Essentialism and Folkbiology: evidence from Brazil

Experimental results in reference to Brazilian children and adults are presented in the context of current discussions about essentialism and folkbiology. Using an adoption paradigm, we replicate the basic findings of a previous article in this journal concerning the early emergence in children of a birth-parent bias (Atran et al. 2001). This cognitive bias supports the claim that causal essentialism cross-culturally constrains the reasoning about the origin, development and maintenance of the characteristics and identity of living kinds. We also report some intriguing differences with earlier findings that speak to theoretical and methodological issues of cultural relativity.

Cognitive deficits in first-episode psychosis: A population-based study in Sao Paulo, Brazil

<p>Background: Studies conducted in high-income countries have reported significant cognitive deficits in first on set schizophrenia subjects relative to asymptotic controls, and it has been suggested that the severity of such deficits could be directly related to the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). It is relevant to conduct similar studies in developing countries, given the supposedly better outcome for schizophrenia patients living in the latter environments.</p><p>Methods: We applied verbal fluency and digit span tests to an epidemiological-based series of patients with first-onset psychoses (n = 179) recruited in the city of Sao Paulo, and compared the findings with those from non-psychotic control subjects randomly selected from the same geographical areas (n=383).</p><p>Results: Psychosis subjects showed lower scores on the three tests relative to controls, with greatest between-group differences for the backward digit span task (p &lt; 0.0001). There were no significant differences between subjects with affective and schizophreniform psychosis. Cognitive performance indices were negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms, but showed no relation to DUP.</p><p>Conclusion: We found significant cognitive deficits in patients investigated early during the course of psychotic disorders in an environment that is distinct from those where the subjects investigated in previous studies have been drawn from. We found no support to the hypothesis of an association between greater cognitive deficits and a longer DUP. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.</p>

Free Improvisation in Europe:Lecture and Hands-on Workshop, given at 5 different universities in Brazil during February - June 2014

The lecture traces the beginnings of the free improvisation scene in Europe, commencing in the 1960. I present a multitude of video and audio examples of some of the most prominent improvisers of the time.<br/>I focus specifically on the scene that developed around John Stevens and his SME (Spontaneous Music Ensemble). The work of Derek Bailey, specifically his writings in ���Improvisation: its nature and practice in music��� (1980), will feature.<br/><br/>The practical workshop invites improvisers (beginners to advanced with any instruments) to work with me on several listening and improvisation exercises. <br/>Many of the exercises will be based on the innovative methods as developed by John Stevens in his work ���Search and Reflect���. Participants will be able to experiment with a few essential ���sound/listening��� exercises, guided by myself.<br/>It is envisaged that a small ensemble is formed which will explore several improvisatory strategies. This part is open to all skill levels, all ages and any instrumental groupings.<br/>

Nursing training in Brazil and in Portugal: similarities and specificities

Objective: To identify similarities/specificities in the nursing training in Brazil and in Portugal. This is a documentary research conducted in two higher education institutions, in January 2013. Method: It was focused on the National Curriculum Guidelines and on the Bologna Process. Results: Common points: objectives and profile of the newly-trained nurses grounded on competencies; teaching of education in/for health. Brazilian specificity: universal admission; three disciplines focused on research; mandatory discipline related to elderly care; two optional disciplines: Alternative therapies and Brazilian Language of Signs; insertion of complementary activities, actions in teaching/research/extension; basis of teaching: compliance with the Brazilian Unified Health System. Portuguese Specificity: admission with regionalized medical certificate; grounded on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System; compulsory disciplines: Clinical Reasoning in Nursing; Family Nursing; Development throughout life; Rehabilitative Nursing and Prospects of development of the Nursing; two optional disciplines: entrepreneurship and arts; basis of teaching: clinical teaching. Conclusions: There are similarities and specificities between the surveyed courses.

Nursing training in Brazil and in Portugal: similarities and specificities

Objective: To identify similarities/specificities in the nursing training in Brazil and in Portugal. This is a documentary research conducted in two higher education institutions, in January 2013. Method: It was focused on the National Curriculum Guidelines and on the Bologna Process. Results: Common points: objectives and profile of the newly-trained nurses grounded on competencies; teaching of education in/for health. Brazilian specificity: universal admission; three disciplines focused on research; mandatory discipline related to elderly care; two optional disciplines: Alternative therapies and Brazilian Language of Signs; insertion of complementary activities, actions in teaching/research/extension; basis of teaching: compliance with the Brazilian Unified Health System. Portuguese Specificity: admission with regionalized medical certificate; grounded on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System; compulsory disciplines: Clinical Reasoning in Nursing; Family Nursing; Development throughout life; Rehabilitative Nursing and Prospects of development of the Nursing; two optional disciplines: entrepreneurship and arts; basis of teaching: clinical teaching. Conclusions: There are similarities and specificities between the surveyed courses.

Evaluation of the contamination level and proposal of remediation of soils in the basin of a processing plant of heavy metals, under a tropical climate, in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Ind��strias metal��rgicas de produ����o de ligas met��licas podem por em risco toda a ��rea envolvente, nomeadamente a qualidade das ��guas (superficiais e subterr��neas), dos solos e do ar, sempre que n��o existam infraestruturas e planos adequados de gest��o destes res��duos. No caso em estudo, a unidade industrial situa-se na bacia do rio S��o Francisco, no estado brasileiro de Minas Gerais, e nos mais de quarenta anos de funcionamento tem produzido in��meros problemas ambientais. Este estudo baseia-se nos primeiros resultados referentes aos solos da envolvente, tendo como objetivos a identifica����o dos principais contaminantes e a defini����o da ��rea contaminada, de forma a avaliar a efic��cia de projetos futuros de recupera����o.

Geochemical analysis of sediments from a polluted waterway in the vicinity of a metallurgical plant, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Mining and metallurgical industries are the most responsible for heavy metal contamination. These contaminants are often associated to poor management strategies and the lack of suitable containment areas. This is the case of one of the largest metal alloy producers in the S��o Francisco river basin, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. During operation, the tailings of this activity have been accumulated in the surrounding area, leading to heavy metal contamination (Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and As), much above the critical levels, which accumulate in the sediments of the nearby waterways, in the soils of the drainage area, and in the water column. In this work we are going to discuss both the contamination level and its extent in the Consci��ncia river, a small tributary of the S��o Francisco river, the longest river entirely Brazilian, by analyzing the geochemistry and mineralogy of the accumulated sediments. It will be also discuss the reclamation strategies of this site and the impact on the environment.

Evolutionary diversification in Central Brazil: where Amazonia and Cerrado meet

Apesar da fauna de mam��feros Neotropicais ser uma das mais ricas do mundo, o nosso conhecimento sobre os limites de esp��cies, distribui����es geogr��ficas e rela����es filogen��ticas est�� ainda agora no seu in��cio. As ��reas de transi����o entre os dois maiores biomas da Am��rica do Sul, o Cerrado e a Amaz��nia, s��o ainda menos conhecidas. At�� ao momento, escassos estudos focaram os pequenos mam��feros destas ��reas. Destes estudos, apenas dois apresentam dados taxon��micos e de distribui����o geogr��fica de uma lista de esp��cies reduzida e, nenhum �� focado nos processos evolutivos que conduziram �� diversidade destas ��reas. O presente trabalho tem como objectivo aumentar o conhecimento b��sico sobre a diversidade do m��dio Rio Araguaia, na regi��o central do Brasil, atrav��s da amostragem e an��lise de esp��cies de pequenos mam��feros, integrando um intenso trabalho de campo, de laborat��rio e de museu. Desta forma, um total de 22 esp��cies �� registado para o m��dio Araguaia. De entre estas esp��cies, descreve-se uma esp��cie nova de Rhipidomys, regista-se uma esp��cie n��o descrita de Thrichomys e uma potencial nova forma de Oligoryzomys, e tamb��m se apresenta uma diagnose emendada do obscuro Oecomys cleberi. Para cada esp��cie, s��o tamb��m descritas as suas caracter��sticas morfol��gicas e resumem-se os seus aspectos de distribui����o geogr��fica e hist��ria natural. Para os quatro g��neros acima referidos, s��o apresentadas as an��lises filogen��ticas que permitem a identifica����o das esp��cies. Adicionalmente, os princ��pios da filogeografia s��o aplicados para estudar os padr��es da distribui����o geogr��fica da diversidade gen��tica de tr��s roedores sigmodont��neos e seis marsupiais didelph��deos. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o Rio Araguaia forma uma barreira geogr��fica para esp��cies especialistas em florestas n��o-alag��veis; por outro lado, esp��cies generalistas apresentam partilha de hapl��tipos em ambas as margens do rio. Argumentamos tamb��m que os ref��gios florestais e os gradientes poder��o ter tido um papel importante para moldar a estrutura gen��tica de popula����es de pequenos mam��feros no Brasil central. Em suma, os resultados apresentados corroboram a proposi����o de que a diversidade Neotropical n��o poder�� ser explicada atrav��s de um ��nico modelo de especia����o e que estes n��o s��o mutuamente exclusivos. O entendimento integral dos processos ecol��gicos e hist��ricos que deram origem �� fauna Neotropical, assim como a continuidade de estudos sistem��ticos, depende da realiza����o de novas amostragens e consequente enriquecimento dos museus com colec����es apropriadas.

Hydrodynamic model intercomparison for the patos lagoon (Brazil)

An intercomparison study is carried out between two models with different formulations and spatial discretizations in order to overcome the limitations posed by the standard calibration and validation procedures and improve confidence in the hydrodynamic results for the Patos Lagoon. Numerical simulations were carried out applying the TELEMAC and MOHID models, based on the same boundary conditions and identical calibration coefficients so differences in calculated flow conditions result from the formulations and parameterizations of each model. Results from both models are compared with measurements from three stations inside the lagoon. Preliminary results indicate that both models compare well with the measurements and with each other. These results increase the confidence on hydrodynamic results for the Patos Lagoon and provide the first step towards water quality studies for the area.

Water use and conservation at the environmental protection area of Brilhante, Santa Catarina - Brazil

Disserta����o mest., Gest��o da ��gua e da Costa, Universidade do Algarve, 2008