Undersampled Critical Branching Processes on Small-World and Random Networks Fail to Reproduce the Statistics of Spike Avalanches

The power-law size distributions obtained experimentally for neuronal avalanches are an important evidence of criticality in the brain. This evidence is supported by the fact that a critical branching process exhibits the same exponent t~3=2. Models at criticality have been employed to mimic avalanche propagation and explain the statistics observed experimentally. However, a crucial aspect of neuronal recordings has been almost completely neglected in the models: undersampling. While in a typical multielectrode array hundreds of neurons are recorded, in the same area of neuronal tissue tens of thousands of neurons can be found. Here we investigate the consequences of undersampling in models with three different topologies (two-dimensional, small-world and random network) and three different dynamical regimes (subcritical, critical and supercritical). We found that undersampling modifies avalanche size distributions, extinguishing the power laws observed in critical systems. Distributions from subcritical systems are also modified, but the shape of the undersampled distributions is more similar to that of a fully sampled system. Undersampled supercritical systems can recover the general characteristics of the fully sampled version, provided that enough neurons are measured. Undersampling in two-dimensional and small-world networks leads to similar effects, while the random network is insensitive to sampling density due to the lack of a well-defined neighborhood. We conjecture that neuronal avalanches recorded from local field potentials avoid undersampling effects due to the nature of this signal, but the same does not hold for spike avalanches. We conclude that undersampled branching-process-like models in these topologies fail to reproduce the statistics of spike avalanches.

A critical evaluation of the expression of parasitemia in experimental Chagas' disease

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of the ratio of particulate autogenous bone graft/platelet-rich plasma on bone healing in critical-size defects: a histologic and histometric study in rat calvaria

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bone healing in critical-size defects treated with platelet-rich plasma: a histologic and histometric study in the calvaria of diabetic rat

Objective. The objective of this study was to histologically analyze the influence of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone healing in surgically created critical-size defects (CSD) in the calvaria of diabetic rats.Study design. A total of 20 diabetic rats were divided into 2 groups: C (control) and PRP. A 5-mm diameter CSD was created in the calvarium of each animal. In Group C, the defect was filled by blood clot only. In Group PRP, 0.35 mL of PRP was placed in the defects. All animals were humanely killed 30 days postoperatively. Histometric and histologic analyses were performed. Data were statistically analyzed (t test, P < .05).Results. No defect completely regenerated with bone. Group PRP had a statistically greater amount of bone formation than Group C (37.22% +/- 6.00% and 21.68% +/- 11.35%, respectively).Conclusion. PRP placed in the defects significantly enhanced bone healing in CSD in the calvaria of diabetic rats both qualitatively and quantitatively. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 72-78)

Influence of the proportion of particulate autogenous bone graft/platelet-rich plasma on bone healing in critical-size defects: An immunohistochemical analysis in rat calvaria

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

NONLINEAR DIFFUSION PROCESS IN A BENARD SYSTEM AT THE CRITICAL-POINT FOR THE ONSET OF CONVECTION

The evolution equation governing surface perturbations of a shallow fluid heated from below at the critical Rayleigh number for the onset of convective motion, and with boundary conditions leading to zero critical wave number, is obtained. A solution for negative or cooling perturbations is explicitly exhibited, which shows that the system presents sharp propagating fronts.

THE USE OF PHOTOACOUSTIC - SPECTROSCOPY TO DETERMINE THE CRITICAL DISTANCE FOR ELECTRON-TRANSFER

Photoacoustic spectroscopy was used to determine the critical distance for electron transfer from porphyrin to quinone molecules randomly dispersed in a polymeric matrix. An enhancement of the porphyrin signal was observed as the quinone concentration was increased. The data was analyzed according to the Perrin model [1] and it was found that the electron transfer occurred if the prophyrin-quinone distance was less than 33 Angstrom. To confirm the validity of the method, the fluorescence quenching was also measured for the samples. In this case, the same critical distance was obtained.

The use of the challenge test to analyse preservative efficiency in non-sterile cosmetic and health products: applications and critical points

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Does discourse matter in the politics of building social pacts on social protection?: international experiences

Includes bibliography

Orthodox adjustment programmes in Latin America: a critical look at the policies of the International Monetary Fund

Includes bibliography

Dinámica y estructura del proceso de asentamiento humano en América Latina y el Caribe: principales áreas críticas = Dynamics and structure of the human settlement process in Latin America and the Caribbean: main critical areas

Incluye Bibliografía

Areas críticas para la formulación de políticas de asentamiento humano en América Latina y el Caribe: una síntesis = Critical areas for the formulation of policies on human settlement in Latin America and the Caribbean: a synthesis

Incluye Bibliografía