BOiS—Berlin Object in Scene Database: Controlled Photographic Images for Visual Search Experiments with Quantified Contextual Priors

Photographic stimuli are often used for studying human perception. To faithfully represent our natural viewing environment, these stimuli should be free of potential artifacts. If stimulus material for scientific experiments is generated from photographs that were created for a different purpose, such as advertisement or art, the scene layout and focal depth might not be typical for our visual world. For instance in advertising photos, particular objects are often centered and focused. In visual search experiments, this can lead to the so-called central viewing bias and an unwanted pre-segmentation of focused objects (Wichmann et al., 2010). Also the photographic process itself can result in artifacts, such as optical, color and geometric distortions, or introduce noise. Furthermore, some image compression methods introduce artifacts that may influence human viewing behavior. In some studies, objects are pasted into scenes using graphics editing. In this case inconsistencies in color, shading or lighting between the object and the local scene background could lead to deviations from natural viewing behavior. In order to meet the needs for publicly available stimulus material in which these artifacts are avoided, we introduce in this paper the BOiS—Berlin Object in Scene database, which provides controlled photographic stimulus material for the assessment of human visual search behavior under natural conditions. The BOiS database comprises high-resolution photographs of 130 cluttered scenes. In each scene, one particular object was chosen as search target. The scene was then photographed three times: with the target object at an expected location, at an unexpected location, or absent. Moreover, the database contains 240 different views of each target object in front of a black background. These images provide different visual cues of the target before the search is initiated. All photos were taken under controlled conditions with respect to photographic parameters and layout and were corrected for optical distortions. The BOiS database allows investigating the top-down influence of scene context, by providing contextual prior maps of each scene that quantify people's expectations to find the target object at a particular location. These maps were obtained by averaging the individual expectations of 10 subjects and can be used to model context effects on the search process. Last not least, the database includes segmentation masks of each target object in the two corresponding scene images, as well as a list of semantic information on the target object, the scene, and the two chosen locations. Moreover, we provide bottom-up saliency measures and contextual prior values at the two target object locations. While originally aimed at visual search, our database can also provide stimuli for experiments on scene viewing and object recognition, or serve as test environment for computer vision algorithms.BMBF, 01GQ0850, Bernstein Fokus Neurotechnologie - Nichtinvasive Neurotechnologie für Mensch-Maschine Interaktio

Frobenius-Perron Resonances for Maps with a Mixed Phase Space

Resonances of the time evolution (Frobenius-Perron) operator P for phase space densities have recently been shown to play a key role for the interrelations of classical, semiclassical and quantum dynamics. Efficient methods to determine resonances are thus in demand, in particular for Hamiltonian systems displaying a mix of chaotic and regular behavior. We present a powerful method based on truncating P to a finite matrix which not only allows to identify resonances but also the associated phase space structures. It is demonstrated to work well for a prototypical dynamical system.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 2nd version as published (minor changes

Driving current through single organic molecules

We investigate electronic transport through two types of conjugated molecules. Mechanically controlled break-junctions are used to couple thiol endgroups of single molecules to two gold electrodes. Current-voltage characteristics (IVs) of the metal-molecule-metal system are observed. These IVs reproduce the spatial symmetry of the molecules with respect to the direction of current flow. We hereby unambigously detect an intrinsic property of the molecule, and are able to distinguish the influence of both the molecule and the contact to the metal electrodes on the transport properties of the compound system.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Cardiac Troponin and Recurrent Major Vascular Events after Minor Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate whether high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and whether this association differs after risk stratification based on the Age, Blood Pressure, Clinical Features, Duration of Symptoms, Diabetes (ABCD2 ) score. Methods: INSPiRE-TMS was a randomized controlled trial allocating patients with minor stroke or TIA to an intensified support program or conventional care. In this post hoc analysis, participants were categorized using hs-cTnT levels (5th generation; Roche Diagnostics, Manheim, Germany; 99th percentile upper reference limit [URL] = 14ng/l). Vascular risk was stratified using the ABCD2 score (lower risk = 0-5 vs higher risk = 6-7). Cox proportional hazard regression was performed using covariate adjustment and propensity score matching (PSM) for the association between hs-cTnT and MACE (stroke/nonfatal coronary event/vascular death). Results: Among 889 patients (mean age = 70 years, 37% female), MACE occurred in 153 patients (17.2%) during a mean follow-up of 3.2 years. hs-cTnT was associated with MACE (9.3%/yr, >URL vs 4.4%/yr, ≤URL, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13-2.35], adjusted HR [Q4 vs Q1 ] = 2.57 [95% CI = 1.35-4.97], adjusted HR [log-transformed] = 2.31 [95% CI = 1.37-3.89]). This association remained after PSM (adjusted HR = 1.76 [95% CI = 1.14-2.72]). There was a significant interaction between hs-cTnT and ABCD2 category for MACE occurrence (pinteraction = 0.04). In the lower risk category, MACE rate was 9.5%/yr in patients with hs-cTnT > URL, which was higher than in those ≤URL (3.8%/yr) and similar to the overall rate in the higher risk category. Interpretation: hs-cTnT levels are associated with incident MACE within 3 years after minor stroke or TIA and may help to identify high-risk individuals otherwise deemed at lower risk based on the ABCD2 score. If confirmed in independent validation studies, this might warrant intensified secondary prevention measures and cardiac diagnostics in stroke patients with elevated hs-cTnT

Nodal domains on quantum graphs

We consider the real eigenfunctions of the Schr\"odinger operator on graphs, and count their nodal domains. The number of nodal domains fluctuates within an interval whose size equals the number of bonds $B$. For well connected graphs, with incommensurate bond lengths, the distribution of the number of nodal domains in the interval mentioned above approaches a Gaussian distribution in the limit when the number of vertices is large. The approach to this limit is not simple, and we discuss it in detail. At the same time we define a random wave model for graphs, and compare the predictions of this model with analytic and numerical computations.Comment: 19 pages, uses IOP journal style file

Resonances of the Frobenius-Perron Operator for a Hamiltonian Map with a Mixed Phase Space

Resonances of the (Frobenius-Perron) evolution operator P for phase-space densities have recently attracted considerable attention, in the context of interrelations between classical and quantum dynamics. We determine these resonances as well as eigenvalues of P for Hamiltonian systems with a mixed phase space, by truncating P to finite size in a Hilbert space of phase-space functions and then diagonalizing. The corresponding eigenfunctions are localized on unstable manifolds of hyperbolic periodic orbits for resonances and on islands of regular motion for eigenvalues. Using information drawn from the eigenfunctions we reproduce the resonances found by diagonalization through a variant of the cycle expansion of periodic-orbit theory and as rates of correlation decay.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure

Forces during cellular uptake of viruses and nanoparticles at the ventral side

Many intracellular pathogens, such as mammalian reovirus, mimic extracellular matrix motifs to specifically interact with the host membrane. Whether and how cell-matrix interactions influence virus particle uptake is unknown, as it is usually studied from the dorsal side. Here we show that the forces exerted at the ventral side of adherent cells during reovirus uptake exceed the binding strength of biotin-neutravidin anchoring viruses to a biofunctionalized substrate. Analysis of virus dissociation kinetics using the Bell model revealed mean forces higher than 30 pN per virus, preferentially applied in the cell periphery where close matrix contacts form. Utilizing 100 nm-sized nanoparticles decorated with integrin adhesion motifs, we demonstrate that the uptake forces scale with the adhesion energy, while actin/myosin inhibitions strongly reduce the uptake frequency, but not uptake kinetics. We hypothesize that particle adhesion and the push by the substrate provide the main driving forces for uptake

Acute neurological care in north-east Germany with telemedicine support (ANNOTeM): protocol of a multi-center, controlled, open-label, two-arm intervention study

Background: Both diagnosis and treatment of neurological emergencies require neurological expertise and are time-sensitive. The lack of fast neurological expertise in regions with underserved infrastructure poses a major barrier for state-of-the-art care of patients with acute neurological diseases and leads to disparity in provision of health care. The main purpose of ANNOTeM (acute neurological care in North East Germany with telemedicine support) is to establish effective and sustainable support structures for evidence based treatments for stroke and other neurological emergencies and to improve outcome for acute neurological diseases in these rural regions. Methods: A “hub-and-spoke” network structure was implemented connecting three academic neurological centres (“hubs”) and rural hospitals (“spokes”) caring for neurological emergencies. The network structure includes (1) the establishment of a 24/7 telemedicine consultation service, (2) the implementation of standardized operating procedures (SOPs) in the network hospitals, (3) a multiprofessional training scheme, and (4) a quality management program. Data from three major health insurance companies as well as data from the quality management program are being collected and evaluated. Primary outcome is the composite of first time of receiving paid outpatient nursing care, first time of receiving care in a nursing home, or death within 90 days after hospital admission. Discussion: Beyond stroke only few studies have assessed the effects of telemedically supported networks on diagnosis and outcome of neurological emergencies. ANNOTeM will provide information whether this approach leads to improved outcome. In addition, a health economic analysis will be performed. Study registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00013067, date of registration: November 16 th, 2017, URL: http://www.drks.de/DRKS0001306

IgG autoantibodies bound to surfaces of necrotic cells and complement C4 comprise the phagocytosis promoting activity for necrotic cells of systemic lupus erythaematosus sera

Objective: Accumulation of dying and dead cells is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE). Clearance has been described mainly for apoptotic cells; however, the knowledge of serum factors participating in the phagocytosis of necrotic cells is limited. Patients and methods: Sera from 18 patients with SLE and 10 normal healthy donors (NHD), and macrophages from 3 NHD were included. Autoantibodies and complement were measured by ELISA and phagocytosis by flow cytometry. Binding of serum IgG to necrotic cells was assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Results: Sera from patients with SLE and NHD generally promoted the phagocytosis of necrotic cells by macrophages isolated from NHD. Five independent experiments with macrophages from three different NHD led to similar results. The sera from healthy controls displayed a homogeneous activity, whereas sera from patients with SLE showed a dichotomic behaviour. Only sera containing autoantibodies binding to the surfaces of necrotic cells and sufficient complement showed increased phagocytosis promoting activities. In SLE sera, C4 turned out to be the critical complement component in this process. Sera de-complemented by heat treatment strongly reduced phagocytosis of necrotic cells. Conclusions: Serum components influence the uptake of necrotic cells by phagocytosis competent macrophages from NHD. Complement is required for this process and autoantibodies binding to the surfaces of necrotic cells additionally promote their phagocytosis