ABSTRACT. Technical and secure information on the production of quality atemoya seedlings (Annona squamosa L. x Annona cherimola Mill.) are of paramount importance due to the growing interest in this crop. This study aimed to assess the formation of atemoya seedlings propagated by grafting methods and cultivars using araticum (Annona sylvatica) rootstocks. The experiment was carried out in a screened environment at the Western Paraná State University (Unioeste), Campus of Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná State, Brazil. Atemoya grafts (Thompson, African Pride, and Gefner) were collected from plants from the CATI seedling nursery, located in São Bento do Sapucaí, São Paulo State, Brazil. Grafting was performed using 1-year-old araticum rootstocks with 8-10 mm in diameter at a height of 15 cm from the ground and grafts measuring, on average, 8.5 cm in length, 10 mm in diameter, and three buds. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (three grafting methods: cleft graft, whip and tongue graft, and chip budding × three cultivars: African Pride, Thompson, and Gefner), with four replications and 10 seedlings per replication, totaling 40 seedlings per treatment. The percentage of graft success (%), percentage of sprouting (%), number of sprouts, number of leaves, and longest sprout length (cm) were assessed at 60 days after grafting. The cleft graft method is efficient for producing atemoya seedlings. The cultivar African Pride can be grafted onto rootstocks by the cleft graft and whip and tongue graft methods, as they promote a higher percentage of graft success. The Annona sylvatica rootstock has potential for the production of atemoya seedlings, but chip budding is not viable.

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the storability of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit in response to harvest maturity, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment, and storage atmospheres. Fruit quality was evaluated after two, four, six, and eight months plus one day or seven days in shelf life at 22°C. The controlled atmosphere (CA) and 1-MCP (1.0 μL L-1) treatments reduce fruit ethylene production and respiration, prevent rapid softening, and inhibit the incidence of scald-like symptoms, flesh browning, cracking, and fungal decay, in comparison with air storage . The combination of 1-MCP and CA provides additive benefits in firmness retention and in the reduction of the incidence of physiological disorders. CA and/or 1-MCP increase the risk of fruit developing wrinkly skin disorder. The loss of flesh firmness and acidity and the development of all physiological disorders and decay are higher in late-harvested fruit. The storage life of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple is about two months in cold air and from six to eight months in cold CA, considering the time necessary to reach a flesh firmness of 53 N. The limiting factor for the long-term storage of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit under CA without 1-MCP is the development of physiological disorders and fungal decay.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a armazenabilidade de maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' em resposta à maturação na colheita, ao tratamento com 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e às atmosferas de armazenamento. A qualidade dos frutos foi avaliada após dois, quatro, seis e oito meses mais um dia ou sete dias de vida de prateleira a 22°C. Os tratamentos atmosfera controlada (AC) e 1-MCP (1,0 μL L-1) reduzem a produção de etileno e a respiração dos frutos, previnem o amolecimento rápido da polpa, e inibem a incidência de escaldadura, escurecimento da polpa, rachaduras e podridões fúngicas, em comparação ao armazenamento ao ar. A combinação de 1-MCP e AC proporciona benefícios aditivos na retenção da firmeza da polpa e na redução da incidência de distúrbios fisiológicos. A AC e/ou 1-MCP aumentam o risco de os frutos desenvolverem o distúrbio superfície rugosa. A perda de firmeza e acidez dos frutos e o desenvolvimento de todos os distúrbios fisiológicos e a podridão são maiores em frutos colhidos tardiamente. O potencial de armazenamento das maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' é de cerca de dois meses em ar refrigerado e de seis a oito meses em AC refrigerada, considerando o tempo necessário para atingir a firmeza de polpa de 53 N. O fator limitante para o armazenamento a longo prazo da maçã 'SCS417 Monalisa' sob AC sem 1-MCP é o desenvolvimento de distúrbios fisiológicos e podridões fúngicas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of new Ca sources sprayed on ‘Fuji Suprema’ and ‘Maxi Gala’ apple trees on nutrient levels in leaves and fruit, as well as on fruit ripening features and quality at harvest time and after cold storage. Experiments were carried out in a commercial orchard planted with ‘Fuji Suprema’ and ‘Maxi Gala’ apple trees in Caçador, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Application of different Ca sources and untreated trees were evaluated in each experiment. Fruit were harvested at two different ripening stages and analyzed based on the following variables: fruit ripening at harvest time, as well as fruit quality and incidence of physiological disorders after 210-day storage at 1 °C. Calcium applications did not change Ca levels in the leaves and of the whole fruit. Calcium levels in fruit peel increased in cultivars Maxi Gala and Fuji Suprema due to leaf Ca applications. ‘Maxi Gala’ apples recorded higher postharvest incidence of physiological disorders, such as greater loss of fruit firmness than ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples (Due to 1-methylcyclopropene [1-MCP] application on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples). Calcium applications did not change fruit maturation (starch index and pulp firmness) or apple pulp firmness preservation in both cultivars, although they reduced the incidence of bitter pit disorder in ‘Maxi Gala’ apples. The new sources of Ca tested did not increase Ca contents, nor did they reduced the risk for physiological disorder compared to the standard CaCl2 treatment that has been commercially used for decades as the main Ca fertilizer.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o potencial de perda de solo por meio da equação universal de perda de solo e identificar os fatores que controlam o processo erosivo em uma bacia hidrográfica de encosta. O fator erosividade da chuva (R) foi calculado por meio de dados normais de precipitação, obtendo-se, assim, índices mensais de erosão. O fator erodibilidade do solo (K) foi obtido a partir de uma amostragem de solo realizada por meio de uma malha de 340 pontos, na qual os valores foram interpolados pelo método da krigagem ordinária. O fator topográfico (LS) foi gerado a partir do Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE), já os fatores uso e manejo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) foram obtidos por meio de observações de campo e valores tabelados. As maiores taxas de perdas abrangem 27% da área e se concentram em locais de maiores declividades nos quais predominam solos rasos, como Neossolos Litólicos e Neossolos Regolíticos. O fator LS determinou a magnitude do processo erosivo e o fator CP apresentou a maior relação com o controle das perdas de solo. Os resultados encontrados mostram a importância do fator cobertura do solo, em que medidas de manutenção da vegetação e práticas conservacionistas devem ser adotadas e consideradas pelos gestores ambientais em regiões de encosta com predomínio de solos rasos associados a relevo declivoso.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to estimate the soil loss potential through the universal soil loss equation and to identify the factors that control the erosive process in a hillside watershed. Rainfall erosivity factor (R) was calculated through normal precipitation data, thus obtaining monthly erosion indexes. The soil erodibility factor (K) was obtained from a soil sampling in an irregular grid of 340 points, in which the values were interpolated by the ordinary kriging method. The topographic factor (LS) was generated from the Digital Elevation Model (MDE) and the use and management and conservationist practices factors (CP) through field observations and tabulated values. The highest loss rates cover around 27% of the area, and are concentrated in places with higher slopes where shallow soils such as Litolics Neosols and Regolithic Neosols predominate. The LS factor determined the magnitude of the erosive process and the CP factor showed the highest relation with the soil loss control. The results found show the importance of the cover-management factor, in which measures of vegetation maintenance and conservation practices should be adopted and considered by the environmental managers in hillside regions with predominance of shallow soils associated to slope relief.

RESUMO Os hospitais nos territórios ultramarinos franceses nas Américas funcionam segundo os padrões franceses e internacionais. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os diversos aspectos da atenção intensiva nesta região. Analisamos os dados oficiais relativos ao tamanho da população e ao número de leitos de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) nestes territórios junto com uma revisão da literatura científica sobre as características particulares destes centros de terapia intensiva. Os residentes locais ou visitantes dos territórios ultramarinos franceses nas Américas são expostos a riscos específicos, sobretudo acidentes de trânsito graves, envenenamentos por animais peçonhentos, ferimentos por armas brancas ou armas de fogo e doenças infecciosas tropicais emergentes que requerem conhecimento especializado e atenção intensiva. Porém, não há leitos suficientes de UTI nos territórios ultramarinos franceses nas Américas: são 7,2 leitos de UTI por 100.000 habitantes em Guadalupe, 7,2 na Martinica e 4,5 na Guiana Francesa. Ademais, em áreas remotas, os pacientes em estado crítico frequentemente precisam ser transferidos por helicóptero, o que causa demora na internação em UTI. A crise da COVID-19 demonstra o despreparo do sistema de saúde para enfrentar a pandemia e a necessidade de aumentar o número de leitos de UTI nestes territórios. Em conclusão, é imprescindível modernizar a infraestrutura e os equipamentos, capacitar melhor os recursos humanos e melhorar a atenção multidisciplinar. Incentivar a formação profissional, pesquisa e cooperação médico-científica regional e mundial é também fundamental.

ABSTRACT Hospitals in the French Territories in the Americas (FTA) work according to international and French standards. This paper aims to describe different aspects of critical care in the FTA. For this, we reviewed official information about population size and intensive care unit (ICU) bed capacity in the FTA and literature on FTA ICU specificities. Persons living in or visiting the FTA are exposed to specific risks, mainly severe road traffic injuries, envenoming, stab or ballistic wounds, and emergent tropical infectious diseases. These diseases may require specific knowledge and critical care management. However, there are not enough ICU beds in the FTA. Indeed, there are 7.2 ICU beds/100 000 population in Guadeloupe, 7.2 in Martinique, and 4.5 in French Guiana. In addition, seriously ill patients in remote areas regularly have to be transferred, most often by helicopter, resulting in a delay in admission to intensive care. The COVID-19 crisis has shown that the health care system in the FTA is unready to face such an epidemic and that intensive care bed capacity must be increased. In conclusion, the critical care sector in the FTA requires upgrading of infrastructure, human resources, and equipment as well as enhancement of multidisciplinary care. Also needed are promotion of training, research, and regional and international medical and scientific cooperation.

RESUMEN Los hospitales en los territorios franceses de la Región de las Américas funcionan según las normas francesas e internacionales. El objetivo de este artículo es describir distintos aspectos de los cuidados intensivos en los territorios franceses. Para ello, hemos revisado los datos oficiales sobre el tamaño de la población y el número de camas de las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI), así como la bibliografía sobre algunos aspectos específicos de las UCI, en los territorios franceses. Las personas que viven en los territorios franceses, o que están de visita en ellos, están expuestas a riesgos específicos: principalmente traumatismos graves causados por el tránsito, envenenamiento por mordeduras, heridas de bala o por apuñalamiento, y enfermedades infecciosas tropicales emergentes. La atención de estos traumatismos y enfermedades puede requerir conocimientos específicos y cuidados intensivos. Sin embargo, no hay suficientes camas de UCI en los territorios franceses. De hecho, hay 7,2 camas de UCI por 100 000 habitantes en Guadalupe, 7,2 en Martinica y 4,5 en Guayana Francesa. Además, los pacientes gravemente enfermos que viven en zonas remotas a menudo tienen que ser trasladados, normalmente por helicóptero, lo que retrasa su ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. La crisis de la COVID-19 ha puesto de manifiesto que el sistema de atención de salud en los territorios franceses no está preparado para enfrentarse a una epidemia de estas dimensiones y que debe aumentarse la capacidad hospitalaria de las unidades de cuidados intensivos. En conclusión, el sector de los cuidados intensivos en los territorios franceses tiene que mejorar su infraestructura, recursos humanos y equipamiento, así como perfeccionar la atención multidisciplinaria. También es necesario promover la capacitación, la investigación y la cooperación médica y científica, tanto regional como internacional.

Resumo Como as condições de saneamento no Brasil são precárias nas áreas rurais, é importante construir ações territorializadas que valorizem a cultura e fortaleçam o bem viver, baseadas na economia solidária para alcançar soluções sustentáveis. Dardot e Laval veem o comum como um contraponto ao atual contexto político e econômico, em que os indivíduos assumem o papel de protagonistas em suas vidas e gerenciam os “comuns” para a comunidade da qual fazem parte. Partindo dessa abordagem, a Fundação Osvaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), por meio do Observatório dos Territórios Saudáveis e Sustentáveis de Bocaina (OTSS), constituiu pesquisa-ação de saneamento ecológico na Comunidade Caiçara da Praia do Sono, em Paraty, com envolvimento da comunidade durante todo o processo e, por meio de avaliação qualitativa, pôde-se entender a relação da comunidade com o comum. Como os construtores locais foram contratados como mobilizadores sociais, os recursos endógenos foram valorizados. Por meio dessa articulação, buscou-se a atuação conjunta junto aos órgãos públicos para fomentar ações que partissem da própria comunidade e políticas públicas inclusivas que colocam a sociedade como protagonista do processo. A partir do conceito de comum e de entrevistas semiestruturadas, esta pesquisa psicossocial tem como objetivo relatar o desdobramento da economia solidária no comum.

Abstract As sanitation conditions in Brazil are precarious in rural areas, it is important to build territorial actions that value culture and strengthen good living based on solidarity economy to achieve sustainable solutions. Dardot and Laval see the “common” as a counterpoint to the current political and economic context, in which individuals assume the role of protagonists in their lives and manage the “commonalities” for their community. In this approach, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), through the Observatory of Sustainable and Healthy Territories of Bocaina (OTSS), constituted an ecological sanitation research in the Caiçara Community of Praia do Sono, in Paraty, with the participation of the community during the whole process and, through a qualitative evaluation, the relationship between the community and the common could be understood. Local builders were hired as social mobilizers, thus valuing endogenous resources. Through this articulation, joint action with public agencies was sought to foster actions that came from the community itself and inclusive public policies that put a society at the center of the process. Supported by the concept of common and by semi-structured interviews, this psychosocial study examines the unfolding of the solidarity economy.

Resumo Como as condições de saneamento no Brasil são precárias nas áreas rurais, é importante construir ações territorializadas que valorizem a cultura e fortaleçam o bem viver, baseadas na economia solidária para alcançar soluções sustentáveis. Dardot e Laval veem o comum como um contraponto ao atual contexto político e econômico, em que os indivíduos assumem o papel de protagonistas em suas vidas e gerenciam os “comuns” para a comunidade da qual fazem parte. Partindo dessa abordagem, a Fundação Osvaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), por meio do Observatório dos Territórios Saudáveis e Sustentáveis de Bocaina (OTSS), constituiu pesquisa-ação de saneamento ecológico na Comunidade Caiçara da Praia do Sono, em Paraty, com envolvimento da comunidade durante todo o processo e, por meio de avaliação qualitativa, pôde-se entender a relação da comunidade com o comum. Como os construtores locais foram contratados como mobilizadores sociais, os recursos endógenos foram valorizados. Por meio dessa articulação, buscou-se a atuação conjunta junto aos órgãos públicos para fomentar ações que partissem da própria comunidade e políticas públicas inclusivas que colocam a sociedade como protagonista do processo. A partir do conceito de comum e de entrevistas semiestruturadas, esta pesquisa psicossocial tem como objetivo relatar o desdobramento da economia solidária no comum.

Abstract As sanitation conditions in Brazil are precarious in rural areas, it is important to build territorial actions that value culture and strengthen good living based on solidarity economy to achieve sustainable solutions. Dardot and Laval see the “common” as a counterpoint to the current political and economic context, in which individuals assume the role of protagonists in their lives and manage the “commonalities” for their community. In this approach, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), through the Observatory of Sustainable and Healthy Territories of Bocaina (OTSS), constituted an ecological sanitation research in the Caiçara Community of Praia do Sono, in Paraty, with the participation of the community during the whole process and, through a qualitative evaluation, the relationship between the community and the common could be understood. Local builders were hired as social mobilizers, thus valuing endogenous resources. Through this articulation, joint action with public agencies was sought to foster actions that came from the community itself and inclusive public policies that put a society at the center of the process. Supported by the concept of common and by semi-structured interviews, this psychosocial study examines the unfolding of the solidarity economy.

resumo: Concretos de ultra-alto desempenho com microfibras metálicas têm sido bastante estudados com objetivo de produzir estruturas mais eficientes e duráveis. O desempenho deste material é dependente das características da interface entre as microfibras e a matriz cimentícia. Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as propriedades micro-nanomecânicas da zona de transição interfacial entre as microfibras metálicas e a matriz cimentícia de materiais cimentícios de ultra-alto desempenho através das variáveis relação água/cimento e distância da fibra. Os resultados obtidos mostram a formação silicatos de cálcio hidratados de alta densidade (HD C-S-H) em maior quantidade do que silicatos de cálcio hidratados de baixa densidade (LD C-S-H) para relações água/cimento de 0,2 e 0,3. As propriedades medidas na interface entre as microfibras metálicas e a matriz cimentícia foram muito semelhantes àquelas medidas na pasta de cimento. Também não foram observadas diferenças significativas no módulo de elasticidade, dureza e composição química conforme a distância da fibra foi variada. Sendo assim, os autores concluem que não há ocorrência de uma região mais fraca na zona de transição entre a pasta e as microfibras.

abstract: Ultra-high performance concretes with steel microfibers have been studied in depth with the aim of producing more efficient and durable structures. The performance of these materials depends on the characteristics of the interface between microfibers and cementitious matrix. This research investigates the micro-nanomechanical properties of the interfacial transition zone between the steel microfibers and the matrix of ultra-high performance cementitious composite. The effect of the water/cement ratio and distance from the microfiber were analyzed. The results confirm the formation of high-density calcium-silicate-hydrate (HD C-S-H) matrix at higher concentrations than low-density calcium-silicate-hydrate (LD C-S-H) for w/c ratios of 0.2 and 0.3. The properties in cementitious matrix interface with steel microfibers were very similar to that measured for the cement paste, and no significant difference was observed regarding the distance to the microfibers in relation to the elastic modulus, hardness and chemical composition. Thus, the authors can conclude that the formation of a less resistant region does not occur at the interfacial transition zone cement paste/microfibers.

Abstract With the COVID-19 pandemic, many diagnostic tests (molecular or immunological) were rapidly standardised, given the urgency of the situation, many are still in the process of being validated. The main objective of this study was to review the aspects of the diagnostic kits approved in Brazil and their application in the different federative units to gather epidemiological information. In order to achieve these objectives, a survey was carried out on the data available at the regulatory agency (ANVISA) and in the literature. The main countries that have registered products in Brazil are China (51.4%), Brazil (16.6%), South Korea (9.2%), USA (8.8%) and Germany (3.6%). The methodologies of these products are based on the detection of nucleic-acid (15.8%), antigen (13%) and antibody (71.2%). In the immunological tests, it was verified that the sensitivity ranged from 55 to 100% and the specificity from 80 to 100%. The percentage of cases in the samples tested in Brazil is elevated in almost all federative units since eight states showed 40% of positive cases in tested samples, while 18 states displayed between 20 and 40%. In conclusion, this review showed that Brazil is dependent on external technology to respond to pandemics, epidemics and endemics disease and needs to improve its biotechnological scheme to solve further diseases outbreaks.

Resumo A pandemia de Sars-Cov-2 parece ter surpreendido a maioria das autoridades políticas e sanitárias, em razão da velocidade da difusão do vírus e da necessidade de controlá-la por medidas estritas de confinamento, sem precedentes em tempo de paz na escala planetária. Como apreender o “sucesso” do patógeno em termos geográficos? Este artigo objetiva mostrar que a pandemia se construiu a partir das próprias características do sistema-Mundo urbanizado. Com efeito, só as condições da urbanização global podem explicar a cinética e a exaustividade geográfica da epidemia de Covid-19. O texto visa também compreender como se estabelecem as diferenciações espaciais locais e regionais de tal fenômeno global e propõe, finalmente, uma leitura da pandemia à luz do paradigma do antropoceno.

Abstract The Sars-Cov-2 pandemic seems to have surprised most political and health authorities by the speed that the virus spread and the need to control it through strict confinement measures, unprecedented in peacetime on a global scale. How can we understand the ‘success’ of the pathogen in geographical terms? This article aims to show that the pandemic was built from very specific characteristics of the urbanized world-system. Effectively, only the conditions of global urbanization could explain the geographical kinetic and exhaustiveness of the Covid-19 pandemic. The article also aims to understand how local and regional spatial differentiations of such phenomenon is established and, finally, proposes an interpretation of the pandemic, considering the anthropocene paradigm.

Résumé La pandémie de Sars-Cov-2 semble avoir pris de court la plupart des autorités politiques et sanitaires, en raison de la rapidité de la diffusion du virus et de la nécessité de la contrôler par des mesures de confinement strict, sans équivalent en temps de paix à une échelle planétaire. Comment appréhender le “succès” du pathogène en termes géographiques? Cet article se propose de montrer que la pandémie s’est construite à partir des caractéristiques mêmes du système-Monde urbanisé. Ce sont en effet les conditions de l’urbanisation globale qui seules peuvent expliquer la cinétique et l’exhaustivité géographique de l’épidémie de Covid-19. Le texte tente également de comprendre comment s’établissent les différentiations spatiales locales et régionales d’un tel phénomène global et propose in fine une lecture de la pandémie à la lumière du paradigme de l’anthropocène.

Abstract The purpose of this essay is to share the good practices installed in the virtual postgraduate programs of the Universidad Arturo Prat (UNAP), Chile associated with the continuous evaluation of quality processes. Our focus is on the continuous improvement of good practices through the accreditation process with the Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Quality in Distance Education (CALED) and the self-evaluation that the institution carries out to deliver quality service. The methodology used in this work is the documentary review and description of experiences under a qualitative approach. The results reveal that the UNAP has promoted the self-evaluation and international certification of its programs, in a context of normative change in Chile, which establishes new criteria and standards under the new Law of Higher Education Nº v 21.091, in wich are recognized as good practices: the institutional policies, the planning of the self-evaluation process, the updates of the technological platform, the virtual education enviroment, the virtualization adequate to the context, the active-participative academic actions, the rol of the teacher and the student, the academic training, as well as the components of the self-evaluation process, that must be constantly monitored and evaluated, in order to deliver quality services in the training of people participating in graduate programs under the virtual learning modality.

RESUMEN El propósito de este ensayo es reflexionar sobre las buenas prácticas instaladas en los programas virtuales de posgrado de la Universidad Arturo Prat (UNAP), Chile, asociadas a la evaluación continua de procesos de calidad. El enfoque se centra en la mejora de estas prácticas a través del proceso de autoevaluación con el Instituto Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Calidad en Educación Superior a Distancia (CALED) y la autoevaluación que la institución realiza para entregar un servicio de calidad. La metodología utilizada es la revisión documental y la descripción de experiencias bajo un enfoque cualitativo. Los resultados revelan que la UNAP ha promovido la autoevaluación y la certificación internacional de sus programas en un contexto de cambios normativos en Chile, que establece nuevos criterios y estándares bajo la nueva Ley de Educación Superior Nº 21.091, en la que se reconocen como buenas prácticas: las políticas institucionales, la planificación del proceso de autoevaluación, las actualizaciones de la plataforma tecnológica, el entorno de educación virtual, la virtualización adecuada al contexto, las acciones académicas activas-participativas, el rol del docente y del estudiante, la formación académica, así como los componentes del proceso de autoevaluación que deben ser supervisados y evaluados constantemente para entregar servicios de calidad en la formación dentro de los posgrados en modalidad virtual.

ABSTRACT: Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has the potential to predict soil organic carbon (SOC). However, it is still little used as a matter of routine in soil laboratories in Brazil. The objective of this study was to make evaluations as to whether SOC predicted by spectral techniques can replace measurement by routine chemical methods with no loss in quality and be applied in the recommendation of nitrogen fertilizer as well as identifying the best prediction strategies to use. A data set containing 2,471 samples from six soil spectral libraries (SSL) was used to develop spectroscopic models for SOC content prediction, including consideration of sample stratification and preprocessing techniques. The SOC was quantified through the analytical-chemical methods of wet combustion with determination by titration, designated as the reference method (REM), and colorimeter, designated as the routine method (ROM in an independent data set). SOC contents predicted by the spectral analysis method (SAM) were compared to the REM and ROM results, converted to soil organic matter (SOM) and used for N recommendations. The best estimate for SOM content using the SAM was achieved through stratification of the SSL and application of the standard normal variate (SNV) preprocessing. The SOC predicted by spectral techniques proved capable of replacing the SOC measured by routine chemical methods with no loss of quality and supported by an appropriate nitrogen fertilizer recommendation, provided the models met the conditions and possessed the characteristics of the samples to be analyzed.

ABSTRACT The method used to sample the runoff collected from soil erosion plots can be a significant source of error. In this study, we performed a laboratory experiment to evaluate the efficiency of the runoff sampling method most commonly used in Brazil. It is based on the manual homogenization and sampling of the collected runoff. Using soil material with 583 g kg–1 of sand and 89 g kg–1 of clay, the manual sampling method was tested for its ability to produce representative samples of artificial suspensions with a concentration of 2, 10 and 50 g L–1 of total solids. An underestimation of 30 % or more of the concentration of total solids was observed, with a variation of the same magnitude (CV between 20 and 45 %). We then developed a prototype sample splitter to replace the manual sampling method and tested it using the same artificial suspensions. The splitter was efficient in producing samples representative of the artificial suspensions, even without altering the particle size distribution of the total solids. Both absolute percentage errors (|< 5 %|) and the variation between five replicates (CV < 3 %) were small. The problems with the manual method are due to the inefficient homogenization that facilitates the differential sedimentation of particles of different sizes. If these problems are also found in other areas, then the prototype that we developed is a reasonable alternative.

RESUMO A erosão hídrica constitui um sério problema de degradação do solo, com impacto em diversas áreas. Sua mensuração é de extrema importância e onerosa. Os modelos empíricos de estimativa de perdas de solo, como a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada (RUSLE), são utilizados para suprir essa demanda. Consideram-se poucos estudos no Brasil que avaliam o efeito da sazonalidade agroclimática nas estimativas de perda de solo por erosão hídrica em bacias hidrográficas. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sazonalidade agroclimática na estimativa de perdas de solo por meio da RUSLE e identificar os fatores que controlam a erosão na Bacia Hidrográfica do Arroio Fragata (BHAF). O fator erosividade da chuva (R) e a média anual de precipitação foram calculados por meio de dados de quatro estações pluviométricas.. O fator erodibilidade do solo (K) foi obtido a partir de informações de solo. O fator topográfico (LS) foi gerado com base no modelo digital de elevação (MDE) e o fator cobertura do solo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) por meio de imagens do satélite Landsat8/OLI. A variação sazonal teve efeito na perda de solo, com maiores taxas de erosão no período de verão e primavera. Perdas de solo entre 5 e 50 Mg ha-1ano-1 foram registradas em 24% da BHAF, associadas a períodos de chuvas mais erosivas, maior declividade e baixa cobertura vegetal. Os fatores da RUSLE com maior contribuição na erosão foram R, LS e CP. A abordagem apresentada pode ser útil para quantificar as perdas de solo em bacias hidrográficas.

ABSTRACT Water erosion is a serious soil degradation problem, with impact in several areas. Its measurement is extremely important and costly. Empirical models of soil loss estimation, such as the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), are used to meet this demand. Few studies in Brazil are considered to evaluate the effect on agroclimatic seasonality in the estimates of soil loss due to water erosion in watersheds. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agroclimatic seasonality in the estimation of soil losses through RUSLE and to identify the factors that control erosion in the watershed of the Fragata stream. Rainfall erosivity (R) was calculated by means of precipitation data for four seasons and annual average. The soil erodibility factor (K) was obtained from soil information. The topographic factor (LS) was generated from the Digital Elevation Model (MDE) and the soil cover factor and conservationist practices (CP) through Landsat8/OLI satellite images. Seasonal variation had an effect on soil loss, with higher erosion rates in the summer and spring months. Soil losses between 5 and 50 Mg ha-1ano-1 were recorded in 24% of the BHAF, associated with periods of more erosive rainfall, higher slope and low vegetation cover. RUSLE factors with the greatest contribution to erosion were R, LS, and CP. The approach presented can be useful in quantifying soil losses in river basins.

Abstract In this paper was investigated the chemical, physical, thermal, mechanical and morphological characteristics of the recyclable materials obtained of the NESCAFÉ® DOLCE GUSTO® branded beverage capsules, characterizing different resulting compositions. The characterization was made by following techniques: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Water Absorption and techniques for the analysis of mechanical properties (tensile and impact test). The results showed that the body of the capsule and the inner filter, both made of polypropylene, are the most interesting materials to be reused, having good properties, while the materials resulting from the mixtures of all the constituents in the beverage capsules presented decreased mechanical properties.