Behavioural phonotaxis (oriented movement in response to sound) is an effective means to quantify auditory perception in acoustically communicating insects. Previous phonotaxis studies on the acoustic parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea (Diptera: Tachinidae) have described stereotyped, reflex-like responses towards auditory stimuli modeled after their preferred cricket hosts, yet their ability to demonstrate plasticity of responses in the context of dynamically changing auditory cues has not previously been described. Using a behavioural sensitization protocol, I compared phonotaxis towards behaviourally irrelevant (non-attractive) test stimuli presented alone, and when preceded with the natural, response-evoking cricket song (attractive). Results demonstrate the cricket song as a sensitizing stimulus mediating phonotaxis towards otherwise non-attractive sounds, and differential walking patterns depending on temporal delay between song offset and test stimulus onset. My findings suggest an ecological purpose of sensitization, allowing flies to maintain orientation towards a cricket host amidst conditions of signal disruption in the environment.

This thesis consists of four chapters. In this thesis we explored associative plasticity of human motor cortex with the use of noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) has grown in popularity because of its potential clinical applications. We used TMS techniques in combination with electromyographic (EMG) measurements to study cortical excitability and kinematic features of arm movement. This work has focused in a cohesive approach to answer certain fundamental questions about a) the rules of cortical plasticity and mechanism of PAS, b) the interaction between the state of neuronal excitability at the targeted cortical network and the effects of PAS, and c) translation of these effects into obvious measurable kinematic changes starting from network level changes and ending up with the behavioral modulation of arm movement. First we explored the role of GABAergic intracortical networks and intracortical facilitation on modulation of cortical excitability by showing for the first time that PAS can be conditioned by these inhibitory and facilitatory intracortical networks. Next, using standard indirect approaches utilizing peripheral EMG measures, we showed a graded excitability response for the PAS technique and showed that interactions of PAS with motor learning depends on the degree as well as the state of cortical excitability. Rules governing the interactions of brain stimulation techniques and motor learning are important because brain stimulation techniques can be used to modify, improve or disrupt motor adaptation and skill learning with great potential for clinical applications such as facilitation of recovery after stroke. TMS provide us with a unique opportunity to study the rules of plasticity at a systems level, which is a combination of synaptic and nonsynaptic (metaplastic) changes. These changes can occur either in the direction to limit the physiological range of neuronal functioning (homeostatic) or against the direction established state of neurons.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-227). / Microfiche. / xiii, 227 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University (Canada), 1996. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 58-06, Section: B, page: 3073. Adviser: B. J. Mueller.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-79). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Orientador: Miguel Juan Bacic / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T21:59:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Varise_EricaMaria_M.pdf: 10744836 bytes, checksum: aaad6b3c2238b57dadcf36752e7ac415 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em descrever as possíveis formas de organização das drogarias no varejo farmacêutico e a influência que o meio externo exerce sobre elas. O estudo retrata a trajetória de drogarias em cada um dos quatro modelos estudados (Drogarias Independentes, Drogarias em Associativismos, Drogarias em Franquia e Grandes redes), enfatizando as que aderiram ao modelo do Associativismo, abrangendo o período de transição, o planejamento, a implantação, os primeiros efeitos e as medidas tomadas para ajustar e/ou modificar os resultados das primeiras experiências. Cada formato é exemplificado com a apresentação de casos, destacando as vantagens, as desvantagens e as diferenças entre eles. Descreve-se o processo de migração de parte das Drogarias Independentes para o formato em rede (Drogarias em Associativismo) e alianças por franquia (Drogarias por Franquia). Essas mudanças foram desencadeadas pela ação combinada de três fatores ambientais: pela implantação do Plano Real (devido à estabilização econômica), pela alteração das condições básicas para obter lucro (devido à perda dos ganhos inflacionários) e pelo perfil do novo consumidor (que ficou mais exigente, possivelmente devido ao Código de Defesa do Consumidor). Observou-se que as Drogarias Independentes, Drogarias em Associativismos e Drogarias em Franquia buscam as mesmas vantagens das Grandes Redes, mas não necessariamente as obtêm na mesma proporção / Abstract: The aim of this work is to describe the possible forms of organization of drugstores in the pharmaceutical retail and the influence that the external environment has on them. The study portrays the trajectory of drugstores in each of the patterns studied (Independent Drugstores, Drugstores in Associativism, Drugstores in Franchising, and Great Chains), emphasizing those which adopted the Associativism pattern, encompassing the transition period, planning, implementation, first effects, and steps taken to adjust / modify the results of the first experiences. Each format is exemplified with case presentation, highlighting advantages and disadvantages among them. The process of migration of part of the Independent Drugstores into the chain format (Drugstores in Associativism), and alliances by franchising (Drugstores for Franchising) is described. These changes were triggered by the combined action of three environmental factors: the implementation of the Real Plan (due to economic stability), changes in the basic conditions for obtaining profit (due to losing inflationary gains), and the profile of a new consumer (more demanding, possibly due to the Consumer Defense Code). It was observed that the Independent Drugstores, Drugstores in Associativism, and Drugstores in Franchising aim at the same advantages as the Great Chains, but they not necessarily get it in the same degree / Mestrado / Gestão da Qualidade Total / Mestre Profissional em Engenharia Mecanica

Pretendeu-se com o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa levantar e aprofundar a análise da documentação existente em torno do Primeiro Congresso Brasileiro de Enfermagem, realizado no ano de 1947, na Escola de Enfermagem da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. O objetivo geral da presente investigação foi identificar reformulação do ensino e do exercício profissional da enfermagem brasileira, na década de 1940, consubstanciadas no primeiro evento de natureza científica do Brasil. Teve como objetivos específicos: identificar questões relativas ao ensino de enfermagem por intermédio do reconhecimento de temas abordados no Primeiro Congresso Nacional de Enfermagem, bem como nas legislações do ensino do período delimitado neste estudo; reconhecer o contexto sócio-político da década de 1940 (mais especificamente no Estado de SP) e sua influência sobre a enfermagem e descrever a atuação e liderança de Edith de Magalhães Fraenkel no contexto da Escola de Enfermagem da USP e dos movimentos da enfermagem paulista na década de 1940, por intermédio da documentação e bibliografia existentes. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, de abordagem histórico-social com utilização do método da pesquisa documental e da micro-história. O material disponível nos acervos do Centro Histórico Cultural da Enfermagem Ibero-Americana, Arquivo Histórico da Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem Seção São Paulo, Centro de Documentação da Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery CEDOC/EEAN/UFRJ, Biblioteca Wanda de Aguiar Horta da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, Biblioteca da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da USP e Fundação Casa de Oswaldo Cruz COC/FIOCRUZ serviram a pesquisa realizada. Os desdobramentos do movimento associativo paulista resultaram na importância da criação de cursos para formação de Enfermeira-Chefe e Enfermagem Psiquiátrica, levantamento de questões relativas ao problema em Enfermagem em Saúde Pública na década de 1940, bem como a criação do curso de auxiliar de enfermagem. A EEUSP rompeu o padrão estabelecido para a formação profissional, sugerido pelo Decreto 20.109/31, que elegia normas específicas que deveriam ser assumidas pelas escolas existentes no país. A fundação da EEUSP foi um marco para a renovação dos processos educacionais da Enfermagem brasileira, que corroborou para a promulgação da Lei 775/49, impactando, inclusive, na formação da identidade profissional. As ações e intencionalidades do movimento associativo paulista em enfermagem foi, desde o seu início, congregar enfermeiras em torno de seus interesses, sejam voltadas para as questões do ensino, da formação, seja na atenção às demandas assistenciais, gerencias, dentre outras, como a capacitação da própria enfermeira para liderar sua equipe de trabalho / It was intended with the development of this research to raise and to deepen the analysis of the existing documentation around the First Brazilian Congress of Nursing, carried through in the year of 1947, the School of Nursing of the College of Medicine of the University of São Paulo. The general objective of the present inquiry was to identify reformularization of the education and the professional exercise of the Brazilian nursing, in the decade of 1940, embodied in the first event of scientific nature of Brazil. It had as objective specific: to identify issues related to nursing education through the recognition of issues addressed in the First National Congress of Nursing, as well as teaching the laws of the period defined in this study, recognizing the socio-political context of the 1940s (more specifically in the State of São Paulo) and its influence on nursing practice and describe the action and leadership of Edith Magalhães Fraenkel in the context of the USP School of Nursing and nursing movements Sao Paulo nursing in the decade of 1940, for intermediary of the existing documentation and bibliography. One is to a qualitative study, description-social boarding with use of the method of the documentary research and micro-history. The available material in the collections of the Centro Cultural History of Nursing Ibero-American Historical Archives of the Brazilian Nursing Association - São Paulo Section, Center for Documentation of Anna Nery School of Nursing - CEDOC / EEAN / UFRJ, Wanda de Aguiar Horta Library School Nursing USP, Library of the Faculty of Public Health of USP and Casa de Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - COC / Fiocruz served research.The unfoldings of the São Paulo associative movement had resulted in the importance of the creation of courses for formation of Nurse-Head and Psychiatric Nursing, survey of relative questions to the problem in Nursing in Public Health in the decade of 1940, as well as the creation of the course of nurse aid. The EEUSP breached the standard established for the professional formation, suggested for Decree 20.109/31, that it chose specific norms that would have to be assumed by the existing schools in the country. The foundation of the EEUSP was a landmark for the renewal of the educational processes of the Brazilian Nursing, that it corroborated for the promulgation of Law 775/49, impacting, also, in the formation of the professional identity. The actions and intentions of the associative movement in São Paulo was nursing, since its inception, nurses gather around their interests are focused on the issues of education, training, whether in health care demands attention to, manage, among others, such as enabling the nurse to lead his own team

This article presents an analysis of the pro active social behavior construct based on the sociallearning theory. Self efficacy is briefly reviewed and discussed in the context of Bandura' s conceptual work. Reference is made to cognitive variables such as values and beliefs, as fundamental principies in the development of the pro active social behavior. I examine che distinctions between fears of failure, success, and rejection as they relate to the process of self sabotage. Comments are made on the transformation of meaning and its benefits on fear extinction. Finally, I briefly describe the principies of the associative neurophysiological conditioning as a therapeutic program for the management of emocional states by the individual. / Este artículo presenta un análisis del Comportamiento Social Pro Activo utilizando como modelo la teoría del aprendizaje social. Se revisa el concepto de autoeficacia, originalmente propuesto por Bandura, y se hace referencia a variables de tipo cognitivo tales como los sistemas de valores y creencias. Se examinan las distinciones entre el temor al fracaso, al éxito, al rechazo, y su relación con el proceso de autosabotaje. Asimismo se discute la importancia de la transformación del significado y sus beneficios en la extinción del temor. Se presenta un modelo conceptual del control de los estados emocionales y sus implicancias en el proceso de la acción. Finalmente, se describen las premisas fundamentales del Condicionamiento Neurofisiológico Asociativo como un programa terapéutico que facilita el manejo de los estados emocionales de la persona.

Neuropsychiatric disorders severely impact quality of life in millions of patients, contributing more Disease Affected Life Years (DALYs) than cancer or cardiovascular disease. The human brain is a complex system of 100 billion neurons connected by 100 trillion synapses, and human studies of neural disease focus on network-level circuit activity changes, rather than on cellular mechanisms. To probe for neural dynamics on the cellular level, animal models such as the nematode C. elegans have been used to investigate the biochemical and genetic factors contributing to neurological disease. C. elegans are ideal for neurophysiological studies due to their small nervous system, neurochemical homology to humans, and compatibility with non-invasive neural imaging. To better study the cellular mechanisms contributing to neurological disease, we developed automated analysis methods for characterizing the behaviors and associated neural activity during sleep and learning in C. elegans: two neural functions that involve a high degree of behavioral and neural plasticity. We developed two methods to study previously uncharacterized spontaneous adult sleep in C. elegans. A large microfluidic device facilitates population-wide assessment of long-term sleep behavior over 12 hours including effects of fluid flow, oxygen, feeding, odors, and genetic perturbations. Smaller devices allow simultaneous recording of sleep behavior and neuronal activity. Since the onset of adult sleep is stochastically timed, we developed a closed-loop sleep detection system that delivers chemical stimuli to individual animals during sleep and awake states to assess state-dependent changes to neural responses. Sleep increased the arousal threshold to aversive chemical stimulation, yet sensory neuron (ASH) and first-layer interneuron (AIB) responses were unchanged. This localizes adult sleep-dependent neuromodulation within interneurons presynaptic to the AVA premotor interneurons, rather than afferent sensory circuits. Traditionally, the study of learning in C. elegans observes taxis on agar plates which present variable environmental conditions that can lead to a reduction in test-to-test reproducibility. We also translated the butanone enhancement learning assay such that animals can be trained and tested all within the controlled environment of a microfluidic device. Using this system, we demonstrated that C. elegans are capable of associative learning by observing stimulus evoked behavioral responses, rather than taxis. This system allows for more reproducible results and can be used to seamlessly study stimulus-evoked neural plasticity associated with learning. Together, these systems provide platforms for studying the connections between behavioral plasticity and neural circuit modulation in sleep and learning. We can use these systems to further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying neural regulation, function, and disorder using human disease models in C. elegans.

In this thesis, we consider hom-associative algebras, which is an algebra with multiplication that is not necessarily commutative nor associative, but obeys a twisted version of associativity by a linear homomorphism. We will give some conditions for associativity, which helps us determine commuting elements. Under other conditions, such as different types of unitality conditions, we can also state some results regarding commuting elements in the general, non-associative case.