Forms Of Discrimination Research Articles

A TMS Investigation on the Role of Lateral Occipital Complex and Caudal Intraparietal Sulcus in the Perception of Object Form and Orientation.

We used TMS to assess the causal roles of the lateral occipital (LO) and caudal intraparietal sulcus (cIPS) areas in the perceptual discrimination of object features. All participants underwent fMRI to localize these areas using a protocol in which they passively viewed images of objects that varied in both form and orientation. fMRI identified six significant brain regions: LO, cIPS, and the fusiform gyrus, bilaterally. In a separate experimental session, we applied TMS to LO or cIPS while the same participants performed match-to-sample form or orientation discrimination tasks. Compared with sham stimulation, TMS to either the left or right LO increased RTs for form but not orientation discrimination, supporting a critical role for LO in form processing for perception- and judgment-based tasks. In contrast, we did not observe any effects when we applied TMS to cIPS. Thus, despite the clear functional evidence of engagement for both LO and cIPS during the passive viewing of objects in the fMRI experiment, the TMS experiment revealed that cIPS is not critical for making perceptual judgments about their form or orientation.

Morphological variations and discrimination of medium form of the purple flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the central and southern South China Sea

From 3177 specimens of purple flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis collected in 2012 and 2013 in the central and southern South China Sea, the morphological indicators including mantle length (ML), arm length-I (AL1), arm length-2 (AL2), arm length-3 (AL3), arm length-4 (AL4), tentacle length (TL), fin length (FL) and fin width (FW) were measured. The morphological variations among the squid species were analyzed using principal component analysis. Results showed that the medium form could be distinguished into cohort I and cohort II which accounted for 69% and 31% of the total, respectively. The percentage of females of the two cohorts decreased first with increasing ML, then increased and reached the ratio of 100% finally. Using Logistic regressing, the MLs at first maturity for females and males of cohort I were estimated to be 164 mm and 112 mm, respectively, and those for females and males of cohort II were 158 mm and 109 mm, respectively. The cohort I concentrated in the waters of Xisha Islands and Nansha Islands, whereas the cohort II was located in the waters of Nansha Islands. Significant differences in all the 8 morphological indicators between either males or females of cohort I and cohort II were found (P＜0.05). Significant differences between cohort I and cohort II in ML, AL1, AL2, AL4, TL and FW were identified in females (P＜0.05), while significant differences between cohort I and cohort II in ML, AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4 and FL were found in males (P＜0.01). The analysis of coefficients of difference indicated that the morphological variations between cohort I and cohort II suggested a clear division within the species.

Neurocognitive function in clinically stable individuals with long-term bipolar I disorder: Comparisons with schizophrenia patients and controls

This study compared the levels of the five domains of neurocognitive function—executive function, attention, memory, verbal comprehension, and perceptual organization—among clinically stable individuals with long-term bipolar I disorder, individuals with long-term schizophrenia, and a group of controls. We recruited a total of 93 clinically stable individuals with bipolar I disorder, 94 individuals with schizophrenia, and 106 controls in this study. Their neurocognitive function was measured using a series of neurocognitive function tests: the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Third Edition (WAIS-III), Line Cancellation Test, Visual Form Discrimination, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Task, and Wechsler Memory Scale—Third Edition. Neurocognitive function was compared among the three groups through a multivariate analysis of variance. The results indicated that when the effect of age was controlled, clinically stable individuals with bipolar I disorder and those with schizophrenia demonstrated poor neurocognitive function on all tests except for the WAIS-III Similarity and Information and the Line Cancellation Test. The individuals with bipolar I disorder had similar levels of neurocognitive function compared with the schizophrenia group, but higher levels of neurocognitive function on the WAIS-III Comprehension, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Wechsler Memory Scale—Third Edition Auditory Immediate and Delayed Index and Visual Immediate and Delayed Index. The conclusions of this study suggest that compared with controls, individuals with long-term bipolar I disorder and those with long-term schizophrenia have poorer neurocognitive function, even when clinically stable. Individuals with long-term bipolar I disorder and those with long-term schizophrenia have similar levels of deficits in several domains of neurocognitive function.

Victimization of women as a consequence of feminization of migration

Bearing in mind the increased exposure of migrant women to victimization, this article analyses the etiology of feminization of migration and phenomenology of victimization of migrant women, particularly focusing on the abuse of female domestic workers and trafficking in women for sexual and labor exploitation. The main objective of this article is to offer suggestions for improving the position of female migrants by analyzing the causes and forms of their victimization. The main causes of feminization of migration include: 1) poverty, unemployment and poor economic conditions, 2) different forms of gender based violence, including domestic violence and sexual violence, and 3) gender inequality in access to education and information. In the context of phenomenology of feminization of migration the article considers as a main problem - unequal position of female migrants at the labor market, which is related to various forms of their discrimination. In order to eliminate discrimination of female migrants, it is concluded that it is crucial to improve employment conditions in countries of destination in terms of providing migrant women with the access to professional training, retraining and legal protection in case of unjustified termination of employment. On the other hand, because of the fact that female migrants are exposed to trafficking in women for sexual and labor exploitation in countries of destination, the states should provide the possibility of granting them a temporary residence permit during criminal proceedings against traffickers, in order to avoid secondary victimization of female victims of trafficking. In this regard, the main task of the international community must be a continuous and persistent struggle against all forms of discrimination against migrant women.

The Effect of Luminance Condition on Form, Form-from-Motion and Motion Perception

This study investigated to what extent rod-dominated vision affects motion and form perception accuracy. Twenty-nine healthy subjects took part in the experiment. Form coherence (FC), form-from-motion (FFM) and motion coherence (MC) tests were assessed in low-light (rod-dominated vision) and high-light (cone-dominated vision) conditions. For each test we determined the accuracy by evaluating the correct detection obtained in five levels of coherence (corresponding to different signal-to-noise ratio). The results evidenced that motion, form and form-from-motion accuracy decreased in low-light condition. Furthermore, light condition effect was differently mediated by noise according to the type of task. The motion perception is affected only at high noise levels, while form discrimination was globally affected at all the levels, also in absence of noise, both for static (FC) and dynamic stimuli (FFM). We conclude that in rod-dominated vision form-from-motion perception is more defected than form and motion perception. We hypothesized that our results are due to the integration between M and P cells in FFM test increases the form perception accuracy in high-light condition but this advantage is completely lost during low-light condition, when the rods need to integrate information both from M and P cells.

Advanced signal analysis of acoustic emission data to discrimination of different corrosion forms

Advanced signal analysis of acoustic emission data to discrimination of different corrosion forms

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Its Relation with Markers of Inflammation and Myocardial Necrosis in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction:Inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis which is the primary cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that encompasses acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA).Objective:To investigate and characterize white blood cells (WBC) count, differential blood count in peripheral blood and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients by the type of ACS.Patients and methods:The cross-sectional study included 100 patients with ACS (50 males, 50 females), aged 41 to 91 years, classified into two groups: AMI group (n=50) and UA group (n=50). Patients were hospitalized at the Clinic for Heart Diseases, University Clinical Center of Sarajevo. From patients’ medical histories the following data were obtained: WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil granulocytes count, monocyte and lymphocyte count, levels of high sensitive troponin I (hsTnI), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The results were analyzed using software package SPSS, version 19.0.Results:Average WBC count, neutrophil granulocytes, and monocytes were significantly higher in AMI group than in UA group (p = 0.001, p < 0.0005, p = 0.03, respectively). Eosinophil count was significantly lower in patients with AMI (p = 0.022). NLR was significantly higher in AMI group in relation to patients with UA (p = 0.001). Significantly higher values of hsTnI and CK-MB were established in patients with AMI. NLR correlated significantly positive with the values of hsTnI, CK-MB, CRP, WBC and neutrophil count, and significantly negative with lymphocyte count.Conclusion:Average values of NLR were significantly higher in patients with AMI in relation to patients with UA, indicating the importance of this inflammatory marker in discrimination of clinical forms of ACS. A positive correlation was established between NLR and markers of myocardial necrosis, and between NLR and CRP, indicating the importance of NLR in the assessment of the extent of the myocardial lesion and in inflammation intensity assessment in ACS.

Advanced signal analysis of acoustic emission data to discrimination of different corrosion forms

Aim of the present work is to give an analytical approach suitable to distinguish three different corrosion forms through the use of acoustic emission technique. Corrosion attacks have been obtained on three different types of martensitic stainless steel in a FeCl3 solution, using conditions set by the ASTM G48 standard. These martensitic stainless steel used were characterised by different mechanical, microstructural and electrochemical properties, which lead to the development of specific corrosion forms, albeit the steels were tested in the same environmental conditions. A multivariate statistical analysis approach, based on principal component analysis (PCA) and self-organising map (SOM), has been adopted to evaluate AE data and to obtain highlight damage-sensitive features. Specific clusters of variables related to specific corrosion phenomena have been identified, promoting this analysis approach as a potential procedure for discriminating onset of a specific corrosion mechanism.

Typical development of Motion perception and Form discrimination abilities in children

Typical development of Motion perception and Form discrimination abilities in children

Automatic classification system of Raman spectra applied to pigments analysis

Raman spectroscopy is one of the few non‐destructive techniques capable of identifying pigments in art works. Raman spectra contain powerful information that can be used to identify unknown compounds and their chemical structures. However, the analysis of spectral data comes with some difficulties, and therefore the spectral interpretation is not straightforward. Sometimes, there are very little differences in the spectral data concerning to specific identification objectives, for instance, in polymorphic discrimination or in the discrimination of natural and synthetic forms of certain pigments. Moreover, this discrimination is often performed manually so that the process can be repetitive, subjective and particularly time‐consuming. The result is an increasing motivation to automate the identification process involved in the classification of pigments in paint. In this paper, we propose a system to automatically classify the spectral data into specific and well‐known classes, i.e. reference classes. The proposal is based on a combination of chemometric techniques, which provides a powerful way to achieve spectral separability so that it is possible to discriminate between very similar spectra in an automatic way. In this regard, a decision‐making algorithm was specifically developed to select the corresponding reference class with no user input, which was successfully validated using simulated spectra. The implemented methodology was used to classify Raman spectra of pigments commonly present in artist's paints in experimental cases, providing reliable and consistent results. Therefore, the presented system can play a good auxiliary role in the analysts' endpoint classification. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Prosodic constraints on pragmatic interpretation: a new chapter in linguistic pragmatics

AbstractThis paper introduces the importance of prosodic constraints on interpretation in the understanding of the semantic/pragmatic interface and the linguistic marking and lexicalization of pragmatic meanings. It addresses this issue at word and utterance levels, after defining the notions of non-structural prosody and free lexical prosody. At word level, it shows the existence of a prosodic polysemy which lexicalizes into word lexical meanings that include pragmatic orientation, and that prosodic contours/features introduce prosodic comments, typically about the speaker’s position toward what is at stake but also about the hearer’s expected reaction to this position, forcing their description to be polyphonic. Similarly, at utterance level, it is shown that prosodic comments also occur, and moreover that the scope of such comments is often not the “sentential” meaning. The last section is dedicated to the description of the methodology and techniques used in existing programs to allow the automated discrimination of prosodic forms, and a reliable mapping of prosodic forms with interpretations. Because such a process can succeed only by using large oral data bases and considerably improving semantic/pragmatic descriptions, it is finally argued that the study of prosody is to linguistics and pragmatic linguistics what the microscope was for biology.

Morphologic and morphometric variations of the adult and the eggs of frequent Fasciola species from domestic ruminants of North West of Iran

Worldwide including Iran, Fasciola species are the causes of human and animal fasciolosis which have comparatively identical morphologies. The present study is aimed to identify different Fasciola forms by using morphologic and morphometric variations from domestic ruminants of northwestern Iran. A total of 130, 67 and 140 livers of cattle, water buffaloes and sheep respectively were collected from Urmia slaughterhouse. The adult helminths were removed and stained using Acetocarmine staining. The Fasciola eggs were directly extracted from the uterus of adult helminths. The overall frequency of infection was 28.19%. The highest infection rate was found in water buffalos (34%). The highest number of helminth per each animal was recorded for cattle (9.23%). The predominant infecting fasciolid in the examined ruminants was F. gigantica (51.89%) from water buffaloes origin. There was a significant difference among the width (W), the length (L), and the distance between ventral sucker to the posterior end of the body (DBVE) of all Fasciola forms from the examined animals. The L of different Fasciola forms had a significant difference for F. gigantica and intermediate form of Fasciola from cattle and water buffaloes origins. The W and the proportion of the body length to the width (SI) of eggs from all Fasciola forms had no significant difference. The Ls of eggs of F. hepatica and F. gigantica were significantly different. The results of this study elucidated three forms of Fasciola co-existing in the ruminants of the region. Additionally, the morphology and morphometry of adult and eggs of Fasciola species within a range of hosts may be taxonomically informative and one of the character sets for discrimination of fasciolid forms.

C-56Analysis of Pattern Performance on Items of the Visual Form Discrimination Test and Benton Visual Retention Test

C-56Analysis of Pattern Performance on Items of the Visual Form Discrimination Test and Benton Visual Retention Test

Shared and Divergent Auditory and Tactile Processing in Children with Autism and Children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction Relative to Typically Developing Peers.

The aim of this study was to compare sensory processing in typically developing children (TDC), children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and those with sensory processing dysfunction (SPD) in the absence of an ASD. Performance-based measures of auditory and tactile processing were compared between male children ages 8-12 years assigned to an ASD (N=20), SPD (N=15), or TDC group (N=19). Both the SPD and ASD groups were impaired relative to the TDC group on a performance-based measure of tactile processing (right-handed graphesthesia). In contrast, only the ASD group showed significant impairment on an auditory processing index assessing dichotic listening, temporal patterning, and auditory discrimination. Furthermore, this impaired auditory processing was associated with parent-rated communication skills for both the ASD group and the combined study sample. No significant group differences were detected on measures of left-handed graphesthesia, tactile sensitivity, or form discrimination; however, more participants in the SPD group demonstrated a higher tactile detection threshold (60%) compared to the TDC (26.7%) and ASD groups (35%). This study provides support for use of performance-based measures in the assessment of children with ASD and SPD and highlights the need to better understand how sensory processing affects the higher order cognitive abilities associated with ASD, such as verbal and non-verbal communication, regardless of diagnostic classification.

Discrimination of northern form Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma malma) stocks of the North Slope, Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada via otolith trace elements and 87Sr/86Sr isotopes

Determination of unit-stock structure and the assignment of individuals from mixed groups to stock-of-origin is important to conservation and management of Arctic riverine fishes. Northern form Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma malma) are closely linked to perennial groundwater sources during the freshwater stages of their life cycle. This close connectivity provides an ideal circumstance for stock discrimination using archived sagittal otoliths (1986–2007) collected from the river drainages of the study area (Firth River, Yukon Territory (YT), Babbage River, YT, Big Fish River, Northwest Territories (NT), Rat River, NT, and Vittrekwa River, NT). Laser ablation-ICP–MS techniques were employed to measure 87Sr/86Sr isotopes and trace elements (Sr, Ba, S, Zn, Mg, P) from dorso-ventral otolith thin sections. Random forest model, learning algorithm and tree classification provided 94.4% classification success for individual fish to the river systems (putative stocks). Misclassifications within the model occurred among the Vittrekwa, Babbage, and Rat river drainages. Strontium, 87Sr/86Sr ratio and Ba were the most significant discriminators within the model, although removal of the remaining elements reduced overall discriminatory power. Microchemical analyses of archived otoliths provided high classification and discrimination success thus can be used as a tool for fisheries managers in developing effective management and conservation plans regarding mixed-stock fisheries for this species.

Socio-cognitive profiles for visual learning in young and older adults.

It is common wisdom that practice makes perfect; but why do some adults learn better than others? Here, we investigate individuals’ cognitive and social profiles to test which variables account for variability in learning ability across the lifespan. In particular, we focused on visual learning using tasks that test the ability to inhibit distractors and select task-relevant features. We tested the ability of young and older adults to improve through training in the discrimination of visual global forms embedded in a cluttered background. Further, we used a battery of cognitive tasks and psycho-social measures to examine which of these variables predict training-induced improvement in perceptual tasks and may account for individual variability in learning ability. Using partial least squares regression modeling, we show that visual learning is influenced by cognitive (i.e., cognitive inhibition, attention) and social (strategic and deep learning) factors rather than an individual’s age alone. Further, our results show that independent of age, strong learners rely on cognitive factors such as attention, while weaker learners use more general cognitive strategies. Our findings suggest an important role for higher-cognitive circuits involving executive functions that contribute to our ability to improve in perceptual tasks after training across the lifespan.

Colour vision: A review of the Cambridge Colour Test and other colour testing methods

The evaluation of colour vision and discrimination of an individual forms an integral part of a routine eye and vision examination. With the increasing prevalence of inherited colour vision deficiencies, defects of colour vision can be detected in an optometric practice by means of a variety of tests available. The present article comprises an overview of the design and function of a selection of colour vision tests that are administered manually and, in some cases, have been modified to form a computerised version.

Ethics and entangled embodiment: Bodies–materialities–organization

In this article, we are concerned with the ethical implications of the entanglement of embodiment and non-human materialities. We argue for an approach to embodiment which recognises its inextricable relationship with multiple materialities. From this, three ethical points are made: first, we argue for an ethical relation to ‘things’ not simply as inanimate objects but as the neglected Others of humanity’s (social and material) world. Second, there is a need to recognise different particularities within these entanglements. We draw on the work of Merleau-Ponty and Levinas to think through how the radical alterity of these Others can be acknowledged, whilst also recognising our intercorporeal intertwining with them. Third, we argue that recognition of this interconnectedness and entanglement is a necessary ethical and political position from which the drawing of boundaries and creation of separations that are inherent in social organising can be understood and which contribute to the denigration, discrimination and dismissal of particular forms of embodiment, including those of non-human Others. In order to explore the ethical implications of these entanglements, we draw upon fieldwork in a large UK-based not-for-profit organisation which seeks to provide support for disabled people through a diverse range of services. Examining entanglements in relation to the disabled body makes visible and problematises the multiple differences of embodiments and their various interrelationships with materiality.

Bone as an endocrine organ relevant to diabetes.

There are well-established associations between diabetes and fracture risk and yet the mechanism underlying these associations are controversial. Guided by a series of mouse studies, a specific form of the bone protein, osteocalcin, was proposed to be the mechanistic link between these two chronic diseases. Translation to humans initially appeared elusive in part because serum concentrations of osteocalcin are a biomarker of bone turnover and not necessarily specific to the biology of this protein. The suitability of the mouse model for the study of osteocalcin as a therapeutic target also appears ambiguous. With greater discrimination of the different forms of osteocalcin present in circulation and inclusion of multiple measures of bone turnover, evidence currently does not support osteocalcin as a protein critical to the diabetes and fracture association in humans.

Visual Attention and Aging: an Age-Related Cognitive Model of Positive Adaptation

We have studied the effects of normal aging on visual attention. Have participated a group of 38 healthy elderly people with an average age of 67.8 years and a group of 39 healthy young people with average age of 19.2 years. In a first experiment of visual detection, response times were recorded, with and without covert attention, to the presentation of stimuli (0.5º in diameter grey circles) appearing in three eccentricities (2.15, 3.83 and 5.53° of visual field) and with three levels of contrast (6, 16 and 78%). In a second experiment of visual form discrimination circles and squares with the same features as in the previous experiment were presented, but in this case subjects only should respond to the emergence of the circles. In both age groups, the covert attention reduced response times. Compared to young people, the older group achieved better results in some aspects of attention tests and response times were reduced more in the stimuli of greater eccentricity. The data suggest that there is a mechanism of adaptation in aging, in which visual attention especially favors the perception of those stimuli more difficult to detec