Virtual Reality and Oceanography: Overview, Applications, and Perspective

With the ongoing, exponential increase in ocean data from autonomous platforms, satellites, models, and in particular, the growing field of quantitative imaging, there arises a need for scalable and cost-efficient visualization tools to interpret these large volumes of data. With the recent proliferation of consumer grade head-mounted displays, the emerging field of virtual reality (VR) has demonstrated its benefit in numerous disciplines, ranging from medicine to archeology. However, these benefits have not received as much attention in the ocean sciences. Here, we summarize some of the ways that virtual reality has been applied to this field. We highlight a few examples in which we (the authors) demonstrate the utility of VR as a tool for ocean scientists. For oceanic datasets that are well-suited for three-dimensional visualization, virtual reality has the potential to enhance the practice of ocean science

Eomes is sufficient to regulate IL-10 expression and cytotoxic effector molecules in murine CD4+ T cells

The T-box transcription factors T-bet and Eomesodermin regulate type 1 immune responses in innate and adaptive lymphocytes. T-bet is widely expressed in the immune system but was initially identified as the lineage-specifying transcription factor of Th1 CD4+ T cells, where it governs expression of the signature cytokine IFN- γ and represses alternative cell fates like Th2 and Th17. T-bet’s paralog Eomes is less abundantly expressed and Eomes+ CD4+ T cells are mostly found in the context of persistent antigen exposure, like bone marrow transplantation, chronic infection or inflammation as well as malignant disorders. However, it has remained unresolved whether Eomes executes similar transcriptional activities as T-bet in CD4+ T cells. Here we use a novel genetic approach to show that Eomes expression in CD4+ T cells drives a distinct transcriptional program that shows only partial overlap with T-bet. We found that Eomes is sufficient to induce the expression of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 and, together with T-bet, promotes a cytotoxic effector profile, including Prf1, Gzmb, Gzmk, Nkg7 and Ccl5, while repressing alternative cell fates. Our results demonstrate that Eomes+ CD4+ T cells, which are often found in the context of chronic antigen stimulation, are likely to be a unique CD4+ T cell subset that limits inflammation and immunopathology as well as eliminates antigen-presenting and malignant cells

Beiträge zur Organisirung der landschaftlichen Heil- und Pflege-Anstalt für Seelengestörte zu Niedernhardt

von Anton Knörlei

In situ vocal fold properties and pitch prediction by dynamic actuation of the songbird syrinx

The biomechanics of sound production forms an integral part of the neuromechanical control loop of avian vocal motor control. However, we critically lack quantification of basic biomechanical parameters describing the vocal organ, the syrinx, such as material properties of syringeal elements, forces and torques exerted on, and motion of the syringeal skeleton during song. Here, we present a novel marker-based 3D stereoscopic imaging technique to reconstruct 3D motion of servo-controlled actuation of syringeal muscle insertions sites in vitro and focus on two muscles controlling sound pitch. We furthermore combine kinematic analysis with force measurements to quantify elastic properties of sound producing medial labia (ML). The elastic modulus of the zebra finch ML is 18 kPa at 5% strain, which is comparable to elastic moduli of mammalian vocal folds. Additionally ML lengthening due to musculus syringealis ventralis (VS) shortening is intrinsically constraint at maximally 12% strain. Using these values we predict sound pitch to range from 350–800 Hz by VS modulation, corresponding well to previous observations. The presented methodology allows for quantification of syringeal skeleton motion and forces, acoustic effects of muscle recruitment, and calibration of computational birdsong models, enabling experimental access to the entire neuromechanical control loop of vocal motor control

Enhanced Visual Depth Cues for Collocated Visuo-Haptic Augmented Reality

Our current research focuses on the application of visuo-haptic augmented reality in medical training. The setup developed in this context enables collocated haptic interaction with scene objects. In order to allow natural manipulations, provision of appropriate depth cues becomes a crucial factor. Therefore, we have included fast occlusion handling and shadow synthesis in our augmented environment. The occlusion map is initialized using a plane sweep approach, followed by an edge-based optimization via a Mumford-Shah functional. For obtaining the depth map three head mounted cameras are used and a leftright consistency check is performed to provide robustness against half occlusions. Shadowing is implemented via shadow mapping, considering both real and virtual objects. All steps have been implemented on GPU shaders and are performed in real-time

“Do no further harm” – Why shall we sedate unresponsive patients?

Ziel: Adipositas ist hochprävalent und mit einer Reihe von Folgeerkrankungen und einem erhöhten Mortalitätsrisiko assoziiert. Die Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung der Adipositas wurde dabei mit einer veränderten Reaktion auf Nahrungsmittelreize, der sogenannten Reizreaktivität, in Verbindung gebracht. Die funktionelle Kernspintomographie stellt ein innovatives Verfahren zur Untersuchung der neurobiologischen Grundlage der Reizreaktivität auf Nahrungsmittelreize dar und ermöglicht zudem eine Prüfung der Zusammenhänge der neuralen Reizreaktivtät mit der klinisch beobachteten Symptomatik und erlaubt es zudem Parallelen zu Abhängigkeitserkrankungen zu untersuchen. Methode, Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen: In diesem narrativen Review werden die Befunde zur neuralen Reizreaktivität auf Nahrungsmittelreize sowie deren Zusammenhang mit Essverhalten und dem Erfolg gewichtsreduzierender Maßnahmen zusammenfassend dargestellt und ebenso Befunde zu Determinanten der neuralen Reizreaktivität erörtert. Darüber hinaus werden die Limitationen der bisherigen Studien und der genutzten Bildgebungs-Methodik diskutiert

Influence of visual and haptic delays on stiffness perception in augmented reality

Visual delays are unavoidable in augmented reality setups and occur in different steps of the rendering pipeline. In the context of haptic interaction with virtual objects, it has been shown that delayed force feedback can alter the perception of object stiffness. We hypothesize that delays in augmented reality systems can have similar consequences. To test this, we carried out a user study to investigate the effect of visual and haptic delays on the perception of stiffness. The experiment has been performed in an optimized visuo-haptic augmented reality setup, which allows to artificially manipulate delays during visual and haptic rendering. In line with previous results, delays for haptic feedback resulted in decreased perceived stiffness. In contrast, visual delays caused an increase in perceived stiffness. However, the simultaneous occurrence of delays in both sensory channels led to a partial compensation of these effects. This could potentially help to correct stiffness perception of virtual objects in visuo-haptic augmented reality systems