Southeastern Part Of Brazil Research Articles

Investigating the effect of bedrock temperature on the design of a Brazilian deep geological repository for LEU and reprocessed fuel

The final stage of the nuclear fuel cycle involves the design of a disposal repository for spent fuel or high-level waste from reprocessing operations. Focusing on the back-end fuel cycle, this study investigated the impact of bedrock temperature on the disposal of traditional low-enriched fuel and two reprocessed fuels, in a hypothetical design of a Brazilian Deep Geological Repository (DGR). The reprocessed fuels taken into consideration in this study were transuranic fuel spiked with thorium oxide and a plutonium/uranium fuel mix. For all fuels, interim storage had previously taken place for 50 years. The appropriate spacing between adjacent canister was determined, and the effect of increasing the bedrock temperature until the maximum allowed temperature at the canister surface were estimated using the ANSYS code. Results showed a linear relationship between the two temperatures. The transuranic fuel cannot be disposed of under assumed conditions, while the plutonium/uranium fuel requires larger disposal areas than traditional low-enriched fuel. We estimated the total area of disposal required for different amounts of spent fuel and identified six regions for further studies based on simulation results, mean bedrock temperature data, and population density, primarily in the southeastern part of Brazil.

Foramen tympanicum prevalence in the population of Southeast Brazil: a morphological study in computed tomography scans.

The foramen tympanicum is located on the anteroinferior region of the external acoustic meatus and posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint in children between the 1st and the 5th year of life. It is considered an anatomical variation when it persists in adults. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence as well as to characterise the foramen tympanicum in computed tomography (CT) scans of the population from southeastern part of Brazil. A total of 78 CT scans of dry human skulls (20 female and 58 male) were used, which were selected randomly regarding the ages, ranged from 15 to 100 years. The foramen tympanicum was identified in the images of the axial plane and confirmed in the images of the coronal and sagittal planes. The largest diameter (in mm) was obtained. The descriptive statistics (in %), Fisher's test and χ2 test were performed to compare the prevalence of foramen tympanicum between sexes and sides. The probability value ≤ 0.05 was defined as a level of significance. Descriptive statistics were performed to verify the mean diameter of the foramen on the right and left sides of the skulls. The prevalence of foramen tympanicum was higher in females (p = 0.0070), bilaterally, as the absolute values of females were lower in relation to males. Fisher's exact test showed that the prevalence of foramen tympanicum was significantly higher in females (45%) than in males (15.52%). On the right side, the mean axial diameter was 2.23 mm (range 0.93-3.75 mm). On the left side, the mean axial diameter was 2.22 mm (range 0.9-3.61 mm). The knowledge of anatomical variations is extremely valuable for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis and a thorough preoperative assessment.

Pseudonannolene canastra sp. nov. (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) – a new troglobitic millipede from the southwestern state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Pseudonannoleneis a neotropical genus of millipedes distributed in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. Generally, species ofPseudonannoleneare considered troglophilic,i.e., they can establish a source population in both subterranean and superficial habitats. Among the 60 species known, 49 are found in Brazil; out of these, 25 occur in caves but only three are considered troglobitic (source population exclusively subterranean). This study aims to describe the fourth troglobitic species ofPseudonannolenefrom Brazil, and the first one from the region of Serra da Canastra, in the southeastern part of Brazil.

Investigation of the activity of Rn-222 along a small stream in the Representative Basin of Juatuba - MG

ABSTRACT For thousands of years, water has been the focus of experimentation toward solving the challenges associated with human water supply, navigation, irrigation, and sanitation. The use of tracers to study water resources is an efficient approach that can facilitate the modeling of many hydrological scenarios. The goal of this paper is to show results of research that tracked the presence of Rn-222, a natural tracer, in the surface waters of a small watercourse in southeastern part of Brazil. RAD 7, which is an electronic and portable radon detector, was the main instrument used in this survey. We analyzed 117 water samples and converted the radon activity results to effective radiation doses with respect to the hypothetical human consumption of these waters. We also analyzed the sediments of the watercourse. The obtained data showed that the radon activity in the studied waters varies between 0.52-76.96 Bq/m3. We determined the effective dose of all samples to be less than 1 mSv y−1, and its consumption to present no risk to human health. The existence of connections between surface and subsurface waters in the stream is possible, and radon peaks may indicate the existence of discharge zones into the surface water body.

Fc gamma receptor IIIa polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Brazilian patients

We evaluated the possible association between FCGR3A V/F (158) polymorphism and SLE susceptibility and clinical phenotype in 305 sequentially retrieved SLE patients and 300 healthy controls from the southeastern part of Brazil by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed no association between FCGR3A 158V/F alleles and susceptibility to SLE in this series of patients albeit the heterozygous genotype was strongly associated with the disease.

Polimorfismo do receptor Fc gama IIIa não está associado à susceptibilidade ao lúpus eritematoso sistêmico em pacientes brasileiros

We evaluated the possible association between FCGR3A V/F (158) polymorphism and SLE susceptibility and clinical phenotype in 305 sequentially retrieved SLE patients and 300 healthy controls from the southeastern part of Brazil by allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed no association between FCGR3A 158V/F alleles and susceptibility to SLE in this series of patients albeit the heterozygous genotype was strongly associated with the disease.

Systematics of the Neotropical genus Catharylla Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae s. l., Crambinae)

The Neotropical genus Catharylla Zeller, 1863 (type species: Crambus tenellus Zeller, 1839) is redescribed. Catharylla contiguella Zeller, 1872, C. interrupta Zeller, 1866 and Myelois sericina Zeller, 1881, included by Munroe (1995) in Catharylla, are moved to Argyria Hübner. Catharylla paulella Schaus, 1922 and C. tenellus (Zeller, 1839) are redescribed. Six new species are described by Léger and Landry: C. bijuga, C. chelicerata, C. coronata, C. gigantea, C. mayrabonillae and C. serrabonita. The phylogenetic relationships were investigated using morphological as well as molecular data (COI, wingless, EF-1α genes). The median and subterminal transverse lines of the forewing as well as the short anterior and posterior apophyses of the female genitalia are characteristic of the genus. The monophyly of Catharylla was recovered in all phylogenetic analyses of the molecular and the combined datasets, with three morphological apomorphies highlighted. Phylogenetic analyses of the morphology of the two sexes recovered three separate species groups within Catharylla: the chelicerata, the mayrabonillae, and the tenellus species groups. The possible position of Micrelephas Schaus, 1922 as sister to Catharylla, based on both morphological and molecular data, and the status of tribe Argyriini are discussed. The biogeographical data indicate that the chelicerata species group is restricted to the Guyanas and the Amazonian regions whereas the tenellus group is restricted to the Atlantic Forest in the South-Eastern part of Brazil. The mayrabonillae group is widespread from Costa Rica to South Bolivia with an allopatric distribution of the two species. COI barcode sequences indicate relatively strong divergence within C. bijuga, C. mayrabonillae, C. serrabonita and C. tenellus.

Stochastic simulation of time-series models combined with geostatistics to predict water-table scenarios in a Guarani Aquifer System outcrop area, Brazil

Stochastic methods based on time-series modeling combined with geostatistics can be useful tools to describe the variability of water-table levels in time and space and to account for uncertainty. Monitoring water-level networks can give information about the dynamic of the aquifer domain in both dimensions. Time-series modeling is an elegant way to treat monitoring data without the complexity of physical mechanistic models. Time-series model predictions can be interpolated spatially, with the spatial differences in water-table dynamics determined by the spatial variation in the system properties and the temporal variation driven by the dynamics of the inputs into the system. An integration of stochastic methods is presented, based on time-series modeling and geostatistics as a framework to predict water levels for decision making in groundwater management and land-use planning. The methodology is applied in a case study in a Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) outcrop area located in the southeastern part of Brazil. Communication of results in a clear and understandable form, via simulated scenarios, is discussed as an alternative, when translating scientific knowledge into applications of stochastic hydrogeology in large aquifers with limited monitoring network coverage like the GAS.

Chemical variability of the volatiles of Copaifera langsdorffii growing wild in the Southeastern part of Brazil

Volatiles obtained from leaves, branches, pericarps and seeds of five specimens (Tree 1–5) of Copaifera langsdorffii growing wild in the municipality of Lavras, Southeastern part of Brazil were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and investigated by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas/chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results of the oil compositions were processed by Hierarchical Component Analysis (HCA) allowing establish two main groups and further divided in six subgroups, which were defined by different concentrations of the six main compounds. The results showed high intra-population variability in the composition and concentration of the compounds. Major compounds were β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide and iso-spathulenol. Coumarin was encountered only in the seeds of C. langsdorffii.

Estimation ofR0from the initial phase of an outbreak of a vector-borne infection

The magnitude of the basic reproduction ratio R(0) of an epidemic can be estimated in several ways, namely, from the final size of the epidemic, from the average age at first infection, or from the initial growth phase of the outbreak. In this paper, we discuss this last method for estimating R(0) for vector-borne infections. Implicit in these models is the assumption that there is an exponential phase of the outbreaks, which implies that in all cases R(0)>1. We demonstrate that an outbreak is possible, even in cases where R(0) is less than one, provided that the vector-to-human component of R(0) is greater than one and that a certain number of infected vectors are introduced into the affected population. This theory is applied to two real epidemiological dengue situations in the southeastern part of Brazil, one where R(0) is less than one, and other one where R(0) is greater than one. In both cases, the model mirrors the real situations with reasonable accuracy.

Undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of substance use and misuse: a Brazilian position

Alcohol, cocaine and cannabis are the substances most commonly abused in Brazil. There is limited evidence on the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misuse. Negative attitudes, in combination with the lack of appropriate knowledge and skills, may result in minimal care provided to substance misusers. The aims of the study are to examine the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misusers and consider the implications of these attitudes for nursing education. The Nurse Education in Alcohol and Drug Educational Faculty Survey (NEADA) questionnaire on knowledge and education, nursing interventions, attitudes and values was distributed to undergraduate nurses (n = 227) in the south and south-eastern part of Brazil. The findings showed that there is a lack of adequate education in drug and alcohol use and misuse, including competency skills, but the participants were positive about treatment interventions. A paradigm shift in nurse education curricula and further research studies on attitudes and values towards substance misuse should be on the educational agenda. These are challenges faced by nurses to meet the healthcare needs of substance misusers.

Distribution of bioactive substances from Hypericum brasiliense during plant growth

Extracts from Hypericum brasiliense, a herb growing in the southern and southeastern part of Brazil, have pharmacological properties because the presence of known bioactive compounds. In this study bioactive substances from roots of H. brasiliense were isolated and identified as 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone, isouliginosin B and betulinic acid. The production of these substances by plants of H. brasiliense was then characterized in different developmental stages (vegetative, flowering and fructification), and in different parts (roots, shoot tips, internal upper part and internal lower part of the shoots). Quercetin and rutin were identified during the analysis of the shoots and their concentrations were also determined. 1,5-Dihydroxyxanthone was found in all plant parts and its concentration was high at fructification. Betulinic acid was more abundant during fructification, in the apices of the branches, probably because of the presence of fruits. Isouliginosin B, an acyl-phloroglucinol, rutin and quercetin were present in higher concentrations during the flowering stage. However, while rutin and quercetin accumulated more in the shoots, the acyl-phloroglucinol was exclusively detected in the roots. Considering the class of the substances, the highest concentration of phenolic compounds (1,5-dihydroxyxanthone, isouliginosin B, rutin and quercetin) was found during flowering, and terpenes (betulinic acid) during fructification.

Sorption of Cd2+, K+, F–, and Cl– on some tropical soils

The potential for the retention of K+, Cd2+, F–, and Cl– by lateritic soils from the Botucatu (an important sandy aquifer in the southeastern part of Brazil) and Serra Geral (a clayey material) formations and three mixtures of these soils is examined. Batch equilibrium results are presented for both single salt (CdCl2 and KF) and multiple salt (CdCl2 + KF) solutions. The soil retention parameters are obtained by fitting sorption models (linear, Freundlich, and Langmuir) to the experimental isotherm plots using linear and nonlinear regression analyses. The results show that the so called varying soil:solution ratio isotherms (VSI) are in fact less variant in terms of pH than constant soil:solution isotherms (CSI). However, because of restrictions related to the VSI approach and the "soil solution ratio effect," the CSI approach is considered to be a more reasonable way of constructing sorption isotherms. It is shown that under certain conditions, the Cl– anion can be sorbed while for others it is not sorbed. Sorption was observed for F– and K+. The sorption of Cd2+ is also shown to be highly sensitive to leachate chemistry. It is shown that a knowledge of pH0 is quite important for the interpretation of sorption data.Key words: sorption, inorganic chemicals, isotherms, tropical soils.

Erosion database interface (EDI): a computer program for georeferenced application of erosion prediction models

The multidisciplinary approach of soil erosion research often requires erosion to be treated as spatial georeferenced information. This condition is essential so as to be compatible with information analyzed via Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The original versions of important soil erosion prediction models such as the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) do not operate on a georeferenced basis. The Erosion Database Interface (EDI) is a computer program for georeferenced application of USLE and WEPP. EDI uses, as input, a text format database with points defined by coordinates ( x, y and z) representing hillslopes, each point associated to soil type and land use. Such input data can be provided by different methods. Exclusive field work with ordinary topographic equipment and GIS procedures are examples of methods that can be used for this purpose. Flexibility in the methods adopted for providing input data is an important prerequisite for erosion prediction in tropical and developing regions, where soil erosion is a major concern and the availability of digital data is usually restricted. Hillslopes for EDI were defined as straight line segments beginning at the upper slope and ending down at runoff output. This restricts EDI as a complete erosion-prediction method for areas where runoff deflecting features predominate or where channel or gully erosion is to be considered. As output, EDI provides georeferenced soil erosion values in another text format database. This database can be used directly for statistical or geostatistical analysis or imported into a GIS for further processing. A practical example representative of a sugarcane-growing area located at the southeastern part of Brazil is used to illustrate EDI's performance. In this example, soil erosion maps were produced from GIS data using EDI as interface for erosion calculations for WEPP and USLE.

Temporal Erosion‐Induced Soil Degradation and Yield Loss

Intensification of tropical agricultural systems by increasing fertilizer input and technology is a current trend in developing regions. Under intensive management, erosion impacts on crop productivity may not be detected in the short term. However, long‐term impacts are expected because erosion rates in tropical agroecosystems are usually greater than the rate of soil formation. A temporal function of soil‐depth change was defined and named life time Conceptually, soil's life time is the time until a minimum soil depth needed for sustaining crop production is reached. The life‐time function was applied to the Ceveiro watershed (1990 ha) located at the Southeastern part of Brazil, and compared with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield loss estimations. Soil erosion prediction was made employing the Water Erosion Prediction Project. The mean soil erosion rate for the area was 15 Mg ha−1 yr−1, and sugarcane showed the highest mean value of 31 Mg ha−1 yr−1 The half life time of the watershed, i.e., the time until 50% of the area reach the minimum soil depth, was estimated to +563 yr in relation to present time. The estimated time for sugarcane's productivity to be reduced to 50% of the present value (half yield life time) was +361 yr. The life‐time function was similar to the estimated long‐term impacts of soil erosion on crop productivity. Therefore, the life‐time function was considered as an integrative indictor for agricultural sustainability, useful for land‐use planning and for the definition of tolerable soil erosion.

Soil tillage and precision agriculture: A theoretical case study for soil erosion control in Brazilian sugar cane production

The variability of most soil properties is expressed at small scales. Agronomic practices and treatments are usually designed to be extremely uniform at this scale. The contradiction of applying uniform treatments to variable conditions is the key issue of precision agriculture. Traditionally, precision agriculture means variable application of material inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and amendments. Although the practical results expressed in terms of economic feasibility or advantages for crop production are controversial, the basic concepts of precision agriculture applied to other inputs, such as time and labor, have theoretical advantages and may have a greater possibility to develop into profitable technology. This paper describes a theoretical example based on sugar cane production in a 77 ha watershed located in the southeastern part of Brazil. Precision agriculture concepts focusing on P-fertilizer inputs were compared with optimization of mechanical operations such as planting and harvesting. Measurable advantages for precision agriculture compared with traditional treatments were observed for mechanical operation efficiency but not for P-fertilizer. Recent practical experiences in Brazilian sugar cane production of treating soil conservation as spatially variable to gain efficiency in mechanical operations is a clear example of the economic feasibility of implementing precision agriculture by increasing efficiency instead of decreasing materials or increasing yields.

Arthrospira skujae, a New Planktic Tropical Cyanoprokaryote

Summary Two populations of cyanophytes that produce screw-like coiled trichomes were examined in order to elucidate their taxonomic position. The first population was collected in an Amazonian reservoir in June 1989. From the investigations of this species, it was possible to establish a new species of Arthrospira (A. skujae) that had previously been classified by Skuja (1949) from Burma under the name “ Spirulina gigantea ” (sine typo). The second, similar population was collected in the littoral zone among water plants, of a small, shallow pond in the southeastern part of Brazil, which corresponded to Arthrospira jenneri . Both species were evaluated statistically, and the measurements, drawings, photos and comparisons with closely related species are presented.

Regional and Local Components in the Distribution of Forested Areas in South East Brazil: A Multivariate Approach

There are few sins in which geographers indulge with more relish than generalizing our field fi dings at a local level over the whole of an adjacent re ion. The writer was made keenly aware of this commission in returning in 1962 to travel more widely over the south-eastern part of Brazil. Speculations on the persistence of forested zones based on localized field-work in the Taubati area (Haggett, 1961) were only partly sustained when the survey was extended, via sampling methods over an adjacent area some hundreds of times larger. In this paper the results of a localized study based on a small 100-square-kilometrearea are reported alongside those of a wider regional study. It is shown that not only is the distribution different at the two levels but that the appropriate pattern of study changes in sympathy. Data available at one level are unobtainable at another, levels of measurement possible at one level are too fine at another, and statistical tests appro? priate at one level are inapplicable at another.