M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a form of psychopathology characterised by difficulties with hyperactivity, attention and behavioural inhibition. Although ADHD has been historically considered a disorder specific to children, the contemporary consensus among researchers is that, in some cases, ADHD may persist into adulthood. Neurologically, ADHD is associated with deficits in the executive functions, located in the frontal lobe. Cortical arousal, which refers to the level of neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex and is measurable using electroencephalograph machinery (EEGs), is usually lower in the frontal lobes in those with ADHD when compared to individuals without the disorder. With regards to anxiety disorders, which are dysfunctional variations in the normal fear response, the aetiology of the pathologies in this category are multifaceted and complex. At the neurological level, however, there is a clear link between anxiety disorders and hypervigilance, which is characterised by high cortical arousal in the frontal lobes. Despite the fact that, at face value, it seems impossible for an increase and decrease in cortical arousal to occur simultaneously, ADHD is often diagnosed alongside anxiety disorders, and it is this anomaly which is the focus of this study. Electroencephalograph machinery (EEGs) are able to measure levels of cortical arousal using electrodes placed on the scalp. This research employs this equipment in order to elucidate on how cortical arousal manifests during a task that demands significant involvement from the frontal areas of the brain. A quasi-xperimental research design using non-parametric statistics (Mann-Whitney U Test) was used in order to compare the levels of cortical arousal between 4 groups of 5 research participants with either ADHD, an anxiety disorder, comorbid ADHD and anxiety and no discernible psychopathology. The significant results found in this study point to the fact that, in cases where ADHD and anxiety disorders occur comorbidly, there is a possibility that the anxiety component enables an individual to achieve more pronounced levels of attention, concentration and focus than normal participants and those with ADHD alone...

The purpose of this research was to provide a better understanding of meteotsunamis over the eastern Gulf of Mexico along the west coast of Florida and to develop a process for forecasting those events. Meteotsunami waves develop from resonant effects of strong pressure perturbations greater than 1 hPa, moving in excess of 10 m s-1, over water areas up to around 100 m in depth. Meteotsunami events over 0.3 m in height, as measured by three primary NOAA coastal tide gauges at Cedar Key, Clearwater Beach, and Naples, from 2007-2015, impact the Florida Gulf coastline several times per year and are most prevalent south of Cedar Key. Cases that met the indicated thresholds were further examined. A majority of the cases were associated with bands of active convection that brought pressure changes and wind changes. The cases derived from this research provide a baseline for formulating a forecast methodology. The prediction of meteotsunamis is challenging over the marine environment where sub-hourly pressure and wind observations are generally not obtainable. Two forecast methodologies were derived for longer term periods up to several days using numerical model surface pressure data and a refined methodology for forecasts up to several hours in advance of the impacts using a combination of high resolution weather prediction models to provide a robust environment of atmospheric pressure, wind, and pressure fields for prediction of meteotsunamis over shallow shelf waters and available observations. This research illuminates, for National Weather Service forecasters, meteotsunami development and potential hazards related to this phenomenon that can be transmitted to the public within specialized products.

Relationship conflict puts individuals at risk for emotional distress and physical illness. Although many studies in the field have focused on examining cardiovascular, endocrine, and immunological changes associated with relationship conflict, the role of central nervous system processes in relationship functioning remains vastly underexplored. The present study examined frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha asymmetry during discussions of disagreements in romantic partners. Asymmetrical brain activity over the frontal cortex has been conceptualized in the literature as both a trait and state indicator of approach and withdrawal behaviors, with relatively greater left than right frontal activity corresponding to approach behaviors and relatively less left than right frontal activity corresponding to withdrawal behaviors. It was hypothesized that during discussions of disagreements in romantic partners, relatively greater left than right frontal activity would be associated with approach of discussion whereas relatively less left than right frontal EEG asymmetry would be associated with avoidance of discussion. It was also hypothesized that partners would engage in higher level of approach behaviors and exhibit relatively greater left than right frontal activity during discussion of the issue in the relationship that they chose to discuss relative to the issue chosen by their partner. Fifty heterosexual college couples in romantic relationships for at least two months came to the laboratory for a 2.5-hour experimental session, during which self-reported measures were administered, EEG activity was recorded continuously from both partners, and interactions were video-recorded. Participants were asked to engage in 2 discussions of topics on which they disagreed, in counterbalanced order, and each partner was given an opportunity to select an issue to be discussed (Her Issue vs. His Issue). After each discussion, participants were asked to watch a video-recording of their discussions and rate themselves continuously, using a computer mouse, on how much they approached and avoided the discussion. After excluding left-handed participants and data unusable due to equipment failure, data from 25 couples were analyzed. Consistent with the study hypothesis, during discussion of Her Issue, in female partners, greater self-reported rating of approach of discussion was associated with relatively greater left than right frontal activity at F4-F3 and F2-F1 EEG leads. However, there was no significant association between rating of approach of discussion and frontal EEG asymmetry at any of the sites in males during Her Issue, and no effects of rating of approach of discussion on frontal EEG asymmetry at any of the sites during His Issue in either males or females. Consistent with the study hypothesis, both female and male participants evidenced greater rating of approach of discussion during the issue they chose to discuss relative to their partners' issue. Additionally, consistent with the study prediction, males evidenced relatively greater left than right frontal activity measured by the overall asymmetry across 4 regions as well as at F6-F5, F4-F3, and F2-F1 during His Issue relative to Her Issue, and females exhibited greater relative left frontal activity at F8-F7 during Her Issue relative to His Issue. However, there were no significant differences in level of frontal EEG asymmetry measured at other EEG sites. There was a significant positive association between own approach of discussion, as derived from a self-report measure of Demand-Withdraw, and relatively greater left than right frontal activity at F8-F7, F6-F5, and F4-F3 during Her Issue but not His Issue. The current study provided partial support for the association between approach and withdrawal interactions and frontal EEG asymmetry during discussions of disagreements in romantic partners. Future studies should establish whether patterns of changes in frontal EEG activity associated with these interactions have an effect on relationship quality and satisfaction, partners' ability to resolve disagreements, and partners' psychological and physical health.

Orientador: Rodrigo Vitório / Resumo: Introdução: Apesar dos correlatos neurais dos comprometimentos do andar associados ao envelhecimento não serem completamente compreendidos, estudos recentes apontam que idosos apresentam maior ativação do córtex pré-frontal (via indireta) durante o andar. Entretanto, os estudos existentes não consideram o processo de envelhecimento em um espectro mais amplo e, ao contrário, apresentam comparações limitadas a extremos de idade (adulto jovem X idoso). A compreensão da atividade neural do controle do andar no envelhecimento é importante para a identificação do momento em que as alterações inerentes ao envelhecimento afetam a atividade do córtex cerebral. Assim os objetivos deste estudo foram: (i) investigar os efeitos do envelhecimento na atividade do córtex pré-frontal (CPF) durante o andar usual, adaptativo e com tarefa dupla; e (ii) analisar a associação entre a atividade cortical e medidas do andar e de funções cognitivas. Materiais e Método: Noventa participantes foram avaliados, sendo 15 participantes sadios em cada grupo etário: 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65 e 70-75 anos. Foram realizadas avaliações cognitivas, do andar e da atividade do CPF. Um sistema portátil de espectroscopia funcional de luz próxima ao infravermelho foi utilizado para o registro da atividade do CPF enquanto os participantes andavam em um circuito em três condições: andar usual, adaptativo (ultrapassagem de obstáculos) e com tarefa dupla. Um carpete com sensores de pressão foi posicionado em uma d... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: Although the neural correlates of walking impairments associated with aging are not fully understood, recent studies indicate that the older adults present greater activation of the prefrontal cortex during walking. However, existing studies do not consider the aging process in a broader spectrum and, on the contrary, present limited comparisons to extremes of age (younger X older adult). Understanding the neural activity of walking control in aging is important to identify when the inherent changes in aging affect the activity of the cerebral cortex. Thus, the aims of this study were: (i) to investigate the effects of aging on the activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during usual, adaptive and dual task walking; and (ii) to analyze the association of cortical activity with walk measures and cognitive functions. Materials and Methods: Ninety participants were evaluated, with 15 healthy participants in each age group: 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65 and 70-75 years. Cognitive, walking and PFC activity assessments were performed. A portable near infrared functional spectroscopy system was used to record PFC activity while participants walked on a circuit in three conditions: usual, adaptive (obstacle avoidance) and dual task walking. A carpet with pressure sensors was positioned in one of the straight lines of the circuit to record walk parameters. ANCOVAs were used to analyze differences in oxyhemoglobin concentrations between groups and conditions; Two-way ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

Studies of internal gravity waves in the earth's upper atmosphere are of considerable interest. These waves play a very important role in the dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (ML T) region where they can transfer large amounts of energy and momentum from the lower atmosphere via wave saturation and dissipation. In particular, small-scale short-period (50ms"1) . Another unusual characteristic of "frontal events" is an apparent reversal in contrast of the wave structures as imaged in the hydroxyl (OH) emission (peak altitude- 87 km) when compared with the oxygen (OJ) "green line" (557.7 nm) emission (peak altitude -96 km) that can sometimes occur. In one isolated case, observed from Haleakala, Hawaii, the bright wave crests in the OH emission appeared to propagated through a dark structureless sky, whereas in the OI emission the same waves appeared to propagate into a bright sky, leaving an apparently depleted emission in its wake. Recent theoretical studies based on noble measurements have shown that frontal events may be due to a "bore-like" intrusion that raises the OJ (557. 7 nm) layer by a few km and at the same time depresses the OH layer by a similar amount. However, studies of fronts and bores in the ML T region are exceptionally rare. I have discovered and analyzed 16 frontal events from image data recorded at Bear Lake Observatory, Utah ( 41.6°N, 111.6°W), over the past four years. I have investigated some of their properties such as their horizontal wavelengths, horizontal phase speeds, observed periods, and their directions of motion. In addition, I have made comparative measurements of their relative intensities in the OH and OI emissions. These studies provide the first "extensive" data set on such events detailing their morphology and dynamics and should provide important information necessary for a deeper understanding of their occurrence frequency and properties.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Frontonasal malformation, FNM, was first described by Hoppe in 1859. FNM is an anomaly that is characterized by ocular hypertelorism, broad nasal root, lack of a nasal tip, V-shaped hair, prolongation onto the forehead (widow's peak), anterior cranium bifidum occultum, median facial cleft affecting the nose, upper lip, and/or palate, and uni- or bilateral clefting of the ala nasi. The anomalies noted in FNM may be explained as a single malformation. If the nasal capsule fails to develop properly, the primitive brain vesicle fills the space normally occupied by the capsule, thus producing anterior cranium bifidum occultum, an arrest in the positioning of the eyes, and a lack of formation of the nasal tip. The condition presents clinically with variable expressions as sporadic cases and infrequently in familial cases. The present study is the first attempting to quantify and characterize FNM via anatomic radiographic measurements. The lateral (LA) and posterior-anterior (PA) cephalometric radiographs of twenty-four individuals, both sporadic and familial, with FNM were analyzed for comparison of linear and angular measurements with previously published data of a "normal," i.e. unaffected, population standard. Usual and customary cephalometric points were identified and located, then digitized into the computer. Twenty-nine measurements included the previously diagnosed anomalous features of hypertelorism, medial nasal cavity, and palatal shelves, as well as other facial features. The radiographs of individuals with FNM have anatomic features that are unusual and distinct to the specific malformation. The data from this research suggest that patients with FNM, regardless of a genetic or sporadic predisposition, have a midface deficiency in height and depth, an increased interorbital width with possible increased orbital socket width, and a longer zygomatic buttress. Also, the familial cases tend to have a flatter cranial base than the sporadic cases. Furthermore, the familial patients might be a different type of FNM since this subgroup shows narrower zygomatic widths. The patients with surgical procedures demonstrated improvement different from the growth of those patients who did not have surgery. The hypothesis that the facies of a patient with frontonasal malformation is different from the "normal" control population is supported by this research. The differences between the familial and sporadic patients tend to support the general theory that genetic predisposition is less severe than FNM that occurs randomly.

Building materials, lack of vegetation and absence of open spaces in urban areas cause surfaces such as asphalt to become warmer than nearby vegetated surfaces that surround the city, creating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Little investigation has been done regarding temperature changes across these surfaces before and after frontal passages. This study analyzes the 24-hour temperature difference as a result of a cold front passage by examining the transitional seasons (Spring and Fall) for Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kansas City, Missouri. This research focused on investigating the pattern of moist and dry tropical air masses preceding a transitional air mass and moist and dry polar air masses the proceeding 24-hours. Using recorded hourly data from Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) stations during these events one can visualize the time lag in temperature change between sites in developed urban areas and surrounding more vegetated surfaces outside the city.

No description available.

The purpose of this experiment was to compare traditional frontal pole lesions (FP) with lesions of the median dorsal nucleus projection (MDNP) described by Leonard. First, a comparison was made on the retention of spatial discrimination learning and the new learning of spatial discrimination reversals between these two groups of frontally lesioned rats. It was hypothesized that the most severe deficits in spatial reversal learning would be shown in rats receiving MDNP lesions since this area of the rat cortex appears to be homologous to the frontal cortex of higher species according to Leonard’s results. Second, activity was measured on two post-operative occasions, before and after the reversal learning tasks, in both a familiar and an unfamiliar environment.