Hierarchical computation of 3D motion across macaque areas MT and FST.

Computing behaviorally relevant representations of three-dimensional (3D) motion from two-dimensional (2D) retinal signals is critical for survival. To ascertain where and how the primate visual system performs this computation, we recorded from the macaque middle temporal (MT) area and its downstream target, the fundus of the superior temporal sulcus (area FST). Area MT is a key site of 2D motion processing, but its role in 3D motion processing is controversial.

Parallel processing, hierarchical transformations, and sensorimotor associations along the 'where' pathway.

Visually guided behaviors require the brain to transform ambiguous retinal images into object-level spatial representations and implement sensorimotor transformations. These processes are supported by the dorsal 'where' pathway. However, the specific functional contributions of areas along this pathway remain elusive due in part to methodological differences across studies.

Associations Between Smartphone Use for Physical Activity by South Korean College Students and Behavioral Change Constructs of the Transtheoretical Model.

We examined associations between smartphone uses to assist physical activity (PA) and change constructs of the transtheoretical model (TTM) among Korean college students. Our participants were 242 college students who completed a cross-sectional survey of their smartphone use, PA, and TTM constructs. We applied Poisson regression models to test the associations between stages of change and smartphone PA use frequencies in four categories over the previous week: 1= watching PA instruction videos; 2 = tracking PA; 3 = searching and booking sites for PA; and 4 = finding and making appointments with PA partners.

Perspective Cues Make Eye-specific Contributions to 3-D Motion Perception.

Robust 3-D visual perception is achieved by integrating stereoscopic and perspective cues. The canonical model describing the integration of these cues assumes that perspective signals sensed by the left and right eyes are indiscriminately pooled into a single representation that contributes to perception. Here, we show that this model fails to account for 3-D motion perception.

Mapping functional gradients of the striatal circuit using simultaneous microelectric stimulation and ultrahigh-field fMRI in non-human primates.

Advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have significantly enhanced our understanding of the striatal system of both humans and non-human primates (NHP) over the last few decades. However, its circuit-level functional anatomy remains poorly understood, partly because in-vivo fMRI cannot directly perturb a brain system and map its casual input-output relationship. Also, routine 3T fMRI has an insufficient spatial resolution.

MRI Compatible, Customizable, and 3D-Printable Microdrive for Neuroscience Research.

The effective connectivity of brain networks can be assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to quantify the effects of local electrical microstimulation (EM) on distributed neuronal activity. The delivery of EM to specific brain regions, particularly with layer specificity, requires MRI compatible equipment that provides fine control of a stimulating electrode's position within the brain while minimizing imaging artifacts. To this end, we developed a microdrive made entirely of MRI compatible materials.

Functional links between sensory representations, choice activity, and sensorimotor associations in parietal cortex.

Three-dimensional (3D) representations of the environment are often critical for selecting actions that achieve desired goals. The success of these goal-directed actions relies on 3D sensorimotor transformations that are experience-dependent. Here we investigated the relationships between the robustness of 3D visual representations, choice-related activity, and motor-related activity in parietal cortex.

Optimized but Not Maximized Cue Integration for 3D Visual Perception.

Reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) scenes from two-dimensional (2D) retinal images is an ill-posed problem. Despite this, 3D perception of the world based on 2D retinal images is seemingly accurate and precise. The integration of distinct visual cues is essential for robust 3D perception in humans, but it is unclear whether this is true for non-human primates (NHPs).

Real-time experimental control using network-based parallel processing.

Unlabelled: Modern neuroscience research often requires the coordination of multiple processes such as stimulus generation, real-time experimental control, as well as behavioral and neural measurements. The technical demands required to simultaneously manage these processes with high temporal fidelity is a barrier that limits the number of labs performing such work. Here we present an open-source, network-based parallel processing framework that lowers this barrier.

Gravity orientation tuning in macaque anterior thalamus.

Gravity may provide a ubiquitous allocentric reference to the brain's spatial orientation circuits. Here we describe neurons in the macaque anterior thalamus tuned to pitch and roll orientation relative to gravity, independently of visual landmarks. We show that individual cells exhibit two-dimensional tuning curves, with peak firing rates at a preferred vertical orientation.

An online questionnaire survey on preferred timing for the diagnosis and management of thyroid carcinoma in general population in Korea.

Purpose: An optimal timing for diagnosis and management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has become the subject for much controversy. The aim of the present study is to analyze people's preference in Korea for timing of diagnosis and management of PTMC using an online questionnaire.

Methods: The questionnaire consists of 3 questions about preference for the diagnosis and management of PTMC and 3 additional questions about respondents' personal information.

Phase II study of weekly carboplatin and irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Platinum-based doublet chemotherapy has a major role in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The weekly fractionated administration of cisplatin for patients with NSCLC has been shown to be active. Irinotecan and carboplatin are effective against NSCLC and demonstrated synergism with non-cross-resistance in preclinical studies.

A probabilistic strategy for understanding action selection.

Brain regions involved in transforming sensory signals into movement commands are the likely sites where decisions are formed. Once formed, a decision must be read out from the activity of populations of neurons to produce a choice of action. How this occurs remains unresolved.

Saccade target selection in the superior colliculus: a signal detection theory approach.

How the brain selects one action from among multiple options is unknown. A main tenet of signal detection theory (SDT) is that sensory stimuli are represented as noisy information channels. Therefore, the accuracy of selection might be predicted by how well neuronal activity representing alternatives can be distinguished.

Objective measures of health and well-being in laboratory rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Background: Non-human primates are an invaluable part of biomedical research. Strict regulations insure animals have a maximum likelihood of well-being and optimum health during the course of experimental procedures. Objective assessment of well-being is a critical component of these assurances.

Neurophysiological recordings in freely moving monkeys.

Recordings of neuronal activity in freely moving rats are common in experiments where electrical signals are transmitted using cables. Such techniques are not common in monkeys because their prehensile abilities are thought to preclude such techniques. However, analysis of brain mechanisms underlying spatial navigation and cognition require the subject to walk.

Transient pauses in delay-period activity of superior colliculus neurons.

A feature of neurons in the mammalian superior colliclus (SC) is the robust discharge of action potentials preceding the onset of rapid eye movements called saccades. The burst, which commands ocular motoneurons, is often preceded by persistent, low-level activity, likely reflecting neuronal processes such as target selection, saccade selection and preparation. Here, we report on a transient pause in persistent activity of SC neurons.

An automated food delivery system for behavioral and neurophysiological studies of learning and memory in freely moving monkeys.

We describe a custom-built feeder based on stepping motor technology controlled by a laboratory computer. The feeder dispenses a wide range of foods: any fruit, vegetable, or nut. The feeder allows the investigator to reward monkeys with different foods within a single experimental day.

Amelioration of dural granulation tissue growth for primate neurophysiology.

Four methods were tried in order to reduce the growth of granulation tissue on the dura. The best results were obtained using white petrolatum jelly, which almost completely suppressed the growth of granulation tissue when the recording chamber was filled with petrolatum. Collagen and acrylic seals were very effective in one monkey.

Spatially directed movement and neuronal activity in freely moving monkey.

The abilities to plan a series of movements and to navigate within the environment require the functions of the frontal and ventromedial temporal lobes, respectively. Neuropsychological studies posit the existence of egocentric (prefrontal) and allocentric (ventromedial temporal) spatial frames of reference that mediate these functions. To examine neural mechanisms underlying egocentric and allocentric guidance of movement, we have developed behavioral and neurophysiological techniques for freely moving monkey.