Spontaneous pre-stimulus fluctuations in the activity of right fronto-parietal areas influence inhibitory control performance.

Inhibitory control refers to the ability to suppress planned or ongoing cognitive or motor processes. Electrophysiological indices of inhibitory control failure have been found to manifest even before the presentation of the stimuli triggering the inhibition, suggesting that pre-stimulus brain-states modulate inhibition performance. However, previous electrophysiological investigations on the state-dependency of inhibitory control were based on averaged event-related potentials (ERPs), a method eliminating the variability in the ongoing brain activity not time-locked to the event of interest. These studies thus left unresolved whether spontaneous variations in the brain-state immediately preceding unpredictable inhibition-triggering stimuli also influence inhibitory control performance. To address this question, we applied single-trial EEG topographic analyses on the time interval immediately preceding NoGo stimuli in conditions where the responses to NoGo trials were correctly inhibited [correct rejection (CR)] vs. committed [false alarms (FAs)] during an auditory spatial Go/NoGo task. We found a specific configuration of the EEG voltage field manifesting more frequently before correctly inhibited responses to NoGo stimuli than before FAs. There was no evidence for an EEG topography occurring more frequently before FAs than before CR. The visualization of distributed electrical source estimations of the EEG topography preceding successful response inhibition suggested that it resulted from the activity of a right fronto-parietal brain network. Our results suggest that the fluctuations in the ongoing brain activity immediately preceding stimulus presentation contribute to the behavioral outcomes during an inhibitory control task. Our results further suggest that the state-dependency of sensory-cognitive processing might not only concern perceptual processes, but also high-order, top-down inhibitory control mechanisms.

Model endophenotype for bipolar disorder: Qualitative Analysis, etiological factors, and research areas

The aim of this study is to present an updated view of the writings on the endophenotype model for bipolar disorder using analytical methodologies. A review and analysis of networks was performed through descriptors and keywords that characterize the composition of the endophenotype model as a model of health. Information was collected from between 1992 and 2014, and the main thematic areas covered in the articles were identified. We discuss the results and question their cohesion, emphasizing the need to strengthen and identify the points of connection between etiological factors and characteristics that make up the model of endophenotypes for bipolar disorder.

Documento de Estratégia de Crescimento e de Redução da Pobreza

2. A elaboração do presente Documento de Estraté gia de Crescimento e de Redução da Pobreza (DECRP) inscreve-se nos objectivos de política do governo, de assumir o combate à pobreza segundo uma abordagem integrada e horizontal relativamente aos diferentes domínios da governação, em estreita articulação com as políticas que procuram promover o crescimento econó mico. Reflecte também a preocupação de assumir a dimensão social como uma dimensão incontorná vel do processo de desenvolvimento econó mico, na base do entendimento de que aquelas duas esferas são insepará veis, sobretudo ao nível das suas consequências sobre o desenvolvimento humano. 3. Esta nova abordagem representa uma reorientação das anteriores políticas de combate à pobreza, centradas sobretudo em acçõ es ao nível das comunidades locais, visando os grupos mais vulnerá veis da população, na base de intervençõ es de cariz pluri-sectorial. Esta perspectiva, que é já materializada atravé s do Plano Nacional de Luta contra a Pobreza (PNLP), demonstra que a luta contra a pobreza em Cabo Verde é uma preocupação já antiga, antecipando mesmo a tendência que se veio a generalizar recentemente nos países em vias de desenvolvimento, de elaboração de estraté gias de crescimento e de redução da pobreza1. 4. A actual abordagem dá todavia uma nova relevância à estraté gia de combate à pobreza, posicionando-a explicitamente, e de forma determinada, no cerne das políticas públicas, quer a nível global (governação, política macroeconó mica), quer a nível sectorial, quer ainda a nível regional e local, valorizando a maior eficá cia das políticas descentralizadoras no combate à pobreza. Do iPRSP ao Documento de Estraté gia de Crescimento e de Redução da Pobreza 5. Em Dezembro de 2001, o Governo de Cabo Verde aprovou a Estraté gia de Crescimento e de Redução da Pobreza, na sua versão preliminar2. Esta estraté gia foi apreciada conjuntamente pelo staff do Banco Mundial e do FMI de onde resultaram algumas recomendaçõ es para a versão definitiva. 6. No essencial, o iPRSP apresentava um perfil da pobreza com uma natureza ainda preliminar, dado que não se dispunha ainda dos resultados do Inqué rito à s Despesas e Receitas Familiares (IRDF 2001-2002). Esta limitação foi entretanto ultrapassada com a recente divulgação dos resultados do referido inqué rito, permitindo elaborar um perfil da pobreza em Cabo Verde como base para a preparação quer da estraté gia global, quer das estraté gias sectoriais de combate à pobreza. 7. No tempo entretanto decorrido apó s a finalização do PRSP intercalar, registou-se uma evolução significativa ao nível da elaboração de alguns planos estraté gicos sectoriais de onde decorrem novas orientaçõ es nem sempre previstas no PND. (...)

Density and distribution of nests of Mycetophylax simplex (Emery) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in areas with mobile dunes on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Studies on lower attines are scarce, especially on nesting and foraging ecology and behavior. This study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of an Attini in dunes ecosystems through the description of density and spatial distribution of Mycetophylax simplex (Emery, 1887) nests in a strip of mobile dunes in the Praia Grande beach, Torres, northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The density and spatial distribution of nests were estimated in four plots of 2,500 m² each, in which were found 20, 209, 284 and 324 nests, with average densities of 0.01 nests/m², 0.09, 0.11 and 0.13 nests/m², respectively. The nests were found near to the vegetation and showed clumped distribution. The density and distribution pattern of the nests seem to be related to the availability of nesting places and foraging resources.

The flower-visiting social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) in two areas of Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil

The flower-visiting social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) in two areas of Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. The structure of flower-visiting social wasps' assemblages in the CPCN Pró-Mata of São Francisco de Paula and in the Green Belt of Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, are characterized. A total of 879 polistine wasps were collected, of which 475 (11 spp.) in the CPCN and 404 (21 spp.) in the Green Belt, from September 1997 to April 2001 and from September 2001 to April 2004, respectively. Foraging social wasps were observed on flowers of 36 species of angiosperms (20 families) in the Green Belt, and on flowers of 54 species of angiosperms (21 families) in the CPCN. Asteraceae was the most visited plant family on both studied localities. A list of pant species visited by the polistines is provided.

A Aviação Civil Em Cabo Verde, A Sua Evolução Histórica Rumo A Uma Política De Liberalização Do Espaço Aéreo

Este trabalho pretende mostrar a evolução histórica da aviação civil em Cabo Verde, os benefícios socio-económicos de uma política de liberalização dos transportes aéreos com os Estados Unidos, com o continente Africano e esperemos que brevemente seja rubricado um acordo de Opens Skies com a União Europeia. Aponta o valor do Turismo e o papel dos transportes aéreos na inserção de Cabo Verde na economia mundial. Trata-se de um trabalho de fim do Curso de Pós-Graduação em Direito Aéreo, no ISCJS e que defende que uma das vias para que o país atinja os objectivos do século XXI, seja pela via de uma política de Open Skyes no ramo dos transportes aéreos. Sobe o ponto de vista do Direito Aéreo, o trabalho mostra que uma das características principais do transporte aéreo é a padronização/harmonização das normas técnicas e económicas. No que concerne ao ambiente regulatório, o transporte aéreo encontra-se dividido em três níveis: nacional, bilateral, multilateral. A nível nacional, a autoridade de aviação civil nacional de Cabo Verde (AAC) é a responsável pela regulação do acesso básico ao mercado interno por companhias aéreas internacionais. No que tange a regulação bilateral não existe uma autoridade reguladora específica. Assim sendo, a regulação bilateral é remetida aos costumes. Na regulação multilateral destacam-se o papel da OACI (Organização de Aviação Civil Internacional) e a IATA (Internacional Air Transport Association). Sobre a regulação económica, a OACI estipulou dez princípios, tendo como o acesso básico aos mercados, através das liberdades do ar, tráfego e exploração, como base para determinar o nível da competição internacional. Apesar da tendência de liberalização total dos acessos básicos aos mercados internacionais, cada Estado será soberano para determinar o nível de competição internacional que deseja no seu território.

An assessment of empirical Bayes and composite estimators for small areas

We compare a set of empirical Bayes and composite estimators of the population means of the districts (small areas) of a country, and show that the natural modelling strategy of searching for a well fitting empirical Bayes model and using it for estimation of the area-level means can be inefficient.

Patterns of calcium-binding proteins support parallel and hierarchical organization of human auditory areas.

The human primary auditory cortex (AI) is surrounded by several other auditory areas, which can be identified by cyto-, myelo- and chemoarchitectonic criteria. We report here on the pattern of calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity within these areas. The supratemporal regions of four normal human brains (eight hemispheres) were processed histologically, and serial sections were stained for parvalbumin, calretinin or calbindin. Each calcium-binding protein yielded a specific pattern of labelling, which differed between auditory areas. In AI, defined as area TC [see C. von Economo and L. Horn (1930) Z. Ges. Neurol. Psychiatr.,130, 678-757], parvalbumin labelling was dark in layer IV; several parvalbumin-positive multipolar neurons were distributed in layers III and IV. Calbindin yielded dark labelling in layers I-III and V; it revealed numerous multipolar and pyramidal neurons in layers II and III. Calretinin labelling was lighter than that of parvalbumin or calbindin in AI; calretinin-positive bipolar and bitufted neurons were present in supragranular layers. In non-primary auditory areas, the intensity of labelling tended to become progressively lighter while moving away from AI, with qualitative differences between the cytoarchitectonically defined areas. In analogy to non-human primates, our results suggest differences in intrinsic organization between auditory areas that are compatible with parallel and hierarchical processing of auditory information.

Monitoreo oceanográfico pesquero en áreas seleccionadas (MOPAS 9706) Paita, Chimbote, Callao, Pisco, Ilo

Brinda información sobre los cambios bioceanográficos en el mar peruano y sus efectos en la distribución y concentración de los organismos en plena evolución del evento El Niño 1997-1998, detectándose un límite máximo del incremento de anomalías respecto a eventos anteriores (1983, 1987, 1992), por lo que se evidencia un Fenómeno El Niño de gran magnitud con proyecciones insospechadas.

The three phases of the ensemble forecasting of niche models: geographic range and shifts in climatically suitable areas of Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae)

Species' geographic ranges are usually considered as basic units in macroecology and biogeography, yet it is still difficult to measure them accurately for many reasons. About 20 years ago, researchers started using local data on species' occurrences to estimate broad scale ranges, thereby establishing the niche modeling approach. However, there are still many problems in model evaluation and application, and one of the solutions is to find a consensus solution among models derived from different mathematical and statistical models for niche modeling, climatic projections and variable combination, all of which are sources of uncertainty during niche modeling. In this paper, we discuss this approach of ensemble forecasting and propose that it can be divided into three phases with increasing levels of complexity. Phase I is the simple combination of maps to achieve a consensual and hopefully conservative solution. In Phase II, differences among the maps used are described by multivariate analyses, and Phase III consists of the quantitative evaluation of the relative magnitude of uncertainties from different sources and their mapping. To illustrate these developments, we analyzed the occurrence data of the tiger moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae), a Neotropical moth species, and modeled its geographic range in current and future climates.

Nest structure and occurrence of three species of Azteca (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Cecropia pachystachya (Urticaceae) in non-floodable and floodable pantanal areas

Thirty Cecropia pachystachya trees were examined in non-floodable and floodable areas to investigate the association between C. pachystachya and Azteca ants in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The species Azteca ovaticeps, Azteca isthmica, and Azteca alfari were found nesting inside domatia of C. pachystachya. A. ovaticeps was the most frequent species in the trees in the floodable area, while A. isthmica and A. alfari, in the non-floodable area. A. ovaticeps and A. isthmica maintained more entrance/exit holes in comparison to A. alfari. All Azteca species maintained entrance/exit holes in the closest domatia to the apical area of the branch, due to proximity to Müllerian and pearl bodies, suggesting that these species of Azteca were influenced by their environment during evolution and became specialized. All internodal septa of each examined branch were perforated by ants, indicating the branches were inhabited by a single colony.

Biomass and abundance of termites in three remnant areas of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Termite biomass and abundance were estimated in three remnant areas of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil: Reserva Biológica de Pedra Talhada-RBPT (Alagoas State), Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos-PEDI (Pernambuco State), and Área de Proteção Ambiental Mata do Buraquinho-APMB (Paraíba State). A quantitative sampling of the termite assemblages present on trunks and leaf litter, in nests, and in the soil was undertaken during the months of June and July (rainy season) and November and December (dry season) of 2000. Thirty seven species of termites were encountered and quantified in the three remnant forest areas. The termite biomass varied from 10.09 to 11.30 g (fresh weight)/m² and abundance varied from 4911 to 5663 individuals/m². The subfamily Nasutitermitinae was dominant in terms of the number of species, biomass, and abundance. The soil-feeders were the most abundant at the three sites, while wood-feeders had the largest biomass at least at the PEDI and APMB sites. Among the microhabitats quantified, termites were most frequently encountered in the soil, being most heavily concentrated at depths of 0-20 cm. Two species stood out in terms of their biomass and abundance: Embiratermes parvirostris Constantino, on the soil, and Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky), on decomposing trunks and in nests. Estimates of biomass and abundance suggest that termites play an important role in the decomposition of the plant necromass in remnant forest areas of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil.

Rostrum length, mandible serration, and food and salivary canals areas of selected species of stink bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Laboratory studies were conducted to compare rostrum length morphology of mandible serration and area of food and salivary canals of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Dm), Euschistus heros (F.) (Eh), Nezara viridula (L.) (Nv), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Pg) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Nv showed the longest (5.9 mm) and Pg the shortest (3.5 mm) rostrum length; Dm and Eh were intermediate. Length and width of mandible tip areas holding serration was bigger for Nv (106.0 and 30.2 µm, respectively) and smaller for Pg (71.1 and 23.7 µm), with all species having four central teeth and three pairs of lateral teeth. The inner mandible surface showed squamous texture. Cross-section of food and salivary canals (Fc and Sc) indicated greater area for Nv and Dm compared to Eh and Pg; however, the ratio Fc/Sc, yielded the highest relative area for Pg.

Rendimiento de equilibrio de la Merluza peruana (Merluccius gayi peruanus) y propuestas para su manejo

Se estima el rendimiento de equilibrio de la merluza peruana (Merluccius gayi peruanus)y se compara el Ye de 110-125 mil t con los resultados de anteriores trabajos. A su vez se discute la influencia de cambios en el tamaño de la malla para la flota de Paita y se llega a la conclusión de que debido a la estratificación de tamaños por latitudes, el rendimiento de equilibrio actual de la mencionada flota es casi máximo .

Monitoreo oceanográfico pesquero en areas seleccionadas (MOPAS). Paita - Chimbote - Callao - Pisco - Ilo (Octubre 1995)

Da a conocer sobre las alteraciones en el ambiente oceanográfico frente a la costa peruana, el cual presenta anomalías térmicas negativas con características de Anti - Niño (contrario a un evento El Niño), lo cual genera cambios cosiderables en la distribución y concentración de cardúmenes de peces, principalmente en las áreas de Pisco e Ilo donde la pesquería disminuyó creando alarma entre los pescadores artesanales.