Deficit of social cognition in subjects with surgically treated frontal lobe lesions and in subjects affected by schizophrenia

The ability of humans to predict and explain other people’s behaviour by attributing independent mental states such as desires and beliefs to them, is considered to be due to our ability to construct a “Theory of Mind”. Recently, several neuroimaging studies have implicated the medial frontal lobes as playing a critical role in a dedicated “mentalizing” or “Theory of Mind” network in the human brain. In this study we compare the performance of patients with right and left medial prefrontal lobe lesions in theory of mind and in social cognition tasks, with the performance of people with schizophrenia. We report a similar social cognitive profile between patients with prefrontal lobe lesions and schizophrenic subjects in terms of understanding of false beliefs, in understanding social situations and in using tactical strategies. These findings are relevant for the functional anatomy of “Theory of Mind”

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

Abstract Background Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with lower birthweight. Although some essential metals may mitigate exposure, data are inconsistent. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between toxic metals, nutrient combinations and birthweight among 275 mother-child pairs. Methods Non-essential metals, Cd, Pb, As, and essential metals, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) were measured in maternal whole blood obtained during the first trimester using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Folate concentrations were measured by microbial assay. Birthweight was obtained from medical records. We used quantile regression to evaluate the association between toxic metals and nutrients due to their underlying wedge-shaped relationship. Ordinary linear regression was used to evaluate associations between birth weight and toxic metals. Results After multivariate adjustment, the negative association between Pb or Cd and a combination of Fe, Se, Ca and folate was robust, persistent and dose-dependent (p < 0.05). However, a combination of Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg was positively associated with Pb and Cd levels. While prenatal blood Cd and Pb were also associated with lower birthweight. Fe, Se, Ca and folate did not modify these associations. Conclusion Small sample size and cross-sectional design notwithstanding, the robust and persistent negative associations between some, but not all, nutrient combinations with these ubiquitous environmental contaminants suggest that only some recommended nutrient combinations may mitigate toxic metal exposure in chronically exposed populations. Larger longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings

COMPLETE ECOLOGICAL COST ACCOUNTING (CECA) IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY: A CRITICAL VIEW / CONTABILIDADE DE CUSTOS ECOLÓGICOS COMPLETOS NO CONTEXTO DA SUSTENTABILIDADE

Recentemente, a sustentabilidade tem sido uma das principais questões abordadas na pesquisa acadêmica, envolvendo as empresas e suas atividades no escopo social, ambiental e econômico. Porém, apesar de as empresas começarem a mostrar maior interesse na preservação do meio ambiente e nos aspectos sociais, a questão da mensuração dos custos envolvidos não foi uma tarefa fácil. Com o intuito de auxiliar as empresas nesta questão, foi criado o conceito de contabilidade de custos ecológicos completos (CCEC) que é uma ferramenta a qual se pretende medir os custos de maneira abrangente, integrando a contabilidade tradicional à chamada contabilidade socioambiental. O objetivo deste artigo é contribuir para a construção do conhecimento no campo da contabilidade de custos ecológicos completos (CCEC), ampliar sua divulgação e aplicação além de sugerir diretrizes para seu aprimoramento.</p

The potential of biodiesel production from frying oil used in the restaurants of São Paulo city, Brazil

This work aimed to produce a biodiesel from oils used in restaurants of São Paulo, Brazil, to discover the power production city and to demonstrate its economical feasibility. For this, it has been researched in the Brazilian market sales prices of glycerin, carbon credit, biodiesel and diesel blend, well as well, the amount of B20 blend (70.1 103 m3/month) used by the bus fleet of São Paulo and the amount of residual oil generated by restaurants. During the collection of frying oil samples used in restaurants, it has applied a standardized questionnaire (1-5 Likert scale) to the manager, in which contained questions about the type of restaurant, the amount of frying oil produced and if he knew the environmental impacts of its disposal. Ethanol was mixed at 1:7 to the samples of cooking oils collected from restaurants and it was transesterified at 60 °C, for 1 h, in order to obtain biodiesel, using NaOH as a catalyst. Results showedthat the restaurants had a monthly consumption of 120 L, giving 3.6 103 m3/month; it is equivalent to 48 %of B100 used in bus fleet. A conversion yield of 87 % has found in this work and with its production is possible to reduce US$ 120 million per year the fuel cost. Also it is possible contribute to the reduction or elimination of indiscriminate disposal of oils; of 92 % of sulfur emissions and to acquire the carbon credits which improve the city's image as it becomes an environmentally friendly city37577582CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQThe authors thank the PIBIT/CNPq and UNINOVE (São Paulo) for financial supports to develop for this researchsem informaçã