Open Source Software for Automatic Detection of Cone Photoreceptors in Adaptive Optics Ophthalmoscopy Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Imaging with an adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) enables direct visualization of the cone photoreceptor mosaic in the living human retina. Quantitative analysis of AOSLO images typically requires manual grading, which is time consuming, and subjective; thus, automated algorithms are highly desirable. Previously developed automated methods are often reliant on ad hoc rules that may not be transferable between different imaging modalities or retinal locations. In this work, we present a convolutional neural network (CNN) based method for cone detection that learns features of interest directly from training data. This cone-identifying algorithm was trained and validated on separate data sets of confocal and split detector AOSLO images with results showing performance that closely mimics the gold standard manual process. Further, without any need for algorithmic modifications for a specific AOSLO imaging system, our fully-automated multi-modality CNN-based cone detection method resulted in comparable results to previous automatic cone segmentation methods which utilized ad hoc rules for different applications. We have made free open-source software for the proposed method and the corresponding training and testing datasets available online

Automatic Detection of Cone Photoreceptors In Split Detector Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscope Images

Quantitative analysis of the cone photoreceptor mosaic in the living retina is potentially useful for early diagnosis and prognosis of many ocular diseases. Non-confocal split detector based adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) imaging reveals the cone photoreceptor inner segment mosaics often not visualized on confocal AOSLO imaging. Despite recent advances in automated cone segmentation algorithms for confocal AOSLO imagery, quantitative analysis of split detector AOSLO images is currently a time-consuming manual process. In this paper, we present the fully automatic adaptive filtering and local detection (AFLD) method for detecting cones in split detector AOSLO images. We validated our algorithm on 80 images from 10 subjects, showing an overall mean Dice’s coefficient of 0.95 (standard deviation 0.03), when comparing our AFLD algorithm to an expert grader. This is comparable to the inter-observer Dice’s coefficient of 0.94 (standard deviation 0.04). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first validated, fully-automated segmentation method which has been applied to split detector AOSLO images

Towards optimisation of model queries : A parallel execution approach

The growing size of software models poses significant scalability challenges. Amongst these challenges is the execution time of queries and transformations. In many cases, model management programs are (or can be) expressed as chains and combinations of core fundamental operations. Most of these operations are pure functions, making them amenable to parallelisation, lazy evaluation and short-circuiting. In this paper we show how all three of these optimisations can be combined in the context of Epsilon: an OCL-inspired family of model management languages. We compare our solutions with both interpreted and compiled OCL as well as hand-written Java code. Our experiments show a significant improvement in the performance of queries, especially on large models

Tectonic relationship between the Druja (Gavrovo) and the Ionian zones of the Albania thrust belt

The Kruja zone and the Ionian one are integral parts of the Albanian Thrust Belt, which lie directly in the northern continuation of the Western Hellenic Nappes up to their interruption against the thrust front. Flysch of the Oligocene and rarely carbonate deposits of Cretaceous-Eocene age consist the area along the boundary between the tow zones in question. Deposits of both tectonic zones are similar. But, despite the lithological similarities, presence of conglomerates in the Oligocene flysch and dolomites in the Cretaceous carbonates are the main characteristics of the Kruja zone. Whereas, pelagic carbonates in the Cretaceous section, as well as presence of detritic foraminifer limestone in the Oligocene flysch typify the Ionian zone

Habitat light sets the boundaries for the rapid evolution of cichlid fish vision, while sexual selection can tune it within those limits

Cichlid fishes’ famous diversity in body coloration is accompanied by a highly diverse and complex visual system. Although cichlids possess an unusually high number of seven cone opsin genes, they express only a subset of these during their ontogeny, accounting for their astonishing interspecific variation in visual sensitivities. Much of this diversity is thought to have been shaped by natural selection as cichlids inhabit a variety of habitats with distinct light environments. Also, sexual selection might have contributed to the observed visual diversity, and sexual dimorphism in coloration potentially co‐evolved with sexual dimorphism in opsin expression. We investigated sex‐specific opsin expression of several cichlids from Africa and the Neotropics and collected and integrated datasets on sex‐specific body coloration, species‐specific visual sensitivities, lens transmission and habitat light properties for some of them. We comparatively analyzed this wide range of molecular and ecological data, illustrating how integrative approaches can address specific questions on the factors and mechanisms driving diversification, and the evolution of cichlid vision in particular. We found that both sexes expressed opsins at the same levels ‐ even in sexually dimorphic cichlid species – which argues against coevolution of sexual dichromatism and differences in sex‐specific visual sensitivity. Rather, a combination of environmental light properties and body coloration shaped the diversity in spectral sensitivities among cichlids. We conclude that although cichlids are particularly colorful and diverse and often sexually dimorphic, it would appear that natural rather than sexual selection is a more powerful force driving visual diversity in this hyper‐diverse lineage

The 'full-blown' MRI of sudden hearing loss: 3D FLAIR in a patient with bilateral metastases in the internal auditory canals

We report a case of a 57-year-old man with bilateral masses in the internal auditory canal. The peculiar findings at magnetic resonance imaging with tridimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence combined with clinical data provided new insights into understanding the pathophysiology of the hearing loss

Functional connectivity modules in recurrent neural networks: function, origin and dynamics

Understanding the ubiquitous phenomenon of neural synchronization across species and organizational levels is crucial for decoding brain function. Despite its prevalence, the specific functional role, origin, and dynamical implication of modular structures in correlation-based networks remains ambiguous. Using recurrent neural networks trained on systems neuroscience tasks, this study investigates these important characteristics of modularity in correlation networks. We demonstrate that modules are functionally coherent units that contribute to specialized information processing. We show that modules form spontaneously from asymmetries in the sign and weight of projections from the input layer to the recurrent layer. Moreover, we show that modules define connections with similar roles in governing system behavior and dynamics. Collectively, our findings clarify the function, formation, and operational significance of functional connectivity modules, offering insights into cortical function and laying the groundwork for further studies on brain function, development, and dynamics

Cadmium modification of nucleolar ultrastructure and RNA synthesis in Physarum polycephalum

Exposure of the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum to cadmium resulted in distortion of nucleolar structure and in inhibition of RNA synthesis. The extent of these lesions was dependent on concentration of cadmium, as well as duration and timing of exposure in the cell cycle. A 30-min exposure to 5 x 10-4 m CdSO4, initiated just as DNA synthesis began, inhibited RNA synthesis by 50% and caused subtle nucleolar changes: eccentric placement of nucleoli in nuclei, and the appearance of multiple nucleolar bodies in low incidence. Exposure to either 5 x 10-4 m or 1.5 x 10-3 m CdSO4 for 4 hr depressed RNA synthesis to 20-25% of control values and caused ring-shaped nucleoli. In electron micrographs of cadmium-treated cells, nucleoli appeared as electron dense rings of nucleolar material enclosing less intensely staining central zones, in contrast to control nucleoli which appeared as uniformly dense, nearly spherical bodies. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed that the "ring" was, in actuality, a sphere of nucleolar material completely surrounding a central cavity. A 4-hr exposure to 5 x 10-4 or 1.5 x 10-3 m CdSO4 after postmitotic reconstruction was complete and DNA synthesis had been underway for 2 hr or more inhibited RNA synthesis by 50%, but nucleolar rings were not formed. These observations identify the nucleus as a target for cadmium, or for effectors which mediate cadmium toxicity, and they suggest that disruption of nucleolar function (i.e., synthesis of RNA) and/or of nucleolar structure may be underlying mechanisms of cadmium toxicity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22652/1/0000203.pd

Metode Pelatihan Yang Digunakan Dalam Industri Perbankan Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19

Perbankan merupakan industri transaksi uang tunai, kredit, dan transaksi keuangan lainnya. Industri perbankan sangat penting bagi pembangunan perekonomian suatu negar, Industri perbankan yang biasanya menggunakan metode offline pada saat pelatihan karyawan untuk menyeleksi, sekarang dengan adanya pandemi ini mengakibatkan industri perbankan di Indonesia harus menggunakan pelatihan karyawan secara online karena Covid-19. Penelitiaan ini bertujuan untuk Merancang model pelatihan online,Memilih dan mengintegrasi teknologi informasi dan komunikasi yang sesuai untuk membuat solusi pelatihan juga Untuk mengetahui tingkat efektifitas berbagai metode pelatihan tersebut bagi industri perbankan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dan menggunakan data 2 responden di bank syariah dan konvensional yang mengetahui tentang pelatihan selama pandemi Covid-19 ini. Sumber data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan data sekunder. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan kuisioner dan wawancara. Teknik analisis data menggunakan teknik analisis deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini adalah dalam kondisi pandemi Covid-19 ini pelatihan karyawan harus tetap berjalan dan Perusahaan dapat melakukan pelatihan secara online selama masa pandemi ini, baik untuk program internal maupun program eksternal dengan cara menggunakan metode pembelajaran daring menggunakan aplikasi zoom dan pelatihan melalui LMS (Learning management system) merupakan sistem yang efektif dan efisien selama masa pandemi covid saat ini serta kuisoner sebagai evaluasi pelatihan.Banking is an industry for cash, credit and other financial transactions. The banking industry is very important for the economic development of a country. The banking industry usually uses the offline method during employee training for selection, now with this pandemic, the banking industry in Indonesia has to use online employee training because of Covid-19. This study aims to design an online training model, select and integrate appropriate information and communication technology to create training solutions as well as to determine the level of effectiveness of the various training methods for the banking industry. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method and uses data from 2 respondents in Islamic and conventional banks who know about training during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sources of data used in this study are primary data and secondary data. Methods of data collection using questionnaires and interviews. The data analysis technique used descriptive analysis techniques. The results of this study are that in this Covid-19 pandemic, employee training must continue and the Company can conduct online training during this pandemic, both for internal programs and external programs by using online learning methods using the Zoom application and training through LMS (Learning Management System) is an effective and efficient system during the current Covid-19 pandemic and a questionnaire as a training evaluation