Basic functions for early vision

It is commonly agreed on that the first step in early vision consists of projections of the image to a set of basis functions. Usually the spatial distribution of the basis functions is homogeneous and the projection is a convolution but in general this will not be the case. In the literature there is a wealth of different basis functions, each of them optimal with respect to certain criteria. On the other hand, there seems to be a convergence towards derivatives of Gaussians or harmonic modulations of Gaussians (Gabor functions). In this report we discuss the principles and analysing methods underlying the choice of these functions. One of these methods that recently became of exceptional importance is the energy/phase representation. We investigate in detail the quality of succesive orders of derivatives of Gaussians as odd/even pairs for the energy/phase concept. In addition we work out to which extent derivatives of Gaussians can be approximated by Gabor functions

Attentional modulation of orthographic neighborhood effects during reading: Evidence from event-related brain potentials in a psychological refractory period paradigm

It is often assumed that word reading proceeds automatically. Here, we tested this assumption by recording event-related potentials during a psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm, requiring lexical decisions about written words. Specifically, we selected words differing in their orthographic neighborhood size–the number of words that can be obtained from a target by exchanging a single letter–and investigated how influences of this variable depend on the availability of central attention. As expected, when attentional resources for lexical decisions were unconstrained, words with many orthographic neighbors elicited larger N400 amplitudes than those with few neighbors. However, under conditions of high temporal overlap with a high priority primary task, the N400 effect was not statistically different from zero. This finding indicates strong attentional influences on processes sensitive to orthographic neighbors during word reading, providing novel evidence against the full automaticity of processes involved in word reading. Furthermore, in conjunction with the observation of an underadditive interaction between stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) and orthographic neighborhood size in lexical decision performance, commonly taken to indicate automaticity, our results raise issues concerning the standard logic of cognitive slack in the PRP paradigm

Intra-rater reliability of determining positions of cervical spinous processes and measuring their relative distances

A reliable detection of bony landmarks of the spine is necessary in order to determine rigid bodies and to reduce the variability of marker placement in a movement laboratory setting. In a first study on the thoracic and lumbar spine, we demonstrated that placing markers on their relative positions between two major landmarks was superior to palpation of specific bony landmarks. The aims of this study were to examine the intra-rater reliability when palpating for spinous processes (SPs) of the second (C2) and seventh cervical vertebrae (C7), to determine the distances between C2 and C7 and the relative position of C7 along the length between C2 and the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) level

The validation of Expert System Traffic psychological assessment to Romanian Driving Schools

AbstractAnalyzing the multiple regression model for the composite criterion, the multiple correlation coefficient, evidence a high and statistically significant correlation between the predictors and the criterion (r=0.741, p<0.05). Also, the beta coefficients provide that the variables of the tests are predictors for the performances registered in traffic (p<0.05). This study based on the findings of the previous research highlight that the Romanian driving schools should improve the psychological assessment batteries with modern and validated instruments. The predictive regression validation model emphasizes the importance of using high performance statistical programs in choosing the psychological tests for evaluation

NOVEL METHODS IMPROVE GENOME ANNOTATION

In the era of high-throughput sequencing, comprehensive genome annotation has become critical for understanding the functional complexities of life. Here we explore the development and application of computational methods for genome annotation, focusing on human transcriptome analysis, prokaryotic gene prediction, and circular RNA annotation. The primary contributions of this work span three distinct areas, each addressing unique challenges in the field. First, we develop a structure-guided isoform identification approach that utilizes three-dimensional protein structure predictions to identify functional human gene isoforms. Our method evaluates over 230,000 isoforms of human protein-coding genes assembled from thousands of RNA sequencing experiments across various human tissues. We identify hundreds of isoforms with more confidently predicted structure and potentially superior function compared to canonical isoforms, thus demonstrating the potential of protein structure prediction as a powerful tool for genome annotation and transcriptome analysis. Second, we present a universal protein model for prokaryotic gene prediction, Balrog, which employs a temporal convolutional network to analyze amino acid sequences from a diverse set of microbial genomes. Balrog eliminates the need for genome-specific training and matches or outperforms existing state-of-the-art gene finding tools. Lastly, we introduce alignment-free methods for annotating circular RNA in humans, leveraging a simple k-mer-based data structure

Aura versus Dialogue. Displaying Nazi Objects in the Exhibition "Disposing of Hitler: Out of the Cellar, Into the Museum"

What should we do with the remnants of Nazism? Should we dispose of them? Is it acceptable to sell them at a flea market or on the internet? At what point does memory become nostalgia, or even illegal neo-Nazi activity?&nbsp;Objects related to Nazism get discovered in various places and contexts – whether in one’s own basement, at flea markets or an online portal, in the estate of relatives or even in the trash. Even if one’s own family history is not entangled with the Nazi regime, such finds trigger feelings ranging from shame to detachment and even fascination. The exhibition "Disposing of Hitler. Out of the Cellar, Into the Museum", House of Austrian History ("Hitler entsorgen. Vom Keller ins Museum", Haus der Geschichte Österreich) asks about the social responsibility in dealing with relics of Nazism and explores the question of how these things can strengthen democratic consciousness in the present.&nbsp;What should we do with the remnants of Nazism? Should we dispose of them? Is it acceptable to sell them at a flea market or on the internet? At what point does memory become nostalgia, or even illegal neo-Nazi activity?&nbsp;Objects related to Nazism get discovered in various places and contexts – whether in one’s own basement, at flea markets or an online portal, in the estate of relatives or even in the trash. Even if one’s own family history is not entangled with the Nazi regime, such finds trigger feelings ranging from shame to detachment and even fascination. The exhibition "Disposing of Hitler. Out of the Cellar, Into the Museum", House of Austrian History ("Hitler entsorgen. Vom Keller ins Museum", Haus der Geschichte Österreich) asks about the social responsibility in dealing with relics of Nazism and explores the question of how these things can strengthen democratic consciousness in the present.&nbsp

Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer: How we review and report

Recently, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using PSMA-ligands has gained high attention as a promising new radiotracer in patients with prostate cancer (PC). Several studies promise accurate staging of primary prostate cancer and restaging after biochemical recurrence with Ga-68-PSMA ligand Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). However, prospective trials and clinical guidelines for this new technique are still missing. Therefore, we summarized our experience with Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT examinations in patients with primary PC and biochemical recurrence. It focuses on the technical and logistical aspects of Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT examination as well as on the specific background for image reading discussing also potential pitfalls. Further, it includes relevant issues on free-text as well as structured reporting used in daily clinical routine

Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer: How we review and report

Recently, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using PSMA-ligands has gained high attention as a promising new radiotracer in patients with prostate cancer (PC). Several studies promise accurate staging of primary prostate cancer and restaging after biochemical recurrence with Ga-68-PSMA ligand Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). However, prospective trials and clinical guidelines for this new technique are still missing. Therefore, we summarized our experience with Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT examinations in patients with primary PC and biochemical recurrence. It focuses on the technical and logistical aspects of Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT examination as well as on the specific background for image reading discussing also potential pitfalls. Further, it includes relevant issues on free-text as well as structured reporting used in daily clinical routine