Crescimento econômico e a moderna crise ambiental: uma análise crítica

We discuss in this essay the importance of overcoming the scientific and epistemological reductionism to achieve a critical understanding of the origins of the environmental crisis experienced by humanity in this new millennium. Through a historical review, we trace the transformation of economic models, their impact on the environment, as well the effectiveness and legitimacy of the main technical and political process historically proposed to overcome the environmental crisis. Given the insignificant results obtained by this technicist way of understanding the environmental issues, we believe that the hegemony of the paradigm of development as economic growth is an important reason for the current social and environmental problems. The neglect of socio-economic dimension in the environment discussions has led to a failure of conservation policies by those who actually seek alternative paths to socio-ecological sustainability of the planet.Key words: conservation of biodiversity, economy, economic growth.Discutimos neste ensaio a importância da superação dos reducionismos científicos e epistemológicos para se alcançar uma compreensão crítica das origens da crise ambiental experimentada pela humanidade neste início de milênio. Por meio de um resgate histórico, traçamos as transformações dos modelos econômicos, seus impactos ao meio ambiente, assim como a eficácia e a legitimidade das principais vias técnico-políticas propostas para superar a crise ambiental. Tendo em conta os irrisórios resultados alcançados pela via tecnicista de entendimento da questão ambiental, acreditamos ser a hegemonia do paradigma do desenvolvimento por meio do crescimento econômico uma importante razão dos atuais problemas socioambientais. O negligenciamento da dimensão socioeconômica nas discussões ambientais tem conduzido a um fracasso das políticas de conservação por parte daqueles que, de fato buscam caminhos alternativos para sustentabilidade socioecológica do planeta.Palavras-chave: conservação da biodiversidade, economia, crescimento econômico

Análise da prontidão para o tratamento em alcoolistas em um centro de tratamento

The aim of this research was to verify the readiness for the treatment in alcoholics who were taking part of a therapeutical intervention, following the Minnesota Model. A sample of 25 moderate and severe level alcoholists took part on this research. They ranged from 23 to 60 years of age, both male and female. The scale SADD and SOCRATES were applied during the first interview, in the beginning of the treatment. Three additional interviews were performed in the middle, at the end and one month after the treatment, to appraise the readiness for the treatment through SOCRATES scale. The results showed that, although there had been 64% of adhesion to treatment, there was not reduction of ambivalence of the alcoholics. There has been significant correlation between the SOCRATES scale factors. This research points to the need of using motivating techniques to reduce the ambivalence, in order to increase the adhesion and to prevent relapse.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a prontidão para o tratamento em alcoolistas participantes de uma intervenção terapêutica, seguindo o Modelo Minnesota. Participaram desta pesquisa 25 alcoolistas, de grau moderado e grave, com idade entre 23 a 60 anos, de ambos os sexos. Foram aplicadas as escalas SADD e SOCRATES na primeira entrevista, no início do tratamento. Três entrevistas adicionais realizadas no meio, no final e um mês após o tratamento, avaliaram a prontidão para o tratamento por meio da escala SOCRATES. Os resultados mostraram que, embora tenha havido 64% de adesão, não houve diminuição da ambivalência dos alcoolistas. Houve correlação significativa entre os fatores da escala SOCRATES. Esta pesquisa aponta para a necessidade de se utilizar técnicas motivacionais para a diminuição da ambivalência, visando o aumento na adesão e prevenção de recaída

Synthesis of γ-(Al1-xFex)2O3 solid solutions from oxinate precursors and formation of carbon nanotubes from the solid solutions using methane or ethylene as carbon source

This work reports for the first time the synthesis of ?-(Al1-xFex)2O3 solid solutions with a high specific surface area (200-230 m2/g) by the decomposition of metal oxinate [(Al1-xFex)(C9H6ON)3] and investigated the potential of these materials as catalysts for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using methane or ethylene as carbon the source. The nanocomposite powders prepared by reduction in H2-CH4 contain carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are mostly double-walled but also contain a fair amount of undesirable carbon nanofibers, hollow carbon particles, and metal particles covered by carbon layers. Moreover, abundant metallic particles are observed to cover the surfaces of the matrix grains. By contrast, the nanocomposite powders prepared by reduction in N2-C2H4 are not fully reduced, and the CNTs are much more abundant and homogeneous. However, they are multiwalled CNTs with a significant proportion of defects. The powders were studied by several techniques including Mössbauer spectroscopy and electron microscopy

Pure cerium dioxide preparation for use as spectrochemical standard and analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF ICP-MS)

Ao longo dos anos, o Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP) tem realizado diversas pesquisas na produção de Terras Raras (RE) de alta pureza. A metodologia apresentada neste trabalho refere-se à produção econômica e de baixo custo de óxido de cério. O cério produzido pode ser utilizado como um padrão espectroquímico. A obtenção desse padrão está associada à precipitação fracionada pelo sistema RECl3/NH4OH/Ar/H2O2, para enriquecer o óxido de cério de 90% a 99,99% em CeO2. O controle de qualidade do padrão produzido é feito através da técnica da espectrometria de massas com fonte de plasma (ICP-MS) e confirmado pela técnica da ativação de nêutrons. Os valores das impurezas de Terras Raras no óxido, em ppm são: La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5,3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0,05), Er(1), Tm(<0,05), Yb(11), Lu(19) e Y(2,1), respectivamente. Os valores encontrados das impurezas são comparados aos padrões internacionais e confirmam o alto nível de pureza do óxido de cério produzido no IPEN.For several years, IPEN/CNEN-SP has been working in the separation of the Rare Earth (RE) elements. A simple and economic procedure for the purification of technical grade cerium concentrate is described. The highly pure cerium dioxide is designed to be used as spectrochemical standard. It is obtained by association of the fractional precipitation technique, in the system RECl3/NH4OH/ Air/H2O2, to enrich the cerium up to 90% and then it is upgraded by ion exchange technique to 99.99% CeO2. The quality control warranty was accomplished by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis. The collected values for the accompanying Rare Earth elements in a CeO2 sample are the following (ppm): La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5.3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0.05), Er(1), Tm(<0.05), Yb(11), Lu(19) and Y(2.1), respectively. The purity of this cerium oxide is comparable to the international spectrographic standards