Marta Esther Vázquez Fernández

Neural Circuits for Social Cognition: Implications for Autism

Social neuroscience, the study of the neurobiological basis of social behavior, has become a major area of current research in behavioral neuroscience and psychiatry, since many psychiatric disorders are characterized by social deficits. Social behavior refers to the behavioral response with regard to socially relevant information, and requires the perception and integration of social cues through a complex cognition process (i.e. social cognition) that involves attention, memory, motivation and emotion. Neurobiological and molecular mechanisms underlying social behavior are highly conserved across species, and inter- and intra-specific variability observed in social behavior can be explained to large extent by differential activity of this conserved neural network. Human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have greatly informed about the brain structures and their connectivity networks that are important for social cognition. Animal research has been crucial for identifying specific circuits and molecular mechanisms that modulate this structural network. From a molecular neurobiology perspective, activity in these brain structures is coordinated by neuronal circuits modulated by several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Thus, quantitative variation in the levels, release and/or receptor density of these molecules could affect the observed behavioral response. The present review presents an overall framework of the components of the social brain circuitry and its modulation. By integrating multiple research approaches, from human fMRI studies to animal models we can start shedding light into how dysfunction in these circuits could lead to disorders of social-functioning such as Autism.

Measurements of Impulsive Noise From Specific Sources in Medium Wave Band

This letter presents the results of impulsive noise measurements in an indoor environment in the Medium Wave band. The studied channels are centered at 630, 675, 1035, 1620, 1720, and 1910 kHz. In this study, the noise generated when there is a main source of impulsive noise is measured in order to analyze different devices that originate impulses. Moreover, the appropriate parameters to characterize impulsive noise are described. As a result, reference values of impulsive noise parameters at the mentioned frequencies are given. Those measurements give answer to the request of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, in ITU-R 214-4/3 question, which considers that it is essential to determine impulsive noise parameters and asks to obtain reference values.

Analysis of human exposure due to WiFi signals based on a novel measurement methodology

This study presents an evaluation of human exposure levels due to WiFi signals. Up to now, human exposure to electromagnetic fields has been measured using methodologies and system configurations that account for the worst-case exposure conditions. However, more accurate empirical data are needed, since most of the time the worst case is too pessimistic to be considered for quantifying the actual existing conditions. In this work, a novel methodology to determine realistic exposure values due to a WiFi Access Point is defined. By means of this methodology, the contribution of this Access Point to the total WiFi exposure in the 2.4 GHz band is assessed, as well as day and night exposure due to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Impulsive noise characterization and its effect on digital audio quality

This study is focused in the analysis of the effects that the impulsive and Gaussian noise have in digital audio broadcasting. The analysis is based on radio noise measurements. The measurement campaign and the system for the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) performance evaluation are explained. Radio noise measurements have been taken in the Medium Wave band and the Gaussian noise (WGN) and impulsive noise (IN) have been characterized. The previous measured noise is combined with different transmission modes of DRM and the effects in the reception are studied.

Harmonization of Noise Measurement Methods: Measurements of radio impulsive noise from a specific source.

This article describes a procedure for measuring and evaluating radio impulsive noise (IN) from a specific source. A good knowledge of the noise caused by different sources is essential to plan radio services and to ensure good quality of service. Moreover, it is necessary to harmonize noise measurement methods to achieve results that can be mutually compared. This article not only provides steps that should be followed to make proper measurements, but also specifies appropriate parameters to characterize the IN when it is generated by a principal source. A detailed description of parameter calculation is presented, based on the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This answers the request made in an ITU-R 214-4/3 question, which suggests determining the appropriate parameters to describe the noise when it has an impulsive characteristic.