The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network

The experiences induced by psychedelics share a wide variety of subjective features, related to the complex changes in perception and cognition induced by this class of drugs. A remarkable increase in introspection is at the core of these altered states of consciousness. Self-oriented mental activity has been consistently linked to the Default Mode Network (DMN), a set of brain regions more active during rest than during the execution of a goal-directed task. Here we used fMRI technique to inspect the DMN during the psychedelic state induced by Ayahuasca in ten experienced subjects. Ayahuasca is a potion traditionally used by Amazonian Amerindians composed by a mixture of compounds that increase monoaminergic transmission. In particular, we examined whether Ayahuasca changes the activity and connectivity of the DMN and the connection between the DMN and the task-positive network (TPN). Ayahuasca caused a significant decrease in activity through most parts of the DMN, including its most consistent hubs: the Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC)/Precuneus and the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC). Functional connectivity within the PCC/Precuneus decreased after Ayahuasca intake. No significant change was observed in the DMN-TPN orthogonality. Altogether, our results support the notion that the altered state of consciousness induced by Ayahuasca, like those induced by psilocybin (another serotonergic psychedelic), meditation and sleep, is linked to the modulation of the activity and the connectivity of the DMN.The Brazilian Federal Agencies: CNPq, CAPES; FINEP; The Sao Paulo State financial agency (FAPESP)

Adjustment of the infiltration curve by different empirical models

A estimativa de algumas propriedades físico-hídricas do solo, por meio do uso de modelos empíricos, constitui uma excelente alternativa para a redução do tempo e do custo das análises laboratoriais, especialmente para aplicação rápida e precisa desses valores em projetos agrícolas. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estimar a velocidade de infiltração de água no solo por meio de modelos empíricos propostos por Horton, Kostiakov e Kostiakov-Lewis e comparar os resultados com os dados obtidos em campo por meio do infiltrômetro de anel. A pesquisa foi conduzida em solo de textura arenosa da área experimental da Empresa Estadual de Pesquisas Agropecuárias – EMEPA, localizada no município de Lagoa Seca (PB). Foram realizados, ao longo da área experimental, um total de 65 testes de infiltração, por meio do infiltrômetro de anel. Os modelos de Horton, Kostiakov e Kostiakov-Lewis foram ajustados aos dados obtidos em campo com o infiltrômetro de anel. Dentre os modelos testados, o proposto por Horton foi o que apresentou o melhor desempenho. Entretanto, os prognósticos dos modelos de Horton, Kostiakov e Kostiakov-Lewis foram praticamente similares.Conocer las estimativas de algunas propiedades físico hídricas del suelo, através del uso de modelos empíricos constituye una excelente alternativa de reducción de costos y de tiempo para los analisis laboratoriales, en especial pala la aplicación rápida y precisa de esos valores en projectos agrícolas. El objetivo de este trabajo es estimar la velocidad de la infiltración del agua en el suelo usando el méctodo empírico propuesto por Horton Kostiakov y Kostiakov-Lewis y cvomparar los resultados con los datos obtenidos a campo con el uso del infiltrómetro de anillo. La pesquisa se condujo en suelo de textura arenosa del área experimental de la Empresa Estadual de Pesquisas Agropecuárias –EMBRAPA, localizada en la Municipalidad de Lagoa Seca  en el Estado de Pernambuco.  Realizamos aproximadamente 65 experimentos de infiltración con el infiltrómetro de anillo. Los modelos propuestos por Horton Kostiakov y Kostiakov-Lewis fueron ajustados a los datos obtenidos a campo con el infiltrómetro de anillo. Entre todos los modelos testados el de Horton presentó los mejores resultados. Entretanto, los pronósticos de los modelos Horton Kostiakov y Kostiakov – Lewis se mostraron muy similares.The estimation of some hydro-physical properties of soil through the use of empirical models is an excellent alternative for reducing the time and cost of laboratory tests, especially for quick and precise application of those values in agricultural projects. The aim of this study is to estimate the speed of infiltration of water into the soil by means of empirical models proposed by Horton, Kostiakov and Kostiakov-Lewis and comparing the results with data obtained in the field through the ring infiltrometer. The research was conducted in sandy soil texture of the experimental area of the State Enterprise for Agricultural Research - EMEPA, located in Lagoa Seca, PB. A total of 65 tests of infiltration through the ring infiltrometer were performed along the experimental area. The models of Horton, Kostiakov and Kostiakov-Lewis, were fitted to data obtained in the field with the ring infiltrometer. Among the models tested, the one proposed by Horton had the best performance. However, the prognostic models of Horton, Kostiakov and Kostiakov-Lewis were almost similar

Experience and Innovation Factory: Adaptation of an Experience Factory Model for a Research and Development Laboratory

This paper aims to present a knowledge management proposal for a software factory organization. A software factory requires a holistic organization, in which many factors must be taken into account, such as: people management and business management. The complexity of the structure leads us to elaborate on an adapted model of Experience Factory to meets the needs of research and development laboratories. The construction of the adapted model used a bibliographical research about Experience Factory models, the characterization of the project, a mapping between the project’s characteristics and the activities of the Experience Factory models. The Experience Factory models attend to the main characteristics identified for the Software Factory Laboratory (SFL): development, capacitation, training, research and innovation. Finally, we tested and analyzed the results on the proposed model on the knowledge generated by the SFL during the software development process

Análise sazonal dos fluxos de CO2 e respiraçao em área de floresta alagada na costa norte do Brasil

Ponencia presentada en: XXX Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el IX Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en Zaragoza, del 5 al 7 de mayo de 2008