Resumo O monitoramento contínuo da qualidade do ar local é extremamente importante para a gestão ambiental de uma cidade, mas nem sempre viável pelo alto custo dos equipamentos. Por conta disso, investe-se muito na utilização da modelagem numérica no estudo da qualidade do ar, que é altamente dependente de inventários de emissões dos poluentes e seus precursores. Nesse contexto o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo da dispersão do monóxido de carbono (CO) na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, utilizando o sistema de modelagem numérica CCATT-BRAMS, com ênfase nas fontes veiculares. Foram analisados dois períodos - janeiro de 2009 e janeiro de 2016 - utilizando-se as informações dos inventários de gases precursores elaborados pela FEPAM para os anos base de 2009 e 2013, respectivamente, distribuídos espacialmente com o auxílio do pré-processador de emissões PREP-CHEM-SRC utilizado pelo CCATT-BRAMS. No geral, as simulações representaram coerentemente os dados observados pela rede de monitoramento, com RMSE abaixo de 0,3 na maioria das estações avaliadas. Análises de sensibilidade também revelaram que, para o período avaliado, aproximadamente 40% da concentração de CO sobre a cidade de Porto Alegre foi devido ao transporte de larga escala, proveniente das cidades localizadas ao norte, dentro da Região Metropolitana.

Abstract Air pollution directly affects the urban areas inhabitants, with a potential impact on health, especially when associated with respiratory diseases. The mobile sources are the main pollutants responsible for the primary emission and secondary formation of chemical compounds in the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and ozone. The local air quality continuous monitoring is extremely important for the municipal environmental policies but is not feasible due to the high cost of equipment. An alternative is the use of numerical modeling to air quality forecast at the local and regional scales. But the numerical models have a number of uncertainties and are dependent on emission inventories for good accuracy of dispersion and chemistry simulations. However, Brazil lacks local inventories, especially in high spatial resolution, which makes local modeling difficult to use in the control and mitigation of air pollution. In this context, this work aims the study of carbon monoxide dispersion in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre (MRPA), in the Rio Grande do Sul state, using the CCATT-BRAMS system, with emphasis on vehicular sources. Two periods - January 2009 and January 2016 - were analyzed using the FEPAM precursor gas inventory information for the 2009 and 2013 base years respectively, spatially distributed in the PREP-CHEM-SRC emissions preprocessor. In general, the simulations consistently represented the data observed by the monitoring network, with RMSE below 0.3 in most stations evaluated. Sensitivity analyses also revealed that approximately 40% of the concentration of carbon monoxide over the municipality of Porto Alegre (Main city of MRPA) occurs due to large-scale transport.

Abstract Objective: A novel coronavirus emerged this year as a cause of viral pneumonia. The main characteristics of the virus are rapid transmission, high contagion capacity and potential severity. The objective of this case series study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) admitted to different intensive care units in Argentina for mechanical ventilation. Methods: A descriptive, prospective, multicenter case series study was conducted between April 1 and May 8, 2020. Data from patients older than 18 years who were admitted to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 were included. Results: The variables for 47 patients from 31 intensive care units were recorded: 78.7% were men (median age of 61 years), with a SAPS II score of 43 and a Charlson index score of 3. The initial ventilatory mode was volume control - continuous mandatory ventilation with a tidal volume less than 8mL/kg in 100% of cases, with a median positive end-expiratory pressure of 10.5cmH2O. At the end of the study, 29 patients died, 8 were discharged, and 10 remained hospitalized. The SAPS II score was higher among patients who died (p = 0.046). Charlson comorbidity index was associated with higher mortality (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.13 - 4.55, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 and on mechanical ventilation in this series presented clinical variables similar to those described to date in other international reports. Our findings provide data that may predict outcomes.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El coronavirus ha emergido este año como causa de neumonía viral. Una de las principales características es su rápida transmisión y su potencial severidad. El objetivo de este estudio de serie de casos es describir las características clínicas de los pacientes con confirmación de enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) admitidos en diferentes unidades de cuidados intensivos de la Argentina con requerimiento de ventilación mecánica. Métodos: Estudio de serie de casos, descriptivo-prospectivo, multicéntrico realizado entre el 01 de abril y el 08 de mayo de 2020. Se incluyeron los datos de los pacientes mayores a 18 años, que ingresaron a la unidad de cuidados intensivos con requerimiento de ventilación mecánica por falla respiratoria aguda con diagnóstico positivo de COVID-19 Resultados: Se registraron las variables de 47 pacientes de 31 unidades cuidados intensivos, 78.7% hombres de una mediana de edad de 61 años, con un SAPS II de 43, un índice de Charlson de 3. El modo ventilatorio inicial fue volume control - continuous mandatory ventilation con volumen corriente menor a 8mL/kg en el 100% de los casos, con una mediana de presión positiva al final de la espiración de 10,5cmH2O. A la fecha de cierre del estudio, 29 pacientes fallecieron, 8 alcanzaron el alta, y 10 pacientes continúan internados al cierre del estudio. El SAPS II fue mayor entre los fallecidos (p = 0.046). El índice de Charlson se asoció con mayor mortalidad (OR = 2,27 IC95% 1,13 - 4,55; p = 0,02). Conclusión: Los pacientes con COVID-19 y ventilación mecánica de esta serie presentan variables clínicas similares a las descriptas a la fecha en otros reportes internacionales. Nuestros hallazgos proporcionan datos que permitirían de alguna manera predecir los resultados.

ABSTRACT In recent years, the majority of economic sectors in Brazil have gone through processes of development and transformation. These processes have led to increases in environmental pollution of all kinds; air pollution being one of the most adverse. The Brazilian transportation sector, which heavily affects the air quality, experienced a significant increase in its vehicle fleet thus provoking larger emissions of pollutant gases, mainly in regions with high population density such as the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre (MRPA). Within this research, considering mainly the ozone precursor species and Carbon Monoxide and using the year 2001 as a base year, scenarios are obtained for vehicular emissions of pollutant gases in the MRPA until the year 2030. In addition, scenarios related to the evolution of the study region’s vehicle fleet were estimated. The statistical tool LEAP (Long Range Energy Alternatives Planning System) was used. The scenario analysis shows that the vehicle fleet will grow exponentially until 2030, considering that the Light Flex vehicles category will mainly contribute to this increase. It is also noted that vehicle emissions of CO, NOx, and THC decrease in the region. The decrease is caused mainly by the renewal of technology in new vehicles and the implementation of emission control programs created by the government.

Knowledge of lake fish communities of Argentine Patagonia has grown in the past 20 years thanks to the use of gill nets. However, National Park officials and Fisher organizations dislike their use and would prefer the use of recreational fisher catch data. The present paper addresses advantages and disadvantages of using gill nets as compared to fishers. This was accomplished by analysis of gill net and fisher catch data from Lake Guillelmo, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi for the period 1997-1999. Both sets of data revealed the presence of only two salmonids, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). However, relative abundances of each species differed between fishing techniques, rainbow trout being dominant according to fisher catches and brook trout according to gill net catches. In addition, differences in size, age and spatial distribution brought about by the highly selective nature of fisher catches were clearly observed. This shows that fisher catch data can only be used to assess existing recreational Patagonian lake fisheries in terms of current or historical trends in catch composition, structure and fishing pressure. Studies of community composition, structure and processes leading to conservation or recreational fishery management should rely on gill net sampling designs tailored to different ecological and management questions, which can be complemented by fisher catch data.

El conocimiento de las comunidades de peces de lagos Andino Patagónicos se incrementó de manera notable en los últimos 20 años mediante el empleo de redes agalleras. No obstante, la Administración de Parques Nacionales y las organizaciones de pescadores recreacionales se oponen a su uso. El presente trabajo compara ventajas y desventajas del uso de redes agalleras con respecto a datos de captura de pescadores recreacionales a partir de datos de captura de ambas fuentes obtenidos entre 1997 y 1999 en el lago Guillelmo, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. Ambos conjuntos de datos mostraron la presencia de dos salmónidos: trucha de arroyo (Salvelinus fontinalis) y trucha arco iris (Oncorhynchus mykiss), y sus abundancias relativas variaron entre metodologías. La trucha arco iris fue dominante en las capturas de los pescadores y la trucha de arroyo predominó en las capturas con redes agalleras. También se observaron diferencias entre tamaños, edades y distribución espacial, originadas por la naturaleza selectiva de las capturas de los pescadores recreacionales, que solo deberían utilizarse para caracterizar pesquerías recreacionales en términos de la situación actual y las tendencias históricas de las capturas y de la presión de pesca. Deberían realizarse estudios que incluyan muestreos especialmente diseñados, con redes agalleras y datos de pescadores, orientados a conocer la composición, estructura y los procesos de las comunidades de peces de lagos patagónicos profundos con miras a la conservación del recurso y/o al manejo de las pesquerías recreacionales.

The Patagonic ictiogeographic region is characterized by a low species diversity. Despite that the Negro river is the most important water body in the region, both in terms of the size of its drainage basin and of its socioeconomic importance, its fish fauna has scarcely been studied. The present paper addresses biogeographic and ecological characteristics related to its fish. Gill net gangs, electro fishing and beach seine nets were used to sample seasonally five stations along the river. Fish fauna composition and distribution were analyzed throughout different ecological indexes. Diet composition was also analyzed to establish trophic roles, competition and piscivory. We caught seven native and six exotic species; two of them (Corydoras paleatus and Cyprinus carpio) represent a widening of their austral distribution. The natives Odontesthes hatcheri, Percychthis colhuapiensis, P. trucha and Jenynsia multidentata were more important in terms of numbers in catches. Ecological indexes show that the lower part of the Negro river differs from the rest of the river with higher numbers of O. hatchery and J. multidentata. Eight trophic groups were found as well as evidence of diet overlapping and considerable piscivory. Presence and distribution of fish in the Negro river is strongly influenced by introduction by men, either accidentally or intentionally. Impacts by introduced species need to be addressed, specially in terms of emerging processes between native and exotic fish, taking into special consideration the negative impacts that the rainbow trout and the carp have already had in different parts of the world.

La provincia ictiogeográfica Patagónica se caracteriza por una llamativa pobreza de especies. El río Negro es el curso de agua más importante de esta región y a pesar de sus dimensiones e importancia socioeconómica su fauna íctica ha sido poco estudiada. Este trabajo describe algunos aspectos biogeográficos y características ecológicas de su ictiofauna. Se muestrearon estacionalmente cinco sitios a lo largo del río, por medio de redes de enmalle, pesca eléctrica, redes de arrastre costero y atarraya. Se analizó la composición y distribución de peces y se estudió la dieta para determinar los roles tróficos y los niveles de competencia y de piscivoría. Se capturaron ejemplares de 13 especies: siete de origen nativo y seis exóticas, de las cuales se destaca la novedosa presencia de la coridora (Corydoras paleatus) y la carpa común (Cyprinus carpio), ampliando su distribución austral. Las especies más importantes fueron las nativas pejerrey patagónico (Odontesthes hatcheri), perca bocona (Percychthis colhuapiensis), perca de boca chica (P. trucha) y madrecita (Jenynsia multidentata). Los índices ecológicos indican que el curso inferior es diferente al resto del río presentando una dominancia de pejerrey patagónico y madrecita. En este sector se observó una mayor importancia de especies exóticas. Se encontraron ocho grupos tróficos, existencia de solapamientos en las dietas entre componentes nativos y exóticos, y evidencia de piscivoría importante entre las especies. La presencia y distribución de los peces en el río Negro está fuertemente influenciada por fenómenos de antropocoria accidental o intencional. Es necesario desarrollar estudios que analicen el impacto generado por las introducciones y la evolución de las relaciones entre los componentes nativos y exóticos, teniendo en cuenta que la trucha arco iris y la carpa común han influido negativamente en otros lugares del mundo.

Um estudo comparativo dos esquemas de parametrização de cumulus de Kuo e Grell (CPSs), foi conduzido usando o Brazilian Regional Modeling System (BRAMS), para avaliar sua influência na simulação de tempestades severas. Neste contexto, analisou-se a ocorrência de uma frente fria, em 11 de dezembro de 2003, na região sul do Brasil. Os experimentos são idênticos, exceto pela diferença dos CPSs: o experimento SCKUO possui, como característica exclusiva, o uso do esquema de Kuo e o experimento SCGRELL, o uso do esquema de Grell. A validação das previsões da precipitação focou-se na comparação de dois aspectos: intensidade e cobertura de área. Também analisamos a simulação de parâmetros convectivos úteis no auxílio à identificação de ambientes atmosféricos favoráveis a convecção severa. Embora a simulação SCKUO represente melhor a cobertura de área da precipitação, subestimou a sua intensidade. Portanto, a melhor opção para esse caso é a parametrização de Grell, que melhor representou a intensidade da chuva. Ambos os experimentos simularam os parâmetros convectivos com boa aproximação, com ênfase no esquema de Grell, mostrando que o modelo de mesoescala é uma ferramenta útil na identificação de ambientes atmosféricos favoráveis para o desenvolvimento de tempestades convectivas severas, com grande contribuição dos CPSs.

A comparison study of the Kuo and Grell cumulus parameterizations schemes (CPSs), was conducted using the Brazilian Regional Modeling System (BRAMS), for to evaluate this role in severe storms simulation. In this context, we analyzed a cold front case on Brazil south region, occurred on December 11, 2003. The experiments are identical, except from the CPSs difference: the SCKUO experiment uses the Kuo scheme and the SCGRELL experiment uses the Grell scheme. The evaluation of the simulated precipitation focuses on comparison of two aspects: Intensity and areal coverage. Also we analyzed the convective parameters simulation conceived to identify atmospheric environments favorable for the severe convection. The accumulated precipitation simulated from SCKUO underestimated the observed data, but better represented the areal coverage. The accumulated precipitation simulated from SCGRELL better represented the rain intensity, but overestimated the observed data. Therefore, the better option, for this convection case, is the Grell Parameterization. Both experiments simulated the convective parameters with good approximation, with emphasis in Grell scheme. This result showed that the mesoscale model is a useful tool in the identification of atmospheric environments favorable for the development of severe convective storms, with great CPSs contribution.