Cup Depth Research Articles

Impact of commercial plastic queen cell cups on rearing success and development of honey bee queens

Queen rearing is a common beekeeping practice that plays a crucial role in modern apiculture. To enhance the efficiency of the queen rearing process, plastic queen cell cups have gained widespread popularity amongst queen producers. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential adverse effects of these petrochemical-based products on queen rearing success and their development. To address this concern, we compared beeswax cups to 10 different commercial plastic queen cups by evaluating their effects on rearing success, queen development, and physical characteristics. Our results showed that plastic queen cell cups are manufactured in a variety of dimensions (inner diameter, depth, and wall thickness). A comparison of queen rearing between beeswax cups and different plastic cups revealed significant differences in larval acceptance, followed by sealing, and queen emergence. Negative correlations were observed between the inner diameter, the depth of queen cups, and the three metrics of queen rearing: acceptance, sealing, and queen emergence rates. While significant variation was observed among larvae weights raised in different queen cups, the differences were less pronounced for the deposited royal jelly weight measured from beeswax queen cups compared to different plastic cups. The weight and morphometric parameters of queens emerging from beeswax cups were similar to those from different plastic types. It indicates the need for standardizing queen cup dimensions without compromising the physical quality of queens.

Microstructure characterization and formability assessment of electron beam welded Nb-10Hf-1Ti (wt.%) refractory alloy sheets

Formability study on welded blanks of Nb-based refractory alloy C-103 (Nb-10Hf-1Ti (wt.%)) has tremendous potential for utilizing smaller sheets for realization of large-size divergent portions of upper-stage liquid engine nozzle of satellite launch vehicles and thrusters of attitude orbital control systems. In this work, vacuum-annealed monolithic C-103 sheets were electron beam welded successfully to obtain defect-free welds and detailed microstructural and mechanical characterizations were investigated. Columnar epitaxial grains were found in fusion zone (FZ) instead of equiaxed grains in base metal (BM). Detailed SEM and HRTEM analyses revealed spherical shape of nano-sized HfO2 precipitates with monoclinic crystal structure in the C-103 sheet. Further, microhardness across the weld cross-section indicated that the FZ had a uniform and maximum hardness of ∼195 HV0.5 due to formation of finer nano-sized HfO2 precipitates with higher number density, followed by a lowering of hardness in a narrow heat-affected zone. A marginal reduction in tensile strength of ∼6% with a considerable decrease in ductility of ∼29% was noticed for the welded sample. However, fracture occurred in the BM region, indicating good weld integrity. Furthermore, formability of the welded blanks was evaluated in terms of limiting dome height (LDH), forming limit diagram, and deep drawn cup depth. The effect of the presence of WZ on the formability of the C-103 sheet was estimated under uniaxial, plane strain, and biaxial tensile strain paths for the first time, and the results were compared with the monolithic sample. It was noted that the failure limit of the welded specimens decreased compared to that of the monolithic sample, resulting in a lower LDH of approximately 69% and 62% when deformed along plane strain and biaxial tensile strain paths, respectively. However, a marginal variation in LDH was observed for the uniaxial strain path. Also, the welded blank had more resistance to material flow into the die cavity due to the harder weld region, resulting in a reduction of deep drawn cup depth by 52% than that of the monolithic blank. The overall results concluded that the presence of the WZ significantly affected the formability of the C-103 sheet, especially in plane strain and biaxial strain paths. However, the fracture was never found to be propagating along the weld line, indicating the ability of the weld to sustain large plastic strains. This study provides insightful information on the formability of electron beam welded C-103 sheets for the successful fabrication of space components.

Normative Profile of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Lamina Cribrosa-Related Parameters in a Healthy Non-Glaucoma Cynomolgus Monkey Colony.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal range of ophthalmic parameters and the correlations between systematic and ocular parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness among a healthy non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkey colony. All included monkeys were given detailed ophthalmic examinations, including anterior and posterior segments. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate linear regression models were conducted to estimate the relationship between systemic and ophthalmic parameters and global RNFL thickness. A total of 349 non-glaucoma monkeys (18.69 ± 2.88 years old) were collected. The global RNFL thickness was 94.61 ± 10.13 µm, and sex-specific differences existed in all sectors. The decreasing trend of RNFL is as follows: inferotemporal, superotemporal, inferonasal, superonasal, temporal, and nasal. For lamina cribrosa (LC)-related parameters, cup depth (P < 0.01), LC thickness (P = 0.014), and Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) - minimum rim width 2 (P = 0.002) were greater in the male group. However, LC depth (P = 0.02), anterior laminar insertion depth-1 (P = 0.009), and mean anterior laminar insertion depth (P = 0.029) of female monkeys were greater than those of male monkeys. In multivariate linear regression, only older age was significantly related to reduced global RNFL thickness (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest the differences in RNFL thickness distribution and sex between non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkeys and humans. Therefore, the impact of this difference on outcomes should be fully considered in laboratory animal studies. Our findings are also significant in terms of developing a normative optical coherence tomography (OCT) database in nonhuman primates (NHPs). We found that the differences in RNFL thickness distribution and sex between non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkey colonies and humans should be thoroughly taken into account in laboratory animal studies.

Precision of Cup Positioning Using a Novel Computed Tomography Based Navigation System in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background and Objectives: Navigation systems are designed to enhance surgical precision, improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of implant misplacement. In this study, we have evaluated a novel orthopedic surgical platform that utilizes CT imaging with AI-based algorithms to automate several critical aspects of total hip arthroplasty. It contains three modules—preoperative planning, navigation during surgery, and follow-up analysis. The primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the precision of the navigation tool in cup placement, i.e., whether the information displayed for navigation correctly reflected the actual position of the implant. Materials and Methods: Surgery outcomes of 15 inter-rater measurements on human cadavers and 18 surgeries on patients who underwent total hip replacement using the navigation tool were analyzed. Results: In the inter-rater assessment, the mean errors were −0.31 ± 1.42° for anteversion, 1.06 ± 1.73° for inclination, and −0.94 ± 1.76 mm for cup position depth. In patients’ surgeries, the mean errors were −0.07 ± 2.72° for anteversion, −0.2 ± 0.86° for inclination, and 0.28 ± 0.78 mm for cup depth. Conclusions: The navigation tool offers intra-operative guidance on notable precision in cup placement, thereby effectively mitigating the risk of cup malpositioning outside the patient-specific safe zone.

Characteristic deviations of the optic disc and macula in optic nerve hypoplasia based on OCT.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optic disc and macula in a large cohort of patients with different severity of optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) using high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In total, 36 patients (52 ONH eyes and 17 fellow eyes in unilateral cases) and 45 healthy right eyes from 45 controls were evaluated. All patients underwent an examination to confirm the diagnosis. SD-OCT images of the disc and macula were obtained and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. OCT in ONH eyes demonstrated a shorter disc diameter (1061 ± 375 μm vs. 1751 ± 221 μm, p < 0.001), shallower mean cup depth (427 ± 171 μm vs. 551 ± 152 μm, p = 0.01), thinner ganglion cell complex (GCC) perifoveally (47.3 ± 13.0 μm, 60.8 ± 6.0 μm, p < 0.001) and reduced foveal depth (61 ± 36 μm, 119 ± 19 μm, p < 0.001) compared to control eyes. Qualitative analysis showed that 1/3rd of ONH eyes lacked signs of an optic cup, and 2/3rd had reduced or no sign of a foveal pit. Fellow eyes had shorter disc diameter (1446 ± 404 μm vs. 1751 ± 221 μm, p = 0.004) and reduced foveal depth (93 ± 27 μm vs. 119 ± 19 μm, p < 0.001) but similar GCC thickness (60.8 ± 7.1 μm vs. 60.8 ± 6.0 μm, p = 0.738) compared to controls. Disc diameter showed the best correlation with visual acuity in ONH eyes (ρ = 0.517, p < 0.001). ONH eyes have reduced GCC thickness and reduced or no foveal pit. Fellow eyes in presumed unilateral cases have a smaller disc diameter and reduced foveal depth compared to controls, suggesting the possibility of subclinical/mild disease. However, GCC thickness was normal. The correlation between structure and visual function is not always straightforward.

The predictive value of parameters of optic disk in evaluating the progression of myopia

Aims/Purpose: To analyse the parameters of the optic nerve head (ONH) as markers of the progression of myopia with the usage of optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods: 72 patients (144 eyes) aged 9–57 years with myopia were investigated. The standard OCT parameters of the ONH, the ovality index (OI), the zone of parapapillary atrophy (PPA), location of the lamina cribrosa (LC) of the sclera and the trunk of the central retinal vessels (CRV) were evaluated. Data was statistically approved.Results: A positive correlation between the axial length (AL) and the optic disc cup area, its horizontal and vertical diameters was found. Whilst the volume and the depth of the optic disc cup increased till the AL reached a certain critical value (26.3 mm) with subsequent reduction. An inverse correlation between the AL and the neuroretinal rim area, volume and rim/disc ratio was revealed. These changes in the ONH can be explained by scleral remodelling during elongation of the eye. Formation of γ‐zone PPA and an increase in the β‐zone PPA was accompanied by the tendency of thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in the inferior, nasal‐superior and superior sectors of the ONH. In 27.63% cases tilted optic discs were noted, of which 61.90% were vertically and 38.1% ‐ horizontally tilted. The direction of the tilt was determined by the location of the PPA zone with a tendency to thinning of the RNFL in the same sectors. A positive correlation between the AL of eye and the location of the LC of sclera was found. In 29.17% the superficial location of the LC was determined. In 54.17% elongation was accompanied by displacement of the trunk of the CRV on ONH in the nasal ‐ 71.79%, or in the superior‐nasal direction ‐ 28.21%.Conclusions: The revealed changes of optic disc cup, neuroretinal rim and the parapapillary zones; a superficial displacement of LC of sclera and ‘nasalization’ of the trunk of CRV; a decrease in the OI with growth in the AL; relationships of the PPA zone with a tendency to thinning of the RNFL and direction of the tilt can be useful as OCT markers in interpreting normative data in patients with myopia, predicting its progression, and also in differential diagnosis with glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Pengaruh Desain Punch Terhadap Mutu Fisik dan Disolusi Tablet MUPS Metformin HCl

The compaction of multi-unit pellet system (MUPS) into tablets is a potential alternative for sustained release drugs. Tableting tools (punch and die) affect the compaction process and quality of MUPS tablets. The punch design intends to preserve the desired drug release of compacted pellets. This study aims to investigate the effect of two punch shapes, the flat face radius edge (FFRE) and concave-faced punch (concave), each at two different cup depths, on the physical properties and release profile of metformin HCl MUPS tablets. Drug release parameters, t50 values, showed that the metformin HCl released from MUPS tablets was faster than the uncompacted sustained release pellets. The similarity of the dissolution profile (f2) between MUPS tablets and uncompacted metformin HCl pellets was lower than 50 as the minimum acceptance value. The tablet tensile strength obtained was below the requirements (&lt;1.7 MPa). Tablet disintegration time was approximately less than 2 minutes. In conclusion, drug release profile of the MUPS tablets showed damage of the pellets due to compaction process. Nevertheless, pellets compacted at low compaction pressure using FFRE with a deeper cup depth (size 0.80 mm) showed a slightly better protection compared to other punch shapes and cup depth sizes applied.

The VARIATION OF THE AXIAL LOCATION OF BRUCH’S MEMBRANE OPENING, GANGLION CELL INNER PLEXIFORM LAYER AND FLUX INDEX IN NORMAL TENSION GLAUCOMA AND PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA PATIENTS

Introduction. Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO) at the most anterior point of the neural canal for quantification of cup depth /based on retinal surface position, area and volume, laminar position, and prelaminar connective tissue volume. If these deep structural parameters are to be used effectively in glaucoma detection and identification of progression. Purpose. This study explores variation in the axial location of Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO) to determine if this reference plane varies with NTG and POAG patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional prospective descriptive study with purposive sampling. This study enrolled 72 eyes in Sardjito General Hospital underwent cirrus – OCT 5000 Ver 11.0.0.29946 between 1st March 2022 and 10th May 2022. Results. We evaluated 72 (25 NTG and 47 POAG) eyes on 37 outpatients service of Sardjito General Hospital. Median BMO, GCIPL, Flux index and CD ratio of NTG patients was 1.707 µm (1.387-2.182), 83,0µm (76-88), 0,40 (0.27-0,48), 0,64 (0,22-0,75). Median BMO, GCIPL, Flux index and CD ratio of POAG patients was 1.612 (1.028-2.031) µm, 79,00 (56-98) µm, 0,40 (0,26-0,47) and 0,64 (0,28-0,92) for CDR. Bruch’s membrane opening position was more posterior relative to the sclera in older subjects with negative correlation (P value = 0,07). Variable BMO and GCIPL tested between NTG and POAG group showed significant difference with BMO P value =0,04 and GCIPL P value=0,01 except Perfusion, flux index and RNFL. Conclusion. Bruch’s membrane opening is more posteriorly located in older individuals. There was significant difference p value of BMO between the mean of NTG and POAG.

Aluminium deep drawing with additive manufacturing polymer punches: analysis of performance in small batch production

In this research the authors tested the performance of polymer punches, filled with short carbon fibres, produced with fused filament fabrication technology for aluminium sheet deep drawing. An experimental campaign was designed to investigate the geometry accuracy of 99th produced cup and the punches wear mechanism. Results demonstrated that polymer punches are subjected to elastic and plastic deformation that affects cup radius and depth. However, the tolerance comparison with cup produced by conventional steel tools is in a range of tenth of micron; consequently, these punches can withstand the small batch or customised production of one hundred parts.

Three-Dimensional Light Field Fundus Imaging: Automatic Determination of Diagnostically Relevant Optic Nerve Head Parameters.

Morphological changes to the optic nerve head (ONH) can be detected at the early stages of glaucoma. Three-dimensional imaging and analysis may aid in the diagnosis. Light field (LF) fundus cameras can generate three-dimensional (3D) images of optic disc topography from a single shot and are less susceptible to motion artifacts. Here, we introduce a processing method to determine diagnostically relevant ONH parameters automatically and present the results of a subject study performed to validate this method. The ONHs of 17 healthy subjects were examined and images were acquired with both an LF fundus camera and by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The LF data were analyzed with a novel algorithm and compared with the results of the OCT study. Depth information was reconstructed, and a model with radial basis functions was used for processing of the 3D point cloud and to provide a finite surface. The peripapillary rising and falling edges were evaluated to determine optic disc and cup contours and finally calculate the parameters. Nine of the 17 subjects exhibited prominent optic cups. The contours and ONH parameters determined by an analysis of LF 3D imaging largely agreed with the data obtained from OCT. The median disc areas, cup areas, and cup depths differed by 0.17mm², -0.04 mm², and -0.07 mm, respectively. The findings presented here suggest the possibility of using LF data to evaluate the ONH. LF data can be used to determine geometric parameters of the ONH and thus may be suitable for future use in glaucoma diagnostics.

Assessing the Impact of Punch Geometries on Tablet Capping Using a Newly Proposed Capping Index.

Increased tablet anisotropy could lead to increased tablet capping propensity. Tooling design variables such as cup depth could serve as a key player for inducing tablet anisotropy. A new capping index (CI) consisting of the ratio of compact anisotropic index (CAI) and material anisotropic index (MAI) is proposed to evaluate tablet capping propensity as a function of punch cup depth. CAI is the ratio of axial to radial breaking force. MAI is the ratio of axial to radial Young's modulus. The impact of various punch cup depths [flat face, flat face beveled edge, flat face radius edge, standard concave, shallow concave, compound concave, deep concave, and extra deep concave] on the capping propensity of model acetaminophen tablets was studied. Tablets were manufactured at 50, 100, 200, 250, and 300MPa compression pressure at 20 RPM on different cup depth tools using Natoli NP-RD30 tablet press. A partial least squares model (PLS) was computed to model the impact of the cup depth and compression parameters on the CI. The PLS model exhibited a positive correlation of increased cup depth to the capping index. The finite elemental analysis confirmed that a high capping tendency with increased cup depth is a direct result of non-uniform stress distribution across powder bed. Certainly, a proposed new capping index with multivariate statistical analysis gives guidance in selecting tool design and compression parameters for robust tablets.

Optic Nerve Head Changes After Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Glaucoma Surgeries Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Optic nerve head (ONH) changes were detected with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) after intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering glaucoma surgeries. The aim of this study was to detect changes in the ONH with SS-OCT after IOP-lowering procedures. Patients with progressing glaucoma who were referred for IOP-lowering procedures were included. The participants underwent a 24-2 visual field test and SS-OCT (DRI OCT Triton Plus; Topcon). IOP and SS-OCT scans were obtained during the preoperative period and up to 7 days and 30-90 days postoperatively. ONH parameters were measured with a B -scan at the center of the optic disc and an average of 5 central B -scans. The hypotenuse of the ONH cup (HOC) was calculated using the Pythagorean theorem: hypotenuse 2 = leg1 2 + leg2 2 , considering the length and depth of the cup as the legs of a right triangle. We also evaluated changes in Bruch membrane opening (BMO)-to-BMO diameter. Statistical analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations. A total of 15 eyes were included. The mean patient age was 70 (SD, 11.04) years. The mean circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer was 60.13 (SD, 23.21) µm and the visual field mean deviation was -13.29 (SD, 8.5) dB. The mean IOP at each visit was: 20.5 (SD, 4.99); 11 (SD, 4.95), and 15.7 (SD, 5.04), respectively. The mean HOC, the mean depth and length of the ONH cup, and the BMO-to-BMO diameter decreased significantly after the IOP-lowering procedures. The HOC evaluated with SS-OCT significantly decreased after IOP-lowering surgeries. This parameter was useful for evaluating short-term changes in the ONH.

Water entry of cups and disks

It is known that the water entry of a body with a recessed, cupped nose can suppress the splash and air cavity typically observed for solid body entry (Mathai, Govardhan &amp; Arakeri, Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 106, 2015, 064101). However, the interplay between the captive gas in the cup, the cavity and the splash is quite subtle and has not been thoroughly explored. Here we study the cavity and splash dynamics associated with the vertical water entry of cups and find a variety of regimes over a range of Weber numbers ( $We_D$ ) and dimensionless cup depths. Our parameter space spans a transition between slow-developing cavities with long closure times (low $We_D$ ) to fast-sealing cavities (high $We_D$ ). An important dynamic event is the evacuation of trapped gas from within the cup, which drives the ensuing cavity and splash behaviour. Through modelling, we predict the conditions for which the evacuating gas inflates a cavity that opens to the atmosphere versus inflating a submerged cavity that suppresses air entrainment from above the surface. We also compare our cup water entry findings to the impact phenomena observed for flat disks, which entrap gas on the front surface similar to cups. In doing so, we reveal the sensitivity of disk splash and cavity behaviour to impact angle, and show that disks share a common regime with cups, in which a thin splash quickly seals on the body. We deduce the mechanisms by which increasing cup depth delays the cavity seal time in this regime. These findings reveal that cups may in fact promote or suppress cavity growth, depending on the cup depth and impact conditions.

A method to estimate the volume of gull nests

Measuring nest size is an important aspect of studying the breeding biology of birds. Although some simple equations for estimating the volume of passerine nests are available, no methods to estimate nest size for gulls have been described. This paper offers an equation for calculating the volume of gull nests, based on the truncated cone. It requires only four measurements of the nest: outer diameter, inner diameter, height, and cup depth. We also present a way of estimating the volume of nest material.

Deformation behavior and formability of friction stir processed DP600 steel

Abstract The effect of friction stir processing (FSP) on the formability of DP600 steel was experimentally investigated and the basic relationships between biaxial deformation behavior and FSP-induced evolutions in microstructural and mechanical properties were established. FSP formed a microstructure that consists of lath martensite with increased volume fraction compared to as-received (AR) microstructure that mainly consisted of well-distributed fine martensite particles in a ferrite matrix. Consequently, AR yield strength (301 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength (621 MPa) increased to about 811 and 1054 MPa, respectively. This strength enhancement achieved accompanied by adequate uniform elongation and elongation to failure values of 6.3 and 13.0%, respectively. Under biaxial loading conditions, good strain hardenability of the AR DP600 steel brought about a large membrane stretching regime leading to high punch force for biaxial flow. After FSP, both punch displacements within the membrane stretching regime decreased due to the increased volume fraction of lath martensite leading to higher cracking tendency. In result, cup depth and peak punch force of FSPed DP600 decreased from 8.7 mm and 33.2 kN to 7.1 mm and 28.1 kN, respectively. The obtained results simply indicate that FSP can be employed to enhance the strength of dual-phase steels with a reasonable level of formability.

Optic disc drusen in patients diagnosed with normal tension glaucoma.

To investigate the prevalence of optic disc drusen (ODD) and optic nerve head (ONH) morphology in patients diagnosed with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). In this prospective cross-sectional study, we included patients diagnosed with NTG from two glaucoma units. In both eyes, dense enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography volume scans of the ONH by means of standardized scanning guidelines were performed to examine for presence of ODD, and radial ONH scans were used for investigating parameters such as scleral canal diameter, cup/disc ratio and cup depth. We found ODD in 7 (3.6%) of 195 eyes, in 6 (6.1%) out of 98 patients diagnosed with NTG. The ODD were not ophthalmoscopically visible in five out of six patients. Eyes with ODD had lower cup/disc ratio, 0.44±0.4 (p=0.040), and less-prominent cup depth, 236.6±204.4μm (p=0.041) compared to eyes without ODD, 0.81±0.2 and 437.8±139.1μm, respectively. We found no significant difference in scleral canal diameter between the eyes without (1602.8±193μm) and those with ODD (1492±123.4μm, p=0.057). The prevalence of ODD in patients diagnosed with NTG is substantially higher than in the background population. A low cup/disc ratio correlates with ODD presence. Therefore, due to the challenges associated with NTG diagnosis, we recommend examining the deep layers of the ONH in NTG patients with a cup/disc ratio lower than 0.5 to avoid misdiagnosing ODD as NTG.

Identification of Factors Associated With the Development of Optic Disc Edema During Spaceflight

Approximately 70% of crew members who complete long-duration missions to the International Space Station develop signs of optic disc edema, a hallmark finding of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. The onset and magnitude of edema differ across individuals, and the reason for this variability remains unknown. Identifying risk factors for spaceflight-induced disc edema is important because this condition may become more severe during extended-duration missions to the moon and Mars and could be associated with irreversible vision loss. To assess whether preflight indicators of crowded optic nerve head morphology, other ocular measures (such as choroid thickness and axial length), body weight, body mass index, sex, age, and previous flight experience are associated with optic disc edema development. This cohort study analyzed ocular, body weight, and demographic data collected from 31 US and international crew members before, during, and after spaceflight at the NASA Johnson Space Center and International Space Station. Ocular factors assessed included preflight and in-flight peripapillary total retinal thickness, minimum rim width, optic cup volume, mean cup depth, mean cup width, cup-disc ratio, Bruch membrane opening area, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, choroid thickness, axial length, and refractive error. In addition, body weight, body mass index, sex, age, and previous spaceflight experience were assessed for associations with optic disc edema development. The data were analyzed from August 2021 to June 2022. Approximately 6 to 12 months of spaceflight. In-flight increases in peripapillary total retinal thickness. Linear mixed models were used to assess for associations between a wide range of risk factors and in-flight increases in peripapillary total retinal thickness, which is a sensitive objective measure for detecting optic disc edema. This study included 31 International Space Station crew members with a mean (SD) age of 46.9 (6.0) years (25 men [80.6%]). During spaceflight, mean (SE) peripapillary total retinal thickness increased from 392.0 (5.8) μm to 430.2 (9.6) μm (P < .001), and greater individual changes were associated with smaller preflight cup volume (slope [SE], -62.8 [18.9]; P = .002), shallower preflight cup depth (slope [SE], -0.11 [0.03]; P < .001), and narrower preflight cup width (slope [SE], -0.03 [0.01]; P = .03). No associations were observed between changes in peripapillary total retinal thickness and any other variable evaluated. Findings of this cohort study suggest that smaller optic cup morphology may be associated with optic disc edema development during spaceflight. Crew members with this cup profile may benefit from enhanced ophthalmic monitoring during spaceflight and use of countermeasures against spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome.

Early evaluation of optic nerve head morphology and choroidal thickness after PreserFlo MicroShunt implantation

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate changes in choroidal and optic nerve morphological parameters following MicroShunt PreserFlo implantation. The secondary aim is to investigate how the structural changes relate to the decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP).MethodsProspective observational study on 15 eyes with glaucoma requiring MicroShunt implantation. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure macular choroidal thickness (MCT), peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT), lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), cup depth and prelaminar tissue thickness (PLT), before and one day after surgery. Results were expressed in median and interquartile range (IQR) and correlated with IOP results.ResultsThe IOP decreased from a median of 25 (IQR = 11) mmHg to 8 (IQR = 2) mmHg the day after surgery. Median MCT increased after MicroShunt implantation from 252.1 (IQR = 156.4) µm to a postoperative value of 318.1 (IQR = 166.6) µm (p < 0.001), with a median increase of + 87.7 µm (+ 26.4%). PCT increased from 157.2 (IQR = 109.1) µm before surgery to 206.0 (IQR = 136.1) µm after surgery (p < 0.001). Moreover, we found a significant post-operative decrease in cup depth (median reduction of − 29.3 µm, p < 0.001) and an increase in PLT (median increase of 27.3 µm, p = 0.028). On the other side, LCD reduction 24 h after surgery didn’t reach any statistical significance.ConclusionPreserFlo implantation determines retinal structural changes which appear similar to those caused by traditional filtering surgery, confirming the effectiveness of this device, meantime carrying a much smaller complications rate when compared to trabeculectomy.

Intraoperative Mounted Optical Coherence Tomography Findings Following Reversal of Optic Nerve Head Cupping in Childhood Glaucoma

To examine the structural changes occurring in the optic nerve head (ONH) and macula in infants with childhood glaucoma and clinically observed ONH cupping reversal following intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing glaucoma surgery, as captured by intra-operative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Retrospective observational case series from an ongoing prospective cohort study. Included were 18 eyes of 14 patients with childhood glaucoma. All eyes had SD-OCT imaging pre- and post-glaucoma intervention and clinically identified ONH cupping reversal. Patients with poor quality images or persistent optic nerve swelling following IOP reduction were excluded. Outcome measurements included IOP, cup-to-disc ratio, axial length and SD-OCT measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), transverse horizontal diameter of Bruch membrane opening (BMO-D), cup depth, and macula. Mean age at surgery was 1.14±0.93 years and mean interval between pre- and post-operative imaging was 127 days (range 35-595). Following intervention, mean IOP reduction was 45%, accompanied by significant reductions in the cup-to-disc ratio (0.30±0.12, p<0.001), axial length (0.43±0.28mm, p<0.001) and cup depth (46%, p<0.001). Mean global pRNFL thickness pre- vs. post-treatment was 93.1±14.7µm vs. 93.1±17.1µm, respectively, p=1.0. There was no significant difference in pre- and post-treatment global or sectoral pRNFL, 3mm macular total and segmented retinal layer volumes, or the BMO-D. Clinical ONH cupping reversal after IOP-lowering surgery was associated with axial length reduction and decrease in cup depth, but no significant change in the pRNFL or macular volume measures. ONH cupping reversal likely marks stabilization but any pre-intervention ONH damage persists.

Investigation on the formability of friction stir welded Al-TWB through incremental forming

In the quest for weight reduction, automobile industries introduced the technology of tailor welded blanks (TWB) which offered utilization of material as per functional requirement. In general, friction stir welding (FSW) is mostly used for fabricating aluminum based TWBs as fusion welding of Al—alloys are problematic. Recently, single point incremental forming (SPIF) gained popularity among researchers as well as in industry as a dieless flexible forming technique. Hence, in this study two aluminum sheets namely AA6061 and AA7075 of similar thickness were welded together using FSW with square pin. The formability of the TWBs were evaluated in terms of cup height, wall angle and fracture location through SPIF incorporating different tool geometries. To assess the effect of weld, similar welded Al blanks were also deformed in the similar condition. The formability of the similar welded blanks and corresponding parent metals did not differ much and fracture did not initiate at the weld. However, cup depth for the TWB was in between the cup heights of the parent metals and failure was not observed at the weld region. TWB cups did not show any weldline shift.