Optimized allocation of forest restoration zones to minimize soil losses in watersheds.

Increase of water erosion is one of the main problems in watersheds all over the world and directly affects soil and water resources, causing economic and environmental losses. We proposed a combination of Genetic Algorithm and Erosion/Deposition modelling to allocate vegetation zones in order to reduce soil losses within watersheds. In this study, we have used Unit Stream Power Based Erosion Deposition (USPED) model to predict the spatial distribution of erosion and sediment deposition. Based on USPED estimates, Genetic Algorithm optimize site as well size of forest restoration zones in order to reduce soil losses. Proposed approach considered watershed entirely, in a cell-level optimization, to find the best possible arrangement of forest zones. For initial scenario, soil loss estimate was 2.045,55 ton. ha-1. year-1 and after optimization we achieved 52% reduction. Optimized forest zones formed connected and compacted patches, which enable field implementation. Methodology is also applicable to other watersheds around world.

Markov chains and cellular automata to predict environments subject to desertification.

The foremost objective of this study was to analyze the performance of a Markov chain/cellular automata model for predicting land use/land cover changes in environments predisposed to desertification. The study area is the Vieira river basin, located in Montes Claros (MG, Brazil). Land use/land cover prognosis was performed for the year 2005 so that this result could be compared with the ranked image for the same year, taken as ground truth. Kappa indices were used to evaluate the change level that occurred between these two cases. Results from cellular automata were evaluated from those of the Markov chain model. The latter proved to be efficient in the quantitative prediction of changes in land use/land cover. Regarding the cellular automata, an average performance was noted in the spatial distribution of classes. Specifically, with regard to desertification, the use of the CA-Markov model was effective at estimating the total area of the most susceptible class to this process, Bare Soil; however, it was inefficient in its spatialization. Even with the caveats related to the performance of cellular automata, the overall prediction capacity of CA-Markov models can be considered as good.

A new methodology for royalties distribution of the Itaipu hydroelectric plant: The hydrographic basin as the unit of analysis.

Over the past few years, many sectors such as energy generation, industry, domestic supply, and agriculture have encountered serious environmental problems due to the lack of rainfall. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to review the current methodology of royalties distribution from Itaipu hydroelectric plant. In the proposed approach, two criteria were considered to establish the division of Itaipu royalties: (1) the relative percentage of the water flow in the generation of electricity and, (2) the relative percentage of the drop in the height of water. 62 hydroelectric plants were evaluated in this study. In 52 plants the water flow was the factor that most contributed to the generation of electricity. In 2013, 346 municipalities benefited the Itaipu royalties. With the proposed methodology, 1,327 municipalities will receive the resource, what would increase the revenue of each of these municipalities by, on average, US$ 87,436.91 per year. The methodology presented herein proposes a reduction in the environmental disparity that now exists in Brazil, through improvement to Government instruments and environmental policies. The distribution of royalties throughout the watershed can provide additional resources to support payment programs for environmental services at the state and municipality levels.

Spatial and temporal distribution of urban heat islands.

The formation of an urban heat island (UHI) is one of the most common impacts of the urbanization process. To mitigate the effects of UHI, the planning of urban forests (e.g., creation of parks, forests and afforestation streets) has been the major tool applied in this context. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of heat islands in Vila Velha, ES, Brazil using the mono-window algorithm. The study followed these methodological steps: 1) mapping of urban green areas through a photointerpretation screen; 2) application of the mono-window algorithm to obtain the spatial and temporal patterns of land surface temperature (LST); 3) correlation between LST and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference build-up index (NDBI); 4) application of ecological evaluation index. The results showed that the mean values of LST in urban areas were at least 2.34 to 7.19°C higher than undeveloped areas. Moreover, the positive correlation between LST and NDBI showed an amplifying effect of the developed areas for UHI, while areas with a predominance of vegetation attenuated the effect of UHI. Urban centers, clustered in some parts of the city, received the worst ecological assessment index. Finally, the adoption of measures to guide the urban forest planning within urban centers is necessary to mitigate the effect of heat islands and provide thermal comfort in urban areas.

Fuzzy logic applied to prospecting for areas for installation of wood panel industries.

Prospecting for suitable areas for forestry operations, where the objective is a reduction in production and transportation costs, as well as the maximization of profits and available resources, constitutes an optimization problem. However, fuzzy logic is an alternative method for solving this problem. In the context of prospecting for suitable areas for the installation of wood panel industries, we propose applying fuzzy logic analysis for simulating the planting of different species and eucalyptus hybrids in Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The necessary methodological steps for this study are as follows: a) agriclimatological zoning of different species and eucalyptus hybrids; b) the selection of the vector variables; c) the application of the Euclidean distance to the vector variables; d) the application of fuzzy logic to matrix variables of the Euclidean distance; and e) the application of overlap fuzzy logic to locate areas for installation of wood panel industries. Among all the species and hybrids, Corymbia citriodora showed the highest percentage values for the combined very good and good classes, with 8.60%, followed by Eucalyptus grandis with 8.52%, Eucalyptus urophylla with 8.35% and Urograndis with 8.34%. The fuzzy logic analysis afforded flexibility in prospecting for suitable areas for the installation of wood panel industries in the Espírito Santo State can bring great economic and social benefits to the local population with the generation of jobs, income, tax revenues and GDP increase for the State and municipalities involved. The proposed methodology can be adapted to other areas and agricultural crops.

Itaipu royalties: The role of the hydroelectric sector in water resource management.

For countries dependent on hydroelectricity, water scarcity poses a real risk. Hydroelectric plants are among the most vulnerable enterprises to climate change. Investing in the conservation of the hydrographic basin is a solution found by the hydropower sector. Given the importance of the Itaipu plant to the energy matrix of Brazil and Paraguay, the aim of this study is to review the current distribution of royalties from Itaipu, using the hydrographic basin as a of criterion of analysis. Approximately 98.73% of the Itaipu basin is in Brazil. The flow contributes 99% of the total electricity generated there, while the drop height of the water contributes only 1%. Under the current policy, royalties are shared equally between Brazil and Paraguay. In the proposed approach, each country would receive a percentage for their participation in the drop height and water flow in the output of the turbines, which are intrinsic factors for electricity generation. Thus, Brazil would receive 98.35% of the royalties and Paraguay, 1.65%. The inclusion of the hydrographic basin as a criterion for the distribution of royalties will promote more efficient water resource management, since the payment will be distributed throughout the basin of the plant. The methodology can be applied to hydroelectric projects worldwide.

Geotechnology and landscape ecology applied to the selection of potential forest fragments for seed harvesting.

The Atlantic Forest biome is recognized for its biodiversity and is one of the most threatened biomes on the planet, with forest fragmentation increasing due to uncontrolled land use, land occupation, and population growth. The most serious aspect of the forest fragmentation process is the edge effect and the loss of biodiversity. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of forest fragmentation and select potential forest fragments with a higher degree of conservation for seed harvesting in the Itapemirim river basin, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Image classification techniques, forest landscape ecology, and multi-criteria analysis were used to evaluate the evolution of forest fragmentation to develop the landscape metric indexes, and to select potential forest fragments for seed harvesting for the years 1985 and 2013. According to the results, there was a reduction of 2.55% of the occupancy of the fragments in the basin between the years 1985 and 2013. For the years 1985 and 2013, forest fragment units 2 and 3 were spatialized with a high potential for seed harvesting, representing 6.99% and 16.01% of the total fragments, respectively. The methodology used in this study has the potential to be used to support decisions for the selection of potential fragments for seed harvesting because selecting fragments in different environments by their spatial attributes provides a greater degree of conservation, contributing to the protection and conscious management of the forests. The proposed methodology can be adapted to other areas and different biomes of the world.

Influence of relief on permanent preservation areas.

Many countries have environmental legislation to protecting natural resources on private property. In Brazil, the Brazilian Forestry Code determines specific areas to maintain with natural vegetation cover, known as areas of permanent preservation (APP). Currently, there are few studies that relate topographic variables on APP. In this context, we sought to evaluate the influence of relief on the conservation of areas of permanent preservation (APP) in the areas surrounding Caparaó National Park, Brazil. By using the chi-squared statistical test, we verified that the presence of forest cover is closely associated with altitude. The classes of APP in better conservation status are slopes in addition to hilltops and mountains, whereas APP streams and springs are among the areas most affected by human activities. The most deforested areas are located at altitudes below 1100.00 m and on slopes less than 45°. All orientations of the sides were significant for APP conservation status, with the southern, southeastern, and southwestern sides showing the lower degrees of impact. The methodology can be adjusted to environmental legislation to other countries.

Integridade do músculo subescapular após a cirurgia aberta para tratamento da luxação recidivante glenoumeral: avaliação clínica e radiológica / Integrity of the subscapularis tendon after open surgery for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability: a clinical and radiological evaluation

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a integridade do músculo subescapular através da força, função e ressonância nuclear magnética após acesso deltopeitoral para tratamento da luxação glenoumeral anterior recidivante. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 20 pacientes com luxação recidivante do ombro. Todos os casos possuíam seguimento mínimo de 12 meses, com média de 40 meses. Os pacientes eram todos do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 29 anos (20-42 anos). Os pacientes foram submetidos a exame físico para avaliar mobilidade, força muscular, "Belly" Teste e teste de Gerber. A força isocinética em rotação interna e externa, em velocidades angulares de 60º/s e 180º/s, em ambos os ombros, foi medida utilizando-se um dinamômetro. Em 15 pacientes foi realizada ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) em ambos os ombros para avaliação da espessura, área e possível hipotrofia do músculo subescapular. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença significativa entre os picos de torque para a velocidade de 60º/s para as rotações interna (p = 0,036) e externa (p = 0,008). Porém, para a velocidade de 180º/s a situação se inverte (rotação interna: p = 0,133; rotação externa: p = 0,393). A espessura e a área do subescapular são significativamente menores que as do lado normal, com déficit de 19 por cento e 23 por cento, respectivamente. De acordo com os escores de Rowe e da UCLA, observamos excelentes e bons resultados na maioria dos pacientes, com média de 88 e 31,6 pontos, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar dos bons resultados funcionais, a cirurgia aberta pode restringir a força, bem como reduzir a espessura e a área da seção transversal do músculo subescapular. Os melhores resultados ocorreram no lado dominante.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the integrity of the subscapularis tendon by strength, function and magnetic resonance imaging after deltopectoralis access for anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: 20 patients with anterior shoulder instability have been evaluated. Minimum follow-up was 12 months, with a mean of 40 months. Only male patients were included, with a mean of age of 29 years (20 - 42 years). The patients have been submitted to physical examinations of mobility, muscular strength, Belly Test and Gerber Test. The isokinetic strength in internal and external rotation, in angular speeds of 60º/s and 180º/s, for both shoulders was measured using a dynamometer. In 15 patients magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on both shoulders for evaluating the thickness, cross-sectional area and atrophy of the subscapularis muscle. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between torque peaks at the speed of 60º/s for internal (p=0.036) and external (p=0.008) rotation. However, at 180º/s the opposite happens (internal rotation: p=0.133; external rotation: p=0.393). Subscapularis muscle thickness and area are significantly smaller than the normal side, with a deficit of 19 percent and 23 percent, respectively. According to Rowe and UCLA scores, we find excellent and good results for the majority of patients, with a mean of 88 and 31.6 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite of the good functional results, open surgery can limit strength and reduce the thickness and the cross-sectional area of subscapularis muscle. However, the best results were found in the patients who had the dominant side operated.

INTEGRITY OF THE SUBSCAPULARIS TENDON AFTER OPEN SURGERY FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR SHOULDER INSTABILITY: A CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL EVALUATION.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the integrity of the subscapularis tendon by strength, function and magnetic resonance imaging after deltopectoralis access for anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: 20 patients with anterior shoulder instability have been evaluated. Minimum follow-up was 12 months, with a mean of 40 months. Only male patients were included, with a mean of age of 29 years (20 - 42 years). The patients have been submitted to physical examinations of mobility, muscular strength, Belly Test and Gerber Test. The isokinetic strength in internal and external rotation, in angular speeds of 60(0)/s and 180(0)/s, for both shoulders was measured using a dynamometer. In 15 patients magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on both shoulders for evaluating the thickness, cross-sectional area and atrophy of the subscapularis muscle. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between torque peaks at the speed of 60(0)/s for internal (p=0.036) and external (p=0.008) rotation. However, at 180(0)/s the opposite happens (internal rotation: p=0.133; external rotation: p=0.393). Subscapularis muscle thickness and area are significantly smaller than the normal side, with a deficit of 19% and 23%, respectively. According to Rowe and UCLA scores, we find excellent and good results for the majority of patients, with a mean of 88 and 31.6 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite of the good functional results, open surgery can limit strength and reduce the thickness and the cross-sectional area of subscapularis muscle. However, the best results were found in the patients who had the dominant side operated.

Cancer de mama masculino / Male breast carcinoma

O carcinoma de mama em homens jovens é uma patologia de baixa incidência, correspondendo a apenas 1 por cento de todas as neoplasias de mama diagnosticadas. Seu pico de incidência é 5 a 10 anos mais tardio do que nas mulheres, apresentado-se em torno de 60 anos de idade. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente com 42 anos com diagnóstico anatomopatológico de Carcinoma Ductal Infiltrante, estadiado em pT2pN1bii pMO. A maioria dos pacientes relatam a presença de nódulo palpável(80 a 90 por cento). Clinicamente, a doença comporta-se como nas mulheres, apresentando prognóstico semelhante quando em estágios iguais

Endometriose de parede vesical / Endometriosis of bladder

A endometriose de bexiga é um achado raro. Acontece, geralmente, após ferimento da mesma. Nesse caso, surgiu após trauma vesical em cesariana. Formou-se um endometrioma no assoalho da bexiga, que causava disúria importante no período menstrual. O endometrioma foi ressecado e realizou-se histerectomia total. A paciente encontra-se assintomática após um ano de cirurgia

Biópsia aspirativa com agulha fina / Fine needle aspiration biopsy

A biopsia aspirativa com agulha fina é uma técnica citológica para diagnóstico, necessitando de uma amostra bem menor que a necessária para o exame histológico. Com o aperfeiçoamento das técnicas de diagnóstico por imagem (ultra-sonografia, tomografia computadorizada), a biópsia aspirativa com agulha fina tem se expandido para alcançar praticamente qualquer órgäo do corpo e lesöes pequenas. Esta revisäo visa atualizar o médico da importância da biópsia aspirativa com agulha fina no auxílio ao diagnóstico, mostrando suas indicaçöes, vantagens e complicaçöes