Brazilian Environment Research Articles

ARCHITECTURE AND ITS ROLE IN THE LIGHT OF THE PNH: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Through the establishment of public policies focused on social security and humanization, health practices gain strength, giving rise to the National Humanization Policy (PNH). The space destined for health care ceases to be just the place to be treated, to the place where care will be provided in a more comprehensive way, where the ambiance reveals itself as an intrinsic factor in the health-disease process, requiring attention regarding hospital architecture. Objective: To analyze the parameters and strategies of the ambiance, as a device for the humanization of spaces and relationships, established by the National Humanization Policy contemplated in hospital environments. Method: This is an integrative review whose proposal was to carry out a bibliographic mapping using descriptors inserted in the DECS Mesh. Results and Discussion: The 22 related studies presented evidence of the importance of humanizing hospital environments and how the PNH, from the perspective of the ambiance, was implemented and implemented in Brazilian hospital environments. Pointing out the significant interference of the ambiance and its reliability in the comfort and recovery of hospitalized patients. Conclusion: It can be seen that the advances in hospital infrastructure linked to the PNH are few, compared to the years of its implementation, evidencing flaws and deficiencies in the process of evolution of architecture to the health-disease process.

Bacteriocinogenic anti-listerial properties and safety assessment of Enterococcus faecium and Lactococcus garvieae strains isolated from Brazilian artisanal cheesemaking environment.

This study aimed to prospect and isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from an artisanal cheese production environment, to assess their safety, and to explore their bacteriocinogenic potential against Listeria monocytogenes. Samples were collected from surfaces of an artisanal-cheese production facility and after rep-PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, selected strains were identified as to be belonging to Lactococcus garvieae (1 strain) and Enterococcus faecium (14 isolates, grouped into three clusters) associated with different environments (worktables, cheese mold, ripening wooden shelves). All of them presented bacteriocinogenic potential against L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 and were confirmed as safe (γ-hemolytic, not presenting antibiotic resistance, no mucus degradation properties, and no proteolytic or gelatinase enzyme activity). Additionally, cell growth, acidification and bacteriocins production kinetics, bacteriocin stability in relation to different temperatures, pH, and chemicals were evaluated. According to performed PCR analysis all studied strains generated positive evidence for the presence of entA and entP genes (for production of enterocins A and enterocins P, respectively). However, pediocin PA-1 associated gene was recorded only in DNA obtained from E. faecium ST02JL and Lc. garvieae ST04JL. It is worth considering the application of these safe LAB or their bacteriocins in situ as an alternative means of controlling L. monocytogenes in cheese production environments, either alone or in combination with other antimicrobials.

Ornithofauna seized by enforcement agencies from 2013 to 2022

In Brazil, birds are the most common targets of wildlife trade. Their diversity, beautiful plumage and elaborate songs are differentials among other animals. Therefore, they are coveted either by breeders, to compose zoo collections, or even to become pets to the general population. The Federal Highway Police (PRF), integrated with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), aims to inspect and preserve the Brazilian natural environment. Most animals seized by enforcement agencies are sent to the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centers (CETAS). This study aimed to evaluate illegal trade of wild birds in Brazil by analyzing, identifying and quantifying birds seized by IBAMA and PRF in Brazilian territory, to expand the knowledge of the scientific and popular community about the growth of poaching. This study used data from notices of seizure from 2013 to 2019 (IBAMA) and from 2018 to 2022 (PRF), both obtained via open databases of the corresponding agencies. In data consultation, information was collected on the number of species as well as the total number of animals seized from wildlife. During the evaluated period, the highest incidences of seizure correspond to the Columbiformes and Passeriformes orders. Thus, we identified the preference of certain species, families, and orders in illegal trade of birds in Brazil.

Ecomorphological Relationships and Dissimilarities of Engraulidae Juveniles in a Brazilian Tropical Surf-Zone Environment

Ecomorphological Relationships and Dissimilarities of Engraulidae Juveniles in a Brazilian Tropical Surf-Zone Environment

New records on toxic cyanobacteria from Brazil: Exploring their occurrence and geography

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) pose a significant threat to communities globally, impacting ecosystems and public health. This study provides an in-depth review of the current state of cyanotoxins and the distribution of CyanoHABs species in Brazil, while also detailing the methods used for their detection. Four hundred and twenty-one incidents were analyzed from 1993 to 2021, compiling cyanotoxin records and toxic CyanoHABs occurrences. The investigation begins with the first detection of microcystins in 1994 and highlights pivotal moments, like the 1996 “Caruaru Syndrome” outbreak. This event encouraged research and updated cyanotoxin-monitoring guidelines. The Brazilian drought period of 2015–2016 exacerbated cyanobacterial growth and saxitoxin levels, coinciding with Zika-related microcephaly. This study delves into methods used for cyanotoxin analysis, including ELISA, bioassays, HPLC, and LC-MS. Additionally, we investigated the toxicity of 37 cyanobacterial strains isolated from various Brazilian environments. Extracts were tested against Artemia salina and analyzed by LC-MS. Results revealed toxicity in extracts from 49 % of cyanobacterial strains. LC-MS results were analyzed using GNPS MS/MS molecular networking for comparing experimental spectra with those of cyanotoxin standards against in-house databases and the existing literature. Our research underscores the variability in cyanotoxin production among species and over time, extending beyond microcystins. LC-MS results, interpreted through the GNPS platform, revealed six cyanotoxin groups in Brazilian strains. Yet, compounds present in 75 % of the toxic extracts remained unidentified. Further research is crucial for fully comprehending the impact of potentially harmful organisms on water quality and public health management strategies. The study highlights the urgent need for continuously monitoring cyanobacteria and the cyanotoxin inclusion of management in public health policies.

Connectivity of evapotranspiration processes in a Brazilian dryland reservoir using remote sensing

Understanding the combined open water reservoir evaporation and riparian vegetation transpiration (evapotranspiration) is important for water resource management in semiarid regions like the Brazilian Dryland region. Existing research has explored reductions in open water evaporation due to riparian vegetation transpiration, but evidence for this interdependence in this region is not well understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the connectivity (impact and maximum distance of action) between riparian vegetation and its transpiration and reservoir evaporation, as well as the ratio of the volume losses by transpiration and evaporation, using Landsat 5 and 8 in a Brazilian Dryland environment. Evaporation and transpiration were estimated using the Surface Energy Balance System for Water and the Surface Energy Balance System models, respectively, from 1985 to 2020. A Class A Pan and the Penman-Monteith equation were used, for reference reservoir evaporation and vegetation transpiration, respectively. The occurrence of riparian vegetation was associated with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Both models performed well, with root mean square error ≤ 0.80 mm/day. The riparian vegetation transpiration demonstrated a high negative correlation (R²>0.7) with evaporation, suggesting the vegetation acts to reduce evaporation (average of 30 %) up to a maximum distance of 90 m from the reservoir shoreline. This is explained by the adjacent riparian vegetation-induced reduction in radiation inputs due to shading at the reservoir margin, a lowering of wind speeds and increases in air humidity from transpiration. The ratio of riparian vegetation transpiration to reservoir evaporation within a buffer of 150 m is approximately equal. Combined riparian vegetation and reservoir evapotranspiration equates to the daily water supply for ∼275,000 people. The paper explains and quantifies the connectivity between riparian vegetation transpiration and reservoir evaporation, thereby providing a model for improved reservoir water balance estimates, which can aid regional water resources planning, development, and management.

DIAGNOSIS OF THE SITUATION OF SOLID WASTE IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE PALMAS REGION (TO)

The Brazilian rural environment has been urbanizing influenced by the industrialization that reached the agricultural sector, which requires waste management focused on this new reality. In this context, this work aimed to diagnose the situation of rural settlements in the region of Palmas (TO) in the context of solid waste management. In view of this, exploratory field research was carried out with the objective of obtaining qualitative and quantitative data that demonstrated the current situation of these settlements. 83 interviews were conducted with the community, made up of 331 families. Among the results obtained, it was found that the solid waste generated by the surveyed settlements has predominant characteristics of urban solid waste. The treatment, for the most part, is done under the ground or from burning. In contrast, the reuse of organic waste is directed to animal feed. It is concluded that there is a need for adequate waste management for the specificities of rural settlements, mainly aimed at reuse, recycling and training at source.

Occupational challenges: burnout syndrome and brazilian legislation

The article addresses the intersection between Burnout Syndrome and changes in Brazilian legislation, offering a holistic view of the clinical, psychological and legal implications of this phenomenon in the workplace. By exploring the trajectory of Burnout Syndrome as a new occupational condition, the analysis highlights the evolution of legal perspectives in Brazil. Using a desk research approach, the study reviews Brazilian legislation and analyzes related studies, revealing increasing attention to mental health and specific changes in legislation to protect workers. Furthermore, the ethical discussion and employers' responsibilities are addressed, expanding the scope of the analysis. The research contributes to an ongoing dialogue about mental health, legislation and work practices, promoting a deeper understanding and prevention of Burnout in Brazilian professional environments.

BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET AND ENVIRONMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF FIGHTING MEASURES CO2 EMISSION

The consumption of fossil fuel derived oil has a significant impact on the quality of the environment. Air pollution, climate change, oil spills and toxic waste generation are the result of the use and production of these fuels. Automotive vehicles are among the main contributors to the problem. In Brazil, to combat this environmental pollution, public policy has been implemented to increase the efficiency of vehicles and diversify the use of alternatives to fossil fuels (ethanol and biodiesel) sources. This study proposes to examine measures to combat the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) adopted by Brazil dioxide.

Brazilian Environment and Plants as Seen by Japanese Eyes Two Hundred and Twenty Years Ago.

In 2023, the Japanese migration to Brazil completed 115 years. However, the first time Japanese people arrived in Brazil and left a testimony of their experience was about two centuries ago. Their reports were registered in a historical document, handwritten during the Edo period when Japan was adopting a closed-door policy. The episode of their visit to Brazil is only a small part of the odyssey of these four Japanese sailors who departed from Ishinomiya to Tokyo at the end of the 18th century, but unexpectedly traveled around the globe. After a storm, they were adrift for six months until shipwrecking on the Aleutian Islands; from the Russian Aleutian Islands, they crossed the whole of Russia and boarded, in Saint Petersburg, on the first Russian expedition to circumnavigate the world. Their only stop in South America was at Santa Catarina Island, southern Brazil, and this is the first analysis of this episode from an ethnobiological perspective. Their reports described both the forest environment and the plants they observed and included at least 23 taxa of plants, mostly cultivated. These descriptions of plants and the environment are in contrast with other reports from the same period and to the current environment found in Santa Catarina Island, inspiring reflections on the construction of Brazil's image in Japan before the 20th century.

Accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Scorpion stings are common in many Brazilian environments, especially in rural areas. In this descriptive survey, we evaluated the frequency of accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, Southest Brazil. We used a random sample of 158 participants from the adult population living in the Mario Lago Rural Settlement, located in the “Fazenda da Barra”, rural area of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Approximately three-eighths of the participants had been stung by scorpions. More than 90% had encountered scorpions in their homes or yards, and 13.9% had been stung in the previous 12 months. Hands, feet, arms, and legs were the most common sting sites, and 72.5% reported that the accident occurred inside their homes. Our data suggest that the incidence rate of scorpion accidents found in this rural settlement is much higher than that found in the entire municipality of Ribeirão Preto. These findings highlight the importance of training programs and improvements in sanitary services to prevent scorpion stings in rural communities.

Microplastics in Brazilian coastal environments: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current scenario of research on microplastics (MPs) in Brazilian coastal environments, considering beaches and also environments not yet reported in previous reviews, such as estuaries, mangroves, and reefs. Five databases were consulted, and 102 articles on the subject published between 2018 and 2023 were selected. The universities and research institutions that most published in this period were from the Southeast region (37.3% of the articles), followed by the Northeast region (34.3%). Universities in the states of Rio de Janeiro (15.7%) and Pernambuco (15.7%) lead the number of publications, followed by São Paulo (11.8%), Rio Grande do Sul (11.8%), and Espírito Santo (7.8%). About the coastal environments studied, 70% of the studies evaluated the presence of MPs on beaches, 26% on mangroves, 2% on estuaries, and 2% on coral reefs. Studies that evaluated its presence in marine biota corresponded to 43% of the articles, sediment (42%), and water (14%). The most studied organisms were bony fish (42%), bivalves (17%), crustaceans (7%), seabirds (7%), turtles (7%), and microfauna (5%). Despite growing, the distribution of study locations is still uneven and not related to the length of the coastline of each state. As for the origin, the works compiled in this study infer that the main sources of PMs are tourism, fishing, and river discharge, while the action of waves and winds contributes to the dispersion of these particles to less urbanized beaches and remote locations.

Perspectivas de redução do aporte de carga orgânica em bacia hidrográfica com relevante ocupação urbana

ABSTRACT The prospects for reducing organic load in water basins must be evaluated considering the self-purification capacities of the water bodies into which the raw or treated effluent will be discharged. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reduction of the organic load contribution to the Poti River, a watercourse that crosses the city of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, considering different conditions for the final disposal of domestic sewage. To estimate the levels of reduction of the organic load contribution, the Water Quality Model Qual-UFMG and Nonlinear Programming were used in a combined manner. Three scenarios of final effluent disposal were modeled. For the appropriation of the reductions in organic load contributions, two different optimization models were used, models that incorporated restrictions based on the environmental quality standards indicated by the Brazilian Environment Council (CONAMA) Resolutions No. 357/2005 and 430/2011. The results indicated that the estimated effort for removal of organic load based on the optimization model that does not employ an equity measure among discharges was lower, regardless of the scenario analyzed. Additionally, in the simulation scenarios in which the quality standards for effluent were not considered, the efforts for removing organic load were lower, regardless of the optimization model used.

Compliance e isomorfismo mimético da Lei Anticorrupção nos estados brasileiros

This study explores the occurrence of mimetic isomorphism in compliance practices based on Brazilian anti-corruption law at the state level, with a particular focus on administrative accountability, public compliance, and compliance requirements in contracts with the private sector. The institutional theory was employed, considering a sociological approach and the assumption of isomorphism. The methods adopted included documentary research and content analysis, examining documents related to anti-corruption actions in Brazilian states. The analysis categories were based on accountability and compliance content in the context of public and private relationships. The main results pointed to elements suggesting mimetic isomorphism among states and between them and the federal government. Unlike other studies, this research provides an overview of the adoption of compliance practices in Brazilian states. In terms of theoretical contributions, the research highlighted the similarity of the Brazilian institutional environment in normative adoption. Its practical contribution lies in clarifying that states do have actions to combat corruption.

Unleashing nature’s potential of Corymbia: Development of commercial genotypes and adaptation of populations for the forestry industry

The PCMF|IPEF's Corymbia Project aims to develop commercial genotypes and adapt populations of Corym-bia species. These species are considered a promising option for diversification in forestry, addressing the increasing biotic and abiotic challenges. Moreover, they serve as a valuable raw material for the forestry indus-try, including cellulose, panels, solid wood and charcoal-based steel production. The initial phase of the project involved obtaining germplasm from old populations in Brazil, such as Corymbia citriodora (CCC) and C. torel-liana (CT), as well as importing less-distributed species in Brazil, like C. henryi (CH), C. maculata (CM), and C. variegata (CCV). Simple and triple crosses were performed among these species to enhance the diversity of hybrids within the evaluated genus. The ongoing work includes obtaining hybrids through controlled or spon-taneous pollination, enriching the genetic base with imported materials from Australia, calibrating nutrition, studying the stability and adaptability of productivity in different environments, monitoring pests and diseases, and evaluating wood quality. Promising results have been achieved thus far. C. torelliana exhibited the highest survival rate, surpassing 95% in all experiments, even under contrasting climatic conditions. In terms of volu-metric growth, C. variegata and C. henryi outperformed Eucalyptus urophylla, the country's main cultivated species, in some locations. The basic density of CCV, CCC, and CH species exceeded 600 kg per m³ at 6 years of age. Concerning cellulose production, C. variegata and C. henryi demonstrated an Average Annual Cellulose Increment exceeding 12 tons per hectare per year in the most productive location. For charcoal pro-duction, the specific consumption ranged from 4.7 m3 (CH) to 4.9 m3 (CCV) per ton of charcoal. The next steps involve evaluating survival, volumetric growth, and genetic parameters of C. citriodora (F1), C. henryi (F1), and C. torelliana (F2) progenies in at least 10 different Brazilian environments. The objective is to ad-vance to the next generation of species improvement, including the cloning of transgressive individuals, pri-marily the hybrids obtained in the project's initial stage, which were established in early 2023.

Microplastics as contaminants in the Brazilian environment: an updated review.

Microplastics have long been present in marine and terrestrial environments and have emerged in recent decades as a global environmental concern. This pollutant has been detected with increasing frequency in Brazilian territory and herein primarily highlights current information and developments about the quantity, distribution, techniques of identification, origins, and sources of microplastics and related pollutants in the Brazilian environment. We evaluated 79 publications from 2018 to December 2022, and some aspects can be highlighted: 27% of studies were published in the Journal Marine Pollution Bulletin; 22% of all studies were conducted in São Paulo city; and 52% of all microplastics found were collected from biota followed by sediment samples. According to the findings given here, microplastics in Brazilian habitats, which can reach concentrations of 4367 to 25,794 items m-2 in sediments, are becoming a serious problem in the Anthropocene age, and some topics regarding the open questions in this area were pointed out in this review.

Nuclear energy in Brazil: regulation, corruption, and prospects for energy generation

Abstract This article provides an overview of the historical development of the Brazilian nuclear regulatory environment and its implications for corruption in the nuclear energy sector. It explores Brazil's transition of nuclear energy policies from a military-centric approach to civilian perspectives following the country’s re-democratization in the 1980s. The article highlights the importance of nuclear energy diversification for stabilization and low-carbon energy generation in Brazil. It discusses the challenges and vulnerabilities of the Brazilian nuclear industry, focusing on the corruption scandal of 2015, revealing improper payments, mismanagement, bribery, and money laundering in constructing the Angra 3 nuclear power plant. The study proposes improvements in the corporate governance of the Brazilian sector to minimize potential corruption cases in future contracts. It analyses the conflict of interest among regulatory institutions, industry agents, and the corporate environment. This article also compares the Brazilian nuclear regulatory framework with international regulations and discusses strategies for combating corruption in nuclear power generation. The concluding remarks emphasize the need for institutional reforms to safeguard and develop the Brazilian nuclear industry.

Discriminant Analysis for Severe Storm Environments in South-Central Brazil

Abstract Severe storms produce hazardous weather phenomena, such as large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. However, relationships between convective parameters and confirmed severe weather occurrences are poorly quantified in south-central Brazil. This study explores severe weather reports and measurements from newly available datasets. Hail, damaging wind, and tornado reports are sourced from the PREVOTS project from June 2018 to December 2021, while measurements of convectively induced wind gusts from 1996 to 2019 are obtained from METAR reports and from Brazil’s operational network of automated weather stations. Proximal convective parameters were computed from ERA5 reanalysis for these reports and used to perform a discriminant analysis using mixed-layer CAPE and deep-layer shear (DLS). Compared to other regions, thermodynamic parameters associated with severe weather episodes exhibit lower magnitudes in south-central Brazil. DLS displays better performance in distinguishing different types of hazardous weather, but does not discriminate well between distinct severity levels. To address the sensitivity of the discriminant analysis to distinct environmental regimes and hazard types, five different discriminants are assessed. These include discriminants for any severe storm, severe hail only, severe wind gust only, and all environments but broken into “high” and “low” CAPE regimes. The best performance of the discriminant analysis is found for the “high” CAPE regime, followed by the severe wind regime. All discriminants demonstrate that DLS plays a more important role in conditioning Brazilian severe storm environments than other regions, confirming the need to ensure that parameters and discriminants are tuned to local severe weather conditions.

Identification of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production in the genus Chromobacterium

The compound 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is primarily produced by Pseudomonas spp. DAPG plays an important role in the biocontrol disease suppressing activity of Pseudomonas spp. In the current study, we report the discovery of the DAPG biosynthetic cluster in strains of Chromobacterium vaccinii isolated from Brazilian aquatic environments and the distribution of the biosynthetic cluster in the Chromobacterium genus. Phylogenetic analysis of the phlD protein suggests the biosynthetic cluster probably entered the genus of Chromobacterium after a horizontal gene transfer event with a member of the Pseudomonas fluorescens group. We were able to detect trace amounts of DAPG in wild type cultures and confirm the function of the cluster with heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. In addition, we identified and verified the presence of other secondary metabolites in these strains. We also confirmed the ability of C. vaccinii strains to produce bioactive pigment violacein and bioactive cyclic depsipeptide FR900359. Both compounds have been reported to have antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. These compounds suggest strains of C. vaccinii should be further explored for their potential as biocontrol agents.

STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES: 05 YEARS OF THE NEW CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES

ABSTRACTObjective: This article intends to address the new Brazilian regulatory environment created by the SOEs Law (Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016) which created new corporate governance rules in state-owned enterprises for the election of directors, officers and fiscal council members, with the purpose of protecting the public companies, the mixed joint-stock corporation and its subsidiaries ("state-owned") against any possible (and unfortunately common) political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of these top-level management positions in the SOEs. The article will also present cases of progress, setbacks, and the future of this new Brazilian legal norm.Methodology: Review of the bibliography and analysis of judicial and administrative precedents involving the application of new corporate governance rules for state-owned enterprises.Results: It is possible to conclude that the new corporate governance rules were created by Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016 with the purpose of protecting the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) against any possible (and unfortunately common) political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of the top-level management positions in the SOEs.Contributions: From the results found, it is possible to verify: (a) One of the most relevant aspects of the Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016 was the creation of academic background, professional experience and professionalization for the top-level management of state-owned enterprises, as usual in the private sector. (b) that the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) determined the application of the new corporate governance rules for state-owned enterprises; (c) the Judiciary, especially the Federal Supreme Court (STF), can make a relevant contribution if it decides to apply these new rules of governance corporate in order to mitigate political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of these top-level management positions in the state-owned enterprises (SOEs).