Perceptual shift in bilingualism: brain potentials reveal plasticity in pre-attentive colour perception

The validity of the linguistic relativity principle continues to stimulate vigorous debate and research. The debate has recently shifted from the behavioural investigation arena to a more biologically grounded field, in which tangible physiological evidence for language effects on perception can be obtained. Using brain potentials in a colour oddball detection task with Greek and English speakers, a recent study suggests that language effects may exist at early stages of perceptual integration [Thierry, G., Athanasopoulos, P., Wiggett, A., Dering, B., & Kuipers, J. (2009). Unconscious effects of language-specific terminology on pre-attentive colour perception. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106, 4567–4570]. In this paper, we test whether in Greek speakers exposure to a new cultural environment (UK) with contrasting colour terminology from their native language affects early perceptual processing as indexed by an electrophysiological correlate of visual detection of colour luminance. We also report semantic mapping of native colour terms and colour similarity judgements. Results reveal convergence of linguistic descriptions, cognitive processing, and early perception of colour in bilinguals. This result demonstrates for the first time substantial plasticity in early, pre-attentive colour perception and has important implications for the mechanisms that are involved in perceptual changes during the processes of language learning and acculturation.

The effect of simulated flooding post-anthesis on pre-harvest sprouting and subsequent seed longevity in contrasting rice cultivars

Unpredictable flooding is a major constraint to rice production. It can occur at any growth stage. The effect of simulated flooding post-anthesis on yield and subsequent seed quality of pot-grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants was investigated in glasshouses and controlled-environment growth cabinets. Submergence post-anthesis (9-40 DAA) for 3 or 5 days reduced seed weight of japonica rice cv. Gleva, with considerable pre-harvest sprouting (up to 53%). The latter was greater the later in seed development and maturation that flooding occurred. Sprouted seed had poor ability to survive desiccation or germinate normally upon rehydration, whereas the effects of flooding on the subsequent air-dry seed storage longevity (p50) of the non-sprouted seed fraction was negligible. The indica rice cvs IR64 and IR64Sub1 (introgression of submergence tolerance gene Submergence1A-1) were both far more tolerant to flooding post-anthesis than cv. Gleva: four days’ submergence of these two near-isogenic cultivars at 10-40 DAA resulted less than 1% sprouted seeds. The presence of the Sub1A-1 allele in cv. IR64Sub1 was verified by gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing. It had no harmful effect on loss in seed viability during storage compared with IR64 in both control and flooded environments. Moreover, the germinability and changes in dormancy during seed development and maturation were very similar to IR64. The efficiency of using chemical spray to increase seed dormancy was investigated in the pre-harvest sprouting susceptible rice cv. Gleva. Foliar application of molybdenum at 100 mg L-1 reduced sprouted seeds by 15-21% following 4 days’ submergence at 20-30 DAA. Analyses confirmed that the treatment did result in molybdenum uptake by the plants, and also tended to increase seed abscisic acid concentration. The latter was reduced by submergence and declined exponentially during grain ripening. The selection of submergence-tolerant varieties was more successful than application of molybdenum in reducing pre-harvest sprouting.

Yeast extract and prebiotic in pre-initial phase diet for broiler chickens raised under different temperatures

Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte criados em diferentes temperaturas e que receberam na fase pré-inicial ração contendo ou não extrato de leveduras e prebiótico. Foram utilizados 1.440 pintos machos de 1 dia de idade, criados em diferentes câmaras climáticas. As rações, acrescidas ou não de extrato de leveduras e prebiótico, foram oferecidas somente na fase pré-inicial (1 a 7 dias). A partir do oitavo dia, todas as aves receberam a mesma ração, reajustada de acordo com as recomendações usuais. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2, composto de três temperaturas de criação (calor, conforto e frio) e dois níveis de extrato de leveduras (com ou sem) e prebiótico (com ou sem). O desempenho das aves foi avaliado considerando o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a viabilidade aos 42 dias de idade. Também foram avaliados o rendimento de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal. O calor ambiente prejudicou o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça. A inclusão de prebiótico na ração pré-inicial aumentou o ganho de peso e melhorou a conversão alimentar das aves criadas no calor. A inclusão dos produtos na ração de frangos de corte criados em ambiente de calor e no frio tem efeito benéfico sobre as vilosidades das aves.

Increased Reactive Oxygen Species and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production by Monocytes are Associated with Elevated Levels of Uric Acid in Pre-Eclamptic Women

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

Calcium in pre-laying and laying rations on the performance and quality of laying hens' eggshell

O ensaio experimental objetivou avaliação do efeito de diferentes níveis de cálcio (Ca) nas rações de pré-postura e postura sobre o desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais. Foram alojadas 256 frangas da linhagem Hisex Brown com 16 semanas de idade em galpão convencional de postura. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 4 x 2 (4 níveis de cálcio - 0,8; 1,3; 1,8 e 2,3% na pré-postura e 2 níveis de cálcio - 2,5 e 3,5% na postura), totalizando oito tratamentos com quatro repetições de oito aves por unidade experimental. Iniciou-se com a ração de pré-postura às 16 semanas de idade das aves, sendo que a mesma foi fornecida até as aves atingiram 18 semanas de idade, quando então, iniciou-se com a ração de postura. Foram avaliadas durante quatro ciclos de 28 dias as seguintes variáveis: produção e peso dos ovos, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, massa de ovos e qualidade da casca dos ovos. Através dos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que um bom desempenho foi obtido com 0,8% de cálcio na fase de pré-postura. Na fase de postura o nível de 3,5% de cálcio promoveu maior peso de ovo e melhor qualidade de casca.

Ergonomic research applied in the design of pre-school furniture: The Mobipresc 3.6

This research describes the application of a scientific and technological model of Ergonomics in the design of pre-school furniture. The constant presence of the desk in early education and its influence in the relationship between the user and his educational environment determined the necessity of this project. The pre-school desk was considered as a work station, where the joint aspects of education and child anthropometry substantiate the problem. The review of the Historical application of Ergonomics in the Design of children's products consolidated the importance of this report. The development of ergonomic research, characterised by investigations of the Brazilian child's Anthropometry Data and Biomechanical Features, resulted in dimensional parameters of the user and physical characteristics of the present furniture. These elements, together with a comprehension of activities and needs in the pre-school, were connected with aspects of bibliographical revision to result in a series of recomendations for design. Through the methods of Ergonomic Design, a new proposal for the pre-school desk was developed, denominated Mobipresc 3.6.

Nest defense behavior against the attack of ants in colonies of pre-emergent Mischocyttarus cerberus (hymenoptera, vespidae)

The study was carried out at the UNESP Rio Claro campus (SP), where biotests consisting of simulated ant attacks were performed in colonies of Mischocyttarus cerberus. The behaviors of the wasps were recorded with a camcorder, for further analysis. This analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Principal Component Analysis. In the pre-emergence development stage, colonies with a single foundress defend the nest only after the first larvae appear. When there are only eggs in the nest, the wasp abandons the nest. Before leaving, the wasp rubs its gaster against the nest, releasing the ant repellent secretion. When the nest contains larvae or larvae and pupae, the foundress defends the colony, vibrating its wings, pumping her abdomen and biting the ant.

Papel da serotonina no comportamento defensivo do paulistinha (Danio rerio Hamilton 1822) adulto: Diferenças entre modelos comportamentais, linhagens, e efeitos do estresse predatório agudo

Os transtornos de ansiedade apresentam a maior incidência na população mundial dentre os transtornos psiquiátricos, e a eficácia clínica das drogas ansiolíticas é baixa, em parte devido ao desconhecimento acerca das bases neuroquímicas desses transtornos. Para uma compreensão mais ampla e evolutivamente substanciada desses fenômenos, a utilização de espécies filogeneticamente mais antigas pode ser uma aproximação interessante no campo da modelagem comportamental; assim, sugerimos o uso do paulistinha (Danio rerio Hamilton 1822) na tentativa de compreender a modulação de comportamentos tipo-ansiedade pelo sistema serotonérgico. Demonstramos que os níveis extracelulares de serotonina no encéfalo de paulistinhas adultos expostos ao teste de preferência claro/escuro [PCE] (mas não ao teste de distribuição vertical eliciada pela novidade [DVN]) apresentam-se elevados em relação a animais manipulados mas não expostos aos aparatos. Além disso, os níveis teciduais de serotonina no rombencéfalo e no prosencéfalo são elevados pela exposição ao PCE, enquanto no mesencéfalo são elevados pela exposição ao DVN. Os níveis extracelulares de serotonina estão correlacionados negativamente com a geotaxia no DVN, e positivamente com a escototaxia, tigmotaxia e a avaliação de risco no PCE. O tratamento agudo com uma dose baixa de fluoxetina (2,5 mg/kg) aumenta a escototaxia, a tigmotaxia e a avaliação de risco no PCE, diminui a geotaxia e o congelamento e facilita a habituação no DVN. O tratamento com buspirona diminui a escototaxia, a tigmotaxia e o congelamento nas doses de 25 e 50 mg/kg no PCE, e diminui a avaliação de risco na dose de 50 mg/kg; no DVN, ambas as doses diminuem a geotaxia, enquanto somente a maior dose diminui o congelamento e facilita a habituação. O tratamento com WAY 100635 diminui a escototaxia nas doses de 0,003 e 0,03 mg/kg, enquanto somente a dose de 0,03 mg/kg diminui a tigmotaxia e a avaliação de risco no PCE. No DVN, ambas as doses diminuem a geotaxia, enquanto somente a menor dose facilita a habituação e aumenta o tempo em uma “base” (“homebase”). O tratamento com SB 224289 não produziu efeitos sobre a escototaxia, mas aumentou a avaliação de risco na dose de 2,5 mg/kg; no DVN, essa droga diminuiu a geotaxia e o nado errático nas doses de 2,5 e 5 mg/kg, enquanto a dose de 2,5 mg/kg aumentou a formação de “bases”. O tratamento com DL-para-clorofenilalanina (2 injeções de 300 mg/kg, separadas por 24 horas) diminuiu a escototaxia, a tigmotaxia e a avaliação de risco no PCE, aumentou a geotaxia e a formação de bases e diminuiu a habituação no DVN. Quando os animais são pré-expostos a uma “substância de alarme” co-específica, observa-se um aumento nos níveis extracelulares de serotonina associados a um aumento na escototaxia, congelamento e nado errático no PCE; os efeitos comportamentais e neuroquímicos foram bloqueados pelo pré tratamento com fluoxetina (2,5 mg/kg), mas não pelo pré-tratamento com WAY 100,635 (0,003 mg/kg). Animais da linhagem leopard apresentam maior escototaxia e avaliação de risco no PCE, assim como níveis teciduais elevados de serotonina no encéfalo; o fenótipo comportamental é resgatado pelo tratamento com fluoxetina (5 mg/kg). Esses dados sugerem que o sistema serotonérgico dessa espécie modula o comportamento no DVN e no PCE de forma oposta; que a resposta de medo produzida pela substância de alarme também parece aumentar a atividade do sistema serotonérgico, um efeito possivelmente mediado pelos transportadores de serotonina, e ao menos um fenótipo mutante de alta ansiedade também está associado a esses transportadores. Sugere-se que, de um ponto de vista funcional, a serotonina aumenta a ansiedade e diminui o medo em paulistinhas.

Pre- and post-puberty physiological plasma oxytocin concentrations in male domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Souza J.O.T., Andriolo A., Franci C.R. & Genaro G. 2012. Pre- and post-puberty physiological plasma oxytocin concentrations in male domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus). Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(11):1196-1198. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Psicobiologia, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Cx. Postal 390, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14001-970, Brazil. E-mail: gelsongenaro@hotmail.com The hormone oxytocin is released by the neuropituitary gland through stimulation of the neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. In order to determine the physiological concentrations of this hormone in domestic cats, blood samples were collected from 15 male animals (Felis silvestris catus) during the pre- and post-puberty periods (at four and eight months of age, respectively). Oxytocin determination was accomplished by radioimmunoassay. The average oxytocin concentrations measured in the pre- and post-puberty periods were 2.54 +/- 0.24 (mu g/dL) and 2.53 +/- 0.28 (mu g/dL), respectively, and there were no statistical differences between these measurements. Because there are few literature on the analysis of this hormone, especially in the case of male Felis silvestris catus, more studies on the influence of oxytocin on the physiology and reproduction of this species should be conducted under maintenance and situations of stress (such as transportation), and other routine events.

Pre-and post-puberty physiological plasma oxytocin concentrations in male domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus)

The hormone oxytocin is released by the neuropituitary gland through stimulation of the neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. In order to determine the physiological concentrations of this hormone in domestic cats, blood samples were collected from 15 male animals (Felis silvestris catus) during the pre- and post-puberty periods (at four and eight months of age, respectively). Oxytocin determination was accomplished by radioimmunoassay. The average oxytocin concentrations measured in the pre- and post-puberty periods were 2.54±0.24 (μg/dL) and 2.53±0.28 (μg/dL), respectively, and there were no statistical differences between these measurements. Because there are few literature on the analysis of this hormone, especially in the case of male Felis silvestris catus, more studies on the influence of oxytocin on the physiology and reproduction of this species should be conducted under maintenance and situations of stress (such as transportation), and other routine events.

New aspects of airway mechanics in pre-term infants

High-frequency respiratory impedance data measured noninvasively by the high-speed interrupter technique (HIT), particularly the first antiresonance frequency (f(ar,1)), is related to airway wall mechanics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of HIT in unsedated pre-term infants, and to compare values of f(ar,1) from 18 pre-term (post-conceptional age 32-37 weeks, weight 1,730-2,910 g) and 18 full-term infants (42-47 weeks, 3,920-5,340 g). Among the pre-term infants, there was good short-term repeatability of f(ar,1) within a single sleep epoch (mean (sd) coefficient of variance: 8 (1.7)%), but 95% limits of agreement for repeated measures of f(ar,1) after 3-8 h were relatively wide (-41 Hz; 37 Hz). f(ar,1) was significantly lower in pre-term infants (199 versus 257 Hz), indicating that wave propagation characteristics in pre-term airways are different from those of full-term infants. The present authors suggest that this is consistent with developmental differences in airway wall structure and compliance, including the influence of the surrounding tissue. Since flow limitation is determined by wave propagation velocity and airway cross-sectional area, it was hypothesised that the physical ability of the airways to carry large flows is fundamentally different in pre-term than in full-term infants.

Radiocarbon dating of modern peat profiles: Pre- and post-bomb C-14 variations in the construction of age-depth models

We present studies of 9 modern (up to 400-yr-old) peat sections from Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Finland. Precise radiocarbon dating of modern samples is possible due to the large bomb peak of atmospheric 14C concentration in 1963 and the following rapid decline in the 14C level. All the analyzed 14C profiles appeared concordant with the shape of the bomb peak of atmospheric 14C concentration, integrated over some time interval with a length specific to the peat section. In the peat layers covered by the bomb peak, calendar ages of individual peat samples could be determined almost immediately, with an accuracy of 23 yr. In the pre-bomb sections, the calendar ages of individual dated samples are determined in the form of multi-modal probability distributions of about 300 yr wide (about AD 16501950). However, simultaneous use of the post-bomb and pre-bomb 14C dates, and lithological information, enabled the rejection of most modes of probability distributions in the pre-bomb section. In effect, precise age-depth models of the post-bomb sections have been extended back in time, into the wiggly part of the 14C calibration curve.

Variable effects of the conserved RNA hairpin element upon 3' end processing of histone pre-mRNA in vitro.

We have studied the requirements for efficient histone-specific RNA 3' processing in nuclear extract from mammalian tissue culture cells. Processing is strongly impaired by mutations in the pre-mRNA spacer element that reduce the base-pairing potential with U7 RNA. Moreover, by exchanging the hairpin and spacer elements of two differently processed H4 genes, we find that this difference is exclusively due to the spacer element. Finally, processing is inhibited by the addition of competitor RNAs, if these contain a wild-type spacer sequence, but not if their spacer element is mutated. Conversely, the importance of the hairpin for histone RNA 3' processing is highly variable: A hairpin mutant of the H4-12 gene is processed with almost wild-type efficiency in extract from K21 mouse mastocytoma cells but is strongly affected in HeLa cell extract, whereas an identical hairpin mutant of the H4-1 gene is affected in both extracts. The hairpin defect of H4-12-specific RNA in HeLa cells can be overcome by a compensatory mutation that increases the base complementarity to U7 snRNA. Very similar results were also obtained in RNA competition experiments: processing of H4-12-specific RNA can be competed by RNA carrying a wild-type hairpin element in extract from HeLa, but not K21 cells, whereas processing of H4-1-specific RNA can be competed in both extracts. With two additional histone genes we obtained results that were in one case intermediate and in the other similar to those obtained with H4-1. These results suggest that hairpin binding factor(s) can cooperatively support the ability of U7 snRNPs to form an active processing complex, but is(are) not directly involved in the processing mechanism.