Life Sciences Commons^™

The Calcineurin-Nfatc Pathway Modulates The Lipid Mediators In Bal Fluid Extracellular Vesicles, Thereby Regulating Microvascular Endothelial Cell Barrier Function, Manjula Karpurapu, Yunjuan Nie, Sangwoon Chung, Jiasheng Yan, Patrick Dougherty, Jon Wisler, Narasimham Parinandi, Evgeny Berdyshev, Dehua Pei, John W Christman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular communication by transporting biologically active macromolecules. Our prior studies have demonstrated that the nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic member 3 (NFATc3) is activated in mouse pulmonary macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inhibition of NFATc3 activation by a novel cell-permeable calcineurin peptide inhibitor CNI103 mitigated the development of acute lung injury (ALI) in LPS-treated mice. Although pro-inflammatory lipid mediators are known contributors to lung inflammation and injury, it remains unclear whether the calcineurin-NFATc pathway regulates extracellular vesicle (EV) lipid content and if this content contributes to ALI pathogenesis. In this study, EVs from mouse …

Targeting Ccl2/Ccr2 Signaling Overcomes Mek Inhibitor Resistance In Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Rucha V Modak, Katia G De Oliveira Rebola, John Mcclatchy, Mona Mohammadhosseini, Alisa Damnernsawad, Christopher A Eide, Ted Laderas, Tamilla Nechiporuk, Marina A Gritsenko, Joshua R Hansen, Chelsea Hutchinson, Sara J C Gosline, Paul Piehowski, Daniel Bottomly, Nicholas Short, Karin Rodland, Shannon K Mcweeney, Jeffrey W Tyner, Anupriya Agarwal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Emerging evidence underscores the critical role of extrinsic factors within the microenvironment in protecting leukemia cells from therapeutic interventions, driving disease progression, and promoting drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This finding emphasizes the need for the identification of targeted therapies that inhibit intrinsic and extrinsic signaling to overcome drug resistance in AML.

Experimental design: We performed a comprehensive analysis utilizing a cohort of ∼300 AML patient samples. This analysis encompassed the evaluation of secreted cytokines/growth factors, gene expression, and ex vivo drug sensitivity to small molecules. Our investigation pinpointed a notable association between elevated levels of CCL2 …

Integrative Molecular Analyses Of The Md Anderson Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft (Mda Pca Pdx) Series, Nicolas Anselmino, Estefania Labanca, Peter D A Shepherd, Jiabin Dong, Jun Yang, Subhiksha Nandakumar, Cindy Lee, Nikolaus Schultz, Jianhua Zhang, John C Araujo, Ana M Aparicio, Sumit K Subudhi, Paul G Corn, Louis L Pisters, John F Ward, John W Davis, Elba S Vazquez, Geraldine Gueron, Christopher J Logothetis, Andrew Futreal, Patricia Troncoso, Yu Chen, Nora M Navone

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Develop and deploy a robust discovery platform that encompasses heterogeneity, clinical annotation, and molecular characterization and overcomes the limited availability of prostate cancer models. This initiative builds on the rich MD Anderson (MDA) prostate cancer (PCa) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) resource to complement existing publicly available databases by addressing gaps in clinically annotated models reflecting the heterogeneity of potentially lethal and lethal prostate cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed whole-genome, targeted, and RNA sequencing in representative samples of the same tumor from 44 PDXs derived from 38 patients linked to donor tumor metadata and corresponding organoids. The cohort includes models derived …

Identification Of Genetic Disorders Based On Phenotype And Subsequent Medical Management, Sara J. Strandlund, Jotishna Sharma, Bonnie R. Sullivan, Ashley K. Sherman, Laura A. Cross

Research Days

Many genetic disorders in the neonatal period contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the indications for genetic testing based on phenotype and compares these with the diagnostic yield of symptom driven exome sequencing and chromosome microarray in the NICU. Overall, this study highlights that while there are diagnostic limitations to exome sequencing, genetic testing remains an important adjunct to clinical care.

The Dependence Level Among Adolescent Vape Users: A Cross-Sectional Study, Violette Abo Karnib, Ghenwa Abedallhalim, Adam Ikkawi, Housam A. Saad, Hiba Deek

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Vape is a battery-powered device that works by heating a liquid called “e-liquid”. The use of vape has significantly increased in the past years among high and middle school students. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the level of dependence among adolescent vape users in Lebanon and to assess their knowledge about vape health hazards. A descriptive cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire. A link for the survey was generated on Google Forms and sent to adolescents in the community. The survey was sent to parents of vape users and after their approval, it was shared with …

An Observational, Retrospective, Study To Assess Sehetna Wellness Program Impact On Employees’ Well-Being And Health, Wafaa Saeed, Lina Shaker, Laila Ghanem, Mohamed El Aziz, Omer Mostafa, Rabab Youssef

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Wellness is an ongoing process that leads to realizing one's full potential, with studies showing reduced inpatient admissions, healthcare costs, and improved health-related quality of life through participation in large-scale wellness programs. SEHETNA program is a wellness initiative conducted with the Egyptian Group for Import and Export (EGMED) to enhance employees’ well-being. This study aimed to assess the SEHETNA wellness program impact on the general health of employees. This is a retrospective descriptive observational study including employees enrolled in wellness program for up to 12-months in 2021. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive analysis was done, categorical variables …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Experience Of Lebanese Females Toward Oral Contraceptive Use, Nisrine Al Rifaii, Chaza Alaeddine, Souraya Domiati, Abdalla El-Lakany

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

Family planning is a key to slow unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative impacts on the national development efforts. Birth control pills or oral contraceptives are commonly used among childbearing-age women for family planning. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and experience of oral contraceptive use among Lebanese women. A descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in Beirut and suburbs in 2018. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information consisting of age, educational level, occupation, marital status, and past medical history. It also included four different sections describing the pattern of use of oral contraceptives, attitude, knowledge, and …

The Psychological Conditions Of Pregnant Women During The Covid-19 Outbreak In Lebanon, Ibrahim Kadamani, Ali Samaha, Maya Gebbawi, Najwa Yahfoufi, Hanadi Mohamad Nur Steitiyeh, Abbas Samaha

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

In Lebanon, the psychological conditions of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been reported, which creates the need to conduct this study that aims to evaluate the psychological conditions of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional design was adopted to reach the aim of this study. The study sample was reached through OBS/GYN clinics to be able to contact the pregnant women in the community, where a convenient sampling technique was followed. The total number of participants was 360 pregnant women: 101 (27.77%) first trimester, 140 (38.88%) second trimester, and 119 (33.33%) third trimester. There is …

Improving Healthcare Workers’ Biohazardous Spill Safe Handling Skills, Zeina Mhanna, Ahmad Tassi

BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing

All healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to biohazardous material. Biohazardous material may come in the form of spills, posing a risk of infection to (HCWs) who are not trained on how to safely handle them. While international guidelines recommend training HCWs on how to safely handle biohazardous spills in order to improve their skills, there are no studies that tackled this recommendation. The aim of this study is to improve HCWs’ biohazardous spill safe handling skills through training, and to evaluate the association between the HCWs’ improvement level and demographical characteristics. The study was conducted in a Southern Lebanese hospital …

Energetic Cost Of Biosynthesis Is A Missing Link Between Growth And Longevity In Mammals, Chen Hou

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Comparative Studies of Aging Have Established a Negative Correlation between Gompertz Postnatal Growth Constant and Maximum Lifespan Across Mammalian Species, But the Underlying Physiological Mechanism Remains Unclear. This Study Shows that the Gompertz Growth Constant Can Be Decomposed into Two Energetic Components, Mass-Specific Metabolic Rate and the Energetic Cost of Biosynthesis, and that after Controlling the Former as a Confounder, the Negative Correlation between Growth Constant and Lifespan Still Exists Due to a 100-Fold Variation in the Latter, Revealing that the Energetic Cost of Biosynthesis is a Link between Growth and Longevity in Mammals. Previously, the Energetic Cost of …

Development Of An Experimentally Validated Computational Fluid Dynamics Model For A Pbi Membrane-Based Anhydrous Hcl Electrolyzer, Kris Likit-Anurak, Hunter R. Teel, Ishwor Karki, Ben I. Howard, Brian C. Benicewicz, Sirivatch Shimpalee, Benjamin H. Meekins

Faculty Publications

We report the development of an experimentally-validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for simulation of an anhydrous HCl electrolyzer. The experimental data from 3 membrane variants was used to provide kinetic and membrane parameters for the model. The model not only accurately simulates overall electrolyzer performance, but it also provides key insights into the transport phenomena within the electrolyzer. The model allows simulation of experimental parameters like high HCl flowrates and increased cell pressure that pose a high safety risk to researchers. The model shows hotspots in the temperature distribution that will need to be addressed by flow field modification …

The Sect. Tricheroides In The Genus Knautia (Caprifoliaceae) Is More Complex Then Known: An Unusual New Species From Türkiye, Candan Aykurt, Mertcan Gülben, Sinem Günaydin, Duygu Sari, Ramazan Süleyman Göktürk, Emirhan Berberoğlu, Serkan Gülsoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

During a biodiversity survey in the Western Taurus Mountains (Antalya, Türkiye), a new species of the genus Knautia (Dipsacoideae, Caprifoliaceae), K. sivridaghense, was discovered. The new species, which is characterized by its dwarf caespitose perennial habit, is found in rocky places under mixed forests at elevations of 1400–1450 m. Knautia sivridaghense is distinguished from its morphologically similar species, K. goecmenii, especially by its dwarf caespitose perennial habit, unbranched stems, length of involucral bracts, and other floral characteristics. Our phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ITS and chloroplast petN(ycf6)-psbM regions confirm its placement within Sect. Tricheroides, contributing to the understanding of …

Eco-Assessment Of Phytoplankton Composition In Relation To Environmental Conditions Of Saltwater And Freshwater Lakes In The Konya Closed Basin (Türkiye), Abuzer Çelekli, Ömer Lekesiz, Tolga Çetin

Turkish Journal of Botany

Great importance is given to maintaining lentic ecosystems, threatened by human-induced consequences worldwide. The present study hypothesized to assess differences in species-environment relationships and ecological status of 15 lakes (saline water systems, high-altitude freshwater lakes, and other freshwater lakes) in the Konya Closed River Basin using phytoplankton indices throughout wet and dry periods. Results of canonical correspondence analysis separated saline and freshwater (high-altitude) habitats, which were characterized by different phytoplankton species. Total phosphorus (TP), electrical conductivity (EC), nickel-Ni, and altitude were the most influential environmental factors affecting phytoplankton dispersal in these ecosystems. Saline lakes were under pressure of high EC, …

Enhancing Walking Performance In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Intervention With Ankle-Foot Orthosis, Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Kaeli K. Samson, Zahra Salamifar, Jason M. Johanning, Iraklis Pipinos, Sara A. Myers

Journal Articles

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular condition manifesting from narrowed or blocked arteries supplying the legs. Gait is impaired in patients with PAD. Recent evidence suggests that walking with carbon fiber ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) can improve patient mobility and delay claudication time. This study aimed to employ advanced biomechanical gait analysis to evaluate the impact of AFO intervention on gait performance among patients with PAD. Patients with claudication had hip, knee, and ankle joint kinetics and kinematics assessed using a cross-over intervention design. Participants walked over the force platforms with and without AFOs while kinematic data …

Cephalaria Gokturkii (Caprifoliaceae), A New Species From Southwestern Anatolia, Türkiye, Gürkan Semi̇z, Meryem Bozkurt, Batıkan Günal, Tuna Uysal

Turkish Journal of Botany

A new Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) species, Cephalaria gokturkii, is described and illustrated from Girdev Mountain (Muğla Province) for the Flora of Türkiye. Throughout this manuscript, the new species and its relatives were compared in terms of morphological, palynological and molecular features. The obtained findings indicated that the new species is similar to C. elmaliensis but is characterized by having larger capitula and receptacular bracts in flower (vs. 1‒2 cm capitula and less than 3 mm in flower) and hairy trigonous-narrowly ovate involucral bracts (vs. glabrous and broadly ovate involucral bracts) and smaller involucels (vs. involucels longer than 10 mm in fruit). …

Evaluating The Yield Of Surviving Plants From Early-Season Hail Damage In Corn: A Field Survey, I. P. Lisboa, Christopher A. Proctor, R W. Elmore, A. J. Mcmechan, N. D. Mueller, J. Wilson, G. Zobeck, Aaron Nygren, A. Bastidas, Osler Ortez

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Economic losses due to hailstorms acrossUS corn fields occur every year.Hailstorms result in leaf defoliation, decreasing photosynthetic area and impairing carbon assimilation and crop yield for all corn (Zea mays L.) development stages. However, more attention is often given to stand reductions rather than damage to stems or leaf defoliation. During the 2014 growing season, a natural hail event affected many areas of eastern Nebraska. Twelve affected corn fields were surveyed and included in this study. An injury score scale (1–5) was developed based on various injury and severity levels before the V6 (6-leaf corn growth stage) (six-collared leaves). …

Two New Species Of Inocybe (Inocybaceae: Agaricomycetes) From Turkey Based On Morphological Characteristics And Phylogenetic Evidence, Oğuzhan Kaygusuz, Ditte Bandini, Henning Knudsen, Meike Piepenbring

Turkish Journal of Botany

During a survey of agarics in the Mediterranean region of southwestern Turkey, some noteworthy mushrooms were collected. Among the specimens, two represent new species of Inocybe which are proposed and illustrated in this study as Inocybe pseudogeophylla and I. succinea. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and partial 28S rDNA (LSU) dataset reveal that these species belong to the Inocybe geophylla group. The sequences of the new species form two independent lineages and differ from the known species of Inocybe by a unique combination of morphological characteristics. Detailed macro- and micromorphological features, colour photographs, habitat and …

Duck Gut Metagenome Reveals The Microbiome Signatures Linked To Intestinal Regional, Temporal Development, And Rearing Condition, Lingyan Ma, Wentao Liu, Tao Zeng, Wen Wang, Qu Chen, Jiangchao Zhao, Guolong Zhang, Lizhi Lu, Hua Yang, Yingping Xiao

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The duck gastrointestinal tract (GIT) harbors an abundance of microorganisms that play an important role in duck health and production. Here, we constructed the first relatively comprehensive duck gut microbial gene catalog (24 million genes) and 4437 metagenome-assembled genomes using 375 GIT metagenomic samples from four different duck breeds across five intestinal segments under two distinct rearing conditions. We further characterized the intestinal region-specific microbial taxonomy and their assigned functions, as well as the temporal development and maturation of the duck gut microbiome. Our metagenomic analysis revealed the similarity within the microbiota of the foregut and hindgut compartments, but distinctive …

The De-Domestication Of Ornithopus Sativus Brot. To Develop Cultivars With Physical Dormancy (Hardseed), Robert J. Harrison, Bradley J. Nutt, Ronald J. Yates, Belinda F. Hackney, John G. Howieson

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Ornithopus sativus Brot. (French serradella) is a forage legume that is well adapted to acidic coarse textured soils (sands) which are characterized by poor nutrition and an inability to retain water. During the process of domestication of O. sativus, there was an unintentional loss of seed physical dormancy (PY) thus compromising its self-regeneration after a cropping interval. Through mass screening of seed, we identified for the first time that heritable sources of PY exist in three populations of O. sativus. This rare genetic material was then incorporated into suitable genetic backgrounds of differing maturity through targeted hybridization. We demonstrated …

Common Variation In A Long Non-Coding Rna Gene Modulates Variation Of Circulating Tgf-Β2 Levels In Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients (Alliance), Julia Quintanilha, Alexander Sibley, Yingmiao Liu, Donna Niedzwiecki, Susan Halabi, Layne Rogers, Bert O'Neil, Hedy Kindler, William Kelly, Alan Venook, Howard Mcleod, Mark Ratain, Andrew Nixon, Federico Innocenti, Kouros Owzar

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Herein, we report results from a genome-wide study conducted to identify protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) for circulating angiogenic and inflammatory protein markers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The study was conducted using genotype, protein marker, and baseline clinical and demographic data from CALGB/SWOG 80405 (Alliance), a randomized phase III study designed to assess outcomes of adding VEGF or EGFR inhibitors to systemic chemotherapy in mCRC patients. Germline DNA derived from blood was genotyped on whole-genome array platforms. The abundance of protein markers was quantified using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from plasma derived from peripheral venous …

Stellae-123 Gene Expression Signature Improved Risk Stratification In Taiwanese Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients, Yu-Hung Wang, Adrián Mosquera Orgueira, Chien-Chin Lin, Chi-Yuan Yao, Min-Yen Lo, Adolfo De La Fuente Burguera, Wen-Chien Chou, Hwei-Fang Tien

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The European Leukemia Net recommendations provide valuable guidance in treatment decisions of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the genetic complexity and heterogeneity of AML are not fully covered, notwithstanding that gene expression analysis is crucial in the risk stratification of AML. The Stellae-123 score, an AI-based model that captures gene expression patterns, has demonstrated robust survival predictions in AML patients across four western-population cohorts. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of Stellae-123 in a Taiwanese cohort. The Stellae-123 model was applied to 304 de novo AML patients diagnosed and treated at the National Taiwan University Hospital. We …

Third-Party Fecal Microbiota Transplantation For High-Risk Treatment-Naïve Acute Gvhd Of The Lower Gi Tract, Zachariah Defilipp, Ashish V Damania, Haesook T Kim, Chia-Chi Chang, Areej El-Jawahri, Aj S Bottoms, Melissa M Smith, Maria Dolaher, Lindsey Perry, Meghan White, Brittany Diana, Sheila Connolly, Bimalangshu R Dey, Matthew J Frigault, Richard A Newcomb, Paul V O'Donnell, Thomas R Spitzer, Michael K Mansour, Daniela Weber, Nadim J Ajami, Elizabeth Hohmann, Robert R Jenq, Yi-Bin Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Disruption of the intestinal microbiome is observed with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the lower gastrointestinal (LGI) tract, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has successfully cured steroid-refractory cases. In this open-label, single-arm, pilot study, third-party, single-donor FMT was administered in combination with systemic corticosteroids to participants with high-risk acute LGI GVHD, with a focus on treatment-naïve cases. Participants were scheduled to receive 1 induction dose (15 capsules per day for 2 consecutive days), followed by 3 weekly maintenance doses, consisting of 15 capsules per dose. The primary end point of the study was feasibility, which would be achieved if ≥80% …

Improving Nutritional Delivery To Pediatric Patients While Using Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Jennifer Ruiz-Boada, Sarah Brunner, Tara Benton, Vimal Chadha

Research Days

This quality improvement guide aims to enhance early nutritional delivery to pediatric patients with renal failure who require renal replacement therapy.ng renal replacement therapy.

Scrapbook 58-59, Mandarin Garden Club

Mandarin Garden Club Scrapbooks

Scrapbook includes leaflets, pamphlets, images and news clippings. Includes items from 1960-1962. Cover material: Cardboard Size: 12.75 x 11.0625 x 1. Circa 1958-1962

Iaa-Producing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria From Ceanothus Velutinus Enhance Cutting Propagation Efficiency And Arabidopsis Biomass, Jyothsna Ganesh, Katherine Hewitt, Ananta Raj Devkota, Ty Wilson, Amita Kaundal

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Climate-induced drought impacts plant growth and development. Recurring droughts increase the demand for water for food production and landscaping. Native plants in the Intermountain West region of the US are of keen interest in low water use landscaping as they are acclimatized to dry and cold environments. These native plants do very well at their native locations but are difficult to propagate in landscape. One of the possible reasons is the lack of associated microbiome in the landscaping. Microbiome in the soil contributes to soil health and impacts plant growth and development. Here, we used the bulk soil from the …

Us Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Salary Description And Correlates: Results Of A Survey, Rosa K. Hand, Sharon Groh-Wargo

Faculty Scholarship

Background: This survey described the compensation of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in the United States and examined correlates of higher salaries within this group. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed in 2021 by 143 NICU RDNs from 127 US hospitals who reported hourly wage in US dollars (USD). We used initial bivariate analyses to assess the relationship of selected institution-level and individual-level variables to hourly wage; the rank-sum test for binary variables; bivariate regression and Pearson correlation coefficients for continuous variables; the Kruskal–Wallis test for categorical variables. Variables with a compelling relationship to the …

Inflammaging In The Alzheimer’S Brain And Beyond: Insights From A Transgenic Mouse Model On The Sex-Specific Pathophysiology Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Alicia Jeanne Barber

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Aging and sex are major risk factors for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Compared to men, women experience worse neuropathological burden and cognitive decline despite living longer with the disease. Similarly, male 3xTg-AD mice, developed to model Alzheimer’s disease, no longer consistently exhibit standard Alzheimer’s neuropathology yet experience higher rates of mortality - providing a unique opportunity to further elucidate this dichotomy. We hypothesized that sex differences in the biological aging process yield distinct pathological and molecular Alzheimer’s disease signatures in males and females, which could be harnessed for therapeutic and biomarker development.

We aged male and female, 3xTg-AD and B6129 …

Multifaceted Roles Of Meg3 In Cellular Senescence And Atherosclerosis, Xiao Cheng, Mohamed Sham Shihabudeen Haider Ali, Vijaya Bhaskar Baki, Matthew Moran, Huabo Su, Xinghui Sun

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Background and aims: Long noncoding RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. As long non-coding RNAs maternally expressed gene 3 (Meg3) prevents cellular senescence of hepatic vascular endothelium and obesity-induced insulin resistance, we decided to examine its role in cellular senescence and atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results: By analyzing our data and human and mouse data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we found that Meg3 expression was reduced in humans and mice with cardiovascular disease, indicating its potential role in atherosclerosis. In Ldlr^−/− mice fed a Western diet for 12 weeks, Meg3 silencing by chemically modified …

05.13.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award, Center for Practical Ethics, DARPA Connect, Air Force Internship

Integrating Higher-Order Cognition With Sensory Experience: Insights From Cue-Based Expectations Across Diverse Domains, Heejung Jung

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Higher-order cognition, such as expectations about the future, cannot be studied in isolation from sensory representations. This thesis explores the dynamic interplay of higher-order cognition and sensory experiences, examining the important role of expectations across multiple domains: sensory, cognitive, and affective. First, a systematic review outlines the origins of higher-order cognitive functions – e.g., social interaction, memory, and attentional control – and how they arise at the convergence of hierarchically organized gradients that extend from primary sensory areas. These convergence zones are rich in information crucial for the human capacity for making projections, such as thinking about another person’s mental …