Using Neural Networks to Simulate the Alzheimer's Disease

Making use of biologically plausible artificial neural networks that implement Grossberg’s presynaptic learning rule, we simulate the possible effects of calcium dysregulation in the neuron’s activation function, to represent the most accepted model of Alzheimer's Disease: the calcium dysregulation hypothesis. According to Cudmore and Turrigiano calcium dysregulation alters the shifting dynamic of the neuron’s activation function (intrinsic plasticity). We propose that this alteration might affect the stability of synaptic weights in which memories are stored. The results of the simulation supported the theoretical hypothesis, implying that the emergence of Alzheimer's disease's symptoms such as memory loss and learning problems might be correlated to intrinsic neuronal plasticity impairment due to calcium dysregulation

Green Production of Anionic Surfactant Obtained from Pea Protein

A pea protein isolate was hydrolyzed by a double enzyme treatment method in order to obtain short peptide sequences used as raw materials to produce lipopeptides-based surfactants. Pea protein hydrolysates were prepared using the combination of Alcalase and Flavourzyme. The influence of the process variables was studied to optimize the proteolytic degradation to high degrees of hydrolysis. The average peptide chain lengths were obtained at 3–5 amino acid units after a hydrolysis of 30 min with the mixture of enzymes. Then, N-acylation in water, in presence of acid chloride (C12 and C16), carried out with a conversion rate of amine functions of 90%, allowed to obtain anionic surfactant mixtures (lipopeptides and sodium fatty acids). These two steps were performed in water, in continuous and did not generate any waste. This process was therefore in line with green chemistry principles. The surface activities (CMC, foaming and emulsifying properties) of these mixtures were also studied. These formulations obtained from natural renewable resources and the reactions done under environmental respect, could replace petrochemical based surfactants for some applications

APRESENTANDO O SERENA: UM SISTEMA ABERTO DE PERGUNTAS COM CORREÇÃO COLABORATIVA

A avaliação discente é uma ação que demanda considerável esforço quando se deseja alcançar a individualidade na aferição do conhecimento. O mecanismo tradicional de avaliação é a prova escrita, cuja aplicação requer impressão do material e, na maioriadas vezes, correção manual das respostas. Uma alternativa para melhorar esse processo é a utilização de computadores para realizar a avaliação, mas como lidar com cenários nos quais os laboratórios de informática disponíveis para tais realizações dispõem denúmero de computadores inferior à quantidade de alunos a serem avaliados? Uma solução simples é realizar a prova em duplas ou intercalar a prova entre partes da turma, porém dessa forma perde-se o aspecto individual da avaliação. Outro aspecto a serconsiderado é a grande quantidade de tempo de esforço contínuo que a avaliação tradicional, seja impressa ou no computador, exige: longas provas silenciosas que suscitam uma tensão própria da ação de avaliação. Cita-se ainda um terceiro ponto sobre a justiça na correção e o feedback de valor: como corrigir as respostas de forma igualitária, atribuindo pontuações justas e correções que agreguem na formação do discente dentro do componente curricular? Com esses três aspectos em questão, foi criado o SistEma abeRto de pErguNtAs, denominado pela sigla Serena. Esse sistema foi desenvolvido para permitir a resposta de questões de baixo tempo de resolução, para fins de avaliação conceitual. São utilizadas tecnologias de código aberto e o sistema está disponível em repositório público. A execução da avaliação ocorre de forma circular, na qual o estudante responde uma pergunta por vez, alternando entre computadores, por meio de sorteio automatizado. Os alunos que não estiverem respondendo questão no computador aguardam alguns minutos em um local específico. Essa dinâmica intercala esforço cognitivo, físico e social, promovendo o bem estar e aliviando a carga tensional existente em momentos de avaliação. Na versão atual, são permitidas questões de múltipla escolha, questões dissertativas e questões de preenchimento de lacunas. Ao término da avaliação, o sistema oferece uma oportunidade de aprendizagem pós-avaliação, com suporte para correção anônima que pode ser realizada de maneira coletiva por questão. O sistema oferece também uma sugestão de pontuação de respostas com base no gabarito da questão. O sistema é executado em rede cabeada ou sem fio no computador do professor, tornando dispensável a necessidade de Internet. Essa característica minimiza o risco de falha da avaliação por problemas tecnológicos. Avaliações já vêm sendo realizadas com o Serena desde 2021 em aulas dos cursos Técnico em Informática e Bacharelado em Ciência da Computação, e as observações preliminares indicam a viabilidade de uso da ferramenta em avaliações de programação

Avaliação Individual Presencial Apoiada por Computador com Dinâmica Circular e Correção Coletiva

ABSTRACTAssessment is a stage in the learning process that is part of qualityeducation. The traditional printed written assessment is simpleto carry out but imposes prolonged tension on the student whenapplying it. Computer-supported assessment solutions are limitedby the number of computers in computer labs, which are oftensmaller than the number of students and do not resolve the issue ofprolonged tension. This work presents a new assessment strategycalled circular dynamics in which the application of questions isalternated between students, using a random selection of questions.Furthermore, a correction strategy called collective correction presentsthe answers anonymously and grouped by question, whichcan be corrected together with the students, promoting more fairnessin scoring and providing feedback. A free system prototypecalled Serena was implemented in march 2020 and since 2021 ithas demonstrated positive results in the application of these twostrategies

Is the meiofauna a good indicator for climate change and anthropogenic impacts?

Our planet is changing, and one of the most pressing challenges facing the scientific community revolves around understanding how ecological communities respond to global changes. From coastal to deep-sea ecosystems, ecologists are exploring new areas of research to find model organisms that help predict the future of life on our planet. Among the different categories of organisms, meiofauna offer several advantages for the study of marine benthic ecosystems. This paper reviews the advances in the study of meiofauna with regard to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Four taxonomic groups are valuable for predicting global changes: foraminifers (especially calcareous forms), nematodes, copepods and ostracods. Environmental variables are fundamental in the interpretation of meiofaunal patterns and multistressor experiments are more informative than single stressor ones, revealing complex ecological and biological interactions. Global change has a general negative effect on meiofauna, with important consequences on benthic food webs. However, some meiofaunal species can be favoured by the extreme conditions induced by global change, as they can exhibit remarkable physiological adaptations. This review highlights the need to incorporate studies on taxonomy, genetics and function of meiofaunal taxa into global change impact research

The HAPPY (Healthy and Active Parenting Programmme for early Years) feasibility randomised control trial: acceptability and feasibility of an intervention to reduce infant obesity.

The prevalence of infant obesity is increasing, but there is a lack of evidence-based approaches to prevent obesity at this age. This study tested the acceptability and feasibility of evaluating a theory-based intervention aimed at reducing risk of obesity in infants of overweight/obese women during and after pregnancy: the Healthy and Active Parenting Programme for Early Years (HAPPY).A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted in Bradford, England. One hundred twenty overweight/obese pregnant women (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m(2)) were recruited between 10-26 weeks gestation. Consenting women were randomly allocated to HAPPY (6 antenatal, 6 postnatal sessions: N = 59) or usual care (N = 61). Appropriate outcome measures for a full trial were explored, including: infant's length and weight, woman's BMI, physical activity and dietary intake of the women and infants. Health economic data were collected. Measurement occurred before randomisation and when the infant was aged 6 months and 12 months. Feasibility outcomes were: recruitment/attrition rates, and acceptability of: randomisation, measurement, and intervention. Intra-class correlations for infant weight were calculated. Fidelity was assessed through observations and facilitator feedback. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews explored acceptability of methods, implementation, and intervention content.Recruitment targets were met (~20 women/month) with a recruitment rate of 30 % of eligible women (120/396). There was 30 % attrition at 12 months; 66 % of recruited women failed to attend intervention sessions, but those who attended the first session were likely to continue to attend (mean 9.4/12 sessions, range 1-12). Reaction to intervention content was positive, and fidelity was high. Group clustering was minimal; an adjusted effect size of -0.25 standard deviation scores for infant weight at 12 months (95 % CI: -0.16-0.65) favouring the intervention was observed using intention to treat analyses. No adverse events were reported.The HAPPY intervention appeared feasible and acceptable to participants who attended and those delivering it, however attendance was low; adaptations to increase initial attendance are recommended. Whilst the study was not powered to detect a definitive effect, our results suggest a potential to reduce risk of infant obesity. The evidence reported provides valuable lessons to inform progression to a definitive trial.Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN56735429

Reciclado energético de la envolvente de vivienda unifamiliar en La Plata, Argentina

En el trabajo se presenta el caso de una vivienda unifamiliar localizada en la periferia de la Ciudad de La Plata construida de forma convencional donde el comitente, a pesar de tener un sistema de climatización central, no alcanzaba el confort incluso con elevado consumo de energía. En este contexto decide introducir mejoras progresivas en la envolvente a fin de reducir la demanda de energía y mejorar la calidad ambiental. Posterior a la intervención realizada, se realiza una auditoría energética de invierno en tres etapas: 1) forzando el termostato a 21°C, 2) forzando el termostato a 20°C y 3) dejándolo a demanda del usuario. También se lleva a cabo un monitoreo medioambiental, un análisis de previsiones históricas de uso de la energía, evaluación de la mejora tecnológica realizada y su inversión. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la vivienda se encuentra durante todo el período dentro de la zona de confort y que el equipo de calefacción se enciende en intervalos de tiempo más largos, de manera que el usuario deja de estar pendiente del equipo, consiguiendo permanecer en confort a menor temperatura de setpoint. Conjuntamente, el consumo horario de gas en calefacción se ve reducido. Se concluye que la incidencia que implica la colocación de aislación adicional respecto del costo de la construcción justifica su uso, resolviendo parcialmente la falta de combustibles en nuestro país, reduciendo gastos fijos en la vivienda y otorgando confort térmico a los usuarios.This paper presents the case of a house, situated in the outskirts of La Plata City. It had been conventionally built with an intensive use of HVAC, but the owner had not been able to reach comfort status. He decided to introduce progressive improvements in the building´s envelope in order to reduce energy demand and increase environmental quality. An energy audit was carried out in three stages: 1) thermostat fixed at 21°C, 2) thermostat fixed at 20°C and 3) on user demand. Apart from that, an environmental monitoring was done together with an analysis of historic energy consumption, assessment of technological improvement and investment. Results show that the house is now within the comfort zone through the period elapsed, and the heating equipment turns on at longer intervals. The user stops being aware of the equipment, reaching comfort at lower set point temperatures. Hourly heating gas consumption is reduced. It is concluded that the incidence of thermal insulation respect to the entire building cost justifies its implementation, and thus this partially solves the inefficient use of fuel in our country, reducing fixed costs in the house and providing thermal comfort to the users.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Reciclado energético de la envolvente de vivienda unifamiliar en La Plata, Argentina

En el trabajo se presenta el caso de una vivienda unifamiliar localizada en la periferia de la Ciudad de La Plata construida de forma convencional donde el comitente, a pesar de tener un sistema de climatización central, no alcanzaba el confort incluso con elevado consumo de energía. En este contexto decide introducir mejoras progresivas en la envolvente a fin de reducir la demanda de energía y mejorar la calidad ambiental. Posterior a la intervención realizada, se realiza una auditoría energética de invierno en tres etapas: 1) forzando el termostato a 21°C, 2) forzando el termostato a 20°C y 3) dejándolo a demanda del usuario. También se lleva a cabo un monitoreo medioambiental, un análisis de previsiones históricas de uso de la energía, evaluación de la mejora tecnológica realizada y su inversión. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la vivienda se encuentra durante todo el período dentro de la zona de confort y que el equipo de calefacción se enciende en intervalos de tiempo más largos, de manera que el usuario deja de estar pendiente del equipo, consiguiendo permanecer en confort a menor temperatura de setpoint. Conjuntamente, el consumo horario de gas en calefacción se ve reducido. Se concluye que la incidencia que implica la colocación de aislación adicional respecto del costo de la construcción justifica su uso, resolviendo parcialmente la falta de combustibles en nuestro país, reduciendo gastos fijos en la vivienda y otorgando confort térmico a los usuarios.This paper presents the case of a house, situated in the outskirts of La Plata City. It had been conventionally built with an intensive use of HVAC, but the owner had not been able to reach comfort status. He decided to introduce progressive improvements in the building´s envelope in order to reduce energy demand and increase environmental quality. An energy audit was carried out in three stages: 1) thermostat fixed at 21°C, 2) thermostat fixed at 20°C and 3) on user demand. Apart from that, an environmental monitoring was done together with an analysis of historic energy consumption, assessment of technological improvement and investment. Results show that the house is now within the comfort zone through the period elapsed, and the heating equipment turns on at longer intervals. The user stops being aware of the equipment, reaching comfort at lower set point temperatures. Hourly heating gas consumption is reduced. It is concluded that the incidence of thermal insulation respect to the entire building cost justifies its implementation, and thus this partially solves the inefficient use of fuel in our country, reducing fixed costs in the house and providing thermal comfort to the users.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES