Tomada de decisão e informação: um teste do valor informativo dos estímulos em humanos

Nos últimos anos, têm-se multiplicado os relatos de comportamento sub-ótimo noutras espécies animais. Particularmente relevante para o comportamento humano é a descoberta que os animais valorizam qualquer informação que reduza a incerteza acerca das consequências das suas ações. Na realidade, os animais mostram-se dispostos a perder reforço primário (i.e., comida) para saber com antecedência se vão ou não comer num determinado ensaio. Esta tendência tem sido catalogada como análoga ao jogo humano. Para avaliar a razoabilidade desta afirmação, realizamos uma adaptação da tarefa animal e implementámo-la em participantes humanos. A tarefa consistiu em quatro versões de um jogo com uma Slot Machine virtual, oferecendo cada jogo escolhas repetidas entre uma opção ótima e uma opção sub-ótima, mas informativa. A quantidade de reforço na opção ótima era de 5 pontos em cada jogada, enquanto na opção sub-ótima esta quantidade variava entre grupos, assumindo os valores médios de 2, 3, 4 e 5 pontos. Os resultados revelaram que a preferência média pela opção sub-ótima foi significativamente inferior a 50% em todos os grupos, quer quando foram considerados todos os ensaios quer quando se restringiu a análise aos últimos 20 ensaios. Estes resultados confirmam resultados anteriores obtidos com participantes sem hábitos de jogo e sugerem limites à analogia proposta entre o comportamento sub-ótimo noutras espécies e o comportamento de jogo em humanos.In recent years, reports of sub-optimal behavior in other animal species have bourgeoned. Particularly relevant to human behavior is the discovery that animals value any information that reduces uncertainty about the consequences of their actions. In fact, animals are willing to lose primary reinforcement (i.e., food) to know in advance whether or not they will eat in a given trial. This trend has been cataloged as analogous to human play. To evaluate how reasonable this statement is, we performed an adaptation of the animal task and implemented it in human participants. The task consisted of four versions of a game with a virtual Slot Machine, each offering repeated choices between an optimal option and a suboptimal but informative option. The amount of reinforcement in the optimal option was 5 points in each trial, while in the sub-optimal option this amount varied between groups, from 2 to 5 in steps of 1, on average. The results showed that the mean preference for the suboptimal option was significantly lower than 50% in all groups, both when all assays were considered and when the analysis was restricted to the last 20 trials. These results confirm previous findings in human non-gamblers and suggest limits to the proposed analogy between sub-optimal behavior in other species and gambling behavior in humans.Mestrado em Psicologia da Saúde e Reabilitação Neuropsicológic

Gestão de Instaladores e/ou Implementadores (Backend)

Este documento é um relatório final de um projeto que foi realizado no âmbito da cadeira Laboratório de Projeto decorrida no 3º ano da licenciatura em Eng. Informática/Eletrónica e de Telecomunicações pela UAL1 , e que se realizou entre Setembro de 2017 e Junho de 2018. Tem por objetivo dar a conhecer o trabalho realizado e as diferentes fases do seu desenvolvimento. Fruto de uma parceria entre a UAL e o Grupo LS 2 , visa o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação de Back-End que permita gerir uma lista de trabalhos a serem realizados em espaços comerciais. Estes trabalhos seriam, por exemplo, para instalar um POS3 no site XXX, com os componentes YYY e na data DDD, para um grupo de instaladores/implementadores que não estão fisicamente na LS. Visto que a missão da LS é “garantir soluções eficientes e competitivas de Transporte, Logística e serviços auxiliares, promovendo a satisfação de clientes… sob o ponto de vista, económico, social e ambiental” [1], esta aplicação irá certamente auxiliar neste aspeto

Inserções tibiais do ligamento cruzado posterior: anatomia topográfica e estudo morfométrico

ResumoObjetivoDescrever o formato, a localização e as medidas das inserções tibiais do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP) para ajudar o cirurgião a criar túneis tibiais anatômicos, durante a reconstrução cirúrgica desse ligamento.Materiais e métodosEstudamos a anatomia topográfica e a morfometria das inserções tibiais do LCP em 24 peças anatômicas de joelhos. Fotografamos as inserções ligamentares nas peças anatômicas com uma câmera digital e usamos programa Image J para medir a área de inserção das bandas, em milímetros quadrados, e as distâncias entre pontos significativos, em milímetros.ResultadosEm 54,2% dos joelhos o formato das inserções foi côncavo; na maioria das peças (41,6%) o formato da inserção foi oval. A área média total da inserção tibial do LCP foi de 88,33 ± 21,66 mm2; a área média da inserção tibial da banda anterolateral (AL) foi de 46,79 ± 14,10 mm2 e da banda posteromedial (PM), de 41,54 ± 9,75 mm2.ConclusõesA banda AL tem uma área de inserção tibial maior do que a PM; as áreas de inserção dessas bandas em nosso estudo foram menores do que as encontradas na literatura. As variações da área de inserção tibial do LCP sugerem que deve haver indicação para reconstruções anatômicas desse ligamento com o uso do túnel tibial único ou duplo, de acordo com as características individuais.AbstractObjectiveTo provide anatomical and morphometric basis of the posterior cruciate ligament's tibial insertions in order to assist the creation of anatomical tibial tunnels, in the ligament surgical reconstruction.Material and methodsThe topographic anatomy and morphometry of the posterior cruciate ligament's anterolateral and posteromedial bundles’ tibial insertions were analyzed in 24 anatomical knee pieces. The pieces were photographed by a digital camera and the images obtained were studied by the software ImageJ, where the bundles’ insertion areas were measured in square millimeters, and the length of structures and the distances between significant points were measured in millimeters.ResultsIn 54.2% of the knees the insertion’ shape was concave; in most pieces (41.6%) the form of insertion was oval. The average posterior cruciate ligament's tibial insertion total area was 88.33 ± 21.66 mm2; the average anterolateral bundle's tibial insertion area was 46.79 ± 14.10 mm2 and it was 41.54 ± 9.75 mm2 for the posteromedial bundle.ConclusionsThe anterolateral bundle has a tibial insertion area larger than the posteromedial bundle; the insertion areas of those bundles in our study, were smaller than the ones found in the literature. The variations in the posterior cruciate ligament's tibial insertion area suggest that there should be an indication for anatomical reconstructions of this ligament using single or double tibial tunnels according to individual characteristics

NEP-TC a rRNA methyltransferase involved on somatic embryogenesis of tamarillo (Solanum betaceum cav.)

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an important biotechnological tool for large-scale clonal propagation and for embryogenesis research. Moreover, genetic transformation and cryopreservation procedures in many species rely on efficient SE protocols. We have been studying different aspects related to SE induction and somatic embryo development in tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.), a small tree from the Solanaceae family. Previous proteomic analyses identified a protein (NEP-TC, 26.5 kDa) consistently present in non-embryogenic calluses of tamarillo, but absent in the embryogenic ones. In this work, the role of NEP-TC during SE was assessed by gene expression analysis and immunolocalization. The results obtained demonstrated that NEP-TC is a putative member of the SpoU rRNA methylase family. This protein, present in the cytoplasm and nucleus, is expressed in non-embryogenic cells and not expressed in embryogenic cells. Slightly enhanced SE induction levels in tamarillo plants with NEP-TC down-regulated levels also supports the role of this protein on SE induction. Heterologous expression was used to confirm NEP-TC rRNA methyltransferase activity, with enhanced activity levels when rRNA was used as a substrate. These data relate a putative member of the SpoU methylase family with plant morphogenesis, in particular with SE induction.publishe

Spigelian Hernia

Spigelian hernia (SH) is uncommon and accounts for only 0.12–2% of all abdominal hernias. Spigelian hernia is a protrusion through a defect in the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis muscle (Spigelian fascia) that is limited by the semilunar line and the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis muscle. It is more common in women 50–60 years and it is twice as common on the right side. Patients may present with non-specific abdominal pain. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult, especially in obese patients, and radiologic exams are essential to obtain the correct diagnoses. This type of hernia has a mandatory indication to surgical repair due to the risk of incarceration that can occur in about 25% and strangulation that can occur in about 40%. Traditionally, open surgical repair is most commonly used. However, laparoscopic approach is becoming increasingly popular since it allows faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and less pain, with no commitment to recurrence. Currently, there are no studies that demonstrate the superiority of a laparoscopic technique (intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM), transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) or extraperitoneal approach (TEP)). The intraperitoneal route is a simple, faster, and easily reproducible approach

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Pluriannual Experience in a High-Volume Center Evaluating Indications and Results

Background: Robotic adrenalectomy offers several clinical benefits if compared with laparoscopic adrenalectomy; however, its superiority is still under debate. The aim of this study was the investigation of differences between the two techniques, and a comparison when approaching right or left side adrenal lesions was further conducted. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing laparoscopic and robotic unilateral adrenalectomy at our institution from January 2006 to December 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted; differences between the two cohorts were reported. Results: A total of 160 cases were included (84 patients in laparoscopic adrenalectomy-group [LA-g] 76 cases in robotic adrenalectomy-group [RA-g]). The groups were homogeneous for demographic data. No intraoperative complications were reported; mean amount of intraoperative blood loss was comparable. No cases of conversion to open surgery were required. RA-g presented a longer operative time than LA-g for right adrenalectomy (P = .05), no differences were noted for left side (P = .187). Overall morbidity was 21% for LA-g and 10.5% for RA-g (P = .087), with an inferior rate of surgical complications for RA-g (P = .024), and for robotic left adrenalectomy than robotic right procedure (P = .03). Length of hospital stay was shorter for RA-g (P = .005). Conclusions: Robotic adrenalectomy presents similar outcomes as laparoscopic approach with some benefits for selected cases. Left adrenal lesions seem to receive greater advantages from robotic technique. Large randomized controlled trials are required to determine the role of robotic adrenal surgery and if the indication can be standardized based on the laterality of adrenal procedure

Fixação de insectos: estudo comparativo entre formol tamponado a 10%, líquido de Bouin e Bouin Holland

Actualmente, é notável um interesse crescente relativamente ao estudo de insectos: interesses agrícolas (controlo de pragas) e interesses forenses (entomologia forense). A análise histológica destes organismos visa completar os conhecimentos já adquiridos. Objectivos gerais: obter lâminas histológicas de insectos. Objectivos específicos: determinar qual o fixador mais adequado, centrando as opções no Formol Tamponado a 10% (FT), Líquido de Bouin (LB) e Bouin Holland (BH); verificar se o processamento histológico de rotina se aplica ao estudo de insectos

Máquina de análise e correcção de deformações em molas de lâmina

No processo de fabrico automatizado de molas de lâmina surgem alguns problemas, fazendo com que as molas, na sua forma final, contenham algumas deformações. Tudo isto influencia o seu desempenho e é importante efectuar as correcções necessárias, de modo a ir ao encontro das elevadas exigências de qualidade. Não existido na indústria sistemas automatizados para efectuar este processo de correcção, sendo ele actualmente realizado de forma manual, surge a necessidade de criar uma máquina que analise as deformações das molas e que, posteriormente, proceda à sua correcção de forma totalmente automatizada. Neste artigo é apresentado o projecto de desenvolvimento e de dimensionamento de um sistema de análise e correcção de molas de lâmina, sendo apresentadas algumas soluções inovadoras.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dating stalagmite from Caverna do Diabo (Devil'S Cave) by TL and EPR techniques

A cylindrical fragment of stalagmite from Caverna do Diabo, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been studied and dated by thermoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques. The thermoluminescence glow curves of stalagmite samples and subsequently gamma irradiated, have shown rise of three peaks at 135, 180 and 265 degrees C. From electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of stalagmite was possible to clearly identify three paramagnetic centers in the g = 2.0 region: Centers I, II and III are due to, CO3- and CO33-, respectively. The additive method was applied to calculate the accumulated dose using thermoluminescence peak at 265 degrees C and the electron paramagnetic resonance signal at g = 1.9973 of CO2- radical. The ages of the different slices of stalagmite were determined from the D-ac-values and D-an-value, obtaining an average of 86410 for central slice, 53421 for second slice, 31490 for third slice and 46390 years B.P. for the central region of upper end.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis, Rua Matao,187 Cidade Univ, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, Rua Doutor Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, BrazilIPEN CNEN SP, Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl, Av Prof Lineu Prestes,2242 Cidade Univ, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Nacl San Agustin, Fac Ciencias Nat & Formales, Escuela Profes Fis, Av Independencia S-N, Arequipa, PeruUniv Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, Dept Engn Met & Mat, Av Prof Mello Moraes 2463, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Doutor Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, 11070-100 Santos, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2014/03085-0CAPES: BEX-9612130Web of Scienc

NEP-TC a rRNA Methyltransferase Involved on Somatic Embryogenesis of Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.)

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an important biotechnological tool for large-scale clonal propagation and for embryogenesis research. Moreover, genetic transformation and cryopreservation procedures in many species rely on efficient SE protocols. We have been studying different aspects related to SE induction and somatic embryo development in tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.), a small tree from the Solanaceae family. Previous proteomic analyses identified a protein (NEP-TC, 26.5 kDa) consistently present in non-embryogenic calluses of tamarillo, but absent in the embryogenic ones. In this work, the role of NEP-TC during SE was assessed by gene expression analysis and immunolocalization. The results obtained demonstrated that NEP-TC is a putative member of the SpoU rRNA methylase family. This protein, present in the cytoplasm and nucleus, is expressed in non-embryogenic cells and not expressed in embryogenic cells. Slightly enhanced SE induction levels in tamarillo plants with NEP-TC down-regulated levels also supports the role of this protein on SE induction. Heterologous expression was used to confirm NEP-TC rRNA methyltransferase activity, with enhanced activity levels when rRNA was used as a substrate. These data relate a putative member of the SpoU methylase family with plant morphogenesis, in particular with SE induction