings, based on the period 1992–2022, reveal that in both the short and long term, negative shocks in low-carbon energy consumption increase ecological well-being, while positive shocks jeopardize environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the outcome questions the validity of the LCC hypothesis in the BRICS context and identifies urbanization as a factor that deteriorates ecological well-being. Consequently, the paper’s implications underscore the urgent need for policies to transition to a green economy, low-carbon energy, and smart urbanization practices in BRICS for ecological sustainability.

ENTRE O INTERESSE E A JUSTIÇA: A VALORAÇÃO DO LOBBY NA DINÂMICA LEGISLATIVA BRASILEIRA

This article addresses the valuation of lobbying practices in the context of Brazilian legislative dynamics, analyzing it as an instrument for representing interests in representative democracies. The study examines the lack of specific regulation for this activity in Brazil, a situation that perpetuates ambiguities between the legitimate advocacy of interests and illicit practices that undermine transparency and fairness in the legislative process. The research adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on a literature review. The study concludes that regulating lobbying, with mechanisms ensuring transparency and oversight, has the potential to strengthen pluralism and citizen participation, promoting a more inclusive and legitimate legislative process. Negative impacts of the lack of regulation were identified, such as the marginalization of the practice and the promotion of unethical behaviors that compromise the credibility of democratic institutions. Furthermore, the institutionalization of normative parameters can help reduce power asymmetries among interest groups, fostering greater balance in access to legislative decisions. Finally, the article suggests the creation of a specific regulatory framework and encourages further studies to deepen the understanding of lobbying’s influence on Brazilian democracy.

The subaltern speak: Indigenous women's judicial activism in Brazil

To answer Gayatri Spivak's question, ‘Can the subaltern speak?’ this article examines a historic case in which Indigenous women from Brazil filed a claim of illegal trafficking before the Russell Tribunal on human rights. By means of the ‘soft’ litigation of international human rights mechanisms, the tribunal provided a platform for marginalized victims and witnesses to provide testimony before a global audience. The case opened new legal pathways and influenced the growth of Indigenous women's associations throughout the country, including the creation of AMARN, founded by the plaintiffs, and now Brazil's oldest Indigenous association. The example demonstrates that the capacities of the speaker alone are inadequate to answer Spivak's question. A listening audience, and the historical conditions in which the speech interaction takes place, are of equal, if not greater, importance. For the vulnerable to speak, there must be an arena in which they can do so and be heard.

FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES: UMA ANÁLISE DAS ABORDAGENS TEÓRICAS E PRÁTICAS NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO DESENVOLVIMENTO PROFISSIONAL

This article aims to analyze the theoretical and practical approaches related to the ongoing training of teachers and its contribution to the professional development of teachers. Based on a literature review, the study explores central concepts, training models, and the impacts of these initiatives on the daily school routine. Ongoing training is presented as an indispensable element for improving the quality of teaching, while at the same time facing challenges such as the lack of structured public policies and the alignment between theory and practice. Based on authors such as Schön, Nóvoa, Tardif, Imbernón, Pimenta and Freire, the importance of reflective and collaborative practices that promote teacher autonomy and respond to contemporary educational demands is highlighted. The article concludes that, although there are significant advances, there are gaps in the implementation of ongoing training programs that guarantee the effectiveness of training actions in Brazil. Thus, a more critical and integrated look at educational policies and their implications for professional development is proposed.

Soil carbon, organic matter fractions, and soil physical quality under different sugarcane harvesting systems in north-east Brazil

Context Sugarcane cultivation is one of the main agricultural activities in Brazil. Among the production systems, unburnt harvesting has gained prominence and has been replacing the burning system. The use of unburnt harvesting system increases straw retention on soil surface, which influences the quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM). Aims We evaluated the effects of burnt and unburnt sugarcane harvesting systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and SOM dynamics in the north-east region of Brazil. Methods The study was conducted at three sites, each containing one area of burnt sugarcane harvesting system (Bs), two areas of unburnt sugarcane harvesting systems (Us) and one area of native vegetation (NV), totaling 12 collection sites. Key results The results show that the conversion of NV to sugarcane cultivation areas led to SOC loss, which ranged from 7% to 62%, and reduced soil quality due to losses of particulate organic matter (POM) and increased soil bulk density (BD), being corroborated by changes in other indicators, such as soil degree of compactness (SDC), and reduction in the soil structural stability index (SSI). Conclusions Despite the losses when compared to NV, the Us system showed increments in SOC, POM-C, and SSI and reductions in BD and SDC compared to Bs. Implications The findings of this study highlight the importance of understanding the impact of land use change on the properties of SOM.

COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DO PESCADO NO MUNICÍPIO DE LARANJAL DO JARI, AMAPÁ, BRASIL

Fishing is the cornerstone of the economy in the Amazon region, which stands out compared to other Brazilian regions due to the richness of the species exploited. Fishing ensures income and subsistence for a significant portion of the population and is one of the most traditional activities in Brazil, generating important revenue for the country and for fish production in the states of Amapá and Pará. Fish has increasingly become one of the main foods on the table of the people of Amapá, with the most consumed species including Pirapitinga, Tambaqui, Tucunaré, Filhote, Dourada, Traíra, Acará, Pescada, Acari, and Tamuatá. Through data collection and using the inductive method, we aim to outline the profile of fish commercialization and inspection in the municipality of Laranjal do Jari. Buying and selling promote and drive the local economy, but with little attention to the handling and conservation of the product until it reaches the final consumer, that is, the customer in Laranjal. The analysis will objectively examine which fish are most sought after, their origin whether from fish farms, the Jari River, or nearby cities along with the challenges faced by vendors in their daily work to market these species.

Unsafe Streets, Inactive Lives: The Toll of Urban Violence on Physical Activity in Brazil.

Unsafe Streets, Inactive Lives: The Toll of Urban Violence on Physical Activity in Brazil.

The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Colony: Dutch Angola, 1641–1648

Abstract The conquest of Luanda by Dutch forces in 1641 marked the beginning of seven years of Dutch West India Company (WIC) rule over parts of Angola. In the historiography, this period is often treated as an interlude that only warrants mention because it ushered in a new phase of Portuguese domination. At the same time, the Company colony of Angola is usually labelled as a natural outgrowth of Dutch activities in Brazil, meriting little scholarly attention. By examining the reasons behind the WIC’s decision to capture Luanda and looking into the causes of the fall of Dutch Angola, this article will provide a long-overdue account of the history of this neglected territory and demonstrate the shortcomings of traditional explanations of the colony’s demise. As it turns out, local colonial mismanagement was at the root of Angola’s failure.

Regulations for the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials in Brazil

The transportation of radioactive material involves a set of procedures as varied as they are complex, justifying its strong standardization. This article aims to demonstrate that the collaborative effort between two Brazilian licensing agencies, which resulted in the elaboration of a Joint Technical Note, was justified considering the legislative process. By consolidating various norms and procedures – from the configurations of packages containing radioactive material to the training program for drivers responsible for transportation, including environmental safety of routes – it proves to be a facilitator of the work for everyone involved in this activity. In conclusion, it is shown that there is strong standardization of this activity in Brazil and that the legislative process is dynamic, reflecting natural improvements in technical and legal aspects inherent to the nature of the material involved.

LEGISLAÇÃO E REGULAMENTAÇÃO SOBRE A EMISSÃO DE GASES DE EFEITO ESTUFA NA NAVEGAÇÃO: ESTADO, EVOLUÇÃO E IMPACTOS NO BRASIL

This paper analyzes aspects of international and Brazilian legislation on maritime transport activities and the actions of Brazilian authorities and companies in the sector to ensure compliance with existing environmental requirements, with emphasis on the control of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The paper analyzes the ongoing climate change process and international initiatives to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by economic activity sectors, with an emphasis on maritime transport activities in Brazil, A bibliographical research was conducted on greenhouse gas emissions through scientific articles, government websites and websites of various entities and organizations. A survey was conducted on the initiatives of companies in the sector and on the perception of shipping professionals about the state and prospects for progress in the implementation of measures to mitigate emissions on vessels. The results showed that the regional approach complements global regulations and reinforces the need for a coordinated response to address the environmental challenges posed by international shipping and that the integration of these international regulations is essential to promote sustainable practices and ensure global compliance.

Clear enigmas and hidden meanings: the perpetuum mobile of the ‘machine of the world’ motif in recent interartistic activity in Brazil

Out of its European Renaissance origins in the writings of Dante and Camões, the metaphor of the machina mundi first came to the fore in Brazilian literature in the canonical poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade: the quintessential work of Brazilian modernism in its broadest sense, “A Máquina do Mundo”. The aim of this article is to explore the multiple, shifting possibilities inherent in the complex literary-cultural motif of the ‘machine of the world’ in current Brazilian art and literature. The text begins by looking at the comic epic poem Por mares nunca dantes by Geraldo Carneiro, before focusing on the different creative practices and appropriations of a series of paradigmatic variations on the theme from the opening decades of the 21st century: hybridity and interdisciplinarity in the poems A máquina do mundo repensada by Haroldo de Campos and “A quarta parede” by Marco Lucchesi; and interartistic intersectionality and creative duality in Laura Vinci’s verbal-visual sculptural installation “A máquina do mundo”, and Nuno Ramos’s photo-illustrated poetry collection Junco. The aim of this exploration is to interpret each of the works within the discursive historical-cultural context of the motif, and to analyse critically its presence in these rewritten and reconceptualised forms.

Mapping aquaculture in inland continental areas of Brazil using machine learning on the Google Earth Engine

Mapping aquaculture in inland continental areas of Brazil using machine learning on the Google Earth Engine

Living with COPD and its psychological effects on participating in community-based physical activity in Brazil: a qualitative study. Findings from the Breathe Well group

Physical activity (PA) improves dyspnoea, psychological wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) for people with COPD reducing their risk of exacerbation. However, engagement in PA is low especially amongst those with anxiety and depression, and PA programmes are limited in countries with limited resources such as Brazil. We explored perceptions of 21 people with COPD about the impact of their disease on taking part in community-based PA programmes in Sao Paulo, Brazil through semi-structured telephone interviews from October 2020 to April 2021. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the Framework method. Five themes were identified: Knowledge about COPD and its management; Self-perception of life with COPD; Knowledge and experiences of depression and anxiety; Opinions on PA and repercussions of COVID-19. PA was considered to be important in bringing physical and mental health benefits but there were barriers in accessibility of formal PR programmes and therefore local community PA programmes were considered to be important. People with mental health conditions tended to view PA more negatively. COVID-19 had reduced PA opportunities, access to COPD treatment and social interaction, and was associated with more exacerbations and emotional suffering. In general, this study showed an urgent need to improve knowledge about COPD and its risk factors and management among both patients, the public and primary healthcare professionals. We provide important content for the formulation of public policies for the implementation of specific activity programmes for people with COPD in community spaces using local resources and intersectoral partnerships.

Food insecurity, subjective well-being and the use of social networking services in Brazil between 2014 and 2018

The great Brazilian recession was the most marked drop in economic activity in Brazil between the end of the Second World War and the Covid-19 pandemics. This economic crisis may have long lasting and non-anticipated negative consequences on Food Insecurity (FI) and on Subjective Well-Being (SWB). In addition, SWB is increasing linked to the use of Social Networking Services (SNS). The paper used data from World Value Survey (WVS) and logistic and ordered logistic models to empirically test a few hypotheses. The empirical results showed that: FI is negatively correlated with life satisfaction, but not with happiness; FI is unrelated to SNS use as still few people use them and the population groups that suffer from FI insecurity poorly overlap with the one that use SNS daily; SWB had positive relationships with SNS when the use was not very widespread; Associations between SWB and SNS use became negative as SNS use became more widespread.

Eficiência do produto homeopático BioBoi® combinado ao manejo adequado da ordenha, no tratamento de mastite em vacas em lactação

The dairy production chain is one of the main economic activities in Brazil, with primary production present in almost all Brazilian municipalities, involving more than one million rural producers, and generating jobs in all segments of the chain. The growing consumption of dairy products, and the pursuit of quality, lead to increasing concern with food and nutritional safety. Among the factors that affect milk composition are management and the incidence of diseases, with mastitis being one of the most frequent infections affecting dairy cattle. This results in economic losses due to reduced production and milk quality, increased costs for labor, medication, and veterinary services, and the early disposal of animals. Treatment with commercial homeopathic products presents an alternative to avoid problems found in the continuous use of allopathic medicines, such as residues in animal-derived products, selection of multi-resistant strains, and reactions in hypersensitive individuals. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of using a commercial homeopathic product in the treatment of bovine mastitis when combined with proper milking management. Our specific objectives were to evaluate the milker’s handling before, during, and after milking, to determine the incidence and prevalence of clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis in the herd before and after treatment, and to perform comparative analyses of the data obtained at the beginning and end of the experiment. The results showed that positive behaviors by the milker had greater influence on the cows' behavior, which remained calm and stress-free throughout the milking process, as well as a correlation with obtaining low somatic cell counts (SCC). Regarding the prevalence of mastitis in the herd, although it decreased, there was no statistically significant difference. However, there was evidence of the positive interference of the homeopathic medicine on its incidence. It is concluded that the homeopathic medicine is effective in inhibiting the emergence of new cases of mastitis, as well as in treating acute cases of mastitis and reducing the herd's SCC, being efficient in the control and prevention of mastitis; it is also concluded that the milker plays an important role in this process, making it essential for them to be aware and valued for this.

Haitian musical activism in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic: engaging SARS-Cov2 and racialized regimes of mobility through song

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic impacted heavily upon migrant and refugee populations in Latin America, compounding experiences of precarity and marginalisation with the effects of the coronavirus into a grim syndemic context. Amidst an economic recession and Brazil’s particularly bleak Covid scenario (irrefutably connected to the denialist and reckless posture of the administration of then-President Jair Bolsonaro), Haitian migrants living in Brazil faced additional difficulties to survive and send economic remittances home. In this paper, I follow leading ethnomusicologists of Haitian music, such as Gage Averill, Rebecca Dirksen and Gerdes Fleurant, drawing on practice-based ethnography and social engagement through music to discuss songs produced by Haitian migrants in Brazil under stressful pandemic conditions. Highlighting connections between politics, music, and migration, I explore a recent example of migrant musical activism in an overlooked Global South context.

Energy assessment and heat integration of biofuel production from bio-oil produced through fast pyrolysis of sugarcane straw, and its upgrading via hydrotreatment

Energy assessment and heat integration of biofuel production from bio-oil produced through fast pyrolysis of sugarcane straw, and its upgrading via hydrotreatment

Sustainability and health promotion actions in Brazil

This study explores sustainable programs or actions implemented within the work environments of students enrolled in a Postgraduate Program in Health Promotion in Brazil. Seventy participants, primarily healthcare professionals, were tasked with identifying the sustainable actions during the Health Promotion and Sustainability course. Responses were analyzed using the IraMuTeQ V. 0.7 alpha 2 program. Of these participants, 15 individuals did not identify any actions, while 55 highlighted various initiatives. Key strategies included waste management, health education, promotion of physical exercise, optimization of food resources, composting, and conscientious water usage. These actions not only offer potential cost savings but also contribute to a more responsible utilization of natural resources and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.