Indirect estimate of in loco moisture via normative mineralogy calculation with correction of seasonal effect on itabirite (banded iron formation) of the Pico complex, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Moisture is a critical variable in iron-ore processing, handling and transportation. During beneficiation, excessive moisture may lead to screen and chute clogging. In transportation, moisture values above transportable moisture limit may cause cargo instabilities, especially in regard to vessels. Moisture is a non-stationary variable that depends on spatial and time distributions. Therefore, classical estimate methods such as ordinary kriging are not appropriate to calculate moisture values. Here, we present an extension of the Normative Mineralogy Calculation to indirectly estimate moisture, considering seasonal influence. This study in based on three iron-ore mines, Galinheiro, Pico and Sapecado. They are located in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a world-class iron-ore district. The method proposed herein provides useful information that can be applied elsewhere. Our results indicate that compact ores show low moisture values with little seasonal influence, while soft ores and canga (iron-rich duricrust) are strongly influenced seasonally due to higher porosity and greater capacity of retaining water in the crystal structure of minerals, such as goethite. Moisture variations may exceed 2% along the year. Such variations are enough to preclude the beneficiation of certain iron ores during the rainy season. For this reason, moisture has been regarded as an essential variable in short-term mining. Article Highlights Moisture is a critical variable in iron-ore processing, handling and transportation. Moisture depends on spatial and time distributions; hence classical methods are not appropriate to quantitatively estimate it. This study proposes an indirectly estimate of moisture considering seasonal influence. Compact iron ores are little influenced seasonally, while soft iron ores and canga (duricrust) are strongly affected by the rainy season due to their higher porosity and greater capacity of retaining water. The seasonal effect on moisture is an essential variable that must be consider to better effectiveness of iron-ore mining sequencing and beneficiation.

Calcium and Magnesium Dynamics in Litter in a Successional Forest Ecosystem, Under Hydroperiod

This study was part of the Manipulation of Moisture and Nutrient Availability in Young Regrowth Forests in Eastern Amazonia Project (MANFLORA). The experiment was designed in completely randomized blocks containing control and irrigated treatments during the dry period (5 mm of water/day), with four repetitions each. The monthly mean litter values ranged from 316.10 to 997.90 kg ha-1 month-1. The magnitude of this phenomenon can be explained by the functional role of the floristic structure, represented by the species Myrcia sylvatica (G. mey) DC., Myrcia bracteata (Rich) DC., Miconia ciliata (Rich) DC., Lacistema pubescens Mart., Lacistema aggregatum (Berg.) Rusby, Vismia guianensis (Aubl.) Choisy, Cupania scrobiculata Rich. and Ocotea guianensis Aubl., which constituted the determinant factors, associated with the hydroperiodic effect and ecosystem manipulation. The monthly mean of the analytical results of mass treatments were significant (P < 0.05), however, when compared annually there was no significance, which indicates seasonal influence, since the period of greatest deposition is the dry one, regardless of the water manipulation along the period studied. Only in time the mass values of Ca and Mg were not significant for treatment (P < 0.05). The amount of Ca was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of Mg.

Clinical Pattern of Pediatric Dermatoses Attending a Multi-Specialty Hospital

Introduction: Pediatric dermatoses deal with skin disease in children from birth to 18 years. This age group comprises significant physiological changes, and hence the pattern of disease including skin disease is unique to them. Skin diseases are influenced by the local climatic factor and socio-economic status which differ in different geographic areas including within the country. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the clinical spectrum of skin disease in children from 1 day to 18 years of age and to find any seasonal influence on the disease pattern. Methodology: The study was conducted retrospectively in a multi- specialty hospital from May 2014 to April 2015. Data of children from 1 day to 18 years of age were analyzed. Demographic details like age, sex, ethnicity was noted. The month and season of the presentation were also recorded. Patient with a confirmed clinical diagnosis and adequate data was included in the study. Patients were divided into 5 age groups; neonate (0 days to 1 month), infant (1 month to 2 years), young child (2-6 years), child (6-12 years), and adolescent (12-18 years). Data were entered in Microsoft excel and analysis was done with SPSS version 22 along with the Chi-square test. Result: There were 20.65% of pediatric patients out of 3292 patients visiting skin OPD. The male to female ratio was 1.63:1. The majority of the cases (47.8%) were in the adolescent age group. Infection and infestation were the predominant diagnosis (56.02%), followed by eczema (15.88%) and urticaria (6.47%). Among infection, fungal infection was seen as the majority (26.17%).Papular urticaria and urticaria were significantly (p-value <0.05) more common in summer, while scabies was more common in the spring season (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Infection and infestation followed by eczema/dermatitis and urticaria were the three most common groups of dermatoses. There was a seasonal influence on a few common dermatoses like scabies, urticaria and papular urticaria.