Abstract The objective of this study was to present information on the impacts resulting from Covid-19 on the artisanal coalho cheese production chain about: access to information; socioeconomic; income and government support; healthcare. The interviews were conducted using the Google Forms tool, with milk and artisanal coalho cheese producers in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The producers obtained a lot of information transmitted on television (66%); the majority to adhere to health protocols. There was instability in the production, with an initial need to reduce production resulting from prohibitive measures to trade. The level of demand with regard to the consumer market increased with the quality of milk and cheeses. An allegation of lack of support from the government to maintain the activity was also verified in 78.7% of the interviewees, but 83% had resorted to emergency aid. Therefore, it can be concluded that the challenges imposed by the pandemic are not just sanitary. The study confirmed the need to restructure public services and policies. These results can provide compelling evidence about the rural context in the country.

Abstract Cryptosporidiosis is a waterborne protozoal infection that may cause life-threatening diarrhea in undernourished children living in unsanitary environments. The aim of this study is to identify new biomarkers that may be related to gut-brain axis dysfunction in children suffering from the malnutrition/infection vicious cycle is necessary for better intervention strategies. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a well-known neutrophil-related tissue factor released during enteropathy that could drive gut-derived brain inflammation. We utilized a model of environmental enteropathy in C57BL/6 weanling mice challenged by Cryptosporidium and undernutrition. Mice were fed a 2%-Protein Diet (dPD) for eight days and orally infected with 107-C. parvum oocysts. C. parvum oocyst shedding was assessed from fecal and ileal-extracted genomic DNA by qRT-PCR. Ileal histopathology scores were assessed for intestinal inflammation. Prefrontal cortex samples were snap-frozen for MPO ELISA assay and NF-kb immunostaining. Blood samples were drawn by cardiac puncture after anesthesia and sera were obtained for serum amyloid A (SAA) and MPO analysis. Brain samples were also obtained for Iba-1 prefrontal cortex immunostaining. C. parvum-infected mice showed sustained stool oocyst shedding for six days post-infection and increased fecal MPO and inflammation scores. dPD and cryptosporidiosis led to impaired growth and weight gain. C. parvum-infected dPD mice showed increased serum MPO and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, markers of systemic inflammation. dPD-infected mice showed greater MPO, NF-kB expression, and Iba-1 immunolabeling in the prefrontal cortex, an important brain region involved in executive function. Our findings suggest MPO as a potential biomarker for intestinal-brain axis dysfunction due to environmental enteropathy.

RESUMO Os efeitos antrópicos sobre o ambiente natural e umidade do solo no semiárido tropical ainda não foram estabelecidos. Portanto investigou-se a variabilidade temporal da umidade do solo em duas toposequências com coberturas vegetais distintas: i) Caatinga em regeneração (CReg) desde o ano 1978; ii) Caatinga raleada (CRal) em 40%. A pesquisa ocorreu em duas microbacias localizadas no nordeste brasileiro, com áreas de 2,06 e 1,15 ha para CReg e CRal, respectivamente. A umidade do solo foi determinada pelo método gravimétrico. Foram coletadas, diariamente, três amostras aleatórias de solo na parte alta, média e baixa, totalizando nove coletas diárias e 1620 amostras por microbacia durante todo o período. A CRal apresentou maiores valores e maior tempo úmidade do solo. O trecho baixo apresentou umidades do solo estatisticamente distinta (p < 0,05) dos outros trechos. O valor crescente de correlação entre a umidade e a precipitação antecedente nos últimos 7 dias indica uma baixa taxa de decaimento de umidade do solo.

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic effects on the natural environment and on soil moisture in the tropical semi-arid region have not yet been determined. As such, the temporal variability of soil moisture was investigated in two toposquences under different types of plant cover: i) Caatinga under regeneration since 1978 (CReg); ii) Caatinga thinned by 40% (CThn). The research was carried out in two catchment located in the northeast of Brazil, with an area of 2.06 and 1.15 ha for CReg and CThn respectively. Soil moisture was determined using the gravimetric method. Three random soil samples were collected daily from the upper, middle and lower section of each catchment, giving a total of nine daily collections and 1620 collection in the period. CThn displayed higher values and a longer period for soil moisture. The lower section of the catchment showed values for soil moisture that were higher and statistically different (p < 0.05) from the other sections. The increasing value for the correlation between moisture and the seven days of antecedent rainfall indicates a low rate of decrease for soil moisture.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and describe the factors associated with off-label drug use in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) of a Brazilian hospital. An analytical, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in the adult ICU population from March 2018 to May 2018. Off-label use of medication was classified by indication, dosage, route of administration, type and volume of diluent, and duration of administration. Most patients were female (57.89%), non-elderly (56.14%), and had a mean age of 54.44 ± 17.15 years. The prevalence of off-label drug use was 70.31%, but was not associated with the clinical severity of the patients. A statistically significant association was observed between label use of drugs and prescribing potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM). The most common reasons for off-label drug use were therapeutic indication (19.58%) and volume of diluent (23.30%). Drug administration by enteral tubes accounted for the largest number of off-label uses due to route of administration (90.85%). There was a higher prevalence of off-label use of systemic antimicrobials (14.44%) and norepinephrine (9.28%). Our study provided a broad characterization of off-label drug use in an adult ICU and showed why it is important for health professionals to evaluate the specific risks and benefits of this practice.

Abstract Eutrophication of lakes has affected society in many regions, particularly in water scarce environments where: i) low runoff reduces the self-purification potential of water bodies; ii) water supply relies on surface reservoirs, which are susceptible to nutrient enrichment. This work presents an assessment of the impact of the silted sediment management on the trophic status of a tropical surface reservoir with intense temporal variability of water storage. A complete mixing model describing the total phosphorus budget in the water and sediments was used, based on semi-empirical formulations. The sediment reuse as soil fertilizer has been proposed to increase productivity in small scale agriculture, which should also enhance the water quality by removing the nutrient-enriched sediment from lakes. Model application for a 40-years period indicate that sediment management may improve water quality, changing from poor to acceptable trophic state during roughly 10% of the time when the reservoir is not empty.

RESUMO Em grande parte do semiárido é comum à presença de águas subterrâneas que apresentam concentrações de sais, tais que, muitas vezes, as tornam inapropriadas à produção agrícola de hortaliças de maneira convencional. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o comportamento das culturas do agrião e da couve chinesa em hidroponia NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), submetidas à utilização de águas salobras subterrâneas. O experimento foi realizado no município Poço do Boi em Ibimirim-PE (8º32'15" de latitude Sul, 37º41'30" de longitude Oeste, e a uma altitude 431 m. Os tratamentos foram designados como: T1 - água de abastecimento; T2 - água sulfatada cálcica; T3 - água cloretada magnesiana S1; T4 - água cloretada cálcica; T5 - água cloretada sódica e T6 - água cloretada magnesiana S2. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizados, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições, totalizando 24 parcelas experimentais para cada cultura. Avaliou-se as produções de massa de matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea, taxas de crescimento relativo e absoluto. O uso das diferentes águas influenciou de maneira negativa no crescimento e rendimento da cultura do agrião e da couve chinesa, sendo a água cloretada cálcica a mais indicada para a produção do agrião. Já para a couve chinesa nenhuma das águas utilizadas é aconselhada para produção. As menores taxas de crescimento (5,88 % para o agrião e 0,75 % pra o couve) da massa de matéria fresca foram obtidas com o uso da água cloretada magnesiana S2.

ABSTRACT Groundwater with high salt concentrations is common in the semiarid region of Brazil. It often makes them inappropriate to conventional agricultural production of vegetables. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate watercress and Chinese cabbage crops under a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system using brackish groundwater. The experiment was carried out in the Poço do Boi region, in Ibimirim, Pernambuco, Brazil (8º32'15"S, 37º41'30"W, and altitude of 431 m). The treatments used were: public water (T1), calcium sulfate water (T2), magnesium chloride water S1 (T3), calcium chloride water (T4), sodium chloride water (T5), and magnesium chloride water S2 (T6). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with six treatments and four replications, totaling 24 plots for each crop. The fresh and dry shoot weights and rates of relative and absolute growths were analyzed. The different waters used affected negatively the growth and yield of the watercress and Chinese cabbage plants. The calcium chloride water was the most suitable for the watercress production. However, none of the groundwaters used could be recommended for production of Chinese cabbage. The lowest growth rates (5.88% to watercress and 0.75% to Chinese cabbage) of the fresh matter were found with the use of magnesium water.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o índice de vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional (IVCF) em idosos e sua relação com indicadores socioeconômicos, comportamentais e clínico-terapêuticos. Método: Estudo epidemiológico transversal de desenho quantitativo com 318 idosos vinculados à Estratégia Saúde da Família e aleatoriamente sorteados. Os dados foram coletados por meio do questionário IVCF-20 e a análise subsidiada pela estatística descritiva, bivariada e multivariada, considerando significância quando o p-valor <0,05. Resultados: A maior parte dos idosos (59,1%) é considerada frágil ou potencialmente frágil. Entre os grupos estudados, houve diferença estatisticamente significativa do IVCF com relação às variáveis faixa etária (p<0,001), alfabetização funcional (p=0,001), consumo de álcool (p<0,001), prática de exercícios físicos (p<0,001), problemas de saúde autorreferidos (p<0,001) e uso de medicamentos (p<0,001), além de correlação positiva com o estresse (r=0,135; p=0,016). No modelo de regressão linear múltipla, o conjunto de variáveis preditoras sociodemográficas explicam a fragilidade de idosos em 30,4% (R2=0,304). Conclusões: O avançar da idade, enquanto variável não controlável, aponta a necessidade de estimular a manutenção da funcionalidade na velhice a partir da proposição de estratégias de atenção à saúde de modo a prolongar a longevidade com segurança, autonomia e vitalidade.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the clinical-functional vulnerability index (CFVI) of older adults and its relationship with socioeconomic, behavioral, clinical and therapeutic indicators. Method: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with a quantitative design was performed with 318 randomly drawn older adults registered with the Family Health Strategy. Data were collected through the CFVI-20 questionnaire and analysis was supported by descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistics, with results with p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: most older adults (59.1%) were considered frail or potentially frail. Among the groups studied, there was a statistically significant difference in the CFVI for the variables age group (p<0.001), functional literacy (p=0.001), alcohol consumption (p<0.001), physical exercise (p<0.001), self-reported health problems (p<0.001) and medication use (p<0.001), as well as a positive correlation with stress (r=0.135; p=0.016). In the multiple linear regression model, the set of sociodemographic predictor variables explained the frailty of the elderly by 30.4% (R2=0.304). Conclusions: The advancement of age, as a non-controllable variable, indicates a need to encourage the maintenance of functionality in old age, based on the health care strategies that prolong longevity with safety, autonomy and vitality.

ABSTRACT The study aimed at identifying sediment sources in a mesoscale catchment (933 km2) located in the Brazilian semiarid region. The research explored the potential of using a fingerprinting technique to verify the origin of eroded sediments in a catchment by comparing physical and mineralogical properties of potential sediment sources and sediments deposited in a pond (6 × 103 m3 storage capacity) and a reservoir (20 × 106 m3 storage capacity). The goal was to assess the feasibility of using such material to identify sediment sources in a semiarid environment with a high density of surface reservoirs. Chemical variables were studied by mineralogical analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and multivariate statistics. The results showed that the fingerprinting technique is a potential tool to identify sediment sources comparing the properties of soils with silted material in reservoirs, allowing its use even in regions with low frequency of runoff.

RESUMO: Escherichia coli diarreiogênicas (DEC) são consideradas uma das causas mais importantes de diarreia em países em desenvolvimento. Alguns estudos têm apontado aves silvestres como importantes reservatórios destes patógenos, entretanto, poucas espécies da ordem Psittaciformes têm sido investigada. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a presença de cepas de E. coli diarreiogênicas em Psittaciformes do tráfico de animais silvestres. Um total de 78 amostras de E. coli isoladas de suabes cloacais provenientes de 167 de Psittaciformes do Ceará, Brasil, foram avaliadas quanto a presença dos seguintes genes de virulência DEC por meio de reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR): eaeA e bfpA (E. coli Enteropatogênica - EPEC); stx1 e stx2 (E. coli produtora de Shiga - STEC); estA e eltB (E. coli Enterotoxigênica - ETEC); ipaH (E. coli Enteroinvasiva - EIEC); aatA e aaiC (E. coli Enteroagregativa - EAEC). As cepas positivas para os genes eaeA e bfpA foram consideradas EPEC típicas, enquanto que as positivas exclusivamente para o gene eaeA foram classificadas como EPEC atípicas. O gene eaeA foi identificado em 20 cepas de E. coli e o gene bfpA em 22 dos isolados. Adicionalmente, 11 e 9 cepas foram classificadas como EPEC típicas e atípicas, respectivamente. Nenhuma cepa foi positiva para os genes stx1 e stx2. Um total de 47 cepas (60,3%) e um total de 136 aves (81,4%) foram negativas para os demais patotipos DEC pesquisados. Em conclusão, psitacídeos provenientes do tráfico de aves silvestres do estado do Ceará, Brasil, apresentaram relevante prevalência de EPEC típicas e atípicas, potencialmente participando como reservatórios de cepas DEC no ambiente. Portanto, medidas de controle devem ser adotadas para inibir a disseminação destes patógenos.

ABSTRACT: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are considered one of the major causes of human diarrhea in developing countries. Some studies have pointed wild birds as important reservoirs for these pathogens. However, scarce species from the Psittaciformes order have been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of DEC strains in Psittaciformes from illegal wildlife trade. A total of 78 E. coli strains isolated from cloacal swab samples of 167 Psittaciformes in the Ceará State, Brazil, were evaluated regarding the presence of the following DEC virulence genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR): eaeA and bfpA genes (Enteropathogenic E. coli - EPEC); stx1 and stx2 (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli - STEC); estA and eltB (Enterotoxigenic E. coli - ETEC); ipaH (Enteroinvasive E. coli - EIEC); aatA and aaiC (Enteroaggregative E. coli - EAEC). Positive strains for eaeA and bfpA genes were considered typical EPEC, while strain positive exclusively for the eaeA gene were classified as atypical EPEC. The eaeA gene was identified in 20 E. coli strains and bfpA in 22 isolates. In addition, 11 and 9 belonged to tEPEC and aEPEC, respectively. No strain was positive for stx1 or stx2. A total of 47 (60.3%) strains and a total of 136 birds (81.4%) were negative for the remaining DEC pathotypes investigated. In conclusion, psittacine from illegal wildlife trade in Ceará State, Brazil, presented a relevant prevalence of typical and atypical EPEC, potentially playing a role as reservoirs of DEC strains in the environment. Thus, proper control measures must be adopted to block the spread of these pathogens.

A endoftalmite é uma patologia que requer um alto grau de suspeição para o diagnóstico, especialmente em doentes imunossuprimidos, sendo a rapidez de instituição de tratamento crucial para a prevenção da amaurose. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma mulher de 70 anos, com doença metastática pulmonar bilateral de um carcinoma neuroendócrino de grandes células, mal diferenciado, sob quimioterapia (carboplatina e docetaxel) que é internada cinco dias após o seu último ciclo de quimioterapia por neutropenia febril e urosépsis com bacteriemia por Escherichia coli. Desenvolve de forma súbita sinais inflamatórios e prurido do olho direito, que progridem de modo exuberante ao longo de 24 horas. A tomografia computorizada realizada descreve proptose e celulite extensa dos tecidos peri-orbitários, traduzindo panoftalmite. Foi assumida endoftalmite por disseminação hematogénea de Escherichia coli tendo a doente sido submetida a colheita de produtos (humor aquoso) sem isolamento de agentes microbiológicos. A doente foi medicada com injecção intra-vítrea de antibiótico (dose única) e antibioterapia tópica e sistémica durante 21 dias com boa evolução, não tendo sido necessária enucleação para controlo de foco infeccioso, porém tendo decorrido amaurose completa do olho afectado.

Endophthalmitis is a pathology that requires a high degree of suspicion for the diagnosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. The rapid establishment of diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment may avoid amaurosis. The authors present a case of a 70-year-old woman with bilateral lung metastatic disease of a poorly differentiated large cells neuroendocrine carcinoma under chemotherapy (carboplatin and docetaxel) who was admitted five days after her last cycle because of febrile neutropenia and urosepsis with bacteriemia by Escherichia coli. After the admission, the patient suddenly developed acute inflammatory signs and pruritus on the right eye, which progressed exuberantly over the next 24 hours. A computed tomography scan and a panophthalmitis were performed, with proptosis and extensive cellulitis of peri-orbital tissues was revealed. A diagnosis of endophthalmitis due to Escherichia coli hematogenous dissemination was made and a collection of aqueous humor was performed without isolation of microbiological agents. The patient was treated with intravitreal injection of antibiotic therapy (single dose), as well as with topical and systemic antibiotic for 21 days, showed good evolution and no enucleation was necessary for control of infectious focus, but complete amaurosis of the affected eye occurred.

RESUMO Erosão e os processos de transporte de sedimentos são fortemente dependentes da escala espacial e uso do solo. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os efeitos do desmatamento, seguido de queima e cultivo de capim para pastagem, sobre o comportamento hidrológico e sedimentológicos em diferentes escalas espaciais na região semiárida do Brasil. Precipitação, escoamento superficial e perda de solo foram mensurados durante três anos (total de 116 eventos chuva-vazão) em três escalas espaciais: parcelas de erosão de 1 m2, 20 m2; e microbacia de 2,8 ha. Durante o primeiro ano de estudo (2009) foi mantida a vegetação de caatinga nativa, enquanto que nos anos seguintes (2010 e 2011) a vegetação original foi alterada usando técnicas de desmatamento, queima e cultivo de capim (Andropogon gayanus Kunt). Os coeficientes de escoamento superficial anual foram mais altos nas parcelas de 20 m2, entre as escalas investigadas. Os coeficientes de escoamento superficial apresentaram a mesma tendência em todos os anos estudados. Já a produção de sedimentos foi fortemente influenciada pela cobertura da terra. Desmatamento, queimada e o cultivo de capim para pastagem impactaram fortemente a produção de sedimentos: os dois primeiros eventos, após a mudança da cobertura do solo, produziram cerca de dez vezes mais sedimentos do que em eventos semelhantes nos anos com cobertura nativa e/ou depois do desenvolvimento do capim. As mudanças foram mais perceptíveis na escala de bacia devido à erosão e redefinição da rede de drenagem.

ABSTRACT Erosion and sediment transport processes are strongly dependent on the spatial scale and land use. The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of slash and burn of vegetation followed by grass cultivation for grazing, on the hydrological and sedimentological behaviour at different spatial scales in a semiarid region in Brazil. Rainfall, runoff and soil loss were measured during three years (total of 116 rainfall-runoff events) at three spatial scales: 1 m2 and 20 m2 plots and 2.8 ha watershed. During the first year (2009) the native dry tropical forest/Caatinga vegetation was maintained, whereas on the following years (2010 and 2011) the original vegetation was cleared using slash and burn techniques to grow pasture (Andropogon gayanus Kunt). Annual runoff coefficient is highest at the 20 m2 plot among the investigated scales. Runoff presented the same trend in all years. Sediment yield was strongly influenced by the land cover. Slash, burn and pasture cultivation strongly impacted sediment yield: the first two events after the land cover change yielded roughly ten times more sediment than similar events in the years with native cover and after grass development. The change was most noticeable at the catchment scale due to erosion along the stream, redefining the drainage network.

RESUMO O semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro é caracterizado por chuvas de alta intensidade e curta duração e os processos erosivos são agravados pelo inadequado modelo de uso do solo. Nessa região, a carência de dados medidos de escoamento e produção de sedimento aumenta a necessidade de aplicação de modelos hidrossedimentológicos para a estimativa da erosão, necessitando o conhecimento da real taxa de aporte de sedimentos para a região. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo é mapear a erosão do solo com uso da Equação Universal de Perda de Solo (USLE) na Bacia Experimental de Iguatu (BEI) e calcular a razão de aporte de sedimentos (SDR- Sediment Delivery Ratio) média anual e por eventos individuais a partir de medidas hidrossedimentológicas, contribuindo para o entendimento dos processos de propagação de sedimentos no semiárido brasileiro, o que permite a identificação de áreas susceptíveis à erosão hídrica. A BEI apresenta uma área de 16,74 km2 e foi equipada com sensores para mensurações contínuas de precipitação, vazão e produção de sedimentos. O SDR médio anual para a BEI foi de 0,37%. Os SDR para eventos pluviométricos individuais variaram de 0,08 a 1,67%, com média de 0,68%. Entre as principais variáveis que influenciaram o SDR para eventos individuais está a magnitude da altura pluviométrica e a umidade antecedente do solo, que pode ser melhor representada pela precipitação total antecedente dos últimos 15 dias. De acordo com os mapas de perda de solo, apenas 6,27% da bacia apresentou perdas muito além dos limites toleráveis.

ABSTRACT The semi-arid region in the northeast of Brazil is characterised by rains of high intensity and short duration, with the processes of erosion being aggravated by an inappropriate land-use model. In this region, the lack of measured data for runoff and sediment yield increases the need to apply hydro-sedimentological models in estimating erosion, requiring knowledge of the actual sediment delivery ratio for the region. The aim of this study therefore, was to map soil erosion, making use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), in the Iguatu Experimental Watershed (IEW). The mean annual sediment delivery ratio (SDR), and the SDR for individual events, was calculated from hydro-sedimentological measurements, contributing to an understanding of the processes of sediment propagation in the Brazilian semi-arid region, allowing identification of areas susceptible to water erosion. The IEW has an area of 16.74 km2 and is equipped with sensors for the continuous measurement of rainfall, flow and sediment yield. The mean annual SDR for the IEW was 0.37%. The SDR for individual rainfall events ranged from 0.08 to 1.67%, with an average of 0.68%. Among the main variables that influence the SDR for individual events is the magnitude of rainfall depth and antecedent soil moisture that can be better represented by the total antecedent precipitation of the previous 15 days. According to maps of soil loss, only 6.27% of the watershed presented losses beyond tolerable limits.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate and correlate symptoms, biochemical blood test results and single nucleotide polymorphisms for lactose intolerance diagnosis. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with a total of 119 patients, 54 of whom were lactose intolerant. Clinical evaluation and biochemical blood tests were conducted after lactose ingestion and blood samples were collected for genotyping evaluation. In particular, the single nucleotide polymorphisms C>T-13910 and G>A-22018 were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism/polymerase chain reaction and validated by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Lactose-intolerant patients presented with more symptoms of flatulence (81.4%), bloating (68.5%), borborygmus (59.3%) and diarrhea (46.3%) compared with non-lactose-intolerant patients (p<0.05). We observed a significant association between the presence of the alleles T-13910 and A-22018 and the lactose-tolerant phenotype (p<0.05). After evaluation of the biochemical blood test results for lactose, we found that the most effective cutoff for glucose levels obtained for lactose malabsorbers was <15 mg/dL, presenting an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve greater than 80.3%, with satisfactory values for sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: These data corroborate the association of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (C>T-13910 and G>A-22018) with lactose tolerance in this population and suggest clinical management for patients with lactose intolerance that considers single nucleotide polymorphism detection and a change in the biochemical blood test cutoff from <25 mg/dL to <15 mg/dL.

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, calibrar e validar os fatores C da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo e os coeficientes da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo Modificada, para as coberturas de Caatinga Nativa, Caatinga Raleada e Capim (pós desmatamento e queima) no semiárido brasileiro. Os dados foram coletados no período de 2009 a 2012. A avaliação dos ajustes do modelo foi realizada pelo coeficiente de Nash-Sutcliffe, índice de Willmott (id) e índice de confiança ou desempenho (c). Para determinação dos fatores C foram usados dados de parcela de erosão (20 m²) empregando-se 50% dos dados na calibração e os demais na validação. Já para calibração e validação dos coeficientes "a" e "b" da MUSLE, foram usados dados obtidos na escala de microbacia (1,15 a 2,8 ha). O maior valor do fator C foi registrado na Caatinga Nativa (0,0167), seguido pelo uso do Capim com 0,0084 e o menor valor para a Caatinga Raleada (0,0067). Os resultados indicam que os valores dos fatores C e os coeficientes de ajuste "a" e "b" da MUSLE, para as coberturas estudadas, se apresentaram apropriados e recomendados de acordo com os índices estatísticos empregados podendo ser utilizados como base para microbacias semelhantes não monitoradas.

The aim of the present study was to calibrate and to validate the C factor of Universal Soil Loss Equation and the coefficients of the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation for land covers of native ‘Caatinga’, thinned ‘Caatinga’ and grass (after deforestation and burning) in Brazilian semiarid region. Data were collected in the period 2009-2012. To evaluate the model performance, Nash-Sutcliffe statistical coefficient was determined, as well as the Willmott index (id) and confidence index (c). For determination of the C factor, data from erosion plots of a 20 m² were analysed, employing 50% for calibration and the other half for validation. For calibration and validation of the coefficients "a" and "b" of MUSLE, data obtained from watersheds (1.15 to 2.8 ha) were used. The largest value of C was recorded for native ‘Caatinga’ area (0.0167), followed by grass with 0.0084 and the lowest value of C (0.0067) was determined for the thinned ‘Caatinga’. The results showed that the adjusted values of the C factor and the coefficients "a" and "b" of the MUSLE were appropriate and recommended according to the statistical analysis, and it can be used to simulate similar ungauged watersheds.

Life history parameters such as diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism are crucial to understand ecological and evolutionary forces shaping species traits. Nevertheless, such information is scant in the literature for most Neotropical squamates. Gymnophthalmidae contains over 242 species in 46 genera and includes small-size, mostly terrestrial species, although psamophilic, semi-aquatic, and low vegetation dwellers also occur. Dryadosaura is a monospecific genus - Dryadosaura nordestina Rodrigues et al., 2005 - , occurring in Atlantic Forest areas from Rio Grande do Norte to Northern Bahia, and little is known about its ecology and natural history. We analyzed the species' diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism based on 170 specimens deposited in museum collections. Dryadosaura nordestina is considered generalist and active forager, based on dietary items. Arthropods, especially ants and insect larvae, dominate the diet. The reproductive period shows a peak during the rainy season (May through June), while recruitment occurs from July through November. Males are significantly larger than females, and sexes can also be distinguished based on shape variables: males have higher heads and longer bodies, while body height and width are larger in females.