Feasibility and Environmental Sustainability of a 103.5 kWp floating Photovoltaic Electrical System with a Case Study in a Hydroelectric Power Plant, Santa Clara Hpp, Located in the South of Brazil Region

Typical environmental problems associated with the implementation of solar photovoltaic systems for the generation of peak electrical energy, on a larger scale, such as on the order of 1 MWp, is in the occupied area, usually more than 3 km2. This can be minimized by the use of water parks or water dam’s reservoir, small and large hydroelectric power plants dams. Both the terrestrial and aquatic systems can impact the site, the first one, for the need to promote earthworks, removal of extensive green areas in the surroundings, installation of new transmission line, among others; and the second, despite the fact that a flat surface is already used and that there is no need for new civil procedures for its installation and can normally take advantage of the existing power transmission line, may cause changes in the biota of the reservoir, depending on the shading areas on the surface of the lake. Due to these facts, this research was proposed to investigate, parameterize and tropicalize an electric power generation system based on floating silicon photovoltaic cell panels installed in the Santa Clara HPP reservoir, in terms of peak power, durability, aspects and environmental impacts, with the study of possible evolutionary improvements of the project such as "tracking" or solar tracking, as well as dynamism of the structure, allowing the shadow area to be shifted over time, minimizing its effects in the local biota

Caracterização do genoma e teste de proteção vacinal para amostras do vírus da bronquite infecciosa das aves associadas a surtos ?atípicos?? da doença.

Projeto/Plano de Ação: 02.05.01.018

Agricultural soybean and corn calendar based on moderate resolution satellite images for southern Brazil.

Abstract. Knowledge of the agricultural calendar of crops is essential to better estimate and forecast the cultivation of large-scale crops. The aim of this study was to estimate sowing date (SD), date of maximum vegetative development (DMVD), and harvest date (HD) of soybean and corn in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Dates from 120 farms and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from 2011 to 2014 were used into a seasonal trend analysis to obtain soybean and corn seasonal patterns. The results indicate that the majority soybean is sown during October and the DMVD occurs between the second ten-day period of December and the first ten-day period of January. Owing to the spatial variability of the SD, the difference in the maturation cycles of the cultivars, and regional climatic variation, the HD of soybean varied greatly during the studied crop years, ranging from mid-February to late March. The SD of corn is before that of soybean, and mainly occurs in late September to mid-October. The DMVD mainly occurs during December, and the HD is distributed throughout January to March in Paraná. When comparing the estimated dates with observed dates the mean error (ME) varied from 0.2 days earlier to 3.3 days after the observed date for soybean with root mean square error (RMSE) from 1.93 to 14.73 days. For corn, the ME varied from 10.3 days to 18.5 days after the observed date with RMSE from 18.02 to 27.82 days.Suplemento 1

Freqüência de infecção por Toxocara em crianças atendidas em serviço público de Maringá, sul do Brasil

The lack of specific laboratorial diagnosis methods and precise symptoms makes the toxocariasis a neglected disease in Public Health Services. This study aims to determine the frequency of Toxocara spp. infection in children attended by the Health Public Service of Hospital Municipal de Maringá, South Brazil. To evaluate the association of epidemiological and clinical data, an observational and cross-section study was carried out. From 14,690 attended children/year aged from seven month to 12 years old, 450 serum samples were randomly collected from September/2004 to September/2005. A questionnaire was used to evaluate epidemiological, clinical and hematological data. An ELISA using Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory products as antigen detected 130 (28.8%) positive sera, mainly between children from seven month to five years old (p = 0.0016). Significant correlation was observed between positive serology for Toxocara, and frequent playing in sandbox at school or daycare center (p = 0.011) and the presence of a cat at home (p = 0.056). From the families, 50% were dog owners which exposed soil backyards. Eosinophilia (p = 0.776), and signs and symptoms analyzed (fever p = 0.992, pneumonia p = 0.289, cold-like symptoms p = 0.277, cough p = 0.783, gastrointestinal problems p = 0.877, migraine p = 0.979, abdominal pain p = 0.965, joint pain p = 0.686 and skin rash p = 0.105) could not be related to the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies. Therefore, two asthmatics children showed titles of 1:10,240 and accentuated eosinophilia (p = 0.0001). The authors emphasize the needs of prevention activities.A falta de métodos de diagnóstico laboratorial específico e sintomas específicos fazem da toxocaríase uma doença negligenciada nos serviços públicos de saúde. Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar a freqüência de infecção por Toxocara spp. em crianças atendidas no serviço público do Hospital Municipal de Maringá, sul do Brasil, e avaliar a associação com dados epidemiológicos e clínicos, em estudo observacional e transversal. De 14.690 crianças/ano atendidas, com idade entre sete meses a 12 anos, foram coletados 450 soros de setembro/2004 a setembro/2005. Um questionário foi utilizado para avaliar dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e hematológicos. Pelo teste ELISA, com antígeno de excreção/secreção de larvas de Toxocara canis, detectou-se 130 (28,8%) soros positivos, principalmente em crianças entre sete meses e cinco anos (p = 0,0016). Houve significante correlação entre sorologia positiva para Toxocara e freqüente recreação das crianças em caixas de areia da escola ou pré escola (p = 0,011) e presença do gato no domicilio (p = 0,056). Das famílias dessas crianças, 50% possuíam cachorros e o quintal com solo exposto. Eosinofilia (p = 0,776), sinais e sintomas (febre p = 0,992, pneumonia p = 0,289, resfriado p = 0,277, tosse p = 0,783, problema gastrointestinal p = 0877, dor de cabeça p = 0,979, dor abdominal p = 0,965, dores articulares p = 0,686, urticária p = 0,105) não se correlacionaram com a soropositividade. Todavia, duas crianças asmáticas apresentaram títulos de 1:10.240 (>; 1:320) e acentuada eosinofilia (p = 0.0001). Os autores enfatizam a necessidade de atividades preventivas