546 research outputs found
Action synchronization with biological motion
The ability to predict the actions of other agents is vital for joint action tasks. Recent theory suggests that action prediction relies on an emulator system that permits observers to use information about their own motor dynamics to predict the actions of other agents. If this is the case, then predictions for self-generated actions should be more accurate than predictions for other-generated actions. We tested this hypothesis by employing a self/other synchronization paradigm where prediction accuracy for recording of self-generated movements was compared with prediction accuracy for other-generated movements. As expected, predictions were more accurate when the observer’s movement dynamics matched the movement dynamics of the recording. This is consistent with that idea that the observer’s movement dynamics influence the predictions they generate
On the universal structure of human lexical semantics
How universal is human conceptual structure? The way concepts are organized
in the human brain may reflect distinct features of cultural, historical, and
environmental background in addition to properties universal to human
cognition. Semantics, or meaning expressed through language, provides direct
access to the underlying conceptual structure, but meaning is notoriously
difficult to measure, let alone parameterize. Here we provide an empirical
measure of semantic proximity between concepts using cross-linguistic
dictionaries. Across languages carefully selected from a phylogenetically and
geographically stratified sample of genera, translations of words reveal cases
where a particular language uses a single polysemous word to express concepts
represented by distinct words in another. We use the frequency of polysemies
linking two concepts as a measure of their semantic proximity, and represent
the pattern of such linkages by a weighted network. This network is highly
uneven and fragmented: certain concepts are far more prone to polysemy than
others, and there emerge naturally interpretable clusters loosely connected to
each other. Statistical analysis shows such structural properties are
consistent across different language groups, largely independent of geography,
environment, and literacy. It is therefore possible to conclude the conceptual
structure connecting basic vocabulary studied is primarily due to universal
features of human cognition and language use.Comment: Press embargo in place until publicatio
Mandated Marketing Programs For California Commodities
Agricultural and Food Policy, Marketing,
A High-Mass Protobinary System in the Hot Core W3(H2O)
We have observed a high-mass protobinary system in the hot core W3(H2O) with
the BIMA Array. Our continuum maps at wavelengths of 1.4mm and 2.8mm both
achieve sub-arcsecond angular resolutions and show a double-peaked morphology.
The angular separation of the two sources is 1.19" corresponding to 2.43X10^3
AU at the source distance of 2.04 kpc. The flux densities of the two sources at
1.4mm and 2.8mm have a spectral index of 3, translating to an opacity law of
kappa ~ nu. The small spectral indices suggest that grain growth has begun in
the hot core. We have also observed 5 K components of the CH3CN (12-11)
transitions. A radial velocity difference of 2.81 km/s is found towards the two
continuum peaks. Interpreting these two sources as binary components in orbit
about one another, we find a minimum mass of 22 Msun for the system. Radiative
transfer models are constructed to explain both the continuum and methyl
cyanide line observations of each source. Power-law distributions of both
density and temperature are derived. Density distributions close to the
free-fall value, r^-1.5, are found for both components, suggesting continuing
accretion. The derived luminosities suggest the two sources have equivalent
zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) spectral type B0.5 - B0. The nebular masses
derived from the continuum observations are about 5 Msun for source A and 4
Msun for source C. A velocity gradient previously detected may be explained by
unresolved binary rotation with a small velocity difference.Comment: 38 pages, 9 figures, accepted by The Astrophysical Journa
Increased Risk for Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Individuals Lacking Glutathione S-Transferase Genes
BACKGROUND: Aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are marrow failure states that may be associated with chromosomal instability. An absence of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme may genetically predispose individuals to AA or MDS. PROCEDURE AND RESULTS: To test this hypothesis, we determined the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in a total of 196 patients using multiplex PCR. The GSTT1 null genotype was found to be overrepresented in Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic patients with either AA or MDS. We confirmed a difference in the expected frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype in Caucasian MDS patients. The double null GSTM1/GSTT1 genotype was also overrepresented in Caucasian AA and MDS patients. In our population, 26% of AA patients and 40% of MDS patients had a chromosomal abnormality identified by karyotype or FISH analyses for chromosomes 7 and 8. Patients with AA and the GSTT1 null genotype had an increased frequency of chromosomal abnormalities (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: There seems to be an increased risk for AA and MDS in individuals lacking GSTT1 or both GSTM1/GSTT1
Evaluation of protection induced by a dengue virus serotype 2 envelope domain III protein scaffold/DNA vaccine in non-human primates
AbstractWe describe the preclinical development of a dengue virus vaccine targeting the dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) envelope domain III (EDIII). This study provides proof-of-principle that a dengue EDIII protein scaffold/DNA vaccine can protect against dengue challenge. The dengue vaccine (EDIII-E2) is composed of both a protein particle and a DNA expression plasmid delivered simultaneously via intramuscular injection (protein) and gene gun (DNA) into rhesus macaques. The protein component can contain a maximum of 60 copies of EDIII presented on a multimeric scaffold of Geobacillus stearothermophilus E2 proteins. The DNA component is composed of the EDIII portion of the envelope gene cloned into an expression plasmid. The EDIII-E2 vaccine elicited robust antibody responses to DENV2, with neutralizing antibody responses detectable following the first boost and reaching titers of greater than 1:100,000 following the second and final boost. Vaccinated and naïve groups of macaques were challenged with DENV2. All vaccinated macaques were protected from detectable viremia by infectious assay, while naïve animals had detectable viremia for 2–7 days post-challenge. All naïve macaques had detectable viral RNA from day 2–10 post-challenge. In the EDIII-E2 group, three macaques were negative for viral RNA and three were found to have detectable viral RNA post challenge. Viremia onset was delayed and the duration was shortened relative to naïve controls. The presence of viral RNA post-challenge corresponded to a 10–30-fold boost in neutralization titers 28 days post challenge, whereas no boost was observed in the fully protected animals. Based on these results, we determine that pre-challenge 50% neutralization titers of >1:6000 correlated with sterilizing protection against DENV2 challenge in EDIII-E2 vaccinated macaques. Identification of the critical correlate of protection for the EDIII-E2 platform in the robust non-human primate model lays the groundwork for further development of a tetravalent EDIII-E2 dengue vaccine
Phagocytosis by an HIV antibody is associated with reduced viremia irrespective of enhanced complement lysis
Increasingly, antibodies are being used to treat and prevent viral infections. In the context of HIV, efficacy is primarily attributed to dose-dependent neutralization potency and to a lesser extent Fc-mediated effector functions. It remains unclear whether augmenting effector functions of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) may improve their clinical potential. Here, we use bNAb 10E8v4 targeting the membrane external proximal region (MPER) to examine the role of antibody-mediated effector and complement (C’) activity when administered prophylactically against SHIV challenge in rhesus macaques. With sub-protective dosing, we find a 78–88% reduction in post-acute viremia that is associated with 10E8v4-mediated phagocytosis acting at the time of challenge. Neither plasma nor tissue viremic outcomes in vivo is improved with an Fc-modified variant of 10E8v4 enhanced for C’ functions as determined in vitro. These results suggest that effector functions inherent to unmodified 10E8v4 contribute to efficacy against SHIVSF162P3 in the absence of plasma neutralizing titers, while C’ functions are dispensable in this setting, informing design of bNAb modifications for improving protective efficacy
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