Blue Background Research Articles

The Flight of Birds: A Novel in Twelve Stories by Joshua Lobb (2019)

This book feels good. The cover, designed by Miguel Yamin and Alexandra Guzmán, is smooth, matt laminated, with a luminous blue watercolour background that fades in places to white—designating clouds, perhaps, or sunspots? Three black cockatoos fly towards the top right-hand corner of the front cover. They are representations of the three black cockatoos who, in flight, came eye to eye with author Joshua Lobb as he walked across a rail bridge in North Wollongong, before they dropped and flew under the bridge.

Opposites attract: Impact of background color on effectiveness of emotional charity appeals

The present work utilizes research on context effects and color psychology to investigate how background color can enhance the effectiveness of positive and negative charity appeals. Five experiments measuring both actual donations and donation intention examine the hypothesis that a negative charity appeal against an orange (vs. blue) background and a positive charity appeal against a blue (vs. orange) background will increase donations. We propose that this is because blue and orange colors are incongruous with positive and negative charity appeals, respectively, due to the affective valences of the appeals and the perceptions of warmth and coldness cued by the background colors. This incongruity enhances the attention people pay to the charity appeals, thereby strengthening their emotional response to the appeals, which increases charitable donations. When attention is manipulated, people who pay a high (vs. low) level of attention to the charity appeal are more likely to donate regardless of the color and valence of the appeal, suggesting attention is an important antecedent to the intensity of the emotional response and subsequent donation behavior. We also identify affect diagnosticity as a boundary condition for the effect – when people are informed that color affects their emotions, the contextual effect of color disappears.

Influences of background colors and calorie information disclosure on consumers’ psychological process

ABSTRACTThis research explores the influences of menu background colors and calorie disclosure on consumers’ psychological process: dynamics of emotional arousal, temptation, and self-control. Findings from an experimental study showed that a red (the warmest color) against a blue (the coolest color) or white background induces higher emotional arousal and temptation, which led consumers to purchase greater amounts of indulgent foods. In the presence of calorie information, however, elevated arousal and strengthened temptation driven by the background color effects were reversed: a red against a blue or white background elicited a higher level of self-control and lower levels of arousal and temptation, which led consumers to purchase fewer indulgent food items. Therefore, an investigation into the underlying process reveals that consumers can trade their elevated desires (arousal and temptation) and willpower (self-control).

A new thin-layer chromatography–direct bioautography assay for the qualitative and quantitative determination of peroxidase inhibitors in plant extracts

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) hyphenated to bioassays is a modern tool used for discovery of drugs with diverse biological activities from plant extracts which justifies the continuous need for developing such methods. A new TLC–bioautography assay for detecting peroxidase enzyme inhibitors was developed and validated in this study. Peroxidases are related to pathogenesis of many diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and rheumatoid arthritis and are considered as inflammatory markers. The developed TLC–bioautography method was based on reaction of peroxidase with hydrogen peroxide and the subsequent formation of blue color by the reaction between the released oxygen and benzidine. Compounds with peroxidase inhibition activity are observed as yellowish spots against a blue background. The developed method was validated according to the ICH guidelines. Quantitative estimation of peroxidase inhibitors was achieved by applying image analyses techniques, showing good linearity (R2 = 0.998), accuracy (% recovery 96.6–99.7%), intra-day precisions (RSD% = 0.95–2.35) and inter-day precision (RSD% = 1.80–3.20) as well as low LOD (0.28 μg/spot) and LOQ (0.85 μg/spot). The developed method was applied to different Juniperus species fractions as a demonstrative illustration. Overall, the method proved to be efficient, simple and rapid for identification of peroxidase inhibitors in complex matrices and can be applied in high-throughput screening of plant extracts.

Optimal Background Color for Head-Starting Northern River Terrapins (Batagur baska Gray, 1831).

Simple SummarySubstrate color is an important physical condition affecting the lifestyle of reared animals. However, no prior data are available regarding northern river terrapins. In this study, the terrapins were reared in five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) for twelve weeks. Based on parameters assessing survival, growth, feed utilization, and health, the blue background is more suitable for rearing terrapins relative to other colored tanks. The findings from the current study could be applied to wall, pond, or aquaria decoration to support the head-starting programs of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitat, as well as in public displays, such as aquaria and zoos. Background color has significant effects on the lifestyles of various animal species. In this study, the effects of wall background color on growth, feed utilization, specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples, fecal thermal properties, carapace elemental profile, and hematological parameters were investigated in northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) in order to optimize the head-starting conditions. The terrapins (70.13 ± 0.04 g initial weight) were completely randomized into five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) and reared for twelve weeks. At the end of the experiment, tank color had no effect on survival and growth performance, but had significant effects on feeding rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). Terrapins reared with black, red, or blue backgrounds had the highest feed utilization among the treatments. Among these three groups, analysis of specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples and fecal thermal properties suggested improved digestive functionality in terrapins reared with a blue background relative to the other treatments. Carapace elemental composition and hematological parameters indicated no negative effects on health status of the terrapins reared with this optimal treatment. Findings from the current study support the head-starting program of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitats, and could also be applied in aquaria or zoos for public display.

New planar assay for streamlined detection and quantification of β-glucuronidase inhibitors applied to botanical extracts

The inhibition of the β-glucuronidase released from gut bacteria is associated with specific health-related benefits. Though a number of β-glucuronidase inhibition assays are currently in use, none of them can directly measure the relevant activity of each single constituent in a complex mixture, without prior separation and tedious isolation of the pure compounds. Thus, the hyphenation of the high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique with a β-glucuronidase inhibition assay was investigated and successfully demonstrated for the first time. A colorimetric as well as fluorometric detection of the inhibitors was achieved using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-glucuronide as a substrate. Hence, β-glucuronidase inhibitors were detected as bright zones against an indigo blue or fluorescent background. The established method was optimized and validated employing the well-known inhibitor d-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone monohydrate. As proof of concept, the suitability of the new workflow was verified through analysis of two botanical extracts, Primula boveana and silymarin flavonolignans from Silybum marianum fruits. The found inhibitors were identified by spectroscopic methods; one of them, 3ʹ-O-(β-galactopyranosyl)-flavone, is here described as a newly isolated natural compound. The new hyphenation HPTLC-UV/Vis/FLD-β-glucuronidase inhibition assay-HRMS covers four orthogonal dimensions, i.e. separation, spectral detection, biochemical activity and structural characterization, in a highly targeted time- and material-saving workflow for analysis of complex or costly mixtures.

Optimal background colour for rearing Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Background colour influences the growth performance and feed utilization of various fish species. In the current study, the effects of different aquarium backgrounds (transparent, white, black, red, green and blue) on growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, flesh quality, carcass composition and haematological parameters were investigated in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). The fish (16.17 ± 0.02 g initial body weight) were distributed into eighteen glass aquaria (6 treatments × 3 replications) with the various background colours and reared for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, positive growth performance and feed utilization were observed in fish reared against transparent, white, black or green backgrounds, while negative effects were noted for fish reared on the remaining treatments (p < .05). Modulation of the main digestive enzymes was observed across the six treatments, indicating different strategies for utilizing nutrients by the fish. The activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin was highest in the fish reared against a black background, followed by a white background. Flesh quality, in terms of protein synthesis capacity and protein turnover rate, indicated a significant improvement in the fish reared against white, black and green backgrounds, while the contents of myosin and actin were similar across the six colour treatments. Carcass composition and haematological parameters showed no negative effects in either of the preferred treatments. These findings indicate that the most suitable background colours for rearing Asian seabass are black, followed by white and green, while transparent, red or blue backgrounds are unsuitable.

Comparisons of photopic negative responses elicited by different conditions from glaucomatous eyes

To compare the clinical significance of the photopic negative response (PhNRs) elicited by different stimuli from glaucomatous eyes. Single-center observational study METHOD: Eighty-four eyes of 84 patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects were studied. Cone electroretinograms (ERGs) were elicited by white stimuli on a white background (W/W) or red stimuli on a blue background (R/B). The luminance of the stimuli was 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 cd-s/m2, and of the background light was 10 cd/m2. The first and second troughs of the ERGs that appeared following the b-wave were designated as PhNR1 and PhNR2, respectively. The thickness of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The mean deviation (MD) was determined by standard automated perimetry. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) was created to determine the diagnostic ability of the PhNRs elicited by the different stimulus conditions. The correlation coefficients of the amplitudes of the PhNR1 elicited by W/W stimuli to the MDs and cpRNFL thickness were generally stronger, and the regression lines steeper than for the amplitudes of the PhNR1 elicited by R/B stimuli. In contrast, the correlation coefficients of the amplitudes of the PhNR2 elicited by R/B stimuli to the MDs and cpRNFL thickness were generally stronger, and the regression lines were steeper than the amplitudes of the PhNR2 elicited by W/W stimuli. With both types of stimuli, the slopes of the regression lines became steeper when the ERG recorded with higher stimulus intensities. The AUCs were significantly larger for the PhNR2 elicited by the R/B stimuli at 3.0 cd-s/m2 than for PhNR1 and PhNR2 elicited by W/W stimuli at the same intensity when the PhNRs were used for diagnosing advanced glaucoma. The PhNR1 and PhNR2 elicited by the W/W and R/B stimuli are suitable measures to assess the function of the RGCs in eyes with OAG. The PhNR2 elicited by R/B stimuli at higher stimulus intensities is most effective in detecting functional and structural changes of the RGCs with the highest diagnostic capacity in discriminating advanced glaucoma.

The Influence of Color on Brand Extension: Mediation Role of Processing Style

AbstractColor carries distinct psychological meanings and thus it may induce a different cognitive processing style. Adopting this conceptual framework, the current research investigated the influence of color on brand extension evaluation. For color manipulation, participants were given the picture of a brand extension product (e.g., notebook) on a blue versus red background on a sheet of paper. Then participants evaluated the brand extension product. The finding revealed that participants in the blue‐background condition evaluated the extension product more favorably than those in the red‐background condition. This research further demonstrated that processing style mediated the effect of color on the evaluation of the brand extension product by using a visual matching task. In addition, this research showed the moderating effect of brand slogan on brand extension evaluation. Participants in the blue‐background condition evaluated the extension product (i.e., digital camera) more favorably when they were exposed to the abstract brand slogan, whereas participants in the red‐background condition evaluated the extension product more favorably when they were exposed to the concrete brand slogan.

Reduced pattern electroretinogram signal in affected patients with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

AbstractPurposeThe pattern electroretinogram (PERG) signal has been reported to be a sensitive tool for the detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction in both animal models and patients suffering from optic neuropathies. This study investigated whether functional PERG can detect different levels of RGC dysfunction in both carriers and affected patients with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON).MethodsPERG signals were recorded using both checkerboard (0.8° check size, 2 reversals/sec) and bars (0.5 cycles/deg) stimuli with mean luminance of 300 cd/m2 and 100% contrast. PERG signals were measured against functional full field Photopic Negative Response (PhNR) recordings (red flashes at 5 cd s/m2 stimulus intensity on blue rod saturating background) and subjective measures of retinal sensitivity (mean deviation [MD] via 30‐2 automated visual fields) and structural metrics (both ganglion cell complex [GCC] and retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thickness from optical coherence tomography [OCT] scans).ResultsPERG P50 amplitudes were similar across controls, carriers, and LHON affected patients. P50 implicit times were significantly reduced in LHON affected patients (CHECKS: 45.8 ± 1.1 ms; BARS: 43.5 ± 0.8 ms; n = 32) compared to controls (CHECKS: 49.3 ± 0.5 ms; BARS: 48.1 ± 0.4 ms; n = 72). N95 amplitudes elicited by the checkerboard stimulus were significantly reduced and implicit times significantly increased in LHON affected patients (−3.4 ± 0.4 µV; 93.6 ± 2.2 ms; n = 32) compared to controls (−5.9 ± 0.5 µV; 85.3 ± 0.8 ms; n = 72). No differences were seen in PERG signals between control or LHON affected patients and carriers. Although PERG parameters were significantly different in LHON affected patients, the measurements were not correlated with PhNR signals, MD and RNFL thickness in all four quadrants around the optic disc. On the other hand, PhNR amplitudes, which were significantly reduced in LHON affected (−16.3 ± 3.4 µV; n = 32) and in carriers (−21.8 ± 3.0 µV; n = 30) compared to controls (−34.2 ± 2.5 µV; n = 28), were correlated with MD (r = −0.611, p &lt; 0.0005; n = 28), average GCC (r = −0.618, p &lt; 0.0001; n = 32) and average RNFL thickness (r = −0.553, p &lt; 0.001; n = 31) in affected patients.ConclusionsSignificant differences in PERG recordings were measured between control and LHON affected patients. However, no significant differences were seen in carriers and PERG metrics were not correlated with functional PhNR parameters and other subjective and objective measurements tested. Our results suggest that PERG may not be as sensitive as PhNR to discriminate different levels of RGC dysfunction between LHON affected patients and carriers.

All le moto a ces droits: Notes on Hervé Youmbi’s Translation of the Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme (DUDH)

The following photo essay considers Hervé Youmbi’s 2017 artwork DUDH in the context of the current political crisis in Cameroon. For DUDH, Youmbi translated five articles from the Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme into Camfranglais and installed them on signs in the quartiers of New Bell Ngangue and Ndogpassi III in Douala, Cameroon. He printed one set of the five articles on a blue background for New Bell and the same articles on green for installation in Ndogpassi III. Youmbi unveiled the signs in December 2017 as part of the Salon Urbain de Douala (SUD) triennial.

Determination Of Errors On The Surface Of The Packaging By Image Processing Technique

This work; The aim of this study is to detect the defects on the surfaces of packaging products by means of Image Processing in a company producing food packaging.In the Images of products received from the company, with the support of OpenCV Library in Python Programming Language in Pycharm Platform; types of defects such as paint, signal, misalignment, knife line are detected. The OpenCv Library saves time and improves system performance. In this study, firstly by color masking, two sets of blue color which are “dusuk” and “yuksek” are created. The image is converted to HSV format, because the masking process requires the HSV format of the image. After masking, the blue background becomes white and all other colors become black. After this process, the pixels with white color are converted to their original values so that the values of the pixels with black color do not change. In order to perform Edge Detection, the image is converted to gray tone so that unwanted noise is obtained in the image. Then, the images of the faulty parts are taken and similarities are applied to find the faulty parts in the real image. Finally, the defective parts are indicated in the yellow rectangle. Operators in the company make the error detection by visual inspection. In this system, when the operator cannot detect the error, the wrong packages continue to be produced in the coils where the wrapping is made. In order to minimize the costs incurred in this situation, it was decided to use the Image Processing method and appropriate results were obtained.

Far-red radiation increases dry mass partitioning to fruits but reduces Botrytis cinerea resistance in tomato

The addition of far-red (FR, 700–800 nm) radiation to standard growth light triggers a set of photomorphogenic responses collectively termed shade avoidance syndrome. Recent research showed that additional FR increased fruit yield in greenhouse tomato production. However, the mechanism behind this increase is not clear; nor is it known whether there is a trade-off between growth and defense against plant diseases in tomato under additional FR. The aims of this study were 1) to quantify the effect of additional FR on tomato fruit growth, 2) to explain this effect based on underlying growth components and 3) to examine the FR effect on resistance against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Moneymaker’) plants were grown for four months with 30 or 50 μmol m−2 s−1 of FR added to 150 μmol m−2 s−1 red + blue or white background LED lighting. Growth and development parameters were recorded, and a growth component analysis was conducted. Bioassays for resistance against B. cinerea were conducted on leaf samples collected from each light treatment. Additional FR increased total fruit dry mass per plant by 26–45%. FR affected multiple growth components, among which the fraction of dry mass partitioned to fruits was the most prominent with a 15–35% increase. Truss appearance rate was increased 11–14% by FR while instantaneous net photosynthesis rate was not affected. FR also resulted in more severe disease symptoms upon infection with B. cinerea. In conclusion, additional FR increases tomato fruit production mainly by increasing dry mass partitioning to fruits, rather than improving photosynthesis or increasing total plant biomass. However, FR also reduces resistance of tomato leaves against B. cinerea.

An Inexpensive Staining Alternative for Gelatin Zymography Gels.

Zymography is a widely used electrophoretic method to determine proteolytic activities in samples from various sources. The method is based on copolymerizing a suitable protein substrate within a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. Following electrophoretic separation of the protease containing samples and a suitable incubation period, degradation of the substrate can be visualized through staining with Coomassie blue. Sites of proteolysis become visible as white bands on a dark blue background. However, this staining protocol requires considerable amounts of ethanol and acetic acid to remove unbound dye molecules. In this report, we describe a new staining protocol using Ponceau S which offers substantial advantages in terms of assay usability and cost reduction, especially when performing large quantities of zymograms or in resource-limited settings. Fast and reproducible staining of zymograms with our protocol is demonstrated, and reliable quantitation of proteolytic activity in comparison to the standard Coomassie staining procedure is shown.

Fruit sizing in-field using a mobile app

A mobile device based application was developed for manual in-field fruit sizing of mango (Mangifera indica) using machine vision. Fruit on tree were imaged against a hand-held A4 blue background with a scale included, with segmentation of fruit and scale using the b* value of CIE L*a*b* colour space. To correct for depth of field difference between the background and the fruit, the distance between camera and background was estimated using a pin-hole camera model, and the half thickness of the fruit was estimated from allometrics with fruit length and width. RMSE of 3.7 mm on length and 3.6 mm on width was achieved. Fruit allometrics were also used to convert lineal estimates to fruit weight, with a RMSE of 65.9 g achieved.

The Word Collector by P.H. Reynolds

Reynolds, Peter H. The Word Collector. Scholastic, 2018.&#x0D; The story, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds, is about a boy named Jerome and his discovery of words. While other children collect stamps, coins, rocks, and art, Jerome collects words. Words "catch his attention" and "jump at him." He collects "short and sweet words" and "two-syllable treats." He fills his scrapbook with all the "marvelous" words he hears, reads, and sees. But once while he’s transporting his collection, he slips and his words all get mixed up. In this jumbled up state, he starts noticing how they can be strung together to make poems and songs, and how he can use them in simple and powerful phrases. In the end, he shares his collection with children in the valley and he’s left with no words to describe how happy that makes him.&#x0D; The accompanying illustrations are bright, colourful, and detailed in terms of visualizing the text. With illustrations showing diversity in characters, dialogues are written in speech bubbles while Jerome’s "words" are shown on the pieces of rectangular paper he writes them down on. The jacket illustrations show Jerome standing with a bright blue background behind him and his numerous words flying around him. The inside hardcover is yellow with only the word slips jumbled around. The last page in the book is Peter Reynold’s own words strung together to give an inspiring message: “Reach for your own words. Tell the world who you are. And how you will make it better.”&#x0D; Inspiring and easy to read, this is a delightful book to help children discover the magic and power of words. Teachers and parents can help children in activities inspired by the book to play around with words and build their vocabulary. &#x0D; Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Komel Ahmed&#x0D; Komel Ahmed is currently working towards her B.Ed. in Elementary Education at the University of Alberta. She loves reading with her two amazing children.

Cone-Mediated Function Correlates to Altered Foveal Morphology in Preterm-Born Children at School Age.

To correlate cone- and rod-mediated function with morphology of the macula in preterm-born children without and with spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We performed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) single scans in the macular center of preterm-born children aged 6 to 12 years (mean ± SD, 7.4 ± 1.8) without ROP (noROP; n = 59) and with spontaneously regressed ROP (srROP; n = 34), documented with wide-angle digital imaging during routine screening for acute ROP, and compared the data from 14 age-matched term-born children. SD-OCT data were compared to functional cone- and rod-mediated results of scotopic and photopic chromatic pupillometry (cP) and two-color fundus-controlled perimetry (2C-FCP). SD-OCT showed a shallowed foveal pit with significantly reduced outer nuclear layer to inner retinal layer ratio, indicating macular developmental arrest (MDA). MDA was present in 44% of the srROP and 27% of the noROP children. Pupil reaction to photopic red stimuli on blue background showed significantly lower values in all preterm-born children with MDA. In accordance, photopic light increment sensitivity (LIS) to red stimuli in the foveal center on the 2C-FCP was also significantly reduced in children with MDA. Under scotopic conditions, no significant differences were apparent in both pupil reaction with cP and LIS with 2C-FCP. Both objective pupillary response to cone-mediated photopic red stimuli and subjective central cone-mediated results in fundus-controlled perimetry were reduced in preterm-born children with MDA. MDA was present in a significant number of patients with srROP, but also without ROP.

Blue aquarium background is appropriate for rearing male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

The effects of five aquarium backgrounds (transparent, white, red, blue, and black) on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, skin coloration, muscle parameters, and carcass composition were investigated in solid red male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). The fish (1.13 ± 0.01 g initial body weight) were distributed individually into glass aquaria (3.5 cm width × 8 cm length × 20 cm height) varying in color backgrounds (n = 15 per treatment). They were fed a commercial floating diet for small ornamental fish (35% crude protein) twice daily (0800 and 1700 h), and all measurements of fish were examined at the end of 8 weeks. The growth performance (specific growth rate = 0.97% body weight day−1) and feed utilization (feed conversion ratio = 1.60 g feed g gain−1 and protein efficiency ratio = 1.83 g gain g protein−1) of the fish reared on blue background were superior relative to the other treatments, followed by red background as next best (0.86% body weight day−1, 1.50 g feed g gain−1, and 1.71 g gain g protein−1, respectively). There were no significant differences in specific activities of digestive enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and amylase) between the fish reared on blue and transparent backgrounds (P > 0.05), but significantly increased ratio of amylase to trypsin was observed in the blue treatment. Skin coloration (in terms of lightness and redness), muscle RNA concentration, and muscle RNA/protein ratio did not differ in the fish reared on blue background, while muscle actin/myosin ratio and carcass lipid increased, relative to the control with transparent background. Findings from the current study indicate that the blue-based aquarium background is appropriate for rearing male Siamese fighting fish.

Two-color pupillometry in KCNV2 retinopathy.

To investigate receptor and post-receptor function in KCNV2 retinopathy [cone dystrophy with supernormal rod electroretinogram (ERG)], using the pupillary light reflex (PLR) and the ERG. Two unrelated patients (1 male and 1 female) with molecularly confirmed KCNV2 retinopathy underwent full-field two-color pupillometry testing in one eye, with monitoring of the stimulated eye by an infrared digital camera. Pupillometry stimuli consisted of 1-s duration, short-wavelength (465-nm, blue) and long-wavelength (642-nm, red) stimuli. Pupillometry intensity series were performed under both a dark-adapted condition and a light-adapted condition (on a 0.76-logcdm-2 blue background). The transient PLR, defined as the maximum constriction following flash onset, was measured under all conditions. The melanopsin-mediated sustained constriction was measured 5-7s following flash offset for the highest flash luminance presented in the dark. Both patients were also tested in one eye with the full-field ERG, including a dark-adapted intensity series and ISCEV standard stimuli. Dark-adapted PLRs were markedly attenuated or extinguished for low-luminance stimuli, but the responses to higher-luminance blue stimuli were within normal limits. Light-adapted PLRs to blue stimuli were generally within normal limits, exceeding the responses to photopically matched red stimuli. Thus, light-adapted responses were consistent with either rod or S-cone mediation of the PLR. Melanopsin-mediated sustained PLRs were within normal limits. ERG showed the characteristic findings previously reported in this condition. Cone-mediated ERG responses were markedly decreased in amplitude. Rod-mediated ERG responses were absent for low-luminance stimuli (- 3 logcdsm-2), but had normal amplitude for stimuli of - 2 log cdsm-2 and above (although none were "supernormal"). The b-wave for the dark-adapted ISCEV standard - 2 log cd s m-2 stimulus was markedly delayed, whereas the b-wave timing was generally normal for higher flash luminances. The abnormalities measured by pupillometry have a similar pattern to the outer-retinal abnormalities measured by ERG in KCNV2 retinopathy. These findings as well as the normal sustained PLR suggest that inner-retinal function may be preserved in KCNV2 retinopathy and highlight the potential for therapies designed to restore outer-retinal function in these individuals.

Effect of Providing the Uncertainty Information About a Tornado Occurrence on the Weather Recipients' Cognition and Protective Action: Probabilistic Hazard Information Versus Deterministic Warnings.

Currently, a binary alarm system is used in the United States to issue deterministic warning polygons in case of tornado events. To enhance the effectiveness of the weather information, a likelihood alarm system, which uses a tool called probabilistic hazard information (PHI), is being developed at National Severe Storms Laboratory to issue probabilistic information about the threat. This study aims to investigate the effects of providing the uncertainty information about a tornado occurrence through the PHI's graphical swath on laypeople's concern, fear, and protective action, as compared with providing the warning information with the deterministic polygon. The displays of color-coded swaths and deterministic polygons were shown to subjects. Some displays had a blue background denoting the probability of any tornado formation in the general area. Participants were asked to report their levels of concern, fear, and protective action at randomly chosen locations within each of seven designated levels on each display. Analysis of a three-stage nested design showed that providing the uncertainty information via the PHI would appropriately increase recipients' levels of concern, fear, and protective action in highly dangerous scenarios, with a more than 60% chance of being affected by the threat, as compared with deterministic polygons. The blue background and the color-coding type did not have a significant effect on the people's cognition of the threat and reaction to it. This study shows that using a likelihood alarm system leads to more conscious decision making by the weather information recipients and enhances the system safety.