Buracas: Novel and unusual sinkhole-like features in the Abrolhos Bank

Novel and unusual sinkhole-like features are described for the Abrolhos Bank continental shelf, eastern Brazil, based on geophysical and geological assessments. These unusual structures are large cup-shaped depressions similar to sink/blueholes (10–75 m in diameter, 8–39 m in height), occurring in a consolidated carbonate substrate in the mid and outer shelf. A total of 36 such features, locally named buracas, were found between 41 and 161 km off the coast and between 24 and 65 m depth (the bottom of these features may be as deep as 93 m). The buracas’ walls are mainly composed of encrusting coralline algae. Radiocarbon dating has provided ages of 5400±90 yr Cal BP, 8630±90 yr Cal BP and 39,200±400 yr BP. Besides providing a comprehensive description of these novel structures within the mesophotic zone, the potential mechanisms by which these sinkhole-like structures originated are discussed here, as well as the possible active mechanisms impeding their filling with sediments and biogenic material. We hypothesize that their origin could be related to either typical sinkhole formation during subaerial exposure or to a partially Holocene growth pattern influenced by antecedent morphology and gas/fluid escaping due to organic matter decomposition. The buracas are relevant not only because they comprise outstanding novel features, but also because they are relevant targets for marine conservation, as they enhance productivity and aggregate biomass in a region under growing fishing pressure.Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Conservation International’s Marine Management Areas Science Program - 14CNPq PROABROLHOS - 420219/2005-6CNPq Universal - 482001/2009-7FAPERJCNPq/FAPES Sisbiot

A produção acadêmica sobre a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar: um olhar a partir da Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações

National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans (ANS) is the regulatory agency linked to Ministry of Health, which is responsible for health insurance in Brazil. Although it was established in 2000, there is already a considerable number of production studies about the Agency, it is relevant to know what these researches cover. This literature review article aimed at analyzing academic production about the ANS, found on Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. It is a qualitative research that uses the technique of thematic content analysis. All studies in that library that address the ANS were examined. For bibliographic material selection, selecting a specific period was not needed. Only theses and dissertations that included “National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans” expression in any of the search fields available were analyzed. It was possible to identify the main existing issues covered by these academic productions: economic regulation, political and legal aspects of regulation and health-related characteristics of regulation; similarities and differences of understanding such regulatory institution were also discussed. We concluded that the identified issues don’t exclude each other, on the contrary, they are complementary and indicate the different facets of the institution. Furthermore, analysis of academic production unearthed differences of understanding regarding the Agency, sometimes seen as conciliation proceedings, sometimes considered as a bureaucratic and slow institution, but also seen as an institution that encourages promotion practices to health, disease prevention and improved health quality.A Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS) é a agência reguladora vinculada ao Ministério da Saúde, e responsável pelo setor de planos de saúde no Brasil. Embora tenha sido criada no ano de 2000, já existe considerável produção de estudos sobre a Agência, sendo pertinente conhecer o que abordam essas pesquisas. Nesta perspectiva, este artigo de revisão bibliográfica buscou analisar a produção acadêmica sobre a ANS existente na Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa que utiliza a técnica análise de conteúdo temática. Todos os estudos presentes na Biblioteca que abordem a ANS foram examinados. Para a seleção do material bibliográfico não foi realizado recorte temporal. Foram incluídas as teses e dissertações que apresentaram a expressão “Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar” em quaisquer dos campos de busca disponíveis. Foi possível identificar os principais temas existentes nestas produções acadêmicas: aspectos econômicos da regulação, aspectos político-jurídicos da regulação e aspectos relacionados à saúde da regulação; também foram discutidas as semelhanças e as diferenças de compreensão em relação à referida instituição reguladora. Concluiu-se que os temas identificados não se excluem, ao contrário, são complementares, indicando as diferentes facetas da instituição estudada. Além disso, a análise da produção acadêmica permitiu revelar diferenças de compreensão em relação à Agência, ora vista como instância de conciliação, ora considerada órgão burocrático e lento, e também como instituição que incentiva práticas de promoção à saúde e prevenção de doenças e melhoria da qualidade em saúde