Arithmetic ability is an important high‐level cognitive function that requires interaction among multiple brain regions. Previous studies on arithmetic development have focused on task‐induced ...activation in isolated brain regions or functional connectivity among particular seed regions. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how functional connectivity among large‐scale brain modules contributes to arithmetic development. In the present study, we used a longitudinal sample of task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data comprising 63 typically developing children, with two testing points being about 2 years apart. With graph theory, we examined the longitudinal development of large‐scale brain modules for a multiplication task in younger (mean age 9.88 at time 1) and older children (mean age 12.34 at time 1), respectively. The results showed that the default‐mode (DMN) and frontal‐parietal networks (FPN) became increasingly segregated over time. Specifically, intra‐connectivity within the DMN and FPN increased significantly with age, and inter‐connectivity between the DMN and visual network decreased significantly with age. Such developmental changes were mainly observed in the younger children but not in the older children. Moreover, the change in network segregation of the DMN was positively correlated with longitudinal gain in arithmetic performance in the younger children, and individual difference in network segregation of the FPN was positively correlated with arithmetic performance at Time 2 in the older children. Taken together, the present results highlight the development of the functional architecture in large‐scale brain networks from childhood to adolescence, which may provide insights into potential neural mechanisms underlying arithmetic development.
The longitudinal development of large‐scale brain networks for an arithmetic task was examined from childhood to adolescence. Both the default‐mode and frontal‐parietal networks became increasingly segregated with age. Functional segregation of the default‐mode and frontal‐parietal networks related to longitudinal gain or individual difference in arithmetic ability.
Summary
Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of macrophages. Classically activated macrophages are considered to promote T helper type 1 responses and have strong microbicidal, pro‐inflammatory ...activity, whereas alternatively activated macrophages are supposed to be associated with promotion of tissue remodelling and responses to anti‐inflammatory reactions. Transformation of different macrophage phenotypes is reflected in their different, sometimes even opposite, roles in various diseases or inflammatory conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of macrophage polarization (MP). Several miRNAs are induced by Toll‐like receptors signalling in macrophages and target the 3′‐untranslated regions of mRNAs encoding key molecules involved in MP. Therefore, identification of miRNAs related to the dynamic changes of MP and understanding their functions in regulating this process are important for discussing the molecular basis of disease progression and developing novel miRNA‐targeted therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs in MP with relevance to immune response and inflammation.
Verticillium dahliae isolates are most virulent on the host from which they were originally isolated. Mechanisms underlying these dominant host adaptations are currently unknown. We sequenced the ...genome of V. dahliae Vd991, which is highly virulent on its original host, cotton, and performed comparisons with the reference genomes of JR2 (from tomato) and VdLs.17 (from lettuce).
Pathogenicity-related factor prediction, orthology and multigene family classification, transcriptome analyses, phylogenetic analyses, and pathogenicity experiments were performed.
The Vd991 genome harbored several exclusive, lineage-specific (LS) genes within LS regions (LSRs). Deletion mutants of the seven genes within one LSR (G-LSR2) in Vd991 were less virulent only on cotton. Integration of G-LSR2 genes individually into JR2 and VdLs.17 resulted in significantly enhanced virulence on cotton but did not affect virulence on tomato or lettuce. Transcription levels of the seven LS genes in Vd991 were higher during the early stages of cotton infection, as compared with other hosts. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that G-LSR2 was acquired from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum through horizontal gene transfer.
Our results provide evidence that horizontal gene transfer from Fusarium to Vd991 contributed significantly to its adaptation to cotton and may represent a significant mechanism in the evolution of an asexual plant pathogen.
Selective retrieval of task-relevant information often facilitates memory retention of that information. However, it is still unclear if selective retrieval of task-relevant information can alter ...memory for task-irrelevant information, and the role of emotional arousal in it. In two experiments, we used emotional and neutral faces as stimuli, and participants were asked to memorise the name (who is this person?) and location (where does he/she come from?) associated with each face in initial study. Then, half of the studied faces were presented as cues, and participants were asked to retrieve the corresponding names (Experiment 1) or locations (Experiment 2). Finally, all the faces were presented and participants were asked to retrieve both the corresponding names and locations. The results of the final test showed that retrieval practice not only enhanced memory of task-relevant information but also enhanced memory of task-irrelevant information. More importantly, negative emotion amplified the retrieval practice effect overall, with a larger retrieval-induced benefit for the negative than neutral condition. These findings demonstrated an emotional arousal amplification effect on retrieval-induced enhancement effects, suggesting that the advantage of the retrieved memory representations can be amplified by emotional arousal even without explicit goals in a task setting.
Abstract
Quantum coherence will undoubtedly play a fundamental role in understanding of the dynamics of quantum many-body systems, thereby to reveal its genuine contribution is of great importance. ...In this paper, we specialize our discussions to the one-dimensional transverse field quantum Ising model initialized in the coherent Gibbs state. After quenching the strength of the transverse field, the effects of quantum coherence are studied by the rate function of quantum work distribution. We find that quantum coherence not only recovers the quantum phase transition destroyed by thermal fluctuations, but also generates some entirely new singularities both in the static state and dynamics. It can be manifested that these singularities are rooted in spin flips causing the sudden change of the domain boundaries of spin polarization. This work sheds new light on the fundamental connection between quantum critical phenomena and quantum coherence.
Highlights • The potential role of long noncoding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. • Long noncoding RNAs play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma. • Long noncoding RNAs serve as new diagnosis ...and treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Advances in Effects of Sound Waves on Plants Hassanien, Reda HE; HOU, Tian-zhen; LI, Yu-feng ...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture,
02/2014, Letnik:
13, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Sound waves technology has been applied to different plants. It has been found that sound waves were at different frequencies, sound pressure levels （SPLs）, exposure periods, and distances from the ...source of sound influence plant growth. Experiments have been conducted in the open field and under greenhouse growing conditions with different levels of audible sound frequencies and sound pressure levels. Sound waves at 1 kHz and 100 dB for 1 h within a distance of 0.20 m could significantly promote the division and cell wall fluidity of callus cells and also significantly enhance the activity of protective enzymes and endogenous hormones. Sound waves stimulation could increase the plant plasma-membrane IT-ATPase activity, the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and amylase activity of callus. Moreover, sound waves could increase the content of RNA and the level of transcription. Stress-induced genes could switch on under sound stimulation. Sound waves at 0.1-1 kHz and SPL of （70＋5） dB for 3 h from plant acoustic frequency technology （PAFT） generator within a distance ranged from 30 to 60 m every other day significantly increased the yield of sweet pepper, cucumber and tomato by 30.05, 37.1 and 13.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the yield of lettuce, spinach, cotton, rice, and wheat were increased by 19.6, 22.7, 11.4, 5.7, and 17.0%, respectively. Sound waves may also strengthen plant immune systems. It has been proved that spider mite, aphids, gray mold, late blight and virus disease of tomatoes in the greenhouses decreased by 6.0, 8.0, 9.0, 11.0, and 8.0%, respectively, and the sheath blight office was reduced by 50%. This paper provides an overview of literature for the effects of sound waves on various growth parameters of plant at different growth stages.
Sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) is widely used as a food additive, but the excessive residue of SO32− in food can cause irritative effects and damages to the human body. In this study, we reported a novel ...near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (DCMQ) for visual detection of SO32− based on a chromogenic reaction. The probe can quantitatively determine SO32− with high specificity and sensitivity, fast response (<50 s) as well as a low detection limit (31.6 nM). A 1,4-Michael addition reaction was proposed for the sensing mechanism of this probe, which was confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS spectra. The probe has been successfully utilized to determine SO32− in food with good recovery, remarkable chromogenic effect and NIR fluorescence turn-on response. Furthermore, the probe has been prepared as a reagent kit for instant on-site visual detection of SO32− in food. Therefore, this probe has great potential application for the detection of SO32− in food.
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•A novel NIR fluorescence probe DCMQ for SO32− is developed.•The probe showed fast response toward SO32− (˂ 50 s) with high selectivity and low detection limit.•The probe displayed observable chromogenic reaction from yellow to purple and NIR fluorescence turn-on response toward SO32−.•The probe DCMQ was successfully used as a reagent kit to visually determine SO32− in food samples.
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