ABSTRACT Discussions on desertification frequently highlight soil erosion as a striking feature of this phenomenon. In particular, the high spatial density of gullies represents a strong indication of the formation of desertification hotspots. In this study, through field activities and Monte Carlo simulations, we estimated the volume of soil loss by linear erosion on the slopes of the middle course of the Salitre river in the North of Bahia State. This estimative contributes to the recognition of a desertification process in the studied local. The lengths of the gullies and rills, visible through high-spatial-resolution satellite images, were vectorized. The width and depth of the Linear Erosion Features (LEFs) were measured through field study and recorded via geoprocessing. Statistical treatment was applied to the data to indicate the probability of occurrence of the width and depth classes. Subsequently, the Monte Carlo simulation was used to indicate the volume of soil removed from the slopes by the linear erosion process. Several ramified systems of LEFs are identified and mapped. Monte Carlo simulation fits the measured data well. Estimates indicate that linear erosion event eroded approximately 450,000 m3 of soil in an area of 2,000 hectares, which indicates extreme land degradation.

ABSTRACT Soil physical-hydraulic properties are among the most important indicators for evaluating soil quality. This study aimed to experimentally demonstrate how the construction of terraces can affect physical-hydraulic properties of a soil degraded by water erosion on the banks of the Salitre river, tributary of the São Francisco river. An area in advanced stage of degradation by water erosion was delimited for the construction of a level bench terrace. The experiment was conducted for two years. Soil physical-hydraulic properties were determined before and after terracing. Time-domain reflectometry (TDR) was used to measure soil water storage (mm). This study demonstrated that terracing positively affected soil physical-hydraulic properties in the previously degraded area, allowed the increase in the retention and availability of water in the soil, thus is an ecologically beneficial practice for recovery of degraded soils on the banks of the Salitre river.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos têm estabelecido maior prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos em diabéticos. OBJETIVO: Descrever as características sócio-demográficas e comparar a freqüência daqueles na população diabética e nos indivíduos não-diabéticos. MÉTODO: Estudo de corte transversal, com grupo de comparação. Oitenta e quatro pacientes diabéticos foram comparados a igual número de pacientes não-diabéticos agrupados quanto ao gênero, idade e residência. Aplicou-se questionário-padrão e a avaliação psiquiátrica foi realizada através do Mini Internacional Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTADOS: Transtorno de ansiedade generalizada foi freqüente tanto entre os diabéticos (73,8%) quanto os não-diabeticos (65,5%). Transtornos fóbico-ansiosos representaram 42,8% entre os diabéticos e 31,5% nos não-diabéticos. Transtornos do humor foram de 53,5% no grupo de diabéticos e 29,1% entre os não-diabéticos. Somente as categorias risco de suicídio (p=0,03) e episódio hipomaníaco passado (p=0,006) foram as que tiveram significância estatística para os diabéticos. CONCLUSÃO: Os transtornos de ansiedade e de humor foram os mais encontrados, predominando entre os diabéticos.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have established higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the socio-demographic and clinic characteristics and to compare the frequency of them in the diabetic and non-diabetic populations. METHOD: Transversal study with comparing groups. Eighty four diabetic patients were compared with similar number of non-diabetic gathered with respect to gender, age and place of residency. RESULTS: Generalised Anxiety Disorder was frequent in both groups: 73.8% in diabetics and 65.5% in non-diabetics. The Phobic-Anxious Disorders represented 42.8% in diabetic group and 31.5% in non-diabetic. The rates of Mood Disorders were 53.5% in diabetics and 29.1% in non-diabetics, where only the categories Suicidal Risk (p=0.03) and Past Hypo-Maniac Episode (p=0.006) were of statistical significance for diabetics. CONCLUSION: anxiety and mood disorders were the most frequent, and predominant in diabetic patients.