scholarly journals Eye-tracking study of animate objects

Psihologija ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanja Kovic ◽  
Kim Plunkett ◽  
Gert Westermann
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Mental Representation ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
The Body

This study involved presentation of animate objects under labeling and non-labeling conditions and examination of participants' looking pattern across these conditions. Results revealed a surprisingly consistent way in which adults look at the pictures of animate objects. The head/eyes of the animals were a typical region attracting a number of fixations, but also some other parts of animals (e.g. the tail in cats, or the udder in cows and the body in snakes). Furthermore, not only did participants tend to look at similar regions of the pictures of animate objects, but also the looking order to these regions was consistent across participants. However, contrary to the original predictions, these patterns of fixations were similar across the naming and non-naming conditions ('Look at the <target>!', 'Look at the picture!' and 'What's this?', respectively), which led to the conclusion that participants' consistency in processing animate objects was not reflecting underlying mental representation evoked by labels, but was rather driven by the structural similarity of animate objects, in particular the presence of a head.

scholarly journals Role of Structural and Non-Structural Proteins and Therapeutic Targets of SARS-CoV-2 for COVID-19

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Rohitash Yadav ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Neeraj Jain ◽  
Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Supriya Khanra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Molecular Assembly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Coronavirus belongs to the family of Coronaviridae, comprising single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome (+ ssRNA) of around 26 to 32 kilobases, and has been known to cause infection to a myriad of mammalian hosts, such as humans, cats, bats, civets, dogs, and camels with varied consequences in terms of death and debilitation. Strikingly, novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), later renamed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and found to be the causative agent of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), shows 88% of sequence identity with bat-SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21, 79% with SARS-CoV and 50% with MERS-CoV, respectively. Despite key amino acid residual variability, there is an incredible structural similarity between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. During infection, spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 compared to SARS-CoV displays 10–20 times greater affinity for its cognate host cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), leading proteolytic cleavage of S protein by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Following cellular entry, the ORF-1a and ORF-1ab, located downstream to 5′ end of + ssRNA genome, undergo translation, thereby forming two large polyproteins, pp1a and pp1ab. These polyproteins, following protease-induced cleavage and molecular assembly, form functional viral RNA polymerase, also referred to as replicase. Thereafter, uninterrupted orchestrated replication-transcription molecular events lead to the synthesis of multiple nested sets of subgenomic mRNAs (sgRNAs), which are finally translated to several structural and accessory proteins participating in structure formation and various molecular functions of virus, respectively. These multiple structural proteins assemble and encapsulate genomic RNA (gRNA), resulting in numerous viral progenies, which eventually exit the host cell, and spread infection to rest of the body. In this review, we primarily focus on genomic organization, structural and non-structural protein components, and potential prospective molecular targets for development of therapeutic drugs, convalescent plasm therapy, and a myriad of potential vaccines to tackle SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals The sensor hub for detecting the developmental characteristics in reading in children on a white vs. coloured background/coloured overlays

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Jakovljević ◽  
Milica Janković ◽  
Andrej Savić ◽  
Ivan Soldatović ◽  
Petar Todorović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
The Body ◽  
Third Grade ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Third Grade Students ◽  
Eeg Power ◽  
Blue Background

AbstractThe study investigated the influence of white vs 12 background and overlay colours on the reading process in school age children. Previous research reported that colours could affect reading skills as an important factor of the emotional and physiological state of the body and that reading is one of the most important processes in the maturation of children. The aim of the study was to assess developmental differences between second and third grade students of elementary school and to evaluate differences in electroencephalography (EEG), ocular, electrodermal activities (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV). In the experiment, the responses of 24 children (12 second and 12 third grade students) to different background and overlay colours were summarized using EEG, eye tracking, EDA and HRV signals. Our findings showed a decreasing trend with age regarding EEG power bands (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Theta) and lower scores of reading duration and eye-tracking measures in younger children compared to older children. As shown in the results, HRV parameters showed higher scores in 12 background and overlay colours among second than third grade students which is linearly correlated to the level of stress and readable from EDA measures as well. The existing study showed the calming effect on second graders in turquoise and blue background colours. Considering other colours separately for each parameter, we assumed that there are no systematic differences in Reading duration, EEG power band, Eye-tracking and EDA measures.

Psychophysical Properties of the Trunk Midline

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 545-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Spidalieri ◽  
Roberto Sgolastra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Representation ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Image Analysis System ◽  
Anatomic Landmarks ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Anterior Trunk ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
The Right ◽  
Male Subjects

Spidalieri, Giuseppe and Roberto Sgolastra. Psychophysical properties of the trunk midline. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 545–549, 1997. This study was carry out to obtain direct evidence that the body midline actually is perceived and to assess some psychophysical properties of this line. Twelve normal, right-handed male subjects were asked to make accurate pointing movements toward the midline of the anterior trunk on the basis of their mental representation of this line. Each hand was used to point while the head was either aligned with the trunk or tilted 30° to the right or left. Analysis of end-positions of pointing on trunk images acquired by an image analysis system indicated that the trunk midline indeed is perceived as a straight line. Three putative trunk midlines were taken into consideration on the basis of anatomic landmarks, and it was found that the mental representation of the trunk midline came nearest to the line orthogonal to the intermammary line crossing its midpoint. The performing hand and the position of the head relative to the trunk both had an effect on the mental representation of the trunk midline. These findings suggest that somatosensory signals from the trunk, as well as proprioceptive input from the neck, contribute to the elaboration of the subject's mental representation of the trunk midline.

scholarly journals Biotransformation of α-Acetylbutyrolactone in Rhodotorula Strains

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2106
Author(s):  
Wanda Mączka ◽  
Katarzyna Wińska ◽  
Małgorzata Grabarczyk ◽  
Barbara Żarowska
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solvent ◽  
Yeast Extract ◽  
Deep Eutectic Solvents ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Glucose Medium ◽  
Similar Function ◽  
Media Composition ◽  
Enantiomerically Pure ◽  
Solvent Volume

Due to its structural similarity, the α’-1′-hydroxyethyl-γ-butyrolactone obtained by reduction of (±)-α-acetyl-γ-butyrolactone may have a similar function in the body to γ-butyrolactone (GBL). In the work presented, biotransformation of α-acetyl-γ-butyrolactone by three Rhodotorula strains was performed obtaining enantiomerically enriched alcohol. The process was carried out in growing and resting cultures. We studied how both media composition and organic solvent volume affected stereoselectivity and effectiveness of biotransformation. After 2 h, the enantiomerically pure (3R, 1′S)-α’-1′-hydroxyethyl-γ-butyrolactone was obtained using the R. marina AM77 strain in YPG (Yeast extract-Peptone-Glucose) medium enriched with 5% glycerol. To our best knowledge there is no previous information in the literature about the (±)-α-acetyl-γ-butyrolactone biotransformation performed in medium with addition of organic and deep eutectic solvents.

scholarly journals How chimpanzees look at pictures: a comparative eye-tracking study

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1664) ◽  
pp. 1949-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumihiro Kano ◽  
Masaki Tomonaga
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Comparative Cognition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Face Region ◽  
Movement Strategies ◽  
The Face

Surprisingly little is known about the eye movements of chimpanzees, despite the potential contribution of such knowledge to comparative cognition studies. Here, we present the first examination of eye tracking in chimpanzees. We recorded the eye movements of chimpanzees as they viewed naturalistic pictures containing a full-body image of a chimpanzee, a human or another mammal; results were compared with those from humans. We found a striking similarity in viewing patterns between the two species. Both chimpanzees and humans looked at the animal figures for longer than at the background and at the face region for longer than at other parts of the body. The face region was detected at first sight by both species when they were shown pictures of chimpanzees and of humans. However, the eye movements of chimpanzees also exhibited distinct differences from those of humans; the former shifted the fixation location more quickly and more broadly than the latter. In addition, the average duration of fixation on the face region was shorter in chimpanzees than in humans. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate the eye-movement strategies common to the two primate species and also suggest several notable differences manifested during the observation of pictures of scenes and body forms.

scholarly journals An in Silico Scientific Basis for LL-37 as a Therapeutic and Vitamin D as Preventive for Covid-19.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Bharat Lokhande ◽  
Tanushree Banerjee ◽  
K. Venkateswara Swamy ◽  
Manisha Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Population ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
High Structural Similarity ◽  
Vitamin D Levels

<p></p><p>A multi-pronged approach with help in all forms possible is essential to <i>completely</i> overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a requirement to research as many new and different types of approaches as possible to cater to the entire world population, complementing the vaccines with promising results. The need is also because SARS-CoV-2 has several unknown or variable facets which get revealed from time to time. In this report, <i>in silico</i> scientific findings are presented, which are indicative of the potential for the use of the LL-37 human anti-microbial peptide as a therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2. This indication is based on the high structural similarity of LL-37 to the N-terminal helix, with which the virus interacts, of the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. Moreover, there is positive prediction of binding of LL-37 to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. As Vitamin D is known to upregulate the expression of LL-37, the vitamin is a candidate preventive molecule. This report provides the possible basis for why there is an inverse correlation between Vitamin D levels in the body and the severity of or susceptibility to Covid-19. The path for development of LL-37 as a therapeutic could be of lesser duration, as LL-37 is native to the human body. With the scientific link put forth herein, Vitamin D could be used at an effective, medically prescribed, safe dose as a preventive. The information in this report would be valuable in bolstering the worldwide efforts to control the pandemic as early as possible.</p><br><p></p>

scholarly journals Blinded by magic: Electrophysiological correlates of change blindness

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-86
Author(s):  
Monique Yuan ◽  
Sarah Sheldon ◽  
Kyle Mathewson
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Mental Representation ◽  
Change Blindness ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Eeg Signals ◽  
Alpha Oscillations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
And Control

Magicians can often hide their method for a trick in plain sight by effecting a phenomenon known as change blindness. The purpose of this study was to find the reason for why an individual is induced with change blindness. Alpha oscillations are known to impair detection of visual stimuli, but it is unclear if this is due to increased guess rate or decreased fidelity of the mental representation. Here we estimated fidelity and guess rate as a function of pre-stimulus alpha oscillations using a change blindness task. In this study, each trial began with an array of 6 Gabor patches with a fixated dot that subjects were instructed to keep their eyes on. As the array traveled to the center of the screen, it either changed direction vertically at 90 degrees or continued horizontally. When the array switched direction, one of the Gabor patches rotated 30 degrees simultaneously. Subjects were then asked to identify which patch rotated. EEG (electroencephalography) data was simultaneously recorded with eye-tracking as subjects performed the task. Twenty-eight participants performed this task, which included six blocks of forty-eight trials. There were two different types of trials: flexion, in which the array changed direction, and control, in which the array did not change direction. Reaction time tended to be slower in flexion trials, and we found that the change in direction affected the subject’s ability to see the Gabor patch rotation. Based on the event-related potential results, which are an average of EEG signals aligned to the start of a trial, we could see that the P300 differed between correct flexion, incorrect flexion, and control trials. The P300 can be interpreted as a marker of consciousness. This difference demonstrates that the subject’s attention is automatically drawn to a larger change in stimuli.

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