bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Turning Behaviour of Loitering Honeybees (Apis Mellifera)
Authors: Mahadeeswara Mandiyam Y. , Srinivasan Mandyam V. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTTurning during flight is a complex behaviour that requires coordination to ensure that the resulting centrifugal force is never large enough to disrupt the intended turning trajectory. The centrifugal force during a turn increases with the curvature (sharpness) of the turn, as well as the speed of flight. Consequently, sharp turns would require lower flight speeds, in order to limit the centrifugal force to a manageable level and prevent unwanted sideslips. We have video-filmed honeybees flying near a hive entrance when the entrance is temporarily blocked. A 3D reconstruction and analysis of the flight trajectories executed during this loitering behaviour reveals that sharper turns are indeed executed at lower speeds. During a turn, the flight speed is matched to the curvature, moment to moment, in such a way as to maintain the centrifugal force at an approximately constant, low level of about 30% of the body weight, irrespective of the speed or the curvature of the turn. This ensures that turns are well coordinated, with few or no sideslips - as is evident from analysis of other properties of the flight trajectories.
On the overlap between scientific and societal taxonomic attention - insights for conservation
Authors: Jarić Ivan , Correia Ricardo A. , Roberts David L. , Gessner Jörn , Meinard Yves , Courchamp Franck 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAttention directed at different species by society and science is particularly relevant within the field of conservation, as societal preferences will strongly impact support for conservation initiatives and their success. Here, we assess the association between societal and research interests in four charismatic and threatened species groups, derived from a range of different online sources and social media platforms as well as scientific publications. We found a high level of concordance between scientific and societal taxonomic attention, which was consistent among assessed species groups and media sources. Results indicate that research is apparently not as disconnected from the interests of society as it is often reproached, and that societal support for current research objectives should be adequate. While the high degree of similarity between scientific and societal interest is both striking and satisfying, the dissimilarities are also interesting, as new scientific findings may constitute a constant source of novel interest for the society.
Potentiation of cerebellar Purkinje cells facilitates whisker reflex adaptation through increased simple spike activity
Authors: Romano Vincenzo , Propris Licia De , Bosman Laurens W.J. , Warnaar Pascal , Brinke Michiel M. ten , Lindeman Sander , Ju Chiheng , Velauthapillai Arthiha , Spanke Jochen K. , Guerra Emily Middendorp , Hoogland Tycho M. , Negrello Mario , D’Angelo Egidio , De Zeeuw Chris I. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryCerebellar plasticity underlies motor learning. However, how the cerebellum operates to enable learned changes in motor output is largely unknown. We developed a sensory-driven adaptation protocol for reflexive whisker protraction and recorded Purkinje cell activity from crus 1 and 2 of awake mice. Before training, simple spikes of individual Purkinje cells correlated during reflexive protraction with the whisker position without lead or lag. After training, simple spikes and whisker protractions were both enhanced with the spiking activity now leading the behavioral response. Neuronal and behavior changes did not occur in two cell-specific mouse models with impaired long-term potentiation at parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapses. Consistent with cerebellar plasticity rules, increased simple spike activity was prominent in cells with low complex spike response probability. Thus, potentiation at parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapses may contribute to reflex adaptation and enable expression of cerebellar learning through increases in simple spike activity.Impact statementRomano et al. show that expression of cerebellar whisker learning can be mediated by increases in simple spike activity, depending on LTP induction at parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapses.
Predicting mutational routes to new adaptive phenotypes
Authors: Lind Peter A. , Libby Eric , Herzog Jenny , Rainey Paul B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPredicting evolutionary change poses numerous challenges. Here we take advantage of the model bacteriumPseudomonas fluorescensin which the genotype-to-phenotype map determining evolution of the adaptive “wrinkly spreader” (WS) type is known. We present mathematical descriptions of three necessary regulatory pathways and use these to predict both the rate at which each mutational route is used and the expected mutational targets. To test predictions, mutation rates and targets were determined for each pathway. Unanticipated mutational hotspots caused experimental observations to depart from predictions but additional data led to refined models. A mismatch was observed between the spectra of WS-causing mutations obtained with and without selection due to low fitness of previously undetected WS-causing mutations. Our findings contribute toward the development of mechanistic models for forecasting evolution, highlight current limitations, and draw attention to challenges in predicting locus-specific mutational biases and fitness effects.Impact statementA combination of genetics, experimental evolution and mathematical modelling defines information necessary to predict the outcome of short-term adaptive evolution.
Using composite phenotypes to reveal hidden physiological heterogeneity and model oxygen saturation variation of high altitude acclimatization in a Chinese Han longitudinal cohort
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Yi , Zhang Menghan , Ma Yanyun , Wang Kun , Liu Xiaoyu , Hao Meng , Sun Chang , Wang Xiaofeng , Chen Xingdong , Zhang Yao , Duan Wenyuan , Kang Longli , Qiao Bin , Wang Jiucun , Jin Li 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTAltitude acclimatization is the physiological process of the human body adjusting to the decreased availability of oxygen. Since several physiological processes are involved and the relation among them is complicated, analyses of single-traits is insufficient in revealing the complex mechanism of high altitude acclimatization. In this study, we examined whether these physiological responses could be studied as composite phenotypes which are represented by a linear combination of physiological traits. We developed a strategy which combines both spectral clustering and Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLSPM) to define composite phenotypes based on a cohort study of 883 Chinese Han males. And we captured 14 composite phenotypes from 28 physiological traits of high altitude acclimatization. Using these composite phenotypes, we applied k-means clustering to reveal hidden population physiological heterogeneity in high altitude acclimatization. Furthermore, we employed multivariate linear regression to systematically model (Model 1 and Model 2) oxygen saturation (SpO2) changes in high altitude acclimatization and evaluated the model fitness performance. And composite phenotypes based Model 2 has better fitness than single-traits based Model 1 in all measurement indices. Therefore, this new strategy of defining and applying composite phenotypes can be considered as a general strategy of complex traits research, which may also shed light on genetic loci discovery and phenome analyses.
Turing-like patterns can arise from purely bioelectric mechanisms
Authors: Brodsky Micah 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTuring-like patterns can potentially occur in non-neural (non-excitable) tissues through strictly bioelectric processes, without involving transcriptional (gene) regulation, cell migration, or traditional reaction-diffusion mechanisms. Small molecules that gate transmembrane ion channels are often charged and capable of passing through intercellular gap junctions, and their transport under the influence of trans-junction electric fields furnishes a bioelectric feedback loop. We develop an analytically tractable, circuit-based model of this phenomenon and show that it can lead to spontaneous formation of spatial patterns in ligand density and membrane voltage under physiologically plausible conditions. The process is distinct from Turing’s reaction-diffusion paradigm but closely analogous to the spontaneous formation of patterns in colonies of chemotactic bacteria.
Somatosensory responses to nothing: an MEG study of expectations during omission of tactile stimulations
Authors: Andersen Lau M. , Lundqvist Daniel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe brain builds up expectations to future events based on the patterns of past events. This function has been studied extensively in the auditory and visual domains using various oddball paradigms, but only little exploration of this phenomenon has been done in the somatosensory domain. In this study, we explore how expectations of somatosensory stimulations are established and expressed in neural activity as measured with magnetoencephalography. Using tactile stimulations to the index finger, we compared conditions with actual stimulation to conditions with omitted stimulations, both of which were either expected or unexpected.Our results show that when a stimulation is expected but omitted, a time-locked response occurs ∼135 ms subsequent to the expected stimulation. This somatosensory response to “nothing” was source localized to the secondary somatosensory cortex and to the insula. This provides novel evidence of the capability of the brain of millisecond time-keeping of somatosensory patterns across intervals of 3000 ms.Our results also show that when stimuli are repeated and expectations are established, there is associated activity in the theta and beta bands. These theta and beta band expressions of expectation were localized to the primary somatosensory area, inferior parietal cortex and cerebellum. Furthermore, there was gamma band activity in the right insula for the first stimulation after an omission, which indicates the detection of a new stimulation event after an expected pattern has been broken.Finally, our results show that cerebellum play a crucial role in predicting upcoming stimulation and in predicting when stimulation may begin again.
Building a mechanistic mathematical model of hepatitis C virus entry
Authors: Kalemera Mphatso , Mincheva Dilyana , Grove Joe , Illingworth Christopher J. R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe mechanism by which hepatitis C virus (HCV) gains entry into cells is a complex one, involving a broad range of host proteins. Entry is a critical phase of the viral lifecycle, and a potential target for therapeutic or vaccine-mediated intervention. However, the mechanics of HCV entry remain poorly understood. Here we describe a novel computational model of viral entry, encompassing the relationship between HCV and the key host receptors CD81 and SR-B1. We conduct experiments to thoroughly quantify the influence of an increase or decrease in receptor availability upon the extent of viral entry. We use these data to build and parameterise a mathematical model, which we then validate by further experiments. Our results are consistent with sequential HCV-receptor interactions, whereby initial interaction between the HCV E2 glycoprotein and SR-B1 facilitates the accumulation CD81 receptors, leading to viral entry. However, we also demonstrate that a small minority of virus can achieve entry in the absence of SR-B1. Our model estimates the impact of the different obstacles that viruses must surmount to achieve entry; among virus particles attaching to the cell surface, 20-35% accumulate sufficient CD81 receptors, of these 4-8% then complete the subsequent steps to achieve productive infection. Furthermore, we make estimates of receptor stoichiometry; between 3 and 6 CD81 receptors are likely to be required to achieve viral entry. Our model provides a tool to investigate the entry characteristics of HCV variants and outlines a framework for future quantitative studies of the multi-receptor dynamics of HCV entry.
Maternal cannabinoid exposure during lactation alters the developmental trajectory of prefrontal cortex GABA-currents in offspring
Authors: Scheyer Andrew F. , Wager-Miller Jim , Pelissier-Alicot Anne-Laure , Murphy Michelle N. , Mackie Ken , Manzoni Olivier J.J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, and its usage is increasing with its widespread legalization. Use of the drug by mothers during lactation may transfer active cannabinoids to the developing offspring, altering postnatal neurodevelopment during this critical period. During early life, GABA undergoes a functional switch from an excitatory to an inhibitory neurotransmitter due to reciprocal changes in expression of the K+/Cl- co-transporters KCC2 and NKCC1. Here, we characterize the functional GABA switch in the prefrontal cortex of both male and female rats. We show that treating rat dams with Δ9-THC or a synthetic cannabinoid during early lactation (PND01-10) retards KCC2 expression and delays the GABA switch in pups of both sexes via a CB1R-dependent mechanism. Our results indicate that the developmental trajectory of GABA in PFC neurons is significantly altered by perinatal exposure to cannabinoids through lactation during the early perinatal period.
Mapping the genetics of neuropsychological traits to the molecular network of the human brain using a data integrative approach
Authors: Yousaf Afsheen , Duketis Eftichia , Jarczok Tomas , Sachse Michael , Biscaldi Monica , Degenhardt Franziska , Herms Stefan , Cichon Sven , Klauck Sabine.M. , Ackermann Jörg , Freitag Christine M. , Chiocchetti Andreas G. , Koch Ina 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMotivationComplex neuropsychiatric conditions including autism spectrum disorders are among the most heritable neurodevelopmental disorders with distinct profiles of neuropsychological traits. A variety of genetic factors modulate these traits (phenotypes) underlying clinical diagnoses. To explore the associations between genetic factors and phenotypes, genome-wide association studies are broadly applied. Stringent quality checks and thorough downstream analyses for in-depth interpretation of the associations are an indispensable prerequisite. However, in the area of neuropsychology there is no framework existing, which besides performing association studies also affiliates genetic variants at the brain and gene network level within a single framework.ResultsWe present a novel bioinformatics approach in the field of neuropsychology that integrates current state-of-the-art tools, algorithms and brain transcriptome data to elaborate the association of phenotype and genotype data. The integration of transcriptome data gives an advantage over the existing pipelines by directly translating genetic associations to brain regions and developmental patterns. Based on our data integrative approach, we identify genetic variants associated with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in an autism cohort and found their respective genes to be expressed in specific brain areas.ConclusionOur data integrative approach revealed that IQ is related to early down-regulated and late up-regulated gene modules implicated in frontal cortex and striatum, respectively. Besides identifying new gene associations with IQ we also provide a proof of concept, as several of the identified genes in our analysis are candidate genes related to intelligence in autism, intellectual disability, and Alzheimer’s disease. The framework provides a complete extensive analysis starting from a phenotypic trait data to its association at specific brain areas at vulnerable time points within a timespan of four days.Availability and ImplementationOur framework is implemented in R and Python. It is available as an in-house script, which can be provided on demand.Contactafsheen.yousaf@kgu.de
Functional decoupling of emotion coping network subserves automatic emotion regulation by implementation intention
Authors: Chen Shengdong , Ding Nanxiang , Biswal Bharat , Li Zhihao , Qin Shaozheng , Xie Chao , Chen Changming , Yuan Jiajin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAutomatic emotion regulation (AER) aims at modifying emotional impact effortlessly. However, the effortless account and the neural mechanisms of AER are both undetermined. For this purpose, we collected functional neuroimages (fMRI) in thirty-one participants who attended to neutral and disgust pictures in three conditions: Watching, Goal Intention (GI) and Reappraisal by Implementation Intention (RII). RII decreased negative feelings and bilateral amygdala activity without eliciting cognitive efforts, evidenced by the reduced effort rating and less prefrontal engagement during RII compared to Watching and GI. These regulation effects should not be explained by emotional habituation, as Experiment 2 (n=40) observed no habituation to stimulus repetitions. Task-based network analysis showed similar functional connectivity (FC) of ventral anterior cingulate cortex to left insula and right precuneus during RII and GI conditions, both involving goal setup. Furthermore, RII relative to GI exhibited weaker FC in brain networks subserving effortful control (e.g. inferior-superior parietal FC), memory retrieval (e.g. inferior-middle temporal and lingual-putamen FCs), aversive anticipation and motor planning (e.g. Paracentral-superior temporal gyrus, putamen-operculum FCs). The FC strength of putamen to operculum/lingual, and paracentral to STG positively predicts regulatory difficulty. These results suggest that the setup of implementation intention automatizes emotion regulation, by reducing online mobilization of neural systems underlying the stream of emotion coping.
Childhood socioeconomic status moderates genetic predisposition for peak smoking
Authors: Bierut Laura , Biroli Pietro , Galama Titus J. , Thom Kevin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSmoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., and it is strongly influenced both by genetic predisposition and childhood socioeconomic status (SES). Using genetic variants exhibiting credible and robust associations with smoking, we construct polygenic risk scores (PGS) and evaluate whether childhood SES mediates genetic risk in determining peak-cigarette consumption in adulthood. We find a substantial protective effect of childhood SES for those genetically at risk of smoking: adult smokers who grew up in high-SES households tend to smoke roughly the same amount of cigarettesper day at peak (∼ 23 for low and ∼ 25 for high genetic risk individuals, or about 8%more), while individuals from low-SES backgrounds tend to smoke substantially more ifgenetically at risk (∼ 25 for low and ∼ 32 for high genetic risk individuals, or about 28% more).
Functional diversity of brain networks supports consciousness and verbal intelligence
Authors: Naci Lorina , Haugg Amelie , MacDonald Alex , Anello Mimma , Houldin Evan , Naqshbandi Shakib , Gonzalez-Lara Laura E. , Arango Miguel , Harle Christopher , Cusack Rhodri , Owen Adrian M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHow are the myriad stimuli arriving at our senses transformed into conscious thought? To address this question, in a series of studies, we asked whether a common mechanism underlies loss of information processing in unconscious states across different conditions, which could shed light on the brain mechanisms of conscious cognition. With a novel approach, we brought together for the first time, data from the same paradigm—a highly engaging auditory-only narrative—in three independent domains: anesthesia-induced unconsciousness, unconsciousness after brain injury, and individual differences in intellectual abilities during conscious cognition. During external stimulation in the unconscious state, the functional differentiation between the auditory and fronto-parietal systems decreased significantly relatively to the conscious state. Conversely, we found that stronger functional differentiation between these systems in response to external stimulation predicted higher intellectual abilities during conscious cognition, in particular higher verbal acuity scores in independent cognitive testing battery. These convergent findings suggest that the responsivity of sensory and higher-order brain systems to external stimulation, especially through the diversification of their functional responses is an essential feature of conscious cognition and verbal intelligence.
Multiplex imaging of quantal glutamate release and presynaptic Ca2+ at multiple synapses in situ
Authors: Jensen Thomas P. , Zheng Kaiyu , Cole Nicholas , Marvin Jonathan S. , Looger Loren L. , Rusakov Dmitri A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInformation processing by brain circuits depends on Ca2+-dependent, stochastic release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Optical glutamate sensors have enabled detection of evoked and spontaneous synaptic discharges. However, monitoring presynaptic function and its underpinning machinery in situ requires simultaneous readout of quantal glutamate release and nanomolar presynaptic Ca2+. Here, we find that the fluorescence lifetime of the red-shifted Ca2+ indicator Cal-590 is Ca2+-sensitive in the nanomolar range, and employ it in combination with green glutamate sensors to relate quantal neurotransmission to presynaptic Ca2+ kinetics. Imaging of multiple synapses in an identified neural circuit reveals that fluctuations both in spike-evoked Ca2+ transients and in resting presynaptic Ca2+ can affect release efficacy. At the sub-microscopic level within individual presynaptic boutons, we detected no consistent co-localisation of presynaptic Ca2+ entry and glutamate release sites, suggesting loose coupling between the two. The present approach broadens qualitatively our horizon in understanding release machinery of central synapses.
Habituation and individual variation in the endocrine stress response in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Houslay T.M. , Earley R.L. , Young A.J. , Wilson A.J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe vertebrate stress response enables individuals to react to and cope with environmental challenges. A crucial aspect of the stress response is the elevation of circulating glucocorticoids. However, continued activation of the stress response under repeated (or chronic) stress can be damaging to fitness. Under certain circumstances it may therefore be adaptive to habituate to repeated exposures to a particular stressor by reducing the magnitude of any associated release of glucocorticoids. Here, we investigate whether Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) habituate to repeated exposure to a mild stressor, using a waterborne hormone sampling approach that has previously been shown to elicit a stress response in small fish. We also test for individual variation in the extent of habituation to this stressor. Concentrating on freely circulating cortisol, we found that the first exposure to the assay induced high cortisol release rates but that guppies tended to habituate quickly to subsequent exposures. There were consistent differences among individuals in their average cortisol release rate (after accounting for effects of variables such as body size) over repeated exposures. Our analyses did not find evidence of individual differences in habituation rate, although limitations in statistical power could account for this finding. We also present data on free 11-ketotestosterone, in addition to conjugated forms of both hormones. We discuss consistent individual differences around the general pattern of habituation in the flexible stress response, and highlight the potential for individual variation in habituation to facilitate selection against the deleterious effects of chronic stress.Summary statementTrinidadian guppies habituate quickly to repeated stress exposure, and exhibit consistent differences in their endocrine stress response. We provide a framework for analysing individual variation in habituation rate.