Digital soil mapping: strategy for data pre-processing

The region of greatest variability on soil maps is along the edge of their polygons, causing disagreement among pedologists about the appropriate description of soil classes at these locations. The objective of this work was to propose a strategy for data pre-processing applied to digital soil mapping (DSM). Soil polygons on a training map were shrunk by 100 and 160 m. This strategy prevented the use of covariates located near the edge of the soil classes for the Decision Tree (DT) models. Three DT models derived from eight predictive covariates, related to relief and organism factors sampled on the original polygons of a soil map and on polygons shrunk by 100 and 160 m were used to predict soil classes. The DT model derived from observations 160 m away from the edge of the polygons on the original map is less complex and has a better predictive performance.

An appropriate data set size for digital soil mapping in Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Digital information generates the possibility of a high degree of redundancy in the data available for fitting predictive models used for Digital Soil Mapping (DSM). Among these models, the Decision Tree (DT) technique has been increasingly applied due to its capacity of dealing with large datasets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the data volume used to generate the DT models on the quality of soil maps. An area of 889.33 km² was chosen in the Northern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The soil-landscape relationship was obtained from reambulation of the studied area and the alignment of the units in the 1:50,000 scale topographic mapping. Six predictive covariates linked to the factors soil formation, relief and organisms, together with data sets of 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 % of the total data volume, were used to generate the predictive DT models in the data mining program Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA). In this study, sample densities below 5 % resulted in models with lower power of capturing the complexity of the spatial distribution of the soil in the study area. The relation between the data volume to be handled and the predictive capacity of the models was best for samples between 5 and 15 %. For the models based on these sample densities, the collected field data indicated an accuracy of predictive mapping close to 70 %.

Comparison between detailed digital and conventional soil maps of an area with complex geology

Since different pedologists will draw different soil maps of a same area, it is important to compare the differences between mapping by specialists and mapping techniques, as for example currently intensively discussed Digital Soil Mapping. Four detailed soil maps (scale 1:10.000) of a 182-ha sugarcane farm in the county of Rafard, São Paulo State, Brazil, were compared. The area has a large variation of soil formation factors. The maps were drawn independently by four soil scientists and compared with a fifth map obtained by a digital soil mapping technique. All pedologists were given the same set of information. As many field expeditions and soil pits as required by each surveyor were provided to define the mapping units (MUs). For the Digital Soil Map (DSM), spectral data were extracted from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery as well as six terrain attributes from the topographic map of the area. These data were summarized by principal component analysis to generate the map designs of groups through Fuzzy K-means clustering. Field observations were made to identify the soils in the MUs and classify them according to the Brazilian Soil Classification System (BSCS). To compare the conventional and digital (DSM) soil maps, they were crossed pairwise to generate confusion matrices that were mapped. The categorical analysis at each classification level of the BSCS showed that the agreement between the maps decreased towards the lower levels of classification and the great influence of the surveyor on both the mapping and definition of MUs in the soil map. The average correspondence between the conventional and DSM maps was similar. Therefore, the method used to obtain the DSM yielded similar results to those obtained by the conventional technique, while providing additional information about the landscape of each soil, useful for applications in future surveys of similar areas.

CRESCIMENTO E RELAÇÕES HÍDRICAS EM PLANTAS DE GOIABEIRA SUBMETIDAS A ESTRESSE SALINO COM NaCl

Tendo como objetivo determinar os efeitos do estresse salino sobre o crescimento e as relações hídricas de plantas de goiabeira (Psidium guajava L), conduziu-se um experimento em casa de vegetação, em solução nutritiva, na Universidade Federal do Ceará, no período de setembro a dezembro de 1997. Os tratamentos consistiram de sete níveis de NaCl (0; 25; 50; 75; 100; 125 e 150 mmol L-1). Avaliaram-se, aos 50 dias após o estresse salino (DAE): altura da planta, número de folhas e área foliar unitária e por planta. A taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) foi determinada entre 30 e 50 DAE. Aos 20; 30; 40 e 50 DAE, foram determinadas condutâncias estomáticas, transpiração, potencial hídrico e teor relativo de água (TRA). Dentre as variáveis estudadas, a área foliar por planta foi a mais afetada, com uma redução de 92% quando submetida ao nível mais elevado de salinidade (150 mmol L-1). A condutância estomática, a transpiração, o potencial hídrico foliar (psiwf) e o teor relativo de água (TRA) decresceram com o aumento dos níveis e do tempo de exposição ao NaCl. As plantas jovens de goiabeira são sensíveis à salinidade, com uma salinidade limiar de 1,2 dSm-1. A taxa de sobrevivência foi reduzida em 75% quando as plantas foram submetidas a 150 mmol L-1 até 50 dias após o estresse.

DESENVOLVIMENTO INICIAL DA GRAVIOLEIRA SOB FONTES E NÍVEIS DE SALINIDADE DA ÁGUA

No período de fevereiro a julho de 1999, estudaram-se os efeitos de fontes salinas através da irrigação com água de barragem, rica em cloreto de sódio e em cloreto de magnésio, com níveis de condutividade elétrica de 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; 6,0 e 9,0 dSm-1 sobre o crescimento inicial da gravioleira, Annona muricata L., cultivar Morada. Os resultados nos primeiros 150 dias, independentemente das fontes, indicam que área foliar e sua fitomassa cresceram com o aumento da salinidade das águas de 0,5 para 2,0 e até 3,0 dSm-1. No mesmo período, o índice de salinidade do substrato foi elevado para até fortemente salino, revelando que a gravioleira comportou-se como planta moderadamente tolerante aos sais durante o crescimento inicial. Apesar de a água rica em cloreto de magnésio ser a fonte que menos elevou a condutividade elétrica do substrato, foi a que mais contribuiu para a redução das variáveis estudadas, indicando que as plantas foram mais sensíveis a sua toxidade em relação à água de barragem e rica em cloreto de sódio.

Metodologia para observação da camada de cera em maçãs, utilizando microscopia eletrônica de varredura

A estrutura mais superficial da epiderme dos frutos é constituída por fina camada de cera, responsável por mecanismos de proteção, principalmente relacionados à evapotranspiração e ao ataque de patógenos. A visualização de cera por microscopia eletrônica de varredura apresenta dificuldades no processamento da amostra, pois os métodos rotineiramente utilizados ocasionam sérios danos a esta camada ou, simplesmente, provocam sua eliminação devido ao processo de solubilização causado pelos reagentes utilizados. Alguns autores têm utilizado temperaturas baixas (-90ºC) para o processamento de amostras. No Brasil, tentativas de observação de cera em maçãs, utilizando a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, têm sido realizadas; entretanto, os resultados não foram satisfatórios. No Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica da Embrapa Clima Temperado, foi adaptado um método simples e que tem apresentado bons resultados. Para este experimento, foram retiradas pequenas porções da casca de maçãs da região equatorial dos frutos. As amostras foram fixadas em lâminas histológicas, utilizando fita adesiva nas extremidades. Posteriormente, foram colocadas em dessecador contendo sílica gel, para que ocorresse a desidratação. Após 72 horas, foram retirados fragmentos para fixação em stubs e metalização com ouro. Foi usado um microscópio eletrônico ZEISS (DSM-940A), regulado à distância de trabalho de 15mm, voltagem de aceleração de 10 kV e ampliação de 3.000 X. As imagens obtidas permitiram avaliar a interferência dos fatores ambientais utilizados no processo de frigoconservação de maçãs.

Características químicas de substratos utilizados na produção de mudas de cacaueiros

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar monitoramento químico de seis substratos utilizados na produção de mudas de cacaueiros. Os substratos receberam 10 volumes (100mL, cada) de água destilada, e no lixiviado coletado foram determinados o pH, a condutividade elétrica (CE) e os teores de sódio (Na) e potássio (K) em solução. Os valores de pH variaram de 5,0 a 8,0 em Plantmax® e composto do tegumento da amêndoa do cacau (CTAC), respectivamente. Verificou-se que, a partir do primeiro volume lixiviado, a CE de todos os substratos foi reduzida. Foram encontradas correlações positivas para a CE em relação ao K e Na da fibra de coco (FC) (r=0,83 e 0,72 P<0,05) e CTAC (r=0,98 e 0,99 P<0,05). Os resultados indicam que a FC e o CTAC deveriam ser usados após pré-lavagens. Verificou-se que, embora a FC apresente na primeira lixiviação valor de CE superior aos demais substratos, o valor ideal da 2,0 dSm-1 é alcançado na segunda lixiviação. Os teores de K e Na são um indicativo do valor da CE em FC e CTAC.

EXTRAÇÃO DE POLI(3-HIDROXIBUTIRATO), PRODUZIDO POR Cupriavidus necator, COM CARBONATO DE PROPILENO

The environmental impact of plastic waste has attracted worldwide attention. Amid the current context of increasing concern for the environment, biodegradable plastics have been widely studied as a replacement for synthetic plastics. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is a biopolymer stored as an intracellular energy and reserve source in many microorganisms. Because it is an intracellular product, P(3HB) must be extracted from the cells at the end of the culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of extraction time, heating temperature, first standing time (after filtration and extraction), second standing time (after P(3HB) precipitation) and solvent amount, during the process of extracting P(3HB) from Cupriavidus necator DSM 545, using propylene carbonate as solvent. The extraction kinetic of P(3HB) with propylene carbonate from thermally treated biomass was evaluated at different temperatures. The physical properties of the P(3HB) obtained were also evaluated. In this case, P(3HB) obtained at optimal conditions of recovery (98%) and purity (99%) was used. Results showed that temperature was the most important factor in these responses for the range of values studied (110-150 ºC).

Definição de áreas prioritárias ao uso público no parque estadual da Cachoeira da Fumaça - ES, utilizando geoprocessamento

O Parque Estadual da Cachoeira da Fumaça (PECF) está localizado entre os municípios de Alegre e Ibitirama, no sul do Estado do Espírito Santo, possuindo área aproximada de 162,50 hectares. Levando-se em consideração a importância ambiental do PECF para o Estado do Espírito Santo, a necessidade de proteção dos ecossistemas da Mata Atlântica e suas formações associadas, bem como o aprimoramento das técnicas de gestão, este trabalho teve por objetivo propor subsídios aos gestores, através da geração de um mapa de adequabilidade com áreas prioritárias ao uso público, utilizando análise multicritério e lógica fuzzy. Os materiais utilizados foram: Ortofoto do ES, mapa de curvas de nível obtido do Geobases e para coleta de dados em campo utilizou-se GPS diferencial. Os fatores relevantes para avaliação dos aspectos relacionados ao ecoturismo que foram utilizados para produzir os mapas de adequabilidade, seguindo uma ordem de prioridade estabelecida pelo método Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) foram: fator cachoeira, uso dos solos, massa de água (contendo os rios), trilhas, locais de acessos, estruturas e declividade. Após a combinação dos fatores, foi gerado o mapa de adequabilidade para uso público, com superfície de adequabilidade mostrando a aptidão e representando o zoneamento da área do PECF para o objetivo proposto. A partir do zoneamento da Unidade de Conservação foi possível mostrar as áreas com diferentes graus de aptidão ao ecoturismo de acordo com suas distâncias da cachoeira, trilhas, e da área de Mata Atlântica.

Problemas conjugais e outros fatores associados a transtornos psiquiátricos do pós-parto

OBJETIVO: Estudar a associação entre transtornos mentais pós-parto e fatores demográficos e psicossociais, pré e perinatais. MÉTODOS: Todas as familias com crianças de quatro meses da Vila Jardim - Porto Alegre (RS) - nascidos entre novembro de 1998 e dezembro de 1999 foram avaliadas. Utilizou-se o Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) e entrevistas clínicas semiestruturadas individuais e do casal para fundamentar uma hipótese diagnóstica segundo os critérios do da quarta edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-IV). Realizou-se a avaliação da relação conjugal e do relacionamento da mãe com as famílias de origem e a rede social utilizando-se a Escala de Avaliação Global do Funcionamento Relacional (GARF). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 148 mães e os 116 pais que coabitavam. Segundo o SRQ, 34,4% das mães e 25,4% dos pais apresentaram suspeita de transtorno psiquiátrico. Clinicamente os percentuais foram maiores. Coabitar ou não com companheiro não esteve associado com transtorno mental materno. Na análise da totalidade do grupo de mulheres, estiveram associados: baixa renda familiar (OR=0,8; p<0,05) e a presença de transtorno materno no passado (OR=2,2; p<0,05). O estudo apenas das mulheres que coabitavam (n=116) mostrou associação exclusivamente com a má qualidade da relação conjugal (OR=7,3; p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo reforça a necessidade de se verificar a presença de transtorno mental materno da mãe nas consultas de pré-natal e puericultura, e introduz dados sobre o pai e, especialmente, sobre a importância da relação conjugal.

Vitrification of bovine preantral follicles with dimethylsulfoxide and sucrose plus α-tocopherol

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the vitrification of bovine preantral follicles with dimethylsulfoxide (D) and sucrose (S) plus α-tocopherol 5mmol/L (T5) or 10mmol/L (T10) and, evaluate the thawed with minimal essential medium (m) with or without sucrose (s). Ovaries of cows were collected from slaughterhouse for the experiment I (n=66) and II (n=51). In the laboratory ovarian fragments were randomly assigned either to fresh control and 8 vitrification treatments (Controle and Dm; Dms, DSm; DSms; DST5m; DST5ms; DST10m; DST10ms). Ovarian fragments were placed in vitrification solution (5 min) and immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), after a week, the fragments were thawed and analyzed. In the experiments I, preantral follicles were morphologically observed for histological evaluation, (normal; degenerated and developing of stage). In the experiment II, preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from ovarian tissue and examined with trypan blue, where dead and live corresponded to stained or non-stained. The treatments DSm, DSms and DST10m were effective in preserving the morphology in situ. However, the viability of isolated preantral follicles after vitrification remained high only in treatment DST10m. Thus, DST10m preserves survival rates and morphological integrity during vitrification of bovine preantral follicles.

Hyperventilation in panic disorder patients and healthy first-degree relatives

Our aim was to observe the induction of panic attacks by a hyperventilation challenge test in panic disorder patients (DSM-IV) and their healthy first-degree relatives. We randomly selected 25 panic disorder patients, 31 healthy first-degree relatives of probands with panic disorder and 26 normal volunteers with no family history of panic disorder. All patients had no psychotropic drugs for at least one week. They were induced to hyperventilate (30 breaths/min) for 4 min and anxiety scales were applied before and after the test. A total of 44.0% (N = 11) panic disorder patients, 16.1% (N = 5) of first-degree relatives and 11.5% (N = 3) of control subjects had a panic attack after hyperventilating (chi² = 8.93, d.f. = 2, P = 0.011). In this challenge test the panic disorder patients were more sensitive to hyperventilation than first-degree relatives and normal volunteers. Although the hyperventilation test has a low sensitivity, our data suggest that there is no association between a family history of panic disorder and hyperreactivity to an acute hyperventilation challenge test. Perhaps cognitive variables should be considered to play a specific role in this association since symptoms of a panic attack and acute hyperventilation overlap.

Smoking and psychiatric disorders: a comorbidity survey

Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown a positive correlation between smoking and psychiatric disorders. To investigate the prevalence of cigarette smoking, 277 psychiatric outpatients with anxiety or depressive disorders (DSM-IV) answered a self-evaluation questionnaire about smoking behavior and were compared with a group of 68 control subjects. The diagnoses (N = 262) were: 30.2% (N = 79) major depressive disorder, 23.3% (N = 61) panic disorder, 15.6% (N = 41) social anxiety disorder, 7.3% (N = 19) other anxiety disorders, and 23.7% (N = 62) comorbidity disorders. Among them, 26.3% (N = 69) were smokers, 23.7% (N = 62) were former smokers and 50.0% (N = 131) were nonsmokers. The prevalence of nicotine dependence among the smokers was 59.0% (DSM-IV). The frequency of cigarette smoking did not show any significant difference among the five classes of diagnosis. The social anxiety disorder patients were the heaviest smokers (75.0%), with more unsuccessful attempts to stop smoking (89.0%). The frequency of former smokers was significantly higher among older subjects and nonsmokers were significantly younger (c² = 9.13, d.f. = 2, P = 0.01). Our data present some clinical implications suggesting that in our psychiatric outpatient sample with anxiety disorder, major depression and comorbidity (anxiety disorder and major depression), the frequency of cigarette smoking did not differ from the frequency found in the control group or in general population studies. Some specific features of our population (outpatients, anxiety and depressive disorders) might be responsible for these results.

Diagnostic profile of inpatients as a determinant of length of stay in a general hospital psychiatric unit

The aim of this study was to determine if the diagnostic profile of inpatients of a psychiatric unit in a general hospital influences the length of stay. The results of a retrospective survey comprising the first 16 years of operation of the Psychiatric Unit of the Ribeirão Preto General Hospital (PURP) showed that the progressive increase observed in the length of stay correlated with the increase in percentage of schizophrenia diagnosis, after the 8th year of hospital operation, and of affective disorders, after the 12th year. The length of hospitalization kept increasing until the 16th year, even though there was no change in the diagnostic profile of the patients admitted to the unit. In a prospective study encompassing the next six months, 61 inpatients were evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). The results showed that 82% of the inpatients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for the schizophrenic or affective disorder spectrum at admission, with a discharge rate slower than for other diagnoses, although the length of hospitalization did not significantly differ among diagnostic categories. The results further demonstrated that in every diagnostic category more than 50% of the patients stayed in hospital for more than one week after reaching a BPRS score equal to 6, indicative of discharge. Overall, these data suggest that the increase in length of hospitalization may be due to a higher percentage of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and affective disorder admitted to the PURP. In addition, patients with low symptomatic levels remained in hospital longer than they should have.

Is avoidant disorder part of the social phobia spectrum in a referred sample of Brazilian children and adolescents?

The diagnosis of avoidant disorder was deleted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders - fourth edition (DSM-IV) based on a `committee decision' suggesting that avoidant disorder is part of the social phobia spectrum. The objective of the present study was to examine the nature of this clinical association in a referred sample of Brazilian children and adolescents. We assessed a referred sample of 375 youths using semi-structured diagnostic interview methodology. Demographic (age at admission to the study and sex) and clinical (level of impairment, age at onset of symptoms and pattern of comorbidity) data were assessed in subsamples of children with avoidant disorder (N = 7), social phobia (N = 26), and comorbidity between both disorders (N = 24). Although a significant difference in the male/female ratio was detected among groups (P = 0.03), none of the other clinical variables differed significantly among subjects that presented each condition separately or in combination. Most of the children with avoidant disorder fulfilled criteria for social phobia. Thus, our findings support the validity of the conceptualization of avoidant disorder as part of the social phobia spectrum in a clinical sample.