New advances in amblyopia therapy I: Binocular therapies and pharmacologic augmentation

Amblyopia therapy options have traditionally been limited to penalisation of the non-amblyopic eye with either patching or pharmaceutical penalisation. Solid evidence, mostly from the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, has validated both number of hours a day of patching and days per week of atropine use. The use of glasses alone has also been established as a good first-line therapy for both anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia. Unfortunately, visual acuity equalisation or even improvement is not always attainable with these methods. Additionally, non-compliance with prescribed therapies contributes to treatment failures, with data supporting difficulty adhering to full treatment sessions. Interest in alternative therapies for amblyopia treatment has long been a topic of interest among researchers and clinicians alike. Incorporating new technology with an understanding of the biological basis of amblyopia has led to enthusiasm for binocular treatment of amblyopia. Early work on perceptual learning as well as more recent enthusiasm for iPad-based dichoptic training have each generated interesting and promising data for vision improvement in amblyopes. Use of pharmaceutical augmentation of traditional therapies has also been investigated. Several different drugs with unique mechanisms of action are thought to be able to neurosensitise the brain and enhance responsiveness to amblyopia therapy. No new treatment has emerged from currently available evidence as superior to the traditional therapies in common practice today. But ongoing investigation into the use of both new technology and the understanding of the neural basis of amblyopia promises alternate or perhaps better cures in the future.</jats:p

Modeling studies of acoustic propagation through the Agulhas Current region

The motivation for this thesis arises from the apparent global warming problem. It is common knowledge that the ocean is an important heat sink and that to predict global warming trends it is important to measure changes in the ocean temperature. Measurements of ocean temperature are subject to large local variability associated with mesoscale features. In order to measure global warming trends a method is required to determine large scale averages, over large oceanic ranges, in order to remove the inherent variability associated with mesoscale features, such as currents and mesoscale eddies. This requirement can be met by acoustic thermometry

Antipodal receptions in global acoustics

Bibliography: leaves 96-97.Global Acoustic Propagation is a recently developed scientific discipline within the study of long range underwater acoustic propagation. Acoustic propagation over extremely long ranges involves a combination of effects from earth curvature and the global distribution of oceanographic and geophysical features. Antipodal receptions, that is to ranges of the order of 20Mm (1 Megameter = 1 000 km), require underwater acoustic propagation to very long ranges and thus effects due to the form of the earth and the range dependence of the sound speed field within the ocean can not be ignored. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the nature of antipodal receptions with reference to the form of the earth and horizontal sound speed variations within the ocean and thereby contribute to the new and specialized field of study, Global Acoustic Propagation. Close to an acoustic source acoustic energy diverges so that local signal strengths decrease with distance from the source. However, as the antipodal region is approached acoustic energy that has not been blocked by bathymetric features will refocus, counteracting the distance loss rule. Thus at antipodal sites there is a good prospect of receiving a focused signal. Even so, the ellipsoidal form of the earth and the horizontal variability within the sound speed field of the ocean means that the re-focusing will result in a region of enhanced signal rather than an exact antipodal point. The precise detail of the advantage of placing receivers in the antipodal region will depend upon the paths taken by the acoustic energy and the characteristics of the acoustic medium encountered along each path. The proposal for this thesis is to develop an algorithm to determine the nature of the antipodal region under certain physical assumptions. The physical assumptions are referred to as the geometric assumption, which refers to the form of the earth, and the refractive assumption, which refers to the horizontal variability of sound speed within the world oceans

Challenging presentations of cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis

AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe two challenging cases of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST), which presented with vastly different clinical signs and symptoms. METHODS: We present two cases of CST with markedly differing clinical presentations, medical comorbidities, and degree of impairment. Initial imaging of each patient failed to show thromboembolic disease. RESULTS: Both patients required multiple imaging procedures to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Each child did respond to treatment once the correct diagnosis was made. CONCLUSION: CST can have a highly variable clinical presentation, from a subtle sixth nerve palsy to complete ophthalmoplegia and loss of periorbital sensation and corneal reflex. Onset of symptoms may be acute and fulminant or indolent and delayed. The diagnosis is challenging, requiring clinical suspicion and confirmation by imaging. These cases illustrate the importance of retaining clinical suspicion when cranial nerve palsies persist and how valuable rescanning a patient can be

Quality of Life for Pediatric Prosthetic Users

The population of children with limb loss fall into a category of children with chronic physical disability and are vulnerable to functional challenges resulting in adverse impacts on their participation and performance of life activities, known as occupational participation. A mixed method research study was aimed at answering the following research questions: (a) is there an impact on the engagement in meaningful everyday activities for children with prosthetic limbs, considering the functional, emotional, and social challenges they might encounter? (b) does their level of engagement in meaningful everyday activities have an impact on their quality of life (QoL) and (c) how does the care they receive influence their QoL? Assessment measures were administered, and interviews were completed. The inclusion criteria consisted of pediatric prosthetic users between the ages of 8 and 18 years with at least one prosthetic limb and their primary caregiver. A total of 8 families participated in this study. This study found areas of significant challenge to this population that impact their overall QoL. These include their communication and interactive skills impacting their psychosocial well-being, physical participation impacting their occupational participation, and systemic issues of healthcare and insurance coverage impacting their obtainment of necessary prosthetic limbs. This study confirmed that the skill set of occupational therapy (OT) is not being utilized to its fullest potential and that there is a general lack of understanding among the healthcare professionals who treat pediatric prosthetic users regarding each other\u27s scope of practice and level of expertise. An increased awareness of the skill set that OT’s can provide to pediatric amputees regardless of their amputation level, is necessary so that their unmet needs can be better addressed.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/1031/thumbnail.jp

Data Materialization: A Hybrid Process for Crafting a Teapot

Data materialization is a workflow developed to create 3D objects from data-informed designs. Building upon traditional metalwork and craft, and new technology's data visualization with generative art, this workflow expresses conceptually relevant data through 3D forms which are fabricated in traditional media. The process allows for the subtle application of data in visual art, allowing the aesthetic allure of the art object or installation to inspire intellectual intrigue. This paper describes the technical and creative process of Modern Dowry, a silver-plated 3D-print teapot on view at the Museum of the City of New York, June 2017--June 2018.Museum of the City of New York; Jeannine Falino; the National Science Foundation for supporting the Computing in the Arts workshops (DUE 1323610, DUE 1323605, DUE 1323593); Reiser’s fellow principle investigators (Bill Manaris, Renee McCauley, Jennifer Burg and Rebecca Bruce); Seton Hall University’s Digital Humanities Fellowship Program for funding and support; and Vassar College’s Creative Arts Across Disciplines Program for their summer residency and exceptional collegiality

Advancing Educators Towards Social Justice Through Policy Analysis

Both pre-service and practicing educators are entering classrooms with limited preparation for the social landscape, affecting a range of professional considerations such as educational equity, culturally responsive teaching, and effective assessment. In an effort to consider greater impact and meaningful development of teachers for social justice concepts, this study is aimed directly at K-2 Kansas classrooms. A review of KSDE policies, utilizing a critical policy discourse analysis, allowed for the consideration of plausible responses for educational change regarding the advancement of educators for social justice. This research demonstrates the opportunity that exists within policy to create greater awareness for social justice issues within schools, as well as the opportunity to develop more effective educators through operationalizing language to improve educational impact

Use of Biologic Agents in Ocular Manifestations of Rheumatic Disease

Biologic agents have dramatically shifted the treatment paradigm for rheumatic disease. Use of these agents can decrease disease burden, allow the patient to be weaned from corticosteroids, and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Eye disease associated with rheumatic conditions may present with a wide range of signs and symptoms. This coexisting pathology should not be overlooked and should be considered a reason for initiation or continuation of biologic therapy. Additionally, many of the ocular manifestations of rheumatic disease respond preferentially to specific targeting molecules. This paper summarizes the available studies on the use, efficacy, and safety of biologic agents in the treatment of ocular manifestations of rheumatic disease

Flying Free: A Research Overview of Deep Learning in Drone Navigation Autonomy

With the rise of Deep Learning approaches in computer vision applications, significant strides have been made towards vehicular autonomy. Research activity in autonomous drone navigation has increased rapidly in the past five years, and drones are moving fast towards the ultimate goal of near-complete autonomy. However, while much work in the area focuses on specific tasks in drone navigation, the contribution to the overall goal of autonomy is often not assessed, and a comprehensive overview is needed. In this work, a taxonomy of drone navigation autonomy is established by mapping the definitions of vehicular autonomy levels, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, to specific drone tasks in order to create a clear definition of autonomy when applied to drones. A top–down examination of research work in the area is conducted, focusing on drone navigation tasks, in order to understand the extent of research activity in each area. Autonomy levels are cross-checked against the drone navigation tasks addressed in each work to provide a framework for understanding the trajectory of current research. This work serves as a guide to research in drone autonomy with a particular focus on Deep Learning-based solutions, indicating key works and areas of opportunity for development of this area in the future

New advances in amblyopia therapy II: refractive therapies

The treatment of anisometropic or ametropic amblyopia has traditionally enjoyed a high treatment success rate. Early initiation and consistent use of spectacle correction can completely resolve amblyopia in a majority of patients. For those with anisometropic amblyopia that fail to improve with glasses wear alone, patching or atropine penalisation can lead to equalisation of visual acuity. However, successful treatment requires full-time compliance with refractive correction and this can be a challenge for a patient population that often has one eye with good acuity without correction. Other barriers for a select population with high anisometropic or ametropic amblyopia include rejection of glasses for various reasons including discomfort, behavioural or sensory problems, postural issues and visually significant aniseikonia. When consistent wear of optical correction proves difficult and patching/atropine remains a major obstacle, surgical correction of refractive error has proven success in achieving vision improvement. Acting as a means to achieve spectacle independence or reducing the overall needed refractive correction, refractive surgery can offer a unique treatment option for this patient population. Laser surgery, phakic intraocular lenses and clear lens exchange are three approaches to altering the refractive state of the eye. Each has documented success in improving vision, particularly in populations where glasses wear has not been possible. Surgical correction of refractive error has a risk profile greater than that of more traditional therapies. However, its use in a specific population offers the opportunity for improving visual acuity in children who otherwise have poor outcomes with glasses and patching/atropine alone