Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural encoding of multiple motion speeds in visual cortical area MT

Segmenting objects from each other and their background is critical for vision. The speed at which objects move provides a salient cue for segmentation. However, how the visual system represents and differentiates multiple speeds is largely unknown. Here we investigated the neural encoding of multiple speeds of overlapping stimuli in the primate visual cortex. We first characterized the perceptual capacity of human and monkey subjects to segment spatially overlapping stimuli moving at different speeds. We then determined how neurons in the motion-sensitive, middle-temporal (MT) cortex of macaque monkeys encode multiple speeds. We made a novel finding that the responses of MT neurons to two speeds of overlapping stimuli showed a robust bias toward the faster speed component when both speeds were slow (≤ 20°/s). The faster-speed bias occurred even when a neuron had a slow preferred speed and responded more strongly to the slower component than the faster component when presented alone. The faster-speed bias emerged very early in neuronal response and was robust over time and to manipulations of motion direction and attention. As the stimulus speed increased, the faster-speed bias changed to response averaging. Our finding can be explained by a modified divisive normalization model, in which the weights for the speed components are proportional to the responses of a population of neurons elicited by the individual speeds. Our results suggest that the neuron population, referred to as the weighting pool, includes neurons that have a broad range of speed preferences. As a result, the response weights for the speed components are determined by the stimulus speeds and invariant to the speed preferences of individual neurons. Our findings help to define the neural encoding rule of multiple stimuli and provide new insight into the underlying neural mechanisms. The faster-speed bias would benefit behavioral tasks such as figure-ground segregation if figural objects tend to move faster than the background in the natural environment.
mps1 and mad mutations reduce Cryptococcus neoformans titan cell viability

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic, human fungal pathogen which undergoes fascinating switches in cell cycle control and ploidy when it encounters stressful environments such as the human lung. Here we carry out a mechanistic analysis of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) which regulates the metaphase to anaphase transition, focusing on Mps1 kinase and the downstream checkpoint components Mad1 and Mad2. We demonstrate that Cryptococcus mad1Δ or mad2Δ strains are unable to respond to microtubule perturbations, continuing to re-bud and divide, and die rapidly as a consequence. Fluorescent tagging of Chromosome 3, using a lacO array and mNeonGreen-lacI fusion protein, demonstrates that mad mutants are unable to maintain sister-chromatid cohesion in the absence of microtubule polymers. Thus, the classic checkpoint functions of the SAC are conserved in Cryptococcus. In interphase, GFP-Mad1 is enriched at the nuclear periphery, and it is recruited to unattached kinetochores in mitosis. Purification of GFP-Mad1 followed by mass spectrometric analysis of associated proteins show that that it forms a complex with Mad2 and that it interacts with other checkpoint signalling components (Bub1) and effectors (Cdc20 and APC/C sub-units) in mitosis. We also demonstrate that overexpression of Mps1 kinase is sufficient to arrest Cryptococcus cells in mitosis, and show that this arrest is dependent on both Mad1 and Mad2. We find that a C-terminal fragment of Mad1 is an effective in vitro substrate for Mps1 kinase and map several Mad1 phosphorylation sites. Some sites are highly conserved within the C-terminal Mad1 structure and we demonstrate that mutation of threonine 667 (T667A) leads to loss of checkpoint signalling and abrogation of the GAL-MPS1 arrest. Thus Mps1-dependent phosphorylation of C-terminal Mad1 residues is a critical step in Cryptococcus spindle checkpoint signalling. Finally, we analyse the phenotype of mad and mps1 mutants during titan cell generation: quantitating viability of titan cells and their daughters generated during the ensuing reductive division. The mad1Δ, mad2Δ and mpsΔ mutants show significantly reduced viability: many titans are dead and others produce slow growing colonies. We propose that these Cryptococcus neoformans checkpoint proteins have important roles in ensuring high fidelity chromosome segregation during stressful conditions, such that those heightened during its polyploid infection cycle.
Elastic behavior of Bi2Se3 2D nanosheets grown by van der Waals epitaxy

Elastic properties of bismuth selenite (Bi2Se3) two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets were investigated using atomic force microscope (AFM) nanoindentations. Bi2Se3 2D nanosheets were synthesized by van der Waals epitaxy and subsequently transferred on SiO2/Si substrates containing pre-fabricated hole arrays. The suspension of 2D nanosheets was confirmed via the distinct optical contrast characteristics and AFM. In nanoindentations, the correlation between a point force load and the elastic response in the deformation depth was found being thickness-dependent, between 7 and 12 quintuple layers. The Young's modulus, E = 17.86–25.45 GPa (fitted value = 20.67 GPa), and the pretension, T = 0.0218–0.0417 N/m, acquired according to the bending plate regime are consistent with ones from the stretching membrane regime. Furthermore, these Bi2Se3 2D nanosheets could elastically endure a 4.0%–8.3% strain before being ruptured with AFM tips. Compliant and robust elastic properties of Bi2Se3 2D nanosheets, as observed, prov.
Alpha and SSVEP power outperform Gamma power in capturing Attentional Modulation in Human EEG

The effect of visual attention has been extensively studied using various techniques such as macaque neurophysiology that yields spikes and local field potential (LFP), and human electro/magneto encephalogram (EEG/MEG). Attention typically suppresses power at low frequencies such as alpha band (8-12 Hz) and increases power in gamma band (>30 Hz) in brain signals. In addition, EEG studies often use flickering stimuli that produce a specific measure called steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP), whose power also increases with attention. However, effectiveness of these various neural measures in capturing attentional modulation is unknown since the stimuli and task paradigms vary widely across these studies. In a recent macaque neurophysiology study with flickering stimuli, we found that the effect of attention was more salient in the gamma band and beyond of the LFP, compared to alpha or SSVEP. To compare this with human EEG, we designed an orientation change detection task where we presented both static and counterphasing stimuli of matched difficulty levels to male (N=15) and female (N=11) subjects, allowing us to compare attentional modulation of various measures under similar conditions. We report two main results. First, attentional modulation was comparable for SSVEP and alpha. Second, non-foveal stimuli produced weak gamma despite various stimulus optimizations and showed a negligible effect of attention although full-screen gratings showed robust gamma activity. Our results are useful for brain-machine-interfacing studies where suitable features depending on recording modality are used for decoding attention, and also provide clues about the spatial scales of neural mechanisms underlying attention. Significance Statement Various neural measures such as alpha and gamma band power or SSVEP power capture signatures of visual attention. A systematic comparison of their effectiveness in capturing attentional modulation is important for understanding different neural computations underlying attention and for developing brain-machine-interfaces (BMIs) that can decode the focus of attention. Since stimulus configuration and task paradigms vary widely across visual attention studies, we recorded all the relevant neural signals during an attention task under similar stimulus and behavioral conditions in human EEG. In contrast to invasive recordings in which gamma outperforms other measures, our results show that in human EEG, attentional modulation of alpha and SSVEP are comparable, and non-foveal stimuli produce weak gamma which is not well modulated by attention.
Two Types of Appositives

Appositive relatives are usually conceived of as a unitary type of relative clause (semantically and syntactically opposed to both restrictive and “third type” relatives). In the literature, they have been analysed either as a sentence grammar phenomenon, specifically as clauses internal to the nominal projection that also contains the Head, like restrictive and “third type” relatives (see, among others, Smith 1964, Jackendoff 1977, chapter 7; Huot 1978; Perzanowski 1980; Cornilescu 1981; Kayne 1994, chapter 8; Bianchi 1999, chapter 5; Kempson 2003; Arnold 2005), or as a discourse grammar phenomenon, i.e., as sentences generated independently of the sentence containing the Head, whose pronouns relate to the Head much like (E-type) pronouns relate to an antecedent across discourse (see, for example, Ross 1967,434ff; Aissen 1972; Emonds 1979, Stuurman 1983, Sells 1985; Haegeman 1988; Fabb 1990; Espinal 1991; Peterson 2004; Grosu 2005, among others).
Microengineered 2D and 3D modular neuronal networks represent structure-function relationship

Brain function is substantially linked to the highly organized structure of neuronal networks. Emerging three-dimensional (3D) neuronal cell culture technologies attempt to mimic the complexity of brain circuits as in vitro microphysiological systems. Nevertheless, structures of in vitro assembled neuronal circuits often varies between samples and changes over time that makes it challenging to reliably record network functional output and link it to the network structure. Hence, engineering neuronal structures with pre- defined geometry and reproducible functional features are essential to model in vivo neuronal circuits in a robust way. Here, we engineered thin microchannel devices to assemble 2D and 3D modular networks. Microchannel devices were coupled with multi-electrode array (MEA) electrophysiology system to enable long-term electrophysiology recordings from microengineered circuits. Each network was composed of 64 micromodules which were connected through micron size channels to their adjacent modules. Microstructures physically confined neurons to the recording electrodes that considerably enhanced the electrophysiology readout efficiency. In addition, microstructures preserved modular network structure over weeks. Modular circuits within microfluidic devices showed consistent spatial patterns of activity over weeks, which was missing in the randomly formed circuits. Number of physical connections per module was shown to be influencing the measured activity and functional connectivity parameters, that represents the impact of network structure on its functional output. We show that microengineered 3D modular networks with a profound activity and higher number of functional connections recapitulate key functional features of developing cortex. Structurally and functionally stable 2D and 3D network mimic the modular architecture of brain circuits and offers a robust and reproducible in vitro microphysiolopgical system to serve basic and translational neuroscience research.
Insulin-like peptides regulate oogenesis by stimulating ovarian ecdysteroid production in the Indian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi

Females of many mosquito species feed on vertebrate blood to produce eggs, making them effective disease vectors. In the dengue vector Aedes aegypti, blood feeding signals the brain to release ovary ecdysteroidogenic hormone (OEH) and insulin-like peptides (ILPs) that trigger ecdysteroid production by the ovaries. These ecdysteroids regulate synthesis of the yolk protein vitellogenin (Vg) that is packaged into eggs. Less is known about the reproductive biology of Anopheles mosquitoes, which pose a greater public health threat than Aedes spp. because they are competent to transmit mammalian malaria. ILPs can trigger An. stephensi ovaries to secrete ecdysteroids. Unlike Ae. aegypti, Anopheles also transfer ecdysteroids from Anopheles males to females during mating. To elucidate the role of OEH and ILPs in An. stephensi, we decapitated blood-fed females to ablate the source of these peptides and injected them with each hormone. Yolk deposition into oocytes was abolished in decapitated females and rescued by ILP injection. ILP activity was dependent on blood feeding and little change in triglyceride and glycogen stores was observed in response to blood-feeding, suggesting this species requires nutrients from blood to form eggs. We also measured egg maturation, ecdysteroid titers, and yolk protein expression in mated and virgin females. Although yolk deposition into developing oocytes was significantly reduced in virgins compared to mated females, no differences in ecdysteroid titers or Vg transcript abundance were detected between these groups. 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) stimulated Vg expression in female fat bodies in primary culture. Given these results, we conclude that ILPs control egg formation by regulating ecdysteroid production in the ovaries.
Antibiotics

The antibiotics commonly used in current practice are reviewed, and an attempt has been made to outline their main uses and side-effects. Some of the antibiotics men tioned have yet to be fully evaluated and recommenda tions may be subject to further amendments in the light of subsequent clinical trials. SulphonamidesThesulphonamides act by competitively inhibiting bacterial tetrahydropteroic acid synthetase, blocking folate synthesis. They have a wide range of activity which includes plasmodia and the trachoma.psittacosis group of organisms as well as most gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria. However, their action is weak com pared with more recent antibiotics and they suffer from the disadvantage of being bacteriostatic, resistant orga· nisms are frequent and they have a wide range of side effects. Thecommonestof these side-effects are skin rashes but more serious reactions, such as agranulocytosis and Stevens-johnson syndrome, occur and they have been implicated in the aetiology of polyarteritis nodosa. There are few absolute indications for the use of sul phonamides at the present time, but they find wide spread usc in the treatment of urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis and preoperative bowel prepara tions. Their use in rheumatic fever prophylaxis as an alternative to penicillin V is logical since a complicating bacterial endocarditis is then less likely to be caused by a penicillin resistant organism.
Immunization with nanovaccines containing mutated K-Ras peptides and imiquimod aggravates heterotopic pancreatic cancer induced in mice

Purpose The growing incidence and lethality of pancreatic cancer urges the development of new therapeutic approaches. Anti-tumoral vaccines can potentiate the immune response against the tumor, targeting specific antigens expressed only on tumor cells. In this work, we designed new vaccines for pancreatic cancer, composed by chitosan nanocapsules (CS NCs) containing imiquimod (IMQ) as adjuvant, and targeting the K-Ras mutation G12V. Experimental design We tested the immunogenicity of our vaccines in mice, carrying different combinations of K-Ras mutated peptides. Then, we analyzed their prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in mice bearing heterotopic pancreatic cancer. Results Unexpectedly, although good results were observed at short time points, the different combinations of our CS NCs vaccines seemed to potentiate tumor growth and reduce survival rate. We propose that this effect could be due to an inadequate immune response, partially because of the induction of a regulatory tolerogenic response. Conclusion Our results call for caution in the use of some NCs containing IMQ in the immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer.
Understanding the neural mechanisms of empathy toward robots to shape future applications

This article provides an overview on how modern neuroscience evaluations link to robot empathy. It evaluates the brain correlates of empathy and caregiving, and how they may be related to the higher functions with an emphasis on women. We discuss that the understanding of the brain correlates can inform the development of social robots with enhanced empathy and caregiving abilities. We propose that the availability of these robots will benefit many aspects of the society including transition to parenthood and parenting, in which women are deeply involved in real life and scientific research. We conclude with some of the barriers for women in the field and how robotics and robot empathy research benefits from a broad representation of researchers.
Optimal dose and type of exercise to reduce pain, anxiety and increase quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. A systematic review with meta-analysis

The aim of our meta-analysis was to compile the available evidence to evaluate the effect of physical exercise-based therapy (PEBT) on pain, impact of the disease, quality of life (QoL) and anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to determine the effect of different modes of physical exercise-based therapy, and the most effective dose of physical exercise-based therapy for improving each outcome. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. The PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases were searched up to November 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of physical exercise-based therapy and other treatments on pain, the impact of the disease, QoL and/or anxiety in patients with FMS were included. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and a 95% CI were estimated for all the outcome measures using random effect models. Three reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. Sixty-eight RCTs involving 5,474 participants were included. Selection, detection and performance biases were the most identified. In comparison to other therapies, at immediate assessment, physical exercise-based therapy was effective at improving pain [SMD-0.62 (95%CI, −0.78 to −0.46)], the impact of the disease [SMD-0.52 (95%CI, −0.67 to −0.36)], the physical [SMD 0.51 (95%CI, 0.33 to 0.69)] and mental dimensions of QoL [SMD 0.48 (95%CI, 0.29 to 0.67)], and the anxiety [SMD-0.36 (95%CI, −0.49 to −0.25)]. The most effective dose of physical exercise-based therapy for reducing pain was 21–40 sessions [SMD-0.83 (95%CI, 1.1–−0.56)], 3 sessions/week [SMD-0.82 (95%CI, −1.2–−0.48)] and 61–90 min per session [SMD-1.08 (95%CI, −1.55–−0.62)]. The effect of PEBT on pain reduction was maintained up to 12 weeks [SMD-0.74 (95%CI, −1.03–−0.45)]. Among patients with FMS, PEBT (including circuit-based exercises or exercise movement techniques) is effective at reducing pain, the impact of the disease and anxiety as well as increasing QoL. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42021232013.
Effects of dietary tryptophan on the antioxidant capacity and immune response associated with TOR and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways in northern snakehead, Channa argus (Cantor, 1842)

Introduction Dietary tryptophan (Trp) has been shown to influence fish feed intake, growth, immunity and inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of Trp on immune system of juvenile northern snakehead (Channa argus Cantor, 1842). Methods A total of 540 fish (10.21 ± 0.11 g) were fed six experimental diets containing graded levels of Trp at 1.9, 3.0, 3.9, 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg diet for 70 days, respectively. Results and Discussion The results showed that supplementation of 1.9-4.8 g/kg Trp in diets had no effect on the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and renal index (RI), while dietary 3.9 and 4.8 g/kg Trp significantly increased spleen index (SI) of fish. Dietary 3.9, 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp enhanced the total hemocyte count (THC), the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Malondinaldehyde (MDA) levels in the blood were significantly decreased by consuming 3.9 and 4.8 g/kg Trp. Fish fed with 3.0 and 3.9 g/kg Trp diets up-regulated interleukin 6 (il-6) and interleukin 8 (il-8) mRNA levels. The expression of tumor necrosis factor α (tnf-α) was highest in fish fed with 3.0 g/kg Trp diet, and the expression of interleukin 1β (il-1β) was highest in fish fed with 3.9 g/kg Trp diet. Dietary 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp significantly decreased il-6 and tnf-α mRNA levels in the intestine. Moreover, Trp supplementation was also beneficial to the mRNA expression of interleukin 22 (il-22). Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of target of rapamycin (tor), toll-like receptor-2 (tlr2), toll-like receptor-4 (tlr4), toll-like receptor-5 (tlr5) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (myd88) of intestine were significantly up-regulated in fish fed 1.9, 3.0 and 3.9 g/kg Trp diets, and down-regulated in fish fed 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp diets. Dietary 4.8 and 5.9 g/kg Trp significantly increased the expression of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase beta subunit (ikkβ) and decreased the expression of inhibitor of kappa B (iκbα), but inhibited nuclear transcription factor kappa B (nf-κb) mRNA level. Collectively, these results indicated that dietary 4.8 g/kg Trp could improve antioxidant capacity and alleviate intestinal inflammation associated with TOR and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways.
Blood glucose level affects prognosis of patients who received intravenous thrombolysis after acute ischemic stroke? A meta-analysis

Background and objectives Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) thrombolysis is an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for the occurrence, development, and prognosis of ischemic stroke. This meta-analysis purposefully estimates the association between hyperglycemia and poor prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous rtPA thrombolytic therapy. Materials and methods According to the predefined inclusion criteria, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The association of high blood glucose(>140mg/dl) with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), poor clinical outcome and mortality at 90 days post-rtPA thrombolysis was studied using both a common effects model and a random effects model. Odds ratios (ORs) were plotted on forest plots. Results Of a total cohort of 2565 patients who received intravenous thrombolytic therapy, 721 had higher blood glucose. High glucose level significantly increased the odds of sICH (OR 1.80; 95% confidence interval(95%CI): 1.30- 2.50) and poor clinical outcome at 90 days (OR 1.82; 95%CI: 1.52-2.19), and all-cause mortality at 90 days (OR 2.51; 95%CI:1.65-3.82). Conclusions In our meta-analysis, high blood glucose was significantly associated with sICH, poor clinical outcome and higher mortality at 90 days.