Scalable and modular wireless-network infrastructure for large-scale behavioural neuroscience.

The use of rodents to acquire understanding of the function of neural circuits and of the physiological, genetic and developmental underpinnings of behaviour has been constrained by limitations in the scalability, automation and high-throughput operation of implanted wireless neural devices. Here we report scalable and modular hardware and software infrastructure for setting up and operating remotely programmable miniaturized wireless networks leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy for the study of the long-term behaviour of large groups of rodents. The integrated system allows for automated, scheduled and real-time experimentation via the simultaneous and independent use of multiple neural devices and equipment within and across laboratories.

Correction: Strategic predictors of performance in a divided attention task.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Strategic predictors of performance in a divided attention task.

In this study we investigate the strategies of subjects in a complex divided attention task. We conducted a series of experiments with ten participants and evaluated their performance. After an extensive analysis, we identified four strategic measures that justify the achievement of the participants, by highlighting the individual differences and predicting performance in a regression analysis using generalized estimating equations.

Peptide separations by slab gel electrophoresis in pluronic F127 polymer liquid crystals.

Proteomics and peptidomics could benefit from simple methods for high-resolution separation of oligopeptides analogous to slab gel electrophoresis of proteins. Gels of Pluronic F127 copolymer surfactant were investigated as media for slab gel electrophoresis of oligopeptides using a trypsin digest of myoglobin. Concentrated solutions of Pluronic F127 are fluid at low temperatures ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Single-strand DNA binding of actinomycin D with a chromophore 2-amino to 2-hydroxyl substitution.

A modified actinomycin D was prepared with a hydroxyl group that replaced the amino group at the chromophore 2-position, a substitution known to strongly reduce affinity for double-stranded DNA. Interactions of the modified drug on single-stranded DNAs of the defined sequence were investigated. Competition assays showed that 2-hydroxyactinomycin D has low affinity for two oligonucleotides that have high affinities (K(a) = 5-10 x 10(6) M(-1) oligomer) for 7-aminoactinomycin D and actinomycin D.