Target-Directed Biosynthetic Evolution: Redirecting Plant Evolution To Genomically Optimize A Plant’S Pharmacological Profile,
2015
University of Kentucky
Target-Directed Biosynthetic Evolution: Redirecting Plant Evolution To Genomically Optimize A Plant’S Pharmacological Profile, Dustin Paul Brown
Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience
The dissertation describes a novel method for plant drug discovery based on mutation and selection of plant cells. Despite the industry focus on chemical synthesis, plants remain a source of potent and complex bioactive metabolites. Many of these have evolved as defensive compounds targeted on key proteins in the CNS of herbivorous insects, for example the insect dopamine transporter (DAT). Because of homology with the human DAT protein some of these metabolites have high abuse potential, but others may be valuable in treating drug dependence. This dissertation redirects the evolution of a native Lobelia species toward metabolites with greater activity …
High-Definition Tdcs Of Noun And Verb Retrieval In Naming And Lexical Decision,
2015
University of South Carolina
High-Definition Tdcs Of Noun And Verb Retrieval In Naming And Lexical Decision, Svetlana Malyutina, Dirk B. Den Ouden
Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a novel brain stimulation method that has high potential for use in language therapy for speakers with aphasia, due to its safety and focality. This study aimed to obtain foundational data on using HD-tDCS to modulate language processing in healthy speakers. Participants received stimulation either of left Broca’s area or of angular gyrus (20 minutes of anodal, cathodal and sham stimulation on separate days), followed by naming and lexical decision tasks with single-word verb and noun stimuli. We found that cathodal stimulation over both Broca’s area and left angular gyrus increased naming speed …
Boundary Contour Based Surface Representation.,
2014
University of Louisville
Boundary Contour Based Surface Representation., Yong Su
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
We receive most information about our surrounding space and objects through the eyes. To reconstruct the 3D space and objects in the visual system from the 2D retinal images, surface representation must be a critical intermediate stage in the visual processing stream. It is hypothesized in the dissertation that the visual system represents textured surface by a border-to-interior strategy: boundary contours would be encoded first and then border-ownership assignments would be resolved. This process would solve the related problems such as figure-ground segregation, surface depth relationship, occlusion, transparency, etc. As a result, the boundary contours of the surfaces would be …
Signaling Mechanisms In Regenerative Myogenesis.,
2014
University of Louisville
Signaling Mechanisms In Regenerative Myogenesis., Sajedah M. Hindi 1986-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Skeletal muscle constitutes a highly plastic and malleable tissue that rapidly and profoundly adapts to various environmental and physiological stimuli. This response takes place by means of regulated signaling transduction which elicits changes in gene expression, biochemical, and metabolic properties. Adult muscle is composed by alignment of multinucleated, post mitotic muscle fibers formed during embryonic and neonatal development. Residing in the niche of mature muscle fibers is a small population of undifferentiated muscle progenitors termed satellite cells. Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that carry out regenerative response in adult myofibers. Coordinated signaling emitting from terminally differentiated muscle fibers and …
Targeting The Small- And Intermediate Conductance Ca2+- Activated Potassium Channels: The Drug Binding Pocket At The Channel/Calmodulin Interface,
2014
Virginia Commonwealth University
Targeting The Small- And Intermediate Conductance Ca2+- Activated Potassium Channels: The Drug Binding Pocket At The Channel/Calmodulin Interface, Meng Cui, Guangrong Qin, Kunqian Yu, M. Scott Bowers, Miao Zhang
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
The small- and intermediate-conductance Ca 2+ -activated potassium (SK/IK) channels play important roles in the regulation of excitable cells in both the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Evidence from animal models has implicated SK/IK channels in neurological conditions such as ataxia and alcohol use disorders. Further, genome-wide association studies have suggested that cardiovascular abnormalities such as arrhythmias and hypertension are associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms that occur within the genes encoding the SK/IK channels. The Ca 2+ sensitivity of the SK/IK channels stems from a constitutively bound Ca 2+ -binding protein: calmodulin. Small-molecule positive modulators of SK/IK channels have been …
Dreams And Learning,
2014
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Dreams And Learning, Cody Mebane Gibbons
Symposium
Project Summary: This study is being done to test one aspect of how paying attention to one’s dreams may influence our waking lives. The idea was inspired by research linking the brain processes involved in long-term memory storage to qualities of dreaming, as well as the potential for learning in lucid dreams. It is hypothesized that the more conscious one is of one’s dreams and dream world, the better one will be at learning. In order to test this, the dreaming ability of 300 Cal Poly students will be analyzed via dream questionnaires with the purpose of seeing if any …
Interaction Among Gustation, Olfaction, And Vision In Flavor Identification,
2014
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Interaction Among Gustation, Olfaction, And Vision In Flavor Identification, Michael J. Lauth
Symposium
Even though the senses of taste, smell, and sight are distinct, there is a significant overlap among them in our perceptions of objects that helps us understand and differentiate the world. Everyone has experienced, when his or her nose gets congested, that his or her sense of taste changes as well. Many individuals do not equally understand the top-down processing with taste when someone sees objects they are about to eat. In the replicated study by our principle investigator, a random convenience sample of young adults (n=162) were recruited and tested to determine if they could taste four Jelly Belly …
Structural Alterations To The Axon Initial Segment Following Diffuse Axonal Injury As A Consequence Of Age,
2014
Virginia Commonwealth University
Structural Alterations To The Axon Initial Segment Following Diffuse Axonal Injury As A Consequence Of Age, William Behl
Theses and Dissertations
An epidemiological shift towards the elderly population has occurred in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Age is believed to be one of the strongest prognostic indicators following TBI. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI), a prevalent feature of TBI, is believed to be the primary cause for much of the morbidity and mortality associated with TBI. The pathobiology associated with DAI is believed to occur in response to the primary injury in a progressive, secondary fashion. Though the injury mechanisms behind DAI have been shown to occur at numerous sites along the axon, recent work suggests that the axon initial segment (AIS) may …
Brain Science And Stem Learning,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Brain Science And Stem Learning, Dennis L. Molfese
Discipline-Based Education Research Group Speaker Series
Brain Science is an interdisciplinary science and as such touches on a host of domains that among others include Behavioral & Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computer & Information Science, Economics, Engineering (multiple domains from Electrical to Mechanical to Structural), Education, Human Resources, Engineering, Environmental, Education, Geosciences, Engineering, Mathematical, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Zoology. The approach provides a means to study matter from an assortment of elements to the integration of complex domains that stretch from the interactions of neuropeptides to conscious thought that cover the lifespan of single cell organisms to humans. We will touch on a few of these …
Brain Blast 2014 Poster,
2014
University of New England
Brain Blast 2014 Poster, Annie Leslie
Brain Blast
Announcement poster for UNE's Brain Blast 2014, a pechakucha-style brain health and safety awareness and learning event.
Comparison Of Functional Network Connectivity For Passive-Listening And Active-Response Narrative Comprehension In Adolescents,
2014
Cincinnati Children's Hospital & University of Cincinnati
Comparison Of Functional Network Connectivity For Passive-Listening And Active-Response Narrative Comprehension In Adolescents, Yingying Wang, Scott K. Holland
Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications
Comprehension of narrative stories plays an important role in the development of language skills. In this study, we compared brain activity elicited by a passive-listening version and an active-response (AR) version of a narrative comprehension task by using independent component (IC) analysis on functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 21 adolescents (ages 14–18 years). Furthermore, we explored differences in functional network connectivity engaged by two versions of the task and investigated the relationship between the online response time and the strength of connectivity between each pair of ICs. Despite similar brain region involvements in auditory, temporoparietal, and frontoparietal language networks …
Brain Blast 2014 Speakers Poster,
2014
University of New England
Brain Blast 2014 Speakers Poster, Annie Leslie
Brain Blast
Poster from UNE's Brain Blast 2014 listing the presenters at this event.
Two Distinct Dynamic Modes Subtend The Detection Of Unexpected Sounds,
2014
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Two Distinct Dynamic Modes Subtend The Detection Of Unexpected Sounds, Jean-Rémi King, Alexandre Gramfort, Aaron Schurger, Lionel Naccache, Stanislas Dehaene
Psychology Faculty Articles and Research
The brain response to auditory novelty comprises two main EEG components: an early mismatch negativity and a late P300. Whereas the former has been proposed to reflect a prediction error, the latter is often associated with working memory updating. Interestingly, these two proposals predict fundamentally different dynamics: prediction errors are thought to propagate serially through several distinct brain areas, while working memory supposes that activity is sustained over time within a stable set of brain areas. Here we test this temporal dissociation by showing how the generalization of brain activity patterns across time can characterize the dynamics of the underlying …
The Helminthological Society Of Washington 2013 Anniversary Award: Larry S. Roberts,
2014
Gettysburg College
The Helminthological Society Of Washington 2013 Anniversary Award: Larry S. Roberts, Sherman S. Hendrix
Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications
Dr. Roberts was born in the great state of Texas, and much of his early life is murky, but snakes are often mentioned. Larry received his Bachelor’s degree at Southern Methodist University; his Master of Science at the University of Illinois; and his Doctorate in the Department of Pathobiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. Larry’s doctoral research, published in Experimental Parasitology, documented the early development and crowding effect of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in the rat small intestine. His publication on this subject opened the door to the golden age of cestode physiology and biochemistry …
Can Helmet Design Reduce The Risk Of Concussion In Football?,
2014
Virginia Tech–Wake Forest Center for Injury Biomechanics
Can Helmet Design Reduce The Risk Of Concussion In Football?, Steven Rowson, Stefan M. Duma, Richard M. Greenwald, Jonathan Beckwith, Jeffrey J. Chu, Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Jason P. Mihalik, Joe Crisco, Bethany J. Wilcox, Thomas W. Mcallister, Arthur C. Maerlender, Steven P. Broglio, Brock Schnebel, Scott Anderson, P. Gunnar Brolinson
Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications
Of all sports, football accounts for the highest incidence of concussion in the US due to the large number of athletes participating and the nature of the sport. While there is general agreement that concussion incidence can be reduced through rule changes and teaching proper tackling technique, there remains debate as to whether helmet design may also reduce the incidence of concussion. A retrospective analysis was performed of head impact data collected from 1833 collegiate football players who were instrumented with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays for games and practices. Data were collected between 2005 and 2010 from 8 collegiate football teams: …
Winning And Losing: Differences In Reward And Punishment
Sensitivity Between Smokers And Nonsmokers,
2014
University of Kansas Medical Center
Winning And Losing: Differences In Reward And Punishment Sensitivity Between Smokers And Nonsmokers, Laura E. Martin, Lisa S. Cox, William M. Brooks, Cary R. Savage
Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications
Background: Smokers show increased brain activation in reward processing regions in response to smoking-related cues, yet few studies have examined secondary rewards not associated with smoking (i.e., money). Inconsistencies exist in the studies that do examine secondary rewards with some studies showing increased brain activation in reward processing brain regions, while others show decreased activation or no difference in activation between smokers and nonsmokers. Aims: The goal of the current study is to see if smokers process the evaluation and delivery of equally salient real world rewards similarly or differently than nonsmokers. Methods: The current study employed functional magnetic resonance …
Apoptotic Neurodegeneration In The Developing Human Brain: Possible Role Of General Anesthetics In Its Genesis, And Of L-Carnitine In Its Reversal,
2014
Touro College
Apoptotic Neurodegeneration In The Developing Human Brain: Possible Role Of General Anesthetics In Its Genesis, And Of L-Carnitine In Its Reversal, Yisroel Yitzchok Rosenfeld
The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Recent studies suggest that general anesthetic (GA) agents administered to developing rats, through its mechanism as an NMDA antagonist or a GABAa mimetic, may damage developing neural cells by inducing a higher rate of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Similar heightened degeneration was also apparent in higher primates such as the monkey. This warrants strong concern, as every year thousands of pregnant women and children below 1 year of age undergo a surgical procedure in which GAs are used. A spike in neuroapoptosis may lead to long term cognitive deficiencies lingering into adulthood. Are humans vulnerable to these affects? Different pathways …
Dopamine And Glutamate Dysfunction In A Rodent Model Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications For Future Neuropharmacology,
2014
University of Kentucky
Dopamine And Glutamate Dysfunction In A Rodent Model Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications For Future Neuropharmacology, Erin M. Miller
Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders of childhood. It is theorized to be caused by catecholamine dysfunction in the striatum (Str) and frontal cortex (FC). The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has been used as a model for ADHD because of its attention deficits, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Prior studies of dopamine (DA) in the Str and FC have revealed conflicting results in the SHR compared to control, indicative of a need for a better understanding of DA dynamics in this model. In addition to the DA hypothesis, studies have begun implicating glutamate in the etiology of ADHD. …
Attenuating Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain By Repurposing Pioglitazone And D-Cycloserine In The Novel Trigeminal Inflammatory Compression Mouse Model,
2014
University of Kentucky
Attenuating Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain By Repurposing Pioglitazone And D-Cycloserine In The Novel Trigeminal Inflammatory Compression Mouse Model, Danielle N. Lyons
Theses and Dissertations--Physiology
Approximately 22% of the United States population suffers from a chronic orofacial pain condition. One such condition is known as trigeminal neuropathic pain frequently reported as continuous aching and burning pain, often accompanied by intermittent electrical shock-like sensations. Dental procedures or trauma are known causes of peripheral trigeminal nerve injury and inflammation. Patients who have this type of facial pain also suffer from emotional distress. For these reasons, trigeminal neuropathic pain needs to be studied in more detail to improve the understanding of the etiology and maintenance of this condition, as well as to develop effective treatment strategies. The first …
Predeliberation Activity In Prefrontal Cortex And Striatum And The Prediction Of Subsequent Value Judgment,
2013
Chapman University
Predeliberation Activity In Prefrontal Cortex And Striatum And The Prediction Of Subsequent Value Judgment, Uri Maoz, Ueli Rutishauser, Soyoun Kim, Xinying Cai, Christof Koch
Psychology Faculty Articles and Research
Rational, value-based decision-making mandates selecting the option with highest subjective expected value after appropriate deliberation. We examined activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and striatum of monkeys deciding between smaller, immediate rewards and larger, delayed ones. We previously found neurons that modulated their activity in this task according to the animal's choice, while it deliberated (choice neurons). Here we found neurons whose spiking activities were predictive of the spatial location of the selected target (spatial-bias neurons) or the size of the chosen reward (reward-bias neurons) before the onset of the cue presenting the decision-alternatives, and thus before rational deliberation …
