Unsupervised discovery of temporal sequences in high-dimensional datasets, with applications to neuroscience.

Identifying low-dimensional features that describe large-scale neural recordings is a major challenge in neuroscience. Repeated temporal patterns (sequences) are thought to be a salient feature of neural dynamics, but are not succinctly captured by traditional dimensionality reduction techniques. Here, we describe a software toolbox-called seqNMF-with new methods for extracting informative, non-redundant, sequences from high-dimensional neural data, testing the significance of these extracted patterns, and assessing the prevalence of sequential structure in data. We test these methods on simulated data under multiple noise conditions, and on several real neural and behavioral datas. In hippocampal data, seqNMF identifies neural sequences that match those calculated manually by reference to behavioral events. In songbird data, seqNMF discovers neural sequences in untutored birds that lack stereotyped songs. Thus, by identifying temporal structure directly from neural data, seqNMF enables dissection of complex neural circuits without relying on temporal references from stimuli or behavioral outputs

Finite horizon optimal stopping of time-discontinuous functionals with applications to impulse control with delay

We study finite horizon optimal stopping problems for continuous-time Feller–Markov processes. The functional depends on time, state, and external parameters and may exhibit discontinuities with respect to the time variable. Both left- and right-hand discontinuities are considered. We investigate the dependence of the value function on the parameters, on the initial state of the process, and on the stopping horizon. We construct $\varepsilon$-optimal stopping times and provide conditions under which an optimal stopping time exists. We demonstrate how to approximate this optimal stopping time by solutions to discrete-time problems. Our results are applied to the study of impulse control problems with finite time horizon, decision lag, and execution delay

Growth and splitting of neural sequences in songbird vocal development

Neural sequences are a fundamental feature of brain dynamics underlying diverse behaviours, but the mechanisms by which they develop during learning remain unknown. Songbirds learn vocalizations composed of syllables; in adult birds, each syllable is produced by a different sequence of action potential bursts in the premotor cortical area HVC. Here we carried out recordings of large populations of HVC neurons in singing juvenile birds throughout learning to examine the emergence of neural sequences. Early in vocal development, HVC neurons begin producing rhythmic bursts, temporally locked to a prototype syllable. Different neurons are active at different latencies relative to syllable onset to form a continuous sequence. Through development, as new syllables emerge from the prototype syllable, initially highly overlapping burst sequences become increasingly distinct. We propose a mechanistic model in which multiple neural sequences can emerge from the growth and splitting of a commo n precursor sequence.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01DC009183)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant DGE-114747

Análise da tele-educação interativa em tuberculose no Município de Praia Grande

A Telessaúde (TS) desponta como uma das possibilidades das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TIC) aplicada à saúde humana. Assim, a tele-educação, foco deste estudo, insere-se como uma das ações da telessaúde. Parte-se do pressuposto que essa ferramenta tem permeado todo o processo de construção do Programa Telessaúde Brasil - Redes, principalmente por se tratar de um programa que tem como premissa contribuir para a educação permanente dos profissionais de saúde. Considerando que as ações da tele-educação promovem a integração entre as instituições de ensino superior (IES) e os serviços de saúde e que esse processo pode resultar em transformações nas práticas do cotidiano profissional, a Universidade Católica de Santos (Unisantos) vislumbrou a possibilidade da elaboração de um curso em educação a distância (EaD), disponibilizando-o ao município de Praia Grande, no Estado de São Paulo. Por conseguinte, o presente estudo busca conhecer o processo da implantação da tele-educação interativa sobre tuberculose, como ferramenta da telessaúde no referido Município. Outros objetivos somam-se a esse objetivo maior, a saber: a) caracterizar a utilização da tele-educação interativa pelos profissionais de saúde; b) identificar as facilidades e dificuldades vivenciadas pelos profissionais no uso dessa ferramenta; c) verificar o impacto da tele-educação interativa no cotidiano de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde; d) analisar a inserção da telessaúde como política pública. Na direção de alcançar a realização desses objetivos, o percurso metodológico deste estudo se constitui por pesquisa descritiva exploratória com abordagem predominantemente qualitativa. Foi também realizada a análise descritiva das variáveis do estudo. A amostra não probabilística da pesquisa está constituída por onze profissionais da atenção primária à saúde que participaram do curso sobre tuberculose na modalidade a distância e por quatro gestores da atenção básica. A coleta de dados se realiza por meio de um questionário semiestruturado com questões que podem fornecer os elementos necessários à pesquisa. As entrevistas estão processadas à luz da teoria da análise do conteúdo. O estudo revela a necessidade de constante atualização dos conhecimentos. Além de apontar a praticidade no acesso à informação, os sujeitos enfatizam a ferramenta como um artifício que evita o deslocamento e, portanto, facilita o seu cotidiano de trabalho. Referem, também, a aquisição de novos conhecimentos e a atualização do conteúdo já aprendido na graduação. Mencionam o desenvolvimento da reflexão crítica em relação às informações adquiridas, no intuito de aplicá-las, posteriormente, no seu cotidiano de trabalho. A maioria dos sujeitos da pesquisa relata modificações no desempenho profissional após o curso, verbalizando exemplos concretos. Mudanças na abordagem do paciente, bem como troca de experiências entre profissionais e maior reflexão do seu papel no controle da tuberculose são alguns dos itens referidos. O estudo demonstra, ainda, que aspectos estruturais, organizacionais e políticos são fatores que dificultam a implementação e a ampliação da telessaúde no Brasil. No que diz respeito ao aspecto estrutural, discute-se a dificuldade de acesso à internet e o número insuficiente de computadores nas unidades de saúde. O aspecto organizacional refere-se a um novo processo de trabalho e à mudança de paradigma relacionado à aceitação tecnológica. No plano político, evidencia-se o papel tanto do gestor local dos serviços de saúde como o dos gestores da atenção básica, atores-chave nesse processo. Observa-se a insuficiência da produção científica, principalmente no que se refere ao impacto econômico gerado para as redes de saúde. Evidencia-se, ainda, a fragilidade da inserção da telessaúde como política pública e sua relação com outros programas de qualificação profissional que apontam para a necessidade de ampliar os estudos nessas linhas temáticas.The Telessaúde (Tele-health) emerges as one of the possibilities of Information Technology and Communication (ICT) applied to human health. Thus, tele-education is implemented as one of the actions for tele-health and it is the focus of this study. It starts from the assumption that this tool has permeated the whole building process of the Programa Telessaúde Brasil Redes (Brazil Tele-health Program ¿ Networks), mainly because it is a program with the goal of contributing to the continuing education of healthcare professionals. Whereas the teleeducation actions promote the integration between Higher Education Institutions (IES) and the healthcare services, and that this process may result in changes of practices in daily professional routine, Santos Catholic University (Unisantos) sees its potential with the development of a distance learning course. This educational modality is made available to the municipality of Praia Grande, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Therefore, this study aims to know the process to implement the interactive tele-education on tuberculosis as a tele-health tool in the municipality of Praia Grande. Other goals are added to this research with the purpose of: a) explaining the use of interactive tele-education by the healthcare providers; b) identifying the strengths and difficulties experienced by the healthcare providers in the use of this tool; c) reviewing the impact of interactive tele-education in healthcare providers daily work; and d) analyzing the implementation of tele-health as a public policy. In the course of meeting these goals, the methodological approach to this study is the exploratory descriptive research with qualitative approaches. The descriptive analysis of the study variables was also done. The research universe is comprised of eleven professionals from the primary healthcare sector who participated in the distance learning course on tuberculosis, and four administrators from the basic healthcare sector. Data collection is performed using a semistructured questionnaire with questions that can provide with the necessary components to the research. The interviews are processed in light of the content analysis of the theory. The study reveals the need for constant updating of knowledge. In addition to reporting the convenience of access to information, the individuals emphasize the tool as a mean to avoid relocating and, therefore, it facilitates their daily work. The individuals also refer to the acquisition of new knowledge and the updating of the content already learned in college. They mention the development of critical thinking about the information acquired in order to apply it later in their daily work. Most of the research subjects report changes in work performance after the course through actual examples. Changes in the patient approach and exchange of experiences among professionals, and further reflection of their role in tuberculosis control are some of the examples mentioned. The study also shows that structural, organizational, and political aspects are also factors that hinder the implementation and expansion of tele-health in Brazil. With regard to the structural aspect, they mention the difficulty of access to the internet and the limited number of computers in healthcare facilities. The organizational aspect refers to a new process of work, and the paradigm shift related to technology acceptance. Politically, it highlights the role of both the local healthcare services administrator as well as of the basic healthcare services administrators as key parts in this process. It is further observed the lack of scientific production, especially in reference to the economic impact generated for the healthcare networks, as well as the analysis of the tele-health implementation as a public policy and its relationship with other professional training programs that link the need to expand the studies in these thematic areas.Universidade Católica de Santos - Católica de Santo

Importance of spike timing in touch: an analogy with hearing?

Touch is often conceived as a spatial sense akin to vision. However, touch also involves the transduction and processing of signals that vary rapidly over time, inviting comparisons with hearing. In both sensory systems, first order afferents produce spiking responses that are temporally precise and the timing of their responses carries stimulus information. The precision and informativeness of spike timing in the two systems invites the possibility that both implement similar mechanisms to extract behaviorally relevant information from these precisely timed responses. Here, we explore the putative roles of spike timing in touch and hearing and discuss common mechanisms that may be involved in processing temporal spiking patterns

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Caused by Massive Pyonephrosis in an Infant with Primary Obstructive Megaureter

The authors report a case of abdominal compartment syndrome caused by massive pyonephrosis in an infant with primary obstructive megaureter successfully treated with emergency surgical decompression

A PRÁTICA EDUCATIVA DO ENFERMEIRO NA REORGANIZAÇÃO DO AMBIENTE RESIDENCIAL PARA A MOBILIDADE E SEGURANÇA DO IDOSO

O envelhecimento populacional é uma realidade já presente em nosso país, ganhando espaços de discussão em diversos segmentos na sociedade. Com a inversão da pirâmide populacional, novas estratégias para a assistência ao idoso devem ser implementadas, incluindo ações educativas que promovam a mobilidade e segurança do idoso em seu ambiente residencial. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral: conhecer os fatores que afetam a mobilidade do idoso em seu ambiente residencial e como objetivos específicos: identificar as principais barreiras arquitetônicas no domicílio dos idosos, e analisar as adaptações para o ambiente domiciliar do idoso. Este foi um estudo transversal, por meio de uma amostra não probabilística por conveniência e realizada com a aplicação de questionário e entrevista estruturada. O estudo identificou como se dá a mobilidade residencial, destacando os principais desafios que o idoso enfrenta em seu cotidiano e mostrou que a maioria dos domicilíos, apresentava barreiras arquitetônicas e falta de equipamentos de segurança, dificultando a acessibilidade dos idosos. Ao analisar a ambiência do domicílio, contatou-se a necessidade de realização de intervenções e ajustes para a redução dos diversos riscos aos idosos. Neste contexto, é imperativo a abordagem educativa sobre o ambiente domiciliar aos idosos, e, deve ser incorporada à prática profissional do enfermeiro, favorecendo a autonomia e independência dos idosos.Population aging is a reality that is already present in our country and has been gaining ground in several areas within society. With the inversion of the population pyramid, new strategies for the care of the elderly should be implemented, including educational actions that promote mobility and safety of the elderly in their residential environment. This study aims to identify how residential mobility occurs, highlighting the main challenges that the elderly face in their daily lives, in relation to their mobility in the residential environment, as the main architectural barriers in the elderly’s home and as adaptations for the home environment. This was a cross-sectional study, using a non-probabilistic sample for convenience and conducted with the application of a questionnaire and structured interview. The study revealed that the majority of households had architectural barriers and lack of safety equipment, making accessibility difficult for the elderly. When analyzing the ambience of the home, the need to carry out realization and adjustments to reduce risks to the elderly was contacted. In this context, it is imperative that the educational approach about the home environment of the elderly, and, must be incorporated into the professional practice of nurses, favoring the autonomy and independence of the elderly

EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE SOBRE SEXUALIDADE NA ADOLESCÊNCIA: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA

A sexualidade torna-se muito evidente nos adolescentes, por isso, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura objetivando conhecer as características dos estudos e dos participantes em ações de educação em saúde sobre sexualidade na adolescência entre 2010-2016. A escola foi o principal lugar de intervenção e o Brasil o país com mais estudos. Nota-se escassez de informação sobre temas como IST/AIDS, gravidez, métodos contraceptivos e mudanças anatômicas e fisiológicas, percebe-se que ainda existem mitos e tabus sobre sexualidade. Há um distanciamento entre pais e filhos quando o assunto é sexualidade, a escola não desenvolve de forma eficaz o tema, a atenção básica em saúde possui baixa demanda de adolescentes e neste contexto o jovem tenta sanar suas dúvidas em fontes precárias. O machismo evidentemente faz com que garotos se sintam invulneráveis quando comparado às garotas que se colocam em submissão. A imagem corporal possui relevância, enquanto meninos buscam a modelação muscular, as meninas estão insatisfeitas com seu peso. A temática é bem aceita em ações de educação em saúde, provavelmente ligado a falta de informação e diálogo, por este motivo é necessário a criação do vínculo escola-família-UBS para ampliar o debate e criação de ações governamentais sólidas a respeito da educação em sexualidade.Sexuality becomes very evident in adolescents, so an integrative review of the literature wascarried out in order to know the characteristics of the studies and of the participants in healtheducation actions on sexuality in adolescence between 2010-2016. The school was themain place of intervention and Brazil the country with the most studies. There is a lack ofinformation on topics such as STD/AIDS, pregnancy, contraceptive methods and anatomicaland physiological changes, and it is noticeable that there are still myths and taboos aboutsexuality. There is a distance between parents and children when the issue is sexuality, schooldoes not effectively develop the topic, basic health care has low demand for adolescents and,in this context, young people try to solve their doubts in precarious sources. The machismoevidently makes boys feel invulnerable when compared to girls who put themselves in submission.Body image has relevance, while boys seek muscle modeling, girls are dissatisfiedwith their weight. The theme is well accepted in health education actions, probably linkedto the lack of information and dialogue, for this reason it is necessary to create the school--family-UBS link to broaden the debate and create solid governmental actions regardingsexuality education

Ivy Proteins as Guardians of Bacterial Cell Wall Integrity: Regulation of Lytic Transglycosylases Explored

Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are bacterial enzymes involved in biosynthesis and maintenance of the peptidoglycan cell wall. LTs are reported to be regulated by two paralogs of Inhibitor of Vertebrate Lysozymes: Ivyp1 and Ivyp2. This study investigated the regulatory dynamics between the soluble LT (SltB1), and Ivy paralogs as putative regulators in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). The secondary objective was to delineate the critical roles played by a glutamic acid at position 135 in SltB1 and a histidine at position 62 in Ivyp1 in governing their molecular interaction through site directed mutagenesis. Isolated SltB1 shows no lytic activity in our assay, in spite of the fact that it was correctly folded and pure, suggesting a potential dependency on a cofactor or coenzyme for activation. In addition, Biolayer Interferometry revealed that isolated SltB1 is not subject to regulation by either Ivyp1 or Ivyp2. These results challenge Ivy\u27s characterization as a general inhibitor for all LTs suggesting that SltB1 is regulated by other factors

Identificando los limitantes de generación de efectivo: bases para una metodología de mejora continua

Inside organisations we always find constraints which the cash generation process a long and tortuous path. Our aim in this article is to offer a theoretical review of these constraints, from the process of transformation through to value added. This review takes a different point of view from classical management, focusing on small and medium-sized already established manufacturing organisations. Finally, the article mentions guidelines, with regards to cash generation, which propose continuous improvement: retrospective analysis and identifying the critical process; Defining key parameters and strategic piloting; Identifying the main element which limits cash generation within the critical process; Defining an action plan to reduce, control or eliminate the constraints on generation. Establishing the previous steps as a continuous cycle.<br><br>Dentro de las organizaciones encontramos limitantes que hacen del proceso de generación de efectivo un largo y penoso camino. Nuestro objetivo en este artículo es hacer una revisión teórica sobre los limitantes de generación de efectivo (LGE), desde el proceso de transformación hasta el valor añadido. Esta revisión establece un punto de vista diferente a aquella establecida por la teoría clásica del management y está enfocada a las pequeñas y medianas empresas (Pymes) de manufactura que no sean de reciente creación. Finalmente, el escrito menciona pautas para proponer una mejora continua, con respecto a la generación de efectivo: El análisis retrospectivo y la identificación del proceso crítico; La definición de parámetros clave y el pilotaje estratégico; La identificación dentro del proceso crítico del principal elemento que limita la generación de efectivo; La definición de un plan de acción para poder reducir, controlar o eliminar el limitante de generación. El establecer los pasos anteriores como un ciclo continuo