Functionalized Charcoal as a Buffering Matrix of Copper and Zinc Availability

ABSTRACT: High copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents in soil can cause phytotoxicity to plants and contaminate surface and groundwater, with negative effects on agriculture and the environment. Functionalized charcoal (OCh) has high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the ability to adsorb Cu and Zn and control their availability in the soil and water. An adsorption study at two pH levels was carried out to evaluate increasing Cu and Zn sorption capacity provided by the functionalization process of a charcoal. In addition, a kinetics study of competitive and non-competitive adsorption-desorption of Cu and Zn in OCh was also evaluated. The results showed that functionalized charcoal (Ch) increased CEC 8.7 times due to an increase in carboxyl and phenolic groups, without changing its specific surface area. The Cu and Zn kinetics study showed higher interaction of Cu with the OCh, with total adsorption capacity of 53.1 mg g−1. From this amount, only 74.9 % was desorbed. However, competitive adsorption with Zn reduced the total amount of Cu adsorbed and decreased the Cu affinity for organic matter. This study shows the potential use of functionalized charcoal for control of Cu and Zn availability in the soil solution

O que gera satisfação no consumo de bebidas alcoólicas?

O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas é um hábito facilmente encontrado e que atinge diversas faixas etárias e regiões do Brasil. Segundo a OMS, o país apresentou consumo superior ao restante do mundo, de forma que em 2010, apenas 42% da população não havia ingerido bebidas alcoólicas durante aquele período frente aos 48% obtidos frente à população mundial. O objetivo desse trabalho é verificar quais fatores influenciam na satisfação de consumir bebidas alcoólicas. Para isso, conduziu-se uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva. Na fase exploratória, foi feitas entrevistas com 22 pessoas. Depois, foi feito um survey com 247 respondentes. Os dados foram analisados com o SPSS. Como principais resultados, tem-se que os construtos independentes foram capazes de explicar 58,1% da variação do construto dependente e que os construtos “atitude”, motivação” e “preço” foram os únicos significantes, estatisticamente, para explicar o construto “satisfação”

Interview-based assessment of cognition is a strong predictor of quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and severe negative symptoms

Objective: To analyze the correlation between quality of life, symptoms, and cognition assessed by the interview-based Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS). Methods: Seventy-nine outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were evaluated with the Quality of Life Scale – Brazilian version (QLS-BR), the SCoRS, and symptoms scales (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS]). After determining the potential explanatory variables using Spearman’s correlation and Student’s t test results, we ran simple, multivariate, and decision-tree regression analyses to assess the impact of SCoRS and PANSS ratings on mean overall quality of life. Results: Cognitive deficits and negative symptoms were the best predictors of quality of life. A low degree of negative symptoms (PANSS negative < 11) was a strong predictor of better quality of life (QLS ∼ 75), regardless of SCoRS rating. Among participants with more severe negative symptoms, elevated cognitive impairment (interviewer SCoRS ∼ 44) was a predictor of worse quality of life (QLS ∼ 44). Conclusions: Cognitive impairment determined by interview-based assessment seems to be a strong predictor of quality of life in subjects with severe negative symptoms. These results support the usefulness of SCoRS for cognitive assessment that is relevant to the everyday life of patients with schizophrenia

Sensitivity and applicability of the Brazilian version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS)

Abstract Cognitive assessment in schizophrenia has traditionally used batteries that are long and complex or differ widely in their content. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) has been developed to cover the main cognitive deficits of schizophrenia as well as to be easily and briefly administered, portable, sensitive and reliable. Objectives: To investigate the applicability and sensitivity of the Brazilian Version of the BACS (Brazilian-BACS). Methods: Performance of 20 stable patients with schizophrenia on the Brazilian-BACS was compared to 20 matched healthy controls. Results: Applying the Brazilian-BACS required 43.4±8.4 minutes for patients and 40.5±5.7 minutes for controls (p=0.17). All tests demonstrated significant differences between controls and patients (P<0.01). Pearson's correlation analysis and Cronbach's a evidenced a high internal consistency for patient performance. The cognitive deficit in the patients was approximately 1.5 standard deviations below controls. These results were consistent with those reported in the validation of the original version and in meta-analyses of similar studies. Conclusions: The Brazilian-BACS displayed good applicability and sensitivity in assessing the major cognitive constructs that are impaired in schizophrenia. Thus, the Brazilian-BACS seems to be a promising tool for assessing cognition in patients with schizophrenia in Brazil

Tradução para Libras escrita : relatos sobre o processo de tradução e implementação do SignWriting em um sistema de revistas científicas para surdos

This research is the result of a historical drift, in which chance led to interact and better understand deafness and the deaf. of form applied, Modelo para Tradução de Sistema de Revistas de Científicas em Libras (SWOJS) proved to be interdisciplinary in addressing linguistic and technological aspects in supporting communication in Libras, in order to describe a model with processes and tools aimed at supporting their written representation. The chapters are ordered so that, initially, contextualize issues about deafness, in order to present below linguistic and terminological issues, factors that underlie the translation choices, in which, finally, the resources are described technologies that supported the translation of the software. In addition to a project on accessibility, this study is about of an initiative that sought to affirm a space for culture deaf is heard and respected, adding diversity to the society of the knowledge in which we live.Esta pesquisa é resultado de uma deriva histórica, em que o acaso levou a interagir e compreender melhor a surdez e os surdos. De forma aplicada, o projeto Modelo para Tradução de Sistema de Revistas de Científicas em Libras (SWOJS) demonstrou-se interdisciplinar ao abordar aspectos linguísticos e tecnológicos no apoio à comunicação em Libras, de forma a descrever um modelo com processos e ferramentas voltadas a apoiar sua representação escrita. Os capítulos estão ordenados de forma a, inicialmente, contextualizar questões sobre a surdez, de modo a apresentar a seguir questões linguísticas e terminológicas, fatores que fundamentam as escolhas tradutórias, em que, finalmente, são descritos os recursos tecnológicos que apoiaram a tradução do software. Além de um projeto sobre acessibilidade, este estudo trata-se de uma iniciativa que buscou afirmar um espaço para que a cultura surda seja ouvida e respeitada, agregando diversidade à sociedade do conhecimento em que vivemos

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data