Validity of the comprehensive assessment of prospective memory (CAPM) for use with adults with traumatic brain injury

Objective: To expand upon the existing psychometric properties of the Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory (CAPM) for use with adults with traumatic brain injury by examining concurrent and criterion validity. Method: Participants were 45 adults with a traumatic brain injury. Participants and their relatives completed Section A of the CAPM and a measure of psychosocial integration. Participants were also administered two neuropsychological tests of prospective memory, the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAM-PROMPT) and the Memory Intentions Screening Test (MIST). Concurrent validity was measured by comparing scores on the CAPM with scores on the CAM-PROMPT and MIST. Criterion validity was examined by correlating CAPM scores with level of psychosocial integration. Results: Participant self-reports on the CAPM were not significantly correlated with the CAM-PROMPT or MIST, but were significantly correlated with level of psychosocial integration. Relative reports on the CAPM were correlated significantly with total score on the MIST and CAM-PROMPT and level of psychological integration. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the concurrent validity of the self-report version of CAPM is low suggesting that selfreports alone do not provide an objective measure for assessing prospective memory function. The relative report version however, demonstrated reasonable concurrent and criterion validity, suggesting that the relative report version of the Section A of the CAPM is a useful means of evaluating frequency of prospective memory failure in adults with traumatic brain injury

Metais pesados em solos de área de mineração e metalurgia de chumbo: I - Fitoextração Heavy metals in soils of a lead mining and metallurgy area: I - Phytoextraction

A fitoextração tem sido sugerida como alternativa viável às práticas tradicionais de recuperação de solos contaminados por metais pesados (remoção do solo e destinação em aterros ou coprocessamento em cimento, etc.), em razão dos menores custos e por ser menos impactante ao ambiente. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a fitoextração induzida (uso de ácido cítrico como agente quelante) de metais pesados, com o cultivo de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreber), girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) e grama-batatais (Paspalum notatum Flügge), em solos poluídos (solos 2, 3 e 4) de uma área de mineração de Pb em Adrianópolis (PR). O solo 1 foi amostrado em área de mata nativa (referência). O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, com três repetições. Foram determinados os teores de Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr e Zn no solo com HNO3/HCl (3:1) concentrados. Após a colheita das plantas, determinaram-se a massa de matéria seca e os teores de metais pesados nas raízes e parte aérea (digestão nítrico-perclórica). Os solos contaminados (2, 3 e 4) apresentaram as seguintes faixas de teores de metais pesados (mg kg-1): Pb - 2.598,5 a 9.678,2; Cd - 1,9 a 22,2; Cu - 165,5 a 969,2; Ni - 22,6 a 38,4; Cr - 15,2 a 27,8; e Zn - 87,4 a 894,8. A adição de quelante não induziu a uma absorção mais efetiva de metais pesados pelas plantas. O solo 2 possibilitou melhor crescimento das plantas, e o girassol deve ser preferido na fitorremediação das áreas sob as mesmas condições. Na área próxima à planta fabril (solo 3) e nas áreas com grande ocorrência de rejeitos (solo 4), a fitoextração não foi eficiente. Nesses ambientes, recomenda-se o estudo de outras plantas nativas e, ou, exóticas resistentes a altos teores de Pb (solo 3) ou a remobilização de solo mais rejeito para aterros industriais (solo 4).<br>Phytoextraction has been suggested as a viable alternative to traditional restoration practices for heavy metal-contaminated soils (e.g., soil removal and disposal in land fill areas, or co-processing in cement), in view of the lower costs and lower environmental impact. This study had the objective of evaluating induced phytoextraction (use of chelating agent) of heavy metals in black oat (Avena strigosa Schreber), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) in polluted soils (soils 2, 3, and 4) of a Pb mining and processing area in Adrianópolis (PR), Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with three replications. The soil Pb and Zn contents were determined using concentrated HNO3/HCl (3:1). After harvest, the dry biomass and heavy metal contents in the root and shoot parts were determined by nitro-perchloric digestion. The following values of heavy metal content were found in the contaminated soils (2, 3 and 4) (mg kg-1): Pb - 2,598.5 to 9,678.2; Cd - 1.9 to 22.2; Cu - 165.5 to 969.2; Ni - 22.6 to 38.4; Cr - 15.2 to 27.8 and Zn - 87.4 to 894.8. Chelate addition did not induce heavy metal uptake by the plants. Plant development in soil 2 was better and sunflower should be preferred for phytoremediation in areas under similar conditions. In the area surrounding the industrial plant (soil 3) and in the areas with high waste disposal (soil 4), phytoextraction was not efficient. In these environments other native plants and/or exotic Pb-resistant plants should be tested (soil 3) as well as the remobilization of soil with residues to industrial landfills