scholarly journals Computational geometric tools for quantitative comparison of locomotory behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Stamps ◽  
Soo Go ◽  
Ajay S. Mathuru
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Quantitative Comparison ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Alignment Method ◽  
Shape Alignment ◽  
Locomotory Behavior ◽  
Lower Variability ◽  
Geometric Techniques ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Common Action

Abstract A fundamental challenge for behavioral neuroscientists is to accurately quantify (dis)similarities in animal behavior without excluding inherent variability present between individuals. We explored two new applications of curve and shape alignment techniques to address this issue. As a proof-of-concept we applied these methods to compare normal or alarmed behavior in pairs of medaka (Oryzias latipes). The curve alignment method we call Behavioral Distortion Distance (BDD) revealed that alarmed fish display less predictable swimming over time, even if individuals incorporate the same action patterns like immobility, sudden changes in swimming trajectory, or changing their position in the water column. The Conformal Spatiotemporal Distance (CSD) technique on the other hand revealed that, in spite of the unpredictability, alarmed individuals exhibit lower variability in overall swim patterns, possibly accounting for the widely held notion of “stereotypy” in alarm responses. More generally, we propose that these new applications of established computational geometric techniques are useful in combination to represent, compare, and quantify complex behaviors consisting of common action patterns that differ in duration, sequence, or frequency.

scholarly journals Computational Geometric Tools for Modeling Inherent Variability in Animal Behavior

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Stamps ◽  
Soo Go ◽  
Ajay S. Mathuru
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Alignment Method ◽  
Shape Alignment ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Fundamental Challenge ◽  
Geometric Techniques ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Common Action ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTA fundamental challenge for behavioral neuroscientists is to represent inherent variability among animals accurately without compromising the ability to quantify differences between conditions. We developed two new methods that apply curve and shape alignment techniques to address this issue. As a proof-of-concept we applied these methods to compare normal or alarmed behavior in pairs of medaka (Oryzias latipes). The curve alignment method we call Behavioral Distortion Distance (BDD) revealed that alarmed fish display less predictable swimming over time, even if individuals incorporate the same action patterns like immobility, sudden changes in swimming trajectory, or changing their position in the water column. The Conformal Spatiotemporal Distance (CSD) technique on the other hand revealed that, in spite of the unpredictability, alarmed individuals share an overall swim pattern, possibly accounting for the widely held notion of “stereotypy” in alarm responses. More generally, we propose that these new applications of known computational geometric techniques are useful in combination to represent, compare, and quantify complex behaviors consisting of common action patterns that differ in duration, sequence, or frequency.

A Thrust-Vectored Submersible for Animal Behavior Research: Design and Proof of Concept

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladislav Kopman ◽  
Nicholas Cavaliere ◽  
Maurizio Porfiri
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Thrust Vectoring

In this paper, we present the design and proof of concept of a streamlined, low-cost, and smooth-hulled underwater vehicle (MASUV-1). MASUV-1 utilizes an ad-hoc designed multi-directional thrust-vectoring system for steering and an entirely enclosed propulsion system, allowing for safe operation in the vicinity of marine mammals. Tests of the vehicle in a still water environment show high maneuverability at speeds comparable with similar torpedo-type class underwater vehicles.

scholarly journals An interferometric radar sensor for monitoring the vibrations of structures at short ranges

2018 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 01005
Author(s):  
Guido Luzi ◽  
Michele Crosetto ◽  
Eduard Angelats ◽  
Enric Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Wave ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Different Types ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Wave Device ◽  
Operational Tool ◽  
Commercial Equipment

The Real-Aperture-Radar (RAR) interferometry technique consolidated in the last decade as an operational tool for the monitoring of large civil engineering structures as bridges, towers, and buildings. In literature, experimental campaigns collected through a well-known commercial equipment have been widely documented, while the cases where different types of sensors have been tested are a few. On the bases of some experimental tests, a new sensor working at high frequency, providing some improved performances, is here discussed. The core of the proposed system is an off-the-shelf, linear frequency modulated continuous wave device. The development of this apparatus is aimed at achieving a proof-of-concept, tackling operative aspects related to the development of a low cost and reliable system. The capability to detect the natural frequencies of a lightpole has been verified; comparing the results of the proposed sensor with those ones obtained through a commercial system based on the same technique, a more detailed description of the vibrating structure has been achieved. The results of this investigation confirmed that the development of sensors working at higher frequencies, although deserving deeper studies, is very promising and could open new applications demanding higher spatial resolutions at close ranges.

scholarly journals Study of Activity Tracking through Bluetooth Low Energy-Based Network

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasreen Mohsin ◽  
Shahram Payandeh ◽  
Derek Ho ◽  
Jean Pierre Gelinas
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Activity Tracking ◽  
Bluetooth Low Energy ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Geometric Techniques ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Better Than

This paper proposes a proof-of-concept, low-cost, and easily deployable Bluetooth low energy- (BLE-) based localization system which actively scans and localizes BLE beacons attached to mobile subjects in a room. Using the received signal strength (RSS) of a BLE signal and the uniqueness of BLE hardware addresses, mobile subjects can be identified and localized within the hospital room. The RSS measurement of the BLE signal from a wearable BLE beacon varies with distance to the wall-anchored BLE scanner. In order to understand and demonstrate the practicality of the relationship between RSS of a BLE beacon and the distance of a beacon from a scanner, the first part of the paper presents the analysis of the experiments conducted in a low-noise and nonreflective environment. Based on the analysis conducted in an ideal environment, the second half of the paper proposes a data-driven localization process for pinpointing the movements of the subject within the experimental room. In order to ensure higher accuracy like fingerprinting techniques and handle the increased number of BLE-anchored scanners like geometric techniques, the proposed algorithm was designed to combine the best aspects of these two techniques for better localization. The paper evaluates the effects of the number of BLE wall-mounted scanners and the number of packets on the performance of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm locates the patient within the room with error less than 1.8 m. It also performs better than other classical approaches used in localization.

scholarly journals MagCPP: A C++ toolbox for Combining Neurofeedback with Magstim transcranial magnetic stimulators

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-500
Author(s):  
Hannes Oppermann ◽  
Felix Wichum ◽  
Jens Haueisen ◽  
Matthias Klemm ◽  
Lorenz Esch
Keyword(s):  
Closed Loop ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
External Control ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Lower Variability ◽  
Real Time Data Processing ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Processing Platform ◽  
Repeated Runs

AbstractTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an established method to treat various neurological diseases, such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and tinnitus. New applications for TMS are closed loop neurofeedback (NF) scenarios, which require software control of the TMS system, instead of the currently used manual control. Hence, the MagCPP (https://github.com/MagCPP) toolbox was developed and is described in this work. The toolbox enables the external control of Magstim TMS devices via a C++ interface. Comparing MagCPP to two other toolboxes in a TMS application scenario with 40% power, we found that MagCPP works faster and has lower variability in repeated runs (MagCPP, Python, MATLAB [mean±std in seconds]: 1.19±0.00, 1.59±0.01, 1.44±0.02). An integration of MagCPP in a real-time data processing platform MNE-CPP with an optional GUI demonstrates its ability as part of a closed-loop NF-scenario. With its performing advantages over other toolboxes, MagCPP is a first step towards a complete closed loop NF scenario and offers possibilities for novel study designs.

scholarly journals Microfluidics for Electrophysiology, Imaging, and Behavioral Analysis of Hydra

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna N. Badhiwala ◽  
Daniel L. Gonzales ◽  
Daniel G. Vercosa ◽  
Benjamin W. Avants ◽  
Jacob T. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Optical Recording ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Hydra Vulgaris ◽  
Behavioral Tracking ◽  
Exciting Opportunity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Stimulation Of

ABSTRACTThe cnidarian Hydra vulgaris provides an exciting opportunity to discover the relationship between animal behavior and the activity of every neuron in highly plastic, diffuse network of spiking cells. However, Hydra’s deformable and contractile body makes it difficult to manipulate the local environment while recording neural activity. Here, we present a suite of microfluidic technologies capable of simultaneous electrical, chemical, and optical interrogation of these soft, deformable organisms. Specifically, we demonstrate devices that can immobilize Hydra for hours-long simultaneous electrical and optical recording, and chemical stimulation of behaviors revealing neural activity during muscle contraction. We further demonstrate quantitative locomotive and behavioral tracking made possible by confining the animal to quasi-two-dimensional micro-arenas. Together, these proof-of-concept devices show that microfluidics provide a platform for scalable, quantitative cnidarian neurobiology. The experiments enabled by this technology may help reveal how highly plastic networks of neurons provide robust control of animal behavior.

Emerging role of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 135 (10) ◽  
pp. 1233-1249
Author(s):  
Claudiu T. Supuran
Keyword(s):  
Carbonic Anhydrase ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Acute Mountain Sickness ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mountain Sickness ◽  
Antiobesity Agents ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Human Isoforms

Abstract Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) was clinically exploited for decades, as most modern diuretics were obtained considering as lead molecule acetazolamide, the prototypical CA inhibitor (CAI). The discovery and characterization of multiple human CA (hCA) isoforms, 15 of which being known today, led to new applications of their inhibitors. They include widely clinically used antiglaucoma, antiepileptic and antiobesity agents, antitumor drugs in clinical development, as well as drugs for the management of acute mountain sickness and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Emerging roles of several CA isoforms in areas not generally connected to these enzymes were recently documented, such as in neuropathic pain, cerebral ischemia, rheumatoid arthritis, oxidative stress and Alzheimer’s disease. Proof-of-concept studies thus emerged by using isoform-selective inhibitors, which may lead to new clinical applications in such areas. Relevant preclinical models are available for these pathologies due to the availability of isoform-selective CAIs for all human isoforms, belonging to novel classes of compounds, such as coumarins, sulfocoumarins, dithiocarbamates, benzoxaboroles, apart the classical sulfonamide inhibitors. The inhibition of CAs from pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoans or nematodes started recently to be considered for obtaining anti-infectives with a new mechanism of action.

scholarly journals PROCESSING OF CRAWLED URBAN IMAGERY FOR BUILDING USE CLASSIFICATION

2017 ◽  
Vol XLII-1/W1 ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
P. Tutzauer ◽  
N. Haala
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Information ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Image Interpretation ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
Semantic Data ◽  
New Applications ◽  
City Models

Recent years have shown a shift from pure geometric 3D city models to data with semantics. This is induced by new applications (e.g. Virtual/Augmented Reality) and also a requirement for concepts like Smart Cities. However, essential urban semantic data like building use categories is often not available. We present a first step in bridging this gap by proposing a pipeline to use crawled urban imagery and link it with ground truth cadastral data as an input for automatic building use classification. We aim to extract this city-relevant semantic information automatically from Street View (SV) imagery. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) proved to be extremely successful for image interpretation, however, require a huge amount of training data. Main contribution of the paper is the automatic provision of such training datasets by linking semantic information as already available from databases provided from national mapping agencies or city administrations to the corresponding façade images extracted from SV. Finally, we present first investigations with a CNN and an alternative classifier as a proof of concept.

Toward an alignment of the actin molecule within the actin filament

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 450-451
Author(s):  
P.R. Smith ◽  
W.E. Fowler ◽  
U. Aebi
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Diffraction Data ◽  
Quantitative Estimate ◽  
Molecular Model ◽  
Quantitative Comparison ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Maximum Resolution ◽  
Lack Of Information

An understanding of the specific interactions of actin with regulatory proteins has been limited by the lack of information about the structure of the actin filament. Molecular actin has been studied in actin-DNase I complexes by single crystal X-ray analysis, to a resolution of about 0.6nm, and in the electron microscope where two dimensional actin sheets have been reconstructed to a maximum resolution of 1.5nm. While these studies have shown something of the structure of individual actin molecules, essential information about the orientation of actin in the filament is still unavailable.The work of Egelman & DeRosier has, however, suggested a method which could be used to provide an initial quantitative estimate of the orientation of actin within the filament. This method involves the quantitative comparison of computed diffraction data from single actin filaments with diffraction data derived from synthetic filaments constructed using the molecular model of actin as a building block. Their preliminary work was conducted using a model consisting of two juxtaposed spheres of equal size.

1250-kilovolt scanning transmission electron microscope

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 624-625
Author(s):  
T. Imura ◽  
S. Maruse ◽  
K. Mihama ◽  
M. Iseki ◽  
M. Hibino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Voltage Generator ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
New Applications ◽  
High Voltage Generator

Ultra high voltage STEM has many inherent technical advantages over CTEM. These advantages include better signal detectability and signal processing capability. It is hoped that it will explore some new applications which were previously not possible. Conventional STEM (including CTEM with STEM attachment), however, has been unable to provide these inherent advantages due to insufficient performance and engineering problems. Recently we have developed a new 1250 kV STEM and completed installation at Nagoya University in Japan. It has been designed to break through conventional engineering limitations and bring about theoretical advantage in practical applications.In the design of this instrument, we exercised maximum care in providing a stable electron probe. A high voltage generator and an accelerator are housed in two separate pressure vessels and they are connected with a high voltage resistor cable.(Fig. 1) This design minimized induction generated from the high voltage generator, which is a high frequency Cockcroft-Walton type, being transmitted to the electron probe.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document