The use of contingent valuation for evaluating protected areas in the developing world: Economic valuation of Morro do Diabo State Park, Atlantic Rainforest, Sao Paulo State (Brazil)

The Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest is internationally recognised as one of the most biodiverse and threatened tropical forests in the world [Myers, N., Mittermeier, R.A., Mittermeier, C.G., da Fonseca, G.A.B., Kent, J., 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403, 853-858]. The Seasonal Semi-Deciduous Forest is among the most fragmented and threatened biomes of the Atlantic Rainforest Domain. The largest remnant of this biome (35,000 ha) is protected by the Morro do Diabo State Park (MDSP), situated in the area known as the Pontal do Paranapanema, in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Despite its environmental importance, the park is under political, economic and demographic pressure. The main aim of our research was to estimate the population`s willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of MDSP and for the Atlantic Rainforest`s remnants in Sao Paulo State as a whole, by means of the contingent valuation method (CVM). The results featured a high incidence of null WTP and of protest votes. Nevertheless, the population is willing to pay US$ 2,113,548.00/year (R$ 7,080,385.00/year) for the conservation of the MDSP (use and existence values), or US$ 60.39 ha/year (R$ 202.30/ha/year). The results indicate that the preservation value is strongly associated to the population`s ability to pay, increasing with income levels. Qualitative research questions showed that the population considers protected areas to be very important. Still, the valuation of MDSP revealed a gap between the government budget allotted to the park and the value assigned to the area by the public. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Major- and trace-element composition of REE-rich turkestanite from peralkaline granites of the Morro Redondo Complex, Graciosa Province, south Brazil

Turkestanite, a rare Th- and REE-bearing cyclosilicate in the ekanite-steacyite group was found in evolved peralkaline granites from the Morro Redondo Complex, south Brazil. It occurs with quartz, alkali feldspar and an unnamed Y-bearing silicate. Electron microprobe analysis indicates relatively homogeneous compositions with maximum ThO(2), Na(2)O and K(2)O contents of 22.4%, 2.93% and 3.15 wt.%, respectively, and significant REE(2)O(3) abundances (5.21 to 11.04 wt.%). The REE patterns show enrichment of LREE over HREE, a strong negative Eu anomaly and positive Ce anomaly, the latter in the most transformed crystals. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry trace element patterns display considerable depletions in Nb, Zr, Hf, Ti and Li relative to whole-rock sample compositions. Observed compositional variations suggest the influence of coupled substitution mechanisms involving steacyite, a Na-dominant analogue of turkestanite, iraqite, a REE-bearing end-member in the ekanite-steacyite group, ekanite and some theoretical end-members. Turkestanite crystals were interpreted as having precipitated during post-magmatic stages in the presence of residual HFSE-rich fluids carrying Ca, the circulation of which was enhanced by deformational events.

THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A MICROLITE-GROUP MINERAL WITH A FORMULA NEAR NaCaTa(2)O(6)F FROM THE MORRO REDONDO MINE, CORONEL MURTA, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

We present electron-microprobe and single-crystal X-ray-diffraction data for a microlite-group mineral with a formula near NaCaTa(2)O(6)F from the Morro Redondo mine, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil. On the basis of these data, the formula is A(Na(0.88)Ca(0.88)Pb(0.02)square(0.22))(Sigma 2.00) (B)(Ta(1.70)Nb(0.14)Si(0.12)As(0.04))(Sigma 2.00) (X)[(O(5.75)(OH)(0.25)](Sigma 6.00) (Y)(F(0.73)square(0.27))(Sigma 1.00). According to the new nomenclature for the pyrochlore-supergroup minerals, it is intermediate between fluornatromicrolite and "" fluorcalciomicrolite"". The crystal structure, F (d3) over barm, a = 10.4396(12) angstrom, has been refined to an R(1) value of 0.0258 (wR(2) = 0.0715) for 107 reflections (MoK alpha radiation). There is a scarcity of crystal-chemical data for pyrochlore-supergroup minerals in the literature. A compilation of these data is presented here.

Contribuição ao estudo do magmatismo Paleo e Mesoproterozóico do SW do Craton Amazônico através da aplicação de isótopos estáveis de O, H e S

Os isótopos estáveis de O, H e S foram utilizados para investigar a origem das rochas magmáticas nos Terrenos Jauru e Pontes e Lacerda do SW do Craton Amazônico, estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. No Terreno Jauru as rochas granitóides do Greenstone belt Alto Jauru e da Suíte Cachoeirinha apresentam valores de δ18O entre +9,0‰ e +6,3‰ que indicam derivação a partir de magmas juvenis. Na Suíte Intrusiva Rio Branco valores de δ18O para rochas básicas estão entre +5,4‰ e +5,8‰ e para rochas félsicas entre +8,7‰ e +9,0‰; rochas intermediárias apresentam valores entre +7,3‰ e +8,3‰. Os valores mais baixos de δ18O, obtidos nas rochas básicas, são compatíveis com derivação mantélica, porém as rochas félsicas apresentam valores de δ18O compatíveis com origem crustais. Análises de isótopos estáveis de H (rocha total) forneceram valores de δD entre - 83‰ e -92‰, diferente das assinaturas de rochas metamórficas e de águas meteóricas. Resultados em sulfetos para isótopos estáveis de S em rochas básicas e intermediárias desta suíte apresentam valores de δ34S coerentes com uma fonte mantélica (entre + 0,7‰ e +3,8‰), enquanto os valores de δ34S (entre +5,2‰ e +6,1‰) obtidos nas rochas félsicas sugerem participação crustal na sua gênese. Na Suíte Santa Helena (Terreno Pontes e Lacerda) os resultados obtidos para δ18O se agrupam entre +4,4‰ e +8,9‰ indicando uma origem mantélica. O presente estudo confirma a importância da aplicação de isótopos estáveis para a compreensão de processos magmáticos e evolução crustal.

Estudo eletroquímico comparativo do aço ISO 5832-9 em diferentes meios de interesse biológico

Foi estudado o comportamento eletroquímico a 37°C do aço inoxidável ISO 5832-9, em meios de NaCl 0,9 %, de Ringer Lactato e meio mínimo de Eagle (MEM), por voltametria linear e análises da superfície por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e por espectroscopia por dispersão de energia (EDS). Foram feitos ensaios mecânicos e testes de toxicidade. O aço ISO 5832-9 se encontra passivado no potencial de corrosão e não apresenta corrosão por pite nos três meios estudados em toda faixa de potencial investigada, desde o potencial de corrosão até 50 mV acima do potencial de transpassivação. Em meio de MEM, no entanto, as análises por MEV e EDS mostraram que o referido aço, nesse valor mais elevado de potencial, apresentou um comportamento diferente, com perda das inclusões de óxido de manganês. Os potenciais de corrosão, Ecorr (potencial de circuito aberto estacionário) bem como os valores de densidade de corrente de passivação, variaram na seguinte ordem: Ecorr, RL < Ecorr, NaCl < Ecorr, MEM. e jMEM << jRL ≅ jNaCl. No ensaio de citotoxicidade, o aço foi caracterizado como não-tóxico.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Pontal of Paranapanema - SP, Brazil: ecological and entomological aspects

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) occurs in epidemic outbreaks and in sporadic cases with small annual variation in the Pontal of Paranapanema, SP. There is little research on the sandfly fauna of this region. The last outbreaks were related to the Movement of the Landless Workers (MST) and with the ecological tourism in preserved forest of the Parque Estadual do Morro do Diabo (PEMD). AIM: identification of the sandfly fauna within the PEMD, mainly anthropophilic species already incriminated as vectors of ACL, as well as their seasonality, hourly frequency and data of the behavior. M&M: The captures were undertaken with CDC light and Shannon traps from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, monthly from May 2000 to December 2001. The temperature and relative humidity data were registered at hourly intervals. RESULTS: The captured species were: Brumptomyia brumpti, Nyssomyia neivai, Nyssomyia whitmani, Pintomyia fischeri and Pintomyia pessoai. The P. pessoai predominated (34.39%) and N. neivai was less found (0.74%), only being captured in CDC traps. Shannon trap captured more sandflies (63.01%) than the CDC traps (36.99%). Despite the environmental degradation anthropophilic species, indicates favorable bioecological conditions for persistence of vectors and potential transmission of leishmaniasis.

Factors associated with stages of change for red meat and vegetable intake by Japanese-Brazilians

Stages of change assess individual motivation for lifestyle changes, contributing to the development of more effective intervention strategies. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with stages of change for lower intake of red meat and higher intake of vegetables in a cross-sectional analysis of 578 Japanese-Brazilians aged 30-90 years. In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds ratios for women (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.154; 3.103) and physically active individuals (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.000; 1.001) were positively associated with stage of "action" for the higher intake of vegetables. Inverse associations were observed between central obesity (OR = 0.5; 95%CI: 0.351; 0.887) and highest tertile of red meat intake (OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.302; 0.817), as well as a positive association between age (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.020; 1.070) and the stage of "action" to the lower intake of meat were verified. Motivation for Japanese-Brazilians to change their food intake was linked to lifestyle. Stage of change is an important factor in mediating food intake behavior change.

Consumo alimentar e doença macrovascular em nipo-brasileiros: um estudo transversal

OBJETIVO: Descrever o hábito alimentar de nipo-brasileiros com e sem doença macrovascular (DMV). MÉTODOS: Definiu-se DMV, para 1.165 nipo-brasileiros, a partir de escores atribuídos ao histórico de saúde, eletrocardiograma e valores do índice tornozelo-braquial. Determinou-se o consumo alimentar habitual por meio de Questionário de Frequência do Consumo de Alimentos. RESULTADOS: A porcentagem de casos confirmados com DMV foi de 3,2%, sendo semelhante entre os sexos. Observou-se, de forma estatisticamente significante, maior frequência de indivíduos com DMV (confirmados ou suspeitos) entre aqueles de primeira geração, com idade > 60 anos, tabagistas, com hipertensão arterial, hipertrigliceridemia e diabetes. Nipo-brasileiros com DMV (confirmados ou suspeitos) apresentaram menor perímetro do quadril e maior idade, pressão arterial sistólica, triglicérides, glicemia, consumo de alimentos fonte de ferro e menor fonte de fibras de grãos. Encontrou-se diferença estatisticamente significante apenas para o consumo de gordura saturada (análise bruta: segundo terço versus primeiro terço). CONCLUSÕES: programas de educação nutricional devem ser incentivados neste grupo com alta prevalência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em nipo-brasileiros: comparação entre sexos e geração

OBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência de sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade abdominal em nipo-brasileiros residentes na cidade de Bauru (SP), Brasil. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um estudo transversal com 1 330 nipo-brasileiros de 1ª e 2ª geração, de ambos os sexos, com idade >30 anos. Os critérios para sobrepeso e obesidade foram índice de massa corporal entre 25-29,9kg/m² e >30kg/m², respectivamente. A obesidade abdominal foi classificada com valores de circunferência da cintura >90cm, para homens, e >80cm para mulheres. Foram calculadas as prevalências de sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade abdominal por ponto e por intervalo, com 95% de confiança. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a prevalência de sobrepeso em nipo-brasileiros foi de 26,1% e 27,9% na primeira geração e de 44,8% e 32,5% na segunda geração, respectivamente, para homens e mulheres. Em relação à obesidade, a prevalência entre homens foi de 3,7% e 12%, e nas mulheres de 6,6% e 9,9% respectivamente na primeira e na segunda geração. Observou-se aumento na prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade nos homens entre as gerações, apesar de as diferenças não serem estatisticamente significantes. A obesidade abdominal nos homens de primeira e segunda geração foi de 32,1% e 45,3%, e nas mulheres estes valores foram de 49,2% e 48,5%, respectivamente. No período de estudo não foram observados aumentos nas prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O aumento percentual na prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade abdominal em nipo-brasileiros pode ser, em parte, explicado pelo processo da ocidentalização, reforçando a necessidade de medidas preventivas, visando a minimizar as conseqüências metabólicas da obesidade nos nipo-brasileiros.

Assessing food dietary intakes in Japanese-Brazilians using factor analysis

We describe the use of factor analysis for assessing food habits in Japanese-Brazilians. Dietary data from 1,283 participants of a cross-sectional study were used. Besides statistical criteria, we also used the conceptual meaning of identified profiles to obtain scores for dietary patterns (Japanese or Western profile). Paired Student t test, linear regression and Poisson models were used to verify the existence of relationship between these scores and generation, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and presence of metabolic syndrome, respectively. First generation subjects had higher mean Japanese profile scores and lower Western profile scores than those of second generation. The Western dietary pattern was associated with BMI (p = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.023) and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). We concluded that these scores were able to discriminate subjects who maintained their traditional Japanese lifestyle or otherwise, and that the incorporation of a Western lifestyle is associated to high values of BMI, waist circumference and presence of metabolic syndrome.

Avaliação da ingestão de alimentos por nipo-brasileiros utilizando análise fatorial

Descreve-se o uso da análise fatorial na avaliação dos hábitos alimentares de nipo-brasileiros. Utilizaram-se dados dietéticos de 1.283 participantes de estudo transversal. A partir de critérios estatísticos e do significado conceitual dos padrões identificados, geraram-se escores que definiram os perfis dietéticos (japonês ou ocidental). Empregou-se o teste t de Student pareado, os modelos de regressão linear e de Poisson para examinar as relações desses escores com, respectivamente, a geração, índice de massa corporal (IMC), perímetro abdominal e a presença de síndrome metabólica. Aqueles de primeira geração, em relação aos de segunda, apresentaram escores maiores para o perfil japonês e menores para o ocidental. O perfil ocidental relacionou-se com o IMC (p = 0,001), perímetro abdominal (p = 0,023) e a síndrome metabólica (p < 0,05). Conclui-se que os escores discriminaram sujeitos que mantêm ou não estilo de vida tradicional japonês e que a incorporação de hábitos ocidentais associou-se a maiores valores de IMC, perímetro abdominal e a presença de síndrome metabólica

Fat and fiber consumption are associated with peripheral arterial disease in a cross-sectional study of a japanese-brazilian population

Background The Western diet plays a role for the epidemics of obesity and related diseases. This study examined a possible association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the dietary components of Japanese immigrants living in Brazil. Methods and Results In this cross-sectional study, 1,267 subjects (aged =30 years) with complete dietary, clinical and laboratory data were studied according to a standardized protocol. Ankle-to-brachial index was used to identify subjects with PAD. The overall prevalence of PAD was 14.6%. Subjects with PAD were older, had lower education and higher mean values of blood pressure, triglycerides, and fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels compared with those without the disease. Among the subjects with PAD, the consumption of fiber from whole grains (3.0 vs 3.4 g, p=0.001) and linoleic acids (11.0 vs 11.7 g, p=0.017) were lower and intake of total (72.8 vs 69.1 g, p=0.016) and saturated fatty acids (17.4 vs 16.3 g, p=0.012) were higher than those without PAD. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between PAD with high total fat intake, low intake of fiber from fruit and oleic acid, independently of other variables. Conclusions Despite limitations in examining the cause - effect relationship, the data support the notion that diet could be important in reducing the occurrence of PAD

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in a rural community of Angola

Background: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a rural community (Bengo) of Angola. Methods: A random sample of 421 subjects aged 30 to 69 years (30% men and 70% women) was selected from three villages of Bengo province. This cross-sectional home survey was conducted using a sampling design of stage conglomerates. First, clinical and anthropometric data were obtained and fasting capillary glucose level was determined. Subjects who screened positive (fasting capillary glucose >= 100 mg/dl and < 200 mg/dl) and each sixth consecutive subject who screened negative (fasting capillary glucose < 100 mg/dl) were submitted to the second phase of survey, consisting of the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Data was analyzed by the use of SAS statistical software. Results: The prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus and IGT were 2.8% and 8.1%, respectively. The age group with the highest prevalence of diabetes was 60 to 69 years (42%). Impaired glucose tolerance prevalence was 38% in the 40 to 49 year age group and it increased with age, considering that the 50 to 59 and 60 to 69 year age groups as a whole represent 50% of all subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus did not differ significantly between men (3.2%) and women (2.7%) (p = 0.47). On the other hand, the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance among women showed almost twice that found in men (9.1% vs. 5.6%, respectively). Overweight was present in 66.7% of the individuals with diabetes mellitus and 26.5% of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance showed overweight or obesity. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was low, the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance is considered to be within an intermediary range, suggesting a future increase in the frequency of diabetes in this population.

Fat and fiber consumption are associated with peripheral arterial disease in a cross-sectional study of a Japanese-Brazilian population

Background The Western diet plays a role for the epidemics of obesity and related diseases. This study examined a possible association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the dietary components of Japanese immigrants living in Brazil. Methods and Results In this cross-sectional study, 1,267 subjects (aged 30 years) with complete dietary, clinical and laboratory data were studied according to a standardized protocol. Ankle-to-brachial index was used to identify subjects with PAD. The overall prevalence of PAD was 14.6%. Subjects with PAD were older, had lower education and higher mean values of blood pressure, triglycerides, and fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels compared with those without the disease. Among the subjects with PAD, the consumption of fiber from whole grains (3.0 vs 3.4g, p=0.001) and linoleic acids (11.0 vs 11.7g, p=0.017) were lower and intake of total (72.8 vs 69.1 a, p=0.016) and saturated fatty acids (17.4 vs 16.3g, p=0.012) were higher than those without PAD. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between PAD with high total fat intake, low intake of fiber from fruit and oleic acid, independently of other variables. Conclusions Despite limitations in examining the cause-effect relationship, the data support the notion that diet could be important in reducing the occurrence of PAD.

Some (3+1)-dimensional vortex solutions of the CP(N) model

We present a class of solutions of the CP(N) model in (3 + 1) dimensions. We suggest that they represent vortexlike configurations. We also discuss some of their properties. We show that some configurations of vortices have a divergent energy per unit length while for the others such an energy has a minimum for a very special orientation of vortices. We also discuss the Noether charge densities of these vortices.