scholarly journals Organization of Parieto-Prefrontal and Temporo-Prefrontal Networks in the Macaque

Author(s):  
Franco Giarrocco ◽  
Bruno Averbeck

The connectivity among architectonically defined areas of the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortex of the macaque has been extensively mapped through tract tracing methods. To investigate the statistical organization underlying this connectivity, and identify its underlying architecture, we performed a hierarchical cluster analysis on 69 cortical areas based on their anatomically defined inputs. We identified 10 frontal, 4 parietal, and 5 temporal hierarchically related sets of areas (clusters), defined by unique sets of inputs and typically composed of anatomically contiguous areas. Across cortex, clusters that share functional properties were linked by dominant information processing circuits in a topographically organized manner that reflects the organization of the main fiber bundles in the cortex. This led to a dorsal-ventral subdivision of the frontal cortex, where dorsal and ventral clusters showed privileged connectivity with parietal and temporal areas, respectively. Ventrally, temporo-frontal circuits encode information to discriminate objects in the environment, their value, emotional properties, and functions such as memory and spatial navigation. Dorsal parieto-frontal circuits encode information for selecting, generating, and monitoring appropriate actions based on visual-spatial and somatosensory information. This organization may reflect evolutionary antecedents, in which the vertebrate pallium, which is the ancestral cortex, was defined by a ventral and lateral olfactory region and a medial hippocampal region.

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 1911-1920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno B. Averbeck ◽  
Alexandra Battaglia-Mayer ◽  
Carla Guglielmo ◽  
Roberto Caminiti

Considerable information has been gathered on the anatomical connectivity within the parieto-frontal network of the primate brain. To examine the statistical regularities in this connectivity, we carried out hierarchical cluster analysis and found statistically significant clusters of areas: four in the parietal and six in the frontal lobe. Clusters were based on patterns of inputs from all cortical areas. Both parietal and frontal clusters were composed of sets of spatially contiguous architectonic areas. The four parietal clusters were composed of sets of anterior (somatosensory), dorsal, inferior, and medio-lateral parietal cortical areas. The six frontal clusters were composed of sets of dorsal premotor, ventral premotor, primary motor, cingulate motor, and dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortical areas. Furthermore, connectivity between frontal and parietal clusters was topographic and reciprocal. Thus we found substantial statistical structure and organization in the parieto-frontal network that gives a simplified but accurate description of this system.


Author(s):  
B. Damião ◽  
W. C. Rossi-Junior ◽  
F. D. R. Guerra ◽  
P. P. Marques ◽  
D. A. Nogueira ◽  
...  

Abstract Anabolic substances have been increasingly used by bodybuilders and athletes with the goal of improving performance and aesthetics. However, this practice has caused some concern to physicians and researchers because of unknowledge of consequences that the indiscriminate and illicit use of these substances can cause. Thus, this study analyzed the effects of two commercially available anabolic steroids (AS), Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) and Deposteron® (Testosterone Cypionate), in the neuronal density of limbic, motor and sensory regions on the cerebral cortex and in CA1, CA2, CA3 regions of the hippocampus. A total of 60 Swiss mice were used (30 males and 30 females), separated into three groups: control and two experimental groups, which received the AAS. From each brain, homotypic and semi-serial samples were taken in frontal sections from areas established for the study. The results showed that females treated with testosterone cypionate presented a reduction in all regions tested and the ones treated with Stanozolol showed a decrease in some hippocampal areas. Regarding male animals, stanozolol led to a decrease in neuron number in one hippocampal region. These data allow us to conclude that supra-physiological doses of steroids used in this study, can cause considerable damage to nervous tissue with ultrastructural and consequently behavioral impairment. These changes could interfere with the loss of physical yield and performance of athletes and non-athletes and may cause irreparable damage to individuals making irresponsible use of anabolic steroids.


2015 ◽  
pp. 125-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Goncharenko

In this article we proposed a new method of non-hierarchical cluster analysis using k-nearest-neighbor graph and discussed it with respect to vegetation classification. The method of k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classification was originally developed in 1951 (Fix, Hodges, 1951). Later a term “k-NN graph” and a few algorithms of k-NN clustering appeared (Cover, Hart, 1967; Brito et al., 1997). In biology k-NN is used in analysis of protein structures and genome sequences. Most of k-NN clustering algorithms build «excessive» graph firstly, so called hypergraph, and then truncate it to subgraphs, just partitioning and coarsening hypergraph. We developed other strategy, the “upward” clustering in forming (assembling consequentially) one cluster after the other. Until today graph-based cluster analysis has not been considered concerning classification of vegetation datasets.


Author(s):  
Nikunj D. Patel ◽  
Niranjan S. Kanaki

Background: Numerous Ayurvedic formulations contains tugaksheeree as key ingredient. Tugaksheereeis the starch gained from the rhizomes of two plants, Curcuma angustifoliaRoxb. (Zingiberaceae) and Marantaarundinacea (MA) Linn. (Marantaceae). Objective: The primary concerns in quality assessment of Tugaksheeree occur due to adulteration or substitution. Method: In current study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) facility was used to evaluate tugaksheeree samples. Total 10 different samples were studied and transmittance mode was kept to record the spectra devoid of pellets of KBR. Further treatment was given with multi component tools by considering fingerprint region of the spectra. Multivariate analysis was performed by various chemometric methods. Result: Multi component methods like Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)were used to discriminate the tugaksheeree samples using Minitab software. Conclusion: This method can be used as a tool to differentiate samples of tugaksheeree from its adulterants and substitutes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239821282097977
Author(s):  
Christoffer J. Gahnstrom ◽  
Hugo J. Spiers

The hippocampus has been firmly established as playing a crucial role in flexible navigation. Recent evidence suggests that dorsal striatum may also play an important role in such goal-directed behaviour in both rodents and humans. Across recent studies, activity in the caudate nucleus has been linked to forward planning and adaptation to changes in the environment. In particular, several human neuroimaging studies have found the caudate nucleus tracks information traditionally associated with that by the hippocampus. In this brief review, we examine this evidence and argue the dorsal striatum encodes the transition structure of the environment during flexible, goal-directed behaviour. We highlight that future research should explore the following: (1) Investigate neural responses during spatial navigation via a biophysically plausible framework explained by reinforcement learning models and (2) Observe the interaction between cortical areas and both the dorsal striatum and hippocampus during flexible navigation.


Author(s):  
Milan Radojicic ◽  
Aleksandar Djokovic ◽  
Nikola Cvetkovic

Unpredictable and uncontrollable situations have happened throughout history. Inevitably, such situations have an impact on various spheres of life. The coronavirus disease 2019 has affected many of them, including sports. The ban on social gatherings has caused the cancellation of many sports competitions. This paper proposes a methodology based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) that can be applied when a need occurs to end an interrupted tournament and the conditions for playing the remaining matches are far from ideal. The proposed methodology is based on how to conclude the season for Serie A, a top-division football league in Italy. The analysis showed that it is reasonable to play 14 instead of the 124 remaining matches of the 2019–2020 season to conclude the championship. The proposed methodology was tested on the past 10 seasons of the Serie A, and its effectiveness was confirmed. This novel approach can be used in any other sport where round-robin tournaments exist.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e033290
Author(s):  
Karel Blondeel ◽  
Sonia Dias ◽  
Martina Furegato ◽  
Armando Seuc ◽  
Ana Gama ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPortugal has the highest HIV incidence rate in Western Europe. The proportion assigned to sexual contact between men recently increased to more than 30% of all HIV infections. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increasing the per-contact risk of HIV infection. Building on syndemic theory, the aim of this analysis was to identify patterns of current sexual behaviour in MSM, and explore their relationship with self-reported current, past STI diagnoses and HIV positive serostatus.DesignA cross-sectional behavioural survey was conducted in Portugal among MSM, using a community-based participatory research approach. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify patterns including behavioural and demographic factors.ResultsThe analysis resulted in six clusters. Three clusters showed higher rates of current STI diagnosis (ranging from 11.7% to 17.1%), past STI diagnosis (ranging from 25.5% to 41.5%) and HIV positive serostatus (ranging from 13.0% to 16.7%). From the three clusters scoring lower on current and past STI and HIV diagnoses, one was characterised by a high number of sexual partners (62% had more than 12 partners in the last year), a high proportion (94.6%) of frequent visits to gay venues to meet sexual partners and high alcohol use (46.1%). The other two clusters scored lower on high risk sexual behaviour.ConclusionFactors other than sexual behaviour appear to reinforce the vulnerability to STIs and HIV of some MSM in this study, suggesting a syndemic of STIs, HIV and other adverse conditions. More research is needed to better understand the drivers of the STI/HIV epidemic in Portuguese MSM, using a concept that goes beyond risk behaviour, to develop effective combination prevention interventions.


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