Pectis brevipedunculata is native species and widely available in dry and semi-arid ecosystems showing high biotechnological potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the circadian and seasonal chemical variation of the essential oil (EO) of P. brevipedunculata, as well as its acaricide effect on Rhipicephalus microplus larvae. Aerial parts were collected and submitted to the hydrodistillation process, and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the assays with R. microplus, the larval immersion test was performed. The main constituents were citral (75% of the EO), followed by α-pinene and limonene. In the seasonality analysis, the highest yields were in the months of April (2.08%) and August (2.05%), while in the study of circadian rhythm, the percentage was 2.0% at 6 p.m. in the rainy season, and 1.2%, dry season at 6 p.m. Concerning acaricidal activity (50% lethal concentration (LC50)), the April (1.17 mg mL-1), March (1.28 mg mL-1), June (1.37 mg mL-1), and October (1.27 mg mL-1) oils obtained were the most active and assays performed with circadian rhythm revealed in the rain season (April) at 6 p.m. and dry season (September) at 12 a.m. LC50 values of 1.75 and 1.75 mg mL-1, respectively. Additionally, this EO is selective to non-target organisms, i.e., ladybeetles and lacewing.

Resumo: Introdução: O desastre de massa do rompimento da Barragem B1 da Mina de Córrego do Feijão, em Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brasil, em 25 de janeiro de 2019, resultou em destruição ambiental, sofrimentos e mortes. Objetivo: discutir a atuação dos profissionais do Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, frente à realização das perícias técnico-científicas nas vítimas fatais e no atendimento aos seus familiares, provocado pela tragédia. Método: Foi realizado estudo quali-quantitativo, do tipo descritivo-explicativo, cujos instrumentos foram questionários, estruturado e semiestruturado, aplicados aos trabalhadores da instituição, que abordaram aspectos sociodemográficos, dificuldades pessoais e estruturais para a realização do trabalho e a percepção dos mesmos neste trabalho específico. Resultados: Os resultados da pesquisa sugerem que a composição e atuação da equipe multidisciplinar qualificada foram essenciais para o êxito do trabalho, observando-se as dificuldades em relação ao espaço e estrutura física, pessoal e de equipamentos. O trabalho da equipe multidisciplinar trouxe a partir das vivências: aprendizado, superação, riscos e sofrimento. Concluiu-se que a atuação dos profissionais envolvidos permitiu a perícia médico legal das vítimas fatais, o acolhimento dos seus familiares e a identificação e liberação dos corpos para os devidos trâmites e sepultamento. No contexto histórico do Instituto Médico Legal de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, este desastre em massa, é um marco referencial que explicita a atuação técnica multidisciplinar dos profissionais envolvidos em um dos maiores acidentes de trabalho ampliado, com vítimas fatais, ocorrido no Brasil.

Abstract: Introduction: The mass disaster of the B1 dam failure of the Córrego do Feijão Mine, in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on January 25, 2019, resulted in environmental destruction, suffering and deaths. Objective: discuss the performance of professionals from the Legal Medical Institute of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, in the face of technical-scientific expertise in fatal victims and in the care of their families, caused by the event. Method: A qualitative-quantitative, descriptive-explanatory study was carried out, whose instruments were questionnaires, structured and semi-structured, applied to the institution's workers, which addressed sociodemographic aspects, personal and structural difficulties in carrying out the work and their perception in this specific work. Results: The research results suggest that the composition and performance of the qualified multidisciplinary team were essential for the success of the work, observing difficulties in relation to physical space, personnel and equipment. The work of the multidisciplinary team brought from the experiences: learning, overcoming, risks and suffering. It was concluded that the work of the professionals involved allowed the legal medical expertise of the fatal victims, the reception of their relatives and the identification and release of the bodies for the proper procedures and burial. In the historical context of the Legal Medical Institute of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, this case of mass disaster solution is a landmark that explains the multidisciplinary expert and technical performance of the professionals involved in one of the biggest accidents at work, with fatal victims, which took place in Brazil.

This paper evaluates the effect of adding glycerol to the electrodeposition bath on the deposition efficiency and characteristics of Ni-Mo coating in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 0.82 mol.L-1. Evaluation of the corrosion resistance was performed by means of weight loss tests in four different periods of immersion. Electrochemical techniques, such as obtaining polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, corrosion current density, corrosion potential, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were applied. Corrosion measurements were obtained in 0.5 mol.L-1 NaCl acid solution and 0.5 mol.L-1 NaOH alkaline solution. The morphology and microstructures of electrodeposited were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Spectrometry X-Ray Diffraction. The effect of glycerol on Ni-Mo hardness was evaluated by Vickers microhardness measurements. The presence of glycerol in the electrodeposition bath increased the grain size and decreased the hardness of the coating. However, it promoted the formation of a more compact and less porous coating, increasing the corrosion resistance of the coating. Moreover, the addition of 0.82 mol.L-1 glycerol increases current efficiency, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed during electroplating.

RESUMO Neste artigo, pretendemos visibilizar os slams vivenciados “das ruas para as escolas, das escolas para as ruas” como letramentos literários que promovem, entre as juventudes do Sul Global, espaços translíngues potencialmente criativos, críticos e transformativos. Partindo do grito de luta do projeto Slam Interescolar SP, destacamos os antecedentes e a trajetória da iniciativa organizada, desde 2015, pelo coletivo paulistano Slam da Guilhermina. Posteriormente, exploramos entendimentos sobre translinguagem e decolonialidade, lentes pelas quais vemos emergir as sensibilidades de mundo que desafiam práticas monoglóssicas e narrativas hegemônicas em batalhas poéticas travadas desde o chão das escolas. Identificamos tais subversões na análise do poema Gé putáre tenetehára, da então estudante de Ensino Médio Franciele Evangelista Apolinário, durante a etapa final do projeto Slam Interescolar SP 2020 – edição online. Destacamos os aspectos poético-literários, aos quais aproximamos dimensões da abordagem translíngue enativo-performativa, para apontarmos a potência de linguagens, histórias e culturas como experiências estéticas transformadoras dos slams inseridos no contexto escolar paulista. Por fim, consideramos que essas vivências podem potencializar a presença de gretas e semeaduras das quais emergem gritos de resistência entre os jovens slammers desse território.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we intend to make visible the slams experienced “from the streets to the schools, from the schools to the streets” as literary literacies that promote, among the youth of the Global South, potentially creative, critical and transformative translingual spaces. Based on the struggle cry of the Slam Interescolar SP project, we highlight the history and trajectory of the initiative, organized since 2015 by the São Paulo collective Slam da Guilhermina. Subsequently, we explore understandings of translanguaging and decoloniality, lenses through which we see emerging world sensibilities that challenge monoglossic practices and hegemonic narratives in their poetic battles fought from the ground of schools. We identified such subversions in the analysis of the poem Gé putáre tenetehára, by the then high school student Franciele Evangelista Apolinário, during the final stage of the Slam Interescolar SP 2020 project – online edition. We highlight the poetic-literary aspects, to which we approach dimensions of the enactive-performative translingual approach, in order to point out the power of languages, histories and cultures as transforming aesthetic experiences of the slams inserted in the São Paulo school context. Finally, we believe that these experiences can enhance the presence of cracks and sowings from which cries of resistance emerge among the young slammers in this territory.

This article aims at discussing the concept of translinguaging and, in order to do so, it explores the multiplicity of understandings regarding the term and also articulates aspects between the main characteristics of the translingual orientation and the framework of a critical and decolonial linguistic education in the contemporary society. Firstly, the history of the named term is briefly presented. Next, perspectives about translanguaging and its constitutive features are debated. In order to expand possibilities of conceptualization, the process of meaning making is brought to light, and the discussions emphasize its complex and historically situated nature, in addition to its heterodiscursive, plurisemiotic and multisensory constitutive elements.  The notions of assembly and repertoires, among others, are discussed from a spatio-temporal orientation. Finally, taking translanguaging as a resistance practice, in a world which is deeply affected by oppressive discourses and abyssal differences, some principles of a translingual education and possible challenges concerning transformative and decolonial pedagogies are presented.

Este artigo se propõe a discutir o conceito de translinguagem, explorando a multiplicidade de entendimentos frente ao termo e buscando tecer ligações entre as principais características da orientação translíngue e as bases de uma educação linguística crítica e decolonial na sociedade contemporânea. Inicialmente, o histórico do referido termo é brevemente apresentado, na medida em que são também tensionados entendimentos acerca da translinguagem e de seus traços constitutivos. A fim de expandir possibilidades de conceituação, toma-se como foco o processo de construção de sentidos, ressaltando-se sua natureza historicamente situada e complexa, além de suas marcas heterodiscursivas, plurissemióticas e multissensoriais. Nesse contexto, as noções de assemblagem e repertórios, entre outras, são discutidas, a partir de uma orientação espacial e temporalmente marcada. Por fim, tomando-se a translinguagem como uma prática de resistência, em um mundo constituído por discursos opressores e diferenças abissais, são apresentados princípios de uma educação translíngue e possíveis desafios para pedagogias de cunho transformador e decolonial.

Este artigo se propõe a discutir o conceito de translinguagem, explorando a multiplicidade de entendimentos frente ao termo e buscando tecer ligações entre as principais características da orientação translíngue e as bases de uma educação linguística crítica e decolonial na sociedade contemporânea. Inicialmente, o histórico do referido termo é brevemente apresentado, na medida em que são também tensionados entendimentos acerca da translinguagem e de seus traços constitutivos. A fim de expandir possibilidades de conceituação, toma-se como foco o processo de construção de sentidos, ressaltando-se sua natureza historicamente situada e complexa, além de suas marcas heterodiscursivas, plurissemióticas e multissensoriais. Nesse contexto, as noções de assemblagem e repertórios, entre outras, são discutidas, a partir de uma orientação espacial e temporalmente marcada. Por fim, tomando-se a translinguagem como uma prática de resistência, em um mundo constituído por discursos opressores e diferenças abissais, são apresentados princípios de uma educação translíngue e possíveis desafios para pedagogias de cunho transformador e decolonial.

Essential oils (EOs) of the leaves of three Eugenia punicifolia specimens from two different Reservation Parks, namely Parque Nacional das Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba (EpNRP-I and EpNRP-II) and Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas (EpCM), in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, were extracted by hydrodistillation and investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses indicated differences between the samples. Antiproliferative EOs activity was determined for U-251 (glioblastoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI/ADR-RES (multidrug-resistant ovarian adenocarcinoma), OVCAR-3 (ovarian adenocarcinoma), HT-29 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), and HaCaT (non-tumor keratinocyte) cell lines applying the colorimetric method using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to determine the GI50 (50% growth inhibition) concentration. The extraction yields of the analyzed EOs were 0.58, 1.42 and 0.84%. The main constituents identified in two samples were α-pinene (49.75%), 1,8-cineole (13.77%) and (-terpineol (7.32%), and in the third sample, germacrene B (16.25%), (E)-caryophyllene (13.21%) and β-pinene (12.81%). The main GI50 results for sample EpNRP-I were noted for the U-251 (2.13 µg mL−1) and MCF-7 (6.72 µg mL−1) tumor lines. For the non-tumoral line HaCaT, the calculated GI50 was higher than the positive control comprising doxorubicin hydrochloride (13.35 µg mL−1). In addition, a flow cytometry analysis revealed that this same sample arrests the cell cycle of the MCF-7 line in the second interphase stage.

Brazil has the greatest plant diversity on the planet, distributed in different types of biomes. These plants are important sources of biologically active natural products, which are derived from various drugs marketed worldwide. This paper presents an electrochemical study of three unusual dimeric flavonoids, pharmacologically active, isolated and identified for the first time by our research group, in a Brazilian plant (Fridericia platyphylla). The results showed that oxidation processes are favored at higher pH, and mass transport was controlled by diffusion. Brachydins derivatives, Bra-A was oxidized at the lowest potential value (0.48 V vs. Ag/AgCl, KCl(sat)) and Bra-B and Bra-C, presented the highest oxidation potentials (ca. 0.71 and ca. 0.57 V vs. Ag/AgCl, KCl(sat), respectively). This study shows that electrochemistry is one more tool that would help us focus on future bio-pharmacological investigations of these unusual compounds.

RESUMO Utilizando a duoetnografia (NORRIS; SAWYER, 2012), os autores exploram desafios e oportunidades para o ensino crítico de línguas em tempos de crise. Após uma breve introdução à metodologia de pesquisa, a trioetnografia utilizada pelos autores examina dialogicamente três áreas temáticas de particular interesse no Brasil e no Canadá: 1. A potência do afeto e sua relevância para a linguística aplicada e a formação de professores de línguas; 2. O ressurgimento das “guerras de letramentos” na educação, no que diz respeito às suas interconexões ideológicas e epistemológicas com as relações sociais de poder; 3. Implicações emergentes para práticas de ensino de língua e de letramentos, por meio das quais os autores compartilham experiências de sala de aula e estratégias transgressivas informadas por abordagens plurilíngues e afetivas. A complexidade e variedade de aspectos discutidos neste artigo ajudam a promover as possibilidades de pesquisa e ensino críticos nestes tempos difíceis e perigosos.

ABSTRACT Utilizing duoethnography (NORRIS; SAWYER, 2012), the authors explore challenges and opportunities for critical language teaching in times of crisis. Following a brief introduction of research methodology, the authors’ trioethnography dialogically examines three topical areas of particular concern in Brazil and Canada: 1. The potency of affect and its relevance for applied linguistics and language teacher education; 2. The re-emergence of “literacy wars” in education, with attention to their ideological and epistemological interconnections to social power relations; 3. Emerging implications for language and literacy pedagogies in which the authors share classroom experiences and transgressive strategies informed by plurilingual and affective insights. The complexity and variety of settings discussed in this final section help promote the possibilities for critical research and teaching in these difficult and dangerous times.

RESUMO: Este relato descreve a placentite necrotizante causada por Bacillus cereus em uma vaca associada a aborto e mortalidade materna. O diagnóstico etiológico de placentite por B. cereus foi baseado na histopatologia da placenta, citologia e isolamento bacteriano partir do líquido aminiótico em placenta retida e identificação do patógeno pela técnica de MALDI-TOF. Embora abortos por B. cereus sejam esporádicos, a bactéria tem a capacidade de liberar toxinas necrotizantes que podem levar a placentite e aborto.

ABSTRACT: This report described a case of necrotizing placentitis caused by Bacillus cereus in a cow associated with abortion and maternal lethality. The etiological diagnosis of placentitis by B. cereus was based on histopathology of placenta, cytology and bacterial isolation from intrauterine aminiotic fluid in retained placenta and further characterization of the pathogen by the MALDI-TOF. Although, B. cereus abortions are sporadic, the bacterium has the ability to release necrotizing toxins that can lead to placentitis, fetal death and abortion.

RESUMEN Bixa orellana L. es una planta nativa de Brasil, pero también está presente en otros países tropicales como Perú, Colombia, Ecuador, México, Indonesia, India y África Oriental. Es conocida popularmente como Urucum en Brasil. Esta revisión expone el potencial de los compuestos bioactivos derivados de B. orellana para tratar enfermedades debido a sus propiedades antimicrobianas y antioxidantes. Esta planta también está relacionada como un agente antiinflamatorio para el tratamiento de enfermedades pulmonares e incluso como gotas para los ojos para el enrojecimiento. Sus hojas se utilizan para el tratamiento de la mordedura de serpiente, diarrea, gonorrea, hepatitis, gastritis, diuréticos, antipiréticos y para enfermedades de la piel. Ese conocimiento popular ha fomentado la identificación de compuestos bioactivos en esa planta. Los compuestos β-criptoxantina, geranilgeraniol, luteína, procianidina B2, procianidina B3, isómero elagitanino y ácido elágico desoxihexosa inhibieron microorganismos patógenos como bacterias, hongos, protozoos y virus. En ese sentido, B. orellana es una fuente prometedora de compuestos que podrían aplicarse en la terapia antimicrobiana. Este trabajo de revisión puede ayudar a comprender e incentivar nuevas investigaciones para los descubrimientos de antimicrobianos que utilizan diferentes compuestos de B. orellana.

SUMMARY Bixa orellana L. is a native plant from Brazil, but it is also present in other tropical countries such as Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Indonesia, India and East Africa. It is popularly known as Urucum in Brazil. This review shows the potential of bioactive compounds derived from B. orellana to treat infectious diseases due their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This plant is also related as an antiinflammatory agent for treatment of pulmonary diseases, or even as eye drops for redness. Its leaves are used for treatment of snakebite, diarrhea, gonorrhea, hepatitis, gastritis, diuretic, antipyretic, and for skin disease. This popular knowledge has encouraged the identification of bioactive compounds in this plant. Compounds as β-cryptoxanthin, geranylgeraniol, lutein, procyanidin B2, procyanidin B3, ellagi tannin isomer and ellagic acid deoxyhexose have been described. These compounds inhibited pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoan and viruses. In addition, some compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were also described. In this sense, B. orellana is a promising source of compounds that could be applied in antimicrobial therapy. This review work may help in the understanding and incentive of new research for antimicrobial discoveries using different B. orellana compounds.

RESUMO Este artigo explora possibilidades de articulação entre os fundamentos da orientação translíngue e o pensamento decolonial. São inicialmente discutidas as principais características da sociedade contemporânea, sob a ótica de sua condição líquida e pós-disciplinar, bem como suas implicações para as relações humanas e para a educação linguística na contemporaneidade. Entre outras, as noções de translingualismo restritivo e expansivo são mobilizadas para embasar reflexões sobre o caráter político-ideológico das práticas translíngues e argumentar que, em sua vertente transformativa, a translinguagem pode assumir tonalidade pós-humana e pós-colonial e evidenciar-se como um potente recurso para a promoção de práticas (educativas) mais democratizadoras.

ABSTRACT This paper explores possibilities of articulation between translanguaging and decolonial thinking. At first, the main characteristics of the contemporary society are discussed from the perspective of its fluidity and post-disciplinary condition. Possible implications of such features to human relations and to language education nowadays are also debated. Among others, the notions of restrictive and expansive translingualism are brought to light in order to foster reflections on the political-ideological nature of translingual practices and to argue that, in its transformative framework, translinguaging can assume a posthuman and postcolonial nature and become a powerful resource aimed at more democratizing (educational) practices today.

RESUMO As propriedades do óleo-resina da copaíba, Copaifera multijuga são comumente citadas na literatura, mas há poucos estudos sobre extratos da casca do caule. Avaliamos os efeitos antioxidantes de extratos brutos etanólico (EE) e acetato de etila (EA) da casca do caule da copaíba e os comparamos à rutina no modelo de estresse oxidativo induzido por paracetamol (PCM) em camundongos. Todas as comparações de teste diferiram significativamente. A atividade da catalase hepática (CAT) e da glutationa-S-transferase (GST) diminuiu no grupo PCM, e houve um aumento de proteínas carboniladas no fígado, rim e cérebro. No entanto, as proteínas carboniladas diminuíram no fígado no fígado para o grupo PCM + EE, nos rins para os grupos PCM + EA e PCM + rutina, e no cérebro para todos os tratamentos. A GSH hepática diminuiu no grupo PCM e aumentou no grupo PCM + EE. Os extratos mostraram um efeito positivo sobre o ácido ascórbico (ASA), uma vez que foram capazes de restaurar os níveis dos parâmetros que foram alterados pelo PCM. Houve um aumento da atividade de ALT e AST no plasma dentro do grupo PCM. Embora a ALT tenha diminuído nos grupos PCM + rutina, PCM + EE e PCM + EA, EE e EA não afetaram a AST. O efeito antioxidante mais forte foi observado para o EE, provavelmente devido à presença dos compostos fenólicos epicatequina e epiafzelequina, assim como à maior concentração de fenóis totais e um excelente potencial antioxidante observado no teste DPPH·.

ABSTRACT The properties of oil-resin of copaiba, Copaifera multijuga are commonly mentioned in the literature, but there are few studies on extracts from its stem bark. We evaluated the antioxidant effects of ethanolic (EE) and ethyl acetate (EA) crude stem bark extracts from copaiba and compared them to rutin in a paracetamol (PCM)-induced oxidative stress model in mice. All test comparisons differed significantly. Hepatic catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity decreased in the PCM group, and there was an increase of protein carbonyls in the liver, kidney and brain. However, the protein carbonyls decreased in the liver for the PCM + EE group, in the kidneys for the PCM + EA and PCM + Rutin groups, and in the brain for all treatments. Hepatic GSH decreased in the PCM group and increased in the PCM + EE group. The extracts showed a positive effect on ascorbic acid (ASA), since they were able to restore the levels of parameters that had been changed by PCM. There was an increase of ALT and AST activity in the plasma within the PCM group. Even though ALT decreased in the PCM + Rutin, PCM + EE and PCM + EA groups, EE and EA did not have an effect on AST. The strongest antioxidant effect was observed for EE, due to the presence of the phenolic compounds epicatechin and epiafzelechin, as well as the highest concentration of total phenols and an excellent antioxidant potential observed in the DPPH· test.

Resumo Objetivo Discutir a implementação e as contribuições do Monitoramento Externo da Qualidade na cidade do Rio de Janeiro e analisar o desempenho dos principais provedores de citopatologia cervical nessa cidade no período de setembro de 2013 a março de 2017, aqui denominado “laboratório Alfa” “e” “laboratório Beta.” Métodos Estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo, utilizando informações do Sistema de Informação de Controle do Câncer do Colo do Útero (SISCOLO), domódulo de coordenação municipal, e do relatório de Monitoramento da Qualidade Externa. As proporções de falsos positivos, falsos negativos, amostras insatisfatórias e amostras rejeitadas foramestimadas. A concordância entre os observadores foi analisada através do índice Kappa bem como a redução de divergências no período para cada laboratório estudado, comparando os resultados de cada ciclo. Resultados Foram selecionados 19.158 exames, dos quais 19.130 (99,85%) foram monitorados, 16.649 (87, 03%) foram revisados pela Unidade de Monitoramento da Qualidade Externa, 2.481 (12,97%) foram rejeitados e 441 (2,65%) foram considerados insatisfatório. O “laboratório Beta” apresentou excelente concordância em todos os ciclos; o “laboratório Alfa” apresentou boa concordância nos 2 primeiros ciclos (K = 0,76 e 0,79), tornando-se excelente nos 4 ciclos seguintes. O índice Kappa médio foi de 0,85, com mediana de 0,86. O percentual de discordância diagnóstica foi de 6,63% dos exames revisados, dos quais 5,38% necessitaram de mudança de conduta. Conclusão OMonitoramento Externo da Qualidade éum exercício de aprimoramento diagnóstico, e sua implementação foi fundamental para garantir a confiabilidade dos exames citopatológicos no município do Rio de Janeiro.

Abstract Objective To discuss the implementation and contributions of the External Quality Monitoring in the city of Rio de Janeiro and to analyze the performance of the main providers of cervical cytopathology in this city from September 2013 to March 2017, here referred to as “Alpha laboratory” and “Beta laboratory.” Methods Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study using information from the Cervical Cancer Control Information System (SISCOLO, in the Portuguese acronym), municipal coordinationmodule, External QualityMonitoring report. The proportions of false positives, false negatives, unsatisfactory samples and rejected samples were estimated. The agreement among the observers was analyzed through the Kappa index and the reduction of disagreements in the period for each laboratory studied, comparing the results of each cycle. Results A total of 19,158 examinations were selected, of which 19,130 (99.85%) were monitored, 16.649 (87, 03%) were reviewed by the External Quality Monitoring Unit, 2,481 (12,97%) were rejected and 441 (2,65%) were considered unsatisfactory. The “Beta laboratory” presented excellent concordance in all cycles; the “Alpha laboratory” had good concordance in the first two cycles (K = 0.76 and 0.79), becoming excellent in the following four cycles. The average Kappa index was 0.85, with median of 0.86. The percentage of diagnostic disagreement was 6.63% of the reviewed exams, of which 5.38% required a change of conduct Conclusion External Quality Monitoring is an exercise in diagnostic improvement, and its implementation was fundamental to ensure the reliability of the cytopathological exams in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Abstract The evaluation of material fracture mechanic properties has had an increasing need, especially in the oil and gas industries. This scenario requires quality assurance of fracture toughness tests. This article describes the activities carried out when implementing the Quality Management System (QMS) for the fracture toughness tests at the Physical Metallurgy Laboratory (LAMEF) in the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, in order to achieve the management and technical requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Since LAMEF was previously accredited in performing other tests, most of the adequacy was related to the technical requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. After performing the required adjustments and after an external audit, the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) accredited LAMEF to the fracture toughness tests. The accreditation of these tests is unprecedented in Brazil, and we expect this work to encourage other Brazilian and world laboratories to seek the implementation and accreditation of QMS for fracture mechanics tests.