The interplay between climate change and ageing: A systematic review of health indicators.

Climate change and rapid population ageing pose challenges for communities and public policies. This systematic review aims to gather data from studies that present health indicators establishing the connection between climate change and the physical and mental health of the older population (≥ 65 years), who experience a heightened vulnerability to the impacts of climate change when compared to other age cohorts. This review was conducted according to the PICO strategy and following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Greenfile) were searched for articles from 2015 to 2022. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria,nineteen studies were included. The findings indicated that various climate change phenomena are associated with an elevated risk of mortality and morbidity outcomes in older adults. These included cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and mental diseases, along with physical injuries. Notably, the impact of climate change was influenced by gender, socioeconomic status, education level, and age-vulnerability factors. Climate change directly affected the health of older adults through ambient temperature variability, extreme and abnormal temperatures, strong winds, sea temperature variability, extreme El Niño-southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions and droughts, and indirectly by air pollution resulting from wildfires. This review presents further evidence confirming that climate change significantly impacts the health and well-being of older adults. It highlights the urgency for implementing effective strategies to facilitate adaptation and mitigation, enhancing the overall quality of life for all individuals.

Salvage cryotherapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer will be candidates for active treatment and 20 to 50% of patients treated with organ preserving strategies recur within the prostate. Optimal treatment of recurrence is controversial. Prostate cryosurgery has been increasingly used as primary, recurrence and focal treatment for prostate cancer. METHODS: We analysed 55 patients submitted to cryotherapy as salvage treatment after recurrence. RESULTS: Study population presented with a mean age of 70.9 ± 6.2 years, mean initial PSA of 7.6 ng/ml and average prostate volume by ultrasound of 43.2 ± 14.7 grams. Mean follow-up was of 18.0 months. Biochemical free survival at one year of follow-up was of 85%. CONCLUSIONS: Cryotherapy can be an effective and safe treatment for recurrence after primary curative treatment failure.

Adaptive DCS-SOMP for Localization Parameter Estimation in 5G Networks.

In this work, we model a 5G downlink channel using millimeter-wave (mmWave) and massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (mMIMO) technologies, considering the following localization parameters: Time of Arrival (TOA), Two-Dimensional Angle of Departure (2D-AoD), and Two-Dimensional Angle of Arrival (2D-AoA), both encompassing azimuth and elevation. Our research focuses on the precise estimation of these parameters within a three-dimensional (3D) environment, which is crucial in Industry 4.0 applications such as smart warehousing. In such scenarios, determining the device localization is paramount, as products must be handled with high precision. To achieve these precise estimations, we employ an adaptive approach built upon the Distributed Compressed Sensing-Subspace Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (DCS-SOMP) algorithm. We obtain better estimations using an adaptive approach that dynamically adapts the sensing matrix during each iteration, effectively constraining the search space. The results demonstrate that our approach outperforms the traditional method in terms of accuracy, speed to convergence, and memory use.

First Report of Myrtle Rust Caused by Austropuccinia psidii in Campomanesia guazumifolia (Camb.) Berg in Brazil.

Campomanesia guazumifolia is a Brazilian fruit tree that has ecological importance and the potential to be explored by the food and medical industries (Lima et al., 2011). In February 2019, in the experimental orchard at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos city, Paraná State - Brazil, disease symptoms were observed on leaves, stems, and fruits of 22 C. guazumifolia trees. Yellow uredinia were observed on upper side of the leaves, stems, and flowers, which resembled typical uredinia of Myrtaceae rust. The pustules occurred mainly on young shoots, and on flowers, they infected their sepals. Over time, tissues colonized by the pathogen exhibited deformations and mummification occurred in infected fruits. In the orchard, the fungus affected 80% yield. Twenty diseased plant parts (from each of the eleven trees) were collected at different positions in the orchard. One strain were selected as a representative for morphological characterization, multilocus phylogenetic analysis, and pathogenicity tests. The structures observed were epiphyllous uredinia (leaves), united in small groups with hyaline and obovoid or obpyriform urediniospores, which presented echinulate ornaments, germinated pores in the subequatorial and inordinate positions (Cummins; Hiratsuka, 2003) (n = 30, 14.84 x 21.12 µm). The morphology of uredinia and urediniospores was similar to the morphological characteristics of the genus Austropuccinia previously described in Young (2019). For molecular identification, genomic DNA was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (White et al. 1990), ß-tubulin (TUB2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) (Machado et al. 2012) were amplified by PCR, and sequenced. Bayesian inference was used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree, using MrBayes v. 3.2.1 (Ronquist et al., 2012). The multilocus phylogenetic analysis clearly distinguished the isolate APCG001 as Austropuccinia psidii separating it from all other species. The sequences were deposited in GenBank (accessions nos. ITS: ON003418, TUB2: ON568196, and TEF: ON437601). For pathogenicity tests, four healthy branches (20 leaves each) were sprayed with 2.5 mL of (APCG001) uredospore suspension (105 mL-1) and covered with a plastic bag in the orchard. The air temperature ranged from 16ºC to 25ºC. Sterile distilled water was used as a control. Three replications (pathogen and control) were performed on different trees. After 6 days, symptoms of rust appeared on the plants. Control branches did not show fungal growth. The inoculation test was repeated again, confirming the initial results. This is the first report of infection by A. psidii in C. guazumifolia trees in Brazil, causing rust, necrosis, and early senescence in fruits, leaves, and stems. Myrtaceae rust reduces the C. guazumifolia leaf area, affecting photosynthetic production and reducing fruit quality.

[Human Rabies: Optimization of Prevention and Paths Towards the Cure]. / Raiva Humana: Optimização da Prevenção e Caminhos Para a Cura.

INTRODUCTION: Rabies is one of the oldest and deadliest infectious diseases known by human beings and is commonly transmitted by animal bites. Dogs have a major role in the transmission of the virus. Rabies has no approved curative therapy, and its prevention, even though it is highly effective, it is complex, expensive and challenging in terms of accessibility, particularly regarding immunoglobulin. This review aims to provide a practical approach to cost-effective prevention as well as the future perspectives regarding the development of an effective and secure cure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review article was based on a search in PubMed using the following MeSH terms: rabies, preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis, rabies immune globulin, treatment, Milwaukee Protocol. RESULTS: Concerning rabies infection, it's important to apply the prevention protocols effectively as early as possible due the unpredictable time window between infection and the appearance of symptoms. The literature shows that is possible to reduce the vaccination dosage and maintain the efficiency of the immunization, and booster vaccination is only required in specific risk groups/populations. DISCUSSION: The current philosophy of cost-effective prevention which consists of canine vaccination, restriction of vaccine overdosage used in humans and the appropriate use of rabies immunoglobulin - could make the prevention of the disease accessible for those countries that need it the most. There are several therapies in development but they're all in early stages of development. CONCLUSION: The development of new and more effective therapeutic and prophylactic approaches is a goal not yet achieved and relies on a better understanding of the disease pathophysiology.

Introdução: A raiva é uma das doenças infecciosas mais antigas e fatais conhecidas pelo ser humano e é maioritariamente transmitida por mordeduras de animais. O cão é o principal vector. A raiva não possui uma terapia curativa aprovada e a sua prevenção ainda que possua altas taxas de eficácia, é complexa, dispendiosa e nem sempre conseguida, muito devido às dificuldades de acesso da imunoglobulina. Esta revisão pretende analisar uma abordagem prática de uma prevenção custo-efectiva e as perspectivas futuras em desenvolvimento de uma cura eficaz e segura.Material e Métodos: Foi utilizada a base de dados da PubMed para pesquisa bibliográfica. Usaram-se os termos MeSH: 'rabies', 'preexposure prophylaxis', 'postexposure prophylaxis', 'rabies immune globulin', 'treatment' e 'Milwaukee Protocol'.Resultados: Relativamente à raiva, é importante executar os protocolos de prevenção atempadamente, devido à imprevisível janela de tempo entre a infecção e a sintomatologia. A literatura mostra que é possível reduzir a dose de vacina mantendo uma eficiente imunização, e que doses de reforço só são necessárias em grupos/populações de risco.Discussão: A actual filosofia de uma prevenção custo-efectiva, que assenta na vacinação canina, restrição de sobredose das vacinas usadas em seres humanos e o uso inteligente da imunoglobulina rábica ­ irá permitir maior acessibilidade da prevenção da doença aos países que mais carecem dela. Encontram-se em progresso terapias promissoras, ainda em estadios precoces de estudo.Conclusão: O desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas e profilácticas mais eficazes é um objectivo ainda não alcançado e depende de uma melhor compreensão da patogénese subjacente à doença.

Prognostic value of p16INK4a overexpression in penile cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Penile cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all male cancers in industrialized countries. It is most common in areas of high prevalence of HPV, being a third of cases attributed to the carcinogenic effect of HPV. Tumour cells infected with HPV overexpress p16INK4a, as such p16INK4a has been used as a surrogate of HPV infections. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic factor of p16INK4a overexpression in penile cancer. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with penile cancer, submitted to surgery in a Portuguese Oncological Institution in the last 20 years (n = 35). Histological review of surgical pieces and immunohistochemical identification of p16INK4a. Relation between p16INK4a and the following factors were studied: age, histological subtype, tumour dimensions, grade, TNM stage, perineural invasion, perivascular invasion, disease free survival (DFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: p16INK4a was positive in 8 patients (22.9%). Identification of p16INK4a did not correlate with none of the histopathological factors. In this work we identified a better DFS and CSS in patients positive for p16INK4a (DFS at 36 months was 100.0% vs. 66.7%; CSS at 36 months was 100.0% vs. 70.4%), although without statistical significance (p > 0.05). In multivariate analysis of histopathological factors studied, only N staging correlated with DFS and CSS (p = 0.017 and p = 0.014, respectively). DISCUSSION: the percentage of cases positive for p16INK4a is smaller than the one found in literature, which can suggest a less relevant part of HPV infection in the oncogenesis of penile cancer in the studied population. Identification of p16INK4a did not relate with other clinicopathological factors. Tendency for a more favourable prognosis in patients with p16INK4a agrees with results found in literature. The most relevant factor for prognosis is nodal staging. CONCLUSIONS: penile cancer positive for p16INK4a shows a trend for better survival, although the most relevant factor is nodal staging.

Influence of sociodemographic factors on treatment's choice for localized prostate cancer in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) are active participants in the choice of treatment. OBJECTIVES: To access the effects of social and demographic factors in the choice of treatment in cases of localized PCa, in a Portuguese population. METHODS: Identification of all patients with the diagnosis of localized PCa in the last four years in an oncological centre. Evaluation of the effects of sociodemographic factors (age, profession, literacy, marital status, district and number of inhabitants of the place of residence) in the choice of treatment. RESULTS: 300 patients with localized PCa were evaluated: 17.3% (n = 52) opted for radical prostatectomy (RP); 39,3% had (n = 118) external radiotherapy; brachytherapy in 29.3% (n = 88) and other options (active surveillance, cryotherapy and hormonal therapy) in 14.1% (n = 42). In relation to surgical treatment (RP) the following results were obtained: a) > 70 years: 3.9% (n = 5); ≤ 70 years: 27.5% (n = 47), p < 0.001; b) primary sector: 10.3% (n = 3); secondary sector: 16.2% (n = 27); tertiary sector: 24.1% (n = 21); quaternary sector: 8.3% (n = 1), p = 0.296; c) marital status married: 17.9% (n = 47); single: 0% (n = 0); divorced: 25.0% (n = 5); widow: 0% (n = 0), p = 0.734; d) residency in a city: 14.1% (n = 13); city > 4000 habitants: 22.7% (n = 15); city ≤ 4000 habitants: 16.9% (n = 24), p = 0.701. Using multinomial regression with age (p = 0.001), district (p = 0.035), marital status (p = 0.027) and profession (0.179), this model explained 17.2%-28.4% of therapeutic choices (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The main socioeconomical factor that influence treatment choice was age. Unmarried patients over 70 years choose less radical prostatectomy. Other sociodemographic factors have minor influence in the choice of the treatment.

Nrf2 positively regulates autophagy antioxidant response in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to diesel exhaust particles.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are known to generate reactive oxygen species in the respiratory system, triggering cells to activate antioxidant defence mechanisms, such as Keap1-Nrf2 signalling and autophagy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Keap1-Nrf2 signalling and autophagy pathways after DEP exposure. BEAS-2B cells were transfected with silencing RNA (siRNA) specific to Nrf2 and exposed to DEP. The relative levels of mRNA for Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, LC3B, p62 and Atg5 were determined using RT-PCR, while the levels of LCB3, Nrf2, and p62 protein were determined using Western blotting. The autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin caused a significant decrease in the production of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 compared to DEPs treatment, whereas the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane increased the LC3B (p = 0.020) levels. BEAS-2B cells exposed to DEP at a concentration of 50 µg/mL for 2 h showed a significant increase in the expression of LC3B (p = 0.001), p62 (p = 0.008), Nrf2 (p = 0.003), HO-1 (p = 0.001) and NQO1 (p = 0.015) genes compared to control. In siRNA-transfected cells, the LC3B (p < 0.001), p62 (p = 0.001) and Atg5 (p = 0.024) mRNA levels and the p62 and LC3II protein levels were decreased, indicating that Nrf2 modulated the expression of autophagy markers (R < 1). These results imply that, in bronchial cells exposed to DEP, the Nrf2 system positively regulates autophagy to maintain cellular homeostasis.

Validation of a Novel, Sensitive, and Specific Urine-Based Test for Recurrence Surveillance of Patients With Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer in a Comprehensive Multicenter Study.

Bladder cancer (BC), the most frequent malignancy of the urinary system, is ranked the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide. Of all newly diagnosed patients with BC, 70-75% will present disease confined to the mucosa or submucosa, the non-muscle-invasive BC (NMIBC) subtype. Of those, approximately 70% will recur after transurethral resection (TUR). Due to high rate of recurrence, patients are submitted to an intensive follow-up program maintained throughout many years, or even throughout life, resulting in an expensive follow-up, with cystoscopy being the most cost-effective procedure for NMIBC screening. Currently, the gold standard procedure for detection and follow-up of NMIBC is based on the association of cystoscopy and urine cytology. As cystoscopy is a very invasive approach, over the years, many different noninvasive assays (both based in serum and urine samples) have been developed in order to search genetic and protein alterations related to the development, progression, and recurrence of BC. TERT promoter mutations and FGFR3 hotspot mutations are the most frequent somatic alterations in BC and constitute the most reliable biomarkers for BC. Based on these, we developed an ultra-sensitive, urine-based assay called Uromonitor®, capable of detecting trace amounts of TERT promoter (c.1-124C > T and c.1-146C > T) and FGFR3 (p.R248C and p.S249C) hotspot mutations, in tumor cells exfoliated to urine samples. Cells present in urine were concentrated by the filtration of urine through filters where tumor cells are trapped and stored until analysis, presenting long-term stability. Detection of the alterations was achieved through a custom-made, robust, and highly sensitive multiplex competitive allele-specific discrimination PCR allowing clear interpretation of results. In this study, we validate a test for NMIBC recurrence detection, using for technical validation a total of 331 urine samples and 41 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of the primary tumor and recurrence lesions from a large cluster of urology centers. In the clinical validation, we used 185 samples to assess sensitivity/specificity in the detection of NMIBC recurrence vs. cystoscopy/cytology and in a smaller cohort its potential as a primary diagnostic tool for NMIBC. Our results show this test to be highly sensitive (73.5%) and specific (93.2%) in detecting recurrence of BC in patients under surveillance of NMIBC.

Evaluation of mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of Pb and Cd in contaminated soil using TCLP, BCR and earthworms.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the reduction of mobility, availability and toxicity found in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from Santo Amaro Municipality, Bahia, Brazil using two combined methods, commonly tested separately according to the literature: metal mobilization with phosphates and phytoextraction. The strategy applied was the treatment with two sources of phosphates (separately and mixed) followed by phytoremediation with vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)). The treatments applied (in triplicates) were: T1-potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4); T2-reactive natural phosphate fertilizer (NRP) and; T3-a mixture 1:1 of KH2PO4 and NRP. After this step, untreated and treated soils were planted with vetiver grass. The extraction procedures and assays applied to contaminated soil before and after the treatments included metal mobility test (TCLP); sequential extraction with BCR method; toxicity assays with Eisenia andrei. The soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for Pb and Cd were estimated in all cases. All treatments with phosphates followed by phytoremediation reduced the mobility and availability of Pb and Cd, being KH2PO4 (T1) plus phytoremediation the most effective one. Soil toxicity however, remained high after all treatments.

Metabolic syndrome and sexual (dys)function.

INTRODUCTION: The general worldwide increase in metabolic syndrome (MS) among most populations may result in more individuals with sexual dysfunction. AIM: To provide an update on clinical and experimental evidence regarding sexual dysfunction in patients with MS from both sexes and treatment modalities. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE with the MeSH terms and keywords for "metabolic syndrome,""obesity,""female sexual dysfunction,""erectile dysfunction,""androgen deficiency,""weight loss," and "bariatric surgery." MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To examine the data relating to sexual function in both men and women with MS, its relationship and the impact of treatment. RESULTS: The MS is strongly correlated with erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism (predictors of future development of MS), and female sexual dysfunction. Few studies have been addressed in the treatment of these dysfunctions in the special setting of MS, other than the observational effects on sexual function of individual risk factors correction. This can be a result of their understudied etiopathogeny. Nonsurgical weight loss has been shown to improve sexual function (with the mainstay on sedentarism prevention), whereas the efficacy of bariatric surgery in this respect, which has been suggested by some preliminary evidence, needs to be further confirmed by adequate clinical trials. CONCLUSION: As the global incidence of MS increases, more individuals may experience sexual dysfunction and a systematic evaluation should be emphasized in this patient population, in order to identify those who are in need of intervention.

Psicossociologia do esporte: um jogo paradoxal de forças inconscientes / Psycosociology of sport: a paradoxical game of unconscious forces

Este estudo pretendeu proporcionar uma discussão sobre o esporte e a atuação do psicólogo nesta esfera. No Brasil, existem poucos estudos e pesquisas no campo da Psicologia do esporte. Não obstante, o esporte segue o fluxo de manifestações inconscientes na raiz de um jogo poderoso de forças psicológicas e sociais, cujas resultantes são delimitadores de cenários em que técnicos e atletas, com frequência, ultrapassam os limites de suas capacidades físicas e mentais, suscitando-se questionamentos a respeito das implicações do esporte sobre a saúde. O atleta vivencia constantes situações de críticas, nas quais mecanismos de defesa, comportamentos anômalos, depressão e somatizações surgem como saídas para fazer frente às pressões e ameaças que gravitam o ambiente de competição. É neste cenário que o atleta vencedor surge como herói, figura dominante no imaginário que constela imagens pregnantes de modelos de realidade e aprendizagem social. Assim, as forças impulsoras e limitantes da modernidade, o levam a tentar cumprir o lema 'vencer, a qualquer custo!' Também são examinadas questões sobre ética em reflexões sobre dúvidas, obrigações e comportamento no ambiente institucional.

This study aimed to provide a discussion about sport and the practice of psychologists in this sphere. In Brazil, there are few studies and researches regarding the field of sport Psychology. Nevertheless, sports follow the flow of unconscious manifestations of a powerful game between social and psychological forces, whose resultants are delimiters of sceneries in which technicians and athletes often cross the boundaries of their physical and psychological capacities which brings into question the implications of sport to the health. The constant exposure to critical situations leads to defenses mechanisms, anomalous behaviors, depression and psychosomatic diseases, ways that athletes find to deal with pressures and treats involved into competitions. In this scenery, winners appear as heroes, dominant figures into the imaginary where images, pregnant of realities models and social learning gravitate. Therefore, impelling and limiting forces of the modern society can be synthesized in the expression 'Win at any cost!' Also questions concerning ethics and reflections of doubts, duties and behavior in the institutional environment are examined.

Psicossociologia do esporte: um jogo paradoxal de forças inconscientes / Psycosociology of sport: a paradoxical game of unconscious forces

Este estudo pretendeu proporcionar uma discussão sobre o esporte e a atuação do psicólogo nesta esfera. No Brasil, existem poucos estudos e pesquisas no campo da Psicologia do esporte. Não obstante, o esporte segue o fluxo de manifestações inconscientes na raiz de um jogo poderoso de forças psicológicas e sociais, cujas resultantes são delimitadores de cenários em que técnicos e atletas, com freqüência, ultrapassam os limites de suas capacidades físicas e mentais, suscitando-se questionamentos a respeito das implicações do esporte sobre a saúde. O atleta vivencia constantes situações de críticas, nas quais mecanismos de defesa, comportamentos anômalos, depressão e somatizações surgem como saídas para fazer frente às pressões e ameaças que gravitam o ambiente de competição. É neste cenário que o atleta vencedor surge como herói, figura dominante no imaginário que constela imagens pregnantes de modelos de realidade e aprendizagem social. Assim, as forças impulsoras e limitantes da modernidade, o levam a tentar cumprir o lema 'vencer, a qualquer custo!' Também são examinadas questões sobre ética em reflexões sobre dúvidas, obrigações e comportamento no ambiente institucional(AU)

This study aimed to provide a discussion about sport and the practice of psychologists in this sphere. In Brazil, there are few studies and researches regarding the field of sport Psychology. Nevertheless, sports follow the flow of unconscious manifestations of a powerful game between social and psychological forces, whose resultants are delimiters of sceneries in which technicians and athletes often cross the boundaries of their physical and psychological capacities which brings into question the implications of sport to the health. The constant exposure to critical situations leads to defenses mechanisms, anomalous behaviors, depression and psychosomatic diseases, ways that athletes find to deal with pressures and treats involved into competitions. In this scenery, winners appear as heroes, dominant figures into the imaginary where images, pregnant of realities models and social learning gravitate. Therefore, impelling and limiting forces of the modern society can be synthesized in the expression 'Win at any cost!' Also questions concerning ethics and reflections of doubts, duties and behavior in the institutional environment are examined(AU)

[Ocular changes during pregnancy]. / Mudanças oculares durante a gestação.

Pregnancy can cause several alterations in human eye function in healthy condition as well in ocular disease; these effects on the eyes are divided into three categories: physiologic alterations, ocular diseases changes already existing before the pregnancy, and pathological alterations. The present text proposes a bibliographical revision on the theme. The authors researched PubMed (MEDLINE) and LILACS databases.

Mudanças oculares durante a gestação / Ocular changes during pregnancy

A gestação pode causar várias alterações no funcionamento do olho humano, tanto nas condições sistêmicas quanto em doenças oculares, sendo seus efeitos divididos em três categorias: alterações fisiológicas, mudanças em doenças oculares pré-existentes e alterações patológicas. O presente texto propõe uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema. Os autores pesquisaram os bancos de dados do PubMed (MEDLINE) e LILACS.

Pregnancy can cause several alterations in human eye function in healthy condition as well in ocular disease; these effects on the eyes are divided into three categories: physiologic alterations, ocular diseases changes already existing before the pregnancy, and pathological alterations. The present text proposes a bibliographical revision on the theme. The authors researched PubMed (MEDLINE) and LILACS databases.

Variáveis relacionadas à estabilidade de complexos organo-minerais em solos tropicais e subtropicais brasileiros / Selected soil-variables related to the stability of organo-minerals complexes in tropical and subtropical brazilian soils

A estabilidade de complexos organo-minerais é uma característica importante quanto à química e física de solos tropicais e subtropicais. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar variáveis relacionadas à estabilidade de complexos organo-minerais, avaliada pela energia de ultra-som necessária para a dispersão total do solo em partículas primárias, em seis solos das regiões Sul e Centro-Oeste do Brasil com textura e mineralogia distintas. A energia de ultra-som necessária para dispersão total dos solos variou de 239 a 2.389J mL-1, sendo diretamente relacionada aos teores de carbono orgânico (R²=0,799, P<0,05). A mineralogia da fração argila teve um papel determinante na estabilidade dos complexos organo-minerais, a qual foi relacionada aos teores de óxidos de ferro de baixa cristalinidade (R²=0,586, P<0,10), mas não teve relação com os teores totais de óxido de ferro pedogênicos. A análise qualitativa da fração argila, realizada por difratometria de raios-X, demonstrou que a estabilidade dos complexos organo-minerais variou positivamente em função das proporções de gibbsita e de goethita na fração argila, o que reforça o papel desses minerais na proteção física e estabilidade coloidal da matéria orgânica em solos tropicais e subtropicais.

The stability of organo-mineral complexes is an important characteristic related to the soil chemistry and physics of tropical and subtropical soils. This study was aimed at identifing the variables related to the stability of organo-mineral complexes, evaluated by ultrasonic energy necessary to complete soil dispersion, of six soils from South and West-Center regions of Brazil with distint texture and mineralogy. The ultrasonic energy to complete soil dispersion varied from 239 a 2389J mL-1, and was positively related to the soil organic carbon concentrations (R²=0.799, P<0.05). The clay mineralogy had an important role to the stability of organo-mineral complexes, which were related to the content of low cristalinity iron oxides (R²=0.586, P<0.10), but did not had relationship with the total pedogenic iron oxides. The qualitative analysis of the clay mineralogy, by X-ray diffraction, evidenced that gibbsite and goethite are the main clay minerals related to the stability of organo-mineral complexes, reinforcing the importance of these minerals on the physical protection and coloidal stability of the soil organic matter in the tropical and subtropical soils.

Potential of carbon accumulation in no-till soils with intensive use and cover crops in southern Brazil.

The area under no-till (NT) in Brazil reached 22 million ha in 2004-2005, of which approximately 45% was located in the southern states. From the 1970s to the mid-1980s, this region was a source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere due to decrease of soil carbon (C) stocks and high consumption of fuel by intensive tillage. Since then, NT has partially restored the soil C lost and reduced the consumption of fossil fuels. To assess the potential of C accumulation in NT soils, four long-term experiments (7-19 yr) in subtropical soils (Paleudult, Paleudalf, and Hapludox) varying in soil texture (87-760 g kg(-1) of clay) in agroecologic southern Brazil zones (central region, northwest basaltic plateau in Rio Grande Sul, and west basaltic plateau in Santa Catarina) and with different cropping systems (soybean and maize) were investigated. The lability of soil organic matter (SOM) was calculated as the ratio of total organic carbon (TOC) to particulate organic carbon (POC), and the role of physical protection on stability of SOM was evaluated. In general, TOC and POC stocks in native grass correlated closely with clay content. Conversely, there was no clear effect of soil texture on C accumulation rates in NT soils, which ranged from 0.12 to 0.59 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1). The C accumulation was higher in NT than in conventional-till (CT) soils. The legume cover crops pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] and velvet beans (Stizolobium cinereum Piper & Tracy) in NT maize cropping systems had the highest C accumulation rates (0.38-0.59 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1)). The intensive cropping systems also were effective in increasing the C accumulation rates in NT soils (0.25-0.34 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1)) when compared to the double-crop system used by farmers. These results stress the role of N fixation in improving the tropical and subtropical cropping systems. The physical protection of SOM within soil aggregates was an important mechanism of C accumulation in the sandy clay loam Paleudult under NT. The cropping system and NT effects on C stocks were attributed to an increase in the lability of SOM, as evidenced by the higher POC to TOC ratio, which is very important to C and energy flux through the soil.

Dinâmica e intervenção psicológica em uma equipe de voleibol masculina / Dynamic and psychological intervention in masculine volleyball team

O comportamento de liderança consiste em um dos fatores que mais influenciam no esporte de alto rendimento. As ações de comando representam um verdadeiro campo de forças na sustentação da estrutura organizacional e funcional das equipes, constituindo uma das principais características da personalidade de técnicos esportivos na implementação e manutenção de boas relações humanas e boas relações operativas. Sob esses aspectos, o técnico, no papel de líder, desempenha uma função integradora entre os componentes da equipe, não só porque implementa idéias, normas e valores, mas também porque é depositário dos anseios e necessidades dos atletas. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a forma pela qual os atletas descrevem o comportamento de liderança do técnico frente à equipe (real-equipe), comparado à forma pela qual o técnico descreve a sua própria liderança (Ideal-Próprio), durante um período de 10 meses, abrangendo o diagnóstico e a intervenção psicológica. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram: um técnico e 16 atletas de voleibol, sexo masculino, média de idade 25,6 anos. O sistema de avaliação foi o ACS 3, constituído por dois conjuntos de 30 questões descritivas e objetivas do comportamento de técnicos-líderes. Os resultados indicaram que: a) existem tendências conflitantes entre a auto-avaliação do técnico Ideal-Próprio e a avaliação dos atletas Real-equipe nas dimensões envolvidas pelo comportamento de liderança dos técnicos esportivos: relações interativas eoperativas; b) o trabalho de intervenção psicológica propiciou um clima ambiental mais favorável, frente às dificuldades interativas e funcionais envolvidas na equipe; c) padrões de comportamentos restritivos e proibitivos tendem a mudar, tanto positivos como negativamente, no desenvolvimento do processo de intervenção psicológica prevaleceram os aspectos mais positivos no final.

Gestos e expressões faciais de árbitro, atletas e torcedores em um estádio de futebol: uma análise das imagens transmitidas pela televisão / Gestures and facial expressions of referees, athletes and funs in a soccer stadium: an analysis of images transmitted by television

O processo de observação, descrição e registro dos comportamentos tem sido tema constante de discussões na área científica do esporte de competição. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o conteúdo das mensagens não-verbais implícitas nas manifestações gestuais e expressões faciais de atletas, árbitros e torcedores no transcorrer de uma partida de futebol televisionada. As expressões faciais e manifestações gestuais de atletas, árbitros e torcedores foram classificadas em emblemas, ilustradores, demonstradores de afeto, reguladores e adaptadores, de acordo com as categorizadas estabelecidas por EKMAN e FRIESEN (1969). Os procedimentos metodológicos foram desenvolvidos pelos próprios pesquisadores: as imagens transmitidas pela televisão foram gravadas em vídeo, fotografadas com uma câmeradigital Kodak DC 3200, tratadas e analisadas no programa Corel Draw 9.0. O estudo científico da comunicação não-verbal implícita as imagens do futebol, atravessado pelo recorte midiático revela um campo importante de estudos no âmbito da psicossociologia do esporte. Os resultados evidenciam emblemas com significados verbais explícitos, demonstrações de afetos, busca de autocontrole. Conclui-se que o estudo contribui para caracterizar a atmosfera do futebol, como estado espetáculo (ações, emoções e sentimentos que contagiam os torcedores), e emblemas e manifestações com significados rituais e religiosos exercem papel determinante na definição do futebol como fenômeno social e mental, permeado por mensagens subliminares, inserindo-o numa esfera análoga às crenças e reeditando o esporte como mito.

Aspectos relacionados ao comportamento sexual e conhecimento sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis de um grupo de estudantes da Universidade de São Paulo / Aspects related to sexual behavior and kowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and aids in a group of Universidade de São Paulo students

Objetivo: Avaliar aspectos relacionados ao comportamento sexual e conhecimento sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) e AIDS de um grupo de estudantes da Universidade de São Paulo. Material e métodos: O total de 447 estudantes de direito, medicina e comunicação e artes participaram da pesquisa. O instrumento utilizado para coleta de dados foi um questionário individual, auto-aplicável e anônimo, preenchido dentro da sala de aula.Resultados: aproximadamente 70 por cento dos estudantes já tinham iniciado a atividade sexual...