scholarly journals Endocannabinoids and dopamine balance basal ganglia output

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilach Gorodetski ◽  
Yocheved Loewenstern ◽  
Anna Faynveitz ◽  
Izhar Bar-Gad ◽  
Kim T. Blackwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Primary Afferents ◽  
Entopeduncular Nucleus ◽  
Relay Nucleus ◽  
Indirect Dominance ◽  
Prevailing View

AbstractThe entopeduncular nucleus is one of the basal ganglia’s output nuclei, thereby controlling basal ganglia information processing. Entopeduncular nucleus neurons integrate GABAergic inputs from the striatum and the globus pallidus and glutamatergic inputs from the subthalamic nucleus. We show that endocannabinoids and dopamine interact to modulate the long-term plasticity of all the primary afferents to the entopeduncular nucleus. Our results suggest that dopamine-endocannabinoids interplay determines the balance of the direct or indirect dominance of entopeduncular nucleus output. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, despite the lack of axon collaterals, information is transferred between neighboring neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus via endocannabinoids diffusion. These results transform the prevailing view of the entopeduncular nucleus as a feedforward “relay” nucleus to an intricate control unit, which may play a vital role in the process of action selection.

scholarly journals Endocannabinoids and Dopamine Balance Basal Ganglia Output

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilach Gorodetski ◽  
Yocheved Loewenstern ◽  
Anna Faynveitz ◽  
Izhar Bar-Gad ◽  
Kim T. Blackwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Primary Afferents ◽  
Entopeduncular Nucleus ◽  
Indirect Pathway ◽  
Relay Nucleus ◽  
Prevailing View

The entopeduncular nucleus is one of the basal ganglia's output nuclei, thereby controlling basal ganglia information processing. Entopeduncular nucleus neurons integrate GABAergic inputs from the Striatum and the globus pallidus, together with glutamatergic inputs from the subthalamic nucleus. We show that endocannabinoids and dopamine interact to modulate the long-term plasticity of all these primary afferents to the entopeduncular nucleus. Our results suggest that the interplay between dopamine and endocannabinoids determines the balance between direct pathway (striatum) and indirect pathway (globus pallidus) in entopeduncular nucleus output. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, despite the lack of axon collaterals, information is transferred between neighboring neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus via endocannabinoid diffusion. These results transform the prevailing view of the entopeduncular nucleus as a feedforward “relay” nucleus to an intricate control unit, which may play a vital role in the process of action selection.

scholarly journals Sustaining Rice Production through Biofertilization with N2-Fixing Cyanobacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4628
Author(s):  
Macarena Iniesta-Pallarés ◽  
Consolación Álvarez ◽  
Francisco M. Gordillo-Cantón ◽  
Carmen Ramírez-Moncayo ◽  
Pilar Alves-Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Trophic Chain ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Biotechnological Potential

Current agricultural productivity depends on an exogenous nutrient supply to crops. This is of special relevance in cereal production, a fundamental part of the trophic chain that plays a vital role in the human diet. However, our agricultural practices entail highly detrimental side-effects from an environmental point of view. Long-term nitrogen fertilization in croplands results in degradation of soil, water, and air quality, producing eutrophication and subsequently contributing to global warming. In accordance with this, there is a biotechnological interest in using nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to enhance crop growth without adding chemically synthesized nitrogen fertilizers. This is particularly beneficial in paddy fields, where about 60% of the synthetic fertilizer that has been applied is dissolved in the water and washed away. In these agricultural systems, N2-fixing cyanobacteria show a promising biotechnological potential as biofertilizers, improving soil fertility while reducing the environmental impact of the agricultural practice. In the current study, Andalusian paddy fields have been explored to isolate N2-fixing cyanobacteria. These endogenous microorganisms have been subsequently re-introduced in a field trial in order to enhance rice production. Our results provide valuable insights regarding the use of an alternative natural source of nitrogen for rice production.

scholarly journals A Novel LSTM Model with Interaction Dual Attention for Radar Echo Extrapolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Chuyao Luo ◽  
Xutao Li ◽  
Yongliang Wen ◽  
Yunming Ye ◽  
Xiaofeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Radar Echo ◽  
Hidden States ◽  
Better Than

The task of precipitation nowcasting is significant in the operational weather forecast. The radar echo map extrapolation plays a vital role in this task. Recently, deep learning techniques such as Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network (ConvRNN) models have been designed to solve the task. These models, albeit performing much better than conventional optical flow based approaches, suffer from a common problem of underestimating the high echo value parts. The drawback is fatal to precipitation nowcasting, as the parts often lead to heavy rains that may cause natural disasters. In this paper, we propose a novel interaction dual attention long short-term memory (IDA-LSTM) model to address the drawback. In the method, an interaction framework is developed for the ConvRNN unit to fully exploit the short-term context information by constructing a serial of coupled convolutions on the input and hidden states. Moreover, a dual attention mechanism on channels and positions is developed to recall the forgotten information in the long term. Comprehensive experiments have been conducted on CIKM AnalytiCup 2017 data sets, and the results show the effectiveness of the IDA-LSTM in addressing the underestimation drawback. The extrapolation performance of IDA-LSTM is superior to that of the state-of-the-art methods.

European Mail Armour

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn A. Wijnhoven
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Military Technology ◽  
Roman Army ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
First Time

Mail armour (commonly mislabelled 'chainmail') was used for more than two millennia on the battlefield. After its invention in the Iron Age, mail rapidly spread all over Europe and beyond. The Roman army, keen on new military technology, soon adopted mail armour and used it successfully for centuries. Its history did not stop there and mail played a vital role in warfare during the Middle Ages up to the Early Modern Period. Given its long history, one would think mail is a well-documented material, but that is not the case. For the first time, this books lays a solid foundation for the understanding of mail armour and its context through time. It applies a long-term multi-dimensional approach to extract a wealth of as yet untapped information from archaeological, iconographic and written sources. This is complemented with technical insights on the mail maker’s chaîne opératoire.

scholarly journals Basal ganglia dysmorphism in patients with Aicardi syndrome

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011237
Author(s):  
Silvia Masnada ◽  
Anna Pichiecchio ◽  
Manuela Formica ◽  
Filippo Arrigoni ◽  
Paola Borrelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Brain Imaging ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Permanent Disability ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Aicardi Syndrome

ObjectiveAiming to detect associations between neuroradiologic and EEG evaluations and long-term clinical outcome in order to detect possible prognostic factors, a detailed clinical and neuroimaging characterization of 67 cases of Aicardi syndrome (AIC), collected through a multicenter collaboration, was performed.MethodsOnly patients who satisfied Sutton diagnostic criteria were included. Clinical outcome was assessed using gross motor function, manual ability, and eating and drinking ability classification systems. Brain imaging studies and statistical analysis were reviewed.ResultsPatients presented early-onset epilepsy, which evolved into drug-resistant seizures. AIC has a variable clinical course, leading to permanent disability in most cases; nevertheless, some cases presented residual motor abilities. Chorioretinal lacunae were present in 86.56% of our patients. Statistical analysis revealed correlations between MRI, EEG at onset, and clinical outcome. On brain imaging, 100% of the patients displayed corpus callosum malformations, 98% cortical dysplasia and nodular heterotopias, and 96.36% intracranial cysts (with similar rates of 2b and 2d). As well as demonstrating that posterior fossa abnormalities (found in 63.63% of cases) should also be considered a common feature in AIC, our study highlighted the presence (in 76.36%) of basal ganglia dysmorphisms (never previously reported).ConclusionThe AIC neuroradiologic phenotype consists of a complex brain malformation whose presence should be considered central to the diagnosis. Basal ganglia dysmorphisms are frequently associated. Our work underlines the importance of MRI and EEG, both for correct diagnosis and as a factor for predicting long-term outcome.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that for patients with AIC, specific MRI abnormalities and EEG at onset are associated with clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Geo-Knowledge for an Ever Changing Society – The New Swiss National Map 1:10‘000 and its strategic relevance

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Olaf Forte
Keyword(s):  
Reference Data ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Focal Points ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
National Centre ◽  
Open Government Data ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Government Data ◽  
High Level

The Federal Office of Topography swisstopo plays a vital role as Switzerland’s Geoinformation centre. This paper shows how the New Swiss National Map 1&amp;thinsp;:&amp;thinsp;10’000 will take its place, within the strategic Geoinformation preparations for 2020 and swisstopo’ future technical developments.<br> This topic can be told in five key chapters, each with their own strategic focal points for swisstopo: The National Centre of Geoinformation – Up-to-date reference data – Improved, future-orientated usability – Filling the gaps in Switzerland’s geographical reference data and finally Open Government Data.<br> Implementing each of these strategic focal points will enable swisstopo to provide an even more effective, efficient and cost-conscious service. The data and products provided by swisstopo are built on the core objectives of ensuring that Switzerland’s official Geoinformation, firstly complies with current legislation, secondly insuring that the information covering various time periods will be readily available over the long term, and finally that the data is maintained as up to date as possible.<br> In order to ensure long-term success and to provide a service that responds to the people’s needs and benefits Switzerland as a whole, swisstopo must also take into account social, political and technological developments. Moreover, it will enable swisstopo to continue a sustainable high-level of cartography in future.

scholarly journals Altering gain of the infralimbic-to-accumbens shell circuit alters economically dissociable decision-making algorithms

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (27) ◽  
pp. E6347-E6355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Sweis ◽  
Erin B. Larson ◽  
A. David Redish ◽  
Mark J. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Shell ◽  
Synaptic Remodeling ◽  
Reward Seeking ◽  
Deliberative Processes ◽  
Reward Valuation

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is involved in reward valuation. Excitatory projections from infralimbic cortex (IL) to NAcSh undergo synaptic remodeling in rodent models of addiction and enable the extinction of disadvantageous behaviors. However, how the strength of synaptic transmission of the IL–NAcSh circuit affects decision-making information processing and reward valuation remains unknown, particularly because these processes can conflict within a given trial and particularly given recent data suggesting that decisions arise from separable information-processing algorithms. The approach of many neuromodulation studies is to disrupt information flow during on-going behaviors; however, this limits the interpretation of endogenous encoding of computational processes. Furthermore, many studies are limited by the use of simple behavioral tests of value which are unable to dissociate neurally distinct decision-making algorithms. We optogenetically altered the strength of synaptic transmission between glutamatergic IL–NAcSh projections in mice trained on a neuroeconomic task capable of separating multiple valuation processes. We found that induction of long-term depression in these synapses produced lasting changes in foraging processes without disrupting deliberative processes. Mice displayed inflated reevaluations to stay when deciding whether to abandon continued reward-seeking investments but displayed no changes during initial commitment decisions. We also developed an ensemble-level measure of circuit-specific plasticity that revealed individual differences in foraging valuation tendencies. Our results demonstrate that alterations in projection-specific synaptic strength between the IL and the NAcSh are capable of augmenting self-control economic valuations within a particular decision-making modality and suggest that the valuation mechanisms for these multiple decision-making modalities arise from different circuits.

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