Two-person neuroscience and naturalistic social communication: The role of language and linguistic variables in brain-coupling research

Social cognitive neuroscience (SCN) seeks to understand the brain mechanisms through which we comprehend others? emotions and intentions in order to react accordingly. For decades, SCN has explored relevant domains by exposing individual participants to predesigned stimuli and asking them to judge their social (e.g., emotional) content. Subjects are thus reduced to detached observers of situations that they play no active role in. However, the core of our social experience is construed through real-time interactions requiring the active negotiation of information with other people. To gain more relevant insights into the workings of the social brain, the incipient field of two-person neuroscience (2PN) advocates the study of brain-to-brain coupling through multi-participant experiments. In this paper, we argue that the study of online language-based communication constitutes a cornerstone of 2PN. First, we review preliminary evidence illustrating how verbal interaction may shed light on the social brain. Second, we advance methodological recommendations to design experiments within language-based 2PN. Finally, we formulate outstanding questions for future research.Fil: García, Adolfo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Lenguas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders; Australi

Triangular curves and cyclotomic Zariski tuples

The purpose of this paper is to exhibit infinite families of conjugate projective curves in a number field whose complement have the same abelian fundamental group, but are non-homeomorphic. In particular, for any $d>3$ we find Zariski tuples parametrized by the $d$-roots of unity up to complex conjugation. As a consequence, for any divisor $m$ of $d$, $m\neq 1,2,3,4,6$, we find arithmetic Zariski $\frac{\phi(m)}{2}$-tuples with coefficients in the corresponding cyclotomic field. These curves have abelian fundamental group and they are distinguished using a linking invariant.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures. To appear in Collectanea Mathematic

Human and animal models for translational research on neurodegeneration: Challenges and opportunities from South America

Facing the alarming growth of dementia and neurodegenerative conditions has become a critical priority across the globe (Alzheimer´s Disease International, 2009;Lancet, 2015;Shah et al., 2016;Parra et al., 2018). Neurodegenerative diseases are the most frequent cause of dementia, representing a burden for public health systems (especially in middle and middle-high income countries). Although most research on this subject is concentrated in first-world centers, growing efforts in South American countries (SACs) are affording important breakthroughs. This emerging agenda poses not only new challenges for the region, but also new opportunities for the field at large. SACs have witnessed a promising development of relevant research in humans and animals, giving rise to new regional challenges. As highlighted in a recent experts? consensus paper Latin-American countries (LAC), and SACs in particular (Parra et al., 2018), face a critical situation. Higher demographic rates and the predicted prevalence of dementia have reached and even exceeded those of developing countries. In SACs, low- and middle-income countries (e.g., Bolivia, Paraguay), the prevalence of dementia will double that of high-income countries, while upper-middle-income countries in the region (e.g., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela) will experience the greatest impact of dementia. The WHO estimated that the standardized prevalence of dementia in Latin America was 8.5%, but multiple SACs have been underrepresented or underestimated in such a calculation (Parra et al., 2018). Moreover, raw prevalence rates across studies are characterized by high variability within and between countries (e.g., Argentina: 8.3; Brazil: 7.1-2.0; Chile: 4.4-7.0; Colombia: 6.0; Peru: 6.72-9.3; Uruguay: 3.1; Venezuela: 5.7-13,7) (Parra et al., 2018). In addition, most of these studies are undermined by various limitations and methodological problems. Even considering these data, SACs possess the highest global prevalence of dementia after North Africa/Middle East in people above the age of 60 (Parra et al., 2018). Moreover, the harmonization of global strategies against dementia in these contexts is hindered not only by reduced epidemiological data, but also by the lack of standardized clinical practice, insufficient training of physicians, limited resources, and poor governmental support, let alone poverty and more general cultural barriers and stigmas. All of these factors have impacted the type and amount of research conducted in SACs. A regional network, based on multiinstitutional actors from research, governmental, and private sectors is fundamental to overcome these challenges (Parra et al., 2018).Fil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Laboratorio de Psicología Experimental y Neurociencia; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez; ChileFil: Sedeño, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Laboratorio de Psicología Experimental y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: García, Adolfo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Laboratorio de Psicología Experimental y Neurociencia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Educación Elemental y Especial; ArgentinaFil: Deacon, Robert. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Laboratorio de Psicología Experimental y Neurociencia; Argentina. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Cogram, Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Laboratorio de Psicología Experimental y Neurociencia; Argentina. Universidad de Chile; Chil

Efectos contradictorios del Tai Chi Chuan sobre la osteoartrosis de rodilla

Discusión sobre los efectos del Tai Chi Chuan sobre la osteoartrosis de rodill

Youden Two-Sample Method

The results obtained when testing materials, equipment and procedures are not generally identical. Factors that influence the magnitude of the results are not fully controllable. As such, the interpretation and analysis of results must take into account the variations caused by numerous and random unavoidable causes. Intercomparison exercises are considered of being of importance, as they do allow the examination of the analytical process and their generated results. Youden plot is particularly aimed at interlaboratory comparisons. The raw results provided by the participating laboratories are treated by a statistical method applied by the centre performing the trial. In order to materialize this, two similar materials with small differences in the concentration of the characteristics are required. The advantage of Youden analysis is its ability to separate the random errors with a minimum effort by participants in the design from the point of view of the analytical requirement. This book chapter illustrates the method that has been applied to elaborate on data covering a diverse scientific field: polyunsaturated fatty acids in fat and oils, total blood cholesterol and aspirin in pharmaceutical preparations. Finally, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detector has been applied to the determination of an emerging contaminant, methylparaben (MeP), in surface waters

Honey bees can store and retrieve independent memory traces after complex experiences that combine appetitive and aversive associations

Real-world experiences often mix appetitive and aversive events. Understanding the ability of animals to extract, store and use this information is an important issue in neurobiology. We used honey bees as model organism to study learning and memory after a differential conditioning paradigm that combines appetitive and aversive training trials. First, we used an aversive conditioning paradigm that constitutes a clear opposite of the well-known appetitive olfactory conditioning of the proboscis extension response. A neutral odour is presented paired with the bitter substance quinine. Aversive memory is evidenced later as an odour-specific impairment in appetitive conditioning. Then, we tested the effect of mixing appetitive and aversive conditioning trials distributed along the same training session. Differential conditioning protocols like this were used previously to study the ability to discriminate odours; however, they were not focused on whether appetitive and aversive memories are formed. We found that after differential conditioning, honey bees establish independent appetitive and aversive memories that do not interfere with each other during acquisition or storage. Finally, we moved the question forward to retrieval and memory expression to evaluate what happens when appetitive and the aversive learned odours are mixed during a test. Interestingly, opposite memories compete in such a way that they do not cancel each other out. Honey bees showed the ability to switch from expressing appetitive to aversive memory depending on their satiation level.Fil: Klappenbach, Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Lara, Agustin Eleazar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Locatelli, Fernando Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

Modelo del proceso de formación estadística investigativa del docente universitario en el posgrado

Fundamento: En la actualidad existen deficiencias en el proceso de formación posgraduada del docente universitario. Objetivo: Proponer un modelo para el proceso de formación estadística investigativa en el posgrado. Desarrollo Se sustenta en la teoría holístico configuracional, y en consecuencia, parte de las contradicciones que se manifiestan entre los pares de categorías comprensión de variables de investigación y la interpretación cuantitativa cualitativa de la realidad investigada, así como desde aplicación de técnicas de análisis de datos y la valoración estadística descriptiva y/o inferencial, relaciones dialécticas que dinamizan en todo momento la modelación y a la vez le dan coherencia e integración, y desde las cuales se originan los movimientos y transformaciones en la sistematización del contenido estadístico investigativo. Conclusiones: El modelo además de su relevancia, tiene una estructuración coherente y lógica en el tramado de relaciones que se establecen entre sus categorías, así como fundamentos teóricos bien argumentados. Palabras clave: Educación superior, formación posgraduada, estadística. DeCS: EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR; EDUCACIÓN PROFESIONAL/estadística & datos numéricos;              EDUCACIÓN DE POSGRADO/estadística & datos numéricos; ESTADÍSTICA. ABSTRACT  Background: At the present time there are some deficiencies in the process of formation of the   postgraduate university students. Objective: To propose a model for the process of investigative statistical formation in the postgraduate. Development: It is sustained in the holistic configurationally theory , and in consequence parts of the contradictions that are manifested between the pairs of categories understanding of variables investigation  and the qualitative quantitative interpretation of the investigated reality, as well as from application of analysis techniques of data and the descriptive statistical valuation and/or inferential, dialectical relationships that energize in all moment the modulation and at the same time  give them  coherence and integration, and from which originate the movements and transformations in the systematizing of the investigative statistical content. Conclusions: The pattern besides its relevance, has a coherent structuring and logic in the schemed of relationships that are settled down among its categories, as well as well-argued theoretical foundations.   Keywords: High education, postgraduate formation, statistic.  MeSH: EDUCATION HIGHER; EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL/statistics & numerical data; EDUCATION GRADUATE/statistics & numerical data; STATISTICS

How Does Social Context Influence Our Brain and Behavior?

When we interact with others, the context in which our actions take place plays a major role in our behavior. This means that our understanding of objects, words, emotions, and social cues may differ depending on where we encounter them. Here, we explain how context affects daily mental processes, ranging from how people see things to how they behave with others. Then, we present the social context network model. This model explains how people process contextual cues when they interact, through the activity of the frontal, temporal, and insular brain regions. Next, we show that when those brain areas are affected by some diseases, patients find it hard to process contextual cues. Finally, we describe new ways to explore social behavior through brain recordings in daily situations.Fil: Báez Buitrago, Sandra Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: García, Adolfo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez; Chile. Australian Research Council; Australi

A review of Tai Chi Chuan and parameters related to balance

Introduction: Previous systematic reviews of the literature on the effects of Tai Chi Chuan(TCC)on balance have focussed either on determining the quality of the research design or have provided just a general description of the studies.To the best of our knowledge none have approached this topic by conducting an analysis from the point of view of the factors which affect balance.It is important to present this perspective as it will help to guide future research in this field. Methodology: Seven electronic data bases were searched for publications dated between 1996 and 2012.The inclusion criteria were;randomized controlled trials(RCT)written in English. Results: From a total of 397 articles identified, 27 randomized controlled trials were eligible for the analysis. Conclusions: Studies reviewed appear to confirm that TCC improves static and dynamic balance and in the functional factors which affect balance in persons of over 55 years of age.Only one study was identified on people affected with problems with the vestibular system. No studies on the influence of TCC on improvement in balance in individuals suffering from deteriorated brain function were identified

Algunas aplicaciones de la distribución de probabilidad de los neutrones espalados por protones de alta energía

Un material de número atómico elevado se denomina blanco de espalación, cuando sobre el mismo colisionan protones de alta energía. Los protones deben tener una longitud de onda de de Broglie muy inferior al tamaño del núcleo del blanco; en estas condiciones colisionan directamente con los nucleones del blanco. En cada colisión el protón arranca un nucleón; si el nucleón arrancado es un protón, éste se convierte en un nuevo protón secundario de espalación(1). La reacción es muy semejante al efecto Compton en la corteza electrónica. El resultado de la espalación es doble; de un lado, se calienta el blanco a causa de la deposición de energía de los protones secundarios; del otro, se emiten neutrones(2). En el caso de que incida una corriente de protones, el blanco se convierte en una fuente de neutrones de intensidad proporcional a la corriente. Mediante este proceso se pueden diseñar fuentes de neutrones de muy alta intensidad, varios órdenes de magnitud superiores a las típicas de (,n). Las fuentes de espalación se utilizan para irradiar materiales con neutrones(3). Se utilizarán también en la incineración de residuos nucleares con reactores subcríticos tipo ADS(4). Sin duda, el parámetro clave de diseño de estas fuentes es el número medio de neutrones por protón, que depende del material y la geometría del blanco, así como de la energía del protón incidente. El material suele ser un metal de número atómico alto y punto de fusión elevado; típicamente, Pb, W, Ta, Hg. La geometría, un cilindro de altura del orden del rango de los protones incidentes en el material. La energía del protón incidente, del orden de 1000 MeV; debe ser como mínimo superior a la energía media de enlace de los nucleones en los núcleos del blanco. Se dispone de correlaciones empíricas y códigos de cálculo para estimar el número medio de neutrones por protón(5). En la literatura pueden encontrarse además, medidas de la distribución de probabilidad de la multiplicidad de neutrones(6); esto es, la probabilidad de que un protón produzca N neutrones de espalación. Estas distribuciones son complejas ya que los neutrones pueden resultar de la colisión con el protón incidente o con los protones secundarios. Las distribuciones de probabilidad también tienen utilidad. En este trabajo se desarrollan dos aplicaciones. Una de ellas es el cálculo del factor de Diven(7), que aparece en la estima de las incertidumbres cuando se miden neutrones procedentes de una fuente de espalación. Otra, es el concepto de ‘blanco intermedio’ de espalación. Un blanco de espesor fino produce pocos neutrones, por lo que no es de utilidad; un blanco grueso, es grande y le quita reactividad al ADS, por lo que no siempre es la mejor opción. Entre ambos existe un espesor correspondiente a un blanco intermedio, que se puede precisar con el uso de las distribuciones de probabilidad