Particulate matter fingerprints in biofuel impacted tunnels in South America's largest metropolitan area.

This study characterized the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) from light- (LDV) and heavy-duty (HDV) vehicles based on two traffic tunnel samplings carried out in the megacity of São Paulo (Brazil), which has >7 million vehicles and intense biofuel use. The samples were collected with high-volume samplers and analyzed using chemical characterization techniques (ion and gas chromatography, thermal-optical analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy). Chemical source profiles (%) were calculated based on the measurements performed inside and outside the tunnels. Identifying a high abundance of Fe and Cu for traffic-related PM in the LDV-impacted tunnel was possible, linked with the emission of vehicles powered by ethanol and gasohol (gasoline and ethanol blend). We calculated diagnostic ratios (e.g., EC/Cu, Fe/Cu, pyrene/benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene/benzo[b]fluoranthene, and fluoranthene/benzo[b]fluoranthene) characteristic of fuel exhausts (diesel/biodiesel and ethanol/gasohol), allowing their use in the assessment of the temporal variation of the fuel type used in urban sites. Element diagnostic ratios (Cu/Sb and Fe/Cu) pointed to the predominance of LDVs exhaust-related copper and can differentiate LDVs exhaust from brake wear emissions. The carbonaceous fraction EC3 was suggested as an HDV emission tracer. A higher total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) fraction of traffic-related PM2.5 was observed in the HDV-impacted tunnel, with a predominance of diesel-related pyrene and fluoranthene, as well as higher oxy-PAHs (e.g., 9,10-anthraquinone, associated with biodiesel blends) abundances. However, carcinogenic species presented higher abundances for the LDV-impacted tunnel (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene). These findings highlighted the impact of biofuels on the characteristic ratios of chemical species and pointed to possible markers for LDVs and HDVs exhausts.

A análise estatística do risco relativo entre a percepção corporal e o interesse em realizar cirurgias plásticas / Statistical analysis of the correlation between body perception and desire to undergo plastic surgery

Introdução: A maior exposição nas mídias sociais gerou uma maior autoavaliação e a consequente busca pela aparência ideal. Dessa forma, a motivação de utilizar métodos cirúrgicos para melhora da aparência física cresce exponencialmente. Métodos: Foram distribuídos 3 questionários para 64 alunos: "Body Shape Questionnaire" (BSQ), "Escala de Investimento Corporal" (EIC) e "Questionário de interesse em cirurgias plásticas futuras" (QICPF). A partir da tabulação dos dados, foi realizada a análise estatística quantitativa por meio do teste qui-quadrado e risco relativo, para estudo objetivo e cruzado dos questionários. Resultados: O BSQ médio foi de 98,04, a relação de maior pontuação nesse questionário com QIRCP apresentou Risco Relativo (RR=2,41 e p=0,002). A média do EIC foi de 91 e, quando relacionado com QIRCP, não se apresentou estatisticamente relevante (RR=0,94 e p=0,83). Quanto à pergunta objetiva de satisfação corporal e o QIRCP, nota-se que a maior insatisfação corporal é fator de risco para querer realizar mais cirurgias plásticas (RR=1,94 e p=0,003) e as mulheres apresentam-se como o gênero de maior interesse (RR=3,01 e p=0,01). Conclusões: A análise estatística para a população estudada sugere que BSQ elevado, insatisfação corporal e mulheres apresentam maior interesse em realizar cirurgia plástica.

Introduction: Social media has generated an increase in selfevaluation and the search for the ideal appearance. Thus, the motivation to use surgical methods to improve physical appearance has grown exponentially. Methods: The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Body Investment Scale (BIS), and Questionnaire of Interest in Future Plastic Surgeries (QIFPS) were administered to 64 students. Once the data were collected, a quantitative statistical analysis using the chi-square test and relative risk (RR) was conducted. Results: The BSQ mean was 98.04, the relation of greater punctuation in this questionnaire with QIFPS presented an RR of 2.41; (p = 0.002). The mean BIS score was 91; compared to the QIFPS, it was not statistically relevant (RR = 0.94; p = 0.83). Regarding the objective question of body satisfaction and QIFPS, highest body dissatisfaction was a risk factor for desiring more plastic surgeries (RR = 1.94; p = 0.003), as was female sex (RR = 3.01; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a high BSQ score, high body dissatisfaction, and female sex are risk factors for a desire to undergo plastic surgery.