Visually Induced Plasticity of Auditory Spatial Perception in Macaques

AbstractWhen experiencing spatially disparate visual and auditory stimuli, a common percept is that the sound originates from the location of the visual stimulus, an illusion known as the ventriloquism effect [1]. This illusion can persist for tens of minutes, a phenomenon termed the ventriloquism aftereffect [2–5]. The underlying neuronal mechanisms of this rapidly induced plasticity remain unclear; indeed, it remains untested whether similar multimodal interactions occur in other species. We therefore tested whether macaque monkeys experience the ventriloquism aftereffect similar to the way humans do. The ability of two monkeys to determine which side of the midline a sound was presented from was tested before and after a period of 20–60 min in which the monkeys experienced either spatially identical or spatially disparate auditory and visual stimuli. In agreement with human studies, the monkeys did experience a shift in their auditory spatial perception in the direction of the spatially disparate visual stimulus, and the aftereffect did not transfer across sounds that differed in frequency by two octaves. These results show that macaque monkeys experience the ventriloquism aftereffect similar to the way humans do in all tested respects, indicating that these multimodal interactions are a basic phenomenon of the central nervous system

Executive Action to Expand Health Services in the Biden Administration

President Biden’s health platform is ambitious, encompassing a public insurance option, a reduced age of eligibility for Medicare, and expanded tax credits to subsidize premiums. Yet, with divided government, he may be unable to achieve bold health reforms. However, his administration can substantially improve health care access through executive action. In this Viewpoint, we propose a series of measures that could increase access to insurance coverage and health care that are achievable under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid

Improving HIV Outcomes in Resource-Limited Countries: The Importance of Quality Indicators

Background: Resource-limited countries increasingly depend on quality indicators to improve outcomes within HIV treatment programs, but indicators of program performance suitable for use at the local program level remain underdeveloped. Methods: Using the existing literature as a guide, we applied standard quality improvement (QI) concepts to the continuum of HIV care from HIV diagnosis, to enrollment and retention in care, and highlighted critical service delivery process steps to identify opportunities for performance indicator development. We then identified existing indicators to measure program performance, citing examples used by pivotal donor agencies, and assessed their feasibility for use in surveying local program performance. Clinical delivery steps without existing performance measures were identified as opportunities for measure development. Using National Quality Forum (NQF) criteria as a guide, we developed measurement concepts suitable for use at the local program level that address existing gaps in program performance assessment. Results: This analysis of the HIV continuum of care identified seven critical process steps providing numerous opportunities for performance measurement. Analysis of care delivery process steps and the application of NQF criteria identified 24 new measure concepts that are potentially useful for improving operational performance in HIV care at the local level. Conclusion: An evidence-based set of program-level quality indicators is critical for the improvement of HIV care in resource-limited settings. These performance indicators should be utilized as treatment programs continue to grow

Dwarf White Clover Supports Pollinators, Augments Nitrogen in Clover-Turfgrass Lawns, and Suppresses Root-Feeding Grubs in Monoculture but Not in Mixed Swards

The runoff or leaching of nitrogen fertilizers from monoculture turfgrass lawns contri-butes to water pollution, and such lawns are susceptible to insect pests and provide few resources for pollinators. One approach to creating more sustainable lawns is to incorporate white clover (Trifolium repens L.), a nitrogen-fixing legume, into grass seed mixtures or existing turfgrass swards. “Dutch” white clover (DWC), a ubiquitous landrace, forms non-uniform clumps when intermixed with turfgrasses, thus it is often considered to be a lawn weed. Recently, several dwarf varieties of white clover have been selected for their small leaf size and low growth habit, allowing them to tolerate low mowing heights and blend better with grasses. To date, there have been no studies published on the entomological aspects of dwarf clover in pure stands or intermixed with turfgrass. We established field plots with combinations of DWC, two cultivars of dwarf clover, and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) in monoculture or mixed swards, and compared the invertebrate communities therein. Predatory arthropods and earthworm numbers were similar in all plot types. The clover monocultures were resistant to white grubs, but the grub densities in the clover–tall fescue dicultures were similar to those found in the pure tall fescue swards. Dwarf clovers and DWC were similarly attractive to bees and supported similar bee assemblages. The tall fescue foliar N content was elevated 17–27% in the dicultures with clovers

Constraining the near-core rotation of the gamma Doradus star 43 Cygni using BRITE-Constellation data

Photometric time series of the $\gamma$ Dor star 43 Cyg obtained with the BRITE-Constellation nano-satellites allow us to study its pulsational properties in detail and to constrain its interior structure. We aim to find a g-mode period spacing pattern that allows us to determine the near-core rotation rate of 43 Cyg and redetermine the star's fundamental atmospheric parameters and chemical composition. We conducted a frequency analysis using the 156-days long data set obtained with the BRITE-Toronto satellite and employed a suite of MESA/GYRE models to derive the mode identification, asymptotic period spacing and near-core rotation rate. We also used high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopic data obtained at the 1.2m Mercator telescope with the HERMES spectrograph to redetermine the fundamental atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of 43 Cyg using the software Spectroscopy Made Easy (SME). We detected 43 intrinsic pulsation frequencies and identified 18 of them to be part of a period spacing pattern consisting of prograde dipole modes with an asymptotic period spacing $\Delta \Pi_{l=1}$ of $2970^{+700}_{-570} \rm s$. The near-core rotation rate was determined to be $f_{\rm rot} = 0.56^{+0.12}_{-0.14}\,\rm d^{-1}$. The atmosphere of 43 Cyg shows solar chemical composition at an effective temperature of 7150 $\pm$ 150 K, a log g of 4.2 $\pm$ 0.6 dex and a projected rotational velocity, $v {\rm sin}i$, of 44 $\pm$ 4 kms$^{-1}$. The morphology of the observed period spacing patterns shows indications of the presence of a significant chemical gradient in the stellar interior.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted by A&

The elastic modulus of fetal cranial bone: A first step towards an understanding of the biomechanics of fetal head molding

Fetal head molding is the change in shape of the fetal head due to forces of labor. The biomechanics of this process are poorly understood. To understand it better, classical engineering structural analysis is being applied to analyze the process. A fundamental part of this analysis is to describe the mechanical properties of the constituent materials, a knowledge which has been lacking for fetal cranial bone.As a first step toward defining the mechanical properties, 86 specimens of fetal cranial bone obtained from specimens ranging in estimated gestational age from 25 to 40 weeks were tested in three-point bending. In addition, 12 specimens from a 6-yr-old calvarium were tested for comparative purposes. The data indicate that the elastic modulus is highly sensitive to gestational age and fiber orientation. Elastic modulus values for specimens with parallel fiber orientation are in the range of 1.65 x 103 MPa for preterm bone to 3.86 x 103 MPa for term bone. The results are discussed with respect to the limitations of the test method. Finally, clinical inferences are made.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/23344/1/0000286.pd

Fetal head molding: An investigation utilizing a finite element model of the fetal parietal bone

Fetal head molding is the change in head shape due to the forces of labor. Previous investigations of the molding process have been largely qualitative in nature. In order to provide a first step toward a quantitative description of the deformations of the fetal head, a finite element analysis of the parietal bone of the fetal skull is performed. The structural geometry of the bone is derived from orthogonal radiographs of a full term anatomical specimen. Load and material parameters are taken from previous investigations. The bone is modeled using 63 thin shell elements from the SAP IV element library. Scaled models of preterm parietal bone are compared to term bone models.The results indicate that the models undergo deformations which are qualitatively similar to those seen in normal labor. The preterm parietal bone model exhibits deformations 2-4 times greater than the term bone model for the same load distribution. The significance of these results and their relationship to the molding process are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/23348/1/0000291.pd