Plastic debris forms: Rock analogues emerging from marine pollution.

Continuous input of plastic litter in ocean and coastal environments achieved alarming levels that are exposing new settings in natural systems. While novel plastic debris pollution, with rock-like appearance, has been reported worldwide, fundamentally geological analyses are still lacking. We surveyed the first occurrence of multiple associated plastic debris on a single outcrop located in a remote site (Trindade Island, SE Atlantic Ocean). Even though all plastic debris forms consisted of polypropylene and polyethylene, through a sedimentary approach (cross section, macro, and micro analyses) distinct types were identified. We detected plastiglomerates, geogenic analogous to conglomerates, divided into in situ and clastic types, and formed over beach sediment. We identified plastistones as a new type with homogeneous composition (lacking incorporated materials), geogenic-looking igneous rocks, divided into in situ and clastic types, and formed over rock surfaces. We linked pyroplastics, geogenic analogous to clasts, to clastic plastiglomerates/plastistones, therefore representing clastic types of plastic debris forms. This association was correlated in a depositional system model, which suggests that plastic debris forms are rock synthetic equivalents in which humans act as depositional and post-depositional agents.

Quality and Disposal of Dredged Sediments from Tidal Deltas in Subtropical Bays in Southern Brazil.

In order to measure the contamination of dredged and beach sediments and the applicability of sediment quality guidelines in a wet subtropical region of southern Brazil, the areas surrounding both the Paranaguá and Babitonga estuaries were studied, including their harbour zones and adjacent beaches. Investigation of the sampled sediments comprised optical and electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and physicochemical and toxicological analyses. Additionally, data provided by the harbours administrations on dredged volumes, sedimentology, and coastal dynamics were compared. It was determined that the studied sediments, especially the ones from both tidal deltas, have similar characteristics, including physical and chemical parameters. It was also confirmed that tidal deltas are depositional areas with low potential to accumulate pollutants. Therefore, the current disposal of this scarce sandy material during dredging might not be beneficial, considering the significant sand removal amount from the coastal depositional system.

Symbolic effects capitalized by nurses from the National Institute of Cancer in Brazil (1980 - 1990).

OBJECTIVE: to describe the strategies of nurses in the National Institute of Cancer to disseminate its scientific capital and discuss the symbolic effects capitalized in the field of oncology in the 1980s. METHOD: historical social studies, with primary sources consisting of written documents and oral reports, and as secondary sources, articles and books on the subject, based on the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of scientific capital and habitus. RESULTS: it revealed the effective performance of nurses in this Institute on policies of cancer prevention and control and strategies used in the teaching of oncology nursing at the undergraduate level. In conclusion, nursing stands out in this context, through the dissemination of its scientific knowledge, as a participant in the construction of a scientific field of oncology nursing in Brazil, highlighting the occupation of important social areas.

[Nursing care of child: short retrospection]. / Assistência de enfermagem à criança hospitalizada: breve retrospectiva.

This study focuses on the overview of the childhood health policy, highlighted in the context of a hospital, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, aiming at describing the nursing assistance provided to children in hospitals in the first half of the century. It is a historical study, the primary written sources of which correspond to articles published in the Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem during the period under scrutiny. The secondary sources are made up of literature relevant to the topic. In the beginning of the 20th century, health care loses its social and philanthropic character to be subsidized by the government. Concerning childhood assistance, numerous hospitals opened in the 30's and 40's, even though the national healthcare policy was based on preventive actions. It may be concluded that childhood assistance up to the 50's was characterized by technical and scientific transformations in the hospital scenario, encouraging the construction of nursing knowledge in the area of paediatrics.