In primary visual cortex fMRI responses to chromatic and achromatic stimuli are interdependent and predict contrast detection thresholds.

Chromatic and achromatic signals in primary visual cortex have historically been considered independent of each other but have since shown evidence of interdependence. Here, we investigated the combination of two components of a stimulus; an achromatic dynamically changing check background and a chromatic (L-M or S cone) target grating. We found that combinations of chromatic and achromatic signals in primary visual cortex were interdependent, with the dynamic range of responses to chromatic contrast decreasing as achromatic contrast increased.

Cardiac evaluation of hospitalized children with 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) infection at a single large quaternary center.

Background: Cardiac complications of serious SARS-CoV-2 infections, especially Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome of Children (MIS-C) are well described, however current studies have not considered pediatric patients hospitalized with no cardiac concerns. We established a protocol for cardiac evaluation of all admitted COVID-19 patients three weeks post-discharge, irrespective of cardiac concerns. We assessed cardiovascular outcomes and hypothesized that patients with absent cardiac concerns are at lower risk for cardiac abnormalities.

Increasing spatial frequency of S-cone defined gratings reduces their visibility and brain response more than for gratings defined by L-M cone contrast.

Chromatic sensitivity reduces as spatial frequency increases. Here, we explore the behavioural and neuronal responses to chromatic stimuli at two spatial frequencies for which the difference in sensitivity will be greater for S-cone than L-M stimuli. Luminance artefacts were removed using the Random Luminance Modulation (RLM) technique.

Structural Differences Across Multiple Visual Cortical Regions in the Absence of Cone Function in Congenital Achromatopsia.

Most individuals with congenital achromatopsia (ACHM) carry mutations that affect the retinal phototransduction pathway of cone photoreceptors, fundamental to both high acuity vision and colour perception. As the central fovea is occupied solely by cones, achromats have an absence of retinal input to the visual cortex and a small central area of blindness. Additionally, those with complete ACHM have no colour perception, and colour processing regions of the ventral cortex also lack typical chromatic signals from the cones.

Social Participation in Long-term Residential Care: Case Studies from Canada, Norway, and Germany.

Meaningful social engagement in everyday activities can enhance resident quality of life in nursing homes. In this article, we draw on data collected in a multidisciplinary, international study exploring promising practices in long-term care homes across Canada, Norway, and Germany, to investigate conditions that either allow for or create barriers to residents' social participation. Within a feminist political economy framework using a team-based rapid ethnography approach, observations and in-depth interviews were conducted with management, staff, volunteers, students, families, and residents.

Modes of operation: A topographic neural gradient supporting stimulus dependent and independent cognition.

Human cognition is flexible - drawing on both sensory input, and representations from memory, to successfully navigate complex environments. Contemporary accounts suggest this flexibility is possible because neural function is organized into a hierarchy. Neural regions are organized along a macroscale gradient, anchored at one end by unimodal systems involved with perception and action, and at the other by transmodal systems, including the default mode network, supporting cognition less directly tied to immediate stimulus input.

"Leisurely Dining": Exploring How Work Organization, Informal Care, and Dining Spaces Shape Residents' Experiences of Eating in Long-Term Residential Care.

Mealtimes are among the busiest times in nursing homes. Austerity measures resulting in insufficient staff with heavy workloads limit the amount of time available to assist residents with eating. Within a feminist political economy framework, rapid team-based ethnography was used for an international study involving six countries exploring promising practices and also for a study conducted in one Canadian province in which interrelationships between formal and informal care were investigated.

Supporting Family Involvement in Long-Term Residential Care: Promising Practices for Relational Care.

Family members and friends provide significant support for older relatives in long-term residential care (LTRC). Yet, they occupy ambiguous positions in these settings, and their relationships with LTRC staff can involve conflicts and challenges. Based on an ethnographic project carried out in North America and Europe, this article identifies practices that promote meaningful family participation in care home life.

HOW DO WORK HIERARCHIES AND STRICT DIVISIONS OF LABOUR IMPACT CARE WORKERS' EXPERIENCES OF HEALTH AND SAFETY? CASE STUDIESOF LONG TERM CARE IN TORONTO.

Background: According to the Canadian Health Care Association (1), there are 2,577 long-term care ("LTC") facilities across Canada, with the largest proportion (33.4%) located in Ontario. Most studies focus on residents' health, with less attention paid to the health and safety experiences of staff.

Liminality in Ontario's long-term care facilities: Private companions' care work in the space 'betwixt and between'.

Nursing, personal care, food and cleaning are publicly funded in Ontario's long-term care facilities, but under-staffing usually renders all but the most basic of personal preferences superfluous. This individualization of responsibility for more personalized care has resulted in more families providing more care and opting to hire private, private companion care. With direct payment of companions becoming a growing but largely invisible facet of care, exploring companion's roles is important.

The Meaning of 'Dining': The Social Organization of Food in Long-term Care.

Objective: To explore the social organization of food provision in publicly funded and regulated long-term care facilities.

Methods: Observations were conducted, along with 90 interviews with residents, families, and health providers in two Southern Ontario sites using rapid site-switching ethnography within a feminist political economy framework as part of an international, interdisciplinary study investigating healthy ageing.

Results: Food is purchased within a daily $7.

Women's strategies to achieve access to healthcare in Ontario, Canada: a meta-synthesis.

As part of a mixed methods study on women's access to the healthcare system in Ontario, Canada, we undertook a qualitative meta-synthesis to better understand the contextual conditions under which women access healthcare. An earlier phase of the synthesis demonstrated a series of factors that complicate women's access to healthcare in Ontario. Here, we consider women's agency in responding to these factors.

Diabetes care and mental illness: constraining elements to physical activity and social participation in a residential care facility.

Objective: To explore barriers and constraints to physical activity, as an integral component of diabetes care, in those with serious mental illness who reside in a for-profit group home.

Methods: Institutional ethnography was the approach used to explore diabetes-related care practices among 26 women in a rural residential care facility in southern Ontario. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with residents who had diabetes as well as with care providers, field workers and health professionals.

Diabetes care and mental illness: the social organization of food in a residential care facility.

Objective: To explore the social organization of food provision and dietary intake in seriously mentally ill people with diabetes who reside in a for-profit group home.

Methods: Institutional ethnography was used to explore diabetes-related care practices among 26 women in a rural residential care facility in southern Ontario. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with residents with diabetes, care providers, field workers, and health professionals.

Beyond barriers in studying disparities in women's access to health services in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative metasynthesis.

Women live within complex and differing social, economic, and environmental circumstances that influence options to seek health care. In this article we report on a metasynthesis of qualitative research concerning access disparities for women in the Canadian province of Ontario, where there is a publicly funded health care system. We took a metastudy approach to analysis of results from 35 relevant qualitative articles to understand the conditions and conceptualizations of women's inequitable access to health care.

Comparison of vector symmetry index and endoanal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of anal sphincter disruption.

Background: Anal pressure vectography is an anorectal physiology study that evaluates the radial pressures in the anal canal from which a symmetry index that indicates the anatomical integrity of the anal sphincter can be calculated. However, there are conflicting opinions of its validity. Since endoanal ultrasonography (EAUS) has been recognized as the gold standard for detecting anal sphincter disruption, the aim of this pilot study was to observe whether a vector symmetry index (VSI) determined at the level of injury shown in EAUS has a better sensitivity than the overall VSI in detecting anal sphincter disruption.

Long-term anal continence and quality of life following postpartum anal sphincter injury.

Objective: Anal incontinence occurs as a result of damage to pelvic floor and the anal sphincter. In women, vaginal delivery has been recognized as the primary cause. To date, figures quoted for overt third degree anal sphincter tear vary between 0% and 26.

Postoperative esophageal physiology studies may help to predict long-term symptoms following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is an established treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Postoperative improvement in esophageal physiology can be indicative of successful surgery, but the degree to which it correlates with symptom control remains questionable. We have performed this study to assess the utility of postoperative esophageal physiology studies in predicting long-term symptomatic outcome.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication compared with proton-pump inhibitors for treatment of chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Background: Both laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy are established in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The aim of this study was to compare these two treatments in a randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Between July 1997 and August 2001, 340 patients with a history of GORD for at least 6 months were investigated by endoscopy, 24-h pH monitoring and manometry.

Vector volume analysis of the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia and the effect of balloon dilation.

Assessment of the effect of balloon dilation of the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia currently relies on symptom scores, radiologic studies, or manometry. We have used vector volume analysis which constructs a three-dimensional (3D) pressure profile to examine the effects of balloon dilation on the sphincter. Studies were performed in 26 normal subjects and in 11 patients with achalasia in whom vector volume was determined before and/or after balloon dilation.