@article {687663, title = {The neural basis of interspecies interactions in insects}, journal = {Current Opinion in Insect Science}, volume = {50}, number = {100891}, year = {2022}, abstract = {As insects move through the world, they continuously engage in behavioral interactions with other species. These interactions take on a spectrum of forms, from inconsequential encounters to predation, defense, and specialized symbiotic partnerships. All such interactions rely on sensorimotor pathways that carry out efficient categorization of different organisms and enact behaviors that cross species boundaries. Despite the universality of interspecies interactions, how insect brains perceive and process salient features of other species remains unexplored. Here, we present an overview of major questions concerning the neurobiology and evolution of behavioral interactions between species, providing a framework for future research on this critical role of the insect nervous system.}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214574522000268?via\%3Dihub}, author = {Kanwal, Jessleen K and Parker, Joseph} } @article {677460, title = {Spatio-Temporal Dynamics in Animal Communication: A Special Issue Arising from a Unique Workshop-Symposium Sequence}, journal = {Integrative and Comparative Biology}, year = {2021}, abstract = { Investigating how animals navigate space and time is key to understanding communication. Small differences in spatial positioning or timing can mean the difference between a message received and a missed connection. However, these spatio-temporal dynamics are often overlooked or are subject to simplifying assumptions in investigations of animal signaling. This special issue addresses this significant knowledge gap by integrating work from researchers with disciplinary backgrounds in neuroscience, cognitive ecology, sensory ecology, computer science, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and philosophy. This introduction to the special issue outlines the novel questions and approaches that will advance our understanding of spatio-temporal dynamics of animal communication. We highlight papers that consider the evolution of spatiotemporal dynamics of behavior across sensory modalities and social contexts. We summarize contributions that address the neural and physiological mechanisms in senders and receivers that shape communication. We then turn to papers that introduce cutting edge technologies that will revolutionize our ability to track spatio-temporal dynamics of individuals during social encounters. The interdisciplinary collaborations that gave rise to these papers emerged in part from a novel workshop-symposium model, which we briefly summarize for those interested in fostering syntheses across disciplines. }, author = {Kim L. Hoke and Nicholai Hensley and Jessleen K. Kanwal and Sara Wasserman and Nathan I. Morehouse} } @article {677258, title = {Internal state: dynamic, interconnected communication loops distributed across body, brain, and time}, journal = {Integrative and Comparative Biology}, year = {2021}, abstract = { Internal state profoundly alters perception and behavior. For example, a starved fly may approach and consume foods that it would otherwise find undesirable. A socially engaged newt may remain engaged in the presence of a predator, whereas a solitary newt would otherwise attempt to escape. Yet, the definition of internal state is fluid and ill-defined. As an interdisciplinary group of scholars spanning five career stages (from undergraduate to full professor) and six academic institutions, we have come together in an attempt to provide an operational definition of internal state that could be useful in understanding the behavior and the function of nervous systems, at timescales relevant to the individual. In this perspective, we propose to define internal state through an integrative framework centered on dynamic and interconnected communication loops in and between the body and the brain. This framework is informed by a synthesis of historical and contemporary paradigms used by neurobiologists, ethologists, physiologists, and endocrinologists. We view internal state as composed of both spatially distributed networks (body{\textendash}brain communication loops), and temporally distributed mechanisms that weave together neural circuits, physiology, and behavior. Given the wide spatial and temporal scales at which internal state operates{\textemdash}and therefore the broad range of scales at which it could be defined{\textemdash}we choose to anchor our definition in the body. Here we focus on studies that highlight body-tobrain signaling; body represented in endocrine signaling, and brain represented in sensory signaling. This integrative framework of internal state potentially unites the disparate paradigms often used by scientists grappling with body{\textendash}brain interactions. We invite others to join us as we examine approaches and question assumptions to study the underlying mechanisms and temporal dynamics of internal state. }, author = {Jessleen K.* Kanwal and Emma* Coddington and Rachel Frazer and Daniela Limbania and Grace Turner and Karla J. Davila and Michael A. Givens and Valarie Williams and Sandeep Robert Datta and Sara Wasserman} } @article {677257, title = {Multimodal integration across spatiotemporal scales to guide invertebrate locomotion}, journal = {Integrative and Comparative Biology}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Locomotion is a hallmark of organisms that has enabled adaptive radiation to an extraordinarily diverse class of ecological niches, and allows animals to move across vast distances. Sampling from multiple sensory modalities enables animals to acquire rich information to guide locomotion. Locomotion without sensory feedback is haphazard, therefore sensory and motor systems have evolved complex interactions to generate adaptive behavior. Notably, sensory-guided locomotion acts over broad spatial and temporal scales to permit goal-seeking behavior, whether to localize food by tracking an attractive odor plume or to search for a potential mate. How does the brain integrate multimodal stimuli over different temporal and spatial scales to effectively control behavior? In this review, we classify locomotion into three ordinally ranked hierarchical layers that act over distinct spatiotemporal scales:\ stabilization,\ motor primitives, and\ higher-order tasks, respectively. We discuss how these layers present unique challenges and opportunities for sensorimotor integration. We focus on recent advances in invertebrate locomotion due to their accessible neural and mechanical signals from the whole brain, limbs and sensors. Throughout, we emphasize neural-level description of computations for multimodal integration in genetic model systems, including the fruit fly,\ Drosophila melanogaster, and the yellow fever mosquito,\ Aedes aegypti. We identify that summation (e.g. gating) and weighting{\textemdash}which are inherent computations of spiking neurons{\textemdash}underlie multimodal integration across spatial and temporal scales, therefore suggesting collective strategies to guide locomotion.}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab041}, author = {Jean-Michel Mongeau and Lorian E Schweikert and Alexander L Davis and Michael S Reichert and Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @article {646613, title = {Structured odorant response patterns across a complete olfactory receptor neuron population}, journal = {Neuron}, volume = {101}, number = {5}, year = {2019}, note = {Associated Commentary - Order in Odors: A Power Law Structures Encoding of Stimulus Identity and Intensity\ }, pages = {950-962}, abstract = {Odor perception allows animals to distinguish odors,\ recognize the same odor across concentrations, and\ determine concentration changes. How the activity patterns of primary\ olfactory receptor neurons\ (ORNs), at the individual and population levels, facilitate distinguishing these functions remains poorly understood. Here, we interrogate the complete ORN population of the\ Drosophila\ larva across a broadly sampled panel of odorants at varying concentrations. We find that the activity of each ORN scales with the concentration of any odorant via a\ fixed dose-response function with a variable sensitivity. Sensitivities across odorants and ORNs follow a power-law distribution. Much of\ receptor\ sensitivity to odorants is accounted for by a single geometrical property of molecular structure. Similarity in the shape of temporal response filters across\ odorants and ORNs extend these relationships to\ fluctuating environments. These results uncover shared individual- and population-level patterns that together lend structure to support odor perceptions.}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627318311504}, author = {Si, Guangwei* and Kanwal, Jessleen K* and Hu, Yu and Tabone, Christopher J and Baron, Jacob and Berck, Matthew and Vignoud, Gaetan and Aravinthan D T Samuel} } @article {372441, title = {Soft-coupling suspension system for an intradural spinal cord stimulator: biophysical performance characteristics}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physics}, volume = {114}, number = {16}, year = {2013}, abstract = {We have characterized the mechanical compliance of an improved version of the\ suspension\ system used to position the electrode-bearing membrane of an intradural neuromodulator on the dorsal pial surface of the spinal cord. Over the compression span of 5 mm, it exhibited a restoring force of 2.4 μN\ μm-1\ and a mean pressure of 0.5 mm\ Hg\ (=66 Pa) on the surface below it, well within the range of normal intrathecal pressures. We have implanted prototype devices employing this\ suspension\ and a novel device fixation technique in a chronic ovine model of spinal cord stimulation and found that it maintains stable contact at the electrode-pia interface without\ lead\ fracture, as determined by measurement of the inter-contact impedances.}, url = {http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jap/114/16/10.1063/1.4827195}, author = {H. Oya and S. Safayi and N.D. Jeffery and S. Viljoen and C.G. Reddy and B.D. Dalm and J.K. Kanwal and G.T. Gillies and M.A. Howard} } @article {372361, title = {Novel pericardial access device: design features and in vitro evaluation.}, journal = {J Med Eng Technol}, volume = {35}, number = {3-4}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Apr-May}, pages = {179-84}, abstract = {We have designed, built and tested a novel needle for percutaneously accessing the pericardial space. The problem with accessing pericardial space is that the pericardium is against the heart. Our novel device incorporates a single spiral tine at the distal tip of a10-gauge needle, which engages the parietal pericardium tangentially to the surface of the heart. One can then pull the pericardium away, thus minimizing the risk of ventricular perforation associated with oblique axial approaches. Using linear low-density polyethylene film as a surrogate pericardium, we have demonstrated reliable pericardial engagement with successful first-time engagement rates of up to 72\% (n = 25 attempts) at approach angles ranging from 0{\textdegree} (normal incidence) to 30{\textdegree}. The associated torques were approximately 1 N mm. The performance limits of the model and the implications for clinical use of such a device are discussed.}, keywords = {Cardiac Catheterization, Equipment Design, Pericardium, Polyethylene}, issn = {1464-522X}, doi = {10.3109/03091902.2011.558171}, author = {Pollak, P M and Mahapatra, S and Kanwal, J K and Gillies, G T} } @article {372381, title = {EphA4 expression promotes network activity and spine maturation in cortical neuronal cultures.}, journal = {Neural Dev}, volume = {6}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, pages = {21}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Neurons form specific connections with targets via synapses and patterns of synaptic connectivity dictate neural function. During development, intrinsic neuronal specification and environmental factors guide both initial formation of synapses and strength of resulting connections. Once synapses form, non-evoked, spontaneous activity serves to modulate connections, strengthening some and eliminating others. Molecules that mediate intercellular communication are particularly important in synaptic refinement. Here, we characterize the influences of EphA4, a transmembrane signaling molecule, on neural connectivity. RESULTS: Using multi-electrode array analysis on in vitro cultures, we confirmed that cortical neurons mature and generate spontaneous circuit activity as cells differentiate, with activity growing both stronger and more patterned over time. When EphA4 was over-expressed in a subset of neurons in these cultures, network activity was enhanced: bursts were longer and were composed of more spikes than in control-transfected cultures. To characterize the cellular basis of this effect, dendritic spines, the major excitatory input site on neurons, were examined on transfected neurons in vitro. Strikingly, while spine number and density were similar between conditions, cortical neurons with elevated levels of EphA4 had significantly more mature spines, fewer immature spines, and elevated colocalization with a mature synaptic marker. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that experimental elevation of EphA4 promotes network activity in vitro, supporting spine maturation, producing more functional synaptic pairings, and promoting more active circuitry.}, keywords = {Action Potentials, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Cells, Cultured, Cercopithecus aethiops, Cerebral Cortex, Dendritic Spines, Electrophysiology, Electroporation, Embryo, Mammalian, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Mice, Nerve Net, Neurons, Receptor, EphA4, Time Factors, Transfection}, issn = {1749-8104}, doi = {10.1186/1749-8104-6-21}, author = {Clifford, Meredith A* and Kanwal, Jessleen K* and Dzakpasu, Rhonda and Donoghue, Maria J} } @article {372431, title = {Biophysical attributes of an in vitro spinal cord surrogate for use in developing an intradural neuromodulation system}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physics}, volume = {110}, number = {7}, year = {2011}, pages = {1-5}, abstract = {We have developed a spinal cord surrogate for use in testing a pial-surface spinal cord stimulator. Our surrogate is of a commercially available silicone mix, has an oval cross-sectional area that matches that of actual human spinal cord at the lower thoracic level, and has measured values of durometer A = (10.96 {\textpm} 1.68), durometer O = (14.76 {\textpm} 1.48), and durometer OO = (50.24 {\textpm} 2.65). These correspond to model-inferred elastic moduli of 0.41 to 0.44 MPa, which match well with the existing low-strain rate measurements of\ ex vivo\ human spinal cord. Upcoming applications for this surrogate in developmental studies of the new stimulator system are discussed.}, url = {http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jap/110/7/10.1063/1.3642976}, author = {M.A. Howard and M. Utz and T.J. Brennan and B.D. Dalm and S Viljoen and J.K. Kanwal and G.T. Gillies} } @patent {665281, title = {Medical Suction Device and Related Method}, volume = {9,993,585}, number = {U.S Patent and Trademark Office}, year = {2018}, edition = {United States of America}, chapter = {US}, url = {https://patents.justia.com/inventor/jessleen-kanwal}, author = {Riordan, J.P. and Dougherty, B.V. and Foley, R.M. and J.K. Kanwal and Guendel, A.M.} } @presentation {665284, title = {Early Integration of Multimodal Chemosensory Stimuli in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Conference}, year = {2020}, url = {https://www.achems.org/ISOT/awards.php}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665283, title = {Early Integration of Multimodal Chemosensory Stimuli in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {International Symposium on Smell and Taste (ISOT) Conference}, year = {2020}, url = {https://sicb.burkclients.com/wp/?page_id=386}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665282, title = {What is Flavor to a Fly: Odor and Taste Integration in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Macalester College, STEM Speaker Series}, year = {2020}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665288, title = {Unisensory and Multisensory Processing in the Early Olfactory System of the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Washington and Lee University, Neuroscience Dept. Seminar}, year = {2019}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665287, title = {Early Multisensory Integration in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Boston Area Drosophila Conference}, year = {2019}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665286, title = {Olfactory and Gustatory Integration in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {European Symposium on Taste and Smell Conference}, year = {2019}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665285, title = {Chemosensory Integration in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Northeastern University, Neuroscience Seminar}, year = {2019}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665289, title = {What is Flavor to a Fly: Odor and Taste Integration in the Drosophila Larva}, journal = {Wellesley College, Summer Speaker Series}, year = {2018}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal} } @presentation {665290, title = {Combinatorial Encoding of Odor Identity and Intensity}, journal = {Harvard University, Neurolunch}, year = {2015}, author = {Jessleen K. Kanwal and Si, Guangwei} }