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The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the natural extracts catechin, curcumin and quercetin on the oxidative stability of methylic cottonseed oil biodiesel. The oxidative stability was evaluated using the Rancimat method (EN 14112) for biodiesel with 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 3000 ppm of additives, and compared with the commercial antioxidant butyl hydroxyanisole at the same concentrations. Kinematic viscosity was also evaluated at the same concentration. All additives had a positive effect on the oxidative stability; moreover, all extracts presented better results than BHA. Catechin was the most effective additive, achieving an induction period almost three times greater than BHA for 3000 ppm. In addition, all three extracts caused a reduction in kinematic viscosity, but it remained within the technical specification. These results prove catechin, curcumin and quercetin to be powerful natural antioxidants.

Objective To validate the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis “labile emotional control” in traumatic brain injury (TBI) outpatients. Design This was a descriptive, cross‐sectional, quantitative study. Methods Thirty‐one Brazilian nurses who were experts in the area of TBI answered a semistructured questionnaire on the diagnosis “labile emotional control” based on NANDA‐International (NANDA‐I) Taxonomy II (2015–2017) using a Likert‐type scale to rate the 13 defining characteristics. Based on Fehring's model, the weighted average of ≥80 was used to define the main characteristic and the mean of ≥0.50 was considered for total content validation. Results Out of the 13 defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis studied, “leaving a social situation” (0.80) and “expression of emotions inconsistent with the triggering factor” (0.81) were classified as principal characteristics, while the 11 others were classified as secondary characteristics. The diagnosis “labile emotional control” obtained a total score of 0.69, which was considered valid according to NANDA‐I Taxonomy II. Conclusions Because this is a new diagnosis with subjective characteristics, there is a need to train nurses to recognize the defining characteristics for the diagnosis. Clinical Relevance The validation of this diagnosis helps nurses understand and identify the subjective characteristics of the emotional impressions expressed by patients with TBI. These defining characteristics will help improve TBI nurses’ clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices on traffic accidents in schoolchildren, before and after the implementation of a health education program.Methods: Experimental study carried out in two public schools in Northeastern Brazil. The sample was composed of 173 children from 3rd to 5th grade and was randomized into Experimental Group (EG; n=0) and Control Group (CG; n=8). The educational program was carried out at EG with the use of the educational therapeutic method (Health Magic Box). The data were obtained through the questionnaire Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP), applied at the beginning of the study, before any educational actions, and one month after the experimental treatment. Paired Student’s t-test was used to compare the moments before and after the intervention in the EG and initial and final evaluation in the CG.Results: The children in the EG and CG were similar in relation to sociodemographic variables, and no significant difference was observed in the level of knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices on traffic accidents between the groups in the initial evaluation. One month after the experimental treatment, a significant improvement in knowledge was observed in EG (p=0.027). Preventive attitudes and practices were also higher in children in the EG, but without significant differences in relation to CG (p=0.060 and p=0.282, respectively).Conclusions: The educational intervention increased the level of knowledge and maintained the preventive attitudes and practices on traffic accidents at the same level in 3rd-5th grade students.