State ofMinas Gerais Research Articles

Lithological control on the formation of ferruginous duricrusts in the Espinhaço Range (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

The Espinhaço Range is the scene of a long history of exposure to chemical weathering and erosion processes since the Cretaceous. As a result, ferruginous duricrusts can be considered as the fingerprint of the long-term surface process and may provide us critical clues about changes in paleo-environmental features during the Cenozoic. In addition, specifically for the Diamantina plateau, located in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil), there is great interest in studying the duricrusts of the Espinhaço Range, because they are associated with diamond mining, explored since the eighteenth century and which gave its name to the region. Even so, few studies have contributed to understanding their formation and morphological diversity. Mineralogical, geochemical, and micromorphological studies were undertaken to understand the processes involved in the formation of the two representative types of ferruginous duricrust, linked to phyllites of Espinhaço Supergroup: platy and massive types. The platy duricrust develops from the weathering of a banded ilmenite-hematite phyllite where the alteromorphization of its compositional banding and original foliation leads to the formation of an isalteritic duricrust. The massive duricrust, associated with diamond mining, is genetically linked to a quartz-phengite phyllite. Both duricrust profiles show relative enrichment in Fe and P and depletion of the other major elements compared to the saprolite, however, the iron concentration was 10 times greater in the massive than the platy duricrust. The REEs show similar distribution patterns with preferential leaching in both duricrusts. The compositional and textural variation of the phyllite in the Diamantina Plateau leads to the distinct evolution of two representative duricrusts profiles. The mineralogical, micromorphological, and geochemical analyses reinforce the lithological control in the formation of these two different types of ferruginous duricrusts in the study area, located in similar topographic and climatic conditions.

Occurrence of serological reactions for Leptospira spp. in donkeys and mules from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Research concerning leptospirosis in donkeys and mules has been neglected around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological situation of the prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in donkeys and mules from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood serum samples were collected from 180 animals (109 donkeys and 71 mules) in two rural properties from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and then submitted to a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Urea and creatinine values were also quantified. Epidemiological variables such as age, breeding system, contact with other animal species, source of water and food, vaccination against leptospirosis, presence of reproductive alterations, and rodent control were also investigated. From 180 samples collected, 39 (21.67%) showed positive results in the MAT, at a dilution ≥ 1:100. Some animals were reactive for more than one serovar. The serovar Tarassovi was the most frequent (14.07%), followed by Hardjo (11.85%) and Wolffi (11.11%). There was a statistically significant difference between animals from 0 to 3 years of age reactive in the MAT in comparison to the other age groups. Most of the animals had urea and creatinine concentrations within the acceptable reference limit; however, there was a significant increase in creatinine levels in some of the test animals. The studied properties showed differences in some epidemiological aspects such as vaccination of the animals, presence of reproductive problems in the herd, and rodent control. Such aspects pointed as risk factors that may influence the frequency of positive serological results in property 1. The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of leptospirosis in donkeys and mules is high and several serovars are being maintained by these animals, representing a potential public health risk.

Analysis of the perception of nursing technicians in the exercise of leadership by nurses in a public hospital in the northeastern region of the state of Minas Gerais

Analysis of the perception of nursing technicians in the exercise of leadership by nurses in a public hospital in the northeastern region of the state of Minas Gerais

Surveying potentially antagonistic fungi to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) in Brazil: fungicolous Cladosporium spp.

The myrtle rust (MR), caused by Austropuccinia psidii, is a worldwide threat to the cultivated and wild Myrtaceae. Originally from the neotropics, it has spread to North America, Africa, and Asia and has reached geographically isolated areas in the Pacific and Australasia. It is attacking native species in those new ranges and is still spreading and causing great concern for the damage caused to endemic Myrtaceae, and to the environment. Classical biological control is regarded as the most sustainable management option for mitigating such biological invasions. However, there are no examples of introductions of host-specific co-evolved natural enemies of plant pathogens, from their native range, as a management strategy for plant pathogens. In order to explore this neglected approach, a survey of potential fungal natural enemies of A. psidii was initiated recently in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil). Several purported mycoparasites have been collected from A. Psidii pustules formed on myrtaceous hosts. This included some isolates of dematiaceous fungi recognized as having a Cladosporium-like morphology. Here we present the results of the investigation aimed at elucidating their identity through a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Besides morphological and cultural features, molecular analyses using sequences of translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1) and actin (ACT) were performed. The combination of data generated is presented herein and placed all Cladosporium-like isolates in six species of Cladosporium, namely, Cladosporium angulosum, C. anthropophilum, C. bambusicola, C. benschii, C. guizhouense, and C. macadamiae. None of these have ever been recorded in association with A. psidii. Now, with the identification of these isolates at hand, an evaluation of biocontrol potential of these fungi will be initiated. In contrast with the ready finding of fungicolous (possibly mycoparasitic) fungi on MR in this study, no evidence of those was recorded from Australasia until now.

Influence of dry season on social wasp communities (Hymenoptera: Polistinae) in Deciduous Forest

The seasonal deciduous forest, also known as dry forest, is characterized by the deciduity of tree species and two well-defined seasons which cause drastic changes in its physiognomy, and the seasonality of rainy periods directly impacts the forest’s biological communities. Social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) are well documented. However, some ecosystems in which they occur, such as the deciduous forest, are still subsampled. This study aimed to assess the response of social wasp communities to the dry season in a deciduous forest in the Mata Seca State Park, in the North of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Insects were collected over 24 days divided into four field campaigns, each with six continuous days of collection (February, May, July, and November 2021), encompassing one campaign per season. All specimens were sacrificed and stored in 70% alcohol and later dry mounted for identification. The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) H test was performed to verify the difference between species richness, number of total colonies, and number of colonies of each tribe in relation to the collection station. In total, 131 colonies of eight species were located, particularly Polybia occidentalis (Olivier, 179), with 39 colonies, Polistes versicolor (Olivier, 1791), with 33, Mischocyttarus cassununga, with 21, and Protonectarina sylveirae (Saussure, 1854), with 13. Six species, five of which were from the Epiponini tribe, were collected in the four seasons. The responses of social wasps to the periods of drought in the deciduous forest vary with tribe. While Epiponini populations can keep colonies active in the dry season, Polistini cannot. Meanwhile, P. versicolor responds positively to the onset of the rainy season, increasing its population.

Natural Disasters in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte: A Summary of Events Occurred in the Rainfall Period of 2019/2020

This article presents a summary and analysis of the consequences on the latest disasters that occurred in Minas Gerais, especially in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH). The databases used in this study were the bulletins from the main bodies that manage water resources and natural disasters in the state of Minas Gerais, such as Civil Defense, CEMADEN, IGAM and CEPEDUFSC. It is worth mentioning that the cities of Belo Horizonte, Ibirité and Florestal were the holders of pluviometry records in the rainy period of 2019/2020 and therefore, carry the largest numbers with regard to material damage (Ibirité) and the deaths (Belo Horizonte). Nevertheless, it is important to highlight the significant number of injured, sick and homeless people due to the bad weather in Contagem. It is known that the RMBH has a vast history of events related to natural disasters and bottlenecks regarding urban planning. Therefore, the identification of these risk areas is a very important tool for mapping vulnerable locations and drawing concrete action plans aimed at neutralizing events, strengthening the city’s urban infrastructure and mainly preserving lives.

The Adoption of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Rural Areas of Brazil

In this study, we categorize the perceptions regarding the benefits and the barriers of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in rural areas. We collected the data through a questionnaire, answered by 116 Brazilian farmers. These respondents have farms located in the state of Minas Gerais, which is the Brazilian state with the large installed potency for PV energy. On one hand, the main results indicate that few farmers of the sample already use solar energy at their rural properties; respondents consider environmental issues and cost saving as the main benefits related to solar energy. On the other hand, the majority of the respondents informed that they intend to use PV systems in the future.

First record of the bush dog Speothos venaticus in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, Brazil

AbstractThe bush dog Speothos venaticus is a highly social Neotropical canid categorized globally on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened, as Vulnerable in Brazil and as Critically Endangered in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil, and the Atlantic Forest as a result of human pressure. As part of the monitoring of this mammal, during January 2019–March 2020 we placed one camera trap in each of 22 forest fragments in various landscapes in 15 municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais and one municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro. On average, each camera trap was active for 4.3 months in each fragment. In a total of 2,856 trap-days we obtained the first record of S. venaticus in south-eastern Minas Gerais, c. 2 km from Serra de Santa Rita Mítzi Brandão Biological Reserve. This is the northernmost record of S. venaticus in the Atlantic Forest and highlights the importance of forest remnants in a fragmented landscape for this species. Further monitoring of this area should be a priority, to increase knowledge regarding the distribution of this species and for developing conservation strategies appropriate to these fragmented landscapes.

Bipolaris yamadae causes foliage blight of Digitaria insularis in Brazil

During a survey of the mycobiota of sourgrass (Digitaria insularis), a graminaceous weed from Brazil, severe foliage blight symptoms were observed on plants at different places of the state of Minas Gerais. A fungus identified as Bipolaris yamadae, after a polyphasic study, including analysis of ITS, GPDH and TEF-1α genes, was isolated from diseased tissues. Pathogenicity to sourgrass was confirmed through inoculations of healthy plants. This is the first report of B. yamadae causing foliage blight on D. insularis in Brazil and worldwide.

Spatial analysis of the epidemiological risk of leprosy in the municipalities of Minas Gerais.

Leprosy remains a significant public health problem of high importance. This investigation aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the leprosy epidemiological risk in the municipalities of Minas Gerais. This ecological study was conducted with new leprosy cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2019 in the municipalities of the state of Minas Gerais. Based on the epidemiological indicators, a composite indicator called the leprosy epidemiological risk index was estimated, classifying municipalities as high, medium, low and very low risk. For the spatial analysis, the global and local spatial autocorrelation statistics were used to identify the spatial distribution of the leprosy epidemiological risk in the periods 2004-2011 and 2012-2019 and classified as High/High, Low/Low, High/Low and Low /High. Although leprosy is declining in the state of Minas Gerais, the Global Moran Index confirmed the spatial dependence between municipalities for the two analyzed periods, characterizing the formation of clusters. When performing the local spatial autocorrelation, it was found that the macroregions with the highest number of municipalities with high indices, surrounded by other municipalities with high indices (high-high), were Northwest, East, South East, North, and Northeast. The low risk macroregions were Southeast, Center, South-Center and South. Leprosy has a heterogeneous spatial pattern and remains concentrated in historically endemic areas of the state. It underscores the importance of intensifying actions to combat leprosy in these municipalities and macroregions. Promote improved access to health services and combat stigma and prejudice to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem.

Compounded Biological Soil Conditioner for Soybean Crop Production at Brazil

Aim: To evaluate the agronomic efficiency of Bacillus-based soil conditioner on soybean crop development and productivity in different cropping areas.
 Study Design: Randomized complete block design with six treatments and eight replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: Municipalities of Uberlândia, Paracatú, Araxá and Guarda Mor, all in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, during the 2019/20 season.
 Methodology: The treatments consisted of untreated control, 300 kg ha-1 of mineral fertilizer, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 L ton-1 of Bacillus-based soil conditioner applied to mineral fertilizer (BSC2.0; BSC2.5; BSC3.0; BSC3.5). Leaf and grain P and K concentration, soybean yield components (grains per pod, pods per plant, weight of a thousand grains) and grain yield were evaluated. Data were subject to ANOVA at P = 0.10. Treatments means were separated using the Duncan test at a 0.10 level of significance. 
 Results: The biological soil conditioner (BSC) had a statistically superior response than mineral fertilizer in all evaluated doses. In Uberlândia, the BSC2.0 treatment was more efficient in increasing the foliar P concentration in soybean. In Araxá, BSC3.0 provided greater grain yield, as it increased the number of pods per plant and soybean yield. BSC3.5 obtained higher grain yield in Paracatú and Guarda Mor. The average soybean yield achieved in all areas was higher than that obtained in the state of Minas Gerais.
 Conclusion: This study revealed that using Bacillus-based soil conditioner on soybean crops is a valuable strategy to increase the soil activity, development and crop yield.

Determinação de parâmetros do queijo minas artesanal associados com as regiões de origem em Minas Gerais, Brasil

ABSTRACT Artisanal cheese production involves a centuries-old tradition in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, playing an important historical and social role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of artisanal Minas cheeses from seven regions certified for their production in relation to their physical-chemical and centesimal composition to identify parameters that are useful to differentiate them. There were differences among the cheeses from different regions for the soluble nitrogen variables, extension and depth of ripening indexes, ash, oxidation, fat and pH. The highest values for the ripening length and depth index were observed in the Cerrado region. The cheeses from the Canastra region were different due to the higher moisture content, and the cheeses from Campo das Vertentes presented higher pH and nitrogen compound values. Despite the similarities among cheeses in each region, they had dispersed positions in the principal components analysis. There are differences in the physicochemical and centesimal composition among the artisanal Minas cheeses from the distinct regions in Minas Gerais, and the analyzed parameters can be used to differentiate them. The contents of ash, fat, oxidation index, soluble nitrogen and pH were the parameters that were associated with greater differences in cheeses.

Alta densidade de plantas de cebola pode aumentar a demanda por nitrogênio?

ABSTRACT An adequate N supply is essential for plant growth, and changing plant density increases nitrogen demand. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of top-dressing nitrogen fertilization on quality and yield of onions grown under three plant densities. The experiment was conducted from June to October, in Oratórios, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, using the hybrid Superex. A randomized block experimental design was used, with a split-plot arrangement and four replications. N rates (0, 60, 120, and 240 kg ha-1) were evaluated in the plots and plant densities (40 plants m-2 - one seedling per cell; 80 plants m-2 - two seedlings per cell; and 120 plants m-2 - three seedlings per cell) were evaluated in the subplots. The yield found for the treatment with 80 plants m-2 and 171 kg ha-1 of N was 51.28 Mg ha-1 of marketable bulbs, with approximately 75% class 3 and 17% class 4 bulbs. Bulb weight decreased with increasing plant density. Top-dressing nitrogen fertilization increases the quality and yield of onions, regardless of the plant density. The highest yield was found when using 80 plants m-2 and 240 kg ha-1 of N. A density of 80 plants m-2 (two seedlings per cell) and 171 kg ha-1 of N is recommended when intending to obtain class 3 and 4 bulbs.

Indigenous Peoples and Criminal Justice

Abstract In this article, I draw on the specific case studies of the Xakriabá people and the Judicial District of Manga, and the Maxakali people and the Judicial District of Águas Formosas, both located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. I examine how criminal justice officials apply dominant concepts of indigeneity in these regional contexts, showing how they arbitrarily construct and deploy the category of Indigenous person based on essentialist assumptions of indigeneity that ignore Indigenous peoples’ self-identification as such. This adds to scholarship on how indigeneity is institutionally conceived and applied within the justice system in ways that contrast with Indigenous notions of it and aim to deny Indigenous persons recognition in legal processes. By providing specific accounts of how Indigenous defendants are treated in the justice system and experience loss of rights, I consider the professional practices of state officials within the broader framework of Brazilian indigenist policies.

Evaluation of Family Reunification after Foster Care in the State of Minas Gerais - Brazil

Family foster care is intended for the care of children and adolescents who are away from the family by judicial protective measure, emerged as an innovative reception strategy, providing individual and personalized care to children or adolescents who are victims of some form of violence. The present study aimed to brief analyse data from the most recent SUAS census in Brazil, focusing on one of the states of the federation to verify how the referrals of children and adolescents who go through foster care are being carried out. The data showed that in certain places there is discrepancy in reintegration and adoption, the latter being the most common. More effective actions to prepare the families of origin for reunification must be carried out.

POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES: UM ESTUDO SOBRE A EVASÃO NO CURSO DE PEDAGOGIA

Faced with the expansion of higher education, resulting from the implementation of public policies to expand access, discussions on democratization, permanence, graduation and dropout gained prominence on the national scene. This article aims to analyze the motivations that culminated in the dropout of students from the Pedagogy course, in person, at a federal university in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais. The methodological procedures adopted to carry out the study were based on the application of an online questionnaire on Google Forms and the performance of two semi-structured interviews via Google Meet. The project was submitted to Plataforma Brazil and the Research Ethics Committee, obtaining a favorable opinion. The data were analyzed using the Sociology of Higher Education productions as a reference, specifically themes related to access, permanence, evasion in higher education (COULON, 2008; TINTO, 1975) and teacher training. The data showed that, among students who did not request support from student assistance, the main conditioning factor for evasion refers to the incompatibility of schedules between work and study, followed by the change of course. Among the students who benefited from student assistance programs, the most prominent reason is the lack of interest in the field. The data reinforce the importance of the role of permanence policies that act both to supply the material and symbolic conditions related to the permanence of students in educational institutions.

First record of the southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The Critically Endangered southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) and its sister taxon the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) are endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. To date, our understanding of the distribution of the southern muriqui has restricted it to the states of Paraná, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. The northern muriqui occurs in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Here, we describe the first record of the southern muriqui in Minas Gerais. A group of seven individuals, including one infant, was detected and photographed on aprivate property in the district of Monte Verde, municipality of Camanducaia, on the northwestern slope of the Serra da Mantiqueira. This location is 5.3km from a population of southern muriquis (known since 1994) on the southeastern slope of the serra in São Paulo. This discovery highlights the importance of further surveys in the Serra da Mantiqueira in order to detect any new populations, provide data for a more accurate assessment of the conservation status of the two species-the delimitation of their distributions, the size and extent of isolation of their populations, and the threats they face.

Influence of rainfall in a short-term seismic velocity monitoring at an urban landslide site in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Most high-magnitude landslides in Brazil are triggered by rainfall. The partial or total liquefaction of the soil mass is directly related to an increase in the pore pressure, which can happen after or during heavy and sustained rainfalls. Traditional near-surface geophysical methods for saturation and rigidity assessment usually involve short-duration data acquisition campaigns, reporting results representative of a specific moment. On the other hand, the cross-correlation of the ambient noise wavefield registered at different locations in continuous data streams has emerged as a promising alternative for monitoring seismic velocity variations in time. In the present study, we evaluate if the observed seismic velocity perturbations can satisfactorily relate to rainfall periods on a local scale and within minutes of resolution at a slope in Itabirito, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where landslide activity occurred. We calculate velocity changes in the tail portion (coda) from Green's functions retrieved from cross-correlation of seismic noise time series registered at pairs of stations from September 2022 to November 2022. In the 50 days observation period, the monitored area remained stable. We identified clear time intervals where the relative seismic velocity decreases after or during rainfall, which indicates modification in the saturation conditions of the soil. The results demonstrated that seismic velocity changes obtained from the coda of cross correlations of the ambient noise wavefield could satisfactorily constrain rainfall periods and indicate possible changes in the saturation conditions of the soil at a small local scale with a high temporal resolution.

Light, camera, hospitality: relationship between hosts and guests in film productions in Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper provides an understanding of the way that hospitality is portrayed in films produced with the support of a programme developed by the government in the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. The methodology of this qualitative research included a content analysis of eight films (including one documentary) shown on the non-mainstream festival and film show circuit in Brazil. The results showed the complexity that permeates the interpersonal relationships in hospitality. The filmic productions analysed portray several nuances of the hospitality phenomenon present in the Brazilian social imaginary. Different leisure practices and contexts are represented in the films, thus showing a wealth of details about hospitality that bring potential contributions to the academic debate on the subject. In this process, human life assumes a variety of meanings and causes a tangle of social practices and hospitality to emerge.

Different positions in society, differing views of the world: the privatization of water and sanitation services in Minas Gerais, Brazil

IntroductionIn 2020, the Brazilian government sanctioned Law No. 14.026, which established new guidelines for water and sanitation in the country and encouraged service privatization. Based on this, the State of Minas Gerais government, Brazil has proposed a bill for these services. Regarding this bill, different social actors in the State of Minas Gerais have expressed different assessments concerning the outcomes of the proposed management model and its impact on the realization of the human rights to safe water and sanitation.MethodsWe used content analysis techniques to assess the position of different actors—government, civil society, and private sector—in three public events that were recorded and posted on the YouTube platform.ResultsThe analyses of this study indicated that the positions of the current government are aligned with those of the private sector. Also, the analyses agree that privatization can lead to the universalization of access to services. These different actors did not mention the human rights to safe water and sanitation in their discourses. Civil society organizations are concerned about the guarantee of those rights. For them, privatization of water and sanitation services can lead to discontinuation of the access of these services to vulnerable populations and poor municipalities due to tariff increases.DiscussionThe discourses concerning water and sanitation privatization as an instrument for universalization are disputed. Private sector actors and government representatives, aligned with the neoliberal agenda, support privatization. Civil society organizations defend the improvement of public management as the path to universalization. Representatives of municipalities were not included in the discussion for the new bill. The different societal positions relate to the different views these actors have concerning privatization and the world.