Abstract Nanostructured crystalline composite (activated carbon) was synthesized from residual ashes of the burning process of the sludge generated in the flotation step of a poultry slaughterhouse and was used for Allura red dye adsorption. The ashes were chemically activated using two types of reagents, H2O2 and H3PO4, and the structure, morphology, and surface of the adsorbents were characterized by different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and Barret-Joyner-Hallenda (BJH) method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (MID/FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the point of zero charge (PZC). The adsorbent synthesized with H3PO4 at 400 ºC displayed the best performance in removing dye molecules in 10 mg.L-1 solution, with a removal rate of approximately 100% when using a concentration of 2 g.L-1 in particle size of 0.42 mm. Besides that, the adsorbent synthesized with H3PO4 had a particle diameter of approximately 15 Å, a size corresponding to the nanometer range, presented a crystallinity structure with well-defined phases such as quartz and the major elements in the composition were carbon and silicon. The surface area of the ashes enlarged from 14.71 to 448.1 m2.g-1 when H3PO4 was used as an activator, producing a high-quality adsorbent, with an excellent cost-benefit, being it possible to be produced for a price of 9.35 USD.kg-1, a price lower than the commercial activated carbon, making it a promising candidate for application in an industrial environment.

Resumen Introducción. Los estudios de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) relacionados con la Covid-19 permiten establecer los conceptos erróneos y las prácticas inadecuadas en torno a esta enfermedad, información fundamental para diseñar estrategias eficaces y mejorar el cumplimiento de las medidas de prevención. Objetivo. Establecer los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas relacionadas con la Covid-19 en pacientes venezolanos cribados en la carpa de triaje del Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal en 215 pacientes entre el 25 de abril y el 25 de mayo de 2020, mediante entrevistas personales y utilizando una encuesta sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas. Resultados. La mayoría (53,5 %) de los pacientes encuestados se encontraba asintomática; los encuestados tenían un conocimiento adecuado sobre los síntomas y la transmisión de la enfermedad, sin distinción entre sintomáticos y asintomáticos. La mayoría de ellos indicó estar respetando las prácticas de cuarentena, lavado de manos frecuente y uso de tapabocas en público; sin embargo, el reemplazo diario de los tapabocas de tela fue más frecuente en el grupo de los asintomáticos, en tanto que el reemplazo cada tres días fue más común entre los sintomáticos. Por último, más de la mitad de los participantes admitió haber estado en lugares concurridos, siendo esta práctica más frecuente entre los sintomáticos que entre los asintomáticos. Conclusiones. Este es el primer estudio de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la Covid-19 en Venezuela. El conocimiento y las prácticas de los venezolanos podrían mejorar mediante el fortalecimiento de los programas de educación y capacitación. Esta información, obtenida durante la fase inicial de la pandemia en Venezuela, podría contribuir al diseño de estrategias de promoción y prevención de la Covid-19.

Abstract Introduction: The studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 help to identify erroneous concepts and inadequate practices related to the disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures. Objective: To identify the COVID-19-related KAP in Venezuelan patients screened at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas triage tent. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 215 patients between April 25th and May 25th, 2020, with in-person interviews using a KAP survey. Results: Most surveyed patients (53.5%) were asymptomatic. Most of them, both from the symptomatic and the asymptomatic groups, had adequate knowledge about the symptoms and transmission of the disease and the majority said they were practicing quarantine, frequent handwashing, and the use of face masks in public areas. However, the daily replacement of cloth face masks was more frequent in the asymptomatic group whereas replacement every three days was more frequent in the symptomatic group. Finally, more than half of the participants admitted having been in crowded places, a common practice among the symptomatic compared to the asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: This is the first KAP study in Venezuela about COVID-19. Knowledge and practices among Venezuelans could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. This information from the early phase of the pandemic in Venezuela may contribute to the design of COVID-19 promotion and prevention strategies.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar e analisar a associação entre o uso de tecnologias de assistência e fragilidade em idosos mais velhos. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo de corte transversal realizado em Ribeirão Preto, Brasil com 144 idosos de 80 anos ou mais, de ambos os sexos que vivem na comunidade. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado o Instrumento de Perfil Demográfico, Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton e o Instrumento de Tecnologia de Assistência. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se estatística descritiva e para a associação a Prova Exata de Fisher com significância p < 0.05. Resultados: Observou-se predomínio do sexo feminino, viúvos e os que vivem sós. Dos entrevistados, o 77.4% usavam algum tipo de tecnologia de assistência, destacando-se o uso de lentes com graduação, barras de apoio e bengala. Na avaliação da fragilidade, o 23.5% foram categorizados com fragilidade leve, o 13.1% moderada e o 7.8% grave. À associação verificou-se significância estatística entre os diferentes níveis de fragilidade com o uso de tecnologia de assistência, tal como o uso de cadeira de rodas, bengala, andador e barras de apoio. Conclusão: o uso de tecnologia de assistência auxilia ao idoso frágil para maior independência funcional e autonomia no desenvolvimento de suas atividades cotidianas.

Abstract Objective: To identify and analyze the association between the use of assisting technologies and the frailty in aged 80 years and older. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive and transversal study conducted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, with a sample of 144 aged 80 years and older of both sexes and living in the community. Data were gathered through the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and the Assisting Technology Instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test at a significant level of p < 0.05. Results: A prevalence of females, widowed, and living alone was observed. From those interviewed, 77.4% used some assisting technology, mainly lenses and supporting banisters. Concerning frailty assessment, 23.6% were considered as mild, 13.1% as moderate, and 7.8% as severe. A statistically significant association with the use of assisting technologies such as wheel chairs, banisters, and walkers was verified at all frailty levels. Conclusion: The use of assisting technologies can help elder adults achieve a more functional independence and autonomy in their daily life activities.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar y analizar la asociación entre el uso de tecnologías de asistencia y la fragilidad en los adultos mayores más viejos. Método: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y de corte transversal realizado en Ribeirão Preto, Brasil, con 144 adultos mayores de 80 años y más, de ambos sexos que viven en la comunidad. Para la recolecta de datos fue utilizado el Instrumento del perfil demográfico, la Escala de Fragilidad de Edmonton y el Instrumento de Tecnología de Asistencia. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva y para la asociación, la prueba exacta de Fisher con significación p < 0.05. Resultados: Se observó predominio del sexo femenino, de viudos y de los que viven solos. De los entrevistados, el 77.4% usaban algún tipo de tecnología de asistencia, destacándose el uso de lentes de medida, barras de apoyo y bastón. En la evaluación de la fragilidad, el 23.6% fueron categorizados con fragilidad leve, el 13.1% moderada y el 7.8% grave. A la asociación se verificó significación estadística entre los diferentes niveles de fragilidad con el uso de tecnología de asistencia como el uso de silla de ruedas, bastón, andador y barras de apoyo. Conclusión: El uso de tecnología de asistencia auxilia al adulto mayor frágil para mayor independencia funcional y autonomía en el desarrollo de sus actividades cotidianas.

Este estudo avalia a relação entre fecundidade e fertilidade de machos e fêmeas do peixe-cachimbo, Syngnathus scovelli, o qual ocorre em algas destacadas na zona de arrebentação de uma praia arenosa com ondas do tipo dissipativa em Vitória, ES. Foram coletados 97 exemplares, sendo todos associados com algas destacadas. Destes, 14 eram machos, 36 fêmeas e 47 imaturos. A razão sexual macho/fêmea foi de 0,4:1, a qual foi significativamente diferente da esperada razão sexual de 1:1. O peixe-cachimbo variou de 43 a 98 mm de comprimento total, e machos e fêmeas tiveram tamanhos similares. Somente 7 machos tinham ovos na bolsa incubadora, enquanto 9 fêmeas apresentaram ovócitos hidratados. O número mínimo de ovos/embriões na bolsa incubadora foi 30 e o máximo 92. O número mínimo de ovócitos hidratados foi 36 e o máximo 165. O número de ovos/embriões e ovócitos hidratados foram fracamente relacionados ao comprimento total. Parece que os exemplares de S. scovelli que habitam a parte interna da zona de arrebentação da Praia do Iate são trazidos para as partes rasas involuntariamente quando os espécimens estão ocupando algas destacadas.

This study attempts to assess the relationship between fecundity and fertility of males and females of the gulf pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli. Specimens of this pipefish were collected in detached algae in the inner surf-zone of a dissipative sandy beach in southeastern Brazil. 97 specimens were collected, and they were associates to detached algae. From these, 14 were males, 36 females and 47 immature. Male-female sex ratio was 0.4:1, which was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. Fish ranged from 43 to 98 mm TL (Fig. 1), and males and females showed similar size. Only 7 males were pregnants, while 9 females had hydrated oocytes. Minimum number of eggs/embryos in the pouch was 30 and the maximum 92. Minimum number of hydrated oocytes was 36, and the maximum was 165. The number of egg/embryos, and hydrated oocytes were weakly related to total length. It seems that the gulf pipefish occupy the inner surf-zone of the Praia do Iate are brought to the shallows accidentally when the specimens were inhabiting drifting vegetation.