Paying attention to working memory: similarities in the spatial distribution of attention in mental and physical space

Selective attention is not limited to information that is physically present in the external world, but can also operate on mental representations in the internal world. However, it is not known whether mechanisms of attentional selection in mental space operate in a similar fashion as in physical space. We studied the spatial distribution of attention for items in physical and in mental space by comparing how successfully distracters were rejected at varying distances from the attended location. The results indicate very similar distribution characteristics of spatial attention in physical and mental space. Specifically, we found that performance monotonically improved with increasing distracter distance relative to the attended location suggesting that distracter confusability is particularly pronounced for nearby distracters relative to further away distracters. The present findings suggest that mental representations preserve their spatial configuration in working memory, and that similar mechanistic principles underlie selective attention in physical and mental space

Habitat Suitability of Javan Gibbon in Gunung Salak, West Java (Kesesuaian Habitat Owa Jawa di Gunung Salak, Jawa Barat)

Objective of this study was to provide spatial information of Javan gibbon habitat suitability and distribution in Gunung (Mt.) Salak area for Management Authority of Mt. Halimun-Salak National Park. Informations on Javan gibbon distribution was collected through a number of survey during December 2005–June 2006 in Kawah Ratu (Parakan Salak, Sukabumi), Pondok Wisata Cangkuang (Cidahu, Sukabumi), and Bobojong Village (Bogor). Twenty two groups were identified using direct count and triangle count method from over 47 identified positions. Habitat suitability was formulated based on10 ecogeographical variables (criteria), consisting of forest type (primary forest, secondary forest, low-land forest, and submontane forest), slope (0–15%, 15–45%, >45%), and distance to non-forested land, river/water body, and road/tracks. The result showed that Mt. Salak consisted of 13.20% (17.53 km2), 26.25% (34.86 km2), 19.40% (25.77 km2), 4.16% (5.53 km2), and 20.17% (26.78 km2) of high-suitable, suitable, moderate suitable, less and low suitable level subsequently, and 12.69 km2 or 9.56% was not suitable for Javan gibbon habitat. It was also revealed that that 3 and 9 groups were living in high suitable and suitable habitat respectively; 13 groups in moderate suitable, while for each less and low suitable habitat, 2 Javan gibbon groups lived in

Habitat Suitability of Javan Gibbon in Gunung Salak, West Java (Kesesuaian Habitat Owa Jawa di Gunung Salak, Jawa Barat)

Objective of this study was to provide spatial information of Javan gibbon habitat suitability and distribution in Gunung (Mt.) Salak area for Management Authority of Mt. Halimun-Salak National Park. Informations on Javan gibbon distribution was collected through a number of survey during December 2005–June 2006 in Kawah Ratu (Parakan Salak, Sukabumi), Pondok Wisata Cangkuang (Cidahu, Sukabumi), and Bobojong Village (Bogor). Twenty two groups were identified using direct count and triangle count method from over 47 identified positions. Habitat suitability was formulated based on10 ecogeographical variables (criteria), consisting of forest type (primary forest, secondary forest, low-land forest, and submontane forest), slope (0–15%, 15–45%, >45%), and distance to non-forested land, river/water body, and road/tracks. The result showed that Mt. Salak consisted of 13.20% (17.53 km2), 26.25% (34.86 km2), 19.40% (25.77 km2), 4.16% (5.53 km2), and 20.17% (26.78 km2) of high-suitable, suitable, moderate suitable, less and low suitable level subsequently, and 12.69 km2 or 9.56% was not suitable for Javan gibbon habitat. It was also revealed that that 3 and 9 groups were living in high suitable and suitable habitat respectively; 13 groups in moderate suitable, while for each less and low suitable habitat, 2 Javan gibbon groups lived in

福島県における放射線情報提供のためのクラウドソースによる放射線データの評価

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(学術)Doctor of Philosophydoctora

From counting to retrieving: Neural networks underlying alphabet arithmetic learning

This fMRI study aimed at unraveling the neural basis of learning alphabet arithmetic facts, as a proxy of the transition from slow and effortful procedural counting-based processing to fast and effortless processing as it occurs in learning addition arithmetic facts. Neural changes were tracked while participants solved alphabet arithmetic problems in a verification task (e.g., F + 4 = J). Problems were repeated across four learning blocks. Two neural networks with opposed learning-related changes were identified. Activity in a network consisting of basal ganglia and parieto-frontal areas decreased with learning, which is in line with a reduction of the involvement of procedure-based processing. Conversely, activity in a network involving the left angular gyrus and, to a lesser extent, the hippocampus gradually increases with learning, evidencing the gradual involvement of retrieval-based processing. Connectivity analyses gave insight in the functional relationship between the two networks. Despite the opposing learning-related trajectories, it was found that both networks become more integrated. Taking alphabet arithmetic as a proxy for learning arithmetic, the present results have implications for current theories of learning arithmetic facts and can give direction to future developments

Mitochondrial DNA methylation in metabolic associated fatty liver disease

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction are hallmarks of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), yet molecular parameters underlying MAFLD progression are not well understood. Differential methylation within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been suggested to be associated with dysfunctional mitochondria, also during progression to Metabolic Steatohepatitis (MeSH). This study further investigates whether mtDNA methylation is associated with hepatic lipid accumulation and MAFLD.METHODS: HepG2 cells were constructed to stably express mitochondria-targeted viral and prokaryotic cytosine DNA methyltransferases (mtM.CviPI or mtM.SssI for GpC or CpG methylation, respectively). A catalytically inactive variant (mtM.CviPI-Mut) was constructed as a control. Mouse and human patients' samples were also investigated. mtDNA methylation was assessed by pyro- or nanopore sequencing.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Differentially induced mtDNA hypermethylation impaired mitochondrial gene expression and metabolic activity in HepG2-mtM.CviPI and HepG2-mtM.SssI cells and was associated with increased lipid accumulation, when compared to the controls. To test whether lipid accumulation causes mtDNA methylation, HepG2 cells were subjected to 1 or 2 weeks of fatty acid treatment, but no clear differences in mtDNA methylation were detected. In contrast, hepatic Nd6 mitochondrial gene body cytosine methylation and Nd6 gene expression were increased in mice fed a high-fat high cholesterol diet (HFC for 6 or 20 weeks), when compared to controls, while mtDNA content was unchanged. For patients with simple steatosis, a higher ND6 methylation was confirmed using Methylation Specific PCR, but no additional distinctive cytosines could be identified using pyrosequencing. This study warrants further investigation into a role for mtDNA methylation in promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired lipid metabolism in MAFLD.</p

Mitochondrial DNA methylation in metabolic associated fatty liver disease

IntroductionHepatic lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction are hallmarks of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), yet molecular parameters underlying MAFLD progression are not well understood. Differential methylation within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been suggested to be associated with dysfunctional mitochondria, also during progression to Metabolic Steatohepatitis (MeSH). This study further investigates whether mtDNA methylation is associated with hepatic lipid accumulation and MAFLD.MethodsHepG2 cells were constructed to stably express mitochondria-targeted viral and prokaryotic cytosine DNA methyltransferases (mtM.CviPI or mtM.SssI for GpC or CpG methylation, respectively). A catalytically inactive variant (mtM.CviPI-Mut) was constructed as a control. Mouse and human patients’ samples were also investigated. mtDNA methylation was assessed by pyro- or nanopore sequencing.Results and discussionDifferentially induced mtDNA hypermethylation impaired mitochondrial gene expression and metabolic activity in HepG2-mtM.CviPI and HepG2-mtM.SssI cells and was associated with increased lipid accumulation, when compared to the controls. To test whether lipid accumulation causes mtDNA methylation, HepG2 cells were subjected to 1 or 2 weeks of fatty acid treatment, but no clear differences in mtDNA methylation were detected. In contrast, hepatic Nd6 mitochondrial gene body cytosine methylation and Nd6 gene expression were increased in mice fed a high-fat high cholesterol diet (HFC for 6 or 20 weeks), when compared to controls, while mtDNA content was unchanged. For patients with simple steatosis, a higher ND6 methylation was confirmed using Methylation Specific PCR, but no additional distinctive cytosines could be identified using pyrosequencing. This study warrants further investigation into a role for mtDNA methylation in promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired lipid metabolism in MAFLD