Casa T by Studio Bloco is a three-level residence in the Horizon condominium in Estância Velha, Brazil
carefully designed to harmonize with the natural slope of the land
provides a foundation for the intermediate floor
where social and service spaces are located
Its roof extends into a living terrace with sunset views
including three suites with access to a large terrace that overlooks the landscape
all images by Roberta Gewehr
The main entrance leads to the lower level
which includes a two-car garage and storage spaces
Ascending the stairs brings you to the social floor
and kitchen areas to the outdoors; with sliding French doors fully open
further emphasized by continuous floor and ceiling treatments on both sides of the frames and a high window along the opposite wall
This detail creates a sense of openness by separating the wall from the ceiling
The social floor also includes the service area
while the top floor remains dedicated to the private suites
Each of the three suites opens directly to the terrace atop the social floor, either through large sliding windows for ample natural light or via a discreet door integrated into a wooden wall. For Casa T, the design team at Studio Bloco selected a material palette that combines natural stone
which covers the ceiling in the social area and the terrace-facing walls of the private area
Black accents unify these textures into a cohesive
three-leveled Casa T by Studio Bloco is nestled into the natural slope of the land
forms the base for the home’s structure
social and service spaces occupy the intermediate level
which opens to views of the patio and pool
with three suites that open onto a spacious terrace overlooking the scenery
the intermediate level’s roof serves as a terrace
where expansive views of the landscape unfold
sliding glass doors create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces on the social level
Casa T’s design combines natural stone
name: Casa T architect: Studio Bloco | @studiobloco
photography: Roberta Gewehr | @robertagewehr
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
researchers in Botswana and South Africa identified a new SARS-CoV-2 variant through whole-genome sequencing (WGS)
posteriorly named as Omicron (B.1.1.529) [1]
announced by WHO as a Variant of Concern (on November 26
presents more than 50 mutations in its genome; of which
32 were in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein [2]
increasing COVID-19 cases through the world [3]
the first description was reported a few weeks after the first case in South Africa
from an airplane passenger that arrived in São Paulo State from South Africa
A total of 87 SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes were sequenced through Ilumina MiSeq platform at Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular - Feevale University
one of the institutions linked to the Corona-ômica.BR-MCTI Network
The positive samples were collected between late November and mid-January
from patients belonging to eleven cities from Rio Grande do Sul State (Arroio do Meio (1)
AY.46 (1/26 – 3.9%) and Omicron sub lineages: BA.1 (38/61 – 62%) and BA.1.1 (23/61 – 38%)
the Delta variant represented 100% of frequency in November 2021
the first Omicron variant detections were performed
and the Delta variant still predominated (27/30 – 90%)
and the Delta comprised only 4 samples (4/62 – 6%) while Omicron established with 58 detections (58/62 – 94%)
Omicron variant established in a short period of time
which was also observed in other countries [3]
It spreads faster and can evade natural and vaccine-induced immunity better than its predecessor variants [4]
especially in fully vaccinated individuals
the public health impact should be strongly considerable since the cases increased exponentially
It is likely that others SARS-CoV-2 variants will emerge and the continuous case control as well as epidemiological genomic surveillance must continue
Update information – samples analysis from late July and early September
BA.1.1 and BA.2 are the predominants sublineages
Despite the notorious increase in BA.2 sublineage cases worldwide
and we can observe a greater genomic diversification of BA.1
the sequences were aligned with complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from different lineages through the NextClade online platform and the phylogenetic tree was inferred corroborating previous analysis (Figure 1)
Ômicron variant established in a short period of time
representing 95% of the samples in January
2022 and 100% in the subsequently months (February and March)
performed since the beginning of 2021 at Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular
Update Information - The finding of a new Omicron-L452R mutant in Southern Brazil
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) established in a short period of time in Brazil
which was also observed in other countries
contaminating an expressive number of individuals in a short period of time
Mutational SARS-CoV-2 analysis have been an important information since the beginning of the pandemic
which mediates virus attachment to ACE2 receptor
and also acts as a primary target for neutralizing antibodies elicited by the host immune response.This current research
describe the identification of a new Omicron variant of concern: Omicron-L452R in two patients from Southern
classified as BA.1 Omicron sub lineage and named as hCoV-19/Brazil/LMM69880 (Gisaid accession number EPI_ISL_11514450) and hCoV-19/Brazil/LMM71052 (Gisaid accession number EPI_ISL_11514436)
draw attention to the presence of a Delta signature S:L452R mutation
Both sequences presented Omicron signatures mutations sharing ORF1a:L2084I
Additional uncommon mutations were also found in hCoV-19/Brazil/LMM69880/2022 (ORF1b:P1570S and ORF7a:S83Y) and hCoV-19/Brazil/LMM71052/2022 (ORF1a:F1501S
No evidence of recombination was found for the analyzed sequences through RDP v.4.101 software analysis (Martin et al.
These patients presented different clinical presentations
BMI 34 and a unique Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine (2021/06/18) dose presented mild symptoms with no complications
BMI 37 and two Pfizer vaccine doses (last dose: 2021/10/18) had severe symptoms and was hospitalized requiring mechanical ventilation
Our virus genome surveillance effort found a new variant of concern (VOC)
is related to increased SARS-CoV-2 fusogenicity and infectivity (Motozono et al.
we report a natural Omicron-L452R in two patients
produced a mutated Omicron-L452R with the enhanced ability of viral fusogenicity and capacity of infect lung tissues of humanized mice (Zhang et al.
2022) and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity in patients is strongly related to fusogenicity capability (Motozono et al.
despite the big COVID-19 wave associated with this variant
less hospitalization rates and clinical severity
observed in Omicron infections (Maslo et al.
The clinical signs of the infected Omicron-L52R reported in this study were divergent
one of them presented serious COVID-19 complications
it is important to note that the severity of the disease is multifactorial
to link L452R with specific clinical signs it’s not possible without further studies
we reported a natural infection by Omicron-L452R
an important S protein mutation present in Delta variant
Our study has provided a comprehensive investigation concerning the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of the major wave caused by Omicron in Rio Grande do Sul state
and contributed to important scientific findings enriching the knowledge about SARS-CoV-2
Zhang, Y., Zhang, T., Fang, Y., Liu, J., Ye, Q., Ding, L., 2022. SARS-CoV-2 spike L452R mutation increases Omicron variant fusogenicity and infectivity as well as host glycolysis. Signal Transduct. Target. Ther. 7, 76. SARS-CoV-2 spike L452R mutation increases Omicron variant fusogenicity and infectivity as well as host glycolysis | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Update Information – Predominance of Omicron BA.2 sublineage in the latest SARS-CoV-2 positive samples
we have additionally sequenced a total of 40 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected between late January and early May 2022
The patients were from 9 Rio Grande do Sul state cities: Campo Bom (13)
in a joint initiative between Corona-ômica BR – MCTI Network and the Immuneshare Project
All the data is being made available in national (Corona-Ômica
BR – MCTI) and international (GISAID) public databases with subsequent labor submission to the scientific journal
once all the samples from May 2022 belong to BA.2 sublineage
Recent studies have been presenting that the BA.2 would be more transmissible than BA.1 and more efficient in infecting vaccinated people
recombinant sequences have been reported worldwide
a recombinant between Delta and Omicron (“Deltacron”); the XG and XE
recombinant between the lines BA.1.1 and BA.2
This recombinant was reported for the first time in Brazil (São Paulo) in April of this year
in a couple that did not have a third dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
The temporal analysis of the sublineages carried out by our laboratory in 2022 can be observed in more detail in Figure 3
The expansion of the BA.2 and the recombinant XQ have also been observed from the data inserted in the GISAID international platform by others Rio Grande do Sul State research groups
These events occur concomitantly with a considerable increase in the number of unexplained cases and reinforce the need for caution in relation to this moment of the pandemic
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The following two new mission presidents and companions have been called to serve by the First Presidency
San Diego California East Stake: Idaho Pocatello Mission
Brother Herrod is a stake presidency counselor and former bishop
high priests group leader and missionary in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission
Sister Herrod is a ward organist and ward Primary presidency counselor and former stake Young Women president
ward Young Women president and missionary in the New York New York Mission (Spanish)
to Wayne Douglas Collins and Juliette May Collins
Canoas Brazil North Stake: Brazil Cuiabá Mission
Brother Zoccoli is a stake president and temple ordinance worker and former stake Young Men president
elders quorum president and missionary in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro North Mission
to Paulo Laerte Melo Zoccoli and Elizabet Maria Borges Zoccoli
Sister Zoccoli is a Primary activities leader and Primary teacher and former stake Young Women president
Gospel Principles teacher and temple ordinance worker
to Silvio Geschwandtner and Hildegard Marion Geschwandtner
Cozinha solidária no assentamento Capela (RS) prepara em média 400 quilos de comida por dia - Vitor Shimomura
At Canoas City Hall's Popular Restaurant, in the Estância Velha neighborhood, 300 marmitas (lunch meals distributed in foam or aluminum food containers) produced by the Landless Workers' Movement (MST
in Portuguese) were distributed in less than an hour during lunch on Wednesday (22)
“These marmitas are a lifeline
If it weren't for this now, we'd starve to death," says Álvaro Carlos da Silva
one of the first people in line at the distribution point
Silva is a driver currently unemployed and lives with his son and shelters two other daughters, who live in the Mathias Velho neighborhood
one of the neighborhoods in Canoas most affected by floods. “The girls are upset
everything is destroyed,” he laments
Food produced in the movement's solidarity kitchens is distributed via helicopters and ambulances to those affected by the intense floods that have affected 2.3 million people so far
Since the beginning of the tragedy until last Wednesday (22), the MST has counted 50,000 meals produced in agrarian reform settlements and distributed them to victims through partnerships with public authorities
Rio Grande do Sul’s capital city
also stopped by the People’s Restaurant
and took a marmita prepared by the movement
He has been sleeping in a shelter at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the water tore down the walls of his house, in the Harmonia neighborhood
Barreto says he can't complain about the food. “If I said we were starving, I'd be lying
I have nothing to complain about,” he told Brasil de Fato
Álvaro Carlos da Silva received a marmita produced by the MST: "If it weren't for this now, we'd starve to death" / Vitor Shimomura
Meals produced by volunteers who were also affected by the floods
One of these volunteers is settler João Carlos Vinque. “Yes
but I'm still able to feed my comrades: the people
the brothers and sisters who lost more than we did,” he told BdF
says mobilizations of this kind are natural for MST members
She recalls when the settlement where she lives was still a camp, in 1985
“[In the camp] we had to share the little food we had. I know what it's like to see a mother crying because she has nothing to feed her child
Today, we're sharing the abundance we've got since that time,” said Juraci.
The meals are prepared and packed in the court of the Nova Santa Rita Agricultural Production Cooperative (Coopan
which organizes organic rice production by landless workers and sells it under the brand “Terra Livre” (“Free Land”, in a rough translation)
In the Capela settlement alone
an average of 1,300 marmitas are produced every day
with food from the agrarian reform and without pesticides
The production is coordinated by Sérgio Marques
who also works in the movement's collective health sector. “We start at 3 am,” he says. “Every day
120 kilos of rice and 60 kilos of beans.”
The food prepared by MST is more natural and healthier due to the ingredients carefully selected and the production methods used
the ingredients come from the People's Agrarian Reform, which means that they are grown organically and sustainably in the areas belonging to the movement
they cook organic rice, grown in the MST's own agrarian reform areas. “The meat comes from local slaughterhouses
guaranteeing the quality and origin of the product
we use lard produced locally in the settlements.”
In addition to the solidarity kitchen in the Capela settlement, two other MST solidarity kitchens are in full operation to help those affected by the floods. One of them is located in the Filhos de Sepé settlement in Viamão and the other is in the Armazém do Campo in the city of Pelotas
The MST is not alone in this solidarity endeavor. Other social movements, such as the Movement of Homeless Workers (MTST
the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB
in Portuguese) and Levante Popular da Juventude
are also mobilizing their efforts to produce meals for flood victims
But thank God I have my life to help those who need support more than I do,” says João Carlos Vinque
All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced
provided it is not altered and proper credit is given
All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced
The Brazilian Incopel quarry is turning excess gravel to a profitable product: manufactured sand.
The most consumed construction material in the world is concrete
Sand - one of its components - represents 30% of the volume
and the company decided to invest in the production of manufactured sand
the company faced a production excess of gravel with particle sizes of 7/8 and 3/8
With customers consisting of construction companies and concrete artifact manufacturers
Due to the limitations of natural sand extraction in the region
the price of this raw material has risen from R$40 / m3 to R$100 / m3
“We were evaluating how to use the excess of 7/8 and 3/8”
“But the combination of environmental restrictions on the exploitation of natural sand with the consequent increase in price made us decide on the installation of a manufactured sand production plant,” he summarizes
Relying on HPGR technologyWith the decision
Incopel evaluated several alternative techniques
deciding on the activation of a unit consisting of Metso’s HRC™ 800 High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR)
combined with a Nordberg® TS3.3 banana screen
“It is a vision that is starting to become real thanks to the quality of the final products and customer evaluation,” explains Gewehr
Started in May 2014, the new unit is fed by a mix of 7/8 gravel (70% of volume) and 3/8 gravel (30%). The material transported by 18-ton trucks travels 200 meters to the feeder opening that supplies – via conveyor belt – the HRC
With a nominal capacity of 120 tons / hour
the equipment can have its settings (pressure and speed) quickly changed
Pressure adjustment directly influences the final particle size
while speed influences the amount of material processed by the crusher
Due to its decreasing transport speed (not continuous as in conventional equipment)
the unit submits the crushed product to classification where time and surface are greater resulting in a selection of particles with similar sizes
Metso laboratory provides supportThe Incopel plant produces three final products
The first is ½-inch gravel used to manufacture concrete poles and road paving
¼ gravel is the second classified product used mainly to manufacture concrete pipes for basic sanitation and in the concrete artifact market such as interlocking blocks
“With the advantage of saving cement
according to my own clients,” adds Gewehr
The definition of the three products manufactured in Incopel’s new line not only involved the company’s own knowledge, but also Metso crushing laboratory resources
Metso technicians evaluated the initial mixture feeding the HRC 800 and the three final products
The result was a graph showing the particle size in the classification stage
the line is controlled by a single professional
who has been working for Incopel for 15 years
HRC 800 and screen inspection and system controls
The brain of the process is the control center
It is from there that Erthal triggers the circuit and monitors the indicators from the plant via a touch screen
Today the biggest concern is the inspection of the conveyor belts that transport the crushed material
Better concrete consistencyJorge Felippe Gewehr identified the potential market of manufactured sand
but the proximity of the demand was a surprise
A neighboring concrete producer is the most active customer
purchasing four trucks a day of manufactured sand for the production of concrete pipes and interlocking blocks used in the installation of floors
“He complained about natural sand inconsistency that led to the production of concrete with highly variable strength,” explains the director of Incopel
praises the consistency in particle size and cubicity
Even more surprising was the evaluation of another buyer focused on the acquisition of ¼ gravel
he picked up a handful of gravel and amazed by its quality
summarized: “This material is pure gem”
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