34 research outputs found
Democratisation of Usable Machine Learning in Computer Vision
Many industries are now investing heavily in data science and automation to
replace manual tasks and/or to help with decision making, especially in the
realm of leveraging computer vision to automate many monitoring, inspection,
and surveillance tasks. This has resulted in the emergence of the 'data
scientist' who is conversant in statistical thinking, machine learning (ML),
computer vision, and computer programming. However, as ML becomes more
accessible to the general public and more aspects of ML become automated,
applications leveraging computer vision are increasingly being created by
non-experts with less opportunity for regulatory oversight. This points to the
overall need for more educated responsibility for these lay-users of usable ML
tools in order to mitigate potentially unethical ramifications. In this paper,
we undertake a SWOT analysis to study the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats of building usable ML tools for mass adoption for important areas
leveraging ML such as computer vision. The paper proposes a set of data science
literacy criteria for educating and supporting lay-users in the responsible
development and deployment of ML applications.Comment: 4 page
Spatial Learning and Action Planning in a Prefrontal Cortical Network Model
The interplay between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is fundamental to
spatial cognition. Complementing hippocampal place coding, prefrontal
representations provide more abstract and hierarchically organized memories
suitable for decision making. We model a prefrontal network mediating
distributed information processing for spatial learning and action planning.
Specific connectivity and synaptic adaptation principles shape the recurrent
dynamics of the network arranged in cortical minicolumns. We show how the PFC
columnar organization is suitable for learning sparse topological-metrical
representations from redundant hippocampal inputs. The recurrent nature of the
network supports multilevel spatial processing, allowing structural features of
the environment to be encoded. An activation diffusion mechanism spreads the
neural activity through the column population leading to trajectory planning.
The model provides a functional framework for interpreting the activity of PFC
neurons recorded during navigation tasks. We illustrate the link from single
unit activity to behavioral responses. The results suggest plausible neural
mechanisms subserving the cognitive “insight” capability originally
attributed to rodents by Tolman & Honzik. Our time course analysis of neural
responses shows how the interaction between hippocampus and PFC can yield the
encoding of manifold information pertinent to spatial planning, including
prospective coding and distance-to-goal correlates
Corrigendum: Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail
This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15451
Neurovascular unit dysfunction with blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability contributes to major depressive disorder: a review of clinical and experimental evidence
About one-third of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail at least two antidepressant drug trials at 1 year. Together with clinical and experimental evidence indicating that the pathophysiology of MDD is multifactorial, this observation underscores the importance of elucidating mechanisms beyond monoaminergic dysregulation that can contribute to the genesis and persistence of MDD. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are mechanistically linked to the presence of neurovascular dysfunction with blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability in selected neurological disorders, such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast to other major psychiatric disorders, MDD is frequently comorbid with such neurological disorders and constitutes an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in disorders characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction (cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus). Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are implicated in the neurobiology of MDD. More recent evidence links neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to MDD without neurological comorbidity. We review this emerging literature and present a theoretical integration between these abnormalities to those involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in MDD. We discuss our hypothesis that alterations in endothelial nitric oxide levels and endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling are central mechanistic links in this regard. Understanding the contribution of neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to the pathophysiology of MDD may help to identify novel therapeutic and preventative approaches