A machine learning approach to predict perceptual decisions: an insight into face pareidolia

The perception of an external stimulus not only depends upon the characteristics of the stimulus but is also influenced by the ongoing brain activity prior to its presentation. In this work, we directly tested whether spontaneous electrical brain activities in prestimulus period could predict perceptual outcome in face pareidolia (visualizing face in noise images) on a trial-by-trial basis. Participants were presented with only noise images but with the prior information that some faces would be hidden in these images, while their electrical brain activities were recorded; participants reported their perceptual decision, face or no-face, on each trial. Using differential hemispheric asymmetry features based on large-scale neural oscillations in a machine learning classifier, we demonstrated that prestimulus brain activities could achieve a classification accuracy, discriminating face from no-face perception, of 75% across trials. The time–frequency features representing hemispheric asymmetry yielded the best classification performance, and prestimulus alpha oscillations were found to be mostly involved in predicting perceptual decision. These findings suggest a mechanism of how prior expectations in the prestimulus period may affect post-stimulus decision making

Propagation of several grape varieties and rootstocks by meristem culture

Peiiette and Italia grape varieties and Rupestris du Lot and Salt Creek grape rootstocks were micropropagated by using meristem culture on MS medium, supplemented with ten different combinations of benzyladenine (BA) and indole butric acid (IBA) during shoot proliferation and rooting stages. In these combinations, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/1 concentrations of BA and IBA were used. Data were recorded for the survival rate, the percentage of explants which formed callus and shoots, the rate of explants with shoots and the number of shoots per explant during shoot proliferation stage; time of period for rooting, the rate of rooted explants, and the number of roots for each explant during rooting stage. Optimum concentrations of hormones for the shoot proliferation stage were 1.0 mg/1 BA + 0.5 mg/1 IBA or 1.0 mg/1 BA + 1.0 mg/1 IBA for Perlette, Italia and Rupestris du Lot, and 2.0 mg/1 BA + 1.0 mg/1 IBA, 2.0 mg/1 BA + 0.5 mg/1 IBA or 2.0 mg/1 BA + 2.0 mg/1 IBA for Salt Creek. Rooting was obtained with both the hormone free medium and the medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/1) of IBA

The effects of some pre-treatments for promoting germination of grape seeds

The effects of stratification, gibberellic acid (GA3), hydrogen cyanamide (HCN), lactic acid and acetic acid on the germination of seed of Cardinal, Tarsus beyazi and Italia grape varieties were investigated. Stratification for 30, 60 and 90 days at 5 °C, and 1000 and 2000 ppm GA3 treatments alone or in combination with stratification for 21 days at 5 °C increased germination and shortened the germination period compared with control and other treatments. In GA3 treatments, seedlings were exceedingly tall, but were weaker than controls

High efficiency somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of Grapevine: The effect of genotype, media, 2,4-D, and incubation conditions

Immature zygotic embryos of 41 B grape rootstock (V. vinifera L. cv. 'Chasselas' × V. berlandieri) and Yalova incisi (V. vinifera L.) were cultured on MS, NN, and B5 media supplemented with 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg 1-1 2,4-D at 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod and complete darkness. For 41 B rootstock, the highest somatic embryo formation was obtained from dark condition on B5 media containing 0.5 and 1 mg 1-1 2,4-D with the rates of 30% and 28.9%, respectively. Yalova incisi zygotic embryos produced 5% somatic embryos only at 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod of MS supplemented with 1 mg 1-1 2,4-D, and also in 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod and complete darkness somatic embryos were produced at the rates of 6.3% and 2.3%, respectively, in cultures of NN containing 0.5 mg 1-1 2,4-D. After 8 months of culture, 559 embryos at torpedo stage were identified on B5 + 1 mg 1-1 2,4-D + dark cultures of 41 B and 912 embryos at torpedo stage were identified on NN + 0.5 mg 1-1 2,4-D + light cultures of Yalova incisi. The highest germination and plantlet conversion rates were obtained from 41 B on free NN medium (58% and 75%, respectively) and from Yalova incisi on free MS medium (77.4% and 45%, respectively). Of the regenerated somatic plantlets, 91.9% were successfully transferred to soil. © TÜBİTAK

Rooting characteristics of several grape cultivars and rootstocks

Shoot development and rooting characteristics of cuttings of 8 grape cultivars and 22 rootstocks rooted over bottom heated are reported. Rooting rate of cuttings was between 80 % and 100 % in all cultivars and rootstocks except 41 B and 420 A. Lowest response was obtained with 41 B, 8 B, 420 A, 140 Ruggeri, 110 R and 99 R rootstocks. Shoot development was best in Harmony, 5 BB, Rupestris du Lot and 1616 C rootstocks

Propagation of some seedless grape cultivars trough embriyo culture [Bazi Çekirdeksiz Üzüm Çeşitlerinin Embriyo Kültüründen Yararlanilarak Çogaltilmasi]

This experiment was carried out to propagate some seedless grape cultivars through embryo culture. Berry samples of Perlette, Flame Seedless, Sultani çekirdeksiz, Pembe çekirdeksiz, 2B-56 and King's Ruby were taken once a week between 3rd and 8th weeks after full blooming. The effects of media (MS. Nitsch and E20A) were observed on the germination of ovule and embryos. The rate of germination showed some differences due to sampling periods of cultivars and culture media used. In general, the best results were obtained from samples taken after the 5th week after full bloom and on E20A medium. Over 90.1% embryo germination rate (in 2B-56) was found on this medium. As a results, a good number of plants have been obtained from embryos of seedless grapes by this technique which was proved to be useful for breeding of seedless grape

Research on determination of callus formation capacity in different grape rootstocks and cultivars

Callus formation was observed in the cuttings of 8 cultivars and 19 rootstocks following cutting, dipping in paraffin and placing into a water tank. The shortest time from planting to the beginning and maximum callus formation and the highest callus formation rate were observed (80 % in the 19th day, 100 % in the 24th day, respectively) in Harmony rootstock. The lowest maximum callus formation rate (36.7 %) was obtained in the 33 rd day in 8 B rootstock. The highest callus formation (4.0) was observed in King's Ruby cultivar and Harmony rootstock and the lowest callus formation (1.1) was observed in 8 B rootstock

Role of 3D power Doppler sonography in early prenatal diagnosis of Galen vein aneurysm [3D power Doppler sonografinin Galen ven anevrizmasi{dotless}ni{dotless}n erken prenatal tani{dotless}si{dotless}ndaki rolü]

Vein of Galen aneurysm malformation (VGAM) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly. Although the cause of VGAM remains to be elucidated, the current hypothesis is persistence of the embryonic vascular supply, which leads to progressive enlargement and formation of the aneurysmal component of a typical VGAM. Here, we present a 36-year-old woman at 23 weeks' gestation (gravida 3, para 2) who was evaluated using 3D power Doppler sonography for the prenatal diagnosis of a vein of Galen aneurysm. Investigation using 3D power Doppler sonography allowed for a non-invasive yet diffuse and detailed prenatal assessment of VGAM. Thus, we suggest that prenatal sonography with 3D power Doppler may be an option in cases of VGAM. © 2013 by the Turkish-German Gynecological Education and Research Foundation

Rubella vaccination during the preconception period or in pregnancy and perinatal and fetal outcomes

PubMed ID: 23094531The rubella vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy. Between July and August 2009, the Turkish Republic Ministry of Health implemented a vaccine program to eradicate rubella in women in the reproductive period. In this program, many pregnant women were also vaccinated inadvertently. In this study, 62 pregnant women applied to our clinic who were vaccinated either during pregnancy or within one month before the last menstrual period. Seventeen of them were followed until the end of the pregnancy by fetal echocardiography and detailed ultrasonography. Rubella immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies were studied in the cord blood obtained at birth. All fetuses were examined by a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist and a pediatric cardiologist. A hearing test was also performed on all neonates. No signs of congenital rubella syndrome could be found