Resumo Em todo o mundo, a agricultura convencional faz uso extensivo de pesticidas. Embora os efeitos dos herbicidas sejam relativamente bem conhecidos em termos de impactos ambientais em organismos não-alvo, há pouca evidência científica sobre os impactos de resíduos de herbicidas em artrópodes aquáticos de áreas de conservação tropicais. Este estudo avalia pela primeira vez a toxicidade dos herbicidas ametryn, atrazine e clomazone sobre o inseto aquático Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). A concentração letal (LC50) de herbicidas foi avaliada para esses insetos, bem como o efeito dos herbicidas nos tecidos e testículos dos insetos. A LC50 estimada foi de 1012,41, 192,42 e 46,09 mg/L para clomazone, atrazine e ametryn, respectivamente. Alterações nos espermatócitos e espermátides foram observadas sob o efeito de atrazine, e efeitos na espermatogênese foram observados para algumas concentrações de clomazone, com aparente recuperação após um curto período de tempo. Nossos resultados fornecem informações úteis sobre os efeitos de resíduos de herbicidas em sistemas aquáticos. Essas informações podem ajudar a minimizar o risco de efeitos reprodutivos de longo prazo em espécies não-alvo que foram negligenciadas anteriormente em estudos de ecotoxicologia.

Abstract Worldwide, conventional agriculture makes extensive use of pesticides. Although the effects of herbicides are relatively well known in terms of environmental impacts on non-target organisms, there is very little scientific evidence regarding the impacts of herbicide residues on aquatic arthropods from tropical conservation areas. This study evaluates for the first time the toxicity of the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and clomazone on the aquatic insect Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). The lethal concentration (LC50) of herbicides was evaluated for these insects, as well as the effect of the herbicides on the insects’ tissues and testicles. The estimated LC50 was 1012.41, 192.42, and 46.09 mg/L for clomazone, atrazine, and ametryn, respectively. Spermatocyte and spermatid changes were observed under the effect of atrazine, and effects on spermatogenesis were observed for some concentrations of clomazone, with apparent recovery after a short time. Our results provide useful information on the effects of herbicide residues in aquatic systems. This information can help minimize the risk of long-term reproductive effects in non-target species that have been previously overlooked in ecotoxicology studies.

The worldwide emergence of viral diseases such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile and Yellow Fever urge the search for solutions to eliminate their common vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This paper describes the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and docking studies of a series of nine 3-(3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)propionic acids (AOPA), 1-9, previously published by our group. Additionally, three new 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, 10-12, have also been synthesized, characterized and studied. The QSAR and docking studies of all compounds, 1-12, clearly indicate that larger hydrophobic substituents such as biphenyl groups attached on position 3 in 1,2,4-oxadiazoles improve the larvicidal activity. It is worthwhile to mention that nanocapsulation of compounds 10-12 were necessary to help their dissolution in water and these three new 1,2,4-oxadiazoles also exhibited approximately equal or higher larvicidal activities compared to the former prototypes at stage L4.

Diethylene glycol is an extremely toxic substance to humans. Recently, cases of beer contamination in Brazil have raised awareness of the need for developing simple screening methods to evaluate this type of compound. This research developed a liquid-liquid extraction with low-temperature partitioning technique to determine diethylene glycol in beer via gas chromatography. Employing a flame-ionization detector simplifies the method, lowers its cost and therefore, it can be used as screening step to assess the possibility of contamination. A gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer would be used only for a confirmatory analysis. The optimized method was validated for the main figures of merit, and it proved to be adequate, with good values of recovery rate (94-106%), limit of detection (3.0 mg L-1), and quantification (10.0 mg L-1). Accuracy, in terms of repeatability and intermediate accuracy, showed variation coefficients lower than or equal to 20%. This method was applied to 28 samples of beers marketed in Brazil, and diethylene glycol was found above the limit of detection in three of them (10.7%). These results were confirmed by a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer, which showed the reliability of the screening method for determining diethylene glycol in beer samples.

Abstract This study analyzed how the compositional variability of dimension stone residues influences the characteristics of rustic porous ceramic tiles. The specimens were prepared by adding 20 wt% of dimension stone residue to the clay and sintered at 1000 °C for 1 h. The testing assays performed were physical properties and structural analysis through scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that water absorption was lower (~9% to 14%) in samples containing silicate residues compared to carbonate residues (~16%). Apparent porosity of ~21% to 25% and shrinkage of 0.5% to 1.6% were measured in silicate samples while higher apparent porosity of ~30% and expansion of -0.04% were found in carbonate samples. Flexural strength and modulus of rupture were similar, ~16 MPa and ~330 N, respectively, for both sample sets. The samples containing silicate residues whose SiO2 content was between 48% and 58% and the sum of alkaline and alkaline earth oxides was less than 18% were suitable for manufacturing rustic porous ceramic tile, while residues with high SiO2 or carbonate contents impaired the properties of the ceramic bodies. Therefore, it is recommended that the dimension stone residues intended for use in ceramic tiles be previously separated according to chemical and mineralogical characteristics.

Abstract Detrusor hypocontractility (DH) is a disease without a gold standard treatment in traditional medicine. Therefore, there is a need to develop innovative therapies. The present report presents the case of a patient with DH who was transplanted with 2 x 106 adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells twice and achieved significant improvements in their quality of life. The results showed that cell therapy reduced the voiding residue from 1,800 mL to 800 mL, the maximum cystometric capacity from 800 to 550 mL, and bladder compliance from 77 to 36.6 mL/cmH2O. Cell therapy also increased the maximum flow from 3 to 11 mL/s, the detrusor pressure from 08 to 35 cmH2O, the urine volume from 267 to 524 mL and the bladder contractility index (BCI) value from 23 to 90. The International Continence on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form score decreased from 17 to 8. Given the above, it is inferred that the transplantation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is an innovative and efficient therapeutic strategy for DH treatment and improves the quality of life of patients affected by this disease.

Resumo A Hipocontratilidade Detrusora (HD) é uma doença sem um tratamento padrão-ouro na medicina tradicional. Logo, há a necessidade de desenvolvimento de terapias inovadoras. O presente relato apresenta um caso de paciente com HD transplantado duas vezes com 2 x 106 células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido adiposo que obteve melhoras significativas em sua qualidade de vida. Os resultados demonstraram que a terapia celular reduziu o resíduo miccional de 1.800mL para 800mL; a Capacidade Cistométrica Máxima de 800 para 550mL; a complacência de 77 para 36,6mL/cmH2O. A terapia celular também aumentou o fluxo máximo de 3 para 11mL/s; a pressão detrusora de 08 para 35cmH2O; o volume urinado de 267 para 524mL e o índice de contratilidade vesical (BCI) de 23 para 90. O score do International Continence on Incontinence Questionare - Short Form passou de 17 para 8. Diante do exposto, infere-se que o transplante de células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido adiposo é uma estratégia terapêutica inovadora e eficiente para o tratamento da HD e para melhoria da qualidade de vida de pacientes acometidos por essa doença.

Abstract Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis transmitted by vectors, with dogs being the main domestic reservoirs. Brazil is one of the countries most affected by this disease, and it has been described in humans and dogs in every region in the country. In the northern region leishmaniasis cases in humans have been described in more than 100 municipalities in the State, including the capital, Belém. This study involves two cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in which the animals developed clinical signs compatible with the disease in urban areas in Belém, the Pará state capital. The diagnosis was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect SSUr-rDNA and kDNA of Leishmania sp. and Leishmania infantum, respectively. In one of the cases the animal died and in the other the animal underwent treatment with medicines prescribed for dogs. Through this treatment, parasitemia in the second animal has been kept under control and is being monitored through molecular tests. Previously, no canine cases had been notified from urban neighborhoods in the city of Belém, but only on the island of Cotijuba, at a distance of 29 kilometers from the city. Cases of canine and human leishmaniasis have been recorded close to the capital, Belém, which has areas of conserved vegetation and where the presence of disease vectors has been described. Thus, as has been done in several other Brazilian cities, this study uses clinical and laboratory findings to confirm the presence of autochthonous cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Belém.

Resumo A leishmaniose é uma antropozoonose transmitida por vetores, sendo os cães os principais reservatórios domésticos. O Brasil é um dos países mais acometidos por esta doença, sendo descrita em humanos e cães em todas as regiões do país. Na região norte casos de leishmaniose em humanos foram descritos em mais de 100 municípios do Estado, incluindo a capital, Belém. Este estudo envolve dois casos de leishmaniose visceral canina em que os animais desenvolveram sinais clínicos compatíveis com a doença em áreas urbanas de Belém, capital do estado do Pará. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para detectar o SSUr-rDNA e kDNA de Leishmania sp e Leishmania infantum, respectivamente. Em um dos casos o animal veio a óbito e no outro o animal foi submetido a tratamento com medicamentos prescritos para cães. Por meio desse tratamento, a parasitemia no segundo animal foi mantida sob controle e está sendo monitorada por meio de testes moleculares. Anteriormente, nenhum caso canino havia sido notificado em bairros urbanos da cidade de Belém, apenas na ilha de Cotijuba, distante 29 quilômetros da cidade. Casos de leishmaniose canina e humana foram registrados próximo à capital, Belém, que possui áreas de vegetação conservada e onde foi descrita a presença de vetores de doenças. Assim, como tem sido registrado em várias outras cidades brasileiras, este estudo utiliza achados clínicos e laboratoriais para confirmar a presença de casos autóctones de leishmaniose visceral canina na cidade de Belém.

Currently, there is a severe shortage of good-quality feldspar deposits. On the other hand, porcelain tile polishing residue has been widely recognized as an alternative raw material for the ceramic industry. Thus, this research evaluated the effect of the partial replacement of feldspar by the porcelain polishing residue (PPR) in formulations for sanitary stoneware. It was replaced from 2% to 20% of the total mass of feldspar by the residue. The raw materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and particle size determination. Then, they were mixed in a wet ball mill, and the rheological properties of the suspensions were analyzed. Samples of the test were produced by slip casting and sintered at 1160 °C, 1180 °C, and 1200 °C. Rheological characteristics were not affected when up to 20% of feldspar was replaced by residue. Bodies with high amounts of PPR had flexural strength and water absorption values similar to those of bodies without PPR in formulations. Furthermore, apparent porosity values lower than the reference mass were obtained with the addition of 6% of the residue in the formulation.

In this study, we evaluated the catalytic properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using a photo-Fenton process at pH 2.5, 7.0, and 9.0. The HA NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, fluorescence spectrometry, and point of zero charge experiments. Upon using unmodified HA NPs, 1.33 mL of H2O2 30% (v/v), and ultraviolet radiation (125 W Hg lamp), the discoloration values achieved at pH 2.5, 7.0, and 9.0 were 88.4, 44.8, and 58.1%, respectively. For the HA NPs modified with Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3, the composition Ca2.5FeII2.5FeIII5(PO4)6(OH)2 yielded the best results during the photo-Fenton-based process, and discolorations of 100, 100, and 95.2% were achieved at pH 2.5, 7.0, and 9.0, respectively. To confirm the effectiveness of the Ca2.5FeII2.5FeIII5(PO4)6(OH)2 NPs, the total organic carbon (TOC) and toxicity effects on Lactuca sativa L. were evaluated, and reproducibility tests were performed. The TOC removal of the Ca2.5FeII2.5FeIII5(PO4)6(OH)2 NPs was ca. 90% and the toxicity of the MB dye was eliminated after 120 min of reaction; moreover, the NPs retained their physical stability and activity and were reused for 11 consecutive degradation experiments.

Abstract Alumina is a polymorphic bioceramic that has been extensively investigated for application in bone regeneration. Dense α-alumina has been considered a suitable biomaterial for dental and orthopedic implants due to its superior mechanical properties. However, its use is limited due to its high inertia in a biological environment. Recent investigations have focused on its distinct phases and surface characteristics through the control of morphology, physical properties, and chemical composition to enhance bioactivity. This article presents a brief review of the developments in porous α-alumina and amorphous-γ-alumina transition. Most studies have shown that composites and alumina coated with bioactive materials, high surface area, and hydroxylated surface can significantly improve biological properties. Cellular responses such as fixation, growth, and proliferation, as well as biomineralization, are the main studies to validate improvements in bioactive properties.

RESUMO Introduction: Introdução: Não há estudos que comparem diferentes rotinas de treinamentos concorrentes [isto é, programa de treinamento resistido mais treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade (TR+HIIT) ao TR mais treinamento contínuo de intensidade moderada (TR+MICT)] na aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) e desempenho físico em idosos com síndrome metabólica (SM). Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de duas rotinas de treinamentos concorrentes (TR+HIIT vs. TR+MICT) na ACR e aptidão física em adultos e idosos com SM. Métodos: Trinta e nove participantes (67,0 ± 6,7 anos) foram divididos randomicamente em três grupos: TR+MICT, TR+HIIT e grupo controle (CON, sem exercício). O programa de treinamento físico de 12 semanas consistiu em 3 sessões/semana (~ 50 minutos/sessão). O componente de treinamento aeróbico (HIIT ou MICT) foi adaptado para gasto energético isocalórico (P ≥ 0,217) e distribuição de isocarga (TRIMP; P ≥ 0,893), porém, o componente MICT teve tempo de treinamento aeróbico maior (P ≤ 0,01). Avaliamos a ACR pré e pós-intervenção (VO2pico), capacidade física (potência de membros inferiores [PMI], velocidade de corrida e tempo de corrida até a exaustão), lactato plasmático, percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), frequência cardíaca de repouso (FCrepouso) e máxima (FCpico). Resultados: No final da intervenção, somente o grupo TR+HIIT teve aumento significativo do VO2pico (P = 0,01), mas em comparação com o grupo CON, ambos os grupos TR+HIIT e TR+MICT tiveram melhora significativa do VO2pico (P ≤ 0,02). Somente o grupo TR+HIIT mostrou FCrepouso menor em comparação com o basal e com o grupo CON. Além disso, os grupos TR+HIIT e TR+MICT, mas não o grupo CON, tiveram melhora significativa da velocidade de corrida, do tempo até a exaustão e da PMI (P < 0,05). Não houve alterações significativas em FCpico, PSE e lactato em nenhum dos grupos. Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que 12 semanas de TR+MICT ou TR+HIIT melhoram o desempenho físico dos membros inferiores. Além disso, nossos resultados sugerem que TR+HIIT fornece benefícios adicionais de ACR em idosos com SM. Nível de evidência II; Estudo Experimental Randomizado.

ABSTRACT Introduction: There are no studies comparing the effects of different concurrent training routines [i.e., a resistance training plus high-intensity interval training (RT+HIIT) program compared to an RT plus moderate-intensity continuous training (RT+MICT) program] on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical performance in older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of two concurrent training routines, RT+HIIT versus RT+MICT, on CRF and physical fitness in adults and older adults with MetS. Methods: Thirty-nine participants (67.0±6.7 years of age) were randomly assigned into three groups: RT+ MICT, RT+ HIIT and the control group (CON, no exercise). The 12-week physical training program consisted of 3 sessions/week (~50 minutes/session). The aerobic training component was customized for iso-caloric energy expenditure (P≥0.217) and iso-load distribution (TRIMP, P≥0.893), however the MICT component had a longer aerobic training time (P≤0.01). We evaluated pre- and post-evaluation CRF (VO2peak), physical capacity [power of lower limbs (PLL), running velocity, and running time to exhaustion], plasma lactate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), resting heart rate (HRrest), and peak heart rate (HRpeak). Results: At the end of the intervention, a significant increase in the VO2peak was observed only in the RT+HIIT group (P=0.01), but compared to the CON group both RT+HIIT and RT+MICT groups had significant improvement in the VO2peak (P≤0.02). Only the RT+HIIT group had lower HRrest as compared to the baseline and the CON group. Also, both RT+HIIT and RT+MICT groups, but not CON, significantly improved running speed, time to exhaustion, and PLL (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in HRpeak, RPE, and lactate for any of the groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 12 weeks of RT+MICT or RT+HIIT improve lower-limb physical performance. Also, our results suggest that RT+HIIT provides additional CRF benefits in older adults with MetS. Level of evidence II; Randomized Experimental Study.

RESUMEN Introducción: No hay estudios que comparen diferentes rutinas de entrenamientos concurrentes [es decir, programa del entrenamiento de resistencia (ER) más entrenamiento de intervalos de alta intensidad (ER+HIIT) con el ER más entrenamiento continuo de intensidad moderada (ER+ECIM) en la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria (ACR) y desempeño físico en ancianos con síndrome metabólico (SM). Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los efectos de dos rutinas de entrenamientos concurrentes (ER+HIIT sobre ER+ECIM) sobre la ACR y aptitud física en ancianos con SM. Método: Treinta y nueve participantes (67,0±6,7 años) fueron divididos aleatoriamente en 3 grupos: ER+ECIM, ER+HIIT y grupo de control (CON, sin ejercicio). El programa de entrenamiento físico de 12 semanas consistió en 3 sesiones semanales (50 minutos/sesión). En componente de entrenamiento aeróbico HIIT o ECIM se igualó en cuanto al gasto energético isocalórico (P≥0,217) y la distribución de isocarga (TRIMP; P≥0,893), sin embargo, el componente ECIM tuvo un mayor tiempo de entrenamiento aeróbico (P≤0,01). Se evaluó la ACR antes y después de la intervención (VO2pico), la capacidad física (potencia de las extremidades inferiores [PEI], la velocidad, y el tiempo hasta el agotamiento), el lactato plasmático y percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo (RPE), la frecuencia cardíaca en reposo HRest) y máxima (FCpico). Resultados: Al final de la intervención, solo el grupo ER+HIIT presentó un aumento significativo del VO2pico (P=0,01), pero en comparación con el grupo CON, tanto el grupo ER+HIIT como el ER+ECIM presentaron una mejora significativa l del VO2pico (P ≤ 0,02).. Sólo el grupo ER+HIIT demostró una HRest menor en comparación con el nivel de referencia y el grupo CON. Además, los grupos ER+HIIT y ER+ECIM, pero no el grupo CON, tuvieron una mejora significativa en la velocidad de carrera, el tiempo hasta el agotamiento y la PEI (P<0,05). No hubo cambios significativos en FCpico, RPE y lactato para ninguno de los grupos. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados sugieren que 12 semanas de ER+ECIM o ER+HIIT mejoran el rendimiento físico de las extremidades inferiores. Además, sugieren que ER+HIIT proporciona beneficios adicionales en la ACR en ancianos con SM. Nivel de evidencia II;Estudio experimental aleatorio

Abstract This work produced glass foams from soda-lime glass bottles, bentonite, and alumina by the replica method. Compositions with different contents of bentonite (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were prepared and heat-treated at 800 °C. In the alumina-added compositions, 50 wt% of the bentonite was replaced by the alumina. The influences of the content of bentonite (binder) and alumina addition were evaluated through the physical-mechanical properties. The results showed that the alumina did not promote a significant effect on physical and mechanical properties in most glass foams; the exception was the sample with 20 wt% bentonite+alumina, which presented better physical properties (lower linear shrinkage and density and greater porosity) when compared to its equivalent sample (without alumina). Foams with 5% of bentonite or bentonite+alumina showed higher linear shrinkage indexes and high densification. Samples with 15% of bentonite or bentonite+alumina showed the best combination of properties: higher porosity (79.2% and 80.2%), water absorption (58.8% and 59.7%), lower shrinkage index (25.5% and 29.4%), and good flexural strength (0.69 and 0.45 MPa).

In this work we developed a promising analytical method combining Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopic technique and first-order multivariate calibration using partial least-squares (PLS) model to simultaneously quantify the main greenhouse gases (GHG’s): methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and water vapor (H2O). The models were built using 70 mixtures with different concentration of these gases, 0.25-32.0 ppm to CH4 and N2O, and 50-1100 ppm to CO2 and different values of relative humidity (52-85%, 20 ºC) in synthetic air. After preparing each of the mixtures, they were analyzed by using FT-NIR and a reference analytical technique based on gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). The FT-NIR spectrometer was coupled with a long optical path cell, with 105.6 meters of optical path. In sequence, the spectra of all mixtures and its concentration values for each gas were used to build the multivariate calibration models, using PLS regressions. For this, the mixtures were grouped with Kennard Stone algorithm, 50 samples to calibration set and 20 samples to prediction set. The values of RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) obtained for each model are 0.66, 28.7 and 0.66 ppm, respectively, for CH4, CO2, and N2O. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for each PLS models are 0.26, 3.6, and 0.99 ppm, respectively, for CH4, CO2, and N2O. The results show the potentiality of application of this system to monitoring emission sources in which the concentration of these gases are relatively high, as urban centers, industrial areas, and landfills.

Abstract Different solvent extracts from Aphanothece halophytica (A. halophytica) were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against four human cancer cell lines. The samples demonstrated different percentages of cyanobacteria species populations. The samples containing 100% A. halophytica and 90% A. halophytica showed a significant cytotoxic effect in human breast cancer cells MDA231. The cytostatic effect was demonstrated in MDA231 and human glioblastoma T98G cells regardless of the treatment, resulting in a significant cell cycle arrest in the S phase. The chemical profiles of the extracts were proven to be diverse in qualitative and quantitative compositions. This variability was dependent on the A. halophytica´s abundance in each extract. The 100% A. halophytica extract induced cytotoxic and cytostatic effects in breast cancer cells, and those could be associated with the predominance of fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phthalates, indicating that A. halophytica is an interesting source of novel compound with anticancer effect.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os termos da equação da tendência da energia cinética do distúrbio (K’) nas previsões de 24 h e 48 h dos modelos regionais BRAMS, WRF e ETA. Estes modelos foram integrados operacionalmente no Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos (CPTEC). O período de avaliação foi de 1 de junho a 31 de agosto de 2016, sendo que o domínio utilizado foi a região da América do Sul. A resolução horizontal dos modelos é de 5 km e a temporal é de 6 horas. As condições iniciais e de contorno foram obtidas do Global Forecast System (GFS) do National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), com resolução horizontal de 0,25°. Os modelos foram inicializados apenas com a análise das 1200 UTC. Os modelos foram integrados com a versão não-hidrostática, sendo que o WRF utilizou a parametrização cumulus de Kain-Frisch, o ETA a parametrização culumus de Betts-Miller e o BRAMS Grell e Freitas. Em geral, os três modelos subestimam K’ nas latitudes médias, principalmente sobre os oceanos, porém o ETA é o que menos subestima e o WRF o que tem o maior viés negativo. Com relação aos termos de conversão baroclínica e barotrópica, além do termo de convergência do fluxo ageostrófico, os três modelos apresentam um padrão semelhante aos das análises numéricas do GFS.

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the terms of the eddy kinetic energy (K’) equation in the 24 h and 48 h forecasts of the regional models BRAMS, WRF and ETA. These models were operationally integrated at the Weather Forecast and Climate Studies Center (CPTEC). The evaluation period was from June 1 to August 31, 2016 and the domain was the region of South America. The horizontal resolution of the three models is 5 km and the temporal is 6 h. The initial and boundary conditions were obtained from the Global Forecast System (GFS) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), with a horizontal resolution of 0.25°. The models were initialized only with the analysis of 1200 UTC. The non-hydrostatic version of the three models was run, with WRF using Kain-Frisch cumulus parameterization, ETA Betts-Miller culumus parameterization and BRAMS Grell and Freitas. In general, the three models underestimate K‘ in mid-latitudes, mainly over the oceans, however, ETA is the one that underestimates the least and WRF the most. Regarding the terms of baroclinic and barotropic conversion, in addition to the term of ageostrophic flow convergence, the three models have a similar pattern of these three terms with that of GFS numerical analysis.

Objective: This study translated, culturally adapted, and validated a Brazilian Portuguese version (SCOFF-BR) of the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food Questionnaire (SCOFF) to screen eating disorders in young adults. Methods: This study used back-translation to culturally adapt the questionnaire according to International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research principles. The SCOFF-BR validation process involved a sample of men and women aged 18-32 years from a university community. After the participants completed the SCOFF-BR questionnaire, pre-trained researchers interviewed them with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The presence of eating disorders was determined according to DSM-5 criteria. Results: Of the 361 subjects, 9.7% had an eating disorder (2.2% anorexia nervosa, 5% bulimia nervosa, and 2.5% binge-eating disorder). Using a cutoff point of two positive responses, we obtained a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 71.5%, with an accuracy of 72.3%. The positive and negative predictive values were 23.1% and 97.1%, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the Brazilian version of the SCOFF questionnaire presents satisfactory accuracy and reliability to screen eating disorders among young adults in the Brazilian university community.