Multidisciplinary Scientific Cruises for Environmental Characterization in the Santos Basin – Methods and Sampling Design

The Santos Basin (SB) is the main petroliferous basin in the Brazilian continental margin and one of the most studied marine areas in Brazil. However, historical data suggest that new efforts should be carried out to acquire quantitative biological data, especially in the deep sea, to establish the baseline of essential ocean variables in different ecosystems for future monitoring programs. The Brazilian energy company Petrobras planned and executed 24 oceanographic cruises over a period of 2 years to assess the benthic (SANSED cruise) and pelagic (SANAGU cruise) systems of the SB (356 days at sea in 2019 and 2021/2022). These efforts were part of the Santos Project, which comprised a comprehensive environmental study aimed at investigating benthic and pelagic variables to characterize ecology, biogeochemistry, thermohaline properties of water masses, and ocean circulation patterns, geomorphology, and sedimentology, as well as organic and inorganic chemistry. Here we present the detailed sampling designs and the field methods employed on board, during the SB scientific cruises. All sampling protocols were based on standardized approaches. For the benthos analyses, triplicate sediment samples were performed using a GOMEX-type box corer (0.25 m²) or a large modified Van Veen grab (0.75 m²) at 100 stations ranging from 25 to 2400 m depth. At each station, 25 geochemical and physico-chemical parameters were analyzed in addition to micro-, meio-, and macrofauna and living foraminifera samples. For the pelagic system, 60 stations were selected to investigate the plankton community, ranging in size from pico- to macroplankton, through vertical, horizontal, and oblique net hauls (20, 200, and 500 μm mesh size), as well as 25 biogeochemical parameters collected with an aid of a CTD-rosette sampler. Part of this scientific information also serves the Regional Environmental Characterization Project (PCR-BS) in support of Petrobras’ Santos Basin drilling licensing process led by the Brazilian Environmental Agency – IBAMA. This project contributes to the sustainable development of the SB, in line with the guidelines of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Modelling and validation of electromechanical shock absorbers

Electromechanical vehicle suspension systems represent a promising substitute to conventional hydraulic solutions. However, the design of electromechanical devices that are able to supply high damping forces without exceeding geometric dimension and mass constraints is a difficult task. All these challenges meet in off-road vehicle suspension systems, where the power density of the dampers is a crucial parameter. In this context, the present paper outlines a particular shock absorber configuration where a suitable electric machine and a transmission mechanism are utilised to meet off-road vehicle requirements. A dynamic model is used to represent the device. Subsequently, experimental tests are performed on an actual prototype to verify the functionality of the damper and validate the proposed mode

Levantamento sobre uso de álcool e outras drogas e vulnerabilidades relacionadas de estudantes de escolas públicas participantes do programa saúde do escolar/saúde e prevenção nas escolas no município de Florianópolis

Esta pesquisa investigou o uso de álcool e outras drogas e as vulnerabilidades relacionadas de estudantes de nove escolas públicas participantes do Programa Saúde do Escolar/Saúde e Prevenção nas Escolas no município de Florianópolis. Participaram 789 alunos entre o sétimo ano do Ensino Fundamental e o terceiro ano do Ensino Médio. O álcool foi utilizado por 30,1% dos participantes, o tabaco por 20,1%, a maconha por 7%, a cocaína por 1,3% e o crack por 0,6%. Os estudantes que utilizam álcool e outras drogas mataram mais aulas, participaram mais de brigas, são sexualmente mais ativos e declararam que se arriscaram mais frente ao HIV/Aids. Observou-se a importância da família tanto como fator de influência nos comportamentos do uso de álcool e outras drogas, como de proteção frente a este uso.This research investigated the use of alcohol and other drugs and related vulnerabilities among students from nine public schools participating in Projeto Saúde e Prevenção na Escola (SPE -Health and Prevention at School Project) and in Programa Saúde na Escola (PSE -Health at School Program) in the city of Florianópolis (Southern Brazil). The sample comprises 789 students ranging from the 7th grade (Elementary School) to the 3rd grade (High School). Main results: Tobacco was used by 20.1% of the students, 7% reported marijuana use, 1.3% used cocaine and 0.6% used crack at least once. Alcohol was the most frequently used drug: 30.1% of all students reported binge drinking. Students who make use of alcohol and other drugs are in a vulnerable situation: they skip more classes, get involved in fights more often, are sexually more active and admittedly take risks regarding HIV infection. Family influence is relevant, both protecting from drug use and leading to practices