Evaluating erosion from space: a case study near Uberlândia

Satellites can offer important spatial data for the assessment of soil erosion. This study was conducted to explore how satellite imagery could be used for evaluating erosion in a 10*10 km area in the Brazilian Cerrados. Products obtained from a variety of satellite sensors were analyzed for the purpose of (1) detecting erosion features; and (2) qualitatively mapping erosion risk. Erosion detection was done through visual image interpretation. Optical TerraASTER images allowed for a better detection and delineation of major gullies as ENVISAT ASAR imagery. Gully dynamics could be assessed by jointly interpreting aerial photos of 1979 and a high-resolution QuickBird image of 2003. QuickBird also allowed for the detection of smaller erosion features, like rills. Erosion risk mapping was performed for the complete study area with a simple qualitative method integrating information on slope and vegetation cover. Slope was calculated from the SRTM DEM, and NDVI, being indicative of vegetation cover, was obtained from a wet-season ASTER image. Both factors were automatically classified based on their relative susceptibility to erosion. The erosion risk map was constructed by combining both classifications with the minimum-operator. The accuracyof the map was good (75 %) when compared to field estimates of erosion risk. The method presented therefore allowed for a quick and proper indication of spatial differences of erosion risk in the study area, particularly concerning rill and sheet erosion

Influence of aluminum on root growth and of anatomy Stenocalyx dysentericus (DC.) O. Berg

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aluminum (Al) on root growth and root anatomical structure of Stenocalyx dysentericus seedlings. Newly emerged plants were grown in simple solution composed of 0.1 μM of CaCl2.2H2O and five Al concentrations of 0, 150, 300, 600, and 1200 μM for 37 days in a hydroponic system. Subsequently, the seedlings were evaluated for root growth, relative root elongation, and anatomical studies using bright-field and fluorescence microscopy techniques. The results showed tolerance by S. dysentericus, with more root relative elongation in treatments with 150, 300, and 600 μM of Al. The anatomical studies revealed the presence of Al in root tissue, through the morin reagent, mainly in the 1200 μM treatment, characterizing some internal detoxification mechanism. S. dysentericus demonstrated tolerance in the tests with Al, principally at lower doses. These results may be entirely linked to its wide distribution in the cerrado domain, demonstrating to be a species  adapted to soils with higher Al concentration. S. dysentericus, when subjected to treatment with Al, showed a stimulating effect on root growth; for this species, low concentrations of Al may be essential for better root growth.Keywords: Cerrado, acidic soils, plant toxicity, toleranc

ESTUDO SOBRE A AÇÃO DO FOGO EM SOLO CARACTERÍSTICO DO CERRADO A PARTIR DE PARCELAS EXPERIMENTAIS EM DIFERENTES CONDIÇÕES DE COBERTURA VEGETAL

Esta pesquisa realizou o estudo comparativo por meio da aplicação controlada de fogo sobre diferentes condições de cobertura vegetal, focando na variação dos índices de escoamento superficial, produção de sedimento e densidade de cobertura vegetal, visando avaliar a influência do fogo frente a erosão. Para isso foram determinadas cinco parcelas diferenciadas pelos tipos de cobertura vegetal, declividade e drenagem, das quais a Parcela B foi a que apresentou menor alteração destes parâmetros

Analysis of mangrove forest succession, using sediment cores: A case study in the cananéia -iguape coastal system, São Paulo-Brazil

Sediment cores are an essential tool for the analysis of the dynamics of mangrove succession. Coring was used to correlate changes in depositional environments and lateral sedimentary facies with discrete stages of forest succession at the Cananeia-Iguape Coastal System in southeastern Brazil. A local level successional pattern was examined based on four core series T1) a sediment bank; T2) a smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora bank; T3) an active mangrove progradation fringe dominated by Laguncularia racemosa, and; T4) a mature mangrove forest dominated by Avicennia schaueriana. Cores were macroscopically described in terms of color, texture, sedimentary structure and organic components. The base of all cores exhibited a similar pattern suggesting common vertical progressive changes in depositional conditions and subsequent successional colonization pattern throughout the forest. The progradation zone is an exposed bank, colonized by S. alterniflora. L. racemosa, replaces S. alterniflora as progradation takes place. As the substrate consolidates A. schaueriana replaces L. racemosa and attains the greatest structural development in the mature forest. Cores collected within the A. schaueriana dominated stand contained S. alterniflora fragments near the base, confirming that a smooth cordgrass habitat characterized the establishment and early seral stages. Cores provide a reliable approach to describe local-level successional sequences in dynamic settings subject to drivers operating on multiple temporal and spatial scales where spatial heterogeneity can lead to multiple equilibria and where similar successional end-points may be reached through convergent paths

Efeitos da atividade física sobre densidade mineral óssea de mulheres saudáveis na pré-menopausa

Study Design: Sistematic review of literature.Aims: Physical activity is an important stimulus to increase bone mineral density (BMD). Whereby the resistance of the bone is associated with BMD, microstructure and material properties, improvements in bone mass are important to prevent osteoporosis in old ages. Despite many studies on the subject, there is no consensus on what is the best type of exercise, intensity and frequency for improvements in osteogenesis and promotion of BMD gain. This study aimed to investigate the types of physical activities that results in better osteogenic effects on increasing BMD in healthy premenopausal women.Methodology: We searched scientific articles in Pubmed and Science Direct databases published in the last ten years. We selected controlled studies which used high-impact activities or resistance training. We used systematic analysis of the selected articles.Results: Fifteen articles were included in this review, which were separated into two groups according to the type of exercise. We performed a comparative analysis of the methods used and the results achieved. There were more efficient protocols using high impact exercise even if it was a short-term program resulting in increased BMD in the proximal femur (femoral neck and intertrochanteric region).Conclusion: There were fewer studies observing increases in BMD at the lumbar spine when resistance exercise with load or high impact loads were used. Most experimental protocols performed in relatively short-term programs (6 months) demonstrated that exercise programs that were simple, easy to perform, and not using special devices are sufficient to promote bone remodeling at specific sites resulting in increased BMD.in increased BMD.Modelo de estudo: Revisão sistemática da literatura.Objetivo: A atividade física representa um importante estímulo ao aumento da densidade mineral óssea (DMO). Como a resistência dos ossos está associada tanto a DMO, quanto a microestrutura e propriedades do material, melhorias na massa óssea são importantes na prevenção de osteoporose na idade mais avançada. Apesar de muitos estudos sobre o tema, não existe consenso sobre qual seria o melhor tipo de atividade física, intensidade e frequência para melhorias na osteogênese e promoção do ganho de DMO. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os tipos de atividades físicas com melhor efeito osteogênico de aumento da DMO em mulheres saudáveis na pré-menopausa.Metodologia: Realizou-se levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos nas bases de dados Pubmed e Direct Science publicados nos últimos dez anos. Foram selecionados estudos controlados com exercícios de alto impacto e resistido. Utilizou-se análise sistematizada dos artigos selecionados.Resultados: Foram incluídos 15 artigos nesta revisão, os quais foram separados em dois grupos, conforme o tipo de exercício. Foi realizada análise comparativa de metodologias utilizadas e resultados alcançados. Constatou-se maior eficiência do protocolo de exercício de alto impacto, mesmo em curtoperíodo de execução para aumento da DMO do fêmur proximal (colo femoral e região intertrocantérica). Em menor frequência, foi observado aumento da DMO na coluna lombar quando exercícios resistidos ou de impactos maiores foram usados.Conclusões: A maioria dos artigos executou protocolo experimental em período relativamente curto (6 meses), demonstrando que programas de exercícios simples, de fácil execução, curto período de aplicação e sem uso de aparelhos específicos são suficientes para promover remodelação óssea emsítios específicos com aumento da DMO

Potential for macro and micronutrients extraction from tomato plants with different soil water stresses

Different tomato cultivars may present differentiated water needs, making it indispensable to study water demand. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of six water stresses in the soil on the extraction potential of macro and micronutrients in the aerial part of tomato in vegetative stage, cultivar ‘Dominador’ F1, under protected cultivation and drip. The experiment was installed in a greenhouse with a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of six soil water stresses as indicative of the time of irrigation. The preset stresses were 20, 45, 70, 95, 120 and 145 kPa at 20 cm depth. At 140 days after transplanting, the variables evaluated were: the macro and micronutrient content of shoots. The results showed that to obtain higher levels of macro (P and S) and micronutrients (B and Cu) of the total aerial part of the ‘Dominador’ tomato plant F1, it was obtained at a voltage of 20 kPa, and its value was reduced linearly with the increase of the water tension in the soil

FONTES DE APOIO FINANCEIRO E GERENCIAL ÀS ATIVIDADES DE INOVAÇÃO EM PEQUENAS INDÚSTRIAS DO SETOR METAL-MECÂNICO

Este estudo tem como objetivo o levantamento e análise das fontes de apoio financeiro e gerencial que foram buscadas por pequenas indústrias do setor metal-mecânico vinculadas ao Projeto PEPI para as atividades de inovação, procurando também identificar as principais motivações que levaram seus gestores a buscar o apoio de agentes externos. A pesquisa buscou analisar ainda se estas empresas inovam em produto e processo. Para tanto, utilizou-se como referência o Manual de Oslo, que traz as diretrizes para a coleta e interpretação de dados sobre inovação. Com base neste manual foi possível a elaboração de um questionário para coleta dos dados. Os resultados demonstraram que as indústrias do setor metal-mecânico inovaram no período em análise, sendo que a maioria das inovações se refere a categoria “produtos novos para a empresa”. Quanto à inovação de processo destacou-se a introdução de algum “novo método na fabricação dos produtos”. Em relação às fontes de apoio financeiro a grande maioria utilizou os fundos próprios; as instituições financeiras foram buscadas por menos da metade das empresas. Nas fontes de apoio gerencial se destacaram o SEBRAE e o Projeto PEPI, sendo a Universidade a terceira opção mais procurada. As motivações pela busca de fontes de apoio externo se destacaram a necessidade de recursos financeiros e a possibilidade de obter o apoio na gestão

Perfil de ácidos grasos y comportamiento reológico de aceite y grasa de semillas de achiote (Bixa orellana), y de cacao blanco (Theobroma grandiflorum) y sus mezclas

Annatto seed oil (ASO) and cupuassu seed fat (CSF) were combined at the ratios: 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 (% w/w). Their fatty acid profile, nutritional quality, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectra, and rheological behavior were evaluated. ASO increased the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blends; whereas CSF conferred higher contents of monounsaturated fatty acids. The blends exhibited low atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices, suggesting nutritional advantages. The Newtonian fluid behavior and FTIR results suggested that mixing ASO and CSF at different proportions did not affect the functional groups. ASO showed an activation energy value which indicated that this fat viscosity was more sensitive to temperature changes. The Newtonian model proved to be suitable to describe the behavior of samples, according to statistical fit parameters R2, χ2, and RSS. The resulting blends presented improved physicochemical properties and nutritional attributes, indicating their feasibility for the development of new products.Se combinaron aceite de semilla de achiote (ASO) y grasa de semilla de cacao blanco (CSF) en las proporciones: 30:70, 50:50 y 70:30 (% p/p), respectivamente. Se evaluó su perfil de ácidos grasos, calidad nutricional, espectros FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) y comportamiento reológico. ASO incrementó el contenido de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados en las mezclas, mientras que CSF confirió mayores contenidos de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados. Las mezclas exhibieron bajos índices de aterogenicidad y trombogenicidad, lo que sugiere ventajas nutricionales. El comportamiento del fluido newtoniano y los resultados de FTIR sugirieron que mezclar ASO y CSF en diferentes proporciones no afectó a los grupos funcionales. ASO mostró un valor de energía de activación que indicó que la viscosidad de esta grasa era más sensible a los cambios de temperatura. El modelo newtoniano demostró ser adecuado para describir el comportamiento de las muestras, según los parámetros de ajuste estadístico R2, χ2 y RSS. Las mezclas resultantes presentaron propiedades fisicoquímicas y atributos nutricionales mejorados, lo que indica su viabilidad para el desarrollo de nuevos productos

Neonatal Apex Resection Triggers Cardiomyocyte Proliferation, Neovascularization and Functional Recovery Despite Local Fibrosis

So far, opposing outcomes have been reported following neonatal apex resection in mice, questioning the validity of this injury model to investigate regenerative mechanisms. We performed a systematic evaluation, up to 180 days after surgery, of the pathophysiological events activated upon apex resection. In response to cardiac injury, we observed increased cardiomyocyte proliferation in remote and apex regions, neovascularization, and local fibrosis. In adulthood, resected hearts remain consistently shorter and display permanent fibrotic tissue deposition in the center of the resection plane, indicating limited apex regrowth. However, thickening of the left ventricle wall, explained by an upsurge in cardiomyocyte proliferation during the initial response to injury, compensated cardiomyocyte loss and supported normal systolic function. Thus, apex resection triggers both regenerative and reparative mechanisms, endorsing this injury model for studies aimed at promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and/or downplaying fibrosis. In this article, Nascimento and colleagues demonstrate that neonatal apex resection stimulates cardiomyocyte proliferation and permanent scarring in the apex. Newly formed cardiomyocytes compensate muscle loss by resection, and resected hearts recover functional competence in adulthood. These findings endorse this model for studies aiming to block cardiac fibrosis and/or favoring CM proliferation