Mathematical analysis of Paleodictyon: a graph theory approach

The graphoglyptid ichnogenus Paleodictyon has been alternatively interpreted as a foraging or farming trace; as a subsurface burrow for the habitation of one or more unknown organisms; the remains of a xenophyophore; and as the result of modular growth of an unknown organism. Graph theory and analysis of the geometry of the regular ichnospecies suggests that if the elements of Paleodictyon are interpreted as tunnels, then they are of extraordinary length relative to the size of any likely solitary tracemaker. In addition, because each vertex of the mesh is of degree three, any possible path through mesh requires revisiting in order to travel through the entire network; this makes the minimum path length even longer. These results suggest that it is unlikely that Paleodictyon is the result of subsurface burrowing.     

Impacts of transgenic Bt cotton on the stylet penetration behaviors of Bemisia tabaci biotype B: Evidence from laboratory experiments

Abstract Stylet penetration behaviors of Bemisia tabaci biotype B on two transgenic cotton lines “GK12” and “GK19” expressing Bt toxic protein Cry1A (Bt cotton) and a non-Bt conventional cotton line “Simian-3” (CK cotton) were recorded with the direct current electrical penetration graph (DC-EPG) technique. Our results suggested that EPG waveform patterns, types and characteristics [non-probe (NP), pathway (C), potential drops (pd) and phloem phase (E(pd))] of Bemisia tabaci biotype B were very similar on the three cotton lines. There were no obvious differences of pathway variables among whiteflies on the three cotton lines. Some phloem variables related to E(pd)₁ differed. Duration of 1st E(pd)₁ and mean duration of E(pd)₁ on both GK12 and GK19 were significantly shorter than that on CK cotton (P < 0.05). Fewer whiteflies on GK have long E(pd)₁. Other phloem variables including total duration of E(pd) summed, mean E(pd) duration and percentage of whiteflies reaching the phloem phase were similar among the three cotton lines.     

Mapping human brain networks with cortico-cortical evoked potentials

The cerebral cortex forms a sheet of neurons organized into a network of interconnected modules that is highly expanded in humans and presumably enables our most refined sensory and cognitive abilities. The links of this network form a fundamental aspect of its organization, and a great deal of research is focusing on understanding how information flows within and between different regions. However, an often-overlooked element of this connectivity regards a causal, hierarchical structure of regions, whereby certain nodes of the cortical network may exert greater influence over the others. While this is difficult to ascertain non-invasively, patients undergoing invasive electrode monitoring for epilepsy provide a unique window into this aspect of cortical organization. In this review, we highlight the potential for cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP) mapping to directly measure neuronal propagation across large-scale brain networks with spatio-temporal resolution that is superior to traditional neuroimaging methods. We first introduce effective connectivity and discuss the mechanisms underlying CCEP generation. Next, we highlight how CCEP mapping has begun to provide insight into the neural basis of non-invasive imaging signals. Finally, we present a novel approach to perturbing and measuring brain network function during cognitive processing. The direct measurement of CCEPs in response to electrical stimulation represents a potentially powerful clinical and basic science tool for probing the large-scale networks of the human cerebral cortex.     

Explaining and Predicting Allostery with Allosteric Database and Modern Analytical Techniques

Allostery is a phenomenon that the protein activity is regulated when a non-functional site on it is bounded. This phenomenon is important in life process and disease therapy. However, it is difficult to study allostery due to the lack of knowledge. Facing this demand, we have created Allosteric Database (ASD) 10 years before to collect numerous kinds of allosteric data. In this review, we will introduce the 4 categories of data in ASD. For each category, we further reviewed how researchers applied ASD data to conduct studies. We focused on their research topics, analytical methods and conclusions. Several discoveries of new drug targets and allosteric modulators driven by ASD are also summarized. We hope this review could inspire researchers with new utilities of ASD data.     

Drought stress and pathogen infection alter feeding behavior of a phytopathogen vector

The impact of drought stress on tripartite plant-pathogen-vector interactions constitutes a complex and largely understudied field of plant-insect interaction. A number of studies explored these topics using aphid vectors of plant pathogens, but few have considered the interactions between drought-stressed plants and pathogen-transmitting psyllids. The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is one of the key pests of solanaceous crops in the USA that causes direct injury as well as indirect injury through transmission of a bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), the causal agent of zebra chip. Previous studies explored the impact of Lso infection and drought stress on B. cockerelli development and reproductive rate separately, but no research to date has evaluated whether drought stress and Lso infection alter feeding behavior of the insects. We explored this using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique and monitored feeding behavior of Lso-infected and uninfected potato psyllids on well-watered and drought-stressed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). We found that drought stress had a significant effect on feeding behavior associated with salivation into the phloem and phloem ingestion, both linked to Lso transmission. Furthermore, infected potato psyllids in particular produced a higher number of events associated with these feeding behaviors and remained in these phases longer in well-watered plants than in plants that were under drought stress. We also reported a new and previously undescribed waveform H of unknown biological function that was produced by the psyllids. This is the first study that considered the impact of bacterial infection and concomitant drought stress on feeding behavior of an insect quantified using EPG.