A silicon model of auditory localization

The barn owl accurately localizes sounds in the azimuthal plane, using interaural time difference as a cue. The time-coding pathway in the owl's brainstem encodes a neural map of azimuth, by processing interaural timing information. We have built a silicon model of the time-coding pathway of the owl. The integrated circuit models the structure as well as the function of the pathway; most subcircuits in the chip have an anatomical correlate. The chip computes all outputs in real time, using analog, continuous-time processing

anaLOG: A functional Simulator for VLSI Neural Systems

No abstract available

Computing motion using analog VLSI vision chips: An experimental comparison among different approaches

We have designed, built and tested a number of analog CMOS VLSI circuits for computing 1-D motion from the time-varying intensity values provided by an array of on-chip phototransistors. We present experimental data for two such circuits and discuss their relative performance. One circuit approximates the correlation model while a second chip uses resistive grids to compute zero-crossings to be tracked over time by a separate digital processor. Both circuits integrate image acquisition with image processing functions and compute velocity in real time. For comparison, we also describe the performance of a simple motion algorithm using off-the-shelf digital components. We conclude that analog circuits implementing various correlation-like motion algorithms are more robust than our previous analog circuits implementing gradient-like motion algorithms

Endovascular Embolization of Head and Neck Tumors

Endovascular tumor embolization as adjunctive therapy for head and neck cancers is evolving and has become an important part of the tools available for their treatment. Careful study of tumor vascular anatomy and adhering to general principles of intra-arterial therapy can prove this approach to be effective and safe. Various embolic materials are available and can be suited for a given tumor and its vascular supply. This article aims to summarize current methods and agents used in endovascular head and neck tumor embolization and discuss important angiographic and treatment characteristics of selected common head and neck tumors

Changes in Cortical Activation by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Due to Coil Rotation Are Not Attributable to Cranial Muscle Activation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation coupled with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) allows for the study of brain dynamics in health and disease. Cranial muscle activation can decrease the interpretability of TMS-EEG signals by masking genuine EEG responses and increasing the reliance on preprocessing methods but can be at least partly prevented by coil rotation coupled with the online monitoring of signals; however, the extent to which changing coil rotation may affect TMS-EEG signals is not fully understood. Our objective was to compare TMS-EEG data obtained with an optimal coil rotation to induce motor evoked potentials (M1standard) while rotating the coil to minimize cranial muscle activation (M1emg). TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs), TMS-related spectral perturbation (TRSP), and intertrial phase clustering (ITPC) were calculated in both conditions using two different preprocessing pipelines based on independent component analysis (ICA) or signal-space projection with source-informed reconstruction (SSP-SIR). Comparisons were performed with cluster-based correction. The concordance correlation coefficient was computed to measure the similarity between M1standard and M1emg TMS-EEG signals. TEPs, TRSP, and ITPC were significantly larger in M1standard than in M1emg conditions; a lower CCC than expected was also found. These results were similar across the preprocessing pipelines. While rotating the coil may be advantageous to reduce cranial muscle activation, it may result in changes in TMS-EEG signals; therefore, this solution should be tailored to the specific experimental context

Psychological morbidity of celiac disease: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease has been linked to decreased quality of life and certain mood disorders. The effect of the gluten free diet on these psychological aspects of the disease is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to review the literature on psychological morbidity of celiac disease. METHODS: We performed a PubMed search for the time period from 1900 until June 1, 2014, to identify papers on psychological aspects of celiac disease looking specifically at quality of life, anxiety, depression and fatigue. RESULTS: Anxiety, depression and fatigue are common complaints in patients with untreated celiac disease and contribute to lower quality of life. While aspects of these conditions may improve within a few months after starting a gluten-free diet, some patients continue to suffer from significant psychological morbidity. Psychological symptoms may affect the quality of life and the dietary adherence. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals need to be aware of the ongoing psychological burden of celiac disease in order to support patients with this disease

Status of Women in Astronomy: A need for advancing inclusivity and equal opportunities

Women in the Astronomy and STEM fields face systemic inequalities throughout their careers. Raising awareness, supported by detailed statistical data, represents the initial step toward closely monitoring hurdles in career progress and addressing underlying barriers to workplace equality. This, in turn, contributes to rectifying gender imbalances in STEM careers. The International Astronomical Union Women in Astronomy (IAU WiA) working group, a part of the IAU Executive Committee, is dedicated to increasing awareness of the status of women in Astronomy and supporting the aspirations of female astronomers globally. Its mission includes taking concrete actions to advance equal opportunities for both women and men in the field of astronomy. In August 2021, the IAU WiA Working Group established a new organizing committee, unveiling a comprehensive four-point plan. This plan aims to strengthen various aspects of the group's mission, encompassing: (i) Awareness Sustainability: Achieved through surveys and data collection, (ii) Training and Skill Building: Focused on professional development, (iii) Fundraising: To support key initiatives, and (iv) Communication: Dissemination of results through conferences, WG Magazines, newsletters, and more. This publication provides an overview of focused surveys that illuminate the factors influencing the careers of women in Astronomy, with a particular focus on the careers of mothers. It highlights the lack of inclusive policies, equal opportunities, and funding support for women researchers in the field. Finally, we summarize the specific initiatives undertaken by the IAU WiA Working Group to advance inclusivity and equal opportunities in Astronomy.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure