554 research outputs found
Long-range coupling of prefrontal cortex and visual (MT) or polysensory (STP) cortical areas in motion perception
To investigate how, where and when moving
auditory cues interact with the perception of object-motion
during self-motion, we conducted psychophysical, MEG, and
fMRI experiments in which the subjects viewed nine textured
objects during simulated forward self-motion. On each trial,
one object was randomly assigned its own looming motion
within the scene. Subjects reported which of four labeled objects
had independent motion within the scene in two conditions:
(1) visual information only and (2) with additional moving-
auditory cue.
In MEG, comparison of the two conditions showed: (i) MT
activity is similar across conditions, (ii) late after the stimulus
presentation there is additional activity in the auditory cue
condition ventral to MT, (iii) with the auditory cue, the right
auditory cortex (AC) shows early activity together with STS,
(iv) these two activities have different time courses and the
STS signals occur later in the epoch together with frontal
activity in the right hemisphere, (v) for the visual-only condition
activity in PPC (posterior parietal cortex) is stronger than
in the auditory-cue condition. fMRI conducted for visual-only
condition reveals activations in a network of parietal and frontal
areas and in MT.
In addition, Dynamic Granger Causality analysis showed
for auditory cues a strong connection of the AC with STP but
not with MT suggesting binding of visual and auditory information
at STP. Also, while in the visual-only condition PFC is
connected with MT, in the auditory-cue condition PFC is connected
to STP (superior temporal polysensory) area.
These results indicate that PFC allocates attention to the
“object” as a whole, in STP to a moving visual-auditory object,
and in MT to a moving visual object.Accepted manuscrip
The Unique Determination of Neuronal Currents in the Brain via Magnetoencephalography
The problem of determining the neuronal current inside the brain from
measurements of the induced magnetic field outside the head is discussed under
the assumption that the space occupied by the brain is approximately spherical.
By inverting the Geselowitz equation, the part of the current which can be
reconstructed from the measurements is precisely determined. This actually
consists of only certain moments of one of the two functions specifying the
tangential part of the current. The other function specifying the tangential
part of the current as well as the radial part of the current are completely
arbitrary. However, it is also shown that with the assumption of energy
minimization, the current can be reconstructed uniquely. A numerical
implementation of this unique reconstruction is also presented
Visualizing multi-dimensional pareto-optimal fronts with a 3D virtual reality system
In multiobjective optimization, there are several targets that are in conflict, and thus they all cannot reach their optimum simultaneously. Hence, the solutions of the problem form a set of compromised trade-off solutions (a Pareto-optimal front or Pareto-optimal solutions) from which the best solution for the particular problem can be chosen. However, finding that best compromise solution is not an easy task for the human mind. Pareto-optimal fronts are often visualized for this purpose because in this way a comparison between solutions according to their location on the Pareto-optimal front becomes somewhat easier. Visualizing a Pareto-optimal front is straightforward when there are only two targets (or objective functions), but visualizing a front for more than two objective functions becomes a difficult task. In this paper, we introduce a new and innovative method of using three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) facilities to present multi-dimensional Pareto-optimal fronts. Rotation, zooming and other navigation possibilities of VR facilities make easy to compare different trade-off solutions, and fewer solutions need to be explored in order to understand the interrelationships among conflicting objective functions. In addition, it can be used to highlight and characterize interesting features of specific Pareto-optimal solutions, such as whether a particular solution is close to a constraint boundary or whether a solution lies on a relatively steep trade-off region. Based on these additional visual aids for analyzing trade-off solutions, a preferred compromise solution may be easier to choose than by other means
A small population of an endemic mite species of the Gondwanan genus Austrotritia in Finland (Acari, Oribatida: Oribotritiidae).
The ptyctimous oribatid species, Austrotritia finlandica Niedbała & Penttinen, 2006, was described in Finland as the single representative of the genus in Europe. The main area of distribution of the Gondwanan genus Austrotritia covers the Oriental, Australian and southeastern Palaearctic Regions. In order to describe the more exact distribution and habitat of A. finlandica, more localities were studied in 2008-2012. Four hundred soil samples were studied from the southwestern archipelago and the islets along the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea, and sixty tree hollows on an island. The number of records of the species increased from four to thirteen. Most of the islets where it was found were characterized by their small size (less than 1km2) and remote location. It is concluded that a small but permanent population of Austrotritia finlandica lives in a limited area in the SW archipelago of Finland.</p
Nitrous oxide fluxes from tropical peat with different disturbance history and management
Peer reviewe
The influence of executive functions on spatial biases varies during the lifespan
Many perceptual processes, such as language or face perception, are asymmetrically organised in the hemispheres already in childhood. These asymmetries induce behaviourally observable spatial biases in which the observer perceives stimuli in one of the hemispaces more efficiently or more frequently than in the other one. Another source for spatial biases is spatial attention which is also asymmetrically organised in the hemispheres. The bias induced by attention is directed towards the right side, which is clearly demonstrated by patients with neglect but also in lesser degree by healthy observers in cognitively loading situations. Recent findings indicate that children and older adults show stronger spatial biases than young adults. We discuss how the development of executive functions might contribute to the manifestation of spatial biases during the lifespan. We present a model in which the interaction between the asymmetrical perceptual processes, the age-related development of the lateralised spatial attention and the development of the executive functions influence spatial perceptual performance and in which the development and decline of the executive processes during the lifespan modify the spatial biases. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/.)</p
Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS): International Standards for Validation
An international expert consensus committee recently recommended a brief battery of tests for cognitive evaluation in multiple sclerosis. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery includes tests of mental processing speed and memory. Recognizing that resources for validation will vary internationally, the committee identified validation priorities, to facilitate international acceptance of BICAMS. Practical matters pertaining to implementation across different languages and countries were discussed. Five steps to achieve optimal psychometric validation were proposed. In Step 1, test stimuli should be standardized for the target culture or language under consideration. In Step 2, examiner instructions must be standardized and translated, including all information from manuals necessary for administration and interpretation. In Step 3, samples of at least 65 healthy persons should be studied for normalization, matched to patients on demographics such as age, gender and education. The objective of Step 4 is test-retest reliability, which can be investigated in a small sample of MS and/or healthy volunteers over 1–3 weeks. Finally, in Step 5, criterion validity should be established by comparing MS and healthy controls. At this time, preliminary studies are underway in a number of countries as we move forward with this international assessment tool for cognition in MS
- …