Aberrant Values Research Articles

P-269. Automated Interpretation of Hospital-Acquired Infection Rates: A Simultaneous Approach Using Both Monthly and Annualized Data

Abstract Background As more indicators are monitored by the infection control service, automating the interpretation of results becomes increasingly important; here, we propose a method that uses both short-term (monthly) and long-term (annualized) data to provide a comprehensive understanding of infection trends, including the detection of outbreaks.Figure 1Criticality matrix for the indicator and automatic critical analysis of the rate.Criticality matrix for the indicator and automatic critical analysis of the rate. Methods The automated critical analysis of a rate is conducted by simultaneously evaluating both the monthly rate and its moving average. While the month-by-month rate shows the indicator's current monthly results, the moving average indicates the overall trend, smoothing out noise from occasional aberrant values. A criticality matrix for the indicator is constructed: Trend Analysis: Examine both the monthly rate and the moving average for trends. A p-value of up to 0.05 indicates a significant increase or decrease, while a p-value above 0.05 and below 0.10 suggests a probable increase or decrease. A p-value of 0.10 or higher indicates stability. Last Month's Status: Compare the indicator's monthly value and moving average to their respective targets (90th percentile). Generate risk scores for rate loss of control by combining the results of four analyses, yielding a total score S=S1+S2+S3+S4, and risk of loss of control is (S−4)/36×100%. This approach allows for automated analysis and interpretation of the epidemiological scenario (as illustrated in Fig. 1).Figure 2Automated critical analysis of the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) per 1,000 patient-days caused by Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to carbapenems. Automated critical analysis of the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) per 1,000 patient-days caused by Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to carbapenems. Results Figure 2 shows the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) per 1,000 patient-days caused by Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to carbapenems. The automated analysis indicates a 56% risk of loss of control. Figure 3 illustrates the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) per 1,000 central-line days in an intensive care unit. The analysis indicates a 3% risk of loss of control. Figure 4 demonstrates the automated analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), with the number of VAP incidents per 1,000 ventilator-days, indicating an 11% risk of loss of control.Figure 3Automated critical analysis of the central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate (#CLABSI/1,000 central-line days) in an intensive care unit. Automated critical analysis of the central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate (#CLABSI/1,000 central-line days) in an intensive care unit. Conclusion The method allows automated critical analysis to effectively evaluate infection rates in healthcare settings. By combining short-term and long-term data, including monthly rates and moving averages, it offers a comprehensive view of infection trends.Figure 4Automated critical analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (number of VAP incidents per 1,000 ventilator-days) in an intensive care unit. Automated critical analysis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (number of VAP incidents per 1,000 ventilator-days) in an intensive care unit. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Development of a panel of SNP loci in the emblematic southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale) using a hybrid method: pitfalls and recommendations for large-scale SNP genotyping in a non-model endangered species.

Genomic markers are essential tools for studying species of conservation concern, yet non-model species often lack a reference genome. Here we describe a methodology for identifying and genotyping thousands of SNP loci in the southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale), a bioindicator of freshwater stream quality classified as near-threatened, with locally declining populations. We used a hybrid approach combining reduced representation sequencing and target enrichment. First, we identified putative SNP loci using ddRADseq and de novo assembly. Then, single primer enrichment technology targeted 6,000 of these SNPs across 1,920 individuals. Challenges encountered included sequence recapture failure, coverage depth discrepancies, and aberrant FIS values. We provide recommendations to address such issues. After multiple filtering steps, 2,092 SNPs were retained and used to analyse the genetic structure of 131 individuals belonging to 11 populations in France, comparing central and marginal populations. Genetic differentiation was lower among central populations, with no sign of inbreeding. As compared to microsatellite loci, SNPs exhibited greater resolution in detecting fine-scaled genetic structure, identifying putative hybrids in adjacent populations. In this study, we emphasise the difficulties of large-scale SNP genotyping in non-model species via a hybrid method that ultimately did not offer the expected cost and time saving compared to classical ddRAD approaches. However, SNPs showed greater power than previously available markers in identifying conservation units or admixture events, and the panel of reusable probes we describe here offers the potential to improve conservation efforts through future diachronic studies or finer estimations of key parameters like effective population size.

Rosmarinic acid alleviates the cardiac abnormalities in high fat diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Hyperlipidemia is a well-known risk factor for atherosclerosis and subsequent atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases that are associated with high morbidity and mortality in obese and diabetic patients worldwide. The current study looked on rosmarinic acid's cadioprotective effects in rats fed a high-fat diet as there was no study on this aspect. The rats were given a high-fat diet comprising of 84.3 % conventional laboratory rat chow, 5 % lard, 10 % egg yolk powder, 0.2 % cholesterol, and 0.5 % bile salt to produce hypercholesterolemia. Over a span of eight weeks. The plasma lipid profile, cardiac marker enzymes, membrane bound ATPases, lysosomal enzymes, CRP, fibrinogen, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6,TNF-α, NF-κB),anti-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) lipid peroxidation markers, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant enzymes activity were examined. The thoracic aorta's histopathology was also analyzed. It was discovered that the rats fed a high-fat diet had hypercholesterolemia and showed aberrant values in the aforementioned parameters. However, rats given rosmarinic acid (100 mg/kg b.w.) had these anomalies reversed to near-normal levels. The biochemical investigation was corroborated by enhanced histological examination of the thoracic aorta in rats suffering from hypercholestolemia. The effects of rosmarinic acid on a number of measures were similar to those of the prescription medication simvastatin. These findings revealed that rosmarinic acid is an important component in the cardiovascular system's defence against a high-fat diet induced hypercholesterolemia

Influence of Biometric and Corneal Tomographic Parameters on Normative Corneal Aberrations Measured by Root Mean Square.

Background/Objectives: To determine the impact of corneal and biometry parameters on the normative root mean square (RMS) values of corneal aberrations measured at a 6 mm diameter. Methods: The RMS values for corneal aberrations (anterior, posterior, and total) were measured along with corneal parameters using Scheimpflug tomography on 770 normal subjects. The biometric parameters were measured with an optical biometer. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the effect of these parameters on the RMS values for corneal aberrations. Results: The mean RMS values for low-order (LOAs) and high-order 6 mm aberrations (HOAs) were 1.883 ± 0.797 µm and 0.484 ± 0.173 µm, respectively, and for the anterior and posterior cornea, the values were 0.775 ± 0.166 µm and 0.189 ± 0.036 µm, respectively. For the anterior cornea, the main predictors of the RMS LOAs (R2 = 69.8%) were anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and anterior corneal elevation (Ele F) on the apex (both p < 0.0001) and for the RMS HOAs (R2 = 33.3%) the main predictors were age, ACA, and Ele F on the thinnest point (all p < 0.0001). For the posterior cornea, considering only the posterior corneal variables, the main predictors of the RMS LOAs (R2 = 63.4%) were posterior corneal astigmatism and posterior corneal elevation (Ele B) on the thinnest point and apex (all p < 0.0001) and for the RMS HOAs (R2 = 46%) the main predictors were the mean posterior keratometry and Ele B on the thinnest point and apex (all p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Normative data of RMS values for corneal aberrations measured over 6 mm are influenced by age and several corneal parameters, which should be considered when evaluating the diagnostic ability of the RMS values.

Evening cortisol levels are prognostic for progression-free survival in a prospective pilot study of head and neck cancer patients.

Cortisol rhythm disruptions predict early mortality in renal, colorectal, lung, and metastatic breast cancer. In head and neck cancer (HNC), various cortisol indices are known to correlate with adverse psychological and biological (e.g., inflammatory) outcomes, but links to mortality have yet to be demonstrated. We hypothesize that the prognostic value of diurnal cortisol aberrations will hold in HNC. Prior work leads us to predict that flattened or elevated diurnal cortisol profiles will be associated with elevations of serum inflammatory and tumor-promoting cytokines in this population, and that these immune markers would themselves predict poor progression-free survival. We prospectively recruited a pilot sample of HNC patients (N=40) at a multidisciplinary HNC clinic. Most patients presented with late-stage oral/oropharyngeal cancer, were older than 50, male, and subsequently received combined-modality (surgery and/or radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy) treatment with curative intent. Saliva was collected twice daily for six days to assess diurnal slope, mean, waking, and evening cortisol levels. Serum was assayed for an exploratory panel of inflammatory and tumor-promoting cytokines. Two years post study-entry, disease progression and survivorship status were abstracted from medical records. Bivariate correlations, linear regressions, and Cox Proportional Hazards models tested hypotheses. Elevations of evening cortisol and diurnal mean levels were each associated with shorter progression-free survival (evening: Hazard Ratio [HR]=1.848, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.057-3.230, p=.031; diurnal mean: HR=2.662, 95% CI=1.115-6.355, p=.027). Bivariate correlations revealed that higher levels of the serum inflammatory marker interferon (IFN)-γ were linked with elevated evening (r=.405, p=.014) and mean (r=.459, p=.004) cortisol. Higher expression of IFN-γ also predicted poorer progression-free survival (HR=4.671, 95% CI=1.409-15.484, p=.012). Elevated evening and diurnal mean cortisol were both prognostic; suggesting cortisol secretion is both dysregulated and elevated among patients who subsequently experienced accelerated disease progression. These exploratory data from 40 HNC patients mirror relationships between cortisol and survival identified among patients with numerous other tumor types. This pilot study highlights the need for research on effects of cortisol rhythm disruption among HNC patients. Future research in larger samples should also examine the role of inflammatory and tumor-promoting factors-both systemically and within the tumor microenvironment-as potential mediators of cortisol rhythm disruption.

Corneal steep island formation after primary pterygium surgery.

This study aimed to report corneal steep island (CSI) formation following primary pterygium surgery and to identify preoperative pterygium morphological features that predict the likelihood of CSI. A total of 93 eyes from 84 subjects with primary nasal pterygium, who underwent pterygium excision combined with conjunctival-limbal autograft, were included in this retrospective longitudinal cohort study. CSI was defined using anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (AS SS-OCT). Eyes were divided into two groups: those with postoperative CSI formation (Group 1) and those without postoperative CSI (Group 2). We compared postoperative anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA, in diopters [D]) and root mean square (RMS) values of anterior corneal lower-order (LoA) and higher-order aberrations (HoA) between the groups. Baseline clinical severity grades of pterygium based on the pre-established pterygium body morphology and vascularity, ACA, and AS SS-OCT-guided pterygium morphological profiles (horizontal invasion length [HIL, mm], height [μm], thickness (μm), and residual corneal thickness [RCT]/central corneal thickness [CCT] ratio [RCT/CCT]) were also compared. Postoperative CSI occurred in 26 eyes (28.0%) with a maximum follow-up duration of 22.9±27.4 months. Group 1 exhibited significantly higher postoperative anterior corneal RMS LoA and HoA, as well as the RMS values of the 4th to 6th orders. Although clinical severity grades of pterygium did not differ between groups, baseline ACA was higher in Group 1 (4.56±5.49 D vs. 2.70±3.80 D, P = 0.009). HIL (4.49±0.84 mm vs. 3.77±1.29 mm, P = 0.010) was higher in Group 1, while pterygium height (930.8±84.4 μm vs. 999.3±128.0 μm, P = 0.015) and RCT/CCT ratio (1.07±0.13 vs. 1.14±0.16, P = 0.049) were lower in Group 1. CSI may develop after primary pterygium surgery, particularly in patients with relatively higher preoperative ACA, longer HIL, and shorter height. Given that CSI can significantly increase both lower and higher-order aberrations, it is crucial to anticipate CSI probability and inform patients before surgery.

Dry Eye Treatment with Intense Pulsed Light for Improving Visual Outcomes After Cataract Surgery with Diffractive Trifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation.

Background/Objectives: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-related dry eye aggravates postoperative visual outcomes in cataracts. Diffractive trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) decrease contrast sensitivity (CS). Intense pulsed light (IPL) improves tear film stability and ocular surface conditions in MGD-related dry eyes. We investigated the effect of preoperative MGD-related dry eye treatment combining manual meibomian gland expression (MGX) with IPL (IPL-MGX) on visual outcomes post-cataract surgery with diffractive trifocal IOL implantation. Methods: In this single-center, prospective, and open-label study, we enrolled 67 patients (134 eyes) with MGD-related dry eye undergoing cataract surgery on both eyes. Preoperatively, IPL-MGX was performed on one eye (IPL-MGX group) but not the contralateral eye (control group). Tear break-up time, high-order aberrations, and central superficial punctate keratopathy (C-SPK) were assessed. CS and corrected distance visual acuity were analyzed. Differences between groups were analyzed at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Results: The IPL-MGX group showed greater mean tear break-up time and lower mean high-order aberration and C-SPK values after preoperative IPL treatment and postoperatively (all p < 0.01). Postoperative CS was higher in the IPL-MGX group at 1 week (all spatial frequencies) (p < 0.01 [cpd = 2.9, 4.5, 7.1, and 10.2] and p < 0.05 [cpd = 1.1 and 1.8]); 1 month [2.9-10.2 cpd] (p < 0.01); and 3 months [4.5-10.2 cpd] (p < 0.01 [cpd = 10.2] and p < 0.05 [cpd = 4.5 and 7.1]) postoperatively. Mean corrected distance visual acuity was higher in the IPL-MGX group only postoperatively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Preoperative MGD-related dry eye treatment using IPL-MGX enhances tear film stability, ocular surface conditions, and visual outcomes, potentially improving postoperative vision quality and patient satisfaction.

Corneal higher-order aberrations and their relationship with choroid in myopic patients

BackgroundTo investigate corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and choroidal characteristics in myopic individuals and explore the association between HOAs and choroidal parameters.MethodsMyopic participants were categorized into three groups based on axial lengths (ALs). We compared corneal HOAs, including spherical (Z40), comatic (Z3 − 1 and Z31), and trefoil (Z3 − 3 and Z33) aberrations, as well as choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (CT). Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationships among corneal HOAs, CVI, CT, spherical equivalent, and AL.ResultsGroups 1, 2, and 3 included 105, 98, and 118 eyes, respectively. Group 3 exhibited lower spherical HOA root mean square and Z40 values than group 1(p < 0.05). Group 1 showed lower Z31 levels than other groups (p < 0.001). Groups 1 and 2 had higher mean, central, and I2 vertical CVIs than group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 1 had a larger vertical S1 CVI than group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 3 had smaller horizontal CVI values in all regions except N2 (p < 0.05). Both the mean and CT in all regions decreased as AL increased (p < 0.001). The comatic (Z31) and trefoil (Z33) components were predictors of mean horizontal CVI, and the comatic (Z31) component was correlated with both mean vertical and horizontal CT.ConclusionLonger AL myopic patients exhibited lower absolute values of spherical aberration and horizontal coma. Alterations in choroid in myopic patients correlated with corneal HOAs. Our results suggest a potential connection between the optical quality and ocular perfusion in myopia.

Echo State Network and Sparrow Search: Echo State Network for Modeling the Monthly River Discharge of the Biggest River in Buzău County, Romania

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an instrument used in all domains with good results. The water resources management field is not an exception. Therefore, in this article, we propose two machine learning (ML) techniques—an echo state network (ESN) and sparrow search algorithm–echo state network (SSA-ESN)—for monthly modeling of the water discharge of one of the biggest rivers in Romania for three periods (S, S1, and S2). In both models, R2 was over 0.989 on the test and training sets and the mean absolute error (MAE) varied between 4.4826 and 7.6038. The performance of the SSA-ESN was similar, but the ESN had the shortest run time. The influence of anomalies on the models’ quality was assessed by running the algorithms on a series without the aberrant values, which were detected by the seasonal hybrid extreme studentized deviate (S-H-ESD) test. The results indicate that removing the anomalies significantly improved both models’ performance, but the run time was increased.

Bifocal system of two reflect arrays

A technique has been developed for accurately solving the problem of geometric-optical synthesis of a bifocal system of two flat reflect arrays, based on the sequential determination of the distribution of the eikonal introduced by different sections of the arrays, with its assignment at the initial section of one of the arrays, while the introduced eikonal at the initial section of the other array is found as a result of synthesis of the output flat front for the central position of the feed. The technique ensures the continuity of functions describing the distributions of introduced eikonals, as well as their first and second derivatives (along one coordinate) at the boundaries of sections. The dependence of the value of the mean square eikonal aberration at the system output on the arrays parameters has been studied. As an example of the application of the developed technique, the bifocal systems for visual angles of 40°and 65°were synthesized and optimized. A study of the radiation characteristics of an antenna based on synthesized and optimized bifocal systems was carried out.

Computational dissection of the regulatory mechanisms of aberrant metabolism in remodeling the microenvironment of breast cancer.

The composition of T cell subsets and tumor-specific T cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to the heterogeneity observed in breast cancer. Moreover, aberrant tumor metabolism is often intimately linked to dysregulated anti-tumor immune function of T cells. Identifying key metabolic genes that affect immune cell interactions thus holds promise for uncovering potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of breast cancer. This study leverages single-cell transcriptomic data from breast cancer to investigate tumor-specific T-cell subsets and their interacting subnetworks in the TME during cancer progression. We further assess the metabolic pathway activities of tumor-specifically activated T-cell subsets. The results reveal that metabolic pathways involved in insulin synthesis, secretion, degradation, as well as fructose catabolism, significantly influence multiple T cell interactions. By integrating the metabolic pathways that significantly up-regulate T cells in tumors and influence their interactions, we identify key abnormal metabolic genes associated with T-cell collaboration and further develop a breast cancer risk assessment model. Additionally, using gene expression profiles of prognosis-related genes significantly associated with aberrant metabolism and drug IC50 values, we predict targeted drugs, yielding potential candidates like GSK-J4 and PX-12. This study integrate the analysis of abnormal T-cell interactions and metabolic pathway abnormalities in the breast cancer TME, elucidating their roles in cancer progression and providing leads for novel breast cancer therapeutic strategies.

Wavefront-guided pupilloplasty in patients following penetrating keratoplasty: Optimizing results.

To describe the role of wavefront-guided pupilloplasty in improving visual quality and wavefront parameters in post-keratoplasty patients with pathologically irregular, mydriatic pupils. A total of 13 eyes of post-penetrating keratoplasty patients with pathologically irregular mydriatic pupil were included in this prospective interventional study. Preoperative wavefront analysis was done with the actual pupil size, and predicted wavefront values were analyzed by setting the postoperative pupil size to 2 mm. Patients showing significant improvement between preoperative and predicted postoperative wavefront values underwent single-pass four-throw pupilloplasty, and all wavefront parameters were again evaluated after 1 week. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), pupil size, and wavefront parameters were analyzed. Mean BCVA improved from a preoperative value of 1.03 ± 0.32 log of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units to 0.24 ± 0.09 logMAR units. Mean preoperative pupil size was 6.077 ± 0.787 mm, whereas the achieved postoperative pupil size after pupilloplasty was 2.538 ± 0.139 mm. Mean astigmatism root mean square (RMS) value improved from 4.169 ± 3.876 to 0.875 ± 0.926 µm ( P < 0.05), and mean coma value changed from 1.525 ± 1.962 to 0.128 ± 0.152 µm ( P < 0.05). Mean point spread function Stehl ratio value improved from 0.056 ± 0.032 to 0.223 ± 0.102. Mean RMS (optical path difference) value changed from 6.248 ± 4.721 to 0.943 ± 0.947 µm ( P < 0.001), Mean RMS (high orders) value changed from 3.788 ± 3.537 to 0.328 ± 0.256 µm ( P value 0.003), and the mean spherical aberration value changed from 0.646 ± 0.873 to 0.223 ± 0.102 µm ( P value 0.024). All postoperative wavefront parameters showed statistically significant improvement from the preoperative parameters. Wavefront-guided pupilloplasty can predict and improve wavefront parameters and visual quality in post-keratoplasty patients with pathologically irregular mydriatic pupils.

Study on the Gas-Chromic Character of Pd/TiO2 for Fast Room-Temperature CO Detection.

As a widely used support, TiO2 has often been combined with Pd to form highly sensitive gas-chromic materials. Herein, we prepared a series of Pd/TiO2 catalysts with different Pd content (from 0.1 to 5 wt.%) by the impregnation method for their utilization in fast room-temperature CO detection. The detection was simply based on visible color change when the Pd/TiO2 was exposed to CO. The sample with 1 wt.% Pd/TiO2 presented an excellent CO gasochromic character, associated with a maximum chromatic aberration value of 90 before and after CO exposure. Systematic catalyst characterizations of XPS, FT-IR, CO-TPD, and N2 adsorption-desorption and density functional theory calculations for the CO adsorption and charge transfer over the Pd and PdO surfaces were further carried out. It was found that the interaction between CO and the Pd surface was strong, associated with a large adsorption energy of -1.99 eV and charge transfer of 0.196 e. The color change was caused by a reduction in Pd2+ to metallic Pd0 over the Pd/TiO2 surface after CO exposure.

Optical path length difference of ray paths inside a reference sphere: a new approach for determining wavefront aberrations in axially symmetrical systems with an object at infinity.

A new, to the best of our knowledge, method is proposed to analyze the wavefront aberrations in an axially symmetrical system with an object at infinity. The study commences by determining the optical path length (OPL) difference between two ray paths from the object to the reference sphere. The proposed method is then used to explore the claim in J. Opt. Soc. Am. A19, 1187 (2002)JOAOD60740-323210.1364/JOSAA.19.001187 that wavefront aberrations do not depend on the radius of the reference sphere. It is found that this claim does not hold when the image plane is non-Gaussian. The proposed approach is applied to determine the primary wavefront aberrations of an axially symmetrical system with an object at infinity. The numerical values of the primary aberrations (spherical, coma, astigmatism, and field curvature) are in excellent agreement with those determined by Zemax simulations. The superiority of the proposed method over Zemax in determining the distortion aberration is confirmed through raytracing. Overall, the proposed method provides a useful contribution to the development of optical systems for applications requiring high-resolution imaging.

Effects of Light on Visual Function, Alertness, and Cognitive Performance: A Computerized Test Assessment

Background: Three computerized tests were designed to evaluate visual function, alertness, and visuocognitive integration under three different lighting conditions (white, red, and blue lighting). Methods: Three computerized tests were designed and programmed using the experimental design software PsychoPy version 2023.2.2. Test 1 evaluated visual acuity (VA), Test 2 assessed contrast sensitivity, and Test 3 measured alertness. This study was conducted on 53 young subjects who performed three computerized tests after adapting to each of the three different lighting conditions. A baseline aberrometric measurement was taken before and after the tests for each lighting condition. Measurements of accuracy and reaction time were taken for each test, along with total, high-, and low-order aberration values for each situation. Results: Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found among the different lighting conditions across the three tests, with white lighting yielding better performance in Test 1 and Test 3. Additionally, the aberrometric analysis revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05), with the baseline measurement being more myopic. Conclusions: White lighting produced the best VA results and faster reaction times, whereas red lighting had poorer VA effects. These findings suggest that different lighting conditions induce changes in vision and alertness, although further research is needed to understand the underlying causes.

Comparison of EnergyPlus inside surfaces convective heat transfer coefficients algorithms for energy modelling of high-density controlled environment agriculture

Energy modelling of high-density controlled environment agriculture (CEA-HD) spaces using a building performance simulation (BPS) tool and a crop energy balance model is emerging as a method to conduct load calculation and energy analysis. However, the modelling hypotheses used in BPS tools have yet to be tailored for CEA-HD spaces and might not be suitable for this specific application. This paper investigates the convective heat transfer coefficient (CHTC) algorithms for inside surfaces included in EnergyPlus to examine their applicability to CEA-HD spaces. The influence of these inside surfaces CHTC algorithms on relevant variables are quantified, with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computed CHTCs as a reference. The results revealed that certain algorithms (Simple, TARP, and ASTMC1340) are ill-suited to model CEA-HD production spaces compared to CFD-computed reference values. Furthermore, due to the modelled flow rate, the Adaptive Convection algorithm resulted in an aberrant value for the ceiling CHTC. This paper highlights the importance of exercising caution when using BPS tools for energy modelling of CEA-HD spaces.

Evaluation of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Doppler ultrasound and placental findings of pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect the human placenta and has been shown to have an adverse effect on Doppler ultrasound parameters and placental features. However, the specific effects of the SAS-CoV-2 infection on the fetal-placental unit in pregnant women remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Doppler ultrasound and placental findings in pregnant women. A systematic search was conducted using four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to select publications published in peer-reviewed journals written in English. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane Q and I2 statistics and the appropriate P-value. The analysis used RevMan 5.3. This meta-analysis included 1,210 pregnant women from 10 case-control studies. SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women exhibited higher likelihoods of placental abnormalities (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.66 to 4.13), aberrant Doppler values (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.16 to 3.27), an abnormal cerebroplacental ratio (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.52 to 4.75), altered fetoplacental circulation (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.28), and increased placental thickness and placental venous lakes (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.72). According to this meta-analysis, pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to experience altered Doppler ultrasonography parameters and placental abnormalities, including increased placental thickness, placental venous lakes, altered fetoplacental circulation, and cerebroplacental ratio. However, the limited number of case-control studies requires larger sample sizes to validate and enhance the evidence.

Approach regarding the biosafety evaluation of black and red currant pomace extracts using Allium cepa test

Abstract In the present work, biosafety evaluation of black and red currant pomace extracts was conducted using in vivo plant test system, such as Allium cepa, a sustainable method which can provide valuable information on the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of extracts from natural sources in relation with their phytochemical composition. In this view, different aqueous and hydroethanolic extractions from black and red currant pomaces were carried out. For revealing the differences in the phytochemical profile of the studied extracts, rapid, efficient and easy-to-operate analytical techniques such as colorimetry, UV-Vis spectrometry and electrometry were used. Cytogenetic analysis of pomace extracts was achieved using Allium cepa test by scoring the mitotic index, the limit value of cytotoxicity, the phase index of mitosis and presence of chromosomal aberrations for all samples and comparing to the control (tap water). The results have shown that the cytogenetic response depends both on the type of pomaces and on the experimental extraction conditions. Compared to the control sample (22.58 %), a decrease in mitotic index for each analyzed sample was observed. As well, an increase in the cells with chromosomal aberrations was detected in onion root tips exposed to the tested extracts compared to the control (0.69 %). The lowest value of mitotic index (12.44 %) and the highest value of chromosomal aberrations (1.91 %) were recorded from the root tip cells of onion bulbs exposed to the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from red currants pomace using water/ethanol (60:40 v/v). Even if the mitotic index decreased, the limit value of cytotoxicity was higher than 50 %, level considered as a sublethal condition for the organisms. At the same time, the increase of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations is not so significant, and in correlation with the cytotoxicity limit, it does not indicate a genotoxic effect on onion cells. Following these results, it can be concluded that black and red currant pomace extracts can be safely used for possible therapeutic benefits.

Clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS) in the treatment of keratoconus.

To evaluate the results of corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS) implantation in keratoconus. The medical records of patients with keratoconus who underwent CAIRS implantation were reviewed. The CAIRS, prepared by trephination from the donor cornea, was implanted into a tunnel created using the femtosecond laser. The depth of the tunnel was 200 μ; the inner diameter of the tunnel was 4.5 mm; and the outer diameter was 7 mm. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), keratometry, minimum corneal thickness (CT), endothelial cell density (ECD), and high order aberration values were recorded preoperatively and at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively. A total of 23 eyes of 23 patients were included in the study. Preoperative UCVA (0.08 ± 0.01) and BCVA (0.25 ± 0. 11) values improved postoperatively and reached 0.40 ± 0.05 and 0.68 ± 0.09, respectively, at the end of the 6-month follow-up period (p1 < 0.001, p2 = 0.016; respectively). A statistically significant flattening of all keratometric values was observed in the postoperative period compared to preoperatively (p < 0.001 for all). There were no statistical differences between CT and ECC values at the preoperative and postoperative visits (p1 = 0.654, p2 = 0.769; respectively). In addition, coma aberration values were lower than the preoperative values at all postoperative visits (p < 0.05 for all). These results suggest that CAIRS implantation is a safe treatment option with good visual and keratometric outcomes for suitable patients with keratoconus.

Resting-state brain plasticity is associated with the severity in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

ObjectiveTo investigate the brain mechanism of non-correspondence between imaging presentations and clinical symptoms in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients and to test the utility of brain imaging biomarkers for predicting prognosis of CSM.MethodsForty patients with CSM (22 mild-moderate CSM, 18 severe CSM) and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for rs-fMRI and cervical spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans. DTI at the spinal cord (level C2/3) with fractional anisotropy (FA) and degree centrality (DC) were recorded. Then one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to detect the group differences in the DC and FA values across the three groups. Pearson correlation analysis was then separately performed between JOA with FA and DC.ResultsAmong them, degree centrality value of left middle temporal gyrus exhibited a progressive increase in CSM groups compared with HCs, the DC value in severe CSM group was higher compared with mild-moderate CSM group. (P < 0.05), and the DC values of the right superior temporal gyrus and precuneus showed a decrease after increase. Among them, DC values in the area of precuneus in severe CSM group were significantly lower than those in mild-moderate CSM and HCs. (P < 0.05). The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the level C2/3 showed a progressive decrease in different clinical stages, that severe CSM group was the lowest, significantly lower than those in mild-moderate CSM and HCs (P < 0.05). There was negative correlation between DC value of left middle temporal gyrus and JOA scores (P < 0.001), and the FA values of dorsal column in the level C2/3 positively correlated with the JOA scores (P < 0.001).ConclusionStructural and functional changes have taken place in the cervical spinal cord and brain of CSM patients. The Brain reorganization plays an important role in maintaining the symptoms and signs of CSM, aberrant DC values in the left middle temporal gyrus may be the possible mechanism of inconsistency between imaging findings and clinical symptoms. Degree centrality is a potentially useful prognostic functional biomarker in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.