How Do Adult Songbirds Learn New Sounds? Using Neuromodulators to Probe the Function of the Auditory Association Cortex

The ability to associate sounds and outcomes is vital in the life history of many species. Animals constantly assess the soundscape for cues associated with threats, competitors, allies, mates or prey, and experience is crucial for those associations. For vocal learning species such as humans and songbirds, learning sounds (i.e. perception and association learning) is also the first step in the process of vocal learning. Auditory learning is thought to depend on high-order cortical brain structures, where sounds and meaning are bound. In songbirds, the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) is part of the auditory association cortex and is known to be involved in sound learning and perception. During songbird development, NCM plays a role in song learning, but in adulthood, NCM’s role is less clear and a matter of controversy in the literature. Furthermore, NCM is a site of action of neuromodulators including neuroestradiol (E2) and dopamine (DA). E2 is known to be produced by NCM neurons that contain the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into E2. E2 production is also known to increase in the NCM during social interactions, and exogenous E2 modulates neuronal firing, but its effects on auditory behavior have not been pinpointed. Effects of E2 within the mammalian and avian hippocampus had been previously reported to support spatial learning. My main goal in this dissertation was to clarify the role of NCM in adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Towards this end, I developed experiments in which I manipulated and thus documented the effects of two neuromodulatory systems, E2 and DA. I first examined the role of E2 in auditory-dependent behavior. For this, I developed a novel operant conditioning task with social reinforcement. Using this task, I showed that inhibiting E2 production within NCM during learning impairs acquisition of auditory associations. However, after the learning process was completed, I found that E2 production and even NCM activity were no longer required for maintaining high auditory performance, suggesting that NCM does not play a role in memory retrieval or auditory discrimination in adults. These findings led me to develop the hypothesis that E2 in NCM modulates online associative learning signals. In mammals, plasticity in virtually all learning-related brain regions is dependent on dopamine (DA) regulation and E2-DA interactions have been reported in several of these regions. Much is known about DA signaling in brain areas involved in decision-making and reinforcement learning. I here review the literature on motor and, especially, sensory cortical regions and provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of DA’s roles in cortical regions involved in sensory and motor learning, paying especial attention to non-mammalian vertebrates. I found that this literature is surprisingly limited in mammals, and often non-existent in non-mammalian vertebrates. Then, I hypothesized that E2 could be operating on dopaminergic (DAergic) signaling in NCM, in which D1 receptor (D1R) mRNA had been reported. Since there were no data on the anatomical and functional effects of these receptors, I investigated whether D1R protein could be detected and D1R-mediated signaling modulated synaptic plasticity in NCM. Specifically, I found that D1R protein is prevalent in NCM neurons, especially in aromatase-, GABA-, and parvalbumin-positive neurons. Activating D1R in vitro reduced the amplitude of spontaneous GABAergic and glutamatergic currents and increased the frequency of the latter. Similarly, activating D1R in vivo reduced firing of putative-inhibitory interneurons, but increased firing of putative-excitatory projection neurons. Finally, I showed that D1R activation disrupted stimulus-specific adaptation of NCM neurons, a phenomenon reflective of active auditory memory formation. In conclusion, this dissertation advances the literature by providing direct evidence that E2 production within the auditory cortex affects sensory learning, potentially by tapping into the DAergic system, which itself modulates plasticity mechanisms associated with learning and memory. I propose that these findings could apply to other vertebrates that contain aromatase and DA receptors in their auditory cortex, including humans

A laicidade do Estado Brasileiro e a presença de cruzes nos tribunais : um estudo argumentativo, doutrinário e filosófico

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Direito, 2017.Este trabalho é um estudo acerca de da presença de crucifixos em nossos tribunais em face da laicidade do Estado Brasileiro. Dadas as várias ramificações – sociais, filosóficas e, claro, religiosas – dessa realidade, o debate acerca do tema costuma ser multifacetado. Através da discussão e da análise argumentativa das principais posturas judiciais acerca dessa problemática, parte-se para uma discussão mais aberta do conceito da laicidade, bem como sua aplicação ao Brasil e as suas instituições, com foco dado ao Judiciário, que, como entidade protagonista de várias movimentações paradigmáticas que vão de encontro a proposições tradicionais e de caráter religioso, se encontra em posição particularmente importante nesse debate.This is a study about the presence of religious crosses in our courts, regarding the laicity principle that is established in the Brazilian Constitution. Given the various ramifications – social, philosophical and, obviously, religious – of this reality, the debate on this subject is necessarily multifaceted. Starting from a discussion and an argumentative analysis of the way the Brazilian courts have positioned themselves in regards to this subject, the work reaches a wider debate about the concept of laicity, as well as the way it manifests in Brazilian institutions. Special attention is due when it comes to the Judiciary, the entity who has assumed a protagonistic role in several of the paradigmatic changes that go directly against several traditional and religious positions and, therefore, positioned itself in a particularly important place amidst this debate

Smart Reconfiguration of Distribution Grids using Agent-based Technology

The multi-Agent system designed based on automatic reconfiguration principles was programmed as a set of AgentSpeak codes in which work and cooperate inside a common simulated distribution grid environment. Creating the application meant programming the agents on the one side, including the actions logic control to be executed relying on the environment changes, and on the other side the environment itself. That stated, the environment notion was solely based on the chosen distribution grid concept and explored according to the proposed problematic

Manejo de "sequestro" na recria de bovinos de corte durante o período de transição secas-águas

As a productive alternative to reduce the production cycle in rearing beef cattle, to improve the conditions of the pastures, in addition to also being an option when animals lack food in the pasture, the "sequestration" technique can be used (confinement, Thus, the present research project, carried out in two commercial beef cattle farms, evaluated the productive and financial viability of the "sequestration" technique. (1,423) beef cattle, from purchase, ringed, with 329.95 kg of average live weight were evaluated. Of this total, 909 animals from São Judas Tadeu (1) were allocated in 8 confinement corrals. On the other farm, Nossa Senhora de Fátima (2), 514 animals were used, allocated in leisure areas of the pasture modules. In the year 2022, on farm 1, the average daily gain was 0.512 kg and the total cost of the operation was R$247,742.90. Comparing the year 2022 with the year 2021, considering animals on pasture and in “sequestration”, there was an increase of 0.05 AU/ha, 5.4$174,889.10. Comparing the year 2022 with 2021, there was an increase of 0.13 AU/ha, 10.6%. However, this positive result was not maintained, with a decrease of 0.11 AU/ha, -7.4%, in December. Evaluating each farm separately, considering the year 2022 with and without the “kidnap”, in a very optimistic scenario, we would have a capacity in December equal to the capacity at the beginning of the waters of 2021. With that, coincidentally, the two farms would have less 0.39 AU/ha, in percentage, farm 1 would have -30.7%, and farm 2 -26.2% in capacity, which would result in a less balance in reais per arroba of R$2,476,340 .1 on farm 1 and R$ 793,540.8 on farm 2. Now doing the account at the end of the sequestration, farm 1 had a total profit of R$104,447.69 and a result per hectare of R$ 66.62. Farm 2 had a total loss of BRL 222,637.19 and a negative result per hectare of BRL 443.14. With this negative result on farm 1 being a reflection of the lower amount of rainfall in 2022 compared to 2021, -20.6%, and the large infestation of leafhoppers that occurred there. So, positive productive results were obtained both on farm 1 and on farm 2. Looking at the profitability of the “sequestration”, farm 1 obtained a positive result, while farm 2 did not. Taking into account the use or not of the strategy in 2022, the two farms would have worse results if this had not been carried out.Pesquisa sem auxílio de agências de fomentoTrabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)Como alternativa produtiva para reduzir o ciclo de produção na recria de bovinos de corte, melhorar as condições das pastagens, além de também ser uma opção para quando falta alimento aos animias no pasto, pode-se utilizar a técnica de “sequestro" (confinamento, resgate). Dessa forma, o presente projeto de pesquisa, realizado em duas fazendas comerciais de gado de corte, avaliou a viabilidade produtiva e financeira da técnica de “sequestro". Foram avaliados (1.423) bovinos de corte, provenientes de compra, anelorados, com 329,95 kg de peso vivo médio. Deste total, 909 animais da São Judas Tadeu (1) ficaram alocados em 8 currais de confinamento. Já na outra fazenda, Nossa Senhora de Fátima (2), utilizou-se 514 animais, alocados em áreas de lazer dos módulos de pastagem. No ano de 2022, na fazenda 1, o ganho médio diário foi de 0,512 kg e o custo total da operação foi de R$247.742,90. Comparando o ano de 2022 com o ano de 2021, considerando animais a pasto e no “sequestro”, essa teve um aumento de 0,05 UA/ha, 5,4$174.889,10. Comparando o ano de 2022 com o de 2021, houve um aumento de 0,13 UA/ha, 10,6%. Porém, esse resultado positivo não se manteve, tendo um decréscimo de 0,11 UA/ha, -7,4%, em dezembro. Avaliando cada fazenda, separadamente, considerando o ano de 2022 com e sem o “sequestro”, em um cenário bem otimista, teríamos uma lotação em dezembro igual a lotação do início das águas de 2021. Com isso, coincidentemente, as duas fazendas teriam menos 0,39 UA/ha, em porcentagem, a fazenda 1 teria -30,7%, e a fazenda 2 -26,2% em lotação, o que resultaria em um saldo a menos em reais de arroba de R$2.476.340,1 na fazenda 1 e R$ 793.540,8 na fazenda 2. Agora fazendo a conta de fechamento do sequestro, a fazenda 1 teve um lucro total de R$104.447,69 e um resultado por hectare de R$ 66,62. A fazenda 2 obteve um prejuízo total de R$222.637,19 e um resultado negativo por hectare de R$ 443,14. Com esse resultado negativo na fazenda 1 sendo reflexo da menor quantidade de chuvas em 2022 frente a 2021, -20,6%, e pela grande infestação de cigarrinhas que lá ocorreu. Então, obteve-se resultados produtivos positivos tanto na fazenda 1 quanto na fazenda 2. Olhando para a rentabilidade do “sequestro”, a fazenda 1 obteve um resultado positivo, já a fazenda 2 não. Levando em consideração o uso ou não da estratégia em 2022, as duas fazendas teriam resultados piores se essa não tivesse sido efetuada

Effect of Syzygium cumini and Bauhinia forficata aqueous-leaf extracts on oxidative and mitochondrial parameters in vitro

Aqueous-leaf extract of Syzygium cumini and Bauhinia forficata are traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes and cancer, especially in South America, Africa, and Asia. In this study, we analyzed the effects of these extracts on oxidative and mitochondrial parameters in vitro, as well as their protective activities against toxic agents. Phytochemical screenings of the extracts were carried out by HPLC analysis. The in vitro antioxidant capacities were compared by DPPH radical scavenging and Fe2+ chelating activities. Mitochondrial parameters observed were swelling, lipid peroxidation and dehydrogenase activity. The major chemical constituent of S. cumini was rutin. In B. forficata were predominant quercetin and gallic acid. S. cumini reduced DPPH radical more than B. forficata, and showed iron chelating activity at all tested concentrations, while B. forficata had not similar property. In mitochondria, high concentrations of B. forficata alone induced a decrease in mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, but low concentrations of this extract prevented the effect induced by Fe2++H2O2. This was also observed with high concentrations of S. cumini. Both extracts partially prevented the lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+/citrate. S. cumini was effective against mitochondrial swelling induced by Ca2+, while B. forficata alone induced swelling more than Ca2+. This study suggests that leaf extract of S. cumini might represent a useful therapeutic for the treatment of diseases related with mitochondrial dysfunctions. On the other hand, the consumption of B. forficata should be avoided because mitochondrial damages were observed, and this possibly may pose risk to human health

A IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DOS MÉTODOS ADEQUADOS PARA SOLUÇÃO DE CONFLITOS NA ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA

The work in question intends to discuss about the implementation of adequate methods of conflict resolution by the Public Administration. Understanding the origin of conflicts and their consequences for the Judiciary. Evidencing the crisis of the judiciary, it is necessary to present other ways of dealing with these repressed judicial demands, presenting the Multiport System as a driver of ADRs - Alternative Dispute Resolutions - and a means capable of dealing with this situation. From this, the ways of dealing with conflicts will be detailed, presenting, for that purpose, the differences between self-composition and hererocomposition, with their procedures and principles. Following, these procedures will be placed in front of the implementation by the Public Administration, in order to understand their advantages and possible challenges. Finally, the conclusion of this work will provide justifications for the compatibility of these procedures with the administrative principles, in addition to presenting the advantages in the implementation of more adequate methods for conflicts in which the Public Administration appears as a litigant.O trabalho em questão pretende discutir acerca da implementação dos métodos adequados de solução de conflitos pela Administração Pública. Compreendendo a origem dos conflitos e as suas consequências para o Poder Judiciário. Evidenciando a crise do judiciário, faz-se necessário apresentar outras formas de lidar com essas demandas judiciais reprimidas, apresentando o Sistema Multiportas como impulsionador das ADRs – Alternative Dispute Resolutions – e meio capaz de lidar com essa situação. A partir disso, serão pormenorizadas as formas de lidar com os conflitos, apresentando, para tanto, as diferenças entre autocomposição e heterocomposição, com seus procedimentos e princípios. Seguindo, esses procedimentos serão colocados frente à implementação pela Administração Pública, a fim de entender suas vantagens e possíveis desafios. Por fim, a conclusão desse trabalho trará justificativas para a compatibilidade desses procedimentos com os princípios administrativos, além de apresentar as vantagens na implementação de métodos mais adequados para os conflitos em que a Administração Pública figura como litigante

Impactos da crise do Subprime sobre o comportamento dos investidores: evidências empíricas do mercado brasileiro sob análise dos riscos específicos das carteiras de investimento no período compreendido entre 2001 e 2022

A crise financeira de 2008, popularmente conhecida com crise do Subprime, foi um marco significativo na história econômica, provocando uma severa recessão global e levando a reflexão das práticas de investimento. Conquanto, é fundamental destacar que o apetite a exposição do risco da carteira de investimento se caracteriza como uma variável subjetiva, em que o tomador de decisão aceita enfrentar maiores oscilações, como por exemplo volatilidade, visando o obtenção da maximização do retorno. Diante do exposto, em primeiro lugar, procedeu-se o levantamento bibliográfico para elucidação dos fatores que desencaderam a crise, e, posteriormente, buscou-se compreender os paradigmas teóricos da formulação da estratégia da carteiras de investimentos sobre as métricas de almejar a carteira eficiente sob a correlação do risco e retorno do portfólio. Em consonância com esse entendimento, sob a ótica de renda variável, foi efetuada a coleta dos 25 maiores turnovers anuais, no período compreendido entre 2001 e 2022, visando a análise da construção e modificação do ranking, e, seus respectivos current market caps, demonstrando a preferência do mercado em relação aos ativos negociados no IBOV. Em contraponto, sob a renda fixa, examinou-se os 264 relatórios mensais do Tesouro Nacional sobre o volume negociado de títulos públicos, com o intuito de verificar sua demanda de cada título. Ademais, calculou-se o net exposure de cada setor verificando se desempenhavam posições compradas ou vendidas, e, além disso, a variação da sua representatividade no portfólio levando em consideração a volatilidade adotada. Por fim, para compor a análise, foi verificado o prêmio de risco que o mercado exigia em relação ao cenário Focus, e, concomitamente, a alocação em cada classe de ativo com base nos dados divulgados pela Anbima. Destarte, torna-se possível examinar o comportamento do investidor ex-ante e ex-post à crise do Subprime, com o intuito de verificar se há alteração no perfil predominante de investimento no mercado brasileiroThe 2008 financial crisis, popularly known as the subprime crisis, was a significant milestone in economic history, causing a severe global recession and leading to a rethink of investment practices. However, it is essential to highlight that the appetite for risk exposure of the investment portfolio is characterized as a subjective variable, in which the decision maker accepts facing greater fluctuations, such as volatility, in order to obtain the maximization of return. In view of the above, first, a bibliographic survey was carried out to elucidate the factors that triggered the crisis, and, subsequently, an attempt was made to understand the theoretical paradigms of the formulation of the investment portfolio strategy on the metrics of aiming for an efficient portfolio under the correlation of the risk and return of the portfolio. In line with this understanding, from the perspective of variable income, the 25 largest annual turnovers were collected between 2001 and 2022, aiming at analyzing the construction and modification of the ranking, and their respective current market caps, demonstrating the market's preference for assets traded on the IBOV. In contrast, under fixed income, the 264 monthly reports from the National Treasury on the volume traded of government securities were examined, in order to verify the demand for each security. In addition, the net exposure of each sector was calculated by verifying whether they held long or short positions, and, in addition, the variation in their representation in the portfolio taking into account the volatility adopted. Finally, to compose the analysis, the risk premium that the market demanded in relation to the Focus scenario was verified, and, concomitantly, the allocation in each asset class based on the data released by Anbima. Thus, it becomes possible to examine investor behavior ex-ante and ex-post to the Subprime crisis, with the aim of verifying whether there is a change in the predominant investment profile in the Brazilian marke