Publications

Visual motion perception and pursuit eye movements rely on integrating uncertain sensory input with prior knowledge. Previous work has extensively investigated motion perception biases from experience-related or innate priors. In parallel, since Eileen Kowler's pioneering work, anticipatory smooth eye movements have been studied as an indicator of cognitive expectations. However, whether perception and eye movements rely on the same priors and computational operations (e.g., Bayesian reliability-based integration) remains only partly understood. Additionally, the role of natural directional biases in two-dimensional space (e.g., cardinal preferences) and their interaction with immediate motion expectations have not been explored. To address these questions, we measured smooth pursuit and direction estimations in human volunteers tracking random dot kinematograms with a proportion of coherent dots (5%, 15%, or 40%) moving in one of 16 directions between -180° and +180° across three sessions: one with uniformly distributed directions and two including a specific directional bias. Under high uncertainty, inaccurate direction estimations systematically avoided the most frequent direction in biased sessions, contrary to the Bayesian attraction-to-prior predictions, and generally favored cardinal directions. In contrast, eye movements agreed with the attraction-to-prior effect: Anticipatory pursuit roughly aligned with expected directions, and early pursuit acceleration was enhanced when stimulus direction matched expectation. These findings highlight a dissociation between perception and pursuit in directional biases induced across time scales in two-dimensional space. This suggests that the two systems either rely on partly different internal models or use shared priors differently, pointing to a layered, task-dependent organization of motion inference in the brain.

Prior research has shown that during tasks with very salient saccadic targets, like popout visual-search and double-step saccade tasks in both humans and monkeys, two-saccade sequences occur, where an initial saccade to a distractor is followed soon after by an ultra-short-latency (USL) second saccade to the popout target. This indicates that the USL second saccade uses visual information obtained before the first saccade and corrects the erroneous decision to make the first saccade to the distractor. Here, we demonstrate that such USL second saccades also often occur when monkeys perform active visual search without a popout visual target. Unlike in prior studies where the search target was extremely salient and therefore all second saccades showed a high accuracy toward the target, in our task, we show that USL saccades are preferentially directed towards the search-target and the transfer of target selection and location information across the first saccade is very accurate. USL saccades foveate the target more often than regular-latency saccades especially when the saccade starts far away from the target. We demonstrate various properties of USL saccades that reveal how the error-correction process is very accurate and how concurrent processing of saccade goals may proceed on the basis of computations in visual/oculomotor priority maps. Our results expand our understanding of saccadic targeting and information transfer across saccades during goal-directed active vision, lay the ground for future neurophysiological studies, and suggest that error-processing in different sensory and response modalities show similar patterns and may be accounted for by similar models.

PURPOSE: We previously demonstrated the superiority of an active storage machine (ASM; which restores a physiologic intraocular pressure [IOP]) over conventional passive storage for whole corneas. To reduce surgical time, corneas are often predissected in eye banks, 2 to 4 days before surgery for endothelial keratoplasty. The aim is here to demonstrate the possibility of also storing predissected Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in ASM so that their use is not limited to penetrating keratoplasty and to extend the storage life of these endothelial grafts for much more flexibility.

METHODS: In this preclinical study, pairs of human corneas were predissected, leaving the Descemet membrane attached only by a small central area. After randomization, they were stored in the same commercial organ culture medium, either in the ASM (21 millimeters of mercury [mm Hg], 2.6 µL/min) or in a sealed flask, for 3 or 10 days. Final assessment consisted of measuring the viable endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal thickness, and assessing the expression of CD166 and NCAM, ZO-1 (morphology and junctions), Na+/K+ATPase (endothelial pump) and COX-IV (mitochondria) by immunostaining.

RESULTS: Final endothelial cell (EC) viability was comparable between the two groups for both storage periods, as were the markers studied by immunofluorescence. However, corneal thickness was lower in the ASM group.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the ASM can be used for predissected DMEK for at least 10 days, thus enabling to organize runs of graft preparation and subsequent safe storage while simplifying logistics.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: ASM can be used to preserve pre-cut DMEK grafts, providing greater flexibility in surgical planning.

OBJECTIF: Nous avons précédemment démontré la supériorité d'un dispositif de stockage actif (ASM, qui rétablit une pression intraoculaire physiologique) par rapport au stockage passif conventionnel pour les cornées entières. Afin de réduire la durée de la chirurgie, les cornées sont souvent prédécoupées dans les banques de tissus, 2 à 4 jours avant la chirurgie, pour une greffe endothéliale. L'objectif ici est de démontrer la possibilité de stocker également des DMEK prédécoupées dans l'ASM afin que son utilisation ne se limite pas à la kératoplastie transfixiante et de prolonger la durée de conservation de ces greffons endothéliaux pour une plus grande flexibilité.

MÉTHODES: Dans cette étude préclinique, des paires de cornées humaines ont été prédisséquées, en laissant l'endothélium attaché seulement par une petite zone centrale. Après randomisation, elles ont été conservées dans le même milieu commercial d'organoculture, soit dans l'ASM (21 mmHg, 2,6 µL/min), soit dans un flacon scellé, pendant 3 ou 10 jours. L'évaluation finale a consisté à mesurer la densité cellulaire endothéliale viable, l'épaisseur de la cornée, et à évaluer l'expression de CD166 et NCAM, ZO-1 (morphologie et jonctions), Na+/K+ATPase (pompe endothéliale) et COX-IV (mitochondries) par immunomarquage.

RÉSULTATS: La viabilité cellulaire endothéliale finale était comparable entre les deux groupes pour les deux périodes de conservation, tout comme les marqueurs étudiés par immunofluorescence. Cependant, l'épaisseur cornéenne était plus faible dans le groupe ASM.

CONCLUSIONS: En conclusion, l'ASM peut être utilisée pour les DMEK prédécoupées pendant au moins 10 jours, ce qui permet d'organiser des séries de préparation de greffons et leur stockage ultérieur en toute sécurité, tout en simplifiant la logistique.

PERTINENCE TRANSLATIONNELLE: L'ASM peut être utilisé pour préserver des greffons de DMEK prédécoupés et ainsi apporter plus de flexibilité dans l'organisation d'une chirurgie.

Collaboration between higher education and local emergency management agencies remains underutilized in disaster management education. This paper presents three case studies formed from a partnership between an undergraduate student, a faculty member, and local emergency management professionals. The case studies include (1) an active shooter preparedness training at a long-term care facility, (2) an interactive field day introducing undergraduate students to careers and competencies in emergency services, and (3) a search-and-rescue demonstration using drones to support local response efforts. Each case study incorporated active learning and received positive feedback from participants and collaborators. Key findings suggest that undergraduate students and faculty can meaningfully contribute to local disaster risk reduction efforts through place-based disaster education and training. We conclude that academic-practitioner partnerships offer a valuable model for enhancing disaster preparedness and response while advancing educational and community outcomes.

Climate change has amplified the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including snow, floods, and heatwaves, which pose significant challenges to emergency service provision. While existing literature on the impacts of extreme weather on emergency services is limited, the United Kingdom (UK), with its varying weather patterns, faces considerable risks to infrastructure, health, and service delivery during these events, which are no longer extremely rare occurrences. This study investigates the effectiveness of multiagency, immersive simulation training in preparing emergency responders for extreme weather scenarios. Specifically, it evaluates the 2024 Winter Storm Exercise organized by Cheshire Constabulary, focusing on how extreme cold weather conditions (below 0 °C) affect operational responses. Using an exploratory quasi-experimental design, we employed pre- and post-surveys to assess changes in participants' knowledge, preparedness, and confidence. The exercise involved a series of realistic simulations, including medical trauma care and a multivehicle crash response in snowy conditions, followed by debriefing sessions. Data from 32 pre-survey and 22 post-survey respondents were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Preliminary results indicate that the training improved participants' confidence in handling extreme weather, although challenges such as equipment limitations and communication difficulties in cold weather persisted. This research highlights the importance of tailored, evidence-based training and underscores the need for ongoing development of policies and equipment to improve resilience in emergency service delivery amidst climate change-induced extreme weather events in the UK.

Flash floods are becoming annual events in various Himalayan valleys (India). This study aims to identify and delineate the flash flood hazard-prone landforms and terrain features as unsuitable areas for setting up new habitations and also reveals the risk posed to the existing human habitations in such hazardous areas. Enhancing resilience to cope with the extreme rainfall-induced Himalayan flash floods calls for developing a thorough understanding of the terrain, followed by the safe siting of new habitations and reducing the risk to the existing ones. This study delves into the survey of flash flood-prone landforms through various means, namely, available past records and/or historical records on locations of past flash flood incidents, followed by the examination of satellite images, available topographical maps, and field investigations. The major finding of this study is the identification of flash flood-prone Himalayan landforms, namely, lower terraces of rivers, alluvial cones (drained by perennial or dry streams), flow lobes or the downslope areas of debris flows or flow slides, solifluction lobes, and abandoned channels. Anthropogenic actions, namely, constructions within the floodplains of hill rivers, blocking or diverting the course of even small seasonal drains, have been identified as risk enhancers. The investigation highlights the avoidance of these flash flood risk-prone landforms for setting up new habitations or even for new constructions in parts of Bhagirathi, Yamuna, Mandakini, and Pinder valleys of Uttarakhand Himalaya. The disaster management strategy elaborated for coping with Himalayan flash floods proposes a national program on extreme climatic event-induced flood forewarning and emphasizes the need for developing a robust system for the dissemination of flash flood warnings. Capacity building of village disaster management committees and mechanisms for the rehabilitation of hamlets of villages located in the high-risk zones, strict adherence to the land use regulations, and training of vulnerable communities of high-risk areas in reading signs of extreme rainfall-induced flash floods have also been discussed. Identification of extreme rainfall-induced flash flood-prone landforms and discouraging them as sites for human settlements is the new finding of this study. The signs of extreme rainfall-induced flash floods elaborated in this study can be relied upon to a limited extent only because the time window between extreme rainfall and consequent flash floods or debris flow slides is so narrow that it hardly leaves much time for emergency evacuation of the immediate downstream area. Overall, an attempt has been made toward evolving a holistic approach for advising the dos and don'ts for developing resilience to extreme rainfall-induced hazards in the Himalayan region through the combined efforts of all the stakeholders, including the scientific fraternity, disaster managers, and the community. The dos and don'ts discussed in this article will also help develop resilience to similar types of disasters in other parts of the country, including in the other hill states of the Himalaya and the Arakan mountains, and also in the Western Ghats of India, which have witnessed catastrophic debris mud flows on July 30, 2024.

This study discusses tsunami disaster mitigation on Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia-one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but also prone to natural disasters such as tsunamis. To effectively protect both residents and visitors, a structured mitigation plan is essential. This research developed such a plan using the best-first search algorithm, with Sanur Beach as a case study. Evacuation routes were mapped considering tourist positions, local roads, and designated assembly points. Three evacuation zones were identified: High-Risk Zone, Low-Risk Zone, and Safe Zone. The multimedia system developed provides evacuation route guidance from crowded tourist areas. Estimated evacuation times range from 10 to 27 minutes to the Low-Risk Zone and 25 to 60 minutes to the Safe Area Zone.

Warning messages, such as "In case of emergencies such as floods, high water, or landslides caused by persis-tent meteorological conditions in our country, please call the emergency call center" are commonly used in disaster management. To effectively manage a disaster and develop appropriate strategies, it is crucial to ensure a two-way flow of information. With the advent of social media, this two-way interaction has expanded significantly, enabling large-scale engagement through these platforms. This study aims to analyze the public's social media response to the first-ever experiment with an audio warning system for severe weather. The primary objective is to assess the public's reaction to technological innovation in the field of disaster management. The findings from this study can be utilized to enhance disaster education within society. Furthermore, the study's methodology will serve as an essential tool for de-cision-makers involved in early warning systems, facilitating a smooth transition to new technologies. Additionally, this study presents a detailed description of the language processing procedure employing a multilabel natural language processing model. The model specifically focuses on analyzing social media comments, which are considered unclean text within the context of this study.

Emergency preparedness and recovery efforts are being stretched to their limits as the world faces an unprecedented convergence of crises demanding rapid, coordinated, and highly adaptive responses. Uniformed and nonuniformed responders such as construction, utility, and transportation personnel work side-by-side to recover and restore affected disaster zones. From increased burdens in mental strain post-response cataloged over two decades, we draw on the experiences of nonuniformed responders involved in the World Trade Center 9/11 rescue and recovery who have been disproportionately impacted. Interviews with 26 key informants with deep knowledge of the nonuniformed responder experience document a critical theme, of responders who felt systematically overlooked, invisible, and disenfranchised, offering insights for intervention. These learnings have implications for preparing, equipping, and training nonuniformed responders for emergency preparedness as well as ensuring adequate systems, supports, policies, and programs to protect nonuniformed personnel both during and after future crises.

This commentary examines the systemic failures of the United States public warning system, using the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires in California as case studies. Despite advance warnings, local governments were unable to deliver timely evacuation alerts, exposing the limits of a fragmented, locallydriven alert infrastructure. The authors argue that the mantra "all disasters are local" has become a pretext for federal disengagement, leaving vulnerable populations at risk. They call for a federally led, interoperable, realtime national warning system capable of reaching all communities-before the next disaster strikes.