The limits of human development and the use of energy and natural resources

The development of nations is an unquestionable requirement. A lot of challenges concerning health, education and economy are present. A discussion on these development models has occupied the minds of decision makers in recent years. When energy supply and demand is considered, the situation becomes critical and the crucial question is: how to improve the quality of life of developing countries based on available models of development that are related to the life style of developed countries, for which the necessary use and waste of energy are present? How much energy is essential to humanity for not so as to endangering the survival conditions of future generations? the human development index (HDI) establishes the relationship among energy use, economic growth and social growth. Here it can be seen that 75% of the world population has a significant energy consumption potential. This is a strong reason to consider that the sustainable development concepts on energy policies are strategic to the future of the planet. This paper deals with the importance of seeking alternative development models for human development balance, natural resources conservation and environment through rational energy use concepts. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vaginal Flora Alterations and Clinical Symptoms in Low-Risk Pregnant Women

Background: To evaluate associations between alterations in vaginal flora and clinical symptoms in low-risk pregnant women. Methods: Vaginal specimens from 245 pregnant women were analyzed by microscopy for vaginal flora. Signs and symptoms of vaginal infection were determined by patient interviews and gynecologic examinations. Results: Abnormal vaginal flora was identified in 45.7% of the subjects. The final clinical diagnoses were bacterial vaginosis (21.6%), vaginal candidosis (10.2%), intermediate vaginal flora (5.2%), aerobic vaginitis (2.9%), mixed flora (2.9%) and other abnormal findings (2.9%). The percentage of women with or without clinical signs or symptoms was not significantly different between these categories. The presence of vaginal odor or vaginal discharge characteristics was not diagnostic of any specific flora alteration; pruritus was highly associated with candidosis (p < 0.0001). Compared to women with normal flora, pruritus was more prevalent in women with candidosis (p < 0.0001), while vaginal odor was associated with bacterial vaginosis (p = 0.0026). Conclusion: The prevalence of atypical vaginal flora is common in our low-risk pregnant population and is not always associated with pathology. The occurrence of specific signs or symptoms does not always discriminate between women with different types of atypical vaginal flora or between those with abnormal and normal vaginal flora. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Estrutura da fauna de formigas epígeas em fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica Semidecidual com diferentes tamanhos

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE

Levantamento e caracterização dos atrativos naturais da Bacia do Rio Passa Cinco, através de geoprocessamento

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

INVENTÁRIO ECOTURÍSTICO DA BACIA DO RIO PASSA-CINCO - SP, COM O AUXILIO DE GEOTECNOLOGIAS

O presente estudo foi realizado na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Passa-Cinco, onde existem elementos da paisagem de grande interesse ecoturístico, além de patrimônios naturais que, se preservados e aproveitados mediante ações de gestão ambiental serão potenciais agentes de desenvolvimento sustentável na região. Apesar da área possuir atrativos naturais como cachoeiras, corredeiras, cavernas, canions, lagos, paredões, mirantes, entre outros, indicando alto potencial de uso sustentável do ponto de vista ecoturístico, a região ainda não recebeu investimentos suficientes para que toda a diversidade paisagística seja usufruída. Portanto, este trabalho tem o objetivo de elaborar um Inventario Ecoturístico da Bacia do Rio Passa-Cinco, inserido nos municípios de Itirapina-SP e Ipeúna-SP, utilizando ferramentas de Geoprocessamento. Para tanto, realizou-se um trabalho de campo com visita aos locais que apresentam valor cênico considerável e potencial ecoturístico. Os locais identificados e visitados foram caracterizados usando fotografias, textos explicativos, tabelas e MDTs (Modelo Digital de Terreno). A integração destas informações constitui um Banco de Dados Geográfico Digital Georreferenciado (BDGDG) em ambiente ArcGIS 9.0, disponível em http://ceapla.rc.unesp.br/atlas/. Os resultados obtidos subsidiam ações de gestão ambiental, como o planejamento ecoturístico na bacia, favorecendo o desenvolvimento sustentável das comunidades envolvidas. Palavras-chaves: Bacia do Rio Passa-Cinco, Inventário Ecoturismo, Geoprocessamento, Banco de Dados Geográfico Digital Georreferenciado.

Pantanal: fauna, flora e paisagens

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBB

Vulnerabilidade ambiental ao óleo em ambiente fluvial: estudo de caso rio Tietê/Reservatório de Barra Bonita

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

Análise sazonal e espacial da precipitação pluvial na bacia hidrográfica do rio Ivaí, Paraná

Climate variability and therefore the rainfall is often cited today, in times to speak of "global change", "global warming", "anthropogenic disasters," among other terms related to climate issues, which may cause floods and disasters that affect entire regions. In this sense, the seasonal rainfall and its extremes in the basin of Ivaí river, which has a drainage area of approximately 36 000 km2, covering a length of 680 km, located in the State of Paraná between coordinates 22 º 54'S 25 ° 44'S and 55 44'W to 52 º 42'W, were analyzed. Influence of rainfall for the man occupation is undeniably important, not less important is the role that this issue poses to the climate abiotic and biotic environment, because the dynamic relations between the fauna and flora is directly related to the availability of water in system (in this case, rain). The methodological procedures used during the research focused on statistical analysis of rainfall series daily, monthly and yearly, provided by the Superintendence of Water Resources Development and Environmental Protection Agency - SUDERHSA, an agency linked to the government of Parana. The analysis period chosen was from 1975 to 2005, with 38 stations for data collection, distributed evenly across the search area. The standard rainfall in the basin is explained mainly by convective processes in the summer (wet season) and front system causing more homogeneous rainfall over the basin (dry season). What is well marked is the occurrence of maximum rainfall in the years 1983 and 1997 (El Niño) and minimal in the years 1977, 1985 and 1988 (La Niña). Finally, although the study area have undergone a significant change in your landscape for over thirty years, this study indicates no significant interference in rainfall.