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Application of a robotic THz imaging system for sub-surface analysis of ancient human remains
(2019)
We used a robotic-based THz imaging system to investigate the sub-surface structure of an artificially mummified ancient Egyptian human left hand. The results obtained are compared to the results of a conventional CT and a micro-CT scan. Using such a robotic THz system promises new insights into the sub-surface structure of human remains. The depth resolution of the THz images exceeds the resolution of a conventional CT scan and is comparable with a micro-CT scan. The advantage of THz measurements over micro-CT scans is the fact that even comparatively large samples, like complete bodies, can be scanned. These would not fit into a conventional micro-CT scanner.
Pharmaceutical agents or drugs often have a pronounced impact on protein-protein interactions in cells, and in particular, cell membranes. Changes of molecular conformations as well as of intermolecular interactions may affect dipole-dipole interaction between chromophoric groups, which can be proven by measuring the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). If these chromophores are located within or in close proximity to the plasma membrane, they are excited preferentially by an evanescent electromagnetic wave upon total internal reflection (TIR) of an incident laser beam. For the TIR-FRET screening of larger cell collectives, we performed three separate steps: (1) setting up of a membrane associated test system for probing the interaction between the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2; (2) use of the Epac-SH188 sensor for quantitative evaluation under the microscope; and (3) application of a TIR fluorescence reader to probe the interaction of GFP with Nile Red. In the first two steps, we measured FRET from cyan (CFP) to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) by spectral analysis and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) upon illumination of whole cells (epi-illumination) as well as selective illumination of their plasma membranes by TIR. In particular, TIR excitation permitted FRET measurements with high sensitivity and low background. The Epac sensor showed a more rapid response to pharmaceutical agents, e.g., Forskolin or the A2B adenosine receptor agonist NECA, in close proximity to the plasma membrane compared to the cytosol. Finally, FRET from a membrane associated GFP to Nile Red was used to test a multi-well TIR fluorescence reader with simultaneous detection of a larger number of samples.
Purpose
To determine the stereo threshold and inherent variability with a monitor-based two-rod test at various eccentricities of the visual field. Additionally, to evaluate the duration of this procedure.
Subjects and methods
A pilot trial was conducted in five ophthalmologically normal subjects (2 male and 3 female) aged 21 – 23 years. Two black rods on white background, which appeared under an angle of 1° were presented in a viewing distance of 5.0 meters. The right rod was stationary, whilst the left rod appeared under a stereoscopic parallax, with an either proximal or distal displacement to the image plane. Threshold determination was assessed at seven eccentricities of the visual field by a staircase method. Eccentricities were 0° centrally, 5° to the right and left, 10° to the right and left and 15° to the right and left of the visual field. Proximal and distal displacement as well as the sequence of eccentricities were presented in random order. Stereo acuity was measured in two different sessions for four subjects and in five different sessions for one subject. For all sessions the duration was recorded. All sessions were separated by a time interval of at least 24 hours and no longer than 7 days. Evaluation was made by Wilcoxon test and Kruskal Wallis test at the 95% confidence level (CI) and the median was assessed for all thresholds.
Results
Stereo acuity declines with increasing eccentricities of the retina similar to visual acuity. While at 0° eccentricity thresholds were found to be lowest with (median) 5.0 seconds of arc (‘’) and the CI (0.5’’, 30.5’’) for all measurements, they increased to 112.2’’ at 15° eccentricity to the left in proximal displacement. Distal it was 19.9’’ centrally and 112.2’’ to the right at 15° eccentricity with CI (0.5’’, 30.5’’) for all measurements.
Repeatability of the threshold determination was found to be best at 0° eccentricity with proximal displacement showing the exact same result in the repetitive session and poorest repetition was found at 15° eccentricity to the left with distal displacement. Distal repeatability was worse than proximal. Median and CI of duration time was 5.3 (3.2, 8.3) minutes.
Conclusion
Stereo acuity thresholds are repeatable however increase with increasing eccentricity. Repetitions of the threshold determination do not vary considerably. The duration of these measurements indicates the monitor-based two-rod test as a fast procedure, that can be applied in future studies. The test program is limited by an imperfect algorithm and the stereoscopic images evoke cues, this should be reworked.
Purpose
Automated scanpath comparison metrics should deliver an objective method to
evaluate the similarity of scanpaths. The aim of this thesis is an evaluation of
seven existing scanpath comparison metrics in static and dynamic tasks in order
to provide a guidline that helps to decide which algorithm has to be chosen for a
special kind of task.
Methods
The applicability of the algorithms for a static, visual search task and a dynamic,
interactive video game task as well as their constraints and limitations were tested.
Therefore, binocular gaze data were recorded by using the eye tracking system The
Eye Tribe (The Eye Tribe ApS, Copenhagen/ Denmark). Objective task performance
measures from 21 subjects were used in order to create scanpath groupings
for which a relevant effect of dissimilarity was to be expected. Objective task performance
measures such as task performance time were statistically evaluated and
compared to the results gained by the comparison metrics.
Results
Four of the algorithms being used successfully identified differences for static and
dynamic tasks: MultiMatch, iComp, SubsMatch and the Hidden Markov Model.
ScanMatch was very sensitive for the static task but not applicable to the dynamic
task whereas FuncSim was suitable for dynamic but not for static tasks. Eyenalysis
failed to detect any effect.
Conclusion
The applicability of scanpath comparison metrics depends on the state of the task,
respectively on the kind of experimental set up. In future, the application area for
eye tracking will expand and an improvement of automated scanpath comparison
metrics is therefore required.
The increasing prevalence of myopia throughout the industrialized world in recent decades has caused costs and problems for the eye health. Changed lifestyle and behavior are the main causes. For the pathogenesis of myopia, the amount of time spent outdoor and near activities play an important role. Various options for the treatment of myopia have been described as effective in the literature. Normal single vision glasses and contact lenses can only provide clear vision, but do not reduce myopia progression. Orthokeratology shows a slowing of axial growth, but has an increased risk of infectious keratitis. Low-dose atropine (0.01%) is currently the best pharmacological option. It proved safe, effective and showed the least rebound effect with negligible side effects. Other options for the treatment of myopia include special glasses, behavioral changes and prolonged outdoor exposure (to prevent the onset of myopia), as well as other methods. An increasingly important myopia management option is multifocal contact lenses, that provide a peripheral treatment zone producing myopic defocus. Such myopia control lenses are available as customized or as daily or monthly lenses. Children benefit from wearing contact lenses more than just having refractive error correction and myopia control, they have a better self-esteem and improved quality of life. The numerous findings on the safety and efficacy of soft multifocal distance center contact lenses in children to reduce the progression of myopia suggest that this modality should be considered as a main treatment option. Less, but similar to orthokeratology, when wearing soft lenses there is a risk of developing potentially serious complications such as microbial keratitis. The introduction of child-appropriate risk minimization strategies, and patient and parent education with regular monitoring is essential and leads to successful contact lens wear. This literature review summarized the actual knowledge about myopia management, prevalence, etiology and the visual and healthy consequences of myopia.
The three currently most important strategies for slowing the progression of myopia are soft multifocal distance center contact lenses, Orthokeratology and low-dose atropine ophthalmic drops.