Abstract The Itapessoca estuary is part of the Itamaracá-Itapessoca Estuarine System, a ria-type estuary located on the northeast Brazilian shore, in the state of Pernambuco. Here we present an assessment of the estuarine circulation, suspended sediment dynamics, and its main transport mechanisms. We carried out a field survey where water level, currents, salinity, temperature, and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) were recorded at 10-minute intervals during two complete semi-diurnal tidal cycles under spring tide conditions. The field survey was conducted in September (2012), which is a transitional period between wet and dry seasons. The water level displayed symmetrical ebb-flood phases; however, currents were ebb-dominated. The freshwater contribution was negligible, and the mean salinity was ~35 g/kg, which is slightly lower than the adjacent shelf values (36.5 g/kg). The SSC transport was driven by the ebb-dominated tidal currents, with the highest values of ~30 mg/l occurring during the peak current during the ebb. The source of the suspended sediment was the erosion from the bottom, and the concentration was much lower than other similar estuaries (e.g., Caravelas). This observation suggests this system is a ‘sediment starved system’ in the sense that it presents a low concentration of suspended sediment.

We have prepared, by a sol-immobilization method, bimetallic catalysts with different Au:Pt atomic ratios supported on commercial SrCO3. The catalytic performance for the oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol of such materials was compared to the monometallic counterparts, aiming at the obtaining of the best composition of the material. It was found that the Au:Pt atomic ratio presents a remarkable effect on the system performance, i.e., Pt-rich systems are more selective; however, less active. Thus, an equilibrium related to the activity and selectivity of the system was obtained by considering the yield of the system. Also, some density functional theory (DFT) insights were obtained by using a cluster of 14 atoms of Au and 1 or 2 atoms of Pt. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental mapping in scanning transmission electron microscopy before and after catalyst usage, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, Rietveld refinement, among other techniques, were used and associated to the experimental data, which allowed us to propose a catalytic mechanism for the system, which was important since SrCO3 has not been considered before as catalyst support for alcohol oxidation reactions.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo perseguido no presente artigo é explicar como ocorre o conflito cognitivo e quais são suas contribuições nos processos de decisão estratégica de equipes de direção em pequenas empresas (PE). Originalidade/valor: Apesar de as PE serem organizações importantes e numerosas, o conflito cognitivo de sua equipe de direção e a tomada de decisão estratégica dessa equipe são pouco estudados. O presente artigo ajuda a preencher essa lacuna de pesquisa com contribuições e implicações que são úteis para a pesquisa e a ação ligadas a esses temas. Design/metodologia/abordagem: Adotou-se a abordagem metodológica descritiva, baseada em métodos qualitativos e no estudo multicaso (Eisenhardt, 1989). Os dados foram coletados com entrevistas em profundidade e analisados de modo intra e intercaso, conforme as recomendações de Miles e Huberman (1994). Estudaram-se em profundidade quatro casos de PE. Resultados: Os processos de decisão estratégica foram em grande parte determinados por conflitos cognitivos. Tais conflitos questionaram possibilidades de decisão e puseram em evidência fatores relacionados à intuição e à improvisação, ambos normalmente úteis e presentes nos processos de decisão estratégica das PE. O conflito cognitivo inibe a improvisação, pois sua ocorrência gera questionamentos úteis na preparação para a tomada de decisões. Esses questionamentos geraram profundidade de discussão e de análise para a decisão estratégica nas PE estudadas.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The objective of this article is to explain how cognitive conflict happens and what are its contributions to the decision-making processes of management teams in small enterprises (SE). Originality/value: Although SEs are important and numerous, the cognitive conflict in their management team and the strategic decision making of this team are understudied. This article helps to feel this gap with contributions and implications which are helpful for research and practice related to those themes. Design/methodology/approach: The descriptive methodological approach was adopted based on qualitative methods and multicase study (Eisenhardt, 1989). Data were collected with interviews and analyzed within and cross-case procedures, according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994) recommendations. Four cases of SE were studied. Findings: The strategic decision processes were considerably determined by cognitive conflicts. Such conflicts questioned decision possibilities and highlighted aspects related to intuition and improvisation, both normally useful and present in the strategic decision processes of SE. Cognitive conflict inhibits improvisation because its occurrence creates useful questionings in decision making preparation. Those questionings generated deepness in discussion and analysis for decision making in the studied SEs.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection from Schistosoma mansoni, is a disease that represents an important public health problem for Brazil, especially for states in the Northeast region. Thus, the aim of this study is to present a new epidemiological profile for the disease in a municipality with low prevalence in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a coproparasitological and malacological survey. A structured questionnaire was applied to the study participants to survey possible risk factors and a spatial analysis (kernel density) was used to measure the risk of infection. RESULTS: Of the 347 participants, 106 (30.5%) were infected by Schistosoma mansoni, most of them from the urban area of the municipality (68.9%; 73/106). A 3-fold risk of infection was found for individuals living in the urban area and a risk of 2.15 times for self-declared farmers. Biomphalaria glabrata and B. straminea were the species found in the municipality, but no animals were diagnosed as infected by the parasite. Spatial analysis showed a random distribution of vectors and human cases of the disease, and the formation of two clusters of human cases in the urban area was seen. CONCLUSIONS: A new epidemiological profile for schistosomiasis from S. mansoni infection was presented in a municipality of low endemicity: a high proportion of positive individuals in the urban area; presence of snails without positive diagnosis for S. mansoni infection; random distribution of vectors and human cases; and absence of association between classical risk factors and human infection.

Microalgae lipid-derived biofuels is considered promising candidates for substitution of petroleum-based energy sources. However, the lipid extraction from the algal biomass stands as a challenge due to its low yields and cost-intensive cell disruption procedures. In this study a multivariate optimization of the extraction conditions was suggested, aiming a maximization of the lipid extraction from Scenedesmus sp. microalgae grown using wastewater as a nutrient medium. The extraction method, extraction time, solvent mixture and pretreatment were considered between upper and lower levels in order to access their significance, including their interactions, on the experimental response, while using a reduced number of experiments. The studies were performed using low-cost extraction methods (magnetic stirring and ultrasonication). The optimal extraction condition was obtained using CHCl3:MeOH (2:1) solvent mixture, in a 2-hour extraction period using ultrasonication. Fatty acid profiles of extracted lipids were also evaluated.

In this work, it was described the preparation and the characterization of a solid acid catalyst obtained by the mixture of Cr/Al oxides (CRAL). The catalyst was tested in the transesterification reaction of babassu oil with 5% of free fatty acid (FFA). The results of textural and acidity characteristics of CRAL were: area (56 m2 g-1), pore size (7.0 µm), total acidity (182.28 µmol g-1), wherein Brönsted sites are the most active. Powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) show three phases of the catalyst (Cr2O3/Na2Cr2O3/Al2O3), 0.25:0.25:0.50, respectively. The reaction reached conversion about 98.6% under the conditions: alcohol/oil molar ratio (24:1), catalyst to oil mass ratio of 3.0%, 15 h and 70 ºC. The turnover frequency (TOF) found was 24.5 × 10-4 s-1. Kinetic of the reaction was researched over a temperature range of 60-80 ºC. A pseudo first-order model was proposed with the activation energy (Ea) of 49.18 kJ mol-1. CRAL is active in the biodiesel production for just one cycle, because in the second one it loses its activity. The leaching of catalyst is about 13%, demonstrating that the catalyst is not totally heterogeneous.

A utilização de inseticidas botânicos e bioinseticidas constitui uma alternativa promissora para o manejo de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797), na cultura do milho. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de formulações comerciais de nim e de Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai - Bta sobre esta praga em laboratório. Lagartas de S. frugiperda com 10 dias de idade foram alimentadas com folhas de milho submersas na calda dos inseticidas Neemseto®, Natuneem® e Xentari® (B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai Bta) nas concentrações 2,5; 5,0; 7,5; 10 mL ou g/L e testemunha (água). Os efeitos dos inseticidas dependeram da concentração utilizada, pois provocaram mortalidade crescente das lagartas, alongaram o período larval e reduziram o peso larval. Em alguns casos, também, reduziram o peso das pupas, a viabilidade pupal e a longevidade de adultos. Lagartas com 0-24 h de idade foram mais susceptíveis às concentrações de Neemseto® e Xentari® a 5 e 10 mL ou g/L, em relação às com 10 dias de idade. Com o aumento da concentração, os efeitos sobre o peso das pupas e viabilidade pupal foram, também, maiores em lagartas com 0-24 h de idade.

The use of botanical and biological insecticides constitutes a promising alternative to control Spodoptera frugiperda on corn crop. Thus, the present work evaluated the effect of commercial formulations of neem (Natuneem® and Neemseto®) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai - Bta (Xentari®) on this pest under laboratory conditions. Newly hatched and 10 days old fall armyworm larvae were fed with corn leaves treated with the insecticides at concentration of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 mL or g/mL and control (water). An increased effect of the insecticides was found as function of increasing concentration, causing higher larval mortality, longer larval period and lower larval weight. In some cases, reduction of pupa weight, pupa viability and longevity of adults were also verified. Newly hatched larvae (ca. 0-24 h old) were more susceptible to 5 and 10 mL or g/L of Neemseto® and Xentari® as compared with 10 days old larvae. With the increase of insecticide concentration, the effects on the pupa weight and pupa viability were also greater on larvae of 0-24h old.

RACIONAL: Ainda que se reconheça a eficiência da ecoendoscopia para o diagnóstico e até mesmo para o tratamento de várias doenças do aparelho digestivo, a sua inclusão nos algoritmos de decisão clínica em gastroenterologia tem sofrido restrições. Este fato é comprovado indiretamente através da existência de vários estudos que se preocuparam em demonstrar o impacto do exame ecoendoscópio na mudança de condutas e na redução de custos. Outra evidência, esta direta e identificável em nosso meio, é a disponibilidade bastante limitada da ecoendoscopia no Brasil. Neste sentido, quiseram-se identificar as situações clínicas em que o exame ecoendoscópico é eficiente, através de revisões sistemáticas, graduando-se o grau da evidência e a força da recomendação, realizadas pelo grupo envolvido com o método em nosso país, apresentadas e votadas na forma de consenso. MÉTODO: O grupo de médicos que realiza ecoendoscopia foi formado a partir de informações obtidas junto às sociedades de especialidades e aos fabricantes de equipamentos. A lista de tópicos e perguntas relevantes foi formulada por dois membros do consenso (FMF, CMD), discutida com e distribuída aos consensualistas 5 meses antes da reunião de consenso. Foi solicitado que se realizassem, na medida do possível, revisões sistemáticas e que as respostas fossem apresentadas para a votação com o grau de evidência e a força da recomendação. Nos 2 dias da reunião de consenso, as respostas foram apresentadas, debatidas e votadas. Quando, no mínimo, 70% dos votantes concordaram com o texto da resposta, houve consenso. O relatório final foi submetido a apreciação e aprovado por todos os consensualistas. RESULTADOS: Setenta e nove questões foram debatidas na pré-reunião do consenso, resultando 85 questões que foram então distribuídas. Nos 2 dias da reunião do consenso, 22 participantes debateram e votaram as 85 respostas. O impacto causado pelo exame ecoendoscópico foi comprovado por evidências do nível 1, gerando recomendações grau A e consenso entre os participantes nas seguintes situações: diagnóstico diferencial da lesão subepitelial do tubo digestivo e do espessamento de pregas gástricas, estádio e identificação de lesão irressecável no câncer do esôfago, sinais indiretos de carcinomatose peritonial no câncer gástrico avançado, estádio de linfoma gástrico tipo Malt e estádio do câncer de reto, diagnóstico da litíase da vesícula biliar e do colédoco, diagnóstico da pancreatite crônica, diagnóstico diferencial do nódulo sólido da pancreatite crônica, diagnóstico diferencial do cisto pancreático, resultados do tratamento endoscópico das varizes esofágicas, diagnóstico e estádio do câncer de pulmão não-pequenas células. CONCLUSÃO: Já há evidências do melhor nível na literatura médica justificando a utilização do exame ecoendoscópico em várias doenças do sistema digestório e, até mesmo, no câncer do pulmão.

BACKGROUND: In the last 20 years, several papers have focused on demonstrating the impact of endoscopic ultrasonography findings on the management of different clinical scenarios in digestive disease. This fact is an indirect evidence of the difficulty of popularization of the method. On other hand, the limited availability of endoscopic ultrasonography in Brazil is a direct evidence of this limitation. This was the rationale for the organization of a consensus meeting on endoscopic ultrasonography. It was aimed to identify the best evidence that support the use of endoscopic ultrasonography in gastroenterology. METHODS: A panel of experts on endoscopic ultrasonography was selected based on the files of the Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Societies and on the registries of endoscope manufacturers. Two members of the meeting selected the relevant topics that were transformed into questions. The topics and the questions were debated among the experts five months before the consensus meeting. The experts were asked to perform systematic reviews in order to answer the questions so it could be possible to grade the answers based on the strength of the evidence. During the two days of the meeting the answers were presented, debated and voted. Consensus was reached when a minimum of 70% of the voters were in agreement. The final consensus report was submitted to the experts' evaluation and approval. RESULTS: Seventy nine questions were debated by the experts at the pre-Consensus meeting. As the result of this debate 85 questions came out and were assigned to the members of the panel. During the Consensus meeting 22 experts debated and voted 85 answers. Consensus was reached for several clinical scenarios for which the impact of endoscopic ultrasonography findings were supported by level 1 evidences: differential diagnosis of subepithelial lesions and thickening of gastric folds, staging and diagnosis of unresectable esophageal cancer, indirect signs of peritoneal involvement of gastric cancer, MALT gastric lymphoma and rectal cancer staging, diagnosis of common bile duct and gallbladder stones, diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and differential diagnosis of a solid mass in chronic pancreatitis, differential diagnosis of the pancreatic cyst, prediction of the results of the endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices and diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There are the highest levels of evidences that support the indication of endoscopic ultrasonography for several digestive diseases and even for non-small cell lung cancer.

Isolados dos fungos entomopatogênicos Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. e Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. foram testados sobre lagartas de Castnia licus (Drury), coletadas nos canaviais da Destilaria Tabu, em Caaporã-PB. Foram utilizados os isolados de código 645, 604, 512, 447, IPA 205, IPA 202, 610, IPA 198, IPA 214 e CG 001 de B. bassiana, bem como os isolados de código 1172, 866, PL 47, IPA 204, CG 423, UOD, 860, IPA 216, E9 e CG 100 de M. anisopliae, provenientes de diferentes hospedeiros e localidades. Na concentração de 10(8) conídios/ml, a percentagem de mortalidade provocada pelos isolados de B. bassiana variou de 53,3 a 83,3%, com Tempo Letal (TL50) compreendido entre 8,5 e 14,8 dias, sendo que o isolado 645 apresentou maior potencial para o controle de C. licus. Para os isolados de M. anisopliae, o percentual de lagartas mortas variou de 43,3 a 80%, com os valores de TL50 compreendidos entre 7,3 e 17,9 dias, sendo o isolado 1172 o mais virulento. As concentrações letais (CL50) para o isolado 645 de B. bassiana e 1172 de M. anisopliae foram de 1,17 x 10(7) conídios/ml e 2,34 x 10(7) conídios/ml, respectivamente, demonstrando que ambos isolados foram patogênicos para a fase larval de C. licus.

Isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. were tested against Castnia licus (Drury) larvae, collected from Tabu Distillery sugar cane fields, in Caaporã-PB. The isolates code 645, 604, 512, 447, IPA 205, IPA 202, 610, IPA 198, IPA 214 and CG 001 of B. bassiana, as well as the isolates code 1172, 866, PL 47, IPA 204, CG 423, UOD, 860, IPA 216, E9 and CG 100 of M. anisopliae, originated from different hosts and localities, were tested. At the concentration of 10(8) conidia/ml, the percentage of mortality caused by isolates of B. bassiana ranged from 53.3% to 83.3%, with Lethal Time (LT50) ranging from 8.5 to 14.9 days. The isolate 645 presented the highest potential to control C. licus. For M. anisopliae isolates, the percentage of larval mortality ranged from 43.3 to 80%, with LT50 ranging from 7.3 to 18.0 days. The isolate 1172 was the most virulent. The lethal concentrations (LC50) for the isolates 645 of B. bassiana and 1172 of M. anisopliae, were 1,17 x 10(7) conidia/ml and 2,34 x 10(7) conidia/ml, respectively, thus showing that both isolates are pathogenic to larval phase of C. licus.

RESUMO Os objetivos deste estudo foram testar a eficiência dos modelos de dupla entrada, de simples entrada, de dupla entrada associados a relação hipsométrica e o método dos dois diâmetros; e também definir o ponto ótimo de amostragem na árvore para obter a densidade básica da madeira, a partir de uma amostra. O estudo foi conduzido na região de João Pinheiro, MG, em propriedade da Mannesman Florestal Ltda. Foram utilizadas 127 árvores cubadas rigorosamente com idades variando de 28 a 76 meses. Foram também retirados discos de metro em metro ao longo do fuste, para a determinação da densidade básica. As estimativas do peso seco total com e sem casca foram obtidas para as quatro metodologias em estudo. A comparação destas com os valores reais se deu através de um delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Foi constatado que qualquer dos procedimentos testados propiciam estimativas do peso seco semelhantes aos valores reais. No entanto, as medidas de precisão da equação de simples entrada são inferiores aos demais métodos testados. O ponto ótimo de amostragem na árvore para obter a densidade básica foi a 1m de altura. Maior precisão pode ser conquistada se a amostra for tomada a 1; 3 e 6 metros de altura.

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to test the efficiency of models of double entrance, simple entrance, double entrance associated to hypsometric relationship, and the method of the two diameters, and also to define the optimum sampling point along the tree for obtaining the wood basic density from just one sample. The study was carried out in the João Pinheiro region, MG, belonging to “Mannesman Florestal” LTDA. Data from 127 cubed trees were used with ages ranging from 28 to 76 months. Cross sections cuttings at every meter of the stem were taken for basic density determination. The estimates of the total dry weigth outside and inside bark were obtained from the proposed methods. The comparison of estimated with observed values was made by randon block design. It was observed that any of tested methods resulted in dry weight estimates similar to the observed values. Meanwhile, the precision of the estimates from the simple entrance equation were inferior to those one obtained through the other tested methods. The optimum sampling point to obtain the basic density was at 1 m from the ground. It was also verified that a greatter precision can be obtained if the sample for basic density is taken obtained at the heights of 1, 3 and 6 meters from the ground.