Atypical modulations of N170 component during emotional processing and their links to social behaviors in ex-combatants

ABSTRACT: Emotional processing (EP) is crucial for the elaboration and implementation of adaptive social strategies. EP is also necessary for the expression of social cognition and behavior (SCB) patterns. It is well-known that war contexts induce socio-emotional atypical functioning, in particular for those who participate in combats. Thus, ex-combatants represent an ideal non-clinical population to explore EP modulation and to evaluate its relation with SCB. The aim of this study was to explore EP and its relation with SCB dimensions such as empathy, theory of mind and social skills in a sample of 50 subjects, of which 30 were ex-combatants from illegally armed groups in Colombia, and 20 controls without combat experience. We adapted an Emotional Recognition Task for faces and words and synchronized it with electroencephalographic recording. Ex-combatants presented with higher assertion skills and showed more pronounced brain responses to faces than Controls. They did not show the bias toward anger observed in control participants whereby the latter group was more likely to misclassify neutral faces as angry. However, ex-combatants showed an atypical word valence processing. That is, words with different emotions yielded no differences in N170 modulations. SCB variables were successfully predicted by neurocognitive variables. Our results suggest that in ex-combatants the links between EP and SCB functions are reorganized. This may reflect neurocognitive modulations associated to chronic exposure to war experiences

Decoding motor expertise from fine-tuned oscillatory network organization

First published: 11 March 2022Can motor expertise be robustly predicted by the organization of frequency-specific oscillatory brain networks? To answer this question, we recorded high-density electroencephalography (EEG) in expert Tango dancers and naïves while viewing and judging the correctness of Tango-specific movements and during resting. We calculated task-related and resting-state connectivity at different frequency-bands capturing task performance (delta [δ], 1.5–4 Hz), error monitoring (theta [θ], 4–8 Hz), and sensorimotor experience (mu [μ], 8–13 Hz), and derived topographical features using graph analysis. These features, together with canonical expertise measures (i.e., performance in action discrimination, time spent dancing Tango), were fed into a data-driven computational learning analysis to test whether behavioral and brain signatures robustly classified individuals depending on their expertise level. Unsurprisingly, behavioral measures showed optimal classification (100%) between dancers and naïves. When considering brain models, the task-based classification performed well (~73%), with maximal discrimination afforded by theta-band connectivity, a hallmark signature of error processing. Interestingly, mu connectivity during rest outperformed (100%) the task-based approach, matching the optimal classification of behavioral measures and thus emerging as a potential trait-like marker of sensorimotor network tuning by intense training. Overall, our findings underscore the power of fine-tuned oscillatory network signatures for capturing expertise-related differences and their potential value in the neuroprognosis of learning outcomes.Basque Government; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; (CONICET) Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science; Spanish State Research Agency, Grant/Award Number: SEV-2015-0490; Programa Interdisciplinario de Investigaci on Experimental en Comunicaci on y Cognici on (PIIECC), Facultad de Humanidades, USACH; ANID; FONDECYT Regular, Grant/Award Numbers: 1210195, 1210176; Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI

Technological appropriation in a scenario of forced digitality. The experience of the National University of Catamarca

Como es sabido, la virtualidad forzada caracterizó a la educación universitaria durante la mayor parte de la pandemia, de modo semejante a lo acontecido en otros niveles de enseñanza. Teniendo en cuenta ello en este trabajo nos proponemos reflexionar sobre las singularidades que presentó el proceso de apropiación tecnológica, en el ámbito educativo durante la pandemia, por parte de los docentes de la Universidad Nacional de Catamarca [UNCa]. Mediante un abordaje que comprende, por una parte, el recorrido por los principales aspectos implicados en la caracterización conceptual del trayecto de apropiación y, por otra, la interpretación de la información emergente de una actividad de campo desplegada en el escenario universitario catamarqueño, efectuamos una serie de aportes específicos en el tema con el propósito de contribuir al perfeccionamiento del desarrollo teórico referente a la apropiación tecnológica desde una perspectiva local, en un histórico contexto de crisis.As is well known, “forced digitality” characterized university education during most of the pandemic, in a similar way to what happened at other levels of education. Taking this into account, in this work we propose to reflect on the singularities that the process of technological appropriation presented, in the educational field during the pandemic, by university teachers in Argentina. Through an approach that includes, on the one hand, the journey through the main aspects involved in the conceptual characterization of the appropriation journey and, on the other, the interpretation of the emerging information of a field activity deployed in the Catamarca university scenario, we carried out a series of specific contributions on the subject in order to collaborate with the improvement of the theoretical development regarding technological appropriation from a local perspective, in a historical context of crisis.Especialización en Docencia Universitari

Multiclass characterization of frontotemporal dementia variants via multimodal brain network computational inference

AbstractCharacterizing a particular neurodegenerative condition against others possible diseases remains a challenge along clinical, biomarker, and neuroscientific levels. This is the particular case of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) variants, where their specific characterization requires high levels of expertise and multidisciplinary teams to subtly distinguish among similar physiopathological processes. Here, we used a computational approach of multimodal brain networks to address simultaneous multiclass classification of 298 subjects (one group against all others), including five FTD variants: behavioral variant FTD, corticobasal syndrome, nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia, with healthy controls. Fourteen machine learning classifiers were trained with functional and structural connectivity metrics calculated through different methods. Due to the large number of variables, dimensionality was reduced, employing statistical comparisons and progressive elimination to assess feature stability under nested cross-validation. The machine learning performance was measured through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, reaching 0.81 on average, with a standard deviation of 0.09. Furthermore, the contributions of demographic and cognitive data were also assessed via multifeatured classifiers. An accurate simultaneous multiclass classification of each FTD variant against other variants and controls was obtained based on the selection of an optimum set of features. The classifiers incorporating the brain’s network and cognitive assessment increased performance metrics. Multimodal classifiers evidenced specific variants’ compromise, across modalities and methods through feature importance analysis. If replicated and validated, this approach may help to support clinical decision tools aimed to detect specific affectations in the context of overlapping diseases

Technological appropriation in a scenario of forced digitality: The experience of the National University of Catamarca

Como es sabido, la virtualidad forzada caracterizó a la educación universitaria durante la mayor parte de la pandemia, de modo semejante a lo acontecido en otros niveles de enseñanza. Teniendo en cuenta ello en este trabajo nos proponemos reflexionar sobre las singularidades que presentó el proceso de apropiación tecnológica, en el ámbito educativo durante la pandemia, por parte de los docéntes de la Universidad Nacional de Catamarca [UNCa]. Mediante un abordaje que comprende, por una parte, el recorrido por los principales aspectos implicados en la caracterización conceptual del trayecto de apropiación y, por otra, la interpretación de la información emergente de una actividad de campo desplegada en el escenario universitario catamarqueño, efectuamos una serie de aportes específico en el tema con el propósito de contribuir al perfeccionamiento del desarrollo teórico referente a la apropiación tecnológica desde una perspectiva local, en un histórico contexto de crisis.As is well known, “forced digitality” characterized university education during most of the pandemic, in a similar way to what happened at other levels of education. Taking this into account, in this work we propose to reflect on the singularities that the process of technological appropriation presented, in the educational field during the pandemic, by university teachers in Argentina. Through an approach that includes, on the one hand, the journey through the main aspects involved in the conceptual characterization of the appropriation journey and, on the other, the interpretation of the emerging information of a field activity deployed in the Catamarca university scenario, we carried out a series of specific contributions on the subject in order to collaborate with the improvement ofthe theoretical developmentregarding technological appropriation from a local perspective, in a historical context of crisis.Fil: Torres, Miguel Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Melendez, Cecilia Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Regional de Estudios Socio-culturales. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Instituto Regional de Estudios Socio-culturales.; ArgentinaFil: Ibañez, Cecilia Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Regional de Estudios Socio-culturales. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Instituto Regional de Estudios Socio-culturales.; Argentin

Genetic structuring in a relictual population of screaming hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) in Argentina revealed by a set of novel microsatellite loci

The screaming hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) is a mammal species containing disjunct and isolated populations. In order to assess the effect of habitat fragmentation and geographic isolation, we developed seven new microsatellite loci isolated from low-coverage genome shotgun sequencing data for this species. Among these loci, six microsatellites were found to be polymorphic with 8 to 26 alleles per locus detected across 69 samples analyzed from a relictual population of the species located in the northeast of the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). Mean allelic richness and polymorphic information content were 15 and 0.75, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.40 to 0.67 and 0.58 to 0.90, respectively. All loci showed departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The analysis of population structure in this relictual population revealed three groups of individuals that are genetically differentiated. These newly developed microsatellites will constitute a very useful tool for the estimation of genetic diversity and structure, population dynamics, social structure, parentage and mating system in this little-studied armadillo species. Such genetic data will be particularly helpful for the development of conservation strategies for this isolated population and also for the endangered Bolivian populations previously recognized as a distinct species (Chaetophractus nationi).Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Genetic approach reveals a polygynous-polyandrous mating system and no social organization in a small and isolated population of the screaming hairy armadillo, Chaetophractus vellerosus

The development of agro-ecosystems in the pastures of the Pampean Region has substantially modified their structure and functioning. Many wild mammal populations in the Argentinean Pampas face habitat loss and/or fragmentation due to human activities, resulting in harmful genetic effects. The screaming hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) is a species considered an indicator of the state of preservation of the environments it inhabits. However, very little information is available about its mating system in the wild. In this sense, an isolated population of the screaming hairy armadillo in the northeast of Buenos Aires Province, which is separated from the main distribution area of the species by about 500 km, requires special attention. Genetic studies that analyzed social behavior and mating systems in Xenarthra are scarce but necessary to establish conservation actions for the isolated screaming hairy armadillo population under study. Thus, we analyzed the existence of a possible social organization in the species, together with its mating system, using a set of previously characterized microsatellites. Our results showed a complex scenario for the dispersal and mating system in this C. vellerosus population. Males disperse and females have a philopatric tendency with some degree of dispersal. This strategy, in combination with a polygynous-polyandrous mating system, could enhance genetic variability in this small and isolated population. In addition, no evidence of social organization was found.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Excavaciones en el conjunto megalítico de la Peña Oviedo (Camaleño, Cantabria)

La excavación del conjunto megalítico de la Peña Oviedo, pretende ser el inicio de un estudio más amplio que aborde de manera global el fenómeno megalítico en las cue.ncas altas de los ríos Deva y Nansa. El total desconocimiento que se tenía hasta esta década, no ya del fenómeno megalítico, sino incluso de su existencia en estos valles montañosos del Occidente de Cantabria hace necesario un estudio que ponga de manifiesto sus características y las relaciones con las áreas vecinas.The excavation of the megalithic complex of the Peña Oviedo, pretends to be the beginning of a larger study that approaches the megalithic phenomenon in the global River basins of the Deva and Nansa rivers. The total lack of knowledge of the megalithic phenomenon, but not even of its existence in these mountain valleys of western Cantabria, requires a study that reveals its characteristics and relations with neighboring areas

Functional Connectivity and Temporal Variability of Brain Connections in Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

Objectives: To assess brain functional connectivity and variability in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or euthymic bipolar disorder (BD) relative to a control (CT) group. Methods: Electroencephalography (EEG) was measured in 35 participants (BD = 11; ADHD = 9; CT = 15) during an eyes-closed 10-min rest period, and connectivity and graph theory metrics were computed. A coefficient of variation (CV) computed also the connectivity’s temporal variability of EEG. Multivariate associations between functional connectivity and clinical and neuropsychological profiles were evaluated. Results: An enhancement of functional connectivity was observed in the ADHD (fronto-occipital connections) and BD (diffuse connections) groups. However, compared with CTs, intrinsic variability (CV) was enhanced in the ADHD group and reduced in the BD group. Graph theory metrics confirmed the existence of several abnormal network features in both affected groups. Significant associations of connectivity with symptoms were also observed. In the ADHD group, temporal variability of functional connections was associated with executive function and memory deficits. Depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity levels in the ADHD group were associated with abnormal intrinsic connectivity. In the BD group, levels of anxiety and depression were related to abnormal frontotemporal connectivity. Conclusions: In the ADHD group, we found that intrinsic variability was associated with deficits in cognitive performance and that connectivity abnormalities were related to ADHD symptomatology. The BD group exhibited less intrinsic variability and more diffuse long-range brain connections, and those abnormalities were related to interindividual differences in depression and anxiety. These preliminary results are relevant for neurocognitive models of abnormal brain connectivity in both disorders.Fil: Barttfeld, Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física. Laboratorio de Neurociencia Integrativa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Petroni, Agustín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física. Laboratorio de Neurociencia Integrativa; Argentina. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Báez Buitrago, Sandra Jimena. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Urquina, Hugo. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Sigman, Mariano. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física. Laboratorio de Neurociencia Integrativa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cetkovich, Marcelo. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Torralva, Teresa. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Torrente, Fernando. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Lischinsky, Alicia. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Castellanos, Xavier. New York University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Manes, Facundo Francisco. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ibáñez Barassi, Agustín Mariano. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; Colombia. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin