This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the life...This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However, the fact that not all the flora and fauna has been recorded yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate （but not zero）, giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis has to be performed in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment, so that the decision-maker in charge can be more flexible on the evaluation Of an investment proposal.展开更多
Objective There is substantial evidence supporting the notion that the anterior cingulate cortex （ACC） is an important limbic structure involved in multiple brain functions such as sensory perception, motor conflict...Objective There is substantial evidence supporting the notion that the anterior cingulate cortex （ACC） is an important limbic structure involved in multiple brain functions such as sensory perception, motor conflict monitoring, memory, emotion and cognition. It has been shown that long term potentiation （LTP） is an important synaptic model of neural plasticity in the ACC, however, little is known about the spatiotemporal properties of ACC at network level. The present study was designed to see the LTP induction effects across different layers of the ACC by using different conditioning stimuli （CS） protocols. Methods A unique multi-electrode array recording technique was used in the acutely-dissociated ACC slices of rats. Long and short train theta burst stimulation （TBS） paradigms were applied in layer V-VI as the CS and the LTP induction effects were compared across different layers of the ACC. Briefly, both long and short train TBS are composed of bursts （4 pulses at 100 Hz） with a 200 ms interval, however, the former （TBS1） was with 10 trains and the latter （TBS2） was with 5 trains. After test stimulation at layer V-VI in the ACC, network field potentials （FPs） could be simultaneously recorded across all layers of the ACC. Results The waveforms of FPs were different across different layers. Namely, positive-going waveforms were recorded in layer I and negative-going waveforms were recorded in layers V-VI, in contrast, complex waveforms were localized mainly in layers II-III. Following application of two CS protocols, the induction rate of LTP was significantly different between TBS 1 and TBS2 regardless of the spatial properties. TBS1 had more than 60% success, while TBS2 was less than 25% in induction of LTP. Moreover, both the 2 CS protocols could induce LTP in layers II-III and layers V-VI without layer-related difference. However, no LTP was inducible in layer I. Conclusion The present findings indicate that stimulation protocols may, at least in part, account for a large portion of variations among previous LTP studies, and hence highlight the importance of selecting the best LTP induction protocol when designing such experiments. Moreover, the present results demonstrate the prominent superiority of multi-electrode array recording in revealing the network properties of synaptic activities in the ACC, especially in comparing the spatiotemporal characteristics between different layers of this structure.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on the brain using three needling manipulations(twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting)when the right-side Zusanli(ST 36) acupoint was stimulated with ne...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on the brain using three needling manipulations(twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting)when the right-side Zusanli(ST 36) acupoint was stimulated with needles.METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects accepted three needling manipulations stimulating the right Zusanli(ST 36) over separate days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect changes in the brain during the manipulations, and then the needling sensations were recorded using the MGH acupuncture sensation scale(MASS) after each scan. f MRI data were processed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 to analyze the positiveand negative activation in the brain induced by different acupuncture manipulations.RESULTS: The individual needling sensations showed no statistically significant differences among the three manipulations. However, the MASS index showed that lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling. Lifting-thrusting activated left premotor cortex, left postcentral,right middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus,right lingual gyrus, left insula, right putamen, bilateral cingulate gyrus and right cerebellum; and deactivated bilateral hippocampus and left caudate.Twirling activated bilateral orbital middle frontal gyrus, left opercular and triangular inferior frontal gyrus, and right middle occipital gyrus; and deactivated bilateral precuneus, right amygdala, left anterior cingulate gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor gyrus, and left postcentral. Twirling plus lifting-thrusting activated bilateral postcentral, left inferior occipital gyrus, left insula, left thalamus, left cingulate gyrus, and right putamen; and deactivated right superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right insula, and left lingual gyrus. Pairwise comparisons of the three manipulations showed that signals induced by lifting-thrusting were the strongest, especially in the limbic system,followed by twirling plus lifting-thrusting; twirling alone was the weakest.CONCLUSION: Three methods of needling manipulations similarly activated areas associated with the somatosensory system, vision, cognition, and emotional regulation. This may have significant implications for acupuncture in clinical practice.展开更多
Pain is a complex physiological and psychological activity,involving at least three dimensions,including pain sensation,pain emotion,and pain cognition.Acupuncture can clearly relieve the pain sensation of patients an...Pain is a complex physiological and psychological activity,involving at least three dimensions,including pain sensation,pain emotion,and pain cognition.Acupuncture can clearly relieve the pain sensation of patients and improve pain emotion and pain cognition induced by pain;acupuncture participates in the multi-dimensional regulation of pain through brain regions of the limbic system such as anterior cingulate cortex(ACC),amygdala(AMY),and hippocampus.By analyzing relevant literature,it has been found that the regulation of acupuncture on pain emotion is mainly related to the activation of pertinent opioid receptors in the ACC,the decrease of the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),and the promotion of the expression of glutamic acid(Glu)A1,metabotropic glutamate receptor-1(mGluR1),andγ-aminobutyric acid aminobutyric acid(GABA)B2 protein in the AMY.The regulation of acupuncture on pain cognition is mainly related to the elevation of the expression of protein kinase A(PKA)and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(phospho-p38 MAPK)and the inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/PKA/cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway in the ACC.展开更多
文摘This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However, the fact that not all the flora and fauna has been recorded yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate （but not zero）, giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis has to be performed in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment, so that the decision-maker in charge can be more flexible on the evaluation Of an investment proposal.
基金supported by the National Basic Research (973) Program of China (No.2006CB500800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30670692 and 30770668)
文摘Objective There is substantial evidence supporting the notion that the anterior cingulate cortex （ACC） is an important limbic structure involved in multiple brain functions such as sensory perception, motor conflict monitoring, memory, emotion and cognition. It has been shown that long term potentiation （LTP） is an important synaptic model of neural plasticity in the ACC, however, little is known about the spatiotemporal properties of ACC at network level. The present study was designed to see the LTP induction effects across different layers of the ACC by using different conditioning stimuli （CS） protocols. Methods A unique multi-electrode array recording technique was used in the acutely-dissociated ACC slices of rats. Long and short train theta burst stimulation （TBS） paradigms were applied in layer V-VI as the CS and the LTP induction effects were compared across different layers of the ACC. Briefly, both long and short train TBS are composed of bursts （4 pulses at 100 Hz） with a 200 ms interval, however, the former （TBS1） was with 10 trains and the latter （TBS2） was with 5 trains. After test stimulation at layer V-VI in the ACC, network field potentials （FPs） could be simultaneously recorded across all layers of the ACC. Results The waveforms of FPs were different across different layers. Namely, positive-going waveforms were recorded in layer I and negative-going waveforms were recorded in layers V-VI, in contrast, complex waveforms were localized mainly in layers II-III. Following application of two CS protocols, the induction rate of LTP was significantly different between TBS 1 and TBS2 regardless of the spatial properties. TBS1 had more than 60% success, while TBS2 was less than 25% in induction of LTP. Moreover, both the 2 CS protocols could induce LTP in layers II-III and layers V-VI without layer-related difference. However, no LTP was inducible in layer I. Conclusion The present findings indicate that stimulation protocols may, at least in part, account for a large portion of variations among previous LTP studies, and hence highlight the importance of selecting the best LTP induction protocol when designing such experiments. Moreover, the present results demonstrate the prominent superiority of multi-electrode array recording in revealing the network properties of synaptic activities in the ACC, especially in comparing the spatiotemporal characteristics between different layers of this structure.
基金Supported by China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Foundation(No.ZZ08010)General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81273674)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on the brain using three needling manipulations(twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting)when the right-side Zusanli(ST 36) acupoint was stimulated with needles.METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects accepted three needling manipulations stimulating the right Zusanli(ST 36) over separate days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect changes in the brain during the manipulations, and then the needling sensations were recorded using the MGH acupuncture sensation scale(MASS) after each scan. f MRI data were processed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 to analyze the positiveand negative activation in the brain induced by different acupuncture manipulations.RESULTS: The individual needling sensations showed no statistically significant differences among the three manipulations. However, the MASS index showed that lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling. Lifting-thrusting activated left premotor cortex, left postcentral,right middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus,right lingual gyrus, left insula, right putamen, bilateral cingulate gyrus and right cerebellum; and deactivated bilateral hippocampus and left caudate.Twirling activated bilateral orbital middle frontal gyrus, left opercular and triangular inferior frontal gyrus, and right middle occipital gyrus; and deactivated bilateral precuneus, right amygdala, left anterior cingulate gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor gyrus, and left postcentral. Twirling plus lifting-thrusting activated bilateral postcentral, left inferior occipital gyrus, left insula, left thalamus, left cingulate gyrus, and right putamen; and deactivated right superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right insula, and left lingual gyrus. Pairwise comparisons of the three manipulations showed that signals induced by lifting-thrusting were the strongest, especially in the limbic system,followed by twirling plus lifting-thrusting; twirling alone was the weakest.CONCLUSION: Three methods of needling manipulations similarly activated areas associated with the somatosensory system, vision, cognition, and emotional regulation. This may have significant implications for acupuncture in clinical practice.
基金This work was supported by 2021 Scientific Planning Project of Gansu Province(2021年甘肃省科技计划项目No.21JR1RA266)Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(国家自然科学基金项目,No.81460744).
文摘Pain is a complex physiological and psychological activity,involving at least three dimensions,including pain sensation,pain emotion,and pain cognition.Acupuncture can clearly relieve the pain sensation of patients and improve pain emotion and pain cognition induced by pain;acupuncture participates in the multi-dimensional regulation of pain through brain regions of the limbic system such as anterior cingulate cortex(ACC),amygdala(AMY),and hippocampus.By analyzing relevant literature,it has been found that the regulation of acupuncture on pain emotion is mainly related to the activation of pertinent opioid receptors in the ACC,the decrease of the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),and the promotion of the expression of glutamic acid(Glu)A1,metabotropic glutamate receptor-1(mGluR1),andγ-aminobutyric acid aminobutyric acid(GABA)B2 protein in the AMY.The regulation of acupuncture on pain cognition is mainly related to the elevation of the expression of protein kinase A(PKA)and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(phospho-p38 MAPK)and the inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/PKA/cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway in the ACC.
