Task-phase-specific dynamics of basal forebrain neuronal ensembles.

Cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons play a critical role in learning and attention, and their degeneration accompanies age-related impairments in cognition. Despite the impressive anatomical and cell-type complexity of this system, currently available data suggest that basal forebrain neurons lack complexity in their response fields, with activity primarily reflecting only macro-level brain states such as sleep and wake, onset of relevant stimuli and/or reward obtainment. The current study examined the spiking activity of basal forebrain neuron populations across multiple phases of a selective attention task, addressing, in particular, the issue of complexity in ensemble firing patterns across time. Clustering techniques applied to the full population revealed a large number of distinct categories of task-phase-specific activity patterns. Unique population firing-rate vectors defined each task phase and most categories of task-phase-specific firing had counterparts with opposing firing patterns. An analogous set of task-phase-specific firing patterns was also observed in a population of posterior parietal cortex neurons. Thus, consistent with the known anatomical complexity, basal forebrain population dynamics are capable of differentially modulating their cortical targets according to the unique sets of environmental stimuli, motor requirements, and cognitive processes associated with different task phases

Evaluation and export of Pseudacteon decapitating flies (Phoridae:Diptera) collected in the Jaguariuna area for fire ant biocontrol in the USA.

Fire ant decapitating flies were studied in and around the Embrapa-National Research Center for Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment, in Jaguariuna, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The objective was to evaluate and select several species for exporting to the United States as biocontrol agents. Eight species were collected during this study (January-June, 1996): Pseudacteon convexicauda, P. curvatus, P. litoralis, P. obtusus, P. pradei, P. solenopsidis, P. tricuspis and P. wasmanni. Seven species (all except P. convexicauda) were reared from eggs to adults. All seven species had the unusual habit of pupating inside the head capsule of their host. No suitable morphological characters were found to discriminate pupae of the different species. Pupae of different sexes were also indistinguishable except that females consistently emerged from larger hosts than males. The males of P. tricuspis readily mated with females while they were ovipositing in fire ant workers, but it was not possible to determine when and were other species of decapitating flies mated. Consequently, it was only possible to develop techniques for rearing P. tricuspis. Two species (P.tricuspis and p. litoralis) were sufficiently abundant to be exported to the USDA-ARS from Brazilian Quarantine Laboratory for specificity testing. After a period in USDA quarantine facilities both species received permission to be released and tested under field conditions in the USA

Agroecological transitions in scientific research programs in Brazil and France.

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Índice de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica e ecológica dos estabelecimentos agrários - IVA.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar e elaborar instrumentos e procedimentos para a proposição de um índice que reflita as vulnerabilidades socioeconômica e ecológica dos municípios do Semiárido brasileiro (IVA). Este índice, baseado em um sistema de indicadores de sustentabilidade, tem o propósito de colocar em prática o conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável. As preocupações com os problemas e desafios socioeconômicos e ecológicos, relacionados ao uso dos recursos hídricos e a estrita dependência econômica da produção agropecuária de sobrevivência, nesta região, remetem a necessidades e proposições de oportunidades de desenvolvimento local, visando proporcionar melhores condições de vida aos habitantes desta região. O IVA construído, permitiu descobrir em qual dimensão de vida a população rural do semiárido é mais vulnerável, classificando-a em elevada, alta, média e baixa e, assim, focalizar as políticas públicas para melhor suprir essas necessidade

An assessment of organisational values culture and performance in Cape Town's primary healthcare services

Objectives: Improving the quality of primary health care in South Africa is a national priority and the Western Cape Department of Health has identified staff and patient experience as a key component. Its strategic plan, Vision 2020, espouses caring, competence, accountability, integrity, responsiveness and respect as the most important organisational values. This study aimed to measure the personal values of staff, as well as current and desired organisational values. Design: A cross-sectional survey used the cultural values assessment tool. Data were analysed by the Barrett Value Centre. Setting and subjects: Staff and managers at five community health centres in the Cape Town Metropole. Outcome measures: Personal values, current and desired organisational values, organisational entropy and organisational scorecard. Results: In total, 154 staff members completed the survey. Participants reported personal values that are congruent with a move towards more patient-centred care. The top 10 current organisational values were not sharing information, cost reduction, community involvement, confusion, control, manipulation, blame, power, results orientation, hierarchy, long hours and teamwork. Desired organisational values were open communication, shared decision-making, accountability, staff recognition, leadership development and professionalism. Organisational entropy was high at 36% of all values. Only teamwork and community involvement were found in both the current and desired culture. The organisational scorecard showed a lack of current focus on finances, evolution and patient experience. Conclusion: The organisational culture of the Metro District Health Services is currently not well aligned with the values expressed in Vision 2020, and the goal of delivering patient-centred care