Audiovisual integration in macaque face patch neurons

Primate social communication depends on the perceptual integration of visual and auditory cues, reflected in the multimodal mixing of sensory signals in certain cortical areas. The macaque cortical face patch network, identified through visual, face-selective responses measured with fMRI, is assumed to contribute to visual social interactions. However, whether face patch neurons are also influenced by acoustic information, such as the auditory component of a natural vocalization, remains unknown. Here, we recorded single-unit activity in the anterior fundus (AF) face patch, in the superior temporal sulcus, and anterior medial (AM) face patch, on the undersurface of the temporal lobe, in macaques presented with audiovisual, visual-only, and auditory-only renditions of natural movies of macaques vocalizing. The results revealed that 76% of neurons in face patch AF were significantly influenced by the auditory component of the movie, most often through enhancement of visual responses but sometimes in response to the auditory stimulus alone. By contrast, few neurons in face patch AM exhibited significant auditory responses or modulation. Control experiments in AF used an animated macaque avatar to demonstrate, first, that the structural elements of the face were often essential for audiovisual modulation and, second, that the temporal modulation of the acoustic stimulus was more important than its frequency spectrum. Together, these results identify a striking contrast between two face patches and specifically identify AF as playing a potential role in the integration of audiovisual cues during natural modes of social communication

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the wind load on the 516 Arouca pedestrian suspension bridge

The present work analyses the wind load effects on the 516 Arouca bridge, the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge in 2020. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to model a range of wind angles of attack between −8° and +8°. The simulations were performed by solving the steady-state Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the k-ω shear stress transport (SST) model. The fluid domain size was analysed by comparing the fluid flow behaviour for three different downstream sizes. It was shown that the downstream flow is not greatly affected by the bridge body due to the high opening surfaces of the bridge. Therefore, the most appropriate domain size considering the computation time was selected. The simulations were carried out for different bridge configurations to determine the influence of the upper guard of the tray deck and the suspended cables on the generated loads. The numerical results were validated by performing different wind tunnel tests using a reduced scale prototype. The predicted aerodynamic characteristics showed good agreement with the experimental results.FITEC – Fundo de Inovaçao, Tecnologia e Economia Circular CIT/2018/23Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PID 2019-109622RBFEDER Andalucía US-12649

Native geometry and the dynamics of protein folding

In this paper we investigate the role of native geometry on the kinetics of protein folding based on simple lattice models and Monte Carlo simulations. Results obtained within the scope of the Miyazawa-Jernigan indicate the existence of two dynamical folding regimes depending on the protein chain length. For chains larger than 80 amino acids the folding performance is sensitive to the native state's conformation. Smaller chains, with less than 80 amino acids, fold via two-state kinetics and exhibit a significant correlation between the contact order parameter and the logarithmic folding times. In particular, chains with N=48 amino acids were found to belong to two broad classes of folding, characterized by different cooperativity, depending on the contact order parameter. Preliminary results based on the G\={o} model show that the effect of long range contact interaction strength in the folding kinetics is largely dependent on the native state's geometry.Comment: Proceedings of the BIFI 2004 - I International Conference, Zaragoza (Spain) Biology after the genome: a physical view. To appear in Biophysical Chemistr

O SOLO COMO BASE DA SUSTENTABILIDADE AGRÍCOLA: ESTUDO DE CASO NO MUNICÍPIO DE MARECHAL CÂNDIDO RONDON-PR

The soil degradation is one of the most serious environmentalproblems that have been faced by the current society. For soilscience researchers, information about the morphologicalproperties are essential even for the most suitable use of itsagricultural potentialities as for the urban and rural planningof the municipalities. In this perception, this study has aimedto understand the effects of the process of settlement on thedevelopment of agricultural productive systems in MarechalCândido Rondon at the west of Paraná State. Although thelocality has its economical activities based on the agriculturalsector, this study demonstrated that the local population keepsforgetting that the soil is part of the environment and it’sessential for life existence. In other words, it is a naturalresource to be treasured for the benefit of the regionaldevelopment.A degradação dos solos é um dos mais sérios problemasambientais enfrentados pela sociedade atual. Para pesquisadoresda ciência dos solos, informações sobre as suas propriedadesmorfológicas são fundamentais tanto para o usomais adequado de suas potencialidades agrícolas como parao planejamento urbano e rural dos municípios. Nessa perspectiva,este estudo objetivou entender as implicações doprocesso de ocupação das terras na implantação dos sistemasde produção agrícola do município de Marechal CândidoRondon, Oeste do Estado do Paraná. Embora o municípiotenha a sua base econômica voltada ao setor agrário, esteestudo demonstrou que a população continua esquecendoque o solo faz parte do ambiente e que é essencial para aexistência da vida, ou seja, que é um recurso a ser valorizadoem proveito do desenvolvimento regional

Multi-Timescale Perceptual History Resolves Visual Ambiguity

When visual input is inconclusive, does previous experience aid the visual system in attaining an accurate perceptual interpretation? Prolonged viewing of a visually ambiguous stimulus causes perception to alternate between conflicting interpretations. When viewed intermittently, however, ambiguous stimuli tend to evoke the same percept on many consecutive presentations. This perceptual stabilization has been suggested to reflect persistence of the most recent percept throughout the blank that separates two presentations. Here we show that the memory trace that causes stabilization reflects not just the latest percept, but perception during a much longer period. That is, the choice between competing percepts at stimulus reappearance is determined by an elaborate history of prior perception. Specifically, we demonstrate a seconds-long influence of the latest percept, as well as a more persistent influence based on the relative proportion of dominance during a preceding period of at least one minute. In case short-term perceptual history and long-term perceptual history are opposed (because perception has recently switched after prolonged stabilization), the long-term influence recovers after the effect of the latest percept has worn off, indicating independence between time scales. We accommodate these results by adding two positive adaptation terms, one with a short time constant and one with a long time constant, to a standard model of perceptual switching

“Matrena”, de Leopold Ritter Von Sacher-Masoch

Tradução de: Guilherme da Silva Braga

Changes of Material Elastic Properties during Healing of Ruptured Achilles Tendons Measured with Shear Wave Elastography: A Pilot Study

herapy options for ruptured Achilles tendons need to take into account the right balance of timing, amount and intensity of loading to ensure a sufficient biomechanical resilience of the healing tendon on the one hand, and to enable an adequate tensile stimulus on the other hand. However, biomechanical data of human Achilles tendons after rupture during the separate healing stages are unknown. Shear wave elastography is an ultrasound technique that measures material elastic properties non-invasively, and was proven to have a very good correlation to biomechanical studies. Taking advantage of this technology, 12 patients who suffered from an acute Achilles tendon rupture were acquired and monitored through the course of one year after rupture. Nine of these patients were treated non-operatively and were included for the analysis of biomechanical behaviour. A significant increase of material elastic properties was observed within the first six weeks after trauma (up to 80% of baseline value), where it reached a plateau phase. A second significant increase occurred three to six months after injury. This pilot study suggests a time correlation of biomechanical properties with the biological healing phases of tendon tissue. In the reparative phase, a substantial amount of biomechanical resilience is restored already, but the final stage of biomechanical stability is reached in the maturation phase. These findings can potentially be implemented into treatment and aftercare protocols

ANÁLISE DO SISTEMA POROSO E HÍDRICO DE UMA VERTENTE CONSTITUÍDA POR “LATOSSOLO/NITOSSOLO”

Aiming to corroborate with the discussions about the hydric dynamics of the soils, the research was conducted on a representative slope of the plateau of Marechal Cândido Rondon town, located in the west region of Paraná State. For this recognition, not only systematized probings were done along the slope, but also analysis were made of two trenches respectively on the top and in the middle low slope sectors, which were carried out for the macromorphological description and the samples collection in order to conduct physical, hydric and micromorphological analysis of the horizons. In the top sector it was found the Oxisol (Rhodic Eutrudox), and from the middle sector the Ferralic Nitisol (Rhodic Hapludox). Micromorphologically, the horizons Ap and Bw present closed and/or open porphyric fabric and enaulic fabric. In the enaulic zones, the interaggregated pores with high connectivity predominate - compound packing porosity, and in the porphyric zones cavities and planar pores form the porosity. The AB and B nitic horizons predominantly present closed porphyric fabrics, which make them less communicating. In these horizons, in some isolated sectors, the enaulic fabric was also identified. In hydric terms, it was observed that the horizons Ap and Bw have shown higher hydraulic conductivity in comparison to the AB and B nitic horizons, so it can be concluded that the pores arrangement directly interfere in the hydric behavior of the pedological system.Visando corroborar com as discussões sobre a dinâmica hídrica dos solos, realizou-se a pesquisa em uma vertente representativa do platô da cidade de Marechal Cândido Rondon, região Oeste do Paraná. Para este reconhecimento, além das sondagens foram analisadas duas trincheiras, respectivamente nos setores de topo e média baixa vertente, contemplando a descrição macromorfológica e a coleta de amostras para as análises físicas, hídricas e micromorfológicas dos horizontes. No setor de topo foi encontrado o Latossolo Vermelho Eutróférrico e a partir da média vertente o Nitossolo Vermelho Distroférrico latossólico. Micromorfologicamente, os horizontes Ap e Bw apresentam trama porfírica fechada e/ou aberta e trama enáulica. Nas zonas enáulicas, predominam os poros interagregados com alta conectividade – porosidade de empacotamento composto, e nas zonas porfíricas, a porosidade é constituída por poros cavitários e planares. Os horizontes AB e B nítico apresentam, predominantemente, trama porfírica fechada, o que os deixam menos comunicantes. Nestes horizontes, em alguns setores isolados, também foi identificada a trama do tipo enáulica. Em termos hídricos, observou-se que os horizontes Ap e Bw apresentaram maior condutividade hidráulica em detrimento aos horizontes AB e B nítico com menores índices, reforçando que o arranjo dos poros interfere diretamente no comportamento hídrico do sistema pedológico

Caracterização Morfopedológica de Unidades de Paisagem do Extremo Oeste do Paraná

A análise da cobertura pedológica, envolvendo as relações dos solos com o relevo, fornece informações substanciais para o entendimento da estrutura e dinâmica das vertentes na paisagem. Com o objetivo de comprovar a hipótese de que os sistemas pedológicos, das unidades de paisagem, denominadas: Platô de Marechal, Margarida e Porto Mendes, do município de Marechal Cândido Rondon – região Oeste do Paraná – estariam em diferentes estágios de evolução pedogenética, buscou-se, neste trabalho, compreender a dinâmica atual dos sistemas pedológicos característicos de cada uma destas unidades de paisagens. A pesquisa foi realizada empregando-se a metodologia da análise estrutural da cobertura pedológica. Para o reconhecimento da organização e funcionamento desses sistemas pedológicos, efetuaram-se sondagens e trincheiras nos principais setores topográficos das vertentes, para a caracterização macromorfológica e física dos horizontes. Estes dados, amparados por uma bibliografia apropriada, permitiram concluir que a unidade do Platô de Marechal é constituída por Latossolo Vermelho Eutroférrico no topo e por Nitossolo Vermelho Distroférricolatossólico a partir da média vertente. As unidades de Margarida e Porto Mendes, respectivamente, são constituídas pelo Nitossolo Vermelho Eutroférricolatossólico e Latossolo Vermelho Eutroférrico

Transformações pedológicas no platô de Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR) Transformation pedological in the Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR) plateau

Com o objetivo de fornecer dados que ajudem na discussão sobre as transformações pedológicas predominantes no platô de Marechal, foi estudada, sob a ótica da Análise Estrutural da Cobertura Pedológica, uma topossequência de solos na cidade de Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR). Para o conhecimento prévio da cobertura pedológica, foram abertas duas trincheiras na vertente e efetuada a descrição macromorfológica e coleta de amostras de solo para a obtenção dos dados físicos, químicos, micromorfológicos e hídricos dos horizontes. Detectouse que a topossequência do platô de Marechal encontra-se recoberta por uma cobertura latossólica no topo plano e transiciona para uma cobertura nitossólicalatossólica na média e média-baixa vertente, evidenciando um sistema pedológico com características distintas em seus horizontes diagnósticos, em termos de organização do espaço poroso e do comportamento da condutividade hidráulica.AbstractWith the goal of providing data that contribute to the discussion about pedological transformation predominant in the Marechal plateau, a toposequence of soils from the city of Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR) was studied through Pedological Structural Coverage Analysis. For the previous knowledge of soil coverage, two trenches were opened on the hillside. A macromorphological description and a gathering of soil samples were carried out for the obtention of physical, chemical, micromorphological and hydric data from the horizons. It was detected that the toposequence of the Marechal Plateau is covered by latosol on the top of the plane, with a transition for nitosol-latosol on the medium and medium-low hillside, showing a soil system with distinct characteristics in its diagnostic horizons, regarding the organization of the porous space and the behavior of hydraulic conductivity