Autism & Autoimmunity

My research was for the Honors Capstone, and consisted of familiarizing myself with the vast amount of research in the fields of autism and autoimmunity and how the two may be connected, then going on to design a new project to help acquire more information where these two fields overlap. The official abstract I have written for this new project goes as follows: Our proposed research project is focused primarily in the fields of autism and autoimmunity, and hopes to uncover more evidence that these two fields are related. We believe that autism is an autoimmune disease, and our project is designed to provide evidence to support this theory. We will use neuroimaging techniques through the use of a PET scanner to determine the autoimmune activation in the brains of both individuals with autism and individuals with no history of autism or any other autoimmune disease. This will allow us to test our hypothesis that individuals with autism will have a greater autoimmune response than controls, therefore providing evidence to the theory that autism is a neurological disorder that leads to immune dysregulation in the brain. We are also interested in whether there is a connection between a biological family history of autoimmune disorders and an increased incidence of a diagnosis of autism in individuals. To test this theory, we have prepared a questionnaire meant to identify any and all cases of medical disorders of any biological relatives of the individual in question, to be given to all participants in this study. Information gathered from this survey can provide evidence either for or against our hypothesis, allowing us to determine whether this hypothesis is likely or not. The long-term objectives of this project are to provide more evidence for the theory that autism is an autoimmune disease, and to provide more information on how autism causes immune dysregulation in the brain, thus allowing for better innovation for treatments in the future. Autism is a highly studied disorder, as there still remains much that we do not know, so this study wants to contribute to the knowledge base we have on autism. We hope that by providing evidence that autism is an autoimmune disorder, individuals both within and outside of the health field will be better able to understand individual cases of autism, both in regards to treatment and management of symptoms, and in interpersonal relationships of individuals with autism

Adaptação Acadêmica Como Mediadora Entre Sintomas do Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade e Autoeficácia Profissional

Pesquisas têm investigado aspectos do Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) no contexto universitário, mas permanecem pouco exploradas as relações entre os sintomas de TDAH, as dimensões da adaptação acadêmica e a autoeficácia profissional dos estudantes. O objetivo desse estudo foi testar um modelo teórico em que dimensões da adaptação acadêmica medeiam a relação entre sintomas do TDAH e autoeficácia profissional. Participaram do estudo 509 estudantes universitários de duas universidades públicas brasileiras. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários e analisados por meio de um modelo de path analysis. Os sintomas do TDAH interferiram na autoeficácia profissional exclusivamente por meio de problemas de adaptação acadêmica. O aumento do bem-estar, da rede de apoio social, dos hábitos de estudo e dos sentimentos frente ao curso e à universidade dos estudantes pode reduzir as potenciais desvantagens na autoeficácia profissional causadas pelos sintomas do TDAH.Estudios han abordado características del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) en el contexto universitario, pero siguen poco exploradas las posibles relaciones entre los síntomas del TDAH, dimensiones de ajuste académico y la autoeficacia profesional de los estudiantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue testar un modelo teórico en que dimensiones de la adaptación académica medían la relación entre síntomas del TDAH y autoeficacia profesional. Participaron del estudio 509 estudiantes universitarios de dos universidades públicas brasileñas. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de cuestionarios y analizados mediante un modelo de path analysis. Los síntomas del TDAH interfirieron en la autoeficacia profesional exclusivamente por medio de problemas de adaptación académica. El aumento del bienestar, la red de apoyo social, los hábitos de estudio y los sentimientos ante la carrera y la universidad de los estudiantes pueden disminuir las potenciales desventajas en la autoeficacia profesional, causadas por los síntomas del TDAH.Studies have addressed features of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in higher education, but the potential relationships between ADHD symptoms, dimensions of college adjustment and students' work self-efficacy remain scarcely explored. The aim of this study was to test a theoretical model in which the dimensions of college adjustment mediate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and work self-efficacy. Participants were 509 college students from two Brazilian public universities. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using a path analysis model. The ADHD symptoms affected work self-efficacy exclusively through college adjustment problems. Improving students' well-being, social support networks, study habits, and feelings regarding their majors and the university may reduce the potential disadvantages in work self-efficacy caused by ADHD symptoms

Sublimação e pulsão de morte: a desfusão pulsional

Lavènement du seconde dualisme pulsionnel freudienne entraîne une serie de changements à la comprehension de la sublimation. Celle-ci se presente alors comme la cause par excellence de la déliaison des pulsions, ce qui nous conduit à un paradoxe : si la sublimation est la base de la culture, elle est aussi la cause de la destructivité au sein de cette même culture. La pulsion de mort résultante de la déliaison des puslions, à son tour, aurait des conséquences aussi bien pour lindividu que pour la culture dans son ensemble, tel quon sobserve en rapport à la primauté de limage dans la société contemporaine. Cet article vise discuter quelques uns des effets de la pulsion de mort deliée, comprise comme le résultat de la sublimation, surtout en ce qui concerne la sublimation impliquée dans la création litteraire.The introduction of Freuds second drive dualism is conected to a series of changes in the understanding of sublimation. Sublimation begins to present itself as the main cause of drive defusion, what leads to a paradox: for, if sublimation is the foundation of culture, it is also the cause of destructivity in this same culture. The death drive resulting from drive defusion has effects as much in each individual - as it is the case of social isolation and melancholy - as in the culture as a whole, as it is observed regarding to the primacy of image in contemporary society. This article aims to discuss some of the effects of defusionned death drive, understood as result of sublimation, mainly in respect to sublimation implied in literary creation.Com o advento do segundo dualismo pulsional freudiano, surge uma série de mudanças no entendimento da sublimação. Essa passa a se apresentar como a causa por excelência da desfusão das pulsões, o que nos leva a um paradoxo: ao mesmo tempo em que a sublimação é a base da cultura, ela é também causa da destrutividade no seio dessa mesma cultura. A pulsão de morte resultante da desfusão das pulsões, por sua vez, teria consequências tanto em cada indivíduo quanto na cultura como um todo, tal como o que se observa em relação ao primado da imagem na sociedade contemporânea. Este artigo busca discutir alguns dos efeitos da pulsão de morte desfusionada, entendida como resultado da sublimação, principalmente no que tange à sublimação implicada na criação literária.Con el advenimiento del segundo dualismo pulsional freudiano, viene una serie de cambios en el entendimiento de la sublimación. Esta empieza a presentarse como la causa por excelencia de la desfusión de las pulsiones, lo nos lleva a una paradoja: mientras que la sublimación es la base de cultura, es también causa de la destructividad en esa misma cultura. La pulsión de muerte resultante de la desfusión de las pulsiones, a su vez, tendría consecuencias tanto en cada uno de los individuos como en la cultura como un todo, como lo que se observa con respecto a la primacía de la imagen en la sociedad contemporánea. Este artículo busca discutir unos de los efectos de la pulsión de muerte desfusionada, entendida como resultado de la sublimación, principalmente con respecto a la sublimación involucrada en la creación literaria

A Time Series of Water Column Distributions and Sinking Particle Flux of Pseudo-Nitzschia and Domoic Acid in the Santa Barbara Basin, California

Water column bulk Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and the dissolved and particulate domoic acid (DA) concentrations were measured in the Santa Barbara Basin (SBB), California from 2009–2013 and compared to bulk Pseudo-nitzschia cell abundance and DA concentrations and fluxes in sediment traps moored at 147 m and 509 m. Pseudo-nitzschia abundance throughout the study period was spatially and temporally heterogeneous (L−1 to 3.8 × 106 cells L−1 , avg. 2 × 105 ± 5 × 105 cells L−1 ) and did not correspond with upwelling conditions or the total DA (tDA) concentration, which was also spatially and temporally diverse (1000 cells L−1 and tDA = 200 ng L−1 ) measured as deep as 150 m. Our results highlight that dDA should not be ignored when examining bloom toxicity. Although water column abundance and pDA concentrations were poorly correlated with sediment trap Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and fluxes, DA toxicity is likely associated with senescent blooms that rapidly sink to the seafloor, adding another potential source of DA to benthic organisms

Low carbon/nitrogen ratio increases laccase production from basidiomycetes in solid substrate cultivation

Basidiomycetes are laccase producers used for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic byproducts in fermentative processes and could be used on biofuel production or ruminant feeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrations of non-protein nitrogen sources on laccase production and mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus blazei. The fungi were grown on soybean hulls to which urea (U), ammonium sulfate (AS) or mixture of AS:U (1:1) were added to achieve carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios of 5, 15, 20 or 30. The average longitudinal mycelial growth was measured and laccase activity was determined by the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. Higher C/N ratios increased mycelial growth and decreased laccase production. The highest activities were obtained with a C/N ratio of 5. P. ostreatus, L. edodes and A. blazei produced more laccase when AS, AS:U and U, respectively, were added. In addition, C/N ratios lower than 30 induced laccase syntheses, inhibited mycelial growth and were a better condition for pre-hydrolysis of plant residues.Basidiomicetos são produtores de lacases utilizadas na hidrólise de subprodutos lignocelulósicos em processos fermentativos e pode ser utilizado na produção de biocombustíveis ou na alimentação de ruminantes. Avaliou-se o efeito da adição de fontes e concentrações de nitrogênio não-protéico na produção de lacase e no crescimento micelial de Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes e Agaricus blazei. Os fungos foram cultivados em cascas de soja com adição de uréia (U), sulfato de amônio (AS) ou AS:U (1:1) de forma a manter a relação carbono/ nitrogênio (C/N) de 5, 15, 20 ou 30. O crescimento micelial longitudinal médio foi medido, e a atividade da lacase foi determinada pela oxidação do ácido 2,2'-azino-bis-3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-sulfônico. O crescimento micelial foi diretamente proporcional à relação C/N, enquanto a atividade de lacase foi inversamente proporcional. Os maiores valores de atividade foram obtidos para a relação C/N de 5. As melhores fontes de N para a produção de lacase por P. ostreatus, L. edodes e A. blazei foram, respectivamente, AS, AS:U e U. Relações C/N menores que 30 induziram a síntese de lacase e inibiram o crescimento micelial, proporcionando condições ideais para a pré-hidrólise de resíduos vegetais

Adaptación Académica Como Mediadora Entre Síntomas del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad y Autoeficacia Profesional

Studies have addressed features of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in higher education, but the potential relationships between ADHD symptoms, dimensions of college adjustment and students’ work self-efficacy remain scarcely explored. The aim of this study was to test a theoretical model in which the dimensions of college adjustment mediate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and work self-efficacy. Participants were 509 college students from two Brazilian public universities. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using a path analysis model. The ADHD symptoms affected work self-efficacy exclusively through college adjustment problems. Improving students’ well-being, social support networks, study habits, and feelings regarding their majors and the university may reduce the potential disadvantages in work self-efficacy caused by ADHD symptoms.Pesquisas têm investigado aspectos do Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) no contexto universitário, mas permanecem pouco exploradas as relações entre os sintomas de TDAH, as dimensões da adaptação acadêmica e a autoeficácia profissional dos estudantes. O objetivo desse estudo foi testar um modelo teórico em que dimensões da adaptação acadêmica medeiam a relação entre sintomas do TDAH e autoeficácia profissional. Participaram do estudo 509 estudantes universitários de duas universidades públicas brasileiras. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários e analisados por meio de um modelo de path analysis. Os sintomas do TDAH interferiram na autoeficácia profissional exclusivamente por meio de problemas de adaptação acadêmica. O aumento do bem-estar, da rede de apoio social, dos hábitos de estudo e dos sentimentos frente ao curso e à universidade dos estudantes pode reduzir as potenciais desvantagens na autoeficácia profissional causadas pelos sintomas do TDAH.Estudios han abordado características del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) en el contexto universitario, pero siguen poco exploradas las posibles relaciones entre los síntomas del TDAH, dimensiones de ajuste académico y la autoeficacia profesional de los estudiantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue testar un modelo teórico en que dimensiones de la adaptación académica medían la relación entre síntomas del TDAH y autoeficacia profesional. Participaron del estudio 509 estudiantes universitarios de dos universidades públicas brasileñas. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de cuestionarios y analizados mediante un modelo de path analysis. Los síntomas del TDAH interfirieron en la autoeficacia profesional exclusivamente por medio de problemas de adaptación académica. El aumento del bienestar, la red de apoyo social, los hábitos de estudio y los sentimientos ante la carrera y la universidad de los estudiantes pueden disminuir las potenciales desventajas en la autoeficacia profesional, causadas por los síntomas del TDAH

A Time Series of Water Column Distributions and Sinking Particle Flux of Pseudo-Nitzschia and Domoic Acid in the Santa Barbara Basin, California

Water column bulk Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and the dissolved and particulate domoic acid (DA) concentrations were measured in the Santa Barbara Basin (SBB), California from 2009–2013 and compared to bulk Pseudo-nitzschia cell abundance and DA concentrations and fluxes in sediment traps moored at 147 m and 509 m. Pseudo-nitzschia abundance throughout the study period was spatially and temporally heterogeneous (L−1 to 3.8 × 106 cells L−1, avg. 2 × 105 ± 5 × 105 cells L−1) and did not correspond with upwelling conditions or the total DA (tDA) concentration, which was also spatially and temporally diverse (−1 to 2.2 × 105 ng L−1, avg. 7.8 × 103 ± 2.2 × 104 ng L−1). We hypothesize that the toxicity is likely driven in part by specific Pseudo-nitzschia species as well as bloom stage. Dissolved (dDA) and particulate (pDA) DA were significantly and positively correlated (p \u3c 0.01) and both comprised major components of the total DA pool (pDA = 57 ± 35%, and dDA = 42 ± 35%) with substantial water column concentrations (\u3e1000 cells L−1 and tDA = 200 ng L−1) measured as deep as 150 m. Our results highlight that dDA should not be ignored when examining bloom toxicity. Although water column abundance and pDA concentrations were poorly correlated with sediment trap Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and fluxes, DA toxicity is likely associated with senescent blooms that rapidly sink to the seafloor, adding another potential source of DA to benthic organisms

Aplicação em cerâmica à base de cimento de biopolímero obtido de resíduos de leite / Application in cement-based ceramics of biopolymer obtained from milk waste

A redução de materiais na etapa de produção segue os novos preceitos, porém a pressão sobre os recursos continua crescendo seguindo anexo ao alto consumo. Inovações voltadas para a sustentabilidade são criadas interagindo os sistemas econômicos e ambiental. Pesquisas de novos materiais crescem produzindo diversos produtos e compostos, como os biopolímeros em substituição aos aditivos sintéticos, indispensáveis para incrementar o conceito de inovação orientada para eco-inovação. Nesse estudo objetivou-se avaliar o biopolímero extraído do leite bovino em relação a cerâmicas de base cimentícia do tipo CPV-ARI e CPII-E, relacionando a ação do polímero com cada grupo cimentício através da resistência, absorção por imersão e capilaridade. O estudo apontou um aumento na resistência a compreensão em  media de 16% CPII-E e 6%  nas matrizes CPV-ARI, ambos os traços testados, não indicou interferência do traço  e agregado em relação ao biopolímero, e a porosidade das matrizes naõ sofreu alteração significativa. Por fim, consideramos que o biopolímero obteve bom desempenho em matrizes CPV-ARI em relação a hidratação e suas propriedades mecânicas, no entanto deve ser usado com ressalva em matrizes CPII-E.

Detecting Toxic Diatom Blooms from Ocean Color and a Regional Ocean Model

[1] An apparent link between upwelling‐related physical signatures, macronutrients, and toxic diatom blooms in the various “hotspots” throughout California has motivated attempts to forecast harmful algal blooms (HABs) as a function of select environmental variables. Empirical models for predicting toxic Pseudo‐nitzschia blooms in one such region, the Santa Barbara Channel (SBC), are tested in a nowcast mode using predictions based on merging data from MODIS ocean color geophysical products and the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) applied to the Southern California Bight. Thresholds for each model generate event forecasts. Spatially‐explicit, monthly HAB maps are compared to shipboard observations and California monitoring data, demonstrating that the models predict offshore events otherwise undetected by nearshore monitoring. The use of mechanistic hydrodynamic models in concert with empirical, biological models facilitates future process studies on the effects of coastal eutrophication and climate change on regional HAB dynamics