Variabilidade regional das nuvens de chuva na Bacia Amazônica visto por uma rede de radares meteorológicos

A new dataset based on 5 years of operational meteorological weather radars from Amazon Protection System has enabled new knowledge in relation to rainfall in the Amazon Basin. The dataset has been calibrated against the TRMM-PR to remove bias and filtered to remove partial bean blocking by topography. Peculiar characteristics of 10 different regions are discussed from the point of view of the annual and diurnal cycles of reflectivity, as well as the vertical distribution of precipitation. Rainfall variability are analyzed on west and northwest Amazon and under different regime meridional wind. Lightning data are used to supplement the analysis of raincloud features. Similarities between the annual and diurnal cycles are found in northwestern and western, southwestern and southern, and northeastern and northern Amazon. Nocturnal peaks are found in stratiform fraction on southern, southwestern, western, northwestern, northern, central western, and coastal region. The convective fraction on western, northwestern, northern and central eastern region also show nocturnal peaks. Analysis of the vertical distributions of radar reflectivity at each radar site indicates that in the northern coast close to Belém heavy rainfall with deep convective systems is observed throughout the year. More oceanic-like clouds are also observed there and in other locations in the northern coast like Macapá, where the frequency of lightning is quite low. The locations in western Amazon, São Gabriel da Cachoeira and Tabatinga are closer to the Andes Mountains which may influence the rainclouds. São Gabriel da Cachoeira located in the northwest portion of the Amazon Basin has a regime with rainfall in all seasons with a slight decrease from August to October when the systems become more convective and with more lightning. The rainfall variability on northwest and western Amazon show that in northern wind regimes, the rain are more frequent in both São Gabriel da Cachoeira as Tabatinga, however they tend to be more intense and more convective under south wind in São Gabriel da Cachoeira and north wind in Tabatinga.Um novo conjunto de dados baseado em 5 anos dos radares meteorológicos operacionais do SIPAM (Sistema de Proteção da Amazônia) habilitam novos conhecimentos em relação às chuvas na Bacia Amazônica. O conjunto de dados são calibrados com base no TRMM-PR, para remover diferenças entre os campos de refletividade e filtrar bloqueios parciais do feixe sobre a topografia. Características peculiares de 10 diferentes regiões são discutidas do ponto de vista dos ciclos anuais e diurnos dos campos de refletividade do radar, assim como a distribuição vertical da precipitação. Variabilidade da precipitação são analisadas nas regiões oeste e noroeste da Amazônia e sob diferentes regimes do vento meridional. Informações de raios são utilizadas para complementar a análise das características das nuvens. Similaridades nos ciclos anuais e diurnos são encontradas no noroeste e oeste, sudoeste e sul e nordeste e norte da Amazônia. Picos noturnos são encontrados na fração estratiforme no sul, sudoeste, oeste, noroeste, norte, centro oeste e região costeira. A fração convectiva nas regiões oeste, noroeste, norte e centro leste também mostraram picos noturnos. Análises da distribuição vertical da refletividade do radar para cada região indicaram que na costa norte, próximo a Belém é observado chuvas fortes e com sistemas convectivos profundos ao longo do ano. Mais próximos de nuvens oceânicas também foram observados em outras localizações da costa norte, como em Macapá, onde a frequência de raios é baixa. As localizações a oeste da Amazônia, São Gabriel da Cachoeira e Tabatinga estão próximas da Cordilheira dos Andes que pode influenciar na formação e intensificação das nuvens de chuva. São Gabriel da Cachoeira, localizado no noroeste da Bacia Amazônica apresente um regime chuvoso em todas as estações com suave decréscimo das chuvas entre agosto e outubro, quando os sistemas são mais convectivos e com maior frequência de raios. A variabilidade das chuvas no noroeste e oeste da Amazônia mostram que sob regimes de vento de norte, as chuvas são mais frequentes tanto em São Gabriel da cachoeira como em Tabatinga, no entanto, tendem a serem mais intensas e com caráter mais convectivo sob regimes de vento sul, em São Gabriel da Cachoeira e de norte em Tabatinga

[RE]PLACE - AN INTERVENTION PROPOSAL TO BEMPOSTA

This paper addresses the problems of rural development in Portugal, especially in the north-east, and specifically in Bemposta, in Mogadouro. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the role that architecture has been playing in the rehabilitation and conversion of uses as an intervention tool in depopulated rural centers. It is in this context that the re-place term acquires greater importance, functioning as a set of approaches in rural areas, enabling the reuse of old structures, reusing the existing materiality and, thus, seeking a less invasive approach in the existing building - the ruin - respecting the past and its historical and social value. This article was elaborated from a wider research that coincided with my master’s thesis, held at Lusíada University of Porto, under the theme “[RE] PLACE: USANDO A MATÉRIA DO LUGAR - Bemposta”, guided by Professor Alexandra Maria Saraiva, in 2013|2014. The conversion uses emerges as a highly important instrument for the maintenance of the place memory. It is important to highlight the multi functionality of rural areas, recognizing the potential of their resources as strategic elements for promoting balanced and integrated territorial development. The proposed project translates into an intervention that focuses on the reuse of local architecture and targeted for tourism in rural areas (TER), along with the Cultural, interpretive and Housing Center of Bemposta (CCIHB)

Editorial: Macrophages role in integrating tissue Signals and Biological Processes in Chronic inflammation and Fibrosis

Univ Sao Paulo, Immunol Dept, Sao Paulo, BrazilINSERM, Paris, FranceUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Nephrol Div, Med Dept, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Renal Physiol Lab, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Nephrol Div, Med Dept, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Estudo dos eventos extremos de precipitação ocorridos em 2009 no estado do pará

The importance of weather forecasts for very short periods of time (nowcasting) has increased in recent years due to the considerable increase in natural disasters such as floods, landslides, wind gusts, etc. In this context, the use of weather radar equipment has great operational utility in the detection and monitoring of adverse short notice meteorological phenomena. The metropolitan region of Belém (RMB) is one of the most populous regions of the Amazon. In recent years unplanned urban occupation is taking place, being probably one factor that causes troubles for the population that suffers due to downpours and flooding. The 2009 year extreme events were identified and analyzed using the TITAN (Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis and Nowcasting). The results show that 66% of severe events have occurred during the rainy season, which was due to three major weather systems: the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), its interaction with the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) and Squall Lines (LI) originated mostly from the sea breeze. The results also show that smaller-scale systems, like the lines, have higher severity because they cause higher rates of hourly precipitation. © 2014, Sociedade Brasileira de Meteorologia. All rights reserved

Optimized Method for Locating the Source of Voltage Sags

Short-Duration Voltage Variations (SDVVs) are the power quality disturbances (PQD) that mainly affect industrial systems, and are originated for various reasons, in particular short circuits over large areas, even those originating in remote points of the electrical system. The location problem aims to indicate the area or region or distance from the substation that is connected to the source causing the voltage sags, and is a fundamental task to ensure good power quality. One of the strategies used to determine the location of sources causing SDVVs and for an implementation of machine learning algorithms in modern distribution networks, called Smart Grids. Monitoring a Smart Grid plays a key role, however mostly it generates a large volume of data (Big Data) and as a result, multiple challenges arise due to the properties of this data such as volume, variety and velocity. This work presents an optimization through genetic algorithm to select meters which already exist in the Smart Grid, using a voltage sag location method in order to reduce the data obtained and analyzed throughout the localization process. Optimization was evaluated through a comparison with a non-optimized localization method, this comparison showed a difference between the hit rates of less than 1%

Higher number of Helicobacter pylori CagA EPIYA C phosphorylation sites increases the risk of gastric cancer, but not duodenal ulcer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Helicobacter pylori </it>infection is one of the most common infections worldwide and is associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. Bacterial virulence factors such as CagA have been shown to increase the risk of both diseases. Studies have suggested a causal role for CagA EPIYA polymorphisms in gastric carcinogenesis, and it has been shown to be geographically diverse. We studied associations between <it>H. pylori </it>CagA EPIYA patterns and gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer, in an ethnically admixed Western population from Brazil. CagA EPIYA was determined by PCR and confirmed by sequencing. A total of 436 patients were included, being 188 with gastric cancer, 112 with duodenal ulcer and 136 with gastritis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The number of EPIYA C segments was significantly associated with the increased risk of gastric carcinoma (OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.74 to 5.45, p < 10^-3) even after adjustment for age and gender. Higher number of EPIYA C segments was also associated with gastric atrophy (p = 0.04) and intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.007). Furthermore, patients infected by <it>cag</it>A strains possessing more than one EPIYA C segment showed decreased serum levels of pepsinogen I in comparison with those infected by strains containing one or less EPIYA C repeat. Otherwise, the number of EPIYA C segments did not associate with duodenal ulcer.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that infection with <it>H. pylori </it>strains harbouring more than one CagA EPIYA C motif was clearly associated with gastric cancer, but not with duodenal ulcer.</p> <p>Higher number of EPIYA C segments was also associated with gastric precancerous lesions as demonstrated by histological gastric atrophic and metaplastic changes and decreased serum levels of pepsinogen I.</p

Effect of chronic treatment with Rosiglitazone on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in rats: In vivo and ex vivo studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present study was designed to examine the effect of chronic treatment with rosiglitazone - thiazolidinedione used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus for its insulin sensitizing effects - on the Leydig cell steroidogenic capacity and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in normal adult rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twelve adult male Wistar rats were treated with rosiglitazone (5 mg/kg) administered by gavage for 15 days. Twelve control animals were treated with the vehicle. The ability of rosiglitazone to directly affect the production of testosterone by Leydig cells <it>ex vivo </it>was evaluated using isolated Leydig cells from rosiglitazone-treated rats. Testosterone production was induced either by activators of the cAMP/PKA pathway (hCG and dbcAMP) or substrates of steroidogenesis [22(R)-hydroxy-cholesterol (22(R)-OH-C), which is a substrate for the P450scc enzyme, and pregnenolone, which is the product of the P450scc-catalyzed step]. Testosterone in plasma and in incubation medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. The StAR and P450scc expression was detected by immunocytochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The levels of total circulating testosterone were not altered by rosiglitazone treatment. A decrease in basal or induced testosterone production occurred in the Leydig cells of rosiglitazone-treated rats. The ultrastructural and immunocytochemical analysis of Leydig cells from rosiglitazone-treated rats revealed cells with characteristics of increased activity as well as increased StAR and P450scc expression, which are key proteins in androgen biosynthesis. However, a number of rosiglitazone-treated cells exhibited significant mitochondrial damage.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results revealed that the Leydig cells from rosiglitazone-treated rats showed significant reduction in testosterone production under basal, hCG/dbcAMP- or 22 (R)-OH-C/pregnenolone-induced conditions, although increased labeling of StAR and P450scc was detected in these cells by immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural study suggested that the lower levels of testosterone produced by these cells could be due to mitochondrial damage induced by rosiglitazone.</p