Non-target adjacent stimuli classification improves performance of classical ERP-based brain computer interface.

OBJECTIVE: The classical ERP-based speller, or P300 Speller, is one of the most commonly used paradigms in the field of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI). Several alterations to the visual stimuli presentation system have been developed to avoid unfavorable effects elicited by adjacent stimuli. However, there has been little, if any, regard to useful information contained in responses to adjacent stimuli about spatial location of target symbols. This paper aims to demonstrate that combining the classification of non-target adjacent stimuli with standard classification (target versus non-target) significantly improves classical ERP-based speller efficiency. APPROACH: Four SWLDA classifiers were trained and combined with the standard classifier: the lower row, upper row, right column and left column classifiers. This new feature extraction procedure and the classification method were carried out on three open databases: the UAM P300 database (Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico), BCI competition II (dataset IIb) and BCI competition III (dataset II). MAIN RESULTS: The inclusion of the classification of non-target adjacent stimuli improves target classification in the classical row/column paradigm. A gain in mean single trial classification of 9.6% and an overall improvement of 25% in simulated spelling speed was achieved. SIGNIFICANCE: We have provided further evidence that the ERPs produced by adjacent stimuli present discriminable features, which could provide additional information about the spatial location of intended symbols. This work promotes the searching of information on the peripheral stimulation responses to improve the performance of emerging visual ERP-based spellers.

The male genital system of the New World Ricinulei (Arachnida): ultrastructure of spermatozoa and spermiogenesis with special emphasis on its phylogenetic implications.

This study is the first report on the male genital system and the sperm structure of the South American genus Cryptocellus and provides a second description for the Central American genus Pseudocellus. The spermatids of the Colombian species Cryptocellus narino are elongated and anteriorly lentoid-shaped due to two conspicuous intracellular electron-dense plates. Two cell protrusions are present, which contain in front of the lentoid part the acrosomal complex and parts of the axoneme and nucleus, and behind the lentoid part the continuing axoneme and nucleus. The acrosomal filament originates from a cap-like acrosomal vacuole, extends into the nuclear canal and ends behind the lentoid part. The nucleus runs parallel to the axoneme. The axoneme possesses a typical 9+2 microtubular pattern. At the end of spermiogenesis the acrosomal complex, nucleus and axoneme coil within the cell forming cleistospermia as transfer form. Our results of Pseudocellus pearsei confirm an earlier study on that genus which is considered to be not closely related to Cryptocellus. According to the present study the sperm structure of the observed Cryptocellus species is very similar to what is described for Pseudocellus.

Chronic treatment with a dopamine uptake blocker changes dopamine and acetylcholine but not glutamate and GABA concentrations in prefrontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens of the awake rat.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of a chronic treatment with the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensine on the in vivo extracellular concentrations of dopamine, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens. Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) daily injections of nomifensine (10 mg/kg) or saline for 22 days. Microdialysis experiments were performed on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of treatment to evaluate the effects of the injection of nomifensine or saline. Motor activity of the animals was monitored during microdialysis experiments. Injections of nomifensine increased extracellular concentration of dopamine in striatum and nucleus accumbens, but not in prefrontal cortex. Acetylcholine concentrations in striatum but not in nucleus accumbens were increased by nomifensine on days 15 and 22 of treatment. In prefrontal cortex, nomifensine increased acetylcholine levels without differences among days. No changes were found on glutamate and GABA concentrations in the three areas studied. Injections of nomifensine also increased spontaneous motor activity and stereotyped behaviour without differences among days. These results show that systemic chronic treatment with a dopamine uptake blocker produces differential effects on extracellular concentrations of dopamine and acetylcholine, but not glutamate and GABA, in different areas of the brain.

Changes in dopamine and acetylcholine in striatum of the awake rat after chronic treatment with a dopamine uptake blocker.

The effects of chronic treatment with a dopamine uptake blocker on dopamine and acetylcholine extracellular concentrations in striatum of the awake rat was studied. Male Wistar rats received daily injections (i.p.) of the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensine (10 mg/kg) during 22 days. Control group was injected with vehicle (saline). Microdialysis experiments were performed on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of treatment. Nomifensine injections increased extracellular concentration of dopamine in striatum in all days of treatment without differences among days. In contrast, acetylcholine levels showed no changes in days 1 and 8 but increased in days 15 and 22 of treatment. These results shows that chronic treatment with a dopamine uptake inhibitor, nomifensine, has no effects on dopamine release but it increases acetylcholine release in striatum of the awake rat. These results would help to further understand the effects of chronic dopamine uptake inhibition.

Effects of activation of NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors on the extracellular concentrations of dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA in striatum of the awake rat: a microdialysis study.

The effects of activation of the AMPA and NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptors on the extracellular concentration of dopamine, acetylcholine, (ACh) and GABA in striatum of the awake rat was investigated. Also the levels of DOPAC, HVA, and choline (Ch) were included in this study. Seven to eight days after stereotaxical implantation of a guide-cannulae assembly, microdialysis experiments were performed. The dopamine and ACh content of samples were measured by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. GABA was measured using fluorometric detection. Perfusion of AMPA (1, 20, 100 microM) produced a dose-related increase of dopamine and a dose-related decrease of DOPAC and HVA. AMPA 100 microM decreased extracellular concentrations of ACh and increased the extracellular concentration of Ch and GABA. Perfusion of NMDA 500 microM increased the concentration of dopamine and decreased DOPAC and HVA. Also, NMDA 100 microM decreased DOPAC. NMDA 500 microM decreased the extracellular concentrations of ACh and increased the concentrations of Ch and GABA. Perfusion of the AMPA/kainate-antagonist DNQX (100 microM) blocked the effects of AMPA (100 microM) on dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, ACh, and GABA concentrations. Perfusion of the NMDA-antagonist CPP (100 microM) blocked the effects of NMDA 500 microM on dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, ACh, Ch, and GABA concentrations. These results suggest an interaction between glutamate-dopamine-ACh-GABA in striatum of the awake rat.

Agrobacterium rhizogenes vs auxinic induction for in vitro rhizogenesis of Prosopis chilensis and Nothofagus alpina

The induction and improvement of in vitro rhizogenesis of microshoots of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz and Nothofagus alpina (Poep. et Endl. Oerst.) were compared using Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Ar) versus indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in the culture media. Microshoots of P. chilensis (1-2 cm length), coming from in vitro grown seedlings, were cultivated in a modified Broadleaved Tree Medium (BTMm) containing half salt concentration of macronutrients and 0.05 mg x L(-1) benzilaminopurine (BAP). After 30 days, microshoots with 2-4 leaves were selected and cultured in BTMm-agar in presence or abscense of Ar and in combination with IBA. For N. alpina, the apical shoots with the first 2 true leaves, from 5 weeks old seedlings, were cultured in the abovementioned medium, but with 0.15 mg x L(-1) of BAP. After 2 months, microshoots with 2-3 leaves were selected and cultured in BTMm-agar, supplemented with 5 mg x L(-1) IBA or in liquid BTMm on perlite and, in the presence or absence of A. rhizogenes (Ar) and in combination with 3 mg x L(-1) IBA. Rooting in P. chilensis reached 100.0% when Ar infection was produced in the presence of IBA, increasing both, the number and dry weight of roots. In N. alpina, 90.0% of rooting efficiency was obtained when Ar infection was produced in liquid culture and in the absence of auxin. (AU)

Agrobacterium rhizogenes vs auxinic induction for in vitro rhizogenesis of Prosopis chilensis and Nothofagus alpina

The induction and improvement of in vitro rhizogenesis of microshoots of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz and Nothofagus alpina (Poep. et Endl. Oerst.) were compared using Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Ar) versus indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in the culture media. Microshoots of P. chilensis (1-2 cm length), coming from in vitro grown seedlings, were cultivated in a modified Broadleaved Tree Medium (BTMm) containing half salt concentration of macronutrients and 0.05 mg x L(-1) benzilaminopurine (BAP). After 30 days, microshoots with 2-4 leaves were selected and cultured in BTMm-agar in presence or abscense of Ar and in combination with IBA. For N. alpina, the apical shoots with the first 2 true leaves, from 5 weeks old seedlings, were cultured in the abovementioned medium, but with 0.15 mg x L(-1) of BAP. After 2 months, microshoots with 2-3 leaves were selected and cultured in BTMm-agar, supplemented with 5 mg x L(-1) IBA or in liquid BTMm on perlite and, in the presence or absence of A. rhizogenes (Ar) and in combination with 3 mg x L(-1) IBA. Rooting in P. chilensis reached 100.0% when Ar infection was produced in the presence of IBA, increasing both, the number and dry weight of roots. In N. alpina, 90.0% of rooting efficiency was obtained when Ar infection was produced in liquid culture and in the absence of auxin.

Beta-glucosidase activity in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strain.

Beta-glucosidase activity contributes to aroma formation during the winemaking process. This study investigated whether beta-glucosidase activity was expressed by wild Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and by a laboratory strain. beta-Glucosidase activity was assayed on several culture media and under various growth conditions. The highest activities were obtained in Yeast Extract Peptone medium, but activity was also detected using grape juice as the growth medium, although a 25% drop activity was observed when anaerobic conditions were employed. A number of parameters affecting beta-glucosidase activity were evaluated. Optimal conditions for activity were pH 4 and a temperature of 40-50 degrees C. The results showed beta-glucosidase activity to be present during the process of winemaking, although different from the optimal conditions.

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz from young and mature plants.

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3% w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol. ) Stuntz from young and mature plants

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3 w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol. ) Stuntz from young and mature plants

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3 w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.(AU)

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz from young and mature plants.

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3

w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

Ovariectomy modulates the response of some cytochrome P450 isozymes to lindane in the rat.

The effect of 0, 1, 5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) lindane, administered in corn oil by gavage, on cytochrome P450 (CYP) phenotype was investigated in the liver of ovariectomized (ovx), sham operated (sham-ope) and nonovariectomized (n/ovx) adult Wistar rats. Total hepatic microsomal CYP content and the O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxy- (EROD), 7-methoxy- (MROD), 7-pentoxy- (PROD) and 7-benzyloxy-resorufin (BROD) were assayed. In addition, CYP1A1, 2B1/2B2, 2C11 and 3A2 proteins were determined by western blot using specific anti-rat antibodies. Protein bands were visualised by chemiluminescence and their intensities were compared among groups. A statistically significant, dose-dependent increase of all parameters studied was observed in all three animal groups after lindane administration. Ovx rats, however, responded differently to lindane administration than n/ovx or sham-ope animals. At the highest doses in ovx rats, the relative liver weight was more increased and the total CYP content was less increased than in n/ovx or sham-ope animals. Moreover, the degree of induction of PROD and BROD activities was higher and that of EROD activity was lower in ovx than in either n/ovx or sham-ope animals. Accordingly, CYP2B1/2B2 protein showed the largest increase in ovx rats, whereas CYP1A protein increased more in n/ovx or sham-ope animals. CYP2C11, a cytochrome predominantly expressed in males, was also more strongly induced in ovx than in n/ovx or sham-ope animals. CYP3A2 was slightly expressed in ovx but not in n/ovx non-treated rats, although the effect of induction was clearly greater in the latter. These results, overall, indicate that ovariectomy significantly affects, both qualitatively and quantitatively, CYP expression following induction by lindane and support the anti-estrogenic effect of lindane in rats. The pathophysiological and toxicological relevance of liver CYP induction by lindane and possibly other organochlorine xenobiotics in females with a lack or deficiency of estrogen supply remains to be investigated.

[Social implications of physician professional and certification quality]. / Implicaciones sociales de la calidad profesional de los médicos y de la certificación.

The paper analyzes the social implications of the professional quality of physicians and of their process of certification. The adequate competencies of physicians are especially relevant in countries that have broad social asymmetries and cultural plurality. This diversity of social and epidemiologic conditions demands a profile of physicians able to work in a wide range of environments and able to achieve the best professional practice, making the best use of the available resources for medical care. Medical competencies and quality of care are interrelated. The process of coupling universal knowledge and local conditions creates a synchronic diversity of professional practices. Medical certification must be viewed as part of the process of diffusion of innovations. The development of a variety of abilities to cope with innovations contributes to the production of a diachronic diversity of medical practices. In the light of continuing quality improvement, it is necessary that certification systems be articulated with both continuing medical education and the accreditation and progress of healthcare institutions. Otherwise, there is the risk of increasing inequality in medical practice that, in the last analysis, blames the victim.

Transductions for the Expression of Structural Pattern: Analysis in Sunflower.

The transductions to initiate and propagate pattern were investigated in the sunflower head. The spiral pattern emerges as new florets form in regular centripetal sequence on the flat disc. The spiral lines of florets arise as rows of simple bumps. Each bump splits to become a small bract and a circular disc flower. This topographical progression was described by a scanning electron microscopic technique applied to living tissue. The suitability of various theories to explain the progression was examined. Because no periodic cell specialization was seen by scanning electron microscopy prior to pattern emergence, a mechanism that produces pattern in uniform tissue by spontaneous physical buckling (folding) was examined further. Key configurational changes of development were reproduced in models using the buckling assumptions. In further testing, a young head was physically constrained to cause it to grow as an oval. Pattern was modified as predicted. Unexpectedly, organ character changed as well. In localized regions, the folding was abnormal; the typical dyad floret, bract and flower, was replaced by a single large bract. This anomaly is known in mutants of sunflower; hence, the physical treatment induced a phenocopy. We concluded that (1) buckling is a strong candidate to be the process producing organ pattern, and (2) the accompanying topographical changes can be prerequisite to organ differentiation.

Growth behavior of single epidermal cells during flower formation: Sequential scanning electron micrographs provide kinematic patterns for Anagallis.

A non-destructive method for scanning electron microscopy allows individual developing flower surfaces to be imaged sequentially. Kinematic analysis, the quantitative characterization of expansion behavior, can be applied to consecutive images of the same primordium. The individual cell, delimited as a polygon by its anticlinal walls, is the unit of analysis. Growth in two dimensions is characterized by a right-angle cross giving the maximal and minimal rates of extension relative to a known side of the cell. Methods have been developed here to make the analysis rapid and the results easy to portray. Data were obtained for the flower primordium of Anagallis arvensis L. from its origin as a smooth dome through the development of five small stamens and an incipient gynoecium. The outermost sepal whorl arises synchronously as a fivefold undulation. This maneuver is closely coupled to the formation of five stamen buttresses alternating with the small sepals (petals form later). The most characteristic kinematics occur as the stamen buttresses expand rapidly at their tips. The sides of the buttresses, and the regions between them, show highly directed extension following the five radii of the flower. These unique expansions are associated with the origin of the filament as a stalked structure and also correlate with the future bilateral symmetry of the anther. The region interior to the stamens grows slowly as circumferentially oriented anticlinal divisions initiate a radial cell-file pattern for the gynoecium. The developmental sequence has many features of "feed-forward" where the previous structure is important for the generation of structure to come (e.g. stamens alternate precisely with sepals). Some of these features fit plausible biomechanical explanations for morphogenesis.We wish to thank Mr. N. Rasmussen, Department of Biology, Stanford University, for providing Fig. 1A, B. Use of the SEM facility of Professor G. Goffinet, Institute of Zoology, University of Liège, is greatly appreciated. We thank Dr. R. Jacques, C.N.R.S., Le Phytotron, Gif-sur-Yvette, France, for providing the experimental material, and Mr. Philippe Ongena and Dr. Suresh Tiwari for expert photography. Support was from grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation and as well as from the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique, Fonds de la Recherche Fondamentale et Collective and the "Action de Recherche Concertée" of Belgium.