State and trait characteristics of anterior insula time-varying functional connectivity.

The human anterior insula (aINS) is a topographically organized brain region, in which ventral portions contribute to socio-emotional function through limbic and autonomic connections, whereas the dorsal aINS contributes to cognitive processes through frontal and parietal connections. Open questions remain, however, regarding how aINS connectivity varies over time. We implemented a novel approach combining seed-to-whole-brain sliding-window functional connectivity MRI and k-means clustering to assess time-varying functional connectivity of aINS subregions. We studied three independent large samples of healthy participants and longitudinal datasets to assess inter- and intra-subject stability, and related aINS time-varying functional connectivity profiles to dispositional empathy. We identified four robust aINS time-varying functional connectivity modes that displayed both "state" and "trait" characteristics: while modes featuring connectivity to sensory regions were modulated by eye closure, modes featuring connectivity to higher cognitive and emotional processing regions were stable over time and related to empathy measures

Pauses and the temporal structure of speech

Natural-sounding speech synthesis requires close control over the temporal structure of the speech flow. This includes a full predictive scheme for the durational structure and in particuliar the prolongation of final syllables of lexemes as well as for the pausal structure in the utterance. In this chapter, a description of the temporal structure and the summary of the numerous factors that modify it are presented. In the second part, predictive schemes for the temporal structure of speech ("performance structures") are introduced, and their potential for characterising the overall prosodic structure of speech is demonstrated

Afasia no contexto da pandemia: atividades de linguagem desenvolvidas pelo Zoom e Whatsapp

Abstract: Taking into account the difficulties faced by aphasic subjects in the utterances production and comprehension, both oral and written, this study aims at discussing the continuous work positive impacts, using Zoom and WhatsApp, during the pandemic period, while developing language activities with GB, a young aphasic woman, who attends the Center for Aphasic Individuals (Institute of Language Studies from the State University of Campinas, Unicamp). The longitudinal study is supported by an ongoing doctoral research, developed by the Group of Language Studies on Aging and Pathologies. The present article follows the theoretical-methodological principles based on enunciative-discursive neurolinguistics (Coudry, 1986, 1988) with focus on qualitative research and case studies. Based also on Luria’s (1981, 1986) and Vygotsky’s (2000 [1984]) neuropsychology, the brain is understood as a system that operates from the joint and integrated activity of functional units, emphasizing the social relations mediated by culturally developed symbols. In addition, Bakhtinian categories (Novaes-Pinto, 1999) allow us to analyze the dialogic processes, considering language production effective contexts, in order to understand the neurological damage impact on linguistic-cognitive functioning. For this, we bring some clippings of virtual interactions between the researcher (Idb) and GB, emphasizing the epi- and metalinguistic work that constitute discursive reorganization processes developed. By providing different features, the digital tools bring new possibilities for creating meaningful alternative strategies, generating a fundamental network that brings benefits to aphasics, while becoming an object of interest for research in several areas. Keywords:     Aphasias; neurolinguistics; reading; writing; epilinguisticsResumo: Levando em conta as dificuldades enfrentadas por sujeitos afásicos na produção e compreensão de enunciados, tanto orais quanto escritos, este estudo tem como objetivo discutir os impactos positivos do trabalho contínuo, utilizando Zoom e WhatsApp, durante o período de pandemia, no desenvolvimento de atividades de linguagem com GB , uma jovem afásica, que frequenta o Centro de Afásicos (Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Unicamp). O estudo longitudinal é apoiado por uma pesquisa de doutorado em andamento, desenvolvida pelo Grupo de Estudos da Linguagem sobre Envelhecimento e Patologias. O presente artigo segue os princípios teórico-metodológicos baseados na neurolinguística enunciativo-discursiva (Coudry, 1986, 1988) com foco em pesquisas qualitativas e estudos de caso. Com base também na neuropsicologia de Luria (1981, 1986) e de Vygotsky (2000 [1984]), o cérebro é entendido como um sistema que opera a partir da atividade conjunta e integrada de unidades funcionais, enfatizando as relações sociais mediadas por símbolos culturalmente desenvolvidos. Além disso, as categorias bakhtinianas (Novaes-Pinto, 1999) permitem analisar os processos dialógicos, considerando contextos efetivos de produção da linguagem, a fim de compreender o impacto do dano neurológico no funcionamento linguístico-cognitivo. Para isso, trazemos alguns recortes de interações virtuais entre o pesquisador (Idb) e GB, enfatizando os trabalhos epi e metalinguísticos que constituem os processos de reorganização discursiva desenvolvidos. Ao fornecer recursos diferenciados, as ferramentas digitais trazem novas possibilidades de criação de estratégias alternativas significativas, gerando uma rede fundamental que traz benefícios aos afásicos, ao mesmo tempo em que se torna objeto de interesse para pesquisas em diversas áreas.   Palavras-chave: Afasias; neurolinguística; leitura; escrevendo; epilinguístic