Integration of rate and phase codes by hippocampal cell-assemblies supports flexible encoding of spatiotemporal context.

Spatial information is encoded by location-dependent hippocampal place cell firing rates and sub-second, rhythmic entrainment of spike times. These rate and temporal codes have primarily been characterized in low-dimensional environments under limited cognitive demands; but how is coding configured in complex environments when individual place cells signal several locations, individual locations contribute to multiple routes and functional demands vary? Quantifying CA1 population dynamics of male rats during a decision-making task, here we show that the phase of individual place cells' spikes relative to the local theta rhythm shifts to differentiate activity in different place fields. Theta phase coding also disambiguates repeated visits to the same location during different routes, particularly preceding spatial decisions.

Lifetime mobility of an Arctic woolly mammoth.

Little is known about woolly mammoth () mobility and range. Here we use high temporal resolution sequential analyses of strontium isotope ratios along an entire 1.7-meter-long tusk to reconstruct the movements of an Arctic woolly mammoth that lived 17,100 years ago, during the last ice age.

NMDA receptors promote hippocampal sharp-wave ripples and the associated coactivity of CA1 pyramidal cells.

Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) support the reactivation of memory representations, relaying information to neocortex during "offline" and sleep-dependent memory consolidation. While blockade of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) is known to affect both learning and subsequent consolidation, the specific contributions of NMDAR activation to SWR-associated activity remain unclear. Here, we combine biophysical modeling with in vivo local field potential (LFP) and unit recording to quantify changes in SWR dynamics following inactivation of NMDAR.

Exploring the roles of spectral detail and intonation contour in speech intelligibility: an FMRI study.

The melodic contour of speech forms an important perceptual aspect of tonal and nontonal languages and an important limiting factor on the intelligibility of speech heard through a cochlear implant. Previous work exploring the neural correlates of speech comprehension identified a left-dominant pathway in the temporal lobes supporting the extraction of an intelligible linguistic message, whereas the right anterior temporal lobe showed an overall preference for signals clearly conveying dynamic pitch information [Johnsrude, I. S.

Computational tools and resources for prediction and analysis of gene regulatory regions in the chick genome.

The discovery of cis-regulatory elements is a challenging problem in bioinformatics, owing to distal locations and context-specific roles of these elements in controlling gene regulation. Here we review the current bioinformatics methodologies and resources available for systematic discovery of cis-acting regulatory elements and conserved transcription factor binding sites in the chick genome. In addition, we propose and make available, a novel workflow using computational tools that integrate CTCF analysis to predict putative insulator elements, enhancer prediction, and TFBS analysis.

Tracing geographic and temporal trafficking patterns for marijuana in Alaska using stable isotopes (C, N, O and H).

A large proportion of Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement's time is spent controlling the production and distribution of marijuana. Marijuana in Alaska can originate from within (e.g.

Sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hexachlorobenzene in spruce needles of eastern Alaska.

The concentrations of phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in spruce needles at 36 sites in eastern Alaska during early spring. Concentrations of each polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) varied by an order of magnitude. Samples taken from near the city of Fairbanks had higher concentrations than samples taken from more rural areas.