Resource allocation of the human brain : a competitive equilibrium approach

A novel model to study the resource allocation of a functioning brain is proposed. The mechanism is based on the theory of competitive equilibrium (CE), where users (cortical areas of the brain) are competing for a finite resource such as oxygenated blood. Concepts of CE are mathematically adjusted to be used with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) data. The current study uses imaging data were subjects are requested to selectively attend and respond to either a visual or auditory metronome in the presence of asynchronous cross-modal distractors. Two studies with distinct patient populations (patients with schizophrenia patients with mild traumatic brain injuries) are used to asses the applicability of the proposed method. Comparisons to traditionally used methods to analyze simulated and real FMRI data are also provided. Results indicate that it is possible to mathematically formulate an underlying resource allocation mechanism of a human brain. Additionally, when comparing to traditional analysis methods, the proposed model increases the sensitivity of these data when examining different stimuli conditions and also increases the classification accuracy between the patient group versus normal controls

Comércio exterior de produtos agrícolas do estado do Paraná de 1989 a 2001: análise de vantagens comparativas e do padrão de comércio

This paper discusses the evolution of agricultural products comparative advantages in the state of Paraná foreign trade from 1989-2001, and verifies the predominant type of trade for those products. The methodology is based on calculation of indicators of Revealed Comparative Advantage (Balassa, 1965), Covering Tax and Intraindustry Trade (Grubel & Lloyd, 1975). Results regarding comparative advantages of agricultural products that belong to the Section II of NBM-NCM, showed that the chapters Coffee, tea, mate and spices and Oilseeds and oleaginous fruits, grains etc., are “strong points†of Paraná economy. Although the section Vegetal Products has been characterized by the predominance of intraindustry trade, Grubel and Lloyd indexes showed that, for all chapters from that section, interindustry trade prevails.Agricultural exports, Comparative advantages, Intraindustry trade, International Relations/Trade,

Identification of autism spectrum disorder using deep learning and the ABIDE dataset

The research was supported by CAPES, Brazilian Ministry of Education (Projeto ACERTA CAPES/OBEDUC 0898/2013; number 23038.002530/2013-93Peer reviewe

VANTAGENS COMPARATIVAS NO COMÉRCIO EXTERIOR DA AGROINDÚSTRIA PARANAENSE: 1989-2001

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o padrão de comércio exterior do estado do Paraná no período 1989-2001, identificando os "pontos fortes" de vantagem comparativa e o tipo de comércio predominante nos setores mais representativos da agroindústria paranaense, através de uma análise com dados desagregados a 3 dígitos. A metodologia baseia-se em cálculos de indicadores de Vantagem Comparativa Revelada (BALASSA, 1965), Taxa de Cobertura e Comércio Intra-Indústria (GRUBEL e LLOYD, 1975). Os resultados a respeito do desempenho do comércio externo paranaense mostraram que as mudanças qualitativas ocorridas na base produtiva do estado também tiveram impactos sobre o setor exportador, verificando-se uma transformação na pauta de exportações nos anos 1990, na qual a presença de produtos industrializados passou a superar a de produtos básicos. Embora alguns capítulos e categorias de produtos tenham apresentado comportamento que os remetem ao comércio intra-indústria, os índices de Grubel e Uoyd mostraram que, para a agroindústria paranaense, ainda predomina o comércio do tipo interindustrial. Mudanças relevantes ocorreram no interior dos gêneros tradicionais da indústria, e o estado passou a apresentar crescimento das exportações de produtos mais elaborados.The purpose of this paper is to analyse the foreign trade in the state of Paraná from 1989 to 2001, identifying the "strong points" of comparative advantage and the predominant kind of trade for the most representative sectors of agricultural manufacturing industry of the State, through analysis of non-aggregated data (3 digits). The methodology is based on calculation of indicators of Revealed Comparative Advantage (BALASSA, 1965), Covering Tax and Intraindustry Trade (GRUBEL & LLOYD, 1975). Results showed that qualitative changes which occured at the productive level of the State also had impact on the exporting sector, being verified a transformation in the pattern of exports in the nineties, when the value of industrialized products turned out to be superior than the basic ones. Although some chapters and categories of products had presented a behaviour which directs them to the intraindustry trade, Grubel & Lloyd's data showed that, for the agricultural manufacturing industry of Paraná, the kind of interindustrial trade is still predominant. Moreover, relevant changes occured in the interior of traditional genders of industry, and the State started to show a growth of exportations of more elaborated products

A Study on the Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Peptide 1018-K6 as Potential Alternative to Antibiotics against Food-Pathogen Salmonella enterica

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the major global public health concerns, and it is indispensable to search for alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Recently, antimicrobial peptides have received great attention because of their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity at relatively low concentrations, even against pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, which is responsible for most food-borne illnesses. This work aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the innate defense peptide, named 1018-K6, against S. enterica. A total of 42 strains, belonging to three different subspecies and 32 serotypes, were included in this study. The antibiotic resistance profile of all the strains and the cytotoxic effects of 1018-K6 on mammalian fibroblast cells were also investigated. Results revealed that MIC (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentrations) values were in the ranges of 8–64 μg/mL and 16–128 μg/mL, respectively, although most strains (97%) showed MICs between 16 and 32 μg/mL. Moreover, sub-inhibitory concentrations of 1018-K6 strongly reduced the biofilm formation in several S. enterica strains, whatever the initial inoculum size. Our results demonstrated that 1018-K6 is able to control and manage S. enterica growth with a large potential for applications in the fields of active packaging and water disinfectantsThis research was funded by: Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico “Packaging Bioattivi e bIOsanitizzanti: Sviluppo di stratEgie iNnovaTIve ed ecososteNibili pEr L’Industria Alimentare—(BIO-SENTINEL) project, grant number F/200092/01-03/X45. Fondo per la Crescita Sostenibile—Sportello “Agrifood” PON I&C 2014-2020; Regione Campania-“Sviluppo di una tecnologia Intelligente contro spoilage ed agenti patogeni: dal peptide antimicrobico ad un PACKaging innovativo nella filiera ittica del Mediterraneo (iPACK-Med)project, grant number PO FEAMP 2014/2020, MISURA 1.26 “INNOVAZIONE” DD n. 266/2019-n. B68D19001380009; Ministero della Salute-“Attività battericida ed anti-biofilm di nano-sistemi ibridi coniugati con peptidi antimicrobici: una nuova strategia per la formulazione di bio-sanitizzanti contro ceppi patogeni resistenti”- Ricerca Corrente 2018 project, grant number IZS ME 06/18 RCS

Neuroanatomical correlates of macrolinguistic aspects in narrative discourse in unilateral left and right hemisphere stroke : A voxel-based morphometry study

Background A growing body of literature has demonstrated the importance of discourse assessment in patients who suffered from brain injury, both in the left and right hemispheres, as discourse represents a key component of functional communication. However, little is known about the relationship between gray matter density and macrolinguistic processing. Purpose This study aimed to investigate this relationship in a group of participants with middle–low to low socioeconomic status. Method Twenty adults with unilateral left hemisphere (n = 10) or right hemisphere (n = 10) chronic ischemic stroke and 10 matched (age, education, and socioeconomic status) healthy controls produced three oral narratives based on sequential scenes. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Results Compared to healthy controls, the left hemisphere group showed cohesion impairments, whereas the right hemisphere group showed impairments in coherence and in producing macropropositions. Cohesion positively correlated with gray matter density in the right primary sensory area (PSA)/precentral gyrus and the pars opercularis. Coherence, narrativity, and index of lexical informativeness were positively associated with the left PSA/insula and the superior temporal gyrus. Macropropositions were mostly related to the left PSA/insula and superior temporal gyrus, left cingulate, and right primary motor area/insula. Discussion Overall, the present results suggest that both hemispheres are implicated in macrolinguistic processes in narrative discourse. Further studies including larger samples and with various socioeconomic status should be conducted

Electrostimulation in the control of pain in primary dysmenorrhea

La dismenorrea primaria es un trastorno ginecológico caracterizado por dolores cíclicos en la zona lumbar y bajo del abdomen, con alta prevalencia entre los jóvenes, que contribuye al absentismo. El presente estudio tenía como objetivo valorar los efectos de la electroterapia de baja y media frecuencia en 30 participantes femeninas, de 18 a 26 años y quejándose de la dismenorrea primaria. Los participantes se dividieron en grupos que recibieron: corriente TENS (frecuencia de 100 Hz y duración del pulso de 100 μs), Corriente Aussie (4Khz modulada a 100 Hz con disparos de 4 ms) y Placebo (colocación de electrodos con el dispositivo apagado). Todos los grupos fueron tratados con corriente en el umbral sensorial y ajuste de intensidad cada 5 minutos, con un tiempo total de 30 minutos. El dolor durante el ciclo menstrual, la influencia del dolor en las actividades de la vida diaria y la calidad del sueño fueron recogidos para la evaluación. Después del análisis estadístico, se puede concluir que hubo una reducción significativa del dolor en todos los grupos que recibieron intervención, siendo la corriente más alta que el placebo. En cuanto a la influencia del dolor en las actividades de la vida diaria, todos los grupos mostraron una diferencia significativa, pero el grupo Aussie fue el único que mejoró en los tres días evaluados. La calidad del sueño cambió poco después de los tratamientos propuestos, requiriendo más estudios para apoyar esta variable.  A dismenorreia primária é um distúrbio ginecológico caracterizado por dores cíclicas na lombar e abdômen inferior, com alta prevalência entre jovens, contribuindo para o absenteísmo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da eletroterapia de baixa e média frequência em 30 participantes do sexo feminino, entre 18-26 anos, com queixa de dismenorreia primária.  As participantes foram divididas em grupos que receberam: Corrente TENS (frequência de 100 Hz e duração de pulso de 100 µs), Corrente Aussie (portadora de 4Khz modulada em 100 Hz com bursts de 4ms) e Placebo (colocação dos eletrodos com o aparelho desligado). Todos os grupos eletroestimulados foram tratados com corrente no limiar sensorial e ajuste da intensidade a cada 5 minutos, sendo o tempo total de 30 minutos. Para a avaliação foi coletado a dor durante o ciclo menstrual (EVA), influência da dor nas atividades de vida diária e qualidade do sono (Escalas Visuais Análogas do Sono). Após análise estatística, conclui-se que houve redução significativa do quadro álgico em todos os grupos, sendo a corrente superior ao placebo. Em relação as AVD’S, todos os grupos apresentaram diferença significativa, e o grupo Corrente Aussie foi o único que obteve melhora nos três dias avaliados, mantendo o efeito analgésico tardio maior em comparação aos demais. A qualidade de sono pouco se alterou após os tratamentos propostos, necessitando de estudos futuros para fundamentar essa variável.  Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynecological disorder characterized by cyclic pain in the lower back and abdomen, with a high prevalence among young people, contributing to absenteeism. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low and medium frequency electrotherapy in 30 female participants, aged 18-26 years and who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea. The participants were divided into groups that received: TENS current (100 Hz frequency and pulse duration of 100 μs), Aussie Current (4Khz carrier modulated at 100 Hz, bursts of 4ms) and Placebo (placement of electrodes with the device turned off). All treated groups received current at the sensory threshold and intensity adjustment every 5 minutes, with a total time of 30 minutes.  Pain during the menstrual cycle (VAS), influence of pain on activities of daily living and sleep quality (Analog Visual Sleep Scales) were collected for the evaluation. After statistical analysis, it can be concluded that there was a significant reduction in pain in all evaluated groups, with the current being better than placebo. Regarding ADLs, all groups showed significant difference, but the Aussie group was the only one that improved in the three days evaluated. Sleep quality changed little after the proposed treatments, requiring further studies to support this variable. &nbsp

Exploring spoken discourse and its neural correlates in women with Alzheimer's disease with low levels of education and socioeconomic status

Purpose: Early impairments in spoken discourse abilities have been identified in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the impact of AD on spoken discourse and the associated neuroanatomical correlates have mainly been studied in populations with higher levels of education, although preliminary evidence seems to indicate that socioeconomic status (SES) and level of education have an impact on spoken discourse. The purpose of this study was to analyze microstructural variables in spoken discourse in people with AD with low-to-middle SES and low level of education and to study their association with gray matter (GM) density. Method: Nine women with AD and 10 matched (age, SES, and education) women without brain injury (WWBI) underwent a neuropsychological assessment, which included two spoken discourse tasks, and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Microstructural variables were extracted from the discourse samples using NILC-Metrix software. Brain density, measured by voxel-based morphometry, was compared between groups and then correlated with the differentiating microstructural variables. Results: The AD group produced a lower diversity of verbal time moods and fewer words and sentences than WWBI but a greater diversity of pronouns, prepositions, and lexical richness. At the neural level, the AD group presented a lower GM density bilaterally in the hippocampus, the inferior temporal gyrus, and the anterior cingulate gyrus. Number of words and sentences produced were associated with GM density in the left parahippocampal gyrus, whereas the diversity of verbal moods was associated with the basal ganglia and the anterior cingulate gyrus bilaterally. Conclusions: The present findings are mainly consistent with previous studies conducted in groups with higher levels of SES and education, but they suggest that atrophy in the left inferior temporal gyrus could be critical in AD in populations with lower levels of SES and education. This research provides evidence on the importance of pursuing further studies including people with various SES and education levels

Interaction between perceived maternal care, anxiety symptoms, and the neurobehavioral response to palatable foods in adolescents

Studies in rodents have shown that early life trauma leads to anxiety, increased stress responses to threatening situations, and modifies food intake in a new environment. However, these associations are still to be tested in humans. This study aimed to verify complex interactions among anxiety diagnosis, maternal care, and baseline cortisol on food intake in a new environment in humans. A community sample of 32 adolescents and young adults was evaluated for: psychiatric diagnosis using standardized interviews, maternal care using the Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI), caloric consumption in a new environment (meal choice at a snack bar), and salivary cortisol. They also performed a brain fMRI task including the visualization of palatable foods vs. neutral items. The study found a three-way interaction between anxiety diagnosis, maternal care, and baseline cortisol levels on the total calories consumed (snacks) in a new environment. This interaction means that for those with high maternal care, there were no significant associations between cortisol levels and food intake in a new environment. However, for those with low maternal care and who have an anxiety disorder (affected), cortisol was associated with higher food intake; whereas for those with low maternal care and who did not have an anxiety disorder (resilient), cortisol was negatively associated with lower food intake. In addition, higher anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased activation in the superior and middle frontal gyrus when visualizing palatable vs. neutral items in those reporting high maternal care. These results in humans mimic experimental research findings and demonstrate that a combination of anxiety diagnosis and maternal care moderate the relationship between the HPA axis functioning, anxiety, and feeding behavior in adolescents and young adults

Modeling the impact of school reopening and contact tracing strategies on COVID-19 dynamics in different epidemiologic settings in Brazil

This study was funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - Process # 402834/2020-8 (request for proposals MCTIC/CNPq/FNDCT/MS/SCTIE/Decit Number 07/2020). The funding sources played no role in the study design; collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data; writing the report, or decision to submit the paper for publication. MEB received a technological and industrial scholarship from CNPq (grant number 315854/2020-0). LSF received a masters scholarship from Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES) (finance code 001). SP was supported by Sao Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP) (grant number: 2018/24037-4). CF was supported by FAPESP (grant number: 2019/26310-2 and 2017/26770-8). RAK has been supported by CNPq (grant number: 311832/2017-2) and FAPESP (contract number: 2016/01343-7). PIP has been supported by CNPq (grant number: 313055/2020-3). RSK has been supported by CNPq (proc. 312378/2019-0). MQMR received a postdoctoral scholarship from CAPES (grant number 305269/2020-8). CMT has been supported by CNPq productivity fellowship and the National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment (IATS) (proc: 465518/2014-1). AMB received a technological and industrial scholarship from CNPq (grant number 402834/2020-8). LMS received a technological and industrial scholarship from CNPq (grant number 315866/2020-9). JAFD-F has been supported by CNPq productivity fellowship and the National Institutes for Science and Technology in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation (INCT-EEC), supported by MCTIC/CNPq (proc. 465610/2014-5) and FAPEG (proc. 201810267000023).Preprin