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

Commentary: Cerebellar atrophy and its contribution to cognition in frontotemporal dementias

Chen et al. (2018) provide unprecedented evidence of syndrome-specific changes in cerebellar gray matter integrity (mainly in lobules VI, Crus I and Crus II) across three frontotemporal dementia (FTD) subtypes, alongside specific associations with attentional, visuospatial, mnesic, and language-motor deficits. Moreover, results survived covariation with each group's distinctive atrophy pattern. These outcomes illuminate the critical role of the cerebellum in non-motor processes, while highlighting the relevance of distributed network approaches to cognitive (dys)function.Although the cerebellum has been implicated in higher-order domains (Roca et al., 2013; García et al., 2017; Sokolov et al., 2017), including executive functions, language, interoception, and social cognition, these results may prove surprising to many clinical neuroscientists. Indeed, the cerebellum remains notably underexplored within neurocognitive assessments of dementia, where it is still largely conceived as a specifically motoric region and is thus often excluded from imaging analyses seeking to map brain-behavior associations. Similarly, except for research on ataxia, systematic assessments of regional, and network-level alterations involving the cerebellum are wanting in the field. This counterproductive neglect, we believe, stems from a dissociation between dementia studies and current neurocognitive theories (Ibáñez and García, 2018).Fertile ground could be gained by anchoring neurodegeneration research on the embodied cognition approach, which has revealed multidimensional links between action-related circuits and higher-order functions. The cerebellum, as a core hub in these cortical-subcortical networks, would play an important, enactive role in several cognitive processes. While lesion and agenesia studies suggest that this role may not be causal, cerebellar circuits have been directly implicated in embodied domains (Koziol et al., 2012; Birba et al., 2017; García et al., 2017; Cervetto et al., 2018). Beyond the field's traditional focus on canonical atrophy patterns and selected cognitive skills, emerging evidence suggests that diffuse neurocognitive dysfunctions are partially overlapped across dementias. The profuse interconnectedness, functional richness, and transdiagnostic vulnerability of the cerebellum render it a key target to examine embodied cognitive deficits in FTD and other conditions.Accordingly, embodied theories of the cerebellum could become critical tools to foster relevant translational developments. First, they underscore the need to systematically report cerebellar involvement in diverse neurocognitive deficits. Also, they provide a profitable platform to track intercognitive phenomena?enactive synergies among varied psychobiological (dys)functions?from a network-based perspective (Koziol et al., 2012; Ibanez et al., 2014, 2018; García and Ibáñez, 2016; Birba et al., 2017; García et al., 2017; Cervetto et al., 2018; Ibáñez and García, 2018). Moreover, they promote a reinterpretation of symptoms from an action-grounded neurocognitive rationale (Krakauer et al., 2017). These milestones could have direct clinical implications, as the lack of proper theoretical frameworks can lead to neglecting, downplaying, or delaying the report of cerebellar disturbances across pathologies. We call for novel studies integrating embodied, intercognitive, network-based conceptualizations of the cerebellum to foster translational breakthroughs in dementia research.Fil: Ibáñez Barassi, Agustín Mariano. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez; Chile. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Australian Research Council; Australia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt | Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt | Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt; ArgentinaFil: García, Adolfo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt | Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt | Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva y Traslacional. Fundación Ineco Rosario Sede del Incyt; Argentin

Notas sobre la "Colección de Estudios Alemanes" : aportes e hipótesis para la historia de las ideas

La colección Estudios Alemanes fue un complejo fenómeno editorial, que se inició en 1965 y finalizó a mediados de la década de 1990. En ese período se publicaron más de 100 volúmenes de las más variadas tradiciones: marxistas, analíticos, neo-aristotélicos, neo-kantianos, fenomenólogos, entre otros. En este trabajo se analizarán tres aspectos: en primer lugar, se mostrará brevemente el perfil intelectual de los directores de la serie; en segundo lugar, las particularidades de edición de la colección; por último, haremos algunas observaciones con respecto al criterio editorial adoptado para seleccionar las obras que se tradujeron.The collection Estudios Alemanes was a complex publishing phenomenon, which began in 1965 and ended in half of 1990. In that period more than 100 volumes were published of the more varied traditions: Marxist, analytical, neo-Aristotelian, neo Kantians, phenomenologists, among others. This paper aims to analyze three aspects: first, briefly it will show the intellectual profile of the directors of the series; second, the material peculiarities of the collection; finally, we will make some comments on the editorial criteria adopted to select the works which were translated.Fil: Martín, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Renewable Based biogas upgrading

[EN]A facility for the upgrading of biogas from the organic matter within municipal waste into biomethane using renewable hydrogen has been analyzed. For it to be fed to the grid, CO2 is to be transformed. Methanation of the CO2 with renewable hydrogen is carried out. Solar and/or wind energy are the power sources for the facility. The design problem is formulated as a multiperiod optimization one for the selection of the renewable technology or combination of technologies for the production of hydrogen. Two cases of study are evaluated, regions where either wind or solar availability are high, UK and Spain respectively, and two modes of operation, continuum upgrading of the biogas or variable. Continuum upgrading is more expensive due to the large contribution of the renewable hydrogen production into the cost. Variable upgrading rate benefits from biogas storage and makes the most of the available wind and solar energy. While in the UK wind is enough to upgrade the biogas, in Spain Solar is preferred, but the large area required results in the need to use wind turbines in case continuum upgrading is required. The framework is general to analyze the type of facility that operates best in any country

Towards energy security by promoting circular economy: A holistic approach.

[EN]Dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with continuous supply disruptions by the most important natural gas suppliers, has jeopardized the energy security of most European countries. Therefore, determining the regions that can significantly increase their natural gas independence through the circular economy of their wastes is more important than ever. This work presents a multi-scale analysis to determine the possibility of implementing a circular economy towards reducing the regions dependency on fossil natural gas. A holistic approach is used to evaluate the availability of waste (manure, municipal solid waste, sludge, and lignocellulosic waste) and model the waste treatment processes (gasification and anaerobic digestion), together with a techno-economy analysis of the infrastructure required. A facility location problem optimizes the selection of the technology, the production capacity and the location of the facilities, according to the available budget. The analysis is focused on Spain, where, at the national level, an investment of 9458 M€ and an operating cost of 5000 M€ per year would allow covering 35% of the natural gas demanded. The regional analysis shows that a total of 19 provinces can be self-sufficient with this budget. These provinces have a high biomethane production potential through lignocellulosic waste gasification and a low demand for natural gas. Since energy is a basic commodity, the ability to produce enough biomethane to cover the entire demand for natural gas gives waste valorization strategic importance at both the social and economic levels.European Union’s Horizon 2020 research, innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement & PI Ph.D. Junta de Castilla León

Integrated facility for Power plant waste processing

[EN]In this work a process has been developed for the transformation of gypsum from coal based thermal plants into sodium sulphate. The current lack of market of gypsum and the traditional use of mineral gypsum makes this process an interesting alternative within the circular economy strategy to reuse a waste from the power industry. The process consists of the synthesis, the crystallization of sodium sulphate and the possibility of producing the hydrated and/or the anhydrous crystal. This section is integrated within the desulfurization unit by regenerating a fraction of the raw material required, CaCO3. The optimal operating conditions for the evaporation and crystals recovery have been computed using a mathematical programming approach. The economics of the process is attractive for the production of the anhydrous crystal, 0.21 €/kg with an investment of 36 M€, as well as for the production of the decahydrated one, 0.06 €/kg and 26 M€ of investment, processing the gypsum of a 350 MW power plant

El sollozo del arcángel

Fil: Martín, Mariano Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Between god and revolution. the clergy from the river plate region in the face of Revolution in May 1810. the cases of Julián Segundo de Agüero y Juan Manuel Fernández de Agüero

En las últimas décadas, una importante cantidad de estudios se dedicaron a dilucidar las claves fundamentales que determinaron la actitud del clero respecto de la Revolución de Independencia de 1810, desde nuevas perspectivas teóricas. Nuestro trabajo parte de los avances producidos, e intenta subsanar una serie de problemas que, desde nuestra perspectiva, no permiten dilucidar los determinantes más profundos de este proceso. A partir de los casos de Julián Segundo de Agüero y Juan Manuel Fernández de Agüero, el artículo pondera la importancia de las relaciones sociales que la familia Agüero estableció en el Río de la Plata colonial tardío, perspectiva que no ha sido tenida en cuenta aún. Asimismo, su aproximación apela a fuentes novedosas para el estudio del clero, en general, y de los casos estudiados, en particular.In recent decades, a large number of studies were devoted to elucidate the fundamental keys that determined the attitude of the clergy regarding the Revolution of 1810 Independence since new theoretical perspectives. Our work is based on the progress made, and try to correct problems that do not allow elucidating the deeper determinants of this process. From Julián Segundo de Aguero and Juan Manuel Fernández de Agüero cases, the article ponders the importance of social relationships established Aguero family in the Rio de la Plata late colonial. Perspective has not yet been taken in mind to evaluate this problem. Also, his approach appeals to innovative sources for the study of the clergy, in general, and of the cases studied, in particular.Fil: Schlez, Mariano Martín. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Un antagonismo larvado: conflictividad y reyertas entre los comerciantes rioplatenses (1789-1794)

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar os confrontos entre os comerciantes do Rio de la Plata, antes do estabelecimento do Consulado de Buenos Aires (1794), a fim de compreender a natureza social dos lados opostos e os fundamentos materiais de seu comportamento . Para fazer isso, vamos rever a disputa levantada em Buenos Aires para a cobrança de imposto sobre as vendas no varejo, o confronto sobre a tentativa (falha) para substituir a Junta Comercial de Buenos Aires (1789) e os conflitos entre os comerciantes no Cabildo Buenos Aires.The article aims to analyze the confrontations between traders in the Rio de la Plata, previous to establishment of the Consulate of Buenos Aires (1794), in order to understand the social nature of the opposing sides and the material foundations of their behavior. To do this we will review the dispute given rise in Buenos Aires for the collection of alcabala on second sale, the confrontation around the attempt (failed) to replace the agents of trade of Buenos Aires (1789), and conflicts between traders in the Cabildo Buenos Aires.Fil: Schlez, Mariano Martín. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Slavers versus monopolists? Disputes about the slave trade in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata (1780-1810)

A partir del caso del comerciante español Diego de Agüero, el artí- culo analiza los debates que el tráfico de esclavos desató entre los comerciantes mayoristas rioplatenses durante la última etapa del Imperio español (1780- 1810). A través de la correspondencia y de las actas del Consulado de Buenos Aires, mostramos la existencia de dos fracciones de mercaderes que profundizaron su enfrentamiento al calor de la crisis mercantil de fines del siglo xviii y principios del xix. Para evaluar la naturaleza de sus diferencias, apelamos a las características del giro mercantil de Agüero, en donde encontramos la explicación de su comportamiento político y corporativo. Nuestra hipótesis plantea que el núcleo del enfrentamiento entre ambas fracciones no fue la importación de esclavos, sino la exportación de cueros a puertos extranjeros, que implicaba la consolidación de intereses mercantiles que jaqueaban los del monopolio gaditano.Considering the case of Spanish merchant Diego de Agüero, the article analyzes the debates that arose between rioplatense merchants regarding the slave trade during the last stage of the Spanish Empire (1780-1810). Through Agüero’s private correspondence and records from the Consulate in Buenos Aires, we show the existence of two factions of traders who fought during the commercial crisis of the late-18th and early-19th centuries. To assess the nature of their differences we look at the characteristics of Agüero’s business dealings, where we find an explanation for their political and corporate behavior. Our hypothesis is that the core of the confrontation between the two factions was not the importation of slaves, but rather the export of hides to foreign ports, which involved the consolidation of business interests and affected the monopoly of Cadiz.Fil: Schlez, Mariano Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Humanidades; Argentin