Mangrove Forests and Sedimentary Processes on the South of Coast of Sao Paulo State (Brazil)

Mangrove structure and distribution is conditioned by geomorphic processes. This paper describes the response of mangroves to sedimentary processes at the Cananeia-Iguape Coastal System on the south coast of Sao Paulo State (Brazil), between latitudes 24 degrees 40`S and 25 degrees 20`S. Within six study areas 41 plots were established along 14 transects. Plot size varied according to stem density from 2mx2m to 20mx20m. Here mangroves are strongly coupled to sedimentary processes, forming discrete architectural elements within particular depositional environments or topographic settings. These sedimentary structures and progradation environments are colonized by Laguncularia racemosa, associated with the smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora. Rhizophora mangle occurs typically near creeklets where tidal flooding is more frequent. Where tidal influence is restricted Avicennia schaueriana becomes dominant. Erosive margins are dominated by A. schaueriana or R. mangle. Single linkage cluster analysis yields three groups (A, B and C), with high levels of similarity, providing support to the classification of the data into two broad landform categories: depositional and erosive. Group A includes plots with the least structural development (nominal stem diameter d(n) between 1.05 and 4.61cm). Group B is composed of stems of intermediate diameter (4.99 cm <= d(n) <= 5.63cm). Group C plots have the largest structural development (5.50 cm <= d(n) <= 11.10cm). The structure of mangroves (dominance and structural development) reflects responses to geomorphology and habitat change.

Lapa das boleiras rockshelter: stratigraphy and formation processes at a paleoamerican site in Central Brazil

Lapa clas Boleiras rockshelter, a Paleoamerican archaeological site in Central Brazil, was intensely occupied by humans from 10,000 C-14 BP (11.8 cal kyr BP), until approximately 7500 C-14 BP (8.4 cal kyr BP). In this paper we present some interpretations about the formation processes operating on the site. One of our main conclusions is that the bulk of accumulated sediments at the site is of anthropogenic origin: they are constituted by volumetrically significant quantities of plant ash remains, what is somewhat unexpectedly in view of prevailing models about the lifestyle of Paleoamerican hunter-gatherers in South America. The evidence we discuss below is also consistent with paleoenvironmental data that suggest a dry period during the mid-Holocene in the region, probably leading to a decrease in human occupation [Araujo, A.G.M., Neves, W., Pilo, L.B., Atui, J.P., 2005. Holocene dryness and human Occupation in Brazil during the `Archaic Gap`. Quaternary Research 64, 298-307]. We surmise that both factors underpin a surprising reduction in sediment accumulation at the site during the mid-Holocene. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

An integrated approach of software development and test processes to distributed teams

The Distributed Software Development (DSD) is a development strategy that meets the globalization needs concerned with the increase productivity and cost reduction. However, the temporal distance, geographical dispersion and the socio-cultural differences, increased some challenges and, especially, added new requirements related with the communication, coordination and control of projects. Among these new demands there is the necessity of a software process that provides adequate support to the distributed software development. This paper presents an integrated approach of software development and test that considers distributed teams peculiarities. The approach purpose is to offer support to DSD, providing a better project visibility, improving the communication between the development and test teams, minimizing the ambiguity and difficulty to understand the artifacts and activities. This integrated approach was conceived based on four pillars: (i) to identify the DSD peculiarities concerned with development and test processes, (ii) to define the necessary elements to compose the integrated approach of development and test to support the distributed teams, (iii) to describe and specify the workflows, artifacts, and roles of the approach, and (iv) to represent appropriately the approach to enable the effective communication and understanding of it.

The influence of large-scale circulation, transient and local processes on the seasonal circulation of the Eastern Brazilian Shelf, 13 degrees S

The circulation at the Eastern Brazilian Shelf (EBS), near 13 degrees S, is discussed in terms of the currents and hydrography, associating large-scale circulation, transient and local processes to establish a regional picture of the EBS circulation. The results show that the circulation within the continental shelf and slope region is strongly affected by the seasonal changes in the wind field and mesa/large-scale circulation. Transient processes associated to the passage of Cold Front systems or meso-scale activity and the presence of a local canyon add more complexity to the system. During the austral spring and summer seasons, the prevailing upwelling favorable winds blowing from E-NE were responsible for driving southwestward shelf currents. The interaction with the Western Boundary Current (the Brazil Current), especially during summer, was significant and a considerable vertical shear in the velocity field was observed at the outer shelf. The passage of a Cold Front system during the springtime caused a complete reversal of the mean flow and contributed to the deepening of the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD). In addition, the presence of Salvador Canyon, subject to an upwelling favorable boundary current, enhanced the upwelling system, when compared to the upwelling observed at the adjacent shelf. During the austral autumn and winter seasons the prevailing downwelling favorable winds blowing from the SE acted to total reverse the shelf circulation, resulting in a northeastward flow. The passage of a strong Cold Front, during the autumn season, contributed not only to the strengthening of the flow but also to the deepening of the MLD. The presence of the Salvador Canyon, when subject to a downwelling favorable boundary current, caused an intensification of the downwelling process. Interestingly, the alongshore velocity at the shelf region adjacent to the head of the canyon was less affected when compared to the upwelling situation.

Analysis of phase transition and dehydration processes of nevirapine

Solid-state characterization of crystalline drugs is an important pre-formulation step for the development and design of solid dosage forms, such as pellets and tablets. In this study, phase transition and dehydration processes of nevirapine have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis to overcome the problems of drug formulation, namely poor solubility and poor content uniformity. Phase solubility studies elucidated the mechanism of enhanced nevirapine solubility.

Post-conventional Political Cultures via Processes of Direct Democracy: Theoretical Considerations Based on Jurgen Habermas and Lawrence Kohlberg

In this article, it is proposed to differentiate political cultures in two dimensions. First, inspired by Habermas' distinction of the contents of discourse, a distinction is suggested between moral, ethical-political and pragmatic elements of political culture as well as of an element of culture of balancing interests. Second, inspired by Kohlberg's stage models for the development of the individual moral consciousness and for moral culture, a distinction is similarly suggested between two pre-conventional, two conventional and two post-conventional collective stages of political culture. It can be shown that from a normative point of view, only deliberations made in a post-conventional political culture can produce reasonable or at least fair results. Conceptual considerations indicate processes of direct democracy as the method for promoting post-conventional political cultures. The more liberty that the citizens have to formulate and trigger processes of direct democracy, the more one can expect from them to generate post-conventional political cultures.

Application of Polysaccharide Hydrogels in Adsorption and Controlled-Extended Release of Fertilizers Processes

This article studied the applicability of poly(acrylamide) and methylcellulose (PAAm-MC) hydrogels as potential delivery vehicle for the controlled-extended release of ammonium sulfate (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and potassium phosphate (KH(2)PO(4)) fertilizers. PAAm-MC hydrogels with different acrylamide (AAm) and MC concentrations were prepared by a free radical polymerization method. The adsorption and desorption kinetics of fertilizers were determined using conductivity measurements based on previously built analytical curve. The addition of MC in the PAAm chains increased the quantities of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and KH(2)PO(4) loaded and extended the time and quantities of fertilizers released. Coherently, both loading and releasing processes were strongly influenced by hydrophilic properties of hydrogels (AAm/MC mass proportion). The best sorption (124.0 mg KH(2)PO(4)/g hydrogel and 58.0 mg (NH(4))(2)SO(4)/g hydrogel) and desorption (54.9 mg KH(2)PO(4)/g hydrogel and 49.5 mg (NH(4))(2)SO(4)/g hydrogel) properties were observed for 6.0% AAm-1.0% MC hydrogels (AAm/MC mass proportion equal 6), indicating that these hydrogels are potentially viable to be used in controlled-extended release of fertilizers systems. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2291-2298, 2012