Conleybeck4657

According to the sequential surface integration process hypothesis, the fine near-ground-surface representation and the homogeneous ground surface play a vital role in the representation of the ground surface. When an occluding box or opaque wall is placed between observers and targets, observers underestimate egocentric distance. However, in our daily life, many obstacles are perforated and cover the ground surface and targets simultaneously (e.g., fences). Humans see and observe through fences. The images of these fences and targets, projected onto observers' retinas, overlap each other. This study aims to explore the effects of perforated obstacles (i.e., fences) on space perception. The results showed that observers underestimated the egocentric distances when there was a fence on the ground surface relative to the no-fence condition, and the effect of widely spaced thick wood fences was larger than that of narrowly spaced thin iron fences. We further demonstrated that this effect was quite robust when the target size had a visual angle of 1°, 2°, or 4° in three virtual reality experiments. This study may add support for the notion that the sequential surface integration process hypothesis is applicable even if the obstacle is perforated and covers the target.Virtual reality systems are a popular tool in behavioral sciences. The participants' behavior is, however, a response to cognitively processed stimuli. Consequently, researchers must ensure that virtually perceived stimuli resemble those present in the real world to ensure the ecological validity of collected findings. Our article provides a literature review relating to distance perception in virtual reality. Furthermore, we present a new study that compares verbal distance estimates within real and virtual environments. The virtual space-a replica of a real outdoor area-was displayed using a state-of-the-art head-mounted display. Investigated distances ranged from 8 to 13 m. Overall, the results show no significant difference between egocentric distance estimates in real and virtual environments. However, a more in-depth analysis suggests that the order in which participants were exposed to the two environments may affect the outcome. Furthermore, the study suggests that a rising experience of immersion leads to an alignment of the estimated virtual distances with the real ones. The results also show that the discrepancy between estimates of real and virtual distances increases with the incongruity between virtual and actual eye heights, demonstrating the importance of an accurately set virtual eye height.Most objects have well-defined affordances. Investigating perception of affordances of objects that were not created for a specific purpose would provide insight into how affordances are perceived. In addition, comparison of perception of affordances for such objects across different exploratory modalities (visual vs. haptic) would offer a strong test of the lawfulness of information about affordances (i.e., the invariance of such information over transformation). Along these lines, "feelies"- objects created by Gibson with no obvious function and unlike any common object-could shed light on the processes underlying affordance perception. This study showed that when observers reported potential uses for feelies, modality significantly influenced what kind of affordances were perceived. Specifically, visual exploration resulted in more noun labels (e.g., "toy") than haptic exploration which resulted in more verb labels (i.e., "throw"). These results suggested that overlapping, but distinct classes of action possibilities are perceivable using vision and haptics. Semantic network analyses revealed that visual exploration resulted in object-oriented responses focused on object identification, whereas haptic exploration resulted in action-oriented responses. Cluster analyses confirmed these results. Affordance labels produced in the visual condition were more consistent, used fewer descriptors, were less diverse, but more novel than in the haptic condition.In an artistic exploration, clay hands and nonhand-like, unfeasible clay objects were created by the participant and used to perform an alternative version of the rubber hand illusion. Most participants felt ownership even over these unfeasible objects, raising questions about the embodied experience of objects that we make.This is the first demonstration of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) during a locomotor output, arm cycling. IHI was quantified by assessing the depth of the ipsilateral silent period (iSP) evoked via transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex. There was a significant reduction in electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the iSP during cycling compared with the control EMG (16.8% ± 17.1%; p less then 0.001). Depth and area for measuring the iSP during arm cycling are discussed. Novelty This is the first study to demonstrate activation of the cortical circuit, interhemispheric inhibition, during a locomotor output.The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) guidelines set out the minimal technical requirements for the acquisition of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate. GW0742 molecular weight However, the rapid diffusion of this technique has inevitably led to variability in scan quality among centres across the UK and the world. Suboptimal image acquisition reduces the sensitivity and specificity of this technique for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer and results in clinicians losing confidence in the technique.Two expert panels, one from the UK and one from the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR)/EAU Section of Urologic Imaging (ESUI), have stressed the importance to establish quality criteria for the acquisition of mpMRI of the prostate. A first attempt to address this issue has been the publication of the Prostate Imaging Quality (PI-QUAL) score, which assesses the mpMRI quality against a set of objective criteria (PI-RADS guidelines) together with criteria obtained from the image.PI-QUAL represents the first step towards the standardisation of a scoring system to assess the quality of prostate mpMRI prior to reporting and allows clinicians to have more confidence in using the scan to determine patient care. Further refinements after robust consensus among experts at an international level need to be agreed before its widespread adoption in the clinical setting.

This work aims to investigate whether virtual non-contrast (VNC) dual-energy CT(DECT) of contrasted lung tumours can be used as an alternative for true non-contrast (TNC) images in radiotherapy. Two DECT techniques and a TNC CT were compared and influences on gross tumour volume (GTV) volume and CT number from motion artefacts in three-dimensional printed lung tumour models (LTM) in amotion phantom were examined.

Two spherical LTMs (diameter 3.0 cm) with different inner shapes were created in a three-dimensional printer. The inner shapes contained water or iodine (concentration 5 mg ml

) and were scanned with a dual-source DECT (ds-DECT), single-source sequential DECT (ss-DECT) and TNC CT in a respiratory motion phantom (15 breaths/min, amplitude 1.5 cm). CT number and volume of LTMs were measured. Therefore, two GTVs were contoured.

Deviations in GTV volume (outer shape) of LTMs in motion for contrast-enhanced ss-DECT and ds-DECT VNC images compared to TNC images are not significant (

> 0.05). Relative GTV volume and CT number deviations (inner shapes) of LTMs in motion were 6.6 ± 0.6% and 104.4 ± 71.2 HU between ss-DECT and TNC CT and -8.4 ± 10.6% and 25.5 ± 58.5 HU between ds-DECT and TNC, respectively.

ss-DECT VNC images could not sufficiently subtract iodine from water in LTMs inmotion, whereas ds-DECT VNC images might be a valid alternative to a TNC CT.

ds-DECT provides a contrasted image for contouring and a non-contrasted image for radiotherapy treatment planning for LTM in motion.

ds-DECT provides a contrasted image for contouring and a non-contrasted image for radiotherapy treatment planning for LTM in motion.Cereal rye and its wild forms are important sources of genetic diversity for wheat breeding due to their resistances to biotic and abiotic stresses. Secale strictum subsp. anatolicum (Boiss.) K. Hammer (SSA) is a weedy relative of cultivated rye, S. cereale. Meiotic chromosome pairing in F1 hybrids of SSA and S. cereale reveals strong genomic affinity between the two genomes. A study of the transferability of S. cereale sequence-based markers to SSA and hexaploid triticale demonstrated their applicability for tracing SSA chromatin in wheat. The transferability of the markers was over 80% from homoeologous groups 1, 2, and 3, and greater than 70% from groups 4 to 7. This study focused on the generation and molecular and cytogenetic characterization of wheat-SSA alien derivatives. Twelve were identified using combinations of non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH), genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), and molecular marker analysis. All SSA chromosomes, except 3Ra and 6Ra, were transferred to wheat either in the form of monosomic additions (MA), mono-telosomic additions (MtA), double-mono-telosomic additions (dMtA), or double-monosomic additions (dMA). The germplasm developed in this study will help to enhance the genetic base of wheat and facilitate molecular breeding of wheat and triticale.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound in the obstructive pathology of the parotic gland not caused by sialolithiasis using sialendoscopy as reference standard.

Retrospective analysis of all patients who presented with suspected diagnosis of obstructive ductal pathology of the parotid gland other than sialolithiasis between January 2011 and December 2017. 538 patients, for a total of 691 parotid glands were included in the study. Ultrasound was performed, followed by sialendoscopy in all cases. Duct diameter and parenchyma echogenicity were assessed. Direct sialendoscopic examination of the parotid duct was regarded as the reference standard.

Parotid glands with normal sialendoscopic findings (21.6%,

= 149) had a duct diameter of 0.3 mm (0-2.7 mm) and homogeneous hyperechoic parenchyma on ultrasound in 98.7%. Ductal inflammation/sialodochitis (32.9%,

= 227) on sialendoscopy had significantly larger ductal diameter of 0.7 mm (0-4.3 mm,

= 0.001) and hypoechoic parenchyma in 78.0% (

< 0.001). Parotid glands with stenosis (45.6%,

= 315) had hypoechoic parenchyma in 52.6% and a ductal diameter of 4.1 mm (0-19.0 mm;

= 0.001). The ductal diameter was ≥2.7 mm in 95.6% of the stenosis (AUC 0.886,

= 0.001). Using 5.1 mm as benchmark ductal diameter, stenosis with ductal anomaly (68/315) were identifiable with a sensitivity of 92.6% and a specificity of 96.8% (AUC 0.986,

= 0.001).

Ultrasound parameters can be used to distinguish different types of obstructive ductal pathology of the parotid gland, supporting the use of this imaging modality as diagnostic tool of first choice.

Ultrasound parameters can be used to distinguish different types of obstructive ductal pathology of the parotid gland, supporting the use of this imaging modality as diagnostic tool of first choice.