Thermal signatures of human pheromones in sexual and reproductive behaviour

Chemically mediated sexual communication in humans has been largely neglected due to its non-conscious and relatively concealed nature. However, menstrual cycle synchronisation, puberty onset in young pre-pubertal girls exposed to their stepfather, and consanguinity avoidance suggest a function in the physiological regulation of sexual and reproductive behaviour in humans. These phenomena are related to activation of the limbic system by pheromones. On the basis of sexually dimorphic activation of brain hypothalamic areas and the control of body temperature via the hypothalamus, our hypothesis is that human sexual pheromones can induce thermal effects that can be revealed by high-resolution thermal infrared imaging. Here we show that in women, male sexual pheromones induce thermal effects that are linked to the ovarian cycle. These findings suggest a dramatic influence of pheromones on human sexual and reproductive behaviour through neuroendocrine brain control, established on the plesiomorphic nature of chemical communication across species

From approximating to interpolatory non-stationary subdivision schemes with the same generation properties

In this paper we describe a general, computationally feasible strategy to deduce a family of interpolatory non-stationary subdivision schemes from a symmetric non-stationary, non-interpolatory one satisfying quite mild assumptions. To achieve this result we extend our previous work [C.Conti, L.Gemignani, L.Romani, Linear Algebra Appl. 431 (2009), no. 10, 1971-1987] to full generality by removing additional assumptions on the input symbols. For the so obtained interpolatory schemes we prove that they are capable of reproducing the same exponential polynomial space as the one generated by the original approximating scheme. Moreover, we specialize the computational methods for the case of symbols obtained by shifted non-stationary affine combinations of exponential B-splines, that are at the basis of most non-stationary subdivision schemes. In this case we find that the associated family of interpolatory symbols can be determined to satisfy a suitable set of generalized interpolating conditions at the set of the zeros (with reversed signs) of the input symbol. Finally, we discuss some computational examples by showing that the proposed approach can yield novel smooth non-stationary interpolatory subdivision schemes possessing very interesting reproduction properties

Exponential Splines and Pseudo-Splines: Generation versus reproduction of exponential polynomials

Subdivision schemes are iterative methods for the design of smooth curves and surfaces. Any linear subdivision scheme can be identified by a sequence of Laurent polynomials, also called subdivision symbols, which describe the linear rules determining successive refinements of coarse initial meshes. One important property of subdivision schemes is their capability of exactly reproducing in the limit specific types of functions from which the data is sampled. Indeed, this property is linked to the approximation order of the scheme and to its regularity. When the capability of reproducing polynomials is required, it is possible to define a family of subdivision schemes that allows to meet various demands for balancing approximation order, regularity and support size. The members of this family are known in the literature with the name of pseudo-splines. In case reproduction of exponential polynomials instead of polynomials is requested, the resulting family turns out to be the non-stationary counterpart of the one of pseudo-splines, that we here call the family of exponential pseudo-splines. The goal of this work is to derive the explicit expressions of the subdivision symbols of exponential pseudo-splines and to study their symmetry properties as well as their convergence and regularity.Comment: 25 page

Episodic memory retrieval, parietal cortex, and the default mode network: Functional and topographic analyses

The default mode network (DMN) is often considered a functionally homogeneous system that is broadly associated with internally directed cognition (e.g., episodic memory, theory of mind, self-evaluation). However, few studies have examined how this network interacts with other networks during putative default processes such as episodic memory retrieval. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the topography and response profile of human parietal regions inside and outside the DMN, independently defined using task-evoked deactivations and resting-state functional connectivity, during episodic memory retrieval. Memory retrieval activated posterior nodes of the DMN, particularly the angular gyrus, but also more anterior and dorsal parietal regions that were anatomically separate from the DMN. The two sets of parietal regions showed different resting-state functional connectivity and response profiles. During memory retrieval, responses in DMN regions peaked sooner than non-DMN regions, which in turn showed responses that were sustained until a final memory judgment was reached. Moreover, a parahippocampal region that showed strong resting-state connectivity with parietal DMN regions also exhibited a pattern of task-evoked activity similar to that exhibited by DMN regions. These results suggest that DMN parietal regions directly supported memory retrieval, whereas non-DMN parietal regions were more involved in postretrieval processes such as memory-based decision making. Finally, a robust functional dissociation within the DMN was observed. Whereas angular gyrus and posterior cingulate/precuneus were significantly activated during memory retrieval, an anterior DMN node in medial prefrontal cortex was strongly deactivated. This latter finding demonstrates functional heterogeneity rather than homogeneity within the DMN during episodic memory retrieval

Development of an engine variable geometry intake system for a Formula SAE application

The Formula SAE is an international competition for vehicle fully designed and built by students from worldwide Universities. The engine and vehicle design in the Formula SAE competition has to comply with a strict regulation. Regarding the engine intake line an air restrictor of circular cross-section no greater than 20 mm must be fitted between the throttle valve and the engine inlet. The aim of the throat is to limit the engine air flow rate as it strongly influences the volumetric efficiency and then the maximum power. The present paper is focused on the design of the engine intake system of the Firenze Race Team vehicle in order to optimize its performance in terms of both the maximum power and the drivability of the vehicle. One of the typical solutions for limiting the air restrictor influence consists of a plenum chamber placed along the intake line downstream of the restrictor. However the plenum involves also a delay in the engine response during the transient phases. The greater is the plenum, the lower are the power losses but the greater is the engine response delay. Taking advantage of a calibrated 1D model of the engine and a simplified vehicle model, the authors numerically analyzed an innovative solution that is constituted by a variable length duct inside the plenum. When the duct is at the maximum extension, the plenum is excluded from the intake line improving the engine response time. The optimization of the plenum volume and the definition of a preliminary control logic of the innovative system were done in order to obtain the maximum advantages in terms of both performance and engine drivability

A hybrid time-frequency domain approach for numerical modeling of reciprocating compressors

In the reciprocating compressor field, strong attention is paid to the study of pressure wave propagation in the discharge and suction pipelines. Oscillating pressure waves may lead to mechanical vibrations and failures and affect the machine performance. For this reason, an accurate analysis of the acoustic response of suction and discharge pipelines in a reciprocating compressor plant is of great interest. By solving a linear system of equations, the acoustic domain of a piping system can be easily determined. Usually, the acoustic pulsation analysis of the pipelines is carried out without considering the interaction between the machinery and the pipelines. Consequently, the reciprocal interaction between the compressor and the pipelines can not be considered. The aim of this work is to perform a fluid-dynamic analysis of the full compressor-pipelines system. For this purpose, a hybrid time-frequency domain approach is adopted. The reciprocating compressor thermodynamic cycle is simulated with a 0D timedomain model, while the pressure wave propagation in the pipelines is modelled by mean of a transfer matrix approach in the frequency domain. This analysis allows one to take into account the mutual interaction between the compressor and its pipelines by using the FFT and the Inverse FFT alternatively. The methodology was assessed by comparing the results of the simulation of a test case performed with both the hybrid approach and a commercial 1D code

Sound in Brazilian and German Concrete Poetry

This work studies sound in the concrete poetry of Grupo Noigandres and Stuttgarter Gruppe, focusing in particular the recordings of poems and the Hörspiele recorded in the Sixties. The manifold problems connected with the concrete poetry movement (intended as a whole) is followed by a specific theoretical-methodological section on sound, which clarifies the inclusion of this study in the field of the sound studies and introduces tools for the analysis (phonetics, music, technology). The latter is qualitative, since it focuses specifically on a few recordings, in an attempt to “build” possible meanings of the hearable sounds, and especially to consider the importance of the impact on the body for better understanding the esthetic experience of listening that concrete poetry provides. By focusing on sound, this study aims to return the body to concrete poetry, its physical presence and materiality, whose importance has too often been diminished by critics concerned exclusively with the graphic-visual aspect and interested in the mere attribution of “right” meanings. This comparative approach reveals of some common aspects between two extremely important schools within the context of concrete poetry, which however only rarely engaged in dialogue regarding poetic composition, and even less in regard to their respective relationships with sound and the esthetic experience that it produces

Electrophysiological correlates of stimulus-driven reorienting deficits after interference with right parietal cortex during a spatial attention task: A TMS-EEG study

TMS interference over right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) causally disrupts behaviorally and EEG rhythmic correlates of endogenous spatial orienting before visual target presentation [Capotosto, P., Babiloni, C., Romani, G. L., & Corbetta, M. Differential contribution of right and left parietal cortex to the control of spatial attention: A simultaneous EEG-rTMS study. Cerebral Cortex, 22, 446-454, 2012; Capotosto, P., Babiloni, C., Romani, G. L., & Corbetta, M. Fronto-parietal cortex controls spatial attention through modulation of anticipatory alpha rhythms. Journal of Neuroscience, 29, 5863-5872, 2009]. Here we combine data from our previous studies to examine whether right parietal TMS during spatial orienting also impairs stimulus-driven reorienting or the ability to efficiently process unattended stimuli, that is, stimuli outside the current focus of attention. Healthy volunteers (n = 24) performed a Posner spatial cueing task while their EEG activity was being monitored. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) was applied for 150 msec simultaneously to the presentation of a central arrow directing spatial attention to the location of an upcoming visual target. Right IPS-rTMS impaired target detection, especially for stimuli presented at unattended locations; it also caused a modulation of the amplitude of parieto-occipital positive ERPs peaking at about 480 msec (P3) post-target. The P3 significantly decreased for unattended targets and significantly increased for attended targets after right IPS-rTMS as compared with sham stimulation. Similar effects were obtained for left IPS stimulation albeit in a smaller group of volunteers. We conclude that disruption of anticipatory processes in right IPS has prolonged effects that persist during target processing. The P3 decrement may reflect interference with postdecision processes that are part of stimulus-driven reorienting. Right IPS is a node of functional interaction between endogenous spatial orienting and stimulus-driven reorienting processes in human vision