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The cytoskeletal protein vinculin is a major regulator of cell adhesion and attaches to the cell surface by binding to specific phospholipids. Structural, biochemical, and biological studies provided much insight into how vinculin binds to membranes, what components it recognizes, and how lipid binding is regulated. Here we discuss the roles and mechanisms of phospholipids in regulating the structure and function of vinculin and of its muscle-specific metavinculin splice variant. A full appreciation of these processes is necessary for understanding how vinculin regulates cell motility, migration, and wound healing, and for understanding of its role in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine preference intake and relative palatability indices of tanniniferous Acacia karroo fed to 5 growing male Pedi goats with an average body weight of 19.81 ± 1.83kg. Five feeding troughs were provided to each goat and each animal was exposed to all the experimental diets. A cafeteria feeding approach was used, thus, permitting goats free access to the diet of their choice. Acacia karroo (K) was offered in a mixture with Setaria verticillata (S) hay at five different levels: Diet 1: S80K20, Diet 2: S75K25, Diet 3: S70K30, Diet 4: S60K40 and Diet 5: S50K50. The daily relative palatability indexes (RPI) obtained for each diet were subjected to analysis of variance with feeds as treatments and individual animals as replicates in a completely randomized design. Significant differences (P<0.05) in RPI among the diets were observed. Preference rankings for the diets produced the following order: Diet 5> Diet 4> Diet 3> Diet 2> Diet 1. Diet 5 appeared to be the most preferred by goats with an RPI of 96.91%. Palatability indices were positively and significantly (P<0.05) predicted from dry matter intake of goats (r2 = 0.71). Similarly, intake and palatability indices of the diets related positively (P<0.05) with the nutrient and tannin contents. Results of this study indicated that tannin-rich Acacia karroo leaves when fed in a mixed diet could influence preference and intake by Pedi goats. Palatability studies could be used in designing supplemental feeding programs for ruminant livestock in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baclofen is a GABA-B agonist drug used to treat mainly spasticity but it has shown some possible analgesic properties. The baclofen induced antinociception by GABA agonists depressing the central nervous system by decreasing the release of glutamate and aspartate. Objectives: Determine the antinociception effect of Baclofen after it administration in a model of neuropathic pain in rats. Material and methods: Thirty male albino rats of Wistar strain, weighing between 150 and 250 grams were used. Rats were prepared for surgery and anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate. Right sciatic nerve was isolated and injured by constriction. Baclofen was applied in different doses (1, 4, 6 mg/kg) intra-peritoneal according to the experimental groups. The rats were subjected to a battery of various pain tests. Each test was performed on both hind legs. Repetitive ANOVA test was used and the p < 0.05 was significant. Results: Pain measurement with Von Frey filaments of the left leg was 1.13 (± 0.32) mm as a base line in all groups, compared with the right leg that was1.04 (± 0.36) mm as the same condition. Significant differences were obtained after baclofen application in all the groups. Altered gait percentages in each group was remarkable in group A, and was ameliorate in group B, C, and D (p < 0.001) and normal in group E. Autotomy, edema and leg retraction was observed like complications main in group C (20%) and D (40%). Conclusions: Baclofen demonstrated as an excellent antinociception drug to treat neuropathic pain in rats, and was dose-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses documentary research techniques to analyse the use of kata, forms, in the Japanese martial arts. Following an introduction on the existence of kata practice, using existing sources of information the paper first examines the spiritual developments of bushido, secondly, the social changes that led to the redevelopment of bujutsu into budo is scrutinsised. Next, the position of kata in relation to budo martial arts is explored followed by a discussion on the use of kata as a pedagogy. Finally, kata is repositioned in light of the contextual expansion investigated demonstrating how kata could represent the intended essence of budo as well a culturally-valued, spiritual pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article three types of objection to a realist account of religious experience are explored: (1) the unusual character of its object; (2) its unusual accompanying conditions; and (3) the conflicting content. In response to (1) it is noted that despite divine freedom not all types of encounter preclude predictability, while parallels are drawn with perception of other complex objects such as persons. At the same time the whole notion of simple perceptions is challenged. In response to (2) parallels to the affective element are found not only in moral and aesthetic experience but more widely. Finally, in response to (3) apparent irreconcilable conflicts are lessened by observing how all such experiences take place within the context of traditions whose surface incompatibility does not necessarily indicate deep divisions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Successful execution of upright locomotion requires coordinated interaction between controllers for locomotion and posture. Our earlier research supported this model in the non-impaired and found impaired interaction in the post-stroke nervous system during locomotion. In this study, we sought to examine the role of the Ia afferent spinal loop, via the H-reflex response, under postural influence during a locomotor task. We tested the hypothesis that the ability to increase stretch reflex gain in response to postural loads during locomotion would be reduced post-stroke. Methods: Fifteen individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis and 13 non-impaired controls pedaled on a motorized cycle ergometer with specialized backboard support system under (1) seated supported, and (2) non-seated postural-loaded conditions, generating matched pedal force outputs of two levels. H-reflexes were elicited at 90°crank angle. Results: We observed increased H-reflex gain with postural influence in non-impaired individuals, but a lack of increase in individuals post-stroke. Furthermore, we observed decreased H-reflex gain at higher postural loads in the stroke-impaired group. Conclusion: These findings suggest an impaired Ia afferent pathway potentially underlies the defects in the interaction between postural and locomotor control post-stroke and may explain reduced ability of paretic limb support during locomotor weight-bearing in individuals post-stroke. Significance: These results support the judicious use of bodyweight support training when first helping individuals post-stroke to regain locomotor pattern generation and weight-bearing capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle homeostasis depends on an intricate balance between muscle hypertrophy, atrophy and regeneration. As we age, maintenance of muscle homeostasis is perturbed, resulting in a loss of muscle mass and function, termed sarcopenia. Individuals with sarcopenia exhibit impaired balance, increased falls (leading to subsequent injury) and an overall decline in quality of life. The mechanisms mediating sarcopenia are still not fully understood but clarity in our understanding of the precise pathophysiological changes occurring during skeletal muscle ageing has improved dramatically. Advances in transcriptomics has highlighted significant deregulation in skeletal muscle gene expression with ageing, suggesting epigenetic alterations may play a crucial and potentially causative role in the skeletal muscle ageing process. microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), novel regulators of gene expression, can modulate many processes in skeletal muscle, including myogenesis, tissue regeneration and cellular programming. Expression of numerous evolutionary conserved miRNAs is disrupted in skeletal muscle with age. Given that a single miRNA can simultaneously affect the functionality of multiple signaling pathways, miRNAs are potent modulators of pathophysiological changes. miRNA-based interventions provide a promising new therapeutic strategy against alterations in muscle homeostasis. The aim of this review is two-fold; firstly to outline the latest understanding of the pathophysiological alterations impacting the deregulation of skeletal muscle mass and function with ageing, and secondly, to highlight the mounting evidence for a role of miRNAs in modulating muscle mass, and the need to explore their specific role in sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foundation degree is an intermediate-level qualification designed to widen participation in higher education while providing work-related skills and knowledge. It has a vocational focus and a pedagogic approach that integrates academic and work-based learning. Research into opportunities and the process of learning within foundation degrees is limited, particularly that which looks in depth at personal development occurring within these courses. This study contributes to the literature in this area, reporting on the results of a case study of the foundation degree in medicines management (University of Portsmouth). A key finding of this work was that knowledge was gained within a community of practice, and led to students’ development as individuals. Motivation, learning to learn and guidance and feedback, alongside peer learning within the course, were central aspects of this process. The learning and personal development taking place resulted in increased awareness, confidence and empowerment in students, which was reported to influence their work and personal lives. However, the development of specialist work-related skills and knowledge was found to be limited, questioning the fitness for purpose of the course researched. While key aspects of the subject investigated have been described in this work, further research is needed to understand this complex phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The space mission PLATO will usher in a new era of exoplanetary science by expanding our current inventory of transiting systems and constraining host star ages, which are currently highly uncertain. This capability might allow PLATO to detect changes in planetary system architecture with time, particularly because planetary scattering due to Lagrange instability may be triggered long after the system was formed. Here, we utilize previously published instability time-scale prescriptions to determine PLATO's capability to detect a trend of decreasing planet frequency with age for systems with equal-mass planets. For two-planet systems, our results demonstrate that PLATO may detect a trend for planet masses which are at least as massive as super-Earths. For systems with three or more planets, we link their initial compactness to potentially detectable frequency trends in order to aid future investigations when these populations will be better characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The space mission PLATO will usher in a new era of exoplanetary science by expanding our current inventory of transiting systems and constraining host star ages, which are currently highly uncertain. This capability might allow PLATO to detect changes in planetary system architecture with time, particularly because planetary scattering due to Lagrange instability may be triggered long after the system was formed. Here, we utilize previously published instability time-scale prescriptions to determine PLATO's capability to detect a trend of decreasing planet frequency with age for systems with equal-mass planets. For two-planet systems, our results demonstrate that PLATO may detect a trend for planet masses which are at least as massive as super-Earths. For systems with three or more planets, we link their initial compactness to potentially detectable frequency trends in order to aid future investigations when these populations will be better characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a classification of all possible 2-adic images of Galois representations associated to elliptic curves over $\mathbb {Q}$ . To this end, we compute the 'arithmetically maximal' tower of 2-power level modular curves, develop techniques to compute their equations, and classify the rational points on these curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Audio event detection (AED) and recognition is a signal processing and analysis domain used in a wide range of applications including surveillance, home automation and behavioral assessment. The field presents numerous challenges to the current state-of-the-art due to its highly nonlinear nature. High false alarm rates (FARs) in such applications particularly limit the capabilities of vision-based perimeter monitoring systems by inducing high operator dependence. On the other hand, conventional fence-based vibration detectors and pressure-driven “taut wires” offer high sensitivity at the cost of a high FAR due to debris, animals and weather. This work reports an audio event identification methodology implemented as a test-bed system for a surveillance application to reduce FAR, maximize blind-spot coverage and improve audio event classification accuracy. The first phase utilizes a nonlinear autoregressive classifier to locate and classify discrete audio events via an exogenous sound direction variable to improve classifier confidence. The second phase implements a time-series-based system to recognize various audio activity groups from nominal everyday sound events such as traffic and muffled speech. The discretely labeled data is thus trained with HMM and Conditional Random Field classifiers and reports a substantial improvement in classification accuracies of indoor human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo province, South Africa where the goats between the ages of 20 and 30 months were used. A total of 613 indigenous goats of both sexes (62 male and 551 female) were selected and body weight and four morphological traits were taken on each goat in the morning before they were released for grazing. Means, standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated. Pair wise correlations among body weight and morphological traits were also determined which ranged from 0.81-0.91 for male and 0.72-0.89 for female goats, respectively and were statistically significant (P<0.01). The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of 0.58 and 0.62 in males and females, respectively). Body length in males and body length and hip height in females also positively (P<0.05) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant. The forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To compare efficacy and safety of 2 dosing regimens of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) with macular laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema (DME). Design Two similarly designed, randomized, phase 3 trials, VISTA DME and VIVID DME . Participants Patients (eyes; n=872) with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who had DME with central involvement. Methods Eyes received IAI 2 mg every 4 weeks (2q4), IAI 2 mg every 8 weeks after 5 monthly doses (2q8), or laser control. Main Outcome Measures The primary end point was mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at week 52. This report presents the 100-week results including mean change from baseline in BCVA, proportion of eyes that gained ≥15 letters, and proportion of eyes with a ≥2-step improvement in the Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) score. Results Mean BCVA gain from baseline to week 100 with IAI 2q4, IAI 2q8, and laser control was 11.5, 11.1, and 0.9 letters ( P < 0.0001) in VISTA and 11.4, 9.4, and 0.7 letters ( P < 0.0001) in VIVID, respectively. The proportion of eyes that gained ≥15 letters from baseline at week 100 was 38.3%, 33.1%, and 13.0% ( P < 0.0001) in VISTA and 38.2%, 31.1%, and 12.1% ( P ≤ 0.0001) in VIVID. The proportion of eyes that lost ≥15 letters at week 100 was 3.2%, 0.7%, and 9.7% ( P ≤ 0.0220) in VISTA and 2.2%, 1.5%, and 12.9% ( P ≤ 0.0008) in VIVID. Significantly more eyes in the IAI 2q4 and 2q8 groups versus those in the laser control group had a ≥2 step improvement in the DRSS score in both VISTA (37.0% and 37.1% vs. 15.6%; P < 0.0001) and VIVID (29.3% and 32.6% vs. 8.2%; P ≤ 0.0004). In an integrated safety analysis, the most frequent serious ocular adverse event was cataract (2.4%, 1.0%, and 0.3% for 2q4, 2q8, and control). Conclusions In both VISTA and VIVID, the 52-week visual and anatomic superiority of IAI over laser control was sustained through week 100, with similar efficacy in the 2q4 and 2q8 groups. Safety in these studies was consistent with the known safety profile of IAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the growth of health savings accounts (HSAs) among high-income households and large employers in the U.S. Topics discussed include the increase in HSAs between 2005 and 2012, the debate regarding the initiative, and the use of the 2004-2012 population-level tax information from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the study.

Complex computational pipelines are becoming a staple of modern scientific research. Often these pipelines are resource intensive and require days of computing time. In such cases, it makes sense to run them over high performance computing (HPC) clusters where they can take advantage of the aggregated resources of many powerful computers. In addition to this, researchers often want to integrate their workflows into their own web servers. In these cases, software is needed to manage the submission of jobs from the web interface to the cluster and then return the results once the job has finished executing. We have developed the Job Management System (JMS), a workflow management system and web interface for high performance computing (HPC). JMS provides users with a user-friendly web interface for creating complex workflows with multiple stages. It integrates this workflow functionality with the resource manager, a tool that is used to control and manage batch jobs on HPC clusters. As such, JMS combines workflow management functionality with cluster administration functionality. In addition, JMS provides developer tools including a code editor and the ability to version tools and scripts. JMS can be used by researchers from any field to build and run complex computational pipelines and provides functionality to include these pipelines in external interfaces. JMS is currently being used to house a number of bioinformatics pipelines at the Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi) at Rhodes University. JMS is an open-source project and is freely available at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nanomaterials (NMs) on biological systems, especially their ability to stimulate inflammatory responses requires urgent investigation. We evaluated the response of the human differentiated HL60 neutrophil-like cell line to NMs. It was hypothesised that NM physico-chemical characteristics would influence cell responsiveness by altering intracellular Ca 2+ concentration [Ca 2+ ] i and reactive oxygen species production. Cells were exposed (1.95–125 μg/ml, 24 h) to silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or ultrafine carbon black (ufCB) and cytotoxicity assessed (alamar blue assay). Relatively low (TiO 2 , MWCNTs, ufCB) or high (Ag, ZnO) cytotoxicity NMs were identified. Sub-lethal impacts of NMs on cell function were investigated for selected NMs only, namely TiO 2 , Ag and ufCB. Only Ag stimulated cell activation. Within minutes, Ag stimulated an increase in [Ca 2+ ] i (in Fura-2 loaded cells), and a prominent inward ion current (assessed by electrophysiology). Within 2–4 h, Ag increased superoxide anion release and stimulated cytokine production (MCP-1, IL-8) that was diminished by Ca 2+ inhibitors or trolox. Light microscopy demonstrated that cells had an activated phenotype. In conclusion NM toxicity was ranked; Ag > ufCB > TiO 2 , and the battery of tests used provided insight into the mechanism of action of NM toxicity to guide future testing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can improve the net power consumption of electronic packages by generating power from the chip waste heat. In this paper, a 3-D computational model of electronic package with silicon nanowire (Si-NW)-based embedded TEGs has been developed and the effect of crucial geometric parameters, contact resistances, and thermal properties, such as pitch length and length of Si-NWs, the electrical contact resistivity at Si-NW interface, thermal contact resistivity at TEG-package interface, and filling material thermal conductivity on power generation, has been evaluated. The analysis has shown how modifying some crucial parameters from their current values in different experimental studies affect power generation, e.g., decreasing the pitch length from 400 to 200 nm doubled the power generation, increasing the Si-NW length from 1 to 8 \mu \textm increased power generation by a factor of three and decreasing contact resistivity by one order of magnitude from 1.0\times 10^-11\Omega \,\cdot \,\textm^2 enhanced the power generation by a factor of two. This paper has estimated the energy conversion efficiency of 0.15% for 8- \mu \textm long Si-NWs using the best thermoelectric properties available from different experimental studies. Finally, performance of Si-NW-based TEG has been compared against the Bi2Te3 superlattice-based TEGs and the crucial parameters of Si-NW TEGs have been identified which should be the focus of the future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ visible and near infrared (VisNIR) spectroscopy has been gaining interest as a proximal soil sensing technique to rapidly and inexpensively measure soil properties. For this study, our goal was to design a VisNIR soil penetrometer foreoptic that matched the optical performance of a commercial ASD (Analytical Spectral Devices Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) foreoptic and was compatible with any spectrometer having a fiber optic input (e.g. commonly used ASD field spectrometers). Space available for penetrometer optics was constrained by a several practical design requirements: (a) ability to collect in situ soil VisNIR reflectance and insertion force simultaneously; (b) thick probe walls strong enough for insertion into dry soil with high clay content; and (c) a narrow enough cross-sectional diameter for insertion using a standard soil coring hydraulic push system. In this paper, we evaluate the optical and chemometric performance of our design relative to a commercial ASD foreoptic under controlled conditions in a laboratory setting, in order to isolate the optical performance of the probe from complications associated with in situ use. Both the VisNIR penetrometer and ASD Contact Probe, attached to an ASD AgriSpec spectrometer in the lab, were used to interrogate 389 milled and pressed surface and subsoil samples taken from two US continent-scale transects. The reflectance spectra obtained from these two foreoptics were highly correlated ( r > 0.95 for most wavelengths) and the 1st derivatives of the spectra were well correlated for all but the detector splice points ( r > 0.9 for most wavelengths). Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to calibrate and validate VisNIR models predicting soil organic carbon content for both foreoptics. Using reflectance data, our VisNIR penetrometer yielded quantitative SOC predictions with standard error of prediction (SEP = 0.19 log[g kg −1 ]) and ratio of prediction to determination (RPD = 2.34) highly similar to the ASD contact probe (SEP = 0.18 and RPD = 2.45). Regression coefficients of PLS calibration models from both foreoptic were comparable and highly correlated ( r = 0.91). These results suggest that our penetrometer foreoptic provides VisNIR reflectance spectra comparable to a widely-used commercial foreoptic. In future work, we deploy this penetrometer in the field and evaluate the performance of this foreoptic where soil heterogeneity, smearing and moisture can impact the quality of VisNIR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

35.2 million annual cases in the U.S. require clinical intervention for major skin loss. To meet this demand, the field of skin tissue engineering has grown rapidly over the past 40 years. Traditionally, skin tissue engineering relies on the “cell-scaffold-signal” approach, whereby isolated cells are formulated into a three-dimensional substrate matrix, or scaffold, and exposed to the proper molecular, physical, and/or electrical signals to encourage growth and differentiation. However, clinically available bioengineered skin equivalents (BSEs) suffer from a number of drawbacks, including time required to generate autologous BSEs, poor allogeneic BSE survival, and physical limitations such as mass transfer issues. Additionally, different types of skin wounds require different BSE designs. MicroRNA has recently emerged as a new and exciting field of RNA interference that can overcome the barriers of BSE design. MicroRNA can regulate cellular behavior, change the bioactive milieu of the skin, and be delivered to skin tissue in a number of ways. While it is still in its infancy, the use of microRNAs in skin tissue engineering offers the opportunity to both enhance and expand a field for which there is still a vast unmet clinical need. Here we give a review of skin tissue engineering, focusing on the important cellular processes, bioactive mediators, and scaffolds. We further discuss potential microRNA targets for each individual component, and we conclude with possible future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we start from internationally developed models explaining growing puni-tiveness and increasing imprisonment rates, to analyse the penal situation within Australia. While the eight Australian jurisdictions share many of the characteristics that have been identified as being important determinants of the size of the prison population, local features of these societies result in significant differences in punishment. The aim of the article is to describe the main drivers of penal policy in four Australian states (New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia). Specific attention will be paid to the situation of Indigenous peoples and the impact of the country's colonial history. It will be argued that the explanatory models can explain the trend in the Australian imprisonment rates, but not the different levels between these rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a number of neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), α-synuclein is aberrantly folded, forming abnormal oligomers, and amyloid fibrils within nerve cells. Strong evidence exists for the toxicity of increased production and aggregation of α-synuclein in vivo. The toxicity of α-synuclein is popularly attributed to the formation of "toxic oligomers": a heterogenous and poorly characterized group of conformers that may share common molecular features. This review presents the available evidence on the properties of α-synuclein oligomers and the potential molecular mechanisms of their cellular disruption. Toxic α-synuclein oligomers may impact cells in a number of ways, including the disruption of membranes, mitochondrial depolarization, cytoskeleton changes, impairment of protein clearance pathways, and enhanced oxidative stress. We also examine the relationship between α-synuclein toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils, in the light of recent studies that paint a more complex picture of α-synuclein toxicity. Finally, methods of studying and manipulating oligomers within cells are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural products (NPs) are important to the drug discovery process. NP research efforts are expanding world-wide and South Africa is no exception to this. While freely-accessible small molecule databases, containing compounds isolated from indigenous sources, have been established in a number of other countries, there is currently no such online database in South Africa. Description: The current research presents a South African natural compound database, named SANCDB. This is a curated and fully-referenced database containing compound information for 600 natural products extracted directly from journal articles, book chapters and theses. There is a web interface to the database, which is simple and easy to use, while allowing for compounds to be searched by a number of different criteria. Being fully referenced, each compound page contains links to the original referenced work from which the information was obtained. Further, the website provides a submission pipeline, allowing researchers to deposit compounds from their own research into the database. Conclusions: SANCDB is currently the only web-based NP database in Africa. It aims to provide a useful resource for the in silico screening of South African NPs for drug discovery purposes. The database is supported by a submission pipeline to allow growth by entries from researchers. As such, we currently present SANCDB the starting point of a platform for a community-driven, curated database tofurther natural products research in South Africa. SANCDB is freely available at https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is currently a re-focus at the global level on the importance of the home-based record within vaccination service delivery as an important information resource but there are few reports of ever and current home-based record prevalence across countries. Methods We considered all Demographic and Health Surveys (starting with DHS round 3) conducted between 1993 and 2013 for which a final dataset was available in the public domain at the time of the analysis. Ever and current prevalence of home-based records for recording vaccination was estimated for children aged 12–23 months at the time of the survey through a secondary analysis of data from 180 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 67 countries derived from questions asked of women aged 15–49 years for their children on home-based record availability and retention. Ever home-based record prevalence is the proportion of children aged 12–23 months who have ever received a home-based record. Current home-based record prevalence is the proportion of children aged 12–23 months for whom a home-based record was available for viewing by the surveyor at the time of the survey. Results Estimated ever home-based record prevalence was ≥90% in 116 surveys from 52 countries and was <70% in 15 surveys from 7 countries. Estimated current home-based record prevalence was ≥80% in 31 surveys from 23 countries and was <50% in 51 surveys from 24 countries. Current home-based record prevalence was <80% as of the most recent survey during 2010–2013 for five (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Indonesia and Pakistan) of the ten countries with the largest birth cohorts globally. Among 34 countries that conducted three or more DHS, we observed improvements in both ever and current home-based record prevalence of >10% points in six countries. Current home-based record prevalence increased >10% points in six countries where the ever prevalence was maintained at ≥90% across the period of observation. And, no meaningful change was observed in estimated ever and current home-based record prevalence in 11 countries, five of which maintained ever prevalence ≥90% across the period of observation. High home-based record loss rates were observed in many countries. Conclusions The results here show that despite improvements in the availability, utilization and retention of home-based records for recording vaccination history in some countries, opportunities remain to change the mind-set in many national immunization programmes around the importance of the home-based record, particularly in countries with large birth cohorts. Immunization programmes are encouraged to monitor ever and current home-based record prevalence. Nationally representative household surveys collecting information on immunization coverage should include ever and current home-based record prevalence in the standard survey reports and tables to better enable programme managers to identify problems and target corrective action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does the number of political parties influence voter turnout in developing democracies? Some scholars argue that large party systems facilitate matching voter preferences with a specific party, increasing turnout. Others argue multiparty systems produce too many alternatives, decreasing turnout. In developing democracies, there is debate over whether these institutions matter at all. We argue that party systems do matter for turnout in developing countries, but the relationship between turnout and the number of political parties is conditional on the electoral formula. Under proportional representation systems, large numbers of parties increase turnout. Under winner take all systems, large numbers of parties depress turnout. Since electoral rules also influence the number of parties, we use an innovative sub-national research design, taking advantage of local variation in the number of parties that is largely unrelated to the electoral system. Specifically, we test these relationships by analysing turnout data at the municipal level in Brazil and Bolivia, countries with very different electoral rules. Overall, we find evidence that party systems influence turnout, but in different ways depending on the election rules. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale gas and oil bring industrial activity into close proximity to residences, schools, daycare centers and places where people spend their time. Multiple gas production sources can be sited near residences. Health care providers evaluating patient health need to know the chemicals present, the emissions from different sites and the intensity and frequency of the exposures. This research describes a hypothetical case study designed to provide a basic model that demonstrates the direct effect of weather on exposure patterns of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Because emissions from unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) sites are variable, a short term exposure profile is proposed that determines 6-hour assessments of emissions estimates, a time scale needed to assist physicians in the evaluation of individual exposures. The hypothetical case is based on observed conditions in shale gas development in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and on estimated emissions from facilities during gas development and production. An air exposure screening model was applied to determine the ambient concentration of VOCs and PM2.5at different 6-hour periods of the day and night. Hourly wind speed, wind direction and cloud cover data from Pittsburgh International Airport were used to calculate the expected exposures. Fourteen months of daily observations were modeled. Higher than yearly average source terms were used to predict health impacts at periods when emissions are high. The frequency and intensity of exposures to PM2.5and VOCs at a residence surrounded by three UNGD facilities was determined. The findings show that peak PM2.5and VOC exposures occurred 83 times over the course of 14 months of well development. Among the stages of well development, the drilling, flaring and finishing, and gas production stages produced higher intensity exposures than the hydraulic fracturing stage. Over one year, compressor station emissions created 118 peak exposure levels and a gas processing plant produced 99 peak exposures over one year. The screening model identified the periods during the day and the specific weather conditions when the highest potential exposures would occur. The periodicity of occurrence of extreme exposures is similar to the episodic nature of the health complaints reported in Washington County and in the literature. This study demonstrates the need to determine the aggregate quantitative impact on health when multiple facilities are placed near residences, schools, daycare centers and other locations where people are present. It shows that understanding the influence of air stability and wind direction is essential to exposure assessment at the residential level. The model can be applied to other emissions and similar sites. Profiles such as this will assist health providers in understanding the frequency and intensity of the human exposures when diagnosing and treating patients living near unconventional natural gas development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aims to understand the efficiency and role of adsorption of common water pollutants (volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), pharmaceuticals and carboxylic acids) in the catalytic ozonation process on γ-alumina. In order to understand the catalytic processes occurring, the effects of pH, hydroxyl radical scavengers, humic acids and phosphates on the efficiency of catalytic ozonation on alumina were studied. The results revealed that catalytic ozonation on alumina could substantially enhance the removal of ibuprofen and acetic acid when compared with ozonation alone. However, alumina did not catalyse the removal of VOCs. The adsorption of pollutants plays a key role in the effectiveness of this process. The presence of hydroxyl radical scavengers, phosphates and humic acids had a significant effect on the removal of pollutants on alumina. It is therefore suggested that catalytic ozonation of organic pollutants on alumina proceeds via a radical mechanism that involves reactions of hydroxyl radicals with pollutants adsorbed on the surface of alumina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease (SVD) requiring Stage I palliation (S1P), the impact of prenatal diagnosis (PD) on outcomes has been variably characterized. We investigated the impact of PD in a large multi-center cohort of survivors of S1P in the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPCQIC) registry. Retrospective analysis of demographic and outcomes data among infants enrolled in the NPCQIC database; eligibility includes SVD requiring S1P and survival to discharge. From 43 contributing surgical centers, 591 infants had data available through time of BDG (519) or interstage death (55). Median gestational age was 39 weeks (31-46), and 66 % had variants of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. PD was made in 445 (75 %), with significant variation by center ( p = 0.004). While infants with PD had slightly lower gestational age at birth ( p < 0.001), there were no differences in birth weight, the presence of major syndromes or other organ system anomalies. Those without PD were more likely to have atrioventricular valve regurgitation ( p = .002), ventricular dysfunction ( p = 0.06), and pre-operative risk factors including acidosis ( p < 0.001), renal insufficiency ( p = 0.007), and shock ( p = 0.05). Post-operative ventilation was shorter in the PD group (9 vs. 12 d, p = 0.002). Other early post-operative outcomes, interstage course, and outcomes at BDG were similar between groups. In a large cohort of infants with SVD surviving to hospital discharge after S1P, PD showed significant inter-site variation and was associated with improved pre-operative status and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation. The significance of such associations merits further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boilingpoints (TB) of acyclic monochloroalkanesare predicted from their boiling point numbers (YBP) with the relationship previously established for hydrocarbons, TB(K) = −16.802 YBP2/3+ 337.377 YBP1/3– 437.883. The YBPvalues aredetermined from molecular structure through the relationship YBP= 1.726 + ICl+ 2.779C+ 1.716M3+1.564M+ 4.204E3+ 3.905E– 0.329D+ 0.241G+ 0.479V+ 0.574S. Here IClis a contribution to the YBPvalue resulting from the substitution of Cl for H onan alkane, while the other parameters are the same as those reportedearlier for calculating YBPvalues ofalkanes. For a data set of 82 acyclic monochloroalkanes having from4 to 20 carbon atoms, the average absolute deviation between reported TBvalues and those predicted with these equationswas 1.39 K, and the R2of the correlationwas 0.999. In addition, the calculated YBPvalues provide a useful means to predict the flash points of monochloroalkanesthrough the relationship TFP(K) = 150.5ln(YBP) – 185.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on findings from an ethnographic study (2008–09) conducted in a village with a significant population of local surfers in Cornwall (Southwest England). Stimulated by Goffman's (1961) interpretation of the concept of career and elaborated by the work of Stebbins (1970) on “subjective career,” Stebbins's (1982) framework of “serious leisure” and “serious leisure career” (Stebbins, 2005), we identify moments from local surfer careers lived in this community setting. We suggest that similar to findings from other subcultural studies on sports careers the local surfing career in this context contains shared experiential stages: the nurtured stage, the possible competitive stage, the serious leisure traveller stage, the responsible stage, and the legends stage. We conclude that the shared experiences and pathways of a local surfing career can play a positive cultural role, not just for individuals but also for the construction and maintenance of local community life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic economic review examined the cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness of park, trail, and greenway infrastructure interventions to increase physical activity or infrastructure use. The search period covered the date of inception of publications databases through February 2022. Inclusion was limited to studies that reported cost–benefit or cost-effectiveness outcomes and were based in the U.S. and other high-income countries. Analyses were conducted from March 2022 through December 2022. All monetary values reported are in 2021 U.S. dollars. The search yielded 1 study based in the U.S. and 7 based in other high-income countries, with 1 reporting cost-effectiveness and 7 reporting cost–benefit outcomes. The cost-effectiveness study based in the United Kingdom reported $23,254 per disability-adjusted life year averted. The median benefit-to-cost ratio was 3.1 (interquartile interval=2.9–3.9) on the basis of 7 studies. The evidence shows that economic benefits exceed the intervention cost of park, trail, and greenway infrastructure. Given large differences in the size of infrastructure, intervention costs and economic benefits varied substantially across studies. There was insufficient number of studies to determine the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing the absolute chronology of Jerusalem during the time it served as the Judahite Kingdom's capital is challenging due to its dense, still inhabited urban nature and the plateau shape of the radiocarbon calibration curve during part of this period. We present 103 radiocarbon dates from reliable archaeological contexts in five excavation areas of Iron Age Jerusalem, which tie between archaeology and biblical history. We exploit Jerusalem's rich past, including textual evidence and vast archaeological remains, to overcome difficult problems in radiocarbon dating, including establishing a detailed chronology within the long-calibrated ranges of the Hallstatt Plateau and recognizing short-lived regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations. The key to resolving these problems is to apply stringent field methodologies using microarchaeological methods, leading to densely radiocarbon-dated stratigraphic sequences. Using these sequences, we identify regional offsets in atmospheric 14C concentrations c. 720 BC, and in the historically secure stratigraphic horizon of the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. The latter is verified by 100 single-ring measurements between 624 to 572 BC. This application of intense 14C dating sheds light on the reconstruction of Jerusalem in the Iron Age. It provides evidence for settlement in the 12th to 10th centuries BC and that westward expansion had already begun by the 9th century BC, with extensive architectural projects undertaken throughout the city in this period. This was followed by significant damage and rejuvenation of the city subsequent to the mid-eight century BC earthquake, after which the city was heavily fortified and continued to flourish until the Babylonian destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use is associated with high risk of accidental overdose. This study examined the pre‐hospital circumstances, demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of analytically confirmed GHB emergency department (ED) presentations in Western Australia (WA). Methods: This case series was conducted across three WA EDs involved in the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia, from April 2020 to July 2022. Patient demographics, pre‐hospital drug exposure circumstances and ED presentation and outcome characteristics were collected from ambulance and hospital medical records of GHB‐confirmed cases. Results: GHB was detected in 45 ED presentations. The median age was 34 years and 53.3% (n = 24) were female. Most patients arrived at the ED by ambulance (n = 37, 85.7%) and required immediate emergency care (Australasian Triage Score 1 or 2 = 97.8%). One‐third of patients were admitted to intensive care (n = 14, 31.1%). Methylamphetamine was co‐detected in 37 (82.2%) GHB‐confirmed cases. Reduced conscious state was indicated by first recorded Glasgow Coma Scale of ≤8 (n = 29, 64.4%) and observations of patients becoming, or being found, 'unresponsive' and 'unconscious' in various pre‐hospital settings (n = 28, 62.2%). 'Agitated' and/or 'erratic' mental state and behavioural observations were recorded in 20 (44.4%) cases. Discussion and Conclusions: Analytically verified data from ED presentations with acute toxicity provides an objective information source on drug use trends and emerging public health threats. In our study, patients presenting to WA EDs with GHB intoxication were acutely unwell, often requiring intensive care treatment. The unexpectedly high proportion of female GHB intoxications and methylamphetamine co‐ingestion warrants further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of hydrological fluctuations in arid regions has proven challenging due to a lack of reliable chronologic constraints on sparse geological archives. The aim of this study was to establish an independent record of hydrologic changes in the hyper-arid Tarim Basin (TB; northwest China) with high spatiotemporal resolution. We present comprehensive radiocarbon and tree-ring data sets of subfossilized plant remains in the TB compiled from geomorphological investigations of the paleochannels of the Tarim River (TR), the longest endorheic river in China, crossing the world's second-largest shifting sand desert. Results show that the late medieval configuration of the TR basin was characterized by enhanced hydrological connectivity, as indicated by the formation of significant riparian forests in the desert regions at ca. 1170 CE. A distinct low-flow interval (ca. 1500-1650 CE) is identified for the first time, refining the period of a wetter-than-present TB. The present-day organization of streams in the lower TR was proto-formed after the dry period, possibly led by episodic flood-induced diversion. Our study describes the centennial-scale dynamics in the TR flow over the past millennium, offering a robust long-term context for hydrological assessment in the extensive drylands of the Asian interior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is threatening the gonorrhoea treatment, and optimizations of the current ceftriaxone-treatment regimens are crucial. We evaluated the pharmacodynamics of ceftriaxone single-dose therapy (0.125–1 g) against ceftriaxone-susceptible and ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains, based on EUCAST ceftriaxone-resistance breakpoint (MIC > 0.125 mg/L), in our hollow fibre infection model (HFIM) for gonorrhoea. Methods Gonococcal strains examined were WHO F (ceftriaxone-susceptible, MIC < 0.002 mg/L), R (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 0.5 mg/L), Z (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 0.5 mg/L) and X (ceftriaxone-resistant, MIC = 2 mg/L). Dose-range HFIM 7 day experiments simulating ceftriaxone 0.125–1 g single-dose intramuscular regimens were conducted. Results Ceftriaxone 0.125–1 g single-dose treatments rapidly eradicated WHO F (wild-type ceftriaxone MIC). Ceftriaxone 0.5 and 1 g treatments, based on ceftriaxone human plasma pharmacokinetic parameters, eradicated most ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains (WHO R and Z), but ceftriaxone 0.5 g failed to eradicate WHO X (high-level ceftriaxone resistance). When simulating oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, ceftriaxone 0.5 g failed to eradicate all the ceftriaxone-resistant strains, while ceftriaxone 1 g eradicated WHO R and Z (low-level ceftriaxone resistance) but failed to eradicate WHO X (high-level ceftriaxone resistance). No ceftriaxone-resistant mutants were selected using any ceftriaxone treatments. Conclusions Ceftriaxone 1 g single-dose intramuscularly cure most of the anogenital and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea cases caused by the currently internationally spreading ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal strains, which should be further confirmed clinically. A ceftriaxone 1 g dose (±azithromycin 2 g) should be recommended for first-line empiric gonorrhoea treatment. This will buy countries some time until novel antimicrobials are licensed. Using ceftriaxone 1 g gonorrhoea treatment, the EUCAST ceftriaxone-resistance breakpoint is too low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define a notion of height for rational points with respect to a vector bundle on a proper algebraic stack with finite diagonal over a global field, which generalizes the usual notion for rational points on projective varieties. We explain how to compute this height for various stacks of interest (for instance: classifying stacks of finite groups, symmetric products of varieties, moduli stacks of abelian varieties, weighted projective spaces). In many cases, our uniform definition reproduces ways already in use for measuring the complexity of rational points, while in others it is something new. Finally, we formulate a conjecture about the number of rational points of bounded height (in our sense) on a stack X, which specializes to the Batyrev-Manin conjecture when X is a scheme and to Malle's conjecture when X is the classifying stack of a finite group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil data are largely absent for most of Africa. For landscapes with recognizable catenary elements, this data gap can be filled by mapping the catenary units and assigning them with known soil properties. An example is the landscape map for a region with dambos in central Uganda, which shows the four catenary units in order from well-drained to seasonal wetland: uplands, margins, floors, and bottoms. However, this map was created using optical data, which are cost prohibitive and are also limited by cloud cover. We evaluated the potential of freely available aerial gamma-ray spectrometry (AGRS) data as an alternative source of classification inputs. Analysis of variance based upon field data for a region with dambos in central Uganda showed gamma activity to differ along the catenary sequence, with landscape position explaining an appreciable proportion of variation of potassium (28%), thorium (27%), and uranium (46%). Using the three gamma channels, together with terrain indices derived from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) as inputs, three classifiers were evaluated – conditional inference trees (CITs), random forests (RF), and multinomial-iterative self-organizing data analysis (ISODATA). While untransformed terrain and gamma predictors were used for the first two methods, we applied the ISODATA classification to landscape unit probability maps generated using multinomial principal components regression. For the CIT classification, all decision rules were based on terrain data, which might explain why the map was slightly less accurate (unweighted kappa = 0.61, linear weighted kappa = 0.73) than the map created using a RF classifier (unweighted kappa = 0.63, linear weighted kappa = 0.74), where both terrain and gamma predictors were used. But the existence of artefacts of margins within uplands in the map based on CIT modelling, and not that created using RF, is because the former missed the smoothing effect of gamma, attributed to zonal differences in activity of all three gamma channels. The multinomial-ISODATA predictions were poor (unweighted kappa = 0.56, linear weighted kappa = 0.67), partly because the regression model could not adequately resolve differences between bottoms and floors. However, we did find the probability maps generated using multinomial regression to be useful end products that capture the continuous nature of landscape unit transitions. It is important to note that in this study we used 90 m grid resolution gamma and terrain data to predict features that transition over distances of less than 10 m, so better results might be possible with finer-resolution gamma and terrain data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults with and without limitations. Methods: We dichotomized HRQOL as ≥14 unhealthy (physical or mental) days (past 30 days), or <14 unhealthy days. By using a moderate-intensity minute equivalent, PA categories were as follows: inactive, 10-60, 61-149, 150-300, and >300 min/week. Persons with limitations reported having problems that limited their activities or required use of special equipment. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates and logistic regression analyses were performed with 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data ( n = 357,665), controlling for demographics, BMI, smoking, and heavy alcohol use. Results: For adults without limitations, the odds of ≥14 unhealthy days were lower among adults obtaining any PA (10-60 min/week, AOR = 0.79, 95 % CI 0.70, 0.88), compared with those inactive. A quadratic trend ( P < 0.001) indicated enhanced HRQOL with each PA level, but improvements were less marked between lower and upper sufficient PA categories (150-300 and >300 min/week). Because of a significant age interaction, persons with limitations were stratified by age (18-34, 35-64, and 65+ years). Findings for persons aged 35 years or older with limitations were similar to those without limitations. Lower odds of poor HRQOL for persons aged 18-34 years with limitations were associated with recommended levels of PA (150-300 min/week; AOR = 0.61, 95 % CI 0.43, 0.88 and >300 min/week; AOR = 0.58, 95 % CI 0.43, 0.80). Conclusions: PA is positively associated with HRQOL among persons with and without limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antelope jackrabbit ( Lepus alleni) is a lagomorph indicative of Neotropic savanna and thornscrub in south-central Arizona, west-central Sonora, and western Sinaloa <1,200 m elevation. We found populations in Arizona are most abundant in tropic-subtropic areas of low relief, characterized by velvet mesquite ( Prosopis velutina) with an herbaceous understory (= Sonoran savanna grassland), and receiving a mean annual rainfall of between 200 and 450 mm, >90 mm of which falls as summer precipitation. In Mexico, this hare most commonly occurred in savanna grasslands or thornscrub interrupted by open areas receiving between 200 and 450 mm of precipitation per annum. Cacti were important habitat components for the hares and mean annual temperatures were >18°C with <60 d a year having temperatures below 0°C. Although sympatric with Lepus californicus over portions of its range, the two species preferred different habitats and rarely occurred together, and L. alleni was more prone to occur in groups than was L. californicus. We calculated the distributional range of L. alleni as ca. 102,000 km2 in Arizona and Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its similarity to humans, the pig is increasingly being considered as a good animal model for studying a range of human diseases. Despite their physiological similarities, differential expression of the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIB gene (MYH4) exists in the skeletal muscles of these species, which is associated with a different muscle phenotype. The expression of different MyHC isoforms is a critical determinant of the contractile and metabolic characteristics of the muscle fibre. We aimed to elucidate whether a genomic mechanism was responsible for the drastically different expression of MYH4 between pigs and humans, thus improving our understanding of the pig as a model for human skeletal muscle research. We utilized approximately 1 kb of the MYH4 promoter from a domestic pig and a human (which do and do not express MYH4, respectively) to elucidate the role of the promoter sequence in regulating the high expression of MYH4 in porcine skeletal muscle. We identified a 3 bp genomic difference within the proximal CArG and E-box region of the MYH4 promoter of pigs and humans that dictates the differential activity of these promoters during myogenesis. Subtle species-specific genomic differences within the CArG-box region caused differential protein-DNA interactions at this site and is likely accountable for the differential MYH4 promoter activity between pigs and humans. We propose that the genomic differences identified herein explain the differential activity of the MYH4 promoter of pigs and humans, which may contribute to the differential expression patterns displayed in these otherwise physiologically similar mammals. Further, we report that both the pig and human MYH4 promoters can be induced by MyoD over-expression, but the capacity to activate the MYH4 promoter is largely influenced by the 3 bp difference located within the CArG-box region of the proximal MYH4 promoter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular expression of host prion protein (PrP) is essential to infection with prion disease. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate prion protein expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels is therefore an important goal. The cellular prion protein has been associated with resistance to oxidative, and its expression is also increased by oxidative stress. The transcription factor Nrf-2 is associated with cellular responses to oxidative stress and is known to induce upregulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms. We have identified an Nrf-2 binding site in the prion protein promoter ( Prnp ) and shown that Nrf-2 downregulated PrP expression. However, this effect is independent of oxidative stress as oxidative stress can up-regulate PrP expression regardless of the level of Nrf-2 expression. Furthermore, Nrf-2 has no impact on PrP expression when cells are infected with scrapie. These findings highlight that Nrf-2 can regulate PrP expression, but that this regulation becomes uncoupled during cellular stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following an earlier review in 2007, a further review of the academic literature relating to the uses of assistive technology (AT) by children and young people was completed, covering the period 2007-2011. As in the earlier review, a tripartite taxonomy: technology uses to train or practise, technology uses to assist learning and technology uses to enable learning, was used in order to structure the findings. The key markers for research in this field and during these three years were user involvement, AT on mobile mainstream devices, the visibility of AT, technology for interaction and collaboration, new and developing interfaces and inclusive design principles. The paper concludes by locating these developments within the broader framework of the Digital Divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is a probe interval graph if its vertices correspond to some set of intervals of the real line and can be partitioned into sets P and N so that vertices are adjacent if and only if their corresponding intervals intersect and at least one belongs to P. We characterize the 2-trees which are probe interval graphs and extend a list of forbidden induced subgraphs for such graphs created by Pržulj and Corneil in [2-tree probe interval graphs have a large obstruction set, Discrete Appl. Math. 150 (2005) 216-231]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory substitution devices such as The vOICe convert visual imagery into auditory soundscapes and can provide a basic 'visual' percept to those with visual impairment. However, it is not known whether technical or perceptual limits dominate the practical efficacy of such systems. By manipulating the resolution of sonified images and asking naive sighted participants to identify visual objects through a six-alternative forced-choice procedure (6AFC) we demonstrate a 'ceiling effect' at 8 x 8 pixels, in both visual and tactile conditions, that is well below the theoretical limits of the technology. We discuss our results in the context of auditory neural limits on the representation of 'auditory' objects in a cortical hierarchy and how perceptual training may be used to circumvent these limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]