Voice attractiveness and decision making in third-party punishment.

This study examined the impact of an attractive voice compared to an unattractive voice in an economic game. Results showed that proposers with an attractive voice were perceived as more reasonable in their monetary allocations and were less likely to receive punishment for unfair allocation.

Relationship between types of anxiety and the ability to recognize facial expressions.

This study examined whether three subtypes of anxiety (trait anxiety, state anxiety, and social anxiety) have different effects on recognition of facial expressions. One hundred and thirty-eight participants matched facial expressions of three intensity levels (20 %, 40 %, 100 %) with one of the six emotion labels ("happy", "sad", "fear", "angry", "disgust", and "surprise"). While using a conventional method of analysis we were able to replicate some significant correlations between each anxiety type and recognition performance found in the literature. However, when we used partial correlation to isolate the effect of each anxiety type, most of these correlations were no longer significant, apart from the negative correlations between Beck Anxiety Inventory and reaction time to fearful faces displayed at 40 % intensity level, and the correlations between anxiety and categorisation errors. Specifically, social anxiety was positively correlated with misidentifying a happy face as a disgust face at 40 % intensity level, and state anxiety negatively correlated with misidentifying a happy face as a sad face at 20 % intensity level. However, these partial correlation analyses became non-significant after p value adjustment for multiple comparisons. Our eye tracking data also showed that state anxiety may be associated with reduced fixations on the eye regions of low-intensity sad or fearful faces. These analyses cast doubts on some effects reported in the previous studies because they are likely to reflect a mixture of influences from highly correlated anxiety subtypes.

Decoding the temporal representation of facial expression in face-selective regions.

The ability of humans to discern facial expressions in a timely manner typically relies on distributed face-selective regions for rapid neural computations. To study the time course in regions of interest for this process, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure neural responses participants viewed facial expressions depicting seven types of emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear, surprise, and neutral). Analysis of the time-resolved decoding of neural responses in face-selective sources within the inferior parietal cortex (IP-faces), lateral occipital cortex (LO-faces), fusiform gyrus (FG-faces), and posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS-faces) revealed that facial expressions were successfully classified starting from ∼100 to 150 ms after stimulus onset. Interestingly, the LO-faces and IP-faces showed greater accuracy than FG-faces and pSTS-faces. To examine the nature of the information processed in these face-selective regions, we entered with facial expression stimuli into a convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform similarity analyses against human neural responses. The results showed that neural responses in the LO-faces and IP-faces, starting ∼100 ms after the stimuli, were more strongly correlated with deep representations of emotional categories than with image level information from the input images. Additionally, we observed a relationship between the behavioral performance and the neural responses in the LO-faces and IP-faces, but not in the FG-faces and lpSTS-faces. Together, these results provided a comprehensive picture of the time course and nature of information involved in facial expression discrimination across multiple face-selective regions, which advances our understanding of how the human brain processes facial expressions.

The roles of edge-based and surface-based information in the dynamic neural representation of objects.

We combined multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to investigate the role of edge, color, and other surface information in the neural representation of visual objects. Participants completed a one-back task in which they were presented with color photographs, grayscale images, and line drawings of animals, tools, and fruits. Our results provide the first neural evidence that line drawings elicit similar neural activities as color photographs and grayscale images during the 175-305 ms window after the stimulus onset. Furthermore, we found that other surface information, rather than color information, facilitates decoding accuracy in the early stages of object representations and affects the speed of this. These results provide new insights into the role of edge-based and surface-based information in the dynamic process of neural representations of visual objects.

Genomic insights into Aspergillus sydowii 29R-4-F02: unraveling adaptive mechanisms in subseafloor coal-bearing sediment environments.

Introduction: Aspergillussydowii is an important filamentous fungus that inhabits diverse environments. However, investigations on the biology and genetics of A. sydowii in subseafloor sediments remain limited. Methods: Here, we performed de novo sequencing and assembly of the A. sydowii 29R-4-F02 genome, an isolate obtained from approximately 2.4 km deep, 20-million-year-old coal-bearing sediments beneath the seafloor by employing the Nanopore sequencing platform. Results and Discussion: The generated genome was 37.19 Mb with GC content of 50.05%. The final assembly consisted of 11 contigs with N50 of 4.6 Mb, encoding 12,488 putative genes. Notably, the subseafloor strain 29R-4-F02 showed a higher number of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and distinct genes related to vesicular fusion and autophagy compared to the terrestrial strain CBS593.65. Furthermore, 257 positively selected genes, including those involved in DNA repair and CAZymes were identified in subseafloor strain 29R-4-F02. These findings suggest that A. sydowii possesses a unique genetic repertoire enabling its survival in the extreme subseafloor environments over tens of millions of years.

The potential role of subseafloor fungi in driving the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen under anaerobic conditions.

Fungi represent the dominant eukaryotic group of organisms in anoxic marine sedimentary ecosystems, ranging from a few centimeters to ~ 2.5 km below seafloor. However, little is known about how fungi can colonize anaerobic subseafloor environments for tens of millions of years and whether they play a role in elemental biogeochemical cycles. Based on metabolite detection, isotope tracer and gene analysis, we examined the anaerobic nitrogen conversion pathways of 19 fungal species (40 strains) isolated from1.3 to 2.5 km coal-bearing sediments below seafloor. Our results show for the first time that almost all fungi possess anaerobic denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and nitrification pathways, but not anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox). Moreover, the distribution of fungi with different nitrogen-conversion abilities in subseafloor sediments was mainly determined by in situ temperature, CaCO3, and inorganic carbon contents. These findings suggest that fungi have multiple nitrogen transformation processes to cope with their requirements for a variety of nitrogen sources in nutrient deficient anaerobic subseafloor sedimentary environments.

The Role of Sex in the Effect of Vocal Attractiveness on Ultimatum Game Decisions.

The present research investigated the role of sex in the effect of vocal attractiveness on fairness judgment in a two-person Ultimatum Game. Each participant in the game decided whether to accept offers from a proposer who was either associated with an attractive or unattractive voice. The results showed that while participants were more likely to accept fair offers, they would also accept some unfair offers that were associated with an attractive voice. This effect of vocal attractiveness was more clearly shown by female participants, although all male and female participants took longer to make a decision when an attractive voice was associated with an offer, regardless of whether the voice was from the same sex or the opposite sex. Overall, the results inform the role of sex in the effect of vocal attractiveness and further confirm the beauty premium effect on economic bargaining, where people with an attractive voice would benefit.

SmI2-mediated intermolecular addition-elimination of piperidine and pyrrolidine N-α-radicals with arylacetylene sulfones.

An efficient approach to access α-arylacetylene-substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives has been developed through a samarium diiodide-mediated addition-elimination process of pyrrolidine and piperidine N-α-radicals with arylacetylene sulfones.

Palladium-Catalyzed Sequential Heck Reactions of Olefin-Tethered Aryl Iodides with Alkenes.

An efficient approach to functionalized (E)-3-cinnamyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and (E)-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl)but-2-enones has been developed through a Pd-catalyzed one-pot cascade process involving two sequential Heck reactions, that is, an intramolecular Heck reaction of olefin-tethered aryl iodides and an intermolecular Heck reaction with substituted styrenes and α,ß-unsaturated ketones. As a result, a series of desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields and with exclusive E-form selectivities.

AgNTf2 catalyzed cycloaddition of N-acyliminium ions with alkynes for the synthesis of the 3,4-dihydro-1,3-oxazin-2-one skeleton.

A catalyzed process for the synthesis of the 4,6-substituted 3,4-dihydro-1,3-oxazin-2-one skeleton has been developed through cycloaddition of in situ generated acyliminium intermediates with alkynes. A range of chain N,O-acetals and terminal alkynes were amenable for this mild transformation. As a result, a series of desired cycloaddition products were obtained in moderate to good yields.

Anaerobic biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by fungi isolated from anaerobic coal-associated sediments at 2.5 km below the seafloor.

Fungi represent the dominant eukaryotic group in the deep biosphere and well-populated in the anaerobic coal-bearing sediments up to ∼2.5 km below seafloor (kmbsf). But whether fungi are able to degrade and utilize coal to sustain growth in the anaerobic sub-seafloor environment remains unknown. Based on biodegradation investigation, we found that fungi isolated from sub-seafloor sediments at depths of ∼1.3-∼2.5 kmbsf showed a broad range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) anaerobic degradation rates (3-25%). Among them, the white-rot fungus Schizophyllium commune 20R-7-F01 exhibited the highest degradation, 25%, 18% and 13%, of phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP); respectively, after 10 days of anaerobic incubation. Phe was utilized well and about 40.4% was degraded by the fungus, after 20 days of anaerobic incubation. Moreover, the ability of fungi to degrade PAHs was positively correlated with the anaerobic growth of fungi, indicating that fungi can use PAHs as a sole carbon source under anoxic conditions. In addition, fungal degradation of PAHs was found to be related to the activity of carboxylases, but little or nothing to do with the activity of lignin modifying enzymes such as laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP). These results suggest that sub-seafloor fungi possess a special mechanism to degrade and utilize PAHs as a carbon and energy source under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, fungi living in sub-seafloor sediments may not only play an important role in carbon cycle in the anaerobic environments of the deep biosphere, but also be able to persist in deep sediment below seafloor for millions of years by using PAHs or related compounds as carbon and energy source. This anaerobic biodegradation ability could make these fungi suitable candidates for bioremediation of toxic pollutants such as PAHs from anoxic environments.

Impact of Face Masks and Viewers' Anxiety on Ratings of First Impressions from Faces.

Face mask is now a common feature in our social environment. Although face covering reduces our ability to recognize other's face identity and facial expressions, little is known about its impact on the formation of first impressions from faces. In two online experiments, we presented unfamiliar faces displaying neutral expressions with and without face masks, and participants rated the perceived approachableness, trustworthiness, attractiveness, and dominance from each face on a 9-point scale. Their anxiety levels were measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale. In comparison with mask-off condition, wearing face masks (mask-on) significantly increased the perceived approachableness and trustworthiness ratings, but showed little impact on increasing attractiveness or decreasing dominance ratings. Furthermore, both trait and state anxiety scores were negatively correlated with approachableness and trustworthiness ratings in both mask-off and mask-on conditions. Social anxiety scores, on the other hand, were negatively correlated with approachableness but not with trustworthiness ratings. It seems that the presence of a face mask can alter our first impressions of strangers. Although the ratings for approachableness, trustworthiness, attractiveness, and dominance were positively correlated, they appeared to be distinct constructs that were differentially influenced by face coverings and participants' anxiety types and levels.

Emotion matters: Face ensemble perception is affected by emotional states.

Ensemble coding is the ability of the visual system to extract a summary statistic from a set of stimuli. For example, observers often spontaneously extract an average face identity from a set of faces. Ensemble coding is known to operate in the frame of a distributed/global attention model. Because both attention and holistic processing are modulated by emotion - where positive emotions broaden the scope of attention and facilitate global processing, whereas negative emotions narrow the scope of attention and promote local processing - the current research explored whether emotional states could affect visual averaging of multiple face identities. Participants completed an ensemble-coding task before and after their emotion was induced via film clips. In the ensemble-coding task, a set of four face identities was shown briefly, followed by a probe face. Participants judged whether the probe face was presented in the preceding set. Evidence for ensemble coding was indexed by responses that treated an average face of the preceding set as a member of that set. The results showed that the tendency to choose this average was modulated by emotional states. Visual averaging increased after seeing positive film clips, but decreased after seeing negative film clips. These results support Frederickson's broaden-and-built theory, and extended its application to ensemble perception.

Predicting attractiveness from face parts reveals multiple covarying cues.

In most studies of facial attractiveness perception, judgments are based on the whole face images. Here we investigated how attractiveness judgments from parts of faces compare to perceived attractiveness of the whole face, and to each other. We manipulated the extent and regions of occlusion, where either the left/right or the top/bottom half of the face was occluded. We also further segmented the face into relatively small horizontal regions involving the forehead, eyes, nose, or mouth. The results demonstrated the correlated nature of face regions, such that an attractiveness judgment for one face part can be highly predictive of the attractiveness of the whole face or the other parts. The left/right half of the face created more accurate predictions than the top/bottom half. Judgments involving a larger area of the face (i.e., left/right or top/bottom halves) produced more accurate predictions than those derived from smaller regions, such as the eyes or the mouth alone, but even the smallest and most featureless region investigated (the forehead) provided useful information. The correlated nature of the attractiveness of face parts shows that perceived attractiveness is determined by multiple covarying cues that the visual system can exploit to determine attractiveness from a single glance.

Unpredictable fearful stimuli disrupt timing activities: Evidence from event-related potentials.

The present study investigated the effect of an imminent fearful stimulus on an ongoing temporal task. Participants judged the duration of a blank temporal interval followed by a fearful or a neutral image. Results showed an underestimation of the duration in the fearful condition relative to the neutral condition, but only when the occurrence of the fearful image was difficult to predict. ERPs results for the blank temporal interval found no effect of the fearful stimulus on the contingent negative variation (CNV) amplitude in the clock stage. However, after the image onset, there was a larger P1 for the fearful relative to the neutral condition. Although this effect was indistinguishable regardless of whether the fearful event could be easily predicted, a late positive potential (LPP) component displayed larger amplitude only for unpredictable fearful stimuli. The time-frequency results showed enhanced delta-theta power (0.5-7.5 Hz) for the unpredictable fearful stimuli in the late stage. Importantly, the enhanced delta-theta rhythm correlated negatively with the duration judgments. Together, these results suggest that an unpredictable fearful event might divert more attention away from the counting process in the working memory stage, resulting in missing ticks and temporal underestimation.

Changes in depressive-like behaviors induced by spinal cord injury based on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hippocampal neurogenesis.

A reduction in sucrose preference is a key characteristic of depressive-like behaviors after spinal cord injury as judged by the sucrose preference test, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Male rats were divided into three groups: control, sham and spinal cord injury groups. The spinal cord injury rats received a severe mid-thoracic contusion. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score was used to assess motor function. The sucrose preference test and forced swim test were used to evaluate depressive-like behaviors. Serum corticosterone levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor levels were examined by Western blot to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed by testing hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B levels by Western blot and doublecortin levels by immunohistochemistry. Data showed that spinal cord injury impaired motor function. The spinal cord injury rats exhibited decreased sucrose preference on day six, which continued to decrease until day twelve, followed by a plateau phase. Additionally, the immobility time of the spinal cord injury rats was increased on day thirty-four. Moreover, serum corticosterone levels in the spinal cord injury group peaked on day seven, was decreased by day twenty-one and was increased again on day thirty-five. Serum corticosterone levels were significantly negatively correlated with sucrose preference and positively correlated with immobility time. Finally, hippocampal doublecortin levels on days twenty-one and thirty-five were lower in the spinal cord injury group than in the other groups. These results suggest that hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the inhibition of adult hippocampal neurogenesis may be part of the underlying mechanism responsible for depressive-like behaviors after spinal cord injury.

Reexamining the neural network involved in perception of facial expression: A meta-analysis.

Perception of facial expression is essential for social interactions. Although a few competing models have enjoyed some success to map brain regions, they are also facing difficult challenges. The current study used an updated activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method of meta-analysis to explore the involvement of brain regions in facial expression processing. The sample contained 96 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies of healthy adults with the results of whole-brain analyses. The key findings revealed that the ventral pathway, especially the left fusiform face area (FFA) region, was more responsive to facial expression. The left posterior FFA showed strong involvement when participants passively viewing emotional faces without being asked to judge the type of expression or other attributes of the stimuli. Through meta-analytic connectivity modeling (MACM) of the main brain regions in the ventral pathway, we constructed a co-activating neural network as a revised model of facial expression processing that assigns prominent roles to the amygdala, FFA, the occipital gyrus, and the inferior frontal gyrus.

Effect of oxygen concentrations and branched-chain amino acids on the growth and development of sub-seafloor fungus, Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01.

Fungi have been reported to be the dominant eukaryotic group in anoxic sub-seafloor sediments, but how fungi subsist in the anoxic sub-marine sedimental environment is rarely understood. Our previous study demonstrated that the fungus, Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01 isolated from a ~2 km sediment below the seafloor, can grow and produce primordia in the complete absence of oxygen with enhanced production of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), but the primordia cannot be developed into fruit bodies without oxygen. Here, we present the individual and synergistic effects of oxygen and BCAAs on the fruit-body development of this strain. It was found that the fungus required a minimum oxygen concentration of 0.5% pO2 to generate primordia and 1% pO2 to convert primordia into mature fruit body. However, if BCAAs (20 mM) were added to the medium, the primordium could be developed into fruit body at a lower oxygen concentration up to 0.5% pO2 where genes fst4 and c2h2 playing an important role in compensating oxygen deficiency. Moreover, under hypoxic conditions, the fungus showed an increase in mitochondrial number and initiation of auto-phagocytosis. These findings suggest that the fruit-body formation of S. commune may have multiple mechanisms, including energy and amino acid metabolism in response to oxygen concentrations.

Covalently immobilize crude d-amino acid transaminase onto UiO-66-NH2 surface for d-Ala biosynthesis.

Enzyme reaction has been accepted widely in numerous applications owing to the high efficiency and stereo-selectivity, as well as simple preparation by gene engineering. However, the fragility and complex purification process of the enzyme are long-standing problems which limit the large-scale application. One possible solution may be the enzyme immobilization. As one type of porous material with high loading capacity and designable functionality, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are ideal choices for the immobilization of enzyme with a considerable interest in recent years. In this study, d-amino acid transaminase (DAT), an important enzyme for industrial synthesis of d-Ala, was covalently immobilized on the surface of a star MOFs material, UiO-66-NH2. Interestingly, we found that the nanoscale hybrid enzyme UiO-66-NH2-Gd-DAT not only maintained the high catalytic efficiency but also got rid of the interference of polluting enzymes, which meant that we could obtain efficient and stereo-selective immobilized enzyme without complex purification process. In general, our findings demonstrated that using UiO-66-NH2 might be a promising strategy to immobilize enzyme and produce effective biocatalyst with high activity and stereo-selectivity.