Study of sugarcane bagasse/straw combustion and its atmospheric emissions using a pilot-burner.

This work conducted experimental combustion on a closed chamber using two different materials: mixture (1:1) sugarcane bagasse/straw and pre-treated biomass. The sampling method was an Andersen cascade impactor with eight stages. Tests were carried out on untreated biomass varying the velocities observed in the sampling duct (4.18; 5.20, 6.85, and 8.21 m.s-1). Pre-treated biomass tests were performed at 4.19 m.s-1 because in this condition there is a higher speed stability inside the duct. During the combustion tests, the concentration of emitted particles was higher for the lower speed range, with an order of 4.19 > 5.40 > 6.85 > 8.21 m.s-1. The higher speeds observed inside the duct behaved as a dragging agent for particulate material. For the tests at the speed of 8.21 m.s-1 where the flow inside the duct was 0.088 m3s-1, this behavior is more evident. Considering the fine diameter particles (< 2.5 µm), they were emitted in a higher concentration, due to the biomass combustion process, which results in higher emission of ultrafine particles. The emission factors (EFs) obtained for PM10 for untreated biomass were in the range of 0.414 and 0.840. On the other hand, considering the pre-treated biomass, these factors were 0.70 and 1.51. The EFs of PM from the burning of the pre-treated biomass were higher when compared to untreated biomass, which is mainly due to the higher temperature of the process due to the higher HHV (higher heating value) of this material, caused by the removal of hemicellulose (4.71 times) and a proportional increase in lignin (1.52 times). Biomass combustion has the potential to partially replace fossil fuels in heat and energy generation. Nevertheless, more stringent and comprehensive legislation should be established to ensure that air quality is maintained. Furthermore, the emission factors obtained in this study might be useful as input data for air quality modeling in the context of sugarcane's burning biomass, thus, contributing to the generation of inventories that include emissions of this nature.

Anaerobic digestion of crude glycerol from biodiesel production for biogas generation: Process optimization and pilot scale operation.

Anaerobic digestion of wastes and wastewater is a complex process that can be affected by many operational parameters. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to optimize biogas production using crude glycerol (GLY) generated in biodiesel production from waste cooking oil without pretreatment or nutrient supplementation. The study was divided into two parts: the first phase consisted of an experimental design based on central composite design (CCD) with two variables (food to microorganism (F/M) ratio and cycle time) at five levels (F/M of 0.20; 0.51; 1.02; 1.53 and 2.04 gCOD/gVS; tc of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days) focusing on optimizing the biogas production from crude GLY in lab-scale batch reactors (500 mL). The second phase was conducted on a pilot-scale biodigester (1.2 m3) based on the optimized variables obtained from the CCD. The optimized results showed that the F/M ratio of 2.04 gCOD/gVS and a cycle time (tc) of 6 days reached the highest specific methane production (SMP) of 46 LCH4/kgVS. However, the highest SMP of 14.7 LCH4/kgVSd was obtained during the operation of the pilot-scale biodigester for the optimized conditions of F/M ratio of 0.23 gCOD/gSV and a tc of 7 days. Therefore, pilot-scale biogas production from crude GLY was demonstrated to be feasible without the use of nutrients or GLY pretreatment at 0.15 LGLY/m3 d.

Evaluation of the efficiency of a Venturi scrubber in particulate matter collection smaller than 2.5 µm emitted by biomass burning.

Energy demand has increased worldwide, and biomass burning is one of the solutions most used by industries, especially in countries that have a great potential in agriculture, such as Brazil. However, these energy sources generate pollutants, consisting of particulate matter (PM) with a complex chemical composition, such as sugarcane bagasse (SB) burning. Controlling these emissions is necessary; therefore, the aim was to evaluate PM collection using a rectangular Venturi scrubber (RVS), and its effects on the composition of the PM emitted. Considering the appropriate use of biomass as an industrial fuel and the emerging need for a technique capable of efficiently removing pollutants from biomass burning, this study shows the control of emissions as an innovation in a situation such as the industrial one with the use of a Venturi scrubber in fine particle collection, in addition to using portable and representative isokinetic sampling equipment of these particles. The pilot-scale simulation of the biomass burning process, the representative sampling of fine particles and obtaining parameters to control pollutant emissions for a Venturi scrubber, meets the current situation of concern about air quality. The average collection efficiency values were 96.6% for PM> 2.5, 85.5% for PM1.0-2.5, and 66.9% for PM< 1.0. The ionic analysis for PM< 1.0 filters showed potassium, chloride, nitrate, and nitrite at concentrations ranging from 20.12 to 36.5 µg/m3. As the ethanol and sugar plants will continue to generate electricity with sugarcane bagasse burning, emission control technologies and cost-effective and efficient portable samplers are needed to monitor particulate materials and improve current gas cleaning equipment projects.

Micropropagation and in vitroconservation of Alcantarea nahoumii (Bromeliaceae), an endemic and endangered species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Alcantarea nahoumii(Leme) J. R. Grant is a species native to theAtlantic Forest that stands out for ornamental purposes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitrogerminationof A. nahoumiiseeds and establish a micropropagation protocol for production of seedlings so as to minimize the effects of predatory extractivism and develop an in vitroconservation system. Mature seeds were disinfested, established in three culture media (MS, MS½ and MS⅓) and incubated at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC)in a germination chamber. In the micropropagation experiment, stem segments were introduced in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6 μM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For the in vitroconservation, plantlets were established in MS or MS½ medium supplemented with 15 g L-1or 30 g L-1of sucrose. The plants were acclimated with commercial substrate. The highest seed germination percentages were promoted by temperature conditions of 20 and 25ºC, with MS culture medium. The highest multiplication rate of shoots was obtained from the treatment without addition of the growth regulator or when combined with 2.2 μM of BAP + 0.5 μM of NAA. The acclimation of the plants occurred with high survival rate. The species can be conserved in vitrounder slow growth condition for 24 months when incubated in MS medium supplemented with 30 g L-1of sucrose.

Leaf geometric morphometrics among populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L. ) Taub / Morfometria geométrica foliar entre populações de Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. do Brasil

Leaves are plant structures that express important traits of the environment where they live. Leaf description has allowed identification of plant species as well as investigation of abiotic factors effects on their development, such as gases, light, temperature, and herbivory. This study described populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum through leaf geometric morphometrics in Brazil. We evaluated 200 leaves from four populations. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four principal components were responsible for 97.81% of variation. The non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NPMANOVA) indicated significant difference between samples (p = 0.0001). The Mentel test showed no correlation between geographical distances and shape. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) indicated that the first two variables were responsible for 96.77 % of total variation, while the cross-validation test showed an average of 83.33%. D. ecastaphyllum leaves are elliptical and ovate.

As folhas são estruturas presentes nas plantas que expressam importantes características de acordo com o ambiente no qual estão inseridas. Ao longo dos anos, a sua caracterização tem permitido identificar espécies vegetais e correlacionar o efeito de fatores abióticos como gases, luz, temperatura e herbivoria sob o seu desenvolvimento. O presente estudo teve como descrever populações de Dalbergia ecastaphyllum do Brasil utilizando a morfometria geométrica foliar. Foram avaliadas 200 folhas de quatro populações desta espécie. Análise de componentes principais (ACP) mostrou que os quatro primeiros componentes principais explicaram 97,81% da variação. A Análise de variância multivariada com teste não-paramétrico (NPMANOVA) indicou não haver diferença entres as amostras (p= 0,0001). Os resultados do teste de Mentel mostraram que não houve correlação das distâncias geográficas com a forma. Na análise de variação canônica, as duas primeiras variáveis responderam por 96,77 % da variação total, enquanto uma média de 83,33% foi encontrada pelo teste de validação cruzada. As folhas de D. ecastaphullym são elípticas e ovadas.

CO2, CO, hydrocarbon gases and PM2.5 emissions on dry season by deforestation fires in the Brazilian Amazonia.

The rate of deforestation in Brazil increased by 29% between 2015 and 2016, resulting in an increase of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of 9%. Deforestation fires in the Amazonia are the main source of GHG in Brazil. In this work, amounts of CO2, CO, main hydrocarbon gases and PM2.5 emitted during deforestation fires, under real conditions directly in Brazilian Amazonia, were determined. A brief discussion of the relationship between the annual emission of CO2 equivalent (CO2,eq) and Paris Agreement was conducted. Experimental fires were carried out in Western Amazonia (Candeias do Jamari, Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul) and results were compared with a previous fire carried out in Eastern Amazonia (Alta Floresta). The average total fresh biomass on the ground before burning and the total biomass consumption were estimated to be 591 ton ha-1 and 33%, respectively. CO2, CO, CH4, and non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) average emission factors, for the four sites, were 1568, 140, 8, and 3 g kg-1 of burned dry biomass, respectively. PM2.5 showed large variation among the sites (0.9-16 g kg-1). Emissions per hectare of forest were estimated as 216,696 kg of CO2, 18,979 kg of CO, 1,058 kg of CH4, and 496 kg of NMHC. The average annual emission of equivalent CO2 was estimated as 301 ±â€¯53 Mt year-1 for the Brazilian Amazonia forest. From 2013, the estimated CO2,eq showed a trend to increase in Amazon region. The present study is an alert and provides important information that can be used in the development of the public policies to control emissions and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazonia.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum leaf extracts: in vitro inhibitory potential against enzymes related to metabolic syndrome, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases

For the first time, the anti-hemolytic activity and the enzyme inhibitory activities of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum leaves extracts were tested against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and hyaluronidase. The phenolic profile of the obtained extracts was also investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PAD). The extracts showed inhibitory activity against all enzymes evaluated, with the highest inhibitory activity reported for the enzyme hyaluronidase (28.28 ± 2.43 to 72.19 ± 1.40 μg mL-1). The obtained extracts also demonstrate anti-hemolytic activity (52.22 ± 1.62 to 71.17 ± 1.82%). Among the phenolic compounds identified, protocatechuic, vanillic and β-resorcylic acids were the most abundant (1.13 ± 0.06 to 2.53 ± 0.06, 0.90 ± 0.06 to 2.19 ± 0.06 and 1.03 ± 1.62 to 22.11 ± 1.62 mg L-1, respectively). In the statistical analysis, a significant correlation was found between the flavonoids content and all enzymes inhibitory activities. The present study showed that D. ecastaphyllum leaves extracts may have the potential to be used in the therapeutic treatment of several diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and pigmentation, as well as those associated with oxidative stress.

Antioxidant, photoprotective and inhibitory activity of tyrosinase in extracts of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum is a native Brazil plant with importance for beekeeping, and widely used in folk medicine. For the first time, the extracts of this plant were assessed for the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, as well as inhibition of tyrosinase, free radicals scavenging and sunscreen protection. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging (DPPH) and ß-carotene bleaching assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was evaluated and calculated the EC50. The photoprotective activity was measured using different concentrations of D. ecastaphyllum extracts. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the samples was higher than 6, and the sample from Ilhéus showed the most pronounced photoprotective effect. Sample from Canavieiras presented the highest antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging DPPH and ß-carotene bleaching method, with 92.41% and 48.34%, respectively. All samples inhibited the tyrosinase, especially the sample from Prado that was most effective (124.62 µg.mL-1). Significant negative correlation was found between flavonoid contents and inhibition of tyrosinase. The overall results provide relevant information about the Dalbergia ecastaphyllum species, indicating as potential material to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Genetic Variability of Melipona subnitida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Introduced and Native Populations.

Melipona subnitida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is a stingless bee native to Caatinga biome in Brazil, well adapted to hot and dry climate of that region and has been traditionally explored for honey production. Here, we evaluate the genetic structure of 173 colonies of M. subnitida in northeast Brazil by partially sequenced mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to compare an introduced population isolated for 30 yr into the Island of Fernando de Noronha (IFN) with the continental populations. We identified high haplotype diversity (0.8220) with 14 haplotypes on the continental populations, being three new ones, compared with the database GenBank. The haplotype H4 was present at the center of network, occurring in four localities on mainland and fixed as a single haplotype on IFN. We propose that the island populations originally introduced carried one haplotype (H4), even though IFN population is suffering pressure by island effect through changes on morphology. Studies on island populations could be a model to understand the dynamics of isolated populations and sustainable management of this biome to preserve M. subnitida.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Mono- and Heterofloral Bee Pollen of Different Geographical Origins.

Recent research shows variations in pollen chemical constituents and, consequently, in their therapeutic properties. Mono and multifloral bee pollen extracts were investigated for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity properties, phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition. Generally, Eucalyptus spp. and multifloral extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, lipase and hyaluronidase. On the other hand, Miconia spp. demonstrated higher antihemolytic activity. Cocos nucifera and Miconia spp. extracts exhibited important antioxidant properties in the different assays (ABTS, DPPH, ß-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power). Moreover, these extracts had greater amounts of total phenols and flavonoids in comparison to others. The increase in antioxidant activity (decrease in EC50 values) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of total phenols in the extracts. The pollen extracts contained linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as major fatty acids, followed by palmitic acid, and oleic acid. In this study, differences were observed in both chemical constituents and biological activities of the samples related to the geographical and botanical origin of bee pollen.

Comparative study for hardwood and softwood forest biomass: chemical characterization, combustion phases and gas and particulate matter emissions.

Two different types of typical Brazilian forest biomass were burned in the laboratory in order to compare their combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions. Approximately 2 kg of Amazon biomass (hardwood) and 2 kg of Araucaria biomass (softwood) were burned. Gaseous emissions of CO2, CO, and NOx and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) were evaluated in the flaming and smoldering combustion phases. Temperature, burn rate, modified combustion efficiency, emissions factor, and particle diameter and concentration were studied. A continuous analyzer was used to quantify gas concentrations. A DataRam4 and a Cascade Impactor were used to sample PM2.5. Araucaria biomass (softwood) had a lignin content of 34.9%, higher than the 23.3% of the Amazon biomass (hardwood). CO2 and CO emissions factors seem to be influenced by lignin content. Maximum concentrations of CO2, NOx and PM2.5 were observed in the flaming phase.

In vivo fertilization of banana / Fertilização in vivo de bananeira

The aim of this research was to study the in vivo fertilization process of banana cultivars. The diploid hybrid (AA) 091087-01 was the male progenitor. Flower samples were checked for fertilization from the first to the twentieth day after pollination. The size of the diploid ovules increased gradually at the beginning of the seed formation process. On the other hand, in the AAA triploids (Cavendish subgroup), the not fertilized ovules were aborted. In the AAB triploids (Prata subgroup) some ovules were fertilized. The flowers of Grand Naine, Nanicão and 'Pacovan' cultivars presented necrosis in the distal part of the ovary on the first day after pollination. Necrosis can hinder pollen tube growth towards the ovule, which might be related to the low seed yield in 'Pacovan' cultivars and to the absence of seeds in the Cavendish subgroup cultivars.

O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar o processo de fertilização in vivo em cultivares de bananeira. Utilizou-se como genitor masculino o híbrido diploide (AA) 091087-01. Do primeiro até o vigésimo dia após a polinização, foram retiradas amostras de flores para comprovação da fertilização. Verificou-se que os óvulos de diploides aumentaram de tamanho gradualmente, iniciando o processo de formação de sementes, enquanto, nos triploides AAA (subgrupo Cavendish), ocorreu o aborto dos óvulos não fertilizados. Nos triploides AAB (subgrupo Prata), alguns óvulos são fertilizados. As flores das cultivares 'Grande Naine', 'Nanicão' e 'Pacovan' apresentaram uma necrose na região distal do ovário, detectada desde o primeiro dia após a polinização, a qual pode se constituir em uma barreira para o crescimento do tubo polínico em direção ao óvulo, o que provavelmente pode estar relacionado à baixa produção de sementes em Pacovan e à ausência de sementes em cultivares do subgrupo Cavendish.

O portfólio como dispositivo de comunicação e educação em um curso EAD na formação dos trabalhadores do Sistema Único de Saúde / The portfolio as a communication and education in a distance education course in employee training device of the Unified Health System

O objetivo desta tese é estudar a construção e o uso do portfólio, como dispositivo de comunicação e educação, em um curso de educação a distância, na formação de trabalhadores do Sistema Único de Saúde. O portfólio se constitui no que pode ser chamado um Dispositivo de Interação Virtual, que condiciona e, ao mesmo tempo, é condicionando por determinadas possibilidades de interações viabilizadas por ele. [...]. No campo da comunicação ele é habitualmente utilizado para organizar as atividades relacionadas às artes gráficas, fotografia e publicidade.Na educação, é recente o uso do portfólio em seus múltiplos aspectos, seja como dispositivo, estratégia pedagógica, como instrumento e técnica, em diferentes formas de avaliação ou, ainda, como processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Daí, a relevância, pertinência e inovação de se investigar a construção do portfolio, por meio das interações, considerando-o um dispositivo de comunicação e de educação, nomeadamente de educação permanente em saúde, em um curso EaD na saúde, especificamente no Sistema Único de Saúde. O objetivo geral da tese foi problematizar o uso do portfólio, investigando sua construção e utilização como dispositivo de comunicação e educação, na formação dos trabalhadores do Sistema Único de Saúde, visando ao seu aprimoramento. Foram aplicadas as técnicas de análise bibliográfica e documental aos documentos selecionados e a técnica de observação participante na Oficina de Formação Inicial de Tutores. A estratégia metodológica de Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo possibilitou a análise de 17 portfólios construídos e utilizados na referida oficina, do curso de especialização Ativação de Processos de Mudanças na Formação Superior de Profissionais de Saúde. Os resultados da pesquisa de tese tornaram evidentes e reconhecíveis a importância do uso do portfólio, das interações construídas a partir dele e das possibilidades criadas e exploradas por seu uso, pois, o portfólio foi considerado um dispositivo integrador, fortalecedor do processo de aprendizagem e de mudanças, sendo importante no registro e no estudo auto dirigido desse processo, além de ser importante na auto e hetero avaliação. Os resultados também evidenciaram sua subutilização e a necessidade de maior aprofundamento nas oficinas de formação inicial de tutores no referido curso. Com esta tese, pretende-se contribuir para a sistematização de metodologias e estratégias de educação a distância, por meio da construção e uso do portfólio como dispositivo de comunicação e educação para uma formação crítico-reflexiva dos trabalhadores do Sistema Único de Saúde, em consonância com o ideário da reforma sanitária, com seus princípios e suas diretrizes e com a implementação da Política Nacional de Educação Permanente em Saúde no que concerne à formação de seus trabalhadores em acordo com a atenção integral à saúde.

The objective of this thesis was to study the construction and use of portfolios as a communication and education device in a distance education course, for the training of workers in the National Health System. The portfolio is what may be called a virtual interaction device that conditions, and at the same time it is conditioned, by certain possibilities of interactions enabled by it. [...]. In the field of communication it is commonly used to organize activities related to graphic arts, photography and advertising. In education, it is recent the use of portfolios in its multiple aspects, either as device, a pedagogical strategy or as a tool and technique in different forms of assessment, or even as a teaching-learning process. Hence the importance, relevance and innovation to investigate the portfolio construction, through its interactions, considering it a communication and education device, namely in permanent health education, distance education courses on health and specifically in the Unified Health System. The overall aim of the thesis was to problematize the use of portfolios, investigating its construction and use as a communication and education device for the training of workers in the National Health System, aiming at their improvement. The techniques of bibliographical and documentary analysis to the selected documents and the technique of participant observation in the Initial Training Workshop of Tutors were applied. The strategy of the Collective Subject Discourse allowed the analysis of 17 portfolios constructed and used in that workshop of the specialization course Activation Process of Change in Higher Education of Health Professionals. The results of the thesis research become evident and recognizable the importance of using portfolios, the interactions built from it and the possibilities created and operated by its use, since the portfolio was considered an integrative device, empowering the learning process and changes in the registry it is important to the self-directed study of this process, besides being important in self and peer assessment. The results also showed its underutilization and the need for further deepening in workshops for initial training of tutors on that course. This thesis is intended to contribute to the systematization of methods and strategies for distance education, through the construction and use of portfolios as a communication device for education and a critical-reflective training workers in the National Health System, in line with the ideals of health reform, its principles and guidelines and the implementation of the National Policy of Permanent Education on Health regarding the training of its employees in accordance with the integral health care.

Percepção sócioambiental e qualidade de vida dos moradores de Pirapora do Bom Jesus, SP / Socioenvironmental perception and life quality of the residents in Pirapora do Bom Jesus, SP

Em julho de 2003, a equipe técnica da Divisão de Doenças Ocasionadas pelo Meio Ambiente - DOMA, do Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica - CVE, da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, tomou conhecimento dos problemas ambientais no município de Pirapora do Bom Jesus-SP, decorrentes da poluição do rio Tietê. A equipe realizou duas visitas ao local, observando espuma com espessura entre 50 cm e 2m aproximadamente, e intenso odor fétido. Em entrevista rápida com alguns moradores das margens do rio, os mesmos relataram ocorrência de doenças respiratórias e dermatológicas, abortos espontâneos e o óbito de um trabalhador - (catador de pedras) do leito do rio. A partir deste episódio, surgiu a necessidade de se conhecer a percepção dos moradores e os impactos em sua qualidade de vida e de saúde. O estudo baseou-se em metodologia qualitativa, tendo por objetivo geral o conhecimento da percepção dos moradores de Pirapora do Bom Jesus-SP, em relação à situação sócioambiental do município e tendo por objetivos específicos: a) possíveis inter-relacionamentos entre educação, saúde, ambiente equalidade de vida; b) identificação da percepção através do diálogo com e entre os moradores. Foram utilizadas técnicas de grupos focais e entrevistas semi-estruturadas, estando de acordo com a possibilidade de realização do pesquisador e em conformidade com a realidade local. O total de pessoas que participaram dos grupos focais e das entrevistas semiestruturadas foi de 85 adultos, sendo 64 mulheres e 21 homens, com faixa etária variando entre 15 e 77 anos. Assim pôde-se conhecer, identificar, analisar e discutir através do diálogo com e entre os moradores, a situação sócioambiental do município e os impactos em sua qualidade de vida e de saúde. Este estudo é, portanto, uma reflexão sobre como o diálogo pôde identificar a percepção dos moradores das condições sócioambiental do município e de seus problemas de saúde.

Percepção sócioambiental e qualidade de vida dos moradores de Pirapora do Bom Jesus, SP / Socioenvironmental perception and life quality of the residents in Pirapora do Bom Jesus, SP

Em julho de 2003, a equipe técnica da Divisão de Doenças Ocasionadas pelo Meio Ambiente - DOMA, do Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica - CVE, da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, tomou conhecimento dos problemas ambientais no município de Pirapora do Bom Jesus-SP, decorrentes da poluição do rio Tietê. A equipe realizou duas visitas ao local, observando espuma com espessura entre 50 cm e 2m aproximadamente, e intenso odor fétido. Em entrevista rápida com alguns moradores das margens do rio, os mesmos relataram ocorrência de doenças respiratórias e dermatológicas, abortos espontâneos e o óbito de um trabalhador - "catador de pedras" do leito do rio. A partir deste episódio, surgiu a necessidade de se conhecer a percepção dos moradores e os impactos em sua qualidade de vida e de saúde. O estudo baseou-se em metodologia qualitativa, tendo por objetivo geral o conhecimento da percepção dos moradores de Pirapora do Bom Jesus – SP, em relação à situação sócio-ambiental do município e tendo por objetivos específicos: a) possíveis inter-relacionamentos entre educação, saúde, ambiente e qualidade de vida; b) identificação da percepção através do diálogo com e entre os moradores. Foram utilizadas técnicas de grupos focais e entrevistas semi-estruturadas, estando de acordo com a possibilidade de realização do pesquisador e em conformidade com a realidade local. O total de pessoas que participaram dos grupos focais e das entrevistas semi-estruturadas foi de 85 adultos, sendo 64 mulheres e 21 homens, com faixa etária variando entre 15 e 77 anos. Assim pôde-se conhecer, identificar, analisar e discutir através do diálogo com e entre os moradores, a situação sócioambiental do município e os impactos em sua qualidade de vida e de saúde. Este estudo é, portanto, uma reflexão sobre como o diálogo pôde identificar a percepção dos moradores das condições sócioambiental do município e de seus problemas de saúde.

Aconselhamento para o teste anti-HIV: o olhar de profissionais de unidades básicas de saúde de Belo Horizonte / Counseling for the anti-HIV test: from the point of view of health professionals of primary health care units in Belo Horizonte

Trata-se de um estudo etnográfico cujo objetivo foi compreender a prática do aconselhamento para o teste anti-HIV em quatro Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Belo Horizonte, na perspectiva dos profissionais de saúde...

A supervisão do enfermeiro no trabalho do agente comunitário de saúde: uma revisão bibliográfica

O Programa de Saúde da Família acrescentou ao processo de trabalho do enfermeiro a supervisão dos agentes comunitários de saúde, ambos integrantes da equipe de saúde da família assim como outros profissionais. Este estudo objetivou buscar como a produção científica tem abordado a supervisão do enfermeiro com relação ao trabalho dos agentes comunitários de saúde. Utilizou-se a revisão da literatura narrativa como método. Verificaram-se várias deficiências na supervisão do trabalho dos ACS pelos profissionais da equipe, em especial do enfermeiro, destacando como causas a sobrecarga de atribuições ao enfermeiro, a deficiência tanto na formação dos ACS quanto dos enfermeiros e de gestores e a predominância de abordagem educativa no modelo biomédico. Os estudos ressaltaram como recomendações para melhorar a supervisão: o planejamento das atividades da equipe e do enfermeiro, a referência de um enfermeiro na coordenação municipal de saúde, a atuação multiprofissional na educação permanente dos agentes comunitários de saúde e a reformulação das escolas em consonância com uma educação transformadora.