An overview of the HIBISCUS campaign

The EU HIBISCUS project consisted of a series of field campaigns during the intense convective summers in 2001, 2003 and 2004 in the State of São Paulo in Brazil. Its objective was to investigate the impact of deep convection on the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL) and the lower stratosphere by providing a new set of observational data on meteorology, tracers of horizontal and vertical transport, water vapour, clouds, and chemistry in the tropical Upper Troposphere/Lower Stratosphere (UT/LS). This was achieved using short duration research balloons to study local phenomena associated with convection over land, and long-duration balloons circumnavigating the globe to study the contrast between land and oceans.Analyses of observations of short-lived tracers, ozone and ice particles show strong episodic local updraughts of cold air across the lapse rate tropopause up to 18 or 19 km (420-440 K) in the lower stratosphere by overshooting towers. The long duration balloon and satellite measurements reveal a contrast between the composition of the lower stratosphere over land and oceanic areas, suggesting significant global impact of such events. The overshoots are shown to be well captured by non-hydrostatic meso-scale Cloud Resolving Models indicating vertical velocities of 50-60 m s(-1) at the top of the Neutral Buoyancy Level (NBL) at around 14 km, but, in contrast, are poorly represented by global Chemistry-Transport Models (CTM) forced by Numerical Weather Forecast Models (NWP) underestimating the overshooting process. Finally, the data collected by the HIBISCUS balloons have allowed a thorough evaluation of temperature NWP analyses and reanalyses, as well as satellite ozone, nitrogen oxide, water vapour and bromine oxide measurements in the tropics.

Lightning characteristics observed by a VLF/LF lightning detection network (LINET) in Brazil, Australia, Africa and Germany

This paper describes lightning characteristics as obtained in four sets of lightning measurements during recent field campaigns in different parts of the world from mid-latitudes to the tropics by the novel VLF/LF (very low frequency/low frequency) lightning detection network (LINET). The paper gives a general overview on the approach, and a synopsis of the statistical results for the observation periods as a whole and for one special day in each region. The focus is on the characteristics of lightning which can specifically be observed by this system like intra-cloud and cloud-to-ground stroke statistics, vertical distributions of intra-cloud strokes or peak current distributions. Some conclusions regarding lightning produced NOx are also presented as this was one of the aims of the tropical field campaigns TROCCINOX (Tropical Convection, Cirrus and Nitrogen Oxides Experiment) and TroCCiBras (Tropical Convection and Cirrus Experiment Brazil) in Brazil during January/February 2005, SCOUT-O3 (Stratospheric-Climate Links with Emphasis on the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere) and TWP-ICE (Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment) during November/December 2005 and January/February 2006, respectively, in the Darwin area in N-Australia, and of AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses) in W-Africa during June-November 2006.

Avaliação da população canina da zona urbana do Município de Araçatuba, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Planning control programs, for diseases such as rabies requires information on the size and structure of the dog and cat population. In order to evaluate the dog population of the urban area of Araçatuba city, S. Paulo State, Brazil, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to interview members of households. Eighty-eight districts were visited (37,778 houses) and the interview was possible at 77.93% of these. Human population size evaluated was 113,157 inhabitants. Houses that owned animals represented 55.2%, 26,926 of the animals concerned were dogs and 5,755 were cats. Of the dogs, 56.64% were 1-4 year olds and males represented 56.2% of the total population. Dog: person ratio was estimated at 2.8 dogs to every 10 persons, almost 3 times the ratio hitherto estimated and used in the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns.

Fragmentos da história da malária em São Paulo

Due to its great incidence in Brazil, malaria is one of the most important transmissible disease studied in the papers that deal with public health today. Although it is present in the Brazilian history since the colonial period, it has hardly been studied from its historic perspective. The present article intends to give a general view of the disease in Brazil, specially in the state of São Paulo. The research is based on historic papers of health and epidemies not only in Brazil but also in the world, found in the legislative documentation of São Paulo. Until 1930, malaria had spread through the country and the health authorities took no care in stablishing especific campaigns to face the disease. This negligence was mostly due to the fact that the mortality rate of malaria was lesser than variola, yellow fever or the many other endemic or epidemic diseases. Eradication seemed to be close to an end but the social and economic transformations after the 70's brought the disease in a proportion ten times worse.

Faecal contamination (viral and bacteria) detection in groundwater used for drinking purposes in São Paulo, Brazil

This project has been developed to evaluate the possible relationship between the cesspit (pit latrine) in as far as it degrades the quality of underground water. Its importance is due to the fact that in the rural communities in the State of São Paulo (Brazil) this type of cesspit is very common as a means of sewage disposal and these communities use underground water for their supply of drinking water. Rural properties distributed over the rural area in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto were selected. A preliminary study was then set up to determine the social situation and health of the households as well as qualitative evaluations on the type of water supply and sewage disposal of these communities. Campaigns of water sampling then followed and laboratory analyses of water taken from wells were carried out. Parameters were set up to evaluate the potability according to Brazilian legislation (2004) paying attention to microbiologic (coliforms, Crytosporidium sp., and adenovirus). The analyses showed evidence of possible interaction between the wells and the sewage effluents and drainage in these communities. A PCR reaction to detect adenovirus showed a presence in 53.3% of the samples. The tests for the detection of Cryotosporidium sp all showed a negative result.

Fatores associados à vacinação contra a influenza em idosos

Objective. To investigate the epidemiologic profile of elderly persons who do or do not participate in influenza vaccination campaigns and to identify the variables that bear an influence on participation. Method. A cross-sectional population-based study was performed using data on individuals aged 60 years or older who were living in the municipalities of São Paulo, Itapecerica da Serra, Embu, Taboão da Serra, Campinas and Botucatu, Brazil, in 2001 and 2002. A stratified random sample of 1 908 elderly individuals was selected by means of two-stage cluster sampling. Exploratory data analysis was performed, including bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression. Results. Sixty-six percent of the elderly subjects reported having received vaccination against influenza. After adjustment, the following factors were found to be associated with having received vaccination, based on self-report: age (OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.99), self-reported hypertension (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.87) and educational level (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.41 to 0.98). The highest number of vaccinated individuals was observed in the group = 70 years of age and in the hypertension group. Individuals with 9 or more years of schooling reported less adherence to influenza vaccination. Conclusions. The results suggest the need for campaigns to make information on the benefits of influenza vaccination more easily accessible to the elderly and health professionals.

Solid particles in the tropical lowest stratosphere

We report in situ and remote observations proving occasional occurrence of solid particles in the tropical lowest stratosphere, 200km from deep convective events. The particles were found during field campaigns in Southeast Brazil (49.03 W 22.36 S). They occur in the altitude range from 17.5 to 20.8 km, at temperatures up to at least 10 K above the expected frost point temperature. While stability of ice particles at these altitudes is unexpected from a theoretical point of view, it is argued that these observations are indications of tropospheric air masses penetrating into the stratosphere during convective overshoots. It is argued that the intrusion of tropospheric air must have carried a large amount of water with it, which effectively hydrated the lowest stratosphere, and consequently suppressed sublimation. This conclusion is further supported by a separate water vapor mixing ratio profile obtained at the same observation site.

Educação para a saúde: A doença como conteúdo nas aulas de ciências

The study analyzes how middle-school students view Hansen's disease, which constitutes a public health problem in Brazil. A questionnaire was presented to 159 8th-grade students at three schools, two state and one private. Responses were analyzed by category, with results organized according to knowledge, prejudice about the disease, and the importance of health-education campaigns. The students displayed no scientific knowledge of the disease, although they also showed little prejudice. In terms of educational campaigns, it was concluded that more information of an up-to-date nature should be offered at schools as a way of reaching most of the population.

Hidrogeoquímica do aqüífero guarani na área urbana de ribeirão preto (SP)

This work evaluated the hydrogeochemistry of the Guarani Aquifer in the urban area of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State. Thirty one sampling points were established and it was carried out field campaigns in 7 and 8 July 2005, analyzing the following parameters: conductivity, temperature, pH, turbidity, color, dry residue, dissolved oxygen, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe3+, Al3+, HCO3-, SO42-, PO43-, NO3-, Cl- and F-. The results indicated that the groundwaters in the urban area of Ribeirão Preto pH possess slightly acid, low conductivity, turbidity, color and dissolved oxygen inside the limits established for drinking waters. The ionic composition indicated that the groundwaters have low cations and anions concentration, being they classified as soft water and calcium-bicarbonated. Statistical tests suggested that conductivity and pH are controlled for the calcite dissolution (CaCO3) during the water/rock interaction process. Besides, it is possible to conclude that the high NO3- and PO43- concentrations found in the groundwater in the urban area of Ribeirão Preto are originated due to anthropogenic activities.

The Latin American Pacific Basin initiative and the Asia-Pacific region

Includes bibliography

Opportunities for trade and investment between Latin America and Asia-Pacific: the link with APEC

Includes bibliography

Proposals for improvement of methodology and process of collecting and analyzing compatibility of power quality indicators in distribution systems

This article aims to present proposals for improvement of key standards and resolutions concerned about the methodology for calculating the indicator of total harmonic voltage distortion, and should contribute to the process of examining the compatibility of potentially disturbing loads in electric power quality in distribution systems. These proposals were drawn from the analysis of results from measurement campaigns conducted in a case study including analysis of the connection of a new induction furnace in a foundry served by a distributor of São Paulo state. A general historical situating the quality of electric energy in the electricity sector is presented, and methodological guidelines and procedures used in experimental trials are shown. The analysis and discussion of results are prepared to answer the main questions that arise during the implementation of standards, resolutions and procedures. © 2011 IEEE.

Remote Sensing Detection of atmospheric pollutants using Lidar, Sodar and correlation with air quality data in an industrial area

Optical remote sensing techniques have obvious advantages for monitoring gas and aerosol emissions, since they enable the operation over large distances, far from hostile environments, and fast processing of the measured signal. In this study two remote sensing devices, namely a Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) for monitoring the vertical profile of backscattered light intensity, and a Sodar (Acoustic Radar, Sound Detection and Ranging) for monitoring the vertical profile of the wind vector were operated during specific periods. The acquired data were processed and compared with data of air quality obtained from ground level monitoring stations, in order to verify the possibility of using the remote sensing techniques to monitor industrial emissions. The campaigns were carried out in the area of the Environmental Research Center (Cepema) of the University of São Paulo, in the city of Cubatão, Brazil, a large industrial site, where numerous different industries are located, including an oil refinery, a steel plant, as well as fertilizer, cement and chemical/petrochemical plants. The local environmental problems caused by the industrial activities are aggravated by the climate and topography of the site, unfavorable to pollutant dispersion. Results of a campaign are presented for a 24- hour period, showing data of a Lidar, an air quality monitoring station and a Sodar. © 2011 SPIE.

Toxicidade de águas e sedimentos em um rio afetado por atividades mineradoras pretéritas

The Ribeira de Iguape River basin received intense mining activities for lead exploiting and, as a result, the river received the discharges of estimated amounts of 5.5 tons/month of material rich in As, Ba, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn. In this article, the toxicity of waters and sediments collected in Ribeira de Iguape River was assessed aiming to estimate environmental quality. Three sampling campaigns were conducted, from 2009 to 2010. Toxicity tests with the cladoceran Daphnia similis were done for water samples and for sediments, in this case using sediment-water interface exposure. Results showed in general absence of toxicity for sediments and waters, and only eventually were acute effects registered (marginal toxicity). Results are consistent with the conditions indicated by the literature, of low concentrations of metals in waters and sediments; however they differ from the monitoring made by the state environmental agency, which registered chronic toxicity. The occurrence of eventual acute toxicity indicates that although Ribeira de Iguape River quality is being restored, conditions still are not totally under control.

Estimativa do vapor d'água atmosférico e avaliação da modelagem do atraso zenital troposférico utilizando GPS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)