Transfreq: a Python package for computing the theta-to-alpha transition frequency from resting state EEG data

A classic approach to estimate the individual theta-to-alpha transition frequency requires two electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, one acquired in restingstate condition and one showing an alpha de-synchronisation due e.g. to task execution. This translates into longer recording sessions that my be cumbersome in studies involving patients. Moreover, incomplete de-synchronisation of the alpha rhythm may compromise the final estimation of the transition frequency. Here we present transfreq, a Python library that allows the computation of the transition frequency from resting-state data by clustering the spectral profiles at different EEG channels based on their content in the alpha and theta bands. We first provide an overview of the transfreq core algorithm and of the software architecture. Then we demonstrate its feasibility and robustness across different experimental setups on a publicly available EEG data set and on in-house recordings. A detailed documentation of transfreq and the codes for reproducing the analysis of the paper with the open-source data set are available online at https://elisabettavallarino.github.io/transfreq/

ShapeFit: extracting the power spectrum shape information in galaxy surveys beyond BAO and RSD

In the standard (classic) approach, galaxy clustering measurements from spectroscopic surveys are compressed into baryon acoustic oscillations and redshift space distortions measurements, which in turn can be compared to cosmological models. Recent works have shown that avoiding this intermediate step and fitting directly the full power spectrum signal (full modelling) leads to much tighter constraints on cosmological parameters. Here we show where this extra information is coming from and extend the classic approach with one additional effective parameter, such that it captures, effectively, the same amount of information as the full modelling approach, but in a model-independent way. We validate this new method (ShapeFit) on mock catalogs, and compare its performance to the full modelling approach finding both to deliver equivalent results. The ShapeFit extension of the classic approach promotes the standard analyses at the level of full modelling ones in terms of information content, with the advantages of i) being more model independent; ii) offering an understanding of the origin of the extra cosmological information; iii) allowing a robust control on the impact of observational systematics.

Mechanics of the gyroscopic precession and calculation of the Galactic mass

A spinning gyroscope precesses about the vertical due to a torque acting upon the wheel. The torque is generated by the shift of moment of force by gravity and it points to the vertical instead of the tangential direction of precession. This intuition offers an alternative and straightforward view of precession dynamics in comparison with the literature. It also presumes a dynamic balance of momentum between circular motions of the wheel spin and precession. Accordingly, the gyroscopic dynamics is then applied to the study of galactic motion of the solar system in space and the Galactic mass is calculated with the inclusion of gyroscopic effect of the solar planets. Results indicate that the gyroscopic effect of Mercury orbiting around the Sun can increase the calculated Galactic mass by 23% in comparison with the result obtained by the classic approach.

Human Being in History vs History in Human Being – Part 3: Noospheric Transformation, Empathy and Phenomenon of Cognitive History

The article is a continuation of the author’s previous attempts to investigate profound ties between history and psychology. The perspectives to enrich cognitive potential of modern historiography as well as possibilities to apply cognitive science achievements and, in particular, cognitive psychology, are being analysed in this study. Special attention is paid to so called “cognitive history”, peculiarity of its interpretation and scientific functioning in the paradigm of Information society. The concept of cognitive history, put forward by O. Medushevska is studied; the estimation of its informational goals and cognitive priorities is proposed. Steady growth of cognitive competition on global and national levels in the period of transition from biosphere to noosphere as well as epistemological topicality of classic approach of V. Vernadsky and P.T. de Chardin are stated here. The necessity to reconsider basic approaches of harmonizing biospheric processes with consideration of steady development requirements is accentuated and cognitive aspects of interaction between world and national history are outlined. The need to significantly strengthen the cognitive dimension of the general process of updating the theoretical and methodological tools of modern historiography as a key area of accumulation of historical experience is emphasized. The urgent need for a new historical and methodological reflection on the concept of empathy is emphasized both in the interests of productive research perception of historical reality and in order to adequately adapt to the challenges of noosphere civilization

A internacionalização das instituições de ensino superior sob a luz da teoria de Uppsala: estudo de casos em escolas de negócios

Objective: Propose an unprecedented initial categorization structure on the internationalization process of Brazilian HEIs, according to the Uppsala model Methodology: With the qualitative method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of the HEIs, reviewing and articulating the literature with content analysis on all data obtained.Originality: The study links a classic approach to internationalization with the current reality of higher education institutions. Thus, it is expected that there will be a new conception on how HEIs can optimize their strategies for international insertion.Main results: The internationalization of HEI can be analyzed by three main categorized elements, they are: i) the drivers; ii) enablers and, iii) obstacles to the internationalization of HEIs, each with their own specific characteristics. Theoretical Contributions: The research presents a conceptual categorization for the essential factors of the internationalization of HEI's, this articulation allows advancing in the literature on internationalization and also on the management models of higher education institutions.

EFFECT OF IMISSION TO XYLEM ANATOMY OF NORWAY SPRUCE

The aim of this work was to analyse the relationship between anatomical parameters of spruce tracheidsand climatic factors and air pollution load, in the period before, during and after the maximum air pollution load. In this study we used the method of dividing annual rings into a number of equally wide sectors, for which the average values of the tracheid dimensions, i.e., the lumen area and cell wall width, were determined. This method was compared to the classic approach, which works with the average values of parameters for the entire annual ring, or for earlywood and latewood. The study showed that the trees responded to the increased concentration of pollutants by reducing the widths of the annual rings and the values of the anatomical parameters. The higher resolution of data gives us a better insight on the influence of abiotic factors to the wood structure. The ratio of cell wall thicknesses ofearlywood to latewood was also shown asa good indicator of stress.

Open-Pit Mine Dewatering Based on Water Recirculation—Case Study with Numerical Modelling

The layout of the dewatering system in open-cast mining must be adapted to mining assumptions and to the size of expected inflows, which, in turn, depend on natural conditions and the operation of other mines and groundwater intakes, affecting the arrangement of the hydrodynamic field. This case study analyses possible dewatering solutions related to a change in the mining drainage system: decommissioning by flooding of a depleted deposit and dewatering of a new one located in the vicinity. As part of numerical modelling, a solution was sought to minimise the environmental impact of drainage. Forecast calculations for two drainage alternatives were made. One of the solutions follows the classic approach: independent dewatering of the new excavation. The second solution assumes the recirculation of waters from dewatering of the new mine through their discharge into a closed and flooded pit located in the vicinity. The results of the forecasts for both variants point to the modification of the hydrodynamic field resulting from expected volumes of inflows and different environmental effects. The use of numerical simulations assisted the selection of the optimal dewatering solution.

Causal Evidence for Induction of Pessimistic Decision-Making in Primates by the Network of Frontal Cortex and Striosomes

Clinical studies have shown that patients with anxiety disorders exhibited coactivation of limbic cortices and basal ganglia, which together form a large-scale brain network. The mechanisms by which such a large-scale network could induce or modulate anxiety-like states are largely unknown. This article reviews our experimental program in macaques demonstrating a causal involvement of local striatal and frontal cortical sites in inducing pessimistic decision-making that underlies anxiety. Where relevant, we related these findings to the wider literature. To identify such sites, we have made a series of methodologic advances, including the combination of causal evidence for behavioral modification of pessimistic decisions with viral tracing methods. Critically, we introduced a version of the classic approach-avoidance (Ap-Av) conflict task, modified for use in non-human primates. We performed microstimulation of limbic-related cortical regions and the striatum, focusing on the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC), the caudal orbitofrontal cortex (cOFC), and the caudate nucleus (CN). Microstimulation of localized sites within these regions induced pessimistic decision-making by the monkeys, supporting the idea that the focal activation of these regions could induce an anxiety-like state, which subsequently influences decision-making. We further performed combined microstimulation and tract-tracing experiments by injecting anterograde viral tracers into focal regions, at which microstimulation induced increased avoidance. We found that effective stimulation sites in both pACC and cOFC zones projected preferentially to striosomes in the anterior striatum. Experiments in rodents have shown that the striosomes in the anterior striatum project directly to the dopamine-containing cells in the substantia nigra, and we have found evidence for a functional connection between striosomes and the lateral habenular region in which responses to reward are inhibitory. We present here further evidence for network interactions: we show that the pACC and cOFC project to common structures, including not only the anterior parts of the striosome compartment but also the tail of the CN, the subgenual ACC, the amygdala, and the thalamus. Together, our findings suggest that networks having pACC and cOFC as nodes share similar features in their connectivity patterns. We here hypothesize, based on these results, that the brain sites related to pessimistic judgment are mediated by a large-scale brain network that regulates dopaminergic functions and includes striosomes and striosome-projecting cortical regions.

EvoSeg: Automated Electron Microscopy Segmentation through Random Forests and Evolutionary Optimization

Electron Microscopy Maps are key in the study of bio-molecular structures, ranging from borderline atomic level to the sub-cellular range. These maps describe the envelopes that cover possibly a very large number of proteins that form molecular machines within the cell. Within those envelopes, we are interested to find what regions correspond to specific proteins so that we can understand how they function, and design drugs that can enhance or suppress a process that they are involved in, along with other experimental purposes. A classic approach by which we can begin the exploration of map regions is to apply a segmentation algorithm. This yields a mask where each voxel in 3D space is assigned an identifier that maps it to a segment; an ideal segmentation would map each segment to one protein unit, which is rarely the case. In this work, we present a method that uses bio-inspired optimization, through an Evolutionary-Optimized Segmentation algorithm, to iteratively improve upon baseline segments obtained from a classical approach, called watershed segmentation. The cost function used by the evolutionary optimization is based on an ideal segmentation classifier trained as part of this development, which uses basic structural information available to scientists, such as the number of expected units, volume and topology. We show that a basic initial segmentation with the additional information allows our evolutionary method to find better segmentation results, compared to the baseline generated by the watershed.