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Production systems are being restructured to close production cycles via implementing circular economy (CE) practices. The planted tree industry in Brazil has shown potential for applying CE practices due to its efficient use of resources and inclination towards environmental innovation. However, some gaps and difficulties have been observed in several industrial segments so that the logic of the circular production system is put into practice more effectively and intensely. In this context, the aim was to investigate the use and impacts of CE practices in the Brazilian planted tree industry by sector of operation and scale of enterprises based on the ReSOLVE framework. Data were collected from 34 companies that answered a questionnaire, corresponding to 47.2% of Brazilian planted tree industry companies. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, considering the grouping of companies by sector of activity (forest producer, pulp and paper, and timber processing) and scale (small, medium, and large). The results revealed that "pulp and paper" and medium- and large-scale companies had the most significant application of CE practices and reported more significant impacts. [Display omitted] • Explores a segmented analysis of the circular economy by scale and sub-sector groups. • Scores of circular practices and their impacts are presented according to the groups. • The association between circular practices and impacts by group are analyzed. • Propositions to enable the adoption of circular practices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of offset paper production in Brazil. The production system is classified into two subsystems: a forest production subsystem, which involves seedling production, soil preparation, seedling planting, forest maintenance, and wood harvesting and transport processes; and an industrial production subsystem, involving wood pulp extraction and bleaching, chemical recovery, and offset paper manufacturing processes. The environmental analysis includes the primary energy demand, environmental impact assessment, and land use indicators. The primary energy demand indicated that the largest amount of both renewable and non-renewable primary energy is consumed by the industrial production subsystem, accounting for 91.0% of the total energy demand. The potential environmental impact assessment included eight impact categories: acidification, ecotoxicity, global warming, human toxicity – cancer effects, human toxicity – non-cancer effects, nutrient enrichment, ozone depletion, and photochemical oxidation. Most of the potential impacts are attributed to the processes of pulp extraction and bleaching, and offset paper manufacturing, mainly due to the production of electricity and thermal energy. As for impacts on land use during the forest activities, a recent developed approach was applied for the regionalized assessment of impacts. Land occupation impacts on erosion resistance, physicochemical filtration, and mechanical filtration showed a reduction in the soil ecological functions, whereas groundwater recharge indicated a credit for the performance of the soil function. With a view to reducing the main life cycle impacts of the industrial production subsystem, an evaluation is made of alternative production scenarios. The best scenario was the substitution of biomass and diesel in the energy generation unit by biomass gasification and optimization of the recovery boiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity markets offer considerable promise but are accompanied by controversies. Here, we map the utilization of native species (NS) from Brazil's biodiversity across eleven industrial sectors: foodstuffs, beverages, textiles, clothing, leather, wood, pulp and paper, biofuels, pharmochemicals, rubber and furniture. We show that there exists a diverse range of NS use in industrial products (48%) and activities (73%). These economic activities represent potential annual exports of approximately USD $50 billion. However, we found that only 1% of the potential business, USD $500 million of annual exports, is consolidated and can be traced to such products. We show that biodiversity markets and larger annual revenues locate in municipalities away from places in which biodiversity products originate. Therefore, the biodiversity business in Brazil remains largely untapped. This prompts a critical examination of the role of biodiversity within the Brazilian industry and its alignment with the Brazilian Biodiversity Law and the Nagoya Protocol. Our study is a pioneering effort that provides strategic recommendations. We suggest that the responsibility for sustainable NS utilization predominantly falls on sectors dominated by major corporations, most notably pharmochemicals and biofuels. These industry sectors possess the potential to lead the transition towards responsible and sustainable biodiversity practices within Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and EPD-like demands have been gaining importance, particularly due to the release of Product Environmental Footprint by the European Union (EU). EPDs could be demanded in international trade, potentially creating a technical trade barrier for emerging economy countries. Thus, those countries should evaluate their readiness to successfully meet this demand. In this sense, this paper aims to analyse and propose strategies for EPD promotion in Brazil. Brazil's situation regarding life cycle assessment (LCA) and EPD development was analysed considering its business, academic, public policy and consumers contexts. In addition, an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) was elaborated based on interviews with EPD stakeholders in the country. These allowed some strategies to be proposed considering the principle of connecting strengths and opportunities, compensating for weaknesses and neutralizing threats. The results showed that Brazil has a technical and institutional context that enables EPD growth due to the initial stage of LCA database, EPD programs, stakeholders' engagement, and availability of experts. However, in general, these aspects aren't in an adequate level for successful EPD promotion. There is still a large path for EPD understanding and life cycle data availability. Besides, financial and technical restriction, especially considering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), present structural barriers. Nevertheless, by promoting EPD, Brazil could have gains in terms of credibility, access to global markets and environmental awareness. The opposite could happen if the country doesn't seize these opportunities. Furthermore, to influence Product Category Rule (PCR) definitions was said to be a key opportunity to avoid rules that disregard Brazilian singularities. Strategies for EPD promotion should focus on sensitizing and engaging different stakeholders in strategic sectors (civil construction, paper and pulp, coffee, ingredients derived from soya and livestock), enhancing technical capacities and life cycle data generation, and strengthening EPD programs to boost the Brazilian internal market and PCR development. Brazilian institutions should be encouraged to follow international discussions on EPD and internalize them, fostering sustainable production and consumption in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to introduce a new sustainable business excellence model, called Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 (KMEM21), a theoretical framework that combines Knowledge Management and Business Excellence Models (BEMs), proposing an approach applicable to organizations to directly contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper through a qualitative-exploratory methodology makes an analysis and benchmarking, emphasizes the integration of Knowledge Management and three specific Business Excellence Models (Management Excellence Model (MEG) from Brazil, Baldrige Excellence Framework, and EFQM). This integration uncovers relationships between organizational concepts associated with Knowledge Management and BEMs, which contributes to new insights in the literature regarding these concepts' interplay. BEMs are presented as tools that can catalyze the power of Knowledge Management towards achieving SDGs. However, it's noted that the existing BEMs might not be adequate, as the goal extends beyond organizational improvement and excellence to encompass sustainable development aligned with SDGs. The article suggests that specific organizational concepts, identified through a literature review and aligned with Knowledge Management and BEMs, can be selected as indicators associated with the constructed KMEM21 and the SDGs. These indicators are intended to form a bridge between the new model and the SDGs. However, given the comprehensive nature of the theory, model development, application, result acquisition, and analysis, the article's primary contribution will be in its focus on elaborating the instrument and technique, demonstrating the creation of a theoretical framework for the SDGs. Future works will showcase the application of the proposed KMEM21 method in five Brazilian organizations, members of Global Compact, to compare the achieved objectives and the results obtained with the organizations' performance and their sustainability reports. [Display omitted] • There is a visible relationship between knowledge management and business excellence models, aided by shared organizational concepts. • Achieving the SDGs in organizations can be done by using the traits incorporated into knowledge management and business excellence models. • The Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 represents an original approach, acting as a new sustainable business excellence model. • A comprehensive model can be constructed using a methodology that incorporates an instrument, a technique, and a method. • KMEM21 presents a strategic path that aligns with business excellence principles and the sustainable development objectives, offering a framework for organizational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multifractal analysis of the Ionosphere Layer. • Intermittence in Ionosphere Layer. • Ionosphere Layer out-of-equilibrium. A digital ionosonde of the type known as Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) is operational at Jatai ( 17.2 o S , 51.9 o W), Brazil. This ionospheric sounding station is located under the equatorial ionospheric anomaly crest. The F-layer electron density profile presents considerable day-to-day variability, even during the undisturbed conditions, and is still one of the less understood aspects of the physics of the ionosphere. The propagation of waves into the ionosphere may be playing an important role in this day-to-day ionospheric variability. In this paper we used the multifractal approach in order to understand the physical process underlying to rise to plasma bubbles. Results shown that the ionosphere layer is in out-of equilibrium, independent of the presence or not of the planetary waves (PW), equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) or another ones. Wavelet techniques are also used to investigate the action of these plasma bubbles over the planetary waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A human-jigger parasite system with control policies is established. • A time-optimal control problem with limited resources is proposed. • A numerical method combining the control parametrization scheme with the interior point algorithm is constructed. • A trade-off between the optimal eradication time and the effective funding is provided. Tungiasis, as an epidermal parasitic skin disease, leads to long-term injury and life threats to humans in resource-limited countries. In this paper, we aim to minimize the epidemic duration of tungiasis disease with limited resources. A human-jigger parasite system with four control policies for humans and jiggers is established. We propose a time-optimal control problem, in which the eradication time and limited resources are involved. By applying the Pontryagin's minimum principle, we prove that, only bang-bang controls are admitted for all the control policies. Furthermore, a numerical scheme combining the control parametrization scheme with the interior point algorithm is constructed. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out using actual data of humans and jiggers in Brazil. From all the results, we conclude that, there is a trade-off between the optimal eradication time and the effective funding; once the effective funding is properly used, the disease can be controlled effectively; strengthening personal protections, improving treatments for humans and making adulticiding efforts contribute to keeping humans away from the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs of abuse are psychoactive substances illicitly distributed and used worldwide. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, they represent a public health issue and are directly related to several social problems. The recent increase in appearances of new psychoactive substances (NPS), derived from structural modifications of existing psychoactive substances, poses a threat to public health and forensic laboratories worldwide, as little is known about these substances. This study aimed to chemically and geographically map drugs of abuse from blotter papers seized by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro State (PCERJ) between 2006 and 2019. High-performance analytical techniques, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Orbitrap-MS), combined with statistical analyses, were employed to characterize the seized samples. The most common chemical compounds in NPS found in this study were synthetic phenethylamines, i.e., molecules from the 25I-NBOH (2-(((4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)amino)methyl)phenol) and 25I-NBOMe (2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine) families. Prior to 2014, the majority of seized blotter papers contained lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and were concentrated in the Metropolitan region. An upsurge in blotter paper seizures was observed from 2014 to 2017; the most common substances during this time were from the NBOMe family. NBOH compounds emerged in 2016 in coastal regions with high tourism, reaching over 1300 items only in 2017. Only one synthetic cannabinoid was found among the blotter papers seized in Rio de Janeiro between 2006 and 2019. The assembled chemical data and statistical analyses allowed the mapping and monitoring of the chemical profiles of the seized blotter papers, providing a strong foundation for the understanding of the origins and movement of these drugs around the RJ State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the potential implications of the proposed European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the recently adopted United Kingdom (UK) legislation on deforestation-free supply chains (henceforth 'the legislation') for different stakeholders in Brazil. These regulations intend to address global commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation by ensuring that targeted commodities and products placed on (or exported from) markets are of minimal risk of being associated with - in the EU - deforestation and forest degradation or - in the UK - illegal deforestation. The paper examines potential compliance readiness in cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soybean and tropical timber supply chains in Brazil, indicating specific challenges that may arise. Through the construction of a "Compliance Likelihood Index", our research provides comparable indications to policymakers on sectors and stakeholders that may need stronger support to meet the requirements, in order to maintain Brazil's access to EU and UK markets. The paper indicates that coffee is the sector with the highest level of incentivization and smallest hurdles for compliance, while the cattle sector may face stronger challenges to rapidly adjust its production system towards a deforestation-free value chain and prove compliance. Results of our analysis also highlight the need for collaboration between the EU/UK and Brazil in order to promote alignment between domestic and demand-side legislations so that they are mutually reinforcing. Results of this exercise, which has a focus on the producer-country view of demand-side legislation, will contribute to discussions on the merits of different approaches to strengthen the governance of deforestation-risk commodity trade. [Display omitted] • Brazil's coffee sector may currently have the greatest likelihood of ready compliance. • Cattle may be the sector to which the regulations may pose the greatest challenges. • The EU and UK should focus on providing financial means and technical assistance for smallholders. • The EU and UK legislation will need to be accompanied by domestic policies and regulations in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the embedded systems along with the first in-orbit results of FloripaSat-I, a complete CubeSat mission developed at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The satellite's service module has three main subsystems, each with an embedded processor and its peripherals. This paper presents an overview of the nanosatellite architecture designed for the mission, including the embedded systems, functionalities, and components. Launched in December 2019 atop a Chinese Long March 4B rocket, FloripaSat-I has been since then transmitting mission data, which is a metric used to validate its open-source service platform through flight heritage. The results collected in orbit are presented and discussed, as well as the student's perception about the challenges in the project. With the analysis of the results, it is possible to identify technical points to be improved by external groups with interest to reuse the open-source service platform for the next missions, and the impact that this teaching–learning methodology has in the students. • We present the FloripaSat-I embedded systems. • Flight results regarding the first three months are presented. • We validate the FloripaSat-I service platform with flight inheritance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking at Brazilian privatisations between 1991 and 2018, we investigate how net privatisation prices react to restructuring policies that are implemented before the sale as well as to private ownership structures that emerge at the sale. We innovate by accounting for restructuring and ownership at the same time and also by exploring a unique dataset that covers 139 transactions, mainly built through fieldwork. The paper provides policymakers with a "do's and don'ts" checklist to extract higher value from the sale. The checklist can be used as a policy guideline for new privatisations in Brazil and potentially in other emerging economies. • An empirical study on net privatisation prices arising from auctions is conducted. • A unique dataset of Brazilian privatisations between 1991 and 2018 is explored. • Bidding strategies are sensitive to restructuring policies implemented before the sale. • Revenues react to private ownership structures that emerge at the sale. • Policy prescriptions for privatisations in emerging markets are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two economic activities have been integrated in southern Brazil: olive cultivation and sheep farming. The favorable edaphoclimatic conditions in the southern region for cultivating olive trees and cultural preferences for the consumption of sheep meat make this integration a valuable strategy. Considering that every activity causes environmental impact and the exploitation of natural resources, new systems that promote sustainable development and the efficient use of these resources become necessary. This paper presents the first study of the carbon footprint of the life cycle of integrating of sheep and olive farming, with the objective to build an inventory based on primary data collected on olive and sheep farms in Brazil, determine the carbon footprint of the conventional and integrated system and estimate the potential for mitigating GHG emissions. The evaluation was performed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The study focuses on the detailed analysis of the processes and activities that are responsible for GHG emissions, including enteric methane emissions, methane emissions from manure management, emissions from nitrogen fertilizer use and limestone application and energy consumption. For this, two major scenarios were considered, the first centered around on the traditional olive cultivation and sheep farming systems individually, and the second involved their synergistic integration. The findings indicate that the conventional system is associated with a global warming impact of 6.8 kg CO 2 eq per liter olive oil and kg live weight. In contrast, the integrated system demonstrates a significant mitigation potential of 27.7%, resulting in a reduced global warming impact of 4.92 kg CO 2 eq. This advantage is a consequence of the synergy between the systems, as they now occupy the same area, which allows the sharing of agricultural activities and agrochemical inputs, in addition to optimizing nutrient recycling and complementing each other. Additionally, the results of a sensitivity analysis showed that enteric methane from sheep and the application of limestone to the soil are the most influential parameters on the carbon footprint, indicating that they are key parameters for the development of GHG mitigation strategies, some of which were discussed in the article. • First life cycle assessment of integration between olive and sheep farming in Brazil. • The inventory was constructed with primary data collected in situ. • The study assesses the carbon footprint of the olive and sheep farming system. • The results show environmental advantages of the integration of olive and sheep farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we developed and evaluated the potential synergistic effect of a hybrid two-step sequential modification of a coconut shell activated carbon (AC) by oxidative treatment with HNO 3 (ACO), followed by aluminum impregnation (ACO-Al) by incipient wetness method (Al(NO 3) 3.9 H 2 O - 2% of Al) aiming to improve the adsorbent properties (i.e diffusivity, adsorption capacity and adsorbent-adsorbate affinity) for desulfurization of tiophenic compounds. Characterization of the adsorbent (TPD, FTIR, XPS) confirmed acidic oxygenated functional groups (carboxylic acids, anhydrides, lactones, phenols, and quinones) and aluminum compounds (AlO(OH) and Al 2 O 3) on the adsorbent's surface, which promoted enhanced interactions between adsorptive and adsorbent (i.e., sulfur-metal (S-M) interactions) that improved the performance of the adsorbent on dibenzothiophene (DBT) adsorption, besides π-π stacking interactions with the aromatic structures of the DBT molecule. Textural properties were slightly affected, indicating that the modifications provided surface modifications Aiming to support the understanding of the phenomena involved in the process, a phenomenological modeling approach was used, wherein adsorption equilibrium data was described by Langmuir isotherm and kinetic data by applying mass transfer kinetic models. The equilibrium and kinetic experiments showed an increment of 59% in the maximum adsorption capacity and 23% in the adsorption rate (controlled by the internal diffusion), respectively, for ACO-Al compared with the ACO adsorbent. Furthermore, the ACO-Al adsorbent showed a remarkable potential to remove different thiophenic compounds in binary systems (for benzothiophene (BT), dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT), besides the DBT), and also to operate in adsorption-desorption cycles. Overall, the proposed hybrid adsorbent modification proved to be efficient in boosting the performance of activated carbon performance towards desulfurization given the specific oxygen groups and sulfur-metal interactions provided. [Display omitted] • Activated carbon (AC) derived from a coconut shell (abundant residue in the Brazil). • Efficient functionalization of AC with oxygenated groups and aluminum species. • Improvement of the adsorption capacity and kinetics of the functionalized AC. • Functionalized AC exhibited potential of adsorption in multicomponent systems. • Functionalized AC showed ability of regeneration and reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastureland maintenance is seen as a land-based measure to reduce dependency on feed concentrates and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production in the EU, while providing other ecosystems services. This paper assesses potential market-mediated impacts, including global Land Use Change (LUC) and GHG emissions, from increased subsidies to pasture-based livestock production in the EU. A tax recycling strategy (TRS) is simulated against a baseline up to 2030 under the shared socioeconomic pathway 2 (SSP2). This implies a budget-neutral increase in the level of pasture subsidies in individual Member States, as land subsidies for other cropping activities decrease. We employ the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model GTAP in its recursive-dynamic version, GTAP-RDEM, extended with the Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) database FABIO to disaggregate agri-food sectors from 21 to 31. This approach allows considering price- and income-dependent feedbacks when assessing long-run changes in the global economy, improving the sectoral resolution relative to GTAP v10. The policy increases pastureland areas and cattle production in almost all EU Member States, whereas cropland and crop production decrease, causing significant changes across EU agri-food markets. Crop prices increase, leading to the reduced output of intensive animal production sectors, mainly pig and poultry. Cropland areas decrease and most EU countries increase imports of grain, oilseeds, and cakes, essentially soybean cake from Brazil and North America. While GHG emissions decrease in those EU countries where pasturelands expand mainly at the cost of croplands, GHG emissions increase in those countries where pastureland expansion comes with forest loss. As a result, net GHG emissions increase in the EU-27 in 2030 (+2.49 Mt CO 2 -eq). Emissions from LUC in major non-EU grain- and oilseed-exporting countries increase, e.g., by 102.52 Mt CO 2 -eq in Brazil and by 129.17 Mt CO 2 -eq in North America. The simulated policy shows that promoting extensive livestock per se does not meet the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU Green Deal. The TRS should be complemented with policies to foster crop diversification and promote the use of domestic feed sources (e.g., legumes) to effectively ensure feed self-sufficiency and that extensive cattle production in the EU does not lead to deforestation in carbon-rich countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal stresses produced on TCABR tokamak during baking analyzed for the first time. • Maximum equivalent stress on vacuum vessel below limit calculated by ASME BPVC. • Stress on other components below ASME limit, but above material yield strength. • Stress on vacuum vessel below ASME limit, despite high rigidity support structure. TCABR is a small-sized tokamak located at the University of São Paulo, in Brazil. It is planned to undergo an extensive upgrade, which includes a baking system. However, this tokamak wasn't designed considering baking as a possible wall conditioning technique. This paper analyzes whether a baking system with ohmic heating could in principle be installed on TCABR, considering the thermal stresses that it might produce on the vacuum vessel. An analytical steady-state heat transfer model was used to estimate the heat fluxes required to reach a target temperature of 200 °C. Thermal and structural transient finite element method models were developed using ANSYS Workbench®. The temperature distribution was used to calculate the thermal stresses, also considering the effects of gravity and vacuum pressure. The stresses produced in the vacuum vessel by baking were below the limit defined by the ASME stress code, but the graphite tiles' support rails reached stress values above their material's yield strength. The resulting temperature distribution was not uniform, with some regions far from the 200 °C target. A redesign of the baking system will be required to reach a more uniform temperature field and avoid stresses above yield strength for some components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 20 years, extreme weather-related events like floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires have caused the death of 1.23 million people and a loss of 2.97 trillion dollars. Studies show that low and lower-middle income countries are the most impacted ones given the lack of investment in disaster risk management. To reduce the impact of these events, weather researchers have been developing numerical weather models that inform public agencies about the impending extreme events in advance. Despite being powerful tools, these models can suffer from several sources of uncertainty, ranging from the approximation of micro-scale physical processes to the location-dependent calibration of parameters, which is especially critical in developing countries. To minimize uncertainty effects, researchers generate several different weather scenarios to compose an ensemble of simulations that typically are inspected using manual, laborious, and error-prone approaches. In this paper, we propose an interactive visual analytics system, called X-Weather , developed in close collaboration with weather researchers from Brazil. Our system contributes a set of statistics and probability-based visualizations that allows the assessment of extreme weather events by effortlessly navigating through and comparing ensemble members. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the system through two case studies analyzing tragic events that happened in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. [Display omitted] • Our visualizations help identify extreme weather scenarios in large simulation ensembles. • Our web-based system enables the investigation of individual weather ensemble members. • Two case studies highlight our system's utility by analyzing extreme weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There are many factors that affect paper degradation in archives, but air temperature and humidity under inadequate storage conditions are among the most important ones. Such inadequate conditions will trigger biological, chemical and physical processes that may enhance the degradation of papers. On the other hand, users of libraries and archives, where documents are stored, require adequate indoor conditions for carrying out diverse activities. In this paper we analyze the performance of archives with regard to paper and document storage conditions, also given in terms of the Time Weighted Preservation Index (TWPI), against overall comfort conditions, according to ISO 7730 and to the Building Bioclimatic Chart. For that purpose, five different settings were chosen, corresponding to indoor and outdoor conditions of three Brazilian archives, located in diverse climatic regions (Curitiba, 25°25′S 49°16′W, Belo Horizonte, 19°56′S 43°56′W and Rio de Janeiro, 22°50′S 43°10′W). The monitoring period comprehended 12months, with a mid-term data collection. Results showed that there is a significant difference in storage conditions among different locations, even though there is a similarity in indoor thermal comfort conditions. A compromise solution should be sought between storage conditions and human thermal comfort parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• For native species seeds, the triphasic imbibition pattern is the rarest to occur. • The imbibition curve pattern may change according to the type of data used. • The use of single or multiple samples changes both germination speed and imbibition pattern. • More accurate imbibition curves must be established by fresh weight variations. • Use of alternative data for obtain the triphasic standard may affect future research. Although providing the basis for seed germination studies, there is little information available on seed imbibition curves for Brazilian forest species. Among the few studied species, the theoretical triphasic pattern may not apply, hampering the conduction of subsequent studies that require a clear definition of imbibition phases. In this paper, we characterize the seed imbibition curves of 25 Brazilian forest species and compare them with those from other studies and with the classic triphasic pattern. We collected seeds of the chosen species in the region of Lavras, MG, Brazil, and measured their fresh weight before and during the entire germination process. Seed weight data were used to calculate the weight gain percentage of each species. We defined the imbibition curves of Peltophorum dubium seeds using seed fresh weight and seed weight gain percentage of both single and multiple samples, as well as using water content (on fresh and dry bases) to compare potential changes in imbibition patterns caused by differences in data. When only weight gain was considered, we observed the triphasic pattern in 11 species; however, only in four of them, the germination coincided with the third phase of imbibition. The triphasic pattern did not emerge for the remaining 14 species. Considering seed water content instead of weight resulted in some changes in the pattern of the imbibition curve, influencing the accuracy of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Control latrine played a typical geochemical behavior of a contaminant source. • Alternative latrine oxidized almost completely ammonium to nitrate. • Nitrate removal efficiency promoted by sawdust layer was of 42% on average. • Isotopes analyses corroborated N-species hydrogeochemistry trends across latrines. • Relative placement of sawdust and BOF slag layers impacted denitrifiers performance. Nutrients, like nitrate and phosphate, and pathogens are the primary contaminants released into groundwater by on-site sanitation systems, which are an effluent disposal outcome for regions not covered by sanitation infrastructure, as periurban communities in developing countries. As appropriate setback distances between pit latrines and supply wells often cannot be met to avoid groundwater contamination, especially in a densely-populated situation, efficient, low-cost and accessible technologies are extremely necessary to protect water resources and surpass critical and persistent public health problems. This paper presents 1-year field-testing of an alternative latrine (AL) that incorporates two waste materials as permeable reactive barriers (PRB) in an irregular settlement at the municipality of São Paulo (Brazil). Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag in contact with wastewater effluent increases its pH level, which causes pathogens inactivation and phosphate adsorption. Sawdust under water saturation creates reducing conditions that encourage the growth of denitrifying bacteria that remove nitrate. A control latrine (CL) was constructed 90 m apart from AL with similar hydraulic characteristics and nonreactive materials for hydrochemical comparison. It was evident for AL the formation of well-defined nitrification and denitrification reaction zones, whereas CL overall presented nitrogen in its ammoniacal form, with incipient nitrate production at CL bottom, indicating that nitrification is probably boosted below that. BOF slag had attenuated microorganisms and phosphate almost completely, but nitrate removal average efficiency was 42%. The high pH effluent generated in BOF media may have also affected in the short-term the denitrifying bacteria in sawdust barrier 1 m below. The inverted position of the reactive barriers, i.e., sawdust PRB overlying BOF slag PRB, should be a more suitable design to achieve nitrate and pathogens removal. This kind of sanitation solution employing cheap and accessible waste materials have never been applied in the design proposed in this paper and also was a novelty for Brazilian context, proving to be a suitable technology to meet local needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the supply chain and reverse channels of expanded polystyrene packaging connection in Brazil and their roles to discuss the main challenges towards circular economy. In order to achieve this goal, we propose a four-step method, anchored in the literature, technical visits, and interviews with experts in the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry. First, the EPS supply chain was characterised and mapped, and secondly, the stakeholders and logistics activities in reverse channels were analysed. Third, the Brazilian legislation and chain structure was reviewed to obtain an understanding of how this can influence the activities developed in reverse channels. Fourth, with an analysis of the data collected before, the barriers to implement EPS reverse chain were presented. The main results establish that the EPS can complete one cycle of the circular economy, which is recycling, but products need to be separated and washed. The most significant waste generators are public and private institutions, residences, and retailers. Notable barriers to its recycling are a lack of understanding of the nature of expanded polystyrene recycling by Brazilian people, high transport cost due to material density, and the dispersion of post-consumer expanded polystyrene in several regions of the country linked with the small number of recycling facilities. Finally, this issue could be explored in industries and companies that require their managers to adopt strategies to improve reverse logistics in order to promote the circular economy. The companies' actions could facilitate a stronger circular supply chain since they could increase recycling efforts, reduce expanded polystyrene waste, and present new business models. The resulting generation of employment would contribute to the quality of life of contemporary society. The findings presented in the paper enable industries to identify and guide the most demanding significant steps and processes, and to shift the reverse chain and expanded polystyrene recycling to ensure that they operate more efficiently. • Reverse logistics as the first step towards circular supply chain. • The paper maps the expanded polystyrene packaging supply chain and its reverse logistics. • This paper presents the barriers that hinder the reverse logistics in Brazil. • The main challenges are related to the consumers and the recycling industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban solid waste management (SWM) is a central problem in major cities worldwide. This topic is particularly relevant for developing countries, given the constant growth of slums. SWM is an essential part of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), which appears to be a viable method of incorporating social, environmental and economic goals as pillars for the sustainable development of an organization and its supply chain. Although the literature offers a large and growing number of publications in SSCM and SWM, there is not yet a study that addresses SWM in a slum of a developing country from the SSCM perspective and there still a need for more sustainable waste management strategies involving all relevant stakeholders. Through a longitudinal case study conducted in the largest slum of Brazil (Rocinha), this paper aims to address these research gaps by developing a framework for SWM from the SSCM perspective in areas of slums. The research findings indicate that to tackle environmental problems related to SWM in such areas, it is necessary to solve basic social issues related to education, security, and infrastructure, with the integration and support of government, local community and industry. Although some progress has been observed in the last 10 years in Rocinha, the studied real-life setting shows that in practice, the performance of SWM stakeholders, particularly industry, is far from fulfilling the social and environmental pillars of SSCM. The proposed framework encompasses government and the community viewpoints in addition to the industrial focus and points to practical actions based on SSCM enablers, reinforcing a holistic and multi-perspective view, and the need for integrated management for better SWM in slum areas in developing countries. As it is a first attempt in this direction, additional research in similar settings is required to evolve the analysis towards more generalizable findings. • This paper analyses urban SWM from the SSCM perspective in developing countries. • A real-life setting of SWM in a large slum is analysed. • The industry should be more active in the social and environmental pillars of SSCM. • The paper offers actions for SWM in Rocinha in a model supported by SSCM's enablers. • A SWM framework is offered from a SSCM perspective orientated for areas as slums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous investigations on sunglasses standards, limits and insertion of missing requirements have been suggested for ocular safety. In this paper, we evaluate the degradation of the lenses (category and ultraviolet protection) as sunglasses are exposed to solar radiation for periods considered still within its lifetime. Our study includes 44 unbranded sunglasses: 12 were submitted to a solar simulator (0.46 suns) for 2500 h and spectroscopy was performed every 25 h. The remaining 32 were submitted to a 10-sun solar simulator for 962 h of exposure, and transmittance spectroscopy and UV protection evaluation have been done. These exposure conditions are equivalent to wearing sunglasses for a period over 2 years, for 2 h daily. Standards require 50 h exposure as the aging test. Under this condition, only one lens failed the requirement. However, our longer-term irradiation (sunglasses desired lifetime period exposure) experiment in solar simulator shows that the majority of lenses will eventually fail the standard requirement, suggesting the revision of such aging test. Additionally, there has not been any significant alteration on UV protection. Summarizing, current parameters, for the resistance to radiation test for sunglasses on standards, is ineffective for ocular safety within its lifetime. In summary, current parameters for the resistance to radiation test for sunglasses, required by ISO 12312-1 standard, are ineffective for sunglasses average lifetime required by population. • Prof. Ventura has been evaluating sunglasses in Brazil since 1996 and striving for standards for sunglasses in tropical countries to be adequate. • In 2013 Prof. Ventura, as the only scientist in the committee, wrote the Brazilian standard for sunglasses with parameters appropriate for these countries (NBR15111:2013). • However, it was repealed in 2015 for political industrial issues and ISO12312-1 took place as a mirror standard, with European parameters to be used. • Since then, Prof. Ventura and her team have been scientifically dedicated to the requirements of ISO12312-1 for appropriate parameters to be added or changed in this standard. • So, this paper has an important appeal for eye safety in the standards for sunglasses, which benefits all countries that mirror it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physical therapists from dermatology report having knowledge to be able to implement EBP. • Physical therapists from dermatology believe having skills to be able to implement EBP. • There were inconsistencies on some answers about knowledge and skills related to EBP. Dermatology is a relatively new subdiscipline of physical therapy with growth potential. Therefore, it is important to identify whether professionals from this area have the knowledge and skills required to offer the best available service based on evidence-based practice. To describe the self-reported behavior, knowledge, skills, opinion, and barriers related to the evidence-based practice of Brazilian physical therapists from the dermatology subdiscipline. An adapted electronic questionnaire was sent by the Brazilian Association of Dermatology Physical Therapy via email to all registered members. The data were analyzed descriptively. The response rate was 40.4% (101/250). Brazilian physical therapists from the dermatology subdiscipline reported that they update themselves equally through scientific papers and courses, and access preferentially databases that offer scientific papers in the Portuguese language. Respondents believe they have sufficient knowledge to use evidence-based practice, inform patients about treatment options and consider their choices in the decision-making process. However, there were inconsistencies in responses regarding the experience with evidence-based practice during undergraduate or postgraduate degree, as well as having discussions about evidence-based practice in the workplace. The barriers most frequently reported were difficulty to obtain full-text papers, lack of quality of the scientific papers, applicability of the findings into clinical practice, lack of evidence-based practice training and difficulty to understand the statistics. Brazilian physical therapists from the dermatology subdiscipline have positive perceived behavior, believe that they have sufficient knowledge and skills, and have favorable opinion related to evidence-based practice. However, there are inconsistencies related to some aspects of knowledge and skills set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper simulates hypothetical student loan schemes for Brazil. • Designs are assessed in terms of affordability for graduates and size of subsidies. • A copula approach is applied to simulate dynamic earnings paths for graduates. • ICL with surcharge, limited concessions and progressive repayment rates is favoured. • A nationwide ICL is technically and institutionally feasible in Brazil. This paper simulates student loan schemes for Brazil. A copula approach is applied to simulate dynamic earnings paths for graduates. Repayment patterns are then simulated for time-based and income-contingent loan designs. The results show that the Brazilian time-based scheme involved unsustainable repayment burdens for many graduates and contributed to the scheme's high default rates. We also show that the new income-contingent scheme is also likely to involve high taxpayer subsidies. We consider alternative designs with different strengths and weaknesses but favour an income-contingent scheme with a loan fee, repayment rates at 50% of current income tax rates and an interest rate at the government's cost of borrowing upon graduation and above initial tax threshold. We conclude by emphasising that full involvement of the federal revenue system is more desirable than the present approach of employer withholding. This would increase the earnings base and reduce costs, which is important for Brazil's current precarious fiscal situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special volume of the JCLP is mainly built upon articles presented at the 6th International Workshop Advances in Cleaner Production held in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2017. The event had provided a progressive interdisciplinary meeting for knowledge advance and information trade. Papers in this issue cover a broad range of perspectives of cleaner production strategies and practices, and a special focus was placed upon the type of contribution – practical, conceptual/practical, conceptual - and the scale of their coverage – local, regional and global. The papers provide understanding on the research intended to systematically include cleaner production in the path sustainability, and identifies the extent to which cleaner production practitioners directly and indirectly provide local, regional and global solutions. Key results of this introductory article include research on: efficient and responsive use of energy and resources; the search for reduced emissions, the role of managerial support and environmental assessments, and the implementation/analysis of closed-loop systems of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Committed to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century, South America faces unique challenges in carbon mitigation due to its distinct socio-economic, technological, and institutional backgrounds compared to developed and other developing economies. Previous research on South America's carbon emissions has limited country and sector coverage and typically adopts a top-down approach that focuses on the overall emissions of an economy, neglecting individual energy sources and emission sectors. Therefore, this paper compiles a comprehensive inventory of CO 2 emissions for South American countries based on a meticulous bottom-up approach and multi-source data integration, followed by a thorough analysis of their temporal evolution patterns and the driving forces behind them. Between 2010 and 2020, South America's overall emissions peaked in 2014 at 1092.3 Mt., led by emissions from oil consumption and from the transport and electricity sectors, and dropped to 865.6 Mt. in 2020, due to the economic fluctuations and COVID-19. Specifically, Brazil was the largest emitter, Chile experienced the most significant increase in emissions, and Paraguay recorded the highest emission growth rate. Generally, expanding population was constant driver of emission growth. High energy intensity led to significant emission increases in Brazil and Ecuador, while elevated carbon intensity was the main driver in Argentina. Energy structure changes played a positive role in most countries to different extents (e.g., much more significant in Brazil than in Chile) but aggrevated emissions in Paraguay and Guyana. Therefore, carbon mitigation strategies should be tailored to each country's unique national circumstances. • During 2010–2020, South America's CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels peaked in 2014. • Transport and electricity sectors comprised over 60% of total emissions. • Brazil was the top emitter, while Chile saw the largest increase in emissions. • Emission patterns and driving factors varied significantly across countries. • Carbon reduction strategies should be tailored to local circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent disastrous tailings dam failures have heightened public concerns about the safety of these structures. Typically, tailings are disposed of as a slurry in a loosely saturated state, making them susceptible to static liquefaction. The widely used limit equilibrium method for analysing tailings dams may overlook potential failures and is incapable of simulating static-liquefaction-type dam failures. This paper presents simulations of the initiation of progressive failure within a finite element framework, using a well-described tailings dam in Brazil as a basis. Three different constitutive models (Hardening Soil, SANISAND2004, and NorSand) were employed to demonstrate a numerical modelling procedure for simulating tailings dam static liquefaction and a practical approach to numerically account for the effects of fines content in slime layers. Models that incorporate the state parameter (ψ) as an integral part can realistically depict the loss of strength in loose granular materials during a liquefaction process. Stress–strain paths of representative points in critical zones of the studied tailings dam indicate localized shear deformations that lead to progressive failure due to static liquefaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a model of coastal barrier progradation where the development of a prograded plain was a product of the successive formation of foredune ridges followed by their burial by transgressive sand sheets and dunefields. The results are based on direct lithological data from drill holes and geomorphological analyses, indirect geophysical data (GPR), and 14C and OSL dating. Barrier progradation started at 6.69 ka (OSL) or 7.2 ka (14C), under sea-level rise. At around 5.0 ka (OSL), or thereabouts, a forced regression condition started to operate, when sea-level started to fall after it reached a maximum of 2.34 ± 0.8 m. During barrier progradation sets of foredunes were formed, and at least some of them were buried by sands of transgressive dunefields (TDF), which later evolved to transgressive sand sheets (TSS). A total of 11+ phases of TSS and a modern phase of TDF were formed in a time span of 6.69 ka (OSL) or 7.2 ka (14C), corresponding to one phase formed at each 560 or 600 yrs. Two models of possible development of the surface of Curumim barrier are proposed. • Arare record of aforedune plain buried by transgressive sandsheets formation. • The cyclic formation of transgressive dunefieldsand transgressive sand sheets. • The foredune/beach contact as a proxy of sea-level position. • Distinct contributions of normal and forced regressionon barrier progradation. • Possibletransformation of a transgressive dunefield in a transgressive sand sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is the world's leading charcoal producer, mainly used as an energy source and reducing agent for iron ore in the pig iron and steel industry. Despite its vast production, much of the Brazilian charcoal production remains low-tech and inefficient, with limited utilization of by-products. To address potential environmental impacts, promote a circular economy, and reduce energy waste in the charcoal production chain, this study presents the benefits of using wood carbonization by-products through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The analysis was performed by comparing four scenarios: i) Current wood carbonization; ii) Wood carbonization with combustion of non-condensable gases; iii) Wood carbonization with energy recovering of non-condensable gases for electricity generation; and iv) Assessing the utilization of insoluble tar and biomass waste for generating additional electricity, and the use of Pyroligneous Extract (PE) in eucalyptus cultivation. The results demonstrate that by-product utilization prevents energy waste, with an estimated potential to generate 0.19–0.26 MWh per ton of charcoal in Scenarios 3 and 4. Furthermore, 3.3 t of CO2 eq./t of charcoal are sequestered from the atmosphere, and Scenarios 2, 3, and 4 can increase this amount by 5.06%, 6.7%, and 0.48%, respectively. This paper introduces an innovative assessment of PE utilization during eucalyptus cultivation, resulting in a 6.16% reduction in greenhouse gas emission and a 46.98% decrease in abiotic resource consumption, attributed to PE's potential to partially reduce pesticide consumption. [Display omitted] • Photochemical Oxidation is the main impact category due to CO emissions in carbonization kilns. • Potential to generate 0.19–0.26 MWh of electricity per ton of charcoal through by-products utilization. • Forest residues and insoluble tar increase electricity generation potential by 36%. • Charcoal by-products offset GHG emissions from 14 to 203 kg/ton of charcoal. • Pyroligneous Extract use leads to 6% lower GHG emissions and 47% decrease in abiotic resource consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed generation (DG) plays a strategic role in transitioning from a fossil to a renewable energy matrix, encouraging the reduction of energy poverty and access to green energy in traditional communities. This paper proposes a statistical model based on structural equations to analyze the influence of DG on Well-Being (CWB), and to estimate the causal relationships between the latent variables: economic (ECO), environmental (ENV), social (SOC), distributed generation system (DGS) and well-being (CWB) in a rural area in Brazil. The research is carried out in a Quilombola Community located in the south of Brazil. In the data collection process, a questionnaire was used in a Likert scale format, applied in loco to the residents of the Quilombola community. This database was imported into the SmartPLS software for analysis using a partial least squares approach. Structural equation-based modelling (SEM) results confirmed 66% of the hypotheses. The latent variables SOC and DGS directly and positively affected CWB with (β = 0.573) and (β = 0.433), respectively. The Economic variable with (β = 0.396) had a direct and positive effect on the DGS variable, and the DGS variable with (β = 0.404) had an immediate and positive impact on the CWB. The variables observed with the highest participation in the latent variables were: belonging (62%), social capital (31%), greenhouse gases (56%) and incentive policies (45%). The proposed model demonstrates that socioeconomic changes, carried out from specific public policies around the installation of DG, should contribute to the well-being of traditional communities and the reduction of energy poverty. • An analysis of the well-being development of a rural community was done. • For data collection process was used a Likert scale. • Only the social dimension had a direct effect on the well-being of the community. • The designed model demonstrated that the variables are susceptible to changes, influencing on public policies. • DG promotes well-being beyond technical issues and should encourage its installation in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green Buildings Labels (GBL) are indicated as one of the means with the potential to contribute to sustainable development. Worldwide, more than 850,000 green buildings have already had their project and development helped by just three of the GBLs (LEED, BREEAM, and BASIX). Brazil, however, has only 874 LEED-certified projects. Aiming to propose strategies to foster the adoption of GBL in the country, this paper developed an interpretative model involving barriers to them in Brazil. For this, the technique of Validated Interpretative Structural Modeling (VISM) was developed aiming to add statistical validity to interpretative models even in situations of research with small sample sizes. VISM is a modeling technique that incorporates the simplicity of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) with the significance testing procedures of Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Adopting the VISM, the barriers model was then developed in five steps: (1) identification of indicators; (2) definition of constructs; (3) identification of relations between constructs; (4) validation of relations between constructs; and (5) creation of the conceptual model. As a result, VISM proved to be an effective innovative modeling technique in the development of models for exploratory research and presents results consistent with the reality studied. Regarding the model developed, the main barriers identified by the study to the adoption of GBL in Brazil are: "environmental protection mechanisms"; "costs and return on investment"; "mistrust of the benefits from GBL"; "corporate and public awareness"; "maturity and market economics"; and the "project, construction, and operation of green buildings". • The paper develop a model of barriers to adoption of green buildings labels in Brazil. • The paper present the technique of Validated Interpretative Structural Modeling. • The technique can help exploratory research with small sample sizes. • ISM models with circular and cross relationships can be validated. • Environmental protection mechanisms and costs hinder green buildings labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obligations arising from legislation and other instruments affect the macro-level decision-making related to the transition toward a circular economy (CE), which is a multifaceted topic since it tries to aggregate the interests of different stakeholders. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the current policies, strategies and initiatives related to the CE transition from a multicriteria perspective and under the lens of NIT (New Institutional Theory). This is the first approach that analyses which CE strategies and related practices boost the transition from a macro-level perspective, using a multicriteria method and considering developed and emerging economies. For this reason, this paper can be helpful for researchers and practitioners involved in implementing strategy and policymaking aimed at the transition toward a CE. It also contributes to the discussion on the global transition to the CE by identifying differences and similarities between countries. The proposed methodology has been applied to compare the realities in Italy and Brazil. The perceptions of several stakeholders from the two countries have been gathered through a questionnaire to evaluate numerous strategies against several social, environmental, economic, and technical criteria. The main results are: Italy presents a proactive behaviour, a higher level of institutionalisation, and a coercive isomorphism related to European regulations and strategies. In contrast, Brazil has reactive behaviour, a lower level of institutionalisation, and is impelled by mimetic isomorphism. Although it is possible to observe several advances in the last years in Brazil, the transition to a CE is still in the early stages compared to Italy. [Display omitted] • Transitioning to a new economic model is not a quick and straightforward process. • Transition requires changes in countries, regions, cities, supply chains and companies. • Some strategies and related practices have been adopted to enable the transition. • National legislation and Action Plans can boost the transition toward a circular economy. • In developing countries, the exploration of CE concept and its potential benefits has been rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A generic optimization model for biorefineries design overarching the entire supply chain, from biomass to market, that allows the modeling of complex biomass systems, such as forests. • A robust formulation that handles uncertainties on both biomass productivity and product selling prices. • An uncertainty model that allows the control of the degree of conservatism regarding negative uncertainties materialization. • A case study for a eucalyptus biorefinery implementation in Brazil producing paper-grade pulp, electricity, and lignin illustrating the capabilities of the proposed model. The dependence of biomass growth on uncontrolled environmental factors and the lack of confidence in product selling price estimation imposes challenges for the efficient design of biorefineries, especially for forest systems, which present complex and long-termed growth behavior. The present work proposes the expansion of an optimization framework for forest biorefineries design to handle uncertainties on both biomass productivity and product selling prices. A robust formulation is proposed under a box and polyhedral uncertainty set formulation allowing its conservatism degree to be controlled. A case study of a eucalyptus biorefinery in Brazil illustrates the model's capabilities. The canonical worst-case approach to uncertainties on selling prices leads to a null optimal Net Present Value (NPV) and, on biomass growth, leads to a design that uses a 70% excess of lands. Scenarios of a controlled degree of conservatism lead to designs closer to the uncertainty-free optimal NPV of 136 bi BRL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Municipalities benefited by the FUNDEF redistribution increased teacher salary. • Municipalities harmed by the redistribution increased expenses by hiring teachers. • The amount transferred led to an increase in teachers and a decrease in salaries. • The net value was more important to salary levels than the absolute value. • Results suggest that bargaining power is an important factor in hiring decisions. Abstract This paper examines the teacher hiring decisions of Brazilian local governments in response to an education funding reform, called FUNDEF. The reform redistributed funding across municipalities and determined a minimum spending on teachers. While several papers have already examined the overall effect of the FUNDEF reform, this is the first analysis of the effects of the municipalities' relative positions after the redistribution on hiring decisions. Using a simulated difference-in-differences model, I find that FUNDEF only led to salary increases in municipalities that benefited from the redistribution. Contrary to its initial goal, municipalities harmed by the redistribution responded by increasing hiring. Additionally, employing a simulated instrumental-variable model, I find that the amount received in FUNDEF transfers did not lead to pay increases. Models of government-union interaction are used to explain these results, suggesting that the bargaining power is the main driver of teacher pay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the effects of public policies on the occurrence of natural disasters related to extreme rainfall. By using a unique and geolocated database on natural disasters in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I test whether variables related to public policies - e.g. forest cover and urban infrastructure - affect the occurrence of natural disasters, conditional on the existence of extreme rainfall. Results point to a significant role for public policies in order to mitigate effects of extreme weather events. More specifically, results point to an important role for urban infrastructure, as proper sewage and waste collection, and forest cover in reducing the impacts of extreme rainfall. Moreover, I discuss how these heterogeneous effects have distributional consequences and can be linked to the Environmental Justice literature. Finally, this paper reinforces the idea that adaptation policies to disasters are essential in reducing local vulnerabilities and can yield distributional and fiscal benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have compared the profitability of organic and conventional producers, but present very conflicting results. Although in the majority of these papers selection bias due to observables is accounted for, the possibility of selection based on unobservables has been largely overlooked. In this paper, we compare these two types of producers using a large and unique data of about 4.2 million family farmers in Brazil. Standard propensity score matching techniques are used together with the procedure recently developed by Oster (forthcoming) to address concerns about omitted variables. Our results confirm the working hypothesis that organic producer's profits are lower than conventional ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane ethanol is an alternative to fossil fuels that can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and offer socioeconomic benefits, but at the same time have a series of negative impacts. Brazil is the second largest producer of fuel ethanol globally, with this production predicted to almost double over the next 15 years. However sugarcane ethanol production in the country has been shown to interact with a range of ecosystem services. It is only when such interactions are understood that we can fully determine the potential trade-offs, synergies and sustainability outcomes of biofuel production in the country. This paper explores the local perceptions about the impacts of sugarcane production on ecosystem services in two municipalities in the state of Sao Paulo with significant sugarcane production: Capivari and Rancharia. Impact perceptions have been elicited through interviews with local residents, with the results showing that perceptions vary between the two study sites and are affected considerably by the different local experiences with sugarcane production. For example, although sugarcane farming has been traditionally performed in Capivari, it has been Rancharia that has experienced more recently a rapid sugarcane expansion that has caused considerable changes in land use and farming patterns. Interview results also suggest that the negative effects of sugarcane farming can be reduced through the adoption of good agricultural practices and the enforcement of existing laws, as many respondents cited considerable improvements in ecosystem health from such actions. Assessing the perception of local communities such as the one reported in this paper can be crucial in designing policies and planning land uses that enhance the sustainability of biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical qualification is required to adequately meet the responsibilities related to solid waste management (SWM). Given that the successful SW policies requirements implementation at the local level relies on the ability to plan and the efficient management of public services, this paper aims to verify if municipalities have working teams that are prepared for this challenge. To accomplish this goal, three indicators were proposed to evaluate these human resources: Professional Qualification Level (PQL), Multidisciplinary Level (ML) and Leadership Level of Education (LLE). A proportional stratified sample with SWM leaders from 156 Brazilian municipalities participated in a survey. The results showed that although some municipalities were able to provide teams and find solutions to implement plans and actions, some smaller municipalities were not able to organize themselves adequately for this implementation. This paper provides a diagnosis of the human resources dimensions associated with the administrative capacity of municipal governments for the successful implementation of the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy (BSWP) at the local level. There is a need to improve the administrative capacity of municipalities to ensure the satisfactory implementation of the BSWP. The shortcomings identified in this paper should be addressed by the government to ensure that the constitutional right to waste management is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students graduating in a recession have been shown to face large and persistent negative effects on their earnings, health, and other outcomes. This paper investigates whether students delay graduation to avoid these effects. Using data on the universe of students in higher education in Brazil and leveraging variation in labor market conditions across time, space, and chosen majors, the paper finds that students in public institutions delay graduation to avoid entering depressed labor markets. A typical recession causes the on-time graduation rate to fall by 6.5% in public universities and there is no effect on private institutions. The induced delaying increases average graduation by 0.11 semesters, consistent with 1 out of 18 students delaying graduation by one year in public universities. The delaying effect is larger for students with higher scores, in higher-earnings majors, and from more advantaged backgrounds. This has important implications for the distributional impact of recessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School dropout is a relevant socio-economic problem across the globe. Predictive models have been developed to determine the likelihood of students dropping out of their studies precociously to overcome such a problem. Academic systems, which gather data from many students, are potential sources for datasets that feed dropout prediction algorithms, thus leading to general improvements in education quality. Despite successful past attempts to predict dropout, several works depict small datasets with features that are hard to reproduce. Furthermore, predicting whether a student will drop out is not enough to diagnose and prevent the problem as it is also necessary to provide potential justifications for the dropout. This paper proposes an approach for creating and enriching a dataset for dropout prediction, which has been applied for dropout prediction using data from 19 schools in Brazil. With this dataset and using classifiers and model explaining techniques, our experiments achieved Area Under the Precision–Recall Curve (AUC-PR) scores of up to 89.5%, Precision up to 95%, Recall up to 93%, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) rates up to 97% when predicting dropout at different year moments. This study also shows differences when predicting dropouts in different educational stages, such as preschool and secondary education, with the former being more complex than the latter. In addition to the high recognition rates, our proposal identifies potential reasons for student dropout, which are relevant for educational institutions to take preemptive actions. • Dropout prediction is performed with educational, financial, and public data. • Dropout analysis is conducted in different educational stages and time of the year. • Explainable machine learning allows reasoning behind potential dropouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to evaluate the scientific production on public relations addressing Latin America through a quantitative content and bibliometric analysis of articles and special issues published between 1980 and 2020, written in the official languages of the region: Spanish and Portuguese. The results of 123 articles confirm a substantial increase of studies since 2011, and some limitations of scientific dissemination. Although almost half of the authors were based in Brazil (40%), 17 base countries were counted. This work complements the latest studies on the object of study in English (Thelen, 2021) and provides the scientific community with recognition and access to native production. • A set of 123 native language articles where analised on public relations addressing Latin America. • There is a significant increase in the number of studies from 2016 onwards (29%). • Brazil accumulated the largest number of papers in the period (n = 49). • It was found that the impact in native languages (4.2) was lower than in English (43.2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Deforestation-induced rainfall changes negatively impact soybean and maize yields in Brazil. • Soybean and maize yields could have been 6.6 % and 9.9 % higher per year if rainfall patterns hadn't been altered by deforestation. • Agricultural efficiency improvements insufficient to counteract rainfall-changes effects on yields. • Study underscores the vital role of forest preservation for agricultural resilience and food security. • Forests' critical role in regulating the water cycle highlighted in the face of climate change. Whereas the global demand for food, fiber and energy is increasing, the capacity of ecosystems services to sustain agricultural production is being compromised worldwide. Brazil is a global food supplier that has benefitted from agricultural intensification in the past decades. At the same time, expansion of cropland has led to deforestation that, in turn, is increasingly affecting rainfall patterns thereby influencing crop yields. This study examines how loss in forest cover has impacted agricultural yields through change in rainfall. To do so, we use modelled data on changes in rainfall patterns due to deforestation as input to a crop model. We assess yield changes within the soybean-maize double cropping system, the country's most relevant agricultural system, in five states within the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Findings revealed that soybean and maize yields would have been respectively 6.6 % and 9.9 % higher per year in the last decade if rainfall patterns hadn't been altered by deforestation from 1982 onwards. Although agricultural efficiency improved between 2011 and 2020, it was insufficient to offset the negative effect of altered rainfall on yields. Our paper reveals the link between deforestation and crop yields, emphasizing the need to preserve forest cover for agricultural resilience and food security. It reinforces the critical role of forests in regulating the water cycle, particularly in the face of climate change-induced warmer and drier conditions that can impact agricultural production and other human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of the golden mussel in Brazil is a matter of great concern and causes harm to the country, particularly affecting the power generation sector. Infestation control represents a challenge, and there is a need to mathematically describe the dynamics of the problem. This work proposes to analyze a mathematical model based on differential equations that relate the populations of larvae, mussels, and algae. For this model, the critical points and stationary states are determined, seeking steady-state conditions stability, through the basic reproduction rate. In addition, it presents the sensitivity analysis of the parameters involved. The paper results are relevant as they allow mathematical interpretation of the golden mussel infestation potential through the basic reproduction rate. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis suggests how important the parameters are for this potential. For that matter, this work can provide baseline information to guide future control strategies as it provides quantification of the species involved over time as well as a condition for infestation. • Mussel-algae interaction model. • Stability analysis of stationary solutions of the model. • Basal reproduction rate for the golden mussel model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change impacts in one country can lead to impacts in distant locations, for example, via internationally traded crops. Previous work has highlighted a need to include cross-border climate change impacts in climate risk assessments, to describe the exposure and transmission of cross-border climate risk across actors, and understand options for managing this risk. In a case study of the Brazil-Europe soy supply chain, this paper aims to explore how stakeholders perceive past and future shocks, how climate change impacts affect stakeholders differently, and how they might respond. Soy is a key internationally traded commodity and Europe relies on imports for the majority of its soy consumption, used widely in livestock feed. Via 96 semi-structured expert interviews, we found different stakeholder groups are vulnerable to different types of weather shocks, experience different price and supply consequences, and have different capacities to respond. While some responses can reduce risk of impacts across the supply chain (e.g. new soy cultivars, improving transport infrastructure), we also identified examples where responses exacerbate risk for other stakeholders (e.g. export bans, changing demand). A holistic cross-border approach to analysing risk in the soy supply chain can help avoid maladaptation and offer opportunities for more collaborative adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Vaccination rate for COVID-19 in Brazil is one of the highest in the world. • Additional vaccination for new variants, including omicron, will be necessary. • The country ranks second in aesthetic procedures worldwide. • Hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid after COVID-19 vaccine administration is observed. • Aesthetic professionals should be aware and advise patients of this possibility. Brazil ranked second in the world for the number of aesthetic procedures carried out in 2019. Five case reports of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to hyaluronic acid dermal filler after COVID-19 vaccination are presented in this paper. Additional vaccination for new variants, including omicron, will be necessary; therefore, aesthetic professionals should be aware of this possibility and advise patients accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new service development process model for transport services for the inclusion of wheelchair users. In line with the principles of Universal Design, the new model aims to develop services for the widest possible range of users, including people using wheelchairs. The model is based on existing models, case studies in Brazil and Germany, and complemented with specific support material regarding wheelchair users, ultimately devised to guide the development of services that include such users. The paper illustrates a demonstration of the model in a real situation in Germany, with the development of a service for wheelchair users where early consideration of their needs results in clear benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shift from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy (bioeconomy) requires more efficient utilization of the biomass generated from agricultural production. This can be achieved through the cascading use of biomass, which also offers the potential of creating additional value from biomass by developing novel products. Taking sugarcane as a case study example, this paper aims to analyze how well Brazil, the world’s leader in sugarcane production, is positioned to reach these goals. The paper combines two conceptual tools: one is the ‘biomass-based value web’, which was developed as an extension of the value chain concept with the aim to capture the links within and between value chains that arise from the cascading and joined use of biomass. The other concept is that of the ‘national innovation system’ (NIS), which serves to identify the different types of actors involved in the biomass value web and the linkages between them. For empirical data collection, the study combined three methods: a mapping of the physical biomass flows in the value web, in-depth interviews with the actors involved, and the application of the ‘Net-Map’ tool to identify the actors in the NIS and their linkages. The findings show that the development of Brazil’s international competitiveness in sugar and ethanol was based on political incentives that resulted in a strong network of institutions that focused on these two products. However, to become a front-runner in the future bioeconomy, the existing innovation network needs to be expanded. In particular, it is important to integrate national and international private sector organizations. The findings also suggest that industries need stronger incentives to collaborate with knowledge institutions. Long-term consistent policies and funding opportunities for risky investments are also required to further strengthen Brazil’s innovation network to meet future opportunities and challenges of the bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the significance of international conferences for higher education institutions (HEIs)’ promotion of sustainability. The paper has undertaken a detailed review of the scientific literature on strategies of HEIs to promote sustainability, hence identifying eight HEIs strategies that these institutions can adopt to become more sustainable (developing an Institutional Agenda, promoting Research, improving Teaching, enhancing green Campus Operations, stimulating community Outreach, and promoting Knowledge Dissemination). Based on this review, and focusing on knowledge dissemination, particularly on the academic events (conferences, seminars and workshops), 69 international academic conferences on sustainability were selected for analysis (from 2012 to 2016). From these conferences 21 proved suitable for a text mining analysis due to the data availability - i.e. articles published online. These articles were organized and submitted to the Collocations Extraction process, creating a list of important terms for each conference, based on their frequency in the articles. Furthermore, the relevance of these terms was tested using the Google Trends tool, to evidence the frequency of their Google searching. Finally, two conferences were selected for a more in-depth analysis, exploring their results and contributions (REGSA and LINKS conferences) to promote sustainability. The main results of the paper outline that international conferences have become important HEIs’ strategies to promote various issues of sustainability, through sharing knowledge, experiences, projects, initiatives and methods. It can be noticed a high interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary character of these events, illustrated by the multitude of promoted topics and participation, but also an increasing interest to actively involve stakeholders in discussing and promoting sustainability and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]