O sistema aquífero Barreiras na região de Parnamirim, RN: uso das águas e potencialidades

The study area is within the Pirangi River Basin, eastern sector of Rio Grande do Norte state, where is located of the Parnamirim city. It has an area of approximately 370 km². Urbanization has developed much fast without an appropriate infrastructure, mainly by the lack of sewage systems, with risks of contamination of groundwater that may cause serious damage to the health of the population. The Barreiras Aquifer System groundwater in the area represents the main source of water supply for urban and rural populations. The use of groundwater occurs without adequate planning and therefore, important recharge areas are being occupied. This study was conducted to quantify the use and evaluation of the potential of groundwater, in order to increase good water quality supply and lower risks of being affected by polluting activities. With these objectives, the following activities were carried out: 268 points of water have been registered; characterization of the lithological, thickness and hydrogeological structure of the Barreiras aquifer, based on the correlation of well logs; and evaluation of hydrodynamic parameters of the aquifer, from the interpretation of results well pumping tests. It was found that the saturated thickness increases from west to east towards the sea, with values ranging from 15,47-56,5 m with an average of 32,45 m. The hydrodynamic parameters using Cooper-Jacob method were: average transmissivity of 5,9x10-3 m²/s and average hydraulic conductivity 2,82x10-4 m/s. The effective porosity is of 15%, obtained by applying Biecinski equation. The potentiometric map shows the main direction of groundwater flow, from west to east, and identifies the recharge areas corresponding to the region of the tablelands of the "Barreiras". The river valleys refer to the discharge areas of the aquifer system. The Recharge was estimated at 253 mm/year, which corresponds to the 16.4% rate of infiltration.

O sistema aquífero Barreiras na região de Parnamirim, RN: uso das águas e potencialidades

The study area is within the Pirangi River Basin, eastern sector of Rio Grande do Norte state, where is located of the Parnamirim city. It has an area of approximately 370 km². Urbanization has developed much fast without an appropriate infrastructure, mainly by the lack of sewage systems, with risks of contamination of groundwater that may cause serious damage to the health of the population. The Barreiras Aquifer System groundwater in the area represents the main source of water supply for urban and rural populations. The use of groundwater occurs without adequate planning and therefore, important recharge areas are being occupied. This study was conducted to quantify the use and evaluation of the potential of groundwater, in order to increase good water quality supply and lower risks of being affected by polluting activities. With these objectives, the following activities were carried out: 268 points of water have been registered; characterization of the lithological, thickness and hydrogeological structure of the Barreiras aquifer, based on the correlation of well logs; and evaluation of hydrodynamic parameters of the aquifer, from the interpretation of results well pumping tests. It was found that the saturated thickness increases from west to east towards the sea, with values ranging from 15,47-56,5 m with an average of 32,45 m. The hydrodynamic parameters using Cooper-Jacob method were: average transmissivity of 5,9x10-3 m²/s and average hydraulic conductivity 2,82x10-4 m/s. The effective porosity is of 15%, obtained by applying Biecinski equation. The potentiometric map shows the main direction of groundwater flow, from west to east, and identifies the recharge areas corresponding to the region of the tablelands of the "Barreiras". The river valleys refer to the discharge areas of the aquifer system. The Recharge was estimated at 253 mm/year, which corresponds to the 16.4% rate of infiltration.

Table 2 & Appendix A. Properties of operations injecting CO2 into saline aquifers

The experience from CO2 injection at pilot projects (Frio, Ketzin, Nagaoka, US Regional Partnerships) and existing commercial operations (Sleipner, Snøhvit, In Salah, acid-gas injection) demonstrates that CO2 geological storage in saline aquifers is technologically feasible. Monitoring and verification technologies have been tested and demonstrated to detect and track the CO2 plume in different subsurface geological environments. By the end of 2008, approximately 20 Mt of CO2 had been successfully injected into saline aquifers by existing operations. Currently, the highest injection rate and total storage volume for a single storage operation are approximately 1 Mt CO2/year and 25 Mt, respectively. If carbon capture and storage (CCS) is to be an effective option for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, commercial-scale storage operations will require orders of magnitude larger storage capacity than accessed by the existing sites. As a result, new demonstration projects will need to develop and test injection strategies that consider multiple injection wells and the optimisation of the usage of storage space. To accelerate large-scale CCS deployment, demonstration projects should be selected that can be readily employed for commercial use; i.e. projects that fully integrate the capture, transport and storage processes at an industrial emissions source.

Status of the extinct giant lacertid lizard Gallotia simonyi simonyi (Reptilia: Lacertidae) assessed using mtDNA sequences from museum specimens

[EN] Gallotia simonyi (Steindachner, 1889) is a member of an endemic Canary Island genus and is among the largest of the approximately 250 recent species of lacertid lizards. Although Steindachner gave the locality of the types as the Roques de Salmor, off El Hierro island, previous workers (Urusaustegui, 1983; Manrique & Saavedra, 1873; Viera & Clavijo, 1983) and subsequent ones (Machado, 1985) regard the more western of the two rocks in the group, the Roque Chico de Salmor, as the actual source of material. The Roque Chico is 37 m high with a surface area of less than 10,000 m2 and lies 830 m from the northern coast of El Hierro (Machado, 1985).

God and War: the Church of England and Armed Conflict in the Twentieth Century

Despite narratives of secularization, it appears that the British public persistently pay attention to clerical opinion and continually resort to popular expressions of religious faith, not least in time of war. From the throngs of men who gathered to hear the Bishop of London preach recruiting sermons during the First World War, to the attention paid to Archbishop Williams' words of conscience on Iraq, clerical rhetoric remains resonant. For the countless numbers who attended National Days of Prayer during the Second World War, and for the many who continue to find the Remembrance Day service a meaningful ritual, civil religious events provide a source of meaningful ceremony and a focus of national unity. War and religion have been linked throughout the twentieth century and this book explores these links: taking the perspective of the 'home front' rather than the battlefield. Exploring the views and accounts of Anglican clerics on the issue of warfare and international conflict across the century, the authors explore the church's stance on the causes, morality and conduct of warfare; issues of pacifism, obliteration bombing, nuclear possession and deterrence, retribution, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the spiritual opportunities presented by conflict. This book offers invaluable insights into how far the Church influenced public appraisal of war whilst illuminating the changing role of the Church across the twentieth century.

Age and nature of 560–520 Ma calc-alkaline granitoids of Biarjmand, northeast Iran: insights into Cadomian arc magmatism in northern Gondwana

The Biarjmand granitoids and granitic gneisses in northeast Iran are part of the Torud–Biarjmand metamorphic complex, where previous zircon U–Pb geochronology show ages of ca. 554–530 Ma for orthogneissic rocks. Our new U–Pb zircon ages confirm a Cadomian age and show that the granitic gneiss is ~30 million years older (561.3 ± 4.7 Ma) than intruding granitoids(522.3 ± 4.2 Ma; 537.7 ± 4.7 Ma). Cadomian magmatism in Iran was part of an approximately 100-million-year-long episode of subduction-related arc and back-arc magmatism, which dominated the whole northern Gondwana margin, from Iberia to Turkey and Iran. Major REE and trace element data show that these granitoids have calc-alkaline signatures. Their zircon O (δ18O = 6.2–8.9‰) and Hf (–7.9 to +5.5; one point with εHf ~ –17.4) as well as bulk rock Nd isotopes (εNd(t)= –3 to –6.2) show that these magmas were generated via mixing of juvenile magmas with an older crust and/or melting of middle continental crust. Whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf model ages (1.3–1.6 Ga) suggest that this older continental crust was likely to have been Mesoproterozoic or even older. Our results, including variable zircon εHf(t) values, inheritance of old zircons and lack of evidence for juvenile Cadomian igneous rocks anywhere in Iran, suggest that the geotectonic setting during late Ediacaran and early Cambrian time was a continental magmatic arc rather than back-arc for the evolution of northeast Iran Cadomian igneous rocks.

Status of Endangered and Threatened Sand Area Species of the Illinois Flora

This study was undertaken to determine the distribution and habitat requirements of many of the endangered and threatened plant species associated with the sand deposits of Illinois. Approximately 70 species of endangered and threatened plants are known to grow in these deposits. The habitat fidelity and natural community types were determined for 40 of these species that are restricted to these glacial drift sand habitats. Plant community types, associated species, moisture requirements, and other data concerning each of the plant species were determined by reviewing the pertinent literature, searching the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Database, through discussions with botanists and natural heritage biologists, examination of herbarium specimens, and our studies of the vegetation of the Illinois sand deposits. Throughout the course of these studies, most of the nature preserves, state parks, and identified natural areas in the sand regions were visited on numerous occasions and vegetation surveys undertaken. The information presented in this paper could allow rare plant conservation in Illinois to become more proactive by encouraging the selection of sites where in situ conservation efforts could be conducted by state, local, and nongovernmental organizations.

Editorial. Marketization and commodification of adult education

The editorial presents the articles of this issue on the topic of marketization and commodification of adult education of which some are conceptual and some empirical. (DIPF/Orig.)

Transcriptional profiling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae relevant for predicting alachlor mechanisms of toxicity

Alachlor has been a commonly applied herbicide and is a substance of ecotoxicological concern. The present study aims to identify molecular biomarkers in the eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can be used to predict potential cytotoxic effects of alachlor, while providing new mechanistic clues with possible relevance for experimentally less accessible eukaryotes. It focuses on genome-wide expression profiling in a yeast population in response to two exposure scenarios exerting effects from slight to moderate magnitude at phenotypic level. In particular, 100 and 264 genes, respectively, were found as differentially expressed on a 2-h exposure of yeast cells to the lowest observed effect concentration (110 mg/L) and the 20% inhibitory concentration (200 mg/L) of alachlor, in comparison with cells not exposed to the herbicide. The datasets of alachlor-responsive genes showed functional enrichment in diverse metabolic, transmembrane transport, cell defense, and detoxification categories. In general, the modifications in transcript levels of selected candidate biomarkers, assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, confirmed the microarray data and varied consistently with the growth inhibitory effects of alachlor. Approximately 16% of the proteins encoded by alachlor-differentially expressed genes were found to share significant homology with proteins from ecologically relevant eukaryotic species. The biological relevance of these results is discussed in relation to new insights into the potential adverse effects of alachlor in health of organisms from ecosystems, particularly in worst-case situations such as accidental spills or careless storage, usage, and disposal.

A Duplex Allele-Specific Amplification PCR to Detect SMN1 Deletion

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of death in childhood, is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, associated with deletions of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene identified and mapped to chromosome 5q13. SMN is present in two highly homologous copies (SMN1 and SMN2). In the general population, normal individuals (noncarriers) have at least one telomeric (SMN1) copy, and 5% of them have no copies of SMN2. Approximately 95% of SMA patients carry homologous deletions of SMN1 exon(s) 7 (and 8). SMN1 and SMN2 exons 7 and 8 differ only by 1 bp each, and SMA diagnosis might be performed by single-strand conformational polymorphism, PCR amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification, or realtime PCR of SMNs exons 7 and 8. We developed a simpler and cost-effective method to detect SMN1 exon 7 deletion based on allele-specific amplification PCR.

Subsoil nitrogen mineralisation and its potential to contribute to NH4 accumulation in a Vertosol

High concentrations of NH4+ (up to 270 kg N/ha) have been observed in a Vertosol below 1 m depth in south-east Queensland. This study examined the possibility that mineralisation associated with the removal of native vegetation (Acacia harpophylla) for cropping was responsible for the production of NH4+. Particularly, the potential contribution of decomposing root material and/or dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) leached into the subsoil after clearing was investigated. The amount of N that was contained within native vegetation root material was determined from an area of native vegetation adjacent to the cleared site containing elevated NH4+ concentrations. In addition, the amount of NH4+ that could be mineralised in the native vegetation soil was determined by monitoring NH4+ concentrations over 360 days in intact cores, and by conducting waterlogged incubations. To determine the rate at which a source of DON leached into the subsoil would mineralise, soil was amended with glutamic acid at a rate of 250 mg N/kg and placed under waterlogged incubation. The possibility that the acidic pH of the subsoil, or the lack of a significant subsoil microbial population, was inhibiting mineralisation was also examined by increasing soil pH from 4.4 to 7.0, and inoculating the subsoil with surface soil microorganisms during waterlogged incubations. Low concentrations of N, approximately 90 kg N/ha between 1.2 and 3 m, were found in the native vegetation root material. In addition, no net N mineralisation was observed in either the extended incubation of intact cores or in the control samples of the waterlogged incubations. Net N mineralisation was also not detected when the subsoil was amended with a source of organic N. Results indicate that this lack of mineralisation is largely due to pH inhibition of the microbial population. It is concluded that the mineralisation of either in situ organic material, or DON transported to the subsoil during leaching events, is unlikely to have significantly contributed to the subsoil NH4 accumulation at the study site.

Ascetismo, gênero e poder no Baixo Império Romano : Paládio de Helenópolis e o status das devotas cristãs

As diversas modalidades de ascetismo feminino que vigoraram nas comunidades cristãs ao longo dos três primeiros séculos do Império tenderão a se integrar numa nova experiência religiosa que começa a se esboçar por volta de 270 para alcançar uma expansão considerável no final do Mundo Antigo: o monacato. Mediante a análise da História Lausíaca, de Paládio de Helenópolis, obra escrita por volta de 420, investigamos a posição social das ascetas e o tipo de atuação que desempenharam no interior de um movimento dominado pelos homens, como foi o movimento monástico. Além disso, analisamos a capacidade das mulheres de exercer alguma modalidade de poder no âmbito das suas comunidades locais em comparação aos homens divinos cristãos do Baixo Império.

Tendências temporais de mortalidade por câncer de próstata no estado do Espírito Santo

Introdução: O câncer de próstata é o segundo tipo de câncer mais incidente em homens em todas as regiões do Brasil. Aproximadamente 62% dos casos diagnosticados no mundo ocorrem em homens com 65 anos ou mais, caracterizando o único fator de risco estabelecido. Objetivos: Estudar a tendência da completude do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM), segundo as variáveis idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil no período de 2000 a 2010, no Espírito Santo, Região Sudeste e Brasil. Analisar a tendência de mortalidade por câncer de próstata na série histórica no estado do Espírito Santo (ES), no período de 1980 a 2010. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo baseado em dados secundários de todos os óbitos por câncer de próstata obtidos do SIM e dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) disponíveis no DATASUS departamento de informática do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil, no período de 1980 a 2010. Considerou-se as variáveis (idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil). Analisou-se o número absoluto e calculou-se o percentual de não preenchimento das informações das declarações de óbitos (DOs), que são a base de informação do SIM, nas localidades selecionadas (ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil). Analisou-se através do Pacote Estatístico para Ciências Sociais (SPSS), versão 18.0. Realizou-se uma análise inferencial com ajustes de curvas para os percentuais de dados faltantes das variáveis demográficas disponíveis no sistema do DATASUS (estado civil, escolaridade, raça/cor). E para a análise de tendência, foi realizado o cálculo do coeficiente de mortalidade por óbitos. As equações do melhor modelo e as estatísticas de ajuste (valor de R2 e o p-valor do teste F de adequação do modelo) foram obtidas do programa SPSS, versão 18.0. Resultados: No período de 2000 a 2010 a variável raça/cor, escolaridade, mostrou-se decrescente para o Brasil. A variável estado civil destacou-se por caracterizar uma tendência crescente no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil. No período de 1980 a 2010 observou-se 3.561 óbitos no ES. Observa-se na série história que há tendência crescente de mortalidade por câncer de próstata. Conclusão: O trabalho é de grande importância para o estudo de câncer de próstata no Brasil. Identificou-se a crescente não completude dos campos de Estado Civil, enquanto a variável raça/cor foi considerada decrescente, porém com qualidade dos dados ruim. É preciso ações para que o processo de coleta dos dados seja aprimorado pela capacitação dos registradores. Nos resultados observou-se a tendência de crescimento da mortalidade, sendo necessárias ações, estratégias e políticas governamentais voltadas para a integralidade à saúde masculina.

A communication support for real-time distributed computer controlled systems

In this paper, we analyse the ability of P-NET [1] fieldbus to cope with the timing requirements of a Distributed Computer Control System (DCCS), where messages associated to discrete events should be made available within a maximum bound time. The main objective of this work is to analyse how the network access and queueing delays, imposed by P-NET’s virtual token Medium Access Control (MAC) mechanism, affect the realtime behaviour of the supported DCCS.

A importância das tarefas realizadas em sala de aula no desenvolvimento da resolução criativa de problemas

Relatório de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ensino do 1.º e do 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico