RESUMEN
Time-varying changes in whole-brain connectivity patterns, or connectome state dynamics, are a prominent feature of brain activity with broad functional implications. While infra-slow (<0.1Hz) connectome dynamics have been extensively studied with fMRI, rapid dynamics highly relevant for cognition are poorly understood. Here, we asked whether rapid electrophysiological connectome dynamics constitute subject-specific brain traits and to what extent they are under genetic influence. Using source-localized EEG connectomes during resting-state (N=928, 473 females), we quantified heritability of multivariate (multi-state) features describing temporal or spatial characteristics of connectome dynamics. States switched rapidly every ~60-500ms. Temporal features were heritable, particularly, Fractional Occupancy (in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands) and Transition Probability (in theta, alpha, and gamma bands), representing the duration spent in each state and the frequency of state switches, respectively. Genetic effects explained a substantial proportion of phenotypic variance of these features: Fractional Occupancy in beta (44.3%) and gamma (39.8%) bands and Transition Probability in theta (38.4%), alpha (63.3%), beta (22.6%), and gamma (40%) bands. However, we found no evidence for heritability of spatial features, specifically states' Modularity and connectivity pattern. We conclude that genetic effects strongly shape individuals' connectome dynamics at rapid timescales, specifically states' overall occurrence and sequencing.
RESUMEN
Time-varying changes in whole-brain connectivity patterns, or connectome state dynamics, hold significant implications for cognition. However, connectome dynamics at fast (> 1Hz) timescales highly relevant to cognition are poorly understood due to the dominance of inherently slow fMRI in connectome studies. Here, we investigated the behavioral significance of rapid electrophysiological connectome dynamics using source-localized EEG connectomes during resting-state (N=926, 473 females). We focused on dynamic connectome features pertinent to individual differences, specifically those with established heritability: Fractional Occupancy (i.e., the overall duration spent in each recurrent connectome state) in beta and gamma bands, and Transition Probability (i.e., the frequency of state switches) in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands. Canonical correlation analysis found a significant relationship between the heritable phenotypes of sub-second connectome dynamics and cognition. Specifically, principal components of Transition Probabilities in alpha (followed by theta and gamma bands) and a cognitive factor representing visuospatial processing (followed by verbal and auditory working memory) most notably contributed to the relationship. We conclude that the specific order in which rapid connectome states are sequenced shapes individuals' cognitive abilities and traits. Such sub-second connectome dynamics may inform about behavioral function and dysfunction and serve as endophenotypes for cognitive abilities.
RESUMEN
The National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) is a public-private-government partnership established during the Coronavirus pandemic to create a centralized data resource called the "N3C data enclave." This resource contains individual-level health data from participating healthcare sites nationwide to support rapid collaborative analytics. N3C has enabled analytics within a cloud-based enclave of data from electronic health records from over 17 million people (with and without COVID-19) in the USA. To achieve this goal of a shared data resource, N3C implemented a shared governance strategy involving stakeholders in decision-making. The approach leveraged best practices in data stewardship and team science to rapidly enable COVID-19-related research at scale while respecting the privacy of data subjects and participating institutions. N3C balanced equitable access to data, team-based scientific productivity, and individual professional recognition - a key incentive for academic researchers. This governance approach makes N3C research sustainable and effective beyond the initial days of the pandemic. N3C demonstrated that shared governance can overcome traditional barriers to data sharing without compromising data security and trust. The governance innovations described herein are a helpful framework for other privacy-preserving data infrastructure programs and provide a working model for effective team science beyond COVID-19.
RESUMEN
Spotted lanternfly (SLF; Lycorma delicatula White; Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) invaded the US from Asia and was first detected in 2014; currently, populations have established in 14 states primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. It feeds voraciously on phloem sap from a broad range of host plants, with a preference for tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima [Sapindales: Simaroubaceae]), grapevines (Vitis spp. [Vitales: Vitaceae]), and several common hardwood tree species. We evaluated the impacts of fourth instars and adults confined to a single branch or whole trees on gas exchange attributes (carbon assimilation [photosynthetic rate], transpiration and stomatal conductance), selected nutrients, and diameter growth using young saplings of four host tree species planted in a common garden. In general, the effects of adults on trees were greater than nymphs, although there was variation depending on tree species, pest density, and time post-infestation. Nymphs on a single branch of red maple (Acer rubrum [Sapindales: Sapindaceae]), or silver maple (Acer saccharinum [Sapindales: Sapindaceae]) at three densities (0, 15, or 30) had no significant effects on gas exchange. In contrast, 40 adults confined to a single branch of red or silver maple rapidly suppressed gas exchange and reduced nitrogen concentration in leaves; soluble sugars in branch wood were reduced in the fall for silver maple and in the following spring for red maple. Fourth instars confined to whole silver maple trees reduced soluble sugars in leaves and branch wood, and reduced tree diameter growth by >50% during the next growing season. In contrast, fourth instars in whole tree enclosures had no effects on black walnut (Juglans nigra [Fagales: Juglandaceae]). SLF enclosed on tree of heaven at 80 adults per tree suppressed gas exchange after two weeks of feeding, but did not alter non-structural carbohydrates, nitrogen concentrations, or tree growth. Results suggest that moderate to heavy feeding by SLF on young maple saplings may impair tree growth, which could have implications for production nurseries and forest managers.