julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Non-verbal emotion communication training induces specific changes in brain function and structure
2013-01-01

The perception of emotional cues from voice and face is essential for social interaction. However, this process is altered in various psychiatric conditions along with impaired social functioning. Emotion communication trainings have been demonstrated to improve social interaction in healthy individuals and to reduce emotional communication deficits in psychiatric patients. Here, we investigated the impact of a non-verbal emotion communication training (NECT) on cerebral activation and brain structure in a controlled and combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry study. NECT-specific reductions in brain activity occurred in a distributed set of brain regions including face and voice processing regions as well as emotion processing- and motor-related regions presumably reflecting training-induced familiarization with the evaluation of face/voice stimuli. Training-induced changes in non-verbal emotion sensitivity at the behavioral level and the respective cerebral activation patterns were correlated in the face-selective cortical areas in the posterior superior temporal sulcus and fusiform gyrus for valence ratings and in the temporal pole, lateral prefrontal cortex and midbrain/thalamus for the response times. A NECT-induced increase in gray matter (GM) volume was observed in the fusiform face area. Thus, NECT induces both functional and structural plasticity in the face processing system as well as functional plasticity in the emotion perception and evaluation system. We propose that functional alterations are presumably related to changes in sensory tuning in the decoding of emotional expressions. Taken together, these findings highlight that the present experimental design may serve as a valuable tool to investigate the altered behavioral and neuronal processing of emotional cues in psychiatric disorders as well as the impact of therapeutic interventions on brain function and structure.
Judgment of emotional information expressed by prosody and semantics in patients with unipolar depression
2013-01-01

It was the aim of this study to investigate the impact of major depressive disorder (MDD) on judgment of emotions expressed at the verbal (semantic content) and non-verbal (prosody) level and to assess whether evaluation of verbal content correlate with self-ratings of depression-related symptoms as assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We presented positive, neutral, and negative words spoken in happy, neutral, and angry prosody to 23 MDD patients and 22 healthy controls (HC) matched for age, sex, and education. Participants rated the valence of semantic content or prosody on a 9-point scale. MDD patients attributed significantly less intense ratings to positive words and happy prosody than HC. For judgment of words, this difference correlated significantly with BDI scores. No such correlation was found for prosody perception. MDD patients exhibited attenuated processing of positive information which generalized across verbal and non-verbal channels. These findings indicate that MDD is characterized by impairments of positive rather than negative emotional processing, a finding which could influence future psychotherapeutic strategies as well as provide straightforward hypotheses for neuroimaging studies investigating the neurobiological correlates of impaired emotional perception in MDD.
Training of ultra-fast speech comprehension induces functional reorganization of the central-visual system in late-blind humans
2013-01-01

Individuals suffering from vision loss of a peripheral origin may learn to understand spoken language at a rate of up to about 22 syllables (syl) per seconds (s)-exceeding by far the maximum performance level of untrained listeners (ca. 8 syl/s). Previous findings indicate the central-visual system to contribute to the processing of accelerated speech in blind subjects. As an extension, the present training study addresses the issue whether acquisition of ultra-fast (18 syl/s) speech perception skills induces de novo central-visual hemodynamic activation in late-blind participants. Furthermore, we asked to what extent subjects with normal or residual vision can improve understanding of accelerated verbal utterances by means of specific training measures. To these ends, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed while subjects were listening to forward and reversed sentence utterances of moderately fast and ultra-fast syllable rates (8 or 18 syl/s) prior to and after a training period of ca. 6 months. Four of six participants showed-independently from residual visual functions-considerable enhancement of ultra-fast speech perception (about 70% points correctly repeated words) whereas behavioral performance did not change in the two remaining participants. Only subjects with very low visual acuity displayed training-induced hemodynamic activation of the central-visual system. By contrast, participants with moderately impaired or even normal visual acuity showed, instead, increased right-hemispheric frontal or bilateral anterior temporal lobe responses after training. All subjects with significant training effects displayed a concomitant increase of hemodynamic activation of left-hemispheric SMA. In spite of similar behavioral performance, trained "experts" appear to use distinct strategies of ultra-fast speech processing depending on whether the occipital cortex is still deployed for visual processing.
Shell colour polymorphism, injuries and immune defense in three helicid snail species, Cepaea hortensis, Theba pisana and Cornu aspersum maximum
2013-01-01

Shell colour polymorphism is a widespread feature of various land snail species. In our study we aimed at elucidating the question whether there is a correlation between shell colouration and immune defense in three land snail species by comparing phenoloxidase (PO) activity levels of different morphs after immunostimulation via Zymosan A-injection. Since phenoloxidase is involved both in immune defense as well as in melanin production, the PO activity level is particularly interesting when trying to resolve this question. Even though Zymosan A failed to induce PO activity rendering a comparison of inducible PO activity impossible, an interesting difference between pale and dark morphs of all tested species could be observed: dark snails were less affected by hemolymph withdrawal and were able to maintain or regenerate a significantly higher PO activity level after hemolymph withdrawal than pale snails. Possible implications of this observation are discussed.
Protein degradation systems in platelets
2013-01-01

Summary Protein synthesis and degradation are essential processes that allow cells to survive and adapt to their surrounding milieu. In nucleated cells, the degradation and/or cleavage of proteins is required to eliminate aberrant proteins. Cells also degrade proteins as a mechanism for cell signalling and complex cellular functions. Although the last decade has convincingly shown that platelets synthesise proteins, the roles of protein degradation in these anucleate cytoplasts are less clear. Here we review what is known about protein degradation in platelets placing particular emphasis on the proteasome and the cysteine protease calpain.
Abnormal perilesional BOLD signal is not correlated with stroke patients’ behavior
2013-01-01

Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of acute stroke have reported that patients with behavioral deficits show abnormal signal in intact regions of the damaged hemisphere close to the lesion border relative to homologous regions of the patientâs intact hemisphere (causing an interhemispheric imbalance) as well as analogous regions in healthy controls. These effects have been interpreted as demonstrating a causal relationship between the abnormal fMRI signal and the pathological behavior. Here we explore an alternative explanation: perhaps the abnormal Blood-Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI signal is merely a function of distance from the acute lesion. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined three patients with an acute right hemisphere cortical stroke who did not show any overt behavioral deficits, as well as nine healthy elderly controls. We acquired fMRI data while the participants performed a simple visual orientation judgment task. In patients, we observed an abnormal interhemispheric balance consisting of lower levels of percent signal change in perilesional areas of the damaged hemisphere relative to homologous areas in neurologically healthy controls. This suggests that the physiological changes and corresponding interhemispheric imbalance detected by fMRI BOLD in acute stroke observed close to the lesion border may not necessarily reflect changes in the neural function, nor necessarily influence the individualsâ (e.g., attentional) behavior.
In vivo functional properties of juxtaglomerular neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb
2013-01-01

Juxtaglomerular neurons represent one of the largest cellular populations in the mammalian olfactory bulb yet their role for signal processing remains unclear. We used two-photon imaging and electrophysiological recordings to clarify the in vivo properties of these cells and their functional organization in the juxtaglomerular space. Juxtaglomerular neurons coded for many perceptual characteristics of the olfactory stimulus such as (1) identity of the odorant, (2) odorant concentration, (3) odorant onset, and (4) offset. The odor-responsive neurons clustered within a narrow area surrounding the glomerulus with the same odorant specificity, with ~80% of responding cells located ≤20 μm from the glomerular border. This stereotypic spatial pattern of activated cells persisted at different odorant concentrations and was found for neurons both activated and inhibited by the odorant. Our data identify a principal glomerulus with a narrow shell of juxtaglomerular neurons as a basic odor coding unit in the glomerular layer and underline the important role of intraglomerular circuitry.
Controlling Assistive Machines in Paralysis Using Brain Waves and Other Biosignals
2013-01-01

The extent to which humans can interact with machines significantly enhanced through inclusion of speech, gestures, and eye movements. However, these communication channels depend on a functional motor system. As many people suffer from severe damage of the motor system resulting in paralysis and inability to communicate, the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that translate electric or metabolic brain activity into control signals of external devices promises to overcome this dependence. People with complete paralysis can learn to use their brain waves to control prosthetic devices or exoskeletons. However, information transfer rates of currently available noninvasive BMI systems are still very limited and do not allow versatile control and interaction with assistive machines. Thus, using brain waves in combination with other biosignals might significantly enhance the ability of people with a compromised motor system to interact with assistive machines. Here, we give an overview of the current state of assistive, noninvasive BMI research and propose to integrate brain waves and other biosignals for improved control and applicability of assistive machines in paralysis. Beside introducing an example of such a system, potential future developments are being discussed.
A Survey of Mapping Systems for Locator/Identifier Split Internet Routing
2013-01-01

The locator/identifier split is a core principle of many recently proposed routing architectures for a scalable future Internet. It splits the function of today's IP addresses into two separate pieces. End-hosts are addressed using identifiers which are not globally routable while network attachment points have globally routable locators assigned. In most architectures, either the sending host or an intermediate node has to query a mapping system to obtain locators for identifiers. Such a mapping system must be fast, reliable, secure, and may be able to relay data packets. In this paper, we propose requirements and a general taxonomy for mapping systems and use it to provide a survey on recent proposals. We address general aspects of mapping systems and point out remaining research opportunities.
The role of ecological variation in driving divergence of sexual and non-sexual traits in the red-backed fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus)
2013-01-01

Morphometric traits describing size and shape have likely been subject to ecological selection and thus appear to track local environmental variation regardless of subspecies identity. Ecological selection appears to have also influenced the evolution of tail length as a signal, but has played a limited role in shaping geographic variation in plumage color, consistent with stochastic divergence in concert with Fisherian selection on this trait. The lack of coincidence between the genetic boundary and the contact zone between plumage types suggests that the sexual plumage signal of one subspecies has introgressed into the genetic background of the other. Thus, this study provides insight into the various ways in which signal evolution may occur within a species, and the geographic patterns of signal variation that can arise, especially following secondary contact.
Gentamicin Concentration Gradients in Scala Tympani Perilymph following Systemic Applications
2013-01-01

It has been shown in prior studies that round window membrane (RWM) application of gentamicin produced a robust basal-apical concentration gradient in the perilymph of scala tympani (ST) with peak concentrations in the basal turn of ST. These gradients potentially contribute to the clinical efficacy and safety of intratympanic gentamicin applications for the treatment of Ménière's disease. The present study aimed to establish the distribution of gentamicin along ST perilymph after systemic applications. Gentamicin sulfate was applied intravenously in the amounts of 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight (BW) over a period of 3 h or as a 300 mg/kg BW subcutaneous bolus injection. At 3 and 5 h after the start of the application perilymph of ST was aspirated from the cochlea apex of the right and left cochlea, respectively, and 10 sequential 1-μl perilymph samples from the apex of each cochlea were quantitatively analyzed using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. In contrast to local RWM delivery, systemic application of gentamicin resulted in the highest perilymph levels in the apex of the cochlea with decreasing concentrations towards the basal regions of ST. The absolute gentamicin concentrations increased with the amount of drug applied and time before sampling. While it is likely that the basal-apical gradient measured after local drug applications to the round window niche is the result of the direct uptake of drugs into the perilymph of the ST, distribution by diffusion and a very low perilymph flow towards the cochlear apex, computer simulations suggested that the apical-basal gradient observed with these systemic applications can be explained by higher entry rates of gentamicin in the apex compared to the basal turns of the cochlea. It is also possible that gentamicin enters perilymph indirectly from the blood via the endolymph. In this case the faster kinetics in apical turns could be due to the smaller cross-sectional area of ST relative to endolymph in the apical turns.
Utility of TMS to understand the neurobiology of speech
2013-01-01

According to a traditional view, speech perception and production are processed largely separately in sensory and motor brain areas. Recent psycholinguistic and neuroimaging studies provide novel evidence that the sensory and motor systems dynamically interact in speech processing, by demonstrating that speech perception and imitation share regional brain activations. However, the exact nature and mechanisms of these sensorimotor interactions are not completely understood yet. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has often been used in the cognitive neurosciences, including speech research, as a complementary technique to behavioral and neuroimaging studies. Here we provide an up-to-date review focusing on TMS studies that explored speech perception and imitation. Single-pulse TMS of the primary motor cortex (M1) demonstrated a speech specific and somatotopically specific increase of excitability of the M1 lip area during speech perception (listening to speech or lip reading). A paired-coil TMS approach showed increases in effective connectivity from brain regions that are involved in speech processing to the M1 lip area when listening to speech. TMS in virtual lesion mode applied to speech processing areas modulated performance of phonological recognition and imitation of perceived speech. In summary, TMS is an innovative tool to investigate processing of speech perception and imitation. TMS studies have provided strong evidence that the sensory system is critically involved in mapping sensory input onto motor output and that the motor system plays an important role in speech perception.
The subjective frequency of word n-grams
2013-01-01

When asked to think about the subjective frequency of an n-gram (a group of n words), what properties of the n-gram influence the respondent? It has been recently shown that n-grams that occurred more frequently in a large corpus of English were read faster than n-grams that occurred less frequently (Arnon &amp; Snider, 2010), an effect that is analogous to the frequency effects in word reading and lexical decision. The subjective frequency of words has also been extensively studied and linked to performance on linguistic tasks. We investigated the capacity of people to gauge the absolute and relative frequencies of n-grams. Subjective frequency ratings collected for 352 n-grams showed a strong correlation with corpus frequency, in particular for n-grams with the highest subjective frequency. These n-grams were then paired up and used in a relative frequency decision task (e.g. Is green hills more frequent than weekend trips?). Accuracy on this task was reliably above chance, and the trial-level accuracy was best predicted by a model that included the corpus frequencies of the whole n-grams. A computational model of word recognition (Baayen, Milin, Djurdjevic, Hendrix, &amp; Marelli, 2011) was then used to attempt to simulate subjective frequency ratings, with limited success. Our results suggest that human n-gram frequency intuitions arise from the probabilistic information contained in n-grams.
Synthesis and grafting of CAN-derived tetravalent cerium alkoxide silylamide precursors onto mesoporous silica MCM-41
2013-01-01

The heteroleptic tetravalent cerium complex [Ce(OiPr)3{N(SiMe3)2}]2 was synthesised by treating ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) sequentially with sodium isopropoxide and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF. The trivalent ate complex [Ce(OiPr)2{N(SiMe3)2]2}][Li(thf)2] was also isolated from these reaction mixtures. A transsilylamination reaction of [Ce(OiPr)3{N(SiMe3)2}]2 with tetramethyldisilazane produced a considerable amount of homoleptic Ce[N(SiHMe2)2]4. The polymeric complex [Li2Ce2(OiPr)10(1,4-dioxane)]n was isolated as an additional ligand redistribution product. When tetravalent complexes Ce[N(SiHMe2)2]4, Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3Cl and Cp3CeCl were allowed to react with samples of periodic mesoporous silica MCM-41, Ce(iv) hybrid materials were produced. All hybrid materials were characterised via N2 physisorption, elemental analysis and DRIFT spectroscopy.
PKB/SGK-Resistant GSK-3 Signaling Following Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
2013-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background/Aims: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Renal tissue fibrosis contributes to the development of end-stage renal disease. Causes for renal tissue fibrosis include obstructive nephropathy. The development of renal fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is blunted in gene-targeted mice lacking functional serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1. Similar to Akt isoforms, SGK1 phosphorylates and thus inactivates glycogen synthase kinase GSK-3. The present study explored whether PKB/SGK-dependent phoshorylation of GSK-3α/β impacts on pro-fibrotic signaling following UUO. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;UUO was induced in mice carrying a PKB/SGK-resistant GSK-3α/β (&lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;KI&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;) and corresponding wild-type mice (&lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;WT&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;). Three days after the obstructive injury, expression of fibrosis markers in kidney tissues was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;GSK-3α and GSK-3β phosphorylation was absent in both, the non-obstructed and the obstructed kidney tissues from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;KI&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice but was increased by UUO in kidney tissues from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;WT&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin, type I collagen and type III collagen in the non-obstructed kidney tissues was not significantly different between &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;KI&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice and &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;WT&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice but was significantly less increased in the obstructed kidney tissues from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;KI&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice than from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;WT&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice. After UUO treatment, renal β-catenin protein abundance and renal expression of the β-catenin sensitive genes: &lt;i&gt;c-Myc&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Dkk1&lt;/i&gt;,&lt;i&gt; Twist&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Lef1&lt;/i&gt; were again significantly less increased in kidney tissues from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;KI&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice than from &lt;i&gt;gsk-3&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&lt;i&gt;WT&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; mice. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;PKB/SGK-dependent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase GSK-3 contributes to the pro-fibrotic signaling leading to renal tissue fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy.