Reduced Gaze Following and Attention to Heads when Viewing a "Live" Social Scene

Social stimuli are known to both attract and direct our attention, but most research on social attention has been conducted in highly controlled laboratory settings lacking in social con- text. This study examined the role of social context on viewing behaviour of participants whilst they watched a dynamic social scene, under three different conditions. In two social groups, participants believed they were watching a live webcam of other participants. The socially-engaged group believed they would later complete a group task with the people in the video, whilst the non-engaged group believed they would not meet the people in the scene. In a third condition, participants simply free-viewed the same video with the knowl- edge that it was pre-recorded, with no suggestion of a later interaction. Results demonstrat- ed that the social context in which the stimulus was viewed significantly influenced viewing behaviour. Specifically, participants in the social conditions allocated less visual attention towards the heads of the actors in the scene and followed their gaze less than those in the free-viewing group. These findings suggest that by underestimating the impact of social context in social attention, researchers risk coming to inaccurate conclusions about how we attend to others in the real world

EVALUATION OF HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF POROUS MEDIA USING RETC CODE

Στην παρούσα εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα προσδιορισμού της καμπύλης υγρασίας, θ(Η), και πειράματα εκροής ενός βήματος για τον προσδιορισμό της υδραυλικής αγωγιμότητας, Κ(θ), σε μια άμμο, ένα αμμοπηλώδες και ένα πηλώδες έδαφος. Οι πειραματικές τιμές συγκρίθηκαν με τις προβλεπόμενες από το ευρέως διαδεδομένο κλειστού τύπου αναλυτικό μοντέλο Mualem-van Genuchten χρησιμοποιώντας το πρόγραμμα RETC για δύο σενάρια πρόβλεψης με τρεις παραμέτρους προσαρμογής a, n, θr. Στο πρώτο σενάριο σαν δεδομένα εισόδου στο RETC χρησιμοποιήθηκαν οι πειραματικές τιμές της θ(Η) και η τιμή της Κ στον κορεσμό, Κs, και στο δεύτερο σενάριο οι πειραματικές τιμές των θ(Η), Κ(θ) και Κs για δύο τύπους παλινδρόμησης του μοντέλου. Η ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων έδειξε ότι το δεύτερο σενάριο, και μόνο για τον έναν από τους δύο τύπους παλινδρόμησης, περιγράφει ικανοποιητικά τη σχέση K(θ) σε όλα τα πορώδη μέσα που μελετήθηκαν, αλλά μειώνει την ακρίβεια πρόβλεψης της θ(Η).In this study, experiments were conducted to determine the soil water retention curve θ(Η) and hydraulic conductivity Κ(θ) of three porous media with different soil texture, a sand, a sandy loam and a loam soil. The experimental data were compared with those predicted by the worldwide used closed-form analytical hydraulic model of Mualem-van Genuchten using RETC program for two prediction scenarios with three fitting parameters a, n, θr. The first scenario uses as input data the experimental θ(Η) and Ks measurements and the second scenario uses the experimental θ(Η), K(θ) and Ks measurements for two types of regression analysis. Analysis of the results showed that only one type of the second scenario regression analysis describes properly K(θ) relationship for all porous media studied but decreases the precision of θ(Η) prediction

Mechanism of completion of peptidyltransferase centre assembly in eukaryotes.

During their final maturation in the cytoplasm, pre-60S ribosomal particles are converted to translation-competent large ribosomal subunits. Here, we present the mechanism of peptidyltransferase centre (PTC) completion that explains how integration of the last ribosomal proteins is coupled to release of the nuclear export adaptor Nmd3. Single-particle cryo-EM reveals that eL40 recruitment stabilises helix 89 to form the uL16 binding site. The loading of uL16 unhooks helix 38 from Nmd3 to adopt its mature conformation. In turn, partial retraction of the L1 stalk is coupled to a conformational switch in Nmd3 that allows the uL16 P-site loop to fully accommodate into the PTC where it competes with Nmd3 for an overlapping binding site (base A2971). Our data reveal how the central functional site of the ribosome is sculpted and suggest how the formation of translation-competent 60S subunits is disrupted in leukaemia-associated ribosomopathies.Bloodwise, MRC, Wellcome Trus

Using time perception to explore implicit sensitivity to emotional stimuli in autism spectrum disorder

Establishing whether implicit responses to emotional cues are intact in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is fundamental to ascertaining why their emotional understanding is compromised. We used a temporal bisection task to assess for responsiveness to face and wildlife images that varied in emotional salience. There were no significant differences between an adult ASD and comparison group, with both showing implicit overestimation of emotional stimuli. Further, there was no correlation between overestimation of emotional stimuli and autistic traits in undergraduate students. These data do not suggest a fundamental insensitivity to the arousing content of emotional images in ASD, or in individuals with a high degree of autistic traits. The findings have implications for understanding how emotional stimuli are processed in ASD

Acetate supplementation modulates brain histone acetylation and decreases interleukin-1β expression in a rat model of neuroinflammation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Long-term acetate supplementation reduces neuroglial activation and cholinergic cell loss in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. Additionally, a single dose of glyceryl triacetate, used to induce acetate supplementation, increases histone H3 and H4 acetylation and inhibits histone deacetylase activity and histone deacetylase-2 expression in normal rat brain. Here, we propose that the therapeutic effect of acetate in reducing neuroglial activation is due to a reversal of lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in histone acetylation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we examined the effect of a 28-day-dosing regimen of glyceryl triacetate, to induce acetate supplementation, on brain histone acetylation and interleukin-1β expression in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. The effect was analyzed using Western blot analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzymic histone deacetylase and histone acetyltransferase assays. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, parametric or nonparametric when appropriate, followed by Tukey's or Dunn's post-hoc test, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that long-term acetate supplementation increased the proportion of brain histone H3 acetylated at lysine 9 (H3K9), histone H4 acetylated at lysine 8 and histone H4 acetylated at lysine 16. However, unlike a single dose of glyceryl triacetate, long-term treatment increased histone acetyltransferase activity and had no effect on histone deacetylase activity, with variable effects on brain histone deacetylase class I and II expression. In agreement with this hypothesis, neuroinflammation reduced the proportion of brain H3K9 acetylation by 50%, which was effectively reversed with acetate supplementation. Further, in rats subjected to lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation, the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β protein and mRNA levels were increased by 1.3- and 10-fold, respectively, and acetate supplementation reduced this expression to control levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Based on these results, we conclude that dietary acetate supplementation attenuates neuroglial activation by effectively reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by a mechanism that may involve a distinct site-specific pattern of histone acetylation and histone deacetylase expression in the brain.</p

Brain oscillations and connectivity in autism spectrum disorders (ASD):new approaches to methodology, measurement and modelling

Although atypical social behaviour remains a key characterisation of ASD, the presence ofsensory and perceptual abnormalities has been given a more central role in recentclassification changes. An understanding of the origins of such aberrations could thus prove afruitful focus for ASD research. Early neurocognitive models of ASD suggested that thestudy of high frequency activity in the brain as a measure of cortical connectivity mightprovide the key to understanding the neural correlates of sensory and perceptual deviations inASD. As our review shows, the findings from subsequent research have been inconsistent,with a lack of agreement about the nature of any high frequency disturbances in ASD brains.Based on the application of new techniques using more sophisticated measures of brainsynchronisation, direction of information flow, and invoking the coupling between high andlow frequency bands, we propose a framework which could reconcile apparently conflictingfindings in this area and would be consistent both with emerging neurocognitive models ofautism and with the heterogeneity of the condition

Using different ways of 3d reconstruction of historical cities for gaming purposes: The case study of nafplio

Virtual reality (VR) technologies offer a unique opportunity in “3D reconstruction” of cultural monuments and historical cities that do not longer exist or have been modified (partially or totally). Even though technological capabilities are growing fast, emphasis is mainly given on developing virtual museums and exhibitions, while archaeological places and excavations are following. The present paper presents two distinct approaches for 3D reconstruction of the historical city of Nafplio (Greece), by developing 3D models for buildings and monuments the way they used to be in the 19th century. The authors have used their professional and academic experience deriving from their participation in a European Commission co-funded project in the framework of the Partnership Agreement 2007–2013, which was implemented by the “V. Papantoniou” Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation (the project’s beneficiary) in Nafplio. The authors aim (a) to present the importance of reconstructing past cities and (b) to implement gaming technologies in cultural organizations as a means of achieve specific educational goals. Results point out the growing need for close cooperation between the cultural and academic worlds with 3D creators, and, moreover, reveal obstacles and opportunities in reconstructing historical cities and monuments. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Digital Routes in Greek History’s Paths

In this paper, we present the development of a virtual reality application, namely “Roots in Greek History” or RoGH, which provides the user with a unique experiential travel or transfer back in time to specific historical periods and historical places which are part of the Greek history and its cultural heritage. The tool is a multi-purpose one which is mainly addressed to tourists, teachers, or researchers. The users are facilitated in deriving historical data, challenged to connect with the past, and are invited to explore the history and the time period, archaeological ruins, and monuments of the past through virtual reality. In order to achieve this goal, the system exploits a dynamically designed and organised chronology, which can provide historical content for various places and cities in different times of their history. Users are given the freedom to choose “place” and “time” and consequently to have access to a variety of content (including 2D or 3D models, text, photos, multimedia, etc.), in an entertaining and educational procedure that creates a personalised information path and leads to empowering knowledge. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

The effect of soil iron on the estimation of soil water content using dielectric sensors

Nowadays, the estimation of volumetric soil water content (θ) through apparent dielectric permittivity (εa) is the most widely used method. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the high iron content of two sandy loam soils on estimating their water content using two dielectric sensors. These sensors are the WET sensor operating at 20 MHz and the ML2 sensor operating at 100 MHz. Experiments on specific soil columns, in the laboratory, by mixing different amounts of water in the soils to obtain a range of θ values under constant temperature conditions were conducted. Analysis of the results showed that both sensors, based on manufacturer calibration, led to overestimation of θ. This overestimation is due to the high measured values of εa by both sensors used. The WET sensor, operating at a lower frequency and being strongly affected by soil characteristics, showed the greatest overestimation. The difference of εa values between the two sensors ranged from 14 to 19 units at the maximum actual soil water content (θm). Compared to the Topp equation, the WET sensor measures 2.3 to 2.8 fold higher value of εa. From the results, it was shown that the relationship θm-εa 0.5 remained linear even in the case of these soils with high iron content and the multi-point calibration (CALALL) is a good option where individual calibration is needed. © 2020 by the authors

How to play storytelling games with masterpieces: from art galleries to hybrid board games

In this article we explore how to play storytelling games with collections of artworks. First we propose a generic storytelling game, titled “Find the artwork behind the story!”, and we present the results of a user study that investigates the game’s affordances in different environments and setups, ranging from large exhibitions at a cultural center, to a casual home setting. We report a series of game-testing sessions, highlighting the differences between on-site and remote experiences and we reflect upon critical aspects of the game design, identifying key opportunities and requirements in each case. Then we focus on the “home game scenario” and we describe how we re-designed the game experience so as to address the increased interactivity and learning requirements revealed in this setting. We propose a hybrid board game experience that combines analogue and digital media, orchestrating the use of physical “Artwork Cards” along with digital narratives displayed on the players’ personal mobile or tablet devices. We present the game-authoring platform and the mobile client application that we have developed to support the creation and provision of the proposed game experiences. Finally, following a user-centered design approach, we report preliminary evaluation results of the game prototype using the focus group methodology. © 2018, Beijing Normal University