Search Results (35)

Background/Objectives: The Brazilian Unified Health System was established in 1988 as a public health system with principles of universality, equity, and integrality. One of Brazil’s main strategies to strengthen universal healthcare is the Family Health Strategy (FHS), a primary health care policy established in 1994 and fully incorporated in the country in 2006. This study aims to describe the time trends of FHS coverage in Brazil and its states from 2008 to 2023 and to correlate this coverage with the states’ Human Development Index (HDI). Methods: Data on the number of FHS teams, population, and HDI during the period were collected for each Brazilian state in the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s public-access databases. Prais–Winsten regression was used to conduct a time series analysis for each state and country. The annual percentage change (APC) was used to describe time trends in time series. Linear regression was used to identify a correlation between HDI and FHS coverage across states. Results: The FHS coverage in the country increased from 66.81% to 84.66% from 2009 to 2023. Disparities in coverage between regions are evident throughout the entire study period. The Northeast region (NE) exhibited higher FHS coverage but lower APC rates compared to other regions. Results suggest a negative correlation between HDI and FHS coverage in all Brazilian states for 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Conclusions: The FHS coverage increased in Brazil and its states during the period. The highest coverages were found in states from the North (N) and NE regions, and the lowest were in the Southeast region. Nine federative units achieved full coverage (100%) and maintained it afterward, with seven from the N and NE. A negative correlation was found between FHS and HDI, suggesting that the expansion of FHS effectively targets vulnerable populations. Full article

Objectives: The primary aim of this single cross-sectional study was to identify the physical characteristics (anthropometric, somatotype, body composition) of orienteering athletes (OAs) and to compare them with nutrition knowledge (NK) and physical activity level (PAL). Methods: Data were collected from 58 subjects of seven countries, including Angola (n = 1), Brazil (n = 5), Poland (n = 1), Portugal (n = 26), South Africa (n = 1), Spain (n = 22) and Sweden (n = 2). The subjects included 10 elite (E) female (F) OAs [age: 25.5 ± 6.4 years, body mass: 59.5 ± 7.7 kg, stature: 168.1 ± 6.5 cm, body mass index (BMI): 21.0 ± 1.9 kg/m²], 13 E male (M) OAs (age: 24.3 ± 5.0 years, body mass: 65.0 ± 5.5 kg, stature: 175.1 ± 6.0 cm, BMI: 21.3 ± 2.2 kg/m²), 18 non-elite (NE) FOAs (age: 41.7 ± 10.3 years, body mass: 60.6 ± 8.5 kg, stature: 161.3 ± 11.7 cm, BMI: 23.4 ± 3.7 kg/m²), and 17 NEMOAs (age: 37.2 ± 14.6 years, body mass: 71.5 ± 14.2 kg, stature: 174.0 ± 8.8 cm, BMI: 23.6 ± 4.1 kg/m²). The participants were selected to ensure a diverse and representative sample of international-level orienteering athletes. Measurements were taken at two IOF world ranking events, the “Portugal “O” Meeting (POM)” and the “35° Trofeo Internacional Murcia Costa Cálida”, where only top-ranked orienteers compete. The selected participants from these seven countries were among the registered athletes in these international competitions. The OAs were measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). NK was evaluated using the updated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A—NSKQ). PAL was assessed using the short version of the self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ—SF). Results: The percentage of body fat (p < 0.01) in MOAs was significantly lower than in FOAs. Endomorphy (p = 0.037) and mesomorphy (p = 0.025) in EOAs were significantly lower than in NEOAs, but ectomorphy (p = 0.038) was significantly higher. EMOAs are ectomorphic mesomorphs, while NEMOAs are balanced mesomorphs, EFOAs are central, and NEFOAs are endomorphic mesomorphs. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were also observed in sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) among EOAs and NEOAs, with the former group achieving a higher percentage of correct responses. In the case of total nutritional knowledge (TNK), EOAs of both sexes scored significantly higher (p = 0.043) than their NEOA counterparts. A significant negative correlation was also observed between percentage of body fat (%BF) and metabolic equivalent (MET) in minutes per week (min/week) (r = −0.39, p = 0.038), bone mass (BM) and MET-min/week (r = −0.40, p = 0.033), and endomorphy and SNK (r = −0.38, p = 0.045) in FOAs. Among MOAs, the most significant findings included a negative correlation between age and METmin/week (r = −0.49, p = 0.010), kilocalorie (kcal) per week (r = −0.46, p = 0.016), and SNK (r = −0.40, p = 0.029). Conclusions: The key findings indicate that EOAs have lower BF percentages and higher NK scores compared to NEOAs. These results on the physical characteristics of OAs and the score of PAL and classification of NK can be useful to coaches and sports scientists to improve orienteer’s performance. Full article

Invasive non-native marine species have significant and far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, recreation, human health, and various industries worldwide. To mitigate this, it is crucial to be able to predict the likelihood of the establishment of non-native species. To that end, we reviewed twenty-two published lists of non-native species from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, plus five from other seas and oceans. From 1991 to 2020, 76% of the newly detected species in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, on average per region, became established. Similar rates were found for the Baltic Sea, New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil, respectively: 77%, 73%, 73%, and 67%. A rate of 100% was reported for the Black Sea, however. While percentages fluctuate across regions, they do not significantly seem to differ over time within regions. Where available, using historical data is therefore recommended, taking into account regional circumstances. As a preliminary indicator, we propose the Seventies Rule for predicting the establishment success of newly detected species in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean. With only five datasets from other areas in our studies, global applicability remains to be demonstrated. Policymakers, managers, and researchers can use our findings to predict establishment and decide on actions for invasive non-native marine species. Full article

This study evaluates three scenarios’ technical and economic viability for implementing a microgeneration power plant using biogas derived from the anaerobic digestion of food waste. The case study focuses on the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) campus in Recife, northeastern (NE) Brazil, targeting the organic fraction of solid waste from food units (restaurants, canteens, and kiosks). The analysis was based on field data, the chemical composition of the waste, and the electric energy consumption. Biogas production of 166 m³/day from 1 ton/day of food waste was estimated using an anaerobic reactor of 126 m³. This amount of biogas could generate about 360 kWh/day of electricity if the plant operates at peak hours using a generator set with an alternative internal combustion engine of 120 kW, with a consumption of 66 m³/h and fuel efficiency of 30%. The system could generate 390 kWh/day of electrical energy using a microturbine, with a consumption of 78 m³/h and 30% efficiency. The scenario utilizing a tubular reactor and an internal combustion engine demonstrated the best economic viability. While this study focuses on financial aspects, the findings suggest significant potential contributions to sustainability, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advancing renewable energy solutions. This model can be adapted for small NE Brazil municipalities, offering economic and environmental benefits. Full article

Ediacaran–Cambrian magmatism in the Central Subprovince (Borborema Province, NE Brazil) generated abundant A-type granites. This study reviews published whole-rock and mineral chemistry data from thirteen Ediacaran–Cambrian A-type intrusions and a related dike swarm. It also presents new mineral chemistry and whole-rock data for one of these intrusions, along with zircon trace element data for five of the intrusions. Geochronological data from the literature indicate the formation of these A-type intrusions during a 55 Myr interval (580–525 Ma), succeeding the post-collisional high-K magmatism in the region at c. 590–580 Ma. The studied plutons intruded Paleoproterozoic basement gneisses or Neoproterozoic supracrustal rocks. They are ferroan, metaluminous to peraluminous and mostly alkalic–calcic. The crystallization parameters show pressure estimates mainly from 4 to 7 kbar, corresponding to crustal depths of 12 to 21 km, and temperatures ranging from 1160 to 650 °C in granitoids containing mafic enclaves, and from 990 to 680 °C in those lacking or containing only rare mafic enclaves. The presence of Fe-rich mineral assemblages including ilmenite indicates that the A-type granites crystallized under low ƒO₂ conditions. Zircon trace element analyses suggest post-magmatic hydrothermal processes, interpreted to be associated with shear zone reactivation. Whole-rock geochemical characteristics, the chemistry of the Fe-rich mafic mineral assemblages, and zircon trace elements in the studied granitoids share important similarities with A₂-type granites worldwide. Full article

The paper presents the institutional framework of the Indigenous Schools in Brazil it raises the issues presented by the relationship between school as institution and patterns of indigenous culture transmission, given the complex structure of the indigenous population in Brazil, divided into more than 306 ethnic groups, and the historical intercultural relations established with the European colonizers. The second part describes a specific Indigenous school located in the community of Nova Esperança, whose members belong predominantly to the Baré ethnic group. The village overlooks the Cuieiras River—a tributary of the Rio Negro—and is 80 kilometers (km) away from Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas. Nova Esperança is called “Pisasú Sarusawa” in Nheengatu, Ñe’engatu o Ñeengatu, known as the “general language” of the Amazonas. An interview with Joarlison Garrido, the school director, deals with the question of the usefulness of indigenous education in the school-to-work transition. According to Joarlison Garrido, indigenous education can promote community development, employment, and sustainability. This positive result is possible thanks to the special location of Nova Esperança within the Puranga Conquista Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), managed by the government of the State of Amazonas. In this precise context, indigenous education represents a tool to ensure the new generations of Baré have a successful transition from school to work and an employment, namely through the projects of sustainable development that are foreseen for the area. Moreover, as Joarlison points out, sustainability is currently a global issue: consequently, the experience of Nova Esperança is at the same time local and part of a global trend. The Indigenous schools represent a great potential to develop original pedagogical practices in the field of intercultural education that can impact the transition from school to work not only in Brazil but in various contexts where Indigenous Peoples live. The case of the community of Nova Esperança is an example of this direction. Full article

This study aimed to determine the values of net energy (NE), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) and digestibility coefficients of corn ethanol coproducts produced in Brazil and their effects on the nitrogen balance and blood parameters of pigs. Ten barrows were housed in metabolic study cages for total collection and fed a reference diet (RD) or 800 g/kg RD + 200 g/kg of a coproduct of corn ethanol. Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn bran with solubles (CBS), distiller’s dried grains (DDG) and high-protein distiller’s dried grain (HPDDG) were evaluated. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three repetitions per period, totaling six repetitions per diet. Diets containing the HPDDG had greater DE and ME than those containing CBS and DDGS and greater DE than those containing the DDG (p < 0.05). HPDDG, DDG, CBS and DDGS showed 4498, 3419, 3029 and 3335 kcal/kg DE; 4366, 3305, 2934 and 3214 kcal/kg ME; and 2515, 1938, 1649 and 1725 kcal/kg NE, respectively. Pigs fed diets containing HPDDG and CBS showed greater nitrogen retention efficiency than pigs fed DDGS (p < 0.05). Pigs fed diets containing HPDDG had higher blood urea levels than pigs fed CBS and RD, while triglyceride levels in animals that received the CBS diet were greater than those in animals that received all other diets. The HPDDG had the highest energy levels and the best digestibility coefficients. The chemical composition of coproducts influences the nitrogen balance and circulating levels of urea and triglycerides in pigs. Full article

Global environmental impacts such as climate change require behavior from society that aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This includes the substitution of fossil fuels with other energy sources. An important aspect of efficient and sustainable management of the electricity supply in Brazil is the prediction of some variables of the national electric system (NES), such as the price of differences settlement (PLD) and wind speed for wind energy. In this context, the present study investigated two distinct forecasting approaches. The first involved the combination of deep artificial neural network techniques, long short-term memory (LSTM), and multilayer perceptron (MLP), optimized through the canonical genetic algorithm (GA). The second approach focused on machine committees including MLP, decision tree, linear regression, and support vector machine (SVM) in one committee, and MLP, LSTM, SVM, and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) in another. The results indicate that the hybrid AG + LSTM algorithm demonstrated the best performance for PLD, with a mean squared error (MSE) of 4.68. For wind speed, there is a MSE of 1.26. These solutions aim to contribute to the Brazilian electricity market’s decision making. Full article

Soil properties and components in mangrove ecosystems influence their geochemical processes and services. Despite the extensive mangrove areas present in Brazil, few studies focusing on these themes are under development. In this sense, this work aimed to investigate the spatial variability in soil attributes and composition, the geochemistry of Fe, and the isotopic characteristics of organic matter in mangroves in Baía de Todos os Santos (Cacha Prego, Ponta Grossa, Ilha de Maré, Pitinga), which constitutes Brazil’s second largest bay. The soils investigated showed spatial and temporal changes affecting their properties (pH, Eh) and composition (TOC, Fe fractions), as well as clear spatial changes in the redox potential values (+30–+188 mV), with higher values in PT. Soil textures ranged from predominantly sandy (CP, PT, PG: sand, >70%) to a finer granulometry (IM: sand, 33–64%). These characteristics influenced Fe partitioning and organic matter content, with higher TOC and pyrite values observed in IM (FeS₂: 2720–9233 mg kg⁻¹; TOC: 4.4–6.6%) and lower sulfide values found in PT, mainly in the dry season (FeS₂: 85–235 mg kg⁻¹). The soil δ¹³C and N/C ratios seem to suggest a mixed origin of organic matter. Full article

Coastal dunes that transgress typically move landward, while their reverse movement is not well understood. The article discusses the study of barchan and barchanoid dunes in the Lagoa do Peixe National Park in the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aim of the study is to analyze seasonal patterns and long-term trends in the direction and migration rates of these dunes, which can pose a threat to the lagoon if they invade its space. The crest migration of 12 dunes was monitored by satellite images between July 2003 and December 2018, and DGPS topographic surveys were performed on five dunes between 2010 and 2018. The migration rates obtained were combined with an analysis of the meteorological data and calculations of the drift potential for eolian sediment transport. The wind regime in the study area shows a multidirectional pattern, with the predominant wind direction being from the NE, followed by the ENE direction. The wind direction also exhibits a seasonal behavior, with the winds from the first quadrant being dominant during spring and summer months and a gradual increase in winds from the second and third quadrants from the end of summer to winter. The dune crest migration rates in the Lagoa do Peixe National Park show an average of 16.55 m·yr⁻¹ towards WSW–W, mainly controlled by the direction of the effective winds. However, intense SSW–WSW winds caused by cold fronts in the past generate the reverse migration of dunes towards ENE–E. The reverse migration of dunes explains the steadiness of the dune fields at CPRGS and is a factor controlling dune stabilization and the geomorphological evolution of transgressive coastal dune fields. The article highlights the importance of monitoring dune movement to understand their responses to natural and anthropogenic stressors and to protect sensitive ecosystems. Full article

In Northeast Brazil, the use of biomass for energy generation is settled on traditional productive arrangements, such as a sugarcane production system in the humid Atlantic coastal area and firewood extraction from native tropical dry forests in the west. In parallel, substantial amounts of other biomass sources, such as residues from agricultural or urban processes, are still little used or wholly wasted, fudging the opportunity to generate new value chains based on these biomass sources. We hypothesize that using these non-traditional biomass sources to produce biofuels would significantly increase the regional bioenergy supply. In this context, this article discusses the potential for the production and use of biofuels and bioenergy in Northeast Brazil and its effects on regional development, which may be useful for both private actors and policymakers in the energy sector. The use of biomass sources for energy in the region is significant, reaching approximately 8.8 million tons of oil equivalent (toe) per year, emphasizing the already consolidated production of sugarcane and its derivatives. The use of all biomass resources in the Northeast region could supply around 4% of the Brazilian national electrical energy demand, with an environmental footprint of 0.055 tCO_2eq per toe, which would contribute to reducing emissions from the Brazilian energy matrix generation. Regarding the spatial distribution of biomass sources, sugarcane prevails on the coast, firewood and livestock manure in the dryland area towards the west, and municipal solid waste is distributed throughout the region within urban areas. Different from what we expected, the potential energy recovery from municipal waste and animal manure would increase by only 17% the current bioenergy supply. In the future, since the majority of the region presents a semi-arid climate with limited rainfall, to increase the use of biomass as an energy source, there is a need to increase the supply of biomass sources with high efficiency in water use and good yields in drylands. For this, the cultivation and use of cacti and agave, for example, could contribute to making biorefineries viable in the region. Above all, public policies for harnessing bioenergy in NE Brazil must seek opportunities associated with the carbon/decarbonization economy, with studies being needed to assess the technical, economic, social, and environmental viability of future productive arrangements. Full article

Seascape mapping is critical to understanding ecosystem services and managing areas with potential for fishing, power generation, mining, and tourism. Despite advances in marine geophysics, the necessary equipment to make underwater cartography can be expensive and requires a certain degree of specialization. In areas with scarce data, ethnomapping can be used for the elaboration or complementation of marine cartography. In addition, it provides information about the nature, concepts, phenomena, and nomenclatures attributed by the local population. The aim of this study was to integrate the knowledge of artisanal fishermen from NE Brazil into the mapping of seascapes, validating the obtained cartography with scientific sampling. Focus groups were used to promote an open discussion of local users’ knowledge about seascapes and their importance for local fisheries. After analyzing, it was possible to correlate the products of participatory mapping with the scientific data available in the literature, resulting in the seascape ethnomap. Nine seascapes relevant to subsistence fisheries were identified. The mapping of seascapes and fauna captured by indigenous fishermen was similar to that produced from preexisting geology, geomorphology, and fishing data. This validated the methodological protocol and the importance of the participation of local populations in coastal conservation and management activities. Full article

The low-latitude ionosphere has an active behavior causing the total electron content (TEC) to vary spatially and temporally very dynamically. The solar activity and the geomagnetic field have a strong influence over the spatiotemporal distribution of TEC. These facts make it a challenge to attempt modeling the ionization response. Single frequency GNSS users are particularly vulnerable due to these ionospheric variations that cause degradation of positioning performance. Motivated by recent applications of machine learning, temporal series of TEC available in map formats were employed to build an independent TEC estimator model for low-latitude environments. A TEC dataset was applied along with geophysical indices of solar flux and magnetic activity to train a feedforward artificial neural network based on a multilayer perceptron (MLP) approach. The forecast for the next 24 h was made relying on TEC maps over the Brazilian region using data collected on the previous 5 days. The performance of this approach was evaluated and compared with real data. The accuracy of the model was evaluated taking into account seasonality, spatial coverage and dependence on solar flux and geomagnetic activity indices. The results of the analysis show that the developed model has a superior capacity describing the TEC behavior across Brazil, when compared to global ionosphere maps and the NeQuick G model. TEC predictions were applied in single point positioning. The achieved errors were 27% and 33% lower when compared to the results obtained using the NeQuick G and global ionosphere maps, respectively, showing success in estimating TEC with small recent datasets using MLP. Full article

Natural trails in UNESCO Global Geopark territories show strong salutogenic, inclusive and interactive characteristics as potentials and opportunities for ecosystem health. It is essential to provide information to inform the hiker as to the characteristics of the environment and the attractions and challenges of the route. Based on a network analysis methodology we aimed to identify the indicators of centrality and strength of connection in order to classify the effort index and biomechanical overload of the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark trails in Brazil. The results showed strong connection and centrality of the variables related to the biomechanical overload in the effort index. In the trail of Pontal de Cruz the altimetric variation and the surface of the ground are highlighted in the biomechanical overload that presented a horizontal course equivalent 2.6 times larger than the presented distance. In Sítio Fundão trail, the surface of the ground also stood out, increasing the exposure in 36% of the presented distance. On the Missão Velha Waterfall trail, the variable that stood out was the biomechanical overload on the knee, equivalent to a horizontal increase of 28% of the measured distance. The methodology presented sought to optimise the mapping, management and consolidation of a network of natural trails aggregated to a high geotouristic, scientific, educational, cultural and well-being potential as presented in the Araripe UGG territory. Full article

The Piauí laterite (NE Brazil) was initially evaluated for Ni but also contains economic concentrations of Co. Our investigations aimed to characterise the Co enrichment within the deposit; by understanding the mineralogy we can better design mineral processing to target Co recovery. The laterite is heterogeneous on the mineralogical and lithological scale differing from the classic schematic profiles of nickel laterites, and while there is a clear transition from saprolite to more ferruginous units, the deposit also contains lateral and vertical variations that are associated with both the original intrusive complex and also the nature of fluid flow, redox cycling and fluctuating groundwater tables. The deposit is well described by the following six mineralogical and geochemical units: SAPFE, a clay bearing ferruginous saprolite; SAPSILFE, a silica dominated ferruginous saprolite; SAPMG, a green magnesium rich chlorite dominated saprolite; SAPAL, a white-green high aluminium, low magnesium saprolite; saprock, a serpentine and chlorite dominated saprolite and the serpentinite protolith. Not all of these units are ‘ore bearing’. Ni is concentrated in a range of nickeliferous phyllosilicates (0.1–25 wt%) including serpentines, talc and pimelite, goethite (up to 9 wt%), magnetite (2.8–14 wt%) and Mn oxy-hydroxides (0.35–19 wt%). Lower levels of Ni are present in ilmenites, chromites, chlorite and distinct small horizons of nickeliferous silica (up to 3 wt% Ni). With respect to Co, the only significant chemical correlation is with Mn, and Mn oxy-hydroxides contain up to 14 wt% Co. Cobalt is only present in goethite when Mn is also present, and these goethite grains contain an average of 0.19 wt% Co (up to a maximum of 0.65 wt%). The other main Co bearing minerals are magnetite (0.41–1.89 wt%), chlorite (up to 0.45 wt%) and ilmenite (up to 0.35 wt%). Chemically there are three types of Mn oxy-hydroxide, asbolane, asbolane-lithiophorite intermediates and romanechite. Spatially resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis suggests that the Co is present primarily as octahedrally bound Co³⁺ substituted directly into the MnO₆ layers of the asbolane-lithiophorite intermediates. However significant levels of Co²⁺ are evident within the asbolane-lithiophorite intermediates, structurally bound along with Ni in the interlayer between successive MnO₆ layers. The laterite microbial community contains prokaryotes and few fungi, with the highest abundance and diversity closest to ground level. Microorganisms capable of metal redox cycling were identified to be present, but microcosm experiments of different horizons within the deposit demonstrated that stimulated biogeochemical cycling did not contribute to Co mobilisation. Correlations between Co and Mn are likely to be a relic of parent rock weathering rather than due to biogeochemical processes; a conclusion that agrees well with the mineralogical associations. Full article