Sensitive visual detection of norfloxacin in water by smartphone assisted colorimetric method based on peroxidase-like active cobalt-doped Fe3O4 nanozyme.

Norfloxacin is widely used owing to its strong bactericidal effect on Gram-negative bacteria. However, the residual norfloxacin in the environment can be biomagnified via food chain and may damage the human liver and delay the bone development of minors. Present work described a reliable and sensitive smartphone colorimetric sensing system based on cobalt-doped Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Co-Fe3O4 MNPs) for the visual detection of norfloxacin. Compared with Fe3O4, Co-Fe3O4 MNPs earned more remarkably peroxidase-like activity and TMB (colorless) was rapidly oxidized to oxTMB (blue) with the presence of H2O2. Interestingly, the addition of low concentration of norfloxacin can accelerate the color reaction process of TMB, and blue deepening of the solution can be observed with the naked eye. However, after adding high concentration of norfloxacin, the activity of nanozyme was inhibited, resulting in the gradual fading of the solution. Based on this principle, a colorimetric sensor integrated with smartphone RGB mode was established. The visual sensor exhibited good linearity for norfloxacin monitoring in the range of 0.13-2.51 µmol/L and 17.5-100 µmol/L. The limit of visual detection was 0.08 µmol/L. In the actual water sample analysis, the spiked recoveries of norfloxacin were over the range of 95.7%-104.7 %. These results demonstrated that the visual sensor was a convenient and fast method for the efficient and accurate detection of norfloxacin in water, which may have broad application prospect.

Red and green defocus curves and duochrome test in different age groups / Curvas de desenfoque rojo y verde y prueba de duocromo en diferentes grupos de edad

Purpose: To compare the eye defocus curves (DCs) obtained with stimuli on red, green, and white backgrounds and to investigate the applicability of the duochrome test (DT) in different age groups. Methods: 12 elderly (ELD: 59.3 ± 3.9 years) and 8 young (YG: 22.1 ± 1.1 years) subjects were recruited. An optometric assessment with the DT was carried out to obtain the subjective refraction at distance. DCs at distance on green, white, and red backgrounds were measured and the following parameters were deduced: dioptric difference between red-green, green-white, red-white focal positions (minima of the DCs), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and widths of the DCs for red, green, and white. Results: The DC difference between the green-white focal positions (mean ± standard deviation) was -0.12±0.17 diopters (D) (ELD, p = 0.012) and -0.11±0.12 D (YG, p = 0.039), while the red-white difference was not statistically significant. The DC red-green difference was 0.20±0.16 D (ELD, p = 0.002) and 0.18±0.18 D (YG, p = 0.008). The ELD BCVA with green background was significantly worse than BCVA with red (p = 0.007) and white (p = 0.007). The mean value of the DC's width in ELD for green (1.01±0.36 D) was higher than for red (0.77±0.21 D) and for white (0.84±0.35 D), but with no statistical significance. Conclusion: Both age groups showed a slight focusing preference for red when using white light. Moreover, ELD showed a worse BCVA with a green compared to a red background. Despite these results deduced by DC analyses, these aspects do not compromise the possibility of using the DT in clinical practice both in the young and in the elderly. Furthermore, the difference of about 0.20 D between red-green DC in both groups confirms the clinical appropriateness of the widespread use of 0.25 D step as the standard minimum difference in power between correcting lenses.(AU)

Assessing the role of visual dysfunctions in the association between visual symptomatology and the use of digital devices / Evaluación del papel de las disfunciones visuales en la asociación entre la sintomatología visual y el uso de dispositivos digitales

Purpose: To evaluate the association between visual symptoms and use of digital devices considering the presence of visual dysfunctions. Methods: An optometric examination was conducted in a clinical sample of 346 patients to diagnose any type of visual anomaly. Visual symptoms were collected using the validated SQVD questionnaire. A threshold of 6 hours per day was used to quantify the effects of digital device usage and patients were divided into two groups: under and above of 35 years old. A multivariate logistic regression was employed to investigate the association between digital device use and symptoms, with visual dysfunctions considered as a confounding variable. Crude and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) were calculated for each variable. Results: 57.02 % of the subjects reported visual symptoms, and 65.02% exhibited some form of visual dysfunction. For patients under 35 years old, an association was found between having visual symptoms and digital device use (OR = 2.10, p = 0.01). However, after adjusting for visual dysfunctions, this association disappeared (OR = 1.44, p = 0.27) and the association was instead between symptoms and refractive dysfunction (OR = 6.52, p < 0.001), accommodative (OR = 10.47, p < 0.001), binocular (OR = 6.68, p < 0.001) and accommodative plus binocular dysfunctions (OR = 46.84, p < 0.001). Among patients over 35 years old, no association was found between symptoms and the use of digital devices (OR = 1.27, p = 0.49) but there was an association between symptoms and refractive dysfunction (OR = 3.54, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Visual symptoms are not dependent on the duration of digital device use but rather on the presence of any type of visual dysfunction: refractive, accommodative and/or binocular one, which should be diagnosed.(AU)

Effects of beta-blockers on quality of life and well-being in patients with myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function-a prespecified substudy from REDUCE-AMI.

AIMS: In the Randomized Evaluation of Decreased Usage of Beta-Blockers after Acute Myocardial Infarction (REDUCE-AMI) study, long-term beta-blocker use in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction demonstrated no effect on death or cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this prespecified substudy was to investigate effects of beta-blockers on self-reported quality of life and well-being. METHODS AND RESULTS: From this parallel-group, open-label, registry-based randomized clinical trial, EQ-5D, and World Health Organization well-being index-5 (WHO-5) questionnaires were obtained at 6-10 weeks and 11-13 months after AMI in 4080 and 806 patients, respectively. We report results from intention-to-treat and on-treatment analyses for the overall population and relevant subgroups using Wilcoxon rank sum test and adjusted ordinal regression analyses. Of the 4080 individuals reporting EQ-5D (median age 64 years, 22% female), 2023 were randomized to beta-blockers. The main outcome, median EQ-5D index score, was 0.94 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.88, 0.97] in the beta-blocker group, and 0.94 (IQR 0.88, 0.97) in the no-beta-blocker group 6-10 weeks after AMI, OR 1.00 [95% CI 0.89-1.13; P > 0.9]. After 11-13 months, results remained unchanged. Findings were robust in on-treatment analyses and across relevant subgroups. Secondary outcomes, EQ-VAS and WHO-5 index score, confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: Among patients after AMI with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, self-reported quality of life and well-being was not significantly different in individuals randomized to routine long-term beta-blocker therapy as compared to individuals with no beta-blocker use. These results appear consistent regardless of adherence to randomized treatment and across subgroups which emphasizes the need for a careful individual risk-benefit evaluation prior to initiation of beta-blocker treatment.

The impact of early-life conditions on visual discrimination abilities in free-ranging laying hens.

Conditions during incubation and rearing can greatly affect the developmental trajectory of chickens, in a positive and negative way. In this study, the effect of early-life conditions on the visual discrimination abilities of adult, free-ranging laying hens was examined. These early-life treatments entailed incubation in a 12/12h green light/dark cycle and rearing with Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as foraging enrichment. Through a modified pebble-floor test, 171 hens of 41 to 42 wk old, housed in mobile stables with outdoor access, were tested for their ability to discriminate between food and nonfood items (mealworms and decoy mealworms). Each hen was allowed 60 pecks during the trial, from which the overall success rate, as well as within-trial learning was investigated. The latter was accomplished by dividing the 60 pecks into 3 blocks of 20 pecks and comparing the success rate between these blocks. Due to another ongoing experiment on range use, roughly half the hens received range enrichment (mealworms) at the time of testing, so this was included as a covariate in the analysis. Incubation with green light did not have an effect on the visual discrimination abilities of adult laying hens. Rearing with BSFL did have a limited beneficial effect on the visual discrimination abilities, as evidenced by a higher success rate during the first block of the visual discrimination trial. These enhanced visual discrimination abilities might be useful in a more complex free-range setting, where the animals have more foraging opportunities. Hens that received range enrichment at the time of testing, also had a higher success rate during the visual discrimination test, though they had a lower degree of test completion, likely due to habituation to the mealworms as an enrichment. The positive effects of BSFL during rearing and mealworms during the laying period stress the importance of enrichment throughout the life of the hens.

Motion Sickness and visual impairment.

Motion sickness (MS) is caused by exposure to unfamiliar movements. The theory is that MS is due to a conflict between information perceived by the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems. This study examines the role of vision in MS by comparing MS susceptibility among individuals with varying degrees of visual impairments to sighted individuals. We hypothesized that subjects with no perception of light would be less susceptible to MS than less impaired subjects, who would themselves be less susceptible than sighted subjects. To address these, the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ1) was administered to 340 subjects (170 visually impaired paired with 170 sighted subjects) to assess their susceptibility to various modes of transport under real conditions. Visually impaired subjects were divided into subgroups according to the presence (partially sighted) or absence (totally blind) of light perception, as well as the period of onset of impairment (congenital or acquired). Totally blind individuals are significantly less susceptible to MS than partially sighted (p = 0.001), and sighted (p < 0.001) subjects, with no difference between partially sighted and sighted subjects (p = 0.526). Additionally, acquired totally blind subjects are less susceptible to MS than congenitally blind subjects (p = 0.038). Thus, despite a lower susceptibility totally blind subjects may still be susceptible to MS. The absence of vision reduces MS susceptibility but does not completely prevent it. This suggests that vision is more a mediator, than an essential condition for MS appearance.

Optico-chiasmatic distortions in pituitary adenomas: correlation between postoperative morphological reversal and follow-up functional visual recovery.

PURPOSE: To objectively correlate distortions of optic apparatus morphology in patients with visual outcomes in patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs) undergoing trans-sphenoidal surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) and total visual (TV) function was objectively scored in patients selected from an institutional cohort of PAs The following imaging measures of optico-chiasmatic morphology were recorded preoperatively, and at 3 months after surgery: chiasm area (CA), mid-chiasm height (CH), optic nerve-canal bending angle (BA), and optic nerve kinking angle (ONKA). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to establish optimal thresholds for achieving a 'normal' TV score of 200 at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-one eyes were individually studied. VA, VF and TV scores significantly improved after surgery, both at the 3-month and at the 1-year follow-up visits (p<0.001). Cranio-caudal tumor dimension was significantly associated with VA, VF and TV scores, both pre- and post-operatively. There were significant changes in CH (p<0.001), BA (p<0.001) and ONKA (p<0.001) at 3 months after surgery, but not in CA (p=0.061). Baseline VA, VF and TVS scores were positively correlated with preoperative CH and ONKA, while VF and TV scores also demonstrated significant negative correlations with preoperative BA. VF scores at 1-year follow-up were significantly correlated with preoperative and change in BA values, as well as with preoperative and change in ONKA values. ROC analysis revealed that only the preoperative ONKA was found to have acceptable discrimination (AUC>0.7) for predicting 'normal' TV score. Chiasm sag was noted in 45.8% of patients at one year follow-up, but was not associated with delayed visual deterioration in any case. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic realignment of the optic apparatus 3 months following trans-sphenoidal surgery predicts VF scores, but not VA or TV scores at 1 year follow-up. Patients with preoperative ONKA values of more than 139.3° have a 76% chance of achieving normal TV scores one year after surgery. Postoperative chiasm sag appears to be clinically irrelevant at short term follow-up.

Enhanced pH-sensitive anthocyanin film based on chitosan quaternary ammonium salt: A promising colorimetric indicator for visual pork freshness monitoring.

An intelligent pH response indicator film is an easy-to-use device for the real-time monitoring of meat freshness during transport and storage. Therefore, a novel pH-sensitive anthocyanin indicator film composed of polyvinyl alcohol-blueberry anthocyanin (BA)-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) called PAH-2.0 with 1.2 mg/mL HACC to monitor meat freshness using HACC as the colorimetric enhancer has been developed. BA and HACC were mixed and immobilized in the polyvinyl alcohol matrix by hydrogen bonds, as confirmed via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The inclusion of HACC improved the color stability and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the PAH-2.0 film. When applied to pork for freshness monitoring at 4 °C, three freshness stages, including fresh, sub-fresh, and spoiled, could be clearly distinguished based on the color variations of the PAH-2.0 film. The distinct hierarchical color change from purple to blue-violet and finally to grayish-blue was highly correlated with the indicators of pork freshness: pH values, total volatile basic nitrogen, and total viable count. This study provides a simple and promising approach for fabricating meat freshness indicator films with high color recognition accuracy, thereby offering new possibilities for visual meat freshness monitoring.

Topographical Quantification of Retinal Fluid in Type 3 MNV and Associations with Short-Term Visual Outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study aims to quantify the volume of intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF), and sub-retinal pigment epithelium (sub-RPE) fluid in treatment-naïve Type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to investigate the correlation of these fluid volumes with visual acuity (VA) outcomes at baseline and following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective, clinical cohort study. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed patients diagnosed with exudative AMD and treatment-naïve Type 3 MNV undergoing a loading dose of anti-VEGF therapy. Using a validated deep-learning segmentation strategy, we processed optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scans to segment and quantify IRF (i.e., both in the inner and outer retina), SRF, and sub-RPE fluid volumes at baseline. The study correlated baseline fluid volumes with baseline and short-term VA outcomes post-loading dose of anti-VEGF injections. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes from 46 patients were included in this study. Visual acuity was 0.51±0.30 LogMAR at baseline and 0.33±0.20 LogMAR after the loading dose of anti-VEGF (p=0.001). Visual acuity at the follow-up visit was 0.40±0.17 LogMAR in patients with no complete resolution of retinal fluid and 0.31±0.20 LogMAR in eyes without retinal fluid after treatment (P=0.225). In the multivariable analysis, the IRF volume in the inner retina (P=0.032) and the distance of the MNV from the fovea (P=0.037) were predictors of visual acuity at baseline. The baseline IRF volume in the inner retina also predicted the visual acuity at follow-up (p=0.023). CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the fluid volume in the inner retina as a crucial predictor of short-term visual outcomes in Type 3 MNV, underscoring the detrimental effect of IRF on neuroretinal structures.

Vision Improvement in Keratoconus Patients Trained with Perceptual Learning: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal ectasia disease in which the vision of some patients cannot achieve satisfaction by spectacle corrections. However, not everyone can embrace contact lenses to achieve better vision. Perceptual learning (PL) is a potential treatment for vision improvement in such patients. PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and maintenance of PL on vision improvement in KC patients corrected with spectacles. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five non-progressive KC patients aged 9 years or older with unsatisfied spectacle-corrected vision were enrolled. METHODS: Non-progressive KC patients with best spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 0 to 1.0 logMAR (Snellen equivalent range 20/20 to 20/200) and contact lenses intolerant were enrolled. Eligible subjects were randomized into PL and control groups to receive PL and placebo training for 3 months, respectively. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function (CSF), stereoacuity, and visual functioning and quality of life questionnaires were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months of follow-up. Statistics were analyzed following the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. RESULTS: After 3 months of training, the CDVA of patients in the PL group improved as compared to the placebo group (0.17 ± 0.15 logMAR vs. 0.02 ± 0.06 logMAR; P = 0.0006). Eight out of seventeen (47.06 %) patients in the PL group reached CDVA improvement ≥ 2 lines (P=0.0010). This improvement persisted for at least 6 months (from baseline) as compared to the placebo group (0.17 ± 0.17 logMAR vs. 0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR; P = 0.0011). The increase of CSF in the PL group mainly was found for moderate spatial frequency (0.11 ± 0.17 log units at 3 cpd; 0.12 ± 0.19 log units at 6 cpd). Linear regression indicated that patients with worse initial CDVA achieved better gains in CDVA after PL (P = 0.009). No side effects were observed and no subjects quit because of training difficulties. CONCLUSION: Three-month perceptual learning improved vision in KC patients and the improvement maintained after 3 months of treatment cessation. The results indicate that perceptual learning may be a promising therapy for KC patients with unsatisfied spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

Visual and material representations of ageing, space and rhythms in everyday life.

A focus on the materiality within ageing studies brings into focus the material dimensions of space, rhythms and material objects in everyday life. The aim of this paper is to explore meanings around space in the context of the daily lives of people growing older and how materiality is embodied, embedded and performed in the material and social context of our everyday lives. The paper draws on data from the empirical research study Photographing Everyday Life: Ageing, Lived Experiences, Time and Space funded by the ESRC, UK. The focus of the project was to explore the significance of the ordinary and day-to-day and focus on the everyday meanings, lived experiences, practical activities, and social contexts in which people in mid-to-later life live their daily lives. The research involved a diverse sample of 62 women and men aged 50 years and over who took photographs of their different daily routines to create a weekly visual diary. The data reveals three interconnecting whilst analytically distinct themes within the materiality of ageing and the spaces around everyday life: (1) Space, materiality and everyday life; (2) Rhythms, routines and materiality; and (3) Social and material connectivity. The paper concludes by highlighting a complex engagement with space, in which participants drew and re-drew boundaries surrounding meanings of space, sometimes within the same interview or even within a discussion of the same photograph. Moreover, a focus on materiality has elicited rich and illuminating accounts of how people in mid-to-later life experience the intersections between ageing, bodies, time and space in their everyday lives.

[The supernumerary robotic limbs of brain-computer interface based on asynchronous steady-state visual evoked potential].

Brain-computer interface (BCI) based on steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) have attracted much attention in the field of intelligent robotics. Traditional SSVEP-based BCI systems mostly use synchronized triggers without identifying whether the user is in the control or non-control state, resulting in a system that lacks autonomous control capability. Therefore, this paper proposed a SSVEP asynchronous state recognition method, which constructs an asynchronous state recognition model by fusing multiple time-frequency domain features of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and combining with a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to improve the accuracy of SSVEP asynchronous state recognition. Furthermore, addressing the control needs of disabled individuals in multitasking scenarios, a brain-machine fusion system based on SSVEP-BCI asynchronous cooperative control was developed. This system enabled the collaborative control of wearable manipulator and robotic arm, where the robotic arm acts as a "third hand", offering significant advantages in complex environments. The experimental results showed that using the SSVEP asynchronous control algorithm and brain-computer fusion system proposed in this paper could assist users to complete multitasking cooperative operations. The average accuracy of user intent recognition in online control experiments was 93.0%, which provides a theoretical and practical basis for the practical application of the asynchronous SSVEP-BCI system.

[Visual object detection system based on augmented reality and steady-state visual evoked potential].

This study investigates a brain-computer interface (BCI) system based on an augmented reality (AR) environment and steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). The system is designed to facilitate the selection of real-world objects through visual gaze in real-life scenarios. By integrating object detection technology and AR technology, the system augmented real objects with visual enhancements, providing users with visual stimuli that induced corresponding brain signals. SSVEP technology was then utilized to interpret these brain signals and identify the objects that users focused on. Additionally, an adaptive dynamic time-window-based filter bank canonical correlation analysis was employed to rapidly parse the subjects' brain signals. Experimental results indicated that the system could effectively recognize SSVEP signals, achieving an average accuracy rate of 90.6% in visual target identification. This system extends the application of SSVEP signals to real-life scenarios, demonstrating feasibility and efficacy in assisting individuals with mobility impairments and physical disabilities in object selection tasks.

Pilot Study on Reading and Writing Characteristics in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study surveys the factors regarding reading and writing difficulties in children with attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and uses these results to provide support. We conducted surveys on 16 elementary school children from 3rd to 6th grades who were diagnosed with ADHD by a physician based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). We conducted a Hiragana reading test, a Kanji reading and writing test, and a visual perception test on the subject children. We requested that the parents of the children complete a reading and writing symptom checklist, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ), the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). We conducted a multiple regression analysis using the Kanji reading and writing test as the dependent variable. Results revealed that the positional task score in the visual perception test was a factor that influences Kanji writing. Meanwhile, gender, reading-related items on the reading and writing symptom checklist, and performance such as misreading of hiragana were factors that influenced Kanji reading. Based on the results, we suggested that when teaching Kanji writing, children's visual cognition ability should be assessed, and ways to incorporate learning methods that supplement visual perception, such as color masses and electronic learning materials, should be devised. When teaching reading, we suggest using teaching materials that present not only text but also audio as needed, and support the awareness of parents.

EXPRESS: Word length and frequency effects in natural Chinese reading: Evidence for character representations in lexical identification.

Word length and frequency are two of the "big three" factors that affect eye movements in natural reading (Clifton et al., 2016). Whilst these factors have been extensively investigated, all previous studies manipulating word length have been confounded with changes in visual complexity (longer words have more letters and are more visually complex). We controlled stroke complexity across one-character (short) and two-character (long) high- and low-frequency Chinese words (to avoid complexity confounds) and recorded readers' eye movements during sentence reading. Both word length and frequency yielded strong main effects for fixation time measures. For saccadic targeting and skipping probability, word length effects, but not word frequency effects, occurred. Critically, the interaction was not significant regardless of stroke complexity, indicating that word length and frequency independently influence lexical identification and saccade target selection during Chinese reading. The results provide evidence for character level representations during Chinese word recognition in natural reading.

Evaluating mental chronometry as a quantitative measure of information processing in early childhood autism.

OBJECTIVES: Mental chronometry is the scientific study of cognitive processing speed measured by reaction time (RT), which is the elapsed time between the onset of a stimulus and an individual's response. This study aims at measuring the RT among young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and comparing it with normal (typically developing) children. METHODS: 60 ASD children were selected from different ASD centers, and 60 normal children were selected from different kindergartens for participation in this study. Participants were aged 3-6 years old. The RT was measured using the Fitlight trainer device. The findings were statistically evaluated using independent t-tests and ANOVA tests. RESULT: Significant differences (p < 0.0001) were found between both groups in all tasks, and ASD children demonstrated slower RT compared to the normal group. The RT measured through three senses (visual, auditory, and touch) for ASD and normal were 3.64 ± 2.16, 13.19 ± 2.41(trial), 1835.23 ± 757.95, 697.12 ± 87.83 (second), and 1550.89 ± 499.76, 752.67 ± 124.02 (second) respectively. CONCLUSION: The evaluated RT showed significant impairment in RT among ASD in comparison to normal children and this was true for the three senses. The Fitlight trainer could be used to assess RT and stimulus-response among ASD children in various cognitive tasks. Similar studies, involving larger samples from different areas and involving other sense organs, are indicated to confirm the results.

Statistical Learning Facilitates Access to Awareness.

Statistical learning is a powerful mechanism that enables the rapid extraction of regularities from sensory inputs. Although numerous studies have established that statistical learning serves a wide range of cognitive functions, it remains unknown whether statistical learning impacts conscious access. To address this question, we applied multiple paradigms in a series of experiments (N = 153 adults): Two reaction-time-based breaking continuous flash suppression (b-CFS) experiments showed that probable objects break through suppression faster than improbable objects. A preregistered accuracy-based b-CFS experiment showed higher localization accuracy for suppressed probable (versus improbable) objects under identical presentation durations, thereby excluding the possibility of processing differences emerging after conscious access (e.g., criterion shifts). Consistent with these findings, a supplemental visual-masking experiment reaffirmed higher localization sensitivity to probable objects over improbable objects. Together, these findings demonstrate that statistical learning alters the competition for scarce conscious resources, thereby potentially contributing to established effects of statistical learning on higher-level cognitive processes that require consciousness.

Efficacy of orthokeratology lens with the modified small treatment zone on myopia progression and visual quality: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of orthokeratology (ortho-K) lenses with small treatment zone (STZ) or conventional treatment zone (CTZ) in controlling axial elongation in children with myopia as well as the impact on visual quality. We also sought to determine the effect of retinal visual signal quality on axial elongation. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 140 participants (age ranging from 8 to 12 years) were randomly assigned to wear either STZ or CTZ ortho-K lenses. STZ ortho-K lenses design was achieved by changing the depth of reverse zone and the sagitta height of the optical zone. Using the IOL-Master 500, axial length (AL) was measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 18 months of ortho-K treatment. Spherical aberration (SA) and corneal topographic parameters were obtained by the Pentacam anterior segment analyzer at baseline and the 1-month follow-up visit, and optical qualities were assessed by optical quality analysis system-II (OQAS-II) at baseline and after 1 month of lens wearing. Optical quality parameters mainly included the modulation transfer function (MTF) cutoff, Strehl ratio (SR), objective scattering index (OSI), and predicted visual acuity (PVA). RESULTS: A total of 131 participants completed the study, including 68 in the STZ group and 63 in the CTZ group. The STZ group had significantly reduced AL elongation compared to the CTZ group after treatment (12 months: 0.07 ± 0.11 mm vs. 0.14 ± 0.12 mm, P = 0.002; 18 months: 0.17 ± 0.15 mm vs. 0.26 ± 0.16 mm, P = 0.002). The topography in the STZ group showed a smaller treatment zone (TZ) diameter (2.50 ± 0.23 mm vs. 2.77 ± 0.18 mm, P < 0.001), a wider defocus ring width (2.45 ± 0.28 mm vs. 2.30 ± 0.30 mm, P = 0.006), and larger values of total amount of defocus (119.38 ± 63.71 D·mm2 vs. 91.40 ± 40.83 D·mm2, P = 0.003) and total SA (0.37 ± 0.25 µm vs. 0.25 ± 0.29 µm, P = 0.015), compared with the CTZ group. Objective visual quality decreased in both groups (P < 0.001). This was evidenced by a greater decrease in MTF cutoff (- 14.24 ± 10.48 vs. - 10.74 ± 9.46, P = 0.047) and SR values (- 0.09 ± 0.07 vs. - 0.06 ± 0.07, P = 0.026), and an increase in OSI value (0.84 ± 0.72 vs. 0.58 ± 0.53, P = 0.019). PVA9% decreased significantly in the STZ group but not the CTZ group. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the changes in total SA and MTF cutoff values (r = - 0.202, P = 0.025). AL changes were associated with sex, change of MTF cutoff value, increment of total SA and TZ area. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CTZ ortho-K lenses, STZ ortho-K lenses significantly inhibited axial elongation in children with myopia while moderately reducing their objective visual quality. Axial elongation was affected by retinal visual quality, and it may be a possible mechanism for ortho-K slowing myopia progression. Trial registration This trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on November 5, 2019 with trial registration number: ChiCTR1900027218. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=45380.

Brain Activity in Visual-Motor Illusions With Enhanced Joint Motion Intensity.

Background Visual-motor illusion (VMI) is a cognitive approach used to evoke kinesthetic sensations. Research suggests that VMI can modulate brain activity depending on the specific joint movement observed. This study aimed to identify differences in brain activity when observing video images of joint movements at different intensities of movement in VMI. Methodology The study included 14 healthy adult participants. Two types of video images were used: pure ankle dorsiflexion movements (Standard-VMI) and ankle dorsiflexion movements with added resistance (Power-VMI). The brain activity measurement protocol employed a block design with one set of 15 seconds rest, 30 seconds VMI task, and 30 seconds follow-up. Each participant performed the VMI task twice, alternating between Standard-VMI and Power-VMI. Brain activity was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, focusing on motor-related regions. Subjective impressions were assessed using visual analog scales (VAS) for kinesthetic illusions. Results The results revealed that Power-VMI stimulated significantly greater brain activity in the premotor and supplementary motor cortex, supramarginal gyrus, and superior parietal lobule compared with Standard-VMI. Power-VMI resulted in higher VAS values for kinesthetic illusion than Standard-VMI. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between brain activity in the superior parietal lobule and the degree of kinesthetic illusion. Conclusions These findings indicate that Power-VMI enhances both motor-related brain areas and motor-sensory illusions, potentially having a greater impact on improving motor function. This study provides valuable insights for developing VMI interventions for rehabilitation, particularly for individuals with paralysis or movement impairments.

Successful Administration of Kampo Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment to Improve Erythromelalgia: A Case Report.

Erythromelalgia is a rare disease characterized by a triad of recurrent burning pain, redness with pain, and hot flashes in the legs during attacks. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman who suffered from refractory erythromelalgia for 15 years and was successfully managed with Kampo medicine and acupuncture. Her pain was refractory to seven types of oral medications and intravenous lidocaine injections. Byakkokaninjinto was also administered for concomitant polydipsia in addition to acupuncture, unseiin, orengedokuto, and sokeikakketsuto. Because erythromelalgia has no established treatment, traditional Kampo medicine combined with acupuncture may help improve the quality of life of affected patients.