Stomach contents and notes on the reproduction of the Onefin Skate Gurgesiella dorsalifera (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) off Southern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Are we building competitive and liveable cities?: Guidelines for developing eco-efficient and socially inclusive infrastructure

This guideline jointly published by The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), in partnership with the Urban Design Lab of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, provides practical tools for city planners and decision makers to reform urban planning and infrastructure design according to the principles of eco-efficiency and social inclusiveness. It includes case studies from the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Japan and Sri Lanka.

The effects of river discharge and seasonal winds on the shelf off southeastern South America

The Rio de la Plata waters form a low salinity tongue that affects the circulation, stratification and the distributions of nutrients and biological species over a wide extent of the adjacent continental shelf. The plume of coastal waters presents a seasonal meridional displacement reaching lower latitudes (28,S) during austral winter and 32 degrees S during summer. Historical data suggests that the wind causes the alongshore shift, with southwesterly (SW) winds forcing the plume to lower latitudes in winter while summer dominant northeasterly (NE) winds force its southward retreat. To establish the connection between wind and outflow variations on the distribution of the coastal waters, we conducted two quasi-synoptic surveys in the region of Plata influence on the continental shelf and slope of southeastern South America, between Mar del Plata, Argentina and the northern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We observed that: (A) SW winds dominating in winter force the northward spreading of the plume to low latitudes even during low river discharge periods; (B) NE winds displace the plume southward and spread the low salinity waters offshore over the entire width of the continental shelf east of the Plata estuary. The southward retreat of the plume in summer leads to a volume decrease of low salinity waters over the shelf. This volume is compensated by an increase of Tropical waters, which dominate the northern shelf. The subsurface transition between Subantarctic and Subtropical Shelf Waters, the Subtropical Shelf Front, and the subsurface water mass distribution, however, present minor seasonal variations. Along shore winds also influence the dynamics and water mass variations along the continental shelf area. In areas under the influence of river discharge, Subtropical Shelf Waters are kept away from the coastal region. When low salinity waters retreat southward, NE winds induce a coastal upwelling system near Santa Marta Cape. In summer, solar radiation promotes the establishment of a strong thermocline that increases buoyancy and further enhances the offshore displacement of low salinity waters under the action of NE winds. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of the South Brazil: Relationship to water masses and nutrient distributions

Using distributions of benthic Foraminifera and bottom-water variables (depth, salinity, temperature, oxygen, suspended matter, organic matter, phosphate, silicate, nitrite, and nitrate), we investigated movements of water masses on the South Brazilian Shelf (27-30 degrees S) and assessed the seasonality of continental runoff on the distribution of shelf water masses. The data were obtained from water and sediment samples collected in the austral winter of 2003 and austral summer of 2004 in three transects. The terrestrial nutrient input was significantly reduced at stations away from the coast, but high values of nutrients were maintained in subsurface waters due the presence of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) at greater depths. At shallow sampling stations the influence of freshwater runoff was related to (1) the dominance of calcareous benthic Foraminifera, such as lagoon-related Pseudononion atlanticum, Hanzawaia boueana, Bulimina marginata, Bolivina striatula, Elphidium poeyanum, together with several agglutinated species, including Arenoparrella mexicana, Gaudryina exilis, and Trochammina spp., common in coastal environments subject to wide salinity fluctuations. In contrast, smaller forms and higher species diversity characterized the assemblage at offshore stations. In winter, the presence of Buccella peruviana and Uvigerina peregrina at Santa Marta Cape suggest the possible transport of those species of Subantarctic Shelf Waters (SASW) origin. Foraminifera associated to Subtropical Shelf Water (STSW) were dominated by Globocassidulina subglobosa in both seasons. In summer, the occurrence of U. peregrina in the shallower stations suggested the influence of SACW nutrients brought up by upwelling of deeper waters. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Taxonomy, Hemipenial Morphology, and Natural History of Two Poorly Known Species of Anadia (Gymnophthalmidae) from Northern South America

Anadia pariaensis Rivas, La Marca, and Oliveros, 1999, and Anadia steyeri Nieden, 1914, are two particularly rare and poorly known lizards described from single specimens. In the case of A. pariaensis, it remains known from the holotype, whereas A. steyeri is known from three additional specimens reported in the literature after the original description of the species. A single new specimen of A. pariaensis and five of A. steyeri, including the first adult males recorded for both species, make possible a more representative description of both species, including descriptions of the hemipenes. Despite both species presenting some similar morphological characteristics, the examination of the hemipenial morphology revealed very different organs. The hemipenis of A. steyeri presents some characteristics that resemble the organs of two species from the Santa Marta Mountain Range in the "bitaeniata-group" (Anadia pulchella and Anadia altaserrania). On the other hand, the hemipenes of A. pariaensis are unique morphologically and cannot be associated with the hemipenes known from other species in the genus. We describe variation within both species, and we comment on possible sexual dimorphism (number and arrangement of the femoral pores), natural history, and the known geographic distribution of the species. We also comment on Anadia bumanguesa Rueda-Almonacid and Caicedo 2004 based on a new specimen, the second known. This species may be a synonym of A. steyeri.

137Cs Inventory in sedimentary columns from continental shelf of São Paulo State

137Cs is an artificial radioactive isotope produced by 235U fission. This radionuclide has a high fission yield and a half-life of 30 years. It has been detected in the environment since 1945 and its principal contamination source has been nuclear tests in the atmosphere. There are other sources of 137Cs contamination in the environment, such as: release from nuclear and reprocessing plants, radioactive dumping and nuclear accidents (Chernobyl, for example). This paper presents an inventory of 137Cs on the Continental Shelf of São Paulo State, a region located between Cabo de Santa Marta Grande (Santa Catarina state) and Cabo Frio (Rio de Janeiro state). In this area, 9 cores were collected by the Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo University Institute of Oceanography). The cores were sliced at every 2 cm; sub-samples were lyophilized, grinded and stored in plastic containers. 137Cs was determined by 661 keV photopeak using a gamma spectrometry detector (Ge hyperpure). The analysis was performed by efficiency and background in different counting times. 137Cs concentration activities varied from 0.3 to 3.6 Bq kg-1 with a mean value of 1.2±0.6 Bq kg-1. The inventory of 137Cs in this area was 13±7 Bq m-2. Values obtained are in agreement with the Southern Hemisphere, a region contaminated by atmospheric fallout due to past nuclear explosions.

Natural radionuclides distribution in the shelf and upper slope off southeast Brazil

In recent decades, Oceanography has been using a variety of radionuclides as tracers to understand the ocean dynamic processes, handling and disposal of sediments of seabed. In this context, the determination of natural radionuclides distributions (238U, 232Th and 40K) has been carried out with sediments samples from the shelf and upper slope off Southeast Brazil using a gamma spectrometry technique. The samples were sliced into strata of 2 cm, dried, ground and properly packed to be analysed. The concentration of activities was performed in a hyperpure Ge detector with a resolution of 1,9 keV for the peak of 1332,3 keV of 60Co, model GEM50P by EGG&ORTEC. The study area is located between latitudes 28°40'S and 23°00'S and extends from Cabo Frio (RJ) to Cabo de Santa Marta Grande (SC). The activity concentrations varied from 0,6 to 52,8 BqKg-1 for 238U, from 1,6 to 50,9BqKg-1 for 232Th and from 65,4 to 873,3 BqKg-1 for 40K. From these results it is possible to establish a correlation between the depositional area dynamics and the samples size parameters

Evolución de la transmisión de la energía del oleaje a través de un rompeolas flotante empleando un método SPH

[ES] Debido a la necesidad de proponer estructuras de protección costera que sean ambientalmente viables y operacionalmente efectivas, se propone como estructura para proteger el muelle de la Estación de Guardacostas de Santa Marta, Colombia, un Rompeolas Flotante; empleando para su diseño y validación un modelo en numérico de partículas en 2D, conocido como Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. Desarrollando todo el proceso de validación y análisis de los casos para obtener resultados confiables y que permitan proponer un Rompeolas Flotante con dimensiones concretas, que atenúe el efecto del oleaje incidente en el muelle.

Performance Optimization of a Floating Breakwater Model Using SPH Method, with a Practical Application

Máster en Oceanografía

Diagnosi di strutture lignee e murarie: Il contributo delle indagini sperimentali

Conoscere dal punto di vista tecnico-costruttivo una costruzione storica è fondamentale per un’attendibile valutazione della sicurezza strutturale attuale e per la scelta di un eventuale ed efficace intervento di miglioramento. Per le strutture di interesse storico appartenenti al patrimonio culturale, ma anche per gli altri edifici, risulta difficile conoscere le origini del manufatto, le modifiche avvenute nel corso del tempo dovute a fenomeni di danneggiamento derivanti dal peggioramento delle condizioni dei materiali e dall’avvenimento di eventi calamitosi a causa della mancanza di documentazione storica. La mia tesi e’ focalizzata su tecniche di indagine non distruttive in modo da migliorare la conoscenza della struttura per poi intervenire in modo corretto. L’obiettivo del lavoro svolto e’ stato indagare il contributo delle indagini sperimentali alla diagnosi di edifici storici, in particolare elementi strutturali lignei e di muratura applicando indagini sperimentali non distruttive. Ho dapprima descritto lo stato dell’arte delle varie prove effettuate attraverso la lettura e il confronto di diversi articoli tecnico-scientifici riportando gli obiettivi, la strumentazione impiegata e i risultati ottenuti dalle diverse prove. Ho poi effettuato uno studio del materiale legno utilizzato per le costruzioni, riportandone la descrizione dal punto di vista strutturale, le caratteristiche fisiche, chimiche e meccaniche, le diverse classificazioni e le fasi di lavorazione. Quindi ho analizzato alcune delle prove non distruttive necessarie per una diagnosi di elementi lignei. Per ogni prova vengono riportate alcune caratteristiche, il principio di funzionamento e la strumentazione utilizzata con eventuali software annessi. Negli ultimi 3 capitoli si procede con l’applicazione sperimentale delle prove in sito o in laboratorio precedentemente descritte, in diversi casi di studio; in particolare 1) l’applicazione della prova di compressione assiale su alcuni provini ricavati da un elemento strutturale in legno antico per ricavare vari parametri fisici e meccanici; 2) lo studio di una capriata di legno presente in laboratorio, recuperata dopo il sisma dell’Emilia del 2012, iniziando dall’ispezione visuale classificazione a vista degli elementi sulla base di quanto riportato nella normativa per poi analizzare i dati delle varie prove non distruttive eseguite. 3) Infine è applicata la prova termografica ad un edificio di interesse storico, come l’ex Monastero di Santa Marta, situato in via S. Vitale a Bologna per indagare la tipologia strutturale, le tecnologie costruttive impiegate nelle varie epoche di questo complesso.

Obreros y huelgas patagónicas : Representaciones en publicaciones santacruceñas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

La matanza de obreros más cruenta de la Patagonia ocurrió bajo el gobierno de Hipólito Yrigoyen. Los sectores en pugna estuvieron representados, por un lado, por la Sociedad Obrera de Río Gallegos (adherida a la Federación Obrera Regional Argentina, FORA) que nucleaba a estibadores, cocineros, mozos y empleados de hotel y trabajadores rurales. Frente a ellos, confederados en la Liga del Comercio y la Industria de Río Gallegos; la Sociedad Rural de Santa Cruz, reunión de todos los estancieros, y la Liga Patriótica Argentina que reunía a los propietarios y era un organismo de defensa dirigido contra la izquierda proletaria. El resultado del conflicto fue una violenta represión y el fusilamiento de los obreros que protagonizaron estos movimientos huelguísticos acaecidos durante los a��os 1921 y 1922 en Santa Cruz. El Coronel Varela, a cargo del ejército, y exhortado por los estancieros latifundistas, tuteló la bestial acción. Estos sucesos, además de ocupar un espacio significativo en las páginas de los periódicos de la región, situaron a la Patagonia como referente textual en las publicaciones periódicas nacionales. Diarios como La Razón y Crítica tematizaron estos hechos desde enfoques ideológicos y formas escriturarias heterogéneas. En Santa Cruz, la mayor parte de los diarios y periódicos -cuyos directorios estaban relacionados en general con los estancieros- fueron configurando una imagen de los huelguistas relacionada intrínsecamente con el bandolerismo, la exaltación al orden y la amenaza para la nación. Algunos a��os después de ocurridas las huelgas, comenzó a publicarse la revista Argentina Austral, dirigida por el mayor grupo latifundista de la Patagonia. En ella, algunos textos literarios se refirieron oblicuamente a estos sucesos. En este trabajo se analizará la configuración de imágenes de los obreros y de las huelgas en publicaciones periódicas patagónicas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

Obreros y huelgas patagónicas : Representaciones en publicaciones santacruceñas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

La matanza de obreros más cruenta de la Patagonia ocurrió bajo el gobierno de Hipólito Yrigoyen. Los sectores en pugna estuvieron representados, por un lado, por la Sociedad Obrera de Río Gallegos (adherida a la Federación Obrera Regional Argentina, FORA) que nucleaba a estibadores, cocineros, mozos y empleados de hotel y trabajadores rurales. Frente a ellos, confederados en la Liga del Comercio y la Industria de Río Gallegos; la Sociedad Rural de Santa Cruz, reunión de todos los estancieros, y la Liga Patriótica Argentina que reunía a los propietarios y era un organismo de defensa dirigido contra la izquierda proletaria. El resultado del conflicto fue una violenta represión y el fusilamiento de los obreros que protagonizaron estos movimientos huelguísticos acaecidos durante los a��os 1921 y 1922 en Santa Cruz. El Coronel Varela, a cargo del ejército, y exhortado por los estancieros latifundistas, tuteló la bestial acción. Estos sucesos, además de ocupar un espacio significativo en las páginas de los periódicos de la región, situaron a la Patagonia como referente textual en las publicaciones periódicas nacionales. Diarios como La Razón y Crítica tematizaron estos hechos desde enfoques ideológicos y formas escriturarias heterogéneas. En Santa Cruz, la mayor parte de los diarios y periódicos -cuyos directorios estaban relacionados en general con los estancieros- fueron configurando una imagen de los huelguistas relacionada intrínsecamente con el bandolerismo, la exaltación al orden y la amenaza para la nación. Algunos a��os después de ocurridas las huelgas, comenzó a publicarse la revista Argentina Austral, dirigida por el mayor grupo latifundista de la Patagonia. En ella, algunos textos literarios se refirieron oblicuamente a estos sucesos. En este trabajo se analizará la configuración de imágenes de los obreros y de las huelgas en publicaciones periódicas patagónicas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

Obreros y huelgas patagónicas : Representaciones en publicaciones santacruceñas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

La matanza de obreros más cruenta de la Patagonia ocurrió bajo el gobierno de Hipólito Yrigoyen. Los sectores en pugna estuvieron representados, por un lado, por la Sociedad Obrera de Río Gallegos (adherida a la Federación Obrera Regional Argentina, FORA) que nucleaba a estibadores, cocineros, mozos y empleados de hotel y trabajadores rurales. Frente a ellos, confederados en la Liga del Comercio y la Industria de Río Gallegos; la Sociedad Rural de Santa Cruz, reunión de todos los estancieros, y la Liga Patriótica Argentina que reunía a los propietarios y era un organismo de defensa dirigido contra la izquierda proletaria. El resultado del conflicto fue una violenta represión y el fusilamiento de los obreros que protagonizaron estos movimientos huelguísticos acaecidos durante los a��os 1921 y 1922 en Santa Cruz. El Coronel Varela, a cargo del ejército, y exhortado por los estancieros latifundistas, tuteló la bestial acción. Estos sucesos, además de ocupar un espacio significativo en las páginas de los periódicos de la región, situaron a la Patagonia como referente textual en las publicaciones periódicas nacionales. Diarios como La Razón y Crítica tematizaron estos hechos desde enfoques ideológicos y formas escriturarias heterogéneas. En Santa Cruz, la mayor parte de los diarios y periódicos -cuyos directorios estaban relacionados en general con los estancieros- fueron configurando una imagen de los huelguistas relacionada intrínsecamente con el bandolerismo, la exaltación al orden y la amenaza para la nación. Algunos a��os después de ocurridas las huelgas, comenzó a publicarse la revista Argentina Austral, dirigida por el mayor grupo latifundista de la Patagonia. En ella, algunos textos literarios se refirieron oblicuamente a estos sucesos. En este trabajo se analizará la configuración de imágenes de los obreros y de las huelgas en publicaciones periódicas patagónicas de las primeras décadas del siglo veinte

Spatiotemporal monitoring of water quality in coral reefs of Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombian Caribbean, 2011-2013

Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP; 11°17' - 11°22' N and 73°53' - 74°12' W) is a hotspot of coral reef biodiversity in the Colombian Caribbean, located between the city of Santa Marta (>455,000 inhabitants) and several smaller river mouths (Rio Piedras, Mendihuaca, Guachaca). The region experiences a strong seasonal variation in physical parameters (temperature, salinity, wind, and water currents) due to alternating dry seasons with coastal upwelling and rainy seasons. Here, a range of water quality parameters relevant for coral reef functioning is provided. Water quality was measured directly above local coral reefs (~10 m water depth) by a monthly monitoring for up to 25 months in the four TNNP bays (Chengue, Gayraca, Neguanje, and Cinto) and at sites with different degree of exposition to winds, waves and water currents (exposed vs. sheltered sites) within each bay. The water quality parameters include: inorganic nutrient (nitrate, nitrite and soluble reactive phosphorus), chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations (with a replication of n=3) as well as oxygen availability, biological oxygen demand, seawater pH, and water clarity (with a replication of n=4). This is by far the most comprehensive coral reefs water quality dataset for the region. A detailed description of the methods can be found within the referenced publications.

La explotación de las esmeraldas de Muzo (Nueva Granada), en sus primeros tiempos

Las primeras esmeraldas colombianas fueron descubiertas, el año de 1514, en Santa Marta, Costa Norte, por el Capitán General Pedro Arias de Ávila. Durante la conquista se requisaron muchas a los indios y también se recogieron en placeres, lo que ponía en evidencia la riqueza de este país. En 1535, el naturalista Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo (1478-1557) nos señala en la Historia Natural y General de Indias (1535) que desde Tierra Firme 'se han llevado muchas (esmeraldas) en cantidad de diversas estimaciones, é precio', oferta tal que llevó a la caída de precios en Europa.