The neurodynamics underlying attentional control in set shifting tasks

In this work we address key phenomena observed with classical set shifting tasks as the “Wisconsin Card Sorting Test” or the “Stroop” task: Different types of errors and increased response times reflecting decreased attention. A component of major importance in these tasks is referred to as the “attentional control” thought to be implemented by the prefrontal cortex which acts primarily by an amplification of task relevant information. This mode of operation is illustrated by a neurodynamical model developed for a new kind of set shifting experiment: The Wisconsin-Delayed-Match-to-Sample task combines uninstructed shifts as investigated in Wisconsin-like tasks with a Delayed-Match-to-Sample paradigm. These newly developed WDMS experiments in conjunction with the neurodynamical simulations are able to explain the reason for decreased attention in set shifting experiments as well the different consequences of decreased attention in tasks requiring bivalent yes/no responses compared to tasks requiring multivalent responses. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Shift Algorithm for Exact Computation in Sequential Tests with Binary Outcome

A simple shift algorithm is described enabling the exact determination of power functions and sample size distributions for a large variety of closed sequential two‐sample designs with a binary outcome variable. The test statistics are assumed to be based on relative frequencies of successes or failures, but the number of interim analyses, the monitoring times, and the continuation regions may be specified as desired. To give examples, exact properties of designs proposed by the program package EaSt (Cytel , 1992) are determined, and plans with interim analyses are considered where decisions are based on the conditional power given the observations obtained so far.     

Machine learning application in soccer: a systematic review

Due to the chaotic nature of soccer, the predictive statistical models have become in a current challenge to decision-making based on scientific evidence. The aim of the present study was to systematically identify original studies that applied machine learning (ML) to soccer data, highlighting current possibilities in ML and future applications. A systematic review of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, DIIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO) was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. From the 145 studies initially identified, 32 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. In summary, all articles were clustered into three groups: injury (n = 7); performance (n = 21), which was classified in match/league outcomes forecasting, physical/physiological forecasting, and technical/tactical forecasting; and the last group was about talent forecasting (n = 5). The development of technology, and subsequently the large amount of data available, has become ML in an important strategy to help team staff members in decision-making predicting dose-response relationship reducing the chaotic nature of this team sport. However, since ML models depend upon the amount of dataset, further studies should analyze the amount of data input needed make to a relevant predictive attempt which makes accurate predicting available.     

Consensual predictions of potential distributional areas for invasive species: a case study of Argentine ants in the Iberian Peninsula

Invasive species are known to influence the structure and function of invaded ecological communities, and preventive measures appear to be the most efficient means of controlling these effects. However, management of biological invasions requires use of adequate tools to understand and predict invasion patterns in recently introduced areas. The present study: (1) estimates the potential geographic distribution and ecological requirements of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile Mayr), one of the most conspicuous invasive species throughout the world, in the Iberian Peninsula using ecological niche modeling, and (2) provides new insights into the process of selection of consensual areas among predictions from several modeling methodologies. Ecological niche models were developed using 5 modeling techniques: generalized linear models (GLM), generalized additive models (GAM), generalized boosted models (GBM), Genetic Algorithm for Rule-Set Prediction (GARP), and Maximum Entropy (Maxent). Models for the eastern and western portions of the Iberian Peninsula were built using subsets of occurrence and environmental data to investigate the potential for ecological niche differences between the invading populations. Our results indicate geographic differences between predictions of different approaches, and the utility of ensemble predictions in identifying areas of uncertainty regarding the species’ invasive potential. More generally, our models predict coastal areas and major river corridors as highly suitable for Argentine ants, and indicate that western and eastern Iberian Peninsula populations occupy similar environmental conditions.

Inhibitory regulation of EGF receptor degradation by sorting nexin 5

Endosomal trafficking of EGF receptor (EGFR) upon stimulation is a highly regulated process during receptor-mediated signaling. Recently, the sorting nexin (SNX) family has emerged as an important regulator in the membrane trafficking of EGFR. Here, we report the identification of a novel interaction between two members of the family, SNX1 and SNX5, which is mediated by the newly defined BAR domain of both SNXs. We have also shown that the PX domain of SNX5 binds specifically to PtdIns other than to PtdIns(3)P. Furthermore, the BAR domain but not the PX domain of SNX5 is sufficient for its subcellular membrane association. Functionally, overexpression of SNX5 inhibits the degradation of EGFR. This process appears to be independent of its interaction with SNX1. However, overexpression of SNX1 is able to attenuate the effect of SNX5 on EGFR degradation, suggesting the two proteins may play antagonistic roles in regulating endosomal trafficking of the receptor.     

生物量精确估算模型与参数辨识方法及应用

从生物量模型的构建与参数辨识方法的改进对生物量进行精确估算。用Chebyshev多项式系的组合构建了p维连续函数空间的一组乘积型基,进而建立了生物量估算统一模型,它具有如下特点:(1)可以克服常用生物量估算模型的经验性、不稳定性、不通用性及对生物量影响因素适应性差的特点,(2)它适合于影响生物量的任何因素,故适应范围非常广且很稳定,(3)可根据实际需要及估算精度确定影响生物量的因素及其阶数大小,(4)模型对生物量的估算相当于在区间[-1,1]上进行的数值插值,变量阶数越高,所插入的点就越多,估算结果越符合实际,整个估算的插值过程与树木的树干解析与树木生长原理是相一致的。对所建模型的参数辨识方法做了探讨,经典最小二乘算法是生物量估算的最常用参数辨识方法,由于它本身固有的一些缺陷使常用最小二乘的估算精度与使用范围受到很大的限制,现代多元统计分析的偏最小二乘算法可以克服常用最小二乘的缺陷,但在提取成分时仍具有不足,针对偏最小二乘的缺陷本文对它做了改进,改进算法即能克服偏最小二乘的不足还能使估算精度大大提高。用2个案例对3种生物量估算方法做了对比分析,结果表明生物量估算统一模型与偏最小二乘改进算法精度最高,其生物量估计误差在零附近排成一条直线。     

Early contacts between substrate proteins and TatA translocase component in twin-arginine translocation

Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) is a unique protein transport pathway in bacteria, archaea, and plastids. It mediates the transmembrane transport of fully folded proteins, which harbor a consensus twin-arginine motif in their signal sequences. In Gram-negative bacteria and plant chloroplasts, three membrane proteins, named TatA, TatB, and TatC, are required to enable Tat translocation. Available data suggest that TatA assembles into oligomeric pore-like structures that might function as the protein conduit across the lipid bilayer. Using site-specific photo-cross-linking, we have investigated the molecular environment of TatA under resting and translocating conditions. We find that monomeric TatA is an early interacting partner of functionally targeted Tat substrates. This interaction with TatA likely precedes translocation of Tat substrates and is influenced by the proton-motive force. It strictly depends on the presence of TatB and TatC, the latter of which is shown to make contacts with the transmembrane helix of TatA.     

利用最大熵模型和规则集遗传算法模型预测孑遗植物裸果木的潜在地理分布及格局

利用野外调查的16个居群分布点和7个环境因子图层, 选择最大熵模型(MAXENT)和规则集遗传算法模型(GARP), 在地理和环境空间上模拟了第三纪孑遗植物裸果木(Gymnocarpos przewalskii)在中国西北地区的潜在分布。结果表明: (1)裸果木的潜在适生区全部集中在西北荒漠区, 其中最佳适生区主要集中在3个区域, 一是河西走廊中部和玉门以西、宁夏北部及内蒙古乌拉特后旗; 二是塔里木盆地西北缘; 三是柴达木盆地西北缘两片极小的高度适生区。裸果木的生态位被确定在一个较广的干旱环境空间: 适生区极端最高气温基本上在29.2-36.8 ℃之间, 极端最低气温在-18.3至-13.4 ℃之间; 年平均降水量40-200 mm; 潜在蒸发率在3-15之间。(2) MAXENT和GARP模型都较好地预测了裸果木的潜在分布, 但GARP产生了相对较大、较连续的潜在分布区, 部分过预测了破碎化生境; 而MAXENT预测到的潜在分布区, 在不同区域具有不同的环境适生性指数, 而且成功地排除了不合理的破碎化分布, 从而更直观地展示了裸果木的潜在分布格局和生态位要求。     

Identification of New Interactions between Endolysosomal Tethering Factors

Proper functioning of the precisely controlled endolysosomal system is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the entire cell. Tethering factors play pivotal roles in mediating the fusion of different transport vesicles, such as endosomes or autophagosomes with each other or with lysosomes. In this work, we uncover several new interactions between the endolysosomal tethering factors Rabenosyn-5 (Rbsn) and the HOPS and CORVET complexes. We find that Rbsn binds to the HOPS/CORVET complexes mainly via their shared subunit Vps18 and we mapped this interaction to the 773–854 region of Vps18. Based on genetic rescue experiments, the binding between Rbsn and Vps18 is required for endosomal transport and is dispensable for autophagy. Moreover, Vps18 seems to be important for β1 integrin recycling by binding to Rbsn and its known partner Vps45.     

应用流式细胞Index Sorting技术研究小鼠胚胎生血内皮细胞

目的:应用流式Index Sorting技术鉴定小鼠胚胎期d10(E10)的主动脉中生血内皮细胞(HEC)的表面分子表达特征,并结合体外孵育实验及免疫组化染色验证HEC的生血潜能。方法:已有研究显示细胞表面分子Kit和CD47均能标记造血相关群体。在此基础上,应用流式细胞Index Sorting技术分选单个分子表型为CD41^-CD43^-CD45^-CD31^+Kit^+的主动脉内皮细胞,并与基质细胞OP9-DL1共孵育诱导培养7 d,进而结合单个内皮细胞的流式分选特征参数,及诱导后生成CD45^+造血细胞和CD31^+内皮细胞的效率,综合回溯分析Kit和CD47富集HEC的效果。结果:具有生血潜能的HEC均富集在CD47^+内皮细胞群体中,CD47分子将HEC群体的精度提高1.5倍;CD47^+内皮群体中,仍有60%以上的内皮不具备生血能力,提示进一步探索寻找富集HEC表面标志的必要性。结论:应用流式细胞Index Sorting技术发现CD47分子能显著富集小鼠胚胎期HEC,为进一步精准富集并研究HEC提供了重要的技术手段。