Yes / PURPOSE. To compare microperimetric sensitivity around the monocular preferred retinal locus (mPRL) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to normative data, and to describe the characteristics of visual field defects around the mPRL in AMD. METHODS. Participants with AMD (total n ¼ 185) were either prospectively recruited (n ¼ 135) or retrospectively reviewed from an existing database (n ¼ 50). Participants underwent microperimetry using a test pattern (37 point, 58 radius) centered on their mPRL. Sensitivities were compared to normative data by spatial interpolation, and conventional perimetric indices were calculated. The location of the mPRL relative to the fovea and to visual field defects was also investigated. RESULTS. Location of mPRL varied approximately 158 horizontally and vertically. Visual field loss within 58 of the mPRL was considerable in the majority of participants (median mean deviation 14.7 dB, interquartile range [IQR] 19.6 to 9.6 dB, median pattern standard deviation 7.1 dB [IQR 4.8–9.0 dB]). Over 95% of participants had mean total deviation worse than 2 dB across all tested locations and similarly within 18 of their mPRL. A common pattern of placing the mPRL just foveal to a region of normal pattern deviation was found in 78% of participants. Total deviation was outside normal limits in this region in 68%. CONCLUSIONS. Despite altering fixation to improve vision, people with AMD exhibit considerable visual field loss at and around their mPRL. The location of the mPRL was typically just foveal to, but not within, a region of relatively normal sensitivity for the individual, suggesting that a combination of factors drives mPRL selection. / This report presents independent research funded by the NIHR

Yes / ... Sustaining a sport-related concussion (SRC) has been associated with negative consequences to emotion and cognition in recent years,4,5 and head impacts are no different.1 Moreover, there is a consistent link reported with neurodegenerative diseases such as motor-neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Although this is well-known within the scientific community, and becoming so in the general population, we still place children at risk. Promoting attitude change toward SRC and head impacts in sport is difficult enough with adults as many are accustomed to the way their contact sports are played and spectated. However, a redeeming feature for many researchers is that the evidence is there, and the rhetoric is being discussed in the mainstream media across the world.

Systemic inflammation is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in both human and equine intensive care patients. This systemic inflammatory response may be due to insult from bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic invasion or from trauma or hypoxemia. Local and systemic release of a wide variety of endogenous pro-inflammatory mediators results in activation of the innate immune system in order to resolve the insult. In sepsis this initial appropriate host response becomes amplified and deregulated leading to refractory hypotension and multiple organ dysfunction. The exact incidence of sepsis (SIRS due to bacterial infection) has not been reported in the equine literature (Roy 2004). Since early recognition and treatment of sepsis are associated with improved outcome the search for markers to accurately predict presence of sepsis and likelihood of survival continues. The serum concentration of both procalcitonin and its related molecule CGRP have been documented to increase in humans with SIRS, yet no literature exists as to the production or role of CGRP in equine patients with SIRS. This study showed that equine CGRP was produced in detectable quantities by healthy adult horses and neonatal foals less than two weeks of age using a rat á-CGRP ELISA. The low percentage recovery of CGRP from samples and the high lower limit of detection for the assay prevented establishment of a normal concentration range of CGRP in healthy horses. In both adult horses and foals with documented SIRS, CGRP concentrations were significantly increased at time of presentation to the hospital (p<0.0002, p<0.003 respectively). A trend towards increased serum CGRP concentration was present in anaesethized horses exposed to endotoxin, but this was not statistically significant (p< 0.067). / Master of Science

Bakgrund: Muskuloskeletal smärta är vanligt förekommande bland postarbetare, ofta på grund av tunga lyft och repetitivt arbete. Tidigare forskning har främst fokuserat på att identifiera förekomsten och utbredningen av smärta bland postarbetare. Det råder dock brist på kvalitativ forskning som syftar till att förstå postarbetares upplevelser av smärta och deras erfarenheter av att hantera smärta på arbetet. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att utforska postarbetares upplevelser och erfarenheter av att arbeta med muskuloskeletal smärta. Metod: En kvalitativ design användes, där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fem deltagare. Urvalet av deltagare skedde genom en kombination av bekvämlighetsurval och snöbollsurval. Databearbetningen utfördes med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Deltagarna beskrev varierade upplevelser och erfarenheter av smärta på arbetet. Analysen ledde fram till tre teman och nio subteman. De teman som identifierades var: “Smärta har flera dimensioner”, “Arbetsmiljöfaktorer påverkar smärta” och “Möjliggörare för att arbeta med smärta”. Konklusion: Studien visade att muskuloskeletal smärta påverkade deltagarnas fysiska och psykiska välmående och att arbetsbelastningen var en betydande faktor bakom smärtan. Deltagarna använde strategier som pauser, stretching och massage för att hantera smärtan, men betonade även att besök hos fysioterapeut var viktigt för att kunna fortsätta arbeta. Trots att ergonomiska åtgärder ansågs viktiga för att minska smärtan, kunde hög arbetsbelastning och stress hindra implementeringen av ergonomiska åtgärder. Organisatoriskt stöd betonades som avgörande för att förbättra arbetsmiljön och minska smärta bland postarbetare. / Background: Musculoskeletal pain is common among postal workers, often due to heavy lifting and repetitive work. Previous research has focused primarily on identifying the prevalence of pain among postal workers. However, there is a lack of qualitative research aimed at understanding postal workers' experiences and management of pain at work. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore postal workers’ experiences and perceptions of working with musculoskeletal pain. Method: A qualitative design was used, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants. The selection of participants took place through a combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling. The data processing was carried out using qualitative content analysis. Results: The participants described varied experiences of pain at work. The analysis led to three themes and nine subthemes. The themes identified were: “Pain has several dimensions”, “Work environment factors affect pain” and “Facilitators for working with pain”. Conclusion: The study revealed that musculoskeletal pain affected the participants' physical and psychological well-being, and that the workload was an important factor contributing to the pain. The participants used strategies such as breaks, stretching and massage to manage the pain, but also emphasized that visits to the physiotherapist were important to be able to continue working. Although ergonomic measures were considered important to reduce pain, high workload and stress could hinder the implementation of ergonomic measures. Organizational support was emphasized as critical to improve the work environment and reduce pain among postal workers.

This study examines if it is possible to use pretrained neural models to make a detailed map in a set of case studies in Sweden. The models are taken from ESRI Living Atlas and are trained with data from the USA. The models are given orthophotos as input from three different parts of Sweden to make predictions from. The model results are combined to extract the best predictions of the presence of different object types and land cover classes, such as forests, open areas, lakes, roads and buildings. To enhance the map’s topographic details, a height model is employed, and certain features are added to mimic a conventional topographic map. A brief theoretical section elucidates the fundamentals of deep learning. Additionally, specific technical terms are defined and their application within the context of model usage and successful architectural designs is discussed. The performance metrics of the neural models are explained and subsequently applied in validating the results. The resulting map is validated versus an existing map provided by Lantmäteriet. The results are analyzed, and some shortcomings and advantages are highlighted and discussed. The final result shows that it is possible to make a detailed map based on automatic processes by combining the results of pretrained neural models. The map have some deviations relative the existing maps, the overall accuracy was 0.94, but the deviations seems smaller if you visually compared it with the ortofoto. The maps quality is at least of such good quality that it could serve a visual guide when making yourself a picture of chosen terrain in Sweden.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi contribute to weathering and may be used as an alternative to fertilizers. Their usefulness is dependent on how much they can contribute to the weathering that takes place in the same area. This review discusses the current literature on how much ectomycorrhizal fungi contribute to the total chemical weathering rate. There are few studies that document said contribution, with most geomycological weathering studies only reporting weathering numbers for the fungi. The weathering contribution towards apatite and olivine appears to be higher (at 28% and 16% respectively) than the 0.2% and 0.5% attributed to feldspar and 2% attributed to biotite. More research is needed to understand how much fungi can contribute to weathering. It would be preferable to study multiple species of both minerals and fungi at once in the same drainage area.

The Notre Dame Bay Magmatic Province (NDBMP) comprises a suite of Late Jurassic (Tithonian), rift-related alkaline mafic intrusions in north-central Newfoundland, Canada. This field-based study focuses on the Leading Tickles area, where the gabbroic Budgell’s Harbour Stock (BHS) and radial lamprophyre dykes intrude strongly folded and faulted Ordovician back-arc volcanic and sedimentary host rocks. The primary objective was to understand how pre-existing structures influenced the emplacement and post-intrusion deformation of the NDBMP. This thesis employs a comprehensive methodology, including field mapping, thin section analysis, stereographic projections, kinematic and dynamic analysis, GIS visualization, and 3D analog modelling to analyze the interactions between pre-existing structures and the NDBMP. The results reveal that lamprophyres preferentially exploited pre-existing Paleozoic Appalachian structures associated with the Iapetus Suture Zone. Furthermore, magmatic activity weakened and deformed the host rocks, leading to the reactivation of Silurian thrust faults that deformed the lamprophyres post-intrusion. Movement along Luke’s Arm Fault Zone (LAFZ) in Leading Tickles may indicate a broader reactivation of the Iapetus Suture in northern Newfoundland during the Mesozoic. The variation in lamprophyre mineralogies and the presence of numerous radial dyke clusters suggest multiple magma sources coinciding with regional antiforms. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The Notre Dame Bay Magmatic Province (NDBMP) in north-central Newfoundland features Late Jurassic alkaline mafic intrusions linked to rifting. This study examines the Leading Tickles area, where gabbroic intrusions and lamprophyre dykes intersect older Ordovician rocks. The research explores how existing geological structures influenced the placement and deformation of these magmatic bodies. Using fieldwork, microscopic analysis, and 3D modeling, the study shows that ancient Appalachian structures guided the intrusion paths, and post-intrusion fault reactivations further deformed the rocks. The findings suggest multiple magma sources and broader regional tectonic movements during the Mesozoic.

Yes / Purpose: Frequency-of-seeing (FoS) curves (psychometric functions) for perimetric stimuli have been widely used in computer simulations of new visual field test procedures. FoS curves for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are not available in the literature and are needed for the development of improved microperimetry test procedures, which are of particular interest for use as clinical trial endpoints. Methods: Data were refitted from a previous study to generate FoS curves for 20 participants with AMD, each tested at nine locations within the central 10°. Stimulus parameters, background luminance and dB scale were matched to the MAIA-2 microperimeter, and stimuli were presented in a method of constant stimuli to build up FoS curves over multiple runs. FoS curves were fitted with a modified cumulative Gaussian function. The relationship between sensitivity and slope of fitted FoS curves was modelled by robust linear regression, producing models both with and without an eccentricity parameter. Results: FoS curves were satisfactorily fitted to data from 174 visual field locations in 20 participants (age 65–83 years, 11 female). Each curve was made up of a median of 243 (range 177–297) stimulus presentations over a median of 12 (range 9–32) levels. Median sensitivity was 25.5dB (range 3.8–31.4dB). The median slope (SD of fitted function) was 1.6dB (range 0.5–8.5dB). As in previous studies of other conditions, the slope of fitted FoS curves increased as sensitivity decreased (p<0.001). Conclusions: FoS are provided for participants with AMD, as well as models of the relationship between sensitivity and slope. These fitted models and data may be useful for computer simulation studies of microperimetry procedures. Full details of the fitted curves are provided as supporting information.

No / The aim is to determine the effect of reference standard related bias on estimates of plain radiograph reading performance using studies conducted in clinical practice. Data were extracted on study eligibility, clinical and reference standard characteristics and reading performance. The choice of reference standards and the prevalence of bias are presented descriptively. Associations between bias and reading performance are estimated using a regression model that produces relative diagnostic odds ratios (RDOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Three of the 20 eligible studies addressed all five reference standard related biases; 15 studies addressed three or more. When the reference standard report is influenced by knowledge of an observer's opinion this is associated with a significant overestimation in reading performance (RDOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6 to 8.3; p¿=¿0.01). There is limited evidence that reading performance is inflated when the observer is aware of the reference standard report before commenting on the radiograph (RDOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.6 to 5.1) and deflated when a less valid reference standard is used (RDOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.1 to 2.5). There is no evidence that reading performance is affected by application of the reference standard depending on an observer's opinion and using different reference standards in the same study. In conclusion we found variation in the choice and application of reference standards in studies of plain radiograph reading performance, but only when reference standards report in the knowledge of an observer's opinion does this contribute to a significant overestimation in reading performance.

Yes / We investigated whether perceptual learning could be used to improve peripheral word identification speed. The relationship between the magnitude of learning and age was established in normal participants to determine whether perceptual learning effects are age invariant. We then investigated whether training could lead to improvements in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty-eight participants with normal vision and five participants with AMD trained on a word identification task. They were required to identify three-letter words, presented 10° from fixation. To standardize crowding across each of the letters that made up the word, words were flanked laterally by randomly chosen letters. Word identification performance was measured psychophysically using a staircase procedure. Significant improvements in peripheral word identification speed were demonstrated following training (71% ± 18%). Initial task performance was correlated with age, with older participants having poorer performance. However, older adults learned more rapidly such that, following training, they reached the same level of performance as their younger counterparts. As a function of number of trials completed, patients with AMD learned at an equivalent rate as age-matched participants with normal vision. Improvements in word identification speed were maintained at least 6 months after training. We have demonstrated that temporal aspects of word recognition can be improved in peripheral vision with training across a range of ages and these learned improvements are relatively enduring. However, training targeted at other bottlenecks to peripheral reading ability, such as visual crowding, may need to be incorporated to optimize this approach. / This work was supported by a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Post Doctoral Fellowship awarded to ATA, an Age UK Studentship awarded to AJB, and a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellowship awarded to BSW. This article presents independent research funded by the NIHR.