| 291. |
- Achmadi, Fadiah, et al.
(författare)
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Improving Transnational Transport Corridors In the OIC Member Countries: Concepts and Cases
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This study investigates the latest trends related to transnational transport corridors in the OIC geography, identifies the common challenges these corridors are facing and proposes recommendations for enhancing effective and efficient transnational transport corridors. The ultimate aim of the study is to raise awareness of transnational transport corridors among the OIC Member States as well as to trigger a serious debate around the issues identified and how to address them. Within the OIC geography, there are more than 100 transport routes dispersed over Arab, Asia, and Africa regions. It should be noted that not all of these transport routes are transport corridors. Transport corridors should meet the criteria of a multi modal transport corridor that facilitates trade. Transport corridors are denoted as such because, among others, (1) they are subject to an international treaty between countries that call it such, (2) there are common technical and operations standards, (3) the traffic is mostly international, and (4) the operating standards are usually higher than “ordinary” transport routes. The literature review and analyses conducted for this study were based on a framework of seven subject areas, in order to better understand the lessons learned from the best practices, and at the same time to identify the main challenges faced by the transport corridors outside the OIC geography. The seven areas of the framework, which were used as a basis for the entire report, are: (1) political and institutional factors, (2) economic factors, (3) trade facilitation, (4) social factors, (5) safety, security and legal liability, (6) technical and operational factors, and (7) environmental and energy factors. An in-depth investigation of the different aspects of each area was given for transport corridors outside and within the OIC geography. In addition three corridors were visited (TRACECA, INSTC, and TAH1), for which a detailed analysis of the findings is provided. Additional in-depth analyses were conducted for CAREC corridor 3, Northern Corridor, and Mashreq North-South Corridor.
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| 292. |
- Achurra, A., et al.
(författare)
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DNA barcoding and species delimitation: the Stylodrilus heringianus case (Annelida : Clitellata : Lumbriculidae)
- 2013
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Ingår i: Invertebrate Systematics. - 1445-5226. ; 27:1, s. 118-128
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Individuals of the aquatic oligochaete species Stylodrilus heringianus Claparède, 1862 were collected across a part of this species’ distribution range in Sweden, Estonia, Great Britain and Spain to test whether they represent a single metapopulation or several separately evolving lineages. Using sequences of the barcoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and two nuclear genes (internal transcribed spacer region and histone 3), three different approaches were conducted: pairwise distance-method, Bayesian inference and network analysis. Both the COI phylogeny and network analyses were concordant in recovering six haplotype clusters, which showed a maximum genetic distance of 7.7% (K2P) among each other. Nevertheless, nuclear genes failed to confirm any lineage separation, and we conclude that the sampled specimens all belong to the same species. A phylogeographic history with allopatric divergence and secondary contact is suggested to explain this intraspecific pattern of mitochondrial divergence and nuclear non-divergence. The study shows that a mitochondrial single-locus approach can be problematic for the accurate delimitation of species, and we emphasise the need for nuclear genes as supplementary markers, when taxonomic resolution is assessed with COI barcodes.
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| 293. |
- Achurra, A., et al.
(författare)
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Pseudo-cryptic speciation in the subterranean medium: A new species of Stylodrilus Claparede, 1862, with a revision of the status of Bichaeta Bretscher, 1900 (Annelida, Clitellata, Lumbriculidae)
- 2015
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Ingår i: Zoologischer Anzeiger. - : Elsevier BV. - 0044-5231. ; 257, s. 71-86
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The subterranean aquatic medium is known to harbor a large diversity of cryptic species. We describe a new aquatic clitellate, Stylodrilus mariae n. sp., from groundwaters in the Cantabrian region, northern Spain, using integrative taxonomy (morphological and molecular data). The new species shows inconspicuous morphological differences with Stylodrilus parvus s. lat. The tree topologies based on sequences of the barcoding gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) and two nuclear markers i.e., internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and histone 3 (H3) were concordant and revealed that S. parvus s. lat. and the new species are genetically well-differentiated. They are non-sister lineages, showing a maximum genetic (uncorrected p) distance of 20% for COI. Constrained phenotypic evolution is apparent in the clade within which S. mariae n. sp. and S. parvus are placed; this can explain the decoupling of morphological and molecular evolution in these two species although we cannot completely discard convergent evolution. Based on molecular data, the former Bichaeta sanguinea clusters within the genus Stylodrilus, and since this is concordant with the morphology, Stylodrilus sanguineus (Bretscher, 1900) n. comb, is proposed. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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| 294. |
- Ackefors, M., et al.
(författare)
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Peg-IFN and ribavirin treatment for recurrence of genotype 2 and 3 hepatitis C after liver transplantation
- 2015
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 47:4, s. 209-217
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Relapse of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is universal. Tolerance for treatment with pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) is suboptimal and withdrawals due to adverse events frequent. We sought to improve tolerance for treatment to improve outcome. Methods: We used concentration-guided RBV dosing to achieve an intended 10 mu mol/L concentration with darbepoetin support in combination with peg-IFN alfa-2a, 180 mu g for genotype 1 and 135 mu g for genotype 2/3 to improve tolerance. Results: A total of 51/54 patients (94%) completed a full treatment course. In the per-protocol analysis 43% of patients (22/51) achieved sustained virological response (SVR), 82% with HCV genotype 2/3 and 22% with genotype 1, p = 0.0001. Patients with IL28B CC achieved SVR in 73% (8/11) and patients with non-CC in 33% (14/43), p = 0.016. Patients with mild fi brosis (fi brosis stage 1-2) achieved SVR in 56% (15/27), and patients with advanced fi brosis (fi brosis stage 3 -4) in only 26% (7/27), p = 0.0267. Conclusions: Concentration-guided RBV dosing with darbepoetin support substantially improves tolerance and offers high adherence to a full peg-IFN and RBV treatment course in patients with post-transplant HCV relapse. With this approach genotype 2 and 3 infections can be treated cost-effectively post-transplant. Genotype 1, IL28B non-CC genotype, and advanced fi brosis predicted a low SVR rate.
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| 295. |
- Ackerley, Rochelle, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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An fMRI study on cortical responses during active self-touch and passive touch from others
- 2012
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1662-5153. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Active, self-touch and the passive touch from an external source engage comparable afferent mechanoreceptors on the touched skin site. However, touch directed to glabrous skin compared to hairy skin will activate different types of afferent mechanoreceptors. Despite perceptual similarities between touch to different body sites, it is likely that the touch information is processed differently. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to elucidate the cortical differences in the neural signal of touch representations during active, self-touch and passive touch from another, to both glabrous (plam) and hairy (arm) skin, where a soft brush was used as the stimulus. There were two active touch conditions, where the participant used the brush in their right hand to stroke either their left palm or arm. There were two similar passive, touch conditions where the experimenter used an identical brush to stroke the same palm and arm areas on the participant. Touch on the left palm elicited a large, significant, positive blood-oxygenation level dependence (BOLD) signal in right sensorimotor areas. Less extensive activity was found for touch to the arm. Separate somatotopical palm and arm representations were found in Brodmann area (BA) 3 of the right primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and in both these areas, active stroking gave significantly higher signals than passive stroking. Active, self-touch elicited a positive BOLD signal in a network of sensorimotor cortical areas in the left hemisphere, compared to the resting baseline. In contrast, during passive touch, a significant negative BOLD signal was found in the left SI. Thus, each of the four conditions had a unique cortical signature despite similarities in afferent signaling or evoked perception. It is hypothesized that attentional mechanisms play a role in the modulation of the touch signal in the right SI, accounting for the differences found between active and passive touch.
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| 296. |
- Ackerley, Rochelle, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Case Studies in Neuroscience: Sensations elicited and discrimination ability from nerve cuff stimulation in an amputee over time
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurophysiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0022-3077 .- 1522-1598. ; 120:1, s. 291-295
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present case study details sensations elicited by electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve axons using an implanted nerve cuff electrode, in a participant with a transhumeral amputation. The participant uses an osseointegrated electromechanical interface, which enables skeletal attachment of the prosthesis and long-term, stable, bidirectional communication between the implanted electrodes and prosthetic arm. We focused on evoking somatosensory percepts, where we tracked and quantified the evolution of perceived sensations in the missing hand. which were evoked from electrical stimulation of the nerve, for over 2 yr. These sensations included small, pointlike areas of either vibration or pushing, to larger sensations over wider areas, indicating the recruitment of a few and many afferents, respectively. Furthermore, we used a two-alternative forced choice paradigm to measure the level of discrimination between trains of brief electrical stimuli, to gauge what the participant could reliably distinguish between. At best, the participant was able to distinguish a 05-Hz difference and on average acquired a 3.8-Hz just-noticeable difference at a more stringent psychophysical level. The current work shows the feasibility for long-term sensory feedback in prostheses, via electrical axonal stimulation, where small and relatively stable percepts were felt that may be used to deliver graded sensory feedback. This opens up opportunities for signaling feedback during movements (e.g., for precision grip), but also for conveying more complex cutaneous sensations. such as texture. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate the long-term stability and generation of sensations from electrical peripheral nerve stimulation in an amputee. through an osseointegrated implant. We find that perceived tactilelike sensations could be generated for over 2 yr. in the missing hand. This is useful for prosthetic development and the implementation of feedback in artificial body parts.
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| 297. |
- Ackerley, Rochelle, 1980, et al.
(författare)
-
Differential effects of radiant and mechanically applied thermal stimuli on human C-tactile afferent firing patterns.
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of neurophysiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1598 .- 0022-3077. ; 120:4, s. 1885-1892
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- C-tactile (CT) afferents respond to gentle tactile stimulation, but only a handful of studies in humans and animals have investigated whether their firing is modified by temperature. We describe the effects of radiant thermal stimuli, and of stationary and very slowly moving mechanothermal stimuli, on CT afferent responses. We find that CT afferents are primarily mechanoreceptors, as they fired little during radiant thermal stimuli, but they exhibited different patterns of firing during combined mechano-cool stimulation compared with warming. CTs fired optimally to gentle, very slowly moving, or stationary mechanothermal stimuli delivered at neutral temperature (~32°C, normal skin temperature), but they responded with fewer spikes (median 67% decrease) and at significantly lower rates (47% decrease) during warm (~42°C) tactile stimuli. During cool tactile stimuli (~18°C), their mean instantaneous firing frequency significantly decreased by 35%, but they often fired a barrage of afterdischarge spikes at a low frequency (~5 Hz) that outlasted the mechanical stimulus. These effects were observed under a variety of stimulus conditions, including during stationary and slowly moving touch (0.1 cm/s), and we complemented these tactile approaches using a combined electrical-thermal stimulation experiment where we found a suppression of spiking during warming. Overall, CT afferents are exquisitely sensitive to tactile events, and we show that their firing is modulated with touch temperatures above and below neutral skin temperature. Warm touch consistently decreased their propensity to fire, whereas cool touch produced lower firing rates but afterdischarge spiking. NEW & NOTEWORTHY C-tactile (CT) afferents are thought to underpin pleasant touch, and previous work has shown that they respond optimally to a slow caress delivered at typical (neutral) skin temperature. Here, we show that, although CTs are primarily mechanoreceptive afferents, they are modified by temperature: warm touch decreases their firing, whereas cool touch produces lower firing rates but long-lasting spiking, frequently seen as afterdischarges. This has implications for the encoding of affective sensory events in human skin.
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| 298. |
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| 299. |
- Ackerley, Rochelle, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Emotions alter muscle proprioceptive coding of movements in humans
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Emotions can evoke strong reactions that have profound influences, from gross changes in our internal environment to small fluctuations in facial muscles, and reveal our feelings overtly. Muscles contain proprioceptive afferents, informing us about our movements and regulating motor activities. Their firing reflects changes in muscle length, yet their sensitivity can be modified by the fusimotor system, as found in animals. In humans, the sensitivity of muscle afferents is modulated by cognitive processes, such as attention; however, it is unknown if emotional processes can modulate muscle feedback. Presently, we explored whether muscle afferent sensitivity adapts to the emotional situation. We recorded from single muscle afferents in the leg, using microneurography, and moved the ankle joint of participants, while they listened to evocative classical music to induce sad, neutral, or happy emotions, or sat passively (no music). We further monitored their physiological responses using skin conductance, heart rate, and electromyography measures. We found that muscle afferent firing was modified by the emotional context, especially for sad emotions, where the muscle spindle dynamic response increased. We suggest that this allows us to prime movements, where the emotional state prepares the body for consequent behaviour-appropriate reactions.
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| 300. |
- Ackerley, Rochelle, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Human C-tactile afferents are tuned to the temperature of a skin-stroking caress
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Neuroscience. - 0270-6474. ; 34:8, s. 2879-2883
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human C-tactile (CT) afferents respond vigorously to gentle skin stroking and have gained attention for their importance in social touch. Pharmacogenetic activation of the mouse CT equivalent has positively reinforcing, anxiolytic effects, suggesting a role in grooming and affiliative behavior. We recorded from single CT axons in human participants, using the technique of microneurography, and stimulated a unit's receptive field using a novel, computer-controlled moving probe, which stroked the skin of the forearm over five velocities (0.3, 1, 3, 10, and 30 cm s-1) at three temperatures (cool, 18°C; neutral, 32°C; warm, 42°C). We show that CTs are unique among mechanoreceptive afferents: they discharged preferentially to slowly moving stimuli at a neutral (typical skin) temperature, rather than at the cooler or warmer stimulus temperatures. In contrast, myelinated hair mechanoreceptive afferents proportionally increased their firing frequency with stroking velocity and showed no temperature modulation. Furthermore, the CT firing frequency correlated with hedonic ratings to the same mechano-thermal stimulus only at the neutral stimulus temperature, where the stimuli were felt as pleasant at higher firing rates. We conclude that CT afferents are tuned to respond to tactile stimuli with the specific characteristics of a gentle caress delivered at typical skin temperature. This provides a peripheral mechanism for signaling pleasant skin-to-skin contact in humans, which promotes interpersonal touch and affiliative behavior. © 2014 the authors.
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