Hypothalamic sites responding to predator threats - the role of the dorsal premammillary nucleus in unconditioned and conditioned antipredatory defensive behavior

In this study we provide a comprehensive analysis of the hypothalamic activation pattern during exposure to a live predator or an environment previously associated with a predator. Our results support the view that hypothalamic processing of the actual and the contextual predatory threats share the same circuit, in which the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd) plays a pivotal role in amplifying this processing. To further understand the role of the PMd in the circuit organizing antipredatory defensive behaviors, we studied rats with cytotoxic PMd lesions during cat exposure and examined the pattern of behavioral responses as well as how PMd lesions affect the neuronal activation of the systems engaged in predator detection, in contextual memory formation and in defensive behavioral responses. Next, we investigated how pharmacological blockade of the PMd interferes with the conditioned behavioral responses to a context previously associated with a predator, and how this blockade affects the activation pattern of periaqueductal gray (PAG) sites likely to organize the conditioned behavioral responses to the predatory context. Behavioral observations indicate that the PMd interferes with both unconditioned and conditioned antipredatory defensive behavior. Moreover, we have shown that the PMd influences the activation of its major projecting targets, i.e. the ventral part of the anteromedial thalamic nucleus which is likely to influence mnemonic processing, and PAG sites involved in the expression of antipredatory unconditioned and conditioned behavioral responses. Of particular relevance, this work provides evidence to elucidate the basic organization of the neural circuits integrating unconditioned and contextual conditioned responses to predatory threats.

The indirect amygdala-dorsal striatum pathway mediates conditioned freezing: Insights on emotional memory networks

The dorsal striatum (DS) is involved in various forms of learning and memory such as procedural learning, habit learning, reward-association and emotional learning. We have previously reported that bilateral DS lesions disrupt tone fear conditioning (TFC), but not contextual fear conditioning (CFC) [Ferreira TL, Moreira KM, Ikeda DC, Bueno OFA, Oliveira MGM (2003) Effects of dorsal striatum lesions in tone fear conditioning and contextual fear conditioning. Brain Res 987:17-24]. To further elucidate the participation of DS in emotional learning, in the present study, we investigated the effects of bilateral pretest (postraining) electrolytic DS lesions on TFC. Given the well-acknowledged role of the amygdala in emotional learning, we also examined a possible cooperation between DS and the amygdala in TFC, by using asymmetrical electrolytic lesions, consisting of a unilateral lesion of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) combined to a contralateral DS lesion. The results show that pre-test bilateral DS lesions disrupt TFC responses, suggesting that DS plays a role in the expression of TFC. More importantly, rats with asymmetrical pre-training lesions were impaired in TFC, but not in CFC tasks. This result was confirmed with muscimol asymmetrical microinjections in DS and CeA, which reversibly inactivate these structures. On the other hand, similar pretest lesions as well as unilateral electrolytic lesions of CeA and DS in the same hemisphere did not affect TFC. Possible anatomical substrates underlying the observed effects are proposed. Overall, the present results underscore that other routes, aside from the well-established CeA projections to the periaqueductal gray, may contribute to the acquisition/consolidation of the freezing response associated to a TFC task. It is suggested that CeA may presumably influence DS processing via a synaptic relay on dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra compacta and retrorubral nucleus. The present observations are also in line with other studies showing that TFC and CFC responses are mediated by different anatomical networks. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transdural motor cortex stimulation reverses neuropathic pain in rats: A profile of neuronal activation

Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) has been used to treat patients with neuropathic pain resistant to other therapeutic approaches; however, the mechanisms of pain control by MCS are still not clearly understood. We have demonstrated that MCS increases the nociceptive threshold of naive conscious rats, with opioid participation. In the present study, the effect of transdural MCS on neuropathic pain in rats subjected to chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve was investigated. In addition, the pattern of neuronal activation, evaluated by Fos and Zif268 immunolabel, was performed in the spinal cord and brain sites associated with the modulation of persistent pain. MCS reversed the mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia induced by peripheral neuropathy. After stimulation, Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) decreased in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and in the ventral posterior lateral and medial nuclei of the thalamus, when compared to animals with neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the MCS increased the Fos-IR in the periaqueductal gray, the anterior cingulate cortex and the central and basolateral amygdaloid nuclei. Zif268 results were similar to those obtained for Fos, although no changes were observed for Zif268 in the anterior cingulate cortex and the central amygdaloid nucleus after MCS. The present findings suggest that MCS reverts neuropathic pain phenomena in rats, mimicking the effect observed in humans, through activation of the limbic and descending pain inhibitory systems. Further investigation of the mechanisms involved in this effect may contribute to the improvement of the clinical treatment of persistent pain. (c) 2010 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

THE ROLE OF THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS IN PREDATORY HUNTING

Combining the results of behavioral, neuronal immediate early gene activation, lesion and neuroanatomical experiments, we have presently investigated the role of the superior colliculus (SC) in predatory hunting. First, we have shown that insect hunting is associated with a characteristic large increase in Fos expression in the lateral part of the intermediate gray layer of the SC (Wig). Next, we have shown that animals with bilateral NMDA lesions of the lateral parts of the SC presented a significant delay in starting to chase the prey and longer periods engaged in other activities than predatory hunting. They also showed a clear deficit to orient themselves toward the moving prey and lost the stereotyped sequence of actions seen for capturing, holding and killing the prey. Our Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin analysis revealed that the lateral SCig, besides providing the well-documented descending crossed pathway to premotor sites in brainstem and spinal cord, projects to a number of midbrain and diencephalic sites likely to influence key functions in the context of the predatory behavior, such as general levels of arousal, motivational level to hunt or forage, behavioral planning, appropriate selection of the basal ganglia motor plan to hunt, and motor output of the primary motor cortex. In contrast to the lateral SC lesions, medial SC lesions produced a small deficit in predatory hunting, and compared to what we have seen for the lateral SCig, the medial SCig has a very limited set of projections to thalamic sites related to the control of motor planning or motor output, and provides conspicuous inputs to brainstem sites involved in organizing a wide range of anti-predatory defensive responses. Overall, the present results served to clarify how the different functional domains in the SC may mediate the decision to pursue and hunt a prey or escape from a predator. (C) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Print quality study of newsprint : Further development of the laboratoryoffset press at PAPRO

A laboratory offset press has been developed over the last five years at PAPRO for testing print qualityon newsprint, as at present, there is no good way for the mills to test this issue. In this project a comparisonhas been made between a laboratory offset press and a commercial press to see if the laboratoryoffset press can be used as a reliable test method or if a further development is needed.To evaluate the method, similar papers have been printed in both presses and compared using imageanalysis techniques. All together eighteen samples were tested which is enough to give comparableresults. The print quality showed a high variation, the values from the laboratory offset press and thecommercial press were not following the same trends. At present time the laboratory offset press needsome further development before it can be used as a reliable test method for halftone prints. Even sosome conclusions were made.The newsprint that has been used came from Norske Skog Tasman Mill (Kawerau), since the otheraim of this project was to do a repeatability study of their three existing paper machines to distinguishpossible differences in the production. The paper samples were taken from each paper machine on sixdifferent dates to give a representative result. This also gave the opportunity to compare the machinesbetween themselves. Comparison between the machines shows that the wire side gives a better andmore even result than the topside on the prints from the laboratory offset press. According to the resultfrom the commercial press the wire side shows a higher degree of variability. Samples from papermachine 2 and 3 were less variable and had the lowest standard deviation of grey level for solid areas.This suggests that newsprints from PM 2 and PM 3 give a more even print quality with a better inkcoverage.

The Secret Aria on Shame : An Analysis of Narrative Structure and Theme in Coetzee's "Diary of a Bad Year"

Coetzee’s last novel Diary of a Bad Year (2007) has an intriguing triple-voiced narrative structure and deals with the grey area of shame. The narrative is divided between a writer, his written contribution to a book called “Strong Opinions”, and his secretary’s thoughts about both the opinions in the manuscript and her employer’s circumstances. This essay explores the relation between form and theme in Diary of a Bad Year; to see in what way these two fundamental elements of the novel intervene and support each other. By doing so the narrative structure is read through Freud’s structural model of personality, whereby each narrator’s voice is related to the notions of the super-ego, the ego and the id. In other words, this essay argues that the specific threefold narrative structure in Diary of a Bad Year, by reflecting the interrelated parts of human identity, helps in creating and developing the theme of shame, which only exists connected to the human psyche. This connection in turn gives special meaning to the entire narratology of the novel.

A GUI for online presentation of steel and steelmaking ladle temperature data and simulation.

Continuous casting is a casting process that produces steel slabs in a continuous manner with steel being poured at the top of the caster and a steel strand emerging from the mould below. Molten steel is transferred from the AOD converter to the caster using a ladle. The ladle is designed to be strong and insulated. Complete insulation is never achieved. Some of the heat is lost to the refractories by convection and conduction. Heat losses by radiation also occur. It is important to know the temperature of the melt during the process. For this reason, an online model was previously developed to simulate the steel and ladle wall temperatures during the ladle cycle. The model was developed as an ODE based model using grey box modeling technique. The model’s performance was acceptable and needed to be presented in a user friendly way. The aim of this thesis work was basically to design a GUI that presents steel and ladle wall temperatures calculated by the model and also allow the user to make adjustments to the model. This thesis work also discusses the sensitivity analysis of different parameters involved and their effects on different temperature estimations.

Homogenization of Precipitation Hardening Nickel Based Superalloys

Allvac 718 Plus and Haynes 282 are relatively new precipitation hardening nickel based superalloys with good high temperature mechanical properties. In addition, the weldability of these superalloys enhances easy fabrication. The combination of high temperature capabilities and superior weldability is unmatched by other precipitation hardening superalloys and linked to the amount of the γ’ hardening precipitates in the materials. Hence, it is these properties that make Allvac 718 Plus and Haynes 282 desirable in the manufacture of hot sections of aero engine components. Studies show that cast products are less weldable than wrought products. Segregation of elements in the cast results in inhomogeneous composition which consequently diminishes weldability. Segregation during solidification of the cast products results in dendritic microstructure with the segregating elements occupying interdendritic regions. These segregating elements are trapped in secondary phases present alongside γ matrix. Studies show that in Allvac 718Plus, the segregating phase is Laves while in Haynes 282 the segregating phase is not yet fully determined. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of homogenization heat treatments in eliminating segregation in cast Allvac 718 Plus and Haynes 282. Paramount to the study was the effect of different homogenization temperatures and dwell time in the removal of the segregating phases. Experimental methods used to both qualify and quantify the segregating phases included SEM, EDX analysis, manual point count and macro Vickers hardness tests. Main results show that there is a reduction in the segregating phases in both materials as homogenization proceeds hence a disappearance of the dendritic structure. In Allvac 718 Plus, plate like structures is observed to be closely associated with the Laves phase at low temperatures and dwell times. In addition, Nb is found to be segregating in the interdendritic areas. The expected trend of increase in Laves as a result of the dissolution of the plate like structures at the initial stage of homogenization is only detectable for few cases. In Haynes 282, white and grey phases are clearly distinguished and Mo is observed to be segregating in interdendritic areas.

Det handlar om anknytning : En kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares resonemang om anknytningens betydelse för en gynnsam utveckling

The aim of this study was to receive a rapt understanding of how child-welfare officer’s reasons about the meaning of attachment theory, from the child´s best, in placements of a child. The aim was also to examine the possibilities child-welfare officer´s feel they have to work with the child´s best and attachment in focus. The study has a qualitative approach and the empirical material is collected thru semi-structured interviews. The theoretical framework used is attachment theory, the child´s best and street-level bureaucracy. The result of the study shows that child-welfare officers have equivalent knowledge, experiences and thoughts about the meaning of attachment theory for a favorable development in foster children. The study concludes is that more knowledge about attachment theory is necessary and child-welfare officers demands methods to better assess attachment patterns in children. The child-welfare officers express frustration when they talk about matters in the "grey area" and situations where different perspectives clashes and the child´s best end up in the background.

Type 8 Design B Port Side

print no 121, "1B.g. no 9." printed over "Blue Grey"; Discontinued stamp JUL 23 1918

Processo decisório em contabilidade sob efeito da vaguidade.

O modelo racional de decisão tem sido objeto de estudo constante na academia de vários países, contribuindo para evolução do ser racional como importante tomador de decisão. A evolução destes estudos tem aberto questionamentos quanto à capacidade de racionalidade que temos como tomadores de decisão, deleitando assim em várias teorias novas que pesquisam estas limitações no decidir. Especialmente aplicadas a teorias econômicas, estudos como Inteligência Artificial, Contabilidade Mental, Teoria dos Prospectos, Teoria dos Jogos entre outras se destacam neste cenário de estudo das finanças comportamentais. A contabilidade como ferramenta de apoio as decisões financeiras ocupa posição de destaque. Esta tem em seu escopo de trabalho normas (aquilo que deveria ser feito) que regulam sua atuação, em alguns casos esta regulamentação não é precisa em suas especificações, deixando janelas que levam seus profissionais a erros de interpretação. A imprecisão contábil pode causar viés em suas classificações. Os profissionais, deparados com este legado podem se utilizar de heurísticas para interpretar da melhor maneira possível os acontecimentos que são registrados na contabilidade. Este trabalho tem a intenção de análise de alguns pontos que consideramos importantes quando temos imprecisão contábil, respondendo as seguintes perguntas: a imprecisão de normas contábeis causa viés na decisão? O profissional que se depara com imprecisão contábil se utiliza de Heurística para decidir? Quais os erros mais comuns de interpretação sob incerteza contábil? Para que o assunto fosse abordado com imparcialidade de maneira a absorver retamente quais são as experiências dos profissionais que atuam na área contábil, foi elaborado um questionário composto por uma situação possível que leva o respondente a um ambiente de tomada de decisões que envolva a prática contábil. O questionário era dividido em duas partes principais, com a preocupação de identificar através das respostas se existe imprecisão contábil (sob a luz do princípio da prudência) e quais heurísticas que os respondentes se utilizam com mais freqüência, sendo o mesmo aplicado em profissionais que atuam na área contábil e que detenham experiências profissionais relacionadas à elaboração, auditoria ou análise de demonstrações contábeis. O questionário aplicado na massa respondente determinou, através das respostas, que existe, segundo os profissionais, interpretações diferentes para os mesmos dados, caracterizando assim zona cinzenta, segundo Penno (2008), ou seja, interpretações que podem ser mais agressivas ou mais conservadoras conforme a interpretação do profissional. Já quanto às estratégias simplificadoras, ou heurísticas, que causam algum tipo de enviesamento no processo decisório, alguns foram identificadas como: associações pressupostas, interpretação errada da chance, regressão a media e eventos disjuntivos e eventos conjuntivos, que reforçam a pesquisa dando indícios de que os respondentes podem estar tomando decisões enviesadas. Porém, não se identificou no estudo tomada de decisões com enviesamentos como recuperabilidade e insensibilidades ao tamanho da amostra. Ao final do estudo concluímos que os respondentes têm interpretações diferenciadas sobre o mesmo assunto, mesmo sob a luz do princípio contábil da prudência, e ainda se utilizam de estratégias simplificadoras para resolverem assuntos quotidianos.

Estudo da oxidação superficial de ligas odontológicas de Ni-Cr em plasma pulsado para uso em restaurações metalocerâmicas

Metal ceramic restorations matches aesthetic and strength, and in your making occurs an interface oxide layer, wetting resulting and atomic and ionic interactions resulting between metal, oxide and porcelain. However, frequent clinical fails occurs in this restoration type, because lost homogeneous deposition oxide layer and lost interface bond. Thus, in this study, thought depositate homogeneous oxide films above Ni-Cr samples surfaces polite previously, at plasma oxide environment. Six samples was oxided at 300 and 400ºC at one hour, and two samples was oxided in a comum chamber at 900ºC, and then were characterized: optical microscopic, electronic microscopic, micro hardness, and X ray difratometry. Colors stripes were observed at six samples plasma oxided and a grey surface those comum oxided, thus like: hardness increase, and several oxides from basic metals (Ni-Cr)

Morphomolecular characterization of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Fr.) kummer strains in relation to luminosity and temperature of frutification

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

Extração de feições retas com precisão subpixel: estudo comparativo entre três métodos

In the fields of Machine Vision and Photogrammetry, extracted straight lines from digital images can be used either as vector elements of a digital representation or as control entities that allow the determination of the camera interior and exterior orientation parameters. Applications related with image orientation require feature extraction with subpixel precision, to guarantee the reliability of the estimated parameters. This paper presents three approaches for straight line extraction with subpixel precision. The first approach considers the subpixel refinement based on the weighted average of subpixel positions calculated on the direction perpendicular to the segmented straight line. In the second approach, a parabolic function is adjusted to the grey level profile of neighboring pixels in a perpendicular direction to the segmented line, followed by an interpolation of this model to estimate subpixel coordinates of the line center. In the third approach, the subpixel refinement is performed with a parabolic surface adjustment to the grey level values of neighboring pixels around the segmented line. The intersection of this surface with a normal plane to the line direction generates a parabolic equation that allows estimating the subpixel coordinates of the point in the straight line, assuming that this is the critical point of this function. Three experiments with real images were made and the approach based on parabolic surface adjustment has presented better results.

Anxiolytic-like effect of way-100635 microinfusions into the median (but not dorsal) raphe nucleus in mice exposed to the plus-maze: influence of prior test experience

Studies in several laboratories have confirmed the anxiolytic potential of a wide range of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists in rats and mice, with recent evidence pointing to a postsynaptic site of action in the ventral hippocampus. It would, therefore, be predicted that blockade of 5-HT1A somatodendritic autoreceptors in the midbrain raphe nuclei should produce anxiogenic-like effects. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of WAY-100635 microinfusions (0, 1.0 or 3.0 mug in 0.1 mul) into the dorsal (DRN) or median (MRN) raphe nuclei on behaviours displayed by male Swiss-Webster mice in the elevated plus-maze. As this test is sensitive to prior experience. The effects of intra-raphe infusions were examined both in maze-naive and maze-experienced subjects. Sessions, were videotaped and subsequently scored for conventional indices of anxiety (open arm avoidance) and locomotor activity (closed arm entries), as well as a range of ethological measures (e.g. risk assessment). In maze-naive mice, intra-MRN (but not intra-DRN) infusions of WAY-100635 (3.0 mug) increased open arm exploration and reduced risk assessment. Importantly, these effects could not be attributed to a general reduction in locomotor activity. A similar, though somewhat weaker, pattern of behavioural change was observed in maze-experienced animals. This unexpected anxiolytic effect of 5-HT1A autoreceptor blockade in the MRN cannot be accounted fur by a disinhibition of 5-HT release in forebrain targets (e.g. hippocampus and amygdala), where stimulation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors enhances anxiety-like responses. However, as the MRN also projects to the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), an area known to be sensitive to the anti-aversive effects or 5-HT, it is argued that present results may reflect increased 5-HT release at this crucial midbrain locus within the neural circuitry of defense. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.