Avaliação de impacto ambiental e gestão dos recursos natuarias no estuário Apodi Mossoró, nordeste do Brasil

The aim of this study is to investigate the eco-environmental vulnerability, its changes, and its causes to develop a management system for application of eco-environmental vulnerability and risk assessment in the Apodi-Mossory estuary, Northeast Brazil. This analysis is focused on the interference of the landscape conditions, and its changes, due to the following factors: the oil and natural gas industry, tropical fruits industry, shrimp farms, marine salt industry, occupation of the sensitive areas; demand for land, vegetation degradation, siltation in rivers, severe flooding, sea level rise (SLR), coastal dynamics, low and flat topography, high ecological value and tourism in the region and the rapid growth of urbanization. Conventional and remote sensing data were analyzed using modeling techniques based on ArcGIS, ER-Mapper, ERDAS Imagine and ENVI software. Digital images were initially processed by Principal Component Analysis and transformation of the maximum fraction of noise, and then all bands were normalized to reduce errors caused by bands of different sizes. They were integrated in a Geographic Information System analysis to detect changes, to generate digital elevation models, geomorphic indices and other variables of the study area. A three band color combination of multispectral bands was used to monitor changes of land and vegetation cover from 1986 to 2009. This task also included the analysis of various secondary data, such as field data, socioeconomic data, environmental data and prospects growth. The main objective of this study was to improve our understanding of eco-environmental vulnerability and risk assessment; it´s causes basically show the intensity, its distribution and human-environment effect on the ecosystem, and identify the high and low sensitive areas and area of inundation due to future SLR, and the loss of land due to coastal erosion in the Apodi-Mossoró estuary in order to establish a strategy for sustainable land use. The developed model includes some basic factors such as geology, geomorphology, soils, land use / land cover, vegetation cover, slope, topography and hydrology. The numerical results indicate that 9.86% of total study area was under very high vulnerability, 29.12% high vulnerability, 52.90% moderate vulnerability and 2.23% were in the category of very low vulnerability. The analysis indicates that 216.1 km² and 362.8 km² area flooded on 1m and 10m in sea levels respectively. The sectors most affected were residential, industrial and recreational areas, agricultural land, and ecosystems of high environmental sensitivity. The results showed that changes in eco-environmental vulnerability have a significant impact on the sustainable development of the RN state, since the indicator is a function of sensitivity, exposure and status in relation to a level of damage. The model were presented as a tool to assist in indexing vulnerability in order to optimize actions and assess the implications of decisions makers and policies regarding the management of coastal and estuarine areas. In this context aspects such as population growth, degradation of vegetation, land use / land cover, amount and type of industrialization, SLR and government policies for environmental protection were considered the main factors that affect the eco-environmental changes over the last three decades in the Apodi-Mossoró estuary.

Correlação entre força muscular do assoalho pélvico, função sexual e qualidade de vida em mulheres de meia idade

Introduction: Menopause is characterized by the depletion of ovarian follicles and the gradual decline in estradiol levels, which ends with the definitive cessation of menstrual periods (menopause). As a result of hypoestrogenism, characteristic symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, insomnia, mood swings and depression can be observed. There is also the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles (MAP) as a result of progressive muscle-aponeurotic and connective atrophy with consequent decreased sexual function. Objective: To evaluate the strength of MAP, sexual function and quality of life of menopausal women. Methodology: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 55 women (35 postmenopausal and 20 perimenopausal), aged between 40 and 65, who were assessed by muscle strength and perineometry test. For the assessment of sexual function and quality of life, used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Utian Quality of Life (UQOL), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age was 52.78 (± 6.47 years). Sexual dysfunction presented, 61.8% of participants (43.62% of postmenopausal and perimenopausal 18.17%). Muscle strength test and the maximum perineometry had a median of 3.00 (Q25: 2 e Q75: 4) and 33,50 cmH20 (Q25: 33,5 e Q75: 46,6), respectively. No correlation was found between sexual function and muscle strength (r = 0.035; p = 0.802) and between sexual function and perineometry (r = 0.126; p = 0.358). The mean total score of UQOL was 74.45 (± 12.23). Weak positive correlation was found between sexual function and quality of life (r = +0.422 p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified associations between sexual function and variables: quality of life, climacteric symptoms, physical activity and education level. Conclusions: These results suggest that the climacteric symptoms, quality of life, physical activity and level of education are associated with sexual function in menopausal women. However, the muscular component of sexual function needs to be further investigated in this context.