An Alternative to Dye-Based Approaches to Remove Background Autofluorescence From Primate Brain Tissue

Brain tissue contains autofluorescing elements that potentially impede accurate identification of neurons when visualized with fluorescent microscopy. Age-related accumulation of molecules with autofluorescent properties, such as lipofuscin, can possess spectral profiles that invade the typical emission range of fluorophores commonly utilized in fluorescent microscopy. The traditional method for accounting for this native fluorescence is to apply lipophilic dyes that are able to sequester these unwanted signals. While effective, such dyes can present a range of problems including the obstruction of fluorescent probe emissions. The present study utilizes aged primate midbrain tissue stained for tyrosine hydroxylase and calbindin to investigate an image processing approach for removing autofluorescence utilizing spectral imaging and linear unmixing. This technique is then compared against the traditional, dye-based autofluorescence sequestration method using Sudan Black B (SBB). Spectral imaging and linear unmixing yielded significantly higher cell numbers than SBB treatment. This finding suggests that computational approaches for removing autofluorescence in neural tissue are both viable and preferential to dye-based approaches for estimation of cell body numbers.NIA [R01 AG050548, P51 RR000169, F31 AG055263]; McKnight Brain Research FoundationOpen access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Encoding Temporal Order and Visual Statistical Learning

The literature suggests that visual statistical learning occurs from a very early age, with evidence suggesting that newborns are able to discern between familiar and novel sequences at just 2 days old. However, based on recent findings on the role of the medial temporal lobe in visual statistical learning in combination with our current understanding of this region's developmental timeline, we believe children younger than 40-months are unable to discern between the temporal regularities found between shapes in a sequence. In this particular study, we piloted two learning paradigms on adult subjects expecting to see a clear ability for the adult subjects to discriminate between our three categories of temporal order. Performance for our first paradigm, Fade-to-Reveal, revealed a significant improvement in reaction times through training, indicative of learning. For our second learning task Search-and-Find, the results of training suggested initial improvement with a regression in performance due to fatigue. Interestingly, subjects for both paradigms showed no real ability to explicitly recall the different shape-pairs at test. We interpret these opposing results to indicate that learning in these paradigms is implicit and thus the explicit recall test is not an appropriate measure of knowledge on shape-pairs

Reconstruction of 3D mesh from 2D image using deep learning

This paper evaluates the feasibility of deep learning for monocular depth estimation in the reconstruction of 3D meshes. Three deep learning models were used to generate a depth map, and three surface reconstruction algorithms were used to reconstruct the mesh. The different combinations were explored, and the best combination was found to be the supervised deep learning model, Dense-Depth, paired with the surface reconstruction using alpha shapes. The meshes produced were able to capture major features of the scene, but tended to have gaps within the mesh, and the depth of the surface would fluctuate. To create a higher quality mesh, the accuracy and resolution of the depth estimation models would have to be improved first. This final year project is part of research project “Artificial Intelligence for Smart Image Understanding” at Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab.Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science

Development of an acoustic sensor for a geothermal borehole televiewer

The objective of this project is to upgrade acoustic sensor technology such that appropriate well logging instruments can be made to operate under the hostile environment conditions anticipated in geothermal resource exploration and evaluation. The Borehole Televiewer (BHTV) was selected as the vehicle for this sensor improvement work, primarily because of its demonstrated ability to detect and characterize fractures under sub-geothermal conditions. The work done toward providing an improved sensor for the televiewer is described. An experimental sensor concept was devised, incorporating a thin metal acoustic window, an improved, high-temperature internal coupling fluid, and thermally resistant sensor internals. During an autoclave test, it was successfully demonstrated that the resulting experimental sensor design concept provides the basic target detection and characterization functions required of a fracture mapping, Borehole Televiewer under simulated geothermal conditions. In particular, the experimental sensor remained operational at 275/sup 0/C and 7000 psi

ForDemocracy

In einer Zeit, in der sich andeutet, dass die Demokratie und ihre Prinzipien wie die politische Gleichheit aller, Rechtsstaatlichkeit, Gewaltenteilung, Minderheitenschutz und Partizipation an Strahlkraft zu verlieren drohen,  steht die Gesellschaft vor der Herausforderung, diese Begriffe neu zu verhandeln. Der bayerische Forschungsverbund "Zukunft der Demokratie" (ForDemocracy) stellt sich daher grundlegende Fragen: Wie können Partizipations- und Entscheidungsverfahren sowie möglicherweise au..

Reconstruction of Fujikawa Trough in Mio-Pliocene Age and its Geotectonic Implication

The late Miocene to Pliocene Minobu Formation and its equivalents in the Southern Fossa Magna Region, central Japan, consist of turbidites and associated coarse clastic deposits. The thickness of the Minobu Formation and its equivalents attains up to 3 km. In those sediments, sixteen sedimentary facies are recognized, and they are grouped further into eight facies associations; Conglomeratic, Conglomeratic-sandy, Conglomerate-Sandstone, Sandy, Silty, Sandy-silty, Silty and Pebbly siltstone associations. Among them, the first four associations are interpreted as channel fill sediments. While the second three associations are thought to be interchannel sediments. Interpretation of such facies associations as mentioned above is based on the following points; 1) comparative studies of sedimentary facies and facies association in the study area with those reported from modern and ancient turbidite basins, 2) morphologic analysis of sedimentary body of facies association and 3) dispersal pattern of sediments. The last of those associations is assumed from its characteristic sedimentary features to be slump deposits which flowed down along such steep slope as fault scarp. Result of such interpretations leads further to the conclusion that sedimentary environments of the Minobu Formation and its equivalents is fillings of a trough which extends in N-S direction throughout the area. Furthermore, from sedimentological analysis of the trough fillings, feeder channel extending ENE-WSW direction, western boundary fault scarps and an axial channel of a few kilometres in width are revealed. Then it is named herein Fujikawa Trough. Petrography and dispersal pattern of clastic sediments indicate that the main source area was situated around the Kwanto mountainland, more than 40 kilometres away from Fujikawa Trough. Comparison of Fujikawa Trough with modern trough and trench is made. Consequently, Suruga Trough seems to show the closest similarity by the following reasons of 1) similarity of internal topographic features such as western boundary fault scarps and an axial channel of a few kilometres wide, 2) similarity of the axial direction of trough and 3) similarity of the sedimentary ratio of fill sediments. Such geomorphologic similarity of both trough is important, and suggests that Fujikawa Trough was formed as a consequence of collision of Izu-Bonin Arc into Southwest Japan Arc in the same mannar as Suruga Trough is developing now

Erste Praxis-Konferenz des Forschungsverbunds ForDemocracy

Der Forschungsverbund ForDemocracy ist ein transdisziplinär ausgerichtetes Forschungsvorhaben. Transdisziplinär? Jenseits aller wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen um das Wie und Wozu des Begriffs der Transdiszplinarität (im großen Feld der Begriffe partizipative Forschung, Citizen Science, Action Research, Transformative Forschung, Multidisziplinarität, Interdisziplinarität u.a.)  verstehen wir hier darunter: Forschung bezogen auf ein gesellschaftliches Problem bzw. einen gesellschaft..

Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit. Ein Bericht aus Sicht einer Wissenschaftsmanagerin

Ein Blogbeitrag von Sabine Toussaint, der Geschäftsführerin des Verbunds Vor gut einem Jahr hat im Rahmen der ersten Mitgliederversammlung des Forschungsverbunds ForDemocracy die erste Praxis-Konferenz in München stattgefunden: Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit im Austausch. Gäste aus der Praxis zu den Forschungsthemen und die Verbundmitglieder tauschten sich erstmals über die Themen des Verbundes aus. Ein Jahr später, am 14./15. November 2019, trafen sich die Verbundmitglieder erneut, diesma..

Zukunft denken – eine umgekehrte Chronologie

Ein Blogbeitrag von Sabine Toussaint, der Geschäftsführerin des Verbunds In meinem letzten Blogbeitrag wurde es bereits angekündigt: ForDemocracy lud am 15. Februar 2020 in Kooperation mit der Volkshochschule München zu einem Workshoptag ein: „Demokratie weiter denken – Zukunftswerkstatt“. Bevor aber Demokratie weitergedacht werden konnte, musste darüber erarbeitet werden, wie das denn funktionieren kann. Wie der Tag ablaufen soll, wie die Themen formuliert werden, was eine Zukunftswerkst..