Publications | Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

Probabilistic Model-based Imitation Learning

Englert, P., Paraschos, A., Peters, J., Deisenroth, M.

Adaptive Behavior Journal, 21(5):388-403, 2013 (article)

ei Englert, P., Paraschos, A., Peters, J., Deisenroth, M. Probabilistic Model-based Imitation Learning Adaptive Behavior Journal, 21(5):388-403, 2013 (article)

Metabolic cost as an organizing principle for cooperative learning

Balduzzi, D., Ortega, P., Besserve, M.

Advances in Complex Systems, 16(02n03):1350012, 2013 (article)

ei Balduzzi, D., Ortega, P., Besserve, M. Metabolic cost as an organizing principle for cooperative learning Advances in Complex Systems, 16(02n03):1350012, 2013 (article)

MR-based PET Attenuation Correction for PET/MR Imaging

Bezrukov, I., Mantlik, F., Schmidt, H., Schölkopf, B., Pichler, B.

Seminars in Nuclear Medicine, 43(1):45-59, 2013 (article)

ei Bezrukov, I., Mantlik, F., Schmidt, H., Schölkopf, B., Pichler, B. MR-based PET Attenuation Correction for PET/MR Imaging Seminars in Nuclear Medicine, 43(1):45-59, 2013 (article)

MR-based Attenuation Correction Methods for Improved PET Quantification in Lesions within Bone and Susceptibility Artifact Regions

Bezrukov, I., Schmidt, H., Mantlik, F., Schwenzer, N., Brendle, C., Schölkopf, B., Pichler, B.

Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 54(10):1768-1774, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Hybrid PET/MR systems have recently entered clinical practice. Thus, the accuracy of MR-based attenuation correction in simultaneously acquired data can now be investigated. We assessed the accuracy of 4 methods of MR-based attenuation correction in lesions within soft tissue, bone, and MR susceptibility artifacts: 2 segmentation-based methods (SEG1, provided by the manufacturer, and SEG2, a method with atlas-based susceptibility artifact correction); an atlas- and pattern recognition–based method (AT&PR), which also used artifact correction; and a new method combining AT&PR and SEG2 (SEG2wBONE). Methods: Attenuation maps were calculated for the PET/MR datasets of 10 patients acquired on a whole-body PET/MR system, allowing for simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR data. Eighty percent iso-contour volumes of interest were placed on lesions in soft tissue (n = 21), in bone (n = 20), near bone (n = 19), and within or near MR susceptibility artifacts (n = 9). Relative mean volume-of-interest differences were calculated with CT-based attenuation correction as a reference. Results: For soft-tissue lesions, none of the methods revealed a significant difference in PET standardized uptake value relative to CT-based attenuation correction (SEG1, −2.6% ± 5.8%; SEG2, −1.6% ± 4.9%; AT&PR, −4.7% ± 6.5%; SEG2wBONE, 0.2% ± 5.3%). For bone lesions, underestimation of PET standardized uptake values was found for all methods, with minimized error for the atlas-based approaches (SEG1, −16.1% ± 9.7%; SEG2, −11.0% ± 6.7%; AT&PR, −6.6% ± 5.0%; SEG2wBONE, −4.7% ± 4.4%). For lesions near bone, underestimations of lower magnitude were observed (SEG1, −12.0% ± 7.4%; SEG2, −9.2% ± 6.5%; AT&PR, −4.6% ± 7.8%; SEG2wBONE, −4.2% ± 6.2%). For lesions affected by MR susceptibility artifacts, quantification errors could be reduced using the atlas-based artifact correction (SEG1, −54.0% ± 38.4%; SEG2, −15.0% ± 12.2%; AT&PR, −4.1% ± 11.2%; SEG2wBONE, 0.6% ± 11.1%). Conclusion: For soft-tissue lesions, none of the evaluated methods showed statistically significant errors. For bone lesions, significant underestimations of −16% and −11% occurred for methods in which bone tissue was ignored (SEG1 and SEG2). In the present attenuation correction schemes, uncorrected MR susceptibility artifacts typically result in reduced attenuation values, potentially leading to highly reduced PET standardized uptake values, rendering lesions indistinguishable from background. While AT&PR and SEG2wBONE show accurate results in both soft tissue and bone, SEG2wBONE uses a two-step approach for tissue classification, which increases the robustness of prediction and can be applied retrospectively if more precision in bone areas is needed.

ei Bezrukov, I., Schmidt, H., Mantlik, F., Schwenzer, N., Brendle, C., Schölkopf, B., Pichler, B. MR-based Attenuation Correction Methods for Improved PET Quantification in Lesions within Bone and Susceptibility Artifact Regions Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 54(10):1768-1774, 2013 (article)

Learning output kernels for multi-task problems

Dinuzzo, F.

Neurocomputing, 118, pages: 119-126, 2013 (article)

ei Dinuzzo, F. Learning output kernels for multi-task problems Neurocomputing, 118, pages: 119-126, 2013 (article)

Analytical probabilistic modeling for radiation therapy treatment planning

Bangert, M., Hennig, P., Oelfke, U.

Physics in Medicine and Biology, 58(16):5401-5419, 2013 (article)

ei pn

ei pn Bangert, M., Hennig, P., Oelfke, U. Analytical probabilistic modeling for radiation therapy treatment planning Physics in Medicine and Biology, 58(16):5401-5419, 2013 (article)

Imaging Findings and Therapy Response Monitoring in Chronic Sclerodermatous Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Preliminary Data of a Simultaneous PET/MRI Approach

Sauter, A., Schmidt, H., Mantlik, F., Kolb, A., Federmann, B., Pfannenberg, C., Reimold, M., Pichler, B., Bethge, W., Horger, M.

Clinical Nuclear Medicine, 38(8):e309-e317, 2013 (article)

Abstract

PURPOSE: Our objective was a multifunctional imaging approach of chronic sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease (ScGVHD) and its course during therapy using PET/MRI. METHODS: We performed partial-body PET/CT and PET/MRI of the calf in 6 consecutively recruited patients presenting with severe ScGVHD. The patients were treated with different immunosuppressive regimens and supportive therapies. PET/CT scanning started 60.5 +/- 3.3 minutes, PET/MRI imaging 139.5 +/- 16.7 minutes after F-FDG application. MRI acquisition included T1- (precontrast and postcontrast) and T2-weighted sequences. SUVmean, T1 contrast enhancement, and T2 signal intensity from region-of-interest analysis were calculated for different fascial and muscular compartments. In addition, musculoskeletal MRI findings and the modified Rodnan skin score were assessed. All patients underwent imaging follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline PET/MRI, ScGVHD-related musculoskeletal abnormalities consisted of increased signal and/or thickening of involved anatomical structures on T2-weighted and T1 postcontrast images as well as an increased FDG uptake. At follow-up, ScGVHD-related imaging findings decreased (SUVmean n = 4, mean T1 contrast enhancement n = 5, mean T2 signal intensity n = 3) or progressed (SUVmean n = 3, mean T1 contrast enhancement n = 2, mean T2 signal intensity n = 4). Clinically modified Rodnan skin score improved for 5 follow-ups and progressed for 2. SUVmean values correlated between PET/CT and PET/MRI acquisition (r = 0.660, P = 0.014), T1 contrast enhancement, and T2 signal (r = 0.668, P = 0.012), but not between the SUVmean values and the MRI parameters. CONCLUSIONS: PET/MRI as a combined morphological and functional technique seems to assess the inflammatory processes from different points of view and provides therefore in part complementary information

Web [BibTex]

ei Sauter, A., Schmidt, H., Mantlik, F., Kolb, A., Federmann, B., Pfannenberg, C., Reimold, M., Pichler, B., Bethge, W., Horger, M. Imaging Findings and Therapy Response Monitoring in Chronic Sclerodermatous Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Preliminary Data of a Simultaneous PET/MRI Approach Clinical Nuclear Medicine, 38(8):e309-e317, 2013 (article)

Web [BibTex]

A Survey on Policy Search for Robotics, Foundations and Trends in Robotics

Deisenroth, M., Neumann, G., Peters, J.

Foundations and Trends in Robotics, 2(1-2):1-142, 2013 (article)

ei Deisenroth, M., Neumann, G., Peters, J. A Survey on Policy Search for Robotics, Foundations and Trends in Robotics Foundations and Trends in Robotics, 2(1-2):1-142, 2013 (article)

Reinforcement Learning in Robotics: A Review

Kober, J., Bagnell, D., Peters, J.

International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(11):1238–1274, 2013 (article)

ei Kober, J., Bagnell, D., Peters, J. Reinforcement Learning in Robotics: A Review International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(11):1238–1274, 2013 (article)

Multimodal information improves the rapid detection of mental fatigue

Laurent, F., Valderrama, M., Besserve, M., Guillard, M., Lachaux, J., Martinerie, J., Florence, G.

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 8(4):400 - 408, 2013 (article)

ei Laurent, F., Valderrama, M., Besserve, M., Guillard, M., Lachaux, J., Martinerie, J., Florence, G. Multimodal information improves the rapid detection of mental fatigue Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 8(4):400 - 408, 2013 (article)

Interactive Domain Adaptation for the Classification of Remote Sensing Images using Active Learning

Persello, C.

IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, 10(4):736-740, 2013 (article)

ei Persello, C. Interactive Domain Adaptation for the Classification of Remote Sensing Images using Active Learning IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, 10(4):736-740, 2013 (article)

Learning to Select and Generalize Striking Movements in Robot Table Tennis

Mülling, K., Kober, J., Kroemer, O., Peters, J.

International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(3):263-279, 2013 (article)

ei Mülling, K., Kober, J., Kroemer, O., Peters, J. Learning to Select and Generalize Striking Movements in Robot Table Tennis International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(3):263-279, 2013 (article)

HiFiVE: A Hilbert Space Embedding of Fiber Variability Estimates for Uncertainty Modeling and Visualization

Schultz, T., Schlaffke, L., Schölkopf, B., Schmidt-Wilcke, T.

Computer Graphics Forum, 32(3):121-130, (Editors: B Preim, P Rheingans, and H Theisel), Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, Eurographics Conference on Visualization (EuroVis), 2013 (article)

ei Schultz, T., Schlaffke, L., Schölkopf, B., Schmidt-Wilcke, T. HiFiVE: A Hilbert Space Embedding of Fiber Variability Estimates for Uncertainty Modeling and Visualization Computer Graphics Forum, 32(3):121-130, (Editors: B Preim, P Rheingans, and H Theisel), Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, Eurographics Conference on Visualization (EuroVis), 2013 (article)

Detection and attribution of large spatiotemporal extreme events in Earth observation data

Zscheischler, J., Mahecha, M., Harmeling, S., Reichstein, M.

Ecological Informatics, 15, pages: 66-73, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Latest climate projections suggest that both frequency and intensity of climate extremes will be substantially modified over the course of the coming decades. As a consequence, we need to understand to what extent and via which pathways climate extremes affect the state and functionality of terrestrial ecosystems and the associated biogeochemical cycles on a global scale. So far the impacts of climate extremes on the terrestrial biosphere were mainly investigated on the basis of case studies, while global assessments are widely lacking. In order to facilitate global analysis of this kind, we present a methodological framework that firstly detects spatiotemporally contiguous extremes in Earth observations, and secondly infers the likely pathway of the preceding climate anomaly. The approach does not require long time series, is computationally fast, and easily applicable to a variety of data sets with different spatial and temporal resolutions. The key element of our analysis strategy is to directly search in the relevant observations for spatiotemporally connected components exceeding a certain percentile threshold. We also put an emphasis on characterization of extreme event distribution, and scrutinize the attribution issue. We exemplify the analysis strategy by exploring the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) from 1982 to 2011. Our results suggest that the hot spots of extremes in fAPAR lie in Northeastern Brazil, Southeastern Australia, Kenya and Tanzania. Moreover, we demonstrate that the size distribution of extremes follow a distinct power law. The attribution framework reveals that extremes in fAPAR are primarily driven by phases of water scarcity.

ei Zscheischler, J., Mahecha, M., Harmeling, S., Reichstein, M. Detection and attribution of large spatiotemporal extreme events in Earth observation data Ecological Informatics, 15, pages: 66-73, 2013 (article)

Simultaneous PET/MR reveals Brain Function in Activated and Resting State on Metabolic, Hemodynamic and Multiple Temporal Scales

Wehrl, H., Hossain, M., Lankes, K., Liu, C., Bezrukov, I., Martirosian, P., Schick, F., Reischl, G., Pichler, B.

Nature Medicine, 19, pages: 1184–1189, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new tool to study functional processes in the brain. Here we study brain function in response to a barrel-field stimulus simultaneously using PET, which traces changes in glucose metabolism on a slow time scale, and functional MRI (fMRI), which assesses fast vascular and oxygenation changes during activation. We found spatial and quantitative discrepancies between the PET and the fMRI activation data. The functional connectivity of the rat brain was assessed by both modalities: the fMRI approach determined a total of nine known neural networks, whereas the PET method identified seven glucose metabolism–related networks. These results demonstrate the feasibility of combined PET-MRI for the simultaneous study of the brain at activation and rest, revealing comprehensive and complementary information to further decode brain function and brain networks.

ei Wehrl, H., Hossain, M., Lankes, K., Liu, C., Bezrukov, I., Martirosian, P., Schick, F., Reischl, G., Pichler, B. Simultaneous PET/MR reveals Brain Function in Activated and Resting State on Metabolic, Hemodynamic and Multiple Temporal Scales Nature Medicine, 19, pages: 1184–1189, 2013 (article)

Finding Potential Support Vectors in Separable Classification Problems

Varagnolo, D., Del Favero, S., Dinuzzo, F., Schenato, L., Pillonetto, G.

IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, 24(11):1799-1813, 2013 (article)

ei Varagnolo, D., Del Favero, S., Dinuzzo, F., Schenato, L., Pillonetto, G. Finding Potential Support Vectors in Separable Classification Problems IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, 24(11):1799-1813, 2013 (article)

Open-Box Spectral Clustering: Applications to Medical Image Analysis

Schultz, T., Kindlmann, G.

IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 19(12):2100-2108, 2013 (article)

ei Schultz, T., Kindlmann, G. Open-Box Spectral Clustering: Applications to Medical Image Analysis IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 19(12):2100-2108, 2013 (article)

Youtube1 Youtube2 Youtube3 Youtube4 Youtube5 DOI Project Page [BibTex]

Towards Dynamic Trot Gait Locomotion: Design, Control, and Experiments with Cheetah-cub, a Compliant Quadruped Robot

Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Ajallooeian, M., Badri, E., Ijspeert, A. J.

{The International Journal of Robotics Research}, 32(8):932-950, Sage Publications, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 2013 (article)

Abstract

We present the design of a novel compliant quadruped robot, called Cheetah-cub, and a series of locomotion experiments with fast trotting gaits. The robot’s leg configuration is based on a spring-loaded, pantograph mechanism with multiple segments. A dedicated open-loop locomotion controller was derived and implemented. Experiments were run in simulation and in hardware on flat terrain and with a step down, demonstrating the robot’s self-stabilizing properties. The robot reached a running trot with short flight phases with a maximum Froude number of FR = 1.30, or 6.9 body lengths per second. Morphological parameters such as the leg design also played a role. By adding distal in-series elasticity, self- stability and maximum robot speed improved. Our robot has several advantages, especially when compared with larger and stiffer quadruped robot designs. (1) It is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the fastest of all quadruped robots below 30 kg (in terms of Froude number and body lengths per second). (2) It shows self-stabilizing behavior over a large range of speeds with open-loop control. (3) It is lightweight, compact, and electrically powered. (4) It is cheap, easy to reproduce, robust, and safe to handle. This makes it an excellent tool for research of multi-segment legs in quadruped robots.

dlg

dlg Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Ajallooeian, M., Badri, E., Ijspeert, A. J. Towards Dynamic Trot Gait Locomotion: Design, Control, and Experiments with Cheetah-cub, a Compliant Quadruped Robot {The International Journal of Robotics Research}, 32(8):932-950, Sage Publications, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 2013 (article)

Youtube1 Youtube2 Youtube3 Youtube4 Youtube5 DOI Project Page [BibTex]

Hybrid nanocolloids with programmed three-dimensional shape and material composition

Mark, A. G., Gibbs, J. G., Lee, T., Fischer, P.

NATURE MATERIALS, 12(9):802-807, 2013, Max Planck Press Release. (article)

Abstract

Tuning the optical(1,2), electromagnetic(3,4) and mechanical properties of a material requires simultaneous control over its composition and shape(5). This is particularly challenging for complex structures at the nanoscale because surface-energy minimization generally causes small structures to be highly symmetric(5). Here we combine low-temperature shadow deposition with nanoscale patterning to realize nanocolloids with anisotropic three-dimensional shapes, feature sizes down to 20 nm and a wide choice of materials. We demonstrate the versatility of the fabrication scheme by growing three-dimensional hybrid nanostructures that contain several functional materials with the lowest possible symmetry, and by fabricating hundreds of billions of plasmonic nanohelices, which we use as chiral metafluids with record circular dichroism and tunable chiroptical properties.

Max Planck Press Release.

Video - Fabrication of Designer Nanostructures DOI [BibTex]

pf Mark, A. G., Gibbs, J. G., Lee, T., Fischer, P. Hybrid nanocolloids with programmed three-dimensional shape and material composition NATURE MATERIALS, 12(9):802-807, 2013, Max Planck Press Release. (article)

Video - Fabrication of Designer Nanostructures DOI [BibTex]

Optimal control of reaching includes kinematic constraints

Mistry, M., Theodorou, E., Schaal, S., Kawato, M.

Journal of Neurophysiology, 2013, clmc (article)

Abstract

We investigate adaptation under a reaching task with an acceleration-based force field perturbation designed to alter the nominal straight hand trajectory in a potentially benign manner:pushing the hand of course in one direction before subsequently restoring towards the target. In this particular task, an explicit strategy to reduce motor effort requires a distinct deviation from the nominal rectilinear hand trajectory. Rather, our results display a clear directional preference during learning, as subjects adapted perturbed curved trajectories towards their initial baselines. We model this behavior using the framework of stochastic optimal control theory and an objective function that trades-of the discordant requirements of 1) target accuracy, 2) motor effort, and 3) desired trajectory. Our work addresses the underlying objective of a reaching movement, and we suggest that robustness, particularly against internal model uncertainly, is as essential to the reaching task as terminal accuracy and energy effciency.

PDF [BibTex]

am Mistry, M., Theodorou, E., Schaal, S., Kawato, M. Optimal control of reaching includes kinematic constraints Journal of Neurophysiology, 2013, clmc (article)

PDF [BibTex]

im3shape: a maximum likelihood galaxy shear measurement code for cosmic gravitational lensing

Zuntz, J., Kacprzak, T., Voigt, L., Hirsch, M., Rowe, B., Bridle, S.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 434(2):1604-1618, Oxford University Press, 2013 (article)

ei Zuntz, J., Kacprzak, T., Voigt, L., Hirsch, M., Rowe, B., Bridle, S. im3shape: a maximum likelihood galaxy shear measurement code for cosmic gravitational lensing Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 434(2):1604-1618, Oxford University Press, 2013 (article)

Perceiving Systems – Computers that see

Gehler, P. V.

2013 (mpi_year_book)

Abstract

Our research goal is to define in a mathematical precise way how visual perception works. We want to describe how intelligent systems understand images. To this end we study probabilistic models and statistical learning. Encoding prior knowledge about the world is complemented with automatic learning from training data. One aspect is being able to identify physical factors in images, such as lighting, geometry, and materials. Furthermore we want to automatically recognize and give names to objects and persons in images and understand the scene as a whole.

Gehler, P. V. Perceiving Systems – Computers that see 2013 (mpi_year_book)

Magnetoelastic coupling in epitaxial cobalt ferrite/barium titanate heterostructures

Gräfe, J., Welke, M., Bern, F., Ziese, M., Denecke, R.

Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 339, pages: 84-88, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Gräfe, J., Welke, M., Bern, F., Ziese, M., Denecke, R. Magnetoelastic coupling in epitaxial cobalt ferrite/barium titanate heterostructures Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 339, pages: 84-88, 2013 (article)

Video - Nanospropellers DOI [BibTex]

Chiral Colloidal Molecules And Observation of The Propeller Effect

Schamel, D., Pfeifer, M., Gibbs, J. G., Miksch, B., Mark, A. G., Fischer, P.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 135(33):12353-12359, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Chiral molecules play an important role in biological and chemical processes, but physical effects due to their symmetry-breaking are generally weak. Several physical chiral separation schemes which could potentially be useful, including the propeller effect, have therefore not yet been demonstrated at the molecular scale. However, it has been proposed that complex nonspherical colloidal particles could act as ``colloidal molecules{''} in mesoscopic model systems to permit the visualization of molecular phenomena that are otherwise difficult to observe. Unfortunately, it is difficult to synthesize such colloids because surface minimization generally favors the growth of symmetric particles. Here we demonstrate the production of large numbers of complex colloids with glancing angle physical vapor deposition. We use chiral colloids to demonstrate the Baranova and Zel'dovich (Baranova, N. B.; Zel'dovich, B. Y. Chem. Phys. Lett. 1978, 57, 435) propeller effect: the separation of a racemic mixture by application of a rotating field that couples to the dipole moment of the enantiomers and screw propels them in opposite directions. The handedness of the colloidal suspensions is monitored with circular differential light scattering. An exact solution for the colloid's propulsion is derived, and comparisons between the colloidal system and the corresponding effect at the molecular scale are made.

pf Schamel, D., Pfeifer, M., Gibbs, J. G., Miksch, B., Mark, A. G., Fischer, P. Chiral Colloidal Molecules And Observation of The Propeller Effect JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 135(33):12353-12359, 2013 (article)

Video - Nanospropellers DOI [BibTex]

Accurate detection of differential RNA processing

Drewe, P., Stegle, O., Hartmann, L., Kahles, A., Bohnert, R., Wachter, A., Borgwardt, K. M., Rätsch, G.

Nucleic Acids Research, 41(10):5189-5198, 2013 (article)

ei Drewe, P., Stegle, O., Hartmann, L., Kahles, A., Bohnert, R., Wachter, A., Borgwardt, K. M., Rätsch, G. Accurate detection of differential RNA processing Nucleic Acids Research, 41(10):5189-5198, 2013 (article)

Being small, being smart

Liu, Na

2013 (mpi_year_book)

Abstract

Metallic nanostructures feature plasmonic resonances which spatially confine light on the nanometer scale. In the ultimate limit of a single nanostructure, the electromagnetic field can be strongly concentrated in a volume of only a few hundred nm3 or less. We utilize such plasmonic focusing for hydrogen detection at the single particle level, which avoids any inhomogeneous broadening and statistical effects that would occur in sensors based on nanoparticle ensembles. This concept paves the road towards the observation of single catalytic processes in nanoreactors.

Liu, Na Being small, being smart 2013 (mpi_year_book)

Expectation and Attention in Hierarchical Auditory Prediction

Chennu, S., Noreika, V., Gueorguiev, D., Blenkmann, A., Kochen, S., Ibáñez, A., Owen, A. M., Bekinschtein, T. A.

Journal of Neuroscience, 33(27):11194-11205, Society for Neuroscience, 2013 (article)

Abstract

Hierarchical predictive coding suggests that attention in humans emerges from increased precision in probabilistic inference, whereas expectation biases attention in favor of contextually anticipated stimuli. We test these notions within auditory perception by independently manipulating top-down expectation and attentional precision alongside bottom-up stimulus predictability. Our findings support an integrative interpretation of commonly observed electrophysiological signatures of neurodynamics, namely mismatch negativity (MMN), P300, and contingent negative variation (CNV), as manifestations along successive levels of predictive complexity. Early first-level processing indexed by the MMN was sensitive to stimulus predictability: here, attentional precision enhanced early responses, but explicit top-down expectation diminished it. This pattern was in contrast to later, second-level processing indexed by the P300: although sensitive to the degree of predictability, responses at this level were contingent on attentional engagement and in fact sharpened by top-down expectation. At the highest level, the drift of the CNV was a fine-grained marker of top-down expectation itself. Source reconstruction of high-density EEG, supported by intracranial recordings, implicated temporal and frontal regions differentially active at early and late levels. The cortical generators of the CNV suggested that it might be involved in facilitating the consolidation of context-salient stimuli into conscious perception. These results provide convergent empirical support to promising recent accounts of attention and expectation in predictive coding.

hi Chennu, S., Noreika, V., Gueorguiev, D., Blenkmann, A., Kochen, S., Ibáñez, A., Owen, A. M., Bekinschtein, T. A. Expectation and Attention in Hierarchical Auditory Prediction Journal of Neuroscience, 33(27):11194-11205, Society for Neuroscience, 2013 (article)

Detecting regulatory gene–environment interactions with unmeasured environmental factors

Fusi, N., Lippert, C., Borgwardt, K. M., Lawrence, N. D., Stegle, O.

Bioinformatics, 29(11):1382-1389, 2013 (article)

ei Fusi, N., Lippert, C., Borgwardt, K. M., Lawrence, N. D., Stegle, O. Detecting regulatory gene–environment interactions with unmeasured environmental factors Bioinformatics, 29(11):1382-1389, 2013 (article)

Indirect absorption spectroscopy using quantum cascade lasers: mid-infrared refractometry and photothermal spectroscopy

Pfeifer, M., Ruf, A., Fischer, P.

OPTICS EXPRESS, 21(22):25643-25654, 2013 (article)

Abstract

We record vibrational spectra with two indirect schemes that depend on the real part of the index of refraction: mid-infrared refractometry and photothermal spectroscopy. In the former, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) spot is imaged to determine the angles of total internal reflection, which yields the absorption line via a beam profile analysis. In the photothermal measurements, a tunable QCL excites vibrational resonances of a molecular monolayer, which heats the surrounding medium and changes its refractive index. This is observed with a probe laser in the visible. Sub-monolayer sensitivities are demonstrated. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America

pf Pfeifer, M., Ruf, A., Fischer, P. Indirect absorption spectroscopy using quantum cascade lasers: mid-infrared refractometry and photothermal spectroscopy OPTICS EXPRESS, 21(22):25643-25654, 2013 (article)

Simultaneous Cast Shadows, Illumination and Geometry Inference Using Hypergraphs

Panagopoulos, A., Wang, C., Samaras, D., Paragios, N.

IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI), 35(2):437-449, 2013 (article)

pdf [BibTex]

ps Panagopoulos, A., Wang, C., Samaras, D., Paragios, N. Simultaneous Cast Shadows, Illumination and Geometry Inference Using Hypergraphs IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI), 35(2):437-449, 2013 (article)

pdf [BibTex]

Dynamical Movement Primitives: Learning Attractor Models for Motor Behaviors

Ijspeert, A., Nakanishi, J., Pastor, P., Hoffmann, H., Schaal, S.

Neural Computation, (25):328-373, 2013, clmc (article)

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamical systems have been used in many disciplines to model complex behaviors, including biological motor control, robotics, perception, economics, traffic prediction, and neuroscience. While often the unexpected emergent behavior of nonlinear systems is the focus of investigations, it is of equal importance to create goal-directed behavior (e.g., stable locomotion from a system of coupled oscillators under perceptual guidance). Modeling goal-directed behavior with nonlinear systems is, however, rather difficult due to the parameter sensitivity of these systems, their complex phase transitions in response to subtle parameter changes, and the difficulty of analyzing and predicting their long-term behavior; intuition and time-consuming parameter tuning play a major role. This letter presents and reviews dynamical movement primitives, a line of research for modeling attractor behaviors of autonomous nonlinear dynamical systems with the help of statistical learning techniques. The essence of our approach is to start with a simple dynamical system, such as a set of linear differential equations, and transform those into a weakly nonlinear system with prescribed attractor dynamics by meansof a learnable autonomous forcing term. Both point attractors and limit cycle attractors of almost arbitrary complexity can be generated. We explain the design principle of our approach and evaluate its properties in several example applications in motor control and robotics.

am Ijspeert, A., Nakanishi, J., Pastor, P., Hoffmann, H., Schaal, S. Dynamical Movement Primitives: Learning Attractor Models for Motor Behaviors Neural Computation, (25):328-373, 2013, clmc (article)

Fragmentation of Slow Wave Sleep after Onset of Complete Locked-In State

Soekadar, S. R., Born, J., Birbaumer, N., Bensch, M., Halder, S., Murguialday, A. R., Gharabaghi, A., Nijboer, F., Schölkopf, B., Martens, S.

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 9(9):951-953, 2013 (article)

ei Soekadar, S. R., Born, J., Birbaumer, N., Bensch, M., Halder, S., Murguialday, A. R., Gharabaghi, A., Nijboer, F., Schölkopf, B., Martens, S. Fragmentation of Slow Wave Sleep after Onset of Complete Locked-In State Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 9(9):951-953, 2013 (article)

Plasmonic nanohelix metamaterials with tailorable giant circular dichroism

Gibbs, J. G., Mark, A. G., Eslami, S., Fischer, P.

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 103(21), 2013, Featured cover article. (article)

Abstract

Plasmonic nanohelix arrays are shown to interact with electromagnetic fields in ways not typically seen with ordinary matter. Chiral metamaterials (CMMs) with feature sizes small with respect to the wavelength of visible light are a promising route to experimentally achieve such phenomena as negative refraction without the need for simultaneously negative e and mu. Here we not only show that giant circular dichroism in the visible is achievable with hexagonally arranged plasmonic nanohelix arrays, but that we can precisely tune the optical activity via morphology and lattice spacing. The discrete dipole approximation is implemented to support experimental data. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Featured cover article.

pf Gibbs, J. G., Mark, A. G., Eslami, S., Fischer, P. Plasmonic nanohelix metamaterials with tailorable giant circular dichroism APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 103(21), 2013, Featured cover article. (article)

Efficient 3D Object Perception and Grasp Planning for Mobile Manipulation in Domestic Environments

Stueckler, J., Steffens, R., Holz, D., Behnke, S.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), 61(10):1106-1115, 2013 (article)

ev Stueckler, J., Steffens, R., Holz, D., Behnke, S. Efficient 3D Object Perception and Grasp Planning for Mobile Manipulation in Domestic Environments Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), 61(10):1106-1115, 2013 (article)

Quantum cryo-sieving for hydrogen isotope separation in microporous frameworks: an experimental study on the correlation between effective quantum sieving and pore size

Oh, H., Park, K. S., Kalidindi, S. B., Fischer, R. A., Hirscher, M.

{Journal of Materials Chemistry A}, 1, pages: 3244-3248, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Oh, H., Park, K. S., Kalidindi, S. B., Fischer, R. A., Hirscher, M. Quantum cryo-sieving for hydrogen isotope separation in microporous frameworks: an experimental study on the correlation between effective quantum sieving and pore size {Journal of Materials Chemistry A}, 1, pages: 3244-3248, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 2013 (article)

The binary fraction of planetary nebula central stars - I. A high-precision, I-band excess search

De Marco, O., Passy, J., Frew, D., Moe, M., Jacoby, G.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 428, pages: 2118-2140, 2013 (article)

De Marco, O., Passy, J., Frew, D., Moe, M., Jacoby, G. The binary fraction of planetary nebula central stars - I. A high-precision, I-band excess search Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 428, pages: 2118-2140, 2013 (article)

Horse-Like Walking, Trotting, and Galloping derived from Kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs) and their Application to Walk/Trot Transitions in a Compliant Quadruped Robot

Moro, F., Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Tsagakiris, N. G., Ijspeert, A. J., Caldwell, D. G.

Biological Cybernetics, 107(3):309-320, 2013 (article)

Abstract

This manuscript proposes a method to directly transfer the features of horse walking, trotting, and galloping to a quadruped robot, with the aim of creating a much more natural (horse-like) locomotion profile. A principal component analysis on horse joint trajectories shows that walk, trot, and gallop can be described by a set of four kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs). These kMPs are used to generate valid, stable gaits that are tested on a compliant quadruped robot. Tests on the effects of gait frequency scaling as follows: results indicate a speed optimal walking frequency around 3.4 Hz, and an optimal trotting frequency around 4 Hz. Following, a criterion to synthesize gait transitions is proposed, and the walk/trot transitions are successfully tested on the robot. The performance of the robot when the transitions are scaled in frequency is evaluated by means of roll and pitch angle phase plots.

dlg

dlg Moro, F., Spröwitz, A., Tuleu, A., Vespignani, M., Tsagakiris, N. G., Ijspeert, A. J., Caldwell, D. G. Horse-Like Walking, Trotting, and Galloping derived from Kinematic Motion Primitives (kMPs) and their Application to Walk/Trot Transitions in a Compliant Quadruped Robot Biological Cybernetics, 107(3):309-320, 2013 (article)

3-D Localization Method for a Magnetically Actuated Soft Capsule Endoscope and Its Applications

Yim, S., Sitti, M.

IEEE Trans. on Robotics, 29(5):1139-1151, 2013 (article)

pi Yim, S., Sitti, M. 3-D Localization Method for a Magnetically Actuated Soft Capsule Endoscope and Its Applications IEEE Trans. on Robotics, 29(5):1139-1151, 2013 (article)

Two-dimensional magnetic micro-module reconfigurations based on inter-modular interactions

Miyashita, S., Diller, E., Sitti, M.

The International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(5):591-613, SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England, 2013 (article)

pi Miyashita, S., Diller, E., Sitti, M. Two-dimensional magnetic micro-module reconfigurations based on inter-modular interactions The International Journal of Robotics Research, 32(5):591-613, SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England, 2013 (article)

Contact compliance effects in the frictional response of bioinspired fibrillar adhesives

Piccardo, M., Chateauminois, A., Fretigny, C., Pugno, N. M., Sitti, M.

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 10(83):20130182, The Royal Society, 2013 (article)

pi Piccardo, M., Chateauminois, A., Fretigny, C., Pugno, N. M., Sitti, M. Contact compliance effects in the frictional response of bioinspired fibrillar adhesives Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 10(83):20130182, The Royal Society, 2013 (article)

Co-chairs

VINCENT, Julian, ZHU, Di, DAI, Zhendong, CHEN, Da, JIANG, Lei, KANG, Le, REN, Luquan, XUE, Qunji, Zhao, Chunsheng, BARNES, Jon, others

2013 (article)

pi VINCENT, Julian, ZHU, Di, DAI, Zhendong, CHEN, Da, JIANG, Lei, KANG, Le, REN, Luquan, XUE, Qunji, Zhao, Chunsheng, BARNES, Jon, others Co-chairs 2013 (article)

Gold nanocrystals in high-temperature superconducting films: creation of pinning patterns of choice

Katzer, C., Stahl, C., Michalowski, P., Treiber, S., Schmidl, F., Seidel, P., Albrecht, J., Schütz, G.

{New Journal of Physics}, 15(11), Institute of Physics Pub., Bristol, UK, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Katzer, C., Stahl, C., Michalowski, P., Treiber, S., Schmidl, F., Seidel, P., Albrecht, J., Schütz, G. Gold nanocrystals in high-temperature superconducting films: creation of pinning patterns of choice {New Journal of Physics}, 15(11), Institute of Physics Pub., Bristol, UK, 2013 (article)

Theory of scattering of crystal electrons at magnons

Haag, Michael, Illg, C., Fähnle, M.

{Physical Review B}, Published by the American Physical Society through the American Institute of Physics, Woodbury, NYAmerican Institute of Physics, Woodbury, NY, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Haag, Michael, Illg, C., Fähnle, M. Theory of scattering of crystal electrons at magnons {Physical Review B}, Published by the American Physical Society through the American Institute of Physics, Woodbury, NYAmerican Institute of Physics, Woodbury, NY, 2013 (article)

The effect of magnetocrystalline anisotropy on the domain structure of patterned Fe2CrSi Heusler alloy thin films

Miyawaki, T., Foerster, M., Finizio, S., Vaz, C. A. F., Mawass, M.-A., Inagaki, K., Fukatani, N., Le Guyader, L., Nolting, F., Ueda, K., Asano, H., Kläui, M.

{Journal of Applied Physcis}, 114(7), American Institute of Physics, New York, NY, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Miyawaki, T., Foerster, M., Finizio, S., Vaz, C. A. F., Mawass, M.-A., Inagaki, K., Fukatani, N., Le Guyader, L., Nolting, F., Ueda, K., Asano, H., Kläui, M. The effect of magnetocrystalline anisotropy on the domain structure of patterned Fe2CrSi Heusler alloy thin films {Journal of Applied Physcis}, 114(7), American Institute of Physics, New York, NY, 2013 (article)

Ion beam lithography for Fresnel zone plates in X-ray microscopy

Keskinbora, K., Grévent, C., Bechtel, M., Weigand, M., Goering, E., Nadzeyka, A., Lloyd, P., Rehbein, S., Schneider, G., Follath, R., Vila-Comamala, J., Yan, H., Schütz, G.

{Optics Express}, 21(10):11747-11756, Optical Society of America, Washington, DC, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Keskinbora, K., Grévent, C., Bechtel, M., Weigand, M., Goering, E., Nadzeyka, A., Lloyd, P., Rehbein, S., Schneider, G., Follath, R., Vila-Comamala, J., Yan, H., Schütz, G. Ion beam lithography for Fresnel zone plates in X-ray microscopy {Optics Express}, 21(10):11747-11756, Optical Society of America, Washington, DC, 2013 (article)

Is the angular momentum of a ferromagnetic sample after exposure to a fs laser pulse conserved?

Fähnle, M., Haag, M., Illg, C.

{Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials}, 347, pages: 45-46, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Fähnle, M., Haag, M., Illg, C. Is the angular momentum of a ferromagnetic sample after exposure to a fs laser pulse conserved? {Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials}, 347, pages: 45-46, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 2013 (article)

Grain boundaries as the controlling factor for the ferromagnetic behaviour of Co-doped ZnO

Straumal, B. B., Mazilkin, A. A., Protasova, S. G., Straumal, P. B., Myatiev, A. A., Schütz, G., Goering, E. J., Tietze, T., Baretzky, B.

{Philosophical Magazine}, 93(10-12):1371-1383, 2013 (article)

mms

mms Straumal, B. B., Mazilkin, A. A., Protasova, S. G., Straumal, P. B., Myatiev, A. A., Schütz, G., Goering, E. J., Tietze, T., Baretzky, B. Grain boundaries as the controlling factor for the ferromagnetic behaviour of Co-doped ZnO {Philosophical Magazine}, 93(10-12):1371-1383, 2013 (article)