Clinical Viability Study of Preattentive Visual Search Glaucoma

Background/Aim: Previous research has shown that several clinical conditions cause increased pre-attentive visual search (PAVS) times, implying reduced parallel search capabilities in glaucoma, DLB dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of the research reported here was two-fold • To examine for the first time the effect of a number of variables on PAVS performance including optical blur, age, retinal eccentricity and perceptual learning. Such investigations are designed to elucidate the nature of best clinical practise and to determine whether the test remains viable in the presence of such potentially confounding variables. • To analyse the efficiency of PAVS in cases of established glaucoma: glaucoma suspects and age –matched normals. Such an investigation is designed to determine the differential diagnostic capacity of the current test and to provide diagnostic cut-off performance indices to facilitate clinical categorisation of patients Methods: Suitably configured flicker, motion displacement and orientation pop-out stimuli were presented to subjects on a computer monitor. The subjects’ task was to accurately locate the pop-out target from among 120 distractors on either left or right of the monitor as rapidly as possible. PAVS performance was determined through analysis of the speed of accurate target location and its relation to the individuals’ complex (non-preattentive) reaction time. Results: The current test remains largely resistant to the sensory degradation effects of optical blur and retinal eccentricity. Only the orientation task requires a reasonable level of visual acuity (better than 6/18). The perceptual learning effect is minimal, therefore little practice is required prior to clinical application of the test. The sensory and motor effects of age are rendered negligible through the development of a measure of perceptual search ability. The test therefore remains clinically robust. In relation to glaucomatous neuropathy, the test yields consistently high sensitivity and specificity for each task and thus appears to provide a suitable means of glaucoma detection. Conclusions: All investigations thus far indicate that, at the very least, the test provides a simple, rapid and accurate means of screening for the effects of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Its capacity to differentiate glaucoma from suspects suggests its diagnostic ability extends beyond that achieved by conventional perimetry. Longitudinal analysis should confirm whether this is true

Preattentive Visual Search (PAVS): A Clinical Tool for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is known to cause peripheral field loss but its impact is often underestimated. The inability to detect a target in an isolated area of the visual field may not be perceived as a significant disability. The determination here however that glaucoma adversely affects an individual’s capacity to deploy attention is an important one. This can be applied to infer the potential impact of the condition on lifestyle, even in the absence of diffuse perimetric field loss. Everyday tasks such as searching for car keys may prove more tedious and require more serial inspection. The ability to guide attention is a fundamental capacity of the human system and when compromised through visual dysfunction has the potential for devastating consequences

Application of big-data for epidemiological studies of refractive error

To examine whether data sourced from electronic medical records (EMR) and a large industrial spectacle lens manufacturing database can estimate refractive error distribution within large populations as an alternative to typical population surveys of refractive error

Foliar diseases of wheat.

Glasshouse screening for resistance to septoria nodorum and pyrenophora tritici repentis. Assessment of Interstate Variety Trial \u27B\u27 1985. Glasshouse assessment of a novel selection technique. Duration of leaf wetness incubation as it affects glasshouse screening. Effect of leaf disease in multiple wheat cropping. M1, M2, E1, E2, E3. An inoculum for inducing s. Nodorum epidemics in the field

Meso-Zeaxanthin Ocular Supplementation Trial in Normals (MOST-N)

Purpose: At the macula, the carotenoids meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are collectively referred to as macular pigment (MP). To date only one study has reported on MP augmentation following supplementation with MZ, L and Z. However, that study measured only one retinal location (0.75°) and may not have been able to detect changes, if any, at other degrees of retinal eccentricity. Our study was designed to investigate (in a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled fashion) changes in MP optical density (MPOD, including its entire spatial profile), and serum concentrations of the macular carotenoids in response to supplemental MZ, L and Z in healthy subjects. Methods: We recruited 44 healthy subjects for this study. 22 subjects were randomized to consume a formulation containing 10.6 mg of MZ, 5.9 mg of L and 1.2 mg of Z (Intervention [I] group), and 22 subjects consumed a placebo everyday over a six month period (Pleacebo [P]) group). At each study visit (Baseline [V1], 3 months [V2], and 6 months [V3]) the spatial profile of MPOD (i.e. at 0.25°, 0.5°, 1° and 1.75°) was measured using customised heterochromatic flicker photometry and a blood sample was collected to analyse serum concentrations of L and Z using high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The mean ± SD age of our subjects was 43.54 ± 12.2. There was a statistically significant increase in serum concentrations of L and Z (μmol/L) and MPOD at 0.25° and 0.5° retinal eccentricity at V2 and V3 in the I group (p 0.05, for all). Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with previous supplementation studies that have shown increases in serum concentrations of L and Z and MPOD following supplementation with the macular carotenoids. Interestingly, the greatest increase seen in this study was at the centre (0.25°) following supplementation with an MZ dominant formulation

Natural History and Conservation Biology of a Southern West Virginia Contour Surface Mine Reptile and Amphibian Community

During the 2004-2005 field seasons, natural history of a herpetofaunal community was studied on an abandoned contour surface mine in Eccles, Raleigh County, West Virginia. This study is the first natural history investigation of amphibian and reptile populations present on an abandoned mine site. Specific natural history parameters for each order on the mine were investigated to determine what effect the post mining landscape had on herpetofaunal communities. Pond breeding caudates population success was dependent on life history parameters. Anurans were efficient at re-colonization, with 12 of a possible 14 species collected on the mine site. Anuran diversity was linked to niche partioning. Testudine populations were limited by the mine’s landscape, and were not successful at colonizing the mine. Ophidians utilized the mine seasonally when mine thermal regimes did not lead to physiological stress. Overall, the mine favored reptiles and amphibians that displayed generalist species characteristics and favored R selection

The Effects of Dams in the Big Sandy Watershed using a Novel Bacteria-Based Bioindicator of Water Quality

During 2003, water samples from the Big Sandy watershed were collected in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Objectives were to determine the effects of dams on bacterial populations and to test a bioindicator of water quality based on antibiotic-resistant and fecal indicator bacteria. Thirty-five samples were taken each season within the Big Sandy Watershed, which includes six USACE dams. Total cultivable, ciprofloxacin-resistant, erythromycin-resistant, tetracycline- resistant, total coliform, and fecal coliform bacteria were enumerated. Data on water chemistry and physical parameters were collected by the USACE in the spring and summer seasons. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fecal coliform data were used to assign a site impact score (-4 to +4). The scores show significant differences between upstream (n = 17) and downstream (n = 18) sites in two of three sampling periods analyzed (spring, P \u3c 0.01; summer, P \u3c 0.05; fall, P = 1.0). Sites downstream of dams typically had lower bacterial counts and negative impact scores; whereas, sites upstream had higher bacterial counts and higher impact scores. A significant correlation was repeated in the spring and summer seasons between ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria and dissolved Kjeldahl Nitrogen (spring, P \u3c 0.01; summer, P \u3c 0.05) and between turbidity and erythromycin-resistant bacteria (P \u3c 0.01). Data on turbidity and weather conditions indicate that bacteria are highly correlated to turbidity, especially under high water and rainfall conditions. This positive correlation suggests an association between bacteria and particulates. The microbiological analyses suggest dams allow particulates and associated bacteria to settle out, leading to an apparent decrease in water impact indicators and bacterial counts

An Examination of the Comorbidity between Externalizing Disorders and Reading Disabilities in School-Age Boys

Our current education system uses a global method that does very little to address the concurrent cognitive, academic and social-emotional needs of the special education student. By using a single analysis, we fail to address specific deficits, including comorbidity of cognitive, academic, and socio-emotional deficits. Generalized assessments do little to address the source of the student’s problems. If these comorbid learning and social-emotional problems are addressed early on, this might reduce the incidence of antisocial and/or delinquent behaviors and lead to greater academic success. In an attempt to further investigate the relationships between academic, (i.e., reading) and emotional/behavioral systems, the current study explored cognitive subtypes through hierarchical cluster analysis of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th Edition (WISC-IV) standardized subtests, educational achievement assessed through analysis of the Woodcock Johnson III (WJIII) and emotional and behavioral functioning assessed through Behavior Assessment System for Children 2nd Edition (BASC-2 TRF) teacher ratings. Six cognitive subtypes were identified and differentiated across cognitive, academic, psychosocial, and disciplinary variables. Statistically significant group differences were found. The Crystallized Language subgroup emerged as having relatively lower Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and Word Attack scores with a global psychopathology, including the highest rate of the externalizing behavior of aggression in concert with the lowest anxiety and the highest rates of truancy, suspensions and arrest out of all the subgroups. As for the other subgroups, the Executive/ Working Memory subgroup had lower cognitive and academic ability with increased depression and a slight elevation in truancy and arrests. The Cognitively Impaired and Visual Spatial/Constructional subgroups demonstrated severe cognitive and academic deficits and experienced global emotional/behavior dysfunction, with high rates of truancy and arrest, respectively. The Auditory/Verbal subgroup showed commensurate lower cognitive and academic deficits with externalizing problems and overall global emotional/behavioral deficits with a history of truancy noted. The High Functioning/Processing Speed subgroup showed no cognitive/academic concerns, but did demonstrate increased anxiety with no positive disciplinary history noted. This study demonstrates the need for more accurate identification of the special education student as a whole being, incorporating each facet of cognitive, academic and comorbid social/emotional deficits. If specific deficits are identified, more targeted interventions would help practitioners to teach and offer social/emotional supports. Effectively diagnosing a complex and unique cognitive academic and social emotional makeup will certainly provide a springboard for academic success, which may ultimately reduce antisocial and/or criminal behaviors and improve society for future generations. Future research could benefit from investigation using current assessments with more standardized employment and collection of data on disciplinary actions