A novel technique for implementing the finite element method in a shallow water equation.

We presented a novel approach to investigate the two-dimensional shallow water equation in its primitive form. Its employs the P1NC-P1 element pair to simulate various cases: standing waves, dam-break planar, and wave absorbing with embedded radiation boundary conditions. Unlike the conventional method, we approximate the free surface variable using a conformal basis P1 whereas the velocity potential is approximated using a non-conformal basis, P1NC. Thus, for each case, the weak form needs to be reformulated as well as the discrete form. The resulting scheme is a first-order ordinary differential system and solved by Crank Nicholson. The mass matrix in the momentum equation contains the multiplication between the two bases, which computed by the mass lumping. So, our method is explicit, flexible and easy to implement. Validation using standing waves demonstrated first-order accuracy, free from numerical damping and convergent to the analytical solution. Dam-break simulation result shown an agreement with ANUGA software. Our scheme's flexibility is demonstrated when it can mimic wave absorbing simulation employing embedded radiation boundary conditions. The reflection at the boundary seems small enough, thus can be neglected. All these findings have shown the robustness and capability of our scheme to predict accurate results for various shallow water flow problems.•A novel technique for solving 2D SWE in primitive form•It is explicit, flexible, easy to implement, accurate, and robust•Our approach is suitable for coastal/oceanographic simulations.

Seasonal variations in daily mortality associated with exposure to particulates, in Campo Grande, Brazil / Variaciones estacionales de la mortalidad diaria asociada a la exposición a partículas, en Campo Grande, Brasil / Variações sazonais na mortalidade diária associada à exposição a partículas, em Campo Grande, Brasil

Obcjetive: to investigate short-term effects of air pollution, climate variability on respiratory morbidity and mortality from 2005 to 2020. Method: the study was carried out in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Daily counts of hospital admissions from 2005 to 2020 were analyzed in relation to daily variations in atmospheric pollutants (NO2, O3) from the Aurea satellite column, OMI sensor. Poisson regression in generalized additive models was used for analysis. The models were adjusted for the effects of temporal trend, seasonality, meteorological factorsand autocorrelation. Results: there was, in the period, an increasing trend in mortality rates and hospital admissions, with an increase in the proportion of deaths from respiratory diseases in relation to other causes. Conclusion: respiratory diseases are worrying causes of hospitalization and death in the population. The results found are consistent with studies that point to an association between short-term variations in air pollutants and the increase in morbidity and mortality in large urban centers.

Objetivo:investigar los efectos a corto plazo de lacontaminación del aire, la variabilidad climática en la morbilidad y mortalidad respiratoria de 2005 a 2020. Método:el estudio se llevó a cabo en la ciudad de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Se analizaron los conteos diarios de ingresos hospitalarios de 2005 a 2020 en relación con las variaciones diarias de contaminantes atmosféricos (NO2, O3) de la columna del satélite Aurea, sensor OMI. Para el análisis se utilizó la regresión de Poisson en modelos aditivos generalizados. Los modelos fueron ajustados por los efectos de tendencia temporal, estacionalidad, factores meteorológicos y autocorrelación. Resultados:hubo, en el período, una tendencia creciente en las tasas de mortalidad e ingresos hospitalarios, con aumento en la proporción de muertes por enfermedades respiratorias en relación a otras causas. Conclusión:las enfermedades respiratorias son causas preocupantesde hospitalización y muerte en la población. Las acciones de prevención y atención de estas causas, así como la profundización de la investigación etiológica, deben ser priorizadas en el actual contexto epidemiológico de salud en Brasil. Los resultados encontrados son consistentes con estudios que apuntan a una asociación entre las variaciones a corto plazo de los contaminantes atmosféricos y el aumento de la morbilidad y mortalidad en los grandes centros urbanos.

Objetivo:investigar os efeitos a curto prazo da poluição do ar, variabilidade climática na morbimortalidade respiratória entre os anos de 2005 a 2020. Método: o estudo foi realizado na cidade de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. As contagens diárias de internações hospitalares entre os anos de 2005 a 2020 foram analisadas em relação às variações diárias de poluentes atmosféricos (NO2, O3) da coluna satélite Aurea, sensor OMI. A regressão de Poisson em modelos aditivos generalizados foi utilizada para análise. Os modelos foram ajustados pelos efeitos de tendência temporal, sazonalidade, fatores meteorológicos e autocorrelação. Resultados: houve, no período, tendência crescente nas taxas de mortalidade e internações hospitalares, com aumento da proporção de óbitos por doenças respiratórias em relação a outras causas. Conclusão: as doenças respiratórias são causas preocupantes de hospitalização e morte na população. Ações de prevenção e atenção a essas causas, bem como a investigação etiológica , devem ser priorizadas no atual contexto epidemiológico da saúde no Brasil. Os resultados encontrados são consistentes com estudos que apontam para uma associação entre as variações de curto prazo dos poluentesatmosféricos e o aumento da morbimortalidade nos grandes centros urbanos.

Variations in the tropospheric concentration of NO2 in the central west of Brazil, MS, and their relationship with the COVID-19.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) started in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, the disease was disseminated in several cities around the world, where measures were taken to control the spread of the virus through the adoption of quarantine (social isolation and closure of commercial sectors). This article analyzed the environmental impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, regarding the variations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere. NO2 data from the AURA satellite, in the period before the beginning of the epidemic (2005-2019) and during the adoption of the preventive and control measures of COVID-19 in 2020, were acquired and compared. The results obtained from the analysis showed that the blockade from COVID-19, beginning in March 2020, improved air quality in the short term, but as soon as coal consumption in power plants and refineries returned to normal levels (since June 2020), due to the resumption of works, the pollution levels returned to the level of the previous years of 2020. NO2 levels showed a significant decrease, since they were mainly associated with the decrease in economic growth and transport restrictions that led to a change in energy consumption and a reduction in emissions. This study can complement the scientific community and policy makers for environmental protection and public management, not only to assess the impact of the outbreak on air quality, but also for its effectiveness as a simple alternative program of action to improve air quality.

Temporal record and spatial distribution of fire foci in State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The objectives of this study are: (i) to evaluate the space-temporal variability of fire foci by environmental satellites, CHIRPS and remote sensing products based on applied statistics, and (ii) to identify the relational pattern between the distribution of fire foci and the environmental, meteorological, and socioeconomic variables in the mesoregions of Minas Gerais (MG) - Brazil. This study used a time series of fire foci from 1998 to 2015 via BDQueimadas. The temporal record of fire foci was evaluated by Mann-Kendall (MK), Pettitt (P), Shapiro-Wilk (SW), and Bartlett (B) tests. The spatial distribution by burned area (MCD64A1-MODIS) and the Kernel density - (radius 20 km) were estimated. The environmental variables analyzed were: rainfall (mm) and maximum temperature (°C), besides proxies to vegetation canopy: NDVI, SAVI, and EVI. PCA was applied to explain the interaction between fire foci and demographic, environmental, and geographical variables for MG. The MK test indicated a significant increasing trend in fire foci in MG. The SW and B tests were significant for non-normality and homogeneity of data. The P test pointed to abrupt changes in the 2001 and 2002 cycles (El Niño and La Niña moderated), which contributes to the annual increase and in winter and spring, which is identified by the Kernel density maps. Burned areas highlighted the northern and northwestern regions of MG, Triângulo Mineiro, Jequitinhonha, and South/Southwest MG, in the 3rd quarter (increased 17%) and the 4th quarter (increased 88%). The PCA resulted in three PCs that explained 71.49% of the total variation. The SAVI was the variable that stood out, with 11.12% of the total variation, followed by Belo Horizonte, the most representative in MG. We emphasize that the applied conceptual theoretical model defined here can act in the environmental management of fire risk. However, public policies should follow the technical-scientific guidelines in the mitigation of the resulting socioeconomic - environmental damages.

Evaluation of thermal overload in boiler operators.

The Brazilians educational institutions need a large energy demand for the operation of laundries, restaurants and accommodation of students. Much of that energy comes from steam generated in boilers with wood fuel. The laboral activity in boiler may present problems for the operator's health due to exposure to excessive heat, and its operation has a high degree of risk. This paper describes an analysis made the conditions of thermal environment in the operation of a B category boiler, located at a Higher Education Institution, located in the Zona da Mata Mineira The equipments used to collect data were Meter WBGT of the Heat Index; Meter of Wet Bulb Index and Globe Thermometer (WBGT); Politeste Instruments, an anemometer and an Infrared Thermometer. By the application of questionnaires, the second phase consisted of collecting data on environmental factors (temperature natural environment, globe temperature, relative humidity and air velocity). The study concluded that during the period evaluated, the activity had thermal overload.

Ergonomic evaluation of processes and products in the manufacture of upholstery.

This study aimed to perform an ergonomic evaluation of industrial processes and products - upholstered sofas - produced in the furniture cluster of Ubá-MG. The used material was collected from two sofas upholstered industries associated with the union of the furniture industries of Ubá region, located in Minas Gerais estate, Brazil. As for the product were evaluated dimensionally 29 upholstered sofas, with 12 being produced by industry "A" and 17 being produced by industry "B". As for the process, were evaluated: the socioeconomic profile of the worker and environmental factors of lighting and noise. The main results of this study showed that the upholstered sofas produced by industries, in general, fulfilled to the recommendations set out in the work in relation to the backrest height and useful seat depth. All the sofas, however, proved to be inadequate in relation to the seat height to the floor and the dimensions of the armrests Regarding environmental aspects, it was observed that in both industries, the activities in most jobs are performed under adverse conditions to the health and safety of workers and nonconformity with the limits set by Brazilian regulatory standard used in this work.

Structuring of manual of orientations and technical information for laundries of industries of animal products origin.

This study looked for to lift information regarding laundries inserted in industries of animal products origin, to understand the activities developed in the section and to structure a Manual of Planning and Technical Information for laundries to industries of animal products origin, with the intention of subsidizing the planning, structuring and control of this work place, because norms or regulations that supervise don't exist or aid their managers and workers as for the operation of this work place.

Structuring software anthropometric variables on CD Rom as a facilitator of the process of design of work situations.

The environment where everyday activities are developed, these should be appropriate and the individual who will execute them, for greater efficiency of their work and even if you feel safe, comfortable and satisfied when interacting with that space, expending less energy to this interaction. Given this context, this study aims to structure a software with the results obtained in the field, from anthropometric measure to subsidize the furniture industry in manufacturing of furniture, definition work situations, considering the different anthropometric measurements made between 2001 and 2010, using data from this sample of adults aged 18 to 65 years old and children between 6 and 11 years old. It was convenient to make the software with a site, only instead of staying on the Web has been recorded on CD Rom. Tests with the prototype allow navigation through the structure of the software. The data needed to implement the remaining modules were also raised. Issues related to system layout and usability of the interface also were not considered, because it is an initial prototype.

Determining anthropometric variables as a tool in the preparation of furniture and designs of interior spaces: the case of children 6 to 11 years old of Vicosa, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The adequacy of facilities and the individual securities in their different age groups is importance to ensure greater functionality to them, allowing full development of daily activities. For this to occur more efficiently it is necessary the use of ergonomics which can ensure more comfort and safety for end users of products and spaces. The present study aimed to measure body dimensions of a representative sample of children aged 6 to 11 years old, children of graduate and pos graduate students, faculty and staff of the Federal University of Vicosa and also residents of the city of Vicosa, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, coming from different municipalities of State of Minas Gerais, to organize a database that will provide the furniture industry, anthropometric variables more appropriate to design products for both the leisure activities, and for the school sector. To realize this research we used the methodology proposed by the authors Panero and Zelnik, based on samples distributed in six age groups, and providing a measurement of 10 variables. By applying the methodology to the field was possible to compare the observed data, with the tables of the aforementioned authors. The main results revealed a significant variation of the 10 variables analyzed, and it is believed that this variation could lead to possible flaws in the designs of products that use the data from these authors. The completion of the study provided data on Vicosa considered more appropriate for the design of products and environments for the population of the study, considering age and region, of Brazil (State of Minas Gerais) and it is believed that the future may expand to the Brazilian population, with the progress of study of this nature.

Ergonomic factors and production target evaluation in eucalyptus timber harvesting operations in mountainous terrains.

There are several forest operations involved in Eucalyptus timber harvesting. This study was carried out during brush-cutting; tree felling, bucking, delimbing, piling and manual extraction operations, with the following objectives: a) analyzing, ergonomically, two systems of brush-cutting: one manual and the other semi-mechanized, using two different machines; b) ergonomically evaluating three different brands of pruner machines used in delimbing felled trees. c) determining the feasible target of productivity as a function of ergonomic factors relevant to establish the time of resting pauses for workers in manual and semi-mechanized timber harvesting systems in mountainous terrain. Brush-cutting, either manual or semimechanized, is an activity carried out prior to timber harvesting. It is usually a hard work, with low productivity when compared with mechanized systems. Pruner machines have been used by forest companies, due to the great possibilities to improve productivity, quality and the health of workers. Ergonomics is a discipline that promotes the adequacy of work to the physical and mental characteristics of human beings, seeking to design production systems and products considering relevant aspects, including social, organizational and environmental factors. Companies should consider the ergonomic factor in the determination of daily worker production targets.

Postural analysis of workers in a typical meat processing company in Brazil.

Companies have increasingly sought strategies that will ensure a more competitive position in the marketplace. Among these strategies adopted by companies include the health and welfare of the worker, factors currently valued by consumers, especially those of most demanding market. Thus, the postural analysis is of great importance and interest because it is the study of positioning related to body parts like head, torso and limbs, capable of producing loads that may be excessive or insufficient causing disturbances in the muscle skeletal system worker. The aim of this study was to perform a postural analysis of the main sectors of workers (slaughter, cutting room, special cuts, packaging and dispatch) of a typical refrigerator pig industry in Brazil during the execution of their daily activities as well as developing proposals to minimize and/or eliminate the diseases and accidents. The study followed the safety norms of Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment. The posture analysis used the OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System) methodology. The postures assumed by workers in the sector of packaging were as the most in need of emergency and quick action.

Ergonomic evaluation of the preparation of cuttings and minicuttings for eucalyptus seedling production, with the use of scissors.

This study was conducted in a nursery for eucalyptus seedling production in a forest Company, located in the southern state of Bahia, Brazil. It aimed to evaluate the ergonomic conditions of the preparation of cuttings and mini-cuttings with scissors for Eucalyptus seedling production to increase well-being, satisfaction and safety and minimizing the occurrence of occupational diseases, also improving the process efficiency and final product quality. Environmental conditions, levels of noise, postures, RSI risk and physical workload were assessed. The environmental conditions complied with the recommended norms, except at certain times of day, when workers should make compensation breaks. The workers that collect minicuttings presented postures classified as normal by OWAS. On the other hand, the posture of workers dealing with cutting preparation requires corrections in a short run. The workers were subjected to moderate RSI risk due to the high degree of repeatability found. The physical workload was classified as mild, with no need for ergonomic interventions.

Analysis of ergonomic furniture made of wood and sub-products from renewable forests.

The furniture ergonomic evaluation was carried out through the use of questionnaires and forms in industries. For the ergonomic product analysis, it was used the methodology "Object Ergonomics - Ergonomic System Technical Reading" (design goals and management actions), and measurements of products. The values achieved were compared with the standard dimensions, and the compliance or non-compliance of the furniture to it was assessed. In relation to the dimensions of the bed, the following variables did not comply with the norms: external and internal length, external and internal width, height and width of the sidebar and distance to the floor. The dimensions of these variables were above the recommended values. The double bed was inadequate for management actions and maintenance. Since the kitchen cabinet is a product that went through physical testing and follows national standards; the finish used is powder coating. The kitchen cabinet proved to be appropriate in all design requirements and for management actions. Both furniture pieces were inadequate, considering the difficulty for maintenance when a product or part of it was damaged. It was recommended the creation of regulatory standards for the production of safe and comfortable furniture.