The effect of three topical agents on posterior subcapsular cataract progression in royal college of surgeon (r.c.s.) rats

Three substances are currently reported to possess cataract retardation properties: Scenecio Maritema, N-N dimethylglycine, and Conjunctivisan A. To test their potential in retarding cataract progression, Royal College of Surgeon (R.C.S.) rats were selected as the experimental model. This strain of rats develops posterior subcapsular cataracts secondarily to an inherited retinal degeneration. At birth, the rats were divided into four groups. The ten rats in each group received twice daily topical instillation of saline, Scenecio Maritema, N-N dimethylglycine, or Conjunctivisan A for eight weeks. Analysis of serial slit lamp evaluations showed a significant delay in cataract progression in the rats receiving any of the three agents compared to : the saline control. This suggests that there might be an alternative to surgery in cataract treatment

Motion of a driven tracer particle in a one-dimensional symmetric lattice gas

We study the dynamics of a tracer particle subject to a constant driving force $E$ in a one-dimensional lattice gas of hard-core particles whose transition rates are symmetric. We show that the mean displacement of the driven tracer grows in time, $t$, as $\sqrt{\alpha t}$, rather than the linear time dependence found for driven diffusion in the bath of non-interacting (ghost) particles. The prefactor $\alpha$ is determined implicitly, as the solution of a transcendental equation, for an arbitrary magnitude of the driving force and an arbitrary concentration of the lattice gas particles. In limiting cases the prefactor is obtained explicitly. Analytical predictions are seen to be in a good agreement with the results of numerical simulations.Comment: 21 pages, LaTeX, 4 Postscript fugures, to be published in Phys. Rev. E, (01Sep, 1996

Surface ruptures of large Himalayan earthquakes in Western Nepal: Evidence along a reactivated strand of the Main Boundary Thrust

International audienceThe chronology of the seismic ruptures along the active faults of Western Nepal remains almost unconstrained despite their high seismogenic potential. We present here a slip history of one of these structures, a 120 km-long reactivated segment of the Main Boundary Thrust named the Surkhet–Gorahi fault. This slip history is based on geomorphologic and neotectonic mapping of active faults deduced from the analysis of a high resolution total station digital elevation model and 15 detrital charcoals radiocarbon ages constraining the age of deposition or abandonment of 4 alluvial terraces of the Bheri river in Botechaur. Our results show that the last two earthquakes occurred on this fault after 1860 and 640 BP, respectively, and accommodated slip greater than 8 m each, a value corresponding to the incremental vertical offset of the terraces. Such events released a significant part of the slip deficit accumulated on the Main Himalayan thrust fault. However, given the geometry of this fault system as well as the date of occurrence of the last events, the ruptures could be associated with major earthquakes also rupturing the Main Frontal Thrust, such as the great 1505 earthquake

Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990-2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Hearing loss affects access to spoken language, which can affect cognition and development, and can negatively affect social wellbeing. We present updated estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study on the prevalence of hearing loss in 2019, as well as the condition's associated disability. Methods We did systematic reviews of population-representative surveys on hearing loss prevalence from 1990 to 2019. We fitted nested meta-regression models for severity-specific prevalence, accounting for hearing aid coverage, cause, and the presence of tinnitus. We also forecasted the prevalence of hearing loss until 2050. Findings An estimated 1·57 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1·51–1·64) people globally had hearing loss in 2019, accounting for one in five people (20·3% [19·5–21·1]). Of these, 403·3 million (357·3–449·5) people had hearing loss that was moderate or higher in severity after adjusting for hearing aid use, and 430·4 million (381·7–479·6) without adjustment. The largest number of people with moderate-to-complete hearing loss resided in the Western Pacific region (127·1 million people [112·3–142·6]). Of all people with a hearing impairment, 62·1% (60·2–63·9) were older than 50 years. The Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index explained 65·8% of the variation in national age-standardised rates of years lived with disability, because countries with a low HAQ Index had higher rates of years lived with disability. By 2050, a projected 2·45 billion (2·35–2·56) people will have hearing loss, a 56·1% (47·3–65·2) increase from 2019, despite stable age-standardised prevalence. Interpretation As populations age, the number of people with hearing loss will increase. Interventions such as childhood screening, hearing aids, effective management of otitis media and meningitis, and cochlear implants have the potential to ameliorate this burden. Because the burden of moderate-to-complete hearing loss is concentrated in countries with low health-care quality and access, stronger health-care provision mechanisms are needed to reduce the burden of unaddressed hearing loss in these settings. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and WHO