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Multivariate data analysis techniques were used to identify the interrelationships between the physical–chemical analyses of 22 parameters sampled monthly from 1991 to 2007 at 16 monitoring stations along the Elqui river and its tributaries to characterize the scale of the geogenic and anthropogenic impacts on the river’s water quality. Principal component analysis was used to identify the differences and similarities between variables in the watershed. Factorial indices, computed to highlight the sections of the river and tributaries more influenced by hydrothermal, mining or agricultural activities, made it possible to synthesize groups of parameters with similar characteristics into a single value.

The Portuguese National Ecological Reserve (NER) was created in 1983, with the aim of preserving, in certain areas, the biophysical structure necessary to maintain exploitation of natural resources and land use without jeopardizing their sustainability. For the first time, issues related to groundwater resources were addressed. Since then, this legal tool has been revised for a better integration of the new national and European legislation and new scientific and technical knowledge. In the latest NER, the concept of “strategic areas of protection and aquifer recharge (SAPAR)” was created, being now necessary to define which are the methodologies and criteria to be applied for its delimitation. This paper summarizes the strategic guidelines that were established from debates held in several meetings with land-use planners, water resources managers, specialists and other stakeholders concerning the development of harmonized definitions and criteria of NER. As a result of those contributions a report was elaborated where guidelines and criteria for the NER delimitation were defined at national level, in accordance with national legislation and other relevant sector plans. In this work, the articulation and integration of SAPAR-protected areas in Portuguese Water Act and the expected difficulties of its application at operative level are evaluated since the SAPAR are important for the control of urban sprawl and therefore to preserve groundwater resources and dependent ecosystems. A brief explanation about the Portuguese main hydrogeological features is given for a better understanding of the groundwater resources and dependent ecosystems. Finally, the key guidelines for a good NER delimitation are compiled.

Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para a construção de uma base de dados voluntária em um estudo de caso para coletar dados de postos de combustível no município do Rio de Janeiro e do seu entorno de modo a inserir na base de dados do OpenStreetMap. A partir dessa experiência apresenta uma reflexão sobre a inserção do mapeamento colaborativo no processo de reambulação das Agências Nacionais de Mapeamento de modo a promover uma atualização dinâmica das bases cartográficas e maior participação social nos processos de construção do território This paper presents a methodology for the construction of a voluntary database using mobile platforms and presents the results in a case study to collect data from gas stations in Rio de Janeiro city and its surroundings in order to insert at the OpenStreetMap database. From this experience presents a reflection about the insertion of collaborative mapping in the field survey process to collect places names of the National Agencies of Mapping in way to promote a dynamic update of cartographic databases and increased social participation in the processes the knowledge of the territory

O tema da pesquisa localiza-se na interseção entre a Sociologia Econômica e a Sociologia das Organizações e tem como objetivo investigar os processos sociais de modernização em estabelecimentos rurais que produzem leite, grãos, peixe, com tamanho até 250 hectares, localizados na microrregião sudeste do estado de Mato Grosso, basicamente nas cidades de Campo Verde e Juscimeira. Nos orientamos pela seguinte problemática de pesquisa: por que alguns estabelecimentos rurais se modernizam e outros não? À vista disso, partimos da sociologia econômica e a teoria dos laços de Mark Granovetter para lançar a hipótese geral de que as redes sociais em que os responsáveis pelos estabelecimentos rurais estão inseridos explicam sua maior ou menor modernização. Esta pesquisa possui caráter exploratório, com intuito de familiarizarmos com nosso objeto de estudo. Como instrumento metodológico, utilizaremos a observação estruturada, a fim de verificar a existência de redes sociais e se essas interações podem influenciar na modernização de seus estabelecimentos rurais.

The Eje Bananero of the Uraba Aquifer is located in the northwestern part of Antioquia in Colombia. The aquifer has an area of approximately 1030 km2 and its coastal border is under marine influence. The aquifer is the main source of water for the banana industry and urban and rural communities. The climate in the Uraba region is semi-warm and there is a northeast–southwest gradient of mean annual precipitation from 2200 mm to 3800 mm, resulting in an annual recharge of 29.1 million m3 to the aquifer. The area of the aquifer encompasses about 550 active wells which exist mostly to meet irrigation demand from banana cultivation. The concentration of the main aquifer physicochemical parameters increases in a southeast–northwest gradient, with HCO3−Cl−, Na+ and Ca+ 2 reaching 1033 mg/l, 400 mg/l, 304 mg/l and 165 mg/l, respectively. The values of electrical conductivity can reach 2409 uS/cm. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to physicochemical data to examine potential origins of groundwater composition patterns and assess the relationship between the main physical and chemical variables. The results indicate that there is a strong relationship between Ca+ 2, Mg+ 2, Na+, K+, HCO3− and Cl− and that these elements contribute to groundwater mineralization. The variation of Ca+ 2, Mg+ 2, Na+ and HCO3− was continuous throughout the flow, while the concentrations of Cl− were very low (< 10 mg/l). A Cl− concentration exception was observed only in the coastal boarder of the aquifer and is reflected in the skewness coefficient, reaching values up to 400 mg/l. The principal component analysis showed that the groundwater hydrochemical processes involve dissolution and cation exchange, and that there is a considerable increase of Cl− concentration in the coastal zone of the aquifer, whose origin is different from those occurring along the water flow. This different pattern is possibly related to Cl− saltwater intrusion and/or dissolution of salts trapped in the aquifer.

Objective To compare the capacity of mammography, sonoelastography, B-mode ultrasonography and histological analysis to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions. Materials and Methods A total of 12 histopathologically confirmed breast lesions were documented. The lesions were assessed by means of mammography, B-mode ultrasonography and sonoelastography, and histopathological analysis was utilized as a gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the mentioned techniques. Results Sensitivity and specificity in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions were respectively 100% and 50% for mammography, 100% and 71% for B-mode ultrasonography, and 67% and 83% for sonoelastography. The area under the ROC curve was calculated for the three imaging modalities and corresponded to 0.792 for mammography, 0.847 for B-mode ultrasonography, and 0.806 for sonoelastography. Conclusion Sonoelastography demonstrated higher specificity and lower sensitivity as compared with mammography and B-mode ultrasonography. On the other hand, B-mode ultrasonography had the largest area under the ROC curve. Sonoelastography has demonstrated to be a promising technique to detect and evaluate breast lesions, and could potentially reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. Objetivo Comparar a capacidade de diferenciação de lesões benignas versus malignas por parte da mamografia, ultrassonografia modo-B e elastografia. Materiais e Métodos Um total de 12 lesões mamárias confirmadas histologicamente foi documentado. A avaliação das lesões foi realizada por meio da mamografia, ultrassonografia modo-B e elastografia. Os resultados histopatológicos foram utilizados como técnica padrão ouro. As sensibilidades e as especificidades foram calculadas. A curva receiver operating characteristic (ROC) foi realizada para avaliar o desempenho diagnóstico das técnicas utilizadas. Resultados A sensibilidade e a especificidade na diferenciação entre lesões mamárias benignas e malignas foram 100% e 50%, respectivamente, para a mamografia, e 100% e 71% para a ultrassonografia modo-B. A elastografia obteve sensibilidade de 67% e especificidade de 83%. A área abaixo da curva ROC foi calculada para as três técnicas imaginológicas, sendo 0,792 para a mamografia, 0,847 para a ultrassonografia modo-B e 0,806 para a elastografia. Conclusão A elastografia mostrou ter maior especificidade e menor sensibilidade comparativamente à mamografia e à ultrassonografia modo-B. A ultrassonografia modo-B foi a técnica que demonstrou maior área abaixo da curva ROC. A elastografia mostra-se uma técnica promissora na detecção de doença mamária e, potencialmente, poderá reduzir biópsias desnecessárias.

The issue related to the contamination of the superficial and underground water resources, associated to the lack of environmental monitoring, instigates researchers and professionals to seek new information and methods to promote a proper management. Thus, searching for a better understanding of the susceptibility to contamination of groundwater resources in the city of Frederico Westphalen -RS, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and its potential sources of contamination. This work combines the methodologies of Susceptibility Index (IS) with the Pollutant Origin Surcharge Hydraulically (POSH) system through geoprocessing tools. For this, it has built up a database of hydrogeological information based on System Groundwater Information (SIAGAS) from the Geological Service of Brazil, to the depth parameters of water level and the material of the aquifer. Also, there has been raised information of relief and land use from the images provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). From this information, we determined the IS and applied the POSH method for the determination of potential sources of pollution load generation from the local aquifer. The results showed an IS ranging from low to very low in 14% of the city, moderately low in 55%, moderate high at 30% and higher by 1%, with the largest classes found east of the city mainly in the areas of agricultural crops subsistence. The use of POSH method indicated that the potential sources of contaminant load generation are located in areas of moderate to high susceptibility to contamination. These being areas more susceptible to contamination from diffuse sources, depending on annual crops of surface and groundwater sources. Therefore, it was concluded that the geoprocessing techniques applied in the relationship between the IS and POSH, optimize the identification of potential sites and sources of groundwater pollution, being useful in monitoring and environmental planning. A problemática relacionada à contaminação dos recursos hídricos superficiais e subterrâneos, associada à falta de monitoramento do ambiente, instigam pesquisadores e profissionais pela busca de novas fontes de informações e métodos que visem promover sua gestão adequada. Deste modo, buscando um maior conhecimento sobre a suscetibilidade à contaminação dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos do município de Frederico WestphalenRio Grande do Sul, Brasil, e suas potenciais fontes de contaminação. Esse trabalho combina as metodologias do Índice de Susceptibilidade (IS) com o sistema Pollutant Origin Surcharge Hydraulically (POSH), por meio de ferramentas de geoprocessamento. Para isto, construiu-se um banco de informações hidrogeológicas com base no Sistema de Informações de Águas Subterrâneas (SIAGAS) do Serviço Geológico do Brasil, para os parâmetros profundidade do nível d'água e o material do aquífero. Ainda, foram levantadas informações de relevo e uso do solo a partir das imagens disponibilizadas pelo United States Geological Survey (USGS). A partir destas informações, foi determinado o IS e aplicado o método POSH para a determinação das fontes potenciais de geração de carga poluidora do aquífero local. Os resultados apresentaram um IS variando entre baixo e muito baixo em 14 % do município, moderado baixo em 55 %, moderado alto em 30% e elevado em 1 %, sendo as maiores classes encontradas ao leste do município principalmente nas áreas de cultivos agrícolas de subsistência. O emprego do método POSH indicou que as fontes potenciais de geração de carga contaminante estão localizadas nas áreas de moderada a alta susceptibilidade à contaminação, sendo essas áreas, mais sujeitas a contaminação de origem difusa, em função dos cultivos anuais, dos mananciais superficiais e subterrâneos. Portanto, conclui-se que as técnicas de Geoprocessamento, aplicadas na associação entre o IS e POSH, otimizam a identificação dos potenciais locais e fontes de poluição das águas subterrâneas, sendo úteis no monitoramento e planejamento do ambiente.

Atualmente, nas sociedades modernas, o estilo de vida leva à privação de sono, ao menor número de horas dormindo e problemas relacionados à qualidade do sono. Estas mudanças, isoladamente ou em associação a uma dieta rica em calorias, podem refletir em alterações metabólicas no sistema nervoso autônomo e no eixo hipotálamo-hipófise- adrenal, estimulando os sistemas endócrinos, os quais podem aumentar a glicemia e, consequentemente, produzir intolerância à glicose. O estado de intolerância à glicose geralmente precede o aparecimento de diabetes tipo 2. Para tanto, este estudo visa avaliar os efeitos da associação da privação de sono paradoxal e dieta hipercalórica sobre o comportamento alimentar e a tolerância à glicose de camundongos. Neste artigo, camundongos Swiss foram divididos em seis grupos: Grupo Controle, Grupo Dieta Hipercalórica (Cafeteria), Grupo Privação de Sono Paradoxal, Grupo Privação de Sono Paradoxal + Dieta Hipercalórica, Grupo Monoglutamato de Sódio e Grupo Privação de Sono Paradoxal + Monoglutamato de Sódio . Durante as 8 semanas de acompanhamento, o consumo alimentar foi avaliado e os camundongos pesados periodicamente. Após o período de acompanhamento foi realizado o teste de tolerância oral a glicose e de sensibilidade à insulina. Ao final, os camundongos foram sacrificados e houve pesagem do coração e da gordura epididimal para avaliação. Não verificamos alteração do peso corporal dos camundongos que receberam dieta hipercalórica. Avaliando metabolicamente, verificamos que não houve alteração na tolerância a glicose nos grupos, porém, os animais que receberam dieta hipercalórica, apresentaram resistência à insulina e aumento significante da gordura visceral. Portanto, nesse estudo preliminar, verificou-se que a resistência à insulina de camundongos que recebem dieta hipercalórica associa-se ao aumento da gordura visceral.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de conhecer a influência das partículas AlB2 e AlB12 na capacidade de refino de grão de uma liga Al-4B sobre ligas de fundição à base de alumínio-silício, realizou-se testes de refino TP1 da Aluminum Association variando-se as concentrações de AlB2 e AlB12. Para a caracterização química foram utilizadas as técnicas de espectrometria de emissão óptica e espectrometria de energia dispersiva (EDS). O método utilizado para medir os tamanhos de grão foi o do intercepto, através de uma lupa estereoscópica. Os resultados foram comparados com os do refinador convencional Al-5Ti-1B. A liga alumínio-silício utilizada foi a Al-11Si-0,1Mg, comum na produção de rodas automotivas. A liga Al-4B com 100% de partículas AlB2 apresentou a melhor capacidade de refino, proporcionando tamanhos médios de grãos de 0,26 mm na liga Al-11Si-0,1Mg, no tempo de amostragem de 5 minutos. A liga Al-4B com 100% de partículas AlB12 apresentou um resultado intermediário, com tamanhos médios de grãos de 0,43 mm na liga Al-11Si-0,1Mg, no tempo de 5 minutos. A liga Al-11Si-0,1Mg refinada usando-se o refinador convencional Al-5Ti-1B apresentou tamanho médio de grão de 0,63 mm após 5 minutos de amostragem, o pior resultado quando comparado com os refinadores Al-4B com 100% de partículas AlB2 e AlB12 respectivamente. ABSTRACT In order to investigate the influence of AlB2 and AlB12 particles on the grain refining performance of an Al-4B master alloy in aluminum-silicon casting alloys, Aluminum Association TP-1 grain size tests were performed for varying concentrations of AlB2 and AlB12. For the chemical characterization, optical emission spectrometry and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were used. Grain sizes were measured by line intercept method using stereoscopic microscope. The results were compared with the conventional grain refiner Al-5Ti-1B. The aluminum-silicon alloy used was the Al-11Si-0.1Mg, common in the production of automotive wheels. The master alloy Al-4B with 100% of AlB2 particles showed the best refining performance, providing average grain sizes of 0.26 mm in the alloy Al-11Si-0.1Mg after sampling time of 5 minutes. The alloy Al-4B with 100% of AlB12 particles showed an intermediate result, with average sizes of 0.43 mm in the alloy Al-11Si-0.1Mg after sampling time of 5 minutes. The alloy Al-11Si-0,1Mg refined using the conventional grain refiner Al-5Ti-1B presented average grain size of 0,63 mm after 5 minutes of sampling time, the worst result compared with the refiners Al-4B with 100% of AlB2 and AlB12 particles respectively.

O processo de ensino-aprendizagem em computação tende a ser mais eficaz com a realização de atividades práticas a partir do desenvolvimento de projetos que tratem de problemas reais. Nesse contexto o processo de implementação de jogos sérios pode auxiliar no aprendizado de novas tecnologias e aplicação de métodos dinâmicos. Este trabalho relata a experiência de um processo de capacitação para o desenvolvimento de jogos sérios envolvendo graduandos de cursos de computação. A aplicação de questionários, pré e pós-testes, permitiu estimar o interesse dos alunos e avaliar o nível de conhecimento no processo de ensino. Os alunos da capacitação geraram três protótipos com os seguintes propósitos: 1) educação da saúde bucal de adolescentes; 2) identificação de daltonismo em crianças; 3) desenvolvimento do equilíbrio em pessoas da terceira idade.

The natural background level (NBL) concept is revisited and combined with indicator kriging method to analyze the spatial distribution of groundwater quality within a groundwater body (GWB). The aim is to provide a methodology to easily identify areas with the same probability of exceeding a given threshold (which may be a groundwater quality criteria, standards, or recommended limits for selected properties and constituents). Three case studies with different hydrogeological settings and located in two countries (Portugal and Italy) are used to derive NBL using the preselection method and validate the proposed methodology illustrating its main advantages over conventional statistical water quality analysis. Indicator kriging analysis was used to create probability maps of the three potential groundwater contaminants. The results clearly indicate the areas within a groundwater body that are potentially contaminated because the concentrations exceed the drinking water standards or even the local NBL, and cannot be justified by geogenic origin. The combined methodology developed facilitates the management of groundwater quality because it allows for the spatial interpretation of NBL values. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-sucrose and high-fat diets induce deregulation in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. This study aimed to detect the initial consequences on lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis and insulin signaling in the livers of rodents fed high-fat and/or high-sucrose diets for a short period of time. Male mice received a standard chow (SC), high-fat (HF), high-sucrose (HSu) or high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHSu) diet for 4 weeks. At euthanasia, blood was collected and the liver was removed for histomorphometrical and molecular analysis. The HF, HSu and HFHSu groups presented glucose intolerance, hepatomegaly, liver steatosis and lipid profile alteration when compared to the SC group (p < 0.0005). Additionally, there was an elevation in protein levels involved in lipogenesis (SREBP-1c), gluconeogenesis (PEPCK and G6Pase) and insulin signaling (IRS-1 and Akt) in the livers from the experimental groups compared to the SC group (p < 0.0005). Thus, we conclude that a short-term HF and/or HSu diet promotes glucose intolerance and liver damage in adult male mice. Surprisingly, the short exposure to excess sucrose in the diet promoted glucose intolerance and liver damage even in the absence of an increase in body mass or changes in serum insulin, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between martial arts practice (judo, karate and kung-fu) and bone mineral density in adolescents.METHODS: The study was composed of 138 (48 martial arts practitioners and 90 non-practitioners) adolescents of both sexes, with an average age of 12.6 years. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in arms, legs, spine, trunk, pelvis and total. Weekly training load and previous time of engagement in the sport modality were reported by the coach. Partial correlation tested the association between weekly training load and bone mineral density, controlled by sex, chronological age, previous practice and somatic maturation. Analysis of covariance was used to compare bone mineral density values according to control and martial arts groups, controlled by sex, chronological age, previous practice and somatic maturation. Significant relationships between bone mineral density and muscle mass were inserted into a multivariate model and the slopes of the models were compared using the Student t test (control versus martial art).RESULTS: Adolescents engaged in judo practice presented higher values of bone mineral density than the control individuals (p-value=0.042; Medium Effect size [Eta-squared=0.063]), while the relationship between quantity of weekly training and bone mineral density was significant among adolescents engaged in judo (arms [r=0.308] and legs [r=0.223]) and kung-fu (arms [r=0.248] and spine [r=0.228]).CONCLUSIONS: Different modalities of martial arts are related to higher bone mineral density in different body regions among adolescents. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a relac¸ão entre a prática de artes marciais (judô, karatê e kung-fu) e a densidade mineral óssea em adolescentes. Métodos: O estudo foi composto por 138 adolescentes (48 praticantes de artes marciais e 90 não praticantes) de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 12,6 anos. A densidade mineral óssea foi medida usando absortometria radiológica de dupla energia em brac¸os, pernas, coluna, tronco, pelve e total. A carga de treinamento semanal e o tempo anterior de envolvimento na modalidade esportiva foram relatados pelo treinador. A correlac¸ão parcial testou a associac¸ão entre a carga semanal de treinamento e a densidade mineral óssea, controlada para sexo, idade cronológica, prática anterior e maturac¸ão somática. A análise de covariância foi utilizada para comparar os valores de densidade mineral óssea de acordo com os grupos controle e de artes marciais, controlados para sexo, idade cronológica, prática anterior e maturac¸ão somática. Associac¸ões significativas entre a densidade mineral óssea e a massa muscular foram inseridas em um modelo multivariado e as inclinac¸ões dos modelos foram comparadas usando o teste t de Student (controle versus arte marcial). Resultados: Os adolescentes envolvidos na prática de judô apresentaram valores maiores de densidade mineral óssea do que os indivíduos do grupo controle (p=0,042; tamanho de efeito médio [eta-quadrado=0,063]), enquanto a relac¸ão entre a quantidade de treinos semanais e a densidade mineral óssea foi significativa entre os adolescentes praticantes de judô (brac¸os [r=0,308] e pernas [r=0,223]) e kung-fu (brac¸os [r=0,248] e coluna [r=0,228]). Conclusões: Diferentes modalidades de artes marciais estão relacionadas com maior densidade mineral óssea em diferentes regiões do corpo em adolescentes.

BACKGROUND Research on relationships between lifestyle behaviors and adiposity in school youth is potentially important for identifying subgroups at risk. This study evaluates the associations between waist circumference (WC) and objective measures of sedentary behavior (SB) in a sample of rural school adolescents. METHODS The sample included 254 students (114 boys, 140 girls), 13-16 years of age, from rural regions of the Portuguese midlands. Height, weight, and WC were measured. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed with the 20-m shuttle-run test. An uniaxial GT1M accelerometer was used to obtain 5 consecutive days of physically activity (PA) and SB. Multiple linear regression was used to test associations between WC and SB, adjusted for several potential confounders (age, sex, PA, CRF, parental education). RESULTS SB was not significantly associated with the WC, neither in the unadjusted model nor after adjustment for all potential confounders. In the final model, the unique significant predictor of the WC was cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.02 to −0.62). CONCLUSION WC was not independently associated with SB time in rural school adolescents. Future research is claimed among rural adolescents in different geographic contexts to try to clarify recent findings of less studied communities.

We examined the variation of stygofauna composition collected in wells, along a gradient in groundwater salinity/conductivity in a coastal aquifer from southern Portugal. The studied coastal aquifer is considered vulnerable to salinization due to seawater intrusion, caused by overexploitation of the aquifer. Knowing the response of the stygofauna species to present levels of groundwater salinity makes it possible to understand and measure the effects of saltwater intrusion on stygofauna, rendering them potential bioindicators of this environmental pressure. Biotic and abiotic sampling was conducted in six shallow wells located in the fresh–saltwater interface of the Arade estuary along the salinity gradient established in the groundwater from the estuary to inland locations (microSiemens/cm). Groundwater salinity was highly correlated with taxa distribution. The stygobites Eucyclops hadjebensis and Acanthocyclops sensitivus, the cosmopolitan Megacyclops viridis and Cypria ophtalmica were particularly associated with low-salinity conditions, whereas Eucyclops graeteri, Megacyclops brachypus and Daphnia pulicaria were related to high-salinity waters. Multivariate analyses indicated that stygofauna assemblages varied significantly with location. We suggest that stygofauna composition and structure can be a useful complementing tool for monitoring seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, where reduction or deterioration in groundwater resources is predicted.

We describe a girl with Alagille syndrome and a moyamoya angiographic pattern on magnetic resonance angiography. She was referred for genetic consultation because of posterior embryotoxon and peripheral pulmonary stenosis. Her facial appearance was typical, but she had no cholestasis or vertebral involvement. A heterozygous duplication of one nucleotide (a c.715dupA mutation) not previously described was identified in exon 5 of the JAG1 gene. We review similar cases in the literature and possible pathophysiologic mechanisms (e.g., the Jagged 1 and Notch signaling pathway) of this association.

RESUMOO atraso pubertário representa uma causa frequente de referenciação à consulta de Endocrinologia Pediátrica. A sua etiologia é variada, classificando-se em hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico ou hipergonadotrófico, consoante exista diminuição ou aumento das gonadotrofinas. A Síndrome de Kallmann é uma forma rara de hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico e caracteriza-se pela sua associação a anosmia ou hiposmia. É causada por um defeito na migração dos neurónios que produzem a GnRH e dos que formam os nervos olfativos, cuja origem embriológica é comum. A doença afeta apenas a secreção de gonadotrofinas, sendo as restantes hormonas hipofisárias produzidas normalmente. Está frequentemente associada a outras malformações que podem ser um elemento fundamental para um diagnóstico precoce. Os autores apresentam três casos clínicos de Síndrome de Kallmann e malformações associadas.ABSTRACTDelayed puberty is a frequent cause of referral to pediatric endocrinologists. It may be due to a large number of causes divided in two major groups based on measurement of gonadotrophins: hypogonadotrophic or hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Kallmann syndrome is a rare form of hypogonadotrophic hypo­gonadism and is characteristically associated with anosmia or hyposmia. Its primary defect is an anomalous migration of the neurons responsible for the GnRH production and the neurons that compose the olfactory nerves. The syndrome only affects gonadotrophin production, while all other hypophyseal hormones are normally secreted. In this paper we report and discuss three cases of Kallmann's syndrome and associated anomalies.

In a mesocosm experiment, pigment levels, organic matter and the structure of macroinvertebrate community were compared in two linked wetland systems encompassing fish-farm pond and natural reservoir. A stratified sampling design was applied, and treated experimental azoic sediment was placed in suspended boxes. The set of box was used to follow cumulative colonization period and single-month colonization approach for the study of macrofauna and biochemical parameters (organic matter, chlorophyll a and phaeopigments). There were significant differences between systems for the abiotic and community variables and polychaete diversity. Regarding the structure of macroinvertebrate community, the pond system appears to have higher abundance than the natural system. Monthly fluctuation was observed for abiotic variable and community variables in both systems, but polychaete diversity indices did not vary monthly in the pond system, which suggests that diversity indices in disturbed systems do not follow the organic matter variation. The correlation coefficient was also tested within abiotic and community variables for both systems. In the pond system, the organic matter was strongly related with chlorophyll a, carotenoid and phaeopigments. Due to the fact that the source of OM in the pond system is allochthonous, phaeopigments level is likely not to be directly affected by organic matter enrichment, but organic matter inputs create the high primary production and consequently affect the phaeopigments level. Polychaete abundance was positively correlated with the load in organic matter for both reservoir and pond systems, but the correlation coefficient between organic matter and polychaete diversity indices was higher in reservoir than in the pond system. The Moss index was used to indicate the production and degradation state of the systems, and it represented the natural reservoir in a higher production phase than the fish pond, and later on, the monthly variation of the percentage of degradation confirms the pond system in a more decayed state than the natural reservoir system. This study shows that although the organic matter and phaeopigments level tend to be higher in disturbed system, this does not necessarily favor all species, and more sensitive species are endangered of getting displaced by opportunistic species in systems with anthropogenic impact.

Published online march 2012, Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate how simple it is to build a homemade low-cost simulator using a simple 5-step scheme. Methods. A scheme explaining how to build an endoscopic surgery simulator in 5 easy steps was presented to 26 surgeons. The simulator required a pair of scissors and easy-to-find materials. Its total cost was less than €35. The participants assessed the simulator using common endoscopic training toys or ex vivo tissue and completed an anonymous query comparing it with other commercial simulators that they had experienced before. Results. In all, 84.6% found the simulator really easy to build. Every participant felt that he or she could do the same simulator themselves. Comparing with other commercial available box simulators, the majority of participants found the homemade simulator easier to (a) mount and dismount, (b) transport, (c) clean, and (d) use when practicing alone. Conclusions. Anyone can build its own simulator for a small amount of money., The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

In open energy markets, the settlement process between distribution operators and traders is made on an hourly (or 15 min) basis, while LV consumers’ billing data continues to result from monthly energy bills. In order to reconcile these two different realities, load profiling is used as a means to redistribute the consumed energy of each trader's portfolio by hourly intervals, according to recorded consumption patterns. This paper presents a new clustering approach to derive typical load diagrams that can be used in the process. The algorithm uses real load diagrams obtained in measurement campaigns to define classes (in the billing information space) that maximize the compactness of the diagrams in each class. The methodology was developed in a project with EDP Distribution (the Portuguese distribution system operator) and the result was approved by the Regulatory Authority that adopted the proposed profiles for market use.

Communities located in the interface between marine/brackish and freshwater habitats are likely to be early responders to climatic changes as they are exposed to both saline and freshwater conditions, and thus are expected to be sensitive to any change in their environmental conditions. Climatic effects are predicted to reduce the availability of groundwater, altering the hydrological balance on estuarine-aquifer interfaces. Here, we aimed to characterise the estuarine faunal community along a gradient dependent on groundwater input, under a predicted climatic scenario of reduction in groundwater discharge into the estuary. Sediment macrofauna was sampled along a salinity gradient following both the wet and dry seasons in 2009. Results indicated that species abundance varied significantly with the salinity gradient created by the groundwater discharge into the estuarine habitat and with sampling time. The isopode Cyathura carinata (Kroyer, 1847) and the polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis (Claparede, 1864) and Hediste diversicolor O.F. Muller, 1776 were associated with the more saline locations, while oligochaeta and Spionidae were more abundant in areas of lower salinity. The polychaete Alkmaria romijni Horst, 1919 was the dominant species and ubiquitous throughout sampling stations. This study provides evidence for estuarine fauna to be considered as a potentially valuable indicator of variation in the input of groundwater into marine-freshwater interface habitats, expected from climatic pressures on aquifer levels, condition and recharge rates. For instance, a reduction in the abundance of some polychaete species, found here to be more abundant in freshwater conditions, and increasing Oligochaeta found here on higher salinities, can potentially be early warnings of a reduction in the input of groundwater into estuaries. Estuarine benthic species are often the main prey for commercially important fish predators such as in our case study, making it important to monitor the aquatic habitat interfaces taking into consideration the estuarine macrobenthos and groundwater availability in the system.

INTRODUÇÃO: A elevação do índice de massa corporaleapresençadesíndromemetabólica se associam com diminuição da função renal e o aparecimento de doença renal terminal. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da sobreposição de um modelo de obesidade experimental e hipertensão arterial sobre a pressão arterial, peso corporal e parâmetros metabólicos e renais de ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados ratos machos das cepas Wistar e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Os grupos MSG receberam glutamato monossódico no período neonatal (WST + MSG e SHR + MSG). Os animais controles receberam salina no período neonatal (WST e SHR). Após completarem três meses de vida, por 12 semanas foram pesados e tiveram a pressão arterial de cauda aferida semanalmente. A determinação de microalbuminúria foi realizada nas semanas 0, 4, 8 e 12. Ao final do período de acompanhamento, coletou-se sangue para glicemia de jejum, creatinina e perfil lipídico. Os rins foram retirados, corados e o índice de esclerose glomerular foi calculado. RESULTADOS: A administração de MSG produziu maior ganho percentual de peso corporal, elevação da glicemia de jejum e maior grau de lesão glomerular nos ratos WST -MSG e SHR -MSG quando comparados aos seus controles. Houve maior excreção urinária de albumina nos ratos do Grupo SHR + MSG quando comparados aos SHR. Não houve diferença estatística na pressão arterial de cauda, creatinina e parâmetros do metabolismo lipídico. CONCLUSÕES: A associação de obesidade neuroendócrina e a hipertensão arterial promoveram alterações morfológicas e funcionais no glomérulo mais severas do que aquelas observadas nos ratos somente hipertensos. INTRODUCTION: Increased body mass index and the metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased renal function and the development of end-stage kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the overlap between an experimental model of obesity and genetic hypertension on the blood pressure, body weight and metabolic and kidney parameters of rats. METHODS: We studied male rats of the Wistar (WST) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) strains. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was administered in the neonatal period to both strains, to make up two groups: WST + MSG and SHR + MSG. Animals in the control groups (WST and SHR) received saline. After completing three months of life, a 12-week follow-up period ensued, during which bi-weekly measurements of body weight (BW) and tail-cuff blood pressure (TCBP) were obtained. Microalbuminuria was analyzed at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. At the end of the follow-up period, blood was obtained for fasting glucose, plasma creatinine, and lipid profile determinations. The kidneys were removed, stained, and the glomerular sclerosis index was calculated. RESULTS: The administration of MSG produced higher percentage body weight gain, higher fasting blood glucose and a higher degree of glomerular injury in WST-MSG and MSG-SHR rats, compared to their controls. Greater urinary albumin excretion was observed in SHR + MSG rats, when compared to SHR. There was no statistical difference in the TCBP, creatinine, and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: The association of neuroendocrine obesity and arterial hypertension promoted morphological and functional changes in the glomerulus. These changes were more severe than those observed in hypertensive-only rats.

With the advent of the Internet and the progressive development and consolidation of a wide range of web standards and technologies as well as the advances in distributed artificial intelligence (DAI), namely the multi agent system concept, new opportunities have emerged for conceiving, modelling and enhancing shop floor's performance and response. Modern IT-supported production paradigms denote a common concept where the shop floor is a lively entity composed by interacting intelligent modules whose individual and collective function adapts and evolves ensuring the fitness and adequacy of the organization, owning the system, in tackling profitable but volatile business opportunities. The self-organizing and peer to peer nature of these systems renders a collective behaviour and dynamics that are fundamentally new. Conventional diagnostic methods and tools have not been designed targeting the envisioned systems therefore lack the required support. In this paper the emerging IT-based production paradigms are surveyed as well as the existing diagnostic methods whose adequacy is analysed. The resulting requirements and characteristics are exposed to stress the need for rethinking current diagnostic practices in future automation systems.

NMDA receptors are calcium-permeable ionotropic receptors that detect coincident glutamate binding and membrane depolarization and are essential for many forms of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain. The obligatory GluN1 subunit of NMDA receptors is alternatively spliced at multiple sites, generating forms that vary in N-terminal N1 and C-terminal C1, C2, and C2′ cassettes. Based on expression of GluN1 constructs in heterologous cells and in wild type neurons, the prevalent view is that the C-terminal cassettes regulate synaptic accumulation and its modulation by homeostatic activity blockade and by protein kinase C (PKC). Here, we tested the role of GluN1 splicing in regulated synaptic accumulation of NMDA receptors by lentiviral expression of individual GluN1 splice variants in hippocampal neurons cultured from GluN1 (−/−) mice. High efficiency transduction of GluN1 at levels similar to endogenous was achieved. Under control conditions, the C2′ cassette mediated enhanced synaptic accumulation relative to the alternate C2 cassette, whereas the presence or absence of N1 or C1 had no effect. Surprisingly all GluN1 splice variants showed >2-fold increased synaptic accumulation with chronic blockade of NMDA receptor activity. Furthermore, in this neuronal rescue system, all GluN1 splice variants were equally rapidly dispersed upon activation of PKC. These results indicate that the major mechanisms mediating homeostatic synaptic accumulation and PKC dispersal of NMDA receptors occur independently of GluN1 splice isoform.

This paper describes a simulation-optimization model aimed at helping water utilities determine the best way to operate large-scale multisource water-supply systems. The operation of water systems is optimized taking into account the principal planning objectives defined for interventions that include reducing operating costs, satisfying demand, delivering water of appropriate quality, and not prompting the use of emergency sources. The model allows that these planning objectives may not be completely fulfilled in critical circumstances (e.g., droughts) when goals have to be prioritized by the water utilities. The model is a highly nonlinear programming problem and is solved with the general algebraic modeling system (GAMS), using the MINOS algorithm (GAMS/MINOS). The application of the model to the multimunicipal urban water-supply system of the Algarve shows its capabilities for optimizing the operation considering economic and noneconomic goals included in the objective function and to cope with future...

Groundwater quality assessment is important to ensure sustainable safe use of water. In the region of Gabes, groundwaters represent the main source of water supply for drinking, agriculture and industry seeing the shortage in surface water. In the present paper, an attempt has been made, for the first time in this region, to study the spatial and temporal evolution of the hydrochemistry and to identify factors and phenomena governing the assessment parameters of Gabes-south groundwaters quality, based on (1) an integrated analysis of physical–chemical parameters (2) use of Geological Information System (GIS) and (3) statistical methods. To this purpose, water samples were collected during the period of 1995–2003 from nine boreholes to represent Gabes-south deep aquifer. The water samples were investigated with respect to salinity, concentrations of hydrogen (pH), calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), chloride (Cl − ), sulphate, SO 4 2 - , bicarbonates HCO 3 - and fluoride (F − ). Spatial distribution maps of these parameters have been created using GIS contouring methods with Arcview 3.2. The analytical results obtained were interpreted using hydrochemical methods reinforced by statistical analysis (trend analysis, principal component analysis and correspondence analysis) which has been widely used to analyse large sets of variables in environmental studies. Chemical analysis show that during the considered period, salinity and major elements concentrations vary little with time, and decrease in the direction of the groundwater flow. The waters are mostly SO 4 , Cl, Na and Ca type. The chemical composition of these waters is related to the lithology of the aquifer, to their origin and to the exploitation conditions. Water quality analysis indicates that Gabes-south groundwaters are mainly composed of SO 4 , Cl, Na and Ca type. Results showed that fluoride concentrations exceed the World Health Organisation (WHO) maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l. Therefore, the water of these boreholes must be defluorinated before use for drinking.

Considering its area, Portugal is one of the world's richest countries in mineral and spring waters. There are 33 different types of bottled water, 18 of which are classified as natural mineral water and the remaining as spring water. The majority of these waters are of low mineralisation in comparison to most European bottled waters. Principal component analysis was used to identify the main geotectonic interrelationships among physico-chemical parameters, enhancing similarities and dissimilarities, and contributing to a new typology of bottled waters, based on their hydrochemical characteristics and geological occurrence.

O artigo teoriza em uma perspectiva biossocial sobre os indicadores biossociais da hipogamia, ou seja, sobre parâmetros biossociais que explicam a situação social das mulheres que contraem matrimônio com indivíduos situados posicionalmente abaixo delas. Para isto: (1) defende que o diálogo entre a sociologia e abordagens biossociais como a Psicologia Evolucionista pode contribuir para pensarmos uma teoria biossocial da hipogamia; (2) apresenta uma possível explicação do por que da negligência da literatura sociológica para com o fenômeno da hipogamia; (3) sugere que o fenômeno do crescimento do número de mulheres chefes de família pode ser um bom ponto de partida para estudarmos o fenômeno da hipogamia; (4) apresenta alguns referenciais teóricos como ponto de partida para explicarmos a hipogamia e determinar seus indicadores biossociais.The article theorizes a biosocial perspective about the biosocial indicators of the hipogamy what means about biosocial parameters that explain the social situation of the women which get married with individuals in a social class below them. So: (1) It defends that the dialogue betwen the sociology and the biosocial approachs like Evolutionary Psychology can contributes for thinking a biosocial theory of hipogamy; (2) It present a possible explanation for the reason of the negligence of the sociological literature on hipergamy phenomenon; (3) it suggest that the phenomenon of the growth of the women householder headship can be a good point for starting to study the hipogamy phenomenon; (4) It present some theoric references as the beggining of an explanation of the hipogamy and to establish their biosocial indicators.

The Water Framework Directive and its daughter directives recognize the urgent need to adopt specific measures against the contamination of water by individual pollutants or a group of pollutants that present a significant risk to the quality of water. Probability maps showing that the nitrate concentrations exceed a legal threshold value in any location of the aquifer are used to assess risk of groundwater quality degradation from intensive agricultural activity in aquifers. In this paper we use Disjunctive Kriging to map the probability that the Nitrates Directive limit (91/676/EEC) is exceeded for the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone of the River Tagus alluvium aquifer. The Tagus alluvial aquifer system belongs to one of the most productive hydrogeological unit of continental Portugal and it is used to irrigate crops. Several groundwater monitoring campaigns were carried out from 2004 to 2006 according to the summer crops cycle. The study reveals more areas on the west bank with higher probabilities of contamination by nitrates (nitrate concentration values above 50 mg/L) than on the east bank. The analysis of synthetic temporal probability map shows the areas where there is an increase of nitrates concentration during the summers.

Nous avons concu une base de donnees afin d'evaluer l'occurrence et l'efficacite d'elimination des composes pharmaceutiques et cosmetiques dans les stations d'epuration. Nous avons repertorie 6 641 donnees concernant 184 composes, issues de 117 publications scientifiques. L'exploitation de ces donnees a permis, d'une part, d'identifier les composes les plus etudies et, d'autre part, de determiner des valeurs fiables: - de frequences de quantification ; - de concentrations dans la phase dissoute des eaux residuaires urbaines [influents] et des eaux epurees [effluents] ; - et de rendements d'elimination (R) de ces composes dans les stations d'epuration. L'analyse des donnees a egalement permis de confirmer une meilleure efficacite de traitement de ces substances par les stations d'epuration biologique fonctionnant a faible charge.

Summary Factorial regression models, based on correspondence analysis, are built to explain the high nitrate concentrations in groundwater beneath an agricultural area in the south of Portugal, exceeding 300 mg/l, as a function of chemical variables, electrical conductivity (EC), land use and hydrogeological setting. Two important advantages of the proposed methodology are that qualitative parameters can be involved in the regression analysis and that multicollinearity is avoided. Regression is performed on eigenvectors extracted from the data similarity matrix, the first of which clearly reveals the impact of agricultural practices and hydrogeological setting on the groundwater chemistry of the study area. Significant correlation exists between response variable NO 3 - and explanatory variables Ca 2+ , Cl − , SO 4 2 - , depth to water, aquifer media and land use. Substituting Cl - by the EC results in the most accurate regression model for nitrate, when disregarding the four largest outliers (model A). When built solely on land use and hydrogeological setting, the regression model (model B) is less accurate but more interesting from a practical viewpoint, as it is based on easily obtainable data and can be used to predict nitrate concentrations in groundwater in other areas with similar conditions. This is particularly useful for conservative contaminants, where risk and vulnerability assessment methods, based on assumed rather than established correlations, generally produce erroneous results. Another purpose of the models can be to predict the future evolution of nitrate concentrations under influence of changes in land use or fertilization practices, which occur in compliance with policies such as the Nitrates Directive. Model B predicts a 40% decrease in nitrate concentrations in groundwater of the study area, when horticulture is replaced by other land use with much lower fertilization and irrigation rates.

Este artigo apresenta características da Infraestrutura Nacional de Dados Espaciais (INDE) e aspectos arquitetônicos e tecnológicos para um Ecossistema de Infraestruturas de Dados Espaciais (IDEs) proposto para a próxima geração da IDE brasileira. Um protótipo, chamado IDE-CO, está sendo construído fundamentado em uma plataforma habilitada para governo, instituição, cidadão e academia. Essa plataforma permite que uma IDE seja instanciada, nesse ecossistema, por qualquer esfera de Governo (federal, estadual ou municipal) ou por uma comunidade (cidadãos comuns, organizações da sociedade civil, grupos de pesquisadores e outros). Esta plataforma é constituída por um conjunto de ferramentas geoespaciais que oferece serviços tais como: migração, ligação, integração, recuperação, criação, visualização, manipulação, processamento, análise, compartilhamento e gestão de informação espacial. Além disso, considera os aspectos sociais (gestão, avaliação, agrupamento, ordenamento, reputação, seguir etc.) fornecendo serviços para apoiar as instituições, pessoas e comunidades. Para proporcionar essa infraestrutura, a plataforma leva em conta os princípios de iniciativas abertas e transparentes, cultura de participação e injeção inversa de dados espaciais e está sendo construído com ferramentas de código aberto. De modo a validar o ecossistema IDE-Co é apresentado o protótipo aplicado a Área de Preservação Ambiental (APA) de Guapimirim.

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior A partir do reconhecimento de que mulher e esporte são temas de interesse para o estudo da sociedade, destacamos como foco dessa dissertação as atletas do voleibol feminino da década de 1980, visando recuperar a potência dessa geração e descrever a trajetória das jogadoras que integravam a seleção feminina adulta de voleibol do Brasil de então, quando transformações profundas no cenário nacional marcaram a ascensão da equipe no cenário esportivo mundial. Além disso, pretendemos apontar os principais fatos que reforçaram a consolidação do esporte nesse período no Brasil, analisando o processo de inserção, permanência e aposentadoria das atletas no esporte que atuaram na década analisada e sua contribuição individual para a ascensão do voleibol no cenário nacional e internacional. Esta pesquisa foi construída a partir dos referenciais metodológicos da História Oral Temática e utilizou como instrumento um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado, para orientar a conversa com onze jogadoras de voleibol, da década de 1980. A fim de articular e confrontar os dados, cotejamos as narrativas dessas atletas com outros documentos. Por fim, verificamos que esta geração de atletas contribuiu não apenas para a ascensão do voleibol no cenário esportivo brasileiro, mas também, para a profissionalização da modalidade; para a divulgação do esporte na grande mídia e para a quebra de mitos e tabus sobre a maternidade e a participação da mulher no esporte, e assim, na sociedade. This dissertation recognizes the women in Sports as relevant issues to Social Studies, therefore it focus in the generation of female volleyball athletes during the 1980s in Brazil. It recovers the impact of this generation and describes the trajectory of the players that were part of the adult female volleyball team in Brazil in the 80’s decade; a period of profound transformations which marked the rise of the team on the world sports scene and the consolidation of the sport on the national scene. In addition, we aim to highlight the main facts that reinforced the consolidation of Brazilian volleyball throughout this period, analyzing the sports’ scouting process, the longevity and there tirement of these female athletes who played in that decade and also heir individual contribution to the rise of volleyball culture both nationally and internationally. This research was built from the methodological framework of the Thematic Oral History and used a semi-structured interview instrument script to guide the conversation with eleven volleyball players of the 1980s. In order to combine and contrast data we compare the narratives of these athletes with other documents. At last, we note that generation of athletes contributed not only to the rise of volleyball in the Brazilian sports scene, but also to the professionalization of the sport; to the promotion of the sport by mass media and it contributed to break many taboos about the maternity and the women's participation in sport, as in society.

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Por meio deste estudo, buscou-se estimar os custos de produção da soja grão, cultivada sob sistema de plantio direto, na região Oeste do Estado da Bahia. Para tanto, coletaram-se dados técnicos e econômicos para a elaboração de custos referentes ao empreendimento de quatro fazendas dessa região, obtidos junto aos técnicos responsáveis pela sojicultura em estudo, caracterizando-se como estudo de multicasos. A pesquisa baseia-se na teoria de custos e o período de análise correspondeu à safra de verão 2003/2004. As despesas com os custos variáveis foram as que mais oneraram os custos finais da atividade, destacando-se gastos com fertilizantes, serviços e defensivos químicos. Entre os itens que compõem os custos fixos, destacaram-se gastos com máquinas e equipamentos e o custo de oportunidade da terra. Economicamente, concluiu-se que a atividade produtiva em estudo se encontra em processo de descapitalização, visto que parte do capital fixo aplicado na produção não foi totalmente pago. Tal constatação leva a perda da capacidade produtiva e no longo prazo o sojicultor pode ser levado a aplicar seu capital em outra atividade produtiva ou em outra alternativa de investimento.The production costs for soybean in the west region of the state of Bahia are presented in this study. This research identifies economic indexes of cost that most influence decisions made by soybean producers. The research is based on theory of costs. The data on the four soybeans productions units were gathered in the harvest from 2003 to 2004, characterizing a multicase study. The economic analysis proved that soybeans prices were below average total cost but exceeded average variable cost. Thus, not all of the fixed costs are lost, as would be the case if production were discontinued. The research shows that expenses on variable resources represent the greater portion of the final cost of soybean, like cost with fertilizers, services and quimical products. The itens with fixed cost which affected most of cost of soybean productions in the west of Bahia were machinery, equipment and cost of land.The economic study indicated that not all of de fixed costs are lost, as would be the case if production were discontinued. However, the soybean entrepreneur could be produce only in short run, but in the process of descapitalization. In this case, in the long run these producers could earn in the best economically alternative use of theirs investments.

In semi-arid regions, the shift from locally extracted groundwater to regionally supplied surface water for irrigation can have a large impact on the aquifer dynamics and hydrochemistry, as is shown for an area of intensive citrus culture in the south of Portugal. Studying the changes that occur is important, particularly in the light of European and national policies that seek to preserve the quality of groundwater and the involved ecosystems. In September 2005, the application of Nitrates Directive 91/676/CEE to the study area led to its designation as a vulnerable zone and the obligation of implementing measures that reduce the risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater. In addition, the area is bordered to the south by the internationally recognized ecosystem of the Ria Formosa lagoon, which requires a careful management of water quantity and quality. This article shows that the substitution of the irrigation source indirectly caused the reduction of the nitrogen load on soil and groundwater. The study is based on a large number of groundwater head and quality data gathered over the past decade. It is observed that irrigation with surface water triggered freshening of the upper aquifer, inverting a long-existing trend of increasing groundwater salinities caused by irrigation with local groundwater. The occurrence of both phenomena in the same aquifer is rather unique and is simulated with the hydrogeochemical software PHREEQC. In terms of aquifer dynamics, a sharp rise of the water table is observed, together with an almost complete attenuation of its interseasonal oscillations. A further rise, which is to be expected in years with average or higher rainfall, could cause the water table to enter the root zone of the citrus trees in some areas, with potentially negative consequences. Therefore, an integrated mixed-source irrigation system using both surface and groundwater is highly recommended.