Neuroimaging studies have suggested that hMT+ encodes global motion interpretation, but this contradicts the notion that BOLD activity mainly reflects neuronal input. While measuring fMRI responses at 7 Tesla, we used an ambiguous moving stimulus, yielding the perception of two incoherently moving surfaces-component motion-or only one coherently moving surface-pattern motion, to induce perceptual fluctuations and identify perceptual organization size-matched domains in hMT+. Then, moving gratings, exactly matching either the direction of component or pattern motion percepts of the ambiguous stimulus, were shown to the participants to investigate whether response properties reflect the input or decision. If hMT+ responses reflect the input, component motion domains (selective to incoherent percept) should show grating direction stimulus-dependent changes, unlike pattern motion domains (selective to the coherent percept). This hypothesis is based on the known direction-selective nature of inputs in component motion perceptual domains versus non-selectivity in pattern motion perceptual domains. The response amplitude of pattern motion domains did not change with grating direction (consistently with their non-selective input), in contrast to what happened for the component motion domains (consistently with their selective input). However, when we analyzed relative ratio measures they mirrored perceptual interpretation. These findings are consistent with the notion that patterns of BOLD responses reflect both sensory input and perceptual read-out.

The role of long-range integration mechanisms underlying visual perceptual binding and their link to interhemispheric functional connectivity, as measured by fMRI, remains elusive. Only inferences on anatomical organization from resting state data paradigms not requiring coherent binding have been achieved. Here, we used a paradigm that allowed us to study such relation between perceptual interpretation and functional connectivity under bistable interhemispheric binding vs. non-binding of visual surfaces. Binding occurs by long-range perceptual integration of motion into a single object across hemifields and non-binding reflects opponent segregation of distinct moving surfaces into each hemifield. We hypothesized that perceptual integration vs. segregation of surface motion, which is achieved in visual area hMT+, is modulated by changes in interhemispheric connectivity in this region. Using 7T fMRI, we found that perceptual long-range integration of bistable motion can be tracked by changes in interhemispheric functional connectivity between left/right hMT+. Increased connectivity was tightly related with long-range perceptual integration. Our results indicate that hMT+ interhemispheric functional connectivity reflects perceptual decision, suggesting its pivotal role on long-range disambiguation of bistable physically constant surface motion. We reveal for the first time, at the scale of fMRI, a relation between interhemispheric functional connectivity and decision based perceptual binding.

Visual adaptation describes the processes by which the visual system alters its operating properties in response to changes in the environment. It is one of the mechanisms controlling visual perceptual bistability - when two perceptual solutions are available - by controlling the duration of each percept. Moving plaids are an example of such ambiguity. They can be perceived as two surfaces sliding incoherently over each other or as a single coherent surface. Here, we investigated, using fMRI, whether activity in the human motion complex (hMT+), a region tightly related to the perceptual integration of visual motion, is modulated by distinct forms of visual adaptation to coherent or incoherent perception of moving plaids. Our hypothesis is that exposure to global coherent or incoherent moving stimuli leads to different levels of measurable adaptation, reflected in hMT+ activity. We found that the strength of the measured visual adaptation effect depended on whether subjects integrated (coherent percept) or segregated (incoherent percept) surface motion signals. Visual motion adaptation was significant both for coherent motion and globally incoherent surface motion. Although not as strong as to the coherent percept, visual adaptation due to the incoherent percept also affects hMT+. This shows that adaptation can contribute to regulate percept duration during visual bistability, with distinct weights, depending on the type of percept. Our findings suggest a link between bistability and adaptation mechanisms, both due to coherent and incoherent motion percepts, but in an asymmetric manner. These asymmetric adaptation weights have strong implications in models of perceptual decision and may explain asymmetry of perceptual interpretation periods.

A major challenge in brain-computer interface (BCI) research is to increase the number of command classes and levels of control. BCI studies often use binary control level approaches (level 0 and 1 of brain activation for each class of control). Different classes may often be achieved but not different levels of activation for the same class. The increase in the number of levels of control in BCI applications may allow for larger efficiency in neurofeedback applications. In this work we test the hypothesis whether more than two modulation levels can be achieved in a single brain region, the hMT+/V5 complex. Participants performed three distinct imagery tasks during neurofeedback training: imagery of a stationary dot, imagery of a dot with two opposing motions in the vertical axis and imagery of a dot with four opposing motions in vertical or horizontal axes (imagery of 2 or 4 motion directions). The larger the number of motion alternations, the higher the expected hMT+/V5 response. A substantial number (17 of 20) of participants achieved successful binary level of control and 12 were able to reach even 3 significant levels of control within the same session, confirming the whole group effects at the individual level. With this simple approach we suggest that it is possible to design a parametric system of control based on activity modulation of a specific brain region with at least 3 different levels. Furthermore, we show that particular imagery task instructions, based on different number of motion alternations, provide feasible achievement of different control levels in BCI and/or neurofeedback applications.

To the extent that oil imports may be relevant to the international dimension of policy, we study the transmission of shocks to open economies dependent on oil within a NOEM framework through a DSGE model of a small open economy with flexible prices, staggered price setting and local currency pricing. For this purpose we introduce imports of oil as a new intermediate good needed to produce the final good and, apart from the usual exogenous shocks when a small open economy is being modeled, we consider an uncovered interest-rate parity shock, a technology shock and an oil price shock. A second-order accurate solution method is used to solve numerically a calibrated model for Portugal and Spain and the simulation results are compared with historical data, showing similar volatilities and expected dynamic responses to exogenous shocks. The model is computed with an optimized Taylor-style interest rate rule that includes real exchange targeting, thus arguing in favour of an international dimension of monetary policy.

Burn wound treatments remain a clinical challenge due to the complexity of skin regeneration and the need for advanced biomaterials that recapitulate the native extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, a multilayer hybrid dressing is developed by integrating a silk fibroin (SF)-based textile with a decellularized porcine small intestine (dPSI) matrix, embedded within an enzymatically crosslinked silk sericin (SS) hydrogel. This composite construct combines mechanical reinforcement, bioactivity, and bioadhesion, offering a multifunctional platform with potential for wound dressing applications. The decellularization process effectively reduced cellular content while preserving essential ECM components. The incorporation of dPSI into SS-based hydrogel results in a stable and bioactive layer, reinforced by the SF-based textile for structural integrity. The hybrid dressings exhibit favorable swelling capacity for absorbing wound exudate and demonstrate a stable degradation profile across wound-relevant pH conditions in simulated wound fluid (SWF). Tunable mechanical properties are observed depending on the orientation of the dPSI (tunica serosa or mucosa) relative to the SF-based textile. In vitro studies with human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) confirm high cell viability, adhesion, and metabolic activity over 10 days, with enhanced proliferation in the hybrid constructs compared to dPSI alone, indicating the positive contribution of SS hydrogel in supporting cell response. These findings demonstrate that the developed multilayer hybrid construct possesses promising structural, chemical, and biological properties for application as a dressing in wound treatment.

Burns affect 11 million people globally each year with 180,000 associated fatalities. This study proposes a multilayer hybrid dressing combining a silk fibroin (SF) textile with decellularized porcine small intestine (dPSI) capable of simultaneously provide wound protection and tissue regeneration. A silk sericin (SS) hydrogel was embedded into the decellularized tissue ensuring the integration with the textile layer while promoting anti-inflammatory benefits, enhancing the hybrid dressing’s biological performance.

Aim: Burns affect 11 million people globally each year, with 180,000 fatalities [1]. This study investigates a multilayer burn dressing combining silk fibroin (SF) fabric with highly- preserved decellularized porcine small intestine (dPSI) to support tissue regeneration and wound integration [2]. A silk sericin (SS) hydrogel is included as interface for structural integrity and anti-inflammatory benefits, enhancing the hybrid dressing’s biological performance. Methods: An innovative decellularization protocol was proposed to obtain dPSI, maintaining submucosa, serosa, and muscle layers, using cycles of decellularizing agents (SDS, SDC, DMSO), washing agents (upH₂O, PBS), and sterilization (PAA/ethanol). The serosa and submucosa of dPSI were integrated with SF-based textiles using HRP- crosslinked SS hydrogels. Decellularization and integrity were assessed via DNA quantification and histology, while hybrid dressings’ morphology and mechanics were evaluated by SEM and tensile tests. Degradation profile was tested in simulated wound fluid, and biological performance was assessed by culturing human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) on the submucosa layer up to 10 days. Results: The dPSI was successfully achieved (<50 ng/mg dsDNA). SEM images confirmed the full integration of the dPSI with SF-based textiles, especially when serosa faced the textile. The presence of the textile structure resulted in an enhancement of the mechanical strength. dPSI was able to degrade first in the multilayer dressing, and hDFs adhered and proliferated on the submucosa over 10 days, supporting hybrid structural integrity. Conclusions: This study is pioneer in confirming promising results for the first multilayer hybrid dressing combining medical textiles and dPSI for burn wound applications.