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Asteroseismology has been used extensively in recent years to study the interior structure and physical processes of main-sequence stars. We consider prospects for using pressure modes (p-modes) near the frequency of maximum oscillation power to probe the structure of the near-core layers of main-sequence stars with convective cores by constructing stellar model tracks. Within our mass range of interest, the inner turning point of p-modes as determined by the Jeffreys–Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (JWKB) approximation evolves in two distinct phases during the main sequence, implying a sudden loss of near-core sensitivity during the discontinuous transition between the two phases. However, we also employ non-JWKB asymptotic analysis to derive a contrasting set of expressions for the effects that these structural properties will have on the mode frequencies, which do not encode any such transition. We show analytically that a sufficiently near-core perturbation to the stellar structure results in nonoscillatory, degree-dependent perturbations to the star's oscillation mode frequencies, contrasting with the case of an outer glitch. We also demonstrate numerically that these near-core acoustic glitches exhibit strong angular degree dependence, even at low degree, agreeing with the non-JWKB analysis, rather than the degree-independent oscillations that emerge from JWKB analyses. These properties have important implications for using p-modes to study near-core mixing processes for intermediate-mass stars on the main sequence, as well as for the interpretation of near-center acoustic glitches in other astrophysical configurations, such as red giants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2050, the global population of people aged 65 years or older will triple. While this is accompanied with an increasing burden of age‐associated diseases, it also emphasizes the need to understand the effects of healthy aging on cognitive processes. One such effect is a general slowing of processing speed, which is well documented in many domains. The execution of anti‐saccades depends on a well‐established brain‐wide network ranging from various cortical areas and basal ganglia through the superior colliculus down to the brainstem saccade generators. To clarify the consequences of healthy aging as well as gender on the execution of reflexive and voluntary saccades, we measured a large sample of healthy, non‐demented individuals (n = 731, aged 51–84 years) in the anti‐saccade task. Age affected various aspects of saccade performance: The number of valid trials decreased with age. Error rate, saccadic reaction times (SRTs), and variability in saccade accuracy increased with age, whereas anti‐saccade costs, accuracy, and peak velocity of anti‐saccades and direction errors were not affected by age. Gender affected SRTs independent of age and saccade type with male participants having overall shorter SRTs. Our rigid and solid statistical testing using linear mixed‐effect models provide evidence for a uniform slowing of processing speed independent of the actually performed eye movement. Our data do not support the assumption of a specific deterioration of frontal lobe functions with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid eye movements (saccades) used to transfer gaze between targets are examples of an action. The behaviour of saccades matches that of the slow–fast model of actions originally proposed by Zeeman. Here, we extend Zeeman's model by incorporating an accumulator that represents the increase in certainty of the presence of a target, together with an integrator that converts a velocity command to a position command. The saccadic behaviour of several foveate species, including human, rhesus monkey and mouse, is replicated by the augmented model. Predictions of the linear stability of the saccadic system close to equilibrium are made, and it is shown that these could be tested by applying state-space reconstruction techniques to neurophysiological recordings. Moreover, each model equation describes behaviour that can be matched to specific classes of neurons found throughout the oculomotor system, and the implication of the model is that build-up, burst and omnipause neurons are found throughout the oculomotor pathway because they constitute the simplest circuit that can produce the motor commands required to specify the trajectories of motor actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the duration of nuclear reactions and initial mass of the star is an important component a wide variety of astrophysical problems. In particular, the links between combustion times of hydrogen burning determines and initial mass of the star the residence time on the main sequence stars. Results of calculations star modern models were utilized with the sun (population I) and zero (population III) content of heavy chemical elements, which contained data on nuclear hydrogen burning time. Search dependencies held by least squares using a standard package of Microsoft Excel “Search Solutions” program, with a further analysis of the results. We used three kinds of functional relationships: The logarithmic power functions, logarithmic and exponential functions inverse log-linear functions. Establishing communication wires so that the scrip squares deviation was minimal in the approximate function. Given the fact that the maximum star mass with the sun and zero metal content is limited to 150 solar masses and 500–600, respectively, not all the obtained functional dependencies required to satisfy the requirement of the relationship: Star with large masses are on the main sequence less time. It was found that some of the dependencies have received at least investigated mass range that does not meet the physical sense. The minimum value of the sum of squared deviations responds logarithmically exponential function with three or four free members. All the obtained approximation formulas that describe the dependence of the nuclear combustion conduit by weight of star age zero time interval for weight and elemental composition of stars, are new and have not previously been proposed for use in such classes of problems.

This study investigates the underlying physiological mechanisms that may lead to improved outcomes for symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) patients after 12 weeks of office-based vergence/accommodation therapy (OBVAT) by evaluating the change in the main sequence of vergence and saccadic eye movements. In this prospective trial, 12 participants with symptomatic CI were recruited and treated with 12 weeks of OBVAT. Outcome measures included the objective assessment of the following: peak velocity, time to peak velocity, latency, response amplitude, and clinical changes in the near point of convergence (NPC), positive fusional vergence (PFV) and symptoms via the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). Ten of the twelve participants (83%) were categorized as “successful” and two were “improved” based on pre-determined published criteria (CISS, NPC, PFV). There were statistically significant changes in peak velocity, time to peak velocity, and response amplitude for both 4° and 6° symmetrical convergence and divergence eye movements. There was a significant change in the main sequence ratio for convergence post-OBVAT compared to baseline measurements (P=0.007) but not for divergence or saccadic responses. Phasic/step vergence movements adjust the underlying neural control of convergence and are critical within a vision therapy program for CI patients.

This study investigates the underlying physiological mechanisms that may lead to improved outcomes for symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) patients after 12 weeks of officebased vergence/accommodation therapy (OBVAT) by evaluating the change in the main sequence of vergence and saccadic eye movements. In this prospective trial, 12 participants with symptomatic CI were recruited and treated with 12 weeks of OBVAT. Outcome measures included the objective assessment of the following: peak velocity, time to peak velocity, latency, response amplitude, and clinical changes in the near point of convergence (NPC), positive fusional vergence (PFV) and symptoms via the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). Ten of the twelve participants (83%) were categorized as "successful" and two were "improved" based on pre-determined published criteria (CISS, NPC, PFV). There were statistically significant changes in peak velocity, time to peak velocity, and response amplitude for both 4° and 6° symmetrical convergence and divergence eye movements. There was a significant change in the main sequence ratio for convergence post-OBVAT compared to baseline measurements (P=0.007) but not for divergence or saccadic responses. Phasic/step vergence movements adjust the underlying neural control of convergence and are critical within a vision therapy program for CI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]