Circadian Sensation and Visual Perception

The physiology of living beings presents oscillations that are known as biological rhythms. The most studied rhythm is called circadian (circa = circa, dies = day), because it varies with a period close to 24h. Most functions of the body have circadian variations, one can mention, for example, metabolism, body temperature, the activity of the nervous system, secretion of hormones such as melatonin and cortisol. Circadian rhythms were also found in human behavior, for example: in sensory activity, motor activity, reaction time, visual perception, auditory perception, time perception, attention, memory, arithmetic calculus, and executive functions. The present work reviews the visual path that participates in the synchronization of circadian rhythms, as well as the evidence that exists about the presence of circadian rhythms in the sensation and visual perception of the human being

Processamento visual de grades senoidais concêntricas em adolescentes e adultos

The aim of this study was to compare the contrast visual processing of concentric sinusoidal gratings stimuli between adolescents and adults. The study included 20 volunteers divided into two groups: 10 adolescents aged 13-19 years (M=16.5, SD=1.65) and 10 adults aged 20-26 years (M=21.8, SD=2.04). In order to measure the contrast sensitivity at spatial frequencies of 0.6, 2.5, 5 and 20 degrees of visual angle (cpd), it was used the psychophysical method of two alternative forced choice (2AFC). A One Way ANOVA performance showed a significant difference in the comparison between groups: F [(4, 237)=3.74, p<.05]. The post-hoc Tukey HSD showed a significant difference between the frequencies of 0.6 (p <.05) and 20 cpd (p<.05). Thus, the results showed that the visual perception behaves differently with regard to the sensory mechanisms that render the contrast towards adolescents and adults. These results are useful to better characterize and comprehend human vision development.El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el procesamientovisual de contraste para los estímulos en rejilla sinusoidalconcéntrica en adolescentes y adultos. El estudioincluyó a 20 voluntarios divididos en dos grupos: 10adolescentes de 13-19 años (M = 16.5; SD = 1.65) y 10adultos de 20-26 años (M = 21.8; SD = 2.04). Se utilizóel método psicofísico de la elección forzada entre dosalternativas (2AFC) para medir la sensibilidad al contrasteen las frecuencias espaciales de 0.6, 2.5, 5 y 20grados de ángulo visual (CPD). La realización de unaAnova de una vía mostró una diferencia significativaen la comparación entre los grupos: F [(4, 237) = 3.74,p < .05]. El post-hoc de Tukey HSD mostró una diferenciasignificativa entre las frecuencias de 0.6 (p < .05) y20 CPD (p < .05). Por lo tanto, los resultados mostraronque la percepción visual es distinta con respecto a losmecanismos sensoriales que procesan el contraste paraadolescentes y adultos. Estos resultados son útiles parauna mejor caracterización y comprensión de la visiónhumana a lo largo de su desarrollo.O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o processamento visual de contraste para estímulos em grade senoidal concêntrica entre adolescentes e adultos. Participaram do estudo 20 voluntários divididos em dois grupos: 10 adolescentes na faixa etária de 13-19 anos (M = 16.5; DP = 1.65) e 10 adultos na faixa etária de 20-26 anos (M = 21.8; DP = 2.04). Utilizou-se o método psicofísico da escolha forçada entre duas alternativas temporais (2AFC) para medir a sensibilidade ao contraste nas frequências espaciais de 0.6; 2.5; 5 e 20 graus de ângulo visual (cpg). A realização de uma ANOVA One Way mostrou diferença significante na comparação entre grupos: F [(4; 237) = 3.74; p <.05]. O teste post-hoc Tukey HSD mostrou diferença significante entre as frequências de 0.6 (p <. 05) e 20 cpg (p <.05). Desta forma, os resultados mostraram que a percepção visual se comporta de forma diferente no que se refere aos mecanismos sensórios que processam o contraste para adolescentes e adultos. Estes resultados são úteis para uma melhor caracterização e compreensão da visão humana ao longo do seu desenvolvimento

Técnicas do Rastramento Ocular no Diagnóstico do Transtorno Depressivo: uma revisão sistemática

This systematic review aimed to verify the empirical evidence of the application of the eye tracking technique in depressive disorder. The PubMed, PsyInfo and Web of Science databases were used, using the following descriptors: ((Depression OR "Affective Disorders") AND ("Eye Tracking" OR Eye-Tracking OR "Eye Movements" OR "Eye Tracker" OR "Eye Gaze")). According to the eligibility criteria, sixteen relevant studies were identified and its methods, results and their main limitations were verified. The results suggest an increase in latency and reaction time to detect complex stimuli, e.g. the recognition of emotional facial expressions. In addition, greater numbers of fixations in stimuli of negative emotional content were observed. The findings demonstrate that changes in eye movement measurements in depressive disorder are associated with an attentional bias mechanism. It is concluded that Eye Tracking is a useful tool for psychophysiological assessment of depressive disorder.Esta revisão sistemática teve como objetivo verificar as evidências empíricas da aplicação da técnica de rastreamento ocular no transtorno depressivo. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados PubMed, PsyInfo e Web of Science, utilizando os seguintes descritores: ((Depression OR "Affective Disorders") AND ("Eye Tracking" OR Eye-Tracking OR "Eye Movements" OR "Eye Tracker" OR "Eye Gaze")). De acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade, foram identificados cinco estudos relevantes e verificados seus métodos, resultados e suas principais limitações. Os resultados sugerem um aumento na latência e no tempo de reação para detectar estímulos complexos, por ex. o reconhecimento de expressões faciais emocionais. Além disso, observou-se um maior número de fixações em estímulos de conteúdo emocional negativo. Os resultados demonstram que as alterações nas medidas dos movimentos oculares no transtorno depressivo estão associadas a um mecanismo de viés de atenção. Conclui-se que o rastreamento ocular é uma ferramenta útil para avaliação psicofisiológica do transtorno depressivo

Revisão sobre o processamento neuropsicológico dos atributos tonais da música no contexto ocidental

Many discussions about the music processing have occurred over the years. It is stated, on one hand, the existence of a single joint for grasping the music or any of its attributes by the Central Nervous System. Furthermore, it is claimed also the existence of multiple and diverse systems to understand each aspect of music. In general, model-independent set, studies focusing on the processing of sound components, specifically the musical tones, can significantly clarify the basic functioning of the auditory system and other higher brain functions. In this sense, one of the most prominent approaches in the study of sensory and perceptual processes of hearing, or changed unharmed, has been Neuroscience, which is interested in the interaction between the brain areas corresponding to different cognitive processes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to review the studies that dealt processing models of the attributes of tonal Western music, based on the conception that neuropsychological neural structures are interdependent sensory pathways.En los últimos años se han llevado a cabo gran número de discusiones acerca del procesamiento de la música. Se afirma, por un lado, la existencia de un único sistema para la aprehensión de la música o de cualquiera de sus atributos por el sistema nervioso central. Por otra parte, se aduce la existencia de sistemas múltiples y diversos para la comprensión de cada uno de los aspectos de la música. En general, con independencia del modelo definido, los estudios centrados en el procesamiento de los componentes sonoros, específicamente de los tonos musicales, pueden aclarar el funcionamiento básico del sistema auditivo y otras funciones superiores del cerebro. En este sentido, uno de los enfoques más importantes en el estudio de los procesos sensoriales y perceptivos de la audición, normales o patológicos, ha sido la neurociencia, la cual se interesa en la interacción entre las áreas del cerebro que corresponden a diferentes procesos cognitivos. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este estudio fue revisar los estudios que se ocupan de los modelos de procesamiento de los atributos de la música occidental tonal, basados en la idea de que las estructuras neurales son interdependientes de las vías sensoriales.Muitas discussões a respeito do processamento musical têm ocorrido ao longo dos anos. Afirma-se, por um lado, a existência de um sistema único comum para a apreensão da música ou de qualquer um de seus atributos pelo Sistema Nervoso Central. Por outro lado, alega-se também a existência de sistemas múltiplos e diversos para a compreensão de cada um desses aspectos da música. De forma geral, independente do modelo definido, estudos focados no processamento dos componentes sonoros, mais especificamente dos tons musicais, podem esclarecer de forma importante o funcionamento básico do sistema auditivo e de outras funções cerebrais superiores. Nesse sentido, uma das abordagens de maior destaque no estudo desses processos sensoriais e perceptivos da audição, ilesos ou alterados, tem sido a Neurociência, que se interessa pela interação entre as áreas do encéfalo correspondentes aos diferentes processos cognitivos. Assim, a finalidade desta pesquisa foi revisar estudos que tratassem dos modelos de processamento dos atributos tonais da música ocidental, baseando-se na concepção neuropsicologicas de que as estruturas neurais são interdependentes das vias sensoriais

Mulheres e homens:: Diferentes também na percepção das notas musicais?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of musical notes D, F, and A in young adults. The study included 20 men and 20 women, aged 18 to 29 years, healthy, non-musicians, and non-users of drugs or other toxic substances. Participants did a two-alternative forced choice discrimination test of musical notes, in which they were asked to select the stimulus that was previously presented. The frequency of correct discrimination of the musical notes was compared between both sexes. Statistically significant differences in the musical note F were found. Men had a higher number of hits than women. These results suggest differences in the perception of musical notes by women and men.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a percepção das notas musicais RÉ, FÁ, e LÁ em adultos jovens. Participaram do estudo 20 homens e 20 mulheres de 18 a 29 anos, saudáveis, não músicos e não usuários de fármacos ou outras substâncias tóxicas. Realizou-se um teste de discriminação de notas musicais no qual os participantes escolheram através do método da escolha forçada entre duas alternativas um estímulo de teste, uma nota apresentada ao indivíduo cinco vezes consecutivas antes do início da sessão experimental. Aplicou-se um teste X2 comparando o sexo dos participantes para cada nota, tomando como referência a frequência de acertos na discriminação das mesmas. Os resultados encontrados sugerem diferença na percepção das notas musicais para mulheres e homens. &nbsp

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Optimization of native biocontrol agents, with parasitoids of the invasive pest <i>Drosophila suzukii</i> as an example

The development of biological control methods for exotic invasive pest species has become more challenging during the last decade. Compared to indigenous natural enemies, species from the pest area of origin are often more efficient due to their long coevolutionary history with the pest. The import of these well-adapted exotic species, however, has become restricted under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, reducing the number of available biocontrol candidates. Finding new agents and ways to improve important traits for control agents ("biocontrol traits") is therefore of crucial importance. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a surprisingly under-rated method for improvement of biocontrol: the exploitation of intraspecific variation in biocontrol traits, for example, by selective breeding. We propose a four-step approach to investigate the potential of this method: investigation of the amount of (a) inter- and (b) intraspecific variation for biocontrol traits, (c) determination of the environmental and genetic factors shaping this variation, and (d) exploitation of this variation in breeding programs. We illustrate this approach with a case study on parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii, a highly invasive pest species in Europe and North America. We review all known parasitoids of D. suzukii and find large variation among and within species in their ability to kill this fly. We then consider which genetic and environmental factors shape the interaction between D. suzukii and its parasitoids to explain this variation. Insight into the causes of variation informs us on how and to what extent candidate agents can be improved. Moreover, it aids in predicting the effectiveness of the agent upon release and provides insight into the selective forces that are limiting the adaptation of indigenous species to the new pest. We use this knowledge to give future research directions for the development of selective breeding methods for biocontrol agents