The Role of Temporal Synchrony in the Facilitation of Perceptual Learning during Prenatal Development

This study explored the critical features of temporal synchrony for the facilitation of prenatal perceptual learning with respect to unimodal stimulation using an animal model, the bobwhite quail. The following related hypotheses were examined: (1) the availability of temporal synchrony is a critical feature to facilitate prenatal perceptual learning, (2) a single temporally synchronous note is sufficient to facilitate prenatal perceptual learning, with respect to unimodal stimulation, and (3) in situations where embryos are exposed to a single temporally synchronous note, facilitated perceptual learning, with respect to unimodal stimulation, will be optimal when the temporally synchronous note occurs at the onset of the stimulation bout. To assess these hypotheses, two experiments were conducted in which quail embryos were exposed to various audio-visual configurations of a bobwhite maternal call and tested at 24 hr after hatching for evidence of facilitated prenatal perceptual learning with respect to unimodal stimulation. Experiment 1 explored if intermodal equivalence was sufficient to facilitate prenatal perceptual learning with respect to unimodal stimulation. A Bimodal Sequential Temporal Equivalence (BSTE) condition was created that provided embryos with sequential auditory and visual stimulation in which the same amodal properties (rate, duration, rhythm) were made available across modalities. Experiment 2 assessed: (a) whether a limited number of temporally synchronous notes are sufficient for facilitated prenatal perceptual learning with respect to unimodal stimulation, and (b) whether there is a relationship between timing of occurrence of a temporally synchronous note and the facilitation of prenatal perceptual learning. Results revealed that prenatal exposure to BSTE was not sufficient to facilitate perceptual learning. In contrast, a maternal call that contained a single temporally synchronous note was sufficient to facilitate embryos’ prenatal perceptual learning with respect to unimodal stimulation. Furthermore, the most salient prenatal condition was that which contained the synchronous note at the onset of the call burst. Embryos’ prenatal perceptual learning of the call was four times faster in this condition than when exposed to a unimodal call. Taken together, bobwhite quail embryos’ remarkable sensitivity to temporal synchrony suggests that this amodal property plays a key role in attention and learning during prenatal development.

Extrafiscalidade: análise da norma potiguar regulamentadora do imposto sobre propriedade veicular automotora à luz da tutela ambiental

From the second half of the twentieth century the state bega n to use exaction beyond your fiscalist character, also as a means of alignment deformities economic and social balance, influencing in different directions, according to economic, social and political policy. It is what is usually called the extrafiscalit y. It is in light of this phenomenon and the constitutional perspective, the present work aims to analyze item IV of article. 8 of Law n. 6.967/96, regulatory Property Tax Vehicle Automotive (property taxes) in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, in view of its possible incompatibility with the principles of the Basic Statute and with international guidelines for protection of the environment The problem of this research is Seated in art. 225 of the Constitution, which provides that everyone has the right to an ecologically balanced environment. From the reading of this standard, extracted it is the responsibility of the state protecting the environment, which requires the adoption of suitable actions to that end. However, we look to state law cited follows th e constitutional path, since it exempts the collection of property taxes automotive vehicles with over 10 years of manufacturing, which could encourage the conservation of a fleet of old vehicles, mostly more polluting and harmful to the environment and hu man health. Would the state legislature oblivious to the constitutional principles and the global trend of environmental preservation? Thus questions whether such an incentive for more polluting vehicles, emitting more gases in the atmosphere. Moreover, th e international community is already moving through important conventions in an attempt to minimize and control global warming and climate change. Predicting the theme in CF/88 demonstrates that the country is no stranger to the issue. Thus, the work is a retelling of Law No. 6.967/96 order to check whether it is compatible with the existing system. The methodology consists of a documentary, deductive, dialectical literature. At the end of the survey, it was found that provide a tax benefit to these vehicle s is encouraged to maintain them in circulation and contribute to the increase in air and noise pollution, in addition to the traffic problems generated. Thus, this potiguar anything standard can be expressed extrafiscality because the medium and long term there is encouragement and worsening environmental problem. Despite the ability to pay clause, but this remission is an affront to legally protected interests. Thus, this device goes in reverse order compared to the values of the legal system and in relat ion to sustainable development. Modern Tax Law should be used as a tool to achieve the purposes collimated by the State, and not otherwise. It was noticed that the vast majority of Brazilian states does not follow this rule, including Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais have no such exemption. Therefore, the RN State does not constitute a model for sustainable public policies, nor example of environmental protection by state law.

Shifts of the psychometric function: distinguishing bias from perceptual effects.

Morgan, Dillenburger, Raphael, and Solomon have shown that observers can use different response strategies when unsure of their answer, and, thus, they can voluntarily shift the location of the psychometric function estimated with the method of single stimuli (MSS; sometimes also referred to as the single-interval, two-alternative method). They wondered whether MSS could distinguish response bias from a true perceptual effect that would also shift the location of the psychometric function. We demonstrate theoretically that the inability to distinguish response bias from perceptual effects is an inherent shortcoming of MSS, although a three-response format including also an "undecided" response option may solve the problem under restrictive assumptions whose validity cannot be tested with MSS data. We also show that a proper two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) task with the three-response format is free of all these problems so that bias and perceptual effects can easily be separated out. The use of a three-response 2AFC format is essential to eliminate a confound (response bias) in studies of perceptual effects and, hence, to eliminate a threat to the internal validity of research in this area.

Parlamento, norma jurídica y jurisdicción constitucional en el pensamiento de Kelsen desde el punto de vista de la neutralidad

El presente trabajo estudia la obra de Kelsen respecto al parlamento, la norma jurídica y, la jurisdicción constitucional. El análisis del objeto de investigación se realiza destacando la neutralidad en el pensamiento de Kelsen, lo cual es propio de una teoría científica del derecho, que no de la moral, la política o, la ética. Se sostiene que Kelsen asume la defensa de la democracia en base a los valores de libertad e igualdad, aunque no con el objeto de instaurar un modelo político o, desde la defensa de un poder político. Del mismo modo, la teoría normativa de Kelsen ha sido desarrollada desde una perspectiva general, no busca adecuarse a un sistema legal, ni dice lo que es el derecho o, cuál debe ser el contenido material del derecho. No prescribe, sólo describe. En igual sentido, la doctrina del Tribunal Constitucional como legislador negativo se sintetiza en verificar la conformidad de la norma con la Constitución, y no en evaluar el contenido material de la norma general. Antes de abordar los postulados antes mencionados se ha considerado conveniente estudiar de modo preliminar la valoración y la neutralidad en Kelsen para entender en qué grado la teoría pura del derecho es neutral destacando dicho componente en los apartados propuestos con el objeto de responder a otra pregunta mayor referida a la utilidad de una teoría neutral y relativista en una sociedad diversa y cambiante. Kelsen admite la inevitabilidad de la valoración en el derecho y en la política en contraposición al valor neutro desarrollado en la teoría pura del derecho y en toda su doctrina. Ciertamente, la teoría pura del derecho prescinde de toda ideología; es decir, de aprobar o desaprobar su objeto de estudio o, de evaluar o justificar por medio de la ciencia del derecho una determinada idea de justicia, moral, política, etc. Sin embargo, considero que a través de toda su doctrina persigue valores comunes como la paz, la libertad, la igualdad, la justicia y la felicidad colectiva.

Estratégias na Implementação da norma ISO 9001 em IPSS (Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social)

A qualidade está na base do sucesso no mundo empresarial, sendo um fator de competitividade e de diferenciação entre organizações. No contexto das Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social, a aposta na qualidade é também uma realidade. No entanto, estas instituições enfrentam diversas dificuldades no processo de implementação do sistema de gestão da qualidade (SGQ) ISO 9001. De entre estas, destaca-se o difícil acesso à metodologia, crenças impostas, culturas resistentes à mudança, desconhecimentos e receios, que resultam em custos avultados para as organizações, dado o recurso frequente a empresas de consultoria. Como tal, o presente trabalho de investigação pretende salientar as principais dificuldades no processo de implementação da norma ISO9001:2008 em IPSS e dar o seu contributo para a clarificação da polémica que envolve a certificação desta norma, mediante a criação de um kit, com todas as ferramentas necessárias à implementação da norma. Por conseguinte, e para dar resposta ao objetivo proposto, procedeu-se numa primeira instância à realização de inquéritos a 29 organizações certificadas pelas normas ISO 9001:2008 e/ou EQUASS (European Quality in Social Services), de forma a apreender as principais dificuldades no processo de implementação da norma nas várias IPSS. Esta análise permitiu concluir que, os principais fatores que dificultaram a implementação do sistema de gestão da qualidade, segundo a norma ISO 9001:2008, são essencialmente a falta de tempo e/ou disponibilidade, assim como a dificuldade de interpretação da norma. Como tal, as organizações necessitam de ferramentas de auxílio que as apoiem e esclareçam no processo de implementação do sistema da qualidade. Neste sentido, elaborou-se o kit de implementação “Qualifica”. Este é constituído por um manual e um CD interativo com documentos, formações e ferramentas para a implementação do sistema, cujo objetivo é esclarecer, encaminhar, orientar e simplificar todo o processo de implementação da norma e utilizando uma linguagem simples e acessível. Para finalizar, a viabilidade do KIT “Qualifica” foi devidamente validada através da sua aplicação numa IPSS não certificada. Após a revisão do sistema implementado na IPSS em estudo, conclui-se que o KIT "Qualifica" ofereceu todas as bases e todos os recursos necessários para o bom entendimento, encaminhamento e implementação da norma, provando a sua potencialidade como ferramenta auxiliar fundamental que qualquer organização poderá no futuro utilizar.

Asymmetric 3D video coding based on regions of perceptual relevance

This dissertation presents a study and experimental research on asymmetric coding of stereoscopic video. A review on 3D technologies, video formats and coding is rst presented and then particular emphasis is given to asymmetric coding of 3D content and performance evaluation methods, based on subjective measures, of methods using asymmetric coding. The research objective was de ned to be an extension of the current concept of asymmetric coding for stereo video. To achieve this objective the rst step consists in de ning regions in the spatial dimension of auxiliary view with di erent perceptual relevance within the stereo pair, which are identi ed by a binary mask. Then these regions are encoded with better quality (lower quantisation) for the most relevant ones and worse quality (higher quantisation) for the those with lower perceptual relevance. The actual estimation of the relevance of a given region is based on a measure of disparity according to the absolute di erence between views. To allow encoding of a stereo sequence using this method, a reference H.264/MVC encoder (JM) has been modi ed to allow additional con guration parameters and inputs. The nal encoder is still standard compliant. In order to show the viability of the method subjective assessment tests were performed over a wide range of objective qualities of the auxiliary view. The results of these tests allow us to prove 3 main goals. First, it is shown that the proposed method can be more e cient than traditional asymmetric coding when encoding stereo video at higher qualities/rates. The method can also be used to extend the threshold at which uniform asymmetric coding methods start to have an impact on the subjective quality perceived by the observers. Finally the issue of eye dominance is addressed. Results from stereo still images displayed over a short period of time showed it has little or no impact on the proposed method.

Global and local perceptual style, field-independence, and central coherence: an attempt at concept validation

Historically, the concepts of field-independence, closure flexibility, and weak central coherence have been used to denote a locally, rather globally, dominated perceptual style. To date, there has been little attempt to clarify the relationship between these constructs, or to examine the convergent validity of the various tasks purported to measure them. To address this, we administered 14 tasks that have been used to study visual perceptual styles to a group of 90 neuro-typical adults. The data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis. We found evidence for the existence of a narrowly defined weak central coherence (field-independence) factor that received loadings from only a few of the tasks used to operationalise this concept. This factor can most aptly be described as representing the ability to dis-embed a simple stimulus from a more complex array. The results suggest that future studies of perceptual styles should include tasks whose theoretical validity is empirically verified, as such validity cannot be established merely on the basis of a priori task analysis. Moreover, the use of multiple indices is required to capture the latent dimensions of perceptual styles reliably.

The Effect of Prenatal Auditory Enrichment on Perceptual Narrowing in Bobwhite Quail Neonates

The development of species-typical perceptual preferences has been shown to depend on a variety of socially and ecologically derived sensory stimulation during both the pre- and postnatal periods. The prominent mechanism behind the development of these seemingly innate tendencies in young organisms has been hypothesized to be a domain-general pan-sensory selectivity process referred to as perceptual narrowing, whereby regularly experienced sensory stimuli are honed in upon, while simultaneously losing the ability to effectively discriminate between atypical or unfamiliar sensory stimulation. Previous work with precocial birds has been successful in preventing the development of species-typical perceptual preferences by denying the organism typical levels of social and/or self-produced stimulation. The current series of experiments explored the mechanism of perceptual narrowing to assess the malleability of a species-typical auditory preference in avian embryos. By providing a variety of different unimodal and bimodal presentations of a mixed-species vocalizations at the onset of prenatal auditory function, the following project aimed to 1) keep the perceptual window from narrowing, thereby interfering with the development of a species-typical auditory preference, 2) investigate how long differential prenatal stimulation can keep the perceptual window open postnatally, 3) explore how prenatal auditory enrichment effected preferences for novelty, and 4) assess whether prenatal auditory perceptual narrowing is affected by modality specific or amodal stimulus properties during early development. Results indicated that prenatal auditory enrichment significantly interferes with the emergence of a species-typical auditory preference and increases openness to novelty, at least temporarily. After accruing postnatal experience in an environment rich with species-typical auditory and multisensory cues, the effect of prenatal auditory enrichment rapidly was found to rapidly fade. Prenatal auditory enrichment with extraneous non-synchronous light exposure was shown to both keep the perceptual narrowing window open and impede learning in the postnatal environment, following hatching. Results are discussed in light of the role experience plays in perceptual narrowing during the perinatal period.

Obediencia- desobediencia del derecho : Una propuesta de diálogo entre iusfilosofía e historia

Propongo tomar una perspectiva a la vez filosófica e histórica pensando en torno al problema más abstracto de los límites a la obediencia de la norma en términos teóricos por un lado (poniendo en diálogo construcciones iuspositivistas e iusnaturalistas) y ejemplos concretos que pueden notarse en la práctica de los abogados penales durante el siglo XIX en Buenos Aires en particular el de los casos de violación en varones. Si bien no existe codificación formal hay persecución formal y pena del delito a partir de la denuncia y en contradicción con la idea de obediencia a la ley formal y a ciertos principios considerados fundamentales (no penar sin ley previa). En estos casos que tomo como base para la reflexión se puede ver no sólo el conflicto jurídico sino su relación con cuestiones que pueden considerarse "no-jurídicas" como ideas sobre la sexualidad, la honorabilidad y las consecuencias para la sociedad de este delito, que llevan a una práctica jurídica desobediente/disidente de la ley formal. Planteo que en ocasiones la desobediencia con fundamentos puede garantizar no sólo una forma del hacer -y de entender el hacer- justicia sino llevar al cambio en las normas como, para el caso en particular, ocurrió en 1903.

Obediencia- desobediencia del derecho : Una propuesta de diálogo entre iusfilosofía e historia

Propongo tomar una perspectiva a la vez filosófica e histórica pensando en torno al problema más abstracto de los límites a la obediencia de la norma en términos teóricos por un lado (poniendo en diálogo construcciones iuspositivistas e iusnaturalistas) y ejemplos concretos que pueden notarse en la práctica de los abogados penales durante el siglo XIX en Buenos Aires en particular el de los casos de violación en varones. Si bien no existe codificación formal hay persecución formal y pena del delito a partir de la denuncia y en contradicción con la idea de obediencia a la ley formal y a ciertos principios considerados fundamentales (no penar sin ley previa). En estos casos que tomo como base para la reflexión se puede ver no sólo el conflicto jurídico sino su relación con cuestiones que pueden considerarse "no-jurídicas" como ideas sobre la sexualidad, la honorabilidad y las consecuencias para la sociedad de este delito, que llevan a una práctica jurídica desobediente/disidente de la ley formal. Planteo que en ocasiones la desobediencia con fundamentos puede garantizar no sólo una forma del hacer -y de entender el hacer- justicia sino llevar al cambio en las normas como, para el caso en particular, ocurrió en 1903.

Obediencia- desobediencia del derecho : Una propuesta de diálogo entre iusfilosofía e historia

Propongo tomar una perspectiva a la vez filosófica e histórica pensando en torno al problema más abstracto de los límites a la obediencia de la norma en términos teóricos por un lado (poniendo en diálogo construcciones iuspositivistas e iusnaturalistas) y ejemplos concretos que pueden notarse en la práctica de los abogados penales durante el siglo XIX en Buenos Aires en particular el de los casos de violación en varones. Si bien no existe codificación formal hay persecución formal y pena del delito a partir de la denuncia y en contradicción con la idea de obediencia a la ley formal y a ciertos principios considerados fundamentales (no penar sin ley previa). En estos casos que tomo como base para la reflexión se puede ver no sólo el conflicto jurídico sino su relación con cuestiones que pueden considerarse "no-jurídicas" como ideas sobre la sexualidad, la honorabilidad y las consecuencias para la sociedad de este delito, que llevan a una práctica jurídica desobediente/disidente de la ley formal. Planteo que en ocasiones la desobediencia con fundamentos puede garantizar no sólo una forma del hacer -y de entender el hacer- justicia sino llevar al cambio en las normas como, para el caso en particular, ocurrió en 1903.

The Contribution of Structured Activity and Deliberate Play to the Development of Expert Perceptual and Decision-Making Skill

The developmental histories of 32 players in the Australian Football League (AFL), independently classified as either expert or less skilled in their perceptual and decision- making skills, were collected through a structured interview process and their year-on-year involvement in structured and deliberate play activities retrospectively determined. Despite being drawn from the same elite level of competition, the expert decision-makers differed from the less skilled in having accrued, during their developing years, more hours of experience in structured activities of all types, in structured activities in invasion-type sports, in invasion-type deliberate play, and in invasion activities from sports other than Australian football. Accumulated hours invested in invasion-type activities differentiated between the groups, suggesting that it is the amount of invasion-type activity that is experienced and not necessarily intent (skill development or fun) or specificity that facilitates the development of perceptual and decision-making expertise in this team sport.

The technical and artistic branches and ways of organizing production in Argentine soap operas

Production processes and work organization in the cultural industries have been little discussed. For this reason, the study focuses on the production phases and the division of labor in technical and artistic branches in Argentine soap operas. There are six branches: production, direction, photography, art, sound and edition. We explain the branches, the workers involved and their function and activities. This research is based on a communicational perspective, the Political Economy of Communication and recovers contributions of the Sociology of Labour. From this combination, we attempt to provide elements of analysis to understand the functioning and organisation of daily television series. In the same way, we examine the creative work, the types of work redundant or random, the division of labour and the economies of time. The methodological approach is qualitative. In this way, the examination is based on the production of interviews with key actors of the sector and the documentary and bibliographical survey so as to systematize the data for the research.

From labelling to social aid for immigrants in the 21st Century

Migration is as old as humanity, but since the 1990s migration flows in Western Europe have led to societies that are not just multicultural but so-called «super-diverse». As a result, Western towns now have very complex social structures, with amongst others large amounts of small immigrant communities that are in constant change. In this paper we argue that for social workers to be able to offer adequate professional help to non-native residents in town, they will need balanced view of ‘culture’ and of the role culture plays in social aid. Culture is never static, but is continually changing. By teaching social workers about how to look at cultural backgrounds of immigrant groups and about the limitations of then role that culture plays in communication, they will be better equipped to provide adequate aid and will contribute to making various groups grow towards each other and to avoid people thinking in terms of ‘out-group-homogeneity’. Nowadays, inclusion is a priority in social work that almost every social worker supports. Social workers should have an open attitude to allow them to approach every individual as a unique person. They will see the other person as the person they are, and not as a part of a specific cultural group. Knowledge about the others makes them see the cultural heterogeneity in every group. The social sector, though, must be aware not to fall into the trap of the ‘inclusion mania’! This will cause the social deprivation of a particular group to be forgotten. An inclusive policy requires an inclusive society. Otherwise, this could result in even more deprivation of other groups, already discriminated against. Emancipation of deprived people demands a certain target-group policymaking. Categorized aid will raise efficiency of working with immigrants and of acknowledging the cultural identity of the non-natives group. It will also create the possibility to work on fighting social deprivation, in which most immigrants can be found.

Análisis y reformulación de la organización del conocimiento en las Ciencias de la Comunicación: aplicación para la codificación UNESCO

Se estudia la codificación y organización del campo de las Ciencias de la Comunicación, fundamentalmente los códigos Unesco. El objetivo es plantear un cambio en estos códigos, puesto que la forma de clasificar y organizar un dominio científico tiene consecuencias de naturaleza operativa y epistemológica en el propio trabajo científico. En este trabajo se estudia la clasificación actual, que muestra una presencia escasa y dispersa de los términos vinculados a Comunicación. Se describen las dificultades prácticas y teóricas que conlleva su reorganización, las posibles fuentes (planes de estudio, congresos, revistas científicas, propuestas documentales y palabras clave) y los métodos de trabajo que se pueden emplear, tomando como bases teóricas el dominio de la Organización del Conocimiento y el de la Comunicación. Por último, se analizan dos ámbitos disciplinares diferentes (Historia de la Comunicación y Tecnologías de la Comunicación), mediante la información recogida, en una base de datos, de asignaturas en grado y en másteres oficiales de 12 universidades españolas. También se observa que este tipo de propuesta requiere el conocimiento derivado de instrumentos documentales como las clasificaciones y los tesauros.