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VisualReF:Interactive Image Search Prototype with Visual Relevance Feedback
No full textIn the absence of interaction history, image recommendations often depend on content-based approaches. Prompted by user queries in natural language, such systems rank items based on the similarity between textual and visual features. However, these approaches typically rely on static queries and do not offer alternative feedback mechanisms. In this paper, we present VisualReF: an interactive image retrieval prototype that introduces visual relevance feedback through fine-grained user annotations. Built on vision-language models (VLMs) for retrieval, our system allows users to label relevant and irrelevant regions in retrieved images. These regions are captioned using a generative vision-language model to refine the query vector. Our work bridges the gap between conventional static image retrieval and interactive, user-guided search by introducing visual relevance feedback. Finally, our prototype contributes to the field of visual recommendation by empowering researchers with practical tools for: (i) collecting region-level visual relevance signals from users, (ii) supporting integration of human feedback into interactive search pipelines, and (iii) explaining how the relevance feedback model perceives user input
AI-generated media and the erosion of trust in legal settings:a review on impact and distortion of belief
No full textThe rapid advancements of generative AI (GenAI) technologies have brought the issue of data manipulation to a whole new level. Now, individuals can easily create highly realistic fabricated media, including videos, audio, and images, that are increasingly difficult to detect. These developments raise broad societal concerns, particularly in legal contexts, where authenticity of evidence is central to ensuring fairness. This review links documented legal cases to psychological research on memory distortion and false confessions to explore how AI-generated evidence affects individuals’ perception and sense of self and the consequences in a legal context. Decades of research have shown that memory’s vulnerability to suggestion, especially highlighting the power of personalized misinformation. Even in the pre-AI era, studies have shown how false memories have been induced using suggestion and simple media manipulations and how these have led to false confessions. GenAI adds another level of concern, yet no research directly examines its potential to distort memory and to elicit false confessions. This paper identifies urgent questions: How does AI-generated evidence impact memory? How can individuals ensure authenticity of the evidence confronting them? And how can legal systems prepare for the erosion of trust brought upon by this uncertainty? Proposed solutions like watermarking and implementation of authenticity protocols offer partial relief; however, the rapid advancements make sure that no definitive safeguards can be implemented. Understanding how GenAI interacts with our memory vulnerabilities is critical not only for legal psychology but for safeguarding the integrity of justice in today’s digitally mediated society.</p
Fully personalized contrast injection optimized for weight and tube voltage in low-dose high-pitch coronary CT angiography
No full textBackground: To evaluate the performance of a fully individualized, weight- and tube voltage-tailored contrast media injection protocol (MINDS-CAD) for high-pitch coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods: This IRB-approved, single-center study included 112 patients undergoing clinically indicated CCTA using third-generation dual-source CT. Fifty-six patients were scanned with the MINDS-CAD protocol, which adapts contrast delivery rate (DR, range: 1.7-9.7 mL/s) and contrast volume (CV, range: 23-97 mL) based on body weight and automatic tube voltage selection, creating 56 pairs of CV and DR and uses high-pitch scanning. Fifty-six matched controls underwent CCTA with an institutional standard protocol (retrospective spiral scan, CV, range: 50-80 mL; DR, range: 3.2-5.0 mL/s). Objective image quality was assessed via coronary artery attenuation (HU) in proximal and distal segments. Subjective image quality was graded on a four-point scale (4: excellent), and multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of coronary attenuation. Dose-length-product (DLP) was compared between cohorts. Results: Groups were matched for age, BMI, and heart rate (all p > 0.05); over 60 % were obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)). Coronary attenuation was higher with MINDS-CAD (391.1 +/- 88.1 HU vs. 305.6 +/- 103.1 HU, p < 0.001). Subjective quality was superior (4 [IQR: 3-4] vs. 3 [IQR: 3-3], p < 0.001), with fewer poor-quality scans (Likert 1, 3.5 % vs. 8.8 %) in the MINDS-CAD cohort. In the standard group, BMI and tube voltage predicted attenuation (beta = -7.998 and -2.864; p < 0.001), whereas in the MINDS-CAD group, neither was predictive (p = 0.411). Most importantly, MINDS-CAD achieved superior image quality in a matched cohort while considerably lowering radiation dose (90 +/- 50 mG center dot cm vs 576 +/- 386 mG center dot cm, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A fully individualized, weight- and tube voltage-tailored contrast protocol achieved more consistent coronary attenuation and superior image quality. These results, demonstrated in a predominantly obese cohort, highlight the robustness of the protocol and provide a framework for reliable low-dose, high-pitch CCTA across challenging patient populations
Effectiveness of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder for older people:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
No full textBackground: Although effective treatments for post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD) in adults are well established, research reporting on the effectiveness of treatments for older people remains limited. Aims: To systematically review global evidence reporting on the effectiveness of treatments for PTSD in older adults. Method: We searched several databases for randomized controlled trials on PTSD in older people. Results: From a total of 17,987 search hits, 10 studies met our inclusion criteria; these reported on the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy (4 trials), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2 trials), spiritual-focused psychotherapy (1 trial), life-review therapy (1 trial), collaborative care (1 trial), and physical activity (1 trial). We identified no trials evaluating the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions. Meta-analyses showed that trauma-based psychological treatments improved symptoms of depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.48, 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) -0.74 to -0.23, 7 studies, 504 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) compared to treatment as usual at end of treatment. These interventions also reduced symptoms of PTSD post treatment but certainty of evidence for this outcome was low (SMD -0.29, 95 % CI -0.62 to 0.03, 5 studies, 261 participants). Conclusion: Trauma-based psychological treatments for older people with PTSD are better than treatment as usual in reducing symptoms of depression at post-treatment. These interventions may also reduce symptoms of PTSD, however the quality of evidence remains low. Future large-scale studies are needed to establish which interventions are more likely to be associated with the greatest benefits. Trials evaluating the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions for PTSD in older people are urgently needed
Hands-on texture. Evaluating texture and target congruency in sensory play on children's food acceptance
No full textFood rejection is common in early childhood and may lead to insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, and other essential nutrients. Food texture can play a major role in these rejections, as young children often refuse foods with challenging textures. Previous studies suggest that tactile exposure, such as sensory play with food or similar non-food materials, can increase children's willingness to try foods. However, it remains unclear whether these effects depend on familiarity with the specific texture, the specific food, or the combination. This study compared the effects of texture-based and target-based exposure on food acceptance in children aged 4-6 years. A total of 131 children from four Dutch elementary schools were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 x 2 factorial design: exposure to both the target fruit and its texture (passionfruit seeds), similar texture only (basil seeds), target fruit only (whole passionfruit), or neither (polystyrene foam balls). Acceptance of passionfruit seeds was rated on a 7-point behavioral scale ranging from 1 (physical refusal) to 7 (having an additional bite). Parents completed the Child Food Rejection Scale (CFRS) and the Touch subscale of the Sensory Profile (SPt). A 2x2 ANOVA revealed no significant differences in food acceptance between the four conditions. Overall, passionfruit elicited polarized responses, with approximately half of the children accepting and half refusing the fruit. Higher CFRS scores were associated with lower acceptance, indicating that children perceived as more food-rejective were less willing to accept the fruit. As the present single-session intervention did not significantly alter food acceptance, future studies could explore whether repeated or more naturalistic, mealtime-based sensory play interventions are more effective in promoting children's willingness to try challenging foods
Private vs. Public Schooling:The role of school composition
No full textPublicly funded private schooling is a common feature of many education systems, yet its implications for educational equity and effectiveness remain contested. While private schools often exhibit higher student achievement, the sources of this advantage are not well understood. In particular, differences in student composition-especially in terms of socioeconomic status (SES)-are likely to play a key role. This paper examines how school-level SES composition contributes to achievement differences between public and private schools. Using propensity score matching (PSM) on data from 22,441 French ninth-grade students, we find that private school students outperform their public school peers in mathematics and French, with especially large effects for low-SES students, an underrepresented group in private schools. While school composition explains only part of these effects, it accounts for a substantial share of the performance gap among high-SES students, rendering the adjusted effect statistically indistinguishable from zero. These findings highlight which students benefit most from private schooling and point to the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying performance differences across school sectors
The memory time machine:Morphing temporal memory using event segmentation, neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation
No full textThe clinical and biomechanical implications of hallux rigidus and related surgical interventions on gait
No full textIncreased fracture risk and fracture prevention
No full textAn increased fracture risk is a common chronic condition leading to a rising number of fractures, which are injurious to patients and costly to the health care system. Effective diagnostic and treatment options are available for fracture prevention. In this article, we will answer specific practical questions with respect to increased fracture risk and fracture prevention. Topics discussed include definitions, risk factors, the diagnostic modalities and treatment options
The occurrence and histopathological recognition of atypical endometriosis in patients with ovarian endometriosis - a retrospective cohort study
No full textOBJECTIVE: - Atypical endometriosis (AE) is considered a potential precursor of endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC). Despite this, AE identification currently lacks established clinical implications and is not routinely incorporated in histopathological examinations of endometriosis. This study aimed to determine the interobserver variability in AE diagnosis and to classify the features that may attribute to consistent AE identification and diagnosis. METHODS: - Cases of ovarian endometriosis, collected between 1985 and 2017 at the Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, were identified using the PALGA database. Pathology reports were reviewed for descriptions of atypical features and mentions of AE. Using a predefined set of criteria adapted from the literature, two independent pathologists re-evaluated the 266 most recent ovarian endometriomas for AE. After revision, the pathologist revised cases with AE to reach consensus when discrepancies occurred. RESULTS: - Among 266 cases of ovarian endometriosis, AE was reported in 31 (11.7%) cases. The revising pathologists identified AE in 48 cases (18%), a number that was reduced to 19 cases (7.1%) after a consensus meeting between the pathologist. After consensus was reached, the diagnostic criteria, adapted from the literature, were adjusted. DISCUSSION/FUTURE DIRECTIONS: - High interobserver variability likely reflects AE's heterogeneous presentation, the uncertain role of inflammation-driven atypia and AE's undefined clinical significance. However, given AE's association with malignant transformation, consistent identification may be essential. Stricter criteria were developed for AE in order to encourage uniform identification. Furthermore, we encourage adequate documentation of AE in order to increase the insight in endometriosis behavior by linking endometriosis subtypes to clinical progression