Decoding Subject-Driven Cognitive States from EEG Signals for Cognitive Brain-Computer Interface.

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to differentiate between four distinct subject-driven cognitive states: resting state, narrative memory, music, and subtraction tasks. EEG data were collected from seven healthy male participants while performing these cognitive tasks, and the raw EEG signals were transformed into time-frequency maps using continuous wavelet transform. Based on these time-frequency maps, we developed a convolutional neural network model (TF-CNN-CFA) with a channel and frequency attention mechanism to automatically distinguish between these cognitive states. The experimental results demonstrated that the model achieved an average classification accuracy of 76.14% in identifying these four cognitive states, significantly outperforming traditional EEG signal processing methods and other classical image classification algorithms. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of varying lengths of EEG signals on classification performance and found that TF-CNN-CFA demonstrates consistent performance across different window lengths, indicating its strong generalization capability. This study validates the ability of EEG to differentiate higher cognitive states, which could potentially offer a novel BCI paradigm.

KF-catalyzed direct thiomethylation of carboxylic acids with DMSO to access methyl thioesters.

With dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the methylthio source, a KF-catalyzed strategy was employed for the direct thiomethylation of carboxylic acids with DMSO for the preparation of methyl thioesters. In this process, a wide range of methyl thioesters were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. This novel strategy features the first use of DMSO as a methylthiolating agent for the construction of methyl thioesters, transition metal-free conditions, inexpensive reagents, easy workup, broad substrate scope and sustainability. Additionally, this procedure can be readily scaled up to a gram scale.

Vibrio methylphosphonaticus sp. nov., a methylphosphonate-decomposing bacterium isolated from surface seawater in the Xisha Islands, PR China.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, methylphosphonate-decomposing, motile by a polar flagellum and rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated S4B1T, was isolated from the surface seawater collected from the Yongle Atoll (Xisha Islands, PR China). The pairwise alignment showed the highest sequence similarity of 97.5 and 96.6 % to Vibrio aestuarianus subsp. cardii 12_122_3T3T and Vibrio atypicus HHS02T, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and the phylogenomic analysis of single-copy genes showed that strain S4B1T belonged to the genus Vibrio and formed a close branch with Vibrio qingdaonensis ZSDZ65T. Growth of strain S4B1T occurred at 4-30 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 2-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c or/and C16 : 1 ω6c). The DNA G+C content of the assembled genomic sequence was 44.3 mol%. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between S4B1T and its reference species were lower than the threshold for species delineation (95-96 %), in which its highest ANI value with V. qingdaonensis ZSDZ65T was 87.0 %. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization further showed that strain S4B1T had less than 70 % similarity to its relatives. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain S4B1T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio methylphosphonaticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S4B1T (=KCTC 92311T=MCCC 1K06168T).

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Turbinaria bifrons (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae).

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of the stony coral, Turbinaria bifrons Brüggemann, 1877, has been decoded for the first time by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genome assembly. The assembled mitogenome was 18,880 bp in length, contained 13 protein coding genes, 2 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNAs. The complete mitogenome of T. bifrons showing 97.09% identities to Tubastraea tagusensis. The complete mitogenome provides essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for coral phylogeny.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the Psammocora profundacella (Scleractinia, Psammocoridae): mitogenome characterisation and phylogenetic implications.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence data have played a significant role in phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of scleractinian corals. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Psammocora profundacella Gardiner, 1898, collected from Guangdong Province, China, was sequenced by next-generation sequencing for the first time. Psammocora profundacella is the first species for which a mitogenome has been sequenced in the family Psammocoridae. The length of its assembled mitogenome sequence was 16,274 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, two tRNAs and two rRNAs. Its gene content and gene order were consistent with the other Scleractinia species. All genes were encoded on the H strand and the GC content of the mitochondrial genome was 30.49%. Gene content and order were consistent with the other Scleractinia species. Based on 13 protein-coding genes, Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that P. profundacella belongs to the "Robust" clade. Mitochondrial genome data provide important molecular information for understanding the phylogeny of stony corals. More variable markers and additional species should be sequenced to confirm the evolutionary relationships of Scleractinia in the future.

Recent collections of sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) from China seas, with some new records and a checklist of the area.

Though research about sea spiders limited in China seas, a complete checklist has not yet exist so far. After checking recent collections obtained from Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian and the East China Sea, all these sixty-eight specimens were identified as six species belonged to four families and five genera, including three ones new to China. We described and illustrated them in this study, and also revised all previous records about Chinese pycnogonids and provided a checklist for the presently known forty-one species.

A new species of Cilunculus Loman, 1908 (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida: Ammotheidae) from the South-western Indian Ocean.

BACKGROUND: A new species of Cilunculus was determined by the unique characteristic of the three distal processes present on the almost horizontal proboscis and the other differences, including a shorter and blind ocular tubercle, fewer setae on the legs and a glabrate trunk. NEW INFORMATION: New Cilunculus species from the South-western Indian Ocean.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of three Merulinidae corals and novel insights into the phylogenetics.

Over the past few decades, modern coral taxonomy, combining morphology and molecular sequence data, has resolved many long-standing questions about scleractinian corals. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Merulinidae corals (Dipsastraea rotumana, Favites pentagona, and Hydnophora exesa) for the first time using next-generation sequencing. The obtained mitogenome sequences ranged from 16,466 bp (D. rotumana) to 18,006 bp (F. pentagona) in length, and included 13 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs), two transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes . Gene arrangement, nucleotide composition, and nucleotide bias of the three Merulinidae corals were canonically identical to each other and consistent with other scleractinian corals. We performed a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction based on 13 protein-coding sequences of 86 Scleractinia species. The results showed that the family Merulinidae was conventionally nested within the robust branch, with H. exesa clustered closely with F. pentagona and D. rotumana clustered closely with Favites abdita. This study provides novel insight into the phylogenetics of species within the family Merulinidae and the evolutionary relationships among different Scleractinia genera.

Comparative study of radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints in typical marine ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents.

As a key environmental parameter to induce radiation dose and effect on non-human species, radioactivity level is rarely evaluated in typical ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. In this study, naturally occurring radionuclides (238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K) in carbonate, silicate, and sulfide sediments collected from coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents were simultaneously measured using high purity germanium (HPGe) γ spectrometry. Radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints (226Ra/238U and 228Ra/226Ra) were interpreted and explored for tracking sources and formation processes of marine sediments in distinct marine ecosystems. Additionally, ionizing radiation dose rate on representative marine biotas (mollusc-bivalve, crustacean, polychaete worm, benthic fish, and pelagic fish) was evaluated using the ERICA tool with an increasing rank in coral reefs < mangroves < hydrothermal vents. Polychaete worm received the highest radiation dose relative to other marine biotas. We also emphasized the dominant contribution of 210Po to total radiation dose rate on marine biotas.

First record and a new species of Sericosura Fry Hedgpeth, 1969 (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida: Ammotheidae) from a hydrothermal vent of Southwestern Indian Ridge.

This is the first record of the genus Sericosura from the "Duanqiao" hydrothermal field on the Southwestern Indian Ridge. Collected material included two juvenile specimens temporarily assigned to S. bamberi and S. heteroscela respectively, and one male specimen with dimorphic legs here proposed as a new species, S. duanqiaoensis sp. nov. The discovery suggests potential connectivity among the hydrothermal vents of the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans, expecting obtaining more specimens for further evolutionary studies to clarify the relationships of these hydrothermal vents.

The complete mitogenome of Pentacheles validus (Decapoda: Polychelidae).

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of Pentacheles validus has been decoded for the first time. The overall base composition is 33.4% for A, 25.0% for C, 10.8% for G, and 30.9% for T and has low GC content of 35.8%. The assembled mitogenome, 16,079 bp in length, has unique 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs and 2 ribosomal RNAs. The mitogenome shares 80% identity to Polycheles typhlops. The complete mitogenome of P. validus provides essential DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for Polychelidae and deep-sea faunas.

Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of the Globose Head Whiptail Cetonurus globiceps (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) and Its Phylogenetic Analysis.

The particular environmental characteristics of deep water such as its immense scale and high pressure systems, presents technological problems that have prevented research to broaden our knowledge of deep-sea fish. Here, we described the mitogenome sequence of a deep-sea fish, Cetonurus globiceps. The genome is 17,137 bp in length, with a standard set of 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and two typical non-coding control regions. Additionally, a 70 bp tRNA(Thr)-tRNA(Pro) intergenic spacer is present. The C. globiceps mitogenome exhibited strand-specific asymmetry in nucleotide composition. The AT-skew and GC-skew values in the whole genome of C. globiceps were 0 and -0.2877, respectively, revealing that the H-strand had equal amounts of A and T and that the overall nucleotide composition was C skewed. All of the tRNA genes could be folded into cloverleaf secondary structures, while the secondary structure of tRNA(Ser(AGY)) lacked a discernible dihydrouridine stem. By comparing this genome sequence with the recognition sites in teleost species, several conserved sequence blocks were identified in the control region. However, the GTGGG-box, the typical characteristic of conserved sequence block E (CSB-E), was absent. Notably, tandem repeats were identified in the 3' portion of the control region. No similar repetitive motifs are present in most of other gadiform species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 12 protein coding genes provided strong support that C. globiceps was the most derived in the clade. Some relationships however, are in contrast with those presented in previous studies. This study enriches our knowledge of mitogenomes of the genus Cetonurus and provides valuable information on the evolution of Macrouridae mtDNA and deep-sea fish.

A new species of Austrodecus Hodgson, 1907 (Arthropoda, Pycnogonida, Austrodecidae) from the Southwest Indian Ridge.

A new species of pycnogonid collected by the Chinese research vessel R/V Dayangyihao during cruises to the Southwest Indian Ridge in 2008 and 2009 is recorded. The new species, Austrodecus bamberi, is placed into the tristanense-section by the characters of 4-articled ovigers and present auxiliary claws and is distinguished from other species in this section by the number and length of tubercles on the first coxae.

Two new species of Sericosura Fry & Hedgpeth, 1969 (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida: Ammotheidae) from a hydrothermal vent on the East Pacific Rise.

Between 17th October and 9th November 2009, the third leg of the Chinese DY115-21 cruise on board the R/V Dayangyihao, confirmed two new hydrothermal fields near the equatorial East Pacific Rise. Five pycnogonid specimens were obtained by deep-sea TV-grab from one of the new hydrothermal vents named 'Precious Stone Mountain' at 1.22°N 101.49°W. These specimens belonged to two new species of the obligately-vent-associated pycnogonid genus Sericosura. Three female specimens represent the new species Sericosura gemmaenonsis with large body size. One male and one female were of the second new species, Sericosura dentatus; the male specimen has a mid-dorsal femoral cement-gland-tube, like that of Sericosura dissita, while the female specimen has more finely-denticulate spines on the oviger strigilis than any other species of the genus.

A new species of deep-sea squat lobster of the genus Munida Leach, 1820 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Munididae) from a hydrothermal field in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

A new species of the genus Munida Leach, 1820, is described and illustrated based on a single specimen from the deep-sea hydrothermal area in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Munida manqingae sp. nov. closely resembles M. tiresias Macpherson 1994, but differs in the morphology of the carapace, basal segment of the antennular peduncles, first segment of the antennal peduncle.