bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cortical beta oscillatory activity evoked during reactive balance recovery scales with perturbation difficulty and individual balance ability
Authors: Ghosn Nina J. , Palmer Jacqueline A. , Borich Michael R. , Ting Lena H. , Payne Aiden M. 
Published: October 2020

I.AbstractCortical beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) reflect sensorimotor cortical activity, but have not been fully investigated in balance recovery behavior. We hypothesized that more challenging balance conditions would lead to greater recruitment of cortical sensorimotor brain regions for balance recovery. We predicted that beta power would be enhanced when balance recovery is more challenging, either due to more difficult perturbations or due to lower intrinsic balance ability. In 19 young adults, we measured beta power evoked over motor cortical areas (Cz electrode) during 3 magnitudes of backward support-surface translational perturbations using electroencephalography. Peak beta power was measured during early (50-150 ms), late (150-250 ms), and overall (0-400 ms) time bins, and wavelet-based analyses quantified the time course of evoked beta power and agonist and antagonist ankle muscle activity. We further assessed the relationship between individual balance ability measured in a challenging beam walking task and perturbation-evoked beta power within each time bin. In balance perturbations, cortical beta power increased ∼50 ms after perturbation onset, demonstrating greater increases with increasing perturbation magnitude. Balance ability was negatively associated with peak beta power in only the late (150-250 ms) time bin, with higher beta power in individuals who performed worse in the beam walking task. Additionally, the time course of cortical beta power followed a similar waveform as the evoked muscle activity, suggesting these evoked responses may be initially evoked by shared underlying mechanisms. These findings support the active role of sensorimotor cortex in balance recovery behavior, with greater recruitment of cortical resources under more challenging balance conditions. Cortical beta power may therefore provide a biomarker for engagement of sensorimotor cortical resources during reactive balance recovery and reflect the individual level of balance challenge.
Neural network dynamics underlying gamma synchronization deficits in schizophrenia
Authors: Koshiyama Daisuke , Miyakoshi Makoto , Joshi Yash B. , Molina Juan L. , Tanaka-Koshiyama Kumiko , Sprock Joyce , Braff David L. , Swerdlow Neal R. , Light Gregory A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGamma band (40-Hz) activity is associated with many sensory and cognitive functions, and is critical for cortico-cortical transmission and the integration of information across neural networks. The capacity to support gamma band activity can be indexed by the auditory steady-state response (ASSR); schizophrenia patients have selectively reduced synchrony to 40-Hz stimulation. While 40-Hz ASSR is a translatable electroencephalographic biomarker with emerging utility for therapeutic development for neuropsychiatric disorders, the spatiotemporal dynamics underlying the ASSR have not yet been characterized. In this study, a novel Granger causality analysis was applied to assess the propagation of gamma oscillations in response to 40-Hz steady-state stimulation across cortical sources in schizophrenia patients (n=426) and healthy comparison subjects (n=293). Results revealed distinct, hierarchically sequenced temporal and spatial response dynamics underlying gamma synchronization deficits in patients. During the response onset interval, patients exhibited abnormal connectivity of superior temporal and frontal gyri, followed by decreased information flow from superior temporal to middle cingulate gyrus. In the later (300–500 ms) interval of the ASSR response, patients showed significantly increased connectivity from superior temporal to middle frontal gyrus followed by broad failures to engage multiple prefrontal brain regions. In conclusion, these findings reveal the rapid disorganization of neural circuit functioning in response to simple gamma-frequency stimulation in schizophrenia patients. Deficits in the generation and maintenance of gamma-band oscillations in schizophrenia reflect a fundamental connectivity abnormality across a distributed network of temporo-frontal networks.
Oxygen-generating cryogels restore T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in hypoxic tumors
Authors: Colombani Thibault , Eggermont Loek J. , Hatfield Stephen M. , Rezaeeyazdi Mahboobeh , Memic Adnan , Sitkovsky Michail V. , Bencherif Sidi A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSolid tumors are protected from antitumor immune responses due to their hypoxic microenvironments. Weakening hypoxia-driven immunosuppression by hyperoxic breathing of 60% oxygen has shown to be effective in unleashing antitumor immune cells against solid tumors. However, efficacy of systemic oxygenation is limited against solid tumors outside of lungs. Therefore, it is essential to develop targeted oxygenation alternatives to weaken tumor hypoxia as novel approaches to cancer immunotherapies. Herein, we report on injectable oxygen-generating cryogels (O2-cryogels) to reverse tumor-induced hypoxia. These macroporous biomaterials were designed to locally deliver oxygen, inhibit the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic melanoma cells, and reduce the accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. O2-cryogels enhance T cell-mediated secretion of cytotoxic proteins, restoring the killing ability of tumor-specific CTLs, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, O2-cryogels provide a unique and safe platform to supply oxygen as a co-adjuvant in hypoxic tumors and improve cancer immunotherapies.
The role of animal faces in the animate-inanimate distinction in the ventral temporal cortex
Authors: Proklova D. , Goodale M.A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAnimate and inanimate objects elicit distinct response patterns in the human ventral temporal cortex (VTC), but the exact features driving this distinction are still poorly understood. One prominent feature that distinguishes typical animals from inanimate objects and that could potentially explain the animate-inanimate distinction in the VTC is the presence of a face. In the current fMRI study, we investigated this possibility by creating a stimulus set that included animals with faces, faceless animals, and inanimate objects, carefully matched in order to minimize other visual differences. We used both searchlight-based and ROI-based representational similarity analysis (RSA) to test whether the presence of a face explains the animate-inanimate distinction in the VTC. The searchlight analysis revealed that when animals with faces were removed from the analysis, the animate-inanimate distinction almost disappeared. The ROI-based RSA revealed a similar pattern of results, but also showed that, even in the absence of faces, information about agency (a combination of animal’s ability to move and think) is present in parts of the VTC that are sensitive to animacy. Together, these analyses showed that animals with faces do elicit a stronger animate/inanimate response in the VTC, but that this effect is driven not by faces per se, or the visual features of faces, but by other factors that correlate with face presence, such as the capacity for self-movement and thought. In short, the VTC appears to treat the face as a proxy for agency, a ubiquitous feature of familiar animals.Significance StatementMany studies have shown that images of animals are processed differently from inanimate objects in the human brain, particularly in the ventral temporal cortex (VTC). However, what features drive this distinction remains unclear. One important feature that distinguishes many animals from inanimate objects is a face. Here, we used fMRI to test whether the animate/inanimate distinction is driven by the presence of faces. We found that the presence of faces did indeed boost activity related to animacy in the VTC. A more detailed analysis, however, revealed that it was the association between faces and other attributes such as the capacity for self-movement and thinking, not the facesper se, that was driving the activity we observed.
Leaf pigments and photosystems stoichiometry underpin photosynthetic efficiency of related C3, C3-C4and C4grasses under shade
Authors: Sagun JV , Chow WS , Ghannoum O 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTThe quantum yield of CO2assimilation (QY) is generally lower in C3relative to C4plants at warm temperatures, and differs among the C4subtypes. Here, we investigated whether variations in QY are linked to light absorption or conversion efficiency. We grew six representative grasses with C3, C3-C4and C4photosynthesis under full (control) or 20% (shade) sunlight, and measured thein vivoactivity and stoichiometry of PSI and PSII, leaf spectral properties and pigment contents, and photosynthetic enzyme activities. Overall, shade reduced leaf photosynthesis, absorptance, especially in the green region, as well as carotenoids/chlorophylls and chlorophyll a/b ratios in C4more than non-C4species. Amongst C4, NADP-ME species had the highest QY and cyclic electron flow (CEF), and the NAD-ME species underwent the greatest reduction in leaf absorptance and pigments and PSII contents under shade, whist CEF and PSII/PSI were unaffected. These results demonstrate that the greater efficiency of the CO2concentrating mechanism in NADP-ME grasses at low light depends on light absorption and harvesting properties in addition to coordination between the C3and C4cycles. This is important for maximising light energy absorption and providing the right ATP/NADPH ratio while minimising photoinhibition under variable light conditions.SUMMARY STATEMENTChanges in leaf absorptance, pigment contents and photosystems stoichiometry underpin photosynthetic efficiency and responses of closely related C3, C3-C4and C4grasses under shade
Epileptic Spike Detection Using Neural Networks with Linear-Phase Convolutions
Authors: Fukumori Kosuke , Yoshida Noboru , Sugano Hidenori , Nakajima Madoka , Tanaka Toshihisa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo cope with the lack of highly skilled professionals, machine learning with proper signal processing is key for establishing automated diagnostic-aid technologies with which to conduct epileptic electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. In particular, frequency filtering with the appropriate passbands is essential for enhancing the biomarkers—such as epileptic spike waves—that are noted in the EEG. This paper introduces a novel class of neural networks (NNs) that have a bank of linear-phase finite impulse response filters at the first layer as a preprocessor that can behave as bandpass filters that extract biomarkers without destroying waveforms because of a linear-phase condition. Besides, the parameters of the filters are also data-driven. The proposed NNs were trained with a large amount of clinical EEG data, including 15,833 epileptic spike waveforms recorded from 50 patients, and their labels were annotated by specialists. In the experiments, we compared three scenarios for the first layer: no preprocessing, discrete wavelet transform, and the proposed data-driven filters. The experimental results show that the trained data-driven filter bank with supervised learning behaves like multiple bandpass filters. In particular, the trained filter passed a frequency band of approximately 10–30 Hz. Moreover, the proposed method detected epileptic spikes, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.967 in the mean of 50 intersubject validations.
Identity and provenance of neighbors, genotype-specific traits and abiotic stress affect intraspecific interactions in the annual legumeMedicago truncatula
Authors: Tomiolo Sara , Damgaard Christian F. , Zhang Sha , Kelly Simon , Tao Ke , Ronfort Joëlle , Gay Lauréne , Prosperi Jean-Marie , Radutoiu Simona , Ehlers Bodil K. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryAccounting for intraspecific variation may improve our understanding of species coexistence. However, our knowledge of what factors maintain intraspecific variation is limited. We predicted that 1) a plant grows larger when with non-kin (i.e. different genotypes) than kin (i.e. same genotype) neighbors, 2) abiotic stress alters the outcome of kin vs. non-kin interactions, 3) genetic identity of plants affects composition of soil microbiome.We set up mini-communities ofMedicago truncatula, where focal genotypes were grown together with two kin or two non-kin neighbors from different origins. We analyzed how origin, identity of interacting genotypes and abiotic stress affected growth and fruit production. We also analyzed the composition of soil microbial communities.Focal plants grew larger in non-kin than in kin mini-communities. This pattern was stronger in low level of abiotic stress and when interacting genotypes were from similar origins. However, genotypic variation in growth and response to competition had a stronger effect on growth than mini-community type. Plant genotype identity did not affect soil microbiome.We find that intraspecific variation is affected by genotype-specific traits and abiotic stress. Geographic, rather than genetic, distance among interacting genotypes affects the outcome of intraspecific interactions.
Mapping QTL for spike fertility related traits in two double haploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) populations
Authors: Pretini Nicole , Vanzetti Leonardo S. , Terrile Ignacio I. , Donaire Guillermo , González Fernanda G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn breeding programs, the selection of cultivars with the highest yield potential consisted in the selection of the yieldper se, which resulted in cultivars with a higher grain number per spike (GN) and occasionally higher grain weight (GW) (main numerical components of the yield). This task could be facilitated with the use of molecular markers such us single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for GW, GN and spike fertility traits related to GN determination were mapped using two double haploid (DH) populations (Baguette Premium 11 x BioINTA 2002 and Baguette 19 x BioINTA 2002, BP11xB2002 and B19xB2002). Both populations were genotyped with the iSelect 90K SNP array and evaluated in four (BP11xB19) or five (B19xB2002) environments. We identify a total of 305 QTL for 14 traits, however 28 QTL for 12 traits were considered significant with an R2> 10% and stable for being present at least in three environments. There were detected eight hotspot regions on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3A, 5A, 5B, 7A and 7B were at least two major QTL sheared confident intervals. QTL on two of these regions have previously been described, but the other six regions were never observed, suggesting that these regions would be novel. The R5A1 (QSL.perg-5A, QCN.perg-5A,QGN.perg-5A)and R5A.2 (QFFTS.perg-5A, QGW.perg-5A)regions together with theQGW.perg-6B resulted in a final higher yield suggesting them to have high relevance as candidates to be used in MAS to improve yield.Author contribution statementKey message28 stable and major QTL for 12 traits associated to spike fertility, GN and GW were detected. Two regions on 5A Ch., andQGW.perg-6B showed direct pleiotropic effects on yield.
Determining and Predicting Soil Chemistry with a Point-of-Use Sensor Toolkit and Machine Learning Model
Authors: Grell Max , Barandun Giandrin , Asfour Tarek , Kasimatis Michael , Collins Alex , Wang Jieni , Güder Firat 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOverfertilization with nitrogen fertilizers has damaged the environment and health of soil; yields are declining, while the population continues to rise. Soil is a complex, living organism which is constantly evolving, physically, chemically and biologically. Standard laboratory testing of soil to determine the levels of nitrogen (mainly NH4+and NO3−) is infrequent as it is expensive and slow and levels of nitrogen vary on short timescales. Current testing practices, therefore, are not useful to guide fertilization. We demonstrate that Point-of-Use (PoU) measurements of NH4+, when combined with soil conductivity, pH, easily accessible weather (in this study, we simulated weather in the laboratory) and timing data (i.e. days passed since fertilization), allow instantaneous prediction of levels of NO3−in soil with of R2=0.70 using a machine learning (ML) model (the use of higher-precision laboratory measurements instead of PoU measurements increase R2to 0.87 for the same model). We also show that a long short-term memory recurrent neural network model can be used to predict levels of NH4+and NO3−up to 12 days into the future from a single measurement at day one, with R2NH4+= 0.64 and R2NO3-= 0.70, for unseen weather conditions. To measure NH4+in soil at the PoU easily and inexpensively, we also developed a new sensor that uses chemically functionalized near ‘zero-cost’ paper-based electrical gas sensors. This new technology can detect the concentration of NH4+in soil down to 3±1ppm (R2=0.85). Gas-phase sensing provides a robust method of sensing NH4+due to the reduced complexity of the gas-phase sample. Our machine learning-based approach eliminates the need of using dedicated, expensive sensing instruments to determine the levels of NO3−in soil which is difficult to measure reliably with inexpensive technologies; furthermore, crucial nitrogenous soil nutrients can be determined and predicted with enough accuracy to forecast the impact of climate on fertilization planning, and tune timing for crop requirements, reducing overfertilization while improving crop yields.
The interaction between endogenous GABA, functional connectivity and behavioral flexibility is critically altered with advanced age
Authors: Heise Kirstin-Friederike , Rueda-Delgado Laura , Chalavi Sima , King Bradley R. , Monteiro Thiago Santos , Edden Richard A. E. , Mantini Dante , Swinnen Stephan P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe flexible adjustment of ongoing behavior challenges the nervous system’s dynamic control mechanisms and has shown to be specifically susceptible to age-related decline. Previous work links endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with behavioral efficiency across perceptual and cognitive domains, with potentially the strongest impact on those behaviors that require a high level of dynamic control. Based on the integrated analyses of behavior and modulation of interhemispheric phase-based connectivity during dynamic motor state transitions and endogenous GABA concentration, we provide converging evidence for age-related differences in the behaviorally more beneficial state of endogenous GABA concentration. We suggest that the increased interhemispheric connectivity seen in the older adults represents a compensatory mechanism caused by rhythmic entrainment of neural populations in homotopic motor cortices. This mechanism appears to be most relevant in the presence of a less optimal tuning of the inhibitory tone to uphold the required flexibility of behavioral action.
Individual differences in the engagement of habitual control over alcohol seeking predicts the development of compulsive alcohol seeking and drinking
Authors: Giuliano Chiara , Puaud Mickaël , Cardinal Rudolf N. , Belin David , Everitt Barry J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractExcessive drinking is an important behavioural characteristic of alcohol addiction, but not the only one. Individuals addicted to alcohol crave alcoholic beverages, spend time seeking alcohol despite negative consequences, and eventually drink to intoxication. With prolonged use, control over alcohol seeking devolves to anterior dorsolateral striatum, dopamine-dependent mechanisms implicated in habit learning and individuals in whom alcohol-seeking relies more on these mechanisms are more likely to persist in seeking alcohol despite the risk of punishment. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the development of habitual alcohol-seeking predicts the development of compulsive seeking and that, once developed, it is associated with compulsive alcohol drinking. Male alcohol-preferring rats were pre-exposed intermittently to a two-bottle choice procedure, and trained on a seeking–taking chained schedule of alcohol reinforcement until some individuals developed punishment-resistant seeking behaviour. The associative basis of their seeking responses was probed with an outcome-devaluation procedure, early or late in training. After seeking behaviour was well established, subjects that had developed greater resistance to outcome-devaluation (were more habitual) were more likely to show punishment-resistant (compulsive) alcohol seeking. These individuals also drank more alcohol, despite quinine adulteration, even though having similar alcohol preference and intake before and during instrumental training. They were also less sensitive to changes in the contingency between seeking responses and alcohol outcome, providing further evidence of recruitment of the habit system. We therefore provide direct behavioural evidence that compulsive alcohol seeking emerges alongside compulsive drinking in individuals that have preferentially engaged the habit system.
The marine gastropodCrepidula fornicataremains resilient to ocean acidification across two life history stages
Authors: Reyes Christopher L , Benson Brooke E , Levy Morgan , Chen Xuqing , Pires Anthony , Pechenik Jan A , Davies Sarah W 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRising atmospheric CO2reduces seawater pH causing ocean acidification (OA). Understanding how resilient marine organisms respond to OA may help predict how community dynamics will shift as CO2continues rising. The common slipper shell snailCrepidula fornicatais a resilient marine gastropod native to eastern North America, which has been a successful invader along the western European coastline and elsewhere. To examine its potential resilience to OA, we conducted two controlled laboratory experiments. First, we examined several phenotypes and genome-wide gene expression ofC. fornicatain response to pH treatments (7.5, 7.6, 8.0) throughout the larval stage and then tested how conditions experienced as larvae influenced juvenile stages (i.e. carryover effects). Second, we examined genome-wide gene expression patterns ofC. fornicatalarvae in response to acute (4, 10, 24 and 48 hours) pH treatment (7.5, 8.0). BothC. fornicatalarvae and juveniles exhibited resilience to OA and gene expression responses highlight the role of transcriptome plasticity in OA resilience. Larvae did not exhibit reduced growth under OA until they were at least 4 days old. These phenotypic effects were preceded by broad transcriptomic changes, which likely serve as an acclimation mechanism for combating reduced pH conditions frequently experienced in littoral zones. Delayed metamorphosis was observed for larvae reared at reduced pH. Although juvenile size reflected larval rearing pH conditions, no carryover effects in juvenile growth rates were observed. Transcriptomic analyses suggest increased metabolism under OA, which may indicate compensation in reduced pH environments. Time course transcriptomic analyses suggest energetic burdens experienced under OA eventually dissipate, allowingC. fornicatato reduce metabolic demands and acclimate to reduced pH. This study highlights the importance of assessing the effects of OA across life history stages and demonstrates how transcriptomic plasticity can allow highly resilient organisms, likeC. fornicata, acclimate to reduced pH environments.