Effects of age and optical blur on real depth stereoacuity

Stereoscopic depth perception utilizes the disparity cues between the images that fall on the retinae of the two eyes. The purpose of this study was to determine what role aging and optical blur play in stereoscopic disparity sensitivity for real depth stimuli. Forty-six volunteers were tested ranging in age from 15 to 60 years. Crossed and uncrossed disparity thresholds were measured using white light under conditions of best optical correction. The uncrossed disparity thresholds were also measured with optical blur (from +1.0D to +5.0D added to the best correction). Stereothresholds were measured using the Frisby Stereo Test, which utilizes a four-alternative forced-choice staircase procedure. The threshold disparities measured for young adults were frequently lower than 10 arcsec, a value considerably lower than the clinical estimates commonly obtained using Random Dot Stereograms (20 arcsec) or Titmus Fly Test (40 arcsec) tests. Contrary to previous reports, disparity thresholds increased between the ages of 31 and 45 years. This finding should be taken into account in clinical evaluation of visual function of older patients. Optical blur degrades visual acuity and stereoacuity similarly under white-light conditions, indicating that both functions are affected proportionally by optical defocus.

A general threshold stress hybrid hazard model for lifetime data

In this paper we propose a hybrid hazard regression model with threshold stress which includes the proportional hazards and the accelerated failure time models as particular cases. To express the behavior of lifetimes the generalized-gamma distribution is assumed and an inverse power law model with a threshold stress is considered. For parameter estimation we develop a sampling-based posterior inference procedure based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques. We assume proper but vague priors for the parameters of interest. A simulation study investigates the frequentist properties of the proposed estimators obtained under the assumption of vague priors. Further, some discussions on model selection criteria are given. The methodology is illustrated on simulated and real lifetime data set.

Two versions of the threshold contact model in two dimensions

Two versions of the threshold contact process ordinary and conservative - are studied on a square lattice. In the first, particles are created on active sites, those having at least two nearest neighbor sites occupied, and are annihilated spontaneously. In the conservative version, a particle jumps from its site to an active site. Mean-field analysis suggests the existence of a first-order phase transition, which is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations. In the thermodynamic limit, the two versions are found to give the same results. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Li-8(p, alpha)He-5 reaction at low energies, and Be-9 spectroscopy around the proton threshold

We present a direct measurement of the low-energy Li-8(p, alpha)He-5 cross section, using a radioactive Li-8 beam impinging on a thick target. With four beam energies, we cover the energy range between E-c.m. = 0.2 and 2.1 MeV. An R-matrix analysis of the data is performed and suggests the existence of two broad overlapping resonances (5/2(+) at E-c.m. = 1.69 MeV and 7/2(+) at E-c.m. = 1.76 MeV). At low energies our data are sensitive to the properties of a subthreshold state (E-x = 16.67 MeV) and of two resonances above threshold. These resonances were observed in previous experiments. The R-matrix fit confirms spin assignments, and provides partial widths. We propose a new Li-8(p, alpha)He-5 reaction rate and briefly discuss its influence in nuclear astrophysics. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.86.064321

Ventilatory threshold is related to walking tolerance in patients with intermittent claudication

Background: This study assessed the relationship between lower limb hemodynamics and metabolic parameters with walking tolerance in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Patients and methods: Resting ankle-brachial index (ABI), baseline blood flow (BF), BF response to reactive hyperemia (BFRH), oxygen uptake (VO2), initial claudication distance (ICD) and total walking distance (TWD) were measured in 28 IC patients. Pearson and Spearman correlations were calculated. Results: ABI, baseline BF and BF response to RH did not correlate with ICD or TWD. VO2 at first ventilatory threshold and VO(2)peak were significantly and positively correlated with ICD (r = 0.41 and 0.54, respectively) and TWD (r = 0.65 and 0.71, respectively). Conclusions: VO(2)peak and VO2 at first ventilatory threshold, but not ABI, baseline BF and BFHR were associated with walking tolerance in IC patients. These results suggest that VO2 at first ventilatory threshold may be useful to evaluate walking tolerance and improvements in IC patients.

Acute Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Responses During Resistance Exercise in the Lactate Threshold Intensity

The aims were both to determine lactate and ventilatory threshold during incremental resistance training and to analyze the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during constant-load resistance exercise at lactate threshold (LT) intensity. Ten healthy men performed 2 protocols on leg press machine. The incremental test was performed to determine the lactate and ventilatory thresholds through an algorithmic adjustment method. After 48 h, a constant-load exercise at LT intensity was executed. The intensity of LT and ventilatory threshold was 27.1 +/- 3.7 and 30.3 +/- 7.9% of 1RM, respectively (P=0.142). During the constant-load resistance exercise, no significant variation was observed between set 9 and set 15 for blood lactate concentration (3.3 +/- 0.9 and 4.1 +/- 1.4 mmol.L-1, respectively. P=0.166) and BORG scale (11.5 +/- 2.9 and 13.0 +/- 3.5, respectively. P=0.783). No significant variation was observed between set 6 and set 15 for minute ventilation (19.4 +/- 4.9 and 22.4 +/- 5.5L. min(-1), respectively. P=0.091) and between S3 and S15 for VO2 (0.77 +/- 0.18 and 0.83 +/- 0.16L. min(-1), respectively. P=1.0). Constant-load resistance exercise at LT intensity corresponds to a steady state of ventilatory, cardio-metabolic parameters and ratings of perceived exertion.

Acceptance Threshold Hypothesis is Supported by Chemical Similarity of Cuticular Hydrocarbons in a Stingless Bee, Melipona asilvai

The ability to discriminate nestmates from non-nestmates in insect societies is essential to protect colonies from conspecific invaders. The acceptance threshold hypothesis predicts that organisms whose recognition systems classify recipients without errors should optimize the balance between acceptance and rejection. In this process, cuticular hydrocarbons play an important role as cues of recognition in social insects. The aims of this study were to determine whether guards exhibit a restrictive level of rejection towards chemically distinct individuals, becoming more permissive during the encounters with either nestmate or non-nestmate individuals bearing chemically similar profiles. The study demonstrates that Melipona asilvai (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) guards exhibit a flexible system of nestmate recognition according to the degree of chemical similarity between the incoming forager and its own cuticular hydrocarbons profile. Guards became less restrictive in their acceptance rates when they encounter non-nestmates with highly similar chemical profiles, which they probably mistake for nestmates, hence broadening their acceptance level.

A Cost-Effectiveness-Assessing Model of Vaccination for Varicella and Zoster

A decision analytical model is presented and analysed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of routine vaccination against varicella and herpes-zoster, or shingles. These diseases have as common aetiological agent the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Zoster can more likely occur in aged people with declining cell-mediated immunity. The general concern is that universal varicella vaccination might lead to more cases of zoster: with more vaccinated children exposure of the general population to varicella infectives become smaller and thus a larger proportion of older people will have weaker immunity to VZV, leading to more cases of reactivation of zoster. Our compartment model shows that only two possible equilibria exist, one without varicella and the other one where varicella arid zoster both thrive. Threshold quantities to distinguish these cases are derived. Cost estimates on a possible herd vaccination program are discussed indicating a possible tradeoff choice.

Pain pressure threshold algometry of the abdominal wall in healthy women

The objective of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of pain pressure threshold algometry at various points of the abdominal wall of healthy women. Twenty-one healthy women in menacme with a mean age of 28 +/- 5.4 years (range: 19-39 years) were included. All volunteers had regular menstrual cycles (27-33 days) and were right-handed and, to the best of our knowledge, none were taking medications at the time of testing. Women with a diagnosis of depression, anxiety or other mood disturbances were excluded. Women with previous abdominal surgery, any pain condition or any evidence of inflammation, hypertension, smoking, alcoholism, or inflammatory disease were also excluded. Pain perception thresholds were assessed with a pressure algometer with digital traction and compression and a measuring capacity for 5 kg. All points were localized by palpation and marked with a felt-tipped pen and each individual was evaluated over a period of 2 days in two consecutive sessions, each session consisting of a set of 14 point measurements repeated twice by two examiners in random sequence. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean pain threshold obtained by the two examiners on 2 diferent days (examiner A: P = 1.00; examiner B: P = 0.75; Wilcoxon matched pairs test). There was excellent/good agreement between examiners for all days and all points. Our results have established baseline values to which future researchers will be able to refer. They show that pressure algometry is a reliable measure for pain perception in the abdominal wall of healthy women.

Influence of myofascial pain on the pressure pain threshold of masticatory muscles in women with migraine

Objective: To evaluate the influence of myofascial pain on the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of masticatory muscles in women with migraine. Methods: The sample comprised 101 women, ages ranging from 18 to 60 years, with an episodic migraine diagnosis previously confirmed by a neurologist. All patients were evaluated using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders to determine the presence of myofascial pain and were divided into 2 groups: group I (n=56), comprising women with a migraine, and group II (n=45), comprising women with a migraine and myofascial pain. Two more groups (49 asymptomatic women and 50 women with myofascial pain), matched for sex and race, obtained from a previous study, were added to this study. The PPT values of masseter and temporalis (anterior, middle, and posterior regions) muscles were recorded bilaterally using a pressure algometer. One-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test for pairwise comparisons were used in statistical analysis with a 5% significance level. Results: We found that all groups had significantly lower PPT values compared with asymptomatic women, with lower values seen in group II (women with migraine and myofascial pain). Women with a migraine and myofascial pain showed significantly lower PPT values compared with women with a migraine only, and also when compared with women with myofascial pain only. Discussion: Migraine, especially when accompanied by myofascial pain, reduces the PPT of masticatory muscles, suggesting the importance of masticatory muscle palpation during examination of patients with migraine.

Effects of visual and auditory stimuli in a choice reaction time task

The effect produced by a warning stimulus(i) (WS) in reaction time (RT) tasks is commonly attributed to a facilitation of sensorimotor mechanisms by alertness. Recently, evidence was presented that this effect is also related to a proactive inhibition of motor control mechanisms. This inhibition would hinder responding to the WS instead of the target stimulus (TS). Some studies have shown that auditory WS produce a stronger facilitatory effect than visual WS. The present study investigated whether the former WS also produces a stronger inhibitory effect than the latter WS. In one session, the RTs to a visual target in two groups of volunteers were evaluated. In a second session, subjects reacted to the visual target both with (50% of the trials) and without (50% of the trials) a WS. During trials, when subjects received a WS, one group received a visual WS and the other group was presented with an auditory WS. In the first session, the mean RTs of the two groups did not differ significantly. In the second session, the mean RT of the two groups in the presence of the WS was shorter than in their absence. The mean RT in the absence of the auditory WS was significantly longer than the mean RT in the absence of the visual WS. Mean RTs did not differ significantly between the present conditions of the visual and auditory WS. The longer RTs of the auditory WS group as opposed to the visual WS group in the WS-absent trials suggest that auditory WS exert a stronger inhibitory influence on responsivity than visual WS.