Checklist and morphometry of benthic cnidarians from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Pernambuco State, Brazil), a national marine park, is formed by 21 islands and islets of volcanic origin. An update of the checklist of the benthic cnidarians from some of the archipelago`s reef environments, as well as a study of their corals and calcified hydroids morphometry, was the major goal of this work. Fieldwork was undertaken in February 2005 and in April 2006 and observations were carried out at 13 stations during snorkeling and/or scuba diving up to 30 m deep. Thirty-four species of cnidarians were recorded, of which 17 are new occurrences for the studied area. When added to the species previously listed in the literature, the total number of benthic cnidarians recorded for the Archipelago increases to 57. Stephanocoenia michelini, a new occurrence of zooxanthellate coral, is worthy of mention, as well as the calcified hydroid Millepora braziliensis. Mussismilia hispida tenuisepta showed several variations among its skeletal characters that surpassed the limits of intraspecific morphological variation when compared to those of Mussismilia hispida.

A comparative study of cleaning activity of two reef fishes at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical West Atlantic

Cleaner fishes are usually classified as obligate or facultative cleaners according to their diet and the extent to which their nutritional requirements in the different ontogenetic stages are gained from cleaning. While obligate cleaners clean throughout their lives and ingest mainly food taken from the clients` body surface, facultative cleaners clean only as juveniles and have a broader diet. In addition, some facultative cleaners may experience a relatively higher predation risk, and thus rarely interact with piscivorous fishes. Despite these acknowledged differences, there are very few studies that compare cleaning activity of obligate and facultative cleaners within the same area. Cleaning activity of the obligate cleaner goby Elacatinus cf. randalli and the facultative cleaner wrasse Thalassoma noronhanum were comparatively examined at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical West Atlantic. The client assemblage attended by the two cleaners differed, as the goby attended a slightly greater diversity of species (22), mostly piscivores and zoobenthivores, and the wrasse attended fewer species (19), mostly planktivores. Chromis multilineata was the most common client species of both cleaners, although body size (which is expected to be positively correlated to clients` ectoparasite load) of C. multilineata individuals attended by the goby was larger than that of the individuals attended by the wrasse. Despite such differences, T. noronhanum showed a surprisingly species-rich client assemblage when compared with other cleaners of the genus Thalassoma. In addition, the frequency and time spent on cleaning interactions, as well as the number of client species attended per 10-min period, was similar for both cleaner species, which indicate that they have important yet complimentary ecological roles in the reef community at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

Water quality assessment of Toledo River and determination of metal concentrations by using SR-TXRF technique

The region of Toledo River, Parana, Brazil is characterized by intense anthropogenic activities. Hence, metal concentrations and physical-chemical parameters of Toledo River water were determined in order to complete an environmental evaluation catalog. Samples were collected monthly during one year period at seven different sites from the source down the river mouth, physical-chemical variables were analyzed, and major metallic ions were measured. Metal analysis was performed by using the synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique. A statistical analysis was applied to evaluate the reliability of experimental data. The analysis of obtained results have shown that a strong correlation between physical-chemical parameters existed among sites 1 and 7, suggesting that organic pollutants were mainly responsible for decreasing the Toledo River water quality.

A geochemical and lead isotopic record from a small pond in a remote equatorial island, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

A 72 cm long core was collected from Lagoa da Viracao (LV), a small poind in the Fernando de Noronha island, northern Brazil. Sediments from the lower section of the core (20-72 cm depth) contain essentially mineral matter, while in the upper section (0-20 cm depth) mineral matter is mixed with organic matter. Lithogenic conservative elements - Si, Al, Fe, Ti, Co, Cr, Cu, Ba, Ga, Hf, Nb, Ni, Y, V, Zn, Zr and REE - exhibit remarkably constant values throughout the core, with concentrations similar to those of the bedrock. The vertical distribution of soluble elements - Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn and Sr - is also homogeneous, but these elements are systematically depleted in relation to the bedrock. LOI, TOC, Br, Se, Hg and Pb, although showing nearly constant values in the lower section of the core, are significantly enriched in the upper section. The concentration profiles of Br and Se suggest that they may be accounted for by natural processes, related to the slight affinity of these elements for organic matter. On the other hand, the elevated levels of Hg and Pb in recent sediments may be explained by their long-range atmospheric transport and deposition. Furthermore, the isotopic composition of Pb clearly indicates that anthropogenic sources contributed to the Pb burden in the uppermost pond sediments.

Short terms effects of air pollution from biomass burning in mucociliary clearance of Brazilian sugarcane cutters

Nasal mucociliary system is the first line of defense of the upper airways and may be affected acutely by exposure to particulate matter (PM) from biomass burning. Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a consistent association between levels of air pollution from biomass burning with increases in hospitalization for respiratory diseases and mortality. To determine the acute effects of exposure to particulate matter from biomass burning in nasal mucociliary transport by saccharin transit time (STT) test, we studied thirty-three non-smokers and twelve light smokers sugarcane cutters in two periods: pre-harvest season and 4 h after harvest at the first day after biomass burning. Lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), nasal symptoms questionnaire and mucociliary clearance (MC) were assessed. Exhaled CO was increased in smokers compared to non-smokers but did not change significantly after harvest. In contrast, SIT was similar between smokers and non-smokers and decreased significantly after harvest in both groups (p < 0.001). Exposure to PM from biomass burning did not influence nasal symptoms. Our results suggest that acute exposure to particulate matter from sugarcane burned affects mucociliary clearance in smokers and non-smokers workers in the absence of symptoms. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

"¡Cáncer es una mujer pegada como una sanguijuela sesenta años succionándole el alma!" : Un examen de los rasgos misóginos en la novela El desbarrancadero de Fernando Vallejo

El desbarrancadero, published in 2001 by Colombian author Fernando Vallejo is foremost a moving story about brotherly love, but it is also a highly critical novel that lashes out on a number of phenomena such as the catholic church, the Pope and the very idea of religion. It also addresses the poverty of Colombia, its corrupt politicians, the drug trade, viral diseases and animal abuse to mention a few more subjects. This essay however, does not aim to explore any of the above mentioned matters but rather examine how women are portrayed in this novel. The objective of this investigation, based on feminist theories, is to establish the very clear presence of misogyny attitudes.

"Porque quiero casarme con un varón hermoso de la orilla del mar" Un análisis de lo grotesco femenino de María Josefa en La casa de Bernarda Alba

This essay is an analysis of the character María Josefa in the play 'The House of Bernarda Alba' (1936) by Federico García Lorca. It is hypothesized that the character of María Josefa can be considered a distorting mirror of the femininity presented in the play, and that through María Josefa this femininity is both revealed and problematized. The analysis adopts theories from the field of the (female) grotesque, using terminology both from Mikhail Bakhtin and Mary Russo. Throughout the analysis it is demonstrated how the character of María Josefa challenges the boundaries and norms which are dictated by Bernarda to control the women of the house. These conventions are challenged by María Josefa with the use of her loud speech, her dressed up appearance, and in her physical resistance. In this manner María Josefa is creating and embodying an alternate feminine view that is uncovered through her consistent provocation and by making herself into "a spectacle", a transboundary behaviour that is well interpreted within the theories of carnival, the grotesque body, and the spectacle of the female grotesque.

Frustración lorquiana : Metáforas y símbolos en La Casa de Bernarda Alba

El presente trabajo está orientado a detectar los símbolos y metáforas ambivalentes en la obraLa Casa de Bernarda Alba de Federico García Lorca. Debido a que hay pocos estudiosdedicados al simbolismo de la frustración, se ha concentrado en analizar dicha temática. Paraanalizar el concepto de frustración, primero ha sido necesario comprender cómo eraconcebida la moral de la época en que se inscribe la obra. En segundo lugar, ha sidofundamental entender cómo surge la frustración en el ser humano. Atendiendo a estascuestiones se ha aplicado la teoría del formalismo iluminista y una visión freudiana sobre lasteorías del psiquismo. En base a estas nociones se detectaron cuatro símbolos ambivalentesque connotan sentimientos de frustración: el blanco, el olivo, la maroma y el mar. Estossímbolos antitéticos contienen una fuerza negativa que se impone a la fuerza positiva, lo cualtiene como resultado la frustración. Las fuerzas contradictorias están presentes durante laobra entera. Esta característica no solo se manifiesta a través de los tropos estudiados, sinoque también se detectó que a menudo las fuerzas antitéticas se hacen presentes enprotagonistas que forman grupos ambivalentes, donde cada personaje actúa como una fuerzaopuesta, lo cual lleva hacia una tensión permanente entre una persona positiva y otranegativa.

Memórias de jornalistas: narrativas de profissionais da grande imprensa sobre a eleição, o governo e o impeachment de Fernando Collor

A presente pesquisa tem por tema as vivências de jornalistas na cobertura do “período Collor”, desde a eleição presidencial em 1989 até o processo de impeachment em 1992. Origina-se do questionamento sobre quais recordações jornalistas, que, na época, atuavam em grandes órgãos de imprensa, guardam na memória acerca daquele importante período da história recente do país. Busca, com isso, resgatar a memória do período sob o ponto de vista dos jornalistas convidados a participarem deste estudo, assim como identificar experiências e vivências que possam contribuir para uma melhor compreensão do fazer jornalístico nos últimos anos do século XX. Para tanto, parte do registro de Narrativas Orais de Histórias de Vida, baseada nos métodos da História Oral, que valoriza os indivíduos e suas respectivas histórias de vida como forma de recuperar o passado aos olhos do tempo presente, por meio de lembranças narradas oralmente. A pesquisa tem como fatores de inovação a busca por uma dimensão subjetiva nos estudos científicos da Comunicação Social e as transformações comunicacionais vividas por uma geração de jornalistas, representada pela comunidade estudada. A metodologia adotada permitiu uma construção histórica do período, a partir das memórias dos entrevistados, assim como possibilitou melhor compreender o fazer jornalístico de uma geração. Conclui-se, assim, com base nas narrativas, que os acontecimentos do “período Collor” ajudam a evidenciar os complexos elementos que interferem no exercício cotidiano do jornalismo, chamando a atenção, sobretudo, para as constantes tensões provocadas pelo contraditório discurso que propaga o mito da isenção jornalística e as decisões tomadas no ato da edição; a forma como o jornalista constrói o mundo que encontra ao produzir a notícia e as escolhas subjetivas feitas ao longo da vida profissional, que os constitui como sujeitos da ação do jornalismo.

Exercícios do tempo : Dias felizes e Esperando Godot, de Samuel Beckett; O marinheiro, de Fernando Pessoa

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Com a palavra mate com angu: uma intervenção estética no município de Duque de Caxias

Nas sociedades contemporâneas a cidadania cultural é um tema a ser enfrentado ao lado da defesa por uma melhor qualidade de vida material, ambiental, econômica e social. Assim, o direito à liberdade de criação, informação, expressão da diversidade entre outros, apresentam-se como desafios e fundamentos para uma verdadeira democracia cultural.O presente trabalho encontra-se inserido no campo dos estudos de novas práticas de cidadania exercidas particularmente por movimentos culturais. Nosso objeto de pesquisa foi o cineclube Mate com Angu, localizado na Baixada Fluminense.Por meio de entrevistas temáticas, buscamos aferir como cinco integrantes do grupo formulam e realizam sua proposta de intervenção social e estética, e interagem com sua comunidade Duque de Caxias utilizando a linguagem audiovisual.Os argumentos e as práticas do Mate com Angu revelaram que embora o compromisso central do grupo seja no campo estético, suas atividades trazem implicações também nos campos político e social, influenciando a vida e a cultura da comunidade caxiense. Desse modo constatamos que suas intervenções contribuem para a ampliação do conceito de cidadania, e particularmente para a construção dos direitos culturais.

Morangos mofados, de Caio Fernando Abreu : melancolia e crítica social

Este trabalho consiste em uma leitura da obra Morangos mofados, de Caio Fernando Abreu, publicada em 1982. O objetivo da pesquisa é desenvolver uma leitura crítica de contos da antologia que englobe uma articulação entre forma literária e conteúdo social. O estudo parte de uma recuperação dos textos críticos sobre a produção do autor e em seguida apresenta um caminho de leitura para os contos do livro a partir das relações entre literatura, história e sociedade. Em sua segunda parte, a investigação enfoca elementos teóricos sobre a fragmentação formal da narrativa e sobre a melancolia. Entre os autores consultados para fundamentação estão Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, Sigmund Freud e Julia Kristeva. A terceira parte constitui-se da análise de textos de Caio Fernando Abreu, a qual é elaborada a partir da observação à fragmentação formal dos contos e à perspectiva melancólica que transparece nas narrativas, pois esses são elementos que configuram a crítica social da produção literária investigada e a relação da obra com o seu contexto de produção. Os contos selecionados para essa leitura são “Os sobreviventes”, “Pêra, uva ou maçã?”, “Aqueles Dois” e “Morangos mofados”. O trabalho também contempla uma reflexão acerca dos estudos críticos sobre o escritor e a sua obra, apontando a necessidade de se desenvolver uma leitura do texto a partir da articulação entre forma literária e conteúdo social.