Object Segmentation in Images using EEG Signals

This paper explores the potential of brain-computer interfaces in segmenting objects from images. Our approach is centered around designing an effective method for displaying the image parts to the users such that they generate measurable brain reactions. When an image region, specifically a block of pixels, is displayed we estimate the probability of the block containing the object of interest using a score based on EEG activity. After several such blocks are displayed, the resulting probability map is binarized and combined with the GrabCut algorithm to segment the image into object and background regions. This study shows that BCI and simple EEG analysis are useful in locating object boundaries in images.Comment: This is a preprint version prior to submission for peer-review of the paper accepted to the 22nd ACM International Conference on Multimedia (November 3-7, 2014, Orlando, Florida, USA) for the High Risk High Reward session. 10 page

The Dual Effect of Coordinating -NH Groups and Light in the Electrochemical CO2 Reduction with Pyridylamino Co Complexes

CO2 electroreduction could be improved by applying conceptualized strategies to overcome catalytic bottlenecks. In this regard, we report two new cobalt(II) complexes [Co(Py-2(R)N-3)(OTf)](OTf) (Co(R), R=H, Me) based on a new C-2-symmetric pentacoordinate chiral ligand that are active on the electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO. One of the complexes has a N-H group oriented towards the CO2 binding site (Co-H), while the other has a N-Me group with the same orientation (Co-Me), as showed by X-ray diffraction. We have studied the effect of introducing hydrogen bonding sites, i. e. N-H in Co-H, as a strategy to stabilize reaction intermediates. The complex bearing coordinating unprotected N-H group (Co-H) displays catalytic CO2 reduction at the Co-II/I redox potential (-1.9 V vs. Fc, ca. 40 % FYCO) whereas Co-Me shows CO2 reduction at the Co-I/0 redox pair. FTIR-SEC and DFT calculations identified a [Co-I-CO](+) cation as catalytic intermediate. The beneficial effect of the N-H group has been attributed to the stabilization of reaction intermediates or transition states and by the larger electron-donating capacity, thus enhancing the nucleophilic character of the Co-I intermediate. The study also points to the CO dissociation from the Co(I)-CO resting state intermediate as one of the bottlenecks of the catalytic cycle, which can be overcome with light irradiation, resulting in an increase of the total CO production (-1.9 V, 81 % FYCO, 11.2 TONCO) at the Co-II/I redox potential

Markers of Mitochondrial Mitophagy and Fusion - to - Fission Ratio are Greater in Older vs. Young Rats

poste

Evaluation of Cytokine Pattern in Perivascular and Intramuscular Fat During Heart Failure

poste

Microbulk Micromegas in non-flammable mixtures of argon and neon at high pressure

We report on a systematic characterization of microbulk Micromegas readouts in high-pressure Ar+1%iC4H10 and Ne+2%iC4H10 mixtures. Experimental data on gain, electron transmission and energy resolution are presented for a wide range of drift and amplification voltages and pressures from 1 bar to 10 bar for argon and from 5 bar to 10 bar in neon, in steps of 1 bar. Maximum gains higher than 1.7e3 (1.7e4) in argon (neon) are measured for all pressures, remarkably without the significant decrease with pressure typically observed in other amplification structures. A competitive energy resolution at 22.1 keV, but with a slight degradation with pressure, is observed:from 10.8% at 1 bar to 15.6% FWHM at 10 bar in argon and from 8.3% at 5 bar to 15.0% FWHM at1 10 bar in neon. The experimental setup, procedure and the results will be presented and discussed in detail. The work is motivated by the TREX-DM experiment, that is operating in the Laboratorio Subterr\'aneo de Canfranc with the mentioned mixtures, although the results may be of interest for other applications of time projection chambers at high pressures.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, prepared for JINST, minor changes in th text, added a referenc

Antitumor T‐cell function requires CPEB4‐mediated adaptation to chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress

Tumor growth is influenced by a complex network of interactions between multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME). These constrained conditions trigger the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, which extensively reprograms mRNA translation. When uncontrolled over time, chronic ER stress impairs the antitumor effector function of CD8 T lymphocytes. How cells promote adaptation to chronic stress in the TME without the detrimental effects of the terminal unfolded protein response (UPR) is unknown. Here, we find that, in effector CD8 T lymphocytes, RNA-binding protein CPEB4 constitutes a new branch of the UPR that allows cells to adapt to sustained ER stress, yet remains decoupled from the terminal UPR. ER stress, induced during CD8 T-cell activation and effector function, triggers CPEB4 expression. CPEB4 then mediates chronic stress adaptation to maintain cellular fitness, allowing effector molecule production and cytotoxic activity. Accordingly, this branch of the UPR is required for the antitumor effector function of T lymphocytes, and its disruption in these cells exacerbates tumor growth.© 2023 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY NC ND 4.0 license

Estímulo no crescimento e na hidrólise de ATP em raízes de alface tratadas com humatos de vermicomposto: i - efeito da concentração.

O vermicomposto contém uma concentração elevada de substâncias húmicas e já é bem conhecido o efeito do seu uso sobre as propriedades do solo. No entanto,a ação direta das substâncias húmicas sobre o metabolismo das plantas é menos conhecida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de humatos extraídos de vermicomposto de esterco de curral com KOH 0,1 mol L-1 sobre o desenvolvimento e metabolismo de ATP em plântulas de alface. Após a germinação, plântulas de alface foram tratadas com os humatos em concentrações que variaram de 0 a 100 mg L-1 de C, durante quinze dias. Foram avaliados o crescimento da raiz e a atividade das bombas de H+ isoladas da fração microssomal do sistema radicular. Foi observado aumento na matéria fresca e seca do sistema radicular, bem como no número de sítios de mitose, raízes emergidas do eixo principal, na área e no comprimento radiculares, com o uso do humato na concentração de 25 mg L-1 de C. Também foi observado, nessa concentração, aumento significativo na hidrólise de ATP pelas bombas de H+, responsáveis pela geração de energia necessária à absorção de íons e pelo crescimento celular

Estímulo no crescimento e na hidrólise de atp em raízes de alface tratadas com humatos de vermicomposto: ii - efeito da fonte de vermicomposto.

Um dos fatores mais limitantes para a produção de vermicomposto é a disponibilidade de esterco. Neste trabalho, foi avaliado o efeito da substituição parcial do esterco por bagaço de cana e por resíduos de leguminosa (Gliricidia sepium) na vermicompostagem sobre a qualidade do vermicomposto e sobre a bioatividade dos humatos, avaliadas por meio da análise do crescimento radicular e da atividade das bombas de H+ isoladas de raízes de alface. A substituição do esterco por bagaço de cana e por resíduos de leguminosas não acarretou prejuízo às características químicas dos vermicompostos. No entanto, os humatos isolados dos diferentes vermicompostos apresentaram características químicas distintas,tais como: acidez e propriedades óticas distintas. Os humatos produzidos a partir de esterco de bovino e da mistura esterco bovino + bagaço proporcionaram maiores estímulos no crescimento radicular das plantas de alface, sendo os mais indicados para uso na forma solúvel. A inclusão de resíduos de leguminosas no processo de vermicompostagem produziu humatos sem efeito sobre o desenvolvimento das raízes de alface