Sul State Research Articles

The jaguar (Panthera onca) as a potential new host of Dracunculus sp.

Nematode species of the genus Dracunculus (Spirurida: Dracunculoidea) infect tissues and body cavities of reptiles, domestic and wild carnivores, and humans. The definitive hosts acquire the infection by ingesting intermediate (i.e., cyclopoid copepod) or paratenic (i.e., amphibians and fishes) hosts. Here we report the jaguar (Panthera onca) as a potential new host for Dracunculus sp. The nematode was collected from an ulcerated cutaneous nodule on the left anterior limb of a female jaguar in the municipality of Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Based on the morphology of first stage larvae collected from a small fragment of the uterus of the adult nematode, the species was identified as Dracunculus sp. Reichard, 1759. Additionally, the morphological identification was molecularly confirmed by sequencing the cox1 gene. This report advocates for further investigations into the transmission cycle of this parasite in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland, considering the role of wildlife hosts and the zoonotic potential of Dracunculus species in that area.

Two new species of Endecous Saussure, 1878 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) from caves in central-western Brazil, with the proposition of a new subgenus to accommodate E. vitreus Bolfarini & Campos, 2023.

The genus Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) encompasses over 20 species, grouped into four subgenera: E. (Endecous), E. (Pedroecous), E. (Notendecous), and E. (Ramalhoecous). In this study, we present the description of two novel species belonging to the subgenus Endecous (Endecous) Saussure, 1878 (Phalangopsidae) discovered in caves located within the Serra da Bodoquena region of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. The descriptions are based on the distinguishing male genitalia characteristics, among other traits. Furthermore, we introduce a new subgenus, namely Endecous (Bodoquenaecous), specifically created to accommodate the recently discovered species E. vitreus, also found in caves within the same area. Initially, E. vitreus was placed under the subgenus Endecous; however, due to its numerous distinct traits, the establishment of a new subgenus became justified. In this study, we also introduce the first pictorial key for the subgenera within the genus Endecous. Additionally, we briefly discuss observed troglomorphic adaptations in species belonging to this genus. Finally, comprehensive ecological observations and conservation status assessments are provided for both newly described species, as well as for E. vitreus.

Intense P.1 (Gamma) diversification followed by rapid Delta substitution in Southern Brazil: a SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology study

The analyses of genetic traits, dispersion patterns and phylogenomics are essential for understanding the evolutionary forces driving SARS-CoV-2 viruses in these three years of COVID-19 pandemics. Brazil is one of the most affected countries in the world and not sufficient genomic studies have been performed. The emergence of P.1 lineage led to one of the most serious public health crises on record. Our study presents the genomic sequencing and characterization of 412 samples from Rio Grande do Sul state, in the Brazilian Southern region, during Gamma and Delta epidemic waves, in 2021. Additionally, molecular evolution tests were performed to identify positively selected sites in Brazil between 2020 and 2022, as well as offer some evolutionary perspective about the maintenance of multiple spike mutations in Omicron lineages. Genomic epidemiology analysis has indicated an intense P.1 (Gamma) diversification followed by rapid Delta substitution in Southern Brazil.

A methodology for urban and regional planning: application in Cachoeira do Sul, Brazil

We aim to demonstrate the methodology used in the critical analysis of the municipality of Cachoeira do Sul (state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), which had its Master Plan recently revised and approved, verifying the urban practices implemented until then in the city. For the application of the methodology, data surveys, studies and mappings were carried out with systematization of a geographic database in a GIS environment, as well as on-site technical visits and application of questionnaires to apprehend the opinion of the population on important subjects in the development of the municipality, consolidating the technical and community readings of the territory. From these data, always guided by group discussions, we developed diagnosis, prognosis, scenarios, and guidelines, macrozoning and intervention proposals, filling gaps in the Master Plan in relation to planning with the landscape, the open space system and the development of the city and the region. Among the developed proposals, those related to urban mobility were highlighted in this article - urban and rural cycle lanes.

Automação de irrigação de lavouras de arroz usando controlador fuzzy e previsão meteorológica

ABSTRACT This paper presents a new irrigation controller based on fuzzy logic that uses weather forecast data and crop characteristics to evaluate the real-time need for irrigation of rice crops and to increase the efficiency of irrigation systems. Tests were performed with real data obtained from three different crop fields in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and on four meteorologically different days of the 2021/2022 harvest to demonstrate the ability to reduce power consumption for irrigation; the power consumption on days of heavy precipitation was above 80% under all simulated conditions. Depending on the size of the crop and the tested meteorological conditions, the minimum reductions in energy consumption were between 33-66% on dry days with no precipitation forecast. More than 15% reduction in the flow of the water catchment was also observed, even in the most adverse farming scenarios. This study reveals the necessity for technological advances in rice-crop irrigation systems to increase the efficiency of flood irrigation in large areas for reducing electricity consumption, increasing the profitability of rural producers, and ensuring the preservation and availability of water resources.

Parasite-host relations and new reports of helminths for Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Neotropical region

This study aimed to analyze helminth assemblage in Rhinella dorbignyi regarding host gender, size and mass in two sampling sites in southern Brazil, and to report new parasite associations. Anurans (n = 100) were collected in two localities from Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, from 2017 to 2020. Nineteen taxa (adults and larval forms) belonging to Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Digenea, and Cestoda were found in different infection sites. Cosmocercidae gen. Spp., Physaloptera liophis, Catadiscus sp., and Cylindrotaenia americana were the dominant taxa in helminth assemblage. Female anurans showed higher helminth species richness than males considering the total sample (two localities) or one of the two localities. However, prevalence and mean intensity of infection did not show any significant difference between genders. Mean intensity of infection was significantly higher (19.52) in Laranjal locality. Host body size does not influence helminth abundance, as infections did not show significant correlation snout-vent length (SVL) nor body mass (BM) of anurans. The findings reveal anurans of R. dorbignyi may be intermediate, paratenic and definitive host for these parasites. Plagiorchioidea helminths (Digenea), Physaloptera liophis, larvae of Acuariidae and Spiroxys sp. (Nematoda), and cystacanth of Lueheia sp. (Acanthocephala) constitute new records for R. dorbignyi. Additionally, this is the first record of Cylindrotaenia americana larvae in this host species. Resulting information increases the knowledge on biodiversity and parasite-host relations and may help future conservation programs developed in ecosystems in the extreme south of Brazil.

Spatial modeling of fire in the atlantic forest considering future climate change scenarios in Rio Grande do Sul state – Brazil

Several biomes worldwide have a long history of conflict over fire use and management. The Atlantic Forest Biome (AFB) is a Brazilian biome that suffers the most from land use and cover changes that cause environmental degradation. The impact of climate change is expected to exacerbate this situation, with extreme weather events potentially leading to a higher frequency and intensity of fire. The main goal of this study is to understand the spatiotemporal distribution of fires for future climate scenarios obtained from CMIP6 climate simulations in the AFB in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, using machine learning algorithms. This study selected several environmental and anthropogenic variables as factors associated with the cause, occurrence, and spread of fire. The results showed an uneven fire density distribution in the study area. An extensive fire cluster was found in pasture areas located northeast of RS state, reaching more than 1500 fire foci per km2 on average per year. The final model had a training R2 value of 0.99 and a test R2 value of 0.93. The most significant variable identified by the model was the average maximum temperature during the warm period, while livestock is the most influential economic activity. Regarding the simulated fire densities, the period between 2021 and 2040 in the SSP 5.8–5 scenario displayed maximum values that were equivalent to those observed in 2018, with an expansion in the occurrence region observed for the same scenario. However, unexpectedly, between 2081 and 2100, fire density decreased across all areas under the SSP 5.8–5 scenario. This study provides useful insights into climate change context scenarios, offering valuable insights into the intricate relationship between natural processes and human influences, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and sustainable environmental management.

Suicide among Indigenous peoples in Brazil from 2000 to 2020: a descriptive study

Previous studies in Australia, Canada, and Brazil, found that suicide among ethnic minority groups is higher than in the general population. Indigenous peoples in Brazil have been reported to have a high suicide rate, with reports of suicide clusters occurring in several communities. The objective of this study was to report trends in countrywide suicide rates among Indigenous peoples in Brazil between 2000 and 2020, and to compare these with the non-Indigenous population. This ecological study used Indigenous suicide data collected from all regions of Brazil during a 21-year period, between 2000 and 2020. We used suicide estimates from the Mortality Information System (SIM), available at the Brazilian Health Ministry website (DATASUS). Suicide mortality rates by state and region were calculated using the estimated Indigenous population from the 2010 census, and estimated population proportions for the other years. We performed a trend analysis and compared trends in suicide between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous population during the period studied. Suicide rates among Indigenous Brazilians have reached more than two and a half times the levels for the overall Brazilian population in 2020 (17.57 suicide deaths versus 6.35 suicide deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). The Central-West region of Brazil had the highest suicide rates among Indigenous Brazilians over the study period, reaching 58.8 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 2008. The younger age group (10-24 years old) had the highest suicide rates for all the years studied. Time-series analyses showed a trend of statistically significant increases in suicide rates in Brazil for both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous population during the study period. The North region, and specifically Amazonas state, has shown a decisive increase in suicide rates among the Indigenous populations. The suicide rate for Indigenous people in Brazil, excluding cases in Amazonas and Mato Grosso do Sul states, were similar to those for the entire Brazilian population, showing that the Indigenous peoples who are the most vulnerable to suicide reside in these locations. While there were statistically significant increases in suicide rates for all Brazilians over the study period, they remained alarmingly high among Indigenous people, compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. The high suicide rates among Indigenous people, and younger individuals in particular (aged between 10 and 24), reinforces the need for specific prevention strategies for these populations. Further studies should be concentrated on determining risk factors in distinct ethnic groups, specifically within regions experiencing an elevated risk, such as the states of Amazonas and Mato Grosso do Sul. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01MH128911-01. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Professional Profile and Needs of Basic Education Teachers: Envisioning Nurturing Communities of Practice

Background: Teacher Training has needed new possibilities to make teaching practice more flexible and less boring. Therefore, using school-centred training is essential, so there is a need to investigate in loco the profile and needs of teachers. Objective: Identify the professional profile, the teaching know-how, the difficulties and needs in the teaching processes to cultivate communities of practice with teachers in a municipality placed in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul State. Design: This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research using the content analysis technique for data processing. Setting and Participants: Four school contexts of Basic Education were investigated, with 63 teachers coming from two municipal schools and two state schools in a municipality on the West Frontier of Rio Grande do Sul State participated in the study. They were intentionally selected. Data collection and analysis: A structured questionnaire with questions related to the teachers' profiles was used for data collection, as well as open questions related to their pedagogical practice. Results: It was found that there is a high percentage of teachers working in more than one school, a factor that must be considered. We highlight the reflection and autonomy in pedagogical practice and the need for training actions regarding the diversity of methodologies to assertively address the different gaps in students. Conclusions: It is considered important to identify the profile and emerging needs of teachers in order to facilitate the organisation of Communities of Practice that aim for school-centred teacher education.

Stratigraphy of the middle Triassic-lower Cretaceous succession in the Paraná and Uruguayan Chaco-Paraná Basins – An overview based on subsurface data

The Middle Triassic to Lower Cretaceous (MTLC) megasequence of the Paraná and Uruguayan Chaco-Paraná basins records a complex depositional history. It encompasses a dynamic interplay of continental lacustrine, fluvial, and aeolian sediments that have evolved under varying paleoenvironmental and climatic conditions, ranging from humid to arid and hyper-arid settings. The present subsurface study depicts a novel stratigraphic framework for the MTLC megasequence, drawing from an extensive dataset of over 400 well logs and drilling reports derived from exploratory petroleum and water wells distributed across these basins. The lithostratigraphic units within the MTLC megasequence, as delineated from the well logs, exhibit a consistent stacking pattern with well-defined hierarchic arrangement, which extends throughout the Paraná and Chaco-Paraná basins. Within the MTLC megasequence, three distinct sedimentary successions have been established, bounded by regional unconformities: the Middle to Upper Triassic sequence, the Upper Jurassic sequence, and the Lower Cretaceous sequence. The Middle to Upper Triassic sequence encompasses the Santa Maria/Caturrita, Piramboia, and Itacumbú formations. The Santa Maria/Caturrita sequence extends into the subsurface to Uruguay, where it is referred to as the Itacumbú Formation. The Piramboia Formation has been subdivided into two distinct units: the lower unit retains the name Piramboia Formation, while the upper unit has been designated as the Guará Formation, as it was originally defined in the Rio Grande do Sul State. The Upper Jurassic sequence encompasses the Guará and Tacuarembó formations, extending throughout the entire Paraná and Uruguayan Chaco-Paraná basins. The Lower Cretaceous sequence comprises the Botucatu and Rivera formations. These deposits are generally discontinuous and frequently intercalated with the volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation.

HTLV infection in blood donors from Mato Grosso do Sul state: a closer look at HTLV screening in Brazilian blood banks

Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection has a worldwide distribution and currently, more than 2.5 million individuals have been infected in Brazil. The study aimed to investigate HTLV infection prevalence among blood donors in Mato Grosso do Sul, characterizing seroepidemiological profiles of HTLV-1/2 positive individuals and evaluating the blood bank's HTLV screening system. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among blood donors from Mato Grosso do Sul state (MS)—Central Brazil, between January to December 2021. The information was obtained from databases, samples from the collection of HEMOSUL, and active searching, with the completion of laboratory analyses. 35,278 blood donors were screened for anti-HTLV-1/2 by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CMIA). Among them, 78 were initially reactive for anti-HTLV-1/2 (2.21/1000). Out of 78, 67 returned to the blood center to collect a second sample for retesting with a second screening with CMIA. After confirmation, 8 samples were indeterminate, and 8 were confirmed as positive for HTLV antibodies. New tests were performed for the 8 positive samples, and 6 were confirmed as HTLV-1 infection (0.17/1,000), one as negative, and one as indeterminate. The present study describes the low prevalence of HTLV infection in blood donors from MS and contributes to the definition of the regional infection profile. The prevalence found in this study (0.017%–0.17/1000) shows to be a much lower value than the rates reported in other states in Brazil. We highlight the need for confirmatory testing for those seropositive donors in screening assays and the need for adequate counseling and patient management for those confirmed HTLV individuals.

The outstanding diversity of rhizobia microsymbionts of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Mato Grosso do Sul, central-western Brazil, revealing new Rhizobium species.

Common bean is considered a legume of great socioeconomic importance, capable of establishing symbioses with a wide variety of rhizobial species. However, the legume has also been recognized for its low efficiency in fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Brazil is a hotspot of biodiversity, and in a previous study, we identified 13 strains isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) nodules in three biomes of Mato Grosso do Sul state, central-western Brazil, that might represent new phylogenetic groups, deserving further polyphasic characterization. The phylogenetic tree of the 16S rRNA gene split the 13 strains into two large clades, seven in the R. etli and six in the R. tropici clade. The MLSA with four housekeeping genes (glnII, gyrB, recA, and rpoA) confirmed the phylogenetic allocation. Genomic comparisons indicated eight strains in five putative new species and the remaining five as R. phaseoli. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) comparing the putative new species and the closest neighbors ranged from 81.84 to 92.50% and 24.0 to 50.7%, respectively. Other phenotypic, genotypic, and symbiotic features were evaluated. Interestingly, some strains of both R. etli and R. tropici clades lost their nodulation capacity. The data support the description of the new species Rhizobium cerradonense sp. nov. (CNPSo 3464T), Rhizobium atlanticum sp. nov. (CNPSo 3490T), Rhizobium aureum sp. nov. (CNPSo 3968T), Rhizobium pantanalense sp. nov. (CNPSo 4039T), and Rhizobium centroccidentale sp. nov. (CNPSo 4062T).

Dengue Fever Surveillance in Mato Grosso do Sul: Insights from Genomic Analysis and Implications for Public Health Strategies.

Since its discovery in early 1916, dengue fever, a common vector-borne illness in Brazil, has resulted in extensive urban outbreaks and poses a serious threat to the public's health. Understanding the dynamics of Dengue Virus (DENV) serotypes circulating in different regions of Brazil is essential for implementing effective disease control and prevention measures. In response to this urgent need, we conducted an on-site training program in genomic surveillance in collaboration with the Central Laboratory of Health and the Secretary of Health of the Mato Grosso do Sul state. This initiative resulted in the generation of 177 DENV genome sequences collected between May 2021 and May 2022, a period during which over 11,391 dengue fever cases were reported in the state. Through this approach, we were able to identify the co-circulation of two different dengue serotypes (DENV1 and DENV2) as well as the existence of diverse viral lineages within each genotype, suggesting that multiple introduction events of different viral strains occurred in the region. By integrating epidemiological data, our findings unveiled temporal fluctuations in the relative abundance of different serotypes throughout various epidemic seasons, highlighting the complex and changing dynamics of DENV transmission throughout time. These findings demonstrate the value of ongoing surveillance activities in tracking viral transmission patterns, monitoring viral evolution, and informing public health actions.

Full vector paleomagnetic estimation from the Paraná-Etendeka Large Igneous Province, southern Brazil: Implications on the onset of Cretaceous Normal Superchron

Comprehensive paleomagnetic study from the Paraná-Etendeka Igneous Province (PEIP), Serra Geral Formation, southern Brazil (∼ 135 Ma) adds to the scarce southern hemisphere paleomagnetic database. Twelve paleomagnetic sites from the exposed stratigraphy of the PEIP were recovered from basaltic lava flows in northern Rio Grande do Sul state. These volcanic rocks erupted between 131.5 and 135.6 Ma. The reliability of the rock magnetism data was confirmed before being accepted for paleo-intensity analysis. The Thellier-Coe paleointensity protocol was applied to 109 collected specimens, and 26 individual samples from 9 sites were selected to test for consistency of the paleointensity determinations. The new high-quality mean paleointensity value of 30.6 ± 7.2μT corresponds to a virtual dipole moment (VDM) of 5.75 ± 0.49 × 1022 Am2. These values correspond to approximately 72% of the present-day Earth's magnetic field and suggest that the Earth's magnetic field strength was slightly elevated compared to the long-term average geomagnetic field that prevailed during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron. The calculated paleomagnetic pole (Plong = −27.5° and Plat = −78.6°, A95 = 3.5°) presents an angular difference of 22° with respect to the expected pole declination with an inclination of 5°. This difference may correspond to secular variations considering the confidence cones. Our results, when compared with previous paleomagnetic data, approach the accuracy of recent models for the Cretaceous interval.

A new genus and two new species of Diptilomiopidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Pampa biome, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

ABSTRACT A new genus and a new species of Rhyncaphytoptinae (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Diptilomiopidae) and two new species of Diptilomiopinae (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Diptilomiopidae) from Pampa biome, Brazil, are described and illustrated: Parahoderus gen. nov. and Parahoderus brasilae sp. nov. on Celtis brasiliensis (Gardner) Planch. (Cannabaceae), Diptilostatus lithraeae sp. nov. on Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) and Vimola multinerviae sp. nov. on Ludwigia multinervia (Hook. et Arn.) Ramamoorthy (Onagraceae). Updated keys for species of the genera Diptilostatus and Vimola are provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org/References/9a8e1e5d-945b-4e1e-bd20-9cd271f6eac4

Presence and monitoring of albino giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Cerrado savanna

Here we present two cases of albinism in giant anteaters from the same area in Central Brazil. The two juvenile individuals presented light-colored fur, unpigmented eyes, and pinkish skin around the eyes, ears, and snout tip. One of the individuals died before achieving adulthood. Given that albinism might affect individual behavior, survival, and fitness, we have started the GPS monitoring of one of the albino individuals. We present the results of our initial health assessment of the individual, showing that its parameters are generally within normality. We also present opportunistic observations showing that its atypical coloration did not affect intraspecific interactions, i.e., the parental care provided by its mother. Finally, we discuss the potential relationship between the individuals, how this could be related to landscape degradation and its associations with population declines in the region. Hence, these records provide additional evidence on the urgency of implementation of conservation measures to cease further population declines of giant anteaters in the Cerrado biome, here, focusing on the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil.

Exploring viral infections in honey bee colonies: insights from a metagenomic study in southern Brazil.

The decline in honey bee colonies in different parts of the world in recent years is due to different reasons, such as agricultural practices, climate changes, the use of chemical insecticides, and pests and diseases. Viral infections are one of the main causes leading to honey bee population declines, which have a major economic impact due to honey production and pollination. To investigate the presence of viruses in bees in southern Brazil, we used a metagenomic approach to sequence adults' samples of concentrated extracts from Apis mellifera collected in fifteen apiaries of six municipalities in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, between 2016 and 2017. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of these samples resulted in the identification of eight previously known viruses (Apis rhabdovirus 1 (ARV-1), Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Aphid lethal paralysis virus (ALPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Bee Macula-like virus (BeeMLV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Lake Sinai Virus NE (LSV), and Varroa destructor virus 3 (VDV-3)) and a thogotovirus isolate. This thogotovirus shares high amino acid identities in five of the six segments with Varroa orthomyxovirus 1, VOV-1 (98.36 to 99.34% identity). In contrast, segment 4, which codes for the main glycoprotein (GP), has no identity with VOV-1, as observed for the other segments, but shares an amino acid identity of 34-38% with other glycoproteins of viruses from the Orthomyxoviridae family. In addition, the putative thogotovirus GP also shows amino acid identities ranging from 33 to 41% with the major glycoprotein (GP64) of insect viruses of the Baculoviridae family. To our knowledge, this is the second report of a thogotovirus found in bees and given this information, this thogotovirus isolate was tentatively named Apis thogotovirus 1 (ATHOV-1). The detection of multiple viruses in bees is important to better understand the complex interactions between viruses and their hosts. By understanding these interactions, better strategies for managing viral infections in bees and protecting their populations can be developed.

Pogonias courbina sperm characteristcs in its first reproductive season.

Southern black drum (Pogonias courbina) is a species distributed along the western Atlantic Ocean, and it is the largest Sciaenidae observed in the coast of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. However, it is listed as a vulnerable species at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, and their fishing is prohibited. The objective of this study was to determine the sperm characteristics of P. courbina. Sperm samples of five young males (two-year-old fish) were collected through abdominal pressure. The sperm kinetics parameters were sperm motility (MOT) 10.7±5.6%, curvilinear velocity (VCL) 120.07±16.16 mm s±1, average path velocity (VAP) 75.64±23.78 mm s±1, straight-line velocity (VSL) 62.49±15.83 mm s±1, straightness (STR) 83.9±5.3%, wobble (WOB) 61.9±12.7%, beat cross frequency (BCF) 42.981±4.627 Hz and progression (PRG) 1,805.4±564.5 µm. The proportion of normal spermatozoa was 35.6±6.1%. About the abnormalities observed, 22.7% occurred in the tail (short tail = 0.6±0.5%, distally curled tail = 2.4±1.6%, strongly curled tail = 1.9±1.3%, broken tail = 7.9±5.1%, folded tail = 5.5±0.8%, loose tail = 4.4±1.9%); 14.2% occurred in the head (degenerate head = 4.2±1.6%, microcephaly = 1.8±2.5%, loose head = 8.2±2.1%) and 27.5% of the spermatozoa showed cytoplasmatic gouts (proximal gout = 20.0±8.4%, distal gout = 7.5±2.8%). Besides that, a correlation analysis was performed between sperm morphology and kinetics parameters, and the spermatozoa were measured for the morphometric parameters. There was a positive correlation between BCF and normal spermatozoa (r= 0.9269). A negative correlation occurred between BCF and loose head (r= -0.9047); WOB and strongly curled tail (r= -0.8911); and PROG and strongly curled tail (r= -0.9191). The morphometric measures found for the head were length of 2.50±0.21 µm and width of 2.12±0.22 µm, and for the tail it was length of 37.97±2.01 µm. It was possible to verify that the animals have sperm characteristics that indicate reproductive aptitude, but an abnormal behavior on sperm activation and high presence of the cytoplasmic gout abnormality indicates that the animals are not fully mature in their first reproductive season. This work contributes to a better understanding of the P. courbina spermatic parameters, what can be allies to recovery this species population in nature and promote its production in fish farms.

Computational Modeling of an Earth-Air Heat Exchanger Integrated with Phase Change Materials: A Case Study Performed for the Viamão City, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

The earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE) is a sustainable option that allows the electrical energy consumption reduction in buildings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of the thermal energy storage principle based on phase change materials (PCM) into the EAHE on its thermal potential. For this, a three-dimensional numerical model of the PCM coupled to the EAHE (EAHE-PCM) was developed based on the effective heat capacity method and adapted to the climatic conditions and soil characteristics of the Viamão city, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. It was found that for a duct diameter and length of 0.11 m and 25.77 m, the incorporation of PCM to EAHE improved by 8.90% and 3.97% in the average annual thermal potential of heating and cooling, respectively. In addition, the average monthly thermal potential increased 19.70% (heating) and 8.48%(cooling), for the months of May and December, respectively, when the PCM was integrated into the system.

Volcano-sedimentary interactions – A key to understand Cretaceous paleoenvironments in the Paraná basin (southern Brazil)

The Lower Cretaceous in the Paraná Basin record a large volcanic event (Serra Geral Formation) that covered an active sedimentary system (Botucatu Formation), before the fragmentation of the southern Gondwana. Therefore, the fluvial-aeolian deposits underlying aeolian deposits of residual dunes, were gradually covered by volcanic flows. Intense basic and minor acidic magmatism covered an extensive continental aeolian environment. The interface between the two units shows an aeolian environment during the early stages of volcanism forming deposits and volcano-sedimentary features overlying and underlying the flows. In six outcrops on the southern portion of the current border of Paraná Basin, in Rio Grande do Sul state, these deposits and features were recognized, showing the complexity of the environment and the processes associated with lava flows and sediments. They were formed by the interaction of consolidated or unconsolidated sediments, saturated or not in the water, with basaltic or dacitic flows. Interaction features and deposits synchronous to volcanism (volcanoclastic), later or in intervals between volcanic events (epiclastic) and only cover, with absence of interactions, were identified. Through the distinctive characteristics of the interaction processes between the volcanic rocks and the sediments analyzed in the volcanic-sedimentary features and deposits, the morphology of the aeolian environment of Botucatu Formation could be, by analogy, compared to the current aeolian environments. The proposed paleoenvironment indicates a sedimentary environment with different domains, categorized by their water saturation. The different siliciclastic components found in each domain allowed the generation of different features and volcanic-sedimentary deposits evidencing aspects related to the presence or absence of water among the proposed domains.