Development of a Scheme and Tools to Construct a Standard Moth Brain for Neural Network Simulations

Understanding the neural mechanisms for sensing environmental information and controlling behavior in natural environments is a principal aim in neuroscience. One approach towards this goal is rebuilding neural systems by simulation. Despite their relatively simple brains compared with those of mammals, insects are capable of processing various sensory signals and generating adaptive behavior. Nevertheless, our global understanding at network system level is limited by experimental constraints. Simulations are very effective for investigating neural mechanisms when integrating both experimental data and hypotheses. However, it is still very difficult to construct a computational model at the whole brain level owing to the enormous number and complexity of the neurons. We focus on a unique behavior of the silkmoth to investigate neural mechanisms of sensory processing and behavioral control. Standard brains are used to consolidate experimental results and generate new insights through integration. In this study, we constructed a silkmoth standard brain and brain image, in which we registered segmented neuropil regions and neurons. Our original software tools for segmentation of neurons from confocal images, KNEWRiTE, and the registration module for segmented data, NeuroRegister, are shown to be very effective in neuronal registration for computational neuroscience studies

Odorant Concentration Differentiator for Intermittent Olfactory Signals

Animals need to discriminate differences in spatiotemporally distributed sensory signals in terms of quality as well as quantity for generating adaptive behavior. Olfactory signals characterized by odor identity and concentration are intermittently distributed in the environment. From these intervals of stimulation, animals process odorant concentration to localize partners or food sources. Although concentration–response characteristics in olfactory neurons have traditionally been investigated using single stimulus pulses, their behavior under intermittent stimulus regimens remains largely elusive. Using the silkmoth (Bombyx mori) pheromone processing system, a simple and behaviorally well-defined model for olfaction, we investigated the neuronal representation of odorant concentration upon intermittent stimulation in the naturally occurring range. To the first stimulus in a series, the responses of antennal lobe (AL) projection neurons (PNs) showed a concentration dependence as previously shown in many olfactory systems. However, PN response amplitudes dynamically changed upon exposure to intermittent stimuli of the same odorant concentration and settled to a constant, largely concentration-independent level. As a result, PN responses emphasized odorant concentration changes rather than encoding absolute concentration in pulse trains of stimuli. Olfactory receptor neurons did not contribute to this response transformation which was due to long-lasting inhibition affecting PNs in the AL. Simulations confirmed that inhibition also provides advantages when stimuli have naturalistic properties. The primary olfactory center thus functions as an odorant concentration differentiator to efficiently detect concentration changes, thereby improving odorant source orientation over a wide concentration range.UTokyo Research掲載「匂いの濃度を効率的に表現する脳の計算メカニズムの発見」 URI: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/utokyo-research/research-news/a-novel-neuronal-mechanism-to-efficiently-code-odorant-concentration/UTokyo Research "A novel neuronal mechanism to efficiently code odorant concentration" URI: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/utokyo-research/research-news/a-novel-neuronal-mechanism-to-efficiently-code-odorant-concentration

A Single Sex Pheromone Receptor Determines Chemical Response Specificity of Sexual Behavior in the Silkmoth Bombyx mori

In insects and other animals, intraspecific communication between individuals of the opposite sex is mediated in part by chemical signals called sex pheromones. In most moth species, male moths rely heavily on species-specific sex pheromones emitted by female moths to identify and orient towards an appropriate mating partner among a large number of sympatric insect species. The silkmoth, Bombyx mori, utilizes the simplest possible pheromone system, in which a single pheromone component, (E, Z)-10,12-hexadecadienol (bombykol), is sufficient to elicit full sexual behavior. We have previously shown that the sex pheromone receptor BmOR1 mediates specific detection of bombykol in the antennae of male silkmoths. However, it is unclear whether the sex pheromone receptor is the minimally sufficient determination factor that triggers initiation of orientation behavior towards a potential mate. Using transgenic silkmoths expressing the sex pheromone receptor PxOR1 of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in BmOR1-expressing neurons, we show that the selectivity of the sex pheromone receptor determines the chemical response specificity of sexual behavior in the silkmoth. Bombykol receptor neurons expressing PxOR1 responded to its specific ligand, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), in a dose-dependent manner. Male moths expressing PxOR1 exhibited typical pheromone orientation behavior and copulation attempts in response to Z11-16:Ald and to females of P. xylostella. Transformation of the bombykol receptor neurons had no effect on their projections in the antennal lobe. These results indicate that activation of bombykol receptor neurons alone is sufficient to trigger full sexual behavior. Thus, a single gene defines behavioral selectivity in sex pheromone communication in the silkmoth. Our findings show that a single molecular determinant can not only function as a modulator of behavior but also as an all-or-nothing initiator of a complex species-specific behavioral sequence

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia

Measurement of associated W plus charm production in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Peer reviewe

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

The gustatory system and antennal learning in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.)

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde das gustatorische System der Biene mit elektrophysiologischen, verhaltensphysiologischen und anatomischen Methoden analysiert. Hierbei stand vor allem das Verständnis der Verarbeitung des Zuckerstimulus, der in Lernexperimenten als unkonditionierter Stimulus und Belohnung eingesetzt wird, im Vordergrund. Diese Ergebnisse wurden verwendet, um Lernvorgänge im Antennenmuskelsystem zu untersuchen. Auf Zuckerwasserstimulation der Antenne wurden nach etwa 200 ms erste Aktionspotentiale im Labiummuskel M17 registriert, die resultierende Proboscisreaktion erfolgte 100 ms später. Die Latenz der Proboscisreaktion war weitgehend unabhängig von den Stimulationsbedingungen. Gustatorische Stimuli wurden von Bienen mit ihren Antennen durch kurze Kontakte (10-20 ms) in kurzen Abständen (ca. 40 ms) repetitiv abgetastet. Unattraktive Stimuli wurden nach wenigen Berührungen nicht weiter abgetastet. Antennale Geschmackshaare zeigten eine hohe Empfindlichkeit für Saccharose und eine geringe Empfindlichkeit für KCl. Wasserantworten traten nicht auf. Die Antworteigenschaften waren auf die natürlich auftretende Stimulation durch kurze Kontakte mit Stimuli abgestimmt. Anhaltende Adaptation der Antworten bei repetitiver Stimulation trat nicht auf. Antwortvariabilität beträchtlichen Ausmaßes wurde auf zwei Ebenen identifiziert: zwischen verschiedenen Sensillen einer Antenne und im einzelnen Sensillum zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden Stimuli. Die Antworten konnten durch den Oktopamin-Antagonisten Epinastin stark erniedrigt werden. Oktopamin erhöhte das transepitheliale Potential. Als putative modulatorische Zellen wurden zwei ins Flagellum projizierende VUM-Neurone des suboesophagealen Ganglions identifiziert. Spikeantworten von Mechanorezeptoren gustatorischer und taktiler Haare der Antenne traten nur bei Bewegung des Haarschaftes auf. Projektionen gustatorischer Sensillen der Antenne wurden im Dorsallobus identifiziert. Putative Chemorezeptoren projizierten in einen medialen Bereich und putative Mechanorezeptoren projizierten in einen weiter lateral gelegenen Bereich. Die Projektionen gustatorischer Sensillen der Proboscis lagen im ventralen Bereich des suboesophagealen Ganglions und verliefen bis ins Tritocerebrum. Projektionen des Tarsus des Vorderbeins lagen im ipsilateralen ventralen Bereich des Prothorakalganglions. Die gustatorischen und mechanosensorischen Projektionen der Antenne überlappten mit dem dendritischen Areal des Motoneurons des schnellen Flagellum Flexor Muskels der Antenne, dessen Aktionspotentiale mit denen des Muskels 1:1 korreliert sind. Der Muskel zeigte sensorisch induzierte Antworten kurzer Latenz auf ipsilaterale mechanische und gustatorische Stimulation. Antworten auf kontralaterale gustatorische Stimulation waren schwach. Für eine operante Konditionierung der Spontanaktivität des Muskels war nur eine Paarung hoher Muskelaktivität mit ipsilateraler Zuckerwasserstimulation der Antenne notwendig. Konditionierung mit kontralateraler Stimulation war nicht erfolgreich. Das entwickelte modifizierte Lernparadigma für die operante Konditionierung des schnellen Flagellum Flexors bzw. Seines Motoneurons hat den Vorteil, daß im Vergleich zu anderen Lernpräparaten die Zahl der im Lernvorgang involvierten Elemente stark reduziert ist, was weitergehende Analysen des Lernvorgangs auf zellulärer Ebene vereinfachen wird.In the present work, the gustatory system of the bee was analysed using electrophysiological, behavioural, and anatomical methods. Of particular interest was the processing of the sugar stimulus, that is employed as unconditioned stimulus in learning experiments. The resulting information was used to investigate operant conditioning in an antennal muscle. Upon sugar water stimulation of the antenna, the first spikes of the labium muscle M17 could be detected with a latency of 200 ms. The resulting proboscis extension occurred 100 ms later. The latency of the proboscis response was largely independent of stimulus conditions. Bees scanned gustatory stimuli repeatedly with their antennae with short contact durations (10-20 ms) at short intervals (ca. 40 ms). Stimuli of low salience were not further scanned after a few initial contacts. Antennal taste hairs displayed a high sensitivity for sucrose and a low sensitivity for KCl. Water responses were not present. The response properties were matched the short contact durations occuring under natural stimulus conditions. Lasting adaptation of responses upon repetitive stimulation was not seen. Response variability of considerable magnitude was identified on two levels: between different sensilla on the same antenna and withing each sensillum between responses to repetitive stimulation. The responses could be strongly depressed by application of the octopamine antagonist epinastine. Octopamine elevated the transepithelial potential. Two VUM neurons of the suboesophageal ganglion innervating the flagellum were identified as putative modulatory cells. Spike responses of mechanoreceptors in gustatory and tactile setae of the antenna only occurred during positional changes of the hair shaft. The projections of gustatory sensilla of the antenna were identified in the dorsal lobe. Putative chemoreceptors projected into a medial zone and putative mechanoreceptors projected into a more lateral area. The projections of gustatory sensilla of the proboscis were located in the ventral suboesophageal ganglion and ascended into the anterior tritocerebum. Projections of the tarsus of the foreleg were found in the ipsilateral ventral part of the prothoracic ganglion. The gustatory and mechanosensory projections of the antenna overlapped with the dendritic tree of the motoneuron of the fast flagellum flexor muscle of the antenna, whose spikes are 1:1 correlated with those of its target muscle. The muscle displayed sensory evoked responses of short latency to ipsilateral mechanical and gustatory stimulation. Responses to contralateral stimulation were weak. For learning success in operant conditioning of the spontaneous activity of the fast flagellum flexor muscle, only pairing of high muscle activity with ipsilateral antennal sucrose stimulation was required. Conditioning with contralateral stimulation was unsuccessful. This modified learning paradigm for operant conditoning of the fast flagellum flexor muscle i.e. Its motoneuron has the advantage compared with other learning paradigms that the number of cellular elements involved in the learning process is much reduced. This will greatly simplity further analyses of learning at the cellular level