Altitude conditions seem to determine the evolution of COVID-19 in Brazil.

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Brazil, a country of continental dimensions, but the incidence of the disease is showing to be very heterogeneous, affecting cities and regions differently. Thus, there is a gap regarding what factors would contribute to accentuate the differences in the incidence of COVID-19 among Brazilian cities. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of altitude on the incidence of COVID-19 in Brazilian cities. We analyzed the relative incidence (RI), the relative death rate (RDR) of COVID-19, and air relative humidity (RH) in all 154 cities in Brazil with a population above 200 thousand inhabitants, located between 5 and 1135 m in altitude. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to compare a relationship between altitude with RI and RDR, and between RH with RI and RDR. Altitudes were classified into three classes [low (altitude ≤ 97 m a. s. l), middle (97 < altitude ≤ 795 m a. s. l), high (795 < altitude ≤ 1135 m a. s. l)] for the RI, RDR, and RH variables. To compare the three classes of altitude, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were used to compare averages (p < 0.05). Our epidemiological analysis found that the RI, RDR, and RH were lower in cities located in high altitudes (795 < altitude ≤ 1135 m a. s. l) when compared to the middle (97 < altitude ≤ 795 m a. s. l) and low (altitude ≤ 97 m a. s. l) cities altitudes. Furthermore, our study shows that there is a negative correlation between the incidence of COVID-19 with altitude and a positive correlation with RH in the cities analyzed. Brazilian cities with high altitude and low RH have lower RI and RDR from COVID-19. Thus, high altitude cities may be favorable to shelter people at risk. This study may be useful for understanding the behavior of SARS-CoV2, and start point for future studies to establish causality of environmental conditions with SARS-CoV2 contributing to the implementation of measures to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

Genesis and properties of wetland soils by VIS-NIR-SWIR as a technique for environmental monitoring.

Wetlands are important ecosystems characterized by redoximorphic environments producing typical soil forming processes and organic carbon accumulation. Assessments and management of these areas are dependent on knowledge about soil characteristics and variability. By reflectance spectroscopy, information about soils can be obtained since their spectral behaviors are directly related to their chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties reflecting the pedogenetic processes and environment conditions. Our aims were: (a) to characterize the main soil classes of wetlands regarding their spectral behaviors in VIS-NIR-SWIR (350-2500 nm) and relate them to pedogenesis and environmental conditions, (b) to determine spectral ranges (bands) with greater expression of the main soil properties, (c) to identify spectral variations and similarities between hydromorphic soils from wetlands and other soils under different moisture conditions, and (d) to propose spectral models to quantify some chemical and physical soil properties used as environmental quality indicators. Nine soil profiles from the Pantanal region (Mato Grosso State, Brazil) and one from the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) were investigated. Spectral morphology interpretation allowed identifying horizon differences regarding shape, absorption features and reflectance intensity. Some pedogenetic processes of wetland soils related to organic carbon accumulation and oxide iron variation were identified by spectra. Principal Component Analysis allowed discriminating soils from wetland and outside this area (oxidic environment). Quantification of organic carbon was possible with R2 of 0.90 and low error. Quantification of clay content was masked by soils with organic carbon content over 2% where it was not possible to quantify with high R2 and low error both properties when dataset has soil samples with high organic carbon content. By reflectance spectroscopy, important characteristics of wetland soils can be identified and used to distinguish from soils of different environments at low costs, reduced time, and with environmental quality.

Evaluation of no-tillage of common bean in a native field in the high Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Avaliação do plantio direto de feijão em campo nativo no alto Vale do Jequitinhonha, MG

High Jequitinhonha Valley is a region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, where agriculture is underdeveloped and the agricultural systems have low efficiency and yield rates. As a result, environmental degradation rates are high, and it is thus necessary to adjust the soil management techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the notillage of common bean with the direct desiccation of a sandy soil native field of High Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study followed a randomized block design, with two replicates (treatments: conventional tillage and notillage) in five blocks. The following outcomes were evaluated: the chemical properties of a Quartzarenic Neosol (Entisol), the nutritional status and yield of common bean farmed under conventional tillage and no-tillage via the direct application of desiccant to the natural vegetation during three crop cycles. The adoption no-tillage in the native field improved the chemical attributes of the sandy soil, with altered the nutritional status and increased the yield of the common bean after three crop cycles under the conditions of High Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The soil contents of organic carbon, P, Ca, Mg, and CEC in the 0-0.1 m soil layer were higher under no-tillage than conventional tillage. The leaf contents of N, Mg, S, and Zn increased whereas the leaf contents of P, K, Fe, and Mn decreased throughout the crop cycles. Deficiencies of P, Fe, and Mn were observed in the common bean leaves during the last crop cycle under notillage.

O Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha é uma região do estado de Minas Gerais onde a agricultura é pouco desenvolvida, e os sistemas agrícolas possuem eficiências e índices de produtividade baixos. Como resultado, as taxas de degradação ambiental são altas, sendo necessário ajuste nas técnicas de manejo do solo. Objetivou-se avaliar o plantio direto do feijoeiro com dessecação direta do campo nativo de um solo arenoso do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha (MG). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com duas repetições dos tratamentos (preparo convencional e plantio direto) por cinco blocos. Foram avaliados os atributos químicos de um Neossolo Quartzarênico, o estado nutricional e a produtividade do feijoeiro em sistema convencional de preparo do solo e de plantio direto com aplicação de dessecante direta da vegetação natural em três cultivos. A adoção do plantio direto sob campo nativo promoveu melhoria nos atributos químicos do solo arenoso, com alteração do estado nutricional e aumento da produtividade do feijoeiro após três cultivos nas condições do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha, MG. Os teores de carbono orgânico, P, Ca, Mg e CTC na camada de 0 a 0,1 m foram maiores no sistema plantio direto do que no preparo convencional do solo. Os teores de N, Mg, S e Zn nas folhas aumentaram enquanto os teores de P, K, Fe e Mn diminuíram no decorrer dos cultivos. A deficiência de P, Fe e Mn nas folhas do feijoeiro ocorreu no último cultivo no sistema de plantio direto.

Fatores relacionados à interrupção precoce do aleitamento materno em Alterosa/MG / Factors related to early termination of breast-feeding in Alterosa/MG

Em abril/maio de 1998, 211 mães foram entrevistadas em seus domicílios para se conhecer a situação do aleitamento materno em Alterosa/MG. Toda a população de crianças de O a 24 meses de idade, moradoras na área urbana da cidade, foi estudada (N = 253). O questionário incluía informações sobre variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e cuidados médicos, além de informações sobre padrões de aleitamento. O teste do qui-quadrado (1C = 95%) foi empregado para análise de associação entre as variáveis. A duração mediana do aleitamento materno foi 6,3 meses, e 98,7% das crianças iniciaram a amamentação ao nascer. O aleitamento foi interrompido em 46,1% das crianças antes do 6° mês, e 33,3% praticavam o aleitamento materno exclusivo aos 6 meses. Somente o baixo peso ao nascer (< 2.500 g) estava associado a interrupção precoce do aleitamento. Os indicadores da amamentação em Alterosa foram satisfatórios, mas muito precisa ser feito para que se cumpram as recomendações da OMS e do Programa Nacional de Incentivo ao Aleitamento Materno (PNIAM).

On April/May of 1998, 211 mothers were interviewed in their homes to evaluate the situation of breast-feeding in Alterosa/MG. The total population of children from zero to 24 months old living in the urban area was studied (N = 253). The questions included informations about demographic and socioeconomic variables, aspects of medical-practice besides informations about breast-feeding pattern. The qui-square test (CI = 95%) was used to measure the association among variables. The median duration of breast-feeding was 6,3 months and 98,7 of children stanted to be brast-feed at birth. 46,1% of children were early weaned (before 6° months old) and 33,3% had been practiced exclusive breast-feeding at 6 months of age. Only the low weight at birth (< 2.500 g) was associated to early termination of breast-feeding (before 6 months). The breast-feeding indicators in Alterosa were satisfactory, but much more need to be done to fulfill the recomendation of OMS and of Programa Nacional de Incentivo ao Aleitamento Materno (PNIAM).