Drawback of aortoplasty for aneurysm of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortoplasty has been advocated for moderate dilatation of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease. We report our results with this conservative approach. METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients with unsupported aortoplasty were reviewed. Twelve patients had aortic valve regurgitation and 5 had stenosis. The aortic wall was analyzed histologically in 14 patients. Follow-up was complete, with a mean time of 6 years (range, 2.3 to 10.5 years). RESULTS: Two patients among the 15 hospital survivors died during follow-up of causes unrelated to aortic pathology. Survival at 7 years was 86.7% (+/- 8.8%). Recurring aortic aneurysms developed in 4 patients after a mean time of 63 months, with an event-free survival at 7 years of 41% (+/- 21%). All of these 4 patients had aortic valve regurgitation and cystic medial necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate of aneurysms after unsupported aortoplasty and aortic valve replacement is high in patients with aortic regurgitation. This strongly suggests that in these patients, the aortic dilatation is related to an underlying wall deficiency, associated with the aortic valve pathology, rather than to the hemodynamic stress imposed by the aortic valve disease.

Outcome evaluation of ankle osteoarthritis treatments using spatio-temporal gait parameters and plantar pressure during unconstrained long distance walking : P25

Introduction: Ankle arthrodesis (AD) and total ankle replacement (TAR) are typical treatments for ankle osteoarthritis (AO). Despite clinical interest, there is a lack of their outcome evaluation using objective criteria. Gait analysis and plantar pressure assessment are appropriate to detect pathologies in orthopaedics but they are mostly used in lab with few gait cycles. In this study, we propose an ambulatory device based on inertial and plantar pressure sensors to compare the gait during long-distance trials between healthy subjects (H) and patients with AO or treated by AD and TAR. Methods: Our study included four groups: 11 patients with AO, 9 treated by TAR, 7 treated by AD and 6 control subjects. An ambulatory system (Physilog®, CH) was used for gait analysis; plantar pressure measurements were done using a portable insole (Pedar®-X, DE). The subjects were asked to walk 50 meters in two trials. Mean value and coefficient of variation of spatio-temporal gait parameters were calculated for each trial. Pressure distribution was analyzed in ten subregions of foot. All parameters were compared among the four groups using multi-level model-based statistical analysis. Results: Significant difference (p <0.05) with control was noticed for AO patients in maximum force in medial hindfoot and forefoot and in central forefoot. These differences were no longer significant in TAR and AD groups. Cadence and speed of all pathologic groups showed significant difference with control. Both treatments showed a significant improvement in double support and stance. TAR decreased variability in speed, stride length and knee ROM. Conclusions: In spite of a small sample size, this study showed that ankle function after AO treatments can be evaluated objectively based on plantar pressure and spatio-temporal gait parameters measured during unconstrained walking outside the lab. The combination of these two ambulatory techniques provides a promising way to evaluate foot function in clinics.

Regeneração de plantas de laranja 'Pêra' via organogênese in vitro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer um protocolo eficiente de regeneração de plantas in vitro, via organogênese em explante juvenil de laranja 'Pêra' (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), para atender futuros trabalhos de transformação genética. Segmentos de epicótilo utilizados como explantes foram introduzidos em meio de cultura MT. A fim de maximizar a regeneração de plantas in vitro, foram realizados experimentos para avaliar as concentrações de BAP no meio de cultivo (0, 1, 2, 3 ou 4 mg L-1), tamanho (0,25, 0,5 ou 1 cm), polaridade (basal, medial e apical), posição (horizontal ou vertical), condições de luminosidade (fotoperíodo de 16 horas e escuro por 30 dias) e seccionamento nas extremidades dos explantes, bem como melhores condições para garantir plantas enraizadas (meio MT, MT/2, com ou sem auxina e microenxertia). A combinação de 3 mg L-1 de BAP com segmentos de 0,25 cm de comprimento foi eficiente na resposta organogenética. Segmentos apicais e mediais apresentaram melhores resultados do que os basais. O cultivo dos segmentos na posição horizontal, em fotoperíodo de 16 horas, foi mais eficiente do que na posição vertical. Não houve melhora na indução da organogênese in vitro, quando foram seccionadas as extremidades dos explantes. A microenxertia assegurou 100% de brotos enraizados.

Role of glutathione deficit in the disconnectivity syndrome in schizophrenia: from pathogenetic mechanisms to therapeutic interventions

In the cerebrospinal fluid of 26 drug-naive schizophrenics (DSM-III- R), we observed that the level of glutathione ([GSH]) and of its metabolite γ-Glu-Gln was decreased by 27% and 16% respectively. Using a new in-vivo method based on magnetic resonance spec- troscopy, [GSH] was measured in the medial prefrontal cortex of 18 schizophrenics and found to be 52 % lower than in controls (n = 20). This is consistent with the recently observed decreased mRNA levels in fibroblasts of patients (n=32) of the two GSH synthesizing en- zymes (glutathione synthetase (GSS), and glutamate-cysteine ligase M (GCLM) the modulatory subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase). Moreover, the level of GCLM expression in fibroblasts correlates neg- atively with the psychopathology (positive, general and some nega- tive symptoms). Thus, the observed difference in gene expression is not only the cause of low brain [GSH], but is also related to the sever- ity of symptoms, suggesting that fibroblasts are adequate surrogate for brain tissue. A hypothesis was proposed, based on a central role of GSH in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. GSH is an important endogenous redox regulator and neuroactive substance. GSH is pro- tecting cells from damage by reactive oxygen species generated, among others, by the metabolism of dopamine. A GSH deficit-in- duced oxidative stress would lead to lipid peroxidation and micro-le- sions in the surrounding of catecholamine terminals, affecting the synaptic contacts on dendritic spines of cortical neurones, where ex- citatory glutamatergic terminals converge with dopaminergic ones. This would lead to spines degeneration and abnormal nervous con- nections or structural disconnectivity, possibly responsible for posi- tive, perceptive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. In addi- tion, a GSH deficit could also lead to a functional disconnectivity by depressing NMDA neurotransmission, in analogy to phencyclidine effects. Present experimental biochemical, cell biological and behav- ioral data are consistent with the proposed mechanism: decreasing pharmacologically [GSH] in experimental models, with or without blocking DA uptake (GBR12909), induces morphological and behav- ioral changes similar to those observed in patients. Dendritic spines: (a) In neuronal cultures, low [GSH] and DA induce decreased density of neural processes; (b) In developing rats (p5-p16), [GSH] deficit and GBR induce a decrease in normal spines in prefrontal pyramids and in GABA-parvalbumine but not of -calretinine immunoreactivity in anterior cingulate. NMDA-dependant synaptic plasticity: GSH deple- I/13 tion in hippocampal slices impairs long-term potentiation. Develop- ing rats with low [GSH] and GBR have deficit in olfactory integration and in object recognition which appears earlier in males than fe- males, in analogy to the delay of the psychosis onset between man and woman. In summary, a deficit of GSH and/or GSH-related enzymes during early development could constitute a major vulnerability fac- tor in schizophrenia.

Identification of Laboratory Techniques to Optimize Superpave HMA Surface Friction Characteristics, TR-450, 2010

Wet pavement friction is known to be one of the most important roadway safety parameters. In this research, frictional properties of flexible (asphalt) pavements were investigated. As a part of this study, a laboratory device to polish asphalt specimens was refined and a procedure to evaluate mixture frictional properties was proposed. Following this procedure, 46 different Superpave mixtures, one stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixture and one porous friction course (PFC) mixture were tested. In addition, 23 different asphalt and two concrete field sections were also tested for friction and noise. The results of both field and laboratory measurements were used to develop an International Friction Index (IFI)-based protocol for measurement of the frictional characteristics of asphalt pavements for laboratory friction measurements. Based on the results of the study, it appears the content of high friction aggregate should be 20% or more of the total aggregate blend when used with other, polish susceptible coarse aggregates; the frictional properties increased substantially as the friction aggregate content increased above 20%. Both steel slag and quartzite were found to improve the frictional properties of the blend, though steel slag had a lower polishing rate. In general, mixes containing soft limestone demonstrated lower friction values than comparable mixes with hard limestone or dolomite. Larger nominal maximum aggregate size mixes had better overall frictional performance than smaller sized mixes. In addition, mixes with higher fineness moduli generally had higher macrotexture and friction.

Esttudiio comparattiivo de las competencias profesionales transversales para informáticos en los planes antiguos y los adaptados al EEES en seis universidades catalanas

La adquisición de competencias profesionales transversales durante el periodo deformación universitaria es imprescindible para una futura inserción en el mundo laboral.En el presente PFC se estudian dichas competencias en el marco de 6 universidadescatalanas, tanto en el plan antiguo como en el plan adaptado al EESS. A partir de losreferentes bibliográficos principales, se han definido cuales deberían ser lascompetencias profesionales transversales adquiridas por un ingeniero en informática.Dichas competencias han sido tomadas como punto de partida para investigar si lasuniversidades tienen en cuenta en sus diseños curriculares su adquisición. Para ello se ha realizado un trabajo de investigación en el ámbito de las universidades catalanas donde se han estudiado tanto los planes de estudios en general como las asignaturas en detalle. A partir de dichos datos se han realizado comparaciones con el fin de saber que universidad ofrece a sus alumnos una mayor gama de competencias profesionales.También para conocer si el cambio de plan antiguo a plan adaptado al EEES mejora demanera sustancial la adquisición de competencias profesionales. Por último, se harealizado una reflexión sobre el grado de logro personal de estas competencias en elámbito de la UOC.

Formation of a direct arterial blood supply to the anterior pituitary gland following complete or partial interruption of the hypophyseal portal vessels

If regions of the anterior pituitary gland received systemic blood via a direct arterial blood supply these regions would escape hypothalamic regulation and thus be a sequela in endocrine disorders. Since, in the untreated rat, all of the blood supply to the anterior pituitary gland is via the hypophyseal portal vessels, we hypothesized that partial interruption of the portal vessels could provoke the establishment of a direct arterial blood supply (arteriogenesis). We utilized the injection of polystyrene microspheres (15 or 9 micron diameter) into the left ventricle of the heart to test this hypothesis. Microspheres are trapped in the first capillary plexus they reach since they are too large to traverse the capillaries. No microspheres reached the anterior pituitary gland of control rats, a finding consistent with the fact that the anterior pituitary gland receives all of its blood supply via the hypophyseal portal blood vessels. Microspheres were observed in the primary portal capillary plexus in the infundibulum (median eminence), infundibular stalk (pituitary stalk), and infundibular process (pars nervosa), the first capillary plexus which they reached. A lesion of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) which destroyed the long portal vessels did not result in arteriogenesis since few, if any, microspheres were observed in the anterior pituitary gland. We confirmed, using vascular casts, that these lesions resulted in the long-term destruction of the primary portal capillaries in the infundibulum and of the long portal vessels. In MBH-lesioned animals it appears that all of the blood supply of the anterior pituitary gland is via short portal vessels arising from the infundibular stem and process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disseny i implementació d'un framework de persistència

En aquest PFC s'analitzaran els diversos frameworks de persistència que actualment existeixen i es facilitarà el desenvolupament d'un conjunt de components que permetran simplificar la capa de persistència en aplicacions multicapa desenvolupades amb JEE.

Revisiting spatial distribution and biochemical composition of calcium-containing crystals in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

INTRODUCTION: Calcium-containing (CaC) crystals, including basic calcium phosphate (BCP) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPP), are associated with destructive forms of osteoarthritis (OA). We assessed their distribution and biochemical and morphologic features in human knee OA cartilage. METHODS: We prospectively included 20 patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) for primary OA. CaC crystal characterization and identification involved Fourier-transform infra-red spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy of 8 to 10 cartilage zones of each knee, including medial and lateral femoral condyles and tibial plateaux and the intercondyle zone. Differential expression of genes involved in the mineralization process between cartilage with and without calcification was assessed in samples from 8 different patients by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry and histology studies were performed in 6 different patients. RESULTS: Mean (SEM) age and body mass index of patients at the time of TKR was 74.6 (1.7) years and 28.1 (1.6) kg/m², respectively. Preoperative X-rays showed joint calcifications (chondrocalcinosis) in 4 cases only. The medial femoro-tibial compartment was the most severely affected in all cases, and mean (SEM) Kellgren-Lawrence score was 3.8 (0.1). All 20 OA cartilages showed CaC crystals. The mineral content represented 7.7% (8.1%) of the cartilage weight. All patients showed BCP crystals, which were associated with CPP crystals for 8 joints. CaC crystals were present in all knee joint compartments and in a mean of 4.6 (1.7) of the 8 studied areas. Crystal content was similar between superficial and deep layers and between medial and femoral compartments. BCP samples showed spherical structures, typical of biological apatite, and CPP samples showed rod-shaped or cubic structures. The expression of several genes involved in mineralization, including human homolog of progressive ankylosis, plasma-cell-membrane glycoprotein 1 and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, was upregulated in OA chondrocytes isolated from CaC crystal-containing cartilages. CONCLUSIONS: CaC crystal deposition is a widespread phenomenon in human OA articular cartilage involving the entire knee cartilage including macroscopically normal and less weight-bearing zones. Cartilage calcification is associated with altered expression of genes involved in the mineralisation process.

Dissociation between components of spatial memory in rats after recovery from the effects of retrohippocampal lesions

A series of 4 experiments examined the performance of rats with retrohippocampal lesions on a spatial water-maze task. The animals were trained to find and escape onto a hidden platform after swimming in a large pool of opaque water. The platform was invisible and could not be located using olfactory cues. Successful escape performance required the rats to develop strategies of approaching the correct location with reference solely to distal extramaze cues. The lesions encompassed the entire rostro-caudal extent of the lateral and medial entorhinal cortex, and included parts of the pre- and para-subiculum, angular bundle and subiculum. Groups ECR 1 and 2 sustained only partial damage of the subiculum, while Group ECR+S sustained extensive damage. These groups were compared with sham-lesion and unoperated control groups. In Expt 1A, a profound deficit in spatial localisation was found in groups ECR 1 and ECR+S, the rats receiving all training postoperatively. In Expt 1B, these two groups showed hyperactivity in an open-field. In Expt 2, extensive preoperative training caused a transitory saving in performance of the spatial task by group ECR 2, but comparisons with the groups of Expt 1A revealed no sustained improvement, except on one measure of performance in a post-training transfer test. All rats were then given (Expt 3) training on a cueing procedure using a visible platform. The spatial deficit disappeared but, on returning to the normal hidden platform procedure, it reappeared. Nevertheless, a final transfer test, during which the platform was removed from the apparatus, revealed a dissociation between two independent measures of performance: the rats with ECR lesions failed to search for the hidden platform but repeatedly crossed its correct location accurately during traverses of the entire pool. This partial recovery of performance was not (Expt 4) associated with any ability to discriminate between two locations in the pool. The apparently selective recovery of aspects of spatial memory is discussed in relation to O'Keefe and Nadel's (1978) spatial mapping theory of hippocampal function. We propose a modification of the theory in terms of a dissociation between procedural and declarative subcomponents of spatial memory. The declarative component is a flexible access system in which information is stored in a form independent of action. It is permanently lost after the lesion. The procedural component is "unmasked" by the retrohippocampal lesion giving rise to the partial recovery of spatial localisation performance.

Neurophysiological effects of vasopressin and oxytocin in the central amygdala of the rat : a potential mechanism for the opposite modulation of anxiety and fear behavior

Abstract The amygdala is a group of nuclei in the temporal lobe of the brain that plays a crucial role in anxiety and fear behavior. Sensory information converges in the basolateral and lateral nuclei of the amygdala, which have been the first regions in the brain where the acquisition of new (fear) memories has been associated with long term changes in synaptic transmission. These nuclei, in turn, project to the central nucleus of the amygdala. The central amygdala, through its extensive projections to numerous nuclei in the midbrain and brainstem, plays a pivotal role in the orchestration of the rapid autonomic and endocrine fear responses. In the central amygdala a large number of neuropeptides and receptors is expressed, among which high levels of vasopressin and oxytocin receptors. Local injections of these peptides into the amygdala modulate several aspects of the autonomic fear reaction. Interestingly, their effects are opposing: vasopressin tends to enhance the fear reactions, whereas oxytocin has anxiolytic effects. In order to investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms that could underlie this opposing modulation of the fear behavior, we studied the effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on the neuronal activity in an acute brain slice preparation of the rat central amygdala. We first assessed the effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on the spontaneous activity of central amygdala neurons. Extracellular single unit recordings revealed two major populations of neurons: a majority of neurons was excited by vasopressin and inhibited by oxytocin, whereas other neurons were only excited by oxytocin receptor activation. The inhibitory effect of oxytocin could be reduced by the block of GABAergic transmission, whereas the excitatory effects of vasopressin and oxytocin were not affected. In a second step we identified the cellular mechanisms for the excitatory effects of both peptides as well as the morphological and biochemical mechanisms underlying the opposing effects, by using sharp electrode recordings together with intracellular labelings. We revealed that oxytocin-excited neurons are localized in the lateral part (CeL) whereas vasopressin excited cells are found in the medial part of the central amygdala (CeM). The tracing of the neuronal morphology showed that the axon collaterals of the oxytocin-excited neurons project from the CeL, far into the CeM. Combined immunohistochemical stainings indicated that these projections are GABAergic. In the third set of experiments we investigated the synaptic interactions between the two identified cell populations. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in the CeM revealed that the inhibitory effect of oxytocin was caused by the massive increase of inhibitory GABAergic currents, which was induced by the activation of CeL neurons. Finally, the effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on evoked activity were investigated. We found on the one hand, that the probability of evoking action potentials in the CeM by stimulating the basolateral amygdala afferents was enhanced under vasopressin, whereas it decreased under oxytocin. On the other hand, the impact of cortical afferents stimulation on the CeL neurons was enhanced by oxytocin application. Taken together, these findings have allowed us to develop a model, in which the opposing behavioral effects of vasopressin and oxytocin are caused by a selective activation of two distinct populations of neurons in the GABAergic network of the central amygdala. Our model could help to develop new anxiolytic treatments, which modulate simultaneously both receptor systems. By acting on a GABAergic network, such treatments can further be tuned by combinations with classical benzodiazepines. Résumé: L'amygdale est un groupe de noyaux cérébraux localisés dans le lobe temporal. Elle joue un rôle essentiel dans les comportements liés à la peur et l'anxiété. L'information issue des aires sensorielles converge vers les noyaux amygdaliens latéraux et basolatéraux, qui sont les projections vers différents noyaux du tronc cérébral et de l'hypothalamus, joue un rôle clef premières régions dans lesquelles il a été démontré que l'acquisition d'une nouvelle mémoire (de peur) était associée à des changements à long terme de la transmission synaptique. Ces noyaux envoient leurs projections sur l'amygdale centrale, qui à travers ses propres dans l'orchestration des réponses autonomes et endocrines de peur. Le contrôle de l'activité neuronale dans l'amygdale centrale module fortement la réaction de peur. Ainsi, un grand nombre de neuropeptides sont spécifiquement exprimés dans l'amygdale centrale et un bon nombre d'entre eux interfère dans la réaction de peur et d'anxiété. Chez les rats, une forte concentration de récepteurs à l'ocytocine et à la vasopressine est exprimée dans le noyau central, et l'injection de ces peptides dans l'amygdale influence différents aspects de la réaction viscérale associée à la peur. Il est intéressant de constater que ces peptides exercent des effets opposés. Ainsi, la vasopressine augmente la réaction de peur alors que l'ocytocine a un effet anxiolytique. Afin d'investiguer les mécanismes neurophysiologiques responsables de ces effets opposés, nous avons étudié l'effet de la vasopressine et de l'ocytocine sur l'activité neuronale de préparations de tranches de cerveau de rats contenant entre autres de l'amygdale centrale. Tout d'abord, notre intérêt s'est porté sur les effets de ces deux neuropeptides sur l'activité spontanée dans l'amygdale centrale. Des enregistrements extracellulaires ont révélé différentes populations de neurones ; une majorité était excitée par la vasopressine et inhibée par l'ocytocine ; d'autres étaient seulement excités par l'activation du récepteur à l'ocytocine. L'effet inhibiteur de l'ocytocine a pu être réduit par l'inhibition de la transmission GABAergique, alors que ses effets excitateurs n'étaient pas affectés. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons identifié les mécanismes cellulaires responsables de l'effet excitateur de ces deux peptides et analysé les caractéristiques morphologiques et biochimiques des neurones affectés. Des enregistrements intracellulaires ont permis de localiser les neurones excités par l'ocytocine dans la partie latérale de l'amygdale centrale (CeL), et ceux excités par la vasopressine dans sa partie médiale (CeM). Le traçage morphologique des neurones a révélé que les collatérales axonales des cellules excitées par l'ocytocine projetaient du CeL loin dans le CeM. De plus, des colorations immuno-histochimiques ont révélé que ces projections étaient GABAergiques. Dans un troisième temps, nous avons étudié les interactions synaptiques entre ces deux populations de cellules. Les enregistrements en whole-cell patch-clamp dans le CeM ont démontré que les effets inhibiteurs de l'ocytocine résultaient de l'augmentation massive des courants GABAergique résultant de l'activation des neurones dans le CeL. Finalement, les effets de l'ocytocine et de la vasopressine sur l'activité évoquée ont été étudiés. Nous avons pu montrer que la probabilité d'évoquer un potentiel d'action dans le CeM, par stimulation de l'amygdale basolatérale, était augmentée sous l'effet de la vasopressine et diminuée sous l'action de l'ocytocine. Par contre, l'impact de la stimulation des afférences corticales sur les neurones du CeL était augmenté par l'application de l'ocytocine. L'ensemble de ces résultats nous a permis de développer un modèle dans lequel les effets comportementaux opposés de la vasopressine et de l'ocytocine sont causés par une activation sélective des deux différentes populations de neurones dans un réseau GABAergique. Un tel modèle pourrait mener au développement de nouveaux traitements anxiolytiques en modulant l'activité des deux récepteurs simultanément. En agissant sur un réseau GABAergique, les effets d'un tel traitement pourraient être rendus encore plus sélectifs en association avec des benzodiazépines classiques.

Automated Lesion Detection-Based Symptome Mapping In Patients With Sensory Deficits

The human brain is the most complex structure known. With its high number of cells, number of connections and number of pathways it is the source of every thought in the world. It consumes 25% of our oxygen and suffers very fast from a disruption of its supply. An acute event, like a stroke, results in rapid dysfunction referable to the affected area. A few minutes without oxygen and neuronal cells die and subsequently degenerate. Changes in the brains incoming blood flow alternate the anatomy and physiology of the brain. All stroke events leave behind a brain tissue lesion. To rapidly react and improve the prediction of outcome in stroke patients, accurate lesion detection and reliable lesion-based function correlation would be very helpful. With a number of neuroimaging and clinical data of cerebral injured patients this study aims to investigate correlations of structural lesion locations with sensory functions.

Septal lesions impair the acquisition of a cued place navigation task: attentional or memory deficit?

These experiments were designed to analyze how medial septal lesions reducing the cholinergic innervation in the hippocampus might affect place learning. Rats with quisqualic lesions of the medial septal area (MS) were trained in a water maze and on a homing table where the escape position was located at a spatially fixed position and further indicated by a salient cue suspended above it. The lesioned rats were significantly impaired in reaching the cued escape platform during training. In addition rats, did not show any discrimination of the training sector during a probe trial in which no platform or cue was present. This impairment remained significant during further training in the absence of the cue. When the cued escape platform was located at an unpredictable spatial location, the MS-lesioned rats showed no deficit and spent more time under the cue than control rats during the probe trial. On the homing board, with a salient object in close proximity to the escape hole, the MS rats showed no deficit in escape latencies, although a significant reduction in spatial memory was observed. However, this was overcome by additional training in the absence of the cue. Under these conditions, rats with septal lesions were prone to develop a pure guidance strategy, whereas normal rats combined a guidance strategy with a memory of the escape position relative to more distant landmarks. The presence of a salient cue appeared to decrease attention to environmental landmarks, thus reducing spatial memory. These data confirm the general hypothesis that MS lesions reduce the capacity to rely on a representation of the relation between several landmarks with different salience.

QuesTInSitu: mejora del sistema de autoría y móvil para la creación, realización y monitorización de rutas abiertas de preguntas geolocalizadas

Aquest projecte te com a objectiu estendre el treball realitzat amb l‟eina QuesTInSitu, ques‟emmarca dins del món de les Tecnologies de la Informació i Comunicació (TIC) iconcretament en l‟àrea d‟E-Learning. Es presenta una aplicació Web, QuesTInSitu, la qual ésuna eina d‟autoria que permet crear preguntes geolocalitzades a sobre de mapes de GoogleMaps. Aquestes preguntes segueixen l‟especificació IMS Question & Test Interporability (QTI)i són gestionades pel motor de QTI NewApis.L‟usuari pot crear preguntes geolocalitzades i organitzar-les com a rutes (qüestionaris) sobre unmapa de qualsevol punt del món. Per una altre banda, s‟ofereix la possibilitat de respondre a lespreguntes geolocalitzades mitjançant mòbils 3G gràcies a una aplicació especialmentdissenyada per a dispositius mòbils on els usuaris poden respondre les preguntes i veure lapuntuació.Aquest PFC presenta nous aspectes de millora sobre l‟eina ja existent, com per exemple: un nousistema de monitorització, un nou sistema de rutes, noves funcionalitats tant de l‟aplicaciómòbil com de l‟aplicació web entre d‟altres. Aquests nous aspectes s‟han avaluat dins de nousescenaris educatius.

Deontological and altruistic guilt: evidence for distinct neurobiological substrates.

The feeling of guilt is a complex mental state underlying several human behaviors in both private and social life. From a psychological and evolutionary viewpoint, guilt is an emotional and cognitive function, characterized by prosocial sentiments, entailing specific moral believes, which can be predominantly driven by inner values (deontological guilt) or by more interpersonal situations (altruistic guilt). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a distinct neurobiological substrate for these two expressions of guilt in healthy individuals. We first run two behavioral studies, recruiting a sample of 72 healthy volunteers, to validate a set of stimuli selectively evoking deontological and altruistic guilt, or basic control emotions (i.e., anger and sadness). Similar stimuli were reproduced in a event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm, to investigate the neural correlates of the same emotions, in a new sample of 22 healthy volunteers. We show that guilty emotions, compared to anger and sadness, activate specific brain areas (i.e., cingulate gyrus and medial frontal cortex) and that different neuronal networks are involved in each specific kind of guilt, with the insula selectively responding to deontological guilt stimuli. This study provides evidence for the existence of distinct neural circuits involved in different guilty feelings. This complex emotion might account for normal individual attitudes and deviant social behaviors. Moreover, an abnormal processing of specific guilt feelings might account for some psychopathological manifestation, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.