Local contour features contribute to figure-ground segregation in monkey V4 neural populations and human perception.

Figure-ground (FG) segregation is a crucial step towards the recognition of objects in natural scenes. Gestalt psychologists have emphasized the importance of contour features in perception of FG. Recent electrophysiological studies have identified a neural population in V4 that shows FG-dependent modulation (FG neurons).

Representation of Natural Contours by a Neural Population in Monkey V4.

The cortical visual area, V4, has been considered to code contours that contribute to the intermediate-level representation of objects. The neural responses to the complex contour features intrinsic to natural contours are expected to clarify the essence of the representation. To approach the cortical coding of natural contours, we investigated the simultaneous coding of multiple contour features in monkey () V4 neurons and their population-level representation.

Proposal for a Simple Equation for Limb Muscle Weight Calculation.

BACKGROUND Although body mass index (BMI) is currently being utilized frequently as an indicator of obesity, it provides little information concerning body composition; key components such as fat and muscle cannot be differentiated. It is especially non-sensitive in identifying muscle mass, which can be challenging to examine without the use of radiologic methods. We sought to identify whether biometric values such as upper arm subcutaneous fat thickness/circumference could provide an adequate indicator of muscle mass.

Deciphering natural and anthropogenic effects on the groundwater chemistry of Nago City, Okinawa Island, Japan.

A qualitative assessment of groundwater resources is significant in islands that largely depend on individual aquifers. In Okinawa Island, Japan, limestone aquifers are valuable groundwater reservoirs. However, these aquifers are sensitive to contamination due to high permeability in the conduit network.

Catchment-scale impacts of shallow landslides on stream water chemistry.

Catchment water quality plays an important role in ecosystem and water resource management in mountainous areas. Shallow landslides triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall can cause a sudden and long-term deterioration in stream water quality by releasing contaminants into streams. Although many studies have been undertaken on the relationship between a single landslide and the water chemistry of a nearby river, little is known about the impact of densely distributed shallow landslides on stream water chemistry at the catchment scale.