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.

Rickettsia bellii infecting Amblyomma sabanerae ticks in El Salvador

Four Amblyomma sabanerae ticks collected from a turtle (Kinosternon sp.) in San Miguel, El Salvador, were found by molecular analysis to be infected by Rickettsia bellii. We provide the first report of Rickettsia bellii in Central America, and the first report of a Rickettsia species in El Salvador.

Análise do conforto térmico na obra de João Filgueiras Lima, Lelé: Hospitais Sarah de Salvador e do Rio de Janeiro

Estratégias passivas de projeto reduzem significativamente o uso de ar condicionado e melhoram o conforto térmico dos usuários. Isto pode ser ilustrado através dos hospitais da Rede Sarah Kubitschek projetados pelo arquiteto João Filgueiras Lima, Lelé, cujas soluções além de propiciarem ambientes mais agradáveis e salubres, evitam o uso de sistemas mecânicos de resfriamento, reduzindo o consumo de energia elétrica. Deste modo, o presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o conforto térmico dos hospitais Sarah de Salvador e do Rio de Janeiro, através de medições in loco da temperatura do ar, umidade relativa do ar e velocidade do ar. A análise dos resultados foi baseada em leituras de projeto, na norma ASHRAE Standard 55/2004 e em parâmetros adquiridos na literatura especializada. Os resultados demonstram a preocupação de Lelé na incorporação de aspectos bioclimáticos nos projetos. No Sarah - Salvador, alguns ambientes permaneceram fora da zona de conforto no período do meio dia, devido ao ganho de calor pela cobertura. No entanto, o uso da ventilação natural auxilia no efeito de resfriamento, melhorando o conforto térmico nos espaços internos. Já no Sarah - Rio, todos os ambientes permanecem dentro da zona de conforto proposta pela ASHRAE 55.