Competing Ecosystem Services: an Assessment of Carbon and Timber in the Tropical Forests of Central America

29 p.

Evolução geológica do Complexo Quirino, Terreno Paraíba do Sul, Setor Central da Faixa Ribeira, com base em dados isotópicos de Sm-Nd e Sr

A área estudada está inserida na Faixa Ribeira, Segmento Central da Província Mantiqueira (Almeida et al., 1973, 1977, 1981), que representa um cinturão de dobramentos e empurrões gerado no Neo-proterozóico/Cambriano, durante a Orogênese Brasiliana, na borda sul/sudeste do Cráton do São Francisco (Almeida, 1971, 1977; Cordani et al., 1967, 1973; Cordani & Brito Neves, 1982; Teixeira & Figueiredo, 1991). Neste contexto, o Complexo Quirino é o embasamento retrabalhado do Terreno Paraíba do Sul (Heilbron et al., 2004). O Complexo Quirino é formado por extensos corpos de ortognaisses foliados a homogêneos, leuco a mesocráticos, de granulometria média à grossa, composicionalmente variando entre granitóides tonalíticos/granodioríticos a graníticos, e apresentando enclaves de rochas ultramáficas, máficas e cálcio-silicáticas (ricas em tremolita). Os ortognaisses tonalíticos/granodioríticos apresentam porfiroblastos de plagioclásio e a hornblenda como máfico principal, contrastando com os de composição granítica que apresentam porfiroblastos de K-feldspato e biotita predominante. Como acessórios aparecem zircão, titanita, apatita e epidoto. Também estão associados a estes ortognaisses, granitóides neoproterozóicos que formam corpos individualizados ou lentes anatéticas no conjunto paleoproterozóico. Estes são compostos predominantemente por biotita gnaisse e hornblenda-biotita gnaisse. A análise litogeoquímicas dos ortognaisses do Complexo Quirino demonstrou a existência de duas séries magmáticas distintas. A primeira pertencente à série cálcio-alcalina de alto-K apresenta uma composição mais expandida granítica-adamelítica/granodioritica/tonalítica e é correlacionável aos bt-ortognaisses e alguns hb-bt-ortognaisses. Os ortognaisses da série médio-K apresentam composição predominantemente tonalítica, sendo correlacionáveis à maioria dos hornblenda-biotita gnaisses. Enclaves lenticulares de metapiroxeníticos e anfibolíticos ocorrem em muitos afloramentos. Também ocorrem granitóides neoproterozóicos de composição graníticas a quartzo-monzoníticas O estudo isotópico de Sm-Nd e Sr demonstrou que os ortognaisses da série cálcio-alcalina de alto-K e aqueles da série cálcio-alcalina de médio-K possuem idades modelo TDM variando entre paleoproterozóicas a arqueanas, consistentes com dados U-Pb em zircão publicados na literatura. A série cálcio-alcalina de alto-K é mais antiga (2308 9,2 Ma a 2185 8 Ma) do que a série calcio-alcalina de médio-K (2169 3 a 2136 14 Ma) e a existência de zircões herdados com idades mínimas de 2846 Ma e 2981 Ma para série de médio-K e 3388 16 para série de alto-K. Os granitóides brasilianos possuem idades de cristalização neoproterozóica correlacionada a Orogênese Brasiliana (602 a 627 Ma) (Viana, 2008; Valladares et al., 2002)./Com base nos dados de Sr e Sm-Nd foi possível caracterizar 4 grupos distintos. Os grupos 1 e 2 são formados por rochas de idade paleoproterozóica (2,1 a 2,3 Ga) com idades modelo TDM variando de 2,9 e 3,4 Ga, εNd entre -8,1 e -5,8 e 87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0,694707 (Grupo 1) e TDM variando de 2,5 a 2,7 Ga, εNd entre -5,8 e -3,1 e 87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0,680824 (Grupo 2), formados no paleoproterozóico com contribuição de uma crosta arqueana. O grupo 3 é formado por rochas juvenis de idade paleoproterozóica, com idades de cristalização variando entre 2,0 e 2,2 Ga e com idades modelo TDM variando de 2,1 a 2,2 Ga e εNd entre + 1,5 e + 1,2. O grupo 4 é formado durante o neoproterozóico (645 Ma) por rochas possivelmente de idade paleoproterozóico com idades modelo TDM igual a 1,7 Ga e εNd igual a -8,3.

Seismic structure along transitions from flat to normal subduction: central Mexico, southern Peru, and southwest Japan

The fine-scale seismic structure of the central Mexico, southern Peru, and southwest Japan subduction zones is studied using intraslab earthquakes recorded by temporary and permanent regional seismic arrays. The morphology of the transition from flat to normal subduction is explored in central Mexico and southern Peru, while in southwest Japan the spatial coincidence of a thin ultra-slow velocity layer (USL) atop the flat slab with locations of slow slip events (SSEs) is explored. This USL is also observed in central Mexico and southern Peru, where its lateral extent is used as one constraint on the nature of the flat-to-normal transitions.

In western central Mexico, I find an edge to this USL which is coincident with the western boundary of the projected Orozco Fracture Zone (OFZ) region. Forward modeling of the 2D structure of the subducted Cocos plate using a finite-difference algorithm provides constraints on the velocity and geometry of the slab’s seismic structure in this region and confirms the location of the USL edge. I propose that the Cocos slab is currently fragmenting into a North Cocos plate and a South Cocos plate along the projection of the OFZ, by a process analogous to that which occurred when the Rivera plate separated from the proto-Cocos plate 10 Ma.

In eastern central Mexico, observations of a sharp transition in slab dip near the abrupt end of the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) suggest a possible slab tear located within the subducted South Cocos plate. The eastern lateral extent of the USL is found to be coincident with these features and with the western boundary of a zone of decreased seismicity, indicating a change in structure which I interpret as evidence of a possible tear. Analysis of intraslab seismicity patterns and focal mechanism orientations and faulting types provides further support for a possible tear in the South Cocos slab. This potential tear, together with the tear along the projection of the OFZ to the northwest, indicates a slab rollback mechanism in which separate slab segments move independently, allowing for mantle flow between the segments.

In southern Peru, observations of a gradual increase in slab dip coupled with a lack of any gaps or vertical offsets in the intraslab seismicity suggest a smooth contortion of the slab. Concentrations of focal mechanisms at orientations which are indicative of slab bending are also observed along the change in slab geometry. The lateral extent of the USL atop the horizontal Nazca slab is found to be coincident with the margin of the projected linear continuation of the subducting Nazca Ridge, implying a causal relationship, but not a slab tear. Waveform modeling of the 2D structure in southern Peru provides constraints on the velocity and geometry of the slab’s seismic structure and confirms the absence of any tears in the slab.

In southwest Japan, I estimate the location of a possible USL along the Philippine Sea slab surface and find this region of low velocity to be coincident with locations of SSEs that have occurred in this region. I interpret the source of the possible USL in this region as fluids dehydrated from the subducting plate, forming a high pore-fluid pressure layer, which would be expected to decrease the coupling on the plate interface and promote SSEs.

Recursos de combustible en central nuclear de fusión en el País Vasco

[ES]Este trabajo surge de la inquietud del alumno sobre la energía nuclear y mas concretamente sobre la energía de fusión. Esta inquietud se plasma en una recopilación de información sobre los combustibles necesarios , su abundancia y su forma de obtención actual. Analizaremos la posibilidad de implantar alguna de estas plantas de combustible en el País Vasco, junto con un estudio de una posible central nuclear de fusión con la suma de la potencia de cada uno de los reactores de fisión que se encuentran actualmente en funcionamiento en el estado Español. Compararemos las cantidades de combustible necesarias en un año de uranio y el combustible de fusión, así como el coste de construcción de cada una.

Creation of temporary ponds for amphibians in northern and central Europe

More than 4000 ponds have been created or restored in Denmark since 1985 as part of a large-scale pond-digging programme to protect endangered amphibians in particular and pond flora and fauna in general. Most ponds are created on private land with public financing. The programme was triggered by, among other factors, a drastic decline in amphibian populations in Denmark between 1940 and 1980. However, in recent years there has been an increased awareness in Denmark that temporary ponds are important for the conservation of some of the most rare amphibian species, such as fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina, natterjack toad Bufo calamita and green toad Bufo viridis. Other rare species such as moor frog Rana arvalis and European tree frog Hyla arborea also benefit from temporary ponds. The last 15 years of work on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats has resulted in a last-minute rescue and a subsequent growth in the size of most Danish populations of fire-bellied toad and green toad; some populations of the relatively more common natterjack toad have also increased. The creation of temporary ponds plays an important role in the success of these three species. The creation of ponds to help restore viable populations of the most rare amphibians has not been easy. To study the conditions that may need to be created, Danish herpetologists searched for areas with temporary ponds that had good water quality, natural hydrological conditions and a management regime influenced by traditional agricultural methods. The paper gives an overview of pond creation and restoration projects in Denmark and Poland and their significance for amphibian diversity.

Source characteristics of recent and historic earthquakes in Central and Southern California: results from forward modeling

The long- and short-period body waves of a number of moderate earthquakes occurring in central and southern California recorded at regional (200-1400 km) and teleseismic (> 30°) distances are modeled to obtain the source parameters-focal mechanism, depth, seismic moment, and source time history. The modeling is done in the time domain using a forward modeling technique based on ray summation. A simple layer over a half space velocity model is used with additional layers being added if necessary-for example, in a basin with a low velocity lid.

The earthquakes studied fall into two geographic regions: 1) the western Transverse Ranges, and 2) the western Imperial Valley. Earthquakes in the western Transverse Ranges include the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake, several offshore earthquakes that occurred between 1969 and 1981, and aftershocks to the 1983 Coalinga earthquake (these actually occurred north of the Transverse Ranges but share many characteristics with those that occurred there). These earthquakes are predominantly thrust faulting events with the average strike being east-west, but with many variations. Of the six earthquakes which had sufficient short-period data to accurately determine the source time history, five were complex events. That is, they could not be modeled as a simple point source, but consisted of two or more subevents. The subevents of the Whittier Narrows earthquake had different focal mechanisms. In the other cases, the subevents appear to be the same, but small variations could not be ruled out.

The recent Imperial Valley earthquakes modeled include the two 1987 Superstition Hills earthquakes and the 1969 Coyote Mountain earthquake. All are strike-slip events, and the second 1987 earthquake is a complex event With non-identical subevents.

In all the earthquakes studied, and particularly the thrust events, constraining the source parameters required modeling several phases and distance ranges. Teleseismic P waves could provide only approximate solutions. P_(nl) waves were probably the most useful phase in determining the focal mechanism, with additional constraints supplied by the SH waves when available. Contamination of the SH waves by shear-coupled PL waves was a frequent problem. Short-period data were needed to obtain the source time function.

In addition to the earthquakes mentioned above, several historic earthquakes were also studied. Earthquakes that occurred before the existence of dense local and worldwide networks are difficult to model due to the sparse data set. It has been noticed that earthquakes that occur near each other often produce similar waveforms implying similar source parameters. By comparing recent well studied earthquakes to historic earthquakes in the same region, better constraints can be placed on the source parameters of the historic events.

The Lompoc earthquake (M=7) of 1927 is the largest offshore earthquake to occur in California this century. By direct comparison of waveforms and amplitudes with the Coalinga and Santa Lucia Banks earthquakes, the focal mechanism (thrust faulting on a northwest striking fault) and long-period seismic moment (10^(26) dyne cm) can be obtained. The S-P travel times are consistent with an offshore location, rather than one in the Hosgri fault zone.

Historic earthquakes in the western Imperial Valley were also studied. These events include the 1942 and 1954 earthquakes. The earthquakes were relocated by comparing S-P and R-S times to recent earthquakes. It was found that only minor changes in the epicenters were required but that the Coyote Mountain earthquake may have been more severely mislocated. The waveforms as expected indicated that all the events were strike-slip. Moment estimates were obtained by comparing the amplitudes of recent and historic events at stations which recorded both. The 1942 event was smaller than the 1968 Borrego Mountain earthquake although some previous studies suggested the reverse. The 1954 and 1937 earthquakes had moments close to the expected value. An aftershock of the 1942 earthquake appears to be larger than previously thought.

Características pessoais e institucionais e comportamentos de autocuidado de docentes de enfermagem segundo os modos adaptativos de Roy: estudo em Instituições Públicas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Este trabalho enfoca a promoção da vida através de comportamentos saudáveis, tendo como objetivos: delinear o perfil sociodemográfico e institucional/profissional dos docentes de enfermagem e analisar seus hábitos de vida, segundo os modos adaptativos de Roy. Foi utilizada a Teoria de Sister Callista Roy, destacando-se os modos de adaptação: fisiológico, autoconceito e interdependência. Implementou-se o método descritivo, quantitativo, transversal através da técnica de autorelato em amostra de 101 docentes. Para investigar esses aspectos, utilizou-se dois questionários, um deles com a escala de Likert, adaptado para a pesquisa. A produção de dados transcorreu de janeiro a março de 2009, após aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, Protocolo 2187, e concordância das quatro instituições públicas de ensino universitário, do Estado do Rio de Janeiro-Brasil, selecionadas. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos á estatística, aplicando-se medidas de tendência central. Quanto ao perfil docente: predomina a faixa etária de 40 a 59 anos, com 69,3%, de união estável. Relacionando cor e crença religiosa, constatou-se 37,6% de católicos brancos. Dos 50 docentes, 5% têm residência própria, na zona norte. Possuem renda individual acima de 8 salários mínimos, 67,32%, a maioria com vínculo trabalhista. No tempo de serviço, 22,94% situam-se entre 11 a 15 anos, com carga horária de 20 a 40 horas. Quanto à titulação, 42,56% são doutores e 80,2% possuem um tipo de regime estatutário. Concernente aos Modos Adaptativos de Roy foi atribuído, predominantemente, o conceito A- hábitos de vida saudável, aos modos Fisiológicos e de Autoconceito, seguindo-se o de Interdependência, que apresentou quatro conceitos B- em busca de hábitos de vida saudável, sendo o mais homogêneo dos três modos. Identificou-se que o Modo Fisiológico foi heterogêneo, pois os valores das medidas de tendência central se distanciam entre si. Concluindo-se que o pressuposto formulado atendeu parcialmente às expectativas dos docentes por utilizarem, em benefício próprio, seus saberes sobre o cuidar promovendo o bem-estar com qualidade. Considerou-se que a interdependência pode ser conquistada pelos sujeitos, visto que o enfrentamento das suas atividades profissionais, paralelamente ao viver pessoal, pode ser motivo de satisfação com o trabalho docente, remuneração recebida, ambiente institucional, relações de poder/saber no trabalho, além da possibilidade de atender sua necessidade gregária promovendo o convívio com a família e amigos. Lembra-se que lidar com pessoas cujas subjetividades devem ser objetivadas, visando sua compreensão para o atendimento de saúde, exige equilíbrio e progresso das dimensões corporais física, mental e espiritual do profissional.

Competitive issue of money & abolition of central banks

The aim of this work is to analyze the main characteristics of the current financial system and to investigate the arising of critical voices with respect this system. In particular, we analyze some historical facts that have been important in the creation of this financial order. We analyze the new digital currency, known as Bitcoin, as the basic ingredient in the formation of a new alternative and decentralized international financial system. In 10 years Bitcoin has expanded its influence to many economic activities. We also analyzed briefly the classic liberal theory that criticizes the intervention of governments in the markets. Finally, we consider relevant the arising of a group of countries (BRICS) that may challenge the current system where the position of USA is privileged.

Comparative investigations on the respiratory physiology of euryhaline gammarids with special reference to salinity adaptation. [Translation from: Helgolaender Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen 23(4) 485-534, 1972.]

Members of the family Gammaridae are very closely interrelated. There arises the question as to how far they also differ amongst themselves through physiological characteristics. Comparative respiratory and physiological experiments were made on the five euryhaline species Gammarus locusta, G. oceanicus, G. salinus, G. zaddachi and G. duebeni. The respiratory measurements carried out within the framework of this experiment were occupied with the relationships between oxygen consumption and body size depending on salinity. They also had the object of determing the variations in metabolic intensity after an abrupt change in the salt content of the external medium, and to establish the period of time for the process of adaptation. As the experiments were carried out polarographically in a testing plant with continuous flow-through, and the method which was applied permitted continuous recording over prolonged intervals, there could also be carried out comparisons between metabolism at rest and under activity, and the alterations of oxygen consumption during the process of moulting could be measured.

MEMS for Diabetic Retinopathy

As the worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to increase, diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in many developed countries. Between 32 to 40 percent of about 246 million people with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 4.1 million American adults 40 years and older are affected by diabetic retinopathy. This glucose-induced microvascular disease progressively damages the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, leading to retinal ischemia (i.e., inadequate blood flow), retinal hypoxia (i.e., oxygen deprivation), and retinal nerve cell degeneration or death. It is a most serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes, resulting in significant irreversible vision loss, and even total blindness.

Unfortunately, although current treatments of diabetic retinopathy (i.e., laser therapy, vitrectomy surgery and anti-VEGF therapy) can reduce vision loss, they only slow down but cannot stop the degradation of the retina. Patients require repeated treatment to protect their sight. The current treatments also have significant drawbacks. Laser therapy is focused on preserving the macula, the area of the retina that is responsible for sharp, clear, central vision, by sacrificing the peripheral retina since there is only limited oxygen supply. Therefore, laser therapy results in a constricted peripheral visual field, reduced color vision, delayed dark adaptation, and weakened night vision. Vitrectomy surgery increases the risk of neovascular glaucoma, another devastating ocular disease, characterized by the proliferation of fibrovascular tissue in the anterior chamber angle. Anti-VEGF agents have potential adverse effects, and currently there is insufficient evidence to recommend their routine use.

In this work, for the first time, a paradigm shift in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy is proposed: providing localized, supplemental oxygen to the ischemic tissue via an implantable MEMS device. The retinal architecture (e.g., thickness, cell densities, layered structure, etc.) of the rabbit eye exposed to ischemic hypoxic injuries was well preserved after targeted oxygen delivery to the hypoxic tissue, showing that the use of an external source of oxygen could improve the retinal oxygenation and prevent the progression of the ischemic cascade.

The proposed MEMS device transports oxygen from an oxygen-rich space to the oxygen-deficient vitreous, the gel-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye, and then to the ischemic retina. This oxygen transport process is purely passive and completely driven by the gradient of oxygen partial pressure (pO₂). Two types of devices were designed. For the first type, the oxygen-rich space is underneath the conjunctiva, a membrane covering the sclera (white part of the eye), beneath the eyelids and highly permeable to oxygen in the atmosphere when the eye is open. Therefore, sub-conjunctival pO₂ is very high during the daytime. For the second type, the oxygen-rich space is inside the device since pure oxygen is needle-injected into the device on a regular basis.

To prevent too fast or too slow permeation of oxygen through the device that is made of parylene and silicone (two widely used biocompatible polymers in medical devices), the material properties of the hybrid parylene/silicone were investigated, including mechanical behaviors, permeation rates, and adhesive forces. Then the thicknesses of parylene and silicone became important design parameters that were fine-tuned to reach the optimal oxygen permeation rate.

The passive MEMS oxygen transporter devices were designed, built, and tested in both bench-top artificial eye models and in-vitro porcine cadaver eyes. The 3D unsteady saccade-induced laminar flow of water inside the eye model was modeled by computational fluid dynamics to study the convective transport of oxygen inside the eye induced by saccade (rapid eye movement). The saccade-enhanced transport effect was also demonstrated experimentally. Acute in-vivo animal experiments were performed in rabbits and dogs to verify the surgical procedure and the device functionality. Various hypotheses were confirmed both experimentally and computationally, suggesting that both the two types of devices are very promising to cure diabetic retinopathy. The chronic implantation of devices in ischemic dog eyes is still underway.

The proposed MEMS oxygen transporter devices can be also applied to treat other ocular and systemic diseases accompanied by retinal ischemia, such as central retinal artery occlusion, carotid artery disease, and some form of glaucoma.