Functional correlates of the lateral and medial entorhinal cortex: objects,path integration and local–global reference frames

The hippocampus receives its major cortical input from the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) and the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC). It is commonly believed that the MEC provides spatial input to the hippocampus, whereas the LEC provides non-spatial input. We review new data which suggest that this simple dichotomy between ‘where’ versus ‘what’ needs revision. We propose a refinement of this model, which is more complex than the simple spatial–non-spatial dichotomy. MEC is proposed to be involved in path integration computations based on a global frame of reference, primarily using internally generated, self-motion cues and external input about environmental boundaries and scenes; it provides the hippocampus with a coordinate system that underlies the spatial context of an experience. LEC is proposed to process information about individual items and locations based on a local frame of reference, primarily using external sensory input; it provides the hippocampus with information about the content of an experience.     

Integration time for short broad band clicks in echolocating FM-bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

Vespertilionid FM-bats (four Eptesicus fuscus and one Vespertilio murinus) were trained in an electronic phantom target simulator to detect synthetic echoes consisting of either one or two clicks. The threshold sound pressure for single clicks was around 47 dB peSPL for all five bats corresponding to a threshold energy of -95 dB re 1 Pa² * s. By varying the interclick interval, T, for double clicks it was shown that the threshold intensity was around — 3 dB relative to the threshold for single clicks at T up to 2.4 ms, indicating perfect power summation of both clicks. A threshold shift of -13.5 dB for a 1 ms train of 20 clicks (0.05 ms interclick interval) confirmed that the bats integrated the power of the stimuli. At T longer than around 2.5 ms the threshold for double clicks was the same as for single clicks. Thus, the bats performed like perfect energy detectors with an integration time of approximately 2.4 ms. This integration time is an order of magnitude shorter than that reported for bats listening passively for pure tones. In our setup the bats emitted sonar signals with durations of 2–3 ms. Hence, the results may indicate that while echolocating the bats integration time is adapted to the duration of the sonar emissions.Abbreviations AGC automatic gain control - FM frequency modulated - peSPL peak equivalent sound pressure level - rms root mean square - SD standard deviation - SE standard error of mean - T interclick interval     

Relationship of vector insert size to homologous integration during transformation of Neurospora crassa with the cloned am (GDH) gene

Summary We used lambda and plasmid vectors containing the am ⁺ gene in an insert of from 2.7 to 9.1 kb, to transform am point mutant and deletion strains. A total of 199 transformants were examined with the potential to yield am ^– transformants by homologous recombination. When we used vectors that had 9.1 kb of homology with the chromosomal DNA, 30% of the transformants obtained were the result of homologous recombination regardless of whether the vector was a lambda molecule, a circular plasmid, or a plasmid that had been linearized prior to transformation. When vectors with up to 5.1 kb of homology were used, very few transformants (1 of 89 tested) resulted from homologous recombination. Of a sample of 29 ectopic integration events obtained by transformation with the 9.1 kb fragment cloned in a vector, 18 included a major part (usually almost all) of both arms of lambda with the entire Neurospora 9.1 kb insert between them. Four included only long arm sequence together with an adjacent segment of the insert containing the am gene. The remaining seven were the result of multiple integrations. There was no evidence of circularization of the vector prior to integration. All transformants that had multiple copies of the am gene appeared to be subject to the RIP process, which causes multiple mutations in duplicated sequences during the sexual cycle.     

小麦旗叶早衰性状的QTL定位

为小麦旗叶早衰性状的精细定位和基因克隆奠定基础,该试验以普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)‘宁春4号’和‘宁春27号’杂交得到的128个F10代RIL群体为研究材料,利用307对多态性SSR标记对小麦旗叶早衰性状进行了QTL定位,并通过构建整合图谱的方法进行了标记加密。结果表明,共检测到1个控制旗叶早衰性状的加性QTL,位于2A染色体长臂的gwm526和gwm382标记区间内,可解释49.88%的表型变异。经遗传图谱整合后发现,gwm526和gwm382标记之间存在124个SNP标记。     

Rats Generate Vibrissal Sensory Evidence until Boundary Crossing Triggers a Decision

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Understanding Performance Degradation in Cation‐Disordered Rock‐Salt Oxide Cathodes

The collective redox activities of transition‐metal (TM) cations and oxygen anions have been shown to increase charge storage capacity in both Li‐rich layered and cation‐disordered rock‐salt cathodes. Repeated cycling involving anionic redox is known to trigger TM migration and phase transformation in layered Li‐ and Mn‐rich (LMR) oxides, however, detailed mechanistic understanding on the recently discovered Li‐rich rock‐salt cathodes is largely missing. The present study systematically investigates the effect of oxygen redox on a Li_1.3Nb_0.3Mn_0.4O₂ cathode and demonstrates that performance deterioration is directly correlated to the extent of oxygen redox. It is shown that voltage fade and hysteresis begin only after initiating anionic redox at high voltages, which grows progressively with either deeper oxidation of oxygen at higher potential or extended cycling. In contrast to what is reported on layered LMR oxides, extensive TM reduction is observed but phase transition is not detected in the cycled oxide. A densification/degradation mechanism is proposed accordingly which elucidates how a unique combination of extensive chemical reduction of TM and reduced quality of the Li percolation network in cation‐disordered rock‐salts can lead to performance degradation in these newer cathodes with 3D Li migration pathways. Design strategies to achieve balanced capacity and stability are also discussed.     

猪瘟DNA疫苗在猪体及环境的生物安全性研究

DNA疫苗生物安全性是其走向临床所须解决的关键问题之一。以猪瘟DNA疫苗为研究对象 ,探讨了其两个方面的生物安全性问题。一方面 ,将两种不同的猪瘟DNA疫苗质粒免疫猪后 ,利用PCR技术分析了其与猪细胞基因组整合的可能性 ,结果在灵敏度为 30拷贝的检测条件下 ,未发现猪瘟DNA疫苗整合到细胞基因组 ;另一方面 ,以PCR技术检测了免疫现场环境样品 ,以分析猪瘟DNA疫苗上的E2基因、CMV启动子基因和抗性基因是否在环境细菌中发生转移和扩散。结果未发现DNA疫苗转化环境细菌的直接证据。因此认为DNA疫苗对猪体和环境是安全的。     

大鼠皮层听-视多感觉神经元和听-视信息整合

应用常规电生理技术,研究SD大鼠皮层听-视多感觉神经元的分布和听-视信息整合.共记录到130个听-视双模态神经元,其中65个A-V型神经元,28个v-A型神经元和37个a-V型神经元.这些双模态神经元主要分布于听区的背侧,听皮层和视皮层的交界处,具有明显的区域性,呈条带状分布,v-A型神经元较多地位于近听皮层一侧,a-V型神经元则主要位于近视皮层一侧,A-V型神经元位于两者之间.在条带中,双模态神经元分布不均一,有片状分布趋势.双模态神经元的听-视信息整合效应分为增强型、抑制型和调制型.整合效应与声-光组合刺激的时间间隔有关,其中75%的神经元获得最大整合效应的时间间隔在30～50ms之间.研究结果提示,大鼠皮层存在听-视多感觉神经元分布区,这些神经元遵循存在于其他动物相关脑区多感觉信息整合规律,参与听-视感觉信息整合.