Multimodal neuroimaging with optically pumped magnetometers: A simultaneous MEG-EEG-fNIRS acquisition system.

Multimodal neuroimaging plays an important role in neuroscience research. Integrated noninvasive neuroimaging modalities, such as magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), allow neural activity and related physiological processes in the brain to be precisely and comprehensively depicted, providing an effective and advanced platform to study brain function. Noncryogenic optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) MEG has high signal power due to its on-scalp sensor layout and enables more flexible configurations than traditional commercial superconducting MEG. Here, we integrate OPM-MEG with EEG and fNIRS to develop a multimodal neuroimaging system that can simultaneously measure brain electrophysiology and hemodynamics. We conducted a series of experiments to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of our MEG-EEG-fNIRS acquisition system. The complementary neural and physiological signals simultaneously collected by our multimodal imaging system provide opportunities for a wide range of potential applications in neurovascular coupling, wearable neuroimaging, hyperscanning and brain-computer interfaces.

Preparation and Macro-Micro Properties of SBS/REOB Modified-Rejuvenated Asphalt.

To solve the problem that waste oil residues cannot be utilized and to reuse the aged asphalt, suitable modifiers were selected to compound the aged asphalt with waste oil residues to study its performance. SBS/REOB modified-rejuvenated asphalt was prepared by a high-speed shearing mechanism with aged asphalt, Recycled Engine Oil Bottom (REOB), Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBS) modifier, and stabilizer. The effects of SBS content, REOB content, shear time, and shear rate on the conventional physical properties of asphalt were studied by orthogonal grey correlation analysis, and the optimum preparation scheme of SBS/REOB modified-rejuvenated asphalt was determined. The high and low temperature rheological properties of SBS/REOB modified-rejuvenated asphalt were studied using the Multiple Stress Creep Recover (MSCR) test and bending beam rheological (BBR) test. The mechanism of SBS/REOB on the modification and regeneration of aged asphalt was explored through four component tests and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the optimum preparation scheme is 4.5% SBS dosage, 9% REOB dosage, 50~60 min shear time, and 4500 r/min shear rate. The addition of SBS improves the elastic recovery performance and high temperature deformation resistance of REOB rejuvenated asphalt. At the same time, the S-value decreases and the m-value increases, which significantly improves the low temperature cracking resistance of REOB rejuvenated asphalt. The addition of REOB achieves component blending and regeneration of aged asphalt by supplementing the light components. After the addition of SBS absorbs the light component and swelling reaction occurs, the whole modification-regeneration process is mainly physical co-mixing and co-compatibility.

Defective Function of CD24(+)CD38(+) Regulatory B Cells in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease strongly associated with HLA-B*27, an major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule that presents peptide antigen to T cells. Previously, regulatory B cells were found to suppress T cell-mediated autoimmunity induction and chronic inflammation, partially through interleukin (IL)-10 production. Here, we examined the role of regulatory B cells in AS pathogenesis. Apheresis samples from HLA-B*27-positive AS patients and non-AS healthy controls were collected. We found that although AS patients and non-AS controls presented similar frequencies of CD24(+)CD38(+) B cells, compared to non-AS controls, those from AS patients produced less IL-10 under ex vivo condition and after CD40 and B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. Purified T cell-B cell cocultures showed that compared to non-AS controls, CD24(+)CD38(+) B cells from AS patients were defective at suppressing naive and memory CD8(+) T cell activation. The suppression of memory CD8(+) T cells in non-AS controls appeared to be mediated by IL-10, since the addition of IL-10 mAb suppressed CD24(+)CD38(+) B cell-mediated downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine production and proliferation. To rescue the defect in AS patients, CD24(+)CD38(+) B cells were pretreated by CD40 and BCR stimulation, which enhanced CD24(+)CD38(+) B cell-mediated memory CD8(+) T cell suppression. Together, our data discovered a regulatory B cell defect in AS patients.