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Dilemma: a discussion between two managers, from different generations, raised the dilemma of evaluating a decision made. This dilemma focuses on analysing how such a decision affects the interests of the company, the partners, as well as other stakeholders. Educational objective: to reflect upon the management process in a family business environment, highlighting issues such as decision-making, leadership, power relations, management styles, human behaviour in organizations and strategic planning. Contextualization: the decision-making process requires transforming data into action; therefore, the quality of the decision is the key for the success of an organization. Paper & Art is a family business, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and has seven employees. The teaching case focuses on the story of a father and son who, when running a business in the stationery industry, are faced with challenges that require the need to combine the efforts of those involved, preventing disparities in the objectives of the members from harming the company. Main theme: the case enables discussions on decision-making processes, decision quality and conflicts between generations in family businesses. Audience: the case can be applied to business students and in undergraduate or graduate disciplines that involve decisions, power and conflict. Originality / value: the combination of the efforts of those involved is necessary for the context presented, it could prevent disparities in the members' goals and harm the company. This is the originality of the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of pairs of antagonist teeth (epidemiological criterion) for defining pairs of teeth in occlusal contact (clinical criterion) and to estimate the agreement between the prevalence of "shortened dental arch" (SDA) and "functional dentition" (FD) when occlusal units (OUs) or posterior occluding pairs (POPs) are defined by the epidemiological or clinical criterion. Data were collected in an epidemiological oral health survey conducted in a municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil. OUs and POPs were defined by the epidemiological criterion (dental crown status) or clinical criterion "gold standard" (carbon paper record of occlusal contacts during habitual maximum intercuspation). SDA corresponded to the presence of an intact anterior region and three to five OUs. FD was based on the concomitant presence of = 1 tooth in each arch, 10 teeth in each arch, 12 anterior teeth, = 3 premolar POPs, and = 1 molar POP bilaterally. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the epidemiological criterion were calculated. The study included 197 adults. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 88.5, 87.9, 92.5, and 81.9%, respectively, and accuracy was 88.3%. The epidemiological criterion proved to be valid and could be used in epidemiological studies to calculate the prevalence of reduced dental configurations that consider POPs. The assessment of oral functionality is an aspect that should be included in the diagnosis of the clinical condition of patients, contributing to a more effective individual and collective oral health care plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an approach to compensate waste pickers in the informal sector of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, via a Payment for Urban Environmental Services (PUES) instrument, called 'Recycling Exchange'. The aim is to evaluate the effects of this instrument on the amount of waste diverted from landfill and reintroduced into the production chain, and to increase recognition of waste pickers' contributions to the state's economy. It was found that the 'Recycling Exchange' met the fundamental objectives of a PUES: the double social and economic benefits of the social inclusion of waste pickers in the execution of the public policy for solid waste management, and inducing (in the case of glass), ensuring and stabilising (plastic and paper) continuity of the activity of selling recyclables in times of wide price fluctuations for these recyclables. The instrument enhanced the provision of this environmental service and the positive externalities associated with recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) is a globally known region for its world-class metallic deposits. Although its Precambrian units have been vastly studied since the 1960s due to economic importance, the Cenozoic geological record represents an upcoming subject of interest. The occurrence of Cenozoic sedimentary deposits has been noticed since the end of the 19th century, but most of them are not yet fully characterized. This paper brings a complete description, mapping, 3D modeling, and simulations of the sedimentary deposit named Bandeira Basin, Serra do Tamanduá, QF. Based on field data, such as mapping and drill core database analysis, three drill cores were selected for further investigation and detailed description. The Bandeira Basin can be characterized and subdivided into three units: Unit A: found only in the southeast area and shows exclusively sediments from the Nova Lima Group; Unit B: intermediate unit that occurs in central and southeast areas, with Rio das Velhas Supergroup as a possible source of the sedimentary material; and Unit C: occurs at the top, and it is essentially colluvial deposits from Minas Supergroup units. The contacts between units are abrupt or erosive, recording successive deposition stages. The basin is thicker on its central and southwest ends and thinner on the east and north, where part of the basement outcrops. Cenozoic tectonic events were probably active in this area, controlling the sedimentary processes, with the NW-SE and NE-SW lineaments reactivated, triggering sediment deposition and migration to the deepest spot of the basin. These sediments were 3D modeled in Leapfrog Geo, the visualization of any given region of interest, in the modeled scale. This methodology allowed an assertive characterization of sedimentary filling and could be applied to other basins. This comprehension is important because these sediments are used indirectly or directly in civil projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic carbon performs essential functions in soils, which act as sources or sinks of atmospheric organic carbon. Agricultural management affects the carbon cycle in the soil, with effects on climate change. One of the crops most vulnerable to climate change is coffee. Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, with a predominance of management under a conventional system, with sloping terrain and the absence of conservationist practices. The absence of conservationist practices increases in soil loss rates due to water management and carbon emissions, as well as a reduction in coffee production. This paper intended to estimate soil and organic carbon losses by RUSLE in coffee farms in southern Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Data were obtained from fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and cartographic products. The results indicated, exclusively for coffee crops, soil and carbon losses between 7 and 32 Mg ha−1 year−1 and 87 and 460kg ha−1 year−1, respectively. However, the highest soil losses occurred on sloping terrains with eucalyptus plantations located downhill, and the lowest losses occurred on flat land with native forests. Organic carbon losses were linked directly to soil losses, as a result from the land practices, slope and agricultural management adopted. These results can be used for the planning and priority definition of areas needing conservationist practices, such as green manuring, planting in contour and maintaining of vegetation between coffee rows, which are already used in some sites of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity due to rainfall variability, and exacerbated by climate change, is prevalent in many regions of the world. Lack of precipitation and excessive water extraction contribute to the intensification of the problem. Among different mitigation measures, rain enhancement through cloud seeding could be a tool as part of a water management strategy to replenish ground water sources. However, implementation of this technology requires proper preliminary analysis of the available cloud data and specific meteorological conditions under which rainfall forms. The aim of this paper is to assess the potential of for rain enhancement in Minas Gerais State in Brazil. The paper focuses on analysis of multiyear climate reanalysis ERA-5, upper air sounding, weather radar and ground stations data. Analysis showed that, between 2000 and 2019, precipitation declined on average by 212 mm per annum or 21% compared to the long term climatological mean. The natural precipitation, however, remains sufficiently high to implement weather modification technology. Assuming an increase of 15–20% could be achieved on a catchment area basis, the increases would be significant and could offset the recently observed decline in natural precipitation. The methodology proposed in this study can be used as a baseline for similar analysis in other vulnerable regions of the world experiencing freshwater shortages or declines. Its shortcomings and uncertainties are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Science Policy & Practice is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

While the work of waste pickers advances urban sustainability, there has been little focus on how climate change impacts affect them. This paper reports on a pilot study with 61 waste pickers in Minas Gerais, Brazil to understand their perspectives on climate change impacts and actions. It explores how waste pickers experience climate change impacts at home and at work, their adaptive strategies and the specific actions and actors needed to address these impacts. Waste pickers have practical knowledge and experience of climate events. But due to precarious employment and lack of access to services, infrastructure and social support, their responses are improvised and inefficient. They require better institutional support and their proposals must be incorporated into a negotiated approach to urban resilience. Proposals such as the climate bonus – similar to the existing recycling bonus – may help address the structural drivers of vulnerability for waste pickers in Minas Gerais. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Gestão Ambiental e Sustentabilidade (GeAS) is the property of Revista de Gestao Ambiental e Sustentabilidade / UNINOVE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

New aquamarine deposits have been found around the world in recent years, and how to compare and distinguish aquamarines of different origin has become a significant problem. Aquamarines from Koktokay, Minas Gerais, and Namaqualand were collected for standard gemology tests, spectroscopy, and chemical analysis in this paper. The spectroscopy experiment included infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Chemical composition analysis comprises electron microprobe and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The results show that infrared absorption peaks related to [Fe2(OH)4] and NaH are found in Koktokay and Minas Gerais aquamarines, respectively. Compared with other two origins, Namaqualand aquamarine have strongest type II water Raman peak related to alkali metal content. Compared with aquamarines from other sources, aquamarines from Xinjiang and Minas Gerais are characterized by relatively high aluminum and low alkali contents in chemical composition, while Namaqualand aquamarine have a high scandium content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the number of environmental disasters in recent years has prompted a reorientation of research and programs. While significant studies have primarily focused on the physical aspects of these disasters, it is important to recognize that the vulnerability of populations is not solely dependent on the proximity of the threat source or the physical nature of the disaster. Social factors also play a crucial role in determining vulnerability. To enhance natural disaster management, it is vital to understand how social disparities influence the vulnerability of populations and develop strategies tailored to specific characteristics. This study proposes a set of 16 theoretically significant variables to measure and map vulnerability in Brazil. They were grouped into three indicators, social, economic, and infrastructure aspects of the population, obtained from the Brazilian census database. The Córrego do Feijão tailings dam, in Brumadinho, and the Casa de Pedra tailings dam, in Congonhas, were taken as case studies. The vulnerability of 48 municipalities and 3732 census sectors from the Paraopeba River Basin was explored from two different perspectives: Where the disaster has already happened, and where it could happen. The index and indicators used were developed in an open-source software and the maps in a geographic information system. The results show considerable variability. The most vulnerable municipalities are in the lower part of the basin while the high part of the basin vulnerable. This paper presents methodological and empirical contributions to understanding the social dimensions of vulnerability and their implications for the preparation, response, and recovery of affected communities in the face of environmental disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the main methods of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission are air and physical contact, actions to mitigate and suppress its spread must be developed in order to change population dynamics and provide efficient control strategies. Here, these actions are described as a simple heuristic framework to establish public policies. Two control systems were studied: the first organized in the form of an algorithm stratified into three levels and the second as a minimization problem similar to optimal control strategies, applied to both social distancing and vaccination. The possible effects of these actions are modeled and applied to an extension of the Susceptible - Infected - Removed (SIR) compartmental model. The control system is developed, which is organized in the form of an algorithm stratified into three levels. These levels intend to represent social distancing strategies implemented by sanitary authorities around the globe, representing stronger or weaker grades of isolation intensity according to the ability of the healthcare system to cope with symptomatic individuals. The algorithm control is applied in a simulation, and the results give evidence of the effectiveness of the procedures adopted against the coronavirus. The model dynamics are analyzed and validated with simulations considering parameters obtained from epidemiological data from Brazil and Uruguay and in a more detailed way for three Brazilian states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. The model was validated using cumulative data on cases and deaths. For cases of death, the results were satisfactory, while for case data, the response was reasonable, considering the possibility of adding delays or variations in parameters in the model. In addition, the effective reproduction number was proposed for the cities studied in Brazil, the result being relevant because it has a qualitative behavior similar to that published by official centers. This paper also discusses the implementation and optimization of social distancing and vaccination control strategies, considering different parameters and their effects on reducing the number of cases and deaths. Model simulations present promising results for developing strategies to attack COVID-19 dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to characterise the relationship between civil society and mining in Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2000 and 2020 by observing the actions of three different groups in resisting the expansion of mining. The analysis points to the existence of a plurality of forms of engagement, organisation and ways of establishing relations between civil society and the state and the market. It also reveals tension between different ways of framing the mining problem by civil society, of posing this problem publicly and establishing ways to confront it. Three sets of actors are identified: (i) environmental NGOs, who are market-oriented; (ii) groups with looser ties who are more radical; and (iii) social movements aligned with the identities of a state-orientated traditional left. My analysis suggests that the divergence in framing the context by these three different groups hinders the construction of a substantive public debate on the mining issue in Brazil. The article is divided into three parts. First, it briefly outlines the process of mining expansion in Brazil, starting in the mid-2000s, highlighting its economic impact. Second, it considers the relationship between civil society articulation and deliberation. Third, it characterises the constitution of these different civil society groups who have established interactions with market and state actors that fostered this expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Suitable environmental conditions in broiler houses are essential for animal welfare and successful broiler production. Animals' effective adaptations to environmental challenges are crucial to their development and production. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools can be seen as an alternative to evaluating indoor environmental conditions. The primary aim of this paper was to evaluate the environment inside a commercial broiler house provided with a heating system. The proposed CFD model presented a good simulation of the experimental data. This analysis indicated the existence of failures in the heating system in some areas of the broiler house during the experimental periods, and it may cause discomfort for the broilers and consequently affect the chicks' productive and economic losses. Thus, these obtained results can be used to drive decision-making processes to create satisfactory environmental conditions for the development of chicks. The aim of this paper was to analyze, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a heating system in a commercial broiler house. Data were collected in a broiler house located in the western mesoregion of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The data were collected at 10 a.m. on the seventh day of chicks' life in 16 points inside the house. A tetrahedral mesh was adopted for the simulation, and testing of the mesh yielded a geometry of 485,691 nodes. The proposed model was developed in a permanent state condition to simulate the temperature air inside the broiler house, and all other input variables were considered constant. The applied CFD technique resulted in satisfactory fitting of the air temperature variable along the broiler facility as a function of the input data. The results indicated that the model predicted the environmental conditions inside the broiler house very accurately. The mean error of the CFD model was 1.49%, indicating that the model is effective and therefore that it can be used in other applications. The results showed that the heating system provided favorable thermoneutral conditions for chicks in the biggest part of the broiler house. However, there were some areas with air temperature above and below the thermoneutral zone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the postponement strategy by wineries in the state of Minas Gerais (Southeastern Brazil), in order to identify the types of postponement adopted by these companies, the implementation process and the results obtained after their adoption. Design/methodology/approach: Twelve exploratory case studies were conducted in wine-producing companies, as well as on-site visits and semi-structured interviews with the managers of the companies surveyed. Findings: The adoption of form postponement was verified in the companies studied mainly for table wine production, occurring most commonly during the bottling and labeling stages. Research limitations/implications: This paper analyzed the application of the postponement strategy in Southeast Brazil. Future research should analyze the application of this strategy in other regions of the country and abroad. Practical implications: The information acquired in this research can contribute to a more adequate practical application of the postponement strategy in a little-known industry sector. Originality/value: In addition to discussing and verifying the application of the postponement strategy in the wine industry, this research presents information to assist in its implementation, use and consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluates the geometric non-linear behavior of structures often used in transmission lines (TLs) and verifies the influence of different wire lengths, average wind speeds, and unevenness between adjacent towers, using the IEC 60826 standard. Different finite element numerical models were developed considering the isolated tower and also the complete system (tower, wires, and insulator chains). The analyses revealed that a simplified model can be employed for cases of adjacent, equal-length spans, but for cases with different lengths, the effect of geometric nonlinearities (GNLs) can become expressive and influence the type of analysis to be performed. Furthermore, it was found that increasing the average wind speed may imply an increase in the longitudinal unbalance. Finally, it was concluded that the unevenness between spans should be considered when calculating the loads to be applied to the structure, even if the simplified model is used. Based on the outcomes and considering wind speeds between 30 and 40 m/s and adjacent tower unevenness between 0 and 10%, this work establishes practical design criteria to be used by designers in the design of suspension structures of TLs located in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The methodology presented in this paper can be extrapolated to other regions of the country, paying attention to the fact that the recommendations proposed here are valid only for self-supporting towers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This paper aims to unveil the spheres that were silenced by the media and academia with regard to the collapse of the Fundão Dam that occurred in 2015, in Mariana (Minas Gerais - Brazil). Design/methodology/approach: In an attempt to contribute to studies into the evil side of organizations, the authors use the theoretical contributions of corporate crime and the one-dimensional society. The authors used the "Samarco Mud" corporate crime case as an object of analysis, while a press conference with the company's CEO and representatives from its parent companies was used as the analytical corpus. For the analysis, the authors used the content analysis technique. Findings: The conclusions of this study point to the existence of subjects who were silenced about the phenomenon of the Fundão Dam collapse, a situation that reveals the power exercised by corporations and the totalitarian domination of the one-dimensional society as a social factor that favors the occurrence of corporate crimes. Originality/value: The case in question is recent and not fully understood by academia. Neither is its organization around political and social movements understood with regard to the management implications for society and the environment. With a discussion that mixes the concepts of corporate crime and the one-dimensional society, this paper contributes to the base of critical studies in management, especially as far as concerns the mining policies used in the Southern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exceptionally large realizations of hydrometeorological variables summarize our knowledge on the underlying processes under extreme conditions. However, the formal probabilistic modeling of record-breaking precipitation and flooding events has received limited attention from researchers and practitioners, particularly with respect to estimation of the future behavior of the variable of interest once a large magnitude event is observed. This paper discusses the use of the two-parameter Rayleigh distribution for describing the dynamics of record-breaking precipitation events, as well as predicting the distributions of future realizations of the process, on the basis of the theory of records. The main motivation for this study was an unprecedented precipitation event which accumulated 186 mm in 3 h—almost twice the previous record—and caused severe damage in the city of Belo Horizonte, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Our results suggested that, before observing this large magnitude event, the evolution of record-breaking precipitation amounts is properly captured by the model. However, this exceptional event was severely underestimated during prediction—the model estimate was more than 80 mm smaller than the observed rainfall amount. On the other hand, the inclusion of this event in inference entailed a lack of fit of the model and strongly disrupted the dynamics of previous record events, which further highlighted the difficulties of dealing with such unexpected large observations of hydrometeorological variables even under theoretically sound mathematical frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the seasonal patterns and influencing factors of nitrogen atmospheric deposition is essential to evaluate human impacts on the air quality and nitrogen biogeochemical cycle. However, evaluation of the nitrogen deposition flux, especially in South America agricultural regions, has not been fully investigated. In this paper, we quantified the atmospheric wet deposition fluxes of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), in a region with agricultural and livestock predominance in the Southern Minas Gerais region, Brazil, from May 2018 to April 2019. Deposition fluxes of nitrogen species in the wet season (October–March) were on average 4.8-fold higher than those in the dry season, which revealed significant seasonal variations driven largely by the seasonality of rainfall and agricultural operations. We also found high NO3−/NH4+ ratios (average = 8.25), with higher values in dry season (NO3−/NH4+ = 12.8) in comparison with wet season (NO3−/NH4+ = 4.48), which revealed a higher relative contribution of NOx emissions from traffic sources in dry season. We also estimated the influence of atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen (N-DIN) on environmental ecosystems, being 2.01 kgNha−1 year−1 with potential risk of acidification and eutrophication of 30%. Therefore, attention should be paid to the role of wet atmospheric deposition of nitrogen as a source of nitrogen environmental pollution in agricultural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil's cumulative photovoltaic (PV) installations have now surpassed 32 GWp. The fastest growing and most prevalent PV technology is the bifacial photovoltaic module, which is now being incorporated in more than 2/3 of new power plants. These modules collect solar radiation on both front and rear sides, providing gains in electricity production compared to traditional monofacial modules. The market acceptance and quality control of this technology requires standard methods to accurately determine the nominal power of the bifacial modules. But the specification of energy production from the bifacial backside is complicated due to critical factors that include the albedo, the separation, height, and positioning of the modules, the shading of the rear surface, and the specific geographic and climate conditions. This paper addresses these issues in determining the performance of bifacial PV modules in the tropical conditions of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specifically, the bifacial gain for modules and systems is evaluated, assessing the effects of albedo, site maintenance, climate/environmental conditions, thermal behavior, and back-surface shading. The special cases of tracking versus non-tracking systems are evaluated showing specific attention needs to the albedo changes and rear module shading constraints. These studies are performed on real power plants having different operating conditions (e.g., tracking, non-tracking, ground cover). The methodology includes I-V characterization of modules and string and thermal imaging/mapping under existing climate and meteorological conditions. Correlations with experimental albedo conditions is a special concern with these studies. These results are further compared to controlled laboratory measurements to establish information needed to better evaluate the developing standard for actual local operating conditions. This case study provides evaluation of the quality of the both the bifacial PV products being used and their installations in the rapidly emerging Brazil PV markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten Opilioacaridae species from the genera Caribeacarus and Neocarus are found in subterranean habitats in Brazil, and several new species are waiting to be described. As part of our studies on cave opilioacarid species, two new species from Peruaçu Caves National Park, Minas Gerais state, are described in the present paper. The two new species present six or more d type setae on the palp, with a stout and rounded lobe: Neocarus chimerasp.nov. with 6 to 9 setae and Neocarus peruassusp.nov. presents 6 or 7 foliate setae (d1). The combination of these characters is a transitional state observed between Neocarus (4 to 9 foliate d type setae on palp, with a stout and rounded lobe) and Caribeacarus (8 to 12 foliate d type setae on palp, with a fine and pointed lobe). The systematic position of the new species is briefly discussed. Additionally, the habitat description and some ecological notes are provided for both new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to identify Brazil's socioeconomic vulnerability to wicked multi-problems arising from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (2019–2020), from the most extensive (∼ 3,000 km) oil spill in tropical oceans (2019/2020) and from the highest rate of wildfires in the last decade. Design/methodology/approach: To this end, the authors measured the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of the 27 Brazilian states to these multi-problems (COVID-19 + Oil Spill + wildFire), considering the effects of these events individually and together. In addition, the authors calculated the vulnerability indices using two variables: production value and number of jobs created by an economic activity. Findings: Results show the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro as the most susceptible, with a potential loss of 74.2% in production value and 47% in active employment relationships, caused by these overlapping events in time. The results also demonstrate that the country has failed in the coordination and management of these events (separately and jointly), showing difficulties especially in the stages of immediate response and recovery. Originality/value: Regarding its contributions, this paper innovates by establishing an unprecedented overlap of wicked problems, linking this concept to the analysis of socioeconomic vulnerability of the affected communities, through a model that applies to other regions worldwide. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2021-0536 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, there is a large body of scientific evidence concerning the benefits of integrating health and social care to ensure that frail older people living in the community receive the assistance they need to maintain independence. In the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, located in the state of Minas Gerais, an integrated care intervention has been developed: the Programa Maior Cuidado - Older Adult Care Programme (PMC). This programme represents a pioneering example in Brazil of the provision of carers for highly vulnerable older people, through integrated action between public health and social service agencies. This paper draws on the first phase of a mixed method evaluation of PMC, including data from documentary sources, focus groups, empirical observation and expert workshops, to examine the processes that led to the establishment of programme. The origins of the PMC are discussed and its operational processes, with a particular emphasis on integrated activities and the roles of different actors. The paper situates PMC within comparable international experiences of integrated provision for older people and considers how it has been affected by unique context and challenging of a middle-income country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental impacts analysis in urban areas is a fundamental task for society's development since support environmental preservation is a key to help society from its own disorderly land use and unplanned occupied areas that lead various urban environmental problems. The main strategy in Brazil for protecting and preserving the ecosystems remains in the adoption of some protected areas such as Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA). The objective of this study is to perform a temporal assessment of environmental law violations related to PPA interventions and spatially identify hot spots areas using data visualization techniques and geographical information systtem (GIS). The analysis of spatial-temporal patterns was based on field data registered by 17th department of civil police from Minas Gerais state. The spatial data were processed in the Quantum GIS (QGIS) software, including SpatiaLite database plugin for SQL query perform, and RStudio. A total of 2.839 environmental violations were reported between 2011 and 2019. A spatial positive autocorrelation was found in data, according to Moran's Test. Our temporal analysis indicated reduction of reported violations in 2012 with respect to 2011 from the three police-regionals studied. One possible reason for this is that new revisions to Brazil's Forest Code were adopted in this period, which may have law differentiates between conservation and restoration requirements related to PPAs areas. The lowest occurrence rate was found in 3rd regional of Itajubá, which reached up to 66% in 2018. Our findings indicated higher violation occurrence very close to the regional's headquarters. This demonstrated that environmental law violations have occurred in natural resource destination areas likely due to the urban expansion process since headquarter are located in urban and populated areas, as noted by G statistic and clusters analysis. We hope that the knowledge and spatial insights developed in this paper can support civil police actions and public preservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the count/mass distinction in Patxohã, a revitalized language spoken in Bahia and Minas Gerais, Brazil. We observe that only count nouns can be directly combined with numerals and that only count nouns can co-occur with plural determiners. Furthermore, only count nouns can be combined with size adjectives. As for quantifiers, we observe that at least one quantifier in the language (nitxi) can be combined with count and mass nouns, but trigger different interpretations depending on the noun it is combined with. We also discuss the use of container phrases in counting and measuring contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Trabalhos em Lingüística Aplicada is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several studies have reported the relationship of deforestation with increased incidence of infectious diseases, mainly due to the deregulation caused in these environments. The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: a) is increased loss of vegetation related to dengue cases in the Brazilian Cerrado? b) how do different regions of the tropical savanna biome present distinct patterns for total dengue cases and vegetation loss? c) what is the projection of a future scenario of deforestation and an increased number of dengue cases in 2030? Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship between loss of native vegetation in the Cerrado and dengue infection. In this paper, we quantify the entire deforested area and dengue infection cases from 2001 to 2019. For data analyses, we used Poisson generalized linear model, descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, non-parametric statistics, and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to predict loss of vegetation and fever dengue cases for the next decade. Cluster analysis revealed the formation of four clusters among the states. Our results showed significant increases in loss of native vegetation in all states, with the exception of Piauí. As for dengue cases, there were increases in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso. Based on projections for 2030, Minas Gerais will register about 4,000 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, São Paulo 750 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and Mato Grosso 500 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants. To reduce these projections, Brazil will need to control deforestation and implement public health, environmental and social policies, requiring a joint effort from all spheres of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates interactions between firms and universities in Minas Gerais, one of the Brazilian states. The heterogeneity in Minas Gerais replicates the heterogeneity that exists in Brazil as a whole. This paper adapts the pioneering Yale and Carnegie Mellon surveys (USA) to an immature national system of innovation. We found that, in immature systems of innovation, beyond their traditional functions, universities perform a dual role in their interactions with firms: they substitute for and complement the research and development done by the firms themselves. In addition, contrary to conventional wisdom, even in the so-called low-tech and medium-tech sectors, universities matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest citrus-producing region in Brazil, concentrated in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, is also the largest citrus-producing region in the world. Data from 2016 indicate that for every five glasses of orange juice consumed in the world, three are produced in Brazil. Thus, citriculture stands out in Brazilian agribusiness. Along with the growth of this agricultural sector is the emergence of diseases that affect citrus trees. In this paper, two mathematical models are presented to describe the dynamics and chemical control of citrus diseases. These models involve the theory of optimal control, considering the spatial spread of disease vectors. The first model consists of a system of ordinary differential equations with transport rates. The second model involves the Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure in control theory, considering the spread of the vectors from a partial differential equation model involving diffusion. The models are approached in a scenario for Huanglongbing disease, also called greening, which is considered to be the most devastating citrus disease in the world because of its characteristics and the damage it causes, and because there is still no cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial patterns studies are of great interest to the scientific community and the spatial scan statistic is a widely used technique to analyze such patterns. A key point for the construction of methods for detection of irregularly shaped clusters is that, as the geometrical shape has more degrees of freedom, some correction should be employed in order to compensate the increased flexibility. This paper proposed a multi-objective approach to cluster detection problem using the Particle Swarm Optimization technique aggregating a novel penalty function, called dispersion function, allowing only clusters which are subsets of a circular zone of moderate size. Compared to other regularity functions, the multi-objective scan with the dispersion function is faster and suited for the detection of moderately irregularly shaped clusters. An application is presented using state-wide data for Chagas' disease in puerperal women in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Em Extensao is the property of Em Extensao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents an analysis of surface water quality of the sub-basin of the Vargem das Flores reservoir, which is used for public water supply to the metropolitan station of Belo Horizonte (RMBH), Minas Gerais. A total of 5415 data items and eight water quality parameters, common to all monitoring stations, from the period 2002 to 2018 were assessed using multivariate and nonparametric statistical tests. The water quality parameters that were assessed included color, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total phosphorus, total manganese, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids, and turbidity showed violations of the maximum concentrations allowed in most of the tributaries to the reservoir. Despite this, the stations inside the reservoir appeared to have good quality water, particularly at Station 1, whose water is designated for human consumption. The results of a cluster analysis showed that the water quality of the sub-basin of the Vargem das Flores reservoir is in a condition of environmental degradation relative to the water quality of the water courses that feed the reservoir. The intense and disorderly development in the sub-basin and the discharge of untreated or poorly treated wastewater effluents are factors that can lead to sediment supply and cause the silting and contamination of the water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarium: Education is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The diversity and natural history of Cassidinae s. str (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), popularly known as tortoise beetles, were recorded in a 335 ha remnant area of Atlantic Forest in Passa Quatro, south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first inventory with beetles conducted within this conservation unit. Tortoise beetles and their host plants were collected manually at weekly visits conducted between November 2015 and December 2017. Biological and behavioural characteristics of these organisms were obtained. Forty-six species of tortoise beetles were identified, belonging to 23 genera and five tribes. New records include 13 species of cassidines for the state of Minas Gerais, the first host plant 22 record for nine species of beetles, and 15 new host plants for ten species of cassidines. The most common tribes were Cassidini (n = 22) and Mesomphaliini (n = 20). Identification of host plants was possible, at least at the family level, for 40 of the 46 cassidine species collected. The dominant host plant families were Convolvulaceae (43%) and Asteraceae (19%). The biological and behavioural findings are discussed by relating them to the defensive mechanisms that have been described or hypothesised previously in the literature. The present paper is a novel contribution to the tortoise beetle diversity studies in Brazil, as well as their natural history and life cycle within the Atlantic Forest, a diverse and endangered Neotropical biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ibero-Americana de Estratégia (RIAE) is the property of Revista Ibero-Americana de Estrategia/UNINOVE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The importance of rice (Oryza sativa) is indisputable this cereal is the staple food for half of the global population. Genetic progress estimation allows evaluation of the effectiveness of genetic improvement of crops and helps in the planning of breeding programs. This paper aims to estimate the genetic yield progress made by the program in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is run by the Epamig/UFV/Embrapa consortium. A total of 210 lines were evaluated by value for cultivation and use testing that was conducted in the municipalities of Janaúba, Leopoldina, and Lambari, from 1993 to 2016. Based on Vencovsky's (1986) method, the genetic gains in Lambari, Janaúba, and Leopoldina were 1.46, 0.14, and 0.11%, respectively. The gain in Leopoldina was considered very low during the evaluated period. According to Breseghello's (1998) method, the annual average genetic gain was 0.23 and 0.04% in Lambari and Janaúba, respectively. In Leopoldina, a yield gain of - 2.37% per year was observed for the evaluation period from 1994 to 1999, and a yield gain of 0.1% per year was observed from 2000 to 2016. These results can be explained by the focus on quality as a strategy for the breeding program in Minas Gerais State in the 1990s. Vencovsky's (1986) and Breseghello's (1998) methods were able to quantify yield gains and demonstrate the dynamics of the irrigated rice genetic improvement program in Minas Gerais State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletim Goiano de Geografia is the property of Boletim Goiano de Geografia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context: Dairy operations have adopted benchmarking as a methodology to rank farms and establish target indexes; however, a connection between benchmarking and farms in the tropics is still warranted. Aims: To evaluate the technical and economic quartiles based on farm return on assets (ROA) of three regions (Centre, South and Triangle) of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and use them to establish benchmarks for dairy farms. Methods: We collected data from 128 dairy farms (from January to December of 2019). All properties were part of the Educampo® project/Sebrae-MG. Farms were grouped into the Centre, South and Triangle regions, and subdivided into three groups within each region according to their ROA, where 25% of the farms that presented the lowest ROA were classified as the first quartile, 50% of farms were classified as interquartile and the 25% remaining farms were classified as the fourth quartile. Data were analysed as a randomised block design in a split-plot scheme, where the production systems were blocks, the regions were the main plots and the groups were the split plots. Differences were declared when P ≤ 0.10. Key results: Total operating cost ($/L; $ – this currency is in US dollars and it applies throughout the paper); accrual operating cost ($/L); production costs, such as roughage ($/L), hired labour ($/L), percentage of concentrate and hired labour in accrual operating cost (%), were affected by regions and groups. The South and fourth quartile had the greatest total operating cost (0.24 $/L; 0.26 $/L) and accrual operating cost (0.27 $/L; 0.30 $/L), respectively. The majority of economic indexes were higher for Triangle than South and Centre, respectively. The fourth quartile had the greatest net margin (0.09 $/L), profit (0.07 $/L), return on assets (2%) and assets turnover rate (24%). Conclusions: We suggest that benchmarks should be established by region, as there were too many variations among regions. In addition, this study demonstrated the importance of understanding the behaviour of the technical and economic indicators to stratify farms based on their return on assets. Implications: We evaluated technical and economic indexes from three regions and stratified by ROA. Then, we established benchmarks by regions to better guide the producer in decision-making in dairy operations. The evaluation of technical and economic indexes, and the establishment of benchmarking are important for the financial management of dairy operations. We studied a broad spectrum of dairy farms, and analysed which indicators vary the most in high, intermediate and low return on assets' farms. Lastly, we demonstrated the importance of categorising technical and financial indexes to create new benchmarks by region, and that this analysis must be periodically performed, aiming for greater profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining sector, over a number of centuries, has become a strong cultural attribute of Minas Gerais. Due to its mining reserves, the state has the biggest concentration of tailings dams built to retain mining waste. This led to large-scale accidents in the last decade -- in Mariana (in October 2015) and in Brumadinho (in January 2019). These accidents have shifted the debate about mining in the region, and more widely changed the leading forces among society, bringing a new equilibrium to social relationships. The objective of this paper, as part of a monitoring effort, is to assess the impacts of these accidents on crime and violence as a new face of extractivism. The results can be used to design better responses in terms of welfare programs or compensation efforts, leading to a better and more responsible extractivism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims at analyzing the stage of the safety culture maturity at work in the logistics sector of a flexible plastic packaging company located in the South of Minas Gerais. This research aims to answer the following question: what is the stage of the safety culture maturity at work in Alfa's organization unit? Design/methodology/approach: The research is characterized as descriptive and quantitative. The method used is the survey, based on a questionnaire developed by Gonçalves Filho, Andrade and Marinho (2011). The study sample consisted of 32 operational employees and three managers responsible for occupational safety in the sector. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, based on relative frequency. Findings: It was observed that the information, communication, and commitment factors are in the constructive stage, in the highest maturity level of the safety culture at work. The other factors are in the proactive stage, transitory to the constructive stage. There is an efficient management system for work security and an effective workplace safety culture. Originality/value: This research sought to contribute to the discussion on the maturity of the safety culture at work, due to the scarcity of research in the plastics industrial sector. The research analyzes the organization's logistics sector, the sector that has the highest incidence of accidents, allowing comparisons between the perception of the shop floor and the management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almeida E. S. de, Haddad E. A. and Hewings G. J. D. Transport-regional equity issue revisited, Regional Studies. The objective of this paper is to analyse the relationship between transport and regional equity in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Furthermore, the existence of a trade-off between economic performance and regional equity is investigated as well. To do so, the paper develops a spatial computable general equilibrium model based on Brocker and Schneider's approach of 2002 to implement comparative static analysis, explicitly incorporating iceberg transportation costs. Four activities are modelled, namely production, final demand, transportation and exports. Two production factors are assumed: labour and other factors. The model has 12 domestic regions and three external regions. Four counterfactual experiments are developed based on decreases in transportation costs due to a 'distance shortening'. The main findings indicate that if the transport infrastructure improvement is focused only among poor regions, the promotion of regional equity is insignificant. If the transport infrastructure improvement links are concentrated among rich regions, there is an increase in regional income inequalities. However, if the improvements are targeted to the roads linking poor regions and rich ones, there is greater promotion of regional equity. The same result will occur when improvements are made to all road links of the state. [image omitted] Almeida E. S. de, Haddad E. A. et Hewings G. J. D. La question du rapport entre le transport et l'equilibre regional vue sous un jour nouveau, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche a analyser le rapport entre le transport et l'equilibre regional en Minas Gerais au Bresil. En outre, on examine la presence d'un echange entre la performance economoique et l'equilibre regional. Pour le faire, on construit un modele geographique de l'equilibre general a utiliser sur ordinateur fonde sur l'approche de Brockner et Schneider en 2002 afin de mettre en oeuvre une analyse statique comparative qui comprend explicitement les frais de transport iceberg. On modelise quatre activites, a savoir, la production, la demande finale, le transport et l'exportation. On fait deux suppositions quant aux facteurs de production: la main-d'oevre et d'autres facteurs. Le modele embrasse douze regions internes et trois regions externes. On fait quatre experiences paradoxales fondees sur la baisse des frais de transport due a une 'reduction des distances'. Les principaux resultats indiquent que si l'amelioration de l'equipement de transport ne porte que sur les regions defavorisees, la promotion de l'equilibre regional s'avere negligeable. Si l'amelioration de l'equipement de transport focalise les regions riches, il s'avere un creusement des ecarts des revenus regionaux. Cependant, si les ameliorations ciblent les routes qui relient les regions defavorisees aux regions riches, il s'avere une plus grande promotion de l'equilibre regional. Il en va de meme pour la situation ou on a apporte des amenagements a toutes les liaisons routieres de l'etat. Modele geographique de l'equilibre general a utiliser sur ordinateur Equilibre regional Peformance economique Frais de transport Almeida E. S. de, Haddad E. A. und Hewings G. J. D. Die Wiederaufnahme der Frage von Verkehrswesen im Verhaltnis zu regionaler Fairness, Regional Studies. Dieser Aufsatz beabsichtigt, die Beziehung zwischen Verkehrswesen und regionaler Fairness in Minas Gerais (Brasilien) zu analysieren und zugleich auch das Vorkommen von Einbussen entweder bei wirtschaftlicher Leistung oder regionaler Fairness zu untersuchen. Zu diesem Zwecke wird ein auf dem Ansatz von Brocker und Schneider (2002) aufbauendes raumliches komputables allgemeines Gleichgewichtsmodell entwickelt, um vergleichende statistische Analysen durchzufuhren, wobei verborgene 'Eisberg'-Transportkosten ausdrucklich berucksichtigt werden. Es werden vier Unternehmenstatigk eiten aufgefuhrt: Herstellung, Nachfrage, Transportwesen und Exporte, und zwei Produktionsfaktoren vorausgesetzt: Arbeitskrafte und andere Faktoren. Das Modell umfasst zwolf Inlandsregionen und drei externe Regionen. Es werden vier gegensatzliche Experimente entwickelt, die auf einer Abnahme der Transportkosten infolge einer 'Verkurzung der Entfernungen' beruhen. Die Hauptbefunde weisen darauf hin, dass die Forderung regionaler Fairness unbedeutend bleibt, wenn die Verbesserungen der Transportinfrastruktur sich nur auf minderbemittelte Regionen konzentrieren; werden die Verbesserungen der Verbindungen der Transportinfrastruktur in wohlhabenden Regionen durchgefuhrt, so nehmen regionale Einkommensunterschiede zu. Wenn die Verbesserungen jedoch auf Strassen abzielen, die wohlhabende Regionen mit weniger bemittelten verbinden, wird regionale Fairness starker gefordert. Das gleiche Ergebnis wird sich einstellen, wenn Verbesserungen an allen Strassenverbindungen des Staates vorgenommen werden. Raumliches, komputables, allgemeines Gleichgewichtsmodell Regionale Fairness Wirtschaftsleistung Transportkosten Almeida E. S. de, Haddad E. A. y Hewings G. J. D. Revisando el tema de la igualdad del transporte en las regiones, Regional Studies. El objetivo de este documento es analizar la relacion entre el transporte y la igualdad regional en Minas Gerais, Brasil. Asimismo investigamos la existencia de una compensacion entre el rendimiento economico y la igualdad regional. Para ello desarrollamos un modelo de equilibrio general computable y espacial basado en el enfoque de Brocker y Schneider en 2002 para hacer un analisis estatico y comparativo, explicitamente incorporando los costes ocultos de transporte. Se modelan cuatro actividades: la produccion, la demanda final, el transporte y las exportaciones. Suponemos que existen dos factores de produccion: mano de obra y otros factores. En este modelo, existen doce regiones internas y tres regiones externas. Desarrollamos cuatro experimentos contrafactuales basados en la disminucion de los costes de transporte debido a una 'acortamiento de las distancias'. Los principales resultados indican que si la mejora de la infraestructura del transporte se centra solo entre las regiones mas pobres, el fomento de la igualdad regional es insignificante. Si los enlaces de la mejora de la infraestructura del transporte se concentran en las regiones ricas, aumentan las desigualdades de ingresos regionales. Sin embargo, si se mejoran los enlaces de carreteras entre las regiones pobres y ricas, se fomenta mejor la igualdad regional. El mismo resultado ocurre cuando se mejoran los enlaces de todas las carreteras del estado. Modelo de equilibrio general computable y espacial Igualdad regional Rendimiento economico Costes de transporte [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds are recognized hosts of ticks, especially for the immature stages which may harbor various species and strains of Rickettsia. To explore landscapes inhabited by birds and their ticks would expand the knowledge on host-parasite relationships and the rickettsiae. The aim of this paper was to record the diversity of ticks collected on wild birds and assess the phylogenetic position of a novel Rickettsia strain detected in immature ticks. Birds were captured in the Ibitipoca State Park, located in the Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil, as part of a long-term research project on the ecology of ticks, birds and Rickettsia. We found three tick species parasitizing birds: Amblyomma aureolatum (63 larvae, 10 nymphs), Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (28 larvae, seven nymphs) and Amblyomma romarioi (27 larvae). Among these, A. aureolatum was the most abundant species including 54% (73/135) of the collected ticks. New tick-host records were: A. romarioi on Turdus amaurochalinus and H. leporispalustris on Thamnophilus caerulescens, Saltator similis and Zonotrichia capensis. Of the 82 ticks tested for Rickettsia spp. by PCR, two larvae (2.5%) of A. romarioi were infected with 'Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis', a novel putative Rickettsia species closely related to Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia sibirica and Rickettsia parkeri, as corroborated by our phylogenetic analysis. Finally, we present a list of all records of immature stages of H. leporispalustris on passerine birds in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper investigates the incentives to coffee farmers to participate in certification schemes that require improved agricultural practices. Design/methodology/approach: The authors ran a choice experiment among 250 Brazilian coffee farmers in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Findings: The authors' findings show that both cash and non-cash payments are likely to incentive farmers' participation in a certification scheme. Besides price premium, incentives as long-term contracts and provision of technical would encourage producers to adopt eco-certification schemes. Our results also suggest that non-cash payments may be appropriate substitutes to a price premium to some extent. Research limitations/implications: The large coffee producers are over-represented in our sample compared to the population of Brazilian coffee farms. However, it seems reasonable to focus on these producers, as they are usually the ones who individually adopt strategies, since small farmers are induced by collective strategies (e.g. cooperatives). Social implications: The result regarding technical assistance makes sense given that Brazilian farmers generally have poor access to rural extension services. Originality/value: We contributed in the literature about adoption of sustainable agriculture practices analyzing the requirements and motivations for farmer participation in certification schemes. We also contribute private and public strategies to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]