Search

Aim: Water column acoustic backscatter is regularly registered during oceanographic surveys, providing valuable information on the composition and distribution of pelagic life in the ocean. We propose an objective approach based on functional data analysis to classify these acoustic seascapes into biogeographical regions. Location: Tropical South Atlantic Ocean off northeastern Brazil. Taxon: Sound‐scattering pelagic fauna detected with acoustic echosounders, principally small fish, crustaceans, squid and diverse gelatinous life‐forms. Methods: We use acoustic backscatter as a function of depth, simultaneously at three frequencies, to numerically describe the vertical distribution and composition of sound‐scattering organisms in the water column. This information is used to classify the acoustic seascape through functional principal component analysis. The analysis routine is tested and illustrated with data collected at 38, 70 and 120 kHz in waters affected by contrasting environmental conditions. Results: Acoustic seascape partitioning mirrored the distribution of current systems, fronts and taxonomically based regionalization. The study area was divided between slope‐boundary and open‐ocean waters, and between spring and fall hydrological regimes. Main Conclusions: The acoustic seascape consistency and the spatiotemporal coherence of the regions classified show that the method is efficient at identifying homogeneous and cohesive sound‐scattering communities. Comparisons against hydrological and biological regionalization prove that the method is reliable at delineating distinct pelagic ecosystems in a cost‐efficient and non‐intrusive way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dispersal of marine organisms can be restricted by a set of isolation mechanisms including hard barriers or hydrological features. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon River discharge has been shown to act as a biogeographical barrier responsible for the differences in reef fish communities between Caribbean Sea and Northeast Brazil continental shelves. Here, we compare the diversity of all Animalia phyla from biogeographic ecoregions along the Tropical Western Atlantic continental shelf to test the hypothesis that the Amazon River plume spatially structures species diversity. For that, we used beta diversity estimators and multivariate ecological analysis on a database of species occurrence of the whole animal kingdom including 175,477 occurrences of 8,375 species from six ecoregions along the Western Tropical Atlantic. Results of the whole animal kingdom and the richest phyla showed that the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Brazil ecoregions are isolated by the Amazon River Plume, broadening and confirming the hypothesis that it acts as a soft barrier to animal dispersal in the Western Tropical Atlantic. Species sharing is larger northwestwards, in direction of the Caribbean than the opposite direction. Beyond species isolation due to local characteristics such as low salinity and high turbidity, our results suggest the dominant northwestward currents probably play a major role in animal dispersion: it enhances the flux of larvae and other planktonic organisms with reduced mobility from Brazil to Caribbean and hinders their contrary movement. Thus, the Amazon area is a strong barrier for taxa with reduced dispersal capacity, while species of pelagic taxa with active swimming may transpose it more easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive use of pesticides in agriculture is associated with several negative externalities, which affect both the environment and public health. It is known that the number of records is lower than that of pesticide poisonings, and that underreporting occurs. Aiming to understand this underreporting, we analyzed the data from two information systems for notifications and health injuries and a case study was carried out with professionals from the 5th Regional Health Center and the health network of a municipality in the state of Paraná. It was concluded that underreporting occurs in the information systems, confirming the inconsistency of data and the lack of communication between them, making it difficult to understand the reality of poisonings. In the case study, the occurrence of prior underreporting was identified: when many workers do not seek health systems; the training of professionals is insufficient and neutralized by high turnover, especially among physicians; the diagnosis, conduct and treatment of pesticide poisoning are not part of the curriculum of many courses in the health area; the capacity of health services in many municipalities falls short of the demand, causing work overload to the professionals and the consequent underreporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specimens of Pegantha laevis H.B. Bigelow, 1909 and Pegantha triloba Haeckel, 1879 were found in oceanic waters off the northern Brazilian coast. The former species is clearly distinct due to the thickness and shape of peripheral channels, while the latter is recognized mainly due to the exumbrellar furrows and long otoporpae. This study represents the first actual record of P. laevis inside the Brazilian Economic Exclusive zone, since previous reports were far away from the coast, and clarifies the presence of P. triloba off Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the indicators of Decent Work in Brazil, the one referring to the "Safe Working Environment" was the only which had no improvement in the time series analyzed by the International Labor Organisation. There is an increased number of accidents with significant economic and social impacts. Given that many of these accidents involve the hands and cause functional sequels, this paper presents an integration between the approaches of Hand Therapy and Ergonomics in order to facilitate the process of rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as acting to prevent further accidents, thus contributing to the promotion of Decent Work in the country, particularly with regard to safety and health at work and equal opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a correlation between the parameters of classical TRIZ and variables of analysis of the EWA to construct a matrix of contradictions in ergonomics, with the objective of assisting the designing processes in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Given the representativeness of the sector in the economy, the boundary conditions in which the activities are developed and their impact on the health of workers, this proposal should contribute to the development of adaptable solutions and the promotion of Decent Work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]