Prenatal monocular enucleation induces a selective loss of low-spatial-frequency cortical responses to the remaining eye.

During early development, interactions between the two eyes are critical in the formation of eye-specific domains within the lateral geniculate nucleus and the visual cortex. When monocular enucleation is done early in prenatal life, it induces remarkable anatomical and functional reorganizations of the visual pathways. Behavioral data have shown a loss in sensitivity to low-spatial-frequency gratings in cats. To correlate the behavioral observations with a possible change in the analysis of contrast at the level of primary visual areas we recorded visual evoked potentials at the 17/18 border in two cats enucleated prenatally (gestational age at enucleation, 39-42 days), three neonatal, two control animals, and one animal with a surgical removal of Y-ganglion fibers. Our results show a strong attenuation in the amplitude of response at all contrast values for gratings of low spatial frequency in prenatally enucleated cats, whereas neonatally enucleated and control animals present responses of comparable amplitude. We conclude that the behavioral results reflect the reduced sensitivity for low frequencies of visual cortical neurons. In addition, we define a critical period for the development of the contrast-sensitivity function that seems to be limited to the prenatal gestation period. We suggest that the prenatal interruption of binocular interactions leads to a functional elimination of the Y-ganglion system.

Estudo do impacto visual de alguns sinais horizontais de trânsito: avaliação utilizando métodos da psicofísica

Neste trabalho são feitas comparações entre os principais sinais horizontais de trânsito (Parada Obrigatória, Faixa de Pedestre e Lombada) padronizados pelo Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (CTB), com modelos alternativos que sofreram variações na forma e/ou cor, alguns deles já usados em algumas cidades brasileiras, com o objetivo de identificar se essas alterações melhoram ou não a percepção do sinal (impacto visual). Para isso são utilizados dois métodos da Psicofísica. Numa primeira etapa a análise é feita utilizando o Método de Comparação aos Pares, para um grupo de quatro estímulos para cada sinal estudado. Em seguida, aplicando o Método de Estimativa das Categorias, foi avaliado o impacto visual do sinal horizontal de Parada Obrigatória quanto à presença ou ausência de orla externa. Por fim, também pelo Método de Comparação aos Pares, foi avaliado o impacto visual causado pelo uso conjugado de sinais horizontais em cruzamentos não semaforizados. Foram estudadas as combinações entre os sinais de parada obrigatória, faixa de pedestres e faixa de retenção. Os resultados obtidos permitem inferir as seguintes conclusões: as alterações na forma e cor propostas para os sinais de parada obrigatória e faixa de pedestres causam maior impacto visual quando comparadas ao modelo padronizado pelo CTB mas, no caso das lombadas, a sinalização padrão mostrou-se ser mais perceptível; quanto a presença ou não da orla externa no sinal de parada obrigatória, esta demonstrou ser positiva; o uso conjugado dos sinais de parada obrigatória, faixa de pedestres e faixa de retenção é a combinação que mais desperta a atenção dos usuários.

Discovering a history : the school of art at the University of Denver

Discovering a History: The School of Art at the University of Denver explores the early history of art education in Denver, and the significance of visual art education at the University of Denver within that history beginning in 1865, when the first classes in art were offered, and ending in 1929 when the University acquired the Chappell School of Art—an independent art school—and appointed Vance Kirkland as director. This paper also explores competing art institutions, which at times posed great hindrances to the University. Further, it illustrates how the artists who taught at the University of Denver School of Art, such as Ida De Steiguer, Preston Powers, Emma Richardson Cherry, and Henry Read, were amongst the great contributors to Denver’s burgeoning artistic culture.

Multilingual extension of a temporal expression normalizer using annotated corpora

This paper presents the automatic extension to other languages of TERSEO, a knowledge-based system for the recognition and normalization of temporal expressions originally developed for Spanish. TERSEO was first extended to English through the automatic translation of the temporal expressions. Then, an improved porting process was applied to Italian, where the automatic translation of the temporal expressions from English and from Spanish was combined with the extraction of new expressions from an Italian annotated corpus. Experimental results demonstrate how, while still adhering to the rule-based paradigm, the development of automatic rule translation procedures allowed us to minimize the effort required for porting to new languages. Relying on such procedures, and without any manual effort or previous knowledge of the target language, TERSEO recognizes and normalizes temporal expressions in Italian with good results (72% precision and 83% recall for recognition).

Proinsulin slows retinal degeneration and vision loss in the P23H rat model of retinitis pigmentosa

Proinsulin has been characterized as a neuroprotective molecule. In this work we assess the therapeutic potential of proinsulin on photoreceptor degeneration, synaptic connectivity, and functional activity of the retina in the transgenic P23H rat, an animal model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP). P23H homozygous rats received an intramuscular injection of an adeno-associated viral vector serotype 1 (AAV1) expressing human proinsulin (hPi+) or AAV1-null vector (hPi−) at P20. Levels of hPi in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and visual function was evaluated by electroretinographic (ERG) recording at P30, P60, P90, and P120. Preservation of retinal structure was assessed by immunohistochemistry at P120. Human proinsulin was detected in serum from rats injected with hPi+ at all times tested, with average hPi levels ranging from 1.1 nM (P30) to 1.4 nM (P120). ERG recordings showed an amelioration of vision loss in hPi+ animals. The scotopic b-waves were significantly higher in hPi+ animals than in control rats at P90 and P120. This attenuation of visual deterioration correlated with a delay in photoreceptor degeneration and the preservation of retinal cytoarchitecture. hPi+ animals had 48.7% more photoreceptors than control animals. Presynaptic and postsynaptic elements, as well as the synaptic contacts between photoreceptors and bipolar or horizontal cells, were preserved in hPi+ P23H rats. Furthermore, in hPi+ rat retinas the number of rod bipolar cell bodies was greater than in control rats. Our data demonstrate that hPi expression preserves cone and rod structure and function, together with their contacts with postsynaptic neurons, in the P23H rat. These data strongly support the further development of proinsulin-based therapy to counteract retinitis pigmentosa.

Neuroprotective effects of the cannabinoid agonist HU210 on retinal degeneration

Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to exert neuroprotective effects on different types of neuronal insults. Here we have addressed the therapeutic potential of the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 on photoreceptor degeneration, synaptic connectivity and functional activity of the retina in the transgenic P23H rat, an animal model for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In P23H rats administered with HU210 (100 μg/kg, i.p.) from P24 to P90, ERG recordings showed an amelioration of vision loss, as compared to vehicle-administered animals. Under scotopic conditions, the maximum a-wave amplitudes recorded at P60 and P90 were higher in HU210-treated animals, as compared to the values obtained in untreated animals. The scotopic b-waves were significantly higher in treated animals than in untreated rats at P30, P60 and P90. This attenuation of visual deterioration correlated with a delay in photoreceptor degeneration and the preservation of retinal cytoarchitecture. HU210-treated animals had 40% more photoreceptors than untreated animals. Presynaptic and postsynaptic elements, as well as the synaptic contacts between photoreceptors and bipolar or horizontal cells, were also preserved in HU210-treated P23H rats. These results indicate that HU210 preserves cone and rod structure and function, together with their contacts with postsynaptic neurons, in P23H rats. These data suggest that cannabinoids are potentially useful to delay retinal degeneration in RP patients.

Characterization of a new murine retinal cell line (MU-PH1) with glial, progenitor and photoreceptor characteristics

Unlike fish and amphibians, mammals do not regenerate retinal neurons throughout life. However, neurogenic potential may be conserved in adult mammal retina and it is necessary to identify the factors that regulate retinal progenitor cells (RPC) proliferative capacity to scope their therapeutic potential. Müller cells can be progenitors for retinal neuronal cells and can play an essential role in the restoration of visual function after retinal injury. Some members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4, are related to progenitor cells proliferation. Müller cells are important in retinal regeneration and stable cell lines are useful for the study of retinal stem cell biology. Our purpose was to obtain a Müller-derived cell line with progenitor characteristics and potential interest in regeneration processes. We obtained and characterized a murine Müller-derived cell line (MU-PH1), which proliferates indefinitely in vitro. Our results show that (i) MU-PH1 cells expresses the Müller cell markers Vimentin, S-100, glutamine synthetase and the progenitor and stem cell markers Nestin, Abcg2, Ascl1, α-tubulin and β-III-tubulin, whereas lacks the expression of CRALBP, GFAP, Chx10, Pax6 and Notch1 markers; (ii) MU-PH1 cell line stably express the photoreceptor markers recoverin, transducin, rhodopsin, blue and red/green opsins and also melanopsin; (iii) the presence of opsins was confirmed by the recording of intracellular free calcium levels during light stimulation; (iv) MU-PH1 cell line also expresses the melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors; (v) MU-PH1 cells express TLR1, 2, 4 and 6 mRNA; (vi) MU-PH1 express TLR2 at cell surface level; (vii) Candida albicans increases TLR2 and TLR6 mRNA expression; (viii) C. albicans or TLR selective agonists (Pam(3)CysSK(4), LPS) did not elicit morphological changes nor TNF-α secretion; (ix) C. albicans and Pam(3)CysSK(4) augmented MU-PH1 neurospheres formation in a statistically significant manner. Our results indicate that MU-PH1 cell line could be of great interest both as a photoreceptor model and in retinal regeneration approaches and that TLR2 may also play a role in retinal cell proliferation.

Optic neuritis in pediatric population: A review in current tendencies of diagnosis and management

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve and may be related to different systemic conditions. The clinical presentation of this pathology usually includes sudden loss of visual acuity (VA) which may be unilateral or bilateral, visual field restriction, pain with eye movements, dyschromatopsia, a relative afferent pupillary defect and optic disk swelling. Optic neuritis in children has specific clinical features and a better prognosis than in adulthood. Although usually appears an underlying viral disease, the main concern for practitioners is the relationship of optic neuritis with multiple sclerosis. In addition to the classical techniques as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), current tendencies of diagnosis for eye practitioners include new imaging devices as optical coherence tomography (OCT), useful to show a thinning of the retinal fibers layer (RFL) after the inflammatory episode. Regarding the management of these patients, short-term intravenous steroid dosages seem to be the best option to treat acute attacks characterized by a very poor bilateral VA.

The regulation of professional advertising practices in Spain, 1988–2013

From the perspective of the sociology of professions, every professional activity should have its own clearly circumscribed and regulated sphere of action. Such an articulation facilitates the regulation of the production of a given profession as well as the way in which it is practiced. The purpose of the research reported here was to provide a comprehensive review and evaluation of the regulatory framework governing the advertising sector in Spain. To this end, the authors analysed external regulatory legislation and self-regulatory codes extracted from the data base of the Asociación para la Autoregulación de la Comunicación Comercial (Autocontrol) that had been enacted or adopted between 1988, the year that Law 11/1998 on General Telecommunications entered into force, and 2003 as well as other relevant documents retrieved from the Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE) pertaining to the same period. Findings indicate that although there has been a groundswell of legislation governing advertising practices in Spain since 1988, especially at the regional level, lawmakers have focused on the content of advertising messages and shown very little interest in regulating the professions of advertising and public relations. Furthermore, Spanish legislation enacted in 2003 and EU policies appear to have encouraged the adoption of voluntary codes of ethics. Sectors traditionally subject to mandatory advertising regulation, either due to the vulnerability of their target audiences or the potential impact of their commercial messages on public health or the environment, are more likely to develop self-regulatory codes of conduct than others

Implantation of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens: One-year follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the visual, refractive, contrast-sensitivity, and aberrometric outcomes during a 1-year follow-up after implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). Setting: Premium Clinic, Teplice, Czech Republic. Design: Prospective case series. Methods: This study included eyes of patients having cataract surgery with implantation of the trifocal IOL model AT Lisa tri 839MP. Distance, intermediate (66 and 80 cm), and near (33 and 40 cm) vision; contrast sensitivity; aberrometric outcomes; and the defocus curve were evaluated during a 12-month follow-up. The level of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was also evaluated. Results: In 120 eyes (60 patients), 1 month postoperatively, an improvement was observed in all visual parameters (P ≤ .03) except corrected near and intermediate visual acuities (both P ≥ .05). From 1 month to 12 months postoperatively, small but statistically significant changes were observed in uncorrected and corrected distance and near visual acuities (all P ≤ .03) and in uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (P = .01). In the defocus curve, no significant differences were found between visual acuities corresponding to defocus levels of −1.0 diopter (D) and −2.0 D (P = .22). The level of ocular spherical aberration decreased statistically significantly at 6 months (P < .001). Ocular and internal higher-order aberrations increased minimally but significantly from 6 to 12 months postoperatively (P < .001). The mean 12-month PCO score was 0.32 ± 0.44 (SD). Four eyes (3.3%) required neodymium:YAG capsulotomy. Conclusion: The trifocal IOL provided complete and stable visual restoration after cataract surgery during a 12-month follow-up, with good levels of visual quality.

The importance of promoting multimodal teaching in the foreign language classroom for the acquisition of social competences: practical examples

This article analyses the way in which the subject English Language V of the degree English Studies (English Language and Literature) combines the development of the five skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing and interacting) with the use of multimodal activities and resources in the teaching-learning process so that students increase their motivation and acquire different social competences that will be useful for the labour market such as communication, cooperation, leadership or conflict management. This study highlights the use of multimodal materials (texts, videos, etc.) on social topics to introduce cultural aspects in a language subject and to deepen into the different social competences university students can acquire when they work with them. The study was guided by the following research questions: how can multimodal texts and resources contribute to the development of the five skills in a foreign language classroom? What are the main social competences that students acquire when the teaching-learning process is multimodal? The results of a survey prepared at the end of the academic year 2015-2016 point out the main competences that university students develop thanks to multimodal teaching. For its framework of analysis, the study draws on the main principles of visual grammar (Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006) where students learn how to analyse the main aspects in multimodal texts. The analysis of the different multimodal activities described in the article and the survey reveal that multimodality is useful for developing critical thinking, for bringing cultural aspects into the classroom and for working on social competences. This article will explain the successes and challenges of using multimodal texts with social content so that students can acquire social competences while learning content. Moreover, the implications of using multimodal resources in a language classroom to develop multiliteracies will be observed.

Baixa visual em crianças do ensino fundamental do município do Recife

Enquadramento: O acesso à saúde ocular em escolares dirige primariamente a prevenção de problemas visuais que dificultem o aprendizado, impossibilitando o desenvolvimento das atividades intelectuais e sociais. Os projetos de promoção da saúde oftalmológica são, para a grande maioria dos alunos, a primeira e rara oportunidade de avaliar a visão. Objetivos: Identificar os tipos de déficit visuais mais comuns nas crianças da região metropolitana do Recife; Identificar as queixas mais frequentes relacionadas a baixa de visão; Realizar campanha preventiva para identificação dos déficits, tendo como referência a Guarnição de Aeronáutica de Recife (GAR). Métodos: Estudo descritivo, transversal, intervencionista e quantitativo. A pesquisa ocorreu nos anos de 2013 e 2014, em uma população de 1500 crianças residentes na cidade de Recife, estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, com idades variando entre 7 e 9 anos, onde obtivemos uma amostra de 490 inscrições para participação no programa. Resultados: No primeiro período, atingimos 98,5% de objetividade, aumentando para 99,3% no segundo período. Os estudantes realizaram as consultas maioritariamente pela manhã (58,7%), em escola particular (81,6%) e na sua maioria (57,1%), eram do sexo feminino. A presença de queixas atingiu 78,6% e os sinais e sintomas mais referidos foram: cefaleia (20,8%), prurido ocular (17,6%) e dificuldade de enxergar o quadro (16,8%). Foram identificados e corrigidos 53 casos de erros de refração sendo o astigmatismo (4,74%), o mais diagnosticado, 7 casos de estrabismo e tratados 12 de conjuntivite. Conclusões: Em 2013, 15,1% e em 2014, 14,2% das crianças apresentaram baixa acuidade visual. Astigmatismo e miopia representam 10% dos problemas mais comuns seguidos de hipermetropia e conjuntivite. 84% do total de nossa amostra refere dificuldade de visualização no quadro negro, 68% manifestam cefaleias, 85% dor ocular, 75,5% vermelhidão ocular e 80,3% prurido ocular. Resumindo, os distúrbios visuais são comuns nas crianças, justificando programas de saúde preventiva nas unidades de saúde da FAB. Palavras-chave: Acuidade visual; Criança; Preventiva.

Virtual car accidents of epilepsy patients, interictal epileptic activity, and medication.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of interictal epileptic activity (IEA) and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on reactivity and aspects of the fitness to drive for epilepsy patients. METHODS Forty-six adult patients with demonstration of focal or generalized bursts of IEA in electroencephalography (EEG) readings within 1 year prior to inclusion irrespective of medication performed a car driving computer test or a single light flash test (39 patients performed both). Reaction times (RTs), virtual crashes, or lapses (RT ≥ 1 s in the car or flash test) were measured in an IEA burst-triggered fashion during IEA and compared with RT-measurements during unremarkable EEG findings in the same session. RESULTS IEA prolonged RTs both in the flash and car test (p < 0.001) in individual patients up to 200 ms. Generalized IEA with spike/waves (s/w) had the largest effect on RT prolongation (p < 0.001, both tests), whereas mean RT during normal EEG, age, gender, and number of AEDs had no effect. The car test was better than the flash test in detecting RT prolongations (p = 0.030). IEA increased crashes/lapses >26% in sessions with generalized IEA with s/w. The frequency of IEA-associated RT >1 s exceeded predictions (p < 0.001) based on simple RT shift, suggesting functional impairment beyond progressive RT prolongation by IEA. The number of AEDs correlated with prolonged RTs during normal EEG (p < 0.021) but not with IEA-associated RT prolongation or crashes/lapses. SIGNIFICANCE IEA prolonged RTs to varying extents, dependent on IEA type. IEA-associated RTs >1 s were more frequent than predicted, suggesting beginning cerebral decompensation of visual stimulus processing. AEDs somewhat reduced psychomotor speed, but it was mainly the IEA that contributed to an excess of virtual accidents.

Chicago public schools, catalogue of 16mm. sound and silent motion picture films and stereopticon slides ... 1942-1943

Mode of access: Internet.

Anthropological report on the Edo-speaking peoples of Nigeria /

pt. 1. Law and custom.--pt. 2. Linguistics. Section I. Edo texts. Section II. Texts in other languages of the Edo family. Section III. Edo grammar. Section IV. Comparative dictionary of selected words in the Edo language. Section V. Edo-English dictionary.