Observing Grasping Actions Directed to Emotion-Laden Objects: Effects upon Corticospinal Excitability

The motor system is recruited whenever one executes an action as well as when one observes the same action being executed by others. Although it is well established that emotion modulates the motor system, the effect of observing other individuals acting in an emotional context is particularly elusive. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect induced by the observation of grasping directed to emotion-laden objects upon corticospinal excitability (CSE). Participants classified video-clips depicting the right-hand of an actor grasping emotion-laden objects. Twenty video-clips differing in terms of valence but balanced in arousal level were selected. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were then recorded from the first dorsal interosseous using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) while the participants observed the selected emotional video-clips. During the video-clip presentation, TMS pulses were randomly applied at one of two different time points of grasping: (1) maximum grip aperture, and (2) object contact time. CSE was higher during the observation of grasping directed to unpleasant objects compared to pleasant ones. These results indicate that when someone observes an action of grasping directed to emotion-laden objects, the effect of the object valence promotes a specific modulation over the motor system.Fil: Nogueira Campos, Anaelli A.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Saunier, Ghislain. Universidade Federal do Pará; BrasilFil: Della Maggiore, Valeria Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; ArgentinaFil: De Oliveira, Laura A. S.. Centro Universitário Augusto Motta; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, Erika C.. Centro Universitário Augusto Motta; BrasilFil: Vargas, Claudia D.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

Oral contraceptives combined with interferon β in multiple sclerosis

Objective: To test the effect of oral contraceptives (OCs) in combination with interferon b (IFN-b) on disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: One hundred fifty women with RRMS were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive IFNb-1a subcutaneously (SC) only (group 1), IFN-b-1a SC plus ethinylstradiol 20 mg and desogestrel 150 mg (group 2), or IFN-b-1a SC plus ethinylestradiol 40 mg and desogestrel 125 mg (group 3). The primary endpoint was the cumulative number of combined unique active (CUA) lesions on brain MRI at week 96. Secondary endpoints included MRI and clinical and safety measures. Results: The estimated number of cumulative CUA lesions at week 96 was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–1.14) in group 1, 0.84 (95% CI 0.66–1.02) in group 2, and 0.72 (95% CI 0.53–0.91) in group 3, with a decrease of 14.1% (p 5 0.24) and 26.5% (p 5 0.04) when comparing group 1 with groups 2 and 3, respectively. The number of patients with no gadoliniumenhancing lesions was greater in group 3 than in group 1 (p 5 0.03). No significant differences were detected in other secondary endpoints. IFN-b or OC discontinuations were equally distributed across groups. Conclusions: Our results translate the observations derived from experimental models to patients, supporting the anti-inflammatory effects of OCs with high-dose estrogens, and suggest possible directions for future research

Impact of Innovative Agricultural Practices of Carbon Sequestration on Soil Microbial Community.

This chapter deals with the impact on soil microbiology of innovative management techniques for enhancing carbon sequestration. With in the MESCOSAGR project, the effect of different field treatments was investigated at three experimental sites differing in pedo-climatic characteristics. Several microbiological parameters were evaluated to describe the composition of soil microbial communities involved in the carbon cycle, as well as to assess microbial biomass and activity. Results indicated that both compost and catalyst amendments to field soils under maize or wheat affected microbial dynamics and activities, though with out being harmful to microbial communities

Statistical analysis of probability density functions for photometric redshifts through the KiDS-ESO-DR3 galaxies

Despite the high accuracy of photometric redshifts (zphot) derived using Machine Learning (ML) methods, the quantification of errors through reliable and accurate Probability Density Functions (PDFs) is still an open problem. First, because it is difficult to accurately assess the contribution from different sources of errors, namely internal to the method itself and from the photometric features defining the available parameter space. Second, because the problem of defining a robust statistical method, always able to quantify and qualify the PDF estimation validity, is still an open issue. We present a comparison among PDFs obtained using three different methods on the same data set: two ML techniques, METAPHOR (Machine-learning Estimation Tool for Accurate PHOtometric Redshifts) and ANNz2, plus the spectral energy distribution template fitting method, BPZ. The photometric data were extracted from the KiDS (Kilo Degree Survey) ESO Data Release 3, while the spectroscopy was obtained from the GAMA (Galaxy and Mass Assembly) Data Release 2. The statistical evaluation of both individual and stacked PDFs was done through quantitative and qualitative estimators, including a dummy PDF, useful to verify whether different statistical estimators can correctly assess PDF quality. We conclude that, in order to quantify the reliability and accuracy of any zphot PDF method, a combined set of statistical estimators is required.Comment: Accepted for publication by MNRAS, 20 pages, 14 figure

Noncoding RNAs and Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs modulate gene transcription in response to environmental stressors and other stimuli. A role for ncRNAs in muscle pathologies has been demonstrated and further evidence suggests that ncRNAs also play a role in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Studies investigating the differential expression of miRNAs in biological fluids between DMD patients and models of dystrophin deficiency (the MDX mouse model, canine models of DMD) and controls have been published, as these have a role in fibrosis. Long noncoding RNAs are differentially expressed in DMD patients and may, in part, have a mechanism of action via targeting of miRNAs. Although many of these recent findings need to be confirmed, ncRNAs may prove to be useful as potential biomarkers of disease. However, their use as therapeutic targets in DMD remains unclear

Supporting Non-functional Requirements in Services Software Development Process: An MDD Approach

International audienceThis paper presents the π-SODM method an extension to the Service Oriented Development Method (SOD-M) to support the develop- ment of services software considering their functional and non-functional requirements. Specifically, π-SODM proposes: (i) meta-models for rep- resenting non-functional requirements in different abstraction levels; (ii) model-to-model transformation rules, useful to semi-automatically re- fine Platform Independent Models into Platform Specific Models; and (iii) rules to transform Platform Specific Models into concrete imple- mentations. In order to illustrate the use of this methodology the paper describes how its use to develop a proof-of-concept

Strontium ranelate effect on bone mineral density is modified by previous bisphosphonate treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of strontium ranelate (SrR) on bone mineral density (BMD) and boneturnover markers after 1 year of treatment. Additionally, theeffect of SrR in bisphosphonate-naïve patients (BP-naïve)compared to patients previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP-prior) was analyzed. This retrospective study included482 postmenopausal women treated with SrR (2 g/day) for 1year in ten Argentine centers; 41 patients were excludeddue to insufficient data, while 441 were included. Participants were divided according to previous bisphosphonatetreatment in two groups: BP-naïve (n = 87) and BP-prior (n = 350). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. After 1 year oftreatment with SrR the bone formation markers total alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were increased (p < 0.0001),while the bone resorption marker s-CTX was decreased (p =0.0579). Also increases in BMD at the lumbar spine (LS,3.73%), femoral neck (FN, 2.00%) and total hip (TH, 1.54%) [p < 0.0001] were observed. These increments were significant(p < 0.0001) both among BP-naïve and BP-prior patients. Interestingly, the change in BMD after 1 year of SrR treatmentwas higher in BP-naïve patients: LS: BP-naïve = 4.58 ± 0.62%; BP-prior = 3.45 ± 0.28% (p = 0.078). FN: BP-naïve = 2.79 ±0.56%; BP-prior = 2.13 ± 0.29% (p = 0.161). TH: BP-naïve = 3.01± 0.55%; BP-prior = 1.22 ± 0.27% (p = 0.0006). SrR treatmentincreased BMD and bone formation markers and decreaseda bone resorption marker in the whole group, with betterresponse in BP-naïve patients.Fil: Brun, Lucas Ricardo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Laboratorio de Biología Ósea; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Galich, Ana M.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Vega, Eduardo. Instituto de la Mujer. Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Salerni, Helena. Consultorios de Investigación Clínica Endocrinológica y del Metabolismo Óseo ; ArgentinaFil: Maffei, Laura. Consultorios Asociados de Endocrinología Dra. Laura Maffei; ArgentinaFil: Premrou, Valeria. Consultorios Asociados de Endocrinología Dra. Laura Maffei; ArgentinaFil: Costanzo, Paulo R. Consultorios de Investigación Clínica Endocrinológica y del Metabolismo Óseo ; ArgentinaFil: Sarli, Marcelo A. Instituto de Investigaciones Metabólicas Dr. Zanchetta; ArgentinaFil: Rey, Paula. Instituto de Investigaciones Metabólicas Dr. Zanchetta; ArgentinaFil: Larroudé, Maria S.. Hospital César Milstein; ArgentinaFil: Moggia, Maria S.. Centro Tiempo; ArgentinaFil: Brance, María Lorena. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Laboratorio de Biología Ósea; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Ariel. Centro de Endocrinología; ArgentinaFil: Grupo Argentino de Estudio del Ranelato de Estroncio. No especifica

Modelo de amenaza por inundación en el manejo de microcuencas de drenajes a escala 1:25.000 caso para el sector de Monte Sinaí-Ecuador

Intense precipitations in winter generates floods by overflowing of tributaries in areas of flooding of urban and rural areas, which don't have the proper planning of land use. This affects to a certain percentage of the population generally from the lower to middle class. Knowing climatic conditions and natural variables as the geology, geomorphology and hydrology allow to create a threat model with specialized software like ArcView 3.2 which contains SINMAP extension and ArcGis 10.1, used in this research, generating maps which delimitate safe and stable zones. The main target is to inform the population about areas inclined to floods and ground movements in the sector of Monte Sinaí of the city of Guayaquil (Ecuador). The present research work was developed in the sector of Monte Sinaí on the subbasin of river The Achiotes in which its morphology was characterized using ArcGis 10.1 and complementing with information of geology, geomorphology, and geomechanic the models of saturation and of stability of the sector were obtained. Another purpose of this study was to use hydrological and geodynamic studies as mathematical tools through geographic information systems, for the characterization of river basins generating mathematical modeling of river systems for addressing drains directions, runoffs, avoiding natural phenomena such as floods, removing mass and anthropic phenomena. The characterization of The Achiotes river basin allowed identifying basin with high erosive potential. Through models of saturation and accumulation flows areas of inundation by waterlogging were identified, using geomechanical and geotechnical parameters of the lithology of the sector of Mount Sinai. Most dangerous areas were localized in river banks of The Achiotes river tributaries and in areas with no vegetative cover located in medium to high terraces. This methodology can be used for the generation of risk and vulnerability maps. With the obtained results in saturation models, flows accumulation and ground stability critical points or areas can be identify, which will be used for the location of infrastructure such as bridges or schools. These may serve as hostels and projects for the development of the sector Mount Sinai and at the same time avoiding conflict of land and water use, and so to provide tools for the decentralized autonomous governments (GADS) for territorial planning.Las intensas precipitaciones en época de invierno generan inundaciones por desbordamientos de afluentes en zonas de anegación en las áreas urbanas y rurales que no cuentan con la debida planificación de ordenamiento territorial. Esto afecta a un cierto porcentaje de la población generalmente de la clase media a baja. Al conocer las condiciones climáticas y variables naturales como la geología, geomorfología e hidrología de un área permite generar un modelo de amenaza a través de softwares especializados como ArcView 3.2 que contiene el módulo SINMAP y ArcGis 10.1 que se utilizó en la investigación presentada aquí, generando mapas de delimitación de zonas seguras y estables. El objetivo principal es dar conocer a la población las zonas propensas a inundaciones y a movimientos de tierra en el sector de Monte Sinaí de la ciudad de Guayaquil (Ecuador). El presente trabajo de investigación se desarrolló en el sector de Monte Sinaí sobre la subcuenca Hidrográfica Río Los Achiotes en la cual se caracterizó la morfometría utilizando software ArcGis 10.1 y, complementando con información de geología, geomorfología, y geomecánica, se obtuvo modelos de saturación y de estabilidad del sector. Otro de los propósitos de este estudio fue de utilizar los estudios hidrológicos y geodinámicas como herramientas matemáticas a través de sistemas de información geográfica, para la caracterización de las Cuencas Hidrográficas generando modelamientos matemáticos de sistemas fluviales para obtener el direccionamiento de los drenajes, escorrentías, evitando fenómenos naturales tales como inundaciones, remoción de masa y fenómenos antrópicos. La caracterización de la Cuenca de Río Los Achiotes permitió identificar una cuenca con alto potencial erosivo. A través de modelos de saturación y flujos de acumulación se identificaron zonas de inundación por anegación, utilizando parámetros geomecánicos y geotécnicos de la litología del sector de Monte Sinaí. Las zonas de mayor peligrosidad se ubicaron en las riberas de los afluentes de Río Los Achiotes y en las zonas que no poseen coberturas vegetales que se encuentran las zonas de terrazas medianas a altas. Esta metodología puede ser empleada para la generación de mapas de riesgos y vulnerabilidad. Con los resultados obtenidos en los modelos de saturación, flujos de acumulación y de estabilidad se pueden identificar puntos críticos o zonas críticas, que servirán para la ubicación de infraestructura tales como puentes, o escuelas. Estos podrán servir como albergues y proyectos para el desarrollo del sector Monte Sinaí y a su vez evitar el conflicto de uso de tierras y agua, y así poder brindarles a los Gobiernos Autónomos Descentralizados (GADS) herramientas para su planificación territorial