Functional connectivity via the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the late phase of rest periods predicts offline learning.

The relationship between offline learning gains and functional connectivity (FC) has been investigated in several studies. They have focused on average motor task performance and resting-state FC across subjects. Generally, individual differences are seen in both offline learning gain and neurophysiological profiles in resting-state FC. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between individual differences in offline learning gain and temporal characteristics of resting-state FC. The present study aimed to clarify this relationship between the two profiles. Thirty-four healthy right-handed participants performed a force-controlled motor task. Electroencephalography was performed during the 15-minute wakeful rest period between tasks. The results revealed a significant correlation between offline learning gain and FC between the contralateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and contralateral primary motor cortex (M1), and ipsilateral primary somatosensory cortex (S1) during late phase of the rest interval. These results are consistent with the findings of previous studies showing the FC between M1, which is necessary for awake offline learning, and DLPFC, which is related to motor control. Additionally, sensory feedback related to force control may be caused by the interaction between contralateral DLPFC and ipsilateral S1. Our study shed light on the temporal profiles of resting-state FC associated with individual differences in offline learning.

The Japanese Marten Favors Actinidia arguta, a Forest Edge Liane as a Directed Seed Disperser.

This study demonstrates the potential of the Japanese marten (Martes melampus) to serve as a directed seed disperser of Actinidia arguta, a representative forest edge liane. Fecal compositions of the Japanese marten in a western part of Tokyo, Japan were analyzed by the point-frame method. It fed on fruits in autumn (73.1%) and winter (63.0%), and the seeds of A. arguta were most frequently eaten (47.4%). Although the vegetation in the study area was dominated by forest (95.5%), seeds found in the marten feces were dominated by those of forest edge plants (92.1%), suggesting a strong selective bias, both habitat and food, toward these species. The density of marten feces was also higher at forest edges than forest interiors. A. arguta plants were more abundant at forest edges than within the forest at Afan Wood, Nagano Prefecture. These results suggest that the Japanese marten selectively uses forest edges as a location for feeding and defecation and thus functions as a directed seed disperser of A. arguta.