Silurian to Lower Devonian Palynomorphs from the Barrancos region, Ossa Morena Zone, Portugal

New miospore results were obtained from the Palaeozoic stratigraphic succession present in the Barrancos region, Portugal. The studied formations comprise the Silurian carbonaceous shales intercalated with cherts and rare lenticular carbonates of the Xistos com Nódulos Formation, as well as, the dark shales that alternates with thin psammit beds of Late Silurian to Early Devonian age from the Xistos Raiados Formation. Two miospore biozones were identified: the cf. protophanus verrucatus Miospore Biozone, of the Lower Wenlock (Homerian) (Richardson &McGregor, 1986) and the Verrucosisporites polygonalis (Po)Miospore Biozone of the Lower Pragian (Streel et al., 1987). For the first time cryptospores are reported. Rare acritarchs and chitinozoans are also present. This new preliminary data allow correlation with the graptolite biozonation already established in this region (Piçarra, et al., 1995, 1998; Piçarra, 2000) and completes previous palynological studies (Pereira et al., 1999). Even so, detailed palynostratigraphic research is needed and is currently being undertaken to better understand the complex geology of the region

Volcanic facies architecture, hydrothermal alteration and subsea-floor replacement at the Neves Corvo deposit, Iberian Pyrite Belt

Contribution to research project ARCHYMEDESII-POCTI/CTA/45873/2002.Three felsic volcanic sequences constitute the host succession to the Neves Corvo VHMS deposit. The lower volcanic sequence (late Famennian) consists of a rhyolitic fiamme-rich facies association that comprises polymictic and overall graded quartzphyric fiamme breccia units (up to 60 m thick). These units have pyroclastic origin and constitute the substrate to the rhyolite facies association (intermediate volcanic sequence). The rhyolite facies association (late Strunian) comprises intervals of coherent quartz-feldspar-phyric rhyolite (up to 10 m thick) that are enclosed by much thicker intervals (up to 250 m) of jigsaw-fit and clast-rotated monomictic rhyolite breccia. Laterally these breccias grade to beds of monomictic rhyolite breccia that alternate with crystal-rich sandstone. The units defined by the rhyolite facies association are rhyolitic lavas. The massive sulfide orebodies (late Strunian) directly overly the lavas or are interleaved with relatively thin (up to 50 m) intervals of mudstone. The upper volcanic sequence (early Visean) consists of a thin interval of monomictic dacite breccia. The host succession to the Neves Corvo orebodies thus comprises proximal to source vent deposits from submarine explosive and effusive eruptions. However, the ore-forming process relates both in time and space with the rhyolitic lavas, which are coeval with the mineralization. Neves Corvo is well known for its high-grade Cu ores and unique cassiterite mineralization. Ore-related hydrothermal activity overprints an early metasomatic stage and relates with a multi-sourced hydrothermal system, responsible for early stringer and massive cassiterite deposition and subsequent massive sulfide oregeneration. In the Corvo orebody, the early deposition of massive cassiterite ores was fed by an independent stockwork in a tectonically-bounded alignment. Textural and petrographic analyses, geochemistry and oxygen-isotope data indicate brusque flushing of the tin-bearing fluid into seawater after minimal fluid-rock interaction during up flow. Massive sulfide-related hydrothermal alteration is essentially stratabound and controlled by permeability contrasts. Alteration zonation is classical, consisting of an inner chlorite/donbassite-quartz-sulfides-(sericite) core that grades into sericitequartz- sulfides-(chlorite) and paragonite-quartz-sulfides-(chlorite) peripheral envelopes. The aluminous hydrothermal alteration mineralogy coupled with elemental and stable isotope geochemistry indicates very low pH, unusually high maximum interaction temperature and predominant low-sulfidation alteration/mineralization conditions. Textural and mass-balance analyses show extensive silicate-sulfide replacement in the coherent volcanic rocks of the footwall sequence, and disseminated replacement mineralization in the volcaniclatic/sedimentary units

Late Strunian age : a key time frame for VMS deposit exploration in the Iberian Pyrite Belt

Estimate of geological environments favorable for the formation of massive sulphide deposits is an important goal to the exploration companies working in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), the main European VMS base metals province, with giant deposits such as Neves Corvo, Aljustrel (Portugal), Rio Tinto and Tharsis (Spain). Palynostratigraphic research programs using more than 40 exploration boreholes (>30 km length) allowed the dating of the sediments of the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (upper Devonian to upper Viséan), that host the massive sulphide deposits. Research is based on detailed palynomorphs study. Careful work was focused on dark grey and black shale units that host stockwork and massive ore mineralizations. Felsic volcanic U/Pb age data was also used to confirm the sediment age.Late Strunian (miospore biozone LN, 360.7 ± 0.7 Ma -362 Ma) sediments host the massive sulphide ore at Neves Corvo, Lousal, Caveira and Montinho, mines located in the Portuguese IPB sector. In Spain similar data was obtained at Aznalcollar and Tharsis. The agedata show a favourable geological period of ~2 Ma were paleogeographic conditions were extremely favorable to hydrothermal fluid circulation and VMS deposits formation. Late Strunian age therefore becomes one key exploration guide in IPB

Perfil do idoso em área metropolitana na região sudeste do Brasil: resultados de inquérito domiciliar

A multicentre study concerned with the health needs of the elderly population living in urban areas and coordinated by the Panamerican Health Organization was undertaken in 6 Latin-American countries. In Brazil, 1,602 elderly residents (of 60 years of age and over) in the District of S. Paulo, constituting a multistage random sample stratified by socioeconomic status, participated in a household survey using a multidemensional functional assessment questionnaire. The results showed a highly deprived population (70% had a per capita income of less than US$ 100 per month), living mostly in multigenerational households (59% were living with children and/or grandchildren), with a high prevalence of chronic physical illnesses (only 14% referred no illness) and psychiatric disorders (27% were considered psychiatric cases), a high proportion of them showing a loss of autonomy (47% needed help in performing at least one of the activities of daily living). The results are put into perspective concerning future needs in terms of specialized health services and social support for the growing population of elderly people in Brazil.Trata-se de estudo multicêntrico visando levantar as necessidades de saúde da população de idosos residentes em zona urbana, conduzido em 6 países na América Latina e coordenado pela Organização Panamericana da Saúde. No Brasil, 1.602 idosos (60 anos e +) residentes no Distrito de São Paulo, participaram de inquérito domiciliar com questionário de avaliação funcional multidimensional - amostra populacional aleatória, em múltiplos estágios, estratificada por nível socioeconômico. Os resultados mostraram uma população bastante carente (70% tinha uma renda per capita de menos de 100 dólares por mês), vivendo predominantemente em domicílios multigeracionais (59% viviam com os filhos e/ou com netos), com alta prevalência de doenças crônicas (somente 14% referiu não ter nenhuma doença) e distúrbios psiquiátricos (27% foram considerados casos psiquiátricos), e com uma elevada proporção de pessoas com perda de autonomia (47% precisavam de ajuda para realizar pelo menos uma das atividades da vida diária). Os resultados são analisados tendo em vista as demandas futuras por serviços de saúde especializados e suporte social por parte da crescente população de idosos no Brasil

Virulence in Murine Model Shows the Existence of Two Distinct Populations of Brazilian Vaccinia virus Strains

Brazilian Vaccinia virus had been isolated from sentinel mice, rodents and recently from humans, cows and calves during outbreaks on dairy farms in several rural areas in Brazil, leading to high economic and social impact. Some phylogenetic studies have demonstrated the existence of two different populations of Brazilian Vaccinia virus strains circulating in nature, but little is known about their biological characteristics. Therefore, our goal was to study the virulence pattern of seven Brazilian Vaccinia virus strains. Infected BALB/c mice were monitored for morbidity, mortality and viral replication in organs as trachea, lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain and spleen. Based on the virulence potential, the Brazilian Vaccinia virus strains were grouped into two groups. One group contained GP1V, VBH, SAV and BAV which caused disease and death in infected mice and the second one included ARAV, GP2V and PSTV which did not cause any clinical signals or death in infected BALB/c mice. The subdivision of Brazilian Vaccinia virus strains into two groups is in agreement with previous genetic studies. Those data reinforce the existence of different populations circulating in Brazil regarding the genetic and virulence characteristics

Fatores que influenciam o acesso aos serviços de saúde na visão de profissionais e usuários de uma unidade básica de referência

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o acesso de usuários de uma Unidade Básica de Referência (UBR) aos serviços de saúde de um município da região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 profissionais de saúde e aplicado questionário semiestruturado a 38 usuários. As entrevistas abordaram características do atendimento local, da equipe de saúde, dos usuários e da rede prestadora de serviços de saúde. Os questionários abordaram características sociodemográficas e de saúde dos usuários. A análise dos resultados das entrevistas e questionários foi apresentada com base nas dimensões estrutural (financiamento, cobertura), relacional (compreensão do processo saúde-doença) e operacional (organização dos serviços). Na dimensão estrutural, verificou-se que o subfinanciamento do sistema de saúde constitui uma dificuldade para o acesso aos serviços de saúde e para a implantação da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF); na dimensão relacional, a ausência de alinhamento sobre a estrutura e os fluxos de funcionamento do sistema de saúde impacta negativamente na relação do profissional com o usuário; e na dimensão operacional, profissionais de saúde e usuários relataram importantes lacunas tais como cobertura da ESF, marcação de consulta, acolhimento, barreiras geográficas, referência e contrarreferência. As informações obtidas neste trabalho são importantes para compreender os fatores que influenciam o acesso aos serviços de saúde da população estudada e colaborar para o desenvolvimento de estratégias voltadas para melhoria do acesso