Exogenously triggered perceptual switches in multistable structure-from-motion occur in the absence of visual awareness.

Here, we characterize the duration of exogenously triggered perceptual switches in an ambiguously rotating structure-from-motion display and demonstrate their independence on visual awareness. To this end, we triggered a perceptual reversal by inverting the on-screen motion and systematically varied the posttrigger presentation duration, while collecting observers' reports about the initial and final directions of illusory rotation. We demonstrate that for the structure-from-motion display, perceptual transitions are extremely brief (≤ 20 ms) and can be considered instantaneous from an experimental perspective.

Predictors of Delayed Postoperative Respiratory Depression Assessed from Naloxone Administration.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify patient and procedural characteristics associated with postoperative respiratory depression or sedation requiring naloxone intervention.

Methods: We identified patients who received naloxone to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression or sedation within 48 hours after discharge from anesthetic care (transfer from the postanesthesia care unit or transfer from the operating room to postoperative areas) between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2010. Patients were matched to 2 control subjects based on age, sex, and exact type of procedure performed during the same year.

Beyond the Heisenberg model: anisotropic exchange interaction between a Cu-tetraazaporphyrin monolayer and Fe3O4(100).

The exchange coupling of a single spin localized at the central ion of Cu-tetraazaporphyrin on a magnetite(100) surface has been studied using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Sum rule analysis of the XMCD spectra results in Cu spin and orbital magnetic moments as a function of the applied external field at low temperatures (20 K). The exchange coupling is positive for magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface (ferromagnetic) while it is negative for in-plane magnetization direction (antiferromagnetic).

Cardiac-specific ablation of G-protein receptor kinase 2 redefines its roles in heart development and beta-adrenergic signaling.

G-protein receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is 1 of 7 mammalian GRKs that phosphorylate ligand-bound 7-transmembrane receptors, causing receptor uncoupling from G proteins and potentially activating non-G-protein signaling pathways. GRK2 is unique among members of the GRK family in that its genetic ablation causes embryonic lethality. Cardiac abnormalities in GRK2 null embryos implicated GRK2 in cardiac development but prevented studies of the knockout phenotype in adult hearts.

Abnormal neurodevelopment, neurosignaling and behaviour in Npas3-deficient mice.

Npas3 is a member of the bHLH-PAS superfamily of transcription factors that is expressed broadly in the developing neuroepithelium. To study the function of this gene, mice deficient in Npas3 were generated and characterized. Npas3-/- mice were growth-retarded and exhibited developmental brain abnormalities that included a reduction in size of the anterior hippocampus, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and enlargement of the ventricles.

Biomechanical qualities of threaded acetabular cups.

We examined 25 different threaded cups using a specific biomechanical procedure. Great differences between the tested cups concerning their biomechanical parameters could be found. There is some evidence that the design of several cups might be inappropriate for stable acetabular fixation, and this may be the reason for early loosening.

New techniques of demonstrating lymph vessels in skin biopsy specimens and intact skin with the scanning electron microscope.

Two new methods now allow the systematic examination of the morphology and micropathology of the initial lymphatics (lymph sinuses and precollectors) in human skin biopsy specimens under the scanning electron microscope. Pertinent studies and findings in the intact skin of anesthetized pigs demonstrate the standard quality of the biopsy preparations. The following are new findings made with these methods: in the skin of the human head, both the lymph sinuses and the precollectors extend as far as the epidermis.