In this study, the authors examined the effects of commonly used pesticides (metolachlor, glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine) on population size, motor function, and learning in Drosophila melanogaster.
Read More...Effects of Common Pesticides on Population Size, Motor Function, and Learning Capabilities in Drosophilia melanogaster
In this study, the authors examined the effects of commonly used pesticides (metolachlor, glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and atrazine) on population size, motor function, and learning in Drosophila melanogaster.
Read More...Comparing the performance of lateral control algorithms on long rigid vehicles in urban environments
Here, seeking to better understand the control algorithms used in autonomous vehicles, the authors compared the Stanley and pure pursuit control algorithms along with a new version of each. Unexpectedly, they found that no control algorithm offered optimal performance, but rather resulted in tradeoffs between the various ideal results.
Read More...Starts and Stops of Rhythmic and Discrete Movements: Modulation in the Excitability of the Corticomotor Tract During Transition to a Different Type of Movement
Control of voluntary and involuntary movements is one of the most important aspects of human neurological function, but the mechanisms of motor control are not completely understood. In this study, the authors use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to stimulate a portion of the motor cortex while subjects performed either discrete (e.g. throwing) or rhythmic (e.g. walking) movements. By recording electrical activity in the muscles during this process, the authors showed that motor evoked potentials (MEPs) measured in the muscles during TMS stimulation are larger in amplitude for discrete movements than for rhythmic movements. Interestingly, they also found that MEPs during transitions between rhythmic and discrete movements were nearly identical and larger in amplitude than those recorded during either rhythmic or discrete movements. This research provides important insights into the mechanisms of neurological control of movement and will serve as the foundation for future studies to learn more about temporal variability in neural activity during different movement types.
Read More...Nintendo Da Vinci: A Novel Control System to Improve Performance in Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Complications of robotic-assisted surgery are on the rise, partly due to surgeons not receiving proper training. Al-Akash and Al-Akash hypothesized Nintendo JoyCon controls would improve surgical performance compared to the FDA-approved Da Vinci Surgical System with two user groups (doctor and gamer). Their results show that implementing a Nintendo JoyCon control system is associated with improved surgical performance and learning rate compared to the Da Vinci Surgical System.
Read More...Modeling and optimization of epidemiological control policies through reinforcement learning
Pandemics involve the high transmission of a disease that impacts global and local health and economic patterns. Epidemiological models help propose pandemic control strategies based on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, curfews, and lockdowns, reducing the economic impact of these restrictions. In this research, we utilized an epidemiological Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered, Deceased (SEIRD) model – a compartmental model for virtually simulating a pandemic day by day.
Read More...Assessing Materials’ Short-term Effectiveness on Controlling Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Attachment
Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species. They attach to essential industrial structures and harm the native ecosystem, costing millions of dollars each year to control. This study explored the effectiveness of two nontoxic materials (Sharklet & Netminder) in combating zebra mussel attachment.
Read More...RETRACTED: Effect of Curcumin on Motor Behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster PINK1 Mutant Parkinson’s Model
This manuscript was retracted on March 22, 2021 as it did not adhere to JEI's submission requirements with respect to author permissions. All authors on the manuscript agreed to its removal.
Read More...Detection and Control of Spoilage Fungi in Refrigerated Vegetables and Fruits
Food spoilage leads to a significant loss in agricultural produce each year. Here, the authors investigate whether certain essential oils can protect against fungus-mediated spoilage of fruits and vegetables. Their results suggest that the compounds they tested might indeed inhibit fungal growth, at various temperatures, a promising result that could reduce food wasting.
Read More...Who controls U.S. politics? An analysis of major political endorsements in U.S. midterm elections
The authors analyze political endorsement patterns and impacts from the 2018 and 2020 midterm elections and find that such endorsements may be predictable based on the ideological and demographic factors of the endorser.
Read More...A Novel Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Model: Attenuating Hyperphosphorylated Tau and Amyloid β (Aβ) Aggregates by Characterizing Antioxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, and Neuroprotective Properties of Natural Extracts
Oxidative damage and neuro-inflammation were the key pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, 30 natural extracts from plant roots and leaves with extensive anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties were consumed by Drosophila melanogaster. Several assays were performed to evaluate the efficacy of these combinational extracts on delaying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The experimental group showed increased motor activity, improved associative memory, and decreased lifespan decline relative to the control group.
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