Visual Reception Research Articles

Relationship of the magnetic compass and vision in birds: in search of a receptor cell

The existence of the magnetic compass system was first shown in birds. Since then, a large amount of data has been accumulated on the performance of the avian magnetic compass and its relationship with visual reception. The current dominant concept is that the receptor for the magnetic compass in birds is located in the retina. The most popular hypothesis for the mechanism of operation of magnetic field receptors is the radical pair model, and a candidate for the role of the primary magnetoreceptor molecule is cryptochrome, and more specifically, its isoform, cryptochrome 4a. In recent years, data have been published on the interaction of cryptochrome with some proteins involved in the phototransduction cascade, as well as promising data from electrophysiological studies combining light and magnetic stimuli. In addition, a number of morphological studies of the avian retina also allow us to narrow down the range of promising cells for the role of a magnetoreceptor, and the double cone is currently the most likely candidate. In this review, we discuss the latest research data in this area.

Tube-Embedded Transformer for Pixel Prediction

Multi-task pixel-level learning, which aims to exploit the inter-task interactions to improve the learning of each task, is an important but challenging issue in visual reception and multimedia applications. Measuring the inter-task correlation and intra-task specificity, we propose a tube-embedded transformer (TET) framework for robust multi-task pixel prediction. To facilitate inter-task interactions, we aggregate and project all tasks into a shared tube pool to generate the latent multi-task representation during the coarse-to-fine decoding stages. The resulting task-tube interactions replace the two-by-two task-task interactions to reduce the model complexity significantly. In addition, we introduce the transformer mechanism to adaptively transfer tube features to the target task. Concretely, on the one hand, multi-task features aggregate in the tube to generate the shared feature representation bases; on the other hand, based on the task-tube association and complementarity, the tube outputs the query entry and the weighting coefficients of the target task. Experimentally, on the joint learning of semantic segmentation, depth estimation, and surface normal estimation, the comparison experiments show the superiority of the TET multi-task learning method over other state-of-the-art approaches, and the ablation experiments verify the effectiveness of the TET mechanism.

Метод передачи аварийных сигналов на распределенной информационно-телекоммуникационной сети Росморречфлота

A method of transmitting alarm signals on a distributed public information and telecommunications network is presented, which allows for noise-resistant transmission of measuring information about the state of elements of a geographically distributed telecommunications structure of the department using decameter radio lines based on the use of linear-frequency-modulated, as well as discrete linear-frequency-modulated signals., this makes it possible to improve the noise immunity of the subsystem for remote monitoring of the state of a geographically distributed information and telecommunications network. The purpose of the work is to increase the noise immunity of accident signals on a telemetry system of a distributed network infrastructure operating in a complex interference situation and other destabilizing factors. Methods used: formation of a promising signal-code structure in radio channels of a telemetry system; the use of the mode of changing the operating frequency according to a pseudo-random law in the interests of transmitting measuring information. Novelty: increasing the capabilities of the remote monitoring subsystem by expanding the degrees of freedom of the operator of the telemetry system – auditory, visual and automatic reception of alarms. The result obtained is a graphical representation of the received binary parcels of the accident signals on a waterfall-type spectrogram, while instead of "dots" and "dashes" of the Morse code, linear-frequency-modulated or discrete-linear-frequency-modulated signals with a decreasing or increasing slope gradient are displayed.

Continuity of trajectories of autism symptom severity from infancy to childhood.

Behavioral symptom trajectories are informative of the development of young children at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Developmental trajectories of early signs were examined in a cohort of siblings of children diagnosed with ASD (n= 502) from 6 to 18 months using the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI), and from 18 months to 5-7 years using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Diagnostic outcomes for ASD at age 3 confirmed diagnosis for 137 children. We further analyzed the conditional probability of a switch from a trajectory measured with the AOSI to a trajectory measured with the ADOS as well as predictors from age 6months. We derived three early trajectories of behavioral signs ("Low," "Intermediate," and "Increasing") from 6 to 18 months using the AOSI. We then derived three similar, distinct trajectories for the evolution of symptom severity between 18 and 60-84 months of age (Low, Intermediate, Increasing) using the ADOS. Globally, the Low trajectory included children showing fewer ASD signs or symptoms and the Increasing trajectory included children showing more severe symptoms. We also found that most children in the Low AOSI trajectory stayed in the corresponding ADOS trajectory, whereas children in an Increasing AOSI trajectory tended to transition to an Intermediate or Increasing ADOS trajectory. Developmental measures taken at 6months (early signs of ASD, Fine Motor, and Visual Reception skills) were predictive of trajectory membership. Results confirm substantial heterogeneity in the early emergence of ASD signs in children at increased likelihood for ASD. Moreover, we showed that the way those early behavioral signs emerge in infants is predictive of later symptomatology. Results yield clear clinical implications, supporting the need to repeatedly assess infants at increased likelihood for ASD as this can be highly indicative of their later development and behavior.

A Stray Light Detection Model for VR Head-Mounted Display Based on Visual Perception

In recent years, the general public and the technology industry have favored stereoscopic vision, immersive experience, and real-time visual information reception of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The device carrier, the Head-Mounted Display (HMD), is recognized as one of the next generation’s most promising computing and communication platforms. HMD is a virtual image optical display device that combines optical lens modules and binocular displays. The visual impact it brings is much more complicated than the traditional display and also influences the performance of image quality. This research investigated the visual threshold of stray light for three kinds of VR HMD devices, and proposes a qualitative model, derived from psychophysical experiments and the measurement of images on VR devices. The recorded threshold data of the psychophysical stray light perception experiment was used as the target when training. VR display image captured by a wide-angle camera was processed, through a series of image processing procedures, to extract variables in the range of interest. The machine learning algorithm established an evaluation method for human eye-perceived stray light in the study. Four supervised learning algorithms, including K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF), were compared. The established model’s accuracy was about 90% in all four algorithms. It also proved that different percentages of thresholds could be used to label data according to demand to predict the feasibility of various subdivision inspection specifications in the future. This research aimed to provide a fast and effective stray light qualitative evaluation method to be used as a basis for future HMD optical system design and quality control. Thus, stray light evaluation will become one of the critical indicators of image quality and will be applicable to VR or AR content design.

Scalp EEG functional connection and brain network in infants with West syndrome

The common age-dependent West syndrome can be diagnosed accurately by electroencephalogram (EEG), but its pathogenesis and evolution remain unclear. Existing research mainly aims at the study of West seizure markers in time/frequency domain, while less literature uses a graph-theoretic approach to analyze changes among different brain regions. In this paper, the scalp EEG based functional connectivity (including Correlation, Coherence, Time Frequency Cross Mutual Information, Phase-Locking Value, Phase Lag Index, Weighted Phase Lag Index) and network topology parameters (including Clustering coefficient, Feature path length, Global efficiency, and Local efficiency) are comprehensively studied for the prognostic analysis of the West episode cycle. The scalp EEGs of 15 children with clinically diagnosed string spasticity seizures are used for prospective study, where the signal is divided into pre-seizure, seizure, and post-seizure states in 5 typical brain wave rhythm frequency bands (δ (1–4 Hz), θ (4–8 Hz), α (8–13 Hz), β (13–30 Hz), and γ (30–80 Hz)) for functional connectivity analysis. The study shows that recurrent West seizures weaken connections between brain regions responsible for cognition and intelligence, while brain regions responsible for information synergy and visual reception have greater variability in connectivity during seizures. It is observed that the changes inβandγfrequency bands of the multiband brain network connectivity patterns calculated by Corr and WPLI can be preliminarily used as judgment of seizure cycle changes in West syndrome.

Perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate in umbilical cord blood and child cognitive development: Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study)

BackgroundPrenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been shown to affect offspring behaviors in laboratory animals. Several epidemiological studies investigated associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and child neurodevelopment, but results were inconclusive. We examined associations between cord blood concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and cognitive development in children from 4 to 40 months of age. MethodsThis study included 598 mother–child pairs who participated in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort Study for Mothers and Children (HBC Study), a prospective birth cohort study in Japan. PFOA and PFOS were quantified in cord blood. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) was used to assess child cognitive function at 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 24, 32, and 40 months of age. For each of log 2-transformed PFOA and PFOS concentrations, we examined: 1) associations with the scores of MSEL Early Learning Composite (Composite) and four subscales (Fine Motor, Visual Reception, Receptive Language, Expressive Language) at each assessment time point; and 2) associations with longitudinal changes in the Composite and subscale scores. ResultsMSEL Composite scores were inversely associated with PFOA at 18 months of age (per 2-fold increase in concentration: β = -2.23, 95% CI: -3.91, -0.56), but not at other ages. When accounting for changes in scores from 4 to 40 months of age, PFOA and PFOS were positively associated with Composite as well as Receptive and Expressive Language scores. Child’s sex modified associations between PFOA and Composite scores at 14, 18, and 40 months and those between PFOS and Composite scores at 14 months, showing negative associations among females. ConclusionsIn this study, cord blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations showed mixed associations with child cognitive functions at specific age but had positive associations with longitudinal changes in cognitive development from 4 to 40 months of age.

Placental pathology predicts infantile neurodevelopment

The aim of present study was to investigate the association of placental pathological findings with infantile neurodevelopment during the early 40 months of life. 258 singleton infants were enrolled in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study) whose placentas were saved in our pathological division. To assess the infantile neurodevelopment, we used Mullen Scales of Early Learning (gross motor, visual reception, fine motor, receptive language, expressive language) at 10, 14, 18, 24, 32, and 40 months. For obtaining placental blocks, we carried out random sampling and assessed eleven pathological findings using mixed modeling identified ‘Accelerated villous maturation’, ‘Maternal vascular malperfusion’, and ‘Delayed villous maturation’ as significant predictors of the relatively lower MSEL composite scores in the neurodevelopmental milestones by Mullen Scales of Early Learning. On the other hand, ‘Avascular villi’, ‘Thrombosis or Intramural fibrin deposition’, ‘Fetal vascular malperfusion’, and ‘Fetal inflammatory response’ were significant predictors of the relatively higher MSEL composite scores in the neurodevelopmental milestones by Mullen Scales of Early Learning. In conclusion, the present study is the first to report that some placental pathological findings are bidirectionally associated with the progression of infantile neurodevelopment during 10–40 months of age.

Toileting Resistance Among Preschool-Age Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may achieve continence later than other children. Little is known about factors associated with toileting resistance in children with ASD and other developmental delays/disabilities (DD). We sought to describe toileting resistance in children with ASD and DD and those from the general population (POP) and identify factors associated with toileting resistance in children with ASD and DD. Families and children aged 24 to 68 months were enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development, a multisite case-control study on ASD. Children with ASD (N = 743) and DD (N = 766) and those from the POP (N = 693) who were 48 months or older were included in this study. Parents reported toileting resistance, gastrointestinal issues, behavior problems, and ASD symptoms in their children. Children completed an in-person evaluation to determine ASD status and developmental level. Toileting resistance was more common among children with ASD (49.1%) than children with DD (23.6%) and those from the POP (8.0%). Diarrhea and deficits in social awareness were significantly associated with toileting resistance in children with ASD and DD. Constipation, expressive language delays, and low social motivation were significantly associated with toileting resistance only in children with ASD; very low visual reception skills and oppositional behaviors were significantly associated with toileting resistance in only children with DD (all p ≤ 0.05). Evaluating gastrointestinal issues, developmental delays, and social deficits before toileting training may help identify children with atypical development who are likely to present with toileting resistance. These evaluations can be incorporated into health supervision visits.

Reading Revolutions: Corrado Costa’s <i>William Blake in Beulah</i>, a Visionary Cartoon Essay in 1977 Italy

Under what conditions might Blake’s Beulah offer a script for a revolutionary present? This essay explores an episode in the visual reception of Blake as a letterpress poet from a time of civil unrest in Italy. Corrado Costa’s William Blake in Beulah: Saggio visionario su un poeta a fumetti (William Blake in Beulah: A Visionary Essay on a Poet in Comic Strips, 1977) is an avant-garde experiment in visual adaptation inspired by lettrism, Dada, and neo-avant-garde critiques of typography. Their analysis of the loss of the visual elements of writing certainly applies to the textual transmission of Blake’s works, which separated the poet from the artist in order to publish his poetry in typographical layouts. Abstracted from the visual form of the illuminated book, Blake’s poetry offered an ideal testing ground for Costa’s “visionary essay” in the sense of a creative-critical attempt to turn poetry into comic-strip captions. In fragmenting, resegmenting, repeating, and distributing Blake’s words across comic-strip panels, Costa releases them from the constraints of language and genre, testing how Blake might fare as a comic-strip poet. In what follows, I will explore how Costa’s comic-strip Blake subverts the orders of language, genre, and the medium of the book. I will focus on the most experimental section of Blake in Beulah, in which Costa reinvents The French Revolution as a prophetic cue for the 1977 movement.

2-year outcomes of ranibizumab versus laser therapy for the treatment of very low birthweight infants with retinopathy of prematurity (RAINBOW extension study): prospective follow-up of an open label, randomised controlled trial

Intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors is increasingly used to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the absence of evidence about long-term efficacy or safety. In this prespecified interim analysis of the RAINBOW extension study, we aimed to prospectively assess outcomes at age 2 years. RAINBOW was an open-label, randomised trial that compared intravitreal ranibizumab (at 0·1 mg and 0·2 mg doses) with laser therapy for the treatment of ROP in very low birthweight infants (<1500 g). Families of the 201 infants that completed the RAINBOW core study were approached for consent to enter the extension study, which evaluates treatment outcomes prospectively through to 5 years of age. At age 20-28 months corrected for prematurity, participants had ophthalmic, development, and health assessments. The primary outcome was the absence of structural ocular abnormalities; secondary outcomes included vision-related quality of life (reported by parents using the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire), development (assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning), motor function, and health status. Investigator-determined ocular and non-ocular serious and other adverse events were recorded. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02640664. Between June 16, 2016, and Jan 22, 2018, 180 infants were enrolled in the RAINBOW extension study, and 153 (85%) were evaluated at 20-28 months of age. No child developed new ocular structural abnormalities. Structural abnormalities were present in one (2%) of 56 infants in the ranibizumab 0·2 mg group, one (2%) of 51 infants in the 0·1 mg group, and four (9%) of 44 infants in the laser therapy group. The odds ratio of no structural abnormality was 5·68 (95% CI 0·60-54·0; p=0·10) for ranibizumab 0·2 mg versus laser therapy, 4·82 (0·52-45·0; p=0·14) for ranibizumab 0·1 mg versus laser therapy, and 1·21 (0·07-20; p=0·90) for ranibizumab 0·2 mg vs 0·1 mg. High myopia (-5 dioptres or worse) was less frequent after 0·2 mg ranibizumab (five [5%] of 110 eyes) than with laser therapy (16 [20%] of 82; odds ratio 0·19, 95% CI 0·05-0·69; p=0·012). Composite vision-related quality of life scores seemed higher among the ranibizumab 0·2 mg group (mean 84, 95% CI 80-88) compared with laser therapy (77, 72-83; p=0·063). Mullen Scales T-scores for visual reception, receptive and expressive language were distributed similarly between the three trial groups and there were similar proportions of infants with motor and hearing problems among treatment groups. The proportion of infants with respiratory symptoms and Z scores of standing height, weight, and head circumference were similarly distributed in the treatment groups. There were no adverse events considered by the investigator to be related to the study intervention. 2-year outcomes following ranibizumab 0·2 mg for the treatment of ROP confirm the ocular outcomes of the original RAINBOW trial and show reduced high myopia, with possibly better vision-related quality of life. This treatment did not appear to affect non-ocular infant development. Novartis Pharma AG.

Audio Visual Reception of American Sign Language for Blind, Deaf and Dumb People

The computer recognition of sign language is an important process for enabling communication with the visually and hearing impaired people. This proposed project introduces an efficient way of computer recognition of sign languageby using a simplified method by the use of an accelerometer sensor which is a three axis sensor and a voice IC. The main objective of our project is to convert the sign language into a voice format and display the corresponding message on the LCD screen. The basic idea of this project is to have accelerometer sensors attached to the gloves worn by the impaired person. When the person flexes his/her hand for the pre-coded commands, the accelerometer sensors senses the change due to the angular movement of fingers and produces a corresponding output voltage. The sensed analog signal is converted to digital signal by ADC and transmits it to the voice IC via a microcontroller. The objective of the microcontroller is to perform the matching of the obtained hex-code with its corresponding pre-coded commands using Keil software. Once the code is matched with its pre-coded commands the output is delivered through a speaker via a voice IC and the command is also displayed in a LCD screen.

Thiamine supplementation holds neurocognitive benefits for breastfed infants during the first year of life.

Women reliant on mostly rice‐based diets can have inadequate thiamine intake, placing breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency and, in turn, physical and cognitive impairments. We investigated the impact of maternal thiamine supplementation doses on infants’ cognitive, motor, and language development across the first year. In this double‐blind, four‐parallel‐arm, randomized controlled trial, healthy mothers of exclusively breastfed newborn infants were recruited in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. At 2 weeks postnatal, women (n = 335) were randomized to one of four treatment groups to consume one capsule/day with varying amounts of thiamine for 22 weeks: 0, 1.2, 2.4, and 10 mg. At 2, 12, 24, and 52 weeks of age, infants were assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and the Caregiver Reported Early Development Instrument (CREDI). Multiple regression and mixed effects modeling suggest that by 6 months of age, the highest maternal thiamine dose (10 mg/day) held significant benefits for infants’ language development, but generally not for motor or visual reception development. Despite having achieved standardized scores on the MSEL that approximated U.S. norms by 6 months, infants showed a significant drop relative to these norms in both language domains following trial completion, indicating that nutritional interventions beyond 6 months may be necessary.

Neurocognitive Benefits of Maternal Thiamine Supplementation for Breastfed Cambodian Infants

ObjectivesWomen reliant on rice-heavy diets can have inadequate thiamine intakes, placing breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency and, in turn, neurocognitive impairments. We investigated the impact of maternal thiamine supplementation doses on infants’ cognitive, motor, and language development across the first year. MethodsIn this double-blind, four-parallel arm, randomized controlled trial, healthy mothers of exclusively breastfed newborn infants were recruited in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. At 2-weeks postnatal, women (n = 335) were randomized to one of four treatment groups to consume one capsule/day with varying amounts of thiamine for 22 weeks: 0 mg, 1.2 mg, 2.4 mg, and 10 mg. At 2-, 12-, 24- and 52-weeks of age, infants were assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). ResultsMixed effects modeling suggest that by 6 months of age, the highest maternal thiamine dose (10 mg/day) held significant benefits for infants’ language development, F’s (3,659) > 33.2, P’s < 0.001, but generally not for motor or visual reception development. Despite having achieved standardized scores on the MSEL that approximated US norms by 6 months, infants showed a significant drop in all cognitive domains following trial completion, indicating that nutritional interventions beyond 6 months may be necessary. ConclusionsFindings provide the first experimental evidence that thiamine supplementation among lactating mothers at risk of thiamine deficiency protects their infants’ neurocognitive development, with particular benefit to developing language capacities. Results are consistent with studies that report a widening gap in cognitive test scores over time between children from high vs. low-risk contexts. Important questions remain, particularly with respect to the appropriate duration of thiamine supplementation and/or alternate interventions such as mandatory fortification, with potential to build protective stores of thiamine in preconception or pregnancy. Funding SourcesBill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the New York Academy of Sciences (Opportunity ID OPP1176128).

A comparison of formal and informal methods for assessing language and cognition in children with Rett syndrome

BackgroundOpinions about the cognitive and receptive language skills of people with Rett syndrome (RTT) range from severe intellectual impairment to near-normal development. Assessment is challenging because most are non-verbal, with no purposeful hand use. Clarkson et al. (2017) adapted the Mullen Scales of Early Learning for use with eye gaze technology (MSEL-A/ET) for people with RTT. AimsTo investigate and compare the performance of children with RTT on formal and newly-designed informal assessments of language and cognition using eye gaze/tracking technology. Methods and proceduresTen children with RTT aged 4:0–6:8 were assessed on the MSEL-A/ET for Visual Reception (VR) and Receptive Language (RL), and standard MSEL for Expressive Language (EL). Informal assessments of the same skills were embedded in activities such as reading and cake-decorating. Outcomes and resultsStandard scores on MSEL-A/ET VR and RL subtests ranged from ‘very low’ to ‘above average’. All children scored ‘very low’ on standard EL assessment. Informal assessments added information about EL, with children producing 1–3 word utterances and a range of communicative functions through an eye gaze device. Conclusions and implicationsCombining low-tech augmentative and alternative communication, eye gaze technology, informal activities and formal assessment, yields greater insight into children’s abilities. This is important in informing suitable support and education for the individual.

ЭТИМОЛОГИЯ ЦВЕТА В ЛИНГВИСТИКЕ

The article deals with the concept of color in linguistic. There are opinions of scientists who analyzed the concept “shade”. The color must be seen from different points. The article presents the history of the color’s learning. There are some scientists’ points from the different countries. Linguists have opinion that the color in different languages may have the same meaning. There were many scientific experiments, which showed that the color can be a fixed lexeme and can have an alternative equivalent. Other linguists say that the color in different languages cannot have common features. The article emphasizes the need to focus on linguistic and cultural nuances. The color can reflect the culture of the country, man’s mental world. Some linguists underline that the color category is various. The article describes that the visual reception of people consists of the ability to recognize the color. It is impossible to say, what area of men’s interests can be without color. Particular attention is paid to the etymology of colors in the examples. There are many colors, which are very important in the German language.

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and cognitive development in infancy and toddlerhood

Background/ObjectivePer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have neurobehavioral toxicity in experimental studies. Evidence on associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and child's cognitive development is inconsistent partly due to differences in assessment time points and tools. We examined associations of prenatal maternal serum PFAS concentrations with child's cognitive development assessed at multiple time points in infancy and toddlerhood. MethodsWe included 140 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies – Learning Early Signs), a longitudinal cohort of children with a first degree relative who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder followed from birth. Study children's cognitive development was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of age using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) which provides an overall Early Learning Composite (normative mean of 100 and SD of 15) and four subscales (i.e., fine motor, visual reception, receptive language, and expressive language abilities; normative mean of 50 and SD of 10). Nine PFAS were quantified in maternal serum collected during pregnancy. We examined associations of log 2-transformed prenatal maternal serum PFAS concentrations with the MSEL Composite and each of the subscale scores at each time point as well as longitudinal changes in the scores over the four time points. We also classified trajectories into low- and high-score groups and fit Poisson regression models to estimate associations expressed as relative risks (RR). ResultsAmong six PFAS detected in more than 60% of the samples, prenatal maternal serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was inversely associated with child's Composite score at 24 months (β = −5.22, 95% CI: −8.27, −2.17) and 36 months of age (β = −5.18, 95% CI: −9.46, −0.91), while other five PFAS were not strongly associated with Composite score at any time points. When assessing longitudinal changes in the scores over the four time points, PFOA was associated with trajectories having a negative slope for Composite scores and all four subscales. When examining trajectories of the scores between low- and high-score groups, PFOA was associated with having lower and/or decreasing Composite scores (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.03). ConclusionsPrenatal PFOA appears to adversely affect child's cognitive development in toddlerhood in this study population. Because a large fraction of MARBLES children is at risk for atypical development, population-based studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Postural control may drive the development of other domains in infancy

BackgroundTo examine differences in sitting posture in infants at low- and high-risk for autism spectrum disorder and to establish the relationship between sitting postural control and other developmental domains. MethodsA total of 19 infants participated in the study. Eight infants at high-risk and 11 infants at low-risk for autism spectrum disorder. Sitting posture at 6 months was evaluated using a force platform while center of pressure data were acquired. We utilized traditional tools of center of pressure analysis, such as range, median frequency and frequency dispersion, as well as non-linear tools such as Sample Entropy for both the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions. At 12 months we used the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile™ and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, the personal-social subscale. FindingsAt 6 months none of the postural control measures showed statistically significant differences between groups. Infants at high-risk presented significantly lower scores in all behavioral domains than infants at low-risk at 12 months with fair effect sizes. Certain measures of postural control at 6 months could predict language and visual reception behavior at 12 months. InterpretationInfants at high-risk for autism spectrum disorder present with delays in social, communication and language behavior as well as altered postural control in the first year of life. The present data support the possibility that motor skills and specifically postural control may drive the development in other domains.

Plasma angiopoietin-2 is associated with age-related deficits in cognitive sub-scales in Ugandan children following severe malaria

BackgroundElevated angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) concentrations are associated with worse overall neurocognitive function in severe malaria survivors, but the specific domains affected have not been elucidated.MethodsUgandan children with severe malaria underwent neurocognitive evaluation a week after hospital discharge and at 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up. The relationship between Angpt-2 concentrations and age-adjusted, cognitive sub-scale z-scores over time were evaluated using linear mixed effects models, adjusting for disease severity (coma, acute kidney injury, number of seizures in hospital) and sociodemographic factors (age, gender, height-for-age z-score, socio-economic status, enrichment in the home environment, parental education, and any preschool education of the child). The Mullen Scales of Early Learning was used in children < 5 years and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition was used in children ≥ 5 years of age. Angpt-2 levels were measured on admission plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adjustment for multiple comparisons was conducted using the Benjamini–Hochberg Procedure of False Discovery Rate.ResultsIncreased admission Angpt-2 concentration was associated with worse outcomes in all domains (fine and gross motor, visual reception, receptive and expressive language) in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria episode, and worse simultaneous processing and learning in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria who were tested when ≥ 5 years of age. No association was seen between Angpt-2 levels and cognitive outcomes in children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode, but numbers of children and testing time points were lower for children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode.ConclusionElevated Angpt-2 concentration in children with severe malaria is associated with worse outcomes in multiple neurocognitive domains. The relationship between Angpt-2 and worse cognition is evident in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria presentation and in selected domains in older years.

Planning of areas in the vicinity of large industrial plants

Planning space around large industrial plants affects urban development and significantly impacts the integration of industrial areas with a city’s structure. Large industrial plants act as functional and spatial barriers within the urban fabric. Their immediate areas undergo transformation and are currently becoming sites of various uses. New manufacturing technologies limit the nuisance caused by industry and the siting of plants aids in using the areas around them. The objective of this paper is t present an analysis of the transformation of the existing function-spatial structure, transport layout and compositional relations in the vicinity of selected large industrial plants in Kraków and Skawina. The study covered areas around the north-eastern territory of the Metallurgy Plant in Kraków and selected industrial plants in Skawina. This study was based on original analyses of the existing functio-spatial structure, compositional relationships and transport accessibility. The form of development of areas adjacent to large industrial plants was found to be a product of local determinants. Compositional relationships and functional linkages affected the quality of the space and its visual reception, which in many cases is a natural urban development reserve. Due to the specificity of industrial areas, concentrations of vehicular traffic and dominance within space, it may prove interesting to develop a dedicated form of development for areas near large industrial plants. This form would have to shield against possible nuisances while also offering the potential for a new, attractive and diverse functio-spatial structure. The transformation of and the problems present in these areas are distinctive of many cities in Poland and around the world and require new, cohesive planning principles.